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File: Charles de Valois.png (540 KB, 721x765)
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Greetings fellow bannermen, I am back and so we can continue the glorious adventures of his muddiness Charles de Villeroi. Last time you and your companions, Bohémond the knight and Father François the priest and Lady Sue, who followed you to spy on you, were captured on your way home by vile witches but managed to escape and with the help of your men you killed them all save one that you decided to interrogate with the questionnette before burning her.

As per tradition we will begin with an interlude.

First thread :

>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5085315/

Second thread :

>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5134375/

Third thread :

https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5194246/
>>
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>>5314154

INTERLUDE : Somewhere in Briberopolis

The court of the Elven Queen was abnormally calm. Her personal Chancellor, Vile Wickedson was walking in the gardens, looking at a finely sculpted gazebo that shielded a party of elven courtiers from the sun. Elves dominated at court and humans, while making the majority of the population, were in minority at the high council. Some resented this and wanted to go back to the times before the marriage of King Duped III to the elven queen, because this childless marriage made her inherit the throne but the chancellor disagreed. They were arrogant fools who did not understand that elves simply ruled better.
There were no squabbles to know who took power, every usurper and would be traitor had it's treason predicted by queen's seers and they were executed or killed in advance by well paid men. Then the elves ruled with their own intrigues and had trouble distinguishing humans from others so they let some families like the Wickedsons do what they wanted on the land, as long as they reinforced the centralisation of power against stupid feudal lords. The great cities were allowed to rule themselves and were not taxed because a new king needed to wage war to add a castle or some villages to his lands. No, truly, direct rule by elves was, in Vile's opinion, a pathway to prosperity. Some called his opinion subservience but he called it an understanding of modernity.
The stable government of the elves was the best way, in his opinion, to avoid the vile squabbles of the landed nobility and to attain a stable, united Bifuria who would be able to influence the politics of the Empire and who knows, maybe normalise people with evil alignments and put them in power while good elves would be the front of their rule.
It was when he was plunged deep in this thoughts that the Chancellor was met with a voice that he did recognize instantly.

-Ah, Rogue, nice to see you here, I was trying to meet you in this very moment.

It was the voice of Fentanil, the Queen's personal Archmage and the most powerful magic user in Bifuria. His long blond hair was decorated by an enjeweled diadem, he was one of the rare non landed nobles that had the right to wear such attribute and it's eyes revealed his immense wisdom. The Chancellor answered.

-Your Wisdom, I am sorry but I am not Rogue, I am Vile Wickedson, Rogue was the name of...

-Your father I suppose, I remember him yes, sorry it is simply that you humans live so fast that we have trouble keeping track, he...

-It was my grandfather, my father was Backstabber Wickedson.

-Hum... well, it happens.

The elf, an high elf of more than 8000 years old tried to smile ankwardly before saying.

-Anyway, our friends at the Norin Surveillance Array have found a strange magical disturbance in the baronny where another member of your family rules. Try to send some men to investigate, I will send Lexomil, my apprentice, to help them.
>>
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>>5314157

The Chancellor frowned, a magical disturbance, it was never something good. And he dared to ask.

-Isn't it something that the Mage's Guild needs to investigate instead of us ? I mean it is their craft after all, and I suppose you already know what this disturbance is since you are a skilled seer, O wise one.

It is when he saw something that truly afraid him, for a fraction of a second the epitome of arrogance that was this high elf seemed unsure of himself, he had never seen him lose his composure even for such a small time and he feared what it meant. After this instant the Archmage answered

-The Mage's Guild is... not always very wise in it's actions and it would be better to know the situation before them. Send some men to escort Lexomil. He will take care of the rest.

The chancellor bowed his head, it would be done, but before this he would need to write to his nephew, there was something Rotten in the Barony of Someplace, and he needed to know what had happened.

========================

MEANWHILE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE BETWEEN SOMEPLACE AND LOCAL

-Tell me where is your jewelry you ugly hag !

Told the voice of Ancel le purineur, your brave scout, when he was applying a hot poker to the behind of the witch who cried and repeated for a third time. She squeled like a pig that was butchered.

-Aaaaaah ! Nooo ! Please ! I already told you that it is in the room behind us, my sister had the key, you killed her...

-You are lying, hag ! I am sure there is more treasure that..

-Silence Ancel, tell me, vile crone, is there any other heretics in the area ? Do they change into wolves and worship demons too ? Should we purge everything around, are some local villagers in league with you ?

The distorted, fat and ugly hag sobbed a bit more when Ancel tried to poke her a new time with his red hot torture instrument. She was annoying you, you already were wounded and had a broken leg, you did not need her insupportable crying bothering you.

-Aaaah, yes, there is another coven, deeper in the hills but they are less numerous than us... It is to the east.. In a cave near a hollow tree...

At least it was factual information. You asked her a second time, to be sure, and then ordered.

-Father François, it is your turn.

The adipose priest was tired, he told her in a weary voice.

-Renounce your faith in Belzebuth and you will die in Christ's peace.

The hag seemed unimpressed.

-Christ who ? And Belzebuth what is this thing I... And I thought you will let me live ! Traitor !

You smiled and answered smugly.

-A word given to a serf, or a witch is worth nothing, only oaths taken between gentlemen have to be respected.
>>
>>5314160

Her face turned even more ugly and while you were bothered by Cop, who said that Lady Sue wanted to assist to the questionnette, even if you told her that it was not a spectacle befitting a female, the hag screamed.

-Bastard ! I hate you ! I curse you in the name of the thirteen curses of Bar-Zalchot and Bar-Ometer, you and all your bloodline shall perish in shadows forgotten by all, I...

-Ancel, cut out her tongue before we burn her...

Ancel obliged and quickly she was no more able to curse you. You tried to sit while your men began to prepare wood for a pyre. New orders had to be given, what to do ?

>Talk to Lady Sue, and tell her about the other witches, she seems to want to kill them.
>Order your men to march to the east tomorrow, it is near your lands and you shall not tolerate witch covens here.
>Order to loot the treasures of the witches, you need money after all.
>Order to bury your man who was killed by the wolf-men and the hags.
>Order to take the body of your man killed by the wolf-men and the hags, so his family could bury him.
>Order to leave the cave and go back to the grandmother's house were you came from.
>Burn all the place, and it's treasures, it is probably cursed.
>Other (write in)

You gain +2 mudcore and +2 piety

====

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 3
XP : 240+10 = 250 (next level at 450)

Stats

Combat : 50%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 35%

Piety : 32+2= 34

Mudcore : 30+2=32

With 30 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. New illnesses will appear too around you, but the Mudcore that you have brought upon this world will make a new companion appear.
Next level at 40, at 40 mudcore you would be able to "specialise" this ability and choose one of the three paths proposed.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.
>>
>>5314163
>Burn all the place, and it's treasures, it is probably cursed.
>>
>>5314163
>Talk to Lady Sue, and tell her about the other witches, she seems to want to kill them.
>Order your men to march to the east tomorrow, it is near your lands and you shall not tolerate witch covens here.
>Order to loot the treasures of the witches, you need money after all.
>Order to take the body of your man killed by the wolf-men and the hags, so his family could bury him.
>>
>>5314163
>>Talk to Lady Sue, and tell her about the other witches, she seems to want to kill them.
>>Order to loot the treasures of the witches, you need money after all.
>>Order to take the body of your man killed by the wolf-men and the hags, so his family could bury him.

Welcome back!
>>
>>5314163
>>Order to loot the treasures of the witches, you need money after all.
>>Order to take the body of your man killed by the wolf-men and the hags, so his family could bury him.

We should head back home and recuperate, we can launch an expedition against these other heretics in due time.

Welcome back!
>>
>>5314163
>>Order to loot the treasures of the witches, you need money after all.
>>Order to take the body of your man killed by the wolf-men and the hags, so his family could bury him.
>>Talk to Lady Sue, and tell her about the other witches, she seems to want to kill them.
>>Order to leave the cave and go back to the grandmother's house were you came from.
>>
>>5314163
>>Talk to Lady Sue, and tell her about the other witches, she seems to want to kill them.
>>Order your men to march to the east tomorrow, it is near your lands and you shall not tolerate witch covens here.
>>Order to loot the treasures of the witches, you need money after all.
>>Order to take the body of your man killed by the wolf-men and the hags, so his family could bury him.
These options seem reasonable.
>>
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>>5314220
>>5314233
>>5314381
>>5314552
>>5314583

You had three things to do, first you ordered your men to plunder the vaults of the witches, it was taken back with fire and sword from those beasts. Since you had defeated them you had the right to honestly loot the place.

-Men, take everything of value here and pile it up, and take the body of Hunl Ucky, he was a good guard, we will give his body back to his family... I need to talk to Lady Sue, Father François, if you may help me move towards her...

The priest, who was as fat as he was strong, helped you quickly on your feet. You cursed silently thinking about all the good hunting that you will have to miss with your broken leg. You, and Lady Sue, were wounded, she was stuck by a sword in the flank and you had your ankle broken by the saxon wolf man that you slaughtered. She was carried downside with you while you limped towards a chest and you sat together on it. It was quite poetic, the lord and lady watching while the troopers were plundering and building a pyre. Before you could talk the lady said in an authoritative tone, her character being as fiery as her hair.

-Lord Charles, I am very disappointed that you haven't let me interrogate these hags, you are a stranger while I know the land and...

-The questionnette is not a spectacle for ladies, and besides, the hag could have cursed you. And she talked, she talked about another coven of these heretics nearby. In a cave near a hollow tree. I will try to marshal some men when I will be at local, we will assemble and strike those infidels down.

She rolled her eyes and said.

-You know, you are a backwards man, and a religious fanatic, two things that I hate. But... But I have to say that you are brave, and I have to thank you for saving me, even if I dislike feeling vulnerable and I... Regret that we ended up captured and then wounded. I was, maybe wrong to say that you are evil.

You smiled lightly, even if she was a strange lady dressed in leathers and carrying a sword you had to say that she was pretty, with fiery red hair and blue eyes full of character, pouty lips and let's not forget behind and legs not hidden by robes that she had not to be ashamed of. And the fact that she said this meant that she was not insensible to your charm. Well, you could not blame her, you were a true knight, noble, beautiful and sure of himself, of course women would like you. You decided to compliment her too, on something that she knows to do, a wise move.

-My lady, I must say that you are good with a sword too, I never saw a lady more skilled in this art, even if I disapprove of them being used by the fair sex. You shall not blame yourself for our wounds and our capture, we were outnumbered, these things may happen.

She answered abruptly, as if she was in middle of some thoughts.

-No they may not, I am a rank 20 adventurers, being beaten by crappy werevolves is not normal... And...

She told some other nonsense while Cop reported you.
>>
>>5314587

-We found all the loot my lord. 74 gold coins, some silver bowls, your Ancel tried to steal some, I had to stop him. Some precious gems. And a strange glowing scale armor cuirass, we took the swords and weapons of the bastards too, there is eleven of them, five shorstwords, three axes and three maces. And...

Lady Sue interrupted him, seeing Ancel who was carrying loot like any normal man.

-Why are you carrying a sheaf of wheat ? And was there not any potions or poisons or scrolls or other magical items in this place ?

This woman was strange, Ancel answered obviously.

-To make bread ma dame. And no, I only found wine, disgusting wine, worse than what a breton could do ! So I broke the bottles, and some old parchments of no value that I wiped my ass with after...

You interrupted him.

-Ancel ! You are talking to a lady !

-Sorry messire ! Please messire, do not order me to be whipped.

-Be quiet, and go back to your occupations.

Lady Sue was watching you with big eyes, and watching Ancel, she watched with an amazed expression and you wondered why.
But you seemed to understand, of course, during all your captivity you saw barrels of food and your men did not think about keeping them. Food is food after all, even if taken from heretics and you needed to loot it, or maybe it was cursed or poisoned, who knows with witches, after all their wine was poor. You needed to decide before going watching the witch burn.

>Keep all the loot for yourself.
>Give a share of the loot to all your men, including a share for the family of your dead soldier.
>Order to loot all the food, it must not be wasted, famines happen all the time.
>Burn the food, maybe it is poisoned.
>Ask Lady Sue why she is watching with such amazement at Ancel and you.
>Look more closely at the scale armor
>Other (write in)

>>5314233
>>5314381

Thank you good sirs, I am glad to be able to continue this quest.

About the continuation I see that you are divided so I will let you choose a second time after the witch burning.
>>
>>5314588
>>Give a share of the loot to all your men, including a share for the family of your dead soldier.
>>Ask Lady Sue why she is watching with such amazement at Ancel and you.
>>Look more closely at the scale armor

The food does sound risky, perhaps we should leave it. Concerning the armor, it may not be useful on us, but I expect it might fetch a fine price if our mudcore disables it.
>>
>>5314588
>Ask Lady Sue why she is watching with such amazement at Ancel and you.
>Give a share of the loot to all your men, including a share for the family of your dead soldier.
>Other : So if Ancel doesn't like vinasse which he tastes without permission, he tastes the food so that we know if it is toxic, the food can sometimes be too precious to be abandoned in this way.
>Look more closely at the scale armor
>>
>>5314604
Sensible!

>>5314588
>Ask Lady Sue why she is watching with such amazement at Ancel and you.
>Give a share of the loot to all your men, including a share for the family of your dead soldier.
>Other : So if Ancel doesn't like vinasse which he tastes without permission, he tastes the food so that we know if it is toxic, the food can sometimes be too precious to be abandoned in this way.
>Look more closely at the scale armor
>>
>>5314588
>>Give a share of the loot to all your men, including a share for the family of your dead soldier.
>>Order to loot all the food, it must not be wasted, famines happen all the time.
>>Ask Lady Sue why she is watching with such amazement at Ancel and you.
>>Look more closely at the scale armor
>>
>>5314604
Ancel would be glad to test the food for us, I'm sure

>Ask Lady Sue why she is watching with such amazement at Ancel and you.
>Give a share of the loot to all your men, including a share for the family of your dead soldier.
>Other : So if Ancel doesn't like vinasse which he tastes without permission, he tastes the food so that we know if it is toxic, the food can sometimes be too precious to be abandoned in this way.
>Look more closely at the scale armor
>>
>>5314588
>>Give a share of the loot to all your men, including a share for the family of your dead soldier.
>Burn the food, maybe it is poisoned.
>Ask Lady Sue why she is watching with such amazement at Ancel and you.
>Look more closely at the scale armor
>>
>>5314588
>Ask Lady Sue why she is watching with such amazement at Ancel and you.
>Give a share of the loot to all your men, including a share for the family of your dead soldier.
>Other : So if Ancel doesn't like vinasse which he tastes without permission, he tastes the food so that we know if it is toxic, the food can sometimes be too precious to be abandoned in this way.
>Look more closely at the scale armor
>>
>>5314588
>Give a share of the loot to all your men, including a share for the family of your dead soldier.

>Order to loot all the food, it must not be wasted, famines happen all the time.
>Look more closely at the scale armor
>>
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>>5314591
>>5314604
>>5314634
>>5314857
>>5314995
>>5315028
>>5315205
>>5315494

You thought about the food, would it not be better to order Ancel to taste it ? You told him joyfully.

-Ancel, my brave Ancel, you were a loyal servant and I wish to reward you. You can take a bit of all the food, taste every barrel see what is the best one, and it will be yours. Taste everything and choose a barrel or two bags of victuailles.

He began to bow and thank you saying.

-Hosanna messire ! Hosanna ! You are generosity incarnate ! Like the good king Saint Louis !

And while he began to eat, saying "Oooh" when he found grain or spitting out some of the strange pautatoes saying "pouah". You told your men.

-Soldiers, I am proud of your loyalty and I will reward you with a share of the loot for each man. Bohémond, Father François you can take a part too, supervise the sharing of the loot between the men oh, and do not forget a share of the loot for the family of Hunl Ucky, may his soul find peace.

The men cheered for their lord and you decided to ask Lady Sue why she was watching you with big eyes.

-My lady, may I enquire why you seem so interested in mine and Ancel's actions...

She looked at you.

-You do not know why ?

-If I knew it I would not have asked my Lady.

-Because this imbecile destroyed magical potions, and scrolls, very valuable scrolls that he used to wipe... Well you know what... They could do magic like conjure a fireball by reading them and...

You did the sign of the cross, it was fortunate that Ancel acted that way to save your souls.

-Then it is good that such devilish things are destroyed ! These are parchments of Satan and they should be burned.

She looked disturbed.

-But, do you realise how much they are worth ? It is at least 2000 or 3000 gold coins for all this loot...

It was one third of your treasury ! By saint Denis ! People were really ready to pay this much for some heretical junk. You wanted to answer but the brave Ancel was eating a kind of white powder and saying.

-Messire ! Messire ! Look at this bag ! It is delicious ! This powder tastes like honey !

Since he seemed not to die you decided to taste it and agreed, it was sweet, you wondered what this mysterious white powder was and asked Cop.

-What is this ?

-It is sugar my lord, you never saw it ?

A strange indian dish this sugar... And Ancel choose to keep the bag, well, you will buy another one, it seemed to be a kind of sweet grain that could be eaten in dire situations, or maybe it was better cooked, you thought about asking your cooks about it.
>>
>>5315651

After looting you saw that you nine barrels and twelves huge bags of different grains, salted meat or fish. It would be sufficient to feed your household for some time. Apparently they were not poisoned. You decided to look at the scale cuirass, it was apparently made of metal but it glowed with a strange red light, unfortunately when you took it you remarked that it was not glowing anymore. You released it and it was glowing a new time. You ordered a man to pick it up and it glowed anew. It seemed that it refused to glow only when you touched it. But it glowed in red, the color of the flames of hell, maybe it was heretical ? Any investigations about what it was was met with scepticism by Lady Sue and your men, they seemed to agree that it was magic but not know what it is. Should you keep it, maybe it had value and after all a lot of heroes in legends used enchanted weapons, or maybe you should burn it, because it's red color might indicate that it's power comes from the forces of hell.

It was at this moment that Bohémond came to you, the young knight was still a bit dizzy after the "healing potion" that saved him, but he seemed to recover fast.

-Monseigneur, the loot is shared between the men, but we will need more men to carry all of it.

-Tell some of the servants that stayed in the house to go back here and take a share of the loot, in the meantime we will burn the witch.

Effectively, a pyre was made and the hag was attached to it, without a tongue she could not curse you but she looked at you with hatred in her eyes. Father François approached the witch and asked.

-Do you repent ? If yes then nod your head !

She tried to spit on his face but it fell short. Then a man of your guard put a torch on her pyre and you had the pleasure of seeing the witch burn. Her tongue-less tentative of screaming was very strange, it was a gargled noise, but you were sure that she was dead at least. Lady Sue had questioned the pertinence of witch burnings but she was a red haired woman, so you thought that she feared that she would be the next one. But you were not a superstitious man so she had nothing to fear, even if by law she should have been burned for donning men's clothes. Then by law you would have to tell Baron Crook about your witch burnings on his lands and have his authorisation.
Once your servants were here you could finally continue your travels and go back to the grandmother's house for the night, the witches have been finally vainquished.

>Take all the food with you.
>Do not take the Khorne and Pautatoes, they were cursed in your realm, who knows what they can be ?
>Throw the scale cuirass into the fire, it is probably cursed
>Ask Father François about the scale cuirass, he is a priest and must know about what comes from hell.
>Once in the grandmother's house ask Oldfossil about the scale cuirass
>Other (write in)

You gain +2 mudcore, +2 piety and +20 xp for your victory over the witches of the Hills of Nesse.
>>
>>5315654

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 3
XP : 250+20= 270 (next level at 450)

Stats

Combat : 50%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 35%

Piety : 34+2=36

Mudcore : 32+2= 34

With 34 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. New illnesses will appear too around you, but the Mudcore that you have brought upon this world will make a new companion appear.
Next level at 40, at 40 mudcore you would be able to "specialise" this ability and choose one of the three paths proposed.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.
>>
>>5315654
>>Ask Father François about the scale cuirass, he is a priest and must know about what comes from hell.
>>Once in the grandmother's house ask Oldfossil about the scale cuirass
>>Take all the food with you.
>>
>>5315654
>Do not take the Khorne and Pautatoes, they were cursed in your realm, who knows what they can be ?
>Once in the grandmother's house ask Oldfossil about the scale cuirass
>>
>>5315654
>>Do not take the Khorne and Pautatoes, they were cursed in your realm, who knows what they can be ?
>>Throw the scale cuirass into the fire, it is probably cursed
>>Once in the grandmother's house ask Oldfossil about the scale cuirass

Perhaps Oldfossil could be given a healing potion?
>>
>>5315654
>Ask Father François about the scale cuirass, he is a priest and must know about what comes from hell.
>Once in the grandmother's house ask Oldfossil about the scale cuirass
>Do not take the Khorne they were cursed in your realm, who knows what they can be ?
>>
>>5315654
>Do not take the Khorne and Pautatoes, they were cursed in your realm, who knows what they can be ?
>Ask Father François about the scale cuirass, he is a priest and must know about what comes from hell.
>>
>>5315654
>Take all the food with you.
>Ask Father François about the scale cuirass, he is a priest and must know about what comes from hell.
>>
>>5315654
>>Do not take the Khorne and Pautatoes, they were cursed in your realm, who knows what they can be ?
>>Ask Father François about the scale cuirass, he is a priest and must know about what comes from hell.
>>
>>5315654
>Do not take the Khorne and Pautatoes, they were cursed in your realm, who knows what they can be ?
>Ask Father François about the scale cuirass, he is a priest and must know about what comes from hell.
>>
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>>5315672
>>5315681
>>5315753

I fear that Ancel has broken all the stocks of this wonderful beverage.

>>5315779
>>5316099
>>5316134
>>5316376
>>5316382

You decided to order your men to take all the food excluding Kohrne and Pautatoes, they were cursed in your lands and would probably be here too. You then took the scale breastplate and asked Father François.

-Father François, tell me, see this strange cuirass, it glows and turns red when I am not holding it. What is this devilry ?

The priest took the thing, it seemed to stop to glow too when he touched it. He asked Bohémond, a guardsman and Ancel to touch it but it glowed when they held it. Everyone was now focused on the breastplate and the priest solemnly declared.

-It was found in the lair of vile witches and it glows strangely, without any explanation. It means that it is reinforced by unclean magic, I advise you to destroy this cursed object monseigneur.

You approved and added.

-Yes, and red is the colour of the flames of hell, the colour of blood and violence it is obviously devilish.

The priest, who knew about the signification of the colours (he was a wise man and even knew how to read) approved.

-Of course, the red has many bad properties, just like the yellow who is just an unpure white or gold. Even if the yellow is worse, but the worse is the orange colour, it has all the bad properties of the red and the yellow reunited. No wonder that witches and Judas Iscariot had orange hair. If it glowed in an orange colour I would have destroyed it now but with a glowing red armor we may ask a wiser man than me, I am not sure monseigneur.

You approved, the priest was wise. He knew the signification of different colours. Your men seemed impressed, especially the Indians who did not knew this. But lady Sue was not. When she approached you she said.

-You really believe this garbage ? Like "Orange man bad" and this kind of things ? Is it why you killed Hostil ?

You understood her concern.

-Judas Iscariot was a redhead, it is known, and redheads are often witches. But do not worry my lady, your hair is very charming and not all redheads are wizards and witches, I am not superstitious. But yes, when I saw him it was one of the reasons I disliked him, along with a territorial dispute and his practice of magic.

Damn, you forgot that she was close to him. She looked at you with contempt and asked with a shocked tone.

-And you really believe it, tell me, Lord Charles, your parents were cousins ?

-Of course, and yours were not ?

Then you remembered that she was a bastard and said.

-Mmmmh, sorry I didn't think about it.

She looked at you, and seemed to be astonished by your previous answers. She remained silent during the rest of your travels.
>>
>>5316486

After three hours on your limping leg, when the sun was practically rising, you arrived at the grandmother's house. Here Oldfossil and the female servant that stayed with him were drinking something and the old councillor was coughing. Seeing Lady Sue he seemed disturbed but you explained the situation and he nodded. Then you asked him about the cuirass. His answer was interesting.

-I am not an expert my lord, this was the work of our court mage Rollarion McFumbles, may his soul rest in peace, but I think that this is an imitation of dragonscale armor with fire resistance magic added to it. It is made of steel but enchanted. I think it is worth maybe 1000 or 1500 gold coins instead of the 4000 of a true dragonscale cuirass.

1000 or 1500 ! By Saint Denis it would double your treasury ! With this horrible transmutation of your gold into silver you had only 1000 gold coins left. You needed to sell this, or maybe you should throw this heretical thing into the fire. It was a true dilemma. You decided to sleep before taking a decision the next day.

>Destroy the scale cuirass
>Keep the scale cuirass to sell it
>Other (write in)

And what to do in two hours, when the sun will rise ? You feared assassins sent by baron Crook and his vassal Creepy Bitchson, it was why you travelled outside the roads. But with all your provisions, and the risks of the wilderness, maybe it would be better to take the road.

>Try to continue through the hills.
>Go back to the road that leads to Local.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5316487
>>Keep the scale cuirass to sell it
>Go back to the road that leads to Local.
>>
>>5316487
>Destroy the scale cuirass
Keeping this and passing it off on another is just as bad as doing the dark magic that made it this way

>Go back to the road that leads to Local.

We need to return to our demesne ASAP
>>
>>5316487
>Keep the scale cuirass to sell it
We need funds for the difficulties ahead. IS it not permitted to sell the crusade-plundered gold of a Moor, even when it is sanctified to their false faith? Sell it, and use the money to build a church!

>Go back to the road that leads to Local.
We are injured. We cannot go gallivanting over hills.
>>
>>5316487
>Destroy the scale cuirass
No amount of money is can convince me to tolerate devilry
>Go back to the road that leads to Local.

Glad to see the quest back
>>
>>5316487
>Keep the scale cuirass to sell it
>Go back to the road that leads to Local.
>>
>>5316487
Welcome back QM
>Keep the scale cuirass to sell it
We should hunt more dens of heretics to gain that sweet money to hopefully expand our little fief.
>Go back to the road that leads to Local.
Is our friend back from attempting to get that loan
>>
>>5316487
>Keep the scale cuirass to sell it
>Try to continue through the hills.
>>
>>5316487
>>Destroy the scale cuirass
>Go back to the road that leads to Local
GET BACK SATAN
>>
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>>5316580
>>5316582
>>5316587
>>5316591

Thank you.

>>5316659
>>5316663

Thank you good sir.

>>5316689
>>5316703

You thought longly about the cuirass, on one hand it needed to be destroyed, on the other hand you really needed money. And after all even if Saracens had their blades blessed by their priests it did not forbid rich Frenchmen to have daggers and swords of Damas steel. Yes, definitely you could sell this thing and build a church, even if it is tainted by magic. After all even heroes from the chansons de geste like Renaud de Montauban used magical weapons like his Floberge. Yes you could sell this artefact. So you declared.

-We will sell this thing, it will give us money to establish a church.

Then you ordered your men to continue the travels by road. After all you were wounded. You bode farewell to Lady Sue and continued in an uneventful travel. You only needed to borrow a chariot against a bag of grains to transport all your loot. According to your calculations and those of Oldfossil the brave Louis de Pierredargent, the Templar knight, should have arrived at Local with your loan before you will be back.

After two days of travelling, sometimes on horse, sometimes, because of your ankle, on a chariot, you finally saw Local and said to Father François, who had never seen it.

-Look ! Look at this ! My own fief ! Hah, if my lord father saw it he would be proud, and my older brothers, knowing them, jealous. See this castle, it is as strong as Villeroi.

Father François laughed a bit and answered, after seeing the powerful castle that dominated the Queste river and it's high dungeon.

-Do not judge your brothers harshly monseigneur, but I agree, monseigneur Eudes would be proud of you. You acquired a fief in faraway India like a lot of men from our lands did in the Crusades.

This made you think about some words of Charles de Valois, when you heard him at his hostel "The Crusades ! For more than fifty years we have done nothing great in Europe for Christianity since then !" He was right, the Crusades were things of the past, your father talked about them, well you fought in the crusade against the heretical king of Aragon when you were a squire but it has been more or less 14 years ago. No, you needed to bring back the crusades, here, in India. You have already begun to bring back serfdom, you will bring back the crusades. And all India will shine as an exemple of a good Christian kingdom. Yes ! All India, but you will begin by Bifuria.

But what to do first when you will be back in your fortress ?

>See if Brother Louis is here, to talk about the loan.
>Talk with Godefroi and Captain Crumbling, you need to know how they have ruled in your absence.
>Take a look around the village, your people must know that you are back.
>Show the heretical temple of Monsanto to Father François, ask him if we can convert it to a church.
>Ask for a healer for your ankle.
>Other (write in)

You loose 2 piety for keeping the cuirass.
>>
>>5316587

Wise words indeed, thanks for the suggestion.

>>5316663

In theory he is back, but who knows, roads are dangerous.
>>
>>5316783
>Show the heretical temple of Monsanto to Father François, ask him if we can convert it to a church.
>Talk with Godefroi and Captain Crumbling, you need to know how they have ruled in your absence.
>See if Brother Louis is here, to talk about the loan.
In that order of importance, if there's a limit to how many we can vote for

>>5316789
Glad to be of service.
>>
>>5316783
>Show the heretical temple of Monsanto to Father François, ask him if we can convert it to a church.
We need to repent for our act of taking the cursed object.
>>
>>5316783
>Ask for a healer for your ankle.
Should be first; we should try and stay in good health

>Talk with Godefroi and Captain Crumbling, you need to know how they have ruled in your absence.
>Show the heretical temple of Monsanto to Father François, ask him if we can convert it to a church.

If Brother Louis is back already, he'll no doubt find us, so why not get these things done?
>>
>>5316783
>Ask for a healer for your ankle.

>>Show the heretical temple of Monsanto to Father François, ask him if we can convert it to a church.
>Take a look around the village, your people must know that you are back.
>>
>>5316783
>>Talk with Godefroi and Captain Crumbling, you need to know how they have ruled in your absence.

If no limit>>5316794

Also, we need a healer for dear Oldfossil!
>>
>>5316783
>Take a look around the village, your people must know that you are back.
>See if Brother Louis is here, to talk about the loan.
>>
>>5316783
>See if Brother Louis is here, to talk about the loan.
>Show the heretical temple of Monsanto to Father François, ask him if we can convert it to a church.
With our newfound capital, the wealth we will soon create for our fief will be the envy of all! With more money comes more funds to support our future crusades.
>>
>>5316783
>>Show the heretical temple of Monsanto to Father François, ask him if we can convert it to a church.
>>Ask for a healer for your ankle.
>>
>>5316783
>Show the heretical temple of Monsanto to Father François, ask him if we can convert it to a church.
>Talk with Godefroi and Captain Crumbling, you need to know how they have ruled in your absence.
>Ask for a healer for your ankle.
>>
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>>5316794

Most of it will be done eventually but I will do it one thing by one.

>>5316819
>>5316821
>>5316916
>>5316919
>>5316979
>>5316983

Indeed, soon hundreds of armors will gleam under the sun under the banners of Saint Denis and Saint Michel.

>>5317035
>>5317824


You decided to begin by showing the heretical temple of Monsanto, the biggest stone structure of Local, to Father François. You wanted to transform it into a church after all and you needed his advice. While you rode towards the center of the village you ordered cop to bring the body of your fallen soldier, without his armour and equipment of course, to his family, with his share of the loot. You trusted cop, he was your best man and you thought about giving him some rank of sergeant one day.
Father François, like you the first time, seemed impressed by the richness and quite big windows of the indian houses. It was impressive, a kind of richer version of the houses of your native Champagne, and it was only a small village. The half timbered houses looked clean and well built, most of them being two floors high. Once before the temple you ordered the man posted here, who saluted you, to open the gates for your priest friend. The man asked.

-Is it the new priest of Monsanto that will replace the conmen my lord ?

Well, there will be a lot of work to explain the True Faith to your people. But before you could answer Father François told.

-No, I came to preach the words of Jesus Christ, who is arisen from the dead.

The man seemed impressed and you told.

-The clergy of Monsanto has proven to be unreliable.

The soldier nodded, and said enthusiastically.

-Glad to hear about a new god mylord.

You looked at Father François while you entered. Well, you already explained him on the road that the locals were polytheists. He seemed not to be worried. Once inside he looked at the place and the huge vaults under it. He explained.

-Well, monseigneur, it is a beautiful building, indeed, and you say there were golden idols inside.... I will need to consecrate it of course, and for this I will need tools, censers, a chalice for the Holy Communion, a huge cross, maybe some statues of saints but it will come later, we will now take only what is needed to celebrate the holy mass. I will need a chasuble, an alb and a stole too, I was travelling when I woke up in India.
And about the holy texts, our church back in Champagne lacked a Bible but we had the Missal and the Lectionnary, we have not...

You happily corrected him.

-Brother Louis was transporting a bible in a single volume when we travelled together. He may give you it.

The priest was impressed.

-A Bible ! It is a gift from Heavens ! I can recite the mass by hearth but this is wonderful news.

-Are you not worried, Father, that it is a heretical temple ? I mean isn't the structure unclean...
>>
>>5317918

He simply laughed.

-Monseigneur the legend says that our church in Villeroi was built on a pagan temple from the time of the Roman Empire. Of course here it isn't built in the form of a cross, and the place lacks bells, but before building a new church it will be more than sufficient.

It was good, then you needed to ask.

-And how much should all your liturgical objects cost ?

-Hard to say my lord, they seem to pay everything in gold here... But if it is the same as in France it will cost as much as rebuilding the roof of the building, it is not cheap monseigneur.

By saint John's beard ! It will be costly, but necessary. You hoped that selling the cuirass will suffice to finance the project. Maybe your loan would be useful. You nodded while Father François asked.

-Monseigneur, I have only one question to ask, since you will "build" if we may say so, this church, I wish to let you choose it's name. In the name of whom shall we consecrate it ?

====

In terms of gameplay a church gives you +1 piety each week, and a small bonus if you pray here frequently, depending on the saint that it's consecrated too (you will try to emulate him of course).

