>Long live the queen!After a nasty little coup by the crown prince, the country is a bit of a mess and some folks aren't too happy. Enough to support a rival to the crown... you. As a princess you had never expected to sit the throne, but it seems that is what some people want. Strongly enough to be branded traitors, or secede entirely!Your merit is by blood alone however, having always kept to yourself. Perhaps you were thought to be easily controlled? A pleasant figurehead while your supporters held the real power. Unfortunately for them... and everyone else really, you have a black heart! If any knew of your true self, surely they would never have placed the crown on your head, as it now rests. What shall be their lament?>Absolute power is the monarch's privilege, by your whim do they live or die. >A fell being holds your faith, in defiance of the church. >Forbidden arts are your way, knowledge and power considered profane.>Honor and tradition are for the dead. There is no low you won't stoop to for victory.>Humanity is so restrictive. You are something... else.>Nothing special, you're just plain evil!
>>5542054>Nothing special, you're just plain evil!this is the way, guys
>>5542054>>Absolute power is the monarch's privilege, by your whim do they live or die.
>>5542054>Honor and tradition are for the dead. There is no low you won't stoop to for victory.Blackmail, bribes and the power of persuasion; we could rule without the original revolutionaries being any the wiser.Also:>Nothing special, you're just plain evil!
>>5542054>Honor and tradition are for the dead. There is no low you won't stoop to for victory.
>>5542054>>Nothing special, you're just plain evil!
>>5542054>Honor and tradition are for the dead. There is no low you won't stoop to for victory.Our brother should be an abject lesson to us.
>>5542054>Forbidden arts are your way, knowledge and power considered profane.They thought us a puppet, but we'll make puppets, puppets of them all!
>>5542054>>Honor and tradition are for the dead. There is no low you won't stoop to for victory.Chivalry? Get that shit outta here
>>5542054>>A fell being holds your faith, in defiance of the church.
>>5542054>Absolute power is the monarch's privilege, by your whim do they live or die.
>>5542054>>Honor and tradition are for the dead. There is no low you won't stoop to for victory.
>>5542054>Forbidden arts are your way, knowledge and power considered profane.
>>5542054Being plain evil could give us the most freedom, and no honor sounds fun, but absolute power can potentially be anything we want.Hmm
>Tally time! >>5542064>>5542067>>5542102>>5542120>>5542135>>5542174>>5542187>Absolute power is the monarch's privilege, by your whim do they live or die.>>5542114>A fell being holds your faith, in defiance of the church.>>5542109>>5542155>>Forbidden arts are your way, knowledge and power considered profane.>>5542068>>5542071>>5542100>>5542110>>5542125>>5542153>>Honor and tradition are for the dead. There is no low you won't stoop to for victory.>>5542063>>5542068>>5542075>>5542105>>5542127>>Nothing special, you're just plain evil!It seems that Absolute Power is the majority, and complementary to that, you can be just plain evil. Of course you might pursue any number of these possible choices, or others in time. For example just because forbidden arts aren't known to you now doesn't mean you can't explore that possibility later. But for now, to begin with you hold your stance on your authority above the rest.
>>5542194>Absolute power is the monarch's privilege, by your whim do they live or die.Your rotten younger brother Louis stole the crown for himself, and plunged the country into turmoil? Ah, but you have a crown for yourself now! He pretends himself king, yet more the fool for imprisoning father rather than killing him... last you heard, at least. But you are no pretender and have nothing to impede you. Though the princeling is still bound to the laws and traditions of the land if he hopes for any legitimacy, you have your own ideas about how a monarch should behave. That, if a Queen should do it, then it is not a crime whatever it may be. Absolute power, such is the privilege of a ruler ordained by the gods.So it is then Isabella, first of your reigning name, to rule as you believe a queen ought to. You can expect opposition both from near and far considering you find yourself in this position to begin with due to technically-treasonous nobles, who favored you to your brother. But their favor was based upon the public and social impression of you as a proper, well-mannered and dutiful princess. Their mistake if they never bothered to learn your true self or ask what you desire in all this. For the fate of this land however, Dalmace, how have you been crowned? Depending on the manner of your establishment will determine your starting point.>Laroux, port city and capital of the south. Joined by retreating nobility, you would have support and a strong foothold. >A foreign court. Having escaped from Dalmace to a neighboring power, you present a strong claim to a powerful ally... though you are a guest.>The catacombs of Jeudais, among the bones of your ancestors. Traitors gather in secret to conspire, and in esoteric ceremony crown their queen. Operating from the shadows, the unseen threat.>In the field, after battle! Rather unceremoniously, mercenaries and brigands have raised you up as queen! At the cost of legitimacy, you are not bound to any location or obligations. All the power you can seize for yourself! >The grand abbey of Plairault, where the dynasty was founded. You would lack support but for the church, however such a symbolic action would mean a schism altogether; your own independent dynasty and country.
>>5542217>In the field, after battle! Rather unceremoniously, mercenaries and brigands have raised you up as queen! At the cost of legitimacy, you are not bound to any location or obligations. All the power you can seize for yourself! Firepower is our priority to ensure would be backstabbers dont have a military advantage
>>5542217>>The catacombs of Jeudais, among the bones of your ancestors. Traitors gather in secret to conspire, and in esoteric ceremony crown their queen. Operating from the shadows, the unseen threat.based shadow government time
>>5542217>>The catacombs of Jeudais, among the bones of your ancestors. Traitors gather in secret to conspire, and in esoteric ceremony crown their queen. Operating from the shadows, the unseen threat.
>>5542217>Laroux, port city and capital of the south. Joined by retreating nobility, you would have support and a strong foothold.Planning on taking advantage of the black market
>>5542217>>The grand abbey of Plairault, where the dynasty was founded. You would lack support but for the church, however such a symbolic action would mean a schism altogether; your own independent dynasty and country.
>>5542217>Laroux, port city and capital of the south. Joined by retreating nobility, you would have support and a strong foothold.
>>5542217>Laroux, port city and capital of the south. Joined by retreating nobility, you would have support and a strong foothold. Shadowy tendrils later, to keep everyone in line once we take power.
>>5542217>The catacombs of Jeudais, among the bones of your ancestors. Traitors gather in secret to conspire, and in esoteric ceremony crown their queen. Operating from the shadows, the unseen threat.IT WAS ME, ISABELLA, ALL ALONG
>>5542217>>In the field, after battle! Rather unceremoniously, mercenaries and brigands have raised you up as queen! At the cost of legitimacy, you are not bound to any location or obligations. All the power you can seize for yourself!
>>5542217>>In the field, after battle! Rather unceremoniously, mercenaries and brigands have raised you up as queen! At the cost of legitimacy, you are not bound to any location or obligations. All the power you can seize for yourself!Mercenary Queen!
>>5542217>In the field, after battle! Rather unceremoniously, mercenaries and brigands have raised you up as queen! At the cost of legitimacy, you are not bound to any location or obligations. All the power you can seize for yourself!
>>5542217>The catacombs of Jeudais, among the bones of your ancestors. Traitors gather in secret to conspire, and in esoteric ceremony crown their queen. Operating from the shadows, the unseen threat.Shadow queen must restore the mandate of heaven
>>5542368Tally time!>>5542244>>5542256>>5542374>>5542416>>5542530>Laroux, port city and capital of the south.>>5542226>>5542233>>5542410>>5542508>The catacombs of Jeudais, among the bones of your ancestors.>>5542225>>5542420>>5542448>>5542472>>5542528>In the field, after battle! >>5542250>The grand abbey of Plairault, where the dynasty was founded. It seems to be a majority tie between Laroux, and in the field. Will continue awhile from now, so by then people can make their case for their choice or change votes, in order to make a definite majority. Or if anyone else should weigh in. If by then there's still a tie, I can roll to decide.
>>5542761>Laroux, port city and capital of the southEvery port city has, or should have, a black market. We can use it to our advantage. We could obtain rare items, illegal contraband, etc. And if Laroux doesn't have one, we can create one hidden somewhere close to the port.
Rolled 2 (1d2)>>5542771>>5542933Ready to continue (was actually in the process of writing) but it seems the tie was only maintained! I will roll then to decide.>1Laroux>2Battle
>>5542771>>5542761>In the field, after battle! Rather unceremoniously, mercenaries and brigands have raised you up as queen! At the cost of legitimacy, you are not bound to any location or obligations. All the power you can seize for yourself!Oh dear, what a mess you've gotten yourself into! In support of the princess a fair number of forces gathered around you in withdrawing from the capital, nobles and knights and bannermen alike. And it's only natural that your brother then would seek to stamp out any possible threat to his reign, and conflict would follow.In the chaos of battle though, an outcome unexpected by both sides had transpired; with no clear victor in the engagement, mercenaries with no particular stake took the initiative. Regardless of paid loyalties before this point, when the opportunity to capitalize on the turmoil arose the unscrupulous lot made their play! Capturing hostages, valuable loot, and blurring the sides of who was fighting for what. At first even there was some contention and bouts of violence over the spoils, but eventually all came to... more or less agree on one ideal.That they had a princess on their hands, but a queen was even more valuable!"Long live the Queen!""Long live the Queen!""Long live the Queen!"Well you certainly never planned or even imagined for any of this, being carried on the shoulders of an unruly mob of sellswords. Off to whichever nearest town had a church, kicking down the doors and forcing a coronation ceremony with the fellow-captive bishop. The crown isn't even yours, taken actually from the duke of Chalon after the battle. And for a throne, the town mayor's dining chair looted and carried outside to the central square so that the gathering common folk can see their new queen.It isn't how you would have preferred to become a queen, but there's something to be said about not being confined to one set location (and thus a target for your brother), and for having an army behind you now. An army of irregulars, opportunists and foolish adventurers from all corners, but an army nonetheless. As you nervously sit amongst this gathering band of mercenaries, their imaginations running away with dreams of grandeur, you wonder how you may transition from their captive queen to their reigning one. Because as it stands they all merrily scheme and plan amongst themselves for what to do next and how best to profit with use of you, but hardly seem interested in hearing what you have to say. A pretty young lady in a fancy dress to prop up their cause yet little more.At least one thing they are willing to hear you on however, is what to do with the battle captives now. The hostages both noble and common alike. Your first decision as queen!
>Kill them all, say they were casualties of the battle! You can ennoble deserving mercenaries and gain further support and power. >The nobles will bring valuable ransom, while the commoners can be made to serve.>Those loyal to you before and during the battle can be spared (and brought into the circle) but enemies should be punished, and their domains plundered.>You demand your pick and choose of the captives and plunder, the best for yourself if you wish. The rest can be left up to the unruly mob to do as they please.>Something else?
>>5542979>Those loyal to you before and during the battle can be spared (and brought into the circle) but enemies should be punished, and their domains plundered.
>>5542981>>Those loyal to you before and during the battle can be spared (and brought into the circle) but enemies should be punished, and their domains plundered.We need competent support. Our brother is going to fucking pay.
>>5542981>Those loyal to you before and during the battle can be spared (and brought into the circle) but enemies should be punished, and their domains plundered.
>>5542981>Those loyal to you before and during the battle can be spared (and brought into the circle) but enemies should be punished, and their domains plundered.Bruh, imagine picking the choice of legally having absolute power as part of our legal system only to later pick the choice that undermines our legitimacy when part of the reason anyone supported us at all was because our brother was an usurper against our father. I think some people liked the idea of having lots of manpower or being acclaimed after just winning a battle, but the other choice already offered one of those and as for the other, well, we seemed to have little part in actually winning the battle at all.Oh well, lets do our best to make the best of this. At the very least this route should be fun.
>>5543019legitimacy and legality is for people who don't have a big army. Stories can always be made up after the fact, about how we single handedly won the battle or some other nonsense like that.
>>5542981>The nobles will bring valuable ransom, while the commoners can be made to serve.>>Those loyal to you before and during the battle can be spared (and brought into the circle) but enemies should be punished, and their domains plundered.>>5543019 Picrel
>>5542981>>Those loyal to you before and during the battle can be spared (and brought into the circle) but enemies should be punished, and their domains plundered.
>>5542981>Kill them all, say they were casualties of the battle! You can ennoble deserving mercenaries and gain further support and power.
>>5543019There is a Chinese proverb that says the winner is a king, the loser a bandit. As long as we win, we are legitimate.
>>5542983>>5542986>>5543006>>5543019>>5543045>>5543105>>5543124>>5543205>>5543211>Those loyal to you before and during the battle can be spared (and brought into the circle) but enemies should be punished, and their domains plundered.Although it may have served your claim better if your coronation was a proper affair, and you definitely would have more titled supporters for it, at the same time you are no longer answerable to anyone. Your own belief in a monarch's absolute power would had to have contended with opponents whom you would have to humor if you wanted their support. Now though you're quite free to do as you please, only your own capability limits you. Unfortunately it may make you a less appealing ruler choice than your usurper brother, but you now have no restraints while he has many. Not very becoming of a royal young lady, but absolute power is yours to seize by force rather than to be argued or pressured for. Just the same as it was, for your ancestral founders of the dynasty... following in their footsteps.And a first step to your absolutism, is what to do about the spoils of battle."Those loyal to me are not to be harmed, and their belongings returned to them if you will. In exchange, the value shall be taken from those against me."Composed as a queen should be, you stand to issue your decree for all those gathered in the town square. Your mismatched band of mercenaries, the common citizenry, and the battle captives. Roughly half of whom are freed for their loyalty, so long as they reaffirm it. The challenge you face is convincing your mercenary force to return plunder to your own loyalists, but a clever compromise is to offer the same or better value from the defeated enemy. And if they don't have enough? Their holdings and domain shall pay! After all, many of the gathered forces to the battle were from the local region simply because of proximity.In exchange for your leniency, you retain the loyalty of a duke and three barons, as well as their households and troops... at least, those whom survived the battle. Although this isn't as much support as if you had been properly crowned, it's still a better position than you had before opposing your brother. Although these noble supporters are landed, bound to their domains so compared to the mobility of your mercenaries they may be limited depending where or what you choose to do.With the matter of the battle aftermath taken care of then, you consider what to do next. Of course everyone has their own ideas, but maybe you can convince them towards what you want? Or agree with what they want to settle the matter.
>With the defeated still reeling, now is the time to venture out and pillage their domains. With the valuables more supporters can be gained. This is what the mercenaries want.>After "your" "victory" the sensible thing would be to recover and take account of things. Who your supporters are, what valuables you have, the state of the area. This is what the clergy advises.>What better way to proclaim your coronation, than a victory celebration? Perhaps a bit foolish in the wake of a battle, but it would certainly announce far and wide that a new queen has arisen. This is what the commoners cheer for.>Do not let the momentum die down! Coming off this victory, you are in a position to claim some holding or location from which to establish yourself. This is what the loyalists recommend.>Something else?
>>5543299>With the defeated still reeling, now is the time to venture out and pillage their domains. With the valuables more supporters can be gained. This is what the mercenaries want.
>>5543299>With the defeated still reeling, now is the time to venture out and pillage their domains. With the valuables more supporters can be gained. This is what the mercenaries want.They're all right, but some are more right than others.
>>5543299>>With the defeated still reeling, now is the time to venture out and pillage their domains. With the valuables more supporters can be gained. This is what the mercenaries want.>>5543311true
>>5543299>Do not let the momentum die down! Coming off this victory, you are in a position to claim some holding or location from which to establish yourself. This is what the loyalists recommend.
>>5543299>>What better way to proclaim your coronation, than a victory celebration? Perhaps a bit foolish in the wake of a battle, but it would certainly announce far and wide that a new queen has arisen. This is what the commoners cheer for.
>>5543299>>With the defeated still reeling, now is the time to venture out and pillage their domains. With the valuables more supporters can be gained. This is what the mercenaries want.
>>5543299>After "your" "victory" the sensible thing would be to recover and take account of things. Who your supporters are, what valuables you have, the state of the area. This is what the clergy advises.
>>5543299>With the defeated still reeling, now is the time to venture out and pillage their domains. With the valuables more supporters can be gained. This is what the mercenaries want.and then >After "your" "victory" the sensible thing would be to recover and take account of things. Who your supporters are, what valuables you have, the state of the area. This is what the clergy advises.If we can only do one, then pillage the domains.
>>5543295>With the defeated still reeling, now is the time to venture out and pillage their domains. With the valuables more supporters can be gained. This is what the mercenaries want.and then>After "your" "victory" the sensible thing would be to recover and take account of things. Who your supporters are, what valuables you have, the state of the area. This is what the clergy advises.
>>5543299>With the defeated still reeling, now is the time to venture out and pillage their domains. With the valuables more supporters can be gained. This is what the mercenaries want.Loot, pillage, burn!
Looks like a majority for>>5543772>>5543760>>5543723>>5543666>>5543616>>5543588>>5543444>>5543375>>5543353>>5543344>>5543342>>5543315>>5543311>>5543302>With the defeated still reeling, now is the time to venture out and pillage their domains. With the valuables more supporters can be gained. This is what the mercenaries want.It hasn't even been a full day yet, so your grasp of power is flimsy at best. By your estimation the best way to differentiate between the mercenaries doing what they want and dragging you along, and them doing your bidding, is if they believe you have their interests at heart. That probably is not a long term path to success but until you're more established it seems prudent. After all you're more like a warlord, lady? Of a militant band rather than a proper monarch, yet... unless of course you desire you be a queen in this way! Start a new trend!"Well then, let us return these traitors to their homes!"It doesn't take some speech or much convincing at all, to encourage your rowdy and scheming soldiers-for-hire towards what they want. Your other supporters lament this course of action, both for disorder of it all but also for the infamy it is sure to gain. But it hasn't even been a full day yet after all, what's a little reaping of the spoils of war so long as it enables you further? And, if it is what you yourself want to do as well! Punishment must be dealt to your enemies, any should consider this a mercy."I pray for thee, your ladyship! Will you not go in peace with moneyed exchange? Ransom for your mercy!"So pleads one of the captive barons, from the enemy side of the battle. Your force wouldn't be able to "visit" all the enemy holdings but naturally some are relatively close to where the field of battle had been. Having left town after noon (and with a mob of elated commoners in tow), it's possible before evening to reach the outlying lordly estate. Although it seems simple enough, there are a few who would press their cases to you. Of course the baron in question, not wanting to see his domain pillaged and willing to pay for a reprieve. Although even your loyalists approve of some punitive raiding for the cause, more than a few caution letting your forces run amok since for some of your noble supporters, these are their peers or even neighboring sorts. It may lead to later trouble and animosity if you should ravage the land for plunder. Whether any decision you make will be heeded by the common rabble though, lies with your delivery. At least someone found a late-noble's steed for you to sit, beside your lady-in-waiting Emelie, having found her among the rabble after your "coronation". Together you present an inspiring sight with the setting sun, but is it one that will be listened to?
>No quarter! There's no worry of enemies later, if you leave none behind! And in fact... you fancy to participate yourself, as well! >Quarter yes, but of the hospitable sort. You've got a few thousand supporters and many followers besides who will need to spend the night. Things can remain civil, so long as your enemies act as good hosts. >For those who can afford it or are still alive, a ransom... and charitable "donation" to the cause can suffice. Otherwise, measured raiding is in order. Though this may be hard to convince your supporters of.>Best to be economical about things. There's a lot of land from your enemies to cover, best to split your forces up to venture out to pillage, and then everyone return here in a few days... although this comes at the cost of not having direct oversight of your rabble. >Ransack this unlucky bastard's lordly estate for the night, maybe make an example of him. But come tomorrow, best to delegate the worthiest targets to your most capable followers.>Something else?
>>5544016>For those who can afford it or are still alive, a ransom... and charitable "donation" to the cause can suffice. Otherwise, measured raiding is in order. Though this may be hard to convince your supporters of.
>>5544019>For those who can afford it or are still alive, a ransom... and charitable "donation" to the cause can suffice. Otherwise, measured raiding is in order. Though this may be hard to convince your supporters of.
>>5544019>>No quarter! There's no worry of enemies later, if you leave none behind! And in fact... you fancy to participate yourself, as well!
>>5544019>No quarter! There's no worry of enemies later, if you leave none behind! And in fact... you fancy to participate yourself, as well!We need to be ruthless. We must prove to our Brother's supporters that he CANNOT protect them, thus eroding his support.
>>5544019>No quarter! There's no worry of enemies later, if you leave none behind! And in fact... you fancy to participate yourself, as well!
>>5544019>No quarter! There's no worry of enemies later, if you leave none behind! And in fact... you fancy to participate yourself, as well!Next time surrender or die!
>>5542979Wha- Why is the horse anus visible in that painting? That's just evil.>>5544016>For those who can afford it or are still alive, a ransom... and charitable "donation" to the cause can suffice. Otherwise, measured raiding is in order. Though this may be hard to convince your supporters of.
>>5544106What can one say? Vernet was a stickler for realism, in a sense.
>>5544019>>Ransack this unlucky bastard's lordly estate for the night, maybe make an example of him. But come tomorrow, best to delegate the worthiest targets to your most capable followers.
>>5544019>Quarter yes, but of the hospitable sort. You've got a few thousand supporters and many followers besides who will need to spend the night. Things can remain civil, so long as your enemies act as good hosts. >>5544106Damn i just thought that was a tail
Looks like a majority for>>5544034>>5544049>>5544077>>5544091>>5544095>>5544097>>5544106>>5544246>>5544264>>5544286>>5544350>No quarter! There's no worry of enemies later, if you leave none behind! And in fact... you fancy to participate yourself, as well!What kind of queen would you be, if you weren't willing to engage in a little total war to secure control? And what kind of tyrant would you be, if you weren't willing to participate! Looking over the rabble on march towards the estate you doubt you'd be able to sway them otherwise, so why bother? Make yourself look like a fool and get ignored in the process, no thank you! "Let us make a night of this then! To each man his own, however he sees fit for these traitors!"Though you hear some good reasons exercise restraint or leniency, they can start to learn for themselves that they crowned the wrong princess if they were hoping for a merciful ruler. Not that the mercenaries or commoners care, as you encourage them all along towards the noble estate with encouragement to do... pretty much whatever they want, to this traitor and his property. "Curse you! The gods spit on you for thi-"For daring to speak ill of the queen, the captive baron is walloped and dragged off for your men to deal with. Most of the rest however begin to pick up the pace and hurry on past towards the manor house, with greedy and malicious intent. Not just mercenaries either, but a decent portion of your loyalists who... had tried to mediate things at first but now accept the futility, and as well plenty of commoners from town eager for some opportunity.Within the hour then the landed estate has devolved into chaos, signs of looting and killing and even some fires broken out. Gleaming in the onset of night. The descent of many hundreds, thousands even upon the grounds looking to satisfy their greed and bloodlust however they see fit. And not just the lordly manor house either but the surrounding and outlying structures as well, whether attributed to the noble family or their servants. Although the accompanying clergy and loyalist nobles observe in disapproval, what can they do really? You're hardly in the wrong even, with all of this."Out of the way, out of the way! What'll it be Bella?! Tell me and I'll get it for you!"Emelie asks while pushing a path through the rabble of looters and vandals, leading you close. Maybe your supporters should have kept a closer watch on you, not exactly safe for the queen to be mixed up in all this mess. But you find it all so exhilarating and engaging! Shoulder to shoulder with the rabble, rummaging your way through the manor house and ransacking the place for whatever you please. As a princess your life before now was... restrained to say the least, closely guarded. So given the freedom in the moment now to participate in something like this?
It's hardly ladylike nor becoming of a queen, but you aren't the only woman filling her pockets here, and the mercenaries and commonfolk delight to see your joining them. Maybe for your own safety though, or perhaps to keep you from getting carried away, Emelie offers to find whatever you fancy in particular. Her way of trying to get you out of the burning building, rummaging with no clear goal in mind. >Riches! Whatever treasures might be left in this place, towards your own personal funds. >Power! Anything of importance, artifacts or magic items that belonged to the local lord. >Knowledge! Any information or secrets to be found, in these scattered letters and books before the fire takes them.>Pleasure! Some good food and drink, comfortable clothes and bedding, so you're not spending the night like a commoner... or alone, if you fancy some company!>Something else?Staggering over the broken-down front door to get outside again, coughing from the smoke you get nudged and shoved aside by the frenzy of looters. Better to be noticed this way, as a loyalist knight soon fetches and carries you to safety. Although your supporting nobles and clergy try to chastise you for such reckless behavior, they recognize some of the folly with all the tumult of celebrating pillagers wandering about. And besides, you wouldn't take it to heart much anyway for as much fun as you had. The sounds of shouting aggressors and screaming victims, between cheers and disorderly revelry."-and if I went to do it, then I am allowed! Besides, nothing happened! See for yourselves!"Though it may be a bit premature, you feel the need to push back a little against those who would think to discipline you. Baby steps towards your end goal of absolute rule. And thinking ahead, wondering towards the other targets. Your enemies still needing punishment... but what further pillaging could be had! At least enough to satisfy the majority of your followers, and build some wealth before you get serious again and make your next move.
>Make sure that each and every one of the traitors, at least those from the battle, share this same fate. Eventually one of your enemies will possess a holding worth more than just burning down, where you can gather and recover your forces and plunder.>In a strategic move, continue on this pillaging warpath but along the way towards a certain or ideal location that you intend to end up after this mess. >You wouldn't expect more than a week before reinforcements loyal to your brother come to regain control of the area. Focus on best targets you can for the coming few days, but then withdraw ahead of time.>As quickly as your forces can loot, send out the word with offer of such wealth to any and all who will further join your cause. Perhaps even opposing or neutral lords, who will choose the winning side.>Something else?Also for whatever your choice you can go ahead and roll for the outcome, how worthwhile this pillaging effort will have been, 1d100!
