-
No more returns.
Pick the choices below and we shall start a fast-paced dynastic game!
Name: Of the future King of Surinthomus
Name's Trait: Martial, Charismatic, Wise, Healthy, Lucky
Kingdom's Bonus: Happiness, Population, Economy, Army
Cyrus, 500 AD - ?? (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=181741.msg8483113#msg8483113)
Status (last updated Summer 510 AD)
*Trait: Martial, Sickly (gained Spring 502 AD)
*Family:
Wife: Princess Dugda of Rycht (married Spring 501 AD)
Heir: son Sarni (born Winter 504 AD)
Other children: son Len (Dim-witted, born Mid-Spring 502 AD; died Summer 510 AD), son Vati (born Spring 507 AD; died Late Autumn 508 AD), daughter Heda (born Late Summer 509 AD)
*Achievements:
-
*Other:
Exterminated invading Wildlings of the Northlands in Winter 505 AD.
-
Cyrus, Martial, Army
Let's go out in style.
-
You are Cyrus, the new king of Surinthomus!
You and your followers swore an oath to destroy the tyrant, and marched upon the capital, peasants and soldiers and artisans joining your 'army'. And you've just executed the vile Swoll, who ruled the land for decades, oppressing the populace and desecrating the holy sites, but no more! Under your guidance, no troop nor garrison loyal to Sworr could stop you, your martial prowess soon becoming stuff of stories and song.
The Kingdom of Surinthomus, neither wealthy nor large, had always maintained a large army which ultimately played part in Sworr's downfall when pressed levies and their blackmailed commanders switched sides and joined your rebellion.
1
Unfortunately there's a very pressing problem of drought and famine; for last two years, winters were bereft of snow (although they were plenty chilly) and summers were hot and dry, causing the Long River to lose depth and volume of its waters. Many a timber boat couldn't leave the lumbercamps and many livestock died of thirst, awaiting better tides and better weather. This has disrupted economy and caused people to become unruly and angry.
The Advisor, a retired Druid and well-known poet, has arrived in your new bedchamber to lay before you the fabled documents - the Scrolls of Kingdom Status - that describe everything important within the Kingdom.
Happiness: 2
Population: 3
Economy: 2
Army: 5
He is talking in purple prose about the meanings of these arcane numbers and words, whilst you wonder how exactly such artifacts of hundreds of years of administration could contain so little. Never mind, you will understand later.
All hail King Cyrus!
500 AD, Spring
The councilmen gather in the central hall of the castle, while servants and serfs clean up the few remaining bloodstains that stubbornly refuse to disappear.
"Our lord and King, Cyrus, now that the tyrant is done for, we ought to alleviate the worries of the people." Says one of the councilmen.
"But what shall we do? The Treasury is nearly empty, it would be foolish to give coin to the people - and we can't really spare said coin to buy foodstuffs to feed their bellies either!" Says another.
"Fools, isn't it obvious?" The Advisor stabs the stone floor with his staff. "Many of the soldiers were pressed into service, and some more joined our good King for the sole purpose of dethroning Swoll. Therefore we ought to release some of them to their homes and families; they will become hands that till the fields, and maintain the river channels, and cut down lumber!"
A) "I would rather see the Treasury empty than our people starving! Buy foodstuffs from merchants at once!"
B) "The Advisor is right! Have small part of the Army released home, so that they can help restore our Kingdom to greatness!"
C) "The councilman is right! There's naught we can do right now!"
-
B
-
B
-
You agree to have part of the soldiers released to their wives and mothers.
500 AD, Summer
You've received a letter from neighbouring kingdom of Rycht.
Their princess (third to the throne, after her brothers) Dugda, has recently had her fifteenth birthday, and therefore as a legal adult, is looking for a prospective husband. The courtiers of Rycht thus sent you invitation to take her as your bride.
A) Meh, I will pass on this offer.
B) That takes care of that problem! I will marry Dugda!
-
Why not. B.
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
You send an affirmative reply to the Rychtans.
500 AD, Autumn
The Druids bow their heads and the Archdruid steps forward. Behind him, laid out on a large green blanket, is human skeleton, its skull severed and pierced.
"My lord and king, Cyrus, these are the bones of the Tyrant. As is the custom the bones were laid outside by the River for ravens and mudshellers to clean with their beaks and pincers over the last six months. The bones are now bare and clean. And so we come asking, whether, according to the custom, the bones of a dead King should be laid to rest in a barrow of stone and soil." Your councilmen loudly grumble at this demand before Advisor strikes the floor with his wooden staff, calling for order.
"Why would our good king Cyrus, victorious in fight against Tyrant, and liberator of these lands, allow for this?" The Archdruid smiles.
"A body that is not buried cannot release the spirit of its owner into the Earth. That would disrupt the natural course of things - and be a great affront to the Spirits and the Creator themselves."
A) "And Swoll was an affront to all things Surinthomusan! Throw his bones into the river!"
B) "Fine, his body might be buried, just don't expect me to spend money on his barrow!"
-
B
-
A
-
B Surely we wouldn't want to anger the Spirits and the Creator while already suffering through the effects of a drought and famine.
-
"Fine, his body might be buried, just don't expect me to spend money on his barrow!" The Archdruid bows while your councilmen continue to murmur.
Later you learn that some aunt or uncle sponsored Swoll's burial barrow, making it one of smallest and least elaborate ones ever built in the kingdom.
500 AD, Winter
You receive a reply from Kingdom of Rycht; Princess Dugda will be sent to you along with entourage of servants and gifts come Spring.
Several herds of great tusked Mammos were spotted in the far east, where there is naught but fields of rock and ice!
"My liege, hunting and capturing those herds, or even just one, could allow us to restore the ancient practices of forefathers, who used this fur-clad behemoths as beasts of burden! My grandfather always said that there's no better and fattier meat than that of a Mammo, and even in his time they were sparse before they died out in our lands." Several councilmen nod and agree, while the Marshal steps forward.
"And who, do you propose, we send? There might be enemies lurking in other directions. Of neighbours distant and close, only Rycht so far shown any sign of friendship towards us." He says, stroking his beard.
"We can hire hunters and sponsor woodsmen for this expedition." Says the Advisor.
"That will drain the Treasury!" Says the Treasurer, obviously in protest. "Even if it would allow us to raise Mammos for meat and commodities, it will only mean more investments!"
The council argues for a moment before the Advisor taps the floor with his staff, and all eyes turn to you.
A) "Having Mammos back is all benefits to me; and our brave soldiers and scouts shall obtain them for us!"
B) "Having Mammos back is all benefits to me; and we shall hire veteran hunters and woodsmen to obtain them for us!"
C) "If they showed up any other year, I would be all for capturing them; at this moment, however, we have more much pressing matters to solve!"
-
A
-
A
-
You announce that Mammo herds will be captured and brought over the hills to Surinthomus, and that the soldiers will accomplish this task.
The first expeditionary troop leaves the next day.
500 AD, Midwinter
Weather this year is very promising; blizzards are infrequent, but snowfall steady and even. The temperatures are only slightly below the freezing of water, and some people are comfortable working outside in furs and skins. Many of the Druids see this as a good omen for the coming spring and summer.
3
After few weeks, first news come from the Mammos-herders; they had little luck in procuring young and mature males and females, and those they did capture are feisty and uncooperative.
500 AD, Late Winter
3
Few weeks more pass and you receive even more of the same news; in total, less than a herd was collared and pacified. It is not enough to sustain your people, much less to start breeding new Mammos, but the expedition leaders will try again, before Mammos leave the desolate iceplains again.
500 AD, End of the Year
The Advisor comes into your chamber with the Scrolls of Kingdom Status in his hands. Funny; the year seems to have come and go blindingly fast, while the half-year campaign against Swoll seemed to stretch endlessly.
Maybe it's the perks of stability and hall-dwelling.
Happiness: 3
Population: 3
Economy: 2
Army: 4
"Soldiers returning home after being pressed into service have calmed the hearts of their wives and mothers, my liege." Says the Advisor, stroking his beard.
"Unfortunately, the Treasurer is rather worried about the state of the Treasury itself. He is asking, through my person, that the upcoming marriage to Dugda is bereft of ceremonial feasts and procurement of expensive gifts."
A) "To receive a woman and not compensate her parents would be a political blunder! Same goes for celebratory feast. Request denied!"
B) "Alas, harsh times call for harsh measures. The ceremony will be private and as frugal as possible!"
-
B
-
A - Best not to insult our future in-laws
-
A -- hopefully the gifts balance out the expenses
-
A
-
You decide that the feast will be as it should be and lavish gifts will be prepared to be taken to Dugda's parents back in Rycht.
501 AD, Spring
With great pomp and even greater jubilation, the entourage of Dugda, carried on a horse, symbol of wealth, arrives behind the wooden walls of your capital. The serfs and servants line to throw flowers at and put raven feathers in the caps of the visitors.
Princess Dugda arrives in your throne room shortly afterwards, led by much older man.
"I, Yohe, brother of King Herykk, give you his child, Dugda, to be your wife and mother of your children. Creator bless your upcoming marriage!"
The feast takes place the whole day and night, and when the moon begins its course due to the earth, you and Dugda recede to your bedchamber. She is young and pleasant to the eye, although shy and without any significantly big quality amongst her.
Perhaps her plainess guarantees prosperity for your family.
After a week's stay, the entourage begins its trek home, carrying chests filled with bronzes, irons and coins, the Treasurer shaking his head at this frivolty.
501 AD, Mid-Spring
"Floods, my liege! Floods! Farmlands inundated, fishing boats sunk." Advisor steps about in front of your table, agitated. "Although the Druids rightly believe the river waters will bring fertile soil and stir the fish to life, the truth remains that peoples living along the River are suffering. We've received several pleas for help, in writing and by messengers, my liege." With a sigh, he turns to you.
"I do not have to tell you, my liege, that our Treasury is nearly empty."
A) "But the people suffered enough in past years! Donate to the cause of rebuilding at once!"
B) "This time they must persevere on their own, I'm afraid!"
-
B. We have Population 3 and Happiness 3 (maybe more after the marriage), but Economy 2 at best, likely Economy 1. Trading the latter for the former would be unwise.
e: Though the peasants will think we're an asshole because we just dropped a ton of cash on our marriage. Oh well!
-
B
-
B
-
"This time they must persevere on their own, I'm afraid!" The Advisor nods and leaves to announce your decision.
501 AD, Summer
It is an usual meeting between you and your councilmen, discussing every day affairs.
It should go as every other day.
But it doesn't - because a young man swings through the window!
"Vile usurper!" The red-haired man unsheathes his sword at you. "I am Thic, son of Swoll! You've taken what's rightfully mine, and you have killed my father! Prepare to die!!"
You decide to...
A) Call the guards to get rid of this pest.
B) Accept the challenge and duel the youth.
C) -
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
You take a sword from one of the guards and point it at the youth.
"Have at you!" He shouts angrily and attacks!
4*
Thic fights well, but you can't say that out loud, of course. He knows his stabs and jabs and parries quite competently, too. You go for a little sidestep and...
6*
And your sword impales him through his chest.
"Damn!" Then he collapses, vomits some blood, and dies.
You have the guards clean up the mess and have the corpse thrown to ravens, whilst councilmen murmur about your bravery and skill.
501 AD, Autumn
"The woodcutter's guild has a proposal?" You look up from your documents.