>It will be consecrated to our good king Saint Louis, king and crusader, let it be known that we will be an example of Christan government (+2 rulership)
>It will be consecrated to the Virgin Mary Mother of God and shall be known as Notre Dame de Local, I wish to put all the fiefdom under her protection (+1 piety per week, +1 rulership)
>It will be consecrated to Saint Georges, patron saint of Knighthood, for all faithful warriors who protect this land.(+2 combat)
>It will be consecrated to Saint John the Baptist, just like he was first of the Saints we will be the first Christians in this region (+2 piety per week)
>It will be consecrated to the Archangel Michael, Patron Saint of France and commander of the Holy Armies (+1 combat , +1 rulership)
>It will be consecrated to Saint Denis, martyr and evangeliser of Gaul, like him we will try to adapt to the local customs to convert the people (+1 rulership, +1 intrigue)
>It will be consecrated to Saint Eloi, councillor and finance minister of king Dagobert, let's remember his wisdom, and he is the patron saint of farmers, it will make the transition from this temple blessing the harvest smoother for the people (+2 intrigue)
>It will be consecrated to Sainte Geneviève, who by prayer, saved Paris from the Huns, (+1 piety, +1 combat)
>It will be consecrated to Saint Nicaise, patron saint of Reims, who lost his head and continued walking to his tomb when the vandals sacked the city, his story should impress the locals and remind us of our homes while encouraging us to defend our new fief (+1 piety per week, +1 combat)
>It will be consecrated to Saint Maurice, martyr of the Theban Legion, a glorious warrior, and the fact that he was from the faraway lands of Egypt may encourage locals to become more pious (+1 combat, +1 intrigue)
>>
>>5317919
Oh, this is a tough choice, a really tough one...

I'm going to go with
>It will be consecrated to the Virgin Mary Mother of God and shall be known as Notre Dame de Local, I wish to put all the fiefdom under her protection (+1 piety per week, +1 rulership)

It was a hard choice between her and John, but the extra piety and rulership bonus are the best of both worlds
>>
>>5317919
>It will be consecrated to Saint Denis, martyr and evangeliser of Gaul, like him we will try to adapt to the local customs to convert the people (+1 rulership, +1 intrigue)
>>
>>5317919
>>It will be consecrated to Saint Denis, martyr and evangeliser of Gaul, like him we will try to adapt to the local customs to convert the people (+1 rulership, +1 intrigue)
>>
>>5317919
>>It will be consecrated to Saint Denis, martyr and evangeliser of Gaul, like him we will try to adapt to the local customs to convert the people (+1 rulership, +1 intrigue)
>>
>>5317919
>>It will be consecrated to the Virgin Mary Mother of God and shall be known as Notre Dame de Local, I wish to put all the fiefdom under her protection (+1 piety per week, +1 rulership)
Our Holy Mother deserves our priority.
>>
>>5317919
>It will be consecrated to Saint Denis, martyr and evangeliser of Gaul, like him we will try to adapt to the local customs to convert the people (+1 rulership, +1 intrigue)
>>
>>5317919
>It will be consecrated to the Virgin Mary Mother of God and shall be known as Notre Dame de Local, I wish to put all the fiefdom under her protection (+1 piety per week, +1 rulership)
>>
>>5317919
>It will be consecrated to the Virgin Mary Mother of God and shall be known as Notre Dame de Local, I wish to put all the fiefdom under her protection (+1 piety per week, +1 rulership)
The piety and help with ruling will be good.
Once we get more calvary and our men better equipped I believe we should go out on more of these witch hunts considering they are basically free money
>>
>>5317919
>It will be consecrated to the Archangel Michael, Patron Saint of France and commander of the Holy Armies (+1 combat , +1 rulership)
>>
>>5317919
>>It will be consecrated to Saint Denis, martyr and evangeliser of Gaul, like him we will try to adapt to the local customs to convert the people (+1 rulership, +1 intrigue)
>>
>>5318119
Changing to
>It will be consecrated to the Virgin Mary Mother of God and shall be known as Notre Dame de Local, I wish to put all the fiefdom under her protection (+1 piety per week, +1 rulership)
>>
>>5317985
>>5317987
>>5317993
>>5317996
>>5318009
>>5318048
>>5318071
>>5318097
>>5318155
>>5318182

5 vs five it seems that we need a tie breaker good sirs.
>>
>>5317919
>>5318601
>>It will be consecrated to the Virgin Mary Mother of God and shall be known as Notre Dame de Local, I wish to put all the fiefdom under her protection (+1 piety per week, +1 rulership)
>>
>>5318605

Thank you good sir, currently writing.
>>
>>5317985
>>5317987
>>5317993
>>5317996
>>5318009
>>5318048
>>5318071
>>5318097
>>5318119
>>5318155
>>5318182
>>5318605

You thought about it, it was a difficult question, your first choice was a warrior saint, you always prayed for the intercession of Saint Georges or the Archangel Saint Michel. But it was not a good choice, you were raised to be a warrior, a knight, since you were the third son it was this or a religious education. But here you needed not to think as a warrior but as a ruler, and you needed a figure that will be closer to the hearths of your peasants. You thought about two names, Saint Denis, protector of France, evangeliser of your land, who lost his head and walked with it under his arm to the place where they built the basilica where the kings are buried. It was a powerful saint, but on the other side there was the Holy Virgin who was the Mother of God, she took care of the weak and was the most holy woman. Plus it was a female figure, just like the heathen goddess and if those strange people worshipped women it would be better to use the most holy one to convert them. The Holy Virgin represented kindness, mercy and purity, she gave birth to God, just like this church will give birth to Christendom in this part of India. So you answered.

-It will be consecrated to the Virgin Mary Mother of God and shall be known as Notre Dame de Local, I wish to put all the fiefdom under her protection.

The priest agreed, telling.

-A wise choice monseigneur. I am sure that she watches us with approval.

Once these questions done you decided to head back to your castle where all your servants and soldiers bowed to your venue. Ancel and Bohémond helped you walk on the stairs, with your injured leg, and you were glad to see Brother Louis, Captain Crumbling and Godefroi together. The three older men saluted you and asked if you travelled well, and if you needed a healer for your ankle. You said.

-Yes, of course, but before I wish to talk to you. And I wish to eat, give something to eat for my men and me. First, Godefroi, Crumbling, tell me more about what happened during my absence. Then we will talk about the loan dear brother Louis.

The two men bowed and once in the great hall, before a good beef stew, they began to talk. First was Godefroi.

-Monseigneur, not everything has been good, let us begin by the bad, I thing that leprosy has broken out amongst two of our peasants in Nearby. They were all covered by leprosy marks. I ordered them to be chased away but the people here seemed to think that it could be cured. Their wives came to try to feed them and when they came back they had rotting flesh too. I ordered soldiers to shoot at them with bows if they came and people to burn all their belongings.
>>
>>5318643

You thanked Godefroi, he was an experienced knight and knew how to deal with this. Leprosy was a dangerous disease and lepers were not admitted in towns. But captain Crumbling told.

-But there is surely a mean to cure this rotting disease ! We never saw anything like that ! These poor people could eventually be cured by magic, I mean. The people will complain if we do such harsh things and my men were shocked at the idea of shooting arrows at these sick people.

Godefroi defended his position.

-They are contagious, and we have no cure, we only need to let them go away, they are lost. They will die eventually. When I saw lepers I thought about how they could have contracted this, if it was unknown and none of us was there I think the source of the illness must be because of strangers. Maybe they have poisoned the wells, like the jews do back in France. But no merchants passed by, but the two ill men contracted it outside of the village, in the wild fields to the east.

Crumbling said.

-There is only vagabonds and bandits there. Maybe they are responsible for bringing us this new illness, but I never saw something like that even amongst them.

They seemed to have managed to avoid an epidemic, but this leper thing risked to be dangerous. You needed to explain to the locals that it is very contagious.

>Congratulate Godefroi on his job, he avoided many deaths.
>Support Godefroi and explain to Crumbling that there is no cure to this illness.
>Explain to Godefroi that he should maybe have explained the dangerosity of the thing to the peasants before ordering soldiers to shoot at sight to kill the infected.
>Tell that we will maybe try to find a cure to appease Crumbling, but do not let the ill near a village before that.
>Tell that you will go to Nearby to talk to the people about the dangers of leprosy, they will hear their lord.
>Order some guardsmen who know how to ride to try to see if there is bands of vagabonds and bandits to the east.
>Order Bohémond, he is young, to lead a party of men towards the east to try to see if there is brigands and vagabonds here.
>Other (write in)

You asked then.

-Is there any other news ?

Crumbling answered.

-Yes my lord. Since you offered serfdom to Pauperus he found the deal very profitable. Some poor peasants proposed to become serfs, to pay their taxes in work and share of the harvest and not in gold. And some other, rich peasants choose to do so too. The Rabits for exemple. What shall we do ?
>>
>>5318645

>The poor peasants can become serfs, we will need workers after all. But serfdom is not about dodging taxes, I need to see if I could trust those Rabits to accept them in serfdom.
>We do not need more serfs, serfdom is poorly seen around our lands. It is better to limit it, for the moment.
>Serfdom can be given to those Rabits if they prove their loyalty, we will wait for the poor peasants, we need money, not peasants attached to the land for the moment.
>Serfdom is a pillar of our right and proper feudal society. The fact that even commoners understand this shows that the Indians are, indeed, a wise people. Everyone is welcome to become a serf. They will pay less taxes but their lands will be ours once they die, if their descendants do not pay mainmorte. And we will help them if there is hunger, of course.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5318645
>Support Godefroi and explain to Crumbling that there is no known cure to this illness.
>Tell that we will maybe try to find a cure to appease Crumbling, but do not let the ill near a village before that.

This is India, there's no known cure yet, but there may be. So let's not keep hopes up, but keep our eyes open at least. Unless it's with devilry.

>The poor peasants can become serfs, we will need workers after all. But serfdom is not about dodging taxes, I need to see if I could trust those Rabits to accept them in serfdom.

Seems like a measured option
>>
>>5318725
Support
>>
>>5318645
>Support Godefroi and explain to Crumbling that there is no cure to this illness.
>Tell that we will maybe try to find a cure to appease Crumbling, but do not let the ill near a village before that.
>Order Bohémond, he is young, to lead a party of men towards the east to try to see if there is brigands and vagabonds here.

>>5318647
>The poor peasants can become serfs, we will need workers after all. But serfdom is not about dodging taxes, I need to see if I could trust those Rabits to accept them in serfdom.
>>
>>5318645
>>Support Godefroi and explain to Crumbling that there is no cure to this illness.
>>Explain to Godefroi that he should maybe have explained the dangerosity of the thing to the peasants before ordering soldiers to shoot at sight to kill the infected.

>>5318647
>>Serfdom is a pillar of our right and proper feudal society. The fact that even commoners understand this shows that the Indians are, indeed, a wise people. Everyone is welcome to become a serf. They will pay less taxes but their lands will be ours once they die, if their descendants do not pay mainmorte. And we will help them if there is hunger, of course.
>>
>>5318647
>Support Godefroi and explain to Crumbling that there is no known cure to this illness.
>Tell that we will maybe try to find a cure to appease Crumbling, but do not let the ill near a village before that.

>The poor peasants can become serfs, we will need workers after all. But serfdom is not about dodging taxes, I need to see if I could trust those Rabits to accept them in serfdom.
>>
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>>5318725
>>5318739
>>5318789
>>5319041
>>5319138

You answered quickly to both men, they acted well.

-Thank you very much Godefroi, you have avoided us an epidemic of leprosy, you shall be rewarded. It can decimate entire villages and transform them in poor folks whose flesh rots a bit more each day. We shall not let them approach our people. But, dear Crumbling, you are maybe right, we are in India and it is possible that you will find a cure, try to talk about it to Local healers, if we have some. But no magic or devilry. We shall not curse the souls to save the bodies !

Both men nodded and you continued, seeing that at the same time Oldfossil, who was coughing, approved your words and retired to his chambers. You hoped that he only had a common cold. You then told.

-About serfdom, we will need workers that work for free, accept the poor peasants, but those Rabits will need to prove their loyalty to us before paying less taxes. Serfdom from rich peasants to pay less taxes is permitted only to trustworthy men in France. It will be like this here too. I remember that we sent them a representative about the case of the tanner and the shoemaker, accepting the fact that they will get their shoes after their feast would be a first step towards reaching such agreement.

It was a wise decision, you were glad that you remembered the cases when you delivered justice. Once done you called Brother Louis, who was speaking with Father François, and asked him.

-Tell me, how was the loan, did you managed to borrow us some money ? How was Podunk ? You travelled with four of our men yes ?

The templar nodded and told you.

-Well, Podunk was a charming little town, a quite rich town, it is not under the rule of Count Careless but is the closest town to us. Everything seemed right, I was asked some question about the new local lord but I managed to borrow 1200 gold coins to a short scotsman for only 15% interest rate after long negociations. It seemed to be a good deal. We have two years to give it back.

It was a good deal, compared to the usurers in France the Indians seemed to be less greedy, and Brother Louis was a good negociator. But he seemed worried, so you asked.

-Anything else ?

-Yes, I bought some medicine that Oldfossil indicated me to buy for him before my travel, and some other things like this. And during our travels we had to cross, with my men, the wild fields in the east. I saw enormous cow here, big as a house, it was impressive !

Captain Crumbling corrected him.

-Aurochs, it is how they are called, they are wild beast but one can feed an entire village for a month. There are a lot of them in the Cairns.

Brother Louis nodded, he had to cross a part of this plain after all.
>>
>>5319247
Brother Louis nodded, he had to cross a part of this plain after all.

-Yes, it was how my men called them. But we had to cross only a small part of the Cairns to go to Podunk. But my worries come from another thing, after we left Podunk, and before we got to the cairns, we were accosted by two strange individuals dressed outrageously. Two young men, one of them being half naked and the other one a demon ! It was at an inn and I knew that these monsters were welcome outside of our lands so I kept being quiet. They said that they were "adventurers" and that I could give them a "quest" to escort me to my lands ! I told them I do not want any escort and that I have already four guardsmen, but they said that they are "trash" and that they needed to complete a "quest" for the "adventurer's guild". I told them that their burgher concerns and their deals with corporations do not interest me, and that I do not wish to speak with a demon.
They tried to provoke me into a fight, saying that I was an old man unable to carry a sword. I told them that I was not so old and that I was a knight of the Templar order, that I have sworn to never refuse a battle against three times my numbers and to not hunt other beasts than lions. They laughed and told me that lions are weak beasts and that true men hunt owls, bears and giant scorpions.

You cut him.

-And I suppose that your voices raised, a quarrel began, and you killed them ?

He answered defensively.

-No monseigneur ! I only cut both the hands of the first one and gravely wounded the demon. I do not know if he died of his wounds. But we were expelled from the roadside Inn, it was called the "Peaceful Meadow Inn"... And they told that they would complain to the adventurer's guild of Podunk.

You shrugged, if those idiot guilders came here you would boil two alive and these fat burghers will be disciplined. They will be no match for your men at arms. But Captain Crumbling said.

-My lord, it can be dangerous... I do not doubt the bravery of Brother Louis but I fear that they were low level adventurers and higher level adventurers will try to attack us or demand reparations. We need to try to explain the situation.

What do you answer ?

>They acted like brigands, they deserved a brigand's treatment. The next adventurers from Podunk will be hanged if they try to complain about us.
>We shall maybe send someone to discuss with the leaders of this corporation. It is better to be at peace with our neighbours, and if they have the support of the lord of Podunk it is better to negiotiate.
>Let them come to explain themselves, we will not lower ourselves to send them a delegation. It is better to wait for them to make the first move.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5319252
>They acted like brigands, and got the treatment they deserved. Send no delegation, but if they complain, this is our answer.
>>
>>5319252
>>They acted like brigands, they deserved a brigand's treatment. The next adventurers from Podunk will be hanged if they try to complain about us.
>>
>>5319252
>They acted like brigands, they deserved a brigand's treatment. The next adventurers from Podunk will be hanged if they try to complain about us
Burn them all!
>>
>>5319252
>>They acted like brigands, they deserved a brigand's treatment. The next adventurers from Podunk will be hanged if they try to complain about us.
>>
>>5319252
>Let them come to explain themselves, we will not lower ourselves to send them a delegation. It is better to wait for them to make the first move.
>>
>>5319252
>They acted like brigands, they deserved a brigand's treatment. The next adventurers from Podunk will be hanged if they try to complain about us.
100% gonna bite us in the ass in the future.

Now boys, we have money to spend, from our loan and the money from the cuirass (someone should go sell that now). We already have my idea about the riverboat but I doubt all this money will be needed for that so what other ventures can we invest in? Perhaps make an orchard or something?
>>
>>5319252
>They acted like brigands, they deserved a brigand's treatment. The next adventurers from Podunk will be hanged if they try to complain about us

They got what they deserved. Trying to strong-arm Godefroi? Screw em, their Guild should send us some sort of reparation

>>5319400
An orchard would be a nice idea, who doesn't like an apple? And we'll be gaining a surplus of new hands to work it.
>>
>>5319252
>>They acted like brigands, they deserved a brigand's treatment. The next adventurers from Podunk will be hanged if they try to complain about us.
>>
>>5319252
>They acted like brigands, they deserved a brigand's treatment. The next adventurers from Podunk will be hanged if they try to complain about us.
jumped up mercs making threats for protection money no different then the eastern huns
>>
>>5319263
>>5319290
>>5319302
>>5319380
>>5319389
>>5319400

They are only peasants and they have no cavalry, no honor and no élan, there is no risks ! And yes, an orchard is a good idea. I added your suggestion to the list.

>>5319450

Yes, they tried to annoy Brother Louis, they need to die.

>>5320154
>>5320252

Well said good sir.

====

It was time to be severe so you declared.

-These men acted like brigands, they deserved a brigand's treatment ! The next adventurers from Podunk that come here will be hanged if they try to complain about us.

Crumbling tried to protest.

-But, my lord, adventurers are a respected caste of travellers and they can help us against monsters.

Your answer was firm.

-I shall not depend on some vagrants do defend my holdings and my people. I am the defender of Local, you and your men are those who help me captain. We have destroyed the Ghibellines lead by the spirit of Conradin together, I have just killed witches, wolf men and Saxons, I believe we are more than capable of taking care of ourselves.

This shut him up and he nodded his head like a disciplined soldier.

After this you continued to eat and talked about other less important subjects, especially women, food and tournaments. You tried to rest. There was a lack of an apothecary or a healer in Local so Oldfossil told you that they will send a messenger to an old woman who is a bonesetter and an herbalist. This looked like a witch but he assured you that it was not and that she was respected by the locals, she lived in the far north of your lordship. She should be there tomorrow. The description of the old woman as an herbalist and a bonesetter added to the suspicions of Father François and Brother Louis, who said that she should be a witch while Oldfossil assured that she was a respectable member of society even if she lived in isolation.
But once you all saw her you understood that she was not. Instead of a wild woman with a crooked nose and all the attributes of a witch you saw a very dignified old lady in clean white robes who saluted you and presented herself.

-My lord, it is an unfortunate honor but an honor nonetheless to be of use. I may not be a true diplomed doctor my lord but I learned how to heal.

-What is your name ? And how do you learned to heal ? Not by magic I hope ?

-I am Clinique, glad to serve you my lord, and I was helper of a doctor in the Imperial Legion for 30 years, then I left after seeing to much war and to live in isolation why my husband, who was from here, he was a soldier and inherited a part of the family farm. Now he his with the gods but the house that he built on the terrain that he inherited is still here.

-Sorry for your loss, and thank you for your help. You shall be rewarded greatly.
>>
>>5320342

The old woman congratulated Father François on his work and said that he has done well to bandage your broken ankle, but she said that you will need to not leave your bed and have a cast for 3 weeks ! 3 weeks without moving to much... You needed to see lady Takable in 2 weeks. You would have to write her. And the fact that you will be unable to hunt or ride during these weeks was terrible. But you needed to be in good shape, you were a warrior after all and you had to be healed. You thanked her and gave her some gold but now you needed to choose what to do during those three weeks.

>Give justice to your subjects, hearing their pleads.
>Write to Lady Takable to tell her that you will be unable to ride with her if she's as agreed, comes to Local in two weeks.
>Try to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it.
>Write to Lord Swiss Neutralsson about your plot to try to kill Lord Creepy Bitchson.
>Begin to send messengers to try to invite shipbuilders and a captain to your lands to complete your boat project.
>Send some people to Pleasantville to try to recruit more guardsmen.
>Supervise the construction of your church.
>Order to build an orchard with apples, you will need cider.
>Consacrate a day or two to prayers.
>Other (write in)

Choose 3 choices please, and in the order that you want them done.

You gain 1 mudcore for standing up to adventurers, such arrogance, such hubris shall be punished !

====

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 3
XP : 250+20= 270 (next level at 450)

Stats

Combat : 50%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 35%

Piety : 36-2 = 34

Mudcore :34+1 = 35

With 35 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. New illnesses will appear too around you, but the Mudcore that you have brought upon this world will make a new companion appear.
Next level at 40, at 40 mudcore you would be able to "specialise" this ability and choose one of the three paths proposed.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.
>>
>>5320345
>Give justice to your subjects, hearing their pleads
>Send some people to Pleasantville to try to recruit more guardsmen.
>Order to build an orchard with apples, you will need cider.

i worry about man power
and think it is good to see justice is done to keep these sellswords off our lands no problems= no work
as for the orchard a new revue stream will be needed to make up for the loss of taxes
>>
actually i wonder were the adventurous even capable of fighting in the inn or was that a non combat zone
>>
>>5320345
>Write to Lady Takable to tell her that you will be unable to ride with her if she's as agreed, comes to Local in two weeks.
>Try to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it.
>Supervise the construction of your church.
>>
>>5320345
>>Write to Lady Takable to tell her that you will be unable to ride with her if she's as agreed, comes to Local in two weeks.
>>Try to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it.
>>Order to build an orchard with apples, you will need cider.
>>
>>5320345
>Try to learn to read
>Write to Lady Takable
>Put out word for shipbuilders
>>
>>5320345
>>Write to Lady Takable to tell her that you will be unable to ride with her if she's as agreed, comes to Local in two weeks.
>Begin to send messengers to try to invite shipbuilders and a captain to your lands to complete your boat project.
>Try to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it.
>>
>>5320345
>Give justice to your subjects, hearing their pleads.
>Write to Lady Takable to tell her that you will be unable to ride with her if she's as agreed, comes to Local in two weeks.
>Order to build an orchard with apples, you will need cider

I hope whatever Demon confused my mind last night has left me
>>
>>5320345
>Begin to send messengers to try to invite shipbuilders and a captain to your lands to complete your boat project.
>Try to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it
>Order to build an orchard with apples, you will need cider.
>>
>>5320345
>Write to Lady Takable to tell her that you will be unable to ride with her if she's as agreed, comes to Local in two weeks.
>Try to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it.
>Begin to send messengers to try to invite shipbuilders and a captain to your lands to complete your boat project.
>>
>>5320345
>Try to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it.
>Give justice to your subjects, hearing their pleads.
>Order to build an orchard with apples, you will need cider.
>>
>>5320345
>>Try to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it.
>>Send some people to Pleasantville to try to recruit more guardsmen.
>>Order to build an orchard with apples, you will need cider.
>>
>>5320347

Yes, we have currently 33, well 32 guardsmen with the loss of Hunl Ucky. Plus Bohémond, Ancel, Brother Louis and Godefroi and Crumbling. So 37 armed men, the Local lordship, today, might only probably feed and pay 40 armed men in peace time. So you are near your maximum. You will need more peasants to have more soldiers.

>>5320351

They are human beings, or demons, or strange things of course they can fight in an inn.


>>5320382
>>5320424
>>5320442
>>5320450
>>5320470

I hope too.

>>5320495
>>5320503
>>5320644
>>5320658

Currently writing, Lady Takable was the first choice.
>>
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>>5320351
>>5320382
>>5320424
>>5320442
>>5320450
>>5320470
>>5320495
>>5320503
>>5320644
>>5320658

You decided first to write to Lady Takable to explain her that you will be unable to ride with her because of your injury and that you will be unable to ride with her if she comes in two weeks. You remembered the beautiful blonde lady fondly and wanted to impress her.
But then you needed to announce the news to her. You liked the lady and needed to not to disappoint her too much. You were illiterate and would need to have some help to write.
You had some choices, should you write a passionate love letter to Lady Takable, or be more factual. And should you invite her one week later or simply tell her that you are wounded and maintain the invitation.
If you choose to write a love letter you knew that you would need to have some Indian poetry read to you. You knew some pretty formulas from Thibaut of Champagne's poems and French poetry but showing that you were interested in local writings, coupled with the exoticism of poetry from your native land you were sure that you could dictate something "not too bad". Or maybe your illiteracy would play against you...

>Write a love letter.
>Write a factual letter.

>Ask Lady Takable how she had been
>Add some anecdotes about the beauty of Local and do some poetical comparisons

>Mention that you were wounded fighting witches with Bohémond, Father François and Lady Sue
>Mention that you were wounded fighting witches with your companions, do not mention lady Sue.
>Do not say why you were wounded.
>Tell that you were wounded and invent a story (write in)

>Ask Oldfossil for some tips and clues about good Indian authors.
>Use formulas and some things borrowed from French poetry.
>Try to learn to read with some poetry books, if you have some, it would be a good base to learn to read, even if it will probably delay a bit the writing of the letter.

At the end of your choices please roll an intrigue roll, if you have enough good choices you will have bonuses, if not it would be maluses. I will take the average of the first three rolls but all the votes will be taken into consideration.
>>
Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>5320768
>Write a factual letter.
>Ask Lady Takable how she had been
>Mention that you were wounded fighting witches with your companions, do not mention lady Sue.
>Try to learn to read with some poetry books, if you have some, it would be a good base to learn to read, even if it will probably delay a bit the writing of the letter.
>>
Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>5320768
>Write a factual letter.
>Ask Lady Takable how she had been
>Mention that you were wounded fighting witches with Bohémond, Father François and Lady Sue
>Use formulas and some things borrowed from French poetry

We can't come on TOO strong, we'd look like a lovesick peasant
>>
>>5320768
>>Write a factual letter.
>Ask Lady Takable how she had been
>Mention that you were wounded fighting witches with your companions, do not mention lady Sue.
>Try to learn to read with some poetry books, if you have some, it would be a good base to learn to read, even if it will probably delay a bit the writing of the letter.
>>
Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>5320863
Forgot roll
>>
>>5320768
>Write a love letter.
>Add some anecdotes about the beauty of Local and do some poetical comparisons
>Mention that you were wounded fighting witches with Bohémond, Father François and Lady Sue
>Try to learn to read with some poetry books, if you have some, it would be a good base to learn to read, even if it will probably delay a bit the writing of the letter.
>>
>>5320775
Support
>>
>>5320768
>Write a love letter.
Be bold, for love's sake!

>Add some anecdotes about the beauty of Local and do some poetical comparisons
>Mention that you were wounded fighting witches with Bohémond, Father François and Lady Sue
>Try to learn to read with some poetry books, if you have some, it would be a good base to learn to read, even if it will probably delay a bit the writing of the letter.
>>
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>>5320775
>>5320831
>>5320863
>>5320885
>>5320968
>>5320980
>>5321017

You decided to write a very factual letter, poetry was not your forte and you preferred to be seen as serious instead of ridiculous. You began with some polite formulas about how she had been during your absence. And then you dictated Oldfossil to write about your wound, telling about your battle against witches in a glorious way while omitting to write about Lady Sue, Lady Takable seemed to disliked her after all.
You then said to Lady Sue that she was welcome but that unfortunately you would be unable to ride with her because your wound forbade you to mount your horse. Once you read your letter you found that it was a good report to a lord about the number of crops grown this year, or a good account to the Constable of France about a battle but nowhere near a love letter. Well, it will do. You ordered one of your servants to take a horse and to ride towards Lady Takable's home to try to bring her this.

It was sad, you knew that she liked poetry but you were unable to write some of it. Every great knight who had many lovers (outside of girls like Stacy the maid that "conforted" you very well during your recovering), was a Troubadour. Thibaut de Champagne, who was said to be the lover of Queen Blanche de Castille and ancient ruler of your province was one of them. So you ordered Oldfossil, one afternoon.

-Oldfossil, I wish to learn to read, bring me some poetry books. If you have some.

The man seemed taken aback.

-My lord, books are rare, I am sure that I have one somewhere... It would be hard to learn... I mean, my eyes are not as sharp as they were. But I can try to help.

Well, you had poetry books here ! You already noted that books were more common in India than in France. But it was good news. It was a simple book, without a rich binding, the thing was called "Poems at the Shaken Spear", and it was apparently talking about poems told by a bard in a tavern of the same name. You had trouble with all those letters and you understood that learning to read would be a long process. A book was written by hand and the handwriting was not always good, but you studied, even if it was more worthy of a monk than of a lord. But after four days, and the teachings of Oldfossil, you managed to read some of the first poems. It was not bad, but of lower quality than true Chansons de Geste. It talked about love between merchants and other stupid commoner things. Who needed to talk about love between mercantile families ? They loved their gold, courtly love was the way of noblemen. It was in the middle of one of those reading sessions that you were disturbed by a man. It was one of your guardsmen.

-My lord. There is news in the village, they tell that a new family wants to move in. You need to agree to this.

You frowned.

-Well, let us see who they are. Help me to go to my throne room.
>>
>>5321124

Once you were here, on your throne, with your leg on a cushion you ordered those people to enter. It seemed to be a family of normal people at least, not demons and not cagots, it was good. The father was in his fourties, an old man, he had a brown beard and his wife seemed to be of this age too but she was blonde. Then followed four young people in their twenties, a man and three women. And some children. Looking at them you deduced that they had a son and two daughters and that the son was married.

They bowed and you told them.

-Introduce yourselves. Who are you, where are you from and why do you want to move in our pleasant city.

The patriarch told you.

-I am Popeye, I was a sailor for twenty five long years in the port of Faraway in the Kingdom of Filia in the south of the Empire. My father Spinach, son of Green left Local to live in Faraway, his father had a farm here. I was married here, but we lost our home and decided to move back to Local. Here is my wife, Olive, and my sons, Primus, and his wife Secundia and children, and Violet and Rose my two daughters. Primus has two small sons as you can see and a daugther that is still a babe. I wish to get back my farm. It was never transmitted to my father, and I wish to work and pay taxes here. To you my Lord.

You looked at Oldfossil who told.

-Yes, I remember a man called Green, he died more than 40 years ago and his son left to live outside. But his farm was unoccupied and was bought by another family. It is in the south of the village of Local. According to our laws since nobody claimed the inheritance for 40 years you have no rights to it.

You decided to intervene to say.

>Tell me, Popeye the Sailor, have you sailed on rivers and not only on the sea ?
>Tell me, why have you lost your home ? You are not a criminal I hope ?
>Do you know how to work in the fields ? You seem to have only sailed in your life.
>Tell me about Faraway, is there a lot of trade there ? Have you seen ships from the Christendom ?
>To the south of India ? Have you heard about a man called the Prester John ?
>Other (write in)

>I can give you a plot of land, if you accept to become serfs and to not move anymore.
>I can rent you a plot of land, but it will be impossible to take back your farm.
>I will try to see what I can do to give you your farm back.
>(Wait for them to answer your question before deciding about the plot of land)
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5321127
>>Tell me, Popeye the Sailor, have you sailed on rivers and not only on the sea ?
>>(Wait for them to answer your question before deciding about the plot of land)

'Bout to have us a riverboat captain if I don't miss my guess
>>
>>5321127
>Tell me, why have you lost your home ? You are not a criminal I hope ?
To get some background
>Tell me, Popeye the Sailor, have you sailed on rivers and not only on the sea ?
to gauge his compatibility

>(Wait for them to answer your question before deciding about the plot of land)

QM, is the land alongside the river owned by anyone? If not I think we can kill two birds with one stone here
>>
>>5321127
>Tell me, Popeye the Sailor, have you sailed on rivers and not only on the sea ?
>Tell me, why have you lost your home ? You are not a criminal I hope ?

I hope Popeye the Sailor Man is a good man, his family is large and could definitely help us out

>(Wait for them to answer your question before deciding about the plot of land)
>>
>>5321127
>Tell me, Popeye the Sailor, have you sailed on rivers and not only on the sea ?
>Tell me, why have you lost your home ? You are not a criminal I hope ?

>(Wait for them to answer your question before deciding about the plot of land)
>>
>>5321127
>Tell me, Popeye the Sailor, have you sailed on rivers and not only on the sea ?
>Tell me, why have you lost your home ? You are not a criminal I hope ?
>To the south of India ? Have you heard about a man called the Prester John ?

>(Wait for them to answer your question before deciding about the plot of land)
>>
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>>5321138
>>5321167
>>5321182
>>5321730
>>5321764

You decided to ask some questions about the past of the man and his skills.

-Tell me, why have you lost your home ? You are not a criminal I hope ?

The man shook his head but his tone made clear that it was a shameful story.

-No, my lord, I.. Well I was working on a ship you see the "Diane" it was called, we travelled from Faraway to the coasts of Smaug, for the Legion who is warrying there, we brought them arrows, weapons, armours, food, alcohol, magical ingredients everything that soldiers needed. But the voyage was long, several months long. One day after such travel I learned that the authorities of the city decided to destroy our home to build a new plaza, they paid for compensation, and they paid well. So I told that we will rent a home and I will invest the money in a ship, it was not enough, I had to borrow money too, I invested it with some other sailors, that decided that we would have our own ship, it was like a dream. We called it the "Enterprise" our captain was a good man, called Disastrus, we decided to bring spice from the dune people living in the east of the southern seas. We managed to do a voyage, but after a second one a storm hit us and the Enterprise was lost, only five men managed to survive. I had no more ships, and a lot of debts, from not very honest people. They said that if I would not be able to pay my family and me would be killed. I decided to flee the city, I could not do anything against them.

So he fled from debts, and from bandits. Well at least he was honest enough to admit it. You asked him.

-Tell me, Popeye the Sailor, have you sailed on rivers and not only on the sea ?

-Never my lord, never, I know some things about shipbuilding and sailing tough, and river boats are different from ships that sail on the high sea. To sail on the river you have to know it, and to know where there is sandbanks or hidden rocks. It is a difficult job and quite different than sailing on the seas. Even if we love to joke about those who sail on rivers I have to admit that it has it's particularities.