Rolled 21 (1d100)>>5544365>Knowledge! Any information or secrets to be found, in these scattered letters and books before the fire takes them.>Something else?Use the funds we take to improve our mercenaries and followers — we are now a mercenary company that will offer their help to allies / neutral lords willing to pay us
Rolled 76 (1d100)>>5544365>>Power! Anything of importance, artifacts or magic items that belonged to the local lord.>In a strategic move, continue on this pillaging warpath but along the way towards a certain or ideal location that you intend to end up after this mess.
>>5544365>Power! Anything of importance, artifacts or magic items that belonged to the local lord. Getting in with the commoners is good for image for now, but others may not quite like the image we’re currently presenting. Also so far we’ve just got a crown as claim to our divine right, anything more would be appreciated. Also might help get the clergy on our side, which can then in turn keep at least some of the commoners friendly once we inevitably wash our hands of their direct assistance>In a strategic move, continue on this pillaging warpath but along the way towards a certain or ideal location that you intend to end up after this mess. Our mobility is our strength for now, but it means our power will be a bit more decentralized and have less impact because of it. If we want to use these mercs later or be rid of them entirely we need our loyalists specifically to net us a hold to operate out from, as if the mercs get it they will for sure run security and maybe get some ideas about what to do with us next. Ideas that would NOT serve our goals in the least bit
Rolled 79 (1d100)>>5544365>Power! Anything of importance, artifacts or magic items that belonged to the local lord.>>5544366>You wouldn't expect more than a week before reinforcements loyal to your brother come to regain control of the area. Focus on best targets you can for the coming few days, but then withdraw ahead of time.Do we roll now or after the choice is locked ?
>>5544390Sure roll now, it will apply to whichever ends up being the majority choice.
Rolled 30 (1d100)>>5544365>Power! Anything of importance, artifacts or magic items that belonged to the local lord. >>5544366>In a strategic move, continue on this pillaging warpath but along the way towards a certain or ideal location that you intend to end up after this mess.
Rolled 72 (1d100)>>5544365>Pleasure! Some good food and drink, comfortable clothes and bedding, so you're not spending the night like a commoner... or alone, if you fancy some company!>>5544366>As quickly as your forces can loot, send out the word with offer of such wealth to any and all who will further join your cause. Perhaps even opposing or neutral lords, who will choose the winning side.
>>5544365>Power! Anything of importance, artifacts or magic items that belonged to the local lord.>In a strategic move, continue on this pillaging warpath but along the way towards a certain or ideal location that you intend to end up after this mess.Pillage until we get to the port. Establish a black market, if there isn't one already. If there is, take control of it by any means necessary. Make shady deals. Obtain artifacts and magic items.
Rolled 21 (1d100)>>5544557Forgot to roll
Rolled 48 (1d100)>>5544365>Pleasure! Some good food and drink, comfortable clothes and bedding, so you're not spending the night like a commoner... or alone, if you fancy some company!>As quickly as your forces can loot, send out the word with offer of such wealth to any and all who will further join your cause. Perhaps even opposing or neutral lords, who will choose the winning side.
Rolled 90 (1d100)>>5544365>Power! Anything of importance, artifacts or magic items that belonged to the local lord. >>5544366>In a strategic move, continue on this pillaging warpath but along the way towards a certain or ideal location that you intend to end up after this mess.
>>5544365>Pleasure! Some good food and drink, comfortable clothes and bedding, so you're not spending the night like a commoner... or alone, if you fancy some company!>>5544366>>Make sure that each and every one of the traitors, at least those from the battle, share this same fate. Eventually one of your enemies will possess a holding worth more than just burning down, where you can gather and recover your forces and plunder.
Rolled 17 (1d100)>>5544666
>>5544370>>5544497>>5544558>>5544667it is what it is
Rolled 98 (1d100)>>5544365>Power! Anything of importance, artifacts or magic items that belonged to the local lord.>In a strategic move, continue on this pillaging warpath but along the way towards a certain or ideal location that you intend to end up after this mess.
Rolled 61 (1d100)>>5544365>Knowledge! Any information or secrets to be found, in these scattered letters and books before the fire takes them.>As quickly as your forces can loot, send out the word with offer of such wealth to any and all who will further join your cause. Perhaps even opposing or neutral lords, who will choose the winning side.Pretty based quest so far
>>5544365>Knowledge! Any information or secrets to be found, in these scattered letters and books before the fire takes them.>>5544366>In a strategic move, continue on this pillaging warpath but along the way towards a certain or ideal location that you intend to end up after this mess.
Looks like a majority for>>5544370>>5544371>>5544383>>5544390>>5544497>>5544528>>5544557>>5544604>>5544657>>5544666>>5544746>>5544878>>5544965>Power! Anything of importance, artifacts or magic items that belonged to the local lord.>In a strategic move, continue on this pillaging warpath but along the way towards a certain or ideal location that you intend to end up after this mess.You've always been able to rely on Emelie, perhaps the only person who knows your true self and ambitions, desires. So despite the strange and unfamiliar circumstances of finding yourself in a position of pillaging, you still feel comfortable relying on her to collect whatever choice bits of treasure this lord may have. While you, having had your fun, can take a step back and resume your queenly role of a dignified and inspiring leader... to this unruly mob of looters. But not that you'd complain! At least you're on the path to change and potential greatness. It's your battle to lose now, against your enemies but you can say with confidence that you've joined the fray rather than continuing on as you ever had. A quiet unassuming proper princess, fit to be married off and bear children and little else. "...what then, after this your highness? Leave the countryside in ruins, deprive your brother that wealth?""...no, let the sellswords and the peasantry have their fun. Keep them invested. But my sights, our sights should be on something more substantial."You can hear the doubt, regret in the voices of your noble supporters as they ask of your intentions. Wondering and worrying if they actually supported an aimless brigand in a dress for queen. And while you certainly would enjoy that... imaginings of a warlord ravaging the countryside, you remain aware of your legitimacy. True and proper Queen of Dalmace is the goal after all, any cruel and crude fun you may have along the way cannot compare to that ultimate victory. And so you are still in the mindset of pillaging your way across the land, at least for those who deserve it, but this is merely a means to an end. Sort of. Your brother will never be far behind so best to have a wall you can put your back against, rather than being caught in the field once again. Appealing to both your lowborn and highborn supporters, to ensure the loyalty of all and your longterm success. The mercenaries want reward for their service, and the nobles want a secure legacy they can find assurance with. This way, you can meet both ends. The question is what you're aiming towards.>A city. Bustling with activity and populace, but difficult to govern and defend.>A stronghold. The surest defense, but lacking in resource potential.>A region. Some fancy estate and the associated territory, less centralized but resource-rich. >A special site. Whether a holy place or some magical anomaly, symbolic and sanctified but delicate to your reputation and possibly hazardous.>Something else?
>>5544974>A region. Some fancy estate and the associated territory, less centralized but resource-rich.
>>5544974Also the collective roll will apply to pillaging done by your force while traveling, en route to where you want to go. So this is just a decision first for where you're intending to go, with the success/roll to follow along the way.
>>5544974>>A special site. Whether a holy place or some magical anomaly, symbolic and sanctified but delicate to your reputation and possibly hazardous.
>>5544974>A special site. Whether a holy place or some magical anomaly, symbolic and sanctified but delicate to your reputation and possibly hazardous.Cult route?
>>5544974>A special site. Whether a holy place or some magical anomaly, symbolic and sanctified but delicate to your reputation and possibly hazardous.
>>5544974>A special site. Whether a holy place or some magical anomaly, symbolic and sanctified but delicate to your reputation and possibly hazardous.Hey, if there’s one near a fortress even better.
>>5544974>>A stronghold. The surest defense, but lacking in resource potential.Can't be an evil queen without an dreaded castle
>>5544974>>A special site. Whether a holy place or some magical anomaly, symbolic and sanctified but delicate to your reputation and possibly hazardous.oh shit watch out she's going for chernobyl nuclear power plant
>>5544974>A region. Some fancy estate and the associated territory, less centralized but resource-rich. We were quite autonomous in the first place
>>5544974>A special site. Whether a holy place or some magical anomaly, symbolic and sanctified but delicate to your reputation and possibly hazardous.LET'S GO!!!!
>>5544974>A region. Some fancy estate and the associated territory, less centralized but resource-rich.The port of Laroux shall be ours! ... or the port of another city. We just need access to a port, and through it, a few trade routes.
Looks like a majority for>>5544979>>5544986>>5544999>>5545005>>5545010>>5545021>>5545100>>5545186>>5545197>>5545219>>5545245>>5545262>>5545343>>5545346>>5545367>>5545438>A region. Some fancy estate and the associated territory, less centralized but resource-rich.>A special site. Whether a holy place or some magical anomaly, symbolic and sanctified but delicate to your reputation and possibly hazardous.Although politically it would be more substantial if you gained a foothold in a definite location known across the country, like a city or known stronghold, you think it may be for the better if your supporters are not all closely gathered in one place. Between scheming mercenaries, ambitious loyalists, and enamored common folk, you doubt you would be able to mediate and keep their tempers in check. Last thing you'd want of course is for your cause to be defeated by itself! And while a prominent region is maybe a weaker position to hold than a city or castle for example, you'll never hurt for resources and there will be plenty of terrain to spread your forces among. Towns and forts along the way, what have you. Besides, it isn't so different from what your brother has; the premier royal palace itself is not in the capital, but some hours travel outside it. "Here you are, best I could find Bella.""Oh thank you Emelie! You have outdone yourself!"Come the day after the sacking of the manor, the challenge now is for your forces to organize to march when a significant portion haven't yet recovered from the pillaging and victory celebrating. At least though the mercenary commanders can take a cue from your smaller loyalist force and their comparative discipline, to start whipping men into shape. Although by now much of the peasant rabble have returned to their homes, a decent portion look to be staying on as camp followers and auxiliary types.
Though you've been grumbling all morning about the poor accommodations... unable to appreciate a good night's rest in the manor since it burned down. But there's always Emelie to brighten your day, presenting you with some things she looted last night, while most of your force prepares to depart. What might you choose however?>A holy relic, the skeletal hand of a supposed demigod. Favored by the divines and quite inspiring to your forces, but a major benefit if you were to donate to the clergy someplace. >An enchanted seed, perhaps of some fruit? Sure to grow into something significant if planted and tended to, or perhaps if eaten... >A magical tome of recipes. Maybe not so useful to you but in the right hands, an alchemist could brew potions with magical properties such as healing.>A summoning scroll. Some supernatural entity has been bound to this contract, and could be invoked for some purpose or favor.>A ring of invisibility. Only for the wearer, but you could imagine a champion making good use of this... or some devious ideas for yourself.>Something else?You can ponder your new valuable item over breakfast, as Emelie at least looted something edible from the manor's larder. Still below your standards but better than rations. While she washes your face and extremities before dressing you for the day, you would have liked more time to yourself... or to spend the morning lazing about, but have to remind yourself that your lifestyle for the foreseeable future has changed! Perhaps most of all, for how much your attention is often wanted. This morning being no exception."I reckon we should knock over every estate like this from here to the border, then see who we can gain support of there.""Nah, take what we got and buy out some more lordly types what would support our queen.""That bastard king, his lot can't be so loyal. What if they took pay to thrown their lot?"As you might have expected, there's trouble in the way of agreement or organization of the force between different mercenary groups, companies. Though they all hold you up as their queen, the various commanders and captains don't accept any one in charge of the others. With different schemes and ideas, something like pillaging they could all agree on but loftier goals for the future, there's little in common. Your loyalists are not really included in the conversation, but this may be one of those situations where you could give your answer and you might actually be listened to. Whether to break the disagreement stalemate, or to provide your own superior choice of what to do. Or by your imagining, which region to travel for.
>Toules, the forested highlands. Although closest to the crownlands and danger, the terrain massively favors defenders and there's ample forest and mountain resources. >Mallines, the old domain. After the crownlands, this region is most important to Dalmace culture and power. Distinguished with a high portion of noble domains and military force, as well as traditional legitimacy.>Satois, the crossroads. The middling region of Dalmace, a mix of the people and culture and terrain. Often looked down on, but undeniably an important strategic region for separating Dalmace between north and south. Able to draw on all the strengths and resources of the country, and of ancient importance as the foundation of the country.>Revara, the countryside. Southernmost of Dalmace and warmer climate, this region is lowly populated and developed but expansive and bountiful in uncommon agriculture. Also the farthest from the crownlands, the most difficult to harass.>Poidisse, the faith-hold. Lands gifted by the crown to the church, so that faiths of all gods may be welcome. A confederacy of different churches, holy orders (both militant and peaceful), pilgrims and travelers from across this side of the world... although the reason for Poidisse's creation was as containment for the aether-scar. >Sais, the aether-scar. A small and highly volatile region, where some cataclysmic event happened long past. Whether divine, magical, or some other supernatural cause, Sais is wracked with anomalous activity. Only fools or heroes... or the supernatural, would dwell here.>Something else?For reference, you are currently where the red spot is.
>>5545548Do we know where we have the most support vs our brother? If Mallines is (or can be easily persuaded to be) on our side it's the obvious choice. If not then Satois. The strategic position would allow us to strike anywhere and would split the nation in half. We could be surrounded from both sides, but they don't have modern communication so it's not likely to happen.
>>5545556Mallines you could say would have the most support of you, since that's where your own/immediate noble supporters hail from. The traditions of the region put them at odds with the usurper.So you would have an easier time gaining a foothold there, but it's not the required choice of course.
>>5545548>>5545557 Alright, I'll vote for>Mallines, the old domain. After the crownlands, this region is most important to Dalmace culture and power. Distinguished with a high portion of noble domains and military force, as well as traditional legitimacy.
>>5545559Don't forget your choice of treasure item, what Emelie will have looted for you.
>>5545560>>5545559>>5545540shit>A summoning scroll. Some supernatural entity has been bound to this contract, and could be invoked for some purpose or favor.and>Mallines, the old domain. After the crownlands, this region is most important to Dalmace culture and power. Distinguished with a high portion of noble domains and military force, as well as traditional legitimacy.
>>5545540>A magical tome of recipes. Maybe not so useful to you but in the right hands, an alchemist could brew potions with magical properties such as healing.>>5545548>Satois, the crossroads. The middling region of Dalmace, a mix of the people and culture and terrain. Often looked down on, but undeniably an important strategic region for separating Dalmace between north and south. Able to draw on all the strengths and resources of the country, and of ancient importance as the foundation of the country.
>>5545540>An enchanted seed, perhaps of some fruit? Sure to grow into something significant if planted and tended to, or perhaps if eaten... >Mallines, the old domain. After the crownlands, this region is most important to Dalmace culture and power. Distinguished with a high portion of noble domains and military force, as well as traditional legitimacy.Our brother is the true usurper - we only want to restore our father to the throne *bats eyelashes*The old school nobles will lap that shit up
>>5545548>A magical tome of recipes. Maybe not so useful to you but in the right hands, an alchemist could brew potions with magical properties such as healing.>Satois, the crossroads. The middling region of Dalmace, a mix of the people and culture and terrain. Often looked down on, but undeniably an important strategic region for separating Dalmace between north and south. Able to draw on all the strengths and resources of the country, and of ancient importance as the foundation of the country.If we get the tome and travel to Satois, we should find an alchemist and get him to make potions asap. Then we'll sell the potions at the nearest port that is allied with us.
>>5545540>An enchanted seed, perhaps of some fruit? Sure to grow into something significant if planted and tended to, or perhaps if eaten...>>5545548>>Poidisse, the faith-hold. Lands gifted by the crown to the church, so that faiths of all gods may be welcome. A confederacy of different churches, holy orders (both militant and peaceful), pilgrims and travelers from across this side of the world... although the reason for Poidisse's creation was as containment for the aether-scar.
>>5545540>>A ring of invisibility. Only for the wearer, but you could imagine a champion making good use of this... or some devious ideas for yourself.>>5545548>Mallines, the old domain. After the crownlands, this region is most important to Dalmace culture and power. Distinguished with a high portion of noble domains and military force, as well as traditional legitimacy.
>>5545548>A summoning scroll. Some supernatural entity has been bound to this contract, and could be invoked for some purpose or favor.>Mallines, the old domain. After the crownlands, this region is most important to Dalmace culture and power. Distinguished with a high portion of noble domains and military force, as well as traditional legitimacy.
>>5545540>A magical tome of recipes. Maybe not so useful to you but in the right hands, an alchemist could brew potions with magical properties such as healing.>>5545548>Mallines, the old domain. After the crownlands, this region is most important to Dalmace culture and power. Distinguished with a high portion of noble domains and military force, as well as traditional legitimacy.
>>5545548>>5545540>A summoning scroll. Some supernatural entity has been bound to this contract, and could be invoked for some purpose or favor.>Mallines, the old domain. After the crownlands, this region is most important to Dalmace culture and power. Distinguished with a high portion of noble domains and military force, as well as traditional legitimacy.
>>5545548>>An enchanted seed, perhaps of some fruit? Sure to grow into something significant if planted and tended to, or perhaps if eaten...>>Mallines, the old domain. After the crownlands, this region is most important to Dalmace culture and power. Distinguished with a high portion of noble domains and military force, as well as traditional legitimacy.
>>5545540>An enchanted seed, perhaps of some fruit? Sure to grow into something significant if planted and tended to, or perhaps if eaten... I hope eating it or its offspring empowers us.The scroll and ring also sound good, anything useful for us specifically or capable of solving an immediate problem or getting us outta jail is just dandy. Alchemists should bring their own recipes if they want to be taken seriously by us, and I'm not sure relying on allies is the best route with our setup.>>5545548>Mallines, the old domain. After the crownlands, this region is most important to Dalmace culture and power. Distinguished with a high portion of noble domains and military force, as well as traditional legitimacy.Had we chosen to take something other than a region then maybe I would choose differently.
>>5545540>>A magical tome of recipes. Maybe not so useful to you but in the right hands, an alchemist could brew potions with magical properties such as healing.>>5545548>>Mallines, the old domain. After the crownlands, this region is most important to Dalmace culture and power. Distinguished with a high portion of noble domains and military force, as well as traditional legitimacy.
>>5545540>A holy relic, the skeletal hand of a supposed demigod. Favored by the divines and quite inspiring to your forces, but a major benefit if you were to donate to the clergy someplace.>>5545548>Poidisse, the faith-hold. Lands gifted by the crown to the church, so that faiths of all gods may be welcome. A confederacy of different churches, holy orders (both militant and peaceful), pilgrims and travelers from across this side of the world... although the reason for Poidisse's creation was as containment for the aether-scar.
>>5545548>A summoning scroll. Some supernatural entity has been bound to this contract, and could be invoked for some purpose or favor.Let’s see if we can’t keep the ring in loyalist hands however, even if we don’t get to pick who>Mallines, the old domain. After the crownlands, this region is most important to Dalmace culture and power. Distinguished with a high portion of noble domains and military force, as well as traditional legitimacyWe can’t trust our mercs forever, and I’d rather have a contingency in case one of the parties decides to take more power than is rightfully theirs.
>>5545540>>An enchanted seed, perhaps of some fruit? Sure to grow into something significant if planted and tended to, or perhaps if eaten...I say we eat it>>5545548>>Mallines, the old domain. After the crownlands, this region is most important to Dalmace culture and power. Distinguished with a high portion of noble domains and military force, as well as traditional legitimacy.
Looks like a majority for>>5545561>>5545583>>5545586>>5545629>>5545642>>5545673>>5545682>>5545686>>5545712>>5545752>>5545773>>5545848>>5545998>>5546097>>5546107>>5546283>A magical tome of recipes. >Mallines, the old domain.From your band of loyalists, three of the four sworn nobles hail from Mallines so that seems like the best region to withdraw to. Not that you couldn't establish a foothold in any of them, but why not make things easier for yourself? Especially when starting out your reign in opposition to your brother. Plus Mallines has always been a significant center of power in Dalmace so you wouldn't need to worry as much about the royal army marching south and knocking down your door, not without severe cost. Yes, anything that will make your brother think twice! You delight to the idea, as Emelie helps you atop the horse for the both of you to ride in departure with your forces westward. And all the while you can examine your new magical tome that was looted from the destroyed estate. As for how useful it is to you personally, well that depends on the manner of your upbringing in terms of education.>Courtly, befitting a princess. All the ways of being a proper lady and member of royalty... maybe not the best "education" but it serves you well for reputation, diplomacy, and hiding your nature.>Academic, befitting a scholar. The royal library was no match for you, and your mind is open to new ideas. Though you lack for magic personally, your studies enable you to make use of magic items.>Physical, befitting a ruffian! You always shirked your lessons and duties, sneaking off to hunt and roughly wander forests and fields. Leaving you healthy, tough, and able to hold your own at least in a matched duel.>Theological, befitting a priest. Knowledgeable of the gods and religious doctrine, you have an mutual affinity with the church and a knack for interpreting holy texts to justify your actions.>Profane, befitting a heretic. Hiding away to read stolen, forbidden texts in the dark by ritual candle. Although your life isn't given over to profane ways... yet, you do have knowledge of such things. >Something else?Some days travel now, across the southernmost portion of the crownlands. Technically enemy territory so better to leave it sooner than later, hence the march of your forces towards Mallines. And with a disorganized mob that may have been a difficult challenge, but your manner of withdrawal serves you well; your imperative to plunder your way westward, ensures a steady income of wealth. This in turn, serves to maintain support among your mercenaries and the common mob, and in fact serves to attract more overtime!
>>5544746>98Though your loyalists were upset with this behavior at first, and were questioning their support of you, after these several days and other estates sacked... well they can't much argue with the results. Both for retaining your ignoble supporters, and for fattening the pockets of the loyalists themselves. Begrudgingly they are coming to accept your decision, for dirty blood money is still money. Sure you've left a wake of death and destruction, many people cursing your name but your supporters? Well, if they were enemies to the queen, traitorous supporters of the usurper...In any case your force is now quite laden with the plunder of as many baronies en rote to Mallines, more than just a few wagon loads of loot. A risky call for you to have made but the results speak for themselves, and what you might be able to do with the wealth now. More mercenaries, or unquestioning loyalty from the ones you already have? Better arms and armor for your force, or paying off dissenting lords? The choice is up to you, supposing you can convince your men to agree with you!For now though, eventually your force comes to reach the border of Mallines where you expect to be crossing into sympathetic territory. Well, partly at least. The region of Mallines is comprised of three duchies, and only one duke do you hold the loyalty of. You could race to try and gain a foothold and then start pressing for increased support, or you could try to force that support before you establish yourself. After all, you have the momentum right now which could decrease if you settle down to a location for awhile.>The winter palace of the royal family stands in Mallines. That should serve as the perfect region for you to obtain, and begin expanding your influence from, so reaching the location is a priority.>You would rather that the entire region is in support of you rather than just a third, before you establish yourself. With your force, by whatever means you see fit you can visit the dissenters and convince them to support your cause.>Your loyal duke has his own expansive holdings here, one third of the region after all. Loyalties, resources, manpower and more, his power base is already secure so it would be safest to venture with him back home and start from there. As his guest sure, but not for long.>Screw it, you're enjoying yourself too much with this villainous behavior! Orient your force around a settlement near the border, and then continue to raid and pillage the crownlands or even elsewhere. Let your brother contend with your ravening, and let potential supporters of Mallines (and elsewhere) come to you.>Something else?
>>5546288Also because of the high success roll, you can go ahead and choose one more valuable item from the list >>5545540 that you will have found among the other baronies pillaged along the way. I assume it will be the enchanted seed as the second(?) most voted item, but if anyone should want to choose different they can. Point being, by reaching Mallines you'll have two items stolen for yourself.Also per the map >>5546288 is to indicate the three duchies of Mallines, with the shaded one being that which currently stands in support of you.
>>5546285>>Courtly, befitting a princess. All the ways of being a proper lady and member of royalty... maybe not the best "education" but it serves you well for reputation, diplomacy, and hiding your nature.Winning over more supporters and keeping this band of ruffians orderly would do us well, and best to hide our apparently sadistic tendencies where we can.>>5546288>>The winter palace of the royal family stands in Mallines. That should serve as the perfect region for you to obtain, and begin expanding your influence from, so reaching the location is a priority.
>>5546292Seed!
>>5546288>Courtly, befitting a princess. All the ways of being a proper lady and member of royalty... maybe not the best "education" but it serves you well for reputation, diplomacy, and hiding your nature.>You would rather that the entire region is in support of you rather than just a third, before you establish yourself. With your force, by whatever means you see fit you can visit the dissenters and convince them to support your cause.>>5546292>A summoning scroll. Some supernatural entity has been bound to this contract, and could be invoked for some purpose or favor.
>>5546285>Courtly, befitting a princess. All the ways of being a proper lady and member of royalty... maybe not the best "education" but it serves you well for reputation, diplomacy, and hiding your nature.>>5546288>The winter palace of the royal family stands in Mallines. That should serve as the perfect region for you to obtain, and begin expanding your influence from, so reaching the location is a priority.>>5546292>An enchanted seed, perhaps of some fruit? Sure to grow into something significant if planted and tended to, or perhaps if eaten...
>>5546288>Profane, befitting a heretic. Hiding away to read stolen, forbidden texts in the dark by ritual candle. Although your life isn't given over to profane ways... yet, you do have knowledge of such things. >You would rather that the entire region is in support of you rather than just a third, before you establish yourself. With your force, by whatever means you see fit you can visit the dissenters and convince them to support your cause.We have the resources to sway at least one duke, and the manpower to purge another. I personally would rather not spark a civil war inside another civil warAlso to reaffirm my vote>A summoning scroll. Some supernatural entity has been bound to this contract, and could be invoked for some purpose or favor.
>>5546285>Courtly, befitting a princess. All the ways of being a proper lady and member of royalty... maybe not the best "education" but it serves you well for reputation, diplomacy, and hiding your nature.>>5546288>The winter palace of the royal family stands in Mallines. That should serve as the perfect region for you to obtain, and begin expanding your influence from, so reaching the location is a priority.
