Current plans on the Beribo Arc:

> Fetch Geharo, or Geharo's mother, to see Niduseg?

Current plans on the Convocation Arc:

> None so far; successfully introduced Immigrant candidates to the top of the Consideration List. Nice win.
> Probably bracing for trouble now.

Current plans on the Red Pine Bandits Arc:

> Should the leaders be sent back to the Red Pines now, with your agreement?
> Would you agree to meet them, whether in Raumar or even outside the city?

Current plans on the Great Summer Festival Arc:

> None. Jewellery is being made.

Lurker here, bumping for others to see

We need to ask if there are many such intellectuals around in the city. Let's meet some of them and try to build up a court.
Ask Kurigis if he knows about our first brother and what he thinks of him. He's staying away from the capital gathering intellectuals, is he?

>>19408928

Kurigis smiles. 'I somewhat figured that was your purpose for this meeting, sir. It is a wise purpose.'

You nod, at which he continues. 'Well, it would depend if you prefer to associate only with our own people, sir, or whether you would also like to meet the talented people of the east. If it is the latter, I can introduce you to Lehemirun and his tavern, where there are always those foreigners.

'If it is the former, I do know some men who are already within the city. Two of them have expressed interest in serving some noble houses - in fact, one of them, a man named Ramogis, is about to leave after the Festival, for House Oson. It would be best to meet him earlier, rather than later.'

'Who's the other man?'

'Another young man who appears to know much of natural sciences and astrology, named Kuroseg...'

Hmm.

> What do? Arrange to meet them soon? Or just one of the two?
> Also, do you like imperials only, or would foreigners do too? It's not very common for foreigners to be gate-guests, but...

>>19408928

'The First Earl...' Kurigis strokes his beard as he thinks. 'Well, sir. I have actually been to his lordship's place for a month before, when he invited me to go and settle in his council.'

'That's a pretty good offer isn't it, considering the state of Iru?' You sip some tea. Man, the garlicky food is seriously garlicky. To your slight dismay, it's getting cold and no one's eating it due to your presence. Well, at least Peony had some... 'so why did you not take the offer?'

'I felt, sir, that his lordship... if I may speak my mind, sir, he is not a man of quality. He studies texts not for their substance, but for their words. He enjoys plotting, but does not decide appropriately on plans; where plans are carried out, his support is often faltering. For that reason, the people he has attracted are in fact rather... third-tier.'

That's an interesting evaluation, that.

> What do/say to that?

If we're free tomorrow, let's go meet both of them!

>>19408956
We will want to meet both of them, what kind of repercussions can we expect if we take in foreigners?

>>19408987
So, our oldest brother isn't performing optimally as far as politics go?
Say that we will strive not to repeat his mistakes.

>>19409057

Kurigis says he would be very glad to have the two of them meet you tomorrow - in the afternoon. You tell him to bring them to the Jade and Cloud Mansion.

'Is that your lordship's... new place in the city?'

'You could call it that...'

> Do/say anything more?

>>19409071

Repercussions will mostly be in terms of reputation - you'll gain a name as being someone who likes foreigners. It's up to you whether that's a good or bad thing, really.

>>19409107
I would prefer to work on keeping a reputation of hiring people based on their skills and trustworthiness rather than their place of birth, so I suggest that we work with the foreginers, but employ only the best they have to offer.

>>19409085
> Do/say anything more?
I think that we're done with him for now, dismiss him and move on

>>19409144

'As for foreigners,' you say, 'I have no preference for people based on their place of birth. My only preference, and it's a strict preference, is for ability and reliability.'

'I am sure, sir, Lehemirun knows many who fit those qualities,' Kurigis says. 'If I may, should I keep Amaryllis with me for the day while I go look for him, and she can then inform your lordship of anyone else who might be meeting you tomorrow?'

Amaryllis perks up at that suggestion; you suspect she just wants an excuse to go home for the evening. Well, why not, eh...

With that, you dismiss both of them, and they thank you and leave. Then you beckon to the garlic meat slices. 'Come on Peony.'

'Thanks, sir.' She picks up one of the slices and eats it with relish. How does she stand so much pungency? She then shakes her head a little. 'Needs more garlic...'

You stare at her, then shake your own head. Man. Today's been surprisingly tiring, though it is still afternoon outside.

> What do? The rest of your day is free. Tomorrow is the meet; you know it will probably be like an interview. And the day after that is when your father returns, with your brother. Family reunion, oh joy...

>>19409178
We will want something to keep our family pacified, how about preparing some gifts for them?

Do we know what they like?

>>19409205

They just came back from hunting, though you don't know how the hunting went precisely. But they're likely to be in a good mood, anyway.

If you wish to give them stuff, Tinaga does like women, and your father likes valuables in general. Well, both of them do, really, and they have rather crude tastes. You can check your valuables in your vault:

> http://noblemanquest.wikia.com/wiki/Adrian%27s_Vault

Note that your household would frown on you giving away women to Tinaga, though. Especially given you know how your second brother is with women, and with servants in general.

>>19409230

No women. We're not giving any of our attendants to someone as violent as our second brother.

In fact, let's not prepare any gifts for Tinaga. Maybe take 10 vats of liquor for our dad?

>>19409230
I'm thinking about sharing some of that quality alchohol we have stored.

We also might as well start reading through all of those books and scrolls we have stored, to brush up on our poetry skills, if nothing else.

Also, where is the regular crew playing this, I'm suck at this and I'm only posting to keep the thread going until they arrive.

>>19409280
>>19409250

10 vats of liquor it is then! It's not like you're going to be drinking so much of it anyway.

You know it'd probably last your father two months or something, though. And your brother a month. Crazy stuff.

> 9 vats of rice liquor in vault

Returning to the Palace, you have a bath drawn for you, and then Lavender comes in with a series of notes. 'Hmm?'

'Notes from Lily, your lordship. She's been... going around the countryside.'

Oh yes. You read them in the shower, quietly... things appear to be going well. Lily has hired a group of local villagers and children in the villages north of Margade to serve as your eyes and ears, and also gotten two wandering salesmen to carry the information back to you. Well, that's effective.