You nodded, ready to tell an answer.

>I can give you a plot of land, if you accept to become serfs and to not move anymore.
>I can rent you a plot of land, but it will be impossible to take back your farm.
>I will try to see what I can do to give you your farm back.
>I can protect you against debt collector if you embrace the cross and become Christians, you and your family.
>(Other write in)

>I am planning to build a river boat to transport goods and people around the Queste river. Would you be interested in helping build it ? I can pay well !
>I am planning to build a river boat to transport goods and people around the Queste river. Would you be interested in being it's captain ? I can pay well !
>(Other write in)
>>
>>5321792
>I can give you a plot of land, if you accept to become serfs and to not move anymore
>I can protect you against debt collector if you embrace the cross and become Christians, you and your family.

>I am planning to build a river boat to transport goods and people around the Queste river. Would you be interested in helping build it ? I can pay well !
>>
>>5321792
>I can give you a plot of land, if you accept to become serfs and to not move anymore
>I can protect you against debt collector if you embrace the cross and become Christians, you and your family.
>I am planning to build a river boat to transport goods and people around the Queste river. Would you be interested in helping build it ? I can pay well !
>>
>>5321792
>I can give you a plot of land, if you accept to become serfs and to not move anymore.
>I can protect you against debt collector if you embrace the cross and become Christians, you and your family.
>I am planning to build a river boat to transport goods and people around the Queste river. Would you be interested in being it's captain ? I can pay well !
>>
>>5321792
>>I can rent you a plot of land, but it will be impossible to take back your farm.
>>I can protect you against debt collector if you embrace the cross and become Christians, you and your family.

In time they can become serfs in anycase.

>>I am planning to build a river boat to transport goods and people around the Queste river. Would you be interested in helping build it ? I can pay well !
>>
>>5321792
>I can rent you a plot of land, but it will be impossible to take back your farm.
>I can protect you against debt collector if you embrace the cross and become Christians, you and your family.

>I am planning to build a river boat to transport goods and people around the Queste river. Would you be interested in helping build it ? I can pay well !
>>
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>>5321798
>>5321858
>>5321898
>>5321901
>>5322150

After thinking a bit you decided to offer serfdom to the man, a plot of land near the river and to engage him to help build a riverboat. He seemed to be an honest man after all.

-I cannot give you your farm back, but I can give you a plot of land if you accept to be my serfs. And I promise you that I will protect you against debt collectors if you accept the cross and become Christians.

They seemed taken aback by this but you continued.

-And I want to build a river boat to sail on the Queste, would you agree to become it's captain.

The man answered, tentatively.

-My lord, serfdom is not very well seen and, I am a man who has sailed and travelled, it would be hard to condemn my family to remain on one place. Please, I beg you to reconsider.

He added.

-I would be able to help build a boat if you give us a home. I had to help supervise the building of the Enterprise, I know how to build boats and I can give instructions to local carpenters. But please, do not condemn us to servitude.

He the added.

-Aaaand, what's a Christian ?

-It is a fait, my faith, the one true faith.

-I am ready to convert my lord, it is not a problem, your lands, your religion, but about serfdom my lord, have pity of poor commoners who came to your lands...

>I am ready to reconsider about serfdom, but your home will be rented prove yourself to be useful and you will be rewarded.
>Serfdom is a sine qua non condition, I need specialists tied to the land that will not leave because the pay is better elsewhere. I cannot let you here (rulership test with a +20 bonus, if you manage to do it he will accept)
>>
>>5322353
>Serfdom is a sine qua non condition, I need specialists tied to the land that will not leave because the pay is better elsewhere. I cannot let you here (rulership test with a +20 bonus, if you manage to do it he will accept)

Let's do it under the watch of Our Lady
>>
Won't vote since I just started catching up, but Thread 1 is good stuff.
>>
>>5322353
>>Serfdom is a sine qua non condition, I need specialists tied to the land that will not leave because the pay is better elsewhere. I cannot let you here (rulership test with a +20 bonus, if you manage to do it he will accept)
>>
>>5322353
>Serfdom is a sine qua non condition, I need specialists tied to the land that will not leave because the pay is better elsewhere. I cannot let you here (rulership test with a +20 bonus, if you manage to do it he will accept)
>>
>>5322464
>>5322474
>>5322364


Roll then good sirs, 1d100, I will take the average of the first three rolls when I will answer (probably in a few hours)

>>5322459

Glad to see new players good sir. Hope you join us soon.
>>
Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>5322490
>>
Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>5322490
>>
Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>5322490
>>
>>5322491
>>5322506
Anything special for dubs?
>>
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>>5322491
>>5322503
>>5322951

No, not particularly, but in this case you rolled well with 49 of average and a Rulership+20 value of 55 you managed to convince the man.

>>5322951

You took your most serious tone and said.

-Serfdom is a sine qua non condition, I need specialists tied to the land that will not leave because the pay is better elsewhere. I cannot let you here without accepting serfdom.

The man seemed to hesitate, he looked at his family, the you saw his wife nodding and he seemed resigned to his fate. He told.

-Then we will accept my lord. We have travelled too far away to leave.

You smiled, it was excellent indeed, the man accepted. You then ordered to prepare the ceremony for their introduction and gave them a plot of land near the river. It was generous and the man bowed low. You were happy, with each serf you had less money to pay to your people, so you had no more risks of having your gold changed into silver and have financial problems. When you have no more money to pay your people stop paying them. This was your new modus operandi and you felt like a great administrator. Once this affair was set you decided to look into other projects.

You had recently an idea, the beer of the small scotsmen was excellent, but you lacked two things to make your life perfect : wine and cider. The climate seemed to be bad for wine but cider, you could make cider. For it you needed apples. You now will have serfs with Pauperus, who will have to work freely for you. With all the poor people that asked for Serfdom you had at least 30 serfs. And with Oldfossil, who fortunately had recovered from his illness you would have someone to command them in their work. You had land, lots of it, and too few people, so you had to choose the size of your orchard. You would have to send a corvée, or several, to plant it all. So you asked Oldfossil.

>A small Orchard would be fine, for personal consumption and for the castle, could you plant several apple trees nearby ?
>30 apple trees shall be enough for us all.
>100 apple trees will be needed to make enough cider, I am thirsty.
>Plant me 1000 apple trees, we will export cider in all the county, and I want to eat apples.

According to the size of the thing you will have to plan where to build everything.
>>
>>5322984
>>Plant me 1000 apple trees, we will export cider in all the county, and I want to eat apples.

my cider brings all the maidens to the yard

honestly seems like a good thing to specialize in something early we need some monopoly to generate funds
>>
>>5322984
>>Plant me 1000 apple trees, we will export cider in all the county, and I want to eat apples.
>>
>>5322984
>Plant me 1000 apple trees, we will export cider in all the county, and I want to eat apples.
Not only do we know how to maintain an Orchard but this seems like the best way to increase our revenue permanently
>>
>>5322984
>Plant me 1000 apple trees, we will export cider in all the county, and I want to eat apples.

I fucking love apples, and this is an investment with almost definite returns
>>
>>5322984
>>Plant me 1000 apple trees, we will export cider in all the county, and I want to eat apples.
>>
>>5322984
>>Plant me 1000 apple trees, we will export cider in all the county, and I want to eat apples.

I would also like to do something to expand the beer industry
>>
>>5322984
>100 apple trees will bd needed to make enough cider
>>
>>5322984
>>Plant me 1000 apple trees, we will export cider in all the county, and I want to eat apples.
>>
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>>5322997

It is cheap to make at least.

>>5323054
>>5323127

And with money you could engage mercenaries or other useful things.

>>5323157
>>5323214

I will add this as an option for the next week. You shall be able to contact the dwarves/short scotsmen who make it in your lands.

>>5323218
>>5323447

You ordered casually.

-Plant me 1000 apple trees, we will export cider to all the county and I want to eat apples.

Oldfossil looked at you, surprised.

-But my lord, it is feasible of course, we have the money but where would we do this ? I mean, we have many options my lord, we could plant them near the Queste or near a stream but most of them are already occupied by more important cultures, or we may plant them in more dry lands, but they will take more time to grow, a lot of our land is not good for crops or trees. Or, I think that as a third option my lord, we can try to build a canal to bring water near our new orchard and for the trees. We could deviate some water from the Queste. But it would be costly.

>We shall plant our apple trees near the river, even if they will replace other crops.
>We shall plant our apple trees in a more dry land, even if they will not grow as quickly and may lack water
>We will build a canal, send a corvée of serfs with shovels, and pay some villeins. We have great works to do !
>>
>>5323566
>>We will build a canal, send a corvée of serfs with shovels, and pay some villeins. We have great works to do !

Mastering the waterways is simply human.
>>
I would like to say that if our previous adventure was anything to go by, we could finance this and a number of other great works by hunting down heretics and villains dotting the countryside and raiding their lairs. Investing in some of these healing potions and some professional hired men would probably do wonders for us.
>>
>>5323566
>We will build a canal, send a corvée of serfs with shovels, and pay some villeins. We have great works to do !
Nothing worth doing comes cheap
Plus our serfs will gain valuable experience making them quite good at work like this and thus increasing their worth and helping us in our future projects
>>5323620
I agree, we should rally some men and hunt more heretics and bandits
>>
>>5323710
And in the future we must prevent our men spoiling the spoils!

We'll turn this backwater into a trade hub yet, shame vineyards would do poor here, beer and cider is well enough though.
>>
>>5323727
Though we may not have vineyards we still have many industries we may start
Perhaps we should host a knightly tournament to attract merchants and such?
>>
>>5323727
>>We'll turn this backwater into a trade hub yet, shame vineyards would do poor here, beer and cider is well enough though.

This is how the Normans must have felt after winning at Hastings...
>>
>>5323755
I suggested that long ago, and still would support it, i think we could stand to gain from attempting to add a few local knights to our retinue.

I suppose getting our economy right should be a priority though.
>>
>>5323768
We are become perfidious Albion
>>
Horse breeding would be another thing we could go for
>>
>>5323566
>>We will build a canal, send a corvée of serfs with shovels, and pay some villeins. We have great works to do !

I votes for 100 trees, but if we're going in on this, let's do it right!

>Fund it with a proftisble witch-hunt

This idea is sensible, too.
>>
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>>5323611

Well said.

>>5323768

I laughed hard at this.

>>5323771

I added an option to check our finances.

>>5323774

It is a good idea, some of your subjects have already a stud but it has not a lot of horses so increasing it's scale would be profitable.

>>5323755

A tournament, at this point, would be costly but I am thinking that it will be possible to host one in a few threads. You must be known first before inviting some knights after all, and have some money or prise to give to the winners.

====

You decided to go big, a big project should be impressive after all and you said proudly.

-We will build a canal, send a corvée of serfs with shovels, and pay some villeins. We have great works to do !

Traditionnaly trees were planted during Saint Catherine's day in November so you asked the man.

-Could we get the works done before the next Saint Catherine ?

But Oldfossil simply raised an eyebrow. Of course, the Indians used another calendar since they were not Christians and you had to explain him that it was normally the day were we planted trees. You tried to explain that the end of november was the best period to plant trees but he never heard about this month ! Months had strange names here, Vendémiaire, Brumaire, Fructidor, you wondered what kind of dullards have invented them, so you decided to try to have him explain it. The old man told.

-See, each day has the name of a fruit, of a tool or of an animal. And we are already at the 10th of the Brumaire month, in autumn, so we will not be able to plant before next year. But if we work hard enough I am sure that we will be able to plant this orchard next year. I have made some calculus and I am sure that we will be able to produce, once the trees would have grown, something that 25 000 pints a year, or maybe a bit more. If we manage to sell it for 1 silver coin the pint we will have 2 500 gold coins at the end of each year. The last years taxes have been of 2500 gold coins.

By the heavens ! 1 silver coin for a parisian pint of cider... Ah yes, they paid in gold here so everything was more expensive but damn... After this project you would double your gains ! You will become a far more powerful lord ! If the boat gave you some money too you would be rich... And if it was not enough you would borrow some money to some jews or lombards and never pay it back. You were a better administrator than this scoundrel of Enguerrand de Marigny, you thought.

-Then build, dear Oldfossil, build. I want the serfs digging this canal every time they have a corvée and are not tending our fields !
>>
>>5323989

The man as every good administrator that wanted his lord's demesne to prosper, seemed to like the project and his look said that he was a bit disappointed about having never thought about that. He told.

-I will try to procure every thing that we need to plant apple trees my lord. It will cost some money but I think that 300 gold coins will be enough. We will need equipment to make cider too, and it may cost far more, and generally apples begin to grow 2 to 4 years after plantation. With all the work with the canal and the equipment, and some buildings to host them, for the cider I think that we will have to spend more or less 2000 gold coins before it begins to turn into profit, it is an excellent investment my lord.

You agreed and looked at an ugly map were the location of the project was drawn, and you approved. This Oldfossil was truly an excellent steward and you needed to think about having him teach his craft to a successor. The work on this project took most of the next part of the week and when the first orders were given you were happy. But there was more. You still had two weeks of recovery left and you had to receive Lady Takable at the end of the week. The preparations for her venue should take some time so you will have only two actions that you will be able to do during this week. Your messenger shall return from Lady Takable's castle too.

>Give justice to your subjects, hearing their cases.
>Continue to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it.
>Write to Lord Swiss Neutralsson about the plot that you have to try to kill Lord Creepy Bitchson.
>Begin to send messengers to try to invite a captain to your lands to complete your boat project.
>Send some people to Pleasantville to try to recruit more guardsmen.
>Supervise the management of your church.
>Receive the short scotsmen that do beer in your lands and ask them to increase production.
>Spend a day or two in prayer.
>Try to manage the finances of your demesne by ordering Oldfossil to do an inventory of what you have in your coffers and what would be the next expenses.
>Ask about our food reserves, what do they look like after the new provisions that we have taken from the witches ?
>Other (write in)

====

And I forgot to give you +1 Mudcore for the fact that you have managed to make Popeye's family accept serfdom.
>>
>>5323991

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 3
XP : 250+20= 270 (next level at 450)

Stats

Combat : 50%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 35%

Piety : 34

Mudcore : 35+1 = 36

With 35 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. New illnesses will appear too around you, but the Mudcore that you have brought upon this world will make a new companion appear.
Next level at 40, at 40 mudcore you would be able to "specialise" this ability and choose one of the three paths proposed.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.
>>
>>5323991
>Begin to send messengers to try to invite a captain to your lands to complete your boat project.
>Try to manage the finances of your demesne by ordering Oldfossil to do an inventory of what you have in your coffers and what would be the next expenses.
>>
>>5323991
>Supervise the management of your church.
>Try to manage the finances of your demesne by ordering Oldfossil to do an inventory of what you have in your coffers and what would be the next expenses.
>>
>>5323991
>>Give justice to your subjects, hearing their cases.
>>Continue to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it.
>>
>>5323991
>Supervise the management of your church.
>Try to manage the finances of your demesne by ordering Oldfossil to do an inventory of what you have in your coffers and what would be the next expenses.
>>
>>5323991
>Continue to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it.
>Try to manage the finances of your demesne by ordering Oldfossil to do an inventory of what you have in your coffers and what would be the next expenses
>>
>>5323991
>Continue to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it.
>Send some people to Pleasantville to try to recruit more guardsmen
>>
>>5323991
>>Continue to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it.
>>Try to manage the finances of your demesne by ordering Oldfossil to do an inventory of what you have in your coffers and what would be the next expenses
>>
>>5323991
>>Give justice to your subjects, hearing their cases.
>>Continue to begin to learn to read, since you cannot ride outside you have time to do it.
>>
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>>5323996
>>5324062
>>5324099
>>5324168
>>5324170
>>5324348
>>5324376
>>5324404

You decided to continue to improve your reading and you began to be able to begin to understand the basics of the letters and how they combined but it was painfully slow and your eyes hurt. You understood why few people learned to read, the benefit was small and the damages to the body were many. Oldfossil helped you, and Father François too, he decided to help you learn with the Bible, even if it was in latin and you understood nothing of this language. It was to see how letters may combine to find sounds. Oldfossil wondered why the Bible was not written in the common French language and Father François had to explain that every well read person knew latin. It made the old man curious, and he asked if he could try to learn the tongue. Wanting to learn at his advanced age was impressive you thought and it motivated you to continue.
It was in the middle of one of those reading sessions, in the morning because the sun was better at this time of the day, that a guardsman, one of Cop's sons, reported to you.

-My lord ! My lord ! Adventurers are in town ! Adventurers ! Four of them ! They are stopping at the Inn and the Innkeeper heard that they wanted to see you !

You frowned, maybe it was those men from Podunk, you were ready to order your soldiers to arrest them. So you asked.

-Where are they from ?

-They came from the western road my lord...

Then not Podunk. You quickly ordered.

-Bring me to my throneroom, and tell those vagrants that I request their presence, I want to know what they are doing on my lands.

Half an hour later you were in your throne room with your knights, Bohémond and Godefroi, your guard's captain crumbling, Father François and your steward Oldfossil. You ordered some guardsmen to be posted here, as a show of strength and you waited for those adventurers to come. You barely saw any of them, if you excluded Lady Sue, and you were, to be honest, quite curious.
>>
>>5324550

It was when you saw them, four of them in total. One of them was a huge mountain of muscles, a blond haired man with a beard, who was half naked and wore furs. He carried a huge battle-axe with two blades that looked very heavy and impractical. The second one had a kind of decorated baton with a glowing crystal on top of it, and a pointy hat. He had a long brown beard and purple robes of fine quality. He looked like he was very serious. The third man had a black cloak and a cowl, you feared that it was one of those assassin's like the one you killed after a difficult duel at your halt in a Inn on the road to Someplace. With your injured leg you would be unable to fight him and would have to trust your men. But they were numerous and should be able to deal with this. The last man was smiling to one of your servant girls and exchanging some words with her, and she was blushing. He had quite long sandy hair and very fashionable clothes that would not be out of place in the court of Paris. He carried a lute and a thin sword. It was him wo spoke, he had a suave voice.

-My lord, I am glad to introduce you the renowned company of the golden star. This strong man is the brave Murd, a fierce warrior from the Northern barbarians that had to quit his homeland and adopted our culture...

The huge man with the axe nodded ankwardly.

-And next to him is the renowned enchanter and master of illusion magic Ehhr who after brilliant studies in the Imperial Academy of Magic decided to help the people of our lands by joining the adventurer's guild.

So this baton carrying man was a sorcerer, you wondered how you could burn him but remembered that unfortunately it was not legal with those pesky laws and the influence of this Mage's Guild on politics ! The entire realm, sorry, the entire Empire, should be cleansed from devilry !

-My quiet companion here is Hob, once from the Thieves' Guild of Briberopolis he now serves the law and has proven to be an invaluable asset for our guild.

The man nodded too, the three men did not kneel or bow very low, it displeased you. And he was a criminal, who will openly say that he was from a fraternity of bandits, he should have his hand cut off for stealing. If peasants began to forget to bow before their betters it was a lack of respect, and without respect no society could work. But you let the man continue. Waiting him to introduce himself.

-And your humble servant is Beau, once the delight of the court of our glorious Queen I decided to go to adventure to write an epic about this world.

He bowed very low, at least, he had some manners, good. You wanted to speak but he continued.

-But we must be already known here by the tales of our mighty deeds, our victory over the Brigands of Mean, our triumph in the Dungeon of Dar-Qest, and the destruction of the undead lord Ulcik.
>>
>>5324555

You looked at Oldfossil and Crumbling, maybe the fame of these men made them arrogant. But the two old men shared the same look with you, a look meaning "never heard of them." You wanted to talk but the man continued, was he not tired of talking so much while his companions remained silent. The barbarian was even looking outside, absolutely not interested by what was happening.

-My lord, we have been sent to your lands to investigate about a strange magical phenomenon on behalf of the mage's guild. We walked from pleasantville and now we are here. Have you heard something about a strange magical phenomenon here ? Some people in town told that they saw a huge white explosion and others told that a plague has been sent here apparently by a lord called "Lord Hostil" and it made people ugly, hunchbacked or worse, and it killed some crops too.

You wondered if all those armed vagrants were so insolent. He asked you questions before you asked him, what kind of commoners dares to do this to a lord who has summoned him ? How dares he ! At least the people seemed to believe that the crop failures were because of Lord Hostil. So you looked at Murd, Ehhr, Hob and Beau and answered.
>>
>>5324557


>Men, cut off the tongue of this insolent man for asking questions before being asked them.
>Men, cut off the tongue of this insolent man for asking questions before being asked them. Or maybe cut it if he doesn't answer mine.
>When in presence of a lord, it is customary to bow.
>Oldfossil, tell me, are all the adventurers a bunch of savages, magicians, common thieves and fops ?
>How dare you asking questions to a lord before he has asked some himself ! Such arrogance ! Such hubris ! Guards, seize these men and bring them to my dungeons, kill them if they resist.
>How dare you asking questions to a lord before he has asked some himself !
>You tell me that you took a dungeon ? I had to take some during my campaigns in Guyenne too, have you seen battle ? What do you used ? Ladders ? A battering ram ? What lord lead you ?
>I convoked you here to know why you were on my lands, but you tell me that you are from the Mage's Guild, what right do they have to send mercenaries on my land ! I am the only one to have the right of life and death on my land. If I need their help against magicians I would have called them. Now return to your lands.
>Yes, we had problems with a plague sent by Lord Hostil, but he is now dead, I killed him in single combat. There is no more magical anomalies here.
>There have been strange magical things there, yes, when I destroyed a group of Ghibellines it appeared that their leader, Schamann, was possessed by the spirit of Conradin von Hohenstaufen, ancient pretender king of Sicily. He is in my dungeons. You can interrogate Schamann if you want.
>A white explosion, yes, I heard many of my people talking about it, but it happened a short time before I became the Lord of Local. I was not here when it happened.
>Is it customary to send adventurers to deal with magical problems when you are the Mage's Guild ? Have they not some specialists to deal with it ? Or is there another reason to your presence at Local ?
>And I am Charles de Villeroi, Lord of Local, we had problems, yes, they were caused by Lord Hostil and a clique of corrupt priests of Monsanto, but we dealt with it.
>Tell me, I am from a faraway land where your guild do not exist. What will exactly be your investigation, how do you, adventurers, intend to work ?
>Other (Write in)
>>
>>5324559
>How dare you asking questions to a lord before he has asked some himself !
>I am Charles de Villeroi, Lord of Local, we had problems, yes, they were caused by Lord Hostil and a clique of corrupt priests of Monsanto, but we dealt with it.
>>I convoked you here to know why you were on my lands, but you tell me that you are from the Mage's Guild, what right do they have to send mercenaries on my land ! I am the only one to have the right of life and death on my land. If I need their help against magicians I would have called them. Now return to your lands.
>>
>>5324576
Support
>>
>>5324576
Supporting
>>
>>5324559
>You tell me that you took a dungeon ? I had to take some during my campaigns in Guyenne too, have you seen battle ? What do you used ? Ladders ? A battering ram ? What lord lead you ?
We must learn of Indian tactics
>>5324576
support for the rest of the questions
>>
>>5324576
support
>>
>>5324576
inb4
>right gang the local lord told us to leave he must be a necromancer trying to cover his tract a normal lord would of been so rude to our bard he has a 20 in charm
supporting btw
>>
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>>5324559
>How dare you asking questions to a lord before he has asked some himself ! Such arrogance ! Such hubris ! Guards, seize these men and bring them to my dungeons, kill them if they resist.
>You tell me that you took a dungeon ? I had to take some during my campaigns in Guyenne too, have you seen battle ? What do you used ? Ladders ? A battering ram ? What lord lead you ?
>Yes, we had problems with a plague sent by Lord Hostil, but he is now dead, I killed him in single combat. There is no more magical anomalies here.
> Other : The Mages Guild are sending mercenaries and larceny to our lands? An immigrant barbarian and a thief who does not hide his talents? Let us therefore send an emissary to ask them for an official apology and compensation, or else they will receive the heads of their bandits so handsomely paid for disturbing the public order of the domain.
>>
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>>5324576
>>5324667
>>5324691
>>5324702
>>5324812
>>5324844
>>5324933

You decided to be stern, and answered firmly.

-How dare you ask questions to a lord before he has asked some himself ?

And then you were completely astonished, you heard voices in your head. Yes, voices, like a saint, or a madman, but more like a madman. One was a cultured voice of a middle aged man, he seemed to want to laugh. It said "Ahahaha, he's pissed at you Beau.". The second voice, the same voice as the one of Beau the Bard, said clearly "Who does this prick thinks he is ? He is just ruling a backwater place and acts like he is king of everything." the third voice, the voice of a proletarian said "and d'is accent, by tha gods it's ridiculous". How dared he ! And what was this ? Was it some magic. Then a quite dumb and primitive voice said "Need to kill the cripple ?". You wondered what was this sorcery but remarked that everyone was looking shocked around you. Your guardsmen especially. Father François did the sign of the cross but before any other person could react the voice of Beau in your head continued "I will salvage this, let a professional act.".

-I am sorry, powerful lord of... Local, I am terribly sorry for my mistake, me and my companions have travelled and...

Captain Crumbling interrupted him, the old man was literally boiling with rage, you never saw him like that.

-How dare you, pitiful vermin, insult our lord in your telepathic communications and think that we will not manage to hear you. How dare you !
>>
>>5324967

You did not knew what telepathic meant but the voices in your head continued. The voice of Beau to begin with "What ? So these idiots here everything we say ? What is this bullshit ! Ehhr have you cast a fumble once more ?" the cultured voice answered "No, not my fault, it is a high level spell, the most powerful I knew and it was casted perfectly, I do not know what is this bullshit !" the proletarian voice was just laughing and you saw Murd the Barbarian ready his battleaxe and the brutish voice in your head told "Need to smash ?". The voice of Beau continued "It's a dick move, Gehem, it must not happen like this, I refuse this !". You knew of Gehenna but you ignored about any Gehem, maybe it was an indian divinity ? And then you understood, these voices, they were all the voices of these men, and you were, somehow, reading their thoughts, and they were able to communicate by thoughts ! By Saint Denis ! What power ! Even if it was by heretical magic it was incredible ! Imagine being able to read the minds of your subjects and know what they thought about you. None that their opinion mattered, they were here to be quiet and pay taxes, but to know who was plotting against you or not paying taxes at all ! You wondered what it would be to know this and then did the sign of the cross. Satan was powerful in his temptations, he gave men what they desired, but virtue, and faith commanded to resist and not to fall into the tricks of the devil. You did the sign of the cross and remembered to tell this moment of weakness to Father François in confession and then answered.

>You really thought that you could dupe me ? Charles de Villeroi, lord of Local, such arrogance, such hubris ! Your Gehem will not protect you ! Guards, throw these men into my cells, they will be executed tomorrow !
>You dare insult me ! Guards, kill them ! Kill them ! I want their heads !
>Laugh haughtily Hahaha, well, it seems that your tricks have not worked, and since you are able to speak without your tongues you do not need them, cut them off men.
>Laugh haughtily. It seems that your gods have abandoned you, adventurers, and that speaking poorly behind peoples back brings only sorrow. Apologies would be most welcome.
>Sorcery has no power here strangers. Guards, throw these men into the dungeons, kill those that resist. And by the way my accent is pure Champenois and very beautiful.
>Other (write in)

You then needed to ask about all the devilry of this magic but it would be later. You needed to take a decision now, you were the local lord after all.
>>
>>5324969
>>You dare insult me ! Guards, kill them ! Kill them ! I want their heads !
>except Murd.
I bet there is a price on his head up north with the barbarians. If we give him to them, it would be a boon to us.
>>
>>5324969
>Sorcery has no power here strangers. Guards, throw these men into the dungeons, kill those that resist. And by the way my accent is pure Champenois and very beautiful.
>You really thought that you could dupe me ? Charles de Villeroi, lord of Local, such arrogance, such hubris ! Your Gehem will not protect you ! Guards, throw these men into my cells, they will be executed tomorrow !
>Other : These thefts dared to insult us before spitting on our hospitality, the immigrant barbarian was even preparing to attack a wounded lord by surprise! These men are representatives of the Mages Guild, their words, actions and thoughts are those of the Guild, so it cannot be ignored that the Mages Guild brought great harm to the domain. These Magi, in addition to brushing against constament heresy by selling their souls to the devil, they are monsters attacking honest Christians. This Guild must no longer be allowed to enter the lands of the domain, and each mage must be expelled from it until the guild master has not personally apologized to the Lord for this great offense and this attack against him. We must also expect great compensation, otherwise the mages must be persecuted.
>>
>>5324969
>>Laugh haughtily. It seems that your gods have abandoned you, adventurers, and that speaking poorly behind peoples back brings only sorrow. Apologies would be most welcome.

Tempting to kill them, though I think we could do well to gather information from them.
>>
>>5324969
>Sorcery has no power here strangers. Guards, throw these men into the dungeons, kill those that resist. And by the way my accent is pure Champenois and very beautiful.

Torture for our ego and any info, publicly execute them afterwards.
>>
>>5324969
>Laugh haughtily. It seems that your gods have abandoned you, adventurers, and that speaking poorly behind peoples back brings only sorrow. Apologies would be most welcome.
I am sure our guys can handle them, they are within our SPHERE after all
>>
>>5324969
>>Laugh haughtily. It seems that your gods have abandoned you, adventurers, and that speaking poorly behind peoples back brings only sorrow. Apologies would be most welcome.

honestly we can probably convert the barb one thing they hate most is mage bullshit
>>
>>5324969
>>You really thought that you could dupe me ? Charles de Villeroi, lord of Local, such arrogance, such hubris ! Your Gehem will not protect you ! Guards, throw these men into my cells, they will be executed tomorrow !
>>
>>5324969
>>You really thought that you could dupe me ? Charles de Villeroi, lord of Local, such arrogance, such hubris ! Your Gehem will not protect you ! Guards, throw these men into my cells, they will be executed tomorrow !
Yoke 'em up. We can interrogate them individually and decide their fates this evening, once they've been appropriately softened up.
>>
>>5324985
>>5324989
>>5324990
>>5325025
>>5325030
>>5325047
>>5325279
>>5325416

3 votes for sparing them and making them apologise.

3 votes to throw them in the cells and execute them tommorow

1 vote to simply throw them in the cells

1 vote to kill them here (save one man) and now.

I will consider that the majority wants to throw them in the cells, I will let you vote a second time for eventual executions or punishment.

Currently writing
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>>5324990
>>5325025
>>5325030
>>5325047
>>5325279
>>5325416
>>5324985
>>5324989

You answered angrily, and your anger was terrible, even when you were wounded.

-You really thought that you could dupe me ? Charles de Villeroi, lord of Local, such arrogance, such hubris ! Your Gehem will not protect you ! Guards, throw these men into my cells, they will be executed tomorrow if they have no other use !

They wanted to kill you after all, and insulted you before all your men, letting them go unscathed would be forgetting the respect that protects every nobleman. You needed to do an example. The adventurers exchanged looks between themselves and unsheathed their weapons. You heard the proletarian voice in your head saying "back gate unguarded, run there lads when I... Oh fuck". Two of your men moved there to protect the small gate when you heard the brutish voice "Do we have chances ? We can fight me thinks" and the cultured voice scolded him "Stop talking by telepathy you imbeciles, they can hear everything !" but Beau's voice answered "And how can we communicate ? If we whisper we will not m..."

-Surrender now ! Drop your weapons, impolite scum !

Cried your guard's captain while your men approached them. Bohémond, Brother Louis and Godefroi joining your guardsmen. The adventurers tightened their formation. Beau trying to tell you something while the wizard Ehhr whispered.

-Please, my lord, I am sure that we do not need to resort to violence. We are working for the Mage's Guild, the most powerful organisation in the Empire and even beyond. You do not want them to be your enemies ? And we are rank four adventurers, I mean, even if will be violence and your soldiers will prevail some of your men may die. Would it not be better for us to apologise, to part ways, and to be allowed to continue our inquiry. Or at least to be allowed to leave your lands peacefully ?

It was an interesting offer. Or maybe the man was trying to win time for the sorcerer to throw some curse at you. He was whispering suspiciously.

>I will not have magicians and fat guildsmen dictate their will on those who carry chivalry in their blood for more than 400 years ! Guards, arrest this vermin.
>Beware the wizard lads ! Kill them all ! They want to trick us !
>Your offer is... worth considering. You shall be banished from my lands though, if I see you again in my fief I shall not be so merciful.
>Your offer is... worth considering. I can let you work here, but after apologies for your misconduct.
>Your mage's guild is powerful ? So it is rich, good ! It seems that they will pay good ransoms for you. Capture them, soldiers !
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5325556
>I will not have magicians and fat guildsmen dictate their will on those who carry chivalry in their blood for more than 400 years ! Guards, arrest this vermin.
>Beware the wizard lads ! Kill them all ! They want to trick us !
>>
>>5325556
>>I will not have magicians and fat guildsmen dictate their will on those who carry chivalry in their blood for more than 400 years ! Guards, arrest this vermin.
>>
>>5325556
>>Beware the wizard lads ! Kill them all ! They want to trick us !
>>
>>5325556
>>I will not have magicians and fat guildsmen dictate their will on those who carry chivalry in their blood for more than 400 years ! Guards, arrest this vermin.
>>
>>5325556
>>I will not have magicians and fat guildsmen dictate their will on those who carry chivalry in their blood for more than 400 years ! Guards, arrest this vermin.
Lodge the knaves in the nearest oubliette, should take the wind out of their sails until we decide their fate.
>>
>>5325556
>>I will not have magicians and fat guildsmen dictate their will on those who carry chivalry in their blood for more than 400 years ! Guards, arrest this vermin.
>>
>>5325556
>I will not have magicians and fat guildsmen dictate their will on those who carry chivalry in their blood for more than 400 years ! Guards, arrest this vermin.
>Your mage's guild is powerful ? So it is rich, good ! It seems that they will pay good ransoms for you. Capture them, soldiers !
>>
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>>5325600
>>5325607
>>5325648
>>5325671
>>5325731
>>5325772
>>5325879

You said haughtily.