"Yes, my liege." Says one of the younger councilmen, bowing his head in respect as the guards close the door to your room. "They believe that after years of drought and this year's flood, the Great River will be calm for years to come, and it seems Druid are inclined to agree. So woodcutters are thinking to set up a big, big woodcutting camp in the east. The timber would be then sent downstream, and it could be sold for some profit."
"But they need money to get started."
"As it always is, my liege."
A) "No profits without investments, they say. Woodcutter's guild will have its money."
B) "Alas! I have nothing to spare."
-
Nobody is screaming at us about our lack of funds, so I'll risk A. I'm on the fence about it, though.
-
B
-
A
-
You inform the young councilman that the woodcutters shall have their money.
501 AD, Mid-Autumn
The absolute last of Mammos have been brought to the Kingdom grounds by the soldiers sent there.
The tamers and Druids in charge of taming these majestic, but docile creatures, believe that there's good chances that the Mammos will breed in captivity and can be reintroduced to Surinthomusan pastures in coming years.
501 AD, Winter
Your wife Dugda is pregnant! The child should be born in Mid-Spring next year, if your healers and Druids are to be believed.
501 AD, End of the Year
When the Advisor brings in the Scrolls of Kingdom Status to you, you grimace at the sacred numbers.
Happiness: 2
Population: 3
Economy: 0!
Army: 4
"The situation is dire, my liege!" Says the Advisor, pacing about the room.
"Our Treasury is truly empty, the Mammos are not yet ready to be farmed, and the woodcutters are still setting up camp. Taxes this year barely covered our expenses and the Treasurer is saying that our Kingdom's economy is on road to nothing!"
"What are our choices?"
"Disband part of the Army, he says, melt down what's worth of the weapons for alloys and sell the rest so that we have at least some coin to maneuver with."
A) "Nay! I'm sure we can do without money for one year!"
B) "And he is right! Disband part of the army and squeeze that money outta the weapons!"
-
Oops. B, obviously.
-
B No point in having an army we can't pay for in the first place. That's just asking for desertion and mutiny anyway.
-
B
-
B
-
A Getting rid of even part of the army is how you let the commies win!
-
You order part of the weapons to be melted and soldiers to be sent home.
502 AD, Spring
2
A terrible fever and fire in the lungs seizes you!
502 AD, Few days later
3
Your condition refuses to improve, and your healers are starting to worry.
502 AD, Few days afterwards
2
You barely are able to keep track of when it is day and night, the fever causing you to lapse into sleep periods. Whenever you wake up, you see your wife, or the Advisor, or one of the healers tending to you.
502 AD, One week later
4*
"How is the kingdom faring?" You ask the Advisor before a fiery coughing fit overtakes you. The Advisor patiently wait until you are finished.
"There were reports of unrest in the cities downriver. There's apparently this thought coursing in the mind of peasants that your illness and your spending of money on the wedding rather than relieving their pains is a clear sign that you are not meant to rule." You have a coughing fit, which lasts for quite a while.
"Has that been solved?" The Advisor nods.
"I have sent a letter in your name to be read to the unruly populace, and, well, they've calmed down. It should keep them quiet for some time." You dismiss the Advisor when another coughing fit takes you.
502 AD, One week after that
2*
You keep having coughing fits and sleeping well into the noon and eating little, sometimes passing out in middle conversation. Healers are alarmed - is it your body giving up after just 22 years? They're considering the illnesses that might've seized your body and each one they talk about is worse than previous.
You hope they're all wrong.
Congratulations! Cyrus has gained Sickly negative trait!
502 AD, Few days afterwards
4*
Still having those little coughing fits, and not feeling particularily well on your two feet, you nonetheless leave the bed.
"I have a Kingdom to govern." You grumble to the healers, who let you go. You've been bedridden for almost whole month.
502 AD, Mid-Spring
The bawling of the baby seals the moment a new life is born. The healers let you inside your wife's bedchamber, and there she is, red-faced and tired, holding a crying baby in her hands.
"Your son, your Majesty." The master healer says with a soft smile.
As her priviledge as the mother, she has given him a name - Len, after one of the woodland spirits revered in this part of the region. One day, he will ascend to the throne of Surinthomus.
You hold the child briefly, hoping that he won't have to take upon this duty too soon.
502 AD, Summer
6
The Treasurer is very happy when he presents you the news on woodcutting - and the raising of Mammos.
"First of all - our woodcutters and timber merchants have begun sending the logs downriver on barges and returned with news that settlements of our neighbours are paying well. The tolls on the river passes and harbors we've resumed collecting have brought some revenue to the Treasury."
"And the Mammos?" You ask, before choking on the air briefly, coughing some.
"The younger specimens we captured have matured and began being used to help move heavy things. Some older specimens were killed for fur, tusks and meat, which quickly found buyers. Although this is very little in terms of profits, we've already had some foreigners inquiring about our captive animals."
"How long before this venue brings profit?"
"I have talked with the Druids. In five years time, we should have more than enough Mammos to being separating them into herds, and five years from then, we ought have a surplus big enough to consider selling it to our neighbours if you so desire."
502 AD, Autumn
You bow your beard as the Archdruid comes in for audience.
"Greetings, your Majesty. I have come to deliver urgent news - the spirits of Heaven and Earth do not view you favorably." This revelation causes your councilmen to stir into a murmuring, grumbling crowd, before the Advisor silences them.
"Is it because of the usurpation?"
"Or the capture of Mammos. Or the cutting down of trees. There's a way to please the unseen spirits with visible signs of devotion - reconstructing the Great Stone Circle could be one." The Treasurer has a coughing fit, but the Archdruid simply waits till it passes.
"How do we go about that?"
"Many of the megaliths are missing their capstones, which were once put in their places by the combined might of men and Mammos. Now that you have the Mammos, the Circle could be reconstructed, missing captsones and megaliths replaced, and the surrounding buildings occupied by Druids refurbished." The Treasurer has another coughing fit, and you start to get the point.
A) "No!"
B) "Sure... in a few years' time."
C) "Alright, I shall order the Great Stone Circle to be repaired!"
-
B
-
B
-
The Archdruid smiles.
"As you wish, your Majesty. We will come back to this matter in few years time."
502 AD, End of the Year
Happiness: 2
Population: 3
Economy: 2
Army: 3
You tap away at the Scrolls of Kingdom Status, as if it would cause the numbers to magically go up.
"We've recovered from the most pressing matters, my liege." Says the Advisor, rolling them up. "Now we just have to carefully continue onwards, balancing the issues and making the numbers slowly climb up. I'm sure the next year will be easy on us, I just feel it!"
503 AD, Summer
The Treasurer delivers a report that revenue from timber sold downriver has brought profits again.
"There's been some unrest downriver, my liege." Says the Advisor after you dismiss the Treasurer.
"How bad?"
"Ah, the usual... your tax collectors are too harsh, the spirits are against you, that you've spent money on frivolties instead of alleviating the woes of the people."
"Uh-huh."
"Now however that we have a somewhat stable source of income, my liege, I would propose that we sponsor some festivals and feasts for the peasants and artisans. Show them at the economy is improving well enough we have spare coin for such big things."
A) "Fine, go and fund some festivals on my behalf."
B) "Nay, we need every coin we can get for the future trouble!"
-
A
-
A
-
Man, Cyrus can't catch a break. A.
-
You decide to sponsor some festivals for the coming months.
503 AD, Autumn
The messenger from the somewhat distant kingdom of Ingar - "further away than Rycht, your Majesty", as the Advisor put it - has come to seek an audience.
"Greetings, King Cyrus. My lord and master, Prince Vallurvo of Ingar, is adventuring with his servants and close friends in this part of the region. He has heard that Surinthomus is now led by a brave and just man, and would be delighted to have him and his party hosted upon your court for the coming winter, if you're willing? He would suredly deliver good word about you to his father if you agree."
A) "Sure thing!"
B) "Nay!"
-
On the fence about this one. Surely hosting a handful of people for a season can't cost a whole economy point, right? Still, B.
-
A
-
A!
-
If we have to melt down the rest of our swords, it'll be you two's fault.
-
A
-
You decide to invite Prince Vallurvo over for winter. What could ever go wrong?
503 AD, Winter
The day when Prince Vallurvo and his companions (of which there's a score) is the day your palace throws a feast for councilmen and nobles present.
Prince Vallurvo is younger than you, perhaps about the age of your wife Dugda if not even younger.
"Great food, great keep, great King!" Prince Vallurvo toasts your hospitality and drinks his fifth chalice of wine.
You decide to...
A) Talk with him about politics.
B) Talk with him about trade.
C) Talk with him about the lands of Ingar.
D) Talk some drinking moderation into his drunken head.
E) Enjoy the feast.
-
B. My God do we ever need money.
-
B
-
B
-
You try to goad the drunken prince to talk about trade.
1*
The young prince angrily slams the chalice against the table.
"Trade!? Do I looks a merchant of trifls to you?? How dares!" The prince quickly stands up, only to trip over his own legs and faceplant the table. He gets better, though - and draws his sword! Both your councilmen and his entourage gasp and get themselves ready for a fight.
"I shallenge you to a duel! To deaf!!" He wobbily points the sword at you.
You decide to...
A) Duel the drunk prince.
B) Decline the duel.
C) Throw the prince into a dungeon until he sobers up.
D) Try to talk him out of this terrible duel idea.
-
D
-
D
-
A!
I'm sure he won't fall on his own sword...
-
D
-
5*
You tell Vallurvo about your skills, your deeds, and how it wouldn't be fair to duel him whilst he is drunk, and-
"What a man! What a king! Such fairness, finest mans wasn't seen!" Vallervo is safely redirected to drinking.
The next day, after he sobers up (which takes until afternoon), Prince Vallervo falls to your knees and apologizes for his treatment alongside his servants.
503 AD, Midwinter
The giggling, the long walks, the dances.
Vallervo has found a fellow soul, it seems, in your very castle - your wife Dugda.
Although the soldiers and servants keep an eye on them all the time, you cannot help but boil a little bit inside. Does he have no manners? Does she have no sense of loyalty??
A) About time I tell Prince Vallurvo what I think of his behavior!
B) I shall tell both of them what I think of this indecency they're publicly presenting!
C) About time I tell my wife what I think of her infidelity!
D) Then again, they're both about the same age, and nothing's wrong with chatting and walking, no?
-
B
-
C. Let's not piss off the prince.
-
C
-
C
-
When the time is right, you approach your wife and tell her in few choice words what you think of her behavior around the young dashing foreign prince.
"Of course, dear husband." She says, calmly looking you in the eye. "This won't happen again."
503 AD, Late Winter
Prince Vallurvo, and his entourage, have packed up and left once the snow started to get wet and days brighter.
He was a lousy, noisy guest and little of politics was done with him.
Some of your councilmen are actually relieved her left.
503 AD, End of the Year
Happiness: 2
Population: 3
Economy: 3
Army: 3
You rub your chin in consternation.
"Your subjects continue to be somewhat grudging towards your rule, or rather, consequences of your ascension." Says the Advisor, tapping at the top of the Scrolls.
"I would argue that we should bribe then with cake and festivities, my liege. From festival expenses we can recover somewhat readily, from riots and revolts - not."
A) "Agreed! Let the people have fun!"
B) "I won't spend our hard-earned money in such frivolous ways!"
-
Cool, we have money now. I guess hosting the Prince didn't cost us too badly. Given we have continuous income but not continuous popularity boosting, I'm leaning toward A.
-
A
-
A
-
A - Happy people make us more money
-
Let's go for an A!