And for an initial report, she says that the villages have been singing your praises after that Red Pines incident. They made up a song about how the 'dashing third master' gets men to disarm themselves without shedding blood. Well, that's an ego boost, that is...

> Any instructions?

Also, don't worry about it - you're doing well. The crew hasn't been appearing since the previous thread, that's why last thread was quite short.

Oh, if no instructions, you can go to the library and read stuff, definitely.

You could also go elsewhere, if you want - whether within the palace, or back into the city. Maybe not the city today, though. One long trip is enough fatigue for a day...

Congratulate Lily, tell her to keep up the work. Report anything suspicious to us.

Get Lavender to wash us, and then we'll go do a bit of reading. Also get Linden here, to talk about the girls for the festival.

>>19409178
On the topic of foreigners: Since we're already largely throwing in with the immigrants and contemplating a foreign wife, I don't think our reputation can afford our going too far with foreign gate-guests as well. I am willing to get some, sure, but as a general rule I'd say our standards of quality for foreign gate-guests should be significantly higher than those we keep for native gate-guests. Make sure that when we hire a foreigner, he's one that other nobles would envy us for keeping in our retinue rather than someone who could be replaced at the drop of a hat by a native-born man of similar skills.

>>19409340
Lily's doing well, sounds like. What resources is she using to hire people? How much is this network costing us? I'm inclined to say "good, keep hiring more people" but without knowledge of what we're spending that seems foolish. Still, I doubt it's too costly...

>>19409369

'I'll go pass the letter out then, sir,' Lavender says, heading for the door.

'No, not you. Pass it to someone else. I need a bit of scrubbing after the meeting today.'

She smiles bashfully as she walks over and takes up the loofah, and begins scrubbing your shoulders and neck. She's pretty good at this, with a firm but gentle touch. Her dad would have appreciated this, as a soldier.

'You want to ask something,' you say, turning to look at her. She looks a little surprised, then brushes the blonde strands from her face.

'Um... I was just wondering about the meeting. It seemed rather hostile, sir.'

'Which is rather to be expected,' you murmur. Ooh, yes, down the arms like that please. You ask her some things about tinkering; she says you have an awesome workshop, with far better equipment than anything she's seen.

'So, sir,' she says, much more comfortable now, 'so... what happens for the Great Summer Festival? The social season is about to start soon...'

You smile as you smell the lavender she must have daubed on her lapels, while she bends close to massage your arms.

> What do/say?

How exactly does the fief system work?
I've been searching through the wiki for a while and my knowledge of the feudal system is terrible, so I'm wondering how to acquire one, what our duties regarding a fief and and what the advantages are.

>>19409424
We will have make an appearance at the festival, but I don't think that we have any plans for it, though.

>>19409416

You're not sure about the resources. Lily may well not be using anything other than contacts right now.

Well, for now she's not asking you for money, so that's a relief...

Also, you will take note of that. Natives should come first. You do estimate that your pro-Immigrant stance should provoke a sensation within the city, even if you don't see it yet...

>>19409428

You are of age to ask immediately for a fief now, actually. You can then choose which place you'd like to go.

Once you've set up a fief, the first step is building a manor, and then it's basically up to you to manage the affairs of the locals. You will run the place, on behalf of your liege, which in this case is your father. And above him, the king.

>>19409465
We will be meeting a lot of people tomorrow, some of them might be trustworthy and intelligent enough to get some advice from regarding the fief.

We will also have to scope out availible locations and how they fit into our current plans and investments.

>>19409453

'No plans, really, sir? Isn't that when the noble ladies are brought out?'

'Oh, you mean that! I thought you meant the chariot race.'

'That's fun! Oh, I'm sorry sir.'

You smile. Fun isn't... quite the word you'd use. Actually, you don't know why you're so against chariot racing either - it is an exciting sport after all. But it just isn't something you'd do, that's what it probably is...

> What do/say?

As for the fief, it is something can ask your retinue, yes. Do remember that as your retinue expands, you can always summon them to ask questions. That's what they're there to do, answer questions, and the more you summon them the more it shows your trust. They love that.

Current retinue:
> Sadereg, swordsman

After the bath is over, you decide to go to the library and also to take Lavender with you. She looks around with a little apprehension at all the scrolls.

Then Linden appears. 'You asked for me, sir?'

'Yeah. About the girls. Of the fourth of fifth.' Well, here's your planning happening right now.

'Well... what about them then, sir?' Linden smiles. 'I've heard that you might be interested in the foreign girls? Saragites and Merinites?'

> What do/say?

>>19409558
About the chariot racing - the political groups in the city have their representatives in the races and staying out of the whole race thing is a good way to delay showing our open support for them.

From what I remember, w didn't like the blues for some reason and one of our brothers turned to them instead. Imian?


About the girls - yes, we are going to take a look at both of those and what we have to gain and lose from them, but we aren't exactly dismissing the locals either.

>>19409558
as spies! we need ears in foreign parts; gives us an edge in trading, and we can discover more of the red pine issue.

>>19409652

That is true, but it will also give you a name for generally not caring about such things. That's neither good nor bad, you suppose...

Equivocation is not always the best course, but sometimes it is. It's really up to you as to whether you want to go to the chariot races or not. The Reds seem to want your support, but you could withhold that - though they have done you favours before, so that might not be very nice.

The Blues appear to be quite chummy with Imian, that's true.

Linden nods. 'Well, a lot of them this year are apparently really pretty... but Saragites and Merinites are said to be quite outstanding, even by those standards. The worry, of course, is that the two of them don't get along due to their nationalities, and that Sara's younger brother might be coming along with her - and he could be an interesting man.'

'So what do I have to gain and lose from them?'

She frowns. 'Well... the gains from marrying very pretty women are quite self-evident, sir. It would be interesting for a high noble to marry a foreign wife, though. Certainly the easterners would be very glad for that - it is probably why they've sent the two in the first place. But in return...'

She leaves the rest unsaid. But you've seen the Convocation, you've seen the city's attitude towards foreigners. The Imperials have always known themselves to be superior to barbarians... except are you, really?

