You schmooze!
7
The week is a fantastic success!
Remembering Dokker the fisherman's enthusiasm for you at last fall's smoking-festival, you summon him to make introductions. He deftly sets the newcomers among the merchants at ease, leaving you free to do what you do best: charm! You regale the caravan-folk with your adventures at Castle Grebbish, fire and fear in defense of the northern front— you send flames gouting upward at the climax, to gasps and applause from your audience. One merchant, you learn, has a brother in Grebbish who survived the battle. He weeps with joy as you reenact your triumphant roar on the castle tower.
Business is excellent, and you even score some pricey gifts for your HOARD! As the merchants pack up at week's end, you congratulate yourself for your dazzling performance.
1251 AD, Summer5
"A letter, lady ZENDRAKIEL," says Myrre, waking you with her entrance. She looks a bit pale. "From the emperor."
The priestess passes the scroll to Lucias with unsteady hands. Lucias carefully cuts the royal seal, unrolls the scroll, and reads:
Usurper ZENDRAKIEL of New Codhollow, Port City of the Province of Laam:
Your violent ascent to power in our lands has not escaped the throne's notice, but neither have your gestures of goodwill fallen from consideration. We have sought confirmation of your claims to service, and have found such in the testimony of one Rudric of Gost, Captain of Fifteen Score in the northeastern armies. In recognition of your deeds in the town of Grebbish, we have seen fit, therefore, to grant you the title of "Baroness." We are preparing a delegation to appoint you as such, and until you are given the baronal signet, we extend authority over the New Codhollow barony to you in an honorary capacity.
Additionally, we extend our sympathies for the recent instances of piracy against your city. It is meet that the Arran shores be better guarded against such travesties: therefore, in addition to the delegation for the appointment of a barony, we are sending a force of eighteen-score to fortify New Codhollow and the hamlets immediately surrounding. This force will submit to your command for such time as you have need of them, in defense of the crown's territories.
You may expect our delegation to arrive in the fall, alongside the brave soldiers of Ræbbegott. Until that time, we extend our regards, and express trust in your own service,
Lord PALINA of Laam
in the capacity of HIS MIGHTINESS MERRAS IV
EMPEROR-KING OF RAEBEGOTT
Your secretary sets the letter down, and looks to you with raised brows. You offer the wide-eyed priestess some words of congratulation, and she departs for the morning supplications to Orrom.
1251 AD, Late SummerAgain the five pirate captives cower before your dais, flanked by guards. For some reason, Myrre has chosen to join them.
"They have done all that we demand of them," says Ervin, "and done it well. Our boats and houses are mended and rebuilt. What would you have us do with them?"
"With respect, my lady," says Myrre, startling the guardcaptain, "I have been teaching these unfortunates in the ways of Orrom Fish-god. They have taken well to his teachings, and serve us with patience and respect. I ask mercy for them!"
Lucias says nothing. From his desk in the back of the room, however, he eyes the prisoners with open distaste.
A) Release them!
B) Teach them in some craft!
C) Find petty labor for them, since the rebuilding is done!
D) Jail them!
Pondering your options, you glance to the petty hole in front of your dais. It's about twelve feet deep so far.E) Put them to work in the pit!
If anyone's wondering, the pit was a project proposed all the way back on
page 2, aiming to dig a tunnel down to the caverns under New Codhollow, for luxury lairing and HOARD storage purposes. The project was mostly tabled, but a couple of your guys have been working on it on-and-off ever since.