-
You decide to sponsor some festivals and feasts.
504 AD, Spring
On a particularily warm day of early Spring, the guards bring news.
"My liege, you have a diplomat from the distant kingdom of Ulko, wishing to present you a proposal from his king. There's also some mayors and village elders from down-river fishing hamlets and port cities, asking for audience."
A) "Let in the foreigner first!"
B) "Let my people in first!"
-
A, nobility first, I guess
-
A
-
A
-
A
-
You decide to meet with the messenger first.
He enters, wearing a fur coat and a wolf-hat, customary to his people. He kneels before you and extends his right hand forward in a greeting.
"King Cyrus, my lord and master, most veritable King Osfin of Ulko of the Seas, has recently been blessed by extension of his already robust family by the way of a daughter, his first and only so far. He has heard of your exploits as tyrant-breaker and also of the fact that your wife has given birth to a son recently. Although your and his domains might be separated by many months and many lands, he has sent me forth to ascertain whether you would be interested in offer of marriage between your son and his daughter, Princess Gitrud."
A) "I have no need for marriage with faraway lands, so be gone!"
B) "That is a fine proposal, I accept!"
C) "This feels a bit hasty. Tell you what, I am willing to reconsider this proposal in five years, when and if both children survive through their infancy!"
-
B. We can call it off if and when one of them dies.
-
B
-
B
-
B! Even if in the worst case one of the child dies, it'll allow us a NAP or an alliance while they are fiancees.
-
"That is a fine proposal, I accept!"
The messenger bows and leaves immediately.
Then, you meet with the elders and mayors of down-river settlements.
"My liege!" Says the eldest and wrinklest-looking of them all. "For twenty years the Tyrant has oppressed our people and exploited our settlements most ruthlessly. We thought a new face on the throne would then help us restore our commerce and industries, but alas, all we hear is about herding mammos and cutting down lumber for raw selling!" His companions murmur and agree with him and each other.
"We thus wish to get money so that the worst affected cities could recover, so that our craftsmanship is adored by kingdoms down-river again!"
A) "I already gave to the people this year and Treasury is nearly empty, therefore, shoo."
B) "Fine, you shall have the money!"
C) "Funny thing, I was thinking the same lately - how about extra coinage and royal support in this matter?"
-
Gonna take the risky path and take C. It’s an investment, and while we are short of money, royal sponsor is more political than economic, and it can certainly help to export our craft works.
-
B. This should take us down to Economy 1, but we'll live.
e: No, C mentions extra coinage. If we're at Economy 2 after the festivals, that could bring us down to 0 again.
-
B
-
B
-
"Fine, you shall have the money!"
The mayors and elders sigh happily together and leave to make deals with the Treasurer.
504 AD, Summer
Treasurer's reports indicate a steady profit from sending timber downriver this year.
504 AD, Midsummer
Your wife is pregnant once more! According to the wise heads amongst your subjects, the child should come upon this world no later than Winter.
504 AD, Autumn
As the preparations draw close for the biggest festival of the year, even your castle seems to be brighter and more colorful than every other day.
Servants babble and chatter joyfully, handling supplies and things of your courtiers. The courtiers themselves seem to be very agreeing on many matters, and your meetings with them pass quickly and in happy atmosphere. And riding through the muddy streets of the capital, you cannot help but notice all the linen and furs on the backs of musicians and tricksters.
It feels...
A) That I should join the celebrations personally!
B) Very suspicious - back to the castle!
-
A
-
A, I’m sure that’s all traditional stuff
-
A
-
A
-
You decide to join the celebrations personally!
4
Some time later there will be stories about drunken King Cyrus prancing hand-in-hand with a milkmaid and a tax collector to the music of bards and clapping of the laughing citizenry, a source of jokes and sayings for the coming decades.
For now, you return to the palace drunk, tired, and with a necklace of flowers you don't remember getting from anyone.
504 AD, Mid-Autumn
"My liege! A delegation of men from kingdom of Rycht has arrived by the Great River, and are unloading themselves and numerous soldiers on the capital's pier!" The guard's panicked report stirs equal if not worse panic amongst your councilmen.
"Are they attacking? How many of them are there?" Asks the Advisor, stepping forth.
"Unknown... but there's a lot of them, and the barges they've came on are loaded with crates and boxes and supplies!" Your councilmen raise a noise while the Advisor steps up to your throne.
"Whatever this is, my liege, we must act decisively!" He whispers into your ear, barely audible above the noise.
A) "Raise an alarm! It's an attack!"
B) "Send someone to find out their intentions at once!"
C) "Let's ride, I shall meet with those invaders personally!!"
-
C
-
Wait, Rycht is the kingdom of our wife.
Numerous soldiers debarking from a river sounds incredibly suspicious, but it’s either a very unfortunate misunderstanding or our father-in-law being a massive dickhead.
Mmh I guess it’s better to check by ourselves, C
-
C
-
You quickly rouse some soldiers and able-bodied councilmen and ride out of the castle and down to the pier!
Just in time to see Rychtian soldiers disembarking with the heavy chests on their backs.
"I am King Cyrus, and I demand to know what is happening here, and there better be a good explanation!" You yell from horseback. The soldiers stop for a moment before hurriedly, a pair of men disembarks from the largest barge. One of them wears a robe with crest of Rycht, the other with the same crest Prince Vallurvo had on his cloak.
"Greetings! I am Ulko of Rycht. And this here is Rurik of Ingar." Rurik bows to you when he is introduced by his companion.
"Greetings to you, King Cyrus! On behalf of my master and lord, King Astri, I wish to present you these fine gifts." He snaps his fingers at Rychtian soldiers, who put down two boxes, prying them open. They're both full of dyed linens, orange and grey furs, and strings of copper and silver, and even some jewelry.
"For what reason?"
"King Astri heard of Prince Vallurvo's stay in your palace, especially about his drunken insults and his uncouth behavior towards your wife and queen. He wished to make amends for Prince's behavior, but as our nation does not have access to the Great River, we have asked our neighbours the Rychtans, to lend us some of their barges and soldiers to present these riches with utmost apologies to you, your courtiers, and your wife. We have many more boxes full of trinkets and cloth, and I hope that you accept them along with the apology?" You easily notice that some of your courtiers are craning their necks to peek at the boxes, no doubt laden with similar expensive items.
A) "I accept the apology and the fine gifts! Convey my gratitude to good King Astri!"
B) "You think our honor can be bought this cheap? You better double up on the boxes, or else!"
C) "Nay! In fact, I feel more insulted than I was before!!"
-
A
-
A
-
A
-
A!
-
A
-
"I accept the apology and the fine gifts! Convey my gratitude to good King Astri!"
It takes half a day to unload all the barges, and there's four score of chests at the very least. Preserved furs, dyed linens, corded flax, ceramics and stoneware, trinkets of copper and bronze and silver even, even some gemstones and golden pieces.
When the Treasurer finishes counting all the gifted items, he is visibly giddy.
"My liege! This is a great gift, and if we sell the bulk of these, we can refill our Treasury somewhat and still adorn ourselves with some choice pieces!" The Advisor coughs and leans to your ear.
"On other hand, think of what your courtiers and people will say if you donate these treasures to them as a sign of your benevolence."
A) "Gifts are meant to be given away! So give these gifts to the people of Surinthomus!"
B) "Sell these away! What worth are fine fabrics and jewelry if we have nothing to buy basic wares with?"
-
A. Same rationale as usual.
-
A!
-
You order that these gifts will be given away to the poor and rich of your kingdom.
Everyone liked that.
504 AD, Winter
Your wife gives birth again!
The healers and Druids relieve Dugda's pains and ease her bed-stay while she names the newborn boy 'Sarni', after your grandfather.
504 AD, End of the Year
Happiness: 4
Population: 3
Economy: 2
Army: 3
"Balancing the Scrolls is hard, my liege." Says the Advisor, stroking his beard.
"I am glad that you've gotten the hang of it, though. The people seem content with your rule, perhaps it is time to consider more taxes? Or maybe, more soldiers?"
A) "Nay!"
B) "We can squeeze some extra tax from them!"
C) "We can press the less fortunate into the army!"
-
A. We have continuous income and no border conflicts.
-
A
-
A
-
A
-
You decide to keep it as it is for now.
505 AD, Summer
"Mercenaries?" You ask as the diplomat of Queen Vigda, from a (more or less) neighbouring, land-locked kingdom of Reval in the south, bows gently.
"Yes, your majesty. Our foces have been depleted by my Queen's father in past year and rampage of a Giant. Now bandits and enemies of the Queen are harassing us at and within our borders. She heard that your army is strong and was main ingredient in your coming to power, so she is offering to take a small part of it to her borders to help restore the situation. It might takes a year, it might take three years, but the Queen has promised in-writing that money will be sent for their services to you every Summer, the final one coming alongside your returning soldiers."
You decide to...
A) Send some soldiers to Reval.
B) Apologize that you have none to spare.
-
We don't have much of either really. But we have less money than we do soldiers...
B. We can't afford it. Not this time
-
A
-
B
-
You apologize, saying you don't have much forces to send abroad.
The diplomat leaves unhappy.
505 AD, Midsummer
Another year in a row, the selling of raw lumber from your forests brings profit.
505 AD, Winter
A wave or murmurs and head-shaking goes over the mass of your councilmen when the scout finishes talking.
"Wildmen? Are you sure?" The young man nods.
"Aye, my liege. Like every wildman, they travel on foot, carry their homes on their backs, encamp and then raid our villages for cattle, foodstuffs and young girls and boys! And like all Wildmen, their language is weird and heavy." You scratch your beard - one good thing Tyrant ever did to Surinthomus and the neighbouring lands was gathering large enough hunting force to destroy the Wildmen from the north. Their nomad camps were burnt down, and every Wildman, no matter age or gender, was cut apart and fed to the ravens, and those that tried to escape were tracked down and eradicated as well, often after finding another, previously unknown camp.
It seems, however, that twenty years after this great campaign, the Wildmen have returned to harass your people once more.
A) "I shall send forces at once to beat the Wildmen back!"
B) "Alas, there's nothing we can do at the moment!"
C) "Our Army is needed elsewhere... but we can spare money on mercenaries and supplies for affected settlements!"
-
A
-
A
-
"I shall send forces at once to beat the Wildmen back!"
The Marshal stands up, cape fluttering behind him.
"My liege! Will you lead us against the brutes like you did lead us against the Tyrant?"
A) "VERILYYYYYYY!"
B) "Not this time, no."
-
A. Time to put that trait to use!
-
A - Indeed. Shame we can't buy some mercenaries as well
-
inb4 we're wounded and Sickly kills us
-
inb4 we're wounded and Sickly kills us
He he he.
You loudly declare your readiness to lead your men into battle - it's been way too long!
The councilmen yell in excitement and soon the news of your departure spread.
Congratulations! Cyrus has embarked on a military campaign!
Queen Dugda, the Advisor and rest of the court will try their best to keep the kingdom running well during his absence.
505 AD, One Week Later
You're thankful to the Creator that the winter this year is quite mild. The snow cover is only ankle-deep, making travel on foot or by horse quite easy.
Along with you is the two thousand troop of best fighters and most agile scouts, the rest left at the capital to respond to any sneak attacks or other threats.
Within a week, you reach the northernmost reaches of your kingdom, and witness the carnage yourself; burnt-down homesteads and sheds, and unburied corpses of livestock and men. Scouts arrive few hours after you leave one of such ruined villages; a marauding troop of Wildmen is skulking in northwest.