> What do/say/ask? Linden's here to give information on the girls. Questions can be more specific.

>>19409723

They're easterners, not hillmen. Also, they're of the same rank as you, and not likely to be your servants - except, of course, in the husband/wife way.

... you think. Eastern culture can be interesting when it comes to what women can do - they're generally a little permissive in those aspects...

> Going to get dinner, be back in a bit.

>>19409727
How about their families?
We getting into the trading business would probably be easier if we were bound by marriage to potential foreign trading partners.

We are interested in other venues too and knowing the interests and plans of the girls and their families could help too.

Who has been expanding economically, who has a good military, etc.

we'll decide on a wife later. though the social season is near, we need to get convocation stuff in order. in the mean time we also need to get a retinue together. have peony get a list of candidates together. Lily will be our Master of Spies (unofficially of course). people we need:

an accountant
business guy
intellectuals in general
maybe another bodyguard

anything else anyone can think of?

>>19409845
>>19409795

'Well, sir, I'm afraid I can't tell you about the plans of other people's families,' Linden grins. 'I'm not that great a spy!'

'Aren't you? I'm bitterly disappointed.' You tweak her nose and she blushes.

'I apologise, sir. But for those two foreigners, it's not hard to tell what their families are after. Theniron and Subaran are two of the strong powers among the states of the Easterners. It is said that they've been trying to woo followers and tributaries from among the smaller tribes and counties, and that Theniron currently holds a slight edge.'

'That sounds unstable.'

'It is, rather. But so far they've not come to blows though... yet. Which is good. As for the other girls... apparently Iatar has been pushing for an initiative to re-open the trade routes to the south, which have been blocked by bandits and other states between us and Korhome. But that hasn't proved very easy, in terms of persuading the Palace to do something...'

You nod. Lavender is also listening intently, you realise.

You ask Linden to tell Peony to draw up a list of some candidates, but both Linden and Lavender advise that it might be better to meet those learned men yourself. 'A lot of them are hoity-toity, and only a few deserve to be like that, sir. Nonetheless, word spreads amongst them quickly, and if word gets out that you're disrespectful of the learned... which you aren't of course, sir!'

Lavender's new, and her behaviour really rather endearing. 'No, I try not to be.' She has a point though. Building up a retinue to delegate things to - that's your task. But you think you've got a good list of the people you need for now.

> What do? It's the evening now; it's been really quiet. Things haven't been this calm for a bit...

>>19410046
If there is anything left for us to prepare for tommorrow, do that - go through papers, laws and anything else relavant so we would not be caught by surprise.

If we already did everything there is to do about tommorrow, have dinner and go to bed.

>>19410046

Let's just relax then. Have Linden or Lavender read to us.

Also, we need to draft a letter to Geharo and get him to meet us. And then Niduseg as well.

>>19410242
>>19410194

> ... seriously. Is anyone here at all, other than you two good people? This is a little depressing. Thanks for playing, though.

What do you mean, prepare for tomorrow? You're the one doing the interviewing - it's up to you to ask them questions.

If you've got any specific questions, suggest them!

Meanwhile, you tell Linden and Lavender to choose whatever they want to read, and read it to you. Linden reads to you from a book of comic poetry that includes several verses, many about interesting positions that people take and the things that make men and women glad, which make Lavender go bright apple-red.

'All right, Linden, all right. No more buggery. Lavender?'

Lavender has a nice reading voice, and she reads to you several romantic poems from an old Irunese compilation of poetry. Even Linden, who doesn't quite like these sorts of romances, can't help but smile.

Just then the door opens, and Orchid comes in. 'Oh, I've finally found you, sir! Dinner!' It's a simple meal, steamed fish and boiled vegetables and ducks stewed with chestnuts.

> What do? If nothing else, you'll eat and be to bed.
> Also, suggest questions for tomorrow.

>>19410294
>What do you mean, prepare for tomorrow? You're the one doing the interviewing - it's up to you to ask them questions.

I seem have mixed up my meetings. Who are we interviewing tommorow?

>>19410294
i check in occasionally, but i think part of it is this isn't /tg/ prime time.

>>19410347
True, I'm a eurofag and it's almost time for me to go to sleep, so the US should start going active in a few hours from now.

>>19410335

Schedule time!

> Tomorrow, as arranged with Kurigis, you'll be meeting some of the people interested in being gate-guests.

> Details are here: >>19408956

> The day after tomorrow is when your dad and brother come back. But don't worry - you don't really need law to deal with them either.

> In fact, since you're a high-ranking noble, you don't need law to deal with most things. What meeting were you thinking of, actually?

>>19410294
it's about 1pm here.

i love the quest, but i really have to get actual work done right now, and shouldn't be looking at /tg/ until 6-or-7 pm rolls around, but by then the quest is concluded.

hence my previous outcries of "curse you time zones"

kind of figured you were a eurofag, Xingzhe, what with the single-quotes and general time zone whatsit.

>>19410390
> In fact, since you're a high-ranking noble, you don't need law to deal with most things. What meeting were you thinking of, actually?

The merchant meeting, but I just now remembered that we already did that one.
Yeah, I facepalmed.


We mostly want them to be our advisors, so we will need to ask them what area of study they specialize in, we should find out how we can benefit from their knowledge and we should find out if they know anyone else who might be of use.

Also, we are always interested in acquiring more books and scrolls for our collection, both for our own use and so that we may sell copies of them should anyone be interested in buying them.

And then there is always SCIENCE!. Actual practical knowledge is always nice to have.

>>19410294
I think that's a problem with quests with a lot of, let's say, lore. As threads are added, there's less and less anons willing to jump in, and you end up with a few regular players that might not be here when you are.
I'm surprised this is a problem for this thread though, since you announced the day relatively long before.

>>19410550
But if someone sums up to me who we are and what we've done up to now I can join in. I like your quests, OP.

Oh right, wiki, gonna check that.

>>19410489

Man, that's seriously unfortunate. Especially when the only times I'm free are when no one's around.