-I will not have magicians and fat guildsmen dictate their will on those who carry chivalry in their blood for more than 400 years ! Guards, arrest this vermin.

And the bloodshed began, seeing that the mage was raising his baton two of your crossbowmen fired, one missed, the other got him in the chest. The adventurers panicked when their mage was hit and the thief tried to run. He dodged the spears of two of your men and threw a kind of smoke bomb that covered his location in smoke but when he moved out of the smoke Cop got him and pierced his leg. The bard immediately raised his hands yelling.

-I surrender ! I surrender !

While in the meantime Murd the Barbarian was another kind of problem. Even if his axe was impractical, and he seemed to be genuinely disturbed by his own difficulty using it, he managed, by pure skill, to keep at bay two of your spearmen. Unfortunately for him their long weapons were too fast for him to manage to find an opening in their guard and hit them. But your old knight Godefroi rushed into the melee, provoked the barbarian in single combat, and cried.

-Montjoie !

And began attacking with his sword. Even if his opponent must have been quicker because of his younger age he was slowed down by the weight of his double bladed battle axe who was too short and too heavy to be useful. Godefroi managed to skilfully redirect his hit towards the floor after a parry and to slash the barbarian with his blade. A stream of red blood poured down from the man's neck and Murd fell, slain by your retainer. It was beautiful battle against a dangerous enemy and you thought about rewarding your veteran. After this victory your men took the weapons and equipment of the adventurers, who seemed too disturbed by the death of two of their companions (it appeared that Ehhr was mortally wounded by the crossbow bolt) to do anything. You congratulated all your men who seemed to be proud to have defeated without losses this formidable opponents, their training had paid off it seemed. You gave them some of the gold that the adventurers carried and kept the rest, approximately 50 gold coins. You had to decide what to do next.
>>
>>5325945

>Directly interrogate the two captured adventurers. No time to loose.
>Let the adventurers wait a bit in your oubliettes.

>Ask Oldfossil about what he thought of the situation. The Mage's Guild was powerful and they would probably send other henchmen. You needed to take mesures against this.
>Ask Oldfossil about the mind reading magic, what was this. You never heard the word "telepathy" before, whas it widely used, what was it exactly ?
>Order to confiscate the stuff that the adventurers left in the inn.
>Ask if we need to hide the bodies or if it would be better to publicly execute these insolent criminals. After all they were members of the Adventurers Guild and worked for the Mage's Guild, two powerful organisations.
>Order your men to prepare gallows/a pyre/a sharp axe
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5325945
>>Let the adventurers wait a bit in your oubliettes.

>Ask Oldfossil about what he thought of the situation. The Mage's Guild was powerful and they would probably send other henchmen. You needed to take mesures against this
>>
>>5325946
>Directly interrogate the two captured adventurers. No time to loose.
Get right at it

>Ask Oldfossil about what he thought of the situation. The Mage's Guild was powerful and they would probably send other henchmen. You needed to take mesures against this.
>Order to confiscate the stuff that the adventurers left in the inn.
>Ask if we need to hide the bodies or if it would be better to publicly execute these insolent criminals. After all they were members of the Adventurers Guild and worked for the Mage's Guild, two powerful organisations.
>>
>>5325963
Support
>>
>>5325946
>Intérroger les deux aventuriers capturés immédiatement. Pas de temps a perdre.

>Demander à Oldfossil ce qu'il pense de la situation. La Guilde des Mages était très puissante et ils enverraient probablement d'autres hommes de main. Vous deviez prendre des mesures contre ça
>Demander si nous devons cacher les corps ou si il serait mieux de publiquement exécuter ces criminels insolents. Après tout, ils étaient des membres de la Guilde d'Aventuriers et travaillais pour la Guilde des Mages, deux puissantes organisations.
>Ordonnez la confiscation des choses que les aventuriers ont laissées à l'auberge.

Loving the quest messire, the names have made me laugh a couple times.
>>
>>5325946
>>Directly interrogate the two captured adventurers. No time to loose.
>Ask Oldfossil about the mind reading magic, what was this. You never heard the word "telepathy" before, whas it widely used, what was it exactly ?
>Order to confiscate the stuff that the adventurers left in the inn.
>Order your men to prepare a sharp axe
>>
>>5325946
>Directly interrogate the two captured adventurers. No time to loose.

>Ask Oldfossil about what he thought of the situation. The Mage's Guild was powerful and they would probably send other henchmen. You needed to take mesures against this.
>Order to confiscate the stuff that the adventurers left in the inn.
>Order your men to prepare gallows

The swing-gurgle-kick thing is more entertaining
>>
>>5325961
>>5325963
>>5325985
>>5325990

Merci messire. Je ne fais que suivre la tradition de Goscinny et Uderzo.

>>5325999
>>5326071

You breathed the sweet air of victory and after ordering to confiscate the possessions of the adventurers still at the inn you asked Oldfossil.

-Dear councillor, now that these scoundrels have been vainquished what shall we do ? You said earlier that the Mage's Guild was very powerful and it may have the means to send other henchmen. What can we do against this ?

Oldfossil seemed to think, and answered firstly.

-Let me think my lord, let me think please.

He normally was able to find a solution to every problem but here he needed time to do it. It meant that it was probably a very sticky situation. You thought about trying to forbid the Guild to enter your lands or about other things but the old man cut your thought with a rather clever suggestion.

-They may do it my Lord, and they may say that they have an imperial monopoly on magical problems. So you must secure allies before them. You should try to obtain the support of your liege lord and petition not the Bifurian Tribunals, who are controlled by elves or wizards unfortunately, but directly the Imperial Court. You were insulted after all. But it will be hard, adventurers are well loved and mages are powerful, and all the authorities try to curtail the authority of the landed nobility. If you manage to win a trial at the Imperial Court, saying that you have the right to execute those who are deemed insolent, it could have great repercussions on the political system but it will be enforced. Mages have always insisted about the "rule of law" and they have the support of the Emperor, if they misbehave at his courts it would be bad. And they will not invest massively in a minor affair. They will probably try to avoid a trial and arrange a deal. You should simply be loud and say that your rights were violated by the Mage's Guild. Send them a protestation letter, tell of the lack of politeness of the adventurers. The mage that we killed was a registered mage too, so it is one of their members. We could all do a testimony...

But Crumbling interrupted him.

-Sorry, old friend but what if they refuse ? I mean, they will probably arrange a deal, but they might not. After all we all know how long the courts take to judge a case, even the opening of a case will not happen before one year. In the meantime they could send us other adventurers or a squad of hit wizards to kill us all.

Oldfossil nodded.

-We will need to defend ourselves and have the support of our liege lord for this.
>>
>>5326340

-We will need to defend ourselves and have the support of our liege lord for this.

Your lips formed into a sad smile.

-With lord Crook Wickedson it is already a bad plan.

-I am not talking about him my lord. I am talking about Count Careless, he has friends at court and some of his friends were even elected on the Council of Many. They have the real power, the Emperor is just a figurehead. And they are able to name the judges. In a trial knowing the judge will be preferable to knowing the law unfortunately.

It was an interesting idea, but a trial was always a long thing. Some decisions of the Parliament of Paris took years, even dozens of years, to be made and you were never sure to win. But threatening to do a trial could work. If you had the support of your liege lord, who ruled from pleasantville, where the adventurers came from, you were sure that he could strike a deal with the local guilders. Crumbling proposed another solution.

-We could kill them and bury them secretly and not report it to anyone, it could make us win some time before they send others.

Oldfossil disagreed. He told.

-They will find out, it would be better to execute them publicly, someone who has nothing to hide can not be accused.

You nodded, but you were still furious. How, how could your power be limited by pesky guilds, by magicians, pagans, heretics and armed vagrants ! How could such disorder be tolerated. You stuck your throne's armrest and declared solemnly, like someone would have done at the Hotel of Valois. You had enough, enough of these knaves, these fat merchants and these upstart commoners who dared to insult everything that you held dear and who tried to destroy our right and proper feudal society. You understood that India was a tale, an horrible tale of warning in God's plan for us all. It showed what was looking like a land without Him, without His Church, without the good nobility that held the country together. It showed a land where all the novelties of Marigny and other awful people had won. And you were not ready to accept this without acting.

-Everything holds together, or rather, everything comes apart! Good minds, Marigny leading them, took it into his head to put down our good feudal law and make the knighthood kneel, and here it is even worse. How can we be surprised that now four armed and colorful peasants are enough to abduct our judicial system and take it by force making to the right of life and death of a lord on his lands wear horns ! We can clearly see the result of all these novelties, today the guild of mages, and tomorrow what, a guild of butchers or bakers who will explain to us who should wear the crown or inherit a title ! Worse, they will give it to a commoner or one of those vagrants called adventurers.
>>
>>5326345

Oldfossil dared not to speak but the look on his face told that sometimes it must have happened in history that an indian adventurer has been crowned king. So you took a deep breath and continued.

-No my friends, such felony will not be tolerated under my reign! I swear on Christ's crown of thorns, brought back from the crusades, that I will dedicate my reign to the return of our good feudal customs, those of the time of Saint Louis that my grandfather knew ! Yes, we will see them again, and everyone shall rejoice ! Justice shall be restored in all Bifuria, and all the Empire ! Even if I have to dedicate all my life to it !

The young Bohémond cheered, Godefroi looked approvingly, Father François made the gesture to bless. All the indians looked at you, not even knowing these good customs. Brother Louis asked you.

-Monseigneur, do you mean... Do you mean that you will even try to bring back the right of a lord to mint his own money.

-Yes.

You answered confidently and Crumbling and Oldfossil looked at each-other, not even thinking that this was possible. And Brother Louis continued.

-And the right to wage private wars ?

-Of course.

There was some approval too. It would mean that there would be work for warriors. But Crumbling and Oldfossil looked at each-other, the old captain asking.

-My lord... But... Would it mean that my men could be mobilised to fight the neighbouring duchy ? Or for quarrels of honor without authorisation of the royal authorities to do so and...

The soldiers seemed worried but you looked at them, they were just fearful of war because they never knew it. They were just armoured civilians, once they will become soldiers they would learn to enjoy it. You looked at your soldiers, assembled in the great hall and told, cutting their captain.

-Yes ! And I promise to all of you, my men, that the holy laws of warfare would be upheld. There would be truce, on sundays, if we wage war against other Christians. And if I take a fort or a walled city I will always, my men, give you three days to ransack it to reward you for your efforts.

Here, you saw the soldiers instinct of your brave lads awaken. They talked between themselves. And Cop, the best guardsman you had, dared to ask.

-So you mean that we will be able to not wait three months of pay to buy our wife a dress but simply kill the damned merchant from Podunk who sells them for three time the price and take all his goods ?

-Of course, such is the right of the victor. The enemies goods and women will be yours men. I am a generous lord !

Enthusiastic cheers answered you. It was good to know that even in their pagan and degenerated state these men knew to recognise justice from evil. You now had an idea, you only needed to implement it. But you saw that talking about it pleased your councillors and retainers. It would probably please the entire realm. But now you had adventurers to interrogate and a decision to make.
>>
>>5326347

>We will tell about the incident to Count Careless, and we menace the guild with a trial.
>We will kill those men quietly, if other adventurers come we will do the same with them and deny that they were here roads are dangerous after all.

Then you had to interrogate the adventurers.

>Begin with the Bard.
>Begin with the Thief.

>>5326071

Of course, and they are peasants, beheading is a nobleman's death.
>>
>>5326348
>We will tell about the incident to Count Careless, and we menace the guild with a trial.
>Begin with the Bard.
>>
>>5326348
>>We will tell about the incident to Count Careless, and we menace the guild with a trial.

>>Begin with the Bard.
>>
>>5326348
>We will tell about the incident to Count Careless, and we menace the guild with a trial.
>Begin with the Bard.

Beginning with the Bard is a good choice, the theif's crimes are more numerous, so he should be kept as the finale

Man, I love this quest
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>>5326348
>We will tell about the incident to Count Careless, and we menace the guild with a trial.
>Begin with the Bard.
>>
>>5326348
>We will kill those men quietly, if other adventurers come we will do the same with them and deny that they were here roads are dangerous after all.
>Begin with the Bard.
>>
>>5326348
>We will tell about the incident to Count Careless, and we menace the guild with a trial.

>Begin with the Bard.
It feels great knowing that our future is looking bright
>>
>>5326348
>We will tell about the incident to Count Careless, and we menace the guild with a trial.
>Begin with the Bard.
>>
>>5326348
>>We will tell about the incident to Count Careless, and we menace the guild with a trial.
>Begin with the Thief.
>>
>>5326356
>>5326370
>>5326377

Thank you good sir.

>>5326582
>>5326587
>>5326907

All goes always according to God's plan.

>>5327018
>>5327026

You decided to be public about the incident and the punishment of the adventurers.

-We will act according to your plan, dear Oldfossil, let our brave Count know about such infamy. And knowing him would be better to balance against the influence of Baron Crook.

Oldfossil was glad that you accepted and you decided to begin to interrogate the bard. You were carried downstairs, and ordered the bard to be freed from his oubliette for the time to interrogate him.

Once that Beau the bard was before you you never needed to order him to kneel, he began kneeling and speaking.

-Please my lord spare me, please, even if I do not deserve it. I spoke quickly, now I see all your incommensurable power. I was wrong to speak ill of you, I was under the influence of my companions, they disliked the nobility, I deny them. If I can make amends I will do it, I can write a poem about your shining glory and your victory over your enemies. I can... Please spare my life !

He seemed to be terrified, and you did not even have to show him the tools of the questionnette to be talking like this. Were all the Indians so soft or this specimen a particular coward ? You told him.

-Was the magical anomaly the true reason of your coming ? Talk ! Vagrant !

The man shook a bit and said

-N..n...no my lord, apparently there were people sent before us. I will tell you everything, three paladins. We had to search for clues of their disappearance and to see if they were linked to the anomaly.

What, the three fools that you had killed and drowned in the river ! They produced new fools ! By the beard of Saint John the Baptist you will have to cover evidence of this. Fortunately nobody, outside of you, Ancel, Bohémond, Godefroi and Brother Louis knew of their demise. Oldfossil knew too, he had seen the bodies. You then told.

-And who, in this guild sent you ?

The man tried to answer.

-It, it was a contract that was given to us by our guild, we are not directly in contact with the quest givers and...

You hit your armrest with your fist and ordered Ancel le Purineur.

-Ancel, my good Ancel, bring us a hot poker and make this man talk.

Ancel laughed stupidly and, biting into an apple, he added.

-With joy messire !

The face of the bard became even more white and he said.

-I, I heard from the guild's lady that the quest was given by two young Mages. And that the girl was from your village. Hum sorry, the most beautiful holding of your fief.
>>
>>5327160

You looked at Oldfossil, this man knew all your peasants by heart it seemed and he would probably know if there were magicians in your fief. He told.

-Let me check in the books that I keep my lord but we had only one people with magical talents born in our lordship for the last ten years and it was a girl. I think it was six or seven years ago. She must have graduated from the Imperial Academy of Magic now. I will try to find her name.

Well you still had to decide about the fate of the bard and maybe ask some other questions.

>I have still questions to ask you, how many adventurers are in the Guild at Pleasantville
>I still have questions, who were those dead "paladins" do you know their names ? Their description ? When have they disappeared ?
>Other questions (write in)

>You have wronged a lord by your words and your actions, tell me, what is the most precious to you, your fingers or your tongue ?
>You have shown contempt to our right and proper feudal society. You deserve death.
>You seem to have repented sincerely. And I think that you could prove to be useful. I will receive a lady this week, you said that you performed before the elven queen, entertain us and if you did well I will let you live.
>You seem to have repented sincerely. And I think that you could prove to be useful. I will receive a lady this week, you seem to know indian poetry, try to teach me a bit of it and I will let you live.
>You seem to have confessed honestly. I shall spare your life.
>Your offense against the people and lord of Local shall not go unpunished, but since you have confessed we shall not kill you. Men, bring this man into a pillory in the main place of the village. Let him think about the error of his ways.
>Men, throw this Bard into the oubliettes, again. We need him alive for the moment.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5327162
>I still have questions, who were those dead "paladins" do you know their names ? Their description ? When have they disappeared ?
Find out what thew know.

>You seem to have repented sincerely. And I think that you could prove to be useful. I will receive a lady this week, you seem to know indian poetry, try to teach me a bit of it and I will let you live.
We "1001 Arabian Nights" now.
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>>5327162
>>You have wronged a lord by your words and your actions, tell me, what is the most precious to you, your fingers or your tongue ?
>>
>>5327162
>>I still have questions, who were those dead "paladins" do you know their names ? Their description ? When have they disappeared ?

>You have shown contempt to our right and proper feudal society. You deserve death.
>>
>>5327174
Support, the Bard is a retard who's repented for his ways (cried and groveled), so he should be pressed into helping us
>>
>>5327162
>I have still questions to ask you, how many adventurers are in the Guild at Pleasantville
>I still have questions, who were those dead "paladins" do you know their names ? Their description ? When have they disappeared ?
> Other : Ask the guard what he knows about the thief

>You seem to have repented sincerely. And I think that you could prove to be useful. I will receive a lady this week, you seem to know indian poetry, try to teach me a bit of it and I will let you live.
> Other : We must be a patron of artists, this bard is a harmless coward. Let him go to the pillory for a while after teaching us the art of poetry so that he can reflect on his mistakes, but a lord must know how to be lenient when necessary.
>>
>>5327174
Support

Hey, maybe we could even try recruiting him?
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>>5327174
>>5327175
>>5327208
>>5327295
>>5327299
>>5327402

You hadn't finished to ask questions so you asked the man.

-Who were those dead "paladins" do you know their names ? Their description ? When have they disappeared ?

He tried to recall this in his memory and told.

-The...They... They were 3 paladins, of the cult of Edos, two men and a woman, all humans. I... I had just to talk, Ehhr was the one who knew all the details but it is what I knew. They left Podunk some weeks ago. We asked peasants and nobody had seen them, but our quest giver said that they disappeared after being sent here by a powerful teleportation spell.

Yes, you had buried or drowned them so it was clear that they disappeared. It was good that these adventurers were clueless. You remembered Oldfossil telling you that the Mage's Guild had a monopoly on teleportation, it was how they called disappearing at a place and appearing at another, another strange Indian devilry. But Oldfossil told that it was costly so these paladins seemed to have been important people, to mobilise so much resources to send them on the spot meant this. You then looked at the blond bard who was shaking and almost crying. Especially when Ancel was sharpening his knife with a stone nearby and looking at him evilly. You told.

-You seem to have repented sincerely. And I think that you could prove to be useful. I will receive a lady this week, you seem to know indian poetry, try to teach me a bit of it and I will let you live.

The man looked at you, he seemed not to believe that you were such a generous man. Of course, you understood him, always living with vagrants and scum he had never witnessed the mercy of a true christian nobleman. You pitied him. And he said.

-I... Many thanks my lord, many thanks I... I... Can try to help of course, where shall we begin... And if you could bring be my lute back I could...

-It would not be necessary, I want to know only the text. Send this man back to a cell, not the oubliette, and fetch me the thief !

Your men approved and the bard thanked you once more for your mercy. Even if Ancel, who accompanied him, menaced him with his knife and told, about a medallion that he wore.

-Give me your jewellery, funny man !

You wondered why your other guards had not taken it. Stealing from the prisoners was, after all, an habitual part of the job and helped them feed their families. Maybe they feared that you would want to take it ? Or it was not customary. Well, if it was this you cried to Ancel.

-Hey, stop bothering our guest, he can keep his jewellery.

The terrorised bard thanked you even more. Now was the time to watch the trial of the thief.
>>
>>5327871

When he was brought here man seemed more calm than the bard who was an absolute coward. He had been wounded by a spear in he tight and was unable to run but he did not die from blood loss so it was not a too important injury. You began by asking him about his mission and he kept quiet about paladins at first but once you said that you knew that the magical anomaly was not their true purpose he told everything.

-Yes, yes, we were searching for missing paladins too, and quite high ranked ones. I said that the mission seemed to be a trap, c'ause ya know... Heh, if high ranked paladins die what a group of rank four adventurers could do ? But the gold was good, 10 000 gold coins they offered. We decided to go.

You did not understand their rank system but you understood the logic, if knights were killed those peasants probably thought that they would not stand a chance. They were right and... WHAT ? 10 000 ! Four times your taxes each year for those... Vagrants... It was when you understood what does this meant and how big the power gap was between you and your enemies. They could offer 4 years of gains like it was nothing. On the other side it would mean that you would get rich by looting their headquarters, even their headquarters at Podunk or Pleasantville. After all guild men like the flemish or italians were not useful in a fight and would simply get slaughtered by any competent heavy cavalry. You then asked.

-We are a bit more than a week on foot from Pleasantville isn't it ?

-Yes, yes, m'lord, more than a week. We stopped at some inns on the road. Or camped. Got attacked by pesky giant spiders three days from here, but killed them easy...

The man's grammar was awful and he criticized your accent. Typical. You then asked.

-And the thieve's guild, what do they do. In Briberopolis I mean.

-I can't say m'lord, that's thief stuff and...

-Ancel, bring a hot poker and begin the questionnette. And men, prepare a pyre, we need to set an exemple.

-M'lord ! No need ! No need ! I...I will tell ya everything... We steal things f'couse, but we steal documents too... Like precious information, and stuff. Sometimes for the Queen and other groups of people. Seriously, I mean, it would be a waste to waste such an asset as me. I can be very useful and...

-Silence, that is for me to decide, have you stolen.

-Yes, and I have been to prison, I served my sentence well and...

-Liar ! How is your hand still in place...

-Sorry... What ?

-What, what ? You do not cut the hands of the thieves here.

-Hum... No... Ml'ord ! I do not know where they do it but it is savage, we arn't barbarians we...

-Silence ! I will not have you misjudge French Law, and if we cut their hands it is to stop them from doing it again. Look, your prison wasn't enough to teach you respect. I will teach you respect !

The thief began crying and grovelling and telling that he was innocent when two guardsmen took him by the arms. You had to decide on a sentence.
>>
>>5327872

>Ask a question about the numbers of adventurers at Podunk.

>We shall see if you are innocent in an ordeal, men, put his hand in hot water, if he doesn't react it means that he is innocent. If not then we shall punish him accordingly, ordeals are the best way to determine guilt.

>This man wronged me, execute him publicly by hanging.
>We shall show the superiority of our laws, cut off his right hand for theft and his tongue for disrespecting a nobleman.
>We will not change the local laws about crimes done outside of our lands. We will simply tear out his tongue with hot pincers.
>Throw him back at the oubliette.
>This man has been useful, release him.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5327875
>This man wronged me, execute him publicly by hanging.
If he was just a thief who was caught, only cutting off a hand could be justified. But when you pile EVERYTHING on, our eg- sense of justice demands that he be hanged
>>
>>5327875
>Ask a question about the numbers of adventurers at Podunk.
Torture and execute him if he refuses or seems to lie.

If he cooperates...

>We shall see if you are innocent in an ordeal, men, put his hand in hot water, if he doesn't react it means that he is innocent. If not then we shall punish him accordingly, ordeals are the best way to determine guilt.

It is the way of things, after all, and so far these methdos have served us well (including against the paladin woman, who was obviously a witch).
>>
>>5327875
>>This man wronged me, execute him publicly by hanging.
>>
>>5327875
>>This man wronged me, execute him publicly by hanging.
>>
>>5327875
>>This man wronged me, execute him publicly by hanging.
>>
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>>5327923

You think well good sir..

>>5327924

Sadly you are not in the majority but I hope that other cases will make more ordeals possible good sir.

>>5327956
>>5328009
>>5328127

You ordered quickly.

-This man wronged me, execute him by public hanging.

The thief tried to continue, in his horrible grammar, to avoid his fate. He tried to kick with his only good leg when two guards got him by the arms and cried.

-No, no, ya can't ! I'm an honest citizen, reformed and true ! I didn't do nothing ! And mah Guild is powerful ! They will make your life hell and... and... I have the right to have a lawyer ! I know my rights !

That last thing was the only thing that he said that made sense. You then asked Oldfossil.

-Do the fiefdom have a lawyer to give defence to our people, and do we pay his fee ?

It was the case in certain cities and fiefdoms after all, maybe it was like this in India too. King Philippe III the Bold forced all lawyers to register to their cities and some paid men to defend the people freely. This was a good thing in your opinion. But the old man answered.

-No my lord.

-Well then do you have the means to afford one, thief ?

The thief looked at you and nodded his head.

-Yes m'lord, I can pay with my own money, we have a good lawyer at Pleasantville that...

You cut him directly.

-If a vagrant has the means to single-handedly pay a lawyer it means that he has indeed stolen the money ! Hang this thief men !

You smiled smugly while your councillors and knights admired your sense of justice and your wisdom. You were the new King Solomon. You ordered the execution to be done tomorrow afternoon, your men would need time to install proper gallows after all. And you ordered to some men to carry a message to all the people that there would be an execution tomorrow. After all it was an interesting spectacle where they could bring their animals and children so they would understand that stealing is evil and brings you to a premature end. While the thief was thrown into the oubliette you smiled. It was good to be lord, you gave justice and education to your people and they thanked you for it. You then asked Oldfossil.

-Dear steward, please, may I ask you to bring me the full list of our expenses and gains for the year, to know how much money do we have in the treasury.

The man agreed and said.

-I will simply need two days to check everything my lord, but it will be done.

Good. You still had to accept some peasants into serfdom and conduct the public execution.

>Do both of it the same day, appear to both.
>Do the execution first, assist to it and give a speech.
>Do the execution first, assist to it and remain silent.
>Accept the peasants into serfdom first.
>Accept the peasants into serfdom first and order for the baptism of the family of Popeye to be the same day, it would be great to do such religious ceremony.
>Other (write in)

You gain +2 mudcore and +20 xp for your victory over adventurers
>>
>>5328400

====

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 3
XP : 270+20 = 290 (next level at 450)

Stats

Combat : 50%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 35%

Piety : 34

Mudcore : 36+2 = 38

With 38 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. New illnesses will appear too around you, but the Mudcore that you have brought upon this world will make a new companion appear.
Next level at 40, at 40 mudcore you would be able to "specialise" this ability and choose one of the three paths proposed.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.
>>
>>5328400
>Accept the peasants into serfdom first and order for the baptism of the family of Popeye to be the same day, it would be great to do such religious ceremony.
>>
>>5328400
>>Accept the peasants into serfdom first and order for the baptism of the family of Popeye to be the same day, it would be great to do such religious ceremony.
>>
>>5328400
>Accept the peasants into serfdom first and order for the baptism of the family of Popeye to be the same day, it would be great to do such religious ceremony.
>>
>>5328400
>>Do the execution first, assist to it and give a speech.
>>
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>>5328440
>>5328442
>>5328456
>>5328634

You decided to accept the peasants into serfdom first and at the same day you ordered Father François to baptise Popeye and his family, who were the first volunteers. The peasants all came to swear fealty to you, and to swear that they shall not leave your lands and accept your rule, the rule of your heirs or the rule of any other person who will be the lord of local. Effectively they and their children, grandchildren and all their lineage will have to exploit, to their benefit, a plot of land given to them by the Local Lord in exchange of protection. They will work freely during corvées too and have multiple feudal obligations.

Most of them, like Pauperus before them, seemed to accept the deal and find it profitable. For those like Popeye it was harder to accept but you never doubted that he would understand anyway. It was done quickly and without much ceremonial, you counted and with children Oldfossil told you that you now had exactly 44 serfs, amongst the 1187 inhabitants of your lordship, you had lost some inhabitants because you expelled demons and some ghibelline raids, illnesses and calamities had taken their tolls but some new births compensated that. It was good, you hoped that in a year or two most of the inhabitants would be enserfed. Once it was done it was time to go with the baptism father François had a family of eight to baptise after all.

But there was a divine surprise, in plus of the eight members of Popeye's family the brave father François has made new converts. It was one of the good sides of his commoner origins, he knew how to talk to peasants. And he was a merry man who spent a lot of time in the tavern. Once the commoners began to know their new priest and after the scandals of the priests of Monsanto some of them, 13 of them exactly, a majority from Local but some of them from Nearby and Otherone, were willing to convert to Christianity. It will be the first baptised men and women in Bufuria (before them the prestee John was in India after all so you thought that there were some Christians to the south). 21 new souls saved from damnation. One of them was Peta the Tanner, who was judged for a case and was one of the reasons why you wanted a ship to sail the Queste. He came with his family. It seemed that the tales of only one God but more powerful than all the pagan god and of Eternal Life had convinced him.

The priest ordered for all the baptisms to be done in the Queste river. Since every baptised person needs a godfather and a godmother but you lacked Christian women, it was decided to baptise the women first so they could choose godmothers and godfathers amongst the rest of Local people. It would be a good way to make you and your men closer to them after all.
>>
>>5328733

You looked at the ceremony with attention, of course with your injured leg you could not participate directly but you watched how the people were baptised by immersion and how father François told his latin formula. He told them all their name and told that they were baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

It was glorious, and you approved all of this, praying for the souls of your people. You ignored if you needed to give a speech or let the church do it's work.

>Give a speech to the newly baptised
>Give some food to the newly baptised, they must do a feast to commemorate it after all.
>Thank father François for his work.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5328735
>>Give a speech to the newly baptised
Te Deum! Exhort the new converts with the ideal that all their worldly toils will lead to heavenly rewards, while insinuating heavily that they will be preferred above the pagan inhabitants of your demesne for temporal promotions, honours, and favours so long as they live up to Christian ideals and feudal obligations.
>>
>>5328878
Supporting most strongly!

>>5328735
>>
>>5328878
Support
>>
>>5328735
>>Give a speech to the newly baptised
>>Give some food to the newly baptised, they must do a feast to commemorate it after all.
>>
>>5328878
>>5328911
>>5328920


Excellent idea please do a rulership roll I will take into account the average of the first three rolls. Since >>5328878 did excellent suggestions I will add a +20 bonus to the roll.
>>
Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>5329564
>>
Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>5329564
>>
Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>5329564
>>
>>5329599
>>5329578
>>5329572
62? Not BAD...
>>
>>5329572
>>5329578
>>5329599
>>5329604

42, it's a success.

====

You tried to make a speech to show that you were pleased by this slow but steady baptism of your lands. You looked at the new converts, 8 adult men, 7 women and 6 little children, no Guelphs, cagots, short Scotsmen or Saracens in their ranks, they looked like the French villagers that you saw back home in Champagne. You thought about improvising something. You told in a strong voice.

-Good people of Local, fellow Christians. It is a great joy to me to see for the first time brothers and sisters in Christ in our fair land.
By this baptism you have entered our Christian community and became the siblings in Christ. Help your other Christian neighbours, work hard in the fields and be an exemple of virtue for all to have the Eternal Life of the Lord like you for those who act well in this world shall be rewarded for eternity.
I count on you to be the the pillar upon which my rule will be built. Good Christians with faith in their hearts, acting with charity and doing their duty and feudal obligations with zeal. It is natural that, now that I know all of you by name, you will become my relay in this land and I should always look after you with the kindness of a brother by faith.

You hoped that they had understood, and they had understood, promotions will be given to those who work hard and act like Christians. You know them so they will be rewarded first amongst the rest of your subjects but watched carefully to act with dignity too. Excellent. You then smiled and greeted each of them by their name, after all you saw how they were baptised and let them go back at their homes. A woman called Alive, the pregnant widow of a dead guardsman (Dedman, you remembered him he was a spearman who died when you fought Conradin's Ghibellines) who was crying tried to talk about her husband, you told her that he had been a good man and that you will of course provide his pay in food and products until her kid will grow up, it was Christian charity after all and she thanked you a lot, she was poor and lonely and promised to thank you by naming her kid "Charles". She was in her thirties, but even in her old age she was quite beautiful and you were sure that she would manage to find another husband. You thanked her by promising the kid a place as a guardsman, like his father, if he managed to show some abilities, or survive. Sometimes your generosity astonished you.
>>
>>5329964

After this baptism in the morning you stayed reading for a bit and exchanged some pleasantries with Stacy the maid who took care of you kindly as always and who was always ready to warm your bed. In the afternoon you decided to assist to the execution of the awful thief Hob. You had a peasant called Hob too and wondered if Hob was as common a name as Jean back in France.

You put on a thick coat, because the weather was not very good and decided to go assist to the spectacle. Unfortunately your leg hurt, you have had to walk with crutches to assist to the baptism but you almost fell once and it made the rest of the ceremony painful. You would have to stay and sit during the execution. The problem of not having an official hangman was terrible too. In France hangmen were particular persons, shunned by society because they gave death they even ate other bread than the rest of the people, the bakers putting it upside down to signify that it was baked for them and their families and the craft was often hereditary. Doing an execution was hard, you needed someone to do it.

>Ask for a volunteer amongst your guardsmen.
>Ask for a volunteer amongst the villagers of Local.
>Ask Ancel if he wants, promise him some beer if he does the deed.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5329966

Oh and I forgot

You gain +4 piety, (+1 for each group of 5 persons that are baptised) for your deeds.

=====

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 3
XP : 290 (next level at 450)

Stats

Combat : 50%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 35%

Piety : 34+4= 38

Mudcore : 38

With 38 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. New illnesses will appear too around you, but the Mudcore that you have brought upon this world will make a new companion appear.
Next level at 40, at 40 mudcore you would be able to "specialise" this ability and choose one of the three paths proposed.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.
>>
>>5329966
>>Ask for a volunteer amongst your guardsmen.
>>
>>5329966
>>Ask for a volunteer amongst the villagers of Local.
>>
>>5329966
>Ask Ancel if he wants, promise him some beer if he does the deed.

Ancel is exempt from the rules as Ancel is not a person, he is Ancel
>>
>>5329966
>>Ask Ancel if he wants, promise him some beer if he does the deed.
>>
>>5329966
>>Ask for a volunteer amongst the villagers of Local.
Not worth losing a guardsman, and not worth the stain on Ancel's soul. If the random hireling manages to decapitate the varlet without too much ado, offer him a permanent staff position with additional stipend and privileges if he converts to Christianity.
>>
>>5329966
>Ask for a volunteer amongst your guardsmen.
Offer them a permanent position if they do it well
>>
>>5330378
Sypporting this idea. Conversion obligatory!