>>5546288>Academic, befitting a scholar. The royal library was no match for you, and your mind is open to new ideas. Though you lack for magic personally, your studies enable you to make use of magic items.I dont think trying to be a princess now really matters since we’ve already gone pillagingAcademic would be a bit more respectable and useful politically compared to >ruffian>The winter palace of the royal family stands in Mallines. That should serve as the perfect region for you to obtain, and begin expanding your influence from, so reaching the location is a priority.As for magical artifact>>>5545540>An enchanted seed, perhaps of some fruit? Sure to grow into something significant if planted and tended to, or perhaps if eaten...
>>5546285>Courtly, befitting a princess. All the ways of being a proper lady and member of royalty... maybe not the best "education" but it serves you well for reputation, diplomacy, and hiding your nature.>>5546288>The winter palace of the royal family stands in Mallines. That should serve as the perfect region for you to obtain, and begin expanding your influence from, so reaching the location is a priority.>>5546292skelly hand
>>5546431Supporting
>>5546316Changing the loot to>A holy relic, the skeletal hand of a supposed demigod. Favored by the divines and quite inspiring to your forces, but a major benefit if you were to donate to the clergy someplace.
>>5546292Skeleton hand is fine by me.
>>5546292Oh and>A holy relic, the skeletal hand of a supposed demigod. Favored by the divines and quite inspiring to your forces, but a major benefit if you were to donate to the clergy someplace.
>>5546285>Courtly, befitting a princess. All the ways of being a proper lady and member of royalty... maybe not the best "education" but it serves you well for reputation, diplomacy, and hiding your nature.>>5546288>The winter palace of the royal family stands in Mallines. That should serve as the perfect region for you to obtain, and begin expanding your influence from, so reaching the location is a priority.>>5546292>An enchanted seed, perhaps of some fruit? Sure to grow into something significant if planted and tended to, or perhaps if eaten...Pairs best with the tome we already have imo.
Looks like a majority for>>5546294>>5546306>>5546316>>5546342>>5546398>>5546431>>5546441>>5546449>>5546485>>5546679>>5546687>An enchanted seed.>Courtly, befitting a princess.>The winter palace.Yes indeed, an enchanted seed! Maybe not as applicable in use as other items of power, but you're sure it has beneficial use if you should plant it... or just eat it! Though you could always take your chance, to know for sure you'd have to consult some sage or sorcerer. In any case just another treasure collecting dust in some baron's manor, but you can make proper use of it, along with the magic tome. Although similarly with both the seed and tome, you lack an academic background to make personal use of them as much as you could. Though you keep them close with you at all times there is some annoyance behind that.Then again your upbringing and education was more suitable to your role as a princess, and now queen. Courtly knowledge and experience, to be able to navigate and thrive in the high circles of power. Others may not be able to handle the pressures and dangers of rule, to fall from that lofty height and be broken. You however navigate that storm with such natural grace that one can only be born with. And were it not for your skill and experience in these matters, you never would have matured while keeping your reputation in tact. Ever seeming like the very ideal of a princess and beloved in the land, while hiding your sinister nature."And these ones too, your highness?""More enemies no doubt!""At the very least they should support the cause."Having entered Mallines, it's inevitable that your force would pass more noble domains, and a similar pillaging sentiment among your followers."Mmmm... only what we need, food and supplies for the men. No killing or looting, we have no time for it!"Of course there is the difficult challenge of convincing your men, the mercenaries particular to withhold from their behavior thus far. Gods bless that your force has enough plunder already to just barely appease them, enough to at least listen to you. On the other hand as well though, is the delicate issue of pillaging now that you are in a comparatively supportive region. In the crownlands it was opportunity and making examples, sending a message to opposition. Now though, you think it probably wise to refrain from villainous behavior if you can afford to.
These considerations, but really your prime motivation is just to reach your family's winter palace as soon as possible, so that you can get back to living comfortably! Acting like a brigand queen was fun but unless you were to fully commit to that lifestyle, you simply cannot do without a lifestyle of comfort! Fortunately the holdings of your family in the region are not terribly far and your force should be able to reach them within the week, two at the most, and less if you don't care about traveling the main roads in potentially hostile territory as an armed militant force.The problem however, which you can already foresee, is actually gaining control of the winter palace itself. A massive estate with a complement of courtiers, staff, and soldiers. By now news has surely reached them of the coup and probably your own opposition, so you doubt they would just let you in. Your force currently could probably take the palace by force but causing death and destruction in the process, which you'd hate to have to recover from. Worse still, if the local duke should choose to oppose you then it would be easy for him to do so within his own territory.>Continue to march in force, supplying along the way till you reach the palace. Whatever obstacles in your way, you will more likely overcome them by keeping together.>Heed your loyal duke and let him part ways with the loyalists, to his own territory. There's the risk of your force being smaller, and left alone with the mercenaries thus disorganized, but ideally the duke would be able to engage (or at least tie up) this opposing duchy diplomatically. >Part ways yourself, so that you can travel on ahead and faster, to reach the palace as soon as possible. Perhaps you can simply convince them of your intentions, or talk your way inside. More easily done without soldiers threatening the estate, but risky if you can't manage on your own.>A detour would be for the best, to sway some more supporters to your cause. Even if you just have to pay them off, either more mercenaries or some local nobility in your favor... or even a peasant mob, would be much more convincing along with your demands.>Something else?
>>5546700>>Heed your loyal duke and let him part ways with the loyalists, to his own territory. There's the risk of your force being smaller, and left alone with the mercenaries thus disorganized, but ideally the duke would be able to engage (or at least tie up) this opposing duchy diplomatically.we cant afford to mess up this alliance
>>5546700>Heed your loyal duke and let him part ways with the loyalists, to his own territory. There's the risk of your force being smaller, and left alone with the mercenaries thus disorganized, but ideally the duke would be able to engage (or at least tie up) this opposing duchy diplomatically.
>>5546700>Heed your loyal duke and let him part ways with the loyalists, to his own territory. There's the risk of your force being smaller, and left alone with the mercenaries thus disorganized, but ideally the duke would be able to engage (or at least tie up) this opposing duchy diplomatically.Is there a port near the Winter Palace?
>>5546285>Academic, befitting a scholar. The royal library was no match for you, and your mind is open to new ideas. Though you lack for magic personally, your studies enable you to make use of magic items.>The winter palace of the royal family stands in Mallines. That should serve as the perfect region for you to obtain, and begin expanding your influence from, so reaching the location is a priority.
>>5546700>Part ways yourself, so that you can travel on ahead and faster, to reach the palace as soon as possible. Perhaps you can simply convince them of your intentions, or talk your way inside. More easily done without soldiers threatening the estate, but risky if you can't manage on your own.
>>5546744There is a small port city about half a day's travel from the palace, the settlement it is associated to, but the palace itself sits along the high rocky cliffs of the bay region. Although there was never need of it in your life, you'd heard stories of secret escape tunnels to hidden sea caves far below the palace.
>>5546700>>A detour would be for the best, to sway some more supporters to your cause. Even if you just have to pay them off, either more mercenaries or some local nobility in your favor... or even a peasant mob, would be much more convincing along with your demands
>>5546700>Heed your loyal duke and let him part ways with the loyalists, to his own territory. There's the risk of your force being smaller, and left alone with the mercenaries thus disorganized, but ideally the duke would be able to engage (or at least tie up) this opposing duchy diplomatically. We’ll have to take a risk with the mercs, and try to ensure they don’t tear down the winter palace in the process of taking it
>>5546700>>Heed your loyal duke and let him part ways with the loyalists, to his own territory. There's the risk of your force being smaller, and left alone with the mercenaries thus disorganized, but ideally the duke would be able to engage (or at least tie up) this opposing duchy diplomatically.let him prove his loyalty and further cement himself into our circle.>CAPTCHA: TRY2X
>>5546700>A detour would be for the best, to sway some more supporters to your cause. Even if you just have to pay them off, either more mercenaries or some local nobility in your favor... or even a peasant mob, would be much more convincing along with your demands.
>>5546700>>Heed your loyal duke and let him part ways with the loyalists, to his own territory. There's the risk of your force being smaller, and left alone with the mercenaries thus disorganized, but ideally the duke would be able to engage (or at least tie up) this opposing duchy diplomatically.
>>5546700>Continue to march in force, supplying along the way till you reach the palace. Whatever obstacles in your way, you will more likely overcome them by keeping together.
Looks like a majority for>>5546703>>5546705>>5546722>>5546744>>5546764>>5546783>>5546787>>5546827>>5546836>>5546887>>5546891>>5546914>>5546965>>5547010>>5547024>>5547214>>5547298>Heed your loyal duke and let him part ways with the loyalists, to his own territory.As much as you wouldn't want to split your forces up, and rather would just gather supplies along the way as you have done, you recognize that for the sake of your own cause you'll have to cooperate and compromise now and then. You have only one duke of Dalmace outwardly loyal, so accepting his counsel is a step towards ensuring his loyalty. Of course could just betray you, consider this all a lost cause and escape back to his domain. But you're willing to take this chance when considering the alternative. Nevertheless it is disconcerting to watch your loyalist forces depart, leaving you with a bunch of mercenaries. At least a personal guard of a few knights remain, just in case the sellswords should try anything... untoward with you, or simply you need to escape from them. But the noble countrymen you are accustomed to take their leave at the next crossroads, and your warband is worse off for it. Partly for the mercenaries now left to butt heads unchecked but for your infrequently heeded suggestions here and there, but the biggest challenge comes simply from having a smaller military force altogether. Though not the crownlands, you aren't in safe territory and whether it be because of your dissenting cause to the usurper or simply because the wagons of riches, your force finds itself harassed along the way through Mallines to the coast. Opportunists, brigands, scheming locals, and even opposing lords. Fortunately it's never too serious, nothing your men can't overcome, but the persistent skirmishes take their toll overtime. Such that, when finally you do reach the coastal cliff region many days on your force has been reduced by about a fifth... after already having lost your loyalists, down by a third from that. Still, eventually there in the distance and high on past orchards and gardens stands your family's palace in the region. Regal and proud against the setting sun. "What do you mean, I cannot enter?! Do you know who you are speaking to?!?! This is my home!!!"Emelie barely catches you from falling off the horse, as in your upset and anger from being denied entry you throw quite a fit. Eager to climb over the wall and beat some sense into these traitors."Forgive us yer highness, but in the state o' things... we can't act wiffout say so of the Duke."As you had suspected, and worried. Word got on ahead about the situation with you against your brother, and so the staff and soldier garrison of the palace have barred it shut to you. Barred, not fortified yet but given time once they're aware of your mercenaries camped a mile or so away, you'd expect them to start preparing for a fight.
The good news though by what you hear from them, is that the duke of this region hasn't enforced the palace yet, nor does he seem able to reinforce it. For propriety sake and to claim they're just following orders, the occupiers attribute their actions to proclamation issued by the duke, of not giving you quarter. However the duke himself and his forces are currently tied up at the moment. Occupied at the border with a dispute by your own loyalist forces, so it seems your supporting duke kept to his word and came through in the end. While it has left your force significantly weakened, it also means this situation with the palace is yours to resolve alone without worry of enemy interference. And naturally if you should manage to retake your palace then symbolically the locals should fall in line and accept your establishment. The question is then, just how are you going to retake your palace?>By force! It will be quite a challenge, you may even suffer defeat! But a militant victory here will make the boldest claim for legitimacy, and though it may damage the palace... it will weaken your mercenaries to where they can be more easily managed.>By intimidation! Venture to town and rouse up a rabble! An angry mob of peasantry and even a local lord or two along the way, surrounding the palace is sure to change some minds. Although this may also result in damage to the estate, and you'll have to appease the mob after.>By charisma! You are Queen Isabella, and this is your home. With a bold speech you should be able to sway these lowborn to your cause, or at least convince them to stand down. Though, you yourself [Players] will have to compose what you want to say.>By compromise! Surely some... deal can be reached with the defenders. Wealth, titles, promises... yourself even? There are things you have that you can offer them, to smooth this transition over without trouble or conflict. And once you've taken control, then all that can be swept under the table.>By subterfuge! See if you can't find some way to sneak into the estate by night, seize control of the palace itself and let the defenders realize they've been had. Although, you will have to participate in this yourself so could be personally risky.>Something else?
>>5547410And whatever your choice you can go ahead and roll for the attempt! Unless you make the choice for charisma, in which case it will be down to how charismatic an exchange/speech you can write!
>>5547410>By intimidation! Venture to town and rouse up a rabble! An angry mob of peasantry and even a local lord or two along the way, surrounding the palace is sure to change some minds. Although this may also result in damage to the estate, and you'll have to appease the mob after.Make use of the hundreds of men of at arms that can teleport
>>5547410>By intimidation! Venture to town and rouse up a rabble! An angry mob of peasantry and even a local lord or two along the way, surrounding the palace is sure to change some minds. Although this may also result in damage to the estate, and you'll have to appease the mob after.
>>5547410>>By intimidation! Venture to town and rouse up a rabble! An angry mob of peasantry and even a local lord or two along the way, surrounding the palace is sure to change some minds. Although this may also result in damage to the estate, and you'll have to appease the mob after.
Rolled 45 (1d100)>>5547410>>By intimidation! Venture to town and rouse up a rabble! An angry mob of peasantry and even a local lord or two along the way, surrounding the palace is sure to change some minds. Although this may also result in damage to the estate, and you'll have to appease the mob after.
Rolled 88 (1d100)>>5547410>By intimidation! Venture to town and rouse up a rabble! An angry mob of peasantry and even a local lord or two along the way, surrounding the palace is sure to change some minds. Although this may also result in damage to the estate, and you'll have to appease the mob after.
Rolled 7 (1d100)>>5547411
Rolled 55 (1d100)>>5547430
Rolled 65 (1d100)>>5547424Forgot my roll.
Rolled 75 (1d100)>>5547410>By charisma! You are Queen Isabella, and this is your home. With a bold speech you should be able to sway these lowborn to your cause, or at least convince them to stand down. Though, you yourself [Players] will have to compose what you want to say.
>>5547410>By charisma! You are Queen Isabella, and this is your home. With a bold speech you should be able to sway these lowborn to your cause, or at least convince them to stand down.I understand the protocols.However, these are very dangerous times. My brother, Louis, has already imprisoned the king after his coup.I’ve personally had to bloody my hands back in Jeudeil. It’s not a pretty sight. The winter palace is likely the last to fall, of course, but outright war isn’t the only thing you need to worry about — you’re the only ones left that’s still supporting me.Everyone else here is still neutral or have secretly taken their sides. The longer you wait, the more time the other nobles will have to sway others by their side.I ask that you let us in.If the duke calls, I will answer.
Rolled 99 (1d100)>>5547410>>By subterfuge! See if you can't find some way to sneak into the estate by night, seize control of the palace itself and let the defenders realize they've been had. Although, you will have to participate in this yourself so could be personally risky.
Rolled 70 (1d100)>>5547410>By subterfuge! See if you can't find some way to sneak into the estate by night, seize control of the palace itself and let the defenders realize they've been had. Although, you will have to participate in this yourself so could be personally risky.
>>5547410>By subterfuge! See if you can't find some way to sneak into the estate by night, seize control of the palace itself and let the defenders realize they've been had. Although, you will have to participate in this yourself so could be personally risky.
>>5547410>>By charisma! You are Queen Isabella, and this is your home. With a bold speech you should be able to sway these lowborn to your cause, or at least convince them to stand down. Though, you yourself [Players] will have to compose what you want to say.>>5547549I'll support this anon
>>5547549I support this
>>5547410>>By subterfuge! See if you can't find some way to sneak into the estate by night, seize control of the palace itself and let the defenders realize they've been had. Although, you will have to participate in this yourself so could be personally risky.
Looks like a majority for>>5548470>>5548414>>5548367>>5547964>>5547797>>5547786>>5547707>>5547620>>5547549>>5547516>>5547486>>5547453>>5547450>>5547437>>5547436>>5547430>>5547424>>5547418>>5547437>By intimidation!>99Your impulse is to continue raging and being upset but rather than resort to violence over what is to be your reclaimed home, you try your best to compose yourself. Though you swear to these peasants that you will return, departing with the small retinue you rejoin your waiting mercenaries. Who of course have their own ideas for what to do."We can bash down the gate, be in there in the hour.""Just hit them all from a ways. More than enough arrows for us!""Why not wait them out? How many supplies can they have in there?"Quite a difficult task to sway your men away from violence, as much as you'd like for that. Only by coming up with a more appealing idea of visiting the small city down the coast by a day or so. You'll return soon enough but in a better position. "-no! Do not just run off! Captains, commanders, mind your men!"By the next day your force is able to reach the small coastal city of Delise, thankfully a relatively uneventful night after the skirmishes and harassment while traveling up till this point. Around midday though when nearing the the settlement proper from the north road, the lack of discipline among your mercenaries starts to become an issue. Well, relative lack, compared to what you're used to from crown forces. At least the commanders of each sellsword company can prevent looting and violence but they themselves don't see much problem with the men getting to break formation in order to enjoy themselves in town for some time... each with his own share of some of the looted wealth. At least since you haven't encountered any opposition now, the group leaders see it for the best after the difficult journey here for the men.And so long as enough men, the veterans, remain to ensure security of you and the supplies of the force then it is considered sufficient. You can grumble about it but have to remind yourself that this band of men supporting you are relatively loyal to your cause, but only choose to heed you when they want. Though you could fuss and complain till maybe something is done, your attention is soon occupied by the reason for the lack of hostility."Your highness! Be welcome in our town, your visit is most esteemed!"The lord mayor of Delise it seems, riding out to meet you from the north gate with a group of guards and assistants. No doubt the people here became aware of your approach long before you arrived, and not wanting any trouble have opted to appease you. You couldn't call it loyalty because you're sure if the tables were turned your brother would receive the same welcome, but it suits your needs for now.
Fortunately, or unfortunately for the good people of Delise however, you have bigger plans in mind. So you can act civil, let your men recuperate for what the small port city has to offer, and even win some further support in the process. The lord mayor swears to your cause... for now, as does one of the local barons who had ridden into town to investigate the approaching warband, and is swayed by your presence. This you can manage yourself, while the commanders at your behest can start spreading influence or sowing dissent, depending on how you look at it. Following in the wake of the mercenaries wandering about town to spend their time and plundered money, the appeal of adventure and gold... or just something out of the ordinary and entertaining to pass the time for once, runs through the streets. Let your men have the day and the night to town, and let the rumors and offer of your cause spread. Come tomorrow while the captains are searching through town, blowing the signal horns and whipping the (often drunken) men back into order and rejoin the ranks, mercenaries aren't the only fellows who gather. An eager and opportunistic mob of citizens, the small forces of the lord mayor and local baron, and even some crews from ships at harbor. Many of them following the promise of reward or entertainment, but all of them awed by the sight of a royal lady, a queen among their ranks. By the time your own force sees fit to depart from Delise and return north to the palace, the numbers behind you have doubled or tripled in size! Though it is slower going with a larger mass of people and much less organized, once again you come to approach the estate by sunset.And what a sight it must be for the defenders, as the crowds begin to light torches within sight of the palace. Hoping to gain some control of the situation rather than leave it up to your mercenary commanders, you press for Emelie to ride you up to the gates once more. And this time you can see from the defenders their change in demeanor. About the approaching mob, and certainly towards you. With a smug smile, you clear your throat to speak up, and loud."Good evening gentlemen, your Queen has returned! If you will heed me now, then... I understand the protocols. However, these are very dangerous times. My brother, Louis, has already imprisoned the king after his coup. I have personally had to bloody my hands back in Jeudeil. It was not a pretty sight. The winter palace is likely the last to fall, of course, but outright war is not the only thing you need to worry about - you are the only ones left that are still supporting me. Everyone else here are still neutral or have secretly taken their sides. The longer you wait, the more time the other nobles will have to sway others by their side."By the time you finish your little speech, already the foremost of the mob and your forces are approaching within earshot.
A resounding cheer of support... or hostile intent, echoes through the mob to really nail your point to the foreheads of the traitors within the walls. Quaking in their boots surely, faltering against such severe odds. Or perhaps simply, fear at the indignity they would surely suffer from an angry mob versus proper and orderly combat that your limited force two days prior had offered.Oh how you secretly wish these fools would feebly continue to oppose you, so that you could let loose the pent up violence amassing at your back."I ask that you let us in. If the duke calls, I will answer."A simple request, to lay bare the only choice they have in this undesirable situation. You can't hear anything from the defenders, the gathering mob far too noisome. But you can see the men inside nervously conversing, shouting at each other and running about in a panic. Eventually, some ten minutes passed when the crowd starts getting unruly and throwing things, chanting for action... that a white linen is waved over the gate, and those inside start to raise and open it. By intimidation then, it seems you've regained access to your family's palace here, soon to be your own capital for the cause. As for the means to do it however, you still have an assembled angry mob looking for appeasement. As people start to surge towards the opening gate, you'd best act quick if you want to maintain control of the situation.After all, you're fine with pillaging and burning your enemies, or even just opportunistically anyone in your way. But certainly not your own holdings!>See the traitors, the armed garrison at least, dragged out and thrown to the mob. Some bloodshed ought to appease them! Albeit at the cost of knowledgeable armed defenders of the palace, but then they are traitors after all!>Give up one of the treasure wagons to the people. Organized distribution of course, not just mad and bloody chaos. It will be a severe blow to your new wealth, but you'll trade a wagon of plunder for your palace any day.>Distract the people with a "victory" celebration! Everyone can come onto the estate grounds... not into the palace itself, but on the grounds you can host a feast and then tomorrow they can return home. Just hope there's enough food and drink kept within the estate for this!>You appreciate the help but it's a bad precedent to reward lowborn. Hastily assemble your mercenaries to take the gate and walls, and repel everyone else till they leave. There's likely to be bloodshed and lasting animosity for this, but you've weakened your cause enough so far, to be sacrificing more to commoners.>Something else?
>>5548698>>See the traitors, the armed garrison at least, dragged out and thrown to the mob. Some bloodshed ought to appease them! Albeit at the cost of knowledgeable armed defenders of the palace, but then they are traitors after all!
>>5548698>>See the traitors, the armed garrison at least, dragged out and thrown to the mob. Some bloodshed ought to appease them! Albeit at the cost of knowledgeable armed defenders of the palace, but then they are traitors after all!Nothing like a good old lynching to appease a mob
>>5548698>Give up one of the treasure wagons to the people. Organized distribution of course, not just mad and bloody chaos. It will be a severe blow to your new wealth, but you'll trade a wagon of plunder for your palace any day.We can easily get that lost wealth back by establishing trade routes from a nearby port, and every port needs a Portmaster.
>>5548698>>Give up one of the treasure wagons to the people. Organized distribution of course, not just mad and bloody chaos. It will be a severe blow to your new wealth, but you'll trade a wagon of plunder for your palace any day.A fair trade, we'd be fools to give up capable fighters, and we'd be fools to let the mob run wild on the grounds.
>>5548698>Give up one of the treasure wagons to the people. Organized distribution of course, not just mad and bloody chaos. It will be a severe blow to your new wealth, but you'll trade a wagon of plunder for your palace any day.
>>5548698>>Distract the people with a "victory" celebration! Everyone can come onto the estate grounds... not into the palace itself, but on the grounds you can host a feast and then tomorrow they can return home. Just hope there's enough food and drink kept within the estate for this!
>>5548698>See the traitors, the armed garrison at least, dragged out and thrown to the mob. Some bloodshed ought to appease them! Albeit at the cost of knowledgeable armed defenders of the palace, but then they are traitors after all!
>>5548698>See the traitors, the armed garrison at least, dragged out and thrown to the mob. Some bloodshed ought to appease them! Albeit at the cost of knowledgeable armed defenders of the palace, but then they are traitors after all!Kill them, they will merely betray us to the usurper when the time is right anyways.,
>>5548698>>See the traitors, the armed garrison at least, dragged out and thrown to the mob. Some bloodshed ought to appease them! Albeit at the cost of knowledgeable armed defenders of the palace, but then they are traitors after all!we'll throw a party later - don't want to have a Lady Boyle's Last Party situation going on
>>5548698>>See the traitors, the armed garrison at least, dragged out and thrown to the mob. Some bloodshed ought to appease them! Albeit at the cost of knowledgeable armed defenders of the palace, but then they are traitors after all!We're evil, get used to it
>>5548913>We're evil, get used to itSmall problem with that. /qst/, usually, has a problem taking ANYTHING that is even remotely villainous and turning it into big damn heroes n'SHEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT! Here's hoping the QM can keep this in focus.
>>5548913Doesn't mean we have to be retarded
Looks like a majority for>>5548913>>5548905>>5548904>>5548901>>5548817>>5548815>>5548811>>5548809>>5548802>>5548717>>5548707>>5549286>See the traitors, the armed garrison at least, dragged out and thrown to the mob. Surrendering or otherwise opening the gate to you was the biggest mistake these men could have made. At least if they'd continued to oppose you then they could have died fighting, honorably. Instead though they give themselves over to your mercy and naturally mercy can be quite lacking when it comes to you!"-no! Please no!""We surrendered! I surrender!""By the gods, don't do this!"Ah, music to your ears! Well it would be, but there's that annoying matter of reputation and caring about how people perceive you, that nonsense. As much as you'd love to stay and watch, you opt for the more dignified appearance of disinterest and riding on ahead at the front of your military force, in leadership. Leaving behind the guards to be rounded up and thrown before the angry mob. A ghastly affair you're sure, when you hear tell about it later. Those poor wretches beaten and stabbed and stoned to death by the eager crowd. The palace has... had about one hundred men garrisoned for protection so not all of them could be so quickly found before a panicked escape into the night. But probably some thirty or forty men were lynched for the appeasement of the masses. Again though, that doesn't concern you really. Not if you want to seem proper and just, as you ride along the road traveling up the grounds to the cliffside palace itself. A grand old estate, it's been some years since you had been here in fact so it is delightful to return. And delightful to see the nervous and frightened servants lining up to welcome you, as Emelie helps you down off the horse. Though you could just head on in and make yourself comfortable, atop exterior stairs of the main entrance you have a chance to address everyone. From those servants, to much of your mercenary force who followed after you to the estate, while the rest remained at the gate to block entry to the mob. Then again, maybe it would be best to actually wait till the setting is right, and others such as the lord mayor and local baron of Delise also caught up?