Are weekends better then? Like, Saturday? Because I thought they'd be, but then last thread was on a Saturday and there was a single brave player keeping it going every 30 minutes. Bloody depressing too. (Kudos to the guy though.)

>>19410520

You note those questions as you eat. Kuroseg does sound interesting - what's 'natural science' entail?

After dinner, Linden asks if you'd like her to attend to you tonight. You agree, eagerly anticipating what you know is to come from having Linden in bed...

... and then you want up at dawn, to see Linden, fully clothed, cuddled up against you. She wakes up not long after you do, stirred by your movements. 'Sir...'

'Eh... did we not do anything?'

'You fell asleep the moment you hit the bed, sir. I had to move you into this position or your legs would be hanging off the edge,' she giggles. Well, well. It's hard to be an earl.

You haven't got anything to do until the afternoon when you have to head to the Jade and Moon Mansion to meet the candidates. Come think of it, you haven't even been to the Jade and Moon Mansion before...

Better treasure that free time, mate. Once dad comes back and summer rolls around, there might not be much of that left... you'll have to make your own entertainment, now as always. 'Linden, am I a boring master?'

'Not to me, sir, no,' she giggles, then sighs happily as you kiss her face. 'But it's true you seem quite... retiring. Fourth earl was holding a big reception last night and all of us could hear it through the night - noisy as hell!'

Sigh.

> What do/say?

>>19410607

Who you are:

> http://noblemanquest.wikia.com/wiki/Adrian,_Earl_of_Mar

What you've done now:

> You've solved a kidnapping case involving servant girls, and a corrupt magistrate.
> You are currently in the middle of trying to expand your power and retinue.
> Also, you've scored at the Convocation meeting yesterday by supporting the Immigrants successfully.

>>19410634
Morning is also a good time.

>>19410634
Well, we do get a lot of work done, so sometimes we have to sacrifice our entertainment time.

Now, making up for our lack of activity last night sonds like a good way to start the day off.

>>19410669

Whose morning, like, chantime? And are we talking 2 am morning, or 8 am morning...?

> Also, if there are lurkers - I get the impression there might be some - do participate! The very worst that can happen is that Peony or an advisor tells you something is unworkable. (They won't even say 'stupid', because they wouldn't call their master stupid.) The problem isn't so much about having 'too many plans' as actually having too *few* plans - Adrian is drifting to other people's tunes now...

>>19410698

'I think I should start this day by making up for last night then, eh?' You press Linden back down on the bed as she giggles. Even after a night's sleep, she smells lovely and warm and enticing.

And she is definitely enticed, pulling you in for the kiss, shrugging off her robes. And knocking the door.

Wait, knocking the door? 'YES?'

'Oh. Sorry, sir, am I interrupting anything?'

Linden starts moving against you again, which is rather distracting, but you manage to ask Peony to hold off for a bit. When you're done, she comes in and understands immediately. 'Sir. News from the city, and from the Convocation.'

Ah, there goes the afterglow. 'Yes?'

'Firstly... some of the immigrant quarters in the north side have actually broken out in celebration over the Immigrant party's victory yesterday. Secondly, the Convocation is calling an emergency meeting today.'

'Do I have to go then? Or...'

'Yeah, sir. It's a closed meeting.' The closed meeting privilege was another thing the Convocation managed to wrest from your father - the right to bar the Prince's Monitor from some of their deliberations. So you can't even go in and see what's going on...

> What do/say? Both activities have potential for harm, it appears.

>>19410808
I meant that it was a good time for having Linden "attend" to us, since we slept through the evening.

>>19410808

We should encourage those immigrants. Perhaps we could send someone to ask what they want?

Damn, we really need more people. Can we actually just go and visit Kurigi now? Also is Amaryllis back yet?

>>19410859

do you want to cause a riot or something? let's not.

but asking what they want is an idea though.

>>19410808
We have someone in there telling us faithfully what is discussed, I hope ?

Can we do something to calm the immigrants ? Better not fuel resentment.

Hm... Maybe if we lack plans and pawns to move... we could try to build ourself a second identity and go around the city trying to make friends and intervene more directly in people's affairs.

>>19410959
I mean, a noble's life can be boring, and I don't like the idea of buying people's help and trying to guess the right prices all the time.
Is that how we do things ?

>>19410904
>>19410846

You don't really have eyes and ears within the Convocation, sadly. You can still attempt to use your agents (ie. your attendants) to try and weasel out information, but it's risky, and could have consequences for the attendants.

> To try that, roll d100 with a serious penalty.

Alternatively, if you can come up with another avenue for getting information about the Convocation, suggest it. You wonder if your network of favours has been stretched wide enough...

... or whether you've stretched it at all.

> Also, Lily is 'master of spies', but she's only been in her 'post' two days. Also, she hasn't even been within the city. Ula is a spy, but she's tried to get you in trouble before... so it's up to you whether to promote her, or change her brief.

As for the celebrations, Ula says (via Peony) that they're mostly celebratory now - there hasn't been any violence thus far. But she says there are several hundred of them going around and things may well change suddenly.

In any case, it's already being treated as a public disturbance; the captain of the Margade Guard has sent requests for authorisation to the Palace, asking for orders.

> What do/command?

>>19410808
So, the merchants are getting together to come up with plans and we aren't allowed to go in there and participate?
That's probably the imperial merchants we pissed off trying to come up with a way to stop the immigrants from grabbing more power or holding on to what they got already.

Are we on good terms with anyone who willl be participating, or do we hace access to the servants who will be working there?
Getting some way to stay up to date about their talks would help us react on anything they come up with in time.

>>19410959
>>19410993

It's 'boring' because we've been trying to micromanage.

Building a second identity won't really work because the friends we make won't identify with us in 'real' life. What we need to do is to recruit more people, then get them to make friends for us.

>>19411007
Regarding the meeting, let's wait and see. We'll know what's what once they're done. Be ready to send someone get info at that point.

>>19411007

We could ask the Reds, couldn't we? Or get Ula to ask some of the servants if she knows them.

