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READY.
LOAD SQUIRETITLE2

LOADING.

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Your final test for squiredom has been concluded. You have passed the combat challenge and impressed the Knight overseeing your progress. You have passed the test of heraldry and mannerisms, and gained respect of the Lady in charge. You have handled the horse to the satisfaction of Steward judging your performance.

You are fourteen years old.

And now you're a Squire.

But there's still a lot to do before you become a Knight. Or a sell-sword. Or a castle guard. But all that will come later. For now, all you have is your short sword, and your horse, and your pouch of ducats.

What is your name, young man?

>_

You order that the raises be kept higher for another year.


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."

Shintoist Shimōsa
Shimosan warriors are ambushed and slaughtered by Noto warriors defending Kaga! (1 vs 10 Rice)
Shimosa fails to conquer Kaga!
Shimosan warriors are ambushed and slaughtered by Noto warriors defending Echizen! (1 vs 10+5 Rice)
Shimosa fails to conquer Echizen!
Shimosan warriors are ambushed and slaughtered by Noto warriors defending Omi! (1 vs 10 Rice)
Shimosa fails to conquer Omi!
Shimosan warriors attack Kii, and are met with no resistance!
Shimosa conquers Kii! Kii pillaged for 2.
Shimosan warriors attack Noto, and Noto warriors attempt to stop them! 19+4 vs 10+9 = 23 > 19
Shimosa conquers Noto! Noto pillaged for 5.
Shimosan warriors swarm over defenses of Yamato manned by Noto warriors! (70 vs 13+5 Rice)
Shimosa conquers Yamato! Yamato pillaged for 15.
Shimosan warriors swarm over defenses of Iga manned by Noto warriors! (113 vs 13+5 Rice)
Shimosa conquers Iga! Iga pillaged for 15.

Buddhist Higo
Higo warriors Iwami, Suo and Bungo, but no enemy comes.
Higo warriors attack Iyo, and are met with no resistance!
Higo conquers Iyo! No Rice is pillaged in Iyo.
Higo invests 120 in Chikugo and 30 in Hyuga.

Shintoist Noto
Noto warriors attack Etchu, and Shimosan warriors attempt to stop them! 10+8 vs 1+5 = 18 > 6
Noto conquers Etchu! Etchu pillaged for 1.
Noto warriors attack Hida, and Shimosan warriors attempt to stop them! 10+9 vs 9+2+5 = 19 > 16
Noto conquers Hida! Hida pillaged for 2.
Noto warriors attack Mino, and Shimosan warriors attempt to stop them! 10+7 vs 9+1+5 = 17 > 15
Noto conquers Mino! Mino pillaged for 2.
Noto warriors attack Ise, and Shimosan warriors attempt to stop them! 10+1 vs 9+6 = 11 < 5
Noto fails to conquer Ise!

Buddist Hōki
Hoki warriors attack Wakasa, and are met with no resistance!
Hoki conquers Wakasa! Only 1 Rice is pillaged in Wakasa.
Hoki invests 120 in Bitchu and 70 in Inaba.
Hoki warriors execute Shimosan merchants, breaking the trade!




Moves Needed: TricMagic, notquitethere, The Canadian Kitten, a1s

CHATTY: "We've been talking about me but you're pretty secretive, so, let's turn the tables - what's up about you and your bodyguard?" Arma lets out a hum.

"Oh, well, it is a long story."

"Trust me, I can handle long stories if last few days are any indicator." The Duchess chuckles.

"First of all, a Librarian, please." A new one. You quickly type it into the console...

Connecting...

Connecting...

Done!

Queries: librarian

>1 result found:

LIBRARIAN: 200c

2 Shots of Wóda
2 Shots of Meganekko
2 Shots of Creme Blanco

Serve in a tank glass.

You grab a clean tank, pour in some Wóda, then Meganekko, then Creme Blanco. The resultant mix is muddy, creamy and a little bit pink-tinted. You pass the glass to the Duchess, and shave off some credits off her credchip. (+200c)

Today Earnings: 499c
Monthly Earnings: 5849.5c

She takes a sip, then puts the glass down.

"Alright~ Well, my family ruled over Cordelia System since after the breakdown of old Federation few centuries ago. We had rich mineral colonies and quite a navy. When the war against EXO-Lumina began, my father threw his lot into it, hoping to score big on territories and profits. When the end of the war came, my two brothers and my dad were war casualties, so I became a Duchess for, oh, a month maybe? When the new Federation arrived with plebiscites and voting and mandatory liberation of indentured servants, I've suddenly found my household deprived of our riches, titles and territories."

"More or less, you lost everything and had to go into exile." Arma smiles sadly.

"Oh, I could see it coming for months, you know. Did my best to secure myself a private ship and some loyal servants, but in the end, only Vanessa agreed to follow through with me. Sweet girl. Her father taught her well. But yes, I'm living in exile, hopping from planet to outpost, from outpost to planet. At least they've left my account at Zanzibar Central intact, so I have few dozen million credits to spend on living."

"Not leaving anything for your family?"