>>5329966
>>
>>5329966
>>Other (write in)
Do it ourselves. It's messy but it is our responsibility.
>>
>>5330378
+1
>>
>>5330525
Not worth the risk of tripping and reinjuring our leg (and pride)
>>
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>>5330047
>>5330049
>>5330069
>>5330219
>>5330378
>>5330418
>>5330433
>>5330525
>>5330539
>>5330694

You decide to ask for volunteers to hang a thief, finally you found a brave lad called Wouldoit Forapenny. He seemed a bit vulgar and was working as a farmhand. He had been stricken with the illness of the smallpox like some of your inhabitants because of the magical anomaly. He knew some things about ropes and was enthousiastic about hanging someone. You offered him a permanent position if he converted to Christianity but he refused. So you had your hangman, for a day at least. Even if he was not enthusiastic to convert today you thought that maybe it would be better to let him kill people as a pagan and then make him convert and confess his sins.

The hanging was in the middle of the afternoon. You were installed on a chair on the main square of Local and twenty guardsmen assured order before many hundreds of onlookers. It was rare to see death penalty in action, said Oldfossil, and it was even rarer to see an adventurer hanged. You tried to listen to the crowd and most of them said.
"What has he done ?" "He has insulted our village, he deserves death !" "Damn those adventurers, they steal all the glory while we plow the fields" "I could have been an adventurer too but I took a goblin arrow in the knee" etc... Before the criminal came you heard Captain Crumbling declare.

-Good people of Local, today a vile man, a man who has been found guilty of theft, lack of respect towards a nobleman, and conspiracy to murder our lord will be judged. He insulted not only our lord but our village too, may his death serve a reminder to those who provoke us and break the law for a living.

Hob the thief, who was carried by two strong guards, tried to flee but with his injured leg prevented him from doing anything. Soon he would be hanged like a common thief on the gallows. He was gaged and could not talk and his hands were bound. When the two guardsmen removed his gag and Father François asked him to confess he spat on him and answered with profanities and threats. He screamed.

-The guild will come you imbred bastards and dey will show ya ! You will be fucked, I still have a fate point left and...

You ordered to gag him again, not interested in his madness, and soon after Willdoit put the rope around his neck. Next he pulled a lever, there was a drop and the people gasped and the man broke his neck while dropping. It was quick and clean. You needed to go back to the castle before doing some last instructions.

>Give a speech to the commoners about this execution (rulership roll)

>Order the body of the dead man to be left on the gallows for a week.
>Order the body of the dead man to be buried immediately.
>>
Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>5331193

>>Order the body of the dead man to be buried immediately.
fate point not today bitch
>>
Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>5331193
>>Order the body of the dead man to be left on the gallows for a week.
>>
>>5331193
>>Order the body of the dead man to be buried immediately.
>>
>>5331193
>>Order the body of the dead man to be left on the gallows for a week.
>>
>>5331193
>>Order the body of the dead man to be left on the gallows for a week.

It's tradition to leave it up as a warning, if I recall correctly
>>
>>5331193
>>Order the body of the dead man to be left on the gallows for a week.
pour encourager les autres
>>
Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>5331193
>>Order the body of the dead man to be left on the gallows for a week.
>>
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>>5331228
>>5331246
>>5331322
>>5331379
>>5331446
>>5331455
>>5331640


You decide to give a speech to the people, but you were never an orator for the masses, you know how to give orders in a battle, but this... Well... You maybe should not have spoken before having an idea of what to speak about. You said.

-Good people of Local... I... Your lord, am very happy that you came in numbers to see the demise of this criminal. He was a bad man, he died a bad death. And.... Well... It is a good lesson for all... For all the criminals and bandits that try to mock us. I will let him hang here for seven days, so everyone can see.

They then looked at you, thinking that you wanted to say more, you looked at them, it was awkward. But then you made a gesture with your hand and your peasants politely nodded and began to leave. You became red, you had an idea, you wanted to speak about.. Yes you remembered, to speak about the dangers of these adventurers and how they wanted to trick the people, explain that in detail and tell the people to denounce any adventurer who trespasses. You raised your hand to tell that you had more to say but the peasants already left. Well... That didn't go well at all. Two of your guardsmen gave you back your clutches and you returned home calmly. Here you were in a bad mood for a day before the brave Oldfossil gave you some information about the finances of your lands.
Of course it was written on a paper, and you were still mostly illiterate, so the brave man read you each line, and helped you read it, it would be a good lesson about numbers.
>>
>>5332386

State of the Treasury since the arrival of Lord Charles :

-10 000 gold coins in the treasury changed into silver and into only 1000 gold coins
+Loot of the Goblins (apparently Ghibelline was not written as it was pronounced... Odd) 40 gold coins
+Idol of Monsanto melted in Podunk : 100 gold coins
+Share of the loot of the Witches Kept by us after sharing and selling : +75 gold coins, we still haven't managed to sell the enchanted scale cuirass but it is probably worth 1200 gold coins.
+50 gold coins taken on the criminal adventurers.
+1200 gold coins borrowed at an interest rate of 15% to master Thorri Tighpursson of Podunk, we have two years to give them back.
TOTAL : 2465 gold coins in our treasury before the expenses.

Expenses :
-320 gold coins given to buy palfreys
-200 gold coins to equip the guard better
Total : 520 gold coins, 1945 gold coins remain

Future gains and expenses of the year :
+1200 gold coins for selling the Enchanted Cuirass
+6000 gold coins of yearly taxes and sales of our grain
-2300 gold coins of various expenses to maintain the castle and your household, and for charities too.
-200 gold coins of various expenses because of the extension of the household
-1200 gold coins to maintain the mandatory Inns
-2000 gold coins for the canal/orchard project
-400 (200 each month) for the six palfreys for the guardsmen
TOTAL : +1100 gold coins at the end of the year but we will have a debt of 1380.

Total :
At the end of the year we shall have 3045 gold coins in our coffers and a debt of 1380 gold coins to give back before the end of the next year.

Oldfossil ended his lecture by telling you.

-If I may advise you my lord, it would be safe to save 1000 gold coins if there is difficult times, and to save what we need for giving back what we borrowed. So we can still spend 665 gold coins until the end of the year.

Well it was meagre, and people of noble blood who shed it on the battlefields should be allowed to live above their means. You thanked Oldfossil. You really needed to find a solution to this Inn problem. You remember that Brother Louis suggested something at the temple of Monsanto but an angry mob stopped him. You would need to think about it. Oldfossil added.

-I calculate everything in gold coins my lord but sometimes we spend in nature and some times the free labor of the serfs will serve as taxes even if they pay less gold or products.

You nodded and said.
>>
>>5332389

>How much our river boat project would cost ?
>We shall send someone, next week, to our two innkeepers, they cost 1200 gold coins each year it is too much.
>Could we sell some more food to gain money ?
>How much would the recruitment and equipment of more guardsmen would cost us ?
>What the expenses of our invitation of Lady Takable, if we do a little feast, would cost us ?
>I still have trouble with your calendar, when will the year end ?
>How much would all the religious objects and clothes that Father François requested would cost, and what will be the cost of decorating the church ?
>I heard about german lords, who, seeing this kind of financial reports of their small lordships acted germanly and attacked merchant caravans on their lands to tax them by force. I know that there it is illegal but seriously, could we not try to do it, or even on other lands ?
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5332390
>How much our river boat project would cost ?
>What the expenses of our invitation of Lady Takable, if we do a little feast, would cost us ?
>How much would all the religious objects and clothes that Father François requested would cost, and what will be the cost of decorating the church ?
>>
>>5332390
>How much our river boat project would cost ?
>We shall send someone, next week, to our two innkeepers, they cost 1200 gold coins each year it is too much.
>How much would all the religious objects and clothes that Father François requested would cost, and what will be the cost of decorating the church ?
>>
>>5332390
>>How much our river boat project would cost ?
>I heard about german lords, who, seeing this kind of financial reports of their small lordships acted germanly and attacked merchant caravans on their lands to tax them by force. I know that there it is illegal but seriously, could we not try to do it, or even on other lands ?
>>
>>5332390
>How much our river boat project would cost ?
>What the expenses of our invitation of Lady Takable, if we do a little feast, would cost us ?
>How much would all the religious objects and clothes that Father François requested would cost, and what will be the cost of decorating the church ?
>We shall send someone, next week, to our two innkeepers, they cost 1200 gold coins each year it is too much.
>>
>>5332396
Support
>>
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>>5332396
>>5332452
>>5332549
>>5332578
>>5332593

You asked your brave councillor.

-How much our river boat project would cost ?

He seemed to think in his head before answering.

-All depends on the size of the boat, for a huge river barge 24 yards long it would be normally 1600 gold coins to build it, but since we have free labor and a cheap specialist to guide our craftsmen, and our own trees the expenses would be simply for the equipment and work of the carpenters. So in my opinion we could build it for 1200 gold coins. If we want a smaller boat, but a boat nonetheless, 12 yards long with a sail and 6 men to guide it our dear Popeye tells that it will cost 800 gold coins but in my opinion with the economies that I mentioned before we could build one for 600 gold coins in 30 days. If we put all our men on it of course and I will advise against that, it would be better to wait a bit more, we must mobilise our men for the canal when the earth is still not hard, before winter. Then we will need to engage a crew. If we only build a small rowboat with one man rowing we can easily do this for 90 gold coins.

You nodded, and thanked him, this man was really saving you money where he could.

-Thank you Oldfossil, I do not know what I would have done without you... And about the religious objects and church decorations, Father François has given you everything ?

He answered.

-His needs are costly my lord, very costly, more than 1500 gold coins, yes, probably everything with the decorations will cost 1000 coins, only the clothes are already costing us 400 gold coins and the religious tools 500 gold coins, they shall all be in gold...

-Well maybe you could economise, some do not need to be in gold...

-He has prepared in that case a "cheaper version" of his needs but that would hardly save us 200 coins for the tools and clothes and cut all the need for statues and decorations. So we would still need to pay at least 700 gold coins.

You nodded, it was not cheap, and you would eventually need to pay the full 1500 coins. Yes, religious clothes were costly.

-And what would be the expenses of our feast with Lady Takable ? If we organise a feast ?

The man smiled and told.

-My lord, with what we have taken from the witches we will have the means to feed her and her retainers. And fortunately I always save some clean clothes and decorations in case of a feast. The only expense would be distraction. But unfortunately we do not have the time to bring jugglers from Podunk or Pleasantville so...

Yes, it was too late, you needed to find something to distract her a bit. But before this you ordered.

-These Inns cost us too much, I want to see their owners in a week. Send someone to sommon them dear Oldfossil.

And he answered in his habitual calm voice.

-It will be done my lord.
>>
>>5332633

You had some things to suggest, but what first.

>We shall build a river barge. Bigger is better.
>We shall build a river boat, it is what we need.
>We shall build only a small rowboat to transport some people and goods along the river.
>We shall not build boats at all dear oldfossil, not this year at least.

>We shall decorate the church and every incensory shall be golden, open all my coffers, 1500 gold coins it will be.
>We shall only buy clothes and tools, but every chalice shall be golden, nothing is too good for the Lord ! 900 coins so...
>We shall be modest and only pay 700 gold to have temporary religious items at our disposal, we need to celebrate the mass humbly like the first Christians before having the means to build huge cathedrals.
>We shall not open our church this year, it saddens me but we do not have the means.

>Maybe we could try to ask some clever villagers to perform tricks for us.
>Maybe we can convince Beau the Bard to sing for us. To keep his life he will probably do it.

>other (write in)
>>
>>5332639
>We shall build a river boat, it is what we need.
>We shall decorate the church and every incensory shall be golden, open all my coffers, 1500 gold coins it will be.
>Maybe we can convince Beau the Bard to sing for us. To keep his life he will probably do it.
>>
>>5332639
>We shall build a river boat, it is what we need.
>We shall be modest and only pay 700 gold to have temporary religious items at our disposal, we need to celebrate the mass humbly like the first Christians before having the means to build huge cathedrals.
>Maybe we can convince Beau the Bard to sing for us. To keep his life he will probably do it.
>>
>>5332852

Support, we can always build the barge later same as upgrading our church. All about the foundation. And perhaps Beau will tire of the adventuring life?
>>
>>5332639
>We shall build a river boat, it is what we need.
>We shall decorate the church and every incensory shall be golden, open all my coffers, 1500 gold coins it will be. (Who would dare to make the Lord pass after a boat? WHO???)
>Maybe we can convince Beau the Bard to sing for us. To keep his life he will probably do it. (He would do it for free, he owes us a debt for life.)
>>
>>5332710
>>5332852
>>5332866
>>5333631

You have tough choices to make, but you shall still have 3045 gold coins in your coffers at the end of the year so you decide to spend a large share of them. You order your steward.

-Let's build a river boat, it is what we need, we do not have enough goods to need a river barge. And... I still have not decided about the church. Should we pay stay modest or decorate all the church directly. But one day, I promise you, we will build a cathedral.

The man seemed distraught.

-You mean to build a cathedral ? What is it ?

-A huge church, high like the sky, possible with the latest architecture and a bishop in hit ! You will see one Oldfossil and you will convert immediately, I am sure !

You joked, when the man seemed afraid by the prospect of spending to build it. He was a good steward, always looking to save money. You then told him.

-Maybe we can convince Beau the Bard to sing for us. To keep his life he will probably agree.

The man seemed to think and then he nodded, agreeing to your proposal.

-Of course my lord, we will do this immediately. I will send him your loyal man, Ancel, it is said that he is afraid of simply seeing him and since this bard is a coward he will probably be too scared to disagree.

The plan was good and you gave your approval. Now it was the time to receive Lady Takable, she would be coming in two days. But before coming to see Beau to learn a poem, after all he was here to teach you poetry, you decided to order.

>We shall decorate the church and every incensory shall be golden, open all my coffers, 1500 gold coins it will be.
>We shall be modest and only pay 700 gold to have temporary religious items at our disposal, we need to celebrate the mass humbly like the first Christians before having the means to build huge cathedrals.
>>
>>5333679

In the meantime Beau agreed to sing, in plus of your poetry lessons, you wanted to have some references and to learn one poem before receiving her. She really loved poetry. The bard Beau explained you.

-I do not know what poems she likes my lord... Of course it shall talk about love, because it is what all young women love. I can think of three good poems that you could learn in two days my lord, especially to please a young lady that likes poetry... One is an epic, the tale of Wedemin about the love of a monster hunter and a sorceress, and his relationship with fate and a daughter. It is obviously a very beautiful text and show's one's patrician taste. But it is difficult to learn and not as appreciated as it should, especially amongst women. Then there is the Twilight's Call, it is a quite simple poem and in my opinion it is awful, but every young lady seems to love it, especially if she has no taste, since she is from the province and not the capital in our realm it could please her that you know such syrupy tales of love without characters with personalities, it will be simple to learn and tells us about a lady enamoured with a vampire, and there is werewolves and other creatures too.

-Does everything is about magical beings and cursed things ? Are all the people in this land obsessed with sorcerers and beasts ? No tales of knighthood and good chansons de geste ?

You were shocked by this, was there not true tales about heroic knights saving maidens nowadays in India ? What kind of morals do this teaches ? If you were a learned man like Brother Louis who knew Latin you would have said "O Tempora ! O Mores !". Unfortunately you were not.

-You want a story with only humans... I know one... It is... Not very welcome because some censors see it as an implicit message of human supremacy who puts aside all the other inhabitants of Bifuria. But it comes from Poltard, what to expect from this city... It is called A Song of Fire and Ice. It talks about a brave knight of the Kingsguard who loves his sister, he has to kill his mad king who tries to burn his capital during a rebellion, and then his sister marries the new king. A fat man who beats her, but he loves her and they have a kid who inherits the throne and he has to be married to a northern girl but her father betrays him and she is heartbroken when he has to cut off his head, there is interesting passages at this moment and...

-Sleeping with the wife of your suzerain ! Who appears to be your sister ! What is this degeneracy ?

-It is Poltard my lord, they are all inbred.
>>
>>5333682

-There is no worse crime for a vassal than the abduction of the wife of his suzerain. It is with such tales that our good and right feudal society falls, and even Lancelot when he abducted Guinevere was not doing it with his sister. When we see this it is no wonder that any up jumped commoner can say that he has power and that he can disobey his lords. Young people learning tales about sorceresses, werewolves and degenerates. This moral corruption is worse than Marigny's.

He looked at you sheepishly... You still had to choose.

>I will learn the tale of Wedemin (Intrigue +10 roll) at least you say it is well written.
>I will learn Twilight's Call, if this please the ladies and is simple. (Intrigue +30 roll)
>I will learn A Song of Fire and Ice, at least it talks about normal people. (Intrigue +20 roll)
>I will learn none of this stupid things, I will try to remember my Machaut with Bohémond, Indian poetry is worth nothing !

>Tell me once more that Lady Takable is an uneducated country girl and I will remove your intestines from your stomach.
>And what about poetry that is not about love ? Is this as degenerate ?
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5333679
>>We shall be modest and only pay 700 gold to have temporary religious items at our disposal, we need to celebrate the mass humbly like the first Christians before having the means to build huge cathedrals.

>>5333684
>I will learn Twilight's Call, if this please the ladies and is simple. (Intrigue +30 roll)
>And what about poetry that is not about love ? Is this as degenerate ?
>>
>>5333679
>We shall be modest and only pay 700 gold to have temporary religious items at our disposal, we need to celebrate the mass humbly like the first Christians before having the means to build huge cathedrals.

>>5333684
>I will learn none of this stupid things, I will try to remember my Machaut with Bohémond, Indian poetry is worth nothing !

>Tell me once more that Lady Takable is an uneducated country girl and I will remove your intestines from your stomach.
>>
>>5333684
>Other : It would offend Our Lady to recite such a poem of consanguinity and degeneration to her. No. It's about writing a poem ourselves, which the bard will take care of transcribing and polishing. Let the bard write a noble and pious poem, telling of Local Lord and his successes. Of how he vanquished witches and heroically faced adventurers without respect, bestowing incomparable grace on a bard who, illuminated by divine light, repented of his faults to serve said lord.
>Tell me once more that Lady Takable is an uneducated country girl and I will remove your intestines from your stomach.

>We shall decorate the church and every incensory shall be golden, open all my coffers, 1500 gold coins it will be. (Jesus sacrificed himself to forgive man's sins. What is more important between money and the grace of the Lord? Let's not be greedy, let's not fall into this sin, let's build the most beautiful house of God to honor our Lord in India, and drive out the evil one there.)
>>
>>5333679
>>We shall be modest and only pay 700 gold to have temporary religious items at our disposal, we need to celebrate the mass humbly like the first Christians before having the means to build huge cathedrals.

>>I will learn Twilight's Call, if this please the ladies and is simple. (Intrigue +30 roll)

>>Tell me once more that Lady Takable is an uneducated country girl and I will remove your intestines from your stomach.
>>
>>5333684
>We shall decorate the church and every incensory shall be golden, open all my coffers, 1500 gold coins it will be

>I will learn Twilight's Call, if this please the ladies and is simple. (Intrigue +30 roll)
>And what about poetry that is not about love ? Is this as degenerate ?
>>
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>>5333695
>>5333703
>>5333708
>>5333735
>>5333779

You decided to be modest, you had not enough money and ordered to pay only 700 gold coins to Oldfossil before leaving him. It was unfortunate but you lacked funds. But let's go back to your conversation with the bard. You noticed how he spoke about Lady Takable and said.

-Tell me once more that Lady Takable is an uneducated country girl and I will remove your intestines from your stomach.

The man understood that it was not a threat but a statement of what would happen next if he continued. So he began to grovel, saying.

-S... Sorry my lord, I am wrong, very wrong, I am sure that the lady that you love is as beautiful as she is knowledgeable in the arts.

You smiled and thought about learning a poem.

On one side the song of fire and ice was not about magicians and heresy but it glorified incest and other awful ideas, and seriously trying to seduce a lady by talking about how a knight slept with his sister creeped you a bit. Then there was this tale about a monster hunter and a sorceress, Wedemin... well what would it mean ? That you compared your loved one to a witch ? And witches were ugly it was known. So only this stupid tale about wolf men and vampires ? What were vampires ? You had no ideas, maybe they were from the Empire... their name seemed to suggest it. Maybe it was about a kind of Germans ? One Imperial people beginning with a V... Or an Indian version of Swabians, it sounded like it. Or it meant "va en pire" go to the worse.. It was said that the style was horrendous, it could be a word play about it. At least it seemed to be simple to learn.

-Tell me about the Twilight's call, and about these werevolves and Imperials... It is simple to learn you say...

-Well, of course my lord, but if your lady is educated as you say she will maybe not like it, I mean every learned man knows that it is bad.

It was true, well.. What to answer ?

>I will learn this nevertheless, it is better to learn this than nothing. And she is young, you said it would please young women. (Roll a d100, I will take the average of the first 3 rolls)
>Yes, maybe I shall learn another thing.
>>
Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>5334461
>>I will learn this nevertheless, it is better to learn this than nothing. And she is young, you said it would please young women. (Roll a d100, I will take the average of the first 3 rolls)
>>
Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>5334461
>>I will learn this nevertheless, it is better to learn this than nothing. And she is young, you said it would please young women. (Roll a d100, I will take the average of the first 3 rolls)
>>
Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>5334461

>I will learn this nevertheless, it is better to learn this than nothing. And she is young, you said it would please young women. (Roll a d100, I will take the average of the first 3 rolls)

We can just explain to her that we are starting simple, beginning to learn her people's poetry -- AND how to read, so one day we can write and recite her poems of our very own! She will appreciate the effort, I am sure. Takable is kind, and she knows already that we forwent literacy to study the way of the chevalier.
>>
Or let's be honest, no one wants to seduce a woman, and wait for her to agree, I say we just come in, take her, and marry her by will or force on the way. That is the way of the Warrior ! No woman is interested in a ballsless bard
>>
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>>5334462
>>5334541
>>5335052

Ancel's hands wrote this post (or he dictated it since he is illiterate).

>>5334581

You began to try to learn it, and you were impressed by the sheer stupidity of it, it was poorly written, the woman hesitated between two kind of monsters who looked beautiful and that she desired, at least it was somewhat right about women, but these men had no personality. The only useful thing that you learned was that apparently vampire were risen dead that sucked the blood of people. They sounded like royal provosts to be honest, well, undead royal provosts. The simple fact that a woman would want to sleep with a soulless corpse was disturbing enough, but to want to share a bed with one of the wolf men that you saw... You tried, really hard to understand the poetry, but after two days you didn't manage to learn any of it.

-It is worthless... Worthless, worthless, worthless... And hopeless..

Beau the Bard answered you.

-I totally agree my lord, and I told you, it is awful. For any learned person at least.

-Yes the style, the metaphors, the lack of rythm... And is it supposed to be sung...

-Yes my lord... But singing it is a kind of torture or punishment at the bard's academy. But the neophytes do not understand this and love it.

You wondered what do neophyte meant but you nodded. You looked more clever by agreeing. Finally you didn't manage to learn anything but it was not important. What was important was that after two days Lady Takable was coming and you had to be prepared.

When she came, in the afternoon, you ordered to have all your guardsmen in the courtyard. Your servants had to come with gifts. You ordered to have your seat moved there too, even if you had to walk with clutches you preferred to welcome her outside. You sent Bohémond outside with some riders to accompany her when she entered in your lands.
You ordered a guardsman to blow a trumpet when Lady Takable would come and once you heard it you knew that she was nearby. Once the drawbridge was open you saw that she travelled in a carriage who, in plus of your riders, was guarded by two soldiers in Lady Takable's livery and an old man on a horse who seemed to be the captain of her guard. Four servants marched with them, in plus of the servant and the guard who were driving the carriage. You raised, with the help of Godefroi and walked with a clutch to greet the Lady.
>>
>>5335117

But a lady came out of the coach first, she was quite pretty with brown hair and doe like eyes but she was not lady Takable, she simply helped her get out of the carriage. It was when you saw her, as beautiful as the last time, in a green dress with her blond hair in an elaborate hairstyle she walked gracefully towards you. Each of her steps was elegant and you had to admit that her charms were highlighted by her dress, she had a thin waist, a nice chest, thin hands with the long fingers of a musician, rosy cheeks, beautiful blue eyes that reminded you about a summer sky and a perfect smile on her lips. She seemed sincerely happy to see you when you both bowed to each other. You told.

-Lady Rose, I am honoured to receive you in my castle. I would have ridden myself to greet you at the entrance of my lands but unfortunately battle wounds stopped me from this. But I hope that you will accept a present in sign of welcome.

You made sign to a servant to give her a small silver bracelet. You had taken it from the vaults of Local, near the armoury, the late wife of lord Random had some jewellery still and you thought about putting it to good use. It was quite beautifully crafted and a precious gem called an "Aquamarine" was decorating it. She seemed pleased and answered, quite affected when she saw your wounds.

-Lord Charles, I am very pleased to greet you and I... What they did to you... I hope to be able to help you recover as quickly as you can.

She then reddened and came near you, everyone was still watching and she seemed to want so say something that embarrassed her. You made her sign to continue and speak softly.

-I... Charles... Brought you golden spurs but with your leg, I knew that you were unable to ride but choose before it, now I am embarrassed...

You chuckled lightly and she chuckled too, and you answered.

-Then you owe me to come riding with me and my new spurs. I still have one week with this... But I hope that you will remain longer and that we could ride together.

She nodded, and then frowned very cutely, asking in a distressed voice.

-Have they taken good care of you my lord ? I mean there could be health potions... And do they have good healers here ?

You reassured her quickly and told that you had seen worse. Then you both decided to introduce your retinue who was waiting for this after all. She already knew Bohémond who came with you at Someplace, she knew Oldfossil and Captain Crumbling from her childhood too, since her father was allied with lord Random. You then introduced Godefroi as an old retainer and a noble knight, Father François as your priest and confessor, and Brother Louis as a Knight of the Templar Order and a man of god.
>>
>>5335120

She then introduced the other lady in the carriage, who seemed to be a kind of Lady-In-Waiting, but probably more of a chaperone. She was called Becky and was the daughter of her steward, Coinman. Then there was the guards captain, he seemed younger than Crumbling and shake less when he walked, but was still old, maybe of the same age as Oldfossil, he was called Relic. Oldfossil and Crumbling saluted him like long time friends while the brave Bohémond was more or less flirting with the young Becky. Good, she would be too distracted to report what was improper to the steward. It was still not the time for dinner so you had some time to spend.

>Ask Lady Takable if she wants to eat something after her travels.
>Offer her to take a look from the battlements, the view could be beautiful from here.
>Tell her that you have found a bard who played before the queen and ask her if she wants to hear him before a glass of good wine.
>Tell her that you have been trying to learn Indian poetry.
>Ask her if she travelled well back into her lands and if Baron Crook was not bothering her.
>Tell her about your last adventures and how you had problems with vile vagrants called adventurers.
>Tell her about your great projects, how you want to build a boat and an orchard, you ignored if her fief was on the Queste or one of it's tributaries but if yes then it would be good to travel from here to there by boat.
>Other (write in)

====

You lose 5 xp for literally losing IQ over the sheer stupidity of the poem that you learned to read. One more proof that books are overrated and should be left to monks.

====

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 3
XP : 290-5 = 285 (next level at 450)

Stats

Combat : 50%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 35%

Piety : 34+4= 38

Mudcore : 38

With 38 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. New illnesses will appear too around you, but the Mudcore that you have brought upon this world will make a new companion appear.
Next level at 40, at 40 mudcore you would be able to "specialise" this ability and choose one of the three paths proposed.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.
>>
>>5335123
>>Tell her about your great projects, how you want to build a boat and an orchard, you ignored if her fief was on the Queste or one of it's tributaries but if yes then it would be good to travel from here to there by boat.
>Tell her that you have found a bard who played before the queen and ask her if she wants to hear him before a glass of good wine.
>>
>>5335123
>Ask her if she travelled well back into her lands and if Baron Crook was not bothering her.
>Tell her that you have found a bard who played before the queen and ask her if she wants to hear him before a glass of good wine.

After wining and dining...

>Offer her to take a look from the battlements, the view could be beautiful from here.
>Tell her that you have been trying to learn Indian poetry.
>Take a stab at some, if you can manage it, or better yet some proper French verses!
>>
>>5335133
Support
>>
>>5335123
I know a tale of The Dolourous Lord, Dol-Kien, The Keen Lord Of Suffering in the last Year Names of the ancient annals of Ixachitlan, Place Of The Great Earth. It is said Dol-Kien was once a troubadour of far flung isles conquered by the Fallen Empire of Nacirema, the empire where men bargained with Pain and Sorrow, and used Dolour as means of exchange. The legend tells of how the Lord Of Suffering borrowed great words of making from a mythical bear-wolf, and reforged them into a binding of great evil, perhaps a necklace, torc or arm bracelet of some form.

For thousands of years the land was enslaved under the everlasting unchanging dominion of the Half-Men Unbeings, until Namuras The Sage sought to make the world anew with industry and hope. The Sage sent his wise and trusted emissary, the orator Ormstunga, in gentle entreaty to the savage Centaur King of Nahorr, a barbarian who feasted with relish upon the murdered flesh of war-sacrifice, rumoured to even include that of his own son. Yet all was lost as the Orator Ormstunga was betrayed by complot of the wicked witch-daughter of Nahorr, it was said she could deceive honourable men by appearing in many guises, shedding her lascivious and sinful womanly flesh to walk as a man or warrior, truly an impossible feat of foul ensorcelment.

Alas, the wise Sage Namuras was vanquished by Faldnag Bridge-Breaker, Ruin Of The Fallen Fire, a usurper who had formed a sinister pact with twisted abominations of walking barbs and branched thorns. The solitary hero Mullog Griefbearer tried desperately to seek the aid of the Tower Of Light Reborn. Mullog fought valiantly despite being stricken with sickness, the torment of captivity and even being beset upon by the accursed Half-Men, Unbeings who bore the hated gifts of the vile Norn-Queen Galghastdriel. The triumph of evil was complete, the Two Towers fell, and the Light Reborn was extinguished forever.

In the dark age of slaughter and corruption that followed, the Empire of Nacirema was conquered by the Half-Men, who plundered her many treasures:
https://www.palantir.com/
https://www.anduril.com/

(Welcome back, noble QM! I only just caught up with your quest! I also highly commend your choice of the art here
>>5332386
by Marinus van Reymerswaele, I used that same art in a presentation once hehe)
>>
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>>5335133
>>5335168
>>5335219

You invited lady Takable to follow you inside and said.

-Soon we will be able to see each other more often.

She looked at you, intrigued, and asked.

-Really my lord ? How ?

-I ordered to build a boat. We will be able to sail the Queste. Is your castle on it by chance ?

She seemed surprised but told.

-No, but on a tributary of it, the Waifue, we can sail it, it is a beautiful river... But...

-What disturbs you my lady ?

-But to go through my lands your boat will need to go through the lands of Lord Hostil, well you vainquished him... Thanks for it my champion...

She smiled and you smiled too, slaying this wizard to defend lady Rose was a glorious victory, and what best than to see gratitude on the face of a beautiful woman ? It was so rare... And it proved that the sweet lady Rose Takable was a good soul. She then continued.

-But the Queste passes through the lands of Baron Crook, and the Waifue on the lands of Lady Sue... We will need all their authorisations... And they both hate us unfortunately.

Fortunately you had saved the life of Lady Sue and so she would be maybe more inclined to let your ship sail through her lands. Even if she disliked lady Takable she would probably accept. Then there was the Baron, who was hostile, but he would probably ask for money, so you told.

-I will try to deal with all of this. I shall persuade them. In the meantime I am planting apples trees too, do you like cider ?

She shook her head.

-I have never had much chance to drink many of it...

-It is sad my lady, I began to like it when I travelled to Normandy, these people drink cider like we drink water or wine. It is a beautiful region by the way, with a stormy sea and beautiful white cliffs. Rouen is an impressive city too, shame that it rains practically all the time. By the way, I only saw autumn here, but there is not much rain... Is the winter cold ?

She smiled, and told.

-No, it is less than half as rainy as you described. And about the winter, there will be snow, a lot of it, when I was a little girl I loved to build snowmen near our castle. You will see, travels are hard in winter, especially in Bifuria, summers are hot, winters are very cold.

Not very rainy but very cold... Well, it was hard to say. You remained silent and you proposed.

-My lady, I have found a bard who played before our queen. Would you like to listen to his songs and drink a cup of wine ?
>>
>>5335799

She looked at you with stars in her eyes. An older lady would have had more composure but she was really enjoyed. You knew that she liked poetry and music, and that she was playing the harp herself but seeing her so happy made you blush. She took your hand and told.

-My lord.. You... Really... You... You really managed to invite a minstrel from the capital for me ? Many thanks... I do not know what to say... I do not want to be the cause of your ruin, they demand exorbitant fees... You are really generosity incarnate.

You smiled ankwardly. Should you tell her the truth, or not ?