"How many?"
"At least five score, my liege." Says the scout from the top of his horse.
"Burdened?"
"Nay, we saw neither luggage nor captives amongst them. Me and my fellows wager it be a fresh raiding party en route to destroy another settlement."
A) "Pass this message to the soldiers left behind, we move on."
B) "They won't get the chance! After them!"
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
"They won't get the chance! After them!"
Your forces are led by the scouts towards the raiding party, and you manage to catch them in a hilly terrain!
8!*
It is a short and brutal fight because Wildmen do not have any rules for combat. Arrows, axes, stones and fists are used by them against your axemen and spearmen.
But it obvious that they die as easily as any other man. Later that day, 138 corpses of Wildmen, older and younger, women and men, are counted, whilst 25 of your soldiers won't be returning home.
139th Wildman was wounded, captured and interrogated by some of your nothernly soldiers who know a few Wildmen words.
"Camp by brook in forest, camp by sunrise mountains, camp by meadow in shade of forest, my lord." They explain what they've learned, and your scouts are dispatched to find these camps as the last Wildman is put to axe.
505 AD, Three Days Later
As your army moves into forested terrain, leaving meadows and roads behind, the scouts return with full report.
"We've scouted the areas described by the Wildman. There is indeed a camp of Wildmen up north, deeper in the forest, on the side of a brook. And another, to the east of it, at the base of the eastern mountains."
"And the meadow one?"
"We found remnants of a large encampment, old firepits and leftover bones and skins, but whatever group of Wildmen was there moved days ago. By the size of disturbed ground and amount of firepits there must've been at least two hundred of them there."
"How about the other camps?"
"They're much smaller, perhaps as little as few dozen each in both camps."
A) "I shall lead one half of the army to the brook, the other strikes east!"
B) "I shall lead one half of the army to the mountains, the other strikes north!"
C) "We need to find the biggest group and eradicate it first!"
D) "Let's return south for the time being and see when and where the Wildmen move next."
-
C
-
C
-
C
-
C
-
as the last Wildman is put to axe.
Damn we're here for total extermination uh.
C.
-
"We need to find the biggest group and eradicate it first!" Your officers nod along, seeing this as a wisest of choices possible, and scouts are dispatched again.
505 AD, Three Days Afterwards
The scouts return as your army is preparing camp.
"My lord, dire news! It seems that the smaller camps were abandoned and we spotted a great host of Wildmen marching in uniform southwards, almost directly for you and your forces!"
"What's the sudden change?"
"It seems they've got some smart brute shouting at them." Says another scout. "A warleader or some other champion with some actual grease in his skull."
"How large is the host?"
"It seems to be all three camps combined, about three and half to four hundred, my liege."
A) "They're marching to battle, so we shall meet them in battle! Onwards!"
B) "Let us set camp and prepare for the coming battle!"
C) "We shall retreat south to make them tired and annoyed first!"
-
A
-
Let’s not underestimate the shrewdness barbarians can have. B!
-
A
-
A
-
B
-
B
-
A - Seize the initiative. We out number them over four to one. They will have to hide three more of these hosts from our scouts for it to approach even numbers, but by their apparently random equipment and non-existent tactics they'd need more than that to stand a chance
-
aaaa
bbb
You explain that you will meet with the Wildlings head-on!
The howling and screaming coming from northwest an hour later indicates that they've found you - and you've found them.
5*
The battle is a great chaos from the very start. Your archers tried to pelt the first line of Wildlings with arrows, only for them to raise primitive shields made of fur and leather, something they've not done before. Secondly, their mass was surpisingly orderly, for Wildlings, and they crashed into front of your lines nearly at the same moment.
But that was still not enough - your skillful ordering of troops and plain ol' large numbers of your troops was more than enough to overcome this and all other tricks.
9!*
While the initial few minutes were quite even, after that it is a slaughter. Wildlings fall down, cut down by your men's axes, maces and spears, and few that try to run away are easily shot down by your eagle-eyed archers.
Before the sun even begins to set, it is over. Amongst the dead Wildlings there's a bigger, nastier looking one with human skulls as his shoulder pauldrons and one of a wolf that served as his helmet.
As the Marshal explains that almost a hundred of your loyal soldiers won't be going home, while some three hundred and eighty Wildlings were killed, some warriors bring to you a gift.
The young-looking Wildlings, barely bearded and dressed in lesser furs, can't be more than youths, some perhaps as young as twelve, but you never know with the Wildlings. A fifth of the group is girls.
"We've captured twenty three Wildlings, sire." Says the blood-stained warrior who led the group of warriors that captured the youths.
"Whatever should be done with them?"
A) "These are kids, and they've received their lesson they will never forget. Release them back into the Wild!"
B) "Turn them into thralls, they shall till our fields with plows attached to their backs!"
C) "What stupid question is this? These are Wildlings! Put them to axe at once!"
D) "Time for something radical - they shall be clean-shaven and made into servants at my palace!"
-
A
-
B
-
I really don't see what we get out of B. Twenty-three angry slaves aren't going to contribute much to our economy.
-
I really don't see what we get out of B. Twenty-three angry slaves aren't going to contribute much to our economy.
It aint about the economy its about keeping them out of mind while also out of trouble. I don't want us releasing them for their revenge ark 30 years down the line but also don't wanna straight up kill them.
-
It's not like these twenty-three Wildlings are the only ones left alive. If anything, turning them into slaves will make the Wildlings even more pissed off at us, while showing mercy might make them a little more chill.
-
They enslave and murder our people, so it depends on whether we want to talk their language/stoop to their level.
B
-
B
-
B
-
You explain that survivors of this Wildling attack will be put to field as beasts of burden, working for betterment of your subjects till they drop dead!
Although few are skeptical, the other agree that this is a good way to punish Wildling children.
505 AD, A Week Later
Over span of seven days your scouts come and go, but there's no sign or sight of any other Wildling groups or encampments, only very old firepits long cold and unused.
You announce the end of the campaign to the joy of your soldiers and officers alike.
Congratulations! Cyrus has completed a military campaign!
505 AD, Midwinter
Your return to the capital is celebrated by young maidens and wealthy matrons tossing grain and dried flowers in front of you.
The courtiers attending your court are happy that despite five years, your martial skills haven't dulled.
The Wildlings captured are put to till the fields and chop wood, for scraps of food and necessary furs to survive the harsh elements.
505 AD, End of the Year
You rub your hands in anticipation when you see the Advisor enter with Scrolls of Kingdom Status in his hands.
Happiness: 5
Population: 3
Economy: 3
Army: 3
It's been a while since you've seen such nice numbers.
"Everything is well within the Kingdom, Your Majesty." He strokes his beard.
506 AD, Summer
The rains this summer and higher waves, coupled with lacking interest in timber downriver, means there was little profit gained by the Treasury this year.
506 AD, Midsummer
You meet with a delegation of Druids and beast-tamers in your audience hall.
"My liege, we wish to report that breeding of Mammos is continuing at a steady pace. Few eldest have perished, the mature and young ones were trained, and there have been two dozen calfs already born since the herd was brought into captivity." Says the leader of beast-tamers.
"However, Mammos are fierce, slow to learn and yet are known to hold grudges for long. My companion here--" The beast-tamer turns to the Druid in charge, who bows. "--believes that we need five more years at the least to consider the herd truly tamed and big enough to be of good use."
"And what is your assessment?" You ask the beast-tamer, who smiles proudly.
"We've spent five years raising and training and taming them. I believe they are ready to be put into harnesses and attached to plows. Or we can begin to mount archers and riders on their tall backs for the use of your army!"
A) "Put them to work, our people and land need such great beasts of burden!"
B) "Hm, we've waited five years, we can five years more, just to be on the safe side."
C) "Give them to the army, we shall have those mighty beasts trample our enemies!"
-
B. We're not at war right now and we have no reason to risk disaster.
-
B
-
"Hm, we've waited five years, we can five years more, just to be on the safe side." The Druid smiles, the beast-tamer bows, acknowledging your orders.
506 AD, Autumn
Your wife is with a child again!
The healers believe the new prince or princess of your dynasty is bound to arrive somewhere in Spring next year.
506 AD, Mid-Autumn
It feels as if your lungs are on fire and your body expressly wants to get rid of them.
You gasp for air before another coughing fit sends you reeling against the bedsheets. The healers try to lay you down while your pregnant wife and two children at her side watch you suffer.
"Your Majesty is greatly sick." Says your personal healer. "And I believe this is straw lung. Usually mild, but with Your Majesty's predisposition, it has affected your body terribly." You try to complain but then another coughing fit takes you.
When it subsides, you take few deep breaths.
"The Druids prescribe donation to the spirits of weather, seasons and herbal growth to better your chances, Your Majesty." Says the Advisor, entering the room.
You have a smaller coughing fit.
"Should we send some rare foodstuffs and some of Treasury money to the forest altars, my liege?" You try to answer but another coughing fit deprives you of air.
A) Nod along to the proposal.
B) Wave dismissively at the Advisor.
-
A - I feel like we're getting stiffed here, but who knows
-
A
-
A
-
A
-
You nod along to the proposal.
506 AD, Few Days Later
6
You wake up, quite refreshed. There's still some tickling in your lungs but you feel healthy, rested and ready to resume your duties.
The courtiers pray and give thanks to the spirits that protected you from the illness turning to worse.
506 AD, Winter
The diplomat bows in greeting.
"Great King Cyrus of Surinthomus. I come in the name of your father-in-law, King Herykk of Rycht. Recently, there have been border incidents and even raids into Rychtian soil by the ignoble, southernly Livoni, who, having been beaten by soldiers of Reval, turned their eyes towards my King's domain."
"So what he needs?"
"Soldiers! He is asking for a thousand of your finest warriors to come fight in his name against the vile Livoni. He realizes it might take few years, so he will provide for your soldiers, feed and clothe them and then send you monetary gifts as your warriors return home."
A) "Money for blood is a fair trade! We will send the warriors to help protect my in-law's land!"
B) "My thoughts and prayers go to King Herykk, as we have no soldiers to spare."
-
A. A bit risky, but we aren't at war right now and we can burn gold and happiness if it comes to that.
-
A
-
You announce that you shall send a thousand of your warrior to help your father-in-law and the people of Rycht!
The diplomat leaves happy.
506 AD, Midwinter
Under command of some trusted officers, a thousand-strong unit of Surinthomusan warriors leaves for southwest.
506 AD, End of the Year
Once again, the Scrolls end up in front of you.
Happiness: 5
Population: 3
Economy: 2
Army: 2(+1 abroad)
"While our Army is split and part of it aways, there's a slight concern amongst Treasurer's officials." The Advisor says, stroking his beard.
"He is suggesting we raise tax on peasants for the coming year, my liege."
A) "Fine idea! Raise the tax!"
B) "No, no, I think, this is good. Good enough for me!"
-
A
-
I hate to burn happiness, but the numbers demand it. A.
-
You order the taxes raises for a year.
507 AD, Spring
You receive a report from your commanders in Rycht; they've joined the troops of King Herykk, mostly as garrisoning force while the King's riders and footmen fight the enemy.
507 AD, Mid-Spring
You sit by your dearest wife, Dugda, as she receives the baby from the healer, who have wrapped it in a white blanket, soothing its bawling.
"Another boy, your Majesty." He says with a smile.
"And his name will be Vati." Dugda says quietly, kissing the babe's forehead. Vati! A fine, popular name of fine men and princes.
