SSVetVs3

1Quest Collection: 24 threads in 492kb
2
3Beleaguered Prince Quest
4written by BeleagueredQM (24 posts, 7 omitted posts)
5-------- qst2txt --------
6
7Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
8Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
9
10===============
11
12Your name is Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, and you're the second prince of Gwyrddarfordir. 
13
14When you're royalty, you've got everything: money, women, fame, power, and respect. All you have to do is deal with whatever problem gets thrown your way, like…
15
16>"How dare the King of Svekka endorse the death penalty? To war!" 
17
18Your father King Gerad auk Gwyrren, who doesn't understand the concept of casus belli. 
19
20>"How dare the barons demand tribute from the people? If they want wheat, they can harvest it themselves!"
21
22Your brother Crown Prince Haul auk Gwyrren, who doesn't understand the concept of taxes. 
23
24>"I will not wear a dress! Such things are frivolous and wasteful! A royal's duty is to wage war from the front lines!" 
25
26Your sister Princess Nesta auk Gwyrren, who doesn't understand what a princess' job is. 
27
28>"Royal brother, I have the utmost confidence in Baron Reever auk Slotterton and his Bloodmakers' ability to resolve this conflict peacefully."
29
30And your evil uncle Prince Aled auk Gwyrren, who wants to take over the kingdom. 
31
32Bottom line? It's your job to keep the Gwyrren bloodline from collapsing, because if you don't, it'll be your head on the chopping block. 
33
34Fortunately, you're not alone. Myrrdin, your advisor and spymaster, and Olwen auk Vaughan, your paladin bodyguard, are both there to help you shoulder the kingdom's burdens. 
35
36Besides, unlike everyone else in your family, you're fairly competent. Throughout the capital city of Aurwain, you're known as…
37
38> The Throne Prince [Sovereign Skill +2]
39> The Victorious Prince [Military Skill +1, Intrigue Skill +1]
40> The Golden Prince [Dilettante Skill +1, Merchant Skill +1]
41> The Sorcerer Prince [Alchemy Skill +1, Enchantment Skill +1]
42
43-omitted one small post.
44
45-omitted one small post.
46
47-------------------------
48
49>>46251469
50The people of Aurwain call you the Victorious Prince. You participated in your first campaign at the age of 15 and in the following 5 years, you managed to score half a dozen victories. Your older brother and sister are also involved in the military, but they spend most of their time fighting on the front lines, and their knowledge of little things like tactics and strategy is… lacking. They're more like figureheads than anything, but fortunately, you're there to pick up the slack. 
51
52It's another sunny morning in the royal capital. You sit on your private balcony and enjoy some tea while the sun rises and the city gets to work. 
53
54"Myrddin, did you put whiskey in my tea again?" You couldn't help but notice that your daily morning beverage was a little alcoholic. 
55
56"Good man!" You beam proudly and pat him on the back. Whatever the problem is today, you don't want to face it sober. 
57
58"Your highness, please refrain from indulging yourself too much." As always, Olwen complains about your habits. It's quite unfair, really. It's not your fault that alcohol is the only thing that makes the headaches go away. 
59
60"It's just a little whiskey, Olwen." Your protest draw a twitching eyebrow from your bodyguard. "I'll be fine within the hour. Speaking of which, what's my schedule today?" 
61
62"Your father needs to adjudicate a dispute between the Barons Callad and Glennoch, a group of merchants from Svekka wish to meet with the Crown Prince to discuss trade, and your sister wishes to go hunting with the nobles' daughters." Myrddin dutifully lists the event of the day for you. "I could, of course, arrange for you to handle some of these matters, if you want to take care of them yourself."
63
64>"I can deal with the dispute between Callad and Glennoch."
65>"I'll meet with the merchants. I doubt my brother would know what to do with them."
66>"I'll meet the nobles' daughters. I wouldn't want their day to be ruined before noon."
67
68-------------------------
69
70>>46252067
71"I can deal with the dispute between Callad and Glennoch," you say. "We need to keep our vassals satisfied. The others will have to fend for themselves."
72
73"Yes, your highness." 
74
75You finish breakfast and Myrddin leads you to the meeting room where the Barons of Callad and Glennoch are currently shouting at each other. You can hear them from the other side of the castle. Olwen follows behind you, her eyes sharp and her hand on her rapier's hilt. 
76
77You stand before the room and take a deep breath to get ready. You open the door with a shove and step in.
78
79"I won't starve my people for a piece of paper!" 
80
81"And I won't allow you to go back on our agreement!" 
82
83The argument has been going back and forth for nearly an hour. 