Also, order the Guard not to attack. Watch them carefully, keep them from the main roads, do not harm them or draw weapons. A riot is seriously the last thing we want now.

> Roll d100. This one's not for the information gathering.

>>19411035
>the friends we make won't identify with us in 'real' life.
They won't until let them do so. There should be people in the city we can come to trust. At least more so than second-hand friends.

rolled 95 = 95

>>19411140
rolling

>>19411110
>>19411195
>>19411089

> 95: brilliant roll!

You give the order for the guards as instructed, and Linden - who's just finished getting dressed - runs out with it. It's not long after that when you hear a slight commotion from downstairs.

When you get to the courtyard, it turns out it's a young attendant wearing Imian's colours - clearly an easterner, from her looks and accent - who's come into the house. Peony goes up to her and notices the paper in her hand. 'What's this?'

'Sir! Your lordship!' She sounds desperate. 'Please help! The fourth earl has sent a command for the city guard to... to disperse the celebrating men by any means!'

You take the letter and read it. Oh, bloody hell. What the hell is Imian thinking? Thankfully, Linden has a clear headstart, so it seems certain she will get to the city guard first. But still...

> What do? This seems like an potentially dangerous situation!

>>19411195
Wow pretty good a 95 on the first try. I would tried to roll to get something higher but if I roll a nat 1 that cause all sorts of problems because that almost never happens.

>>19411286
Grab a horse and ride down to take command yourself.

>>19411144

You think about that momentarily... actually, you wonder if it might not be that bad an idea. You'd probably have to take people along with you, though, for safety.

Peony isn't sure if it's such a good idea, but you manage to persuade her that with safety measures in place, you could meet some interesting people.

'Sir, why don't you hold more social events with people of your own rank then?'

'Peony, did you realise you are asking me to give you more work?' You smile.

'Yes, but... my work is for you. And if you don't build networks, sir, and gather people, and entertain them and yourself, then my work has little purpose too...'

>>19411286
So the guard obeys us and our brother ? Who's got precedence ?

If it's not us, then go to the guard ourself and oversee things, that should be enough to make them obey us.
In any case, send our brother's messenger on her way with her paper, we can't really intercept it.

>>19411286
thank her for bringing the information straight to you and arrange for her protection if she might be in danger for doing so (if not, leave her where she is and work to get her as a spy in Imians household.)

>>19411383
>>19411352

The girl explains that this piece of paper is merely a draft, and the proper copy is just about to be sent out. 'Please keep this copy, sir - I can't be seen with it.'

'Makes sense. Well, you better rush back to your master's then, before they miss you.'

'Thank you- thank you, sir,' she says, and quickly runs off. Rose takes the copy somewhere else, and then you see the courier from Imian's residence run out with a box holding the message.

As the older of the brothers, you technically have precedence, but it's a weak advantage at best. If you really want to make sure, then probably going to the scene is for the best.

> What do? Go down to Margade?

>>19411427
Yes.

What's our schedule for the day?
Not that we shouldn't stop and prevent a riot when we can, but I wouldn't want to upset anyone.

By the way, have we any idea how the officers of the guard feel about the immigrants? Are they likely to jump to violence in this situation, or any other ?

rolled 93 = 93

>>19411427
> What do? Go down to Margade?

Yes, let's go there personally.

And, I'm off to sleep, hope to see the rest in the archives.

>>19411506
We have a meeting with some scholars in the afternoon, that's all.

>>19411508
>>19411506
>>19411447

> 93: I'm taking that roll for sure!

You do know that the Guard does often feel the immigrants are a source of trouble - sticking around, not speaking the language, and having a reputation for being thieves - so this is a potentially dangerous situation really.

That's why you decide, in the end, to go get a horse from the stables and ride down personally. As you ride past the courier from Imian's office, he looks up and quickly seems to recognise who you are. But you ride past him, and through the gates into the city.

Once you cross the Meridian Canal, you can already hear the sounds of cheering and music - easterner music, with their blaring oboes and big drums. Quickly you make your way to the Guards, and their commander recognises you and greets you.

'Sir!' The guard is really out in full force. Linden's message appears to have already arrived; in fact, she's right there behind the line of guards, and runs up to you. Three or four lines of guards are surrounding the crowd of five or six hundred as they march along the street, gradually tightening. The mood is tense, even though the music is still blaring out joyously.

'Build our temples! Claim our dues! Do our work! Straighten our names!' The chant rises from the crowd, intensifying as they see the guards closing in.

'What are your orders, sir?' You look at the situation. Many of the guards are armed, though no one has drawn swords; they are instead relying on their staves.

> What do/say?

>>19411687
So wait no violence drunken or otherwise have occur yet? Any property damage at all? Are they just being loud and noisy?

>>19411687
Is there a few leaders in the crowd ?
We could try to talk to them.

If not, order the commander to block the streets selectively, leaving one free so as to lead the crowd to a part of the town where they'll cause less disturbance. Preferably a square in the immigrant neighbourhood.

>>19411781
It seems like they are just having a huge party so I'm guessing no but hey some people could have organize it that way

>>19411781
second

>>19411803
>>19411781
>>19411779

'Has anything been damaged? Any injuries?'

'Nothing so far, sir. Well, some of them tripped over the tables, but nothing serious.'

'Well, then for goodness sake, watch them but don't threaten them. Let them march. Close three sides and lead them to the fourth! Is there somewhere here we could gather them?'

The captain thinks for a while as he orders the men to stand at ease, so they aren't too threatening. 'We could lead them to the grass field where they want their temple to be built, sir. Or we could lead them back to the Guard's office, and ask them to disperse from there.'

You wonder. The Guards' office could be seen as threatening. But do you really want to lead a few hundred immigrants to a site of agitation...?

> What choose? Or do something else, lead them in another direction - towards the Meridian Canal?

Also, while you are deliberating on your horse, you suddenly hear someone go:

'There! There he is!'

Huh? You? As you turn the crowds immediately surge, and there is a crescendo of music and a hubbub.

'Stand back! I said stand back!'

'Third Lord! Dashing Third Lord, righting our names!'