"I would need to have one. My parents are dead, my brothers are too, and the only uncle I have doesn't want to have anything with me. A given, considering he wormed his way into Federal administration in Aries Sector. And I've long ago decided to not have any kids, so leaving a kid without money or loving parents is not a danger for me."

"So, then, what is the plan? Roam the galaxy until your body cannot go any longer?" Arma laughs softly and takes another sip of the Librarian.

"Oh, no, no... maybe few more years. Then I find myself a terraformed planet, or maybe some big space hub, to rent a luxurious house or apartment. I could cash in Ocean Eleven for several hundred thousand at the very least, if I need that. Vanessa wants to stay with me, but I think one day it will be better if we part ways. She is still young, has bright future before her and with her skills she will surely not have to fear unemployment."

"She is definitely ready for a fight, from what I've seen."

"Oh, that, and she is also a talented navigator, engineer, she knows mathematics and astrophysics, and can operate heavy machinery and computer, plus she can cook up a storm."

"She cooks?" Your wetware chip didn't see that coming.

"Oh, yes, very much. She has a good nose for spices and synthetic seasonings, and can prepare quite few dishes native to our star system. She can bake, too, but her cookies and pastries could see some improvement."


With a hiss, the door open. You had a brief idea that talking about Vanessa's cooking have summoned her, but no, it's a new person - Kuda's pilot for sure.

The pilot in question is definitely a female android. Her pitch black hair contrasts spectacularly with her cyan-white synthetic skin and pair of purple eyes. While her face is whole, there are seams and lines on her exposed shoulders and calves, indicative of incomplete skin layering. She is wearing a bright red tank top and shorts of the same color, with heavy, black plasteel boots. Her hands are similarily incomplete, the joints of her fingers in particular being visible when she makes her way to the counter.

Only then you realize that she is wielding a sword - with ornate handle, sheathed diagonally across her back, the end of the scabbard poking slightly under her right armpit.

"Greetings. Ribesnero, shot." You consider the request for a brief moment before reaching for a shot glass and pouring some of the dark purple-blue synthol for the android. She pulls out her credchip, a black, unadorned square of plastic, lifting it for you to scan. (+5c)

Today Earnings: 504c
Monthly Earnings: 5854.5c

Patron ID: Android Model KILL-S424 (Call Name: Mayako Kuda)
Ownership: none
Occupation: Licensed Bounty Hunter
Conv.Style: CHILLY
Liked drinks: N/A
Disliked drinks: N/A

She takes a sip of the sour synthol, while the Duchess observes.

"What is the reason behind the staring?" Mayako asks, not looking at anyone in particular.

"Simple curiosity, dear."

"Noted." The Duchess purses her lips, and turns back to you, and her drink, taking a sip.

CHOOSE YOUR CONVERSATIONAL PARTNER:

A) Mayako: "Greetings as well."
B) Mayako: CHATTY: "What brings a licensed bounty hunter android girl all the way out there?"
C) Mayako: FLIRTY: "I would like to note that you're very pretty to the eye, indeed, you draw the stares of the entire room, you know~?"
D) Arma: CHATTY: "You were talking about Vanessa and your plans for the future?"
E) ...Or just add to sour awkwardness of the situation and do some idle bartending!

"We go to Santa Julia and set sail."

"Right away, sir!"

On Santa Julia, the Surgeon is watching you board the ship.

"Captain."

"What is it?"

"I'm just told to notify you that the First Mate and the Gunner have disembarked."

"What? For whatever purpose?"

"They got a bit worried that our ship, singular, is vulnerable in the areas you wish to visit whilst those accursed Albionese brothers are on the prowl." Says the Navigator, chiming into the conversation.

"They went to ascertain whether anyone with a ship is headed for Guidea next."

You harrumph, but you're not going to leave without your officers. And any way, the cargo sold and bought still need to be moved onto the ship.


The First Mate and the Gunner return about an hour after you.

"Captain, apologies for this selfish excursion onto the land."

"Better say how it went."

"Bad, Herr Kapitan!" The Gunner grimaces. "There is no ships going westwards."

"The only one is a Zeelander seventy-fiver Ship, but her crew is taking her to Costas tomorrow morn." Says the First Mate, eyeing some heavy barrels being moved onto the ship.

A) "We're going to Guidea anyway."
B) "Go back then! Tell the Zeelanders we shall accompany them!"
C) "Actually, I've changed my mind, our next stop is... (insert port name here)"

You buy 18 barrels of Silver.

"That is one hundred forty four thousand Ducats, Captain." The Purser writes in his ledger, grimacing only slightly. "That leaves us with four thousand seven hundred eighteen Ducats, you know? I will keep this information away from the Sailors. Just so that they're not worried about their wages. I do hope we sell some of leftover Company goods next port, at least." The Purser closes his ledger.

"What's your orders, Captain?"

A) "We go back to Santa Julia and set sail!"
B) "Let's visit the Company Man to at least say hello."
C) "Let's sell... (insert trade good here)!"
D) Consult the Ledger.

aa
b
cc

Split vote ;v

Also added!

We will be starting today-ish.