507 AD, Summer
"Good news, sire!" The Treasurer says, waving some parchment.
"Numbers from our lumber merchants have arrived. Profits are secured this year!"
And so, coin ends in your Treasury.
507 AD, Midsummer
Another report from your commanders indicates that their troops are still doing garrisoning work - meanwhile, this allowed Herykk's armies to wage war and score several victories against Livonis.
507 AD, Autumn
You bow in respect to the Archdruid as he comes to speak with you, your courtiers stepping away with hushed breaths and murmurs.
"Greetings, King Cyrus. We have waited five years, as you asked us to. The Great Stone Circle is still in ruin, and the spirits are displeased with you still. We have done some refurbishment of surrounding buildings on our own, the the capstonse of the Circles remain to be dug out, shaped, fastened and delivered upon the columns by your craftsmen and by your Mammos."
A) "And the answer is no!"
B) "Alright, this time I can afford to rebuild the fabled Circle!"
-
B. We've already put this off once, the gods literally just blessed us, and we should be sitting at Economy ~4 right now.
-
B Fineeee we can rebuild your suspiciously expensive stone circle of religious importance.
-
B The Gods delivered upon us a 6 in our recover roll, and I imagine Cyrus would feel the need to be, at least for now, pious after his recent recovery.
-
B
-
You declare that through the wealth of your Treasury and strength of the Mammos, the Great Stone Circle shall be rebuilt.
The courtiers murmur and nod in approval while the Archdruid leaves happy.
The Treasurer, on other hand, makes some sad noises.
507 AD, Winter
Another report from Rycht comes with the very first snowfall. King Herykk has turned the tide of the raids and has attacked the Livonian soil with his troops, burning some villages in eye-for-eye retribution, while your soldiers continue to keep watch over his outposts and border towns.
507 AD, Midwinter
The snowfall this year is very heavy, and has been continuing for almost a week now. There's already accidents of collapsing roofs and many roads and hamlets are covered with so much of the white stuff that adult men cannot see above the heaps. Courtiers worry what might become of the Kingdom if this continues!
A) Send the soldiers to clear the roads and help out the people!
B) Alas, nature cannot be defeated!
C) Deliver sacrifices to the spirits and Creator to banish the blizzards!
-
A
rather not use more "sacrifices"
-
Have we ever done a super religious one, though?
C, the gods have smiled on us so far. More or less.
-
The sacrifices are probably animal and mineral, not human. But our economy is getting dangerously low, so I'll take A.
-
B - Our army is guaranteed to take casualties, and it's uncomfortably low considering a chunk is not even in the kingdom right now
-
The gods will provide, you guys.
-
C
-
aa
b
cc
Split vote ;v
-
C
-
You decide to, once again, heap foodstuffs and moneys on the stone slabs, which had to be dug out from under the snow.
507 AD, One week later
The sun is shining strongly upon the snow-covered lands, and many streams have been formed from the heaps melting in the sunlight. The winds alike have ceased and nary a storm cloud can be seen anywhere near the capital - your subject towns and villages also reporting that weather has cleared.
"Glory to the spirits and the Creator!" You proclaim to the happy crowd of courtiers.
507 AD, End of the Year
As the outside gets a bit dark and tiny snowflakes fall gently from the thick clouds, the Advisor enters your chambers.
"It's that time of the year, my liege!" He says, rolling open the Scrolls of Kingdom Status for you.
Happiness: 5
Population: 3
Economy: 0!
Army: 2(+1 abroad)
"Our Treasury is empty. The Treasurer proposes another year of higher taxation upon the peasants."
A) "Yes, that is a good idea. Keep the taxes high!"
B) "They've suffered enough! We shall prevail somehow."
-
A
-
A
-
I warned you about sacrifices dawg!!!! A
-
The gods will provide, Colossal Convoy.
-
You order that the raises be kept higher for another year.
508 AD, Spring
A curious, and potentially terrible, discovery was made by some of the artisans who were working on the walls of the basement where your palace's provisions are kept.
Having torn down a clay wall with intent to replace it with masoned stone, they were startled to find a marked runestone-door that warns those that approach it that a funerary barrow is behind it. Understandably, the craftsmen got deadly afraid and refuse to even come close to the staircase leading into the basement.
"This barrow must be old, very old." The Advisor says, stroking his beard. "This castle was build by the kings who ruled before Tyrant, and their dynasty lasted for eight generations. For their workers to dig into the soil without knowing a barrow is there, it must precede that dynasty by several hundred years."
"What shall we do about this barrow?"
"When one finds funerary barrow on their lot, they sacrifice to the dead entombed there and do not continue their work. However, having a barrow underneath the castle poses a myriad of problems, workers being spooked the least of it."
A) "Have the workers postpone work until we have sufficient funds."
B) "Nonsense, forgotten dead are dead without power! The barrow can be opened, cleared, filled with soil and walled afterwards!"
C) "Just find someone to replace the wall without bothering the dead."
-
B smells like a happiness penalty and possible disaster in the making. C seems safer but possibly still expensive/risky. Let's go A.
-
A I vaguely remember there being similar events in past games, which ended up with cool, ?but cursed?, stuff inside. However, with how we've played Cyrus so far, I don't think he's the type of dude to disrespect a tomb. So my vote goes for postponing work and waiting until we have enough money for more sacrifices!
-
A
-
A
-
You order the barrow to be walled back with clay and the whole matter postponed until you have money.
508 AD, Mid-Spring
Which might be earlier than you expect.
The newest report from Rycht has King Herykk conclude a treaty with the Livonis for some years of tribute and oath of peace between the two. Your commanders in Rycht are not sure the exact time but they believe they will be back in Autumn or Winter, at the latest.
508 AD, Summer
When the Treasurer chimes in about the lumber-selling profits, you reconvene with the Advisor.
"Well, clearly we have funds now, and with good timing too. Servants and wine-bearers heading into the basement where the barrow is located report feeling dread and sickness upon them until they leave the room. We ought to do something, and fast."
A) "Paranoia and supersition, this. Open the barrow, clear it out, and then fill it with earth and wall it in!"
B) "We have enough money to abandon this cellar and dig out another. Have the artisans do just that!"
-
B
-
B Let sleeping kings lie.
So that one of our less pious, and possibly dumber, descendants can find it and pillage it to their hearts content... until King Oldkingman III's curse gives them a heart attack or something
-
B
-
You order the servants to empty the basement and for artisans to fill it with earth and then bury the entrance. The Advisor makes few warning scrolls and places it about the castle library and offices for the future as precaution.
508 AD, Midsummer
The final report from your commanders in Rycht has arrived; they're on the move, released by King Herykk from their obligations and compensated well for their services. They're bringing money for your coffers and personal letter of thanks from your father-in-law. They expect to return somewhere around Mid-Autumn.
508 AD, Autumn
The harvest this year has been quite plentiful - and it has not ended yet. Granaries both royal and private are filled with grains and vegetables, and people clamor that part of these bounties of the fields be sacrificed for a great festival.
"We have no money, however." Says the Advisor, making the Treasurer cough.
"We could force selling of the excess foods to merchants, thus getting some money." The Advisor grimaces at that.
"Taking people's food to turn into money would furrow some brows in anger." The Treasurer rolls his eyes.
"Money, though." The Advisor grits his teeth.
"Happiness, though." You sigh and contemplate this dilemma...
A) "Happiness is more important. Let them have the excess."
B) "Money is more important. Seize excess food and sell it."
-
A
I imagine that the happiness of those peasants aren't too high at the moment
-
A
-
A
I imagine that the happiness of those peasants aren't too high at the moment
It was 5 last we saw and overtaxation was probably a -1. This is probably a -1, maybe a -2 at most, unless there's some extra penalty for pissing them off twice in a row. Also, we have no money. B
-
A The gods will provide.
-
The gods had better provide some cold hard cash or we're going to have to sell our crown
-
A
-
You decide that people's happiness and full stomaches are more important than your Treasury. The Advisor rejoices, the Treasurer does not.
508 AD, Mid-Autumn
You soldiers have return in nearly full complement, with only a dozen unlucky ones having fallen to disease or elements in Rycht. They bring enough money to fill your abyssmally empty Treasury to some degree. The letter of thanks is written in flowery terms, and you wonder if your father-in-law had a poet write it.
508 AD, Late Autumn
2
Your youngest son, Vati, has perished of fever a few days ago. Your wife has been bawling her eyes since then and you feel a terrible pit in your stomach that will take months if not years to fill.
But such is life: oft fragile and short.
508 AD, Winter
It has taken a year to replace the old stones and put in new ones and clear up the ground and adjust the monoliths, but the Great Stone Circle is complete.
On a chilly, but sunny, day, the Archdruid leads a procession of horn-players and chanting, nubile women in a circle around the Circle, with you in attendance as the honored sponsor. The stones look as majestic as they are foreboding. No matter where you go, the sun is obscured and its sunlight causes the otherwise ordinary grey rock look like blackest of pitch. The stone gates and columns play tricks on your eyes and you cannot fathom how many circles are there - five, or nine, or thirteen?
The Archdruid concludes the ceremony in the evening, right before the sunset; it is then that a young goat is cut open upon the altar whilst still alive and bleating for mercy. Its blood and innards are left sacrificed on the dark slab, while the remainder of the animal is roasted and each of the attendees, including you, eats a thumb-sized piece of its meat. It was sweet, crumbly and you wish you could gorge yourself upon more of it.
When the night comes, the Archdruid leads you out of the circle in the same spin, accompanied by wolves, owls, and some less natural beings howling, booing and shrieking amidst the darkness of the forest trees.
You return home, humbled by the majesty of the Creator and the spirits of the Circle.
508 AD, Midwinter
"What we need is not taxes, sire, but some proper mineral wealth." Says the Treasurer to the other courtiers of importance.
"There are the mountains in the east, and rarely has anyone prospected them. Sure, some villages dig out iron ore to make tools out of it, but suredly the bounty of the rock and earth ought to be greater? We need to send an expedition then, my lord, and find copper, or silver, or maybe even lead or tin."
"The profits from raw lumber do not satisfy you?" The Advisor asks, and the Treasurer scoffs.
"Bah! These are enough to cover any great expense or mitigate a disaster, leaving us with not much of spare coin. And we cannot burden the people with heavy taxation year by year either, or our great King Cyrus will end like the Usurper did." Courtiers murmur and seem to agree with the Treasurer.
But do you?
A) "Agreed, we need precious or useful metals! Find some miners and prospectors and have them scour the eastern mountains for wealth!"
B) "We might have received some cash from King Herykk, but I would rather spend it somewhere else."
-
B. Maybe when we have a buffer.
-
A - Doing this will give us that buffer
-
No, it'll consume the buffer in exchange for a larger buffer later. I don't want to hit Economy 0 again.
-
A
-
A. You've got to spend someone else's money to make money.
-
You agree to the Treasurer's proposal.
In the coming weeks, preparations are done to launch an expedition of prospectors, miners and sturdy folk to search the mountains for ores. In the same time, the old cellar of your keep is sealed up and artisans have dug out a new one, where provisions and other supplies are transferred with haste.
508 AD, Late Winter
The palace healers have great news. Despite the loss of one life, another is growing inside Dugda's belly.
Your newest child ought to arrive next Autumn.
508 AD, End of the Year
You are a bit worried. There's been profits, then expenses, then profits and expenses again all over this year.