'Oi! Stand back I said!' the captain points here and there, but his voice hardly carries over the BLAAAAAAAARRRRRRR of the brass oboes. 'Sir, maybe you should stand back yourself!'

> What do? Stand back, address crowd, something else?
> The guidance question still applies, unless you want to not guide them elsewhere now. It's up to you.

>>19411921
I think we should lead them to the guard's office. Us leading them to their temple's place would be misinterpreted.
Give them an appropriate, friendly but not encouraging gesture, then stand back.
We'll talk once they walked a little.

>>19411921
Well if we lead them to the Guards' office it's gonna turn what could become a riot TO will become a riot. I would say we should Address them but unfortunately I'm horrible with speeches. We would also need a tall enough platform to even do a speech or to talk to them.

>>19411980
>>19412002

If there's a tower at the guards office, why not say we'll talk to them from there, and then lead them there?

Then we can ask them nicely to disperse from there, and since they like us they should listen.

rolled 90 = 90

>>19412002
Is there anything to say ?

Rolling to think of a good place to lead them to.

>>19411980
If we do this we better have a awesome speech to back it up

>>19412029
Well anything speech or thing we could say to calm them down a bit although I have no idea what we could say especially because they been drinking

>>19412029
>>19412027
>>19412002
>>19411980

> I'll take that 90 roll for obedience then! You've been on quite a roll with the immigrants, Adrian.

'People! People! Listen to me!' You repeat the phrase in Vasawa and Riverrine, unsure which is the more spoken; but either way the people yell in approval. 'Stand back from the guards! Stand back for your safety!'

A further hubbub ensues, and you almost think they are about to start a fight; but then both the guards and the men end up taking two steps back, and someone asks the oboe and drum players to shut up for a bit.

Right. So you have their ear now. What do you say?

> Take them to the guards office? There is, indeed, a three-storey tower there from which you can address them if you feel up to it.

>>19412027
This could work if they are sober but they are drunk so it's a 50/50 shot but hey if things get out of hand at least we are near a bunch of guards

>>19412087

> Oh, you can do something else, of course. Naturally. I wouldn't give you only one choice.

Also, to clarify: I don't think I ever mentioned they were drunk.

Well, at least now they look sober enough to comply. Which is a good thing, really; were they actually drunk, that would be way more troublesome.

We could ask them to disperse saying we don't want them to get hurt by the guards and harming the positive reputation the immigrants are struggling to build. We want Margade united as a whole not separated into two sides a.k.a Locals Vs Immigrants. Basically ask them to help us by leaving. (Sorry the best I could think up on short notice. I'm not a writer.)

>>19412158
So if anyone see something wrong with this feel free to correct it. I know it has to have some flaws

>>19412087
Well there isn't much to say.
We can't really ask them to disperse just now, or tell them that their celebrations aren't welcome.
I don't know.

>>19412158

Maybe this, but instead of disperse, tell them to stay here and celebrate instead of marching around the city?

>>19412158
>>19412186
>>19412174

> Roll d100 to address them and try to get them to remain in one place, or disperse.

rolled 57 = 57

>>19412207
Rolling

>>19412216
Ouch someone else roll please

rolled 81 = 81

>>19412087
Let's lead them to a nice open space that we can speechify from and we can leave them to carouse in peace.

Tell them that today is a day of joy, a day to celebrate for them as they have won a great victory. Not a day to focus on what still is wrong. It is a day for music and dancing, not rioting.

>>19412207
Modify from potential riot to celebration and put them somewhere they can all fit in a non-threatening way and let it disperse over time. Have the guards reduce their presence but keep an eye open for drunken shenanigans.

>>19412186
There's got to be some better place for them to stay, but telling them to go there is a problem.

>>19412225
>Tell them that today is a day of joy, a day to celebrate for them as they have won a great victory.
I don't like encouraging them to celebrate. It will annoy a lot of people at them and at us.

rolled 53 = 53

>>19412225
This sounds great so I'll second this

>>19412250
We do it in Easterner and focus on the music and dancing bit.

>>19412250
I guess it will annoy people but those people are already annoy with us to begin with. I guess we should agitated those people further. We could ask them to stay without saying it's a time for celebration

>>19412280
SHOULDN'T I meant to say shouldn't

>>19412225

> 81: success!

As it turns out, the best open space in this crowded city really is the assembly square in front of the guards' office - it's only empty because it's kept empty by law.

'Follow me, people, and I will make sure no harm comes to you!'

Just as you lead the captain to open the lines and lead the revellers towards the guard office, the courier from Imian comes in, yelling that he has orders. He stops when he sees you, however, and is forced to step aside. Linden, giggling, takes hold of your reins as you walk.

The crowd murmurs as you move towards the guard office, but they move into the space anyway, with the guards surrounding them. 'Third lord! Third lord!'

Going up to the third storey, you address them. 'People. I am the Third Earl. On my word, if you conduct yourselves with care, the guards here shall treat you with care as well. If you wish to revel, do it here! The guards will keep you safe. You must be pleased today, so right your name as proper men, and behave yourselves. This way, you will earn credit for your restraint, and men shall respect you!'

'The third lord is right! We will listen to him!' It's a huge eastern man, with round eyes and carrying on his back two sets of drums, who says that. He looks like a formidable man. The crowd agrees to this, and soon the blaring of eastern oboes again rises from the square. Heading down, you meet the captain.

'Keep them here. Keep watch.'

'Y-yes, sir.' He doesn't seem pleased that they're partying on his front yard, but that's not for him to say. You walk off, and Linden leads the horse after you.

'So... sir, we're in town again today!' She says. You hear another rousing cheer of 'To the Third Lord! To the Third Lord!' Ah man, now you're a hero of one faction of the city...

> What do/say? You're free of them now... for the moment.

rolled 80 = 80

>>19412225
Which open spaces can we lead them to that ain't the temple place?

>>19412320
I wonder if I'll ever get tired of people chanting that.

So Linden, what did you have in mind? I don't think I managed to catch breakfast in this commotion, care to join me?