>Tell her that you engaged this bard especially for her.
>Tell her how you arrested the four adventurers and made him play for you.
>Tell her how you arrested the four adventurers and made him play for you but in a joyful tone, like it is something very funny.
>Change the subject (choose subject), let the bard sing
>Other (write in)

>>5335765

Thank you good sir for following my quest. And your glorious story made me think of the Last Ringbearer of Eskov. I liked it a lot.
And thanks for the art, I try to vary but here I put something a bit too late, I try to stay focused in the XIth, XIIth and especially XIIIth centuries because it is the time of our main character.
>>
>>5335802
>>Tell her how you arrested the four adventurers and made him play for you.
>>
>>5335802
>>5321017
>Write a love letter

Romaunt Of The Incel

Hearken to the birds and their love-learned song,
Crouching in the bushes, his fleshment rubs upon -
Orgulous maiden, fair and welkin-blessed
For whom goatish Gallus sighs, mingled in wretchedness.
Upon damasked cheek and blushing eye, quoth the demoiselle true:
J'aime mieux un vice commode, Qu'une fatigante vertu.
>>
>>5335802
>Tell her how you arrested the four adventurers and made him play for you but in a joyful tone, like it is something very funny.
>Leave out all the details of Death and executions; it isn't for a lady to dwell on
>>
>>5335871
Support
>>
>>5335802
>let the bard sing
(needless to say if the QM has prepared medieval French poetry I really want to read it hehe)
>>
>>5335802
>Tell her that you engaged this bard especially for her.
Cmon Charles say it straight faced
>>
>>5335802
>>Tell her that you engaged this bard especially for her.
>>
>>5335802
>Tell her that you engaged this bard especially for her.
>>
>>5335802
>Change the subject (choose subject), let the bard sing
Just smile and change the subject. No need to outright lie, but neither should we talk about such unsavory things. Let us talk about what poetry she likes. We are unfamiliar with the poetry of this land.
>>
>>5335802
>>Tell her that you engaged this bard especially for her.
This is not a lie. If we weren't trying to seduce this wench the silver-tongued varlet would be hanging from a gibbet alongside his thieving accomplice. We spared him in order to engage his services in aid of our courtship (Note: Do not actually explain any of that unless pressed, it is best not to unsettle the fairer sex with such sanguine matters.)
>>
>>5336811
What >>5337368 said.
>>
>>5335850
>>5335866

Very good and inspiring, I will use it in one of the next threads good sir.

>>5335871
>>5335889
>>5335917

Not now, but in one of the options of the next message you will be able to hear french poetry of the time.

>>5335971
>>5336206
>>5336388
>>5336811

Wise words.

>>5337368

Even wiser words, there is no rules in love.

>>5337388

You decided to not tell her the truth, executions, violence and blood were not topics to be especially addressed to a lady. She was sweet and you did not want to tell her that you forced the bard to sing on pain of death. So you answered

-My sweet lady, nothing is too beautiful for you. And since you love poetry and songs I could only give you the best.

She seemed grateful and squeezed very lightly your hand that she held.

-Thank you, my lord, I.. I do not know how you found one so far from the capital but I am infinitely grateful. I only once had the chance to hear a singer who had sung at the court, the queen only takes the best minstrels.

It was hard to lie to those blue eyes and this adorable air of innocence. You squeezed her hand too, and told.

-He was fortunately travelling nearby. But enough talks, let's hear the artist.

It was technically not a lie. She nodded and you ordered a servant to fetch the bard.

Beau had taken a bath before coming and he looked very dashing in his courtly clothes. Minstrels were always trying to charm ladies, and often, unfortunately, they managed to do it, how much some pretty young minstrel had done more than singing for a lonely woman married to a lord who was on military expedition and probably 30 years older than her. That was the difference between these singers and true knights who learned the art of music and poetry, like your dear Bohémond. A knight not only sung about courtly love but practiced it, he entered in a relationship with the lady "replacing" for love, a feudal lord, and giving him tokens of her favour without givin herself to him. He had to do chivalric deeds and heroic acts to deserve to be noticed, and prove his love by his exploits and gifts. Of course if the lady was unmarried he could marry her then but if she was it was prohibited, the high nobility kept their wives while the lower nobility admired them. So you never completely trusted minstrels, and people who were not knights or clergymen in general, and even there you had to be careful. You looked at lady Takable and she seemed to be very pleased to see the bard, everyone applauded him when he bowed and she whispered to you.

-Thank you my lord for inviting such a known artist.

You raised an eyebrow, she knew who he was ? But you smiled nevertheless, and then heard the bard tell.

-I am very honoured to play for such a cultured audience, for Lord Charles, here, who is a fine connoisseur of poetry and for Lady Takable who, I was told, is a refined and cultured lady who plays music too. I would then like to ask her, what song would the lady like to hear ?
>>
>>5337556

She blushed. You knew that it was customary here to ask ladies what songs they liked as first song to be played. You thought that it was a good custom when Oldfossil learned you the Indian etiquette. Lady Takable answered.

-I would like to hear the complaint of Priscilla from the Tale of Wedemin. I know that it is intended for a female voice but I am sure that you will manage, and when a minstrel has to sing it in his entirety he has to sing it.

She smiled lightly and he bowed. Taking his lute and saying.

-Then, as the lady wishes.

He then looked at you and you looked at him, you understood, she was in fact a woman with taste and preferred the better literary works over awful things like Twilight's call. You nodded, and then he began to sing. You had to admit that the man knew what he was doing, and the song was beautiful too. It was strange that a woman would sing it because the perspective was the one of a man, who wanted to see the lady that he has wowed to love but fate keeps separating them. She seemed to flee before him, unfortunately your understanding was weak, the Indian dialect was close to French, yes, but not enough to understand all the nuances of fine poetry. You applauded politely but noticed that the ladies, be it Lady Takable, her lady-in-waiting Becky or even four or five servant girls who had creeped here to hear something were all blushing and finding it very beautiful. The looks on Oldfossil's and Father François faces meant that he seemed to appreciate good music even if he was "too old" for love songs while Bohémond, who was near Takable's lady in waiting, seemed thoughtful. Godefroi, Father François, Crumbling and lady Takable's guard captain Relic seemed to be bored, you did not knew about the last two but knew that the taste in art of the first two stopped at drinking songs. You looked at the gates and read on the lips of Ancel, who had just entered, that he asked quietly the soldiers guarding the room what was this horrible noise. It made you chuckle, Ancel was Ancel and he would not know refinement even if it bite him in the face.
>>
>>5337558

After much compliments the man continued, choosing to sing a song of his own composition, it was not bad too, about a knight called Sire Friendzone trying to be well seen by a queen but never managing to earn her love, only her friendship. Poor lad. At least she could have platonically loved him but no, nothing. It had great lyrical moments and you applauded too. The women seemed to like it very much. Then he sung a song, on insistance of lady Takable and her lady-in-waiting who seemed to be a part of an epic written by a Jacquet of Rollinge if you understood well, and it talked about young magicians love. Strange... And heretical, there were protestations from Father François, but you thought that it was more because he was bored to death than because he was disturbed by the subject, India seemed to be very strange to him. It was Bohémond who raised and told.

-No, my lord, I cannot hear it, it is bad... And heretical. It is worse than in Occitania, and sung with this great lyrical "aaaan" at the end like a water carrier.

You chuckled, yes occitans were effeminate in your opinion, but you liked their songs contrary to Bohémond who liked only what was written in langue d'oïl. The two women protested, saying that they liked it at the same time in an unintelligible mess of high pitched voices. The bard answered.

-Sir, I played it because it was requested, even if some may find the verses of Jacquet of Rollinge distasteful I tried my best, and I think that it is good. And I defend you of attacking my art.

Bohémond looked at you for support.

-Monseigneur, let us be honest, this is not as good as our good old poems. Give me a lute, we have one in the vaults, and the authorise me to sing something from Machaut or Guilot de Dijon. Our fair ladies deserve to know our songs.

You were not a musician, but you understood that he wanted to impress the lady-in-waiting. Hah ! But a fourth love song, you were ready for this but the fifth must be something funnier. Lady Takable looked at you too, she seemed to like the bard. What do you order ?
>>
>>5337560

>We shall let Bohémond sing, he is a brave knight and plays music well. Sing what you want Bohémond but sing us a funny pastourelle after your love song to please ladies because some people in the audience are dying of fin'amor, and not because of love but of boredom.
>We shall let Bohémond sing, he is a brave knight and plays music well. Sing what you want Bohémond but sing us something about battle after your love song to please ladies because some people in the audience are dying of fin'amor, and not because of love but of boredom.
>Let us let Bohémond sing, he is a brave knight and plays music well. Sing what you want Bohémond.
>Dear Bohémond, before singing you should let our guest finish his recital. Continue, bard.
>Dear Bohémond, before singing you should let our guest finish his recital. Continue, bard, but sing us something funny, some people in the audience seem to be bored by so much love.
>Dear Bohémond, before singing you should let our guest finish his recital. Continue, bard, but sing us something about battle, some people in the audience seem to be bored by so much love.
>Why not organising a tournament of minstrels, I heard that they are popular in the Holy Roman Empire, we will let those dear men sing some songs each and our lady shall crown a victor.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5337561
>>Other (write in)
Ask Lady Takable what she wants

Its either that or some sort of muscial bard off between them.
>>
>>5337561
>We shall let Bohémond sing, he is a brave knight and plays music well. Sing what you want Bohémond but sing us something about battle after your love song to please ladies because some people in the audience are dying of fin'amor, and not because of love but of boredom.
>>
>>5337561
>>We shall let Bohémond sing, he is a brave knight and plays music well. Sing what you want Bohémond but sing us a funny pastourelle after your love song to please ladies because some people in the audience are dying of fin'amor, and not because of love but of boredom.

>>Dear Bohémond, before singing you should let our guest finish his recital. Continue, bard.

Best compromise I would think
>>
>>5337560
>>5337561
Childe Harolde Pottier's Lament
(obscure, attributed to Jacquard K. Rowlinge)

Whilome Harolde hight Harry upon Albion isle dwelt
Eke carnal consort Hermione, of darkesome deeds she smelt
With honeyed lies of rhyme did Maid with Man entwine,
In ungodly revel basked, in condemned pangs confine
A joyless knight betrayed, in noseless fierce ardour,
Brandishing a bright curtal-axe, his name: Viol-de-Mort
Thou coward coistrel! (quoth he) Thou villain! Thou fiend!
What is this sexless progeny thou hast together weaned?
From mouth of foul enchauntresse did utter forth a shriek:
A maid shall become as man, say I, as men shall become meek!
Yet from aunchient lips of vile sorceresse are the words of this tale shorn,
By Viol-de-Mort's trenchant edge, their heads grave earth adorn.
>>
>>5337561
>>Why not organising a tournament of minstrels, I heard that they are popular in the Holy Roman Empire, we will let those dear men sing some songs each and our lady shall crown a victor.
>>
>>5337561
>Why not organising a tournament of minstrels, I heard that they are popular in the Holy Roman Empire, we will let those dear men sing some songs each and our lady shall crown a victor.

The only prize will be honor, of course.
>>
>>5337605
>>5337683
>>5337703
>>5337762

You sir, are a true poet. You deserve much praise and to be crowned with laurels for your talent.

>>5337896
>>5337915

It seems that we will need a tie breaker between letting Bohémond play and organising a tournament of minstrels.
>>
>>5338526
Ask the Fair Lady what she would like see and let her decide
>>
>>5337561
>Let us let Bohémond sing, he is a brave knight and plays music well. Sing what you want Bohémond. (let him express his art)
>Dear Bohémond, before singing you should let our guest finish his recital. Continue, bard.

>Other: Let the lady-in-waiting choose her favorite recital, the loser will have his tongue cut out, perhaps this will entertain the audience more.
>>
>>5339031
>>Other: Let the lady-in-waiting choose her favorite recital, the loser will have his tongue cut out, perhaps this will entertain the audience more.

Certainly not, we're an arrogant french nobleman not a sadistic asshole. I know the distinction can be rather fine but still.
>>
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>>5337605
>>5337683
>>5337703

>>5340071

Flemish hands typed that post or at least the second part. Do not forget to pay the taille and the gabelle.

>>5339031
>>5338602

You told everyone.

-Let us let Bohémond sing, but first let our honored guest finish his recital. Please, continue...

Then, once Bohémond nodded and decided to search the lute that was in the vaults, you decided to tell quietly Lady Takable.

-My knight is a good musician but he can be very opinionated sometimes.

She only smiled when you answered this and you began to let her enjoy the music, the bard sung three more songs, another one about love, it was the story of an guelf lady and a human knight falling in love and making peace between their people. It was beautiful. You had seen these long lived Guelphs with pointy ears and you knew that the queen was one of them, it seemed to be a song intended to cement her rule. You remembered the beautiful daughter of the Guelph merchant during this song but quickly stopped, you were near lady Takable and even thinking about another woman seemed wrong. Once it was ended you clapped with the others and the bard decided to play a song about battle. Unfortunately it was in "elvish" with a kind of Celtic rythm and you disliked it, it looked like what a breton would do and you disliked bretons, they were not even of Frankish blood and were generally traitorous little bastards who knew nothing about war. Yes, their Duke Jean II was now a man from the house of Capet and was sympathetic, he was a crusader after all, and fought with you in Aragon. But his men were arrogant, some of them spoke French poorly, preferring their Celtic dialect and they were absolutely stubborn. When you were still a squire and followed your father during the Aragon Crusade a breton squire tried to steal one of your horses and even if you explained to him that it was your father's mount he continued to deny the truth. When you told him that bretons were too poor and inbred to buy such beautiful horses and it was why they needed to steal them and pretend that they are theirs you fought. Godefroi and a breton knight had to separate you all and the Constable himself had to tell that the horse belonged to your father to make these dogs accept that it was yours. You clapped at the end of the song and smiled to please lady Takable but it brought you bad memories. At least, the last song, who was about some dwarves who lost their mountain because of a dragon and wanted to go back here was nice. You wondered why not handicapped people let small dwarves own a mountain full of gold and had not beaten them before taking it but you supposed that the dragon was more reactive and they feared him, like peasants feared the dragon before Saint Georges came. You clapped and Beau told that the recital was finished. It was the turn of our dear Bohémond to sing something sympathetic.
>>
>>5340168

As the local tradition asked, the brave Bohémond, who had prepared a lute, asked Lady sue.

-Gente dame, ask me anything I will try to sing it at the best of my abilities.

She was sceptical but answered.

-I do not know anything about your foreign poetry, but sing something about love. And since you called our poetry "heretical" I would like to see what is yours.

The man bowed, and decided to play the Lai de la Dame du Fael, a beautiful song, not too long, from Guiot de Dijon. It was a good song, even if it was burgundian. Singing with his lute Bohémond was not bad, of course he was less technical than Beau, he was better described as a good amateur than a professional but he had a tenor voice and put passion into his art. He played the lute well too. The song was about the lament of a lady who waited her loved one who was at a pilgrimage.

-Chanterai por mon corage (I will sing for my courage)
Que je vueill reconforter ; (That I want to revive;)
Car avec mon grant damage (Because, in spite of my great pity,)
Ne vueill morir n’afoler, (I don't wanna die or go crazy)
Quant de la terre sauvage (Though from the barbaric land)
Ne voi nului retorner, (I don't see anyone coming back)
Où cil est qui m’assoage (Where is the one who makes me beat)
Le cuer quant j’en oi parler. (The heart, when I hear about him.)

Dex ! quant crieront outrée, (God! when they cry: forward!)
Sire, aidiez au pelerin (Lord, help the pilgrim)
Por qui sui espoentée, (For whom I am terrified,)
Car felon sunt Sarrazin. (Because felons are the Saracens.)

Je souferrai mon damage (I will bear my misfortune)
Tant que l’an verrai passer. (As long as I see the year end.)
Il est en pelerinage (He is on a pilgrimage,)
Dont Dex le lait retorner ! (From which God grants him to return!)
Et, maugré tot mon lignage, (And, in spite of all my family,)
Ne quier ochoison trover (I'm not looking for the opportunity)
D’autre face mariage : (To make another marriage.)
Folz est qui j’en oi parler. (Crazy is who I hear about it.)

Dex ! quant crieront outrée… (Refrain : God! when they cry: forward!...)

De ce sui au cuer dolente (What makes my heart sorry,)
Que cil n’est en cest païs (It's because he's far from this country)
Qui si sovent me tormente ; (The one for whom I so often torment myself;)
Je n’en ai ne jeu ne ris. (I can taste neither games nor laughter.)
Il est biaus et je suis gente. (He's handsome and I'm nice.)
Sire Dexpor quel féis ? (Lord God, why did you want this?)

Quant l’uns à l’autre atalente (When one was so well made for the other,)
For coi nos as départis ? (Why did you separate us?)
>>
>>5340170

Dex ! quant crieront outrée… (Refrain : God ! when they shout ahead!...)

De ce sui en bone atente (What sustains me in my waiting,)
Que je son homage pris. (Is that I received his faith.)
Et quant la douce ore vente (And when the sweet wind blows)
Qui vient de cel douz pais (Who comes from this sweet country)
Où cil est qui m’atalente, (Where is the one I desire,)
Volentiers i tor mon vis ; (Willingly I turn my face to it.)
Adone m’est vis que j’el sente (So I guess I feel it)
Per desoz mon mantel gris. (Under my gray coat.)

Dex ! quant crieront outrée… (Refrain : God ! when they shout ahead!...)

De ce sui mout deçéue (Of that I especially regret)
Que je ne fui au convoier. (That I could not attend his departure.)
Sa chemise qu’ot vestue (The shirt he had been wearing,)
M’envoie por embracier. (He sent her to me to kiss it.)
La nuit, quant s’amor m’argue, (At night, when his love urges me,)
La met delez moi couchier (I put it to sleep next to me)
Toute nuit à ma char nue (All night against my bare flesh,)
Por mes malz assoagier. (To ease my pain.)

Dex ! quant crieront outrée, (God! when they cry: forward!)
Sire, aidiez au pelerin (Lord, help the pilgrim)
Por qui sui espoentée, (For whom I am terrified,)
Car felon sunt Sarrazin. (For felons are the Saracens.)

Lady Takable seemed to love it and you too, you had drunk enough to be happy, she seemed to be in the same state of mind, just like most of your companions. Wine and good music always made good evenings. She asked Bohémond.

-I like it very much, I should learn to play it on the harp, and to sing. The next time I will see you lord Charles I will be able to sing it. Can you write the words sir Bohémond ?

You nodded and smiled, she was truly a sweet creature. The young knight looked at her awkwardly and caressed his brown beard with his right hand as if he wanted to hide. He then told.

-Gente dame... I... I do not know how to read and write and...

-Oh... You too... Then you could dictate it to my dear Becky, when you will have time of course.

He seemed more than pleased with this and once he had finished you asked Lady Takable, who was in a good mood.

-My lady, I heard that you were a good musician and singer, maybe you could ravish us with a song. I am sure that your voice is even more lovely when you sing.

She blushed and answered, quite joyfully.

-My lord... I have brought my harp and I will order one of my servants to bring it but in the meantime I would like to hear you sing.

It was your turn to blush, and you muttered some words quickly.

-Douce dame, I have foregone the art of the trouvère to concentrate on the one of the chevalier. I fear that I am not....

You heard the voice of Bohémond who told.

-Monseigneur is very shy, he sings well, even if he do not play instruments, but I can help him.
>>
>>5340174

Beau the Bard added, not wanting to be outdone in flattery.

-Yes, we could both accompany Lord Charles, then you my lady, with our instruments.

He was a professional, even if he did not knew the rythm he would catch up. Godefroi and Father François approved, saying that you sang well, even Ancel, who had sneaked inside told.

-It is true, messire can even compose lyrics for songs like the one about how we peeled the..

Fortunately Godefroi smacked him on the back of the head to shut him up. Your funny verses about how you peeled the skin of the virility of a tax collector and hung him with his innards were in your opinion excellent, but more suitable for drunken nights at taverns with soldiers and knights than for a refined evening with ladies.
But enough, lady Takable looked at you, half smiling, with her bewitching blue eyes and you knew that you would like to sing. You wanted to sing a song of Thibaut de Champagne, you liked them and admired the man.

What song do you choose ?

>Seignor Sachiez qui or ne s'en ira (song about the crusades, a warrior song)
>Deus est ensi conme li pellicanz (religious song, very metaphorical about god and evil, the text is very beautiful)
>Chançon ferai, que talenz m’en est pris (A sad love song, about how a man wants to write a song for the lady that he loves but he is not loved by her.)
>Ausi conme unicorne sui (Love song about the difficulty of courteous love and the hard trials necessary to conquer the hearth of a lady)
>>
>>5340175
>>Ausi conme unicorne sui (Love song about the difficulty of courteous love and the hard trials necessary to conquer the hearth of a lady)
>>
>>5340175
>>Seignor Sachiez qui or ne s'en ira (song about the crusades, a warrior song)
>>
>>5340175
>>Seignor Sachiez qui or ne s'en ira (song about the crusades, a warrior song)

I expect we might actually have the passion to do it decently
>>
>>5340175
>Seignor Sachiez qui or ne s'en ira (song about the crusades, a warrior song)
Truly, THIS is the art of the chevalier, and it is our heart!
>>
>>5340175
>Seignor Sachiez qui or ne s'en ira (song about the crusades, a warrior song)
What will be coming soon
>>
>Seignor Sachiez qui or ne s'en ira (song about the crusades, a warrior song)
inb4 we add our martial bonus to this
>>
>>5340175
>>Ausi conme unicorne sui (Love song about the difficulty of courteous love and the hard trials necessary to conquer the hearth of a lady)
>>
>>5340175
>>Seignor Sachiez qui or ne s'en ira (song about the crusades, a warrior song)
>>
>>5340178
>>5340191
>>5340196
>>5340367
>>5340388
>>5340501
>>5340704
>>5340770

It seems that it will be "Seignor Sachiez qui or ne s'en ira" I will let you roll an intrigue +40 roll (very easy test) and add your +10 bonus of "foreign etiquette" so it will a success if you roll 75 or less. I will take the average of the first three rolls.
>>
Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>5340785
>>
Rolled 79 (1d100)

>>5340785
>>
Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>5340785
>>
>>5340996
>>5340981
>>5340806
Did it!
>>
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>>5340178
>>5340191
>>5340196
>>5340367
>>5340388
>>5340501
>>5340704
>>5340770
>>5340806
>>5340981
>>5340996
>>5341037

You decided to sing "Seignor sachiez qui or ne s'en ira" it was a good song, calling for a crusade. It glorified god and mocked wittily the excuses of those who refused to go. It was probably your favourite song, you knew how to sing it well. When you began singing in your baritone voice the brave Bohémond immediately caught up and Beau managed to do it after the first couplet.

-Seignor, sachiés: qui or ne s'en ira (Lords, know: who is not going away)
en cele terre ou Dex fu mors et vis, (In this land where God was dead and alive,)
et qui la crois d'Outremer ne penra, (And who the overseas cross won't take,)
a paines mais ira en Paradis. (with many hardships will go to paradise;)

Qui a en soi pitié ne ramembrance (Who has no pity or remembrance in himself,)
au haut Seignor doit querre sa venjance (Must seek a revenge for his High Lord,)
et delivrer sa terre et son païs. (And deliver his land and his country.)

Tuit li mauvés demorront par deça (All the bad will stay behind)
qui n'aiment Dieu, bien, ne honor, ne pris. (Who, not loving God, neither honor him nor pray to him.)
Et chascuns dit: "Ma feme, que fera? (And everyone said, "My wife, what will she do?)
Je ne lairoie a nul fuer mes amis!" (I will leave her to no one, even a friend",)

Cil sont cheoit en trop fole atendance, (It is falling into far too mad wandering;)
qu'il n'est amis fors de cil, sans doutance, (Because there are no friends except the one, no doubt,)
qui por nos fu en la vraie crois mis. (Who for us was put in the true cross.)

Or s'en iront cil vaillant bacheler (But the valiant squires will go)
qui aiment Dieu et l'ennor de cest mont, (Who love God and the honor of this mountain,)
qui sagement vuelent a Dieu aler, (Who wisely want to go to God;)
et li morveux, li cendreux, demorront; (And the brats, the ashen ones will stay.)

avugle sont, de ce ne dout je mie, (Blind is- of this, do not doubt me -)
qui j secors ne fait Dieu en sa vie, (Who does not help God once in his life,)
et por si pou pert la gloire dou mont. (And for so little loses the glory of the world.)

Douce dame, roïne coronee, (Sweet lady, crowned queen,)
proiez por nos, Virge bien aüree! (Pray for us, Blessed Virgin!)
Et puis aprés ne nos puet meschoir. (And after that no evil can befall us.)
>>
>>5342450

Of course everyone clapped, you were the lord, but on some faces you could see approbation, especially amongst your men. The other seemed to think that you were not a bad singer and you were yourself quite satisfied by your performance. Lady Takable seemed intrigued by the song and she asked.

-You sing well, lord Charles, but, tell me, what is this revenge for the Lord that you speak of ? And why would a knight leave his wife ? I suppose that it is for a war but we rarely praise the gods so much when we go to war. And a land where gods were dead and alive ? Have there been wars in the astral plane ?

You wondered what she meant and answered.

-The astral plane ? I do not know my lady, but this song talks about the Crusade. The Crusade ! It has been twenty five years and more that we did nothing great in Europe for Christ. The Crusades were glorious expeditions, to free the Holy Land where our Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God, walked and lived and was put on a cross. They had fallen into the hands of the turcs and the saracens. These vile heathens do not pray to God, they pray to Mahomet, their idol and extracted huge tolls on our pilgrims, if they let them pass instead of killing them. Many brave men, my father amongst them, embarked in these expeditions, often selling parts of their domains, or even everything to buy a sword and a suit of armor. Even peasants, even children came to Outremer to free it from the yoke of the infidels. They crossed the sea and waged wars, some for God, others for titles and glory, but it was the greatest moment in our history. Even Englishmen and Imperials fought on our side, every good Christian took his sword and fought the infidels. Every man who fought was absolved from all his sins ! I was too young to see the crusades, I only took part in the crusade against the heretical king of Aragon when I was a squire, but Godefroi and Brother Louis are crusaders, they fought in the ranks of the army of Saint Louis.

Your men approved, the crusades were an ideal that we tried to strive to attain, it was the end of egoism and of petty quarrels. There was a need of bringing them back. You knew that the wife of Charles de Valois was ill and that some thought about proposing his hand to Catherine de Courtenay, princess and heir of the Latin Empire of Constantinople. Even if the vile greek schismatics took back the imperial city you were sure that with the support of France a new crusade could be done to take it back ! It would be glorious to fight turks, greeks and other schismatics, you hoped to be back in France to take part in this enterprise. Godefroi spoke after you, and you listened to him, captivated.
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>>5342454

-Yes ma dame, we broke lances against the saracens in the deserts near Tunis, I saw the king dying, unfortunately illness took him, like it took the lives of many soldiers. The Saint King asked to be put on a bed covered in ashes and told last words reminiscent of Christ. We were all in prayer when we saw him die and knew, for sure, that he was today in paradise, near our Lord. After his death we avenged him, Charles d'Anjou, the brother of king Saint Louis, took command of our forces because King Philippe III, who succeeded him was too young and was ill like many soldiers. Charles d'Anjou knew the duplicity of the saracens and their harassment tactics, so he assembled many ships to feint a mass disembarking, so the saracens stopped to avoid us and assembled for battle. I was with the troops of Robert d'Artois, the second one, and we crushed them in a charge, they were too lightly armored to beat us. We slaughtered them and took their camp, and so much riches, my wife still has a dress made from silk that I took from these heathens. At the end we made peace without taking the city, unfortunately epidemies had decimated both our armies, and I was lucky to be alive, but I still remember this crusade fondly.

Lady Takable seemed to be impressed by all of this, but she looked sadly at you, asking.

-Lord Charles, would you have left your wife for long years too to go to war over the sea ?

>Yes my lady, I am a pious man, if faith and honour ask me to go to war over the sea I would do it.
>My lady, if my wife would be as charming as you I would have trouble leaving, but it would be my duty.
>My lady, if my wife would be as charming as you my duty would be to protect her and stay.
>My lady, I would have left without hesitation, but you know, some wives left with their husbands to go see the holy land, in fact during the seventh crusade it is said that Marguerite de Provence, queen of France, was present and she helped negotiate the liberation of Saint Louis when he was taken by the enemy during battle.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5342460
>>My lady, I would have left without hesitation, but you know, some wives left with their husbands to go see the holy land, in fact during the seventh crusade it is said that Marguerite de Provence, queen of France, was present and she helped negotiate the liberation of Saint Louis when he was taken by the enemy during battle.
>>
>>5342460
>>My lady, I would have left without hesitation, but you know, some wives left with their husbands to go see the holy land, in fact during the seventh crusade it is said that Marguerite de Provence, queen of France, was present and she helped negotiate the liberation of Saint Louis when he was taken by the enemy during battle.
This. If we're to go crusading we might as well make it a family affair.
>>
>>5342460
>My lady, I would have left without hesitation, but you know, some wives left with their husbands to go see the holy land, in fact during the seventh crusade it is said that Marguerite de Provence, queen of France, was present and she helped negotiate the liberation of Saint Louis when he was taken by the enemy during battle.
>>
>>5342460
>>My lady, I would have left without hesitation, but you know, some wives left with their husbands to go see the holy land, in fact during the seventh crusade it is said that Marguerite de Provence, queen of France, was present and she helped negotiate the liberation of Saint Louis when he was taken by the enemy during battle.
>>
>>5342460
>>My lady, I would have left without hesitation, but you know, some wives left with their husbands to go see the holy land, in fact during the seventh crusade it is said that Marguerite de Provence, queen of France, was present and she helped negotiate the liberation of Saint Louis when he was taken by the enemy during battle.
>>
>>5342460
>My lady, I would have left without hesitation, but you know, some wives left with their husbands to go see the holy land, in fact during the seventh crusade it is said that Marguerite de Provence, queen of France, was present and she helped negotiate the liberation of Saint Louis when he was taken by the enemy during battle.
One day our children will be brought to the family crusade
>>
>>5342482

>>5342919
>>5342541

Of course, it is always good to do something together as a family.

>>5342833
>>5342612
>>5342585

It was a tricky question to answer, you wouldn't want to pass for a man neglecting his wife or a hypocrite. So you told Lady Takable frankly.

-My lady, I would have left without hesitation, but you know, some wives left with their husbands to go see the holy land, in fact during the seventh crusade it is said that Marguerite de Provence, queen of France, was present and she helped negotiate the liberation of Saint Louis when he was taken by the enemy during battle.

Your men nodded at this and Lady Takable answered, quite surprised.

-Well, it is hard for a lady to imagine her husband inviting her to go to war.

You answered.

-Then let us see it more like an armoured travel !

It made her laugh and after this you ordered to prepare for a feast. Everyone wanted to eat and your proposition was received enthusiastically. Lady Takable asked for a time to don evening clothes in the meantime. You were a rich man, you had more than one bedroom in your castle, you had two to receive guests. In your parent's fortress you shared a room with your brothers and when there were guests you had to share beds but here in India it seemed that everyone could have it's bedroom ! The land was rich. It was not so good in your opinion, the idea of sharing a bed with the lady was far from disagreeable after all. You were placed at your hand of the table and you were looking at the delicious pig that was entirely roasted in your chimney when you saw Lady Takable climb down the stairs in a stunning pink dress that revealed a fair bit of her adorable anatomy you almost hurt yourself wanting to raise to greet her before remembering that you needed clutches. Her jewellry complimented her figure and enlightened her gentle features and her long blonde hair.

You greeted her, saying.

-You are stunning my lady, it is as if the morning sun has came anew to us from this staircase without rising in the east.
>>
>>5343113

Lady Takable asked you, quite disturbed even if she was pleased by your conversation about poetry, when you asked for the rest of the pig's head.

-Lord Charles... Tell me, are all the feasts like this one in your land ?

-Mmmmh, I would not call it a feast, there is not enough people for it, but yes. Why ?

Of course you had not told her that you made efforts by ordering your men to not piss in the stairs, it was not something for ladies to hear. Her answer was quite enigmatic.

-It is simply... You know, I always read about knights when I was smaller, true knights in shining armor, not our stories about adventurers and mages or ladies saving themselves. I never imagined that they ate so much !

You laughed, she was thinking the same thing as you. And you answered.

-It is an unexplored side of poetry, even if hunger can sometimes guide men like love.

She laughed at this and told you in a playful tone.

-Oh, and would you have been ready to defy a wizard in single combat for food ? Am I worth no more than a meat pie ?

It was your turn to laugh, and to be happy, she at least made a direct reference to your love for her, and she seemed to be receptive. You then answered, speaking boldly, maybe because of the wine, in a pleasant tone.

-I always attack wizards, on sight, at least when I am permitted to. But if it was a knight and a neighbouring lord... I would have needed two days of hunger when besieging a city to raid his supplies ! And I would have taken far more than a meat pie so do not worry about your worth in my hearth.

It was maybe the wine too but she laughed out loud and you followed her. But she then stopped and looked falsely sternly at you. Her youthful features formed into a mischievous smile.

-I was offended by your unchivalric behaviour. And, as a lady, I will ask you to redeem yourself in my eyes by...

She seemed to think and you feared for your life. Let her not be like these Occitan ladies that you met and that enjoyed fin amor songs like her... You remembered how they made you wait at each secret meeting, only showing a bit of skin and "punishing you" by forcing to look at them when they were nude without permission to do anything. It was really southern perversity in your opinion. But such were the rules, a knight must be the knight servant of a lady. Finally, waiting a bit and seeing you worried she smiled and continued.

-I want you to learn the song of Wedemin my lord. It is time that you appreciate our Indian poetry, and learn a few love songs to not have to try to seduce ladies with songs about holy wars.

She laughed a bit when your face reddened.
>>
>>5343114

>As long as it is not Twilight's Call it should be fine. Thank you for being a kind lady.
>My lady, I will do as you wish, but only if I have a good professor like you.
>It will be the only thing that I would be able to do for one week so I will learn my lady.
>My lady, you are truly generous, good poetry is always a pleasure, not a burden.
>My lady, I think I will not manage this...
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5343116
>>As long as it is not Twilight's Call it should be fine. Thank you for being a kind lady.
>>
>>5343116
>>As long as it is not Twilight's Call it should be fine. Thank you for being a kind lady.
>>
>>5343116
>>As long as it is not Twilight's Call it should be fine. Thank you for being a kind lady.
>>
>>5343116
>As long as it is not Twilight's Call it should be fine. Thank you for being a kind lady.
>>
>>5343116
>My lady, you are truly generous, good poetry is always a pleasure, not a burden.
>>
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>>5343137
>>5343179
>>5343194
>>5343198
>>5343591

You smiled when you heard Lady's Sue demand, she was king after all. And far less perverted than a lot of older ladies. So you told her.

-As long as it is not Twilight's Call it should be fine. Thank you for being a kind lady.

It was her turn to chuckle and she took a very worried tone when she said.

-Poor Charles, you really had to hear this ? Who was cruel enough to read you this, it is awful !

She was a woman of taste after all, and you quickly answered.

-I tried to learn it my Lady, I thought that it would be simple but...