84
85>1/2
86
87-------------------------
88
89>>46252689
90"Gentlemen, welcome to Aurwain!" You speak loudly to get the Barons' attention. They turn towards you and as soon as they recognize you, they stand and bow. 
91
92"Greetings, your highness," they say. 
93
94"Myrddin, can you tell me what the problem is?" You ask your advisor. Asking the barons would just cause another argument. 
95
96"Callad agreed to sell a set amount of wheat to Glennoch every year," Myrddin says. "Unfortunately, this year's crop was particularly poor, and Callad can barely afford to feed its people. Glennoch's position isn't much better, however."
97
98"I'll admit that we both need that wheat," the Baron of Glennoch says. "But that doesn't change the letter of our agreement." 
99
100The Baron of Callad opens his mouth to speak, but you hold up your hand to forestall another argument. 
101
102>[Sovereign Skill/Hard] "The agreement has been signed by both parties, and you knew this could happen. Callad will sell its wheat to Glennoch."
103>[Sovereign Skill/Tricky] "Callad has no wheat to spare at the moment. Glennoch will have to find food elsewhere."
104>[Sovereign Skill/Easy] "The kingdom's coffers are available to both Callad and Glennoch in their time of need."
105>[Merchant Skill/Tricky] "Glennoch will buy its wheat at a higher price. Callad can use the extra coin to buy food from its neighbours. Next year's price will be reduced accordingly."
106
107-------------------------
108
109>>46252710
110"The kingdom's coffers are available to both Callad and Glennoch in their time of need," you say with a confident smile. "If you can provide me with a list of what you need, I'll do my best to provide it."
111
112The two barons look at you and consider your effort. It's not a permanent solution - the kingdom won't be able to pay them every year if the crops don't improve - but it's what they need right now and they can figure the rest out later.
113
114>Roll 1d12, best of three. 
115
116>Here's how dice rolls work. 
117
118>Each of your skills has a level. 
119>If your skill's level is equal to a task's difficulty you roll 1d8. 
120>If your skill's level is higher than a task's difficulty, you roll a bigger dice (1d10 or 1d12). 
121>If your skill's level is lower than a task's difficulty, you roll a smaller dice (1d6 or 1d4). 
122>No matter what dice you roll, you need to get a 4 or higher.
123>Critfails only come into play if you roll a 1 and all dice fails.
124>Critical success occur if you roll a 10 or above.
125
126-------------------------
127
128>>46253051
129The two barons nod.
130
131"If the crown is willing to take responsibility for this, we have no reason to refuse," the Baron of Glennoch says. The two nobles hand a list of items to Myrddin, who quickly glances at it. He stuffs the list in his robes and gives you an affirming nod. 
132
133"Thank you for your cooperation," you say. "Please, stay in Aurwain a few days and enjoy yourselves."
134
135The barons bow and you take your leave. As you walk away, Olwen leans in to whisper in your ear. 
136
137"So, where are you going to find the money to pay for that food?" 
138
139That is an excellent question. The kingdom can afford it, but you do need to prepare for unforeseen expenses.
140
141>"Let's see if I can scam my uncle."
142>"Are those merchants still around?"
143>"Are those nobles back from their hunting trip?" 
144>"Let's go to the library. Maybe we'll find some opportunities in the monthly reports."
145
146-------------------------
147
148>>46253318
149"Are those merchants still around?" You ask. 
150
151"I think so," Myrddin says. "They wanted permission to sell Svekkan gemstones in Gwyrddarfordir. I doubt they managed to get a good deal from your brother, but if everything's settled, you won't be able to change it."
152
153"Just because they came here to sell gemstones doesn't mean they don't have anything else to sell," you say. "It won't hurt to talk to them and sound them out."
154
155"Indeed, your highness." Myrddin nods in approval. 
156
157The merchants are still around, but their negotiations are done. However, their boss does agree to meet with you. You arrange for a maid to come by with a light lunch. 
158
159"Greetings, your highness," the merchant says. "Your brother spoke quite highly of you. Tell me, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" 
160
161"Since you're here, I was hoping we could discuss business opportunities," you say. "I'm always looking for ways to nurture Gwyrddarfordir's trade."
162
163The merchant smiles softly. You smell of desperation and he knows it. Still, he is a merchant, so as long as there's money to be made, he'll be happy to help you out.
164
165"Do you have any concrete ideas in mind, your highness?" 
166
167>1/2
168
169-------------------------
170
171>>46253923
172You have a few. Gwyrddarfordir is about a thousand miles of land along the coast, but it's not very deep and there are few natural borders; wars and skirmishes are fairly common. You know which roads have the fewest tax inspectors, and you could sell that information to the merchant, but it would only be a short-term gain. 