>>19412320
That went well for now at least. What time is it anyways?
I know we have an interview to do but that's tomorrow.

>>19412320
to the closed meeting! take a small detachment of town guards with us. might need some muscle in a short while.

mean time, what would the consequences be of barging in on the closed meeting, beyond earning the ire of the locals? is it an arrestable offence?

>>19412320
Is there an orphanage in the city ? What about education, and other social services ? How's the money lending system in the city ?
We could make plans to improve or create them. We could take the occasion to visit a few that exist already.
Maybe Linden has some insight about that.

>>19412404

It's today. Later in the afternoon.

Once more:

> Today, interview with the potential gate-guests.
> Tomorrow, dad comes back with second brother.
> 3 more days to the Chariot Race.
> 7 more days to the Fourth of Fifth.

>>19412387

'I'd gladly join you, sir. But I have a better idea.'

'Hmm?'

Linden leans close. 'I know where Amaryllis' little shop thing is in the city. Would you like to go surprise her, sir?'

Oh yeah, that's true - she's stayed out all evening, it seems! No wonder Peony seemed a little annoyed earlier when you asked about the attendants.

'Do you reckon there's breakfast there, though?'

'Oh...' Linden scratches her cheek. 'I'm... not sure about that, then. Well, probably, if someone's in?'

> What do? Go to Amaryllis', or go elsewhere for breakfast? You know that down this street, not far off, is an open-air cooked food market. Rose showed you here before.

>>19412479
Amaryllis.

>>19412479
We should visit Amaryllis first, then we get some breakfast, perhaps we can take her and Linden out for a bite to eat.

>>19412527
Yeah might as well surprise her

>>19412527
>>19412544
>>19412547

You agree with Linden that surprising Amaryllis would be lovely. After you turn back and hand the horse to the guard captain to stable - the crowd appears to be well contained, still - she leads you down one alley after another.

All sorts of people greet you along the way - the young, the old, children and women and men, who often stare at you as you pass. The place smells pretty bad, and simple shacks of wood are everywhere. A few times you step into puddles, and decide not to ask what's in the puddles.

After a while, though, the place gets a bit nicer, and then Linden points to a shop that is currently boarded up. 'That little tavern is where they are.' She goes up to knock, and Amaryllis - with her hair simply tied in a ponytail - opens the door.

'Who are you?'

'Did you just go blind? I'm Linden. This is his lordship.'

She blinks, then gasps and runs back in. 'Mitiena! Mitiena! His lordship's here to see you!'

Moments later the actual Amaryllis bounds out and invites you in for a meal of soy milk and fritters, apologising that it's a crap breakfast. It's greasy but satisfying stuff, you think. Kurigis is there, too, as is the other girl - an older sister, it turns out.

> What do/say?

>>19412479

amaryllis, then ask about gate guests. let's show enthusiasm!

>>19412618
Well, people seem to like us which is good.

Complement Amaryllis on the breakfast, it is solid tasty fare.

Politely introduce ourself to Amaryllis's sister and make her acquaintance.

Good morning Amaryllis, how fares the search for men?

>>19412666

You are polite to both Amaryllis and her sister, who is blushing fiercely from her earlier faux pas. 'Really sorry, sir, this is pretty much all we've got for breakfast...'

'Do you have more, actually?' You enjoy her surprised look. 'I like it. It's nice and crunchy, and the soy milk's fresh.'

Then, just after she disappears into the kitchen to get your food and you're about to ask Kurigis about the meeting later, you hear three men yawning loudly as they walk into the hall - clothes dishevelled, sashes put on loosely, and generally having just gotten up. 'Hey, boss!'

'No, no, not now!' Kurigis turns to you. 'Sorry, sir. This... is Ramogis.'

You look. He has a slight beard around his chin, and narrow eyes. 'You are?'

'This here is Daneg, and this is Mormeregain,' Kurigis has no trouble with the foreign name. 'This is the Third Earl of Mar, people.'

'Wha- oh, pardon us! We're so poorly dressed...' they make to retreat into the room.

> What do/say?

>>19412742
Which foreign type does his name sound like? If we can make a good guess and we speak that language greet him politely in his language and then politely greet the rest.

Tell them that we're a guest in their home, no need to trouble themselves overly much as we're just here to talk.

>>19412766

You figure he's Vasawa Easterner, so you greet him in that and he quickly bows. 'There's no need to stand on ceremony. I'm only here to talk.'

'Actually, I was about to recommend Mormeregain to you, sir,' Kurigis says. 'He's an easterner, of course, but he has served before on the staff of armies, and also acted as an account manager for a tribe of the east. Here is a talent for numbers and for keeping the books.'

'You flatter me, master Kurigis.'

'And you, Daneg?'

'Sir, I am but a petty thinker of the Menegist school,' he says.

> What do/say? They are joining you for breakfast now.

>>19412839
Ask Ramogis who he is and what his skills are. We'll converse more with him once we better know what capacity we'd be hiring him in.

Talk to Daneg about the Menegist school of thought and if a good opportunity arises talk of our Meritocracy based values of who we trust and hire and our future plans to try to improve the city.

Talk more to Mormeregain about our household, business ventures and see if he has heard the name of Niduseg before.

>>19412467
>>19412478

Oh shit, sorry, I totally didn't see these!

Well, trying to barge into a closed meeting is probably going to make things very, very difficult for your relations with the Convocation next. They might be able to force your father to replace you as Prince's Monitor, which is quite a slap in the face for both you and your father.

You can't really get arrested by merchants, of course, but the Convocation is the administrative power of the city, and you mess with them at your own risk.

As for social services... you do know there are orphanages, hospitals, and some small private schools - nothing very advanced. The government does not do much in these respects, other than providing the guard for security.

The Convocation runs most services, but they're run from the merchants' houses themselves rather than from schools. This is a very different city organisation from modern times, naturally.

>>19412887

'I am a writer, sir, and a thinker of some sort,' Ramogis says.

'He is too modest, sir,' Kurigis says. 'Ramogis is the man who wrote the Petition for the Markets to the Convocation, earlier this year.'