-But it is too awful to be learnt ! Lord Charles, I understand that you do not know our poetry, but promise me, do not read something without asking me first. I mean, I would be most displeased if you have so poor experiences... And... You began to learn to read ?

-Yes, I am trying to learn... But I promise, I will hear your wise counsel. But tell me, what do you like in plus of the song of Wedemin that you seem to appreciate so much ?

She then told you about many interesting tales, some of knights like the tales of the Jeudi Knights, who apparently were doing heroic acts in Thursdays and were fighting Scythians. It was very interesting to hear, you tried to remember where Scythia was but you were sure that you heard the name before you would ask Brother Louis later. The she talked about some tales of "Marvelous Heroes" who seemed to be insanely powerful and who defended the inhabitants of the Empire, it was an epic from Diver City. But there were other epics in the Bifurian folklore, one of them called the "Knights of the Zodiac" apparently, a pale imitation of the knights of the round table in your opinion. She told what was better and what was worse literary speaking. It was an interesting and pleasant discussion.

It was late when you ended your talks, lady Takable seemed to be pleased. What shall you do.

>Maybe it is time to go to sleep, Lady Takable must be tired after her travel.
>Invite lady Takable to watch the stars from the roof of your dungeon. Climbing the stairs with your clutches after much wine might be hazardous but who knows.
>Invite lady Takable to speak in private about important matters (like Baron Crook and your plot with the Neutral Lord)
>Invite lady Takable to speak in private about more pleasant matters (Be it poetry or what you will do during the next day)
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5344232
>>Invite lady Takable to speak in private about important matters (like Baron Crook and your plot with the Neutral Lord)
Party's done, let's get down to some proper plotting and scheming.
>>
>>5344232
>>Invite lady Takable to watch the stars from the roof of your dungeon. Climbing the stairs with your clutches after much wine might be hazardous but who knows.
>>
>>5344232
>Invite lady Takable to speak in private about important matters (like Baron Crook and your plot with the Neutral Lord)
>>
>>5344232
>>Invite lady Takable to speak in private about important matters (like Baron Crook and your plot with the Neutral Lord)
>>
>>5344232
>>Invite lady Takable to speak in private about more pleasant matters
>>
>>5344232
>>Invite lady Takable to speak in private about important matters (like Baron Crook and your plot with the Neutral Lord)
>>
>>5344232
>>Invite lady Takable to speak in private about more pleasant matters (Be it poetry or what you will do during the next day)
Is it really best to dicuss plotting and strategy late at night, after a 'feast', while mildly drunk? Simply do it tomorrow.
>>
>>5344238
>>5344269
>>5344302
>>5344317
>>5344335
>>5344632
>>5345141

You had important matters to discuss so you decided to invite Lady Takable to speak with you in private, in your chambers. She frowned but when her lady in waiting decided that nothing scandalous would happen she accepted and you climbed with your clutches after her. You saw that she was a bit drunk, she was still young and not accustomed to wine so she seemed not to be able to think clearly. Once in your chambers she sat, tired, on a chair and told.

-My Lord, it will be a pleasure to hear you...

-I am sorry to disturb you about it, but you said, back in Someplace, that we had to be allies. So I have to tell you something, about Baron Crook.

She spoke, maybe hot headed because of the wine.

-Yes... I hate him, may his innards rot...

-And may a plague strike him... But before this I think that we must organise. You see, we are not powerful enough to overthrow him, we need the help of other lords. Lord Salty Rival and Lord Creepy Bitchson are his allies, one is supported by him, the other was made lord by him, filthy upstart commoner... With the death of Lord Hostil he lost an ally but we have only lady Sue and lord Neutral to help us.

She frowned very cutely and told.

-Lady Sue hates me, and lord Neutral, he seems sympathetic but too cowardly to act.

-He talked with me, my Lady, and he shares our objectives, Lord Random, your father, and Lord Neutral were allies once, we must revive this alliance. To free our land and burn this sorcerer !

You were a bit drunk, and furious, and so your words were harsh, but you saw that Lady Takable was even more harsh when she said some shocking things for a lady, even when she wanted to avenge her father.

-Burn him ? No... I will have him thrown to the dogs, it is the only thing that this monster deserves, to be torn apart alive...

She was normally very ladylike and you understood that she would never say it out loud, even to you, if not helped by a bit of wine. You were not a master of intrigue but drunkenness could reveal the deep character of someone, and maybe this young slip of a girl was more terrible than she seemed. Would it not be... Interesting to pour her another glass of wine, and hear her talk about a subject ? Maybe she had plans herself to deal with your common enemies, and she could be ready to talk about them. A darker part of you wanted maybe to use the advantage of wine to help enter into her good graces... Or shall you continue to speak about your plot and inform her of your plans to eliminate lord Creepy Bitchson.
>>
>>5345377

>My lady, would you like a new glass of wine ? And... Torn apart alive... It is a very cruel punishment, even for an heretic murderer... (Intrigue roll)
>My lady, would you like a new glass of wine ? And... Torn apart alive... Interesting idea... (Intrigue roll)
>My lady, permit me to pour you some wine, you told me that lord Neutral was too cowardly to act.. What does it means ? (Intrigue roll)
>My lady, permit me to pour you some wine, you dislike Lady Sue, I do not know her much, apart from the fact that she is insufferable but how do you know why she would not be a valuable ally ? (Intrigue roll)
>My lady, your eyes shine like two pools of crystalline water... I am sorry, I was lost in them, where were we ? Ah, yes, would you want some more wine ? (Intrigue roll)
>Sweet lady, you look regal on this night, and with this dress, the way that you walk, I never saw the elven queen, only heard of her, but I am sure that she is nothing before you. Unfortunately, poor knight that I am, I cannot offer you a kingdom, only a barony. I can see us ruling Someplace together... (Intrigue roll)
>Try to pour her some wine and kiss her (Intrigue roll)
>Let her talk, and pour her some wine (Intrigue roll)

>I will be honest my lady, Lord Neutral approached me and asked me to help him kill lord Creepy Bitchson, I do not know how Indians do to deal with this kind of problems but I know that you could help, you maybe know some people who do this, or local means to engage "sicaires", or thugs ? (Intrigue roll)
>My lady, we need to stop the Baron, and we need to stop him together, he wants to destroy us like he killed your father, and like he tried to kill lord Random. I know that we are allies, but we need to take part to an active phase of this. We need to murder the baron himself, or one of his allies. Do you have suggestions about how to proceed ? (Intrigue roll)
>This sky is marvellous, shining, all clear, without any clouds to hide it. When I gaze at stars like this I want to take one from the firmament, and offer it to you as the central precious stone of a diadem. (Intrigue roll)
>Let her simply talk (Intrigue roll)

>Other (write in) and pour wine
>Other (write in) and do not pour wine

I will take the average of the 3 first rolls. You will need to pass the intrigue roll, with your bonus of Etiquette and a different bonus according to your choices in dialogue to manage to extract the most informations and secure most help from the Lady or to better get to know her
>>
>>5345379
>My lady, permit me to pour you some wine, you told me that lord Neutral was too cowardly to act.. What does it means ? (Intrigue roll)
>>
Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>5345379
>My lady, would you like a new glass of wine ? And... Torn apart alive... Interesting idea... (Intrigue roll)
>My lady, permit me to pour you some wine, you told me that lord Neutral was too cowardly to act.. What does it means ? (Intrigue roll)
>My lady, permit me to pour you some wine, you dislike Lady Sue, I do not know her much, apart from the fact that she is insufferable but how do you know why she would not be a valuable ally ? (Intrigue roll)
>>
Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>5345379
>>My lady, permit me to pour you some wine, you told me that lord Neutral was too cowardly to act.. What does it means ? (Intrigue roll)
>>
>>5345379

/roll d100

>Sweet lady, you look regal on this night, and with this dress, the way that you walk, I never saw the elven queen, only heard of her, but I am sure that she is nothing before you. Unfortunately, poor knight that I am, I cannot offer you a kingdom, only a barony. I can see us ruling Someplace together... (Intrigue roll)

>This sky is marvellous, shining, all clear, without any clouds to hide it. When I gaze at stars like this I want to take one from the firmament, and offer it to you as the central precious stone of a diadem. (Intrigue roll)
>>
Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>5345379
>My lady, would you like a new glass of wine ? And... Torn apart alive... Interesting idea... (Intrigue roll)
>This sky is marvellous, shining, all clear, without any clouds to hide it. When I gaze at stars like this I want to take one from the firmament, and offer it to you as the central precious stone of a diadem. (Intrigue roll)
>>
>>5345761
>>5345770

>96 twice
Oof, seems we're quite the drunken boor.

>>5345779
"dice+1d100" in options, sans quotation marks.
>>
>>5345716
>>5345761
>>5345770
>>5345779
>>5346009
>>5346025

Yes, we seem to be quite drunk.

The 3 most popular choices are apparently :

>My lady, would you like a new glass of wine ? And... Torn apart alive... Interesting idea... (Intrigue roll)
>My lady, permit me to pour you some wine, you told me that lord Neutral was too cowardly to act.. What does it means ? (Intrigue roll)
>This sky is marvellous, shining, all clear, without any clouds to hide it. When I gaze at stars like this I want to take one from the firmament, and offer it to you as the central precious stone of a diadem. (Intrigue roll)

And you have rolled 96, 96 and 15. I would normally do the average of the 3 rolls but I am feeling generous, on this Saint Victor's Day. I will let you choose wich of these 3 choices will be the "15" and wich ones would be the "96" then write the following chapter of our quest.
>>
>>5346255
>This sky is marvellous, shining, all clear, without any clouds to hide it. When I gaze at stars like this I want to take one from the firmament, and offer it to you as the central precious stone of a diadem. (16)

>My lady, would you like a new glass of wine ? And... Torn apart alive... Interesting idea... (96)

>This sky is marvellous, shining, all clear, without any clouds to hide it. When I gaze at stars like this I want to take one from the firmament, and offer it to you as the central precious stone of a diadem. (96)
>>
>>5346255

>>My lady, would you like a new glass of wine ? And... Torn apart alive... Interesting idea... (Intrigue roll)
15
>>My lady, permit me to pour you some wine, you told me that lord Neutral was too cowardly to act.. What does it means ? (Intrigue roll)
96
>>This sky is marvellous, shining, all clear, without any clouds to hide it. When I gaze at stars like this I want to take one from the firmament, and offer it to you as the central precious stone of a diadem. (Intrigue roll)
96
>>
>>5346255
>>This sky is marvellous, shining, all clear, without any clouds to hide it. When I gaze at stars like this I want to take one from the firmament, and offer it to you as the central precious stone of a diadem. (Intrigue roll)
15
>>5346255
>>My lady, would you like a new glass of wine ? And... Torn apart alive... Interesting idea... (Intrigue roll)
>>My lady, permit me to pour you some wine, you told me that lord Neutral was too cowardly to act.. What does it means ? (Intrigue roll)
96
>>
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>>5346263
>>5346428
>>5346447

You wanted to talk about useful things, like how to overthrow Baron Crook and thought something about pouring more wine to Lady Takable, but you forgot everything seeing her. The mix of the wine, the smell of strawberries that came from the lady, the moonlight, a small bit of pain from your leg and the crystalline sound of her voice made you forget everything. You looked at her more intensely when she was taking her goblet of wine, her thin musician hands, her skin in her pink dress who seemed a bit golden under the light of the torches coupled with the one of the stars. Her high cheekbones, the rosy skin of her cheek betraying her young age, the honey locks of her hair falling like a golden cascade around her swan neck. You looked at her full lips, at how they moved gracefully to sometimes reveal purely white teeth, and then at her eyes. Her almond shaped eyes so deeply blue that shined like two gems, calling you to come with a subtle look. You tried but your foot hurt you, by Saint Georges, if you were not wounded you would have taken her here, in this alcove. Inspired, like Thibaut by Blanche de Castille you wanted to offer her a third gem in plus of those two. You looked outside, saying.

-This sky is marvellous, shining, all clear, without any clouds to hide it. When I gaze at stars like this I want to take one from the firmament, and offer it to you as the central precious stone of a diadem. But I fear that it would pale before your eyes.

She smiled, shyly, and blushed, putting her elegant hand on the windowsill. And she answered.

-Charles... I... You are too kind... My shining knight. I do not know if I...

She seemed to have trouble speaking and put her thin hand on your strong one. Intertwining your fingers. You then tried to advance, even if your leg hurt, but she understood and advanced herself, caressing your cheek with her hand. You passed your hand behind her, feeling her lithe and soft body under your your hand. You then pushed her towards you for a kiss. She gasped, but quickly conceded you the kiss. You felt that she was not experienced but passionate. A virgin... You agreed, like most men, that if whores had more experience noble virgin girls were the best ones to bed. Words were no more useful, you began to cover her exposed neckline with kisses and she moaned. The wine helped you both want more clearly what was important... She told...

-Charles, my hero, my champion...

How could you resist to a woman calling you her hero ? You kissed her once more and told.

-I wanted to talk about Lord Neutral and our plots but... How could I, with you, your eyes, your...

You were trying to remove her robe when she said, gently, while she sat on your lap.

-Not before marriage Charles...
>>
>>5346627

You were bewildered by these words, of course you wanted to ask her to marry you, but that she accepted even before you asked, it was... Strange. She passed gently her fingers on your head, brushing your head. Her hands were soft and their touch aerial. You tried to answer...

-Marriage, I...

She took a pained expression, and continued to caress you, and this simple change of expression made you want to save her at any cost, would she have asked for your castle you would have given her without a second thought at that moment.

-Yes, as you know Baron Crook wants to marry me forcibly when I turn eighteen, since the tutors that he appointed for me are dead he is my direct tutor... Will you save me ? I do not want him Charles, I want you, only you...

You remembered about these stupid laws giving people tutors until they are eighteen. But her last words made you mad, especially when she whispered them, you covered her with more kisses and answered.

-Anything you want, I will deliver you, even if he keeps you in his dungeon, even if I need to burn Someplace to the ground. Or I will marry you here and now, no need for rules, the tutor's consent is not needed for a christian marriage.

She smiled, and answered you while caressing your hair.

-It would not be recognised before my eighteenth birthday my lord... But it is in eight months, you still have time to deal with the Baron. You told that you needed the help of Lord Neutral and Lady Sue, but I am sure that you will manage without her I...

She blushed adorably while continuing.

-I fear that I would be jealous, and a knight like you, needing the help of a woman dressing in armor... You will not need her...

You were mesmerised by her smell, the sweet mix of her perfume and her natural odour. You answered without hesitation.

-Be assured that I think only about you my lady. I will only ask Lord Neutral, of course, well he already told me...

She raised an eyebrow, asking innocently while kindly stroking your hair and huddling against you.

-He acted on his own ?

-Yes, yes, he told me to try to kill Creepy Bitchson, by means of subterfuge, I am not very experienced at it but I always...

-Charles, you are far too honourable for this I can help... Let me help you, has he told you something else ?

-He told us to never act directly...

-He has acted indirectly until he is old and tired, and he wants to continue... But you are not an old and tired man, you are my Champion, my future husband, I know that you will be bold and resolve this decisively, like you acted with lord Hostil. But... It is hard to ask but can you promise me something ?
>>
>>5346632

She looked at you with an intensity that you thought not possible., her both hands were in your hair and her face was only some centimeters away from yours. You thought that her words made sense, you needed to act quickly, you were a warrior not a courtier. So you nodded and told.

-Anything for you my lady, my love, my...

-Promise me to tell me if you will act, I want to know if you take risks, I want to pray for you, even to your God, I want you to know that I will be always near you and thinking about you. So that even when you risk death and battle you will know that a lady loves you and cares about you.

You were speechless and only nodded, and quickly promised to tell her everything. She then smiled, genuinely and told.

-And a last thing, please, my lord, do not try to profit from the drunkenness of young ladies, and their attraction to you to extract information from them. You are far too honourable for this, and you really have trouble hiding your sentiments.

You were dumbstruck, you opened your mouth in a "o" and she giggled like a young girl, looking at you kindly. You told quickly.

-My lady I... I... I never would have thought of such thing... And I have not...

-Shhh, Charles, no need to lie, you were looking at the wine, then at me, then at the wine, with an expression as honest as the one of Backstabber Archevil... Huh, ah yes, it is a character from a Bifurian play... But you have a good hearth, you thought about taking advantage of me and did not do this. Thanks for the compliment, but remember that when it come to use their charms you men are not even close to us ladies.

She then, when you were still recovering from her words, brushed kindly your hair placing a lock behind your ear and kissed you on the cheek, making you blush. Then she raised and began to walk to the door. Desperate to stop her and completely lost you told her.

-My Lady... I.. Does this mean that your talks about marriage were a kind of joke ?

She then giggled again, and looked at you like at a child even if you were ten years older than her.

-Of course not, you fool. You are brave, charming, dashing, funny and beautiful, and you risked your life for me, what woman would not dream of a husband like you. And I must admit that I always had a thing for cultured men capable of great violence. I love you Charles... Do not be sad...
>>
>>5346640

She then curtsied very gracefully and left the room. You watched how her skirts flowed when she left the room and heard her her heels, the ladies of India wearing strange shoes elevated at the heels who made a lot of noise when they walked, clack on the floor. You then looked at the pitcher of wine and poured yourself a glass. You were still aroused, and thought that maybe you understood more the Occitan's games of rejection and love and Fin'Amor after this... She had you pass for a fool, but then you acted like a fool. You did not knew what to think of this, or what to say. So you thought and after some time you decided two things.

>She was right, you were bad at intrigue and hiding your thoughts, you needed to focus on military and ruling matters.
>She was right, you were bad at intrigue and hiding your thoughts, you needed to focus on improving it.

>Lady Takable is a rare specimen, she could have easily manipulated you but choose to be honest. She is ladylike, has a sense of humour and loves you. You both know that you love each other and she has nice lands and a claim for even more lands. You need to marry her.
>Lady Takable is sweet, ladylike and lovely, you want to marry her but she made you pass for a fool. You need to give her a taste of her own medicine and do a jape to her too.
>Lady Takable is lovely, but she made you pass for a fool, and you refuse to accept this. You need not to be manipulated by women in the future, you shall marry her but only for her lands and claims.
>Lady Takable is lovely, but she made you pass for a fool, it is an insult, and you shall not marry her at all. You will maybe plot with her, be polite with her, and even give birth to a bastard with her but no marriage at all will be celebrated.
>Other (write in)

Choose 1 choice in each list please.

And you gain

+1 piety (choose the romance option without trying to make the lady drink to seduce her)
-1 mudcore (choose the romance option without trying to make the lady drink to seduce her)
>>
>>5346641

====

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 3
XP : 290-5 = 285 (next level at 450)

Stats

Combat : 50%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 35%

Piety : 38+1 = 39

Mudcore : 38-1 = 37

With 38 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. New illnesses will appear too around you, but the Mudcore that you have brought upon this world will make a new companion appear.
Next level at 40, at 40 mudcore you would be able to "specialise" this ability and choose one of the three paths proposed.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.

Effects :
-Dumbstruck by Lady Takable : you are convinced that you are not able to fool Lady Takable after your double critical failure, you have -10 intrigue when you try to manipulate her
>>
>>5346641
>She was right, you were bad at intrigue and hiding your thoughts, you needed to focus on military and ruling matters.
>Lady Takable is a rare specimen, she could have easily manipulated you but choose to be honest. She is ladylike, has a sense of humour and loves you. You both know that you love each other and she has nice lands and a claim for even more lands. You need to marry her.
>>
>>5346641
>>She was right, you were bad at intrigue and hiding your thoughts, you needed to focus on improving it.

>Lady Takable is sweet, ladylike and lovely, you want to marry her but she made you pass for a fool. You need to give her a taste of her own medicine and do a jape to her too.
>>
>>5346641
>>She was right, you were bad at intrigue and hiding your thoughts, you needed to focus on military and ruling matters.

>>Lady Takable is a rare specimen, she could have easily manipulated you but choose to be honest. She is ladylike, has a sense of humour and loves you. You both know that you love each other and she has nice lands and a claim for even more lands. You need to marry her.
>>
>>5346685
>>5346834
>>5346998

After thinking for a bit you understood two things, you would now focus on military and ruling maters and you needed to marry lady Takable. She was a rare kind of woman, honest and sweet. Most of the ladies would have used the fact that you were ready to tell yes to anything against you but she choose to be kind. So you got to sleep with a clear consciousness, knowing what lady you will marry and knowing that you needed to simply destroy all obstacles between you and lady Takable with brute force. Of course, Baron Crook had as much soldiers as all the rest of the lords of his barony but they were heathens and they never saw war, they would flee. And maybe you would be able to secure the help of Count Careless. It was possible that he disliked the Wickedson and would not be afraid of his uncle who was chancellor at court.

The next day you broke your fast with Lady Takable who looked at you very smugly and cutely. She was satisfied from yesterday and asked.

-My lord, do you have gardens ? Or a sunny place where we could read or walk together... or even enjoy the view.

She was sweet, and you decided to spend the day with her. You let Oldfossil deal with the mundane activities of ruling your fief and spend the day on the roof of your dungeon. You had trouble climbing but once here you could see all your lands. And since the day, even if cold, was not windy, you could read with Lady Takable as a teacher. She was helping you, and giving her opinions about poetry. Apparently Rerer Taul of Kiennes was the greatest poet who ever lived in the Empire and nobody was even close to the beauty of his prose but his language was hard to read so it was not good for a beginner. Then there was Rerer Martin, a man with a French name, so you liked him immediately, but he seemed to be writing sad stories and was a degenerate, it was he who wrote the song of fire and ice about the incestuous knight. Lady Takable said that she liked the hero of this tale and that she fell in love with him when she was a little girl... A little girl reading about incest... By Saint Denis... And she said that you looked like him since you were too a brave knight unmatched at arms and with blond hair, you were of good frankish race to be short. And she said that she looked like the lady in the story, yes she was blond too, but they were brothers and sisters, you had simply the same hair and eyes colors. You were disturbed by this comparison and asked about another famous author of Chansons de Geste of this land. She talked about a Levisse Céhesse, who wrote about talking animals and it made you think about the Roman of Renart that you decided to tell her, you new some parts of if and soon she was laughing her crystalline laugh and asking for more. You asked her how Renart seduced the wife of Isengrin the wolf, it was of course a short satire of everything you held sacred, and burgher literature so of inferior quality but it surely was funny.
>>
>>5347413

The few next days passed like this, you talked about literature, poetry and what you will do once arisen. The evening she sung for you and played the harp. When the lady, the ancient "legion healer" who cared about your broken leg came to see if everything was well Lady Takable asked questions to be sure that she cared well about you. It was adorable, and you enjoyed this life but of course, like everything good it had to come to an end. After four days of peace bad news came, with fires in the night. You were in your chambers, with your leg still incapacitated, when you heard the sound of the mail of a guardsman who ran towards your apartments. He screamed in panic.

-My lord ! My lord ! Otherone is burning ! Most of it anyway, we can see the fire from our dungeon !

Otherone, the only village of your lands that you had not visited was burning ? Was it a fire or an attack ? A fire in autumn, it was rare, and probably not in most of the village... If it was an attack... Who has done this ? You knew that there were some bandits and people on the run in the plain of the Cairns, but how they dared to attack a village ? Maybe they knew that you were wounded and thought that they could attack a weak lordship. Or someone else wanted to attack your lands, maybe it was even a coordinated attack, who knows ? You punched the armrest of your chair in frustration while Lady Takable gasped in shock and you told.

>Send 6 riders to Otherone, we need to drive off those who are burning it and learn what happened.
>Send 10 men to Otherone, we need to drive off those who are burning it and learn what happened.
>Sent 15 men to Otherone, we need to drive off those who are burning it and learn what happened.
>Send 20 men Otherone, we need to drive off those who are burning it and learn what happened.
>Send 30 men to Otherone we need to drive off those who are burning it and learn what happened.

>Godefroi will lead the men, he is a skilled commander and knows war. I am sure that he could deal with Brigands.
>Brother Louis will lead the men, he is a skilled commander and a pious warrior, he knew war and is a good leader.
>Bohémond will lead the men, he wants to prove himself and I am sure that he will drive off those brigands with haste.
>Captain Crumbling will lead the men, he is a wise leader with experience and saw war too, and he knows the men better than anyone.

Then decide what companions will stay to protect the castle or go to drive off the possible attack before ordering to be put on the dungeon so you can watch from afar what happens, even you will not se more than flames in the night.

>Godefroi your most experienced knight should stay/go
>Brother Louis your lucky templar should stay/go
>Bohémond your young knight should stay/go
>Captain Crumbling the leader of your guards should stay/go
>Ancel le Purineur your experienced scout and tracker should stay/go
>Cop, the man that you would probably call a sergeant in your guard should stay/go
>>
>>5347415
>Sent 15 men to Otherone, we need to drive off those who are burning it and learn what happened.
>Captain Crumbling will lead the men, he is a wise leader with experience and saw war too, and he knows the men better than anyone.
It is almost 100% men sent by the Baron or the other lords, probably a diversion as well.

Bohemond, Ancel and Louis should be sent. Ancel can help track and find any other possible attackers sneaking around while Louis and Bohemond are good fighters. Godefroi is our best while Cop is decent. Having them defend the castle should be good.
>>
>>5347434
A reasonable choice, support
>>
>>5347434
+1
>>
>>5347415
>Sent 15 men to Otherone, we need to drive off those who are burning it and learn what happened.

>Godefroi will lead the men, he is a skilled commander and knows war. I am sure that he could deal with Brigands.

>Bohémond your young knight should go
>Ancel le Purineur your experienced scout and tracker should go
>>
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>>5347434
>>5347445
>>5347904
>>5348241

You quickly ordered the man.

-Order 15 men under the command of Captain Crumbling to leave with Bohémond and Brother Louis, Ancel will go with them. Defend the village and track these men if it is possible. The rest of the troops shall remain here, raise them, tell Godefroi and Cop to put them on the battlements. Oh, and tell two servant to help me go on the roof of the dungeon, I want to see the events.

He bowed, and told "yes my lord" . Then you saw Lady Takable asking you.

-Charles... Charles... I'm afraid... What will happen ? Will they attack here too ?

-I do not know Lady Rose... I do not know... And I cannot go kill those brigands myself. Once I will be able to raise, in a few days, I will show them.

You climbed, after a painful ascension and with the help of your servants on the roof of the Dungeon. Lady Takable joined you, just like Oldfossil and Becky the lady in waiting. Your two servants, the short bearded scostman, Ethyli Comasson who was surprisingly strongly built for a short man, amongst them, stayed here. They were tired from helping carry you and a chair upstairs. You looked at your men assembling at the courtyard and leaving. The two ladies held their hands together, to reassure themselves. And you watched, sadly, how your village burned. You saw that even in Local people with lanterns were leaving their homes and looking at the troops, they were not high enough to see the flames but saw them glow. You saw Godefroi organising your soldiers and ordering them to keep watch on the battlements, Cop helping him.. Relic, the captain of Lady Takable, helped them and ordered his two men present here to help. It was when your other servant that was still here cried, while looking on the other side.

-My lord, people are trying to swim in the moat !

You took your clutches and looked at it. They had practically gone through the moat, five men were swimming and another... Flying ? Without wings like an angel... What was this devilry... You screamed to your men while doing the sign of the Cross.

-SOLDIERS ! ON THE MOAT ! SHOOT AT THESE MISCREANTS ! KILL THEM ALL !

They heard you from the dungeon and one of the men on the walls fired his crossbow, missing unfortunately. You saw father François who tried to climb to the dungeon while Oldfossil looked at what was happening. You told.

-They are wall climbers, a small group of men with ropes and hooks who will try to climb the walls and open the gate for a bigger company they... What the...

You saw the man who was flying draw a baton and a crystal at the end of the baton began to glow, making one of the six attackers fly ! He began to levitate towards your dungeon ! Lady Takable told you.

-What to do.... Charles I'm afraid
>>
>>5348629

You made her a sign to order her to be silent. You hoped that something could help you, of course you had no rocks to throw because the castle was not readying for a siege. And if you could swing your sword it would be from your chair, you needed two clutches. Both of your servants were unarmed, fortunately Oldfossil had a sword. You asked the old man.

-In all your qualities are you a good swordsman Oldfossil ? Or where you once ? They are passing over all our defences...

-My lord, I never was very good with the weapon, even if I trained as a nobleman... But I have not fenced since... Since before you were born my lord.

Damn... You had two ladies to defend and saw the attacker slowly levitating towards you. Your men understood and some were probably climbing to the dungeon but you had to stop the man for a moment. You ordered the ladies to go on the other side of the dungeon but what else ?

>Order Oldfossil to stay near the ladies, for dissuasive purpose.
>Order your two servants to take your clutches and use them as clubs, it is better than nothing.
>Order the ladies to go inside, they must not be captured, order them to barricade the door to your appartment.
>Order Oldfossil to go with the ladies, to escort them downstairs.
>Order your servants to carry you inside, with some luck they would have the time to do it before the flying man lands on the dungeon.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5348631
>>Order Oldfossil to stay near the ladies, for dissuasive purpose.
>>Order your two servants to take your clutches and use them as clubs, it is better than nothing.
>>Other

Hurl insults at the knaves
>>
>>5348631
I was correct, huh. Since they are here to obviously open the gates for the main host order the men on the wall to shoot at the wizard and take care of those guys.
>>5348644
support
also how about we all surround the window and when he comes in we beat him to death?
>>
>>5348631
wait QM, is the scot in the room with us? Can't we ask him to fight?
>>
>>5348706

Yes indeed you were, unfortunately you are on the roof of your dungeon and if it has battlements it has no windows.

>>5348721

Yes he is, he is one of the two servants.
>>
>>5348731

Oops forgot my name
>>
>>5348631
>Order Oldfossil to stay near the ladies, for dissuasive purpose.
>Order your two servants to take your clutches and use them as clubs, it is better than nothing.
>Hurl insults at the knaves
>>
Lo! Come I anon before the xoanon
Shrine of old, that Elden Thing
To tell of what Byzantion doth bring:
The auctor, Georgius Arse-Arsenius Martinus,
And Jay Of Hokkien, the ring scribe larcenous.

***
>>5347413
I think this Rerer Martin and Taul of Kiennes are likely the same person. The R.R. is probably derived from the latin Rex Regina, maybe some of you have seen a "Regina", nowadays even some men possess them.

Many question the provenance of this R.R. Martinus, of what lands he comes from, if he knew anything of history.

The Historia Regum Britanniae describes King Leir and his three daughters Cordelia, Gonorrhea and Reagan, so R.R. Martinus is probably an heir of Ronald Reagan.

There was a great contention between the powers of Angleterre and the Frankish lands over J.R.R. Hokkien, in Angleterre this J is pronounced as Jay, in the Frankish land it is pronounced akin to Guis, so to avert a great slaughter, it was decided to compromise and call him Gay.
>>
>>5348631
>>Order Oldfossil to stay near the ladies, for dissuasive purpose.
>>Order your two servants to take your clutches and use them as clubs, it is better than nothing.
>>
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>>5348644
>>5348706
>>5348721
>>5348800
>>5349088

I laughed a lot good sur, the end of your glorious prose made me laugh loudly. You shall work as literary critic.

>>5349520

With your most commanding voice you told.

-Oldfossil, stay with the ladies on the other side of the dungeon, you two, take my clutches and use them as clubs, it will be better than nothing.

You then watched downstairs and saw that slowly but surely the vile miscreant at the front was flying towards you. Looking more closely you saw that he had horns and hooves ! A devil ! You did the sign of the cross and hoped that if you die your soul would go to paradise. You then saw that some of your men began to fire crossbows and that a bolt touched one of the attackers at the flank but the next one was cast aside by the magician. But when he did this the devil flying towards you stopped to fly and began to fall, and screamed in horror, but the mage caught him up with his spell when he was halfway down and he began to fly anew. The devil screamed.

-You imbecile ! You almost killed me !

The mage answered.

-I cannot cast levitate and windshield at the same time to repel arrows, stop crying and get up here !

It made you laugh, those dullards had forgot to bring shields, or they had simply not managed to bring them because they needed to swim through the moat and so they were easy prey for your crossbowmen. And the mage had trouble to concentrate, you decided to taunt him.

-You don't frighten us satanic pigdogs ! Go and boil your bottoms sons of a silly person ! I blow my nose at you, so called "magician" you and all your silly indian swimmers !

The mage seemed offended and he began to answer while you noticed that his devil, who had, just like you, drawn a sword, was flying more slowly.

-Now look here my good man..

You interrupted him.

-I don't want to talk to you now more you empty headed animal food trough wiper! I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a rodent and your father smelt of elderberries!

He seemed to be upset and wanted to open his mouth to answer but another crossbow bolt missed him by an inch. You hoped to distract him enough to give time to your men to mount on the dungeon. You hoped that Lady Takable was not shocked by your crude language.

>Roll a combat roll. I will take the average of your first three rolls. If your roll is good then your men will have the time to assist you in the battle to come. Since you are handicapped your combat value is reduced to 25, but since you have two men helping you with clubs it would be +10 and +10 since you gained time by insulting the mage. Then since you have only to repel your enemy until your troops come I will consider that you have +20 to defend yourself. So you have 45% chances of killing your opponent and 65% of repelling him long enough to avoid an injury or death.

I forgot last time, since you you focused in combat and rulership you have +1 to combat and +1 to rulership. So it is 46% and 66%
>>
Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>5349533
I laughed
>>
Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>
Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>5349533
Precisely the image in my mind.

And you have exceeded expectations, truly I chortled like a retard.
>>
>>5349533
>average of 45.6

En garde! These foolish knaves with their devilry dare to attempt skullduggery against us! In the presence of ladies no less!
>>
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>>5349587
>>5349641

Glad to see that we have the same references good sirs.

>>5349589
>>5349646

The enemy continued to fly, the vile demon trying to help his wizard friend who seemed to be utterly humiliated by the wit of your insults. When he flied a bit over the battlements and readied himself to jump on the roof he told.

-What will you do... Cripple ? You are too weak to pose a threat...

You replied by laughing at this presumptuous fool. And asking him.

-And who are you, devil, to try to think that you may pose me a challenge ? You offspring of a man and a goat ?