When the Advisor comes, you don't wait and take the Scrolls of Kingdom Status from his hand to check the numbers with haste.
Happiness: 4
Population: 3
Economy: 1
Army: 3
"The Treasurer believes that we need to extend the harsh taxation for yet another year, my liege." The Advisor says, pacing behind you as you return to your seat.
"But I must protest this idea; we've been taxing our people harsh for two years already. One more and they will definitely turn against you. With the profits of the raw lumber, and, Creator bless, the expedition to the east being succesful, we will have enough wealth in few years' time."
A) "Agreed, the people have given and suffered enough. No more extra taxes!"
B) "The economy needs the money, and the peasants have it. Tax'em for another year!"
-
B
Everything will be perfectly fine i promise
-
A
"1" is a perfectly solid number.
-
A. I hate being at Economy 1 but we have two streams of revenue, our other numbers are all fine, and there probably actually is a penalty for overtaxing three years in a row.
-
A - Creator willing, we'll have a nice quiet year for once
-
A
-
You agree to lower the taxes back to where they were.
509 AD, Summer
The group of prospectors sent earlier to the eastern mountains have sent a delegation.
"Greetings, my liege! We have great news!"
"What would they be?"
"Copper and lead! In natural forms of ore, that's what we've found in the eastern mountains." The courtiers in the audience hall gasp and murmur at the news. "These deposits run through mountain sides and in the few caves we've prospected that didn't have bears or any other vicious animal dwelling in there. But yes, the mountains in the east do have precious ores!"
A) "Great! We shall then mine these metals! Send men and supplies to begin mining at once!"
B) "Something to think about in the future, thank you."
-
B
We are at Economy 1
-
B We're due a report on the Lumber sales any day now, can we wait until then?
-
B
Oh boy lead we can make pipes out of that! But yeah please ask us again when we get our Lumber sales please.
-
You thank the prospectors for their report.
509 AD, Midsummer
As almost every year prior, the timber sent west and down the river brings back money to the Treasury.
509 AD, Late Summer
Your wife Dugda gives birth to a child! And for the first time in your life, you have a daughter.
Dugda names her Heda, after her grandmother, who once ruled Rycht as a queen.
509 AD, Autumn
The last two weeks brought many thunderstorms and floodings of the farmlands around the Great River.
It would be cause for alarm and invite specter of famine, but your last year's decision to let people keep surplus foodstuffs has allowed them to now use the stored grain to combat the hunger.
"Your liege! Why haven't we begun mining of the ores?" Says the Treasurer at one meeting of your court. "We've had money before and we have money now, so why delay something that could bring us even more money in the coming years, perhaps we could've had it even before the end of this one, if we were fast in our decisions?"
A) "I still want more money in the Treasury before I commit to that! Financial security is important and you out of all the people show know that."
B) "I've decided we will be mining now."
-
B
It sounds like a good time.
-
B If the TREASURER (the guy who ssethes over almost every financial costing decision you make in every SPAMKINGDOM game) is telling us we should be spending money we should be spending money.
-
B - it was good to wait for the results of this harvest at least
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
You order that the mining of copper and lead is to commence in the east.
509 AD, End of the Year
The close the windows of your chamber to protect the insides from the heavy wind and snow being blown in from today's blizzard.
In the same time, the Advisor arrives with the Scrolls.
Happiness: 5
Population: 3
Economy: 1
Army: 3
"The people's hearts have been mellowed by lowering of taxes and the easy surviving of the food shortages, my liege." The Advisor says, stroking his beard. "The Treasurer says, tax them."
A) "The Treasurer likes taxes too much! We will have copper soon, we don't need extra tax."
B) "They've had a year of break and now we need their money. Raise the taxes!"
-
Dang Treasurer has no chill.
B
-
Between the mines and the lumber, we should be OK. A
-
A - Let's not he a Tyrant
-
A
-
You decide against raising taxes.
510 AD, Spring
A report arrives from the mines' overseer in the east; with the speed the work is being done, first loads of copper and lead could be delivered as soon as Winter!
510 AD, Mid-Spring
"My liege, have you considered a celebration?"
"A celebration? Of what?"
"Your victory, sire." Says the Advisor with a soft smile. "It's been ten years. Both of your victory against the tyrant, and your ascension to the throne of Surinthomus. Ought we commemorate the anniversary with some festivities, perhaps? It would do well for the spirits of your subjects, and spirits of the lands, too."
A) "Drinking! Eating! Dancing and singing! Indeed, let's throw some feasts and festivals in my name!"
B) "Nah."
-
B - Sounds expensive
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
You decline to host any celebrations.
510 AD, Summer
You look at the gathering of elderly men that appeared in your chamber alongside the Advisor. They look very fidgety and they have grimaces darkening their faces. You rarely see these three, and even more rarely you speak with them, as they spend time with your children, instead at the court. Them showing up like this is quite foreboding.
"Yes?" You ask, placing your hands on the desk.
"My liege, don't take it personally, or, Creator forbid, hold what we want to say against your family." Says the man who is teaching your kids language.
"But we believe that there's slight problem with your eldest son and heir to the throne, Len. He has, ah, slight trouble learning new things, and remembering what he has learned so far." Says the man who is teaching your kids heraldry and religion.
"Younger children of other noblemen are already more focused, smarter and learned than Len is, which, well, does not put him in good light as an heir..." Says the man who is teaching your kids numbers and laws.
They look at each other, and then at the Advisor, who steps closer.
"My liege, my esteemed colleagues wanted to say that your son, Len, is dim-witted, and will not make a fine King." The Advisor puts it bluntly for you, stroking his beard.
A) "Surely you can find some other quality about him! Go ask others for their help to find it. And you better find it, and fast!"
B) "A failure like that will not rule the Kingdom. Prepare the parchment! Len is no longer my son and heir!"
C) "This is the first and last time we're talking about it. Len is my heir, and that is set in laws! Begone!!"
D) "Call for Archdruid. We need the spirits and the Creator to lift the fog from my son's mind!"
-
D - Perhaps he will choose to take the Druid oaths, and allow his younger brother to rule. Or maybe the Creator will work in mysterious ways and show us his true worth. Whatever. We're religious in this playthrough
-
D
-
D
-
The gods will decide
D
-
You call for the meeting with the Archdruid.
He arrives in the evening, accompanied by several hooded priests carrying torches in some sort of foreboding procession.
"I have heard of your problem, King Cyrus. Where is the child?" You shout at the guards to bring Len inside. They fetch him in few minutes, and bring him before the Archdruid. The man reaches with his hand and briefly touches the princes' forehead, and smiles.
"Unfortunate as it is, the spirits confused the fates of this child with others, thus his spiritual and mental problems began to manifest."
"Can you help him?"
"We have a treatment. To ensure that spirits of fates abandon him and return sorted out, we can give him to the water, or give him to the flames. Briefly, as to not endanger his life too much."
"Will this work?"
"It will either work, or kill him, my liege, if the Creator himself intervenes against letting him live."
A) "That is basically murder, and I will not allow my son and heir to be murdered! Begone!"
B) "Give him to the water, and may the spirits sort him out."
C) "Give him to the flames, and may the spirits sort him out."
D) "He will suffer enough in his life. I will simply disown him and let him live his miserable life in peace!"
E) "That is basically murder! Begone! We will find another way to fix him!"
-
B - Trust in the Creator
-
I assume water vs. flames will determine his replacement trait. Flames sounds like Martial, which hasn't done much for us, so B.
If this fails, it might make the people and our wife hate us; we can afford the former, but the latter would suck.
-
B
-
B
-
"Give him to the water, and may the spirits sort him out."
510 AD, Next Evening
The Archdruid leads the procession towards the nearby lake with the little Len in tow, who was given potent herbs, leaving him in dream-like state. Around his neck is a rope and a weighing stone is at its end.
Your wife, Dugda, huddles up against you as you watch from a distance, not allowed to come closer.
The procession ends at the shore, and the Archdruid leads Len into the water.
As the procession-goers start chanting and calling upon the spirits of the lake, the depths and the cold to cast away the spirits of fate from Len for a brief time, the Archdruid is calling fervently upon the Creator to save the body of the boy.
Then Len is pushed into the waters, the stone quickly sinking him. Guards have to restrain Dugda who gasps and tries to run toward the lake. Silence befalls the areas as the chanting and prayers end, and everyone is frozen in wait, watching as the surface of lake remains still.
And still...
And still...
Then, something bubbles on the surface of the water in front of the Archdruid. Moments later, a small, bloated body floats to the top. The procession-goers begin to wail, only partially muting the panicked, then despairing shrieks of your wife. Courtiers gasp and curse alike at this unfortunate omen as Archdruid fishes Len's body out of the water.
As he approches you with the boy's still body in his hands, his priests quickly put out torches so that the fire of the living is not spoiled by the coldness of death.
"The spirits of fate cannot go against the Creator, and it was Creator's will that Len is no more."
A small, single-chambered barrow is dug out for the underaged Len. Courtiers and priests mourn the boy's passing, but agree that maybe this is for the best.
Your wife, however, refuses to speak with you.
510 AD, Midsummer
Somehow, the enthusiastic reports of the Treasurer about the profits from sales of lumber do not instill joy in your heart.
510 AD, Late Summer
Your wife still avoids you and does not speak with you.
This has become such a drastic change in her behavior that even some of your courtiers began to take notice and murmur about the situation!
A) Everyone mourns, some for days, some for months - she just needs time.
B) I will have a heart-felt talk with her, try to instill some optimism in her, perhaps?
C) She needs a distraction, some lavish gifts, some young servants might be in order.
-
A
-
A
-
You tell concerned courtiers that Dugda just needs time to continue her life without Len at her side.
510 AD, Autumn
What's her name?
Ah yes. Runa.
A pleasant servant girl, with whom you had the occassion to talk lately, as Dugda continues her silent mourning. Runa has taken upon herself to keep you in high spirits, by little talks, little mentions of her life, her devotion to you, her satisfaction in serving the liberator of the kingdom from cluthes of evil Usurper. A little sob story about her parents being violated by Usurper's thugs has your heart soften over the day for the girl, younger than you by ten years or so.
And now, as she is helping you put a flowing robe on your back, her hands linger on your shoulders, and you turn your bearded face towards her.
She doesn't say anything, but in her eyes you see a certain sparkle...
A) And that is very, very lovely sparkle indeed.
B) Eye sparkle of a harlot! A snake!
-
B
Let's not
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
You sternly tell Runa that her affection is not appropriate nor wanted, and the girl absconds a while later.
Just to be sure, you ask the servantmaster to find her a different job.
510 AD, Mid-Autumn
Your wife joins you in the audience chamber first time in the last four months. She doesn't say much, but her expression towards you have lessened, and the courtiers who were previously concerned about did notice.
510 AD, Winter
The arrival of the chests filled with copper crosses and spades, lead bars and strips, have made quite a commotion in the audience hall. The wealth of the mountains have finally arrived!
You life the heavy dark bars and the shiny, ruddy crosses, weighing them and checking their luster.
"My liege! My liege, a proposal!" The Treasurer leans towards you, his eyes sparkling.
"We ought to have artisans and craftsmen work the metals - then we can send them downriver to find buyers for even larger profits."
"This would be inadvisable, my liege, this early on in our work with the bounties of the earth." Says the Advisor. "It is an unproven ground, for our people were always people of the forest and river, not mountain and metal. Let us mint some coinage and sell the resources around so that the whole of the Kingdom becomes richer along the Treasury."