>Perhaps not a proper speech, but inspiring encouragement to your supporters now that you've taken this stronghold?>See that things are handled properly through this transition of occupation, but otherwise you'd like to retire and plan for tomorrow, when things begin properly.>How can you sleep when there's so much to do? So many things to make sure happen or don't happen, ground rules to establish... why, if you don't stay up all night officiating, then you make wake up to find mercenaries taken up residence in the palace with you!>Send some basics down to the gate, several carts of food and drink. Not enough to host a feast, but to help your mercenaries see the mob back to town with, once their anger is settled. Also doubling, to keep your mercenaries busy and outside for the time being.>Something else?
>>5549342>Perhaps not a proper speech, but inspiring encouragement to your supporters now that you've taken this stronghold?
>>5548698>Give up one of the treasure wagons to the people. Organized distribution of course, not just mad and bloody chaos. It will be a severe blow to your new wealth, but you'll trade a wagon of plunder for your palace any day.>>5548913>We’re evil, get used to it.That doesn’t mean we have to be stupid. Way I see it, if the garrison of this palace was large enough that it could have seriously dented our mercenary force to take it back, then it still had plenty of troops. And we need loyal troops. Not just armed rabble after rape and loot, but trained soldiers. Throwing the garrison to the crowd deprives the palace of better protections, and deprived us of otherwise useful soldiers. Currently, those soldiers are harder to replace than the gold.
>>5549342>>Send some basics down to the gate, several carts of food and drink. Not enough to host a feast, but to help your mercenaries see the mob back to town with, once their anger is settled. Also doubling, to keep your mercenaries busy and outside for the time being."We take care of our people here."
>>5549357Too little, too late. Damnit.>>5549342>Perhaps not a proper speech, but inspiring encouragement to your supporters now that you've taken this stronghold?>Send some basics down to the gate, several carts of food and drink. Not enough to host a feast, but to help your mercenaries see the mob back to town with, once their anger is settled. Also doubling, to keep your mercenaries busy and outside for the time being.We are charismatic, and winning the loyalty of the townsfolk helps ensure that the lord of the town, and the local baron will have to face down a very angry mob of peasants if they decide to switch sides.
>>5549342>>How can you sleep when there's so much to do? So many things to make sure happen or don't happen, ground rules to establish... why, if you don't stay up all night officiating, then you make wake up to find mercenaries taken up residence in the palace with you!
>>5549341>Perhaps not a proper speech, but inspiring encouragement to your supporters now that you've taken this stronghold?>How can you sleep when there's so much to do? So many things to make sure happen or don't happen, ground rules to establish... why, if you don't stay up all night officiating, then you make wake up to find mercenaries taken up residence in the palace with you!>Send some basics down to the gate, several carts of food and drink. Not enough to host a feast, but to help your mercenaries see the mob back to town with, once their anger is settled. Also doubling, to keep your mercenaries busy and outside for the time being.All of the above
>>5549342>Send some basics down to the gate, several carts of food and drink. Not enough to host a feast, but to help your mercenaries see the mob back to town with, once their anger is settled. Also doubling, to keep your mercenaries busy and outside for the time being.
>>5549342>>Perhaps not a proper speech, but inspiring encouragement to your supporters now that you've taken this stronghold?
>>5549342>Perhaps not a proper speech, but inspiring encouragement to your supporters now that you've taken this stronghold?>Send some basics down to the gate, several carts of food and drink. Not enough to host a feast, but to help your mercenaries see the mob back to town with, once their anger is settled. Also doubling, to keep your mercenaries busy and outside for the time being.
>>5549352I’m>>5549359Changing vote to..>Perhaps not a proper speech, but inspiring encouragement to your supporters now that you've taken this stronghold?>Send some basics down to the gate, several carts of food and drink. Not enough to host a feast, but to help your mercenaries see the mob back to town with, once their anger is settled. Also doubling, to keep your mercenaries busy and outside for the time being.>>5549369>>5549381>>5549481If you guys don’t mind I’ll be writing the inspiring wordsWell done. Well done, all of you. With your help, we are one step closer from removing Louis from the throne and preventing further misuse of power. Once our men have secured the castle, we will be sending carts of nourishments to the gates. There is still much to be done to restore this castle to its former glory. I ask that the civilians return to their homes once they have received their food. You’ve done well tonight. No need to stay up late — that’s what my soldiers are for.
>>5549575Support
>>5549342>>5549560supporting
>>5549575???Did you reply to the wrong post?
>>5549575+1
Probably no post today or at least not till late tonight. Till then though you can figure out what your plan moving forward is now, since you've managed to take the palace and finally have a location from which to operate and build power.
>>5549575nice text, anon
>>5549342>>Send some basics down to the gate, several carts of food and drink. Not enough to host a feast, but to help your mercenaries see the mob back to town with, once their anger is settled. Also doubling, to keep your mercenaries busy and outside for the time being
Alright, if anybody cares, here’s my analysis:Mallines is a solid choice to operate from. It has access to the sea, granting us much greater maneuverability to our forces—if we can secure ships—and allows us to import goods and resources, assuming the appropriate infrastructure exists. The northern borders are protected by natural terrain like the mountains and hills (B), leaving only the gap we probably entered through most vulnerable (A).Our most immediate concerns should be securing all of Mallines, followed by ensuring that gap has adequate forces to defend it and establish a base of supplies necessary to launch an invasion from. We can accomplish the first by conquering the local noble houses, or more preferably by converting them to our cause. Tearing apart their own holdings and slaughtering their soldiers (like we did with the palace defenders AHEM AHEM) will only convince others who have yet to pick a side that we may not have their best interests at heart (we don’t, but they don’t need to know that yet). It would likely result in the destruction of their holdings, which we could make use of. Every lord we ally is that many more trained soldiers, intact defenses, and local resources at our disposal. If we’re smart with our maneuvers, we can have our allied lords suffer the brunt of the casualties along the course of the war, leaving them too weak to oppose our complete power later on. As it stands, we desperately need forces truly loyal to us and not just the chances for pillaging we can promise. The mercenaries are a decent army for the time being, but they lack discipline and structure, and are little concerned with following our orders directly. We need to eliminate them eventually, too. There are ways we could go about the construction of our own army.1: We could begin a campaign of recruitment among the local commoners—who are already fiercely loyal to us—but we’ll need a source of arms and armor to equip them, as well as people to train them. Having mercenary captains train them wouldn’t be the best, given the lack of discipline it would instill, but we could probably do it more easily. The other option is we hire out knights and captains from our allies to do it. This would be much better.2: There is a chance, if we use our courtly training, that we could even hire troops directly from allied houses. Quick, but costly. They won’t give up troops for free, but it will leave them weakened, too. That could be to our advantage later on, but troops that used to serve them may not be so keen on fighting their former allies in the future.Either way, our objectives should be securing the control of this region and the gap at (B) which is paramount, and constructing a force capable of opposing our brother, and later on, the houses that might turn on us when they learn our true nature. If we play it out right, and convince the nearby houses to join us, we might just kill two birds with one stone there.
>>5550504Supporting all of this, as long as i can be the portmaster.
What is the technology level, QM?Are guns invented yet? Which type of ignition?
>>5550504Once we have Mallines and the gap under our finger, we need to be quick to cut off supplies and support to our brother. I assume he resides in Jeudeil, which ought to be the crownlands. Fortunately, the choke points in the sea and along the border to the southern half of the kingdom make this relatively easy. A quick rush will allow us to establish defenses to protect our controlled lands along the lines of (A). The mountains and hills on the western half of (A) should make that terrain very easily defensible, and thus able to be held by a relatively small force. That will allow concentration of the rest of our forces along the eastern and southern parts of (A). When (A) is held, we ought to gain control of the coasts of (B) and (C). By launching an assault to the northeast coast of (B), we can control the sea beside, which, along with our lines at (A), will completely cut the kingdom in half and sever our brother from the south. He would be near entirely unable to control or influence anything below Jeudeil leaving him stuck north and with the south completely on its own as well.Afterwards, to facilitate protection of Mallines’ own coast from counter-attacks from the south, we should take control of the coast along (C). It will also give us a foothold to begin taking the rest of the southern-half of the kingdom.Sorry for the walls of text, but I love military history and such, and this is making my inner autism go to full power.>>5550509>As long as I can be the port master Hell yeah, dude.
>>5550504>securing the control of this region and the gap at (B)I meant (A) here.
>>5550504Agreed on the need to get rid of the mercenaries eventually. I've been thinking of them being reformed into some sort of shock-troopers, a private militia, or some sort of French Legion styled army (they were compromised of would-be adventurers and would-be mercs I think, so that's where I got the idea from).>>5550539This is a good plan. As long as nothing unexpected happens it should work.
>>5550560>French Legion*French Foreign Legion
>>5550562>>5550560That makes sense. It’d also be a more efficient use of the manpower than just killing them off.
Posting to follow after this>>5550513In this feudal age, things could be thought of as high medieval. As for ignition weapons, alchemist sorts and sorcerers are often capable of such things but expect high cost. Possible but usually prohibitive to all but the wealthiest sorts.>>5550539Nothing wrong with this amount of detail, I welcome planning and cooperation among players! It most definitely will help in your path ahead.Also planning like this will bring bonuses when attempting such things.
>>5549352>>5549357>>5549359>>5549369>>5549381>>5549402>>5549481>>5549504>>5549527>>5549560>>5549575>>5549772>>5549832>>5549878>>5550049More than anything you'd love to rush to your old room here in the palace and jump on the bed, letting the comfort carry you to an actual good night's rest for once. Climbing the steps of the main entrance however, you're aware of the accompanying force with you from behind and wonder what you should do. Both for their hopes as they look to you with anticipation after this victory, and in some attempt to keep them from just barging into your home along with you."...well done. Well done, all of you! With your help, we are one step closer from removing Louis from the throne and preventing further misuse of power. Once our men have secured the estate, we will be sending carts of nourishment to the gates. There is still much to be done to restore this palace to its former glory!"Maybe not your most heartfelt speech, but now that you have the palace your position as queen is all the more significant. And as much as you believe a monarch should be allowed, it's certainly not the place for a queen to be inspiring her men towards hope and action with her words. No, your dignified authority should be enough for that. "I ask that the civilians are returned to their homes once they have received their food. You all have done well tonight! No need for the peasants to stay - that is what you, my soldiers are for!"A simple decree, but your first one. Letting your men see the angry mob back to Delise, after some more appeasement to keep their tempers all the way. The commoners served their purpose so getting rid of them now is important, the last thing you want is peasants wandering onto the estate and lingering. Tasking your men with this however also benefits you because it means they too, the mercenaries, also won't be tramping into your palace and making themselves at home. You wouldn't have been able to prevent this yourself otherwise and to some extent you still can't; the commanders and captains of the various companies still consider themselves peers, and thus privy to residence. Fortunately by nature of their ranks they are higher quality fellows than the commoners, but still uncouth lowborn who you desire little to do with!In any case however, a good portion of your force depart with the mob to escort or goad the troublemakers home. Some of your force remains in case of need to defend, but with the commanders gaining access to the palace they deem that their privilege and thus above their men. The common soldiers are set to encamp on the estate grounds, with food and drink of course that they can celebrate the victory.A sneer to your face, seeing your family's pristine grounds sullied by an occupying force, but hopefully in time they will be gone. For you, all that matters now is your reclaimed home and access to its halls.
>After these eventful few days, you wish to retire so that you'll be rested for the busy day tomorrow. A worthy excuse to avoid these "guests".>A celebratory feast in the grand hall is in order, nothing crazy but a pleasant affair at least. More to reward the commanders of your men, keep them swayed with a taste of luxury.>This wouldn't be a homecoming if you didn't enjoy yourself. Celebrate, party, make a mess of things and have some fun! The servant staff can affirm their loyalty by cleaning up the mess tomorrow.>Take stock of things, what you have to your cause that you can count on. Resources, men, support and more. A chance to determine the state of the palace and your position before settling in.>Something else?
>>5551162>Take stock of things, what you have to your cause that you can count on. Resources, men, support and more. A chance to determine the state of the palace and your position before settling in.Got to make sure nothing disappears during the party
>>5551162>Take stock of things, what you have to your cause that you can count on. Resources, men, support and more. A chance to determine the state of the palace and your position before settling in.We need to take stock of what we have and what we need to get. >>5550504 >>5550539 is a REALLY, REALLY good plan. We need to work towards doing this. especially we need naval resources, if we can cut Louis's ocean trade off, he is going to be hurting BADLY. Look for shipwrights and ships we can buy/seize.
>>5551162>Take stock of things, what you have to your cause that you can count on. Resources, men, support and more. A chance to determine the state of the palace and your position before settling in.
>>5551162>Take stock of things, what you have to your cause that you can count on. Resources, men, support and more. A chance to determine the state of the palace and your position before settling in.By and far this. Information is power.
>>5551178We also need to look for, or build, a port to store our ships at. It's a good thing that you don't need to go out looking for a portmaster. :)
>>5551224>A port to stash boats at. Our ultimate goal is to get our hands on Laroux's harbors. We do that the war ends within months. Until then im sure there are a few ports in this province that we can take advantage of.
>>5551224Delise is a port city. Small, but still.
>>5551162>Take stock of things, what you have to your cause that you can count on. Resources, men, support and more. A chance to determine the state of the palace and your position before settling in.But also try to get a proper rest.
>>5551162>Take stock of things, what you have to your cause that you can count on. Resources, men, support and more. A chance to determine the state of the palace and your position before settling in.I'm also in support of >>5550504 >>5550539 as a plan moving forwards.The sooner we can get it done the better, since our brother might consolidate if we let him.
>>5551162>>This wouldn't be a homecoming if you didn't enjoy yourself. Celebrate, party, make a mess of things and have some fun! The servant staff can affirm their loyalty by cleaning up the mess tomorrow.
>>5551162>>Take stock of things, what you have to your cause that you can count on. Resources, men, support and more. A chance to determine the state of the palace and your position before settling in.
>>5551168+1>>5551140I assume plate armor has been invented?
>>5551296>The sooner we can get it done the better, since our brother might consolidate if we let himExactly. Speed is always a major advantage in warfare. I’m the anon that proposed the plans above, but you bring up a key point about our brother attempting to consolidate that I forgot to explain about before.Part of the plan is garnering more support. Cutting off the southern half of the kingdom does more than just weaken our brother and the south’s resources, it deprives them of information and morale. Any nobles still on the fence about which side to join, even the ones who may have been only partially in support of our brother will be significantly more likely to turn to our cause. The pragmatic ones, seeing that they’ll have absolutely no help from our brother—no soldiers, no gold, no food, not even morale support—with our armies bearing down from the north, will immediately realize how bad their position could be. With contact cut off, for all they know, our armies already have the capital besieged, and our brother has all but lost. Once their neighboring houses begin to turn to our side, it’ll only press upon them how much smarter it would be to swear themselves by us, rather than face down our armies alone.The smarter ones will probably sit the fence, not supporting us, nor our brother, but we might be able to sway them with our courtly training (we really did make a good choice going for that).
>>5551162>Take stock of things, what you have to your cause that you can count on. Resources, men, support and more. A chance to determine the state of the palace and your position before settling in.If we wish to wield absolute power, we must know what we have available to wield!>>5550504Late adding onto this, but I’d suggest moving the “capital” of the nation here permanently by decree. If not, then somewhere else suitable in the region The chance for greater influence in the running of the nation as a whole (travel times are nothing to sneeze at in this era) ought to tempt Mallines’ lords to back us over Louis. It’ll harden the crownlands against us, but we’re not expecting much sympathy up there.Might be Laroix that we declare as the capital instead? It was already stated as the “capital of the south” so it’s well-recognized and not too far from Mallines.
>>5551397Agreed once more. But we also have to make sure they don't get any ideas of independence from either side (at least not permanently). I'm sure at least a couple of them will make demands in exchange for their loyalty.>>5551408Moving the capital to somewhere more strategic should be an eventual goal. Laroux is indeed an optimal choice for the time being. Though even permanently ruling from there isn't a bad thing.
>>5551408Going with Laroux would also probably gain us more support with the south, so I think I can back this idea up.>>5551426>I'm sure at least a couple of them will make demands in exchange for their loyalty.Oh, they absolutely will. We’ll have to be careful to set things up further down the line to leave them too weak to oppose us. That’ll be a plan that’ll have to develop over time as things play out, but you’re right. We’ll need to keep an eye on our Allies as much as our brother. It might even be worth our time to invest in spies working inside our noble’s houses, so that we know what they’re up to and can’t catch us off guard. We could even have ‘envoys’ of a sorts sent out to facilitate cooperation and synchronization of our forces, but who can also perform the dual role of keeping us up to date on their goings-on.
>>5551162>>This wouldn't be a homecoming if you didn't enjoy yourself. Celebrate, party, make a mess of things and have some fun! The servant staff can affirm their loyalty by cleaning up the mess tomorrow.Let's loosen up and actually play the tyrant
>>5551440Spies and envoy informants are a good idea, though we'd first have to establish some way to ensure their loyalty (or just handpick our more fanatical loyalists to do the job).Maybe even create a specialized agency for spy work?
>>5551355Yes, although usually that's only for knights who can afford it.
>>5551478The easiest way to do that would be to focus our efforts in the capital, and centralize it so that decisions that are beyond the remit of a single region (negotiations between between regions regarding trade, for example) must be signed off on by a group of ministers located in the capital. Possibly the Queen herself if it impacts enough. Every lord would need couriers and lesser nobles parading in and out of the capital to conduct business, which gives our local network time to work on converting those people to serve as informants.We may eventually be forced to allow other cities to host regions where such business can be conducted for efficiency, but centralizing all decision-making in our capital makes sense from an “absolute power” perspective.
>>5550539>>5551224Ok we got the warmaster and portmaster and I’m the speech guy we’re gaming
>>5551552This is smart. If we can play this off smoothly, garnering enough justification to waive the concerns of those who think might be misused, then we’ve got a solid step towards keeping things close to where we want it, and under our heel.
This ended up taking much longer to write/post than anticipated, but I'll provide some of what I have in the meantime.Otherwise, looks like a majority for>>5551168>>5551178>>5551186>>5551200>>5551254>>5551296>>5551317>>5551341>>5551398>>5551408>>5551461>Take stock of things, what you have to your cause that you can count on.How many other things you would rather do than menial bookkeeping, shouldn't you have someone to do this for you? At least you don't have to deal with any ledgers but walking through the grand halls and rooms of your home, as the servants stumble over themselves to appease you and the mercenary commanders, you figure there isn't much point to all this if you can't keep it. And to do that, you have to know what you're capable of. As boring as it may be, and lamentable for a first night of proper royal victory, you feel it would be for the best to start taking things at least a little more seriously. So let the commanders enjoy themselves by your hospitality, on the backs of your family. Whatever it takes to keep them satisfied and loyal, while you call for an assistant from among the staff. Let Emelie enjoy herself in your stead for you have work to do.Indeed much of what you have to account for, actually sits outside the palace. Wandering the grounds between the fires and tents of your encamped forces, you make for a welcome and inspiring sight among the men. Giving cheer and singing your praises into the night, although your purpose is clear in taking stock of what you have to your name.First and foremost of course, would be the mercenaries. Five companies in total, a few thousand men strong, loyal so long as they believe their cause to be yours;>Brothers in Arms, led by Sir Rannald. A versatile gathering of Dalmace veterans including low nobles, who continue to carry their weapons between wars. The largest company able to cover all fields adequately.>The Espadines, led by Capitan Morez. Foreigners of Estanya, an adaptive force of light cavalry, changing tactics and equipment per battle needs. This is the mounted force of your army.>Defenders of Coligni, led by Comandante Marco. Foreigners of Inalos, an exclusively ranged force famous for their crossbows and extreme kill ratios. They also have the highest demands however, befitting their reputation. >The Black Bears, led by Herr Franz. Foreigners of Gostolnes, a stern and disciplined bunch of heavy shock infantry. Significantly armed and armored although lesser in number.>Mighty Marcel's Merry Marauders, led by Marcel himself! A disorganized mess of all sorts, no discipline to speak of. Because of this however, there are some magic wielders and even a few mythical creatures. At least they aren't foreigners.
Then there's your loyalists. Good and true men sworn by oath, although you are obligated to them. Your reputation more than money matters here;>Duke Jacquard, lord of Pettin. Your highest supporter and uncle, who rules over northern Mallines. Although not all his domain is yet sworn to you, Jacquard seems reliable to be able to govern and rally his own region.>Marquise Sechal, lady of Beudan. Widow of a highest Jeudail noble who opposed, and was executed by your brother for treason. Though she is in exile like you, she is revered and greatly sympathized with as a symbol of injustice by the usurper.>Vidame Hector, castellan of Montblanc. A holy order of warriors in Mallines, from the immensely revered fortress-monastery sworn to support your family for your divine blood. >Baron Michel, lord of Troweil. One of the several barons in support of you, but the only current one of southern Mallines. Notable for being the lord of the domain which the winter palace presides over, including a few supporting towns and the nearby port city. Lastly would be figures you could perhaps lean on, with some diplomacy;>Elodie and Tristan, your younger sister and brother. Besides Louis your traitor younger brother, you have two other siblings, each a princess and prince respectively with loyalists their own. Neither of them were residing in Jeudail at the time of the coup, and though they have not opposed your brother you likewise haven't heard of their support.>Reichsfurst Gustav, your betrothed. As it had been you were pledged to marry this fellow of neighboring Gostolnes, but by your own ascension to queen many would consider such vows null. Still favorable to your cause however, but worth noting that you yourself now represent a valuable potential wife to a prospective ally.>High Holiness Baldwin, head of the church across the continent. He surely would frown upon your brother's actions, and his endorsement would lend you support of most bishops of Dalmace, and of course faith of the people.>The Blue Veil, secret society. Although known to exist, you're only familiar with rumors. An old and troublesome element within Dalmace stemming from an ancient feud. Though not directly opposed, their difficult influence has been often persecuted but never eradicated. Surely they would step forward for a chance at your table. Notably not the only sort of secretive society, just the most famous but you could probably find any sort of shadowy group which would favor any particular belief of yours. The same could be said for alternative religions or holy sects, but that's a bit of a touchy subject in regards to the church.>The Royal Academie of War, hall of heroes. Listed here as just one example, but across Dalmace and beyond are various renown institutes, colleges and guilds, whose alliance you could seek. Really just a matter of what you're looking for, though in some regards you could expect existing loyalties to your brother.
>>5551563Ugh. Does that leave me as either the politician or the spymaster? I can assist as backup speech guy at least. I’m definitely happy to leave war and trade to others.>>5551579It’s straightforward to play it off as as an effort to hear and address the needs of the lords at first. There should be several initial rounds of important lords coming to the capital to pay fealty to the Queen and hobknob with other nobles as they relearn the landscape. In that time, we can plant the initial seeds of the spy network among the “regular” coterie that accompanies each lord and lady. Those seeds will spread out as they return home.When we announce the change, we can allow those plants to whisper that Emelie stated it’s just the act of a Queen trying to understand the full weight of the realm, that in time she’ll return control to the local lords as she realizes it is more efficient. It’s a lie, of course, but the plants don’t need to know that now do they? They just get to feel important and smart since our closest confidant whispered in their ears about how “vulnerable” the Queen truly is. The trap will come later, when we can alter agreements to further our own ends or turn the lords against each other. After all, the Queen would rule based on the documents her city produced from the archives.
>>5551593>Brothers in Arms>Mighty Marcel's Merry MaraudersThese guys are biggest and I think will be most useful for taking the >>5550539 (B) and (A) since our reputation there doesn't matter as much comapred to in MallinesNot sure about which of the loyalists or allies to trust yet. I'll let you guys figure that one out.>>5551600Yeah sure I could use a backup speech guy
And then besides interpersonal resources, there's physical holdings;>The Winter Palace, your new capital. A royal hold along the high rocky cliffs of the Bay of Bessal, in Classe the southern county of Mallines. More a fancy residential estate than a stronghold, although it has some fortifications like a large and strong wall encircling the estate. The palace itself is more a royal symbol than productive holding, however it is famed for it's orchards that span the grounds. Fruit from here is a major benefit diplomatically.>Apellen, a small landed city. Central to the barony for organization and production purposes, also the political seat.>Delise, a small port city. A ways down the coast, important because it is the only sufficient sea-access for the barony due to the cliffs of the coast otherwise.>Lisdrey, Ceudau, Rostry, the three farming towns of the barony and most important for their agricultural output as the majority for the region.Notably in all of Dalmace, these holdings probably matter little (besides your palace) however they are important because you personally have claim and ownership of them all directly. Even if you could one day become rightful queen of all Dalmace, as per the feudal system the country would be divided up in governance among nobility and such. Of course that could change if you maintain and enforce your belief in absolute power for the monarch. But besides all of that, here and now, these holdings you effectively are the absolute power already.Besides people and holdings then, is wealth. Unfortunately however you had to flee Jeudail so weren't able to bring much of your own belongings that weren't lost along the way. However you were able to at least keep... or steal one royal item of regalia.>The Royal Seal. Ring of your father, crest of your dynasty. Until you gain more power this isn't much use to you, but your brother lacking it means a real hindrance to his decrees.>Isabella's Amber. Ring of your namesake, queen to the founder. The old legend suggests that the pair of rings were bound and could locate one another at any distance. Probably useless there but the highest status regalia which would undoubtedly position as a queen in your own right.>Zeni's Gift. Ring of ruin, accursed thing. A simple gold band though fabled to be horribly cursed, but surely a queen of royal blood shouldn't worry of such things? Would allow for communion with mighty creatures and entities, yet greatly coveted by them.>Eye of Mallais. Ring of the goddess, part of the whole. Straying into myth now and supposedly a piece of the goddess, this ring set with a beautiful moonstone can per lunar cycle, bestow some trait or feature upon the wearer... whatever they may desire. However as part of a supposed ancient agreement with other races... if you believe such things to even exist, then actually getting caught or seen wearing this ring would be a severe sin to the church, and extreme taboo to all others.>Something else?
