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"Okay, then. Let me, uh, let me summon the powers of the ring..." Ethan formed a fist with his hand and pointed the ring at the dummy, shaking his hand a bit.

"But what if the ring IS for blowing things up? You are prepared for that, no?"

You agree to send some of your soldiers abroad. The diplomats bow in gratitude.

"Our lords will send the tribute of copper and silver by the end of this year, King Bubba!" They leave happily as you give out order to find adventurous men amongst your soldiers and send few hundred of the to the west.


An almost thousand strong company has marched westwards, to fight for the western chiefs in return for their wealth.


"...and given her education by New Church, she could make a splendid wife and a capable queen, your Majesty." The Advisor finishes extoiling the virtues of Hele Magbeseh. It's one of your supporter's daughters and she has been reportedly very smart and very well educated in ways of religion and mathematics.

During the rebellion you've met her and you can say she is rather unpleasant looking. He scrawny hair is barely neck-length, black birthmarks dot her hands and neck, and nasty red splotches cover one side of her face. Not to mention that she is about twice the width of you.

But as the days pass, both the Advisor and your closest noblemen loudly mention that it would be a good match for you.

A) Nope!
B) Well, sure.
C) Try to find a way out of this possible marriage arrangement...

You outlaw consumption of beefnuts at the palace out of concerns that they might be dangerous to the courtiers' lives!


Brr! It's exceptionally cold this winter.

Or, its just you, unable to withstand the cold of the snowy months.

What's the best way to warm oneself?

A) By feeding the fireplace a bit more, obviously.
B) By getting a warm body beside me, obviously.
C) By drinking some mulled herb wine, obviously.
D) By stopping to complain so much, obviously!

You decide to put money and valuables upon the altar-stones of the Old Gods, and, in presence of the Deer-faces and Water-men and other priests, beg for forgiveness over being so slow in paying for the Gods' providence.

4

Your tribute was a valid choice! The comet moved away from the near-skies, and within just two weeks, its tiny red spot was undistinguishable from all other stars on the night sky.


"You should marry as soon as possible." Says the Advisor while you munch on your night meal.

"Do you know what befalls monarchs who delay marriage and siring of heirs? They follow the footsteps of your distant ancestor, Bep, King of Rushia."

A) "I'm only twenty, I still have time."
B) "Fine then, tell the court I am in need of a wife."
C) "Bep of what?"

You are Bubba, the new King of Rug!

This small nation of plains and forests have long suffered at the hands of your uncle-slash-cousin-thrice-removed, who levied high taxes, made his way with peasant maidens, and was generally unpleasant to have around.

So you and your friends rallied those suffering from his rule and while his body is being dumped in a ditch somewhere, you are crowned as a king. Your martial ability allowed you to easily triumph against your late uncle's supporters and militias (not that many of them decided to stand against you).

Kingdom of Rug enjoys a great population of peasants and artisans alike, its cities and settlements being envy of many neighbours for decades.

Here comes the Advisor, an old man who was in charge of state affairs while your uncle did his thing. He brings the fabled Scrolls of Kingdom Status for your perusal.

Happiness: 4
Population: 6
Economy: 4
Army: 4

Those mystical numbers look crazy to you and the Advisor's confusing babbling doesn't help. Oh well!

You will learn as you go, hopefully.


A minor lordling came to complain, alongside with a pudgy, hairy, dwarf alongside him.

"My liege! This dwarf and his family has been found digging tunnels under the soil of my land in search for ore and gemstones!" The dwarf curses the man in dwarvish, then plants his hands on his waist while staring at you.

"Human aware of human law, yes? Dwarves under, humans above, is the ancient law. Forefathers agreed to it. If he does not dig for metal, then why keep it off our hands?" He scoffs.

You decide to...

A) Forbid the dwarf from mining any further.
B) Forbid the lordling from interfering with work of the people of the underworld.
C) Offer to negotiate between the two, perhaps to establish a sharing of profits?

"No, we, we usually bring tools from the village... we have no caretaker here."

"Hmmh. Then it is best we depart for the village. Adrienne and Ivy will accompany me. Orf, do you know the short way?"

"Oh, through the fields, yeah."

"Then lead us, please."

"But..." The youth glanced at the angsty girl.

"Sorry for being blunt, but you can't help here. Let's go."

"..."

---

Three hours later, Whitesmoke village, at Elder Zozka's house...

A great feeling of despair and mourning befell the villagers for obvious reason. But the Prince and his five companions were now having a chat with the elderly leader of the village.

"Yesh, our village's gonna die out at this rate... first them adults, then the kids..."

"Apologies that we weren't able to rescue your villagers. I wasn't quick enough."

"Nah, nah... nobody expects to be fightin' walking corpses by noon. Not you, not them kids..."

"..."

"But, muh Prince, you wanted to talk about this?"

"Well, no, actually. Is there a Hestian garrison or a road fort nearby? One that we could visit today?"

"Eh, yesh, yesh there is! You just go back to them crossroads and march northwards. There's be Smoketower, is small but they soldiers patrol them roads."

"Do they have horses?"

"Yesh, I think so, yesh, I've seen them riding back and forth the road few times..."

"I see. Thank you." Prince Aland stood up from the stool he was occupying.

"Won'tchu stay for a cup of hot brew at least?"

"Apologies, but we must depart as soon as possible. Or, well, to be honest, I want to get my hands on this 'Sir Purplecloak' as soon as possible." The Prince turned to his companions. "Are you ready to depart?"