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"Yes, Milka, you're correct. I will cut down on some tubers."

Milka smiles, a rare sight, you must note.


Milka is pregnant! The healers have just confirmed so and you do have to agree that her stomach looks a bit fuller than just a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, in the northwest of Bailemarr, trouble is brewing! Several nobles dwelling there have reported incursions by huntsmen and vagabonds from the neighbouring kingdom of Trist. These unwelcome guests are behaving quite rudely and already have burnt down a homestead.

Because they bear the coat of arms of Trist itself, the noblemen are afraid to punish them further than just seize their weapons and horses. That does not stop several of the offenders from coming over next week or so.

A) I shall send a strongly-worded letter to the King of Trist.
B) Not my problem!
C) I shall authorize the noblemen to punish the poachers accordingly, and leave political fallout to me.
D) I shall send my Army to hunt down the intruders and make an example of them!

The Archpriest is called in.

After some time, he arrives, and listens attentively to Milka's declaration. He examines the girl closely and then converses with priests of matrimony and family whom he evidently called in as well.

"All portents and signs of this day point that this is the will of Pantheon after all, my liege." The Archpriest speaks, causing the aristocrats in audience hall to murmur and grumble. "The marriage will be a successful one, producing at least one child if not more."

A) Refuse her offer.
B) Accept her offer.
C) This cannot be that simple! Have the guards throw the girl into dungeon and investigate this matter thoroughly!

You order the grain to be seized from the merchants!

This, coupled with amount of grain already bought from them, should be enough to feed the hungry mouths. Hopefully, you will not have too many enemies amongst the merchants at the end of this.


Happiness: 5
Population: 3
Economy: 3
Army: 3

You furrow your brows at the sight of the Scrolls of Kingdom Status.

"What's with that economy of ours? Haven't our land been blessed with gold deposits?" The Advisor unfurls a scroll.

"Here is a letter from the mines' manager - apparently, they were flooded and caved in by Dumborr loyalists at the end of the civil war."

"And he thought it wasn't a matter of urgency?"

"Apparently not, my liege."

You scoff - that man will be replaced, you shall make sure of it. What of the mines, though?

A) The workers are already working, all we need is some time and just a sprinkle of luck.
B) Send them money and supplies! I want wagon-loads of gold bullion by end of the next year!

You decide the forest is at least vaguely familiar to you.

5

It is quite indeed.

But the usual gloom has been replaced with sunlight. The dark, charred trees look more lively and the spooky ravens are nowhere to be found.

You even cross the river that once smelled like something good - but this time there's no flavor in the air, and the water seems clearer than before.

The pain in your arm reminsd you however that your ordeal was a real one.

The night happens upon you when you clear the last of the charred trees. On this border between wall of trees and sea of grass, you make camp.

Supplies: 5

Next morning, you trail the grasslands on your way back to civilization.

Hopefully, the village you left has a healer.

---

Congratulations! Velarien has completed the Epic Quest to Recover the Lunar Seed of Vitality!

---

The courtiers and servants murmur as you sit down on your throne, one arm wrapped in tight cloth, and the other holding the crescent-shaped silvery seed in the palm. The royal gardener takes the seed, and, almost afraid to drop it, makes his way outside.

The seed is planted, and servants ordered to watch it report that it has sprouted during the night - in the morning, a silvery flower was in bloom. Nobody has ever seen such a beautiful flower in their lives.


Reports arrive from northlands - the pestilent bloom is withering en masse!

The blackened, dead roots and blooms are no longer poisonous to handle, and your subjects have begun burning them in large fires. The smoke is thick and has a rotting odour to it, the reports claim, but it does not sicken any of the handlers.

By the end of the month, there's not a single red flower remaining in the northlands.


Reports that follow, however, are of a more sour note.

The bloom has done its work; many of the livestock have perished and many farmhouses reported their grains and vegetables' harvest at very low numbers. Some even failed to save even a single sack of greenpods or yellowhusks.

"Mayors and village elders from the northlands have sent a letter of petition, my liege." The Advisor says, reading the scroll in his hands. "They ask for foodstuffs to be procured for the worst-affected areas, or else they will face death by starvation."

A) "I already got rid of the pestilent bloom! Now it is up to them to take care of those affected by the famine."
B) "The northlands shall have their supplies."

~~Enemies Turn!~~

As if in response to Argos' musing, three of the specters turned their heads and attacked Prince Aland and Countess Coldside! Fortunately, Casslan was there to protect at least one of them.

Casslan intercepts!
Hit: 94+15-15-23 = 71
Hit roll: 11, hit!
Crit roll: 46, no crit
Damage: 23+1-2-13 = 9-1 = 8dmg

Casslan counters!
Hit: 96-15-29 = 52
Hit roll: 45, hit!
Crit roll: 72, no crit
Damage: 12-1-1-9 = 1dmg

Hit: 97-20 = 77
Hit roll: 91, miss!

Hit: 97-20 = 77
Hit roll: 20, hit!
Crit roll: 73, no crit
Damage: 20-5 = 15dmg

The other shadows shuffled behind, forming a line once more...

~~Allies Turn!~~

"Casslan!" Incensed, Prince Aland attacked the blade-shadow from behind, and Orf then struck from the opposite direction.

Hit: 105-29 = 76
Hit roll: 62, hit!
Crit roll: 8, crit!
Damage: 12-9 = 3x3dmg = 9dmg

Myrmidon? D strikes back!
Hit: 94-15-28 = 51
Hit roll: 60, miss!

Hit: 101-29 = 72
Hit roll: 29, hit!
Crit roll: 12, crit!
Damage: 10+1-9 = 2x3 = 6dmg

Myrmidon? D counters!
Hit: 94-15-23 = 56
Hit roll: 92, miss!

"Wretched cur!" The Countess gritted her teeth, but then downed a tonic.

15HP healed

You let the ceremony begin in earnest.

The Minister of Ceremonies oversees the porcelain set being carried in and the pot of hot water and the bowl of tea leaves brought by trusted servants. You two praise the God in Heaven and thank the spirits for providing the world of living with the aromatic leaves that will produce the invigorating beverage.

After this toast to the sacred, the talk between mortals can begin. Lord Nekogawa seems quite eager for conversation.

"I have heard that your father have not provided you with a choice of bride." He says, putting down the tea cup with green leaves swimming lazily in it. "As a sign of goodwill between our families, may I offer one of my daughters as your first? Keiko is smart and pretty while Hiko is pretty and smart, in that order."

A) "I cannot choose a woman without seeing her first. May I visit your castle to witness your daughters myself?"
B) "Hark! I would rather blaspheme than tie my blood with yours!"
C) "I shall have Keiko, for I consider smarts over beauty."
D) "I shall have Hiko, for I consider beauty over smarts."
E) "I will praise the skills and shapes of your daughters, Lord Nekogawa, but I must also refuse your generous offer."

Bump for flazeo25.

"Was your journey through the land of Midoriyama Clan a pleasant one?" Lord Nekogawa nods with a cheery smile.

"Indeed! Pleasant view of the rice paddies! Peasants working hard in the fields! A sign of prosperity and good governance, even if you've just became their master." You two share a small laugh as the servants lead the two of you to the tea chamber.

You guide your honored guest to the seat. Your servants are ready to serve the tea.

A) Let the ceremony begin in earnest!
B) I shall conduct the ceremony myself!