>>5551552Centralizing can be useful for us, especially with the couriers being part of our potential spy system.But we have to make sure they aren't more loyal to the aristocracy than towards us, since a double agent could prove fatal for us. Yet I suppose that would be handled by any local network, though we'd have to actually get it running with trusted leaders before anything.>>5551593Seeing all of these mercenary groups makes me more hopeful in creating a French Foreign Legion variant.>>5551605Wait, are we supposed to be voting here? I thought this was just showcasing the different groups under us.>>5551619>The Royal Seal. Ring of your father, crest of your dynasty. Until you gain more power this isn't much use to you, but your brother lacking it means a real hindrance to his decrees.This will pay off in the long run, and has the potential to make our brother get less support.
>>5551619>>Isabella's Amber. Ring of your namesake, queen to the founder. The old legend suggests that the pair of rings were bound and could locate one another at any distance. Probably useless there but the highest status regalia which would undoubtedly position as a queen in your own right.
>>5551619>>Eye of Mallais. Ring of the goddess, part of the whole. Straying into myth now and supposedly a piece of the goddess, this ring set with a beautiful moonstone can per lunar cycle, bestow some trait or feature upon the wearer... whatever they may desire. However as part of a supposed ancient agreement with other races... if you believe such things to even exist, then actually getting caught or seen wearing this ring would be a severe sin to the church, and extreme taboo to all others.THE most powerful item we could get currentlySeek strength and the rest will follow.>>5551621no im just saying these guys could be useful im not voting
>>5551621>>5551605>>5551593Apologies if it wasn't clear, and based on the voting as greentexts so far I can see how it would be. But no, this accounting of your "belongings" is not a vote. Only when options include a >Something else?are they a vote, to provide for player creativity if they want something different from the choices I offer.
>>5551629>>5551628I see, my bad.
And last of all is simple finances. Again, you weren't able to bring much of anything with you in your escape from Jeudail, but from your time spent marauding you've managed to accumulate five wagon's worth of plundered treasure.Unfortunately there's a bit of a problem into what is spoken for, since the mercenaries lay claim to the wagons as much as you do. As queen they will allow you to have one wagon to yourself, but the other four they demand for themselves... unless you can come up with some better use of the treasure, or convince them otherwise. The benefit though is that for a full wagon, you own their contracts outright for five years. Although mercenaries are a fickle bunch so could find any reason to dishonor their contracts, just on the matter of money they wouldn't be able to be paid off by rivals... probably.Still, even with one wagon you could accomplish much. Whether it be to hire more mercenaries, obtain arms and armor or exotic equipment, buy property or ships, invest in something, pay others off or secure loyalties. Whatever you see fit. In any case though, you seem satisfied with this basic assessment of what you can claim to hold for your cause. There may be other things if you want to consider or investigate [Player specify?] but for the most part this comprises the sum total of your power.Other than that... well you've missed the opportunity by now, late into the night, to join the proper festivities. You could still find some way to entertain yourself you suppose, or just call it a night.>No more fuss, time for sleep.>See if you can't find some food, drink, and company, what little there may be left but better than nothing.>Fetch something from the royal wine cellar and have your own good time by yourself.>Some years since you've been back to the palace, and your first real night as queen... you'd appreciate the time alone, some peaceful wandering of the moonlit grounds and seaside cliffs.>Something else?
>>5551641>>See if you can't find some food, drink, and company, what little there may be left but better than nothing
>>5551641>>Fetch something from the royal wine cellar and have your own good time by yourself.Im not getting jumped while looking at a cliff lol
>>5551641>No more fuss, time for sleep.Being well rested is important for being the best tyrant we could hope to be.
>>5551619>The Royal Seal. Ring of your father, crest of your dynasty. Until you gain more power this isn't much use to you, but your brother lacking it means a real hindrance to his decrees.We just start pumping out royal decrees with this bad boy
>>5551641>No more fuss, time for sleep.I see my Inability to read to the end strikes again
>>5551619>>Zeni's Gift. Ring of ruin, accursed thing. A simple gold band though fabled to be horribly cursed, but surely a queen of royal blood shouldn't worry of such things? Would allow for communion with mighty creatures and entities, yet greatly coveted by them.>>5551641>See if you can't find some food, drink, and company, what little there may be left but better than nothing.
>>5551641Alright, for our item, hear me out:>Something else?>The Blade of the Conquerer, a gilded, bejeweled sword ostensibly wielded by the founder of Dalmace himself. Although one blade is of little use alone, its legendary status inspires respect and awe among knights, soldiers, and the more martially inclined.Morale is of immense importance to troops, and a legendary artifact of war should inspire them to greater bravery, and to keep fighting against dire odds. We might also use it to bestow knighthood upon some of our mercenary captains, or other heroes, hopefully giving them greater cause to stay loyal to us. But if nobody is down for this, just swap me to>The Royal SealAs for tonight, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to make merry soon enough. Let’s grab a bottle of wine and hit our comfy bed.>No more fuss, time for sleep. But maybe snag a bottle of wine for yourself.Now that I know what kind of forces we’re working with here, I have much better ideas of how we’re going to go about our campaign to take back Mallines and cut the kingdom in half.
>>5551707I’m in assuming the sword looks like this
>>5551709Looks good to me. Is that from something?
>>5551711It is!https://chroniclesofeverfall.fandom.com/wiki/ImperiousTLDR: extra long sidesword made by fantasy Joseph Stalin
>>5551712Although I know nothing about this setting, I respect and approve that you chose the image of a sword described as being “the most desirable in the world.”
>>5551641>Fetch something from the royal wine cellar and have your own good time by yourself.
>>5551641>No more fuss, time for sleep.Partying is for those who don't plan on becoming absolute
>>5551641>No more fuss, time for sleepGrindset
>>5551619>Isabella's Amber. Ring of your namesake, queen to the founder. The old legend suggests that the pair of rings were bound and could locate one another at any distance. Probably useless there but the highest status regalia which would undoubtedly position as a queen in your own right.>>5551641>Fetch something from the royal wine cellar and have your own good time by yourself.
>>5551619>>The Royal Seal. Ring of your father, crest of your dynasty. Until you gain more power this isn't much use to you, but your brother lacking it means a real hindrance to his decrees.>>No more fuss, time for sleep.
>>5551641I’ll back in the:>The Blade of the Conquerer, a gilded, bejeweled sword ostensibly wielded by the founder of Dalmace himself. Although one blade is of little use alone, its legendary status inspires respect and awe among knights, soldiers, and the more martially inclined.From here >>5551707Otherwise I’ll vote for>The Royal Seal>>5551641>Fetch something from the royal wine cellar and have your own good time by yourself.
>>5551619I like these ones>Isabella's Amber. >The Royal Seal.>The Blade of the Conquerer.I'll choose which one I like more later of there's a tie >>5551641>Fetch something from the royal wine cellar and have your own good time by yourself.
>>5551593>>5551595>>5551619These are nice stuff you have written, Vizier. Congratulations! This makes the world even more interesting!I like the Black Bears a lot. It's simple and effective. Also I like bears. I wanna merry Herr Franz and lay down on his naked, big, strong, manly and furry chest every night.>>5551641>See if you can't find some food, drink, and company, what little there may be left but better than nothing.Let's hope to find Herr Franz. Every tyrant and smart queen like us needs a strong man by our side. A perfectly balanced duo.
>>5551872We are not fucking some dirty Merc. And if we are, mighty Marcel is clearly the superior choice!
>>5551881Marcel's mercenary group is called "Merry Marauders". Even in the madness and savage of a maurader, there is intelligence and wits. This means "treason" in our future. We need no man of some sorts by our side. It's too risky. Let us have some muscleman we can control and can satisfy our apetites. Which reminds me we "technically" are already promised to Reichsfurst Gustav. Maybe he can accept we having multiple lovers, while he can have his (but we obviously would regulatehis lovers so no smart ass hooker can try to get in his head)Then we can have Herr Franz AND Marcel.
>>5551893Begone coomer, return to the darkness whence you came!
>>5551893Well not that it should concern you right now, but at some point you could consider the issue of matrimony. Obviously as a queen you have great worth to any partner, and potential ally. Why, suppose you married some neighboring king, then with a whole other country's military supporting your claim, your brother wouldn't stand a chance... or more deviously for your own tyrannical ambitions, gaining claim to new lands via marriage. Just imagine not only retaking Dalmace in your reign but doubling the size!On the other hand though, depending on which partner may harm your legitimacy. As well, the risk to your authority that a husband would present due to the bothersome gender laws and norms.
>>5552059A tyrant queen will take what's hers. Laws and customs be damned.
>>5552059I interpret this as “become betrothed to an underage prince, ‘arrange’ for them to take the throne, and assume regency over the nation until they become older” so we can change laws.Our spy network is going to go through its paces.
>>5551641>Eye of Mallais. Ring of the goddess, part of the whole. Straying into myth now and supposedly a piece of the goddess, this ring set with a beautiful moonstone can per lunar cycle, bestow some trait or feature upon the wearer... whatever they may desire. However as part of a supposed ancient agreement with other races... if you believe such things to even exist, then actually getting caught or seen wearing this ring would be a severe sin to the church, and extreme taboo to all others.>See if you can't find some food, drink, and company, what little there may be left but better than nothing.
>>5551641>The Blade of the Conquerer, a gilded, bejeweled sword ostensibly wielded by the founder of Dalmace himself. Although one blade is of little use alone, its legendary status inspires respect and awe among knights, soldiers, and the more martially inclined.Cool blade and ancestral stuff. Plus we can give the blade to a bodyguard we may or may not get close to at night.>Fetch something from the royal wine cellar and have your own good time by yourself.I want anons to play a character not as an ultra efficient pragmatist for once.
>>5551619>>The Royal Seal. Ring of your father, crest of your dynasty. Until you gain more power this isn't much use to you, but your brother lacking it means a real hindrance to his decrees.>See if you can't find some food, drink, and company, what little there may be left but better than nothing.
>>5551641>The Blade of the Conquerer, a gilded, bejeweled sword ostensibly wielded by the founder of Dalmace himself. Although one blade is of little use alone, its legendary status inspires respect and awe among knights, soldiers, and the more martially inclined.>See if you can't find some food, drink, and company, what little there may be left but better than nothing.
>>5551641>Isabella's Amber. Ring of your namesake, queen to the founder. The old legend suggests that the pair of rings were bound and could locate one another at any distance. Probably useless there but the highest status regalia which would undoubtedly position as a queen in your own right.>See if you can't find some food, drink, and company, what little there may be left but better than nothing.
>>5551872>>5551881>>5551893>>5552059Although I’m loathe to associate ourself in such a way to anybody we can’t immediately trust (I feel like Emilie is about the only named individual we could trust to keep things secret so far, not that I’m making a suggestion), we have to consider the political consequences of being found consorting with non-nobles in such a way. Any kind of relationship or fun would have to be kept very secretive. As far as our formerly betrothed goes, I’m worried about his and his nation’s own schemes and desires. Marrying him would make him king, which would rob us of a huge portion of our power and independence. We’d need to establish what kind of individual he is first, and whether we could easily control or manipulate him. Hell, he might just be all for being a tyrant along side us, but that’s a long shot. I will admit that if things go south for us in our war efforts, having his entire nation allied to our cause, and its soldiers at our assistance would shift things dramatically in our favor. The positioning of his nation right beside the eastern half of northern Dalmace would allow his kingdom to threaten our brother’s western flank, which would force him to divide his forces, thus weakening him. He also borders us to the north, which would allow us to easily receive reinforcements and resources easily. There are many things to consider.
Tally time!>>5551621>>5551660>>5551768>>5552155>Royal Seal>>5551626>>5551765>>5552227>Isabella's Amber>>5551675>Zeni's Gift>>5551628>>5552105>Eye of Mallais>>5551707>>5551799>>5552129>>5552203>Blade of the ConquerorSeems then like a tie between the Seal and the Blade. Will give a chance for anyone to weigh in on their decision or change votes, or if anyone hasn't chosen yet. Since this particular choice doesn't immediately matter though, can continue on with the majority for the other choice;>>5552227>>5552203>>5552155>>5552129>>5552105>>5551872>>5551812>>5551799>>5551768>>5551765>>5551749>>5551738>>5551729>>5551707>>5551675>>5551665>>5551657>>5551647>>5551643>>5551707>No more fuss, time for sleep. But maybe snag a bottle of wine for yourself.Looks like almost a tie again, but of the three majority options these two aren't mutually exclusive whereas seeking to celebrate and have fun with others is.
>>5552321>Seems then like a tie between the Seal and the Blade.*due to a floating vote, that is. But again, anyone can try and affirm or change their choice in the meantime.
>>5552322I haven’t voted yet I believe. In support of the local write-in economy, I’ll go>The Blade of the Conquerer, a gilded, bejeweled sword ostensibly wielded by the founder of Dalmace himself. Although one blade is of little use alone, its legendary status inspires respect and awe among knights, soldiers, and the more martially inclined.
To make a case for the seal, I invite everyone to have a look at the 3 kingdoms period in China. The seal not only gives us a ton of legitimacy, it also allows us to issue properly stamped rolyal edicts, and this alone might be enough to sway lords loyal to the crown to our cause, receiving an official order.
>>5552321I'll settle for the blade>>5551812I'm this anon
>>5552331Yep, legitimacy trumps some shiney sword any day, not like we're some warrior king wading through the thick of combat in any case.
>>5552341The sword, just like the Amber, should give us legitimacy too.What the seal would do is reduce our brother's legitimacy as well.
>>5552344I think I just convinced myself to go for the seal.The Amber was my preferred choice of the three anyway>>5552333>>5551812Changing to>The Royal Seal.
My plan for the blade, in addition to using it to knight those we deem worthy (or foolishly loyal enough), is to lend it to our allied nobles or mercenary captains as a gesture of faith in their service and missions, which will hopefully humble them with the weight of such a responsibility. In addition, it gives them much more cause for loyalty, seeing as if they were to lose the sword, or turn against us after being bestowed such an honor, it would seriously harm their reputation. It’d be harder for them to find employment elsewhere if so.It also serves as a metaphorical symbol of re-conquest of the Kingdom, having supposedly been the blade used by the founder. The educated among the nobility will recognize this for what it is, and will lend us the reputation as the one who has come to reunite the kingdom again.
>>5552354My vote is still for the blade, but if it comes down to a tie again, switch me to the Royal Seal.
>>5552321>No more fuss, time for sleep. But maybe snag a bottle of wine for yourself.Haven taken proper account of the various strengths to your cause, you can sleep better knowing where things stand. Although you would have preferred to celebrate for the evening now that you've achieved this important victory, it's simply too late now for you to wholly party as much as you'd want to. Most are already drunk or asleep and while you may still have found someone you could share a laugh with, you aren't motivated enough for that effort. Though it is something you ponder, while wandering back inside the palace and down to the cellar. Free of Jeudail and courtly life you haven't any concern about always being observed and followed, no worries about your reputation in regards to your behavior. Free to do and act as you please, relatively, without repercussions. This level of freedom you've not really experienced before and the thought of it makes you a little giddy, enough at least to have seized you with indecision for the night... wondering what sort of personal trouble you could get up to, not so much because you desire it but to see what you could get away with and how egregiously, without worry for the first time in your life. Anything your little black heart ever wanted, well now you could.Especially, since this pertains to your ideal absolute power. If you had it your way, for the king or queen at least there is nothing you could not do, and get away with. So long as you are a good and strong monarch otherwise, what right does anyone have to judge or oppose you?Better to think on that first though, rather than getting carried away and making an actual mistake... especially with as many drunken men wandering about. A little sour about still playing the role of a prim and proper princess, consciously or subconsciously, in the end you settle for the wiser choice of enjoying yourself sensibly. Finding a quality bottle of wine and a servant to open it, you can finally retire to your room for what's left of the night. Start small, start simple. Celebrate unbounded in your quarters and then progress from there as to what you can get away with. You're sure you'll thank yourself later!"Uuuagh... too bright..."Later, you curse yourself. More used to regal banquets, just a dram of wine rather than a whole bottle to yourself, some of which lies spilled across the floor beside you. Passed out on the carpet as the late morning sun shines through the window in your face. Well you certainly had a good time to yourself at least, drinking and singing and making a mess of your room while arguing with yourself. Now though Emelie is at the door, looking to prepare you for the day and all the busy work that demands your attention. Though you'd rather sleep in or just laze in bed all day, you can't very well skip out on your first proper day as a fully-fledged queen! Right?
>Establish and organize court in an official manner. No longer just a princess, you suppose you'll have to start governing now. At least until you can find others to do it for you.>Dispatch envoys! All around, everyone and everywhere! To let all know of your established status, inviting supporters but also gauge the political climate... potentially to the neighboring countries as well.>A tour of your new holdings is in order. Let the people know of their new ruler, and pay a visit to important figures in the area to ensure their new loyalty.>Military matters still remain the most pressing issue. You have your own household now but your men need to be provided for, and supported logistically. Perhaps even organized, if you care to ennoble anyone like any of the commanders?>Something else?
>>5552370>Establish and organize court in an official manner. No longer just a princess, you suppose you'll have to start governing now. At least until you can find others to do it for you.All of these are good options, and while the one with possibly getting a spy network going with the envoys or making a Foreign Legion with the mercs has my attention I'd like to consolidate first for a bit.
>>5552370>Dispatch envoys! All around, everyone and everywhere! To let all know of your established status, inviting supporters but also gauge the political climate... potentially to the neighboring countries as well.Court is meaningless without the nobles in support of it, or know of it to begin with. Waging a war is also as much about politics as it is strategy and logistics, as Ulysses S. Grant showed. Let’s get a feel of things as we gain control of this region. The next step for our assault and control of the crossroads will come later. Speed is still important, however. We can’t waste too much time. If our brother is smart, he’ll realize the importance of the areas pointed out before.
>>5552370>Dispatch envoys! All around, everyone and everywhere! To let all know of your established status, inviting supporters but also gauge the political climate... potentially to the neighboring countries as well.
>>5552370>Dispatch envoys! All around, everyone and everywhere! To let all know of your established status, inviting supporters but also gauge the political climate... potentially to the neighboring countries as well.>A tour of your new holdings is in order. Let the people know of their new ruler, and pay a visit to important figures in the area to ensure their new loyalty.Those two don't seem to be mutually exclusive
>>5552390If the QM will allow it, I can certainly back this option.How smart is Emilie, QM? Can she read and write? We might be able to have her perform some duties in our stead. Simple things, like giving orders to envoys, or listening in on the concerns of nobles and commoners. It would go a long way to speeding out action up.
>>5552370>>5552380Alright, I've been convinced.I'll change my vote to this >>5552390 if possible.
>>5552370>Dispatch envoys! All around, everyone and everywhere! To let all know of your established status, inviting supporters but also gauge the political climate... potentially to the neighboring countries as well.And then, >Military matters still remain the most pressing issue. You have your own household now but your men need to be provided for, and supported logistically. Perhaps even organized, if you care to ennoble anyone like any of the commanders?
>>5552370>>5552404Actually, I changed my mind again. I'll change my vote to support a combination of these two, with priority to dispatch the envoys.>Dispatch envoys! All around, everyone and everywhere! To let all know of your established status, inviting supporters but also gauge the political climate... potentially to the neighboring countries as well.>Military matters still remain the most pressing issue. You have your own household now but your men need to be provided for, and supported logistically. Perhaps even organized, if you care to ennoble anyone like any of the commanders?
>>5552321>>5551628I changed to vote from eye of mallais to sword >>5551709
>>5552413IP changed because of phonepost
>>5552411>>5552405The reason I didn’t go for military matters instead of the tour is because of how I hope we can gain control of Mallines. It is immensely more preferable that we take this region via the mutual cooperation of the local lords, rather than by beating them into submission. Earning their loyalty preserves our forces and theirs, which gives us that many more soldiers to field further down the line when we begin the conquest for the rest of the kingdom, and we’re going to need a lot of troops, and the infrastructure and resources to support them. I want to keep this region as intact as possible. By going on a tour and visiting with the nobles directly, earning the support of the common folk as they see us pass by, we’re much more likely to accomplish that.
>>5552418As before, if it becomes a tie again between military matters and the tour, switch me to the tour.
>>5552390>>5552400The ideal isn't to combine choices since that could just become the norm for every update. Preferentially just for tie-breaking situations, but this example should be fine. As for Emelie, she has a basic courtly education so she knows how to behave and can read and write at least. She is a commoner however so normally you couldn't rely on her for anything official when nobles are involved, they wouldn't tolerate it. Also just plainly, by gender norms it may be difficult for her to get much done when working with a male majority. Like your mercenaries for example, they'll take orders from you as queen... sometimes, but not from Emelie. She could work with other commoners well however.>>5552328>>5552353>>5552413Seems like then another would-be tie. I believe? But broken by >>5552357 because of said tie?For now then and since it's such a close issue, we'll say that your uncle had taken the royal seal and currently holds it for safekeeping. If you should manage to unite Mallines behind you then he will bestow the ring to you, to use officially.Until such a time, for now you personally instead took the sword of the founder. A valid question, or consideration about the sword itself then;>A splendid sword, said to be of the founder. Illustrious and inspiring to behold, this a very well made magical sword but it is a ceremonial blade of recent times. Of course any who should witness it would never question, and this blade gives the most prestige and legitimacy.>The actual true sword of the founder. A humble and weathered old iron sword, function over form as per those dark ages from whence it comes. You could not expect to inspire or appear impressive to anyone with this, but it is the true blade to those in the know. This sword wields true power for those of the founder's blood, albeit less with distant blood.Essentially, is the blade you have awe-inspiring and illustrious for your rule and followers, or is it more meaningful for you personally? Both would be seen as important symbols of legitimacy, but in different ways.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0TalLrtZ24
>>5552429>A splendid sword, said to be of the founder. Illustrious and inspiring to behold, this a very well made magical sword but it is a ceremonial blade of recent times. Of course any who should witness it would never question, and this blade gives the most prestige and legitimacy.This is most like my original idea for the sword. Meant to inspire rather than be functional. We’ll have bodyguards and soldiers to keep us safe eventually.>The ideal isn't to combine choices since that could just become the norm for every update. Fair enough. That’s why I was asking about Emilie. I didn’t want to try and game the system and what not.
>>5552429>A splendid sword, said to be of the founder. Illustrious and inspiring to behold, this a very well made magical sword but it is a ceremonial blade of recent times. Of course any who should witness it would never question, and this blade gives the most prestige and legitimacy.L E G I T I M A C Y
>>5552434>This is most like my original idea for the sword.As much was obvious. This alternative is merely to represent more how the founder actually was; not some famed conqueror. Nothing stopping you from choosing the ceremonial sword, and propagating the more recent "history" and embellishments, that he was some illustrious and glorious legend.
>>5552429>A splendid sword, said to be of the founder. Illustrious and inspiring to behold, this a very well made magical sword but it is a ceremonial blade of recent times. Of course any who should witness it would never question, and this blade gives the most prestige and legitimacy.The people need something to believe in
>>5552445Isabella is a despot in the making, the lies suits her sun queen dreams
>>5552370>>Dispatch envoys! All around, everyone and everywhere! To let all know of your established status, inviting supporters but also gauge the political climate... potentially to the neighboring countries as well.
>>5552370>>Dispatch envoys! All around, everyone and everywhere! To let all know of your established status, inviting supporters but also gauge the political climate... potentially to the neighboring countries as well.>>5552429>A splendid sword, said to be of the founder. Illustrious and inspiring to behold, this a very well made magical sword but it is a ceremonial blade of recent times. Of course any who should witness it would never question, and this blade gives the most prestige and legitimacy.
>>5552368>Military matters still remain the most pressing issue. You have your own household now but your men need to be provided for, and supported logistically. Perhaps even organized, if you care to ennoble anyone like any of the commanders?Seek strength.The rest will follow.
>>5552370>Establish and organize court in an official manner. No longer just a princess, you suppose you'll have to start governing now. At least until you can find others to do it for you.
>>5552418I agree with that. My hope is that if we have a big enough military we'll be able to make the other weaker lords fold and not want to fight us.>>5552429>The actual true sword of the founder. A humble and weathered old iron sword, function over form as per those dark ages from whence it comes. You could not expect to inspire or appear impressive to anyone with this, but it is the true blade to those in the know. This sword wields true power for those of the founder's blood, albeit less with distant blood.Better to have the real sword in our hands than the potential of it being in someone else's.
