You decide to take on the request for duel of honour! You accept a sword from one of the guards and undo your cloak. The chieftain points at you and says something you do not hear, and the advisor quickly writes you what he said: "A real man needs no armour!"
So you rip it off your magical cuirass along with your shirt, just as the chieftain rips off his fur cloak and shirt. The sight of two muscular, sweaty, bearded men, ready to fight to the death, makes some of the spectating maidens (and few squires) blush and swoon furiously.
Then you both rush at each other, weapons held high!
3*
The chieftain quickly gains advantage over you, and you get on the defense, using your sword to block his axe.
2*
Then he begins to strike even more furiously than before, and at one moment his axe hits you in the chest.
3*
This time you manage to get past the Chieftain's defenses and even the amount of spilled blood with a hack to his left side.
He doesn't flinch and continues on with the fight, and so do you!
1*
You feel the powerful *CRUNCH* that the axe makes striking you in the face. You barely see with the left eye as your pain receptors all around your head send distress signals. The world spins as you fall down to the floor, and then breath your last.
...
863 AD
You are
Llewyn, son of Houlandin III. Once upon a time you were 3rd to the line to the throne, but circumstances and the capricious Fates killed off your uncle and your half-brother. Your older brother, Tvadar, is dead too, as he thought that putting resistance to pursuing Damdamian soldiers was a smart idea. His wife and son, as far as you are aware, were allowed to return to the Dagovid's settlement, and Lady Igven dropped all claims to the throne, of hers and her son, Dagan.
1
People say that you're a splitting idea of your Father in his youth, excelling in
martial arts rather than matters of administration or diplomacy.
During the last three - well, two-and-half - years, your grandmother, Lady Aolineniya, was the regent, and she managed to untangle the war with Kiwis before a single skirmish occured. She also helped sponsor the lavish wedding parties of your brother Romuald, who married the beautiful Agrenna, and your sister Igrid, who married the next Duke of Tven, Tavan, just few weeks ago.
The weakened Army in Parsia managed to withstand continuous attacks by Parsians, and while most of the siege engineers and olifants from Gubta perished, the Parsians decided to sue for peace. Lady Aolineniya put upon them a crippling treaty that sees them paying regular tribute for next 20 years - some believe such harsh treaty might cause Parsians to take arms sooner than later. The peace treaty wasn't welcomed by Gubtas that much, but they have upheld the trade agreement and seem to be content, for now.
Unfortunately, with your elven grandmother as a regent, she of course took care of the dwarven artifacts; while the dwarven cuirass was deposited into the dirt and thus destroyed, the advisor managed to at least keep the Sky Iron Knife, which was buried in sarcophagus along with your father's body.
2, 2, 1, 1
The regency of your grandmother was welcomed by the populace, which was tired of family drama and warfare of the recent years. Thanks to a very bontiful harvests of 861 AD, the population grew, and thanks to some well-planned budgeting, festivals were hosted often and the population of Luathbas became happier. The Army managed to recover from the war and is maintaining the usual high numbers. Thanks to the trade, goldmining and the Parsian tribute, even with moderate spending the Treasury continues to be filled up with coffers upon coffers of coins.
Happiness: 6
Population: 6
Economy: 8
Army: 7
Now only one thing remains before the advisor puts the Crown of Kings of Luathbas upon your temples. What will be your regnal name?
You think about it for a moment.
Your father, Ethelwulf, continued the line as
Houlandin III. While his rule was benevolent and he saved the Kingdom many times from many disasters and foreign armies, all remember his recent paranoia that turned him into a leader not very different from cruel and sadistic tyrants of the second half of 8th century. While historians of the future might remember him fondly, you believe that population of today will not.
Therefore, you choose your birth name,
Llewyn as your regnal name. Long live King Llewyn! Long live Luathbas!!
863 AD, Spring
The advisor has an audience with you the very next day.
"My liege, as it stands, we have plenty of money in the Treasury. Mayhaps, to begin your reign on a splendid note, we could spend the riches on something magnificent?"
A) Build a large monument that will reflect the wealth of the Kingdom.
B) Publicly donate to the Grand Temple of Pantheon to show off your piety.
C) Have the Palace renovated, beautified, strengthened and enlarged.
D) "Naaaaaah!" Run off to Treasury and take a swim in your big sea of riches.
E) Host some lavish festivals for the tired, hard-working peasants.
F) Announce a combat tournament where brave and strong can compete for prizes.