What? You remember that very well - a petition was sent to the convocation, advocating reforms of the markets and their toll systems. It led to quite a storm of controversy, and in the end the Convocation condemned the paper. But you thought it made quite a bit of sense - it was about simplifying the tolls, redrawing the market boundaries, and repairing the buildings to allow better conditions for trade. So this man wrote it - that's impressive...

Daneg nods. 'We... believe in a few things, sir. That humans are by nature good, but that poor governance overwhelms that good instinct. Poorly governed men are not just poor, but also evil. The only way out of that is good governance.'

When you tell him that you consider talent to be of great importance, he nods. 'But not just talent, sir, the morals of those entrusted with work must also be of the utmost importance, if I may say so...'

Mormeregain is quite interested in your tea-house, which is still being built. 'Sir, I believe I can help you in expanding businesses within the city if you wish. But what sort of industries might you be interested in?'

Also, he has heard of Niduseg. 'Who hasn't, sir? An impressive mind, and a formidable friend. Or foe!'

> What do/say?

>>19412969
Complement Ramogis on his Market Petition, it was an impressive work that we agreed with.

To Daneg agree with him on the need of morals, talent wielded by one without such morals becomes just as much of a danger to the governance as one with morals is a boon.

To Mormeregain. We have a boat don't we, I think I remember us getting a Junk a while back, one that we haven't used. See if he has any clever ideas for using it.

We're interested in expanding our businesses with a priority on somewhere that we can hear rumors. Tea houses, inns, that sort of thing at key locations.

Also ask what markets there are that aren't being fulfilled as if there is an open niche we could be interested in that.

>>19412969
A better question would be 'which industries am I not interested in' but a focus on entertainment and hospitality would be my major interest, teahoues, taverns hostels and the like.

>>19413026

> Okay. One more post after this and I'm done for the evening. Thanks for playing!

Daneg nods in approval. 'I've been wondering if any ruler still has a mind towards such moral and ethical issues! It is very gratifying, sir, that you are such a person.'

Is he angling for employment, you wonder?

Ramogis, meanwhile, is also flattered and thanks you. It is at this point that Kurigis mentions, again, that Ramogis is interested in becoming a gate-guest, while you are interested in increasing your retinue. In fact, all three men seem interested now.

Mormeregain, for his part, considers the junk. 'I have heard that the ship is not yet finished. Once it's finished, it could be used for trade... I could think of certain goods in here, sir, which would be in demand in the east.'

'Really? I am also interested in purchasing businesses like taverns and inns and tea-houses. And also other unexplored niches.'

'I am sure I can find deals for you, sir. In fact I know a tavern along the canal, whose owner may be persuaded to sell it. If I may say so, I feel that there is potential in metalworking here. The city's metalworking industry is really rather small, considering how many people live here...'

> What do/say?

>>19413097
These three seem like really solid candidates for gateguesting. It means we get a solid economic guy in Mormeregain and we can get more business ventures going. We get more political savvy and contacts with other scholars from Daneg. We get a bright thinker who can help us with our plans to improve the city in Ramogis.

From what we've seen they look loyal, Ramogis due to our agreement with him on improving, Daneg because of us working well with his ideals, far more than 2nd and 4th ever would, and Mormeregain because us not discriminating because of him being foreign and our growing economic potential.

I say we go for it, tell them that they are all seem to be fascinating and competent people and that should they be interested the position of gate-guest is open for them.

>>19413097

Metalworking sounds like a great idea.

Are all three of these guys foreigners? If so it may effect our reputation too much to hire all of them at once, otherwise they all sound pretty capable and we've got quite a bit of cash sitting around and need more people working for us.

Also I guess I was one of the 'regular crew' for a while there but now I've got work and junk going on when your quests are so I try to participate when I can. This is my first (and I guess last) post in this thread.

>>19413202
I think Mormeregain is the only foreigner but I could be wrong. Also he seems rather competent so should anyone complain about him we can just point to his track record and have that explain itself.

>>19413188

You weigh the pros and cons in your mind, and soon make up your decision. Smiling as Amaryllis puts down a bowl of piping hot soy milk before all of you, you tell them once more about how you admire each of their talents.

'It would actually be an honour for me to have the three of you as gate-guests,' you say. The three men blink at you in surprise, then look at each other before looking back at you again.

'Sir... do you... do you mean this?'

'Would I say what I don't mean?' You take your bowl of soy milk. 'Since we don't have liquor for now - let us drink soy milk and affirm this employment, shall we?'

They raise their soy milk bowls. 'We... we have not seen anyone in Iru of the likes of you, sir. Coming personally to visit some scholars in the city, speaking to us with such courtesy, and then not hesitating to employ us... you are a man of integrity, sir, a man of integrity! To the Third Earl!'

You drink. Well, a little courtesy's sealed some good prospects!

Gained Retinue:
> Daneg, Menegist thinker
> Ramogis, Segerist thinker
> Mormeregain, account manager

> And that ends it for this evening. Thanks very much for playing, people.

>>19413215

You're right, the other two are Imperials.

>>19413238
Thanks for writing although I wasn't here for most of the time due to family matters

Also, for anything to do for the rest of today, please suggest. Since schedules are mismatched, this is at least one way to participate I guess.

>>19413238
Thanks for running it. We now can delegate stuff to people other than Peony.

With Mormeregain on the accounts we can free Peony up some, which is really nice, she's been working herself too hard of late.

The rest of our day is free which is nice.

Once the closed meeting gets out we should talk with someone we trust who was involved and get an idea of what happened in there.

Our big trouble tomorrow will be keeping our Father mollified.

As for which noble girl to go for I'd advocate Saragites. She's of a higher rank, Theniron is currently more powerful and it's a large military force right along one of our main trade routes which means getting in good with them is very useful.Though getting more information on Theniron and Subaran might influence my decision.

Also, could someone kindly archive this for me? My internet is messing up. Or maybe it's the archive but I'm not sure.

Either way, thanks a bunch!

>>19413371
I could, what do you want for the description?

Thread archived here.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/19408800/

Damn, I just get home and it's over. Oh well.