>>5552368>Dispatch envoys! All around, everyone and everywhere! To let all know of your established status, inviting supporters but also gauge the political climate... potentially to the neighboring countries as well.>A tour of your new holdings is in order. Let the people know of their new ruler, and pay a visit to important figures in the area to ensure their new loyalty.If still allowed. Otherwise, just the first.>>5552429>The actual true sword of the founder. A humble and weathered old iron sword, function over form as per those dark ages from whence it comes. You could not expect to inspire or appear impressive to anyone with this, but it is the true blade to those in the know. This sword wields true power for those of the founder's blood, albeit less with distant blood.See, I do understand the power of keeping up appearances. But on the other hand, I’m absolutely certain our Queen has imagined tearing several men apart in a single motion with a blade, and all applauding her as it was always her right as a Queen to be so brutal should she wish it.The prim and proper blade is our princess persona. The iron sword is the Queen we WANT to be. The Queen for whom appearance is irrelevant, all that matters is that it that when it moves, everything in its way either moves or dies.
Looks like a majority for>>5552380>>5552381>>5552385>>5552390>>5552404>>5552405>>5552411>>5552436>>5552455>>5552461>>5552483>>5552489>>5552568>>5552594>Dispatch envoys!>Military matters still remain the most pressing issue.You're queen now, and damn it all if the world isn't going to know! But first though Emelie insists on seeing you washed and cleaned, something she can finally do now that you've reached a place which has actual bathrooms. Weeks, months since your escape from Jeudail? It was unpleasant at first but you'd gotten used to it, living rough. Probably better than most noble ladies. All this while however, as always Emelie was quite upset to see you not well-groomed and so now she has her chance finally. Picking you up and carrying to an actual tub with hot water waiting. It seems she's already familiarized herself with the staff in order to prepare for all this.Well that's the rest of the morning gone then, as she strips you off and throws you in, making sure every inch of you is spick and span as a queen should be. All the while she carries on about what sorts of duties you could be expected to perform or what would be important, but you're more interested in hearing how she spent the night celebrating. "Don't just write your name, use your full titles.""Oh right... what are they all, now?"After a very late breakfast however and seeing that the commanders keep your mercenaries from causing too much trouble, the most pressing matter by your concern is making sure all the world knows of you! Well all of Dalmace and the neighboring countries at least. Sat in the study while Emelie checks on with a few other servants to help, you've quite a lot of letters to write for the next few hours. Normally scribes would handle all this for you but there aren't any resident scribes on staff, and you've not yet formed a court to appoint any yourself. So as bothersome as it is, you are currently the person with the best skill at writing and calligraphy in the estate. More tedious than anything, mostly just repeating the same composition over and over till you have a small stack of letters (and a accompanying packages of wine bottles and dried fruit delicacies) ready to be carried for delivery. Which it seems, you'll have to send a rider to Delise where proper courtly couriers can be found. Paid for their troubles, none of this is cheap but it's one of the expenses you can't afford to go cheaply with. How long all these deliveries will take of course depends on the distances traveled, but you could expect answers within a few months.
The question is, how you want the letters to read?>Nothing fancy, just an announcement of yourself as queen. Let these people make up their own minds, and see how they react.>Demands! You are the true claimant and expect support from any who will give it! Those who refuse, be branded traitors! Mostly this is oriented at denizens of Dalmace, but it lets foreigners know your stance.>Summons! You invite all to respond back to you, and send representatives to your court. A new royal court in fact, they would be smart to try and secure a place with you.>Deals! Your struggle presents a lucrative opportunity for others. You wouldn't stoop to begging, but you're sure there are agreements that could be brokered for support.>Secretive! Your choice of envoy recipients is actually very selective and secret. Let news of your queenship spread naturally, for your careful and direct attention is towards conspirators.>Something else?After all that writing, well it's into the afternoon by now. Fortunately those soldiers whom had escorted the Delise mob back to town last night, are now returning so that your force is more or less whole again. Although you want to see them well-provisioned for, you wonder what would be the best method for that.>Ennoble the commanders, and do what it takes to see them installed as the new governors of the settlements of your holding. This would very much appease the mercenaries and establish their own logistics, but obviously would be quite unpopular to others and a blemish on your reputation.>Choose for one company to serve as your personal guard, since the servant housing of the estate can only accommodate about one company's worth. Allow for the other companies to venture out and accommodate themselves in the nearby holdings.>The mercenary companies can accommodate themselves as they see fit. No cost to you, and favored for allowing that freedom, but it means your force not actually being staged from the estate. Better for reputation and courtly affairs, but risky for surprise attacks.>Start construction on a permanent or at least longterm encampment, beyond the estate. This would be the least popular and most difficult, but very practical if you intend to be warlike and martially focused. Letting your mercenaries treat this as an ongoing war even here in Mallines and organizing their own battles and raids.>Something else?
>>5552668Also this is a chance to further define, organize or interact with your mercenaries, be it individuals or the company entire. At the bare minimum you need a way of housing and supplying them, but beyond that it's your decision to make. If you want to increase or decrease their strength, request particular things or changes, and reevaluate their company contracts with you.Also if you want to terminate service with any, or seek to hire more still. Mercenaries or otherwise. Basically just a general opportunity of how you want your military force to take form.
>>5552668>Demands! You are the true claimant and expect support from any who will give it! Those who refuse, be branded traitors! Mostly this is oriented at denizens of Dalmace, but it lets foreigners know your stance.>Choose for one company to serve as your personal guard, since the servant housing of the estate can only accommodate about one company's worth. Allow for the other companies to venture out and accommodate themselves in the nearby holdings.
>>5552668>>Summons! You invite all to respond back to you, and send representatives to your court. A new royal court in fact, they would be smart to try and secure a place with you.>Choose for one company to serve as your personal guard, since the servant housing of the estate can only accommodate about one company's worth. Allow for the other companies to venture out and accommodate themselves in the nearby holdings.
>>5552668>Deals!>The mercenary companies can accommodate themselves as they see fit. No cost to you, and favored for allowing that freedom, but it means your force not actually being staged from the estate. Better for reputation and courtly affairs, but risky for surprise attacks.EXCEPT the Black Bearsthey will be our personal guard>Choose for one company to serve as your personal guard, since the servant housing of the estate can only accommodate about one company's worth. Allow for the other companies to venture out and accommodate themselves in the nearby holdings.
>>5552668>Summons! You invite all to respond back to you, and send representatives to your court. A new royal court in fact, they would be smart to try and secure a place with you.>Choose for one company to serve as your personal guard, since the servant housing of the estate can only accommodate about one company's worth. Allow for the other companies to venture out and accommodate themselves in the nearby holdings.
>>5552668>Summons! You invite all to respond back to you, and send representatives to your court. A new royal court in fact, they would be smart to try and secure a place with you.Putting up our face as a benevolent, righteous queen. Those who have no interest in seeing us as queen won’t bother to arrive or send a missive. Those who do, will. Easy enough to help us figure out who stands where.>Choose for one company to serve as your personal guard, since the servant housing of the estate can only accommodate about one company's worth. Allow for the other companies to venture out and accommodate themselves in the nearby holdings.If I had to choose one, it would probably be the Black Bears. They’re stated to be well equipped, and well disciplined, which we’ll need out of our personal bodyguards. Although I’m loathe to use up valuable shock infantry in a manner where they won’t be at disposal for the battlefield, we might be able to gather better, Dalmace native guardsmen eventually.
>>5552712espandines are too valuable as ranged units so we probably cant use that as a bodyguard unitthe rest are too undisciplined
>>5552668>Secretive! Your choice of envoy recipients is actually very selective and secret. Let news of your queenship spread naturally, for your careful and direct attention is towards conspirators.>Start construction on a permanent or at least longterm encampment, beyond the estate. This would be the least popular and most difficult, but very practical if you intend to be warlike and martially focused. Letting your mercenaries treat this as an ongoing war even here in Mallines and organizing their own battles and raids.
>>5552713Pretty much my line of thinking. The others I have plans for.
>>5552668>Summons! You invite all to respond back to you, and send representatives to your court. A new royal court in fact, they would be smart to try and secure a place with you.>Ennoble the commanders, and do what it takes to see them installed as the new governors of the settlements of your holding. This would very much appease the mercenaries and establish their own logistics, but obviously would be quite unpopular to others and a blemish on your reputation.
>>5552668>Secretive! Your choice of envoy recipients is actually very selective and secret. Let news of your queenship spread naturally, for your careful and direct attention is towards conspirators.About the Soldiers affairs, I will go with >>5552689idea. Go, Black Bears, go!>>5552236>we have to consider the political consequences of being found consorting with non-nobles in such a way. Any kind of relationship or fun would have to be kept very secretiveAs a Tyrant Queen ourselves, I may say we can use our power for opress the opposition.As a fan of history, I may say merrying a peasant can been seen as an important movement for those who follow us. We are where we are because they followed us and accepted us (for now). Alexander The Great married with people outside his realm and made great diplomatic deals with this. Merrying with "one of the people" can be a great deal. The peasants are in far more number than nobles. When revolution starts, the angry mob always gets us.(And continuing about the Black Bears Leader, his title "Herr" can be equivalent to "Mr." or even "Sir", meaning he has some sort of Title between their peers and his foreign birthland. This is something interesting to check on)But I do agree with you on:>We’d need to establish what kind of individual he is first, and whether we could easily control or manipulate himQM is doing a great work with this adventure and I agree with you on getting to know more other characters. We can see who they are and forge bonds with them.>(I feel like Emilie is about the only named individual we could trust to keep things secret so far, not that I’m making a suggestion)This is because she is the most flesh out character for now. More interactions would be needed with other characters.
>>5552668>>Summons! You invite all to respond back to you, and send representatives to your court. A new royal court in fact, they would be smart to try and secure a place with you.>>Choose for one company to serve as your personal guard, since the servant housing of the estate can only accommodate about one company's worth. Allow for the other companies to venture out and accommodate themselves in the nearby holdings.I say choose the one made up of our fellow countrymen.
>>5552928It's certainly something to consider, but a delicate balance you'd have to keep. The lesser renown a partner the more power and freedom you'd personally have, no worry about getting shoved off to the side in favor of a king spouse. However at the same time, damaged legitimacy and reputation for elevating a commoner (or just non-royal) and lowering yourself to that. Also of course the lack of power such a partner could bring, compared to a ruler who would support your cause.Then again depending on how tyrannical you are, and how victorious, it may not matter in the end. If you achieved total domination or enforced absolute rule, then who could question or complain if you decided to have some nobody as a spouse, or a hundred spouses, or none at all with legitimized bastards.
Looks like a majority for>>5553209>>5552931>>5552929>>5552928>>5552896>>5552724>>5552712>>5552701>>5552689>>5552683>>5552677>Summons!>Choose for one company to serve as your personal guard.There are different suggestions from Emelie and the assisting staff, as well as the occasional mercenary commander who comes to check on you, as to what the nature of these envoys should be. However your decision is to issue a summons to any and all who will receive these letters and gifts. Your impulse is to just make demands but looking further ahead, you feel that you'd rather know the intentions of all these people before making any decisions. To see who responds to your letters and how, invite them all to show their colors and separate the worthy and the unworthy. Besides, it could also lend strength to your court since the various informed parties can try and compete with one another for positions around you. Limited in number, the more opportunistic among them may invest more heavily in your cause in order to secure a high position and thus better rewards and returns for themselves. Potentially foreigners too but that's just a price you'll have to consider if the cost is for victory. "...Monsieur Franz? May I speak with you?""My Konigin? If you would let me resolve this, then you may have whatever you wish of me. Stay if you like, see how this is done."With the matter of envoys taken care of then, for the remainder of the afternoon and evening you turn your attention to the pressing military matter of making sure your men are housed and provisioned for... in no small part because they're eating you out of house and home! You can host them another day or two at the most but beyond that, they've depleted the stores of goods for the estate. So you seek out Franz, commander of the Black Bears, hoping to make a request of him that you think will settle the issue. Finding him mediating a dispute between men of different mercenary companies... seems your force often have problems with Marcel's Marauders due to their irregular organization. For you though most of the men would either give you their undivided attention or instead brush you off, but when it comes to his own men Franz wants to make sure the problem is dealt with completely, without distractions. To his word it doesn't take that long and you get a chance to observe how these matters are handled among the mercenaries.
After that then, Franz and his officers lead you along to clear a space that you can speak together. Feeling a little silly for how minuscule you seem among these Gostolnan brutes, yet they afford you respect or feign as much. "All the commanders I think are aware that this is to be a long conflict, and surely you cannot all remain here on the grounds indefinitely! Tomorrow then I shall venture forth and survey my new domain, and in the process accompany the men that the commanders may seek accommodations in the available towns... except you, your men. I expect you to remain here, that you would serve as my personal guard for whenever I would need you."You'd gone over this in your head before engaging the men, but you're not sure how they'll take it since usually you are listened to but not heeded. As well, the worry about seeming to choose favorites from among the mercenary companies. Increasing loyalty with some but decreasing with others."If you keep the oath to the Reichsfurst, then the Black Bears are at your disposal to the man, my Konigin... but... would you not prefer your own countrymen kept close?"Ah yes, the betrothal Franz speaks of. From your understanding based on your limited personal interactions with the Black Bears, they are an exiled criminal group and so Franz supported you in the first place with the expectation that you would marry his liege and earn his own pardon to return home. One of the two companies in your pay, who hold something above money in their support of you. Although you refrain from correcting him that your betrothal was not your own oath sworn, and your rightful decision as to whether you honor it or not. But he does raise the point about your assumed preference for either of the two companies who actually hail from Dalmace, same as you do. Though you had considered that the most, you're not sure you can trust any of these mercenaries really. Especially those of your own countrymen who, although you can better relate to and understand, could also be compromised or swayed by your rivals within Dalmace. At least with foreigners you don't have to worry about their home countries bothering to sabotage you, when your cause would benefit them. So in the end that's why you came to the decision of preferring the Black Bears to the other possible companies.That, and because the Black Bears are fewest in number so you can sufficiently accommodate them here on the estate! At least you assume so, these brutes from Gostolnes seem to eat and drink twice as much as a man of Dalmace! Also a potential issue that few of them speak the language, only Franz himself knows it well. Either way you intend to see the other companies off tomorrow, which can double as a chance to tour your new holdings. Just a question of how you want to venture forth.
>Full regalia and splendor! You want to awe the local populace into acceptance of their amazing new queen!>Proper but practical. The people should know their queen but no need to show off, when primarily you want to assess your domain and house your troops.>Aloof and refined. You've no interest to actually travel into these peasant towns... let them imagine and gossip what you are like, while you remain outside the settlements to treat only with the representatives or nobles.>Forceful and feared! You're not about to go pillaging your own countryside but you are imposing upon these people, that they will be quartering your mercenary forces. Best to use a strong hand and let them know how things are, that there is a war going on that they're a part of!>Something else?
>>5553463>Proper but practical. The people should know their queen but no need to show off, when primarily you want to assess your domain and house your troops.
Weird that there wasn't a vote for which company, but I guess some of the other anons mentioning that they wanted the black bears was enough.
>>5553472It was supposed to be a vote for which company. It's not at a point where the choice can't be changed, you could just accept Franz's reasoning and instead go for a different company.
>>5553475>>5553463Also if there's any care to, there's the rest of the night if you had anything particular you wanted to do or accomplish. If not then you'll just spend it normally and continue on tomorrow.
>>5553463>Forceful and feared! You're not about to go pillaging your own countryside but you are imposing upon these people, that they will be quartering your mercenary forces. Best to use a strong hand and let them know how things are, that there is a war going on that they're a part of!
>>5553477Fetch drinks and have a small feast with our mercenary captains.
>>5553463>Full regalia and splendor! You want to awe the local populace into acceptance of their amazing new queen!>>5553500Also supporting
>>5553463>Full regalia and splendor! You want to awe the local populace into acceptance of their amazing new queen!
>>5553462>Also a potential issue that few of them speak the language, only Franz himself knows it.There are plenty of advantages in that.
>>5553463>Proper but practical. The people should know their queen but no need to show off, when primarily you want to assess your domain and house your troops.>>5553500Supporting this one as well.>>5553607Totally agree on that.
>>5553500This is a good idea, supporting this too.
>>5553463>Proper but practical. The people should know their queen but no need to show off, when primarily you want to assess your domain and house your troops.>>5553403Yes. Balance is indeed necessary and we are doing many arrangements and going through a nice path. Sure, it's still initial level, but I think we are having a nice synergy here with everyone.>>5553500Supporting this! Like said before, it's a good way to know even more the characters presented to us! >>5553607Herr Franz seems smart, but not enough to sound too smart to outsmart us. QM did a good description on him.
>>5553463>Full regalia and splendor! You want to awe the local populace into acceptance of their amazing new queen!>>5553500+1
>>5553720+1
Rolled 2 (1d2)Looks like a tie I think?>>5553720>>5553705>>5553696>>5553672>>5553630>>5553626>>5553604>>5553601>>5553559>>5553553>>5553550>>5553498>>5553488>>5553479>>5553469>>5554040As late as it is, don't expect others to probably weigh in so I'll let the roll decide.>Splendor>Practical
>>5554042>2The Black Bears should make sufficient guards, and if you ever change your mind then it's no trouble to change that position for another of the companies. With this matter of provisions for your troops hopefully dealt with then, you can host a better celebration for the commanders than last night. A proper victory banquet and appreciation to the lot of them for getting you this far; it very probably would not have been possible without them. And a better time had by all, as you know how to organize a feast as this with the help of the servant staff, better than the commanders on their own just making demands and the servants trying to manage. Although for all your effort put into this... you still enjoy yourself and everyone has a good time, but you can tell how the fellows don't really appreciate what they have before them. They'd just as readily enjoy a bottle by the fire among the encampment tents with their company. Something of a reminder that you can't rely on these men forever, and that you should keep aware of their station. Lest get used to the taste of finer life and forget themselves.Just this one night though, shouldn't be a problem. And enjoyed responsibly so, you don't drink yourself in a stupor and pass out. No, a good night's rest for once so that you can be ready for tomorrow. Seems that there's no shortage of busywork these days!"-no I would not expect you to have any sort of parade dress, your men do not have to act fancy just... proper. On best behavior, if they would have my appreciation."Although Emelie would have preferred you to appear as splendid as possible, and certainly you would have enjoyed that, you think it for the best in reflection to your rule to appear practical to your subjects. Still dignified, same as you request for your force to travel with, but this is wartime and the opportunity for splendid parades is later. You don't want to give your people the wrong idea after all, not yet at least.So then departing from the palace by late morning, you slowly ride at the head of your force organized to march for each of the settlements directly subordinate to the estate. Though it should take a few days at least depending on the pace and what said settlements have in store, but you expect to end up at Delise again before returning home. Inherently because of the size of your force you are noticed and known well in advance everywhere you should go, so the various settlements head have time to prepare something. Some welcoming of you, others worried from what rumors they'd heard. But with your column of mercenary companies passing through, you present a sight to behold. Not one so fancy and glamorous that the commoners are awed by your splendor, but with a regal and disciplined air you bring inspiration and confidence in their new queen. Especially with the ostentatious ceremonial sword of Dalmace's founder in your hands, held for all to see!
Yes yes, the little farming towns of Lisdrey, Ceudau and Rostry may have had their misgivings at first but after you and your force pass through there's hardly a doubt among them. They aren't left to imagine what sort of splendid queen you are from your winter palace, but they are left with faith in their new and practical ruler. Enough so, that you get eager supporters misguided following your force out of the towns for a time until made to return home. Ah, charming little places. Shame about the stupid dirty peasants inhabiting them, but it's a delightful little life they have and you are proud to govern them. Would that you could dismount your horse and interact with them all personally, but you have bigger matters to see to. Particularly the situation with Apellen, the small inland city of the region. It seems likely that this is where at least two of your mercenary companies intend to stay, but the challenge is convincing the citizens to accommodate your forces. The same situation could also be expected of Delise, with the remainder of your force but you'll deal with that when you come to it.>You will shoulder the bill for your mercenaries, for where they stay. Which you already somewhat are doing, but now that you can start having taxes collected in your name, it should be less burdensome.>This may as well be an occupation. Let your mercenaries run the roost for as long as they remain, and any grievances the citizens have will be settled by you... in time, after this conflict is resolved.>Let the representatives of these settlements come to you, and ask what favors they will of you in exchange for their hospitality towards your men. This also may be useful for assembling a temporary court for the region.>The mercenaries shall be incorporated into the military component of the settlements. This comes with the risk of greater autonomy for said mercenaries and a more difficult time to coordinate them by your cause, but they can make their own enterprising efforts and grow and sustain themselves by the respective settlements. The region will become stronger as a whole, at the cost of your personal force weakening.>Something else?
>>5554081>Let the representatives of these settlements come to you, and ask what favors they will of you in exchange for their hospitality towards your men. This also may be useful for assembling a temporary court for the region.The first option would be too draining on resources, the second seems too dangerous and the fourth seems too autonomousThey’ll be accommodated, but they will pay their own bills.
>>5554081>The mercenaries shall be incorporated into the military component of the settlements. This comes with the risk of greater autonomy for said mercenaries and a more difficult time to coordinate them by your cause, but they can make their own enterprising efforts and grow and sustain themselves by the respective settlements. The region will become stronger as a whole, at the cost of your personal force weakening.
>>5554081>Let the representatives of these settlements come to you, and ask what favors they will of you in exchange for their hospitality towards your men. This also may be useful for assembling a temporary court for the region.
>>5554081>>This may as well be an occupation. Let your mercenaries run the roost for as long as they remain, and any grievances the citizens have will be settled by you... in time, after this conflict is resolved.
>>5554081>You will shoulder the bill for your mercenaries, for where they stay. Which you already somewhat are doing, but now that you can start having taxes collected in your name, it should be less burdensome.Begging for favors is not a good way to start becoming the Sun Queen.
>>5554081>This may as well be an occupation. Let your mercenaries run the roost for as long as they remain, and any grievances the citizens have will be settled by you... in time, after this conflict is resolved.
>>5554081>>The mercenaries shall be incorporated into the military component of the settlements. This comes with the risk of greater autonomy for said mercenaries and a more difficult time to coordinate them by your cause, but they can make their own enterprising efforts and grow and sustain themselves by the respective settlements. The region will become stronger as a whole, at the cost of your personal force weakening.
>>5554081>You will shoulder the bill for your mercenaries, for where they stay. Which you already somewhat are doing, but now that you can start having taxes collected in your name, it should be less burdensome.
>>5554081>Let the representatives of these settlements come to you, and ask what favors they will of you in exchange for their hospitality towards your men. This also may be useful for assembling a temporary court for the region.This or just pay for them - I’m fine with either
>>5554081>>Let the representatives of these settlements come to you, and ask what favors they will of you in exchange for their hospitality towards your men. This also may be useful for assembling a temporary court for the region.
>>5554081>Let the representatives of these settlements come to you, and ask what favors they will of you in exchange for their hospitality towards your men. This also may be useful for assembling a temporary court for the region.Probably the most advantageous for us without leaving our mercenaries outside our command.
Sorry for the later start than usual. Looks like a majority for>>5554772>>5554709>>5554680>>5554563>>5554506>>5554314>>5554305>>5554301>>5554296>>5554208>>5554182>>5554177>>5554163>>5554150>>5554124>>5554083>>5554083>Let the representatives of these settlements come to you, and ask what favors they will of you in exchange for their hospitality towards your men.Having toured the smaller towns in the region, now that remains are the two small cities of Apellen and Delise, since that is where the mercenary companies are going to be staying by their choice. Better for it anyway since these settlements can shoulder the burden better for as many soldiers as temporary residents. Although there are many different ways you could broker this sort of agreement, you decide to go for the civil route and make deals with prominent representatives in the community. Though a more tyrannical approach would be preferred, you can orient towards that later once you're solidified in your rule. For now best to maintain the illusion that you are a goodly and just monarch. And to this end it does help somewhat in the negotiations, for each city that you are invited to an important location by the local leadership, and treated as the esteemed guest that you are. Much to your delight of course to be showered with such favor and support and gifts, even if you can tell it is hollow praise... their mistake for you come to imagine the extremes of what you could expect or demand of them, in time. In any case you can see the four of your mercenary companies accommodated in exchange for requests that, you are bitter to accept but in the grand scheme of things aren't all that much really. Expectations to respect pre-existing noble ranks, civil and economic decrees that had been in place, and claims to be pressed in your name. Unfortunately there are a couple demands here and there, that may come to rear their burdensome heads in time which you are concerned about, but so long as it settles this matter without trouble then you are willing to accept."Will you not be staying, your majesty? Always welcome here in Delise!"Despite the conditional hospitality, after these few days in tour of the countryside you wouldn't mind returning home to the palace. Mostly so that you can focus on courtly matters now that the military issue is handled for the time being. The question then is if you have any desire to structure your court based on local talents, even if only a provisional measure.
>You need no others than yourself to govern! Local nobles be welcome, but the actual decrees will fall to you alone! Governing positions by your appointment alone!>Follow the old and accepted ways, of letting the local nobles choose governing roles or fill those spots themselves. Maybe not the most effective method but it will let you focus on other important matters, not occupied with the tedious business of running a country.>Something... radical. A meritocracy for positions, so that only the best should have governing power. Although this will be unpopular within Mallines.>Something else?
>>5555206>>You need no others than yourself to govern! Local nobles be welcome, but the actual decrees will fall to you alone! Governing positions by your appointment alone!Autocratic rule is our "evil" so it would be wrong to pick anything else
>>5555206>You need no others than yourself to govern! Local nobles be welcome, but the actual decrees will fall to you alone! Governing positions by your appointment alone!“While I would prefer to let the nobles choose their own positions, the coup led by brother forces my hand. I need to be able to act quickly incase he, or his allies, tries to invade us.”
>>5555206>You need no others than yourself to govern! Local nobles be welcome, but the actual decrees will fall to you alone! Governing positions by your appointment alone!It's the most in character
>>5555232Well not entirely. Autocracy is your belief, but personally you are just plain evil. How much you choose to act or indulge on it though is your choice, of course.