A) "Turn the metals into crafts and sell them abroad. The more money, the better!"
B) "Let us not make this supply of wealth unstable and unreliable. Sell the metals for a fair price!"
-
B. Maybe if we weren't at Economy 1.
-
B
-
B
-
B We need some stable income right now. Plus, it's not like we can't try our hand at setting up a metal crafts trade at a later point.
-
You order solid metals to be sold for solid cash.
510 AD, End of the Year
What a tumultuous year this was - and you feel glad to be at the cusp of leaving it behind.
One more thing is to be done and that starts when the Advisor brings Scrolls of Kingdom Status for you.
Happiness: 5
Population: 3
Economy: 3
Army: 3
This is looking good, you tell yourself, smiling.
"As expected the timber and metals are quick to repair the financial situation of your Kingdom, your Majesty." The Advisor says, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
511 AD, Spring
Your guards arrive to mention that a delegation from the rivermouth Kingdom of Suisto has come to seek audience with you.
"Suisto?" Your ask the Advisor, who also seems a little surprised by the visit.
"I don't think even the Usurper bothered with them. Let's see, yes, they are far past Rycht, Ingar and even Murra. If my mind does not fool me, Suisto are peoples of the boat and the great waters, where fish, death and the long dark are aplenty. Rarely our people have come to do business with them."
A) "This makes me infinitely curious about their purpose in coming here. Let them in!"
B) "Fishermen from distant lands? Far beneath my notice, turn them away!"
-
A
-
A
-
A
-
You order the Suiso delegation in. They wear linen, brightly colored, and fur caps on their heads. Their hands and fingers, long and thin, are adorned with bone rings and bracelets.
"Greetings, King Syrus of Surinthomus! We have come to warn you of a great calamity that is lurking to befall you and your peoples!" The courtiers gathered in the room immediately start murmuring, whispering and grumbling.
"And what would that be?" The Advisor says as the delegates bow their heads.
"A great calamity!" Says their leader, then takes his hat off, exposing his sparse, messy, dark blonde hair. "You see, ours is the faith of the Waters, and we have oracles - shellsingers - who venture into the depths to procure shells of specific kind, and then they listen to their murmur, discerning prophecies of both great and mundane import. Our King, Tuomas, has recently asked the greatest of Shellsingers, to advise him on the future. Imagine his surprise when he was told a prophecy that would affect not his kingdom, but someone's else!"
"What's the prophecy?" You ask loudly, and silence enters the place, as your courtiers are, of course, very interested in it as well.
"Here it is, our King ordered us to memorize the lines. It goes like this: When the young star rises in the east, a bloated, old one falls. When the trees resume moving west, the ice giant rages. When the young star loses part of its luster, it crashes upon its domain in voracious flames, causing great stress, and famine, and death." Your courtiers resume their murmuring, but the Advisor silences them with his staff.
"Let me elaborate, what our King and his advisors believe this means." The leader of the delegation says. "The first part, is about you. You, a rising star, have cast down the bloated, corrupt Usurper - the old star. Few years after your peoples started sending lumber down the river - to the west - there was one winter of terrible blizzards that even our people struggled against. And recently, as our King has learned, you have lost your son in terrible tragedy - you have lost part of your luster."
"And the crashing part?" The leader of the delegation shakes his head.
"We do not know what that might be. But our wise men had some ideas and each is worse than previous, up tp and including the Sun herself falling down upon your kingdom. King Tuomas ordered us to sail upriver, to your Kingdom, and warn you, as the shellsingers say that if one part of the prophecy will cease to be true, so shall it will never not come to pass in full."
"Cease sending lumber down the river, to western kingdoms, is what you mean!" The Treasurer speaks up, glaring at the westerners.
"You cannot bring neither Usurper, nor your son, back to life, King Syrus." The Suiso diplomat states the obvious. "So this is the only way!"
A) "Thank you for this warning. We shall cease lumber trade immediately!"
B) "Listening to seashells and divining the future out of them is the stupidest idea I have ever heard about. Begone at once, and trouble my people no more!"
C) "You've ventured so far to warn us despite not knowing much. Your King and your people ought to be rewarded - with precious copper and lead!"
D) "Call for the Archdruid! What do the omens of the Creator and voices of the spirits have to say about this?"
-
Uh... can we ask our own religious reps what they think of this first?
-
Briefly forgot this is not atheist run, hold on :P
-
D
-
D
-
D
I assume this won't cause the delegation to be sent away.
-
D
-
D
-
You call for the Archdruid.
He arrives some time later that day, and listens in to the prophecy, and your concerns about it.
"My liege, the omens in sky and earth do not portent any calamity to befall your Kingdom, subjects or family in the coming days. The visitors and their watery oracles are clearly mistaken. And, since when do you listen to them?" The courtiers nod and murmur to each other.
A) "Indeed! Guards, take our guests and show them the way back to their lands!"
B) "Charlatans! They are conspiring against me, throw the Suisto delegation into the dungeon!"
C) "I still think they wouldn't take the trip if they weren't serious about it. The sending of lumber westwards must cease!"
D) "No, no, I am convinced of their truthfulness, and they have to be rewarded for it! Bring them copper and lead!"
-
A
The gods have spoken
-
D
Let's not be a dick
-
A
Do not question the gods.
-
C Counter argument, did the Creator not give us an omen through the water by the tragedy of our son? Surely our son didn't die for nothing, there must be some message or meaning to it.
-
C
-
C Counter argument, did the Creator not give us an omen through the water by the tragedy of our son? Surely our son didn't die for nothing, there must be some message or meaning to it.
Counter counter argument the gods have spoken.
A
-
C
-
aaa
ccc
d
Och no ;v
-
A
-
You order the Suisto delegation and their prophecies out of the palace.
The courtiers murmur that it is for the best.
511 AD, Summer
Timber is on time!
511 AD, Autumn
And so is metals from the mines!
In much less quantity that expected, with a letter from the mines' administrator. As it turned out, the metal ores are aplenty, but after the initial lode was mined away, the remaining veins are rather narrow and it takes time and effort to excavate a sizeable amount.
He and his prospectors still believe it might be decades before the mines will no longer be profitable, however!
511 AD, Mid-Autumn
Adding to the trifecta of bounties, this year's harvests were plentiful, especially in grains. People have more than enough and clamor for festivals where they can sacrifice to the spirits and consume the rest.
"We haven't had a proper festival in years, my liege." Says the Advisor, stroking his beard. "Perhaps it is, finally, a time for such."
A) "No!"
B) "Let's partay!!"
-
A If we keep saving up we will eventually get one of those artifacts guys that want all our money for the worlds most mid artifact. (which we say yes to anyway)
-
Trading gold for happiness when the latter is higher seems unwise, but since the people are clamoring for it (possible happiness penalty if we say nay?) I'll go B.
e: also, I believe high Happiness increases the rate of population growth, which we could really use right now
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
You order that festivities are to commence this Autumn!
511 AD, Winter
A messenger from Rycht has arrived, say the guards.
As he enters the audience room, he takes off his fur cap and steps to the middle of the hall.
"King Cyrus! Good chiefs of Surinthomus! By the order of my King and master, Herykk of Rycht, I am to invite you to the Great Seating, to discuss politics and laws both current and future, on the first day of Summer of the next year." Even before the messenger finishes his invitation, your courtiers erupt in murmur and whispering. You lean toward the Advisor, who does the same in your direction.
"What is the Great Seating?" The Advisor whispers an answer.
"It is tradition of our lands, when a King becomes influential, be it by conquest, marriage, or simply amicable terms with others, to gather all the other royals to the Seating, so that there might be discussion about unifying our disparate and fragmented countries into one. No wonder you have not heard of this before; last time this was attempted was almost hundred years ago by King Vati of Reval, but he got nowhere with his plans."
"What say you?" Asks the messenger, placing his hands on his waist.
You decide to...
A) Reject this thinly-veiled attempt at contesting your rule!
B) Accept the invitation of your father-in-law, its about time you paid him a visit.
C) Try to find out who else is invited and who is coming to this 'Great Seating'.
-
B
Why not
-
B - Finding out who else got invited should be a simple task for our spymaster. There may be a lot of kingdoms to check on, but it should be very difficult to hide
-
B
-
You must upgrade from Tribal Monarchy to Feudal or Administrative Monarchy to unlock the court position of Spymaster.
:P
-
B
-
B
-
"I accept. I shall attend this Great Seating."
"Then sail by boat downriver and set foot in Rycht on the last day of Spring. King Herykk's men will take care of you." The messenger swirls his fur cap in a goodbye and then leaves.
As your courtiers discuss the Great Seating between themselves, the Advisor leans to you.
"Whatever else than yourself shall you take to the Great Seating, my liege?"
A) "An entourage of hundred servants and guards!"
B) "Servants, guards, gifts and valuables!"
C) "Several coffers worth of finest gifts!"
D) "Nothing, except few most needed servants."
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
"Servants, guards, gifts and valuables! This is prime opportunity to show the wealth and splendor of our kingdom compared to others." The Advisor agrees and your courtiers nod and murmur along.
511 AD, End of the Year
You: ready!
Advisor: in your chamber!
Scrolls of Kingdom Status: on your desk!
Happiness: 6
Population: 3
Economy: 4
Army: 3
"You Majesty, our economy is improving and people are praising your leadership. It might be a good idea to snatch away some youngsters and put them to soldiering - indeed, some might consider it a point of pride to fight and die for you and their kinsmen!"
"Your idea?"
"Marshal's, actually."
A) "It is a good idea anyway! Draft some peasants into the army!"
B) "Ehhh, it's not like we're going to wary anytime soon."
-
A
-
A
-
A
-
A
-
A
-
B
-
A A score of 4 is usually what we want to hover around in Economy and Army. Any lower and we tend to get caught off guard,
any larger and Haspen finds a way to get rid of them.
-
You order youths and peasants pushed into military service.
512 AD, Spring
Your wife, Dugda, is pregnant again!
The healers believe the child should be born somewhere around Autumn.
512 AD, Mid-Spring
At this day, you have an audience with the beast-tamers and Druids responsible for taming and breeding of the Mammos.
"My liege!" Says the beast-tamer in charge of the whole. "The Mammos are healthy, aplenty, and well-behaved. Waiting five years did help us master their spirits and ease them into work. We believe the herds are truly ready for menial work. But if you so desire, a year of combat training and harness-weaving could have them fielded by your soldiers as beast of transport and war!"
A) "At last! Make them toil the soil of Surinthomus for the good of all living here!"
B) "At last! Have them trained for war, they shall strike fear into hearts of our foes!"
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[Is this an either this or that choice? Like, if we train the Mammos for war, would that somehow exclude them from being used as beasts of burden, for some reason?]
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This is a choice between economic boost and army boost.
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A - Money is good for so many things
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A
if we have more money, we can afford more army
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A We also have a history of losing special units based on other species in the previous games. I'd like the Mammos to stick around.
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A
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B
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"Make them toil the soil of Surinthomus! They will make great beast of burden and fields!" The decree is heard by all and within weeks, adult and healthy Mammos are equipped with harnesses to drag behind them the sharp, fang-like plows.
512 AD, Last Week of Late Spring
The preparations for the journey are finished. You boat the large boat constructed for you specifically, and your entourage takes several other boats, all filled with wealth and trinkets for purpose of giving gifts. Each boat hosts a dozen guards as well, armed with axes and bows.