The red faced demon, it wasn't his natural color threatened you with his sword and his ram horns. He began to tell a long monologue.

-What the fuck did you just fucking say about me, you little bitch ? I'll have you know I graduated top of my class in the Imperial Navy, and I've been involved in numerous secret raids on southrons, and I have over 300 confirmed kills. I am trained in gorilla warfare and I'm the top archer in the entire Bifurian armed forces. You are nothing to me but just another target. I will wipe you the fuck out with precision the likes of which has never been seen before on this Earth, mark my fucking words. You think you can get away with saying that shit to me from your battlements? Think again, fucker. As we speak I see that you have only a dwarf and a human with clutches as weapons to stop me so you better prepare for the storm, maggot. The storm that wipes out the pathetic little thing you call your life. You're fucking dead, kid. I can be anywhere, anytime, and I can kill you in over seven hundred ways, and that's just with my bare hands. Not only am I extensively trained in unarmed combat, but I have access to the entire arsenal of the Royal Armoury of Bifuria and I will use it to its full extent to wipe your miserable ass off the face of the continent, you little shit. If only you could have known what unholy retribution your little "clever" jape was about to bring down upon you, maybe you would have held your fucking tongue. But you couldn't, you didn't, and now you're paying the price, you goddamn idiot. I will shit fury all over you and you will drown in it. You're fucking dead, kiddo.
>>
>>5349822

You laughed out loud, and you remarked that the man hadn't a tail like other demons, and his feet had hooves ! He was truly half man half goat, this made you laugh even more. You wondered what was this gorilla warfare though. Seeing you laugh he tried to attack with his sword but, even in your position, you saw his telegraphed attack and parried him. Your taller servant tried to counterattack but the goat man dodged. You decided to provoke him further.

-No jesting goat, I could beat a goat like you on my chair without rising. I have studied swordfighting from when I was still a youngster who had seen only six summers, and mounted combat from when my little brother Jeannot was born at the next easter. Just like the art of jousting. I am a well formed man, a toise minus a paume, well built, buttocked and bellied who can feast magnificently.
I have the ability to run fast like a mad peasant and the dexterity of an acrobat. Haha !
I can just wait for the goat to charge, dodge the horns and use the chair to trip it on on it's back. Once it has fallen I would only need to beat it up and the vile beast becomes all sad and sheepish.

It was at this moment that the bastard interrupted your taunt, that you had heard from a wise man and a minstrel, Messire d'Isse de Queilles by a flurry of rapid strikes. You parried two and when he used footword to be behind you and you could not turn your chair as quickly as him you ducked and his strike fell on the wood and buried itself in it. Ethyli Comasson attacked then, even if his clutches were poor weapons, especially for a man with such short arms he stroke at the arm of your enemy who had to released his stuck sword. He had to reach for a shorter falchion. How could a man swim with a sword and a falchion ? But before you could answer to this question he attacked anew but was kept at bay by your men.

You continued to taunt him.

-I would not yield or release the beast and I will watch for any weakness for me to exploit. The smallest error and the goat is finished.

He cried out loud.

-DO. NOT. CALL. ME. A. GOAT. YOU. LITTLE. SHIT. And you will do nothing, cripple !

Being a polite person you obliged and when he tried to attack you, but had trouble dodging the clutches who had a long reach, to attain you.

-Of course many probably still virginal youngsters would tell that no man is good enough to triumph in this situation. Que nenni ! If you have will and pray very piously our Trinitary god Jesus nothing is impossible. And secondly...
>>
>>5349824

You parried another attack while your tallest servant withdrew the enemy's sword stuck in your chair. You then launched a dashing counterassault who hurl your injured leg like hell but managed to draw blood.

-The corporal weakness of those critics amazes even half dead people stricken by the plague. You could well end up like them after this fight.

He acted more intelligently this time, in his rige he cut in half the clutch of Comasson but your tallest servant tried to swing a sword at him. He unfortunately redirected the strike and struck your man, wounding him on the shoulder and making him gasp. The goat man screamed in a quavering voice.

-I WILL KILL YOU BASTARD.

He had gone for a typical feint, for the left and going for the right, you used the longer reach of your weapon to parry this and strike at his wrist, if you had managed to use your whole body strength against it it would have cut of his sword hand but it simply wounded him. He released his weapon, clutching his wounded arm, you the struck at his leg and wounded him at the knee, making him fall while you said.

-Any smart man who can walk can kill a goat. If he can't it is no more difficult, it simply demands more skill.

And you cut the head off the bastard, unfortunately you could not put all your weight on the blow and got stuck in the middle but the goat man was dead, and you saw Cop and another guardsman appear, they were exhausted from climbing the dungeon. You ordered to take care of the wounded and smiled your most dashing smile at Lady Takable who seemed to see you like a god amongst men. No, no blasphemy, you corrected your thoughts, she looked at you like at Roland or at Lancelot. You were a hero of legend, a man whose name would be called with respect until far after his death, whose deeds would be sung by trouvères for eternity and whose battles would be represented on the greatest tapestries and embroidery sewn by fair ladies and workshops of half civilised flemish men alike. You told Cop.

-You took your time...

-Sorry my lord. But downstairs the lads are cheering, the enemy flees, Gary got their wizard in the leg and they retreated.

It was good to know, but what to answer. You saw that Lady Takable and Oldfossil seemed to want to talk to you.

>Order to give a bag of grain to Gary.
>Order to give a bag of grain to your tall servant who took a sword blow defending his lord.
>Give something to Ethyli Comasson, he deserves praise for helping you.
>Tell Cop to tell Godefroi to try to track the fleeing bastards with some men.
>Tell Cop to tell Godefroi to maintain the castle in a constant alert state. Maybe there is enemy troops around and you need all your men here.
>Begin by speaking with Lady Takable
>Begin by speaking with Oldfossil
>Order your men to carry you to the battlements to hurl more insults at the fleeing knaves. Their humiliation must be total.
>Other (Write in)
>>
>>5349825
>Order to give a bag of grain to your tall servant who took a sword blow defending his lord.
>Order your men to carry you to the battlements to hurl more insults at the fleeing knaves. Their humiliation must be total.
>>
>>5349825
>>Order to give a bag of grain to your tall servant who took a sword blow defending his lord.
>>Order your men to carry you to the battlements to hurl more insults at the fleeing knaves. Their humiliation must be total.
>>
>>5349825
>>Order to give a bag of grain to Gary.
>>Order to give a bag of grain to your tall servant who took a sword blow defending his lord.
>>Give something to Ethyli Comasson, he deserves praise for helping you.
>>Order your men to carry you to the battlements to hurl more insults at the fleeing knaves. Their humiliation must be total.

Credit where credit is due, and piss in these bastards!

Qm, you're top notch
>>
On, in, what does it matter truly?

Perhaps these dwarves are worthy of a second consideration? Strong, loyal, capable subjects
>>
>>5349825
>>Order to give a bag of grain to Gary.
>>Order to give a bag of grain to your tall servant who took a sword blow defending his lord.
>Order your men to carry you to the battlements to hurl more insults at the fleeing knaves. Their humiliation must be total.
>>
>>5349878
the scots hate English as much as we do always a good ally to have
>>
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>>5349824
>gorilla warfare
do not mock it, it is very powerful and threatening.
>>
>>5349874
support
>>
>>5349822
>>
>>5349874
+1
>>
>>5349845
>>5349856
>>5349874
>>5349878

Short scotsmen have always served you well be it in your guard or as servants, even Cagots proved to be useful, and you have one of those pointy eared Guelphs in your guard.

>>5350035
>>5350049

Well said, and the Auld Alliance has just been signed four years before your departure to India.

>>5350076

I am sure that if Charles knew what a gorilla was he would be terrified.

>>5350111
>>5350125

Flee you fools !

>>5350180

You told.

-Give a bag of grain to Gary, he shot well, and another one to the man who took a sword blow defending me.

You then looked at the man who was healed and told.

-I will not forget you, what is your name my servant...

He answered in a pained voice, having been wounded and being taken care of by brave men.

-I am Mitch Eald my lord, it is was an honor...

-You deserve your bag of grain Mitch Eald, I am sure that Oldfossil will find you a more prestigious post amongst my servants too.

-Thank you my lord, thank you, you are too good.

You knew that, you were too generous, it will be detrimental one day but such is Christian charity. You ordered your men to carry you to the battlements and thanked Comasson too.

-And thank you too, you fought well, master brewer. I shall remember this day when I drink your beer.

The short scotsman grumbled something, you thought that it was about having nothing but you frowned and he stopped. You remembered that a custom protected short scotsmen's "right" to grumble but you would have none of it. It was one of those "mala costumbrae", bad customs that were abolished by the king in any civilised country. You then Asked two other guards that had come following Cop and another of his men, but pitying the scotsman, who like all his people was greedy even if sympathetic, you ordered.

-You two, carry me to the battlements, I want to see those bastards flee. And Oldfossil, please, give something to master Comasson. He deserved it.

The short scotsman nodded and thanked you. You saw that downstairs your men were cheering, some of them were mocking the fleeing enemy and doing nasty gestures with their hands and arms. You decided to join them, pointing at the wounded mage who was flying back.

-Hahaha, go lick your wounds. I understand why you were a magician, to flee by flying !
>>
>>5350189

The bastard showed his fist and answered you.

-We will come back you bastard ! We will kill you all !

-No chances with a lance made of dappy Indian goats and a messire magician who has the brain of a duck.. If you do then we French fellows will outwit you a second time !

-Fuck you bastard ! I will...

-As the English say, 'I one more time, sir, unclog my nose in your direction', sons of a window-dresser ! So, you think you could out-clever us French folk with your silly levitating of goats into our courtyard ?! We already have goats and at least they give milk and stink less ! I wave my private parts at your aunties, you cheesy lot of second hand donkey-bottom biters.

Yes, they deserved to be insulted like an English knight insulted you back in Guyenne. It was an indirect, but sweet revenge on this blackguard. The mage answered, trying to sound accusative.

-And you are racist ! You are a racist bastard.

You ignored what it meant but wisely understood the etymology, your reading classes truly made you more learned.

-Yes I am, and you are lucky that I cannot race on my horse because I will go far faster than your flying ! You heretic bed wetting type !

-I...

He seemed to not have the strength to continue so you taunted him a last time.

-I burst my pimples at you and call your tentative of assault a silly thing, you tiny-brained wipers of other people's bottoms!

The magician was on the other side of the moat and wanted to answer but his men carrying him told him.

-Maybe we shall depart already, just ignore him he...

-Yes, depart a lot at this time and cut the approaching any more, or we fire arrows at the tops of your heads and make castanets out of your testicles already ! Ha ha !

Your men laughed at this and continued to humiliate the attackers, adding their clever comments to yours. The mage, ready to burst into tears, his voice full of pure rage, began to scream.

-Racist assholes ! Morons ! This castle is full of morons ! I will besiege it ! I will rase it to the ground !

You laughed even more and told.

-Haha, yes, and confess well before coming back !

You then saw the enemy disappear from here. By Saint Georges, it was maybe not very useful but it felt good to insult those knaves. You then remembered that Lady Takable wanted to talk to you, just like Oldfossil.

>Begin by speaking with Lady Takable
>Begin by speaking with Oldfossil

You gain +1 piety for helping all your men and +1 mudcore for your merciless taunting.
>>
>>5350190

You gain +10 xp for pushing back the attack of the wall climbers.

====

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 3
XP : 285+10= 295 (next level at 450)

Stats

Combat : 51%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 36%

Piety : 39+1 = 40

Mudcore : 37+1 = 38

With 38 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. New illnesses will appear too around you, but the Mudcore that you have brought upon this world will make a new companion appear.
Next level at 40, at 40 mudcore you would be able to "specialise" this ability and choose one of the three paths proposed.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.
-Dumbstruck by Lady Takable : you are convinced that you are not able to fool Lady Takable after your double critical failure, you have -10 intrigue when you try to manipulate her
>>
>>5350190
>>Begin by speaking with Lady Takable

Lol
>>
>>5350190
mon trescher et redoute seigneur - truly you are a master of medieval race relations. I laughed a lot and wish that the Grand Prévôt Of Diver City would follow your example in race studies. Maybe in one hundred years the English will briefly outwit the French but die sadly of dysentery on the way back home across the sea.
>>
>>5350190
>>Begin by speaking with Lady Takable
>>
>>5350190
>Begin by speaking with Oldfossil
>>
>>5350191
>>5350190
>Begin by speaking with Oldfossil
>>
>>5350190
>>Begin by speaking with Lady Takable
>>
>>5350218
>>5350324
>>5350373
>>5350577

Mortecouille ! I have seen the first four votes and rolled, I began to write Oldfossil's dialogue, but now I have to write Lady Takable's.

Writing

>>5350259

I do not doubt about the final French victory, God is with us after all.
>>
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>>5350218
>>5350259
>>5350265
>>5350324
>>5350373
>>5350577

Lady Takable almost jumped on you, she took your face with her hands and kissed you chastely on the cheek, she was practically bursting into tears. Such were women, they had soft hearths and were prone to emotions. You kindly caressed her hair with your hand, not doing anything else, you were in public after all. She told.

-Oh Charles... Lord Charles, I was fearing so much for you but you.. You won, I was sure that you would be able to triumph... I...

She had trouble continuing to speak. Even her last sentence meant nothing, how could she fear for you and be sure that you would triumph at the same time. But you understood her, she feared for you because she loved you, and even an experienced warrior like you feared a bit for her during the fight, you were the only obstacle between her and a goat after all. You answered.

-Do not be afraid my lady, I vanquished this goat, it could not threaten you anymore...

She nodded and told you kindly, with a very sorry intonation in her voice.

-My lord... I... I... I am maybe responsible for all of this...

To say that you were surprised was an understatement.

-How ?

-I haven't told Baron Crook, my tutor, that I travelled towards your lands... Maybe... maybe he thinks that you took me by force... Or he wants me back in my castle, I cannot travel without his permission.

Stupid laws and stupid age to travel alone. She was seventeen, she has only three years to marry for the first time before becoming too old and she was treated like a child ! Really those pagans were barbaric. She continued..

-I am so sorry, I do not know what to do...

You needed to do something, what will you say.
>>
>>5350618

>May he be cursed, if he wanted you back he could have sent a delegation, not a band of assassins ! You can stay where you want !
>May he be cursed, if he wanted you back he could have sent a delegation, not a band of assassins ! When I will raise it is I who will travel, directly to someplace, to cut his ugly head off his shoulders ! Word of a knight !
>We shall write to him, tell him that I have not taken you by force but that you feared him. Let us be honest, the fact that one of his men tried to kill me is an embarrassment for him. He will probably try to arrange things.
>We shall write to him, tell him that we are unhappy that, even if you broke the law, got killers sent instead of diplomats, and that he probably attacked my village. He will have to accept our marriage if he doesn't want us to tell Count Careless about his methods about killing his sworn noblemen.
>No need to tell about murder and to accuse him, he would deny it, we will write to him and I will tell him that you arrived here and you are well. I will do as if I ignored this law, and you will act as if you were young and in love.
>You need to go back to your castle, you are in danger here lady Rose, what if he sends other men to take you from here ?
>No need to tell about murder and to accuse him, he would deny it, we will write to him and I will tell him that you arrived here and you are well. I will do as if I ignored this law, and you will act as if you sent a letter but it was lost, there could be bandits on the road, or wolves, anything.
>We shall write to Count Careless, tell him the full story and ask for his protection and benediction for a marriage. He shall be able to protect us and tell Baron Crook to not send assassins.
>We shall do nothing and act as if this incident never happened, if the baron is intelligent he will understand.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5350620
>>May he be cursed, if he wanted you back he could have sent a delegation, not a band of assassins ! You can stay where you want !
>>We shall write to Count Careless, tell him the full story and ask for his protection and benediction for a marriage. He shall be able to protect us and tell Baron Crook to not send assassins.

Best to have a paper trail.
>>
>>5350620
>May he be cursed, if he wanted you back he could have sent a delegation, not a band of assassins ! You can stay where you want !
>We shall write to Count Careless, tell him the full story and ask for his protection and benediction for a marriage. He shall be able to protect us and tell Baron Crook to not send assassins.
>>
>>5350620
>>May he be cursed, if he wanted you back he could have sent a delegation, not a band of assassins ! You can stay where you want !
>>
>>5350711
>>5350726
>>5350773

You needed to take advantage of the situation and, thinking quickly you told.

-May Crook be cursed, if he wanted you back he could have sent a delegation, not a band of assassins ! You can stay where you want ! But we need to be clever about it, we shall write to Count Careless, tell him the full story and ask for his protection and benediction for a marriage. He shall be able to protect us and tell Baron Crook to not send assassins.

Lady Takable seemed to think and nodded, saying.

-Count Careless always liked me and my father, he was the one stopping Baron Crook from taking all our lands. He will help us I am sure... Charles, thank you... You can really solve all problems so quickly...

You made a smug smile and answered.

-My lady, it is what we noblemen do, while fair ladies like you read poetry and practice embroidery we rule and resolve all the problems of our lands. It is not an easy life, not like the one of the peasants who have only to live in huts, grow crops and pay taxes, we have responsibilities. Being noble means fighting everyday, but I am good at it, and it is even more simple when it involves real violence like today.

She smiled and chuckled a bit, telling you to never change. But it was true, you were better at solving problems by brute force, what was bad about it when it was effective.

You decided to speak with Oldfossil after that, he had probably something important to tell you. The old man seemed impressed by your talent with a sword and told.

-By the heavens, my lord, you fought like Sir Miktyson himself. I am sorry to disturb you but I am worried, if this satyr speaks the truth then it means that these men were indeed men sent by the higher authorities, higher authorities with whom the Baron is well acquainted. I fear that it means that he has found allies and since they were not opening the gate for a bigger battalion they may have been sent simply to kill you. Or to take Lady Takable by force, after all Baron Crook is her tutor and must watch her.

You thought that she had asked to travel to you and that the man agreed even if he disliked you but if this was the case, and he had the right to claim back Lady Takable he could at least have sent you a delegation instead of killers. You told.

-Really ? And he sent directly armed men to take her back by force or kill me... And they had a mage that was male, the court sorceress of Someplace is a woman if I remember well, they must have been engaged. They are mercenaries maybe ?
>>
>>5351470

Oldfossil smiled.

-Precisely. And, my lord I fear that you were right about the attack on Otherone, it must have been a distraction for these men to enter here and slaughter you... Or take lady Takable. And if this satyr was truly from the Imperial Navy Academy he has served in the fleet, it is rare for not humans even if the fleet is more tolerant than the legion, the legion is just a group composed by 80% of Iron Dimons and they hold all the positions of power in it. And if he served there and is now in Bifuria it means that he was from the Bifurian contingent sent to the fleet, since our land does not have coast we give soldiers instead of sailors to the fleet, and after service they are taken back in the service of the queen. They are queen's men...

-Or queen's goats...

You were satisfied with your smart answer. You then remembered hearing this about Iron Dimons, men incapable of magic coming from the core of the Empire and forming most of it's "legions" from the son of Lord Neutral, Swede Neutralsson. It must have been the permanent host of the Emperors. But if these men were queen's men it was terrible, you just killed a royal sergeant, under king Philippe le Bel, nobleman or not, you would have been probably executed. You should try to cover your traces, but maybe since they were killers they would not tell that royal troops were sent to kill nobles in the land. It was tyranny ! The good and right feudal society, even if it was as damaged as in Bifuria, could not accept this ! If you had more strenght you would have cried "Aux lances mes féaux, aux lances ! To the lances bannermen ! To the lances !" and raised your banners in rebellion. But maybe it was not wise. What do you say.
>>
>>5351472

>Queen's men ? Heresy and madness, this Guelph witch is plotting against me too ! What to do to deal with it Oldfossil ?
>Queen's men ? Heresy and madness, maybe they have been sent by the baron's uncle who is her chancellor ? What to do to deal with it Oldfossil ?
>We should try to catch these men, they must not be allowed to go back to their lands.
>If they were queen's men does it means that the Baron was not involved ?
>Tell me dear Oldfossil, the goat mentioned "gorilla warfare" what does it means ? Is it a kind of naval tactic ?
>Tell me, will count Careless see well that his vassal sends assassins to kill another vassal ?
>Sir Miktyson ? Is it your local Roland ?
>You told that all the men that served in the imperial armies are taken in the kingly armies, are you sure ? Can we not try to find some good men to engage them ? And if this is the case they might be mercenaries or deserters ?
>The man said that he had access to the royal armoury but seemed poorly equipped... Is this the equipment of the royal host or are they simply lightly equipped to be able to swim ?
>If the soldiers are from the royal host, what is
>We need to write to the royal court to say that we are sorry for the incident, we cannot afford a conflict with the crown.
>We need to do as if nothing happened, we cannot make the incident public and attack the crown, and the crown would probably not cry everywhere that it murders nobles.
>We need to make this incident public, tell that the queen tries to murder noblemen.
>We need to make this incident public, tell that the chancellor tries to murder noblemen.
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5351473
>Queen's men ? Heresy and madness, this Guelph witch is plotting against me too ! What to do to deal with it Oldfossil ?
I believe it is best to gather all our bannermen and advisors to see what we should do
>We should try to catch these men, they must not be allowed to go back to their lands.
we can use them as pressure
>>
>>5351473
>Queen's men ? Heresy and madness, maybe they have been sent by the baron's uncle who is her chancellor ? What to do to deal with it Oldfossil ?
>Tell me, will count Careless see well that his vassal sends assassins to kill another vassal ?
>Also, ask about Sir Miktyson and Gorilla Warfare
>>
>>5352245
Support
>>
>>5351473
>Queen's men ? Heresy and madness, maybe they have been sent by the baron's uncle who is her chancellor ? What to do to deal with it Oldfossil ?
>Tell me dear Oldfossil, the goat mentioned "gorilla warfare" what does it means ? Is it a kind of naval tactic ?
>We should try to catch these men, they must not be allowed to go back to their lands.
>>
>>5352132
>>5352245
>>5352330
>>5352587

You decided to ask the first, and most obvious question, but you were shocked by the possibility of being attacked by royal troops.

-Queen's men ? Heresy and madness, maybe they have been sent by the baron's uncle who is her chancellor ? What to do to deal with it Oldfossil ?

The old man nodded.

-I think so too, the queen probably does not even know where Local is, but her chancellor, yes, he sometimes helps his nephew. But I doubt that he would have sent these men, he cannot send troops alone, he has probably sent them for... I know ! Of course ! It is obvious ! Adventurers have been sent there because the Mage's Guild has seen a magical disturbance, and then the mage's guild has probably told it to the Royal authorities of our kingdom who has sent people too. And the Chancellor has has probably told them to trust the Baron who decided to use them to kill you ! He probably lied to them saying that you were responsible for this !

Always more theories, but it was plausible... But why... Why should half of the world be concerned about a "magical disturbance" have they not better things to do ? You then asked.

-So what is your advice ?

-Try to tell count Careless, who has support at court, that you are innocent. They probably will say that it was an error, they cannot prove that you are responsible for the magical disturbance. And they would not want to speak about killings amongst the nobility.

-And I suppose that count Careless will not see well that his vassal sends assassins to kill another vassal ?

-Of course, he is against those methods, and is a very good man, but he cannot remove baron Crook since the baron's uncle is the chancellor and has more influence at court than him. But even with much influence the chancellor's case will be hard to justify.

You agreed, but then... Then there was the problem of the adventurers that you have arrested, if those pesky guilds support the chancellor against you... It would be like in France with the vile Marigny, the alliance of the perfidious bourgeois with the royal administration to oppress the good and old feudal nobility. Your family had chivalry in it's blood for a bit less than half a century and those dogs dare tell you that something is forbidden, truly we should go back to the good old feudal customs of Saint Louis. You told.

-Then we will do this. But then, the goat talked about Gorilla warfare, what is it ? A kind of naval tactic ?

Your steward took a pained expression, telling.

-I do not know my lord, I have heard about gorillas, huge hairy apes who live in the south, but I never knew that they could be used in warfare. Maybe it was a slip of the tongue and he meant guerilla warfare, it means ambushes and asymmetric tactics.

You were categorical even if you ignored what asymmetric meant.
>>
>>5352723

You were categorical even if you ignored what asymmetric meant.

-There is no honor for a knight to use these tactics, spaniards tried to ambush us in Aragon, they won because they starved us and we had to retreat but we defeated them in every open battle. So they can be considered as cowards and it is worse than if they lost. A true knight should agree on a field of battle and an hour for it with his ennemy and wage war appropriately. Maybe these gorillas can be ridden, like the nightmare horses of the Baron, or they are ships. And even if those "gorillas" are a naval tactic it must be not chivalric, a knight shall not fight on a boat, it is the demesne of genoese and englishmen. A boat is shaky and any honourable gentleman might have his bowels indisposed by this, that would impede him when he fights and make him look less than chivalric. We shall fight on foot or on horse dear Oldfossil, not on those silly boats or gorillas.

Oldfossil nodded silently, you could not tell if he agreed or not. But then you asked.

-You compared me to Sir Miktyson, is he a kind of local hero ?

-He is a Bifurian hero my lord, even if he fought in the legion and was called "Iron Mik" by the Iron Dimon soldiers who considered him as one of theirs. A great knight who fought on tournaments and was said to be the best knight of Bifuria, he was not vainquished for a long time and he is still seen as one of the best swordsmen that were. I remember seeing him in my youth, he was always glorious... Unfortunately he was accused of rape of an elven maiden and put into a cell, but they had to free him when barbarians invaded, he fought gallantly, killed the barbarian chieftain Tampere and then continued to partake in tournaments, and if everyone agreed that he was the best he was sometimes seen as too violent, especially when he ripped off off the ear his opponent, the paladin Vander of the Holy Field. But it happens, I liked him, he was a great defender of Bifuria. He is dead today, they built him a mausoleum in his lands.

Well, not the best man in your opinion, but he was a good swordsman and it was what Oldfossil meant, you appreciated that he preferred comparisons with real people that he has seen in his long life. He was like one of those old men that could remember king Saint Louis and his companions and tell stories about them not as saint and heroes but as real people with their flaws and their everyday worries. It made you remember that you too could be a legendary knight, even with your defects, everyone had them, but true saints and true knights overcame them. You then ordered Cop.

-Tell Godefroi to take ten men and chase those cowards, we need to put an end to this band of criminals, even if they are royal troops. Try to take one prisoner to interrogate him. Take as many men as you need. They must not be allowed to leave our lands.
>>
>>5352725

He bowed and began to carry your orders. Now was the time to come back in your quarters and wait for your men to return from Otherone. You began to do it, with the help of two of your men. You saw your men, lead by Godefroi on his horse, depart to chase the mage and the wall climbers, ten of them were part of the Expedition, only seven guardsmen remained. You wanted to see your men depart and asked to be carried near the window, Lady Takable was near you, one of your soldiers came towards you and told.

-My lord, my lord, it is awful... I must tell you something private...

You frowned, and told him to speak softly, Lady Takable, understanding, came to the other side of the room. He told.

-The prisoners, they have escaped ! When we were on the walls, the Bard fled, with the Goblin Shaman !

The ghibelline and Beau were free... It was good that Lady Takable ignored that you had forced him to sing. So this bastard has escaped... And with Conradin the Ghibelline... You had a few men left. In plus of remembering that those guarding the cells should be whipped what did you say. Everything went wrong when a nobleman did not do it personally, you wondered how people could live without you.

>Catch them ! I do not know how but do it.
>Catch them ! Arm the male servants with batons if you need it.
>We cannot afford to catch them, let them flee.
>Tonnerre ! Raise the peasants of the village ! Ring the tocsin ! Tell every man that he will have 3 gold coins if he catches those bastards !
>Other (write in)
>>
>>5352727
>>We cannot afford to catch them, let them flee.

We're spread a bit thin, besides the bard has earned his freedom I'd say. Perhaps Conrad will become someone else's problem.
>>
>>5352727
>We cannot afford to catch them, let them flee.
Definitely gonna cause problems for us in the future but oh well
>>
>>5352727
>We cannot afford to catch them, let them flee.
Too many irons in the proverbial fire, even for a man of noble breeding.
>>
Hey, QM, you may want to archive soon. Page 10!
>>
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>>5352725
I heard of this fearsome warrior Mikael Giraldus Of Ty'sonne, he was known both for his commanding power of oratory and rhetoric, as well as his impetuous prowess, impregnable defense and ferocity in combat. It was said he often ate the hearts of his enemies and their children, and rode into battle astride a great tiger. Mikael Ty'sonne did not carry a lance or sword, preferring instead the caestus, a battle-gauntlet of antiquity. When marauders broke into the tomb of Ty'sonne, to plunder the mausoleum for relics and treasure, they found only many mysterious inscriptions of NFT, these NFTs seemed utterly worthless. The scholars know that many warriors such as the templars swore vows of celibacy in that age, so perhaps this NFT of Mikael Ty'sonne was an apothegm that meant: Never Felt The-touch-of-a-woman.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KG-xC8Mu6SM
>>
>>5352727
>>Tonnerre ! Raise the peasants of the village ! Ring the tocsin ! Tell every man that he will have 3 gold coins if he catches those bastards !
That bard'll sing most uncomplimentary ditties about ourselves and our lack of hospitality if we let him get away.
>>
>>5352727
>>Tonnerre ! Raise the peasants of the village ! Ring the tocsin ! Tell every man that he will have 3 gold coins if he catches those bastards !
>>
>>5352727
>Tonnerre ! Raise the peasants of the village ! Ring the tocsin ! Tell every man that he will have 3 gold coins if he catches those bastards !

We can spare a few coins. It would be nothing compared to the trouble we would avoid.
>>
>>5352871
>>5352995
>>5353024

>>5353601
>>5353623
>>5353712

It seems that you are evenly matched. I will need a tie breaker.

>>5353408

Of course good sir, I think my next post will be the last on this thread.

>>5353580

Good sir, I laughed so much that I will consider this Canon, if one day you visit the Miktyson mausoleum you will be able to see the many inscriptions of NFT.
>>
>>5353860
>>Tonnerre ! Raise the peasants of the village ! Ring the tocsin ! Tell every man that he will have 3 gold coins if he catches those bastards !

Let us raise the levies, that our peasants compose our armies which will be drawn up against the deception and the cowardice of these “adventurers” whose mothers forgot to teach them the concept of honor and courage.
>>
>>5353860
>Tonnerre ! Raise the peasants of the village ! Ring the tocsin ! Tell every man that he will have 3 gold coins if he catches those bastards !
>>
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>>5352871
>>5352995
>>5353024
>>5353408
>>5353580
>>5353601
>>5353623
>>5353712
>>5353881

The prisoners had fled ! By Saint Denis it was awful, maybe the bard would compose a song about you or talk to some noblemen about how you slaughtered his friends, they deserved it but the soft indians might not understand. Or worse, he could talk to his guild who will send even more halfwits against you. And Schamann, he might raise new soldiers, new mercenaries and try to be King of Sicily, or Someplace, or you didn't knew what but he was dangerous, even if Conradin seemed to be sympathetic. No, you needed to put an end to this. But it seemed to be hopeless, each time you managed to put an end to a problem another one appeared. Truly, the Lord sent you a difficult trial. So you proclaimed, quite nervously.

-Tonnerre ! Raise the peasants of the village ! Ring the tocsin ! Tell every man that he will have 3 gold coins if he catches those bastards ! Taïaut ! Taïaut ! Taïaut !

The man bowed and began to run to carry your orders to your men, soon, in three or four days you would be able to walk anew. You waited impatiently for this day, when you could ride anew and fight your enemies by yourself. It was when you were in such thoughts that you felt the soft hand of lady Takable stroke gently your hair. She was just behind you and she told softly.

-Charles, you saved me today... Even if I have made all this problems by my fault... I do not know what to say you are...

You took her hand in yours and kissed it. And told.

-You are too good my lady.. And I am glad to have a light as pure as you to illuminate the darkness of my surroundings.

It was true, in all the difficulties of ruling a fief, the fleeing prisoners, the attacks on your lands, the peasants who always wanted something instead of being happy as they were, you were a bit lost. But this beautiful lady helped you focus, and remember what was good in life. You kissed her hand a second time while she kindly stroked your hair and said.

-Charles, even if I like being called "my lady" you can call me Rose. We will be married, I hope, so let us use our first names.

It was sweet, and you let yourself relax near this lady smelling of strawberries. Answering.

-Of course, my.. Rose... Yes... We shall be wed.

It was not how you thought about marriage, you thought that your father will find you a lady and order you to marry her, but maybe chosing her yourself was more pleasant. You let yourself derivate in a sea of brighter thoughts while the gentle Lady Rose was slowly massaging your tired shoulders. Finally, even in difficult moments, it was good to be lord.
>>
>>5353932

The thread is archived here, do not forget to vote.

>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5314154/

Thank you very much dear bannermen, it was a pleasure to run this quest with you, I laughed at a lot of answers and some were absolutely brilliant like the idea of taunting the mage. Unfortunately I will not be able to run until at least september but I shall come back. By then be well, support Charles de Valois against Marigny's novelties, tax your peasants, smite infidels and pillage Flanders in a glorious chevauchée.

A lot of actions have been done and will see their results in the next thread, all will be taken into acount.
>>
>>5353945
Thanks for running, always a pleasure.

Until next time!
>>
>>5353945
Merci our good lord, and we eagerly await your return
>>
>>5353945
Thanks for running it, LLQM. Yours is one of the quests I always tell people about when lauding the virtues of /qst/ the bit about how saturs cannot be monkeys, because everyone KNOWS monkeys have no tails, or the remarkable restraint and tolerance of putting up with Lady Sue EVEN THOUGH she has the red hair of Iscariot... It's humorous character moments like this that elevate the story abovr a gimmick isekai. In this thread in particular, you also demonstrated that you can do really good earnest and heartfelt interactions, too. Excellent work!
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>>5353945
Praise be QM
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>>5353993
>>5354012
>>5354198


Thank you for your warm words

>>5354172

Thank you very much, it is my first quest and seeing posts like this one encourage me a lot to continue. I will try my best to improve my writing in future posts.


I think that I will be able to update in the first week of september, and will be glad to see you again anons.



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