>>5555206>>You need no others than yourself to govern! Local nobles be welcome, but the actual decrees will fall to you alone! Governing positions by your appointment alone!
>>5555206>Something... radical. A meritocracy for positions, so that only the best should have governing power. Although this will be unpopular within Mallines.
>>5555206>You need no others than yourself to govern! Local nobles be welcome, but the actual decrees will fall to you alone! Governing positions by your appointment alone!Right, Sun Queen time.
>>5555206>You need no others than yourself to govern! Local nobles be welcome, but the actual decrees will fall to you alone! Governing positions by your appointment alone!
>>5555206Alright, I do have a proposition.>You do not want to allow the power of setting governors to fall outside your control, but you also don’t want the tedium of personally signing every request. Create a class of officials who may issue decrees and appoint governors in your stead. They may not leave the capital and retain said positions except by your appointment, which should make them far easier to keep an eye on and control while freeing you of such decisions. Of course, with so few trusted advisors right now you will likely shoulder the burden initially…A small sacrifice so we aren’t overwhelmed with minutiae as we scale up and need to change our system (causing instability) so we can actually enjoy our power. It should be manageable so long as we build up a good internal spy ring with especially trusted officials.The capital, for now, is the manor we took over.
>>5555233Supporting - good logic “In these troubling times we need strong central leadership”
>>5555206>You need no others than yourself to govern! Local nobles be welcome, but the actual decrees will fall to you alone! Governing positions by your appointment alone!>>5555372This we can do in the future. Based Qin Shihuang style thinking.
>>5555372We should do this
>>5555206>You need no others than yourself to govern! Local nobles be welcome, but the actual decrees will fall to you alone! Governing positions by your appointment alone!Keeping things under our control, justified with >>5555233>>5555372Your proposition is very sound, and it has merit ahead of time, when the scale of things we will oversee will become much grander. For now, during our campaign to control Mallines and the crossroads, I believe we will be able to respond to developments and ensure the smooth enactment of our will more effectively with immediate control.
Looks like a majority for>>5555232>>5555233>>5555241>>5555296>>5555297>>5555317>>5555330>>5555372>>5555390>>5555404>>5555569>>5555624>>5555602>You need no others than yourself to govern!When it comes to governance, you'd rather just handle everything yourself. Maybe with some help where and how you need it but still none other making the decisions. Mainly you prefer it this way as per your own beliefs about the responsibilities of a monarch, but at the same time you simply don't trust anyone. Not that you're worried about your own safety or anything like that but there's no doubt in your mind that you are the best and most capable individual for any situation!Still, same as always you have the sense to obfuscate and distract from your true nature and intentions."While I would prefer to let the nobles choose their own positions, the coup led by my brother forces my hand. I need to be able to act quickly in case he, or his allies, try to invade us."Yes yes, that is sound logic. And any who might question otherwise, anything that transpires is certainly temporary! Once this whole mess is dealt with then everything can change back to the way it was or for the better......ha, maybe if they throw themselves at your mercy and kiss your feet, begging for forgiveness. How delightful that would be! But in any case, you make clear your intent and decree on the matter, which may not be the best received news but there's little to complain about either. You're not really changing anything for how these towns or the nobles handle their affairs. They can keep things the way they have been while you govern from your palace, all you expect is them to follow decrees you make. And those would probably only pertain to the realm as whole, rather than specifically what happens in the day-to-day of each town.Although on the ride back from Delise you do have a rather appealing idea of how things could be run instead. By ordaining a group of officials who would manage things like decrees and governor appointment in your stead. To limit their power they cannot leave the capital, wherever that may be. It may be a bit much for now since your scope and concerns are so limited, but in time you expect it could prove quite effective and ideal.
Anything which should take concerns and work away from you, in the end that you're left with little to nothing to worry about. That would be your ideal, that eventually major decisions might fall to you but otherwise you're free to enjoy your life and pursue your interests and desires with absolute authority and the utmost freedom. If not that, then what is the point of a monarch at all?"...and the Bears are settled in? Excellent, very good, I... I do not think I need anything else then, actually..."After a final return home from Delise, you reach the palace by evening. Welcomed by back the staff and pleased to see that your hoped-for accommodations for the sole remaining mercenary company are working out as planned. With the military matters seen to then, your new holdings toured, and the provisional form of governance determined......well you're not really sure what to do now. There's the persistent matter of your brother of course, and the power and legitimacy of your rule. But right now in the short term, finally it seems you're free to do as you please. Nothing so immediately pressing to keep you up at night. There is some news that Emelie brings to you, in regards to the duke of Mallines whose region you (and your palace) are within. It seems by the efforts of your uncle up in northern Mallines, the duke here will not be able to take hostile military action against you for the foreseeable future.So now it seems the contest for the southern duchy will be a matter of popular and political support. Who can win over the various barons and counts and such, to their cause. In a way that is a war itself, a battle you wage against the duke for loyal vassals, but all without bloodshed. Not too much bloodshed at least, you full well of courtly opposition and matters such as assassination. And when it is that power is contested and you might win the most support, then the duke would accept fealty to you in accord with the nobles of the region. Southern Mallines for you, northern for your uncle, that would leave only the east contested. After which point if you could secure all Mallines then you could make use of the royal seal, and the legitimacy of your claim could not be contested by your brother. All that though, you can focus on in time. For now, it's your call to make as you recline in the great hall of the winter palace, seated comfortably on the throne with servants to tend to you and mercenaries to guard you. A bit lonely for the time being, but all the better to solely and unanimously make all the decisions.>How will you proceed now?
>>5555649In this instance the decision is open-ended for player suggestion/coordination, because now at this point marks the transition from basically a wandering warband, to when you've become an established ruler.For you to decide your ruling style/behavior and focus/actions, which will determine the play moving forward.
>>5555649First thing’s first: retaking Mallines. We should try to do so by alliance with the region’s dukes to begin with. If any prove too obstinate to give us their sword, then we make an example of them and claim it a matter for the good of the realm. We need to speak with these dukes and hear their qualms against us, if any. Then we need to convince them to join us. Warring with them should be avoided if it can be helped, to preserve valuable resources. Our envoys we sent out should speed that along. In the meantime, let’s also see if we can get our hands on any ships or privateers. Enough to at least ferry a company of soldiers across the narrow sea between here and the southern kingdom. We shouldn’t need them immediately, but we will when phase 2 of our campaign begins.
>>5555725There’s a whole lot more that I want to say than this, but I’m tired as fuck and I gotta sleep. I trust the rest of you to figure things out well enough.
>>5555728Sleep is temporary. Evil tyranny is eternal
>>5555649>>5555725+1 but also>focus on getting support from Satosis make deals to sway the leaders of that area to support us>increases naval tradewe need more money to fund our deals and military>flirt with Emeliewe are pretty lonely…
>>5555731Even an evil queen needs beauty sleep, Vizier, even if both of those statements are true.Also, screw you and whatever time zone you live in.
>>5555649As a small side project, I would like to propose>Increase our fluency in the natural language of our personal guardso that we may communicate with them in the open if we need them to seize someone unawares, or recieve reports of assassins.Beyond that, I do support the goal of consolidating Mallines and bringing Satois into the fold per >>5555725 and >>5555735. Our toal should be to push toward Laroix so we can control the southern capital. I think a decree of it being the new capital of the nation will go far in ensuring the loyalty of the south over our brother.Once that is secured, we can begin (or at least investigate) diplomatic overtures to a neighboring kingdom so we may open a two-front war against our brother.
Map picture>>5550539
>>5555649Well, we are expecting our summons from the commoners and nobles. We will demand loyalty and see what they have to say.
>>5555649Have an orgy with your generals like evil tyrants are supposed to do
>>5555649>>5555755>>5555735>>5555725+1 on these.Also, on the topic of learning other languages, we can get the help of Herr Franz with his native language. He is helping us as a translator, but he can't do that forever. It also shows we are interested in knowing other cultures (sicne you learning the language you learn its culture as well) and shows we are open to diplomacy.Plus, we can also flirt with Herr Franz as we can flirt with Emelie (like anon suggested). But aside form flirting, I point out again the fact we need to get better these characters so we can forge bonds and make them even better subjects for us.By the way, >>5555782 had a good point towards the letters. Technicaly, we also send a letter to our soon-or-not-to-be husband, Reichsfurst Gustav. We should as well get to know him better and see his opinion on our actions. Even if we dismiss his opinions and only follow our evil heart desires, this is a way to take him to our side and try to manipulate him. QM already said we don't know him that much and he might be a tyrant just like us. We can't dismiss him so early in the game.Another important thing is this so called "The Blue Veil" secret society. These kinds of societies always get back at us, rightful queens (specialy queens since they are all virgin manlets), and try to dismantle our power. We should investigate them as well and try to eradicate once and for all or make them bow to us.
>>5555649While consolidating our immediate region is important - we might want to kick off a medium term project Information (like logistics) is critical in warfare We should endeavour to find a spymaster (preferably female) who can start recruiting agents throughout the land
>>5555649Plant the seed!Consult with whatever groundskeepers we have on staff and have it worked into the grounds in an aesthetic way.>>5555755>>Increase our fluency in the natural language of our personal guardI'll support that
>>5556114Finally it seems you have the chance to make use of the enchanted seed. You certainly can plant it on the grounds and see what becomes of it, to be tended by the groundskeepers and gardeners who already oversee the expansive estate.>>5556028Although you intend to rule and make the decisions yourself, some specialist councilors would be an obvious benefit.>Spymaster>???Feel free to suggest another prominent potential council member you'd want, a maximum of two for now but the number can increase based on your domain held. And for each position, go ahead and make a roll to see how talented of persons you can attract. So 2d100.>>5555915>>5555755You are already somewhat fluent at a basic level in Gostolnan, as per your courtly education, but of course you can increase your grasp of the language. Which would bring you to tri-lingual status; >Dalmacian, obviously>Estanyan, fluent>Gostolnan, basic>Lestyn, basic>>5555859Though most of your commanders and forces are away, accommodated by the other towns, you're just not sure how you'll fare with all these big burly Gostolnan men wandering about the estate.>>5555735>>5555755Although your primary focus will remain to Mallines, you can start making inroads to Satois as well... whether it be for peaceful or aggressive intent. As for Emelie, no need to flirt since as your handmaid she has always obliged you for whatever you've wanted, including matters of comfort. Although she can help with loneliness, she's not exactly a substitute for the real thing, so to speak.>>5555782Response to your envoys is probably the matter foremost on your mind, but you can't expect responses for a couple months at least. From the farther afield recipients for sure, so this is a consideration of what to do in the meantime.
>>5556149Can I suggest some positions?>Military Commander>Foreign Minister>Bishop/High Priest>Head of the Nobles>Minister of the Third Estate (peasant representative, basically)
>>5556164Yes everyone is welcome to suggest positions, and the player majority can decide what two you decide upon for now.Assuming spymaster is one, but if the majority felt that two different ones would be better then that is possible. And of course, to make a roll for the two positions, to see who you might recruit.
>>5556149>>5556164On top of these, I’d suggest>Interior Ministerfor the development of our lands and>Royal Seneschalfor managing the affairs of guests and dignitaries within our manor.I’d vote>Spymaster>Royal Seneschalfor the full diplomatic/intrigue blitz while we first set ourselves up. Once we diplomatically control more regions, we can recruit a grand marshal/military commander for attacking the north and fill in specialists to represent specific interests.
Rolled 88, 10 = 98 (2d100)>>5556149So, we're locked in on spymaster, how about>marshal>chancellorSomeone to wield the sword, and someone to wield the pen.
>>5556149>big burly Gostolnan menSounds exactly like what we are looking for!
>>5556149>>5555767>>5555725Demonstrated here then is a proper breakdown of the immediate regions, with the constituent counties lined out. >Pettin, navy - Northern Mallines, held entirely by your uncle Duke Jacquard and his vassals.>Auvene, green - Eastern Mallines, held by Duchess Alis and her vassals. Nervously neutral but you can expect hostile as you grow in power.>Occitine, orange - Southern Mallines, held mostly by Duke Molyes and his vassals. Opposed to you but not militarily so, yet.And relevant to you;>Troweil, red - your domain! All barons loyal, although Count Michel has withdrawn to his castle since you've supplanted him.>Jaude, orange - neighboring domain to your west, of Count Ypalle. >Garole, orange - neighboring domain to your south, of Countess Naith.>Coresse, purple - middle domain, of Duke Molyes. The capital of Occitine, this region and your primary opponent. >Lodde, orange - southwestern domain, of Count Bejard.>Cruche, orange - southernmost domain, of Countess Taggan.As you are aware, if you can gain control of Occitine the duchy you are in, then your uncle will lend you full support at which point you'd not expect much trouble to have all of Mallines under your control.In order to take Occitine you'll need to either force Duke Molyes to submit to you directly, or you'll need to take the majority of counties in the duchy at which point he'll have to accept your dominance, else be outnumbered by his vassals. I don't expect your overall plan will change much, but with this more detailed breakdown you may better specify what you have in mind or what order. And of course, the options available to you are whatever you see fit. Diplomatically or with intrigue may suit you better, but there's nothing stopping you from rallying your forces and invading your opponents, or some other direct method of control. Or a varied mix of these options and more, you are quite capable and poised as you know!
Rolled 94, 51 = 145 (2d100)>>5556149>>5556192Ah, switching to support this. “Chancellor” was what I was trying to think of, but I settled for Seneschal.May I suggest we call them>Vizierinstead?Also adding my roll in. Spymaster first.
>>5556202Oops! That's a lot bigger than I'd planned.>>5556192>>5556191>>5556164>>5556149>>5556203One last matter of player concern before moving forward, is how you want to structure your court. Not that you really have one to speak of currently, but how you choose to organize your royal court will provide for benefits depending on style. Some possibilities could be;>Courtly, focused on decorum! Household and personal affairs will fare better, drawing nobles to court.>Militant, focused on war! Military actions will fare better, drawing warriors to court.>Diplomatic, focused on dealings. Diplomacy with foreign powers will fare better, drawing foreigners to court.>Academic, focused on learning. Studies will fare better, drawing scholars to court.>Industrious, focused on improvement. Labor works will fare better, drawing professionals to court.>Clandestine, focused on subterfuge! Illicit schemes will fare better, drawing villains to court.>Something else?This is of course a lot of choices, and players too may provide even more. But this status can be changed when you see fit or need it. Basically it's just the focus you want members and guests of your court to have, and will grant you bonuses in what you do. A choice similar to your councilors, they'll help and benefit you in what your choice of path is. Not that you can't pursue other paths different from your favored choice/councilors/court, it'll just make particular paths easier/more successful. In a way, you can think of this choice, as what role your palace has as if it were a supporting character. You have your chosen role, and you can choose a "role" for your capital. Although incidentally because of your own Courtly upbringing and education, your court will always have the Courtly focus as a secondary trait. One such benefit being that you cannot suffer scandals within your court. Benefits such as these, you can expect depending on your choices.
>>5556225>>5556202>>5556149Whew! Apologies if this is a lot of information to take in, but now that you're an established ruler I figured you players may want more detail rather than less.At least if it could influence what your choices are moving forward. But with this extra bookkeeping out of way, normal actions can resume after this.
>>5556202Based on this, I would say>Keep an open channel with Duchess Alis. Point out that with how the coup against us has solidified the North against us, it makes sense that the future of the nation should be dictated by those in the South. The first dukes and duchesses to back us as we reclaim our birthright shall have a say in the new direction of the nation.>As an initial show of support and a reward for cooperation, she may reach across her border and seize Jaude through diplomatic or military means. For initially opposing us, we will not back Duke Molyes’ casus belli against her to reclaim the domain.>Begin making preparations to seize Garole. Examine diplomatic, spycraft, military options. Lean towards assigning spymaster.>See if our newly-minted Chancellor (if they exist) can take a vessel to Cruche and flip them diplomatically.If all are successful, we would outnumber the Duke in domains controlled.
>>5542054>5555555
>>5542054>>5555555
>>5556225>>Courtly, focused on decorum! Household and personal affairs will fare better, drawing nobles to court.I say we double down on our strength and invite all of the Mallinois nobility to a meeting at our palace to discuss all of our futures, we of course do not intend to stay here forever therefore there is no need for any of them to harbor ill will against us for basing ourselves out of the region for the time being. Point of fact, the more support we receive the sooner we can be out of their hair. Naturally should they support us they will receive preferential treatment after the war and all that.I am firmly of the opinion that we should pursue the path of lawful evil, fitting our lot in life.
>>5556225>Academic, focused on learning. Studies will fare better, drawing scholars to court.We need to use that tree and manuals
>>5556149>Suggest councilStandard affair from CK2SpymasterStewardChancellorMarshallHead PriestCourt Mage (Cuz magic is a thing)We can add other positions as we need them
>>5556225>Diplomatic, focused on dealings. Diplomacy with foreign powers will fare better, drawing foreigners to court.We need to convince satosis to join usSchemes will be done later
>>5556225>>Militant, focused on war! Military actions will fare better, drawing warriors to court.
>>5556225>Clandestine, focused on subterfuge! Illicit schemes will fare better, drawing villains to court.I could also see an option for a religious-focused court, but it’s not enough to make me switch.As an official-unofficial part of the spy corp, I would like to build them up. Our background will give us a general boost to internal diplomacy. Let’s build up the dagger to the carrot.Also, penning a letter to Duchess Alis.>To the Esteemed Duchess Alis,>As the newly crowned Queen of Dalmace, We have been busy penning letters to the nearby ladies and lords to let them know of the current state of the realm. As a result of the coup launched by my younger brother, We had been forced to wander along the countryside before settling down in the region of Troweil. Now that We look outward to punish Our sibling for their treason, it behooves us to share our vision for the nation and how you may fit into it.>Given that the Crownlands have fallen in line with a usurper, it makes sense that a change is due in where the nation shall be ruled. The loyalty of elsewhere in the nation is untested, but it seems prudent that the future of Dalmace is decided by those who were truly loyal to it. Those seen supporting it in this time of upheaval will find themselves closer to the new seat of power of the nation, more easily able to exert their influence and keep abreast of the heartbeat of the realm.>With that in mind, the loyalty of the Duke Molyes has been found wanting. He has refused to welcome the Queen of the realm. While We would normally wish for our vassals to respect each other almost as much as they respect the monarchy, it is apparent a punishment must be levied.>Such disloyalty is dangerous for all who are under the duke. Were you a benevolent ruler, it would behoove you to reach out to Count Ypalle and bring him into your own fold. While Duke Molyes may complain about losing one one his domains, it would be clear to me, as the Queen of the realm, that you acted in the best interest of Dalmace and that there is no reason to reverse the actions you took in its name.>Good health to you and your lands,>Queen Isabella of Dalmace
>>5556283+1
>>5556225>Militant, focused on war! Military actions will fare better, drawing warriors to court.>>5556283Although I am not so keen on a court focused upon spies and criminals, we will inevitably need them. I will back your missive to the duchess, as I believe her territories are the most important to gain hold of. So +1 to the letter.>>5556259In that case, it might be better for you to choose to focus on courtly decorum, since Satois is a part of Dalmace, and run by our nation’s nobles.
>>5556149General reminder to anons, vote on your two preferred positions to fill on our council here and remember to roll 2d100 for them.We have a great spymaster in theory. Kinda “eh” for the second person.
Rolled 16, 10 = 26 (2d100)>>5556149Spymaster and Chancellor
Rolled 90, 82 = 172 (2d100)I'll vote for>Spymaster>Court Mage
Rolled 99, 23 = 122 (2d100)>>5556307+1
Jesus the spymaster roll is consistently amazing.What sort of nation is Dalmace that amazing spymasters are basically everywhere we look? Are they our main export to other nations over fish, wheat, and cheese?
>>5556321Dalmace does have a secret society, one that is powerful enough to have been of the possible starts to the quest.
Rolled 86, 96 = 182 (2d100)>>5556225>>Courtly, focused on decorum! Household and personal affairs will fare better, drawing nobles to court.
Rolled 90, 92 = 182 (2d100)>>5556225>Militant, focused on war! Military actions will fare better, drawing warriors to court.I'll go with something like this, since we seem to be dealing with adventurers, mercenaries and soldiers the most.If I'll have to vote for a second minister, I'll go for the Military Commander/Marshal.
>>5556225>Courtly, focused on decorum! Household and personal affairs will fare better, drawing nobles to court.>Chancellor
Rolled 6, 89 = 95 (2d100)>>5556397
For a Court Mage, the only ones who have some magical ability is Marcel's mercenaries. Like QM wrote:>Mighty Marcel's Merry Marauders, led by Marcel himself! A disorganized mess of all sorts, no discipline to speak of. Because of this however, there are some magic wielders and even a few mythical creatures. At least they aren't foreigners.This can be dangerous, but we can keep someone of his mercenaries close to us. Btw, which mythical creatures Marcel's mercenaries got with them? And what about magic and how they do it? Does Marcel wield magic or is someone else?
>>5556378>>5556225On second thought, I'll change my minister vote to>Chancellor
Tally time!>>5556307>>5556304>>5556256>>5556203>>5556192>Spymaster>>5556192>>5556203>>5556304>>5556397>>5556407>Chancellor>>5556307>>5556314>MageAnd for court structure>>5556397>>5556367>>5556248>Courtly>>5556378>>5556296>>5556260>Militant>>5556283>>5556286>Clandestine>>5556249>>5556259>Academic and DiplomaticSeems like a majority for Spymaster and Chancellor, and a tie between a Courtly focus and a Militant one for your court. Will follow with possible candidates, and anyone can weigh in to break the tie on court structure, or I can decide with a roll when it needs to be settled.>>5556406There are some magic wielders in each of the mercenary companies, just as there might be in standard armies. But Marcel's bunch have some dedicated sorcerers who are magic wielders first and warriors second. On the matter of court mage you wouldn't have to draw from your mercenaries, mages from across the land may be interested. As for mythical creatures, Marcel himself has a flying horse, though not magic himself but wields magic items. They also have a... relatively tame dire bear, a cooperative troll, a friendly undine, and several automaton "people". Quite the collection of strange beings!
>>5556635I'll change my vote from Academic to Courtly
>>5556636Although Militant could be good as well because of the sword, and getting new soldier would shift the balance of power away from the mercenaries
>>5556637If you want to get new soldiers, then Courtly is the choice. Militant is just for having successful military actions. Internal diplomacy is what will win us more allies, and thus more soldiers to fight with.
>>5556640Maybe we could mix it and invite knights, generals and officers to our court.So nobility, but specifically military minded ones with their troops.
>>5556644Maybe we could just do Courtly so we actually get organized forces to join us rather than a mish mash of officers that don't have influence
>>5556636I'll stick to courtly for now. But only because it's what I wanted before>>5556645You actually made me want to change to militant more, not less.
>>5556648...you want a mishmash of officers that don't have influence rather than more soldiers? I thought you said you wanted more soldiers.
>>5556650Them having less influence mean that it would be less to content with our authority, and being a mish mash mean that politically they would focus on each other instead of making a not really unified power block like the mercs did. Less effective as an overall fighting force, but useful for absolute rule.I did say that the mix would be specifically knights, generals and officers, so they would come with their retainers, household troops, units or armies in their command. It would be less then having their domain to get levies and militia, but more then just having warriors and adventurers. A middle ground between numbers and experience, while only involving the nobility to keep up appearancesBut it doesn't matter now, I'm going with courtly for sun queen Isabella. We are already living in a winter palace anyway.
>>5556656>so they would come with their retainers, household troops, units or armies in their commandNo, they would not. They can't just bring the army of their homes with them, they need the permission of their superiors. They might be able to bring their personal retainers, but armies? That's not how this works.
>>5556658Anon, a commander could defect with their army, it happens all the time during civil wars. As long as they are popular enough with their soldiers under their command, of course.
Actually, why are we even having this discussion now? I'm sticking to courtly.We can get some officers and generals later either by training them in military academy or convincing them to defect anyway
>>5556635Fuck it, been lurking for a while, might as well.>>5556225>Courtly, focused on decorum! Household and personal affairs will fare better, drawing nobles to court.Might as well double down on our strengths
>>5556635Between militant and courtly, I’ll go>CourtlyI would rather win the south through diplomacy rather than militarily. I will want to switch focus to either military or clandestine when we go to seize the north.
>>5556635>>5556400>>5556378>>5556367>>5556314>>5556307>>5556304>Spymaster, Chancellor>Double 182 roll, so best of both>90, 96A queen though you are, but a fledgling one if you must be honest. Some wouldn't serve you because you are a rival claimant, while others simply because you're considered an upstart, or even that you're so new to the scene that others don't know of you. So for the time being you can only sustain two councilors, and decide that a Spymaster and a Chancellor are the most important or valuable to have. For the role of Spymaster you can consider;>Monsieur Leblanc, the royal spymaster. This fellow served your father in the same role, before the coup. He has long professional experience in the role and contacts across the land, and was valued for always managing to carry out whatever the royal family needed done, no matter how unsavory. >Confessor Carolus, the inquisitor. A member of the church, he is known for information gathering and there are no secrets of anyone which can escape him, nor any plot which could move past him. There is a drawback of his information shared with the church, but as a clergy member he can travel and act just as well in other regions or foreign lands. >Lady Tsolde, the inducted. A mysterious figure of a shadowy group, with underground ties and criminal specialty. Operating behind the scenes, if chosen you can specify the nature of her group.>Lucy, the court jester. The funny young lass, so cheery and cheeky, none would ever suspect her of anything nor worry about what she hears or sees. And her ability to enter into and exit any place, any court or situation without trouble, for who would be concerned about an innocent humble jester? For the role of Chancellor you can consider;>Ibrahim, the esteemed. A foreigner from the southern continent, he may be out of sorts in this land but he is a gentleman and procurer of all things exotic, to distinguish a court from all others.>Chesier, the whisperer. An oddly styled and mannered man, familiar from your father's court. He always seems to know exactly what to do or say in any courtly situation, and how to orchestrate proceedings to go according to plan. No matter the meeting or dealing he will see that you come out of it the better. >Dama Jozefa, the matron. A classy traditionalist, she expects higher standards of all and has ways of compelling them to do so. She can ensure the reputation of court and see that it functions efficiently and impressively... regardless of how you may act or behave.>Lorenzo and Lorenza, the twins. Foreigners from Inalos, the pair hail from one of the infamous families governing one of the famed principalities there. They are all too familiar with the actual nature and dangers or courtly life behind the fancy veneer, and they know how to be pragmatic about rulership, and keep things running through whatever troubles. Ups and downs, they have your back.