As the boat is pushed away from the pier, people young and old gather to see you off, some young ladies throwing pebbles before your boat to scare away evil water spirits that might wish to drown you.
Congratulations! Cyrus has embarked on a Journey!
During his absence, his wife Dugda, and the Advisor, will govern Surinthomus to the best of their abilities.
512 AD, Last Day of Late Spring
The journey of five days on the River is uneventful. Must've been the blessed pebbles!
Your procession of boats has to disembark on the side of the river opposite from the city walls of Rycht. Your courtiers are amazed at the sight - not wooden logs nor cobble marks the walls, no, they've used shaped stones, carved so well that you can't see any chipping or holes, except those coming from corner towers.
But other than that, you realize upon entry, it is city like any other. Lowly commoners go about their daily business, forming lines on edges of the dirt roads to watch your procession when they realize a foreign monarch has come. Huts and houses are made of clay and wood, covered with roofs of hay or timber. If not foreboding closeness and tallness of the stone walls surrounding this settlement, and of course, layout of streets unknown to you, you could easily mistake this for Surin.
Your entourage and guards approach a small keep, similar to yours - tall, with central building surrounded by smaller buildings, but the walls are also made of stone.
A tall, bearded man welcomes you as your entourage enters the courtyard. Servants and guards alike cannot pry their eyes from you, your entourage, and the wagonloads of gifts you're bringing inside.
"Greetings, we've heard of your arrival. Allow me to welcome you on behalf of my lord and liege, King Herykk. He is currently unavailable to greet you, for he is personally overseeing the last details of the Seating to ensure that everything is of highest order."
A) "Thank you. I'm a bit tired from the journey, so if you could see us housed somewhere for today?"
B) "I wish to speak with King Herykk in privacy first. Can you arrange for this?"
C) "Where are other Kings? I would like to meet with at least some of them, if this is possible?"
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C
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C
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C
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C
Good to find allies
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"Where are other Kings? I would like to meet with at least some of them, if this is possible?" The man in charge of welcoming you smiles.
"Ah, but you're one of the first to arrive. Only King Bartasz of Livoni has arrived, as he was requested by our liege, and so did Prince Vallurvo of Ingar. Other invitees are yet to arrive. Now, please, come this way, this way." He leads you through the lowest floor of Herykk's keep to spacious quarters. Your guards and servants are given temporary quarters in the Keep or in the houses of Herykk's servants elsewhere.
"Is there anything you wish to know, or need to be taken care of, King Cyrus?" The bearded man asks, bowing his head slightly.
A) "No, I think I will just rest for now."
B) "Yes, arrange a meeting with King Herykk as soon as possible. I wish to see my in-law at last, and before the Seating begins."
C) "Yes, can you tell me who else was invited to the Seating, for I have no word on that?"
D) "Yes - why is Prince Vallurvo of Ingar here, and not his father, King Astri?"
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C
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Have to say C here. I want to know who the hell is here.
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C
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"Yes, can you tell me who else was invited to the Seating, for I have no word on that?" The bearded man nods.
"Ah, well, of course King Bartasz of Livoni and Prince Vallurvo of Ingar. Queen Vigda of Reval and King Atam of Murra. We've sent polite invitations to the distant ones in Suisto and Ryga, hoping they would feel inclined to send at least a delegation, but they've laughed at out invitations, those coastal barbarians."
"I see, thank you." You consider the reply-
A) "Now I wish to rest."
B) "Now I wish to meet with King Herykk as soon as possible."
C) "Now I wish to meet with Prince Vallurvo as soon as possible."
D) "Now I wish to know, what about King of Ulko? You have not mentioned him, and yet he is downriver from Herykk's shores!"
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D
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D
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D
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You ask about King of Ulko.
1
"Unfortunately, I am not privy to that information." The bearded man says with a sincere smile.
A) "I will rest for now."
B) "Now I wish to meet with King Herykk as soon as possible."
C) "Now I wish to meet with Prince Vallurvo as soon as possible."
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C I'm kinda curious about Vallurvo, since he's here instead of his father.
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C
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C
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"Now I wish to meet with Prince Vallurvo as soon as possible." The bearded man nods.
"I shall personally question him if he is inclined too." And so he is off, leaving you to examine the bedding of the chamber you're given.
Dark wood, fashionably carved. Layers of linen for your back, and a thick fur blanket for the covering. A fine, luxurious even, bed for a guest of your magnitude.
Some time later, you're led by the bearded steward to Prince Vallurvo's chamber, and... he seems a bit taller than last time you've seen him. Definitely wears his hair long and proper, instead of keeping it short. Perhaps the years have hammered into him some propriety?
And then welcomes you thusly:
"Greetings, King Cyrus." He says, standing up from his seat and lifting the chalice heavy with dark red alcohol towards you. "Fancy a drink? I had three myself, their grain-brew is of highest quality!"
A) "I am here to talk with you."
B) "I am here to talk with you, and for that, I need you to stop drinking at once."
C) "Actually, I am a bit parched, thank you."
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After checking the genealogical records, I have confirmed that we are not his mom.
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A
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A
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"I am here to talk with you." Prince Vallurvo scoffs and then takes another sip.
"A conversation! With such pleasant company like mine? Why, even more reasons for you to have a drink, King Cyrus." And another sip. Then, he considers something briefly, and puts the chalice down.
"If it is about my father, he is ill. Gravely ill. After all, he's seen fifty winters already. Old age weakens both body and soul, and his has been fragile for years now. Perhaps the next winter will see him dead. That's what our healers, and even our Druids, believe... and then I will be the King of Ingar." He reaches for the chalice, then reconsiders, and glances at you from the side.
"What else do you wish to talk about?"
A) "I want to offer my hands of friendship!"
B) "Would you be interested in trade agreement with Surinthomus?"
C) "What sort of intriguing snippets you've heard about Herykk's Seating?"
D) "You seem rather calm about what's going to happen 'next winter'."
E) "Actually, that's all I wanted to talk about, thank you."
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A
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A
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"I want to offer my hands of friendship!" Vallurvo looks at you, from head to toes, and doesn't respond immediately.
He slowly turns to you, approaches, and reaches with his hands to grab yours, shaking both hands at once, parallel - and thus, in agreement.
"And I accept your friendship. Let there be no hostility between our kingdoms and our families." He says, and grins.
"A drink to toast our newfound friendship, then?"
A) "Would you be interested in trade agreement with Surinthomus?"
B) "What sort of intriguing snippets you've heard about Herykk's Seating?"
C) "Yes! Let us drink!"
D) "You seem rather calm about what's going to happen 'next winter'."
E) "Actually, that's all I wanted to talk about, thank you."
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C
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C
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You agree to a drink. Vallurvo grins and fishes behind the bed for another chalice - no doubt prepared and waiting since he heard you're coming.
"I knew it!" He pours some of the grain-brew into the empty chalice and hands it to you.
"To the spirits, and your health!" You toast your newly-forged relationship, and take a sip.
The grain-brew, you find the hard way, is undiluted, and aged. You're no stranger to fruit or grain beverages but this? This burns down your throat and then turns your stomach into a furnace, for a while. Vallurvo takes a sip himself, and then sets both chalices on the table.
"Now, now we can talk. Speak to me, Cyrus!"
A) "What sort of intriguing snippets you've heard about Herykk's Seating?"
B) "You seem rather calm about what's going to happen 'next winter'."
C) "Actually, that's all I wanted to talk about, thank you."
D) "Would you be interested in trade agreement with Surinthomus?"
E) "You ingest undiluted and aged spirits, this is rather unwise, and unorthodox."
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A - Let's work our way towards more personal topics with some gossip first
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A
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A
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A
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"What sort of intriguing snippets you've heard about Herykk's Seating?" Vallurvo grimaces.
"He will most probably invite us all for Homage ceremony."
"That being?" He glances at you, quirking an eyebrow.
"Ah, right, you're more of a martial sort. Homage is what the King Laavi did in the ancient past, combining the tribes and walled cities into the Kingdom of Suomeni. Since then it fell apart and you've got the likes of Reval and Rycht and Ingar, walled cities with smaller pieces of the ancestral lands here and there. Yours I believe is part of Suomeni and part of itself, easternly and lying in shadow of the eastern mountains."
"So my father-in-law wants to, what, take away my crown?" Vallurvo shrugs.
"In a way. We will all retain our domains, of course. If that's even his goal. I've read some parchments and heard the songs and stories of Druids and Bards, Cyrus. There are many things one needs to accomplish to call themselves King of Suomeni, of the Coast, of the River and of the Forests. Herykk barely started and he is already middle-aged." The Prince reaches for the goblet, finally giving in to his fancies and taking a sip.
A) "If he will ask us to partake in Homage ceremony after all, what will be your reply?"
B) "I'm now interested in knowing what one needs to do to call themselves King of Suomeni... for reasons."
C) "Thank you for this valuable information. Would you be interested in trade agreement with Surinthomus?"
D) "Thank you for this valuable information. I can't help but notice you're very calm about what's going to happen 'next winter', though?"
E) "Thank you for this valuable information. Do... you always drink your alcohol aged and undiluted?"
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A I feel this information is relevant for the soon to be drama. Though, I am really interested in B, for the lore behind the ceremony and process.
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A
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A
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A
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"If he will ask us to partake in Homage ceremony after all, what will be your reply?" Vallurvo grumbles.
"My father ordered me to say 'yes' for we have not much in terms of anyone else to fall on for support. My father would rather avoid conflict with Herykk and his family - that being you."
"How so?" Vallurvo smirks.
"You control the lumber trade on the River, and have mammos as formidable beasts and the local mines. You're a martial king with strong soldiers who already proved their worth in the field both domestic and afar. Herykk's daughter is your wife, so of course you will support your father-in-law in his doings, no? You're much more powerful of a man than you think you are, Cyrus." The Prince downs the contents of his goblet in one quick go.
A) "Hm, indeed, I am inclined to say yes to Herykk's proposal, if it comes to that."
B) "Just because I am his in-law, doesn't mean I am his pawn!"
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B If Herykk impresses, then I'm fine with supporting him. But being our Father-in-Law doesn't mean we'll just give up our independence for nothing.
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Agreed. B
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B
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B
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B
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"Just because I am his in-law, doesn't mean I am his pawn!" Vallurvo looks at you in surprise, then sets down his goblet, and approaches you.
He grabs you by forearms in an awkward half-hug.
"Then if he calls upon me pay homage, I shall say no, and you will support me out loud. And if he asks you first and you deny him, then I will be first to support you. May this be our deal?"
A) "Deal!"
B) "My decision is mine alone."
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A
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A
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A
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A
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"Deal!" You two shake the hands of friendship once again.
"Hm, this changes things, considerably. I must call upon some of my select companions and discuss this with them." Vallurvo says, downing the remainder of his wine and setting the goblet away.
"We will meet at the Seating, Cyrus." He excuses you from his chambers and talks with one of his guards, who quickly departs on an errand.
You return to your bedchamber, and the bearded chamberlain is soon there too, having heard of your return.
"I hope you had pleasant talk with the foreign prince, King Cyrus. Do you require my services now?"
A) "No, I shall rest now."
B) "Yes - have other invitees arrived yet?"
C) "Yes - I wish to speak with King Herykk."
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C
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B
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B
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B
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"Yes - have other invitees arrived yet?"
"None yet." Explains the bearded man.
A) "Alright, I shall rest for now, you may go."
B) "Alright, then I wish to speak with King Herykk."
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B
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B
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A
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B
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B
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B