>>5556703And there we go. With this last bit of bookkeeping for you to choose from, your court can finally take shape, and things can progress as usual. Though I didn't plan on going this far with it at first, player rolls were successful enough to warrant it!
>>5556703I am really divided on those, so I will vote on the best two of each, sincerly. >spymaster>Monsieur Leblanc, the royal spymaster. This fellow served your father in the same role, before the coup. He has long professional experience in the role and contacts across the land, and was valued for always managing to carry out whatever the royal family needed done, no matter how unsavory.>Confessor Carolus, the inquisitor. A member of the church, he is known for information gathering and there are no secrets of anyone which can escape him, nor any plot which could move past him. There is a drawback of his information shared with the church, but as a clergy member he can travel and act just as well in other regions or foreign lands.>chancellor>Chesier, the whisperer. An oddly styled and mannered man, familiar from your father's court. He always seems to know exactly what to do or say in any courtly situation, and how to orchestrate proceedings to go according to plan. No matter the meeting or dealing he will see that you come out of it the better.>Lorenzo and Lorenza, the twins. Foreigners from Inalos, the pair hail from one of the infamous families governing one of the famed principalities there. They are all too familiar with the actual nature and dangers or courtly life behind the fancy veneer, and they know how to be pragmatic about rulership, and keep things running through whatever troubles. Ups and downs, they have your back.
>>5556703This is difficultFor spymaster I'm going with>Monsieur Leblanc, the royal spymaster. This fellow served your father in the same role, before the coup. He has long professional experience in the role and contacts across the land, and was valued for always managing to carry out whatever the royal family needed done, no matter how unsavory.As my first choiceor>Lucy, the court jester. The funny young lass, so cheery and cheeky, none would ever suspect her of anything nor worry about what she hears or sees. And her ability to enter into and exit any place, any court or situation without trouble, for who would be concerned about an innocent humble jester?As my secondLoyalty is important in a spymaster, so I think we should avoid people involved with other groups.For chancellor>Lorenzo and Lorenza, the twins. Foreigners from Inalos, the pair hail from one of the infamous families governing one of the famed principalities there. They are all too familiar with the actual nature and dangers or courtly life behind the fancy veneer, and they know how to be pragmatic about rulership, and keep things running through whatever troubles. Ups and downs, they have your back.or>Dama Jozefa, the matron. A classy traditionalist, she expects higher standards of all and has ways of compelling them to do so. She can ensure the reputation of court and see that it functions efficiently and impressively... regardless of how you may act or behave.The twins seem loyal, but Jozefa can help with the whole secretly evil thing
>>5556703>Confessor Carolus, the inquisitor. A member of the church, he is known for information gathering and there are no secrets of anyone which can escape him, nor any plot which could move past him. There is a drawback of his information shared with the church, but as a clergy member he can travel and act just as well in other regions or foreign lands.>Lorenzo and Lorenza, the twins. Foreigners from Inalos, the pair hail from one of the infamous families governing one of the famed principalities there. They are all too familiar with the actual nature and dangers or courtly life behind the fancy veneer, and they know how to be pragmatic about rulership, and keep things running through whatever troubles. Ups and downs, they have your back.
>>5556703>Lady Tsolde, the inducted. A mysterious figure of a shadowy group, with underground ties and criminal specialty. Operating behind the scenes, if chosen you can specify the nature of her group.>Chesier, the whisperer. An oddly styled and mannered man, familiar from your father's court. He always seems to know exactly what to do or say in any courtly situation, and how to orchestrate proceedings to go according to plan. No matter the meeting or dealing he will see that you come out of it the better. Having criminal ties is useful incase we need someone to take the fall or do shady things. Having some control over criminals will also be beneficial in the long run.The whisperer is probably the best option since he is native but doesnt have as high of a standard as jozefa
>>5556703>Monsieur Leblanc, the royal spymaster. This fellow served your father in the same role, before the coup. He has long professional experience in the role and contacts across the land, and was valued for always managing to carry out whatever the royal family needed done, no matter how unsavory. >Lorenzo and Lorenza, the twins. Foreigners from Inalos, the pair hail from one of the infamous families governing one of the famed principalities there. They are all too familiar with the actual nature and dangers or courtly life behind the fancy veneer, and they know how to be pragmatic about rulership, and keep things running through whatever troubles. Ups and downs, they have your back.
>>5556703>Monsieur Leblanc>Chesier, the whisperer
>>5556703>Monsieur LeblancRebuild more of our legitimacy by leaning on father’s staff, and we keep other loyalties outside our court for now. Plus we can be more certain about his willingness to do or not do certain unsavory tasks.I’m more torn on Chancellor, but I’ll go>Chesier, the whisperersince we have protection against scandals by default so appearances will be easier to maintain. The next thing after appearances is effectiveness, and limiting the downsides of a diplomatic play is a good ability.
>>5556703>Monsieur Leblancand>Chesier, the whispererWhilst others are appealing, I think getting two of our father's council members would be a clear sign of legitimacy and truthfulness of your claims.
>>5556703>Monsieur Leblanc>>5556703>Chesier
>>5556703>Monsieur Leblanc>ChesierThe ones who worked for our father will already be well versed in their roles, and we know that if they served him they are very capable at what they do. Probably my only misgiving is whether or not they would continue to serve us if they knew our actual nature, but if we are clever we can figure out how to deal with that.
>>5556703>>Monsieur Leblanc, the royal spymaster. This fellow served your father in the same role, before the coup. He has long professional experience in the role and contacts across the land, and was valued for always managing to carry out whatever the royal family>>Chesier, the whisperer. An oddly styled and mannered man, familiar from your father's court. He always seems to know exactly what to do or say in any courtly situation, and how to orchestrate proceedings to go according to plan. No matter the meeting or dealing he will see that you come out of it the better.The added legitimacy would be a nice benefit
Looks like a majority for>>5557162>>5557108>>5557093>>5556926>>5556850>>5556745>>5556733>>5556731>>5556728>>5556713>>5556709>>5556707>Monsieur Leblanc>Chesier, the whispererAlthough there are numerous candidates you could consider, in the end you settle for two. The first is very easy and almost instant, because as it turns out Monsieur Leblanc had been stalking and observing you this entire time since your makeshift coronation in the field of battle. He had been judging whether you were a worthy cause, and now finally has made up his mind as he kneels before your throne in the palace."I pray that you will forgive me your highness, for failing to protect your family from the plot which befell your father. Allow me to make amends and serve you that such a thing will not happen again."Honestly it's not that difficult of a choice anyway, since you're already familiar with Leblanc. Always about court taking care of certain matters, a few times over the years he was bidden to help you with something, and on a particular occasion he actually rescued you from a botched kidnapping attempt. A grave man of middle age, he should fit the role of spymaster well and between his loyalty to your family, his own interests orient towards you; just out of personal interest, he admittedly finds you to be fascinating and worthy of serving. After all, it was his business to know everything within your father's realm, and yet here he was thinking you were just some dainty proper princess when instead you're conqueror!"But of course my queen, rely on me to see every triumph yours."The other councilor to be appointed is Chesier, another man you are familiar with from your father's court... although considerably less so. Another middle aged man, with strange manner and a cultural affinity for the far west, your recollection of him is sparse. Quite the knack for organizing and running things in court, yet all the while seeming not to and not being seen, like an invisible guiding hand behind proceedings and politics. Really the only times you tended to notice him, were when he was whispering in your father's ear beside the throne. Well your brother ousted him, more like the circle surrounding your brother because Chesier must not have been popular in Jeudail. Either way you find him here now, and willing to benefit of his particular expertise.
>>5556683>>5556667>>5556665>>5556636>CourtlySo then, having fully established yourself now, your rule and court are taking shape. Desiring to structure your household in a Courtly fashion as per your own background, in terms of diplomacy and courtly relations you may prove to be quite a dangerous power. Sure you may have some mercenaries at your disposal, having seized your power militarily, and a personal preference towards direct and violent action. But the real strength as any poor fool may come to find, is what should become of any who enter your court. In every way are you poised to influence, outwit and manipulate your "victims", with such beguiling grace that many would not even be aware of it. And to assist with that in any way they can, two world-class advisors in support of your cause.Now, that your house is in order, to turn your sights outward to any poor fool unlucky enough to stand in your way... or simply just be near you!>To follow...
>>5556703I’m not sure we want a spymaster who didn’t see our brothers coup coming…or if he did, he didn’t warn our father about it.He’s either bad at his job or in bed with our brother.My vote goes to>Lady Tsolde, the inducted. A mysterious figure of a shadowy group, with underground ties and criminal specialty. Operating behind the scenes, if chosen you can specify the nature of her group.>Lorenzo and Lorenza, the twins. Foreigners from Inalos, the pair hail from one of the infamous families governing one of the famed principalities there. They are all too familiar with the actual nature and dangers or courtly life behind the fancy veneer, and they know how to be pragmatic about rulership, and keep things running through whatever troubles. Ups and downs, they have your back.
>>5557256My bad, I missed your post by just minutes!
>>5557258All good, can’t be helped
>>5557264At least it will not have changed the majority of the outcome, I think?>>5557258>>5557250Will be continuing with the player plans of moving forward, outlined some ways above in the thread. In the meantime though for something to occupy you while I compile and write, for some fun to the play you can choose or suggest benefits that your court will bring you. Just things which will help in your quest for dominance and victory. The benefits will increase with time, and what you manage to accomplish, from Basic to Expert and beyond. >Queen Isabella, Courtly >Basic - You cannot suffer scandals within your court and household. >Something else? >The Winter Palace of Kessais, Courtly>Basic - Any member or guest of a lesser station than the palace will automatically defer to the head of the house, for non-personal decisions. >Something else?>Monsier Leblanc, Spymaster>Basic - Operating with discretion, except in the most extreme situations the spymaster cannot cause incident when performing a task.>Something else?>Satrap Chesier, Chancellor>Basic - Artfully skilled, all actions and accomplishments of the chancellor can be attributed to the ruler unless specified.>Something else?In each of these cases, feel free to suggest some benefit you think would be appropriate to the role. Otherwise if you don't care to, then the provided options will be the result.Some player involvement, while I try to comprise a working amalgam of the various plans from above of how you will proceed from here, to post later.
>>5557273>Queen Isabella, Advanced - The vision of a dainty princess runs deep. Your evil actions will always be at least partially attributed to others in your circle instead of solely at your behest, allowing you to scapegoat your court to prevent or reduce a loss of relations with various factions.> Expert - A queen is justified in harsh action. Punishment actions such as hanging or torture do not negatively impact the Queen so long as a legal justification exists. If illegal, the reputation penalty is reduced.>The Winter Palace, Courtly Advanced - The surrounding area has been transformed to take advantage of the greater prestige of the Queen ruling from here. All guests receive a more favorable impression of Queen Isabella and/or Dalmace as a whole when hosted in the palace.>Expert - Vast cellars have been built underneath the palace. You now have refreshments and food to outlast a siege of several months, and the number of wines improve the opinion of nobles in the palace. You also now have several places to imprison, torture, or interrogate prisoners with no chance of detection. Even if such acts are leaked, the evidence can be moved elsewhere.Just some ideas.As an actual replacement idea,>Monsier Leblanc, Spymaster>Basic - Starts with a well-established network of informants, spies, and ne’er-do-wells. Within the nation of Dalmace, Leblanc does not need to spend time building a local network before complex plots can be performed. For all nations bordering Dalmace, Leblanc may receive general information on persons of interest and random events that provide cover for various spycraft actions.Playing on the fact that Leblanc already has a wealth of experience from being our father’s spymaster.
>>5557300I actually just meant for the Basic level for starters, but these are great too!
>>5557398Whoops. Well, we’ll see if anyone else wants to swap out Leblanc’s trait.
>>5556232>>5556248>>5556283>>5556286With your royal court established and structured, you can now start acting in an official capacity. The circumstances are a bit strange however as to exactly what that should entail. In part because not many are sure what a brand new queen should be doing, it's outside the experience of anyone as to the responsibilities and expectations of a newly founded monarchy, rather than ones that have been established for generations. In some regard it remains a potential preference to simply secede from Dalmace altogether and found your own new nation, at least then you'd not always be compared or held to the Dalmacian standard and history.As well though, is your own personal belief about the absolute power you should have, but exactly how you choose to act upon that. Well that's for you to decide, but if you want it to become the natural order of things then you'd do best to frequently set examples to serve as precedent in the future.
Setting aside the matter of your own queenly behavior and responsibilities though, there's always the situation of your power and legitimacy to focus on. And to that end you reexamine some of the letters you dispatched, rough drafts or copies of them.To the Esteemed Duchess Alis,As the newly crowned Queen of Dalmace, We have been busy penning letters to the nearby ladies and lords to let them know of the current state of the realm. As a result of the coup launched by my younger brother, We had been forced to wander along the countryside before settling down in the region of Troweil. Now that We look outward to punish Our sibling for their treason, it behooves us to share our vision for the nation and how you may fit into it.Given that the Crownlands have fallen in line with a usurper, it makes sense that a change is due in where the nation shall be ruled. The loyalty of elsewhere in the nation is untested, but it seems prudent that the future of Dalmace is decided by those who were truly loyal to it. Those seen supporting it in this time of upheaval will find themselves closer to the new seat of power of the nation, more easily able to exert their influence and keep abreast of the heartbeat of the realm.With that in mind, the loyalty of the Duke Molyes has been found wanting. He has refused to welcome the Queen of the realm. While We would normally wish for our vassals to respect each other almost as much as they respect the monarchy, it is apparent a punishment must be levied.Such disloyalty is dangerous for all who are under the duke. Were you a benevolent ruler, it would behoove you to reach out to Count Ypalle and bring him into your own fold. While Duke Molyes may complain about losing one of his domains, it would be clear to me, as the Queen of the realm, that you acted in the best interest of Dalmace and that there is no reason to reverse the actions you took in its name.Good health to you and your lands,Queen Isabella III of Dalmace, Countess of TroweilNot arrogant enough you think, Emelie was right you should have used more titles or names. You look over the drafted letter, due to the response you have received. It seems that Duchess Alis chooses to nervously remain neutral until such a time as a clear benefit is clear to her, what you can discern from her own letter to you. Because of the proximity of her duchy to the crownlands she is wary to support you much in any way, when just by remaining neutral she is already risking much and could face hostility from your brother once he has gotten his own affairs in order. Separate of this at least, nothing to do with you, she could just launch her own attack on Occitine (southern Mallines) as you suggest and seek to claim Jaude. However this would put her in conflict with Duke Molyes which she wants to avoid unless you would also march in conflict beside her, which you were hoping to avoid a military conflict.
>>5557421>>5557300This is better than what I could have done, so I don’t have much to add on this front beside supporting this.
Though she does offer that if you were to marry her son, or otherwise into her family then she would support you fully. Between her and your uncle, Duke Molyes would surely surrender and you'd have all of Mallines without bloodshed within a fortnight. However you probably aren't interested in her proposal like that, so unless you could offer something else as valuable..."Who does he think he is, this bastard?! He dares to question my legacy when my brother offers even worse?!"The other particular letter of importance, is the reply from Duke Molyes himself. Despite the nasty state of affairs between the two of you, at least in writing he remains respectful, more than Duchess Alis in any case. Naturally his worries are that you will come to overthrow him, which is not entirely unfounded if you plan on relocating the capital. More than anything though his refusal to treat with you or swear fealty, is because of the lack of safety your rule is marked by. Legitimacy issues aside, because you are not married and have no children, he is not willing to lend support to you when doing so would brand him traitor to the country. Because your claim is entirely you, upon your shoulders and blood alone, it's too risky for Molyes... and probably many others, to take a chance with you when you could happen to die or be killed and then your entire claim is void. If there was insurance in family of yours, children, then it's a safer gamble.This annoys you because it is echoed in the responses of many others across the region. Particularly the rival counts whose respective counties you need to seize in order to reach a dominance of Occitine, and then peacefully overcome Molyes. As you are lacking in this area of legitimacy, few are willing to personally answer your summons. Not all refuse but most do, although at the same time they instead invite you to come and visit them to pursue diplomatic avenues. This is some silver lining to the problem, but it's useless if you can't maintain control of things from your own household. If only the damned count of Troweil was dealt with, some way or other, so that you could claim peerage to the other counts.But you are not without options, depending on your intent.
>You cannot issue some grand summons to all Mallines at least, without greater legitimacy. However you can at least invite a particular figure, like one of your rival counts, who you can engage with personally. >You'd hoped to avoid military action, but to secure your legitimacy at least within Troweil there still is one loose end. Seek out the traitorous count at his castle, and do what needs to be done.>Dispatch your Chancellor! You'll lack for him here in the palace, but maybe he can sway a particular count or countess. >Send the Spymaster! Not as sure to result in a diplomatic victory, but who knows what sorts of secrets he may dig up, scandals he may cause, or... assassinations he may perform! To weaken a rival by your order.>Within Mallines is a difficult political climate, but neighbors are free of such troubles! A summons to Satois will surely go over better than in Mallines and you may attract many nobles! Although whether you can turn that into some benefit towards taking Mallines remains to be seen.>Petition foreign powers for support. Mallines is surrounded by foreign nations, who you might do better engaging than your own countrymen, ironically. You may have to exchange or give up some things in exchange however.>Something else?
>>5557658>>5557656Fucking nobles. The urge to jump straight into violence is growing. I’m not well suited to this political/royal rigmarole, but I can’t see much other recourse that doesn’t deprive us of something we need seriously. Threats won’t ever go over well with egos that large. Not without significantly more power to back it up. I’m not a fan of any of the choices provided, but I’d need time to think of something.
>>5557660>>You'd hoped to avoid military action, but to secure your legitimacy at least within Troweil there still is one loose end. Seek out the traitorous count at his castle, and do what needs to be done.
>>5557660>Send the Spymaster! Not as sure to result in a diplomatic victory, but who knows what sorts of secrets he may dig up, scandals he may cause, or... assassinations he may perform! To weaken a rival by your order.Perhaps our spymaster can “discover” that one of the nearby count’s family has gone “missing”. Perhaps, with our support in exchange for their fealty, these “missing” members may be found.Target the count to the west.As for us,>You'd hoped to avoid military action, but to secure your legitimacy at least within Troweil there still is one loose end. Seek out the traitorous count at his castle, and do what needs to be done.
>>5557658>Send the Spymaster! Not as sure to result in a diplomatic victory, but who knows what sorts of secrets he may dig up, scandals he may cause, or... assassinations he may perform! To weaken a rival by your order.>Send the spymaster to find a secret could be useful to duke molyes Looks like we’ll a husband or child to make Duke and the others accept us, but they’ll get in the way of our absolute power.Fighting our way out is probably not a good idea either since people remain neutralWe’ll need our spymaster for this.
>>5557690>>5557660Oh, I’ll add>You cannot issue some grand summons to all Mallines at least, without greater legitimacy. However you can at least invite a particular figure, like one of your rival counts, who you can engage with personally. as well.Invite the count to our south for a visit. The Chancellor can deal with him for a time.After we have secured the count of Troweil, we can invite the southern count to meet with us personally. Outside the palace, dining within view of the gallows where the former count will be hanging. Perhaps missing his legs and arms as well.It should prove an enlightening experience for him.Dalmace has been plunged into disarray by our yonger brother’s illegitimate power grab, yet it could not have happened without support. Examples must be set to prevent such rot from remaining in the kingdom.
>>5557660>Send the Spymaster! Not as sure to result in a diplomatic victory, but who knows what sorts of secrets he may dig up, scandals he may cause, or... assassinations he may perform! To weaken a rival by your order.>You cannot issue some grand summons to all Mallines at least, without greater legitimacy. However you can at least invite a particular figure, like one of your rival counts, who you can engage with personally.
>>5557660>Send the Spymaster! Not as sure to result in a diplomatic victory, but who knows what sorts of secrets he may dig up, scandals he may cause, or... assassinations he may perform! To weaken a rival by your order.
>>5557660>Petition foreign powers for support. Mallines is surrounded by foreign nations, who you might do better engaging than your own countrymen, ironically. You may have to exchange or give up some things in exchange however.
>>5557660Send the Spymaster! Not as sure to result in a diplomatic victory, but who knows what sorts of secrets he may dig up, scandals he may cause, or... assassinations he may perform! To weaken a rival by your order.
>>5557660Alright, I’ve made my decision. We can’t keep wasting time with these arrogant nitwits. Every hour that passes is one more for our brother to solidify his holdings and organize his forces, and if people fear we are an inadequate ruler or general, if they’re so afraid we can’t handle war, then let’s make an example and shut them up.Duchess Alis is willing to fight beside us to claim southern Mallines. We agree to this. She will only claim the realm of Count Ypalle as indicated in the letter sent. Her forces will approach Ypalle’s domain and encircle the capital, tying him up defending himself from her.We implore our Uncle to use his forces as a threat to the northern edges of Garrol and Lodde. He is not to immediately engage them. I want him to put up a show by marching on their lands and maneuvering ahead of the opposition. He is not to battle them unless we give the go ahead (that being if those forces decide to leave the northern front to oppose us). This will drive them to either send their own soldiery to confront the threat of our Uncle, whose holdings are enormous and he no doubt possesses a decent army, or else split themselves up and leave them too weak to oppose him, as well as trapped between our armies.We will lead our mercenaries, leaving behind only a tenuous force to defend the palace straight past Garole, leaving behind one company to encircle the capital and keep its forces tied up. The besieging forces are to maintain contact with our Uncle in the north. Should Garole’s forces withdraw from the north in an attempt to drive off the encirclement, we will hammer and anvil them between our company and our Uncle’s detachment. The rest of our forces will march immediately upon Coresse, Duke Molyes’ capital, and besiege it. Before any of this happens, our humble spymaster will make his way into the Duke’s own home and put him down. His body I want removed from the home and brought out before our forces arrive. When we do make it there, all the defenders of Coresse will see their Duke’s mangled remains strung up from a pole, surrounded by marauding mercenaries howling for blood. Failing the chance to remove the body from his home, I want it left somewhere where it will be found. Upon a throne, or strung across like a gutted pig from his own bed posts. Hopefully his forces, seeing they have no reinforcements coming except from Cruche, and with our uncle bearing down from the north, will capitulate with little conflict.If we crush opposition swiftly, and word gets out about the Duke’s fate, Duchess Alis and the other nobles will realize just what kind of beast they’re poking with a stick fucking us around like this. Ideally, this campaign will be done with minimal actual combat. Speed is essential. Forcing the enemy into corners and between our armies will give them the option to at best win a Pyrrhic victory, or surrender.
>>5557872To expand, we do not need a large force to protect the palace. Good fortifications can usually be held for considerable amounts of time against vastly larger armies. Our goal here is only to take the Duke’s own capital. All of this is to be done swiftly, with little time to prepare or retaliate. The enemy armies will realize they’re stuck in a position where they can’t move because they’d only be exposing themselves to being surrounded. I forgot to mention that Duchess Alis is to move any excess troops past Jadue if her forces are sufficient to keep Ypalle stuck in his own keep (which they should be), and move on into Garole, which will provide further threat to Garole to keep them occupied, and make the other regions aware that even more forces are moving in their direction, further cementing that they’re fucked no matter what.I know we want to preserve a lot of resources here, but that won’t matter if these fuckwits keep dicking us around while our brother is up to who knows what. Besides, a show of force should convince others that we aren’t just some namby pamby little girl wearing shoes too big for her. They’ll know we mean business.So my choice is for >Something else
>>5557875And feel free to pitch in if you have any suggestions or qualms, or even if you just want to tell me that my idea is retarded and should be dropped. I won’t be upset.
>>5557872Another bit I forgot to mention is that our Uncle and the countess are to move their forces first, and draw the enemy nobles’ armies away from their holds, leaving them less defended. In the Countess’ case, I just want the enemy to be busy trying to hold their own capital. Again, Little actual combat. Just tying the enemy armies up so that they can do very little without setting themselves up for defeat.IF this goes right, they’ll surrender when they find out what has happened to the Duke and that we hold his own keep. There won’t be a point for them to fight afterward. We can even make the terms for their surrender generous. Let them keep their holds and what not as long as they pledge themselves by us. Of course, they’ll be wary of us further on if they agree, but we probably won’t be keeping them around.
>>5557872>>5557875This is quite a daring plan! Just two things to be aware of;>Firstly, you won't get very far if you expect that you can give orders to your uncle. Though he supports your claim, personally he considers you subordinate to him as his niece. That could change in time, but currently like everyone else his perception of you is as you always outwardly behaved; a dainty proper princess.>Secondly, that your uncle already has his troops amassed on the border. That is what is trying up the forces of Duke Molyes, and freeing you from this whole situation being a military one. If you want your uncle to actually engage and turn the conflict to bloodshed, then he may if you present a good enough case. But your plan of him stirring up a fuss on the border and creating distractions, is not really possible because he's already there just sitting encamped.Otherwise though, your bold gambit could be one to pay off if everything goes according to your
>>5557904Disregard it anyway. I’m thinking now it’s too risky. And retarded.