173
174You could also arrange for the Svekkans to establish a joint venture with Gwyrden merchants. For example, they could trade goods to each other below market value, and sell them in their respective countries at inflated prices. That would help Gwyrddarfordir in the long term.
175
176You could also offer Gwyrddarfordir's services as an intermediary between Svekka and Parlan. Parlan has quite a few reagents for alchemy and enchantments which are not available elsewhere, but which do make their way to Gwyrddarfordir via maritime trade. Those goods would be worth quite a bit of money in Svekka, but it would be an uncertain deal.
177
178>[Intrigue/1d10] "I could let you know about some of the more… profitable roads."
179>[Merchant/1d8] "I could help you set up a joint venture with Gwyrden merchants."
180>[Merchant/1d4] "I could arrange for you to have access to Parlan reagents."
181
182>I'll ask for a roll after I call the vote. I just want to give you a better idea of the difficulty.
183
184-------------------------
185
186>>46254064
187These options are mutually exclusive. Either either you go for corruption and accept a bribe in exchange for telling the merchant how to avoid taxes, or you keep things legit and get the money you need by slightly increasing trade.
188
189-------------------------
190
191>>46253944
192"How about this." You lean in in a conspiratorial manner. "I can facilitate a deal with some Gwyrden merchants. Say, you buy our silverium at a fraction of the market price and in exchange, you sell us sunstones at a comparable discount. You can sell the silverium in Svekka at a much higher price and still make profits." 
193
194"Is that legal?" The merchant asks. 
195
196"Crown custom places strict limits on foreign investments, or else this would be easier," you say. "However, controlling the price of goods is well within my authority." 
197
198"The main difficulty of these deals is that it will take some time before you can make profits," Myrddin said. "However, if you can sell the products, you'll definitely make a profit. In addition, the prince can guarantee the deal and ensure that our side doesn't renege on the agreement."
199
200The merchant considers your offer.
201
202>Roll 1d8, best of three.
203
204-------------------------
205
206>>46254347
207"That sounds like a good deal to me," the merchant says. "I'll be staying at the White Stag Inn for the next few days. You can contact me there."
208
209"Excellent." You smile and shake the merchant's hand. "I'll have my advisor contact a few people. Once you've come to a satisfactory arrangements, just send a message to the palace and I'll put my seal on it."
210
211With that arrangement, you've saved the kingdom twice in one day. Sort of. At least you improved things a bit. Only time will tell how much your efforts paid off.
212
213"What do you want to do next, your highness?" Olwen asks. "It's still early, and you don't have any work left. You could relax for a bit." 
214
215>"Olwen, how about we spar a bit?"
216>"Myrddin, how about a game of chess?"
217>"I suppose I should pay a visit to my brother."
218>"I suppose I should pay a visit to my sister."
219
220-------------------------
221
222>>46254566
223"I have an idea!" 
224
225…
226
227Five minutes later, the three of you are standing in your private fencing room.
228
229"This is a terrible idea," Olwen says.
230
231"No, no." Myrddin quickly silences her. "This way we could to see him lose twice."
232
233"I'm perfectly capable of fencing and playing chess at the same time," you say. "This is a necessary skill for the battlefield."
234
235"Unless you run out of breath and can't command or fight anymore," Olwen says. "And aren't you always complaining that your siblings won't command from the back like they're supposed to."
236
237"I need to be ready to deal with any situation that might arise on the battlefield," you say. 
238
239"Fine, let's do this." Olwen sighs and retrieves her fencing rapier. Although it's not as sharp as a true weapon, it's still enhanced for speed thanks to wind mana. 
240
241Not far from you, Myrddin snickers and sets the chessboard. 
242
243You hold up your own practice blade in a salute. "I'm ready when you are."
244
245>Choose your strategy for fencing:
246>[Military/1d8] Stay on the defensive and wait for an opening. 
247>[Military/1d6] Fight Olwen head-on.
248
249>Choose your strategy for chess:
250>[Military/1d8] Play an orthodox game. You can't afford to get distracted.
251>[Military/1d6] See if you can lure Myrrdin into a trap. There's nothing wrong with being tricky.
252
253-------------------------
254
255>>46255044
256You can hold out against Olwen for a bit, but against Myrddin, a long battle is to your advantage. You need to defend against her while trying to trick him into leaving his king exposed. 
257
258"E2 to E4!" You call out your opening move just as Olwen charges at you. You managed to deflect her thrust at the last second and hold your footing steady as she tries to push you back. 
259
260Myrddin laughs at your predicament. "G7 to G5."
261
262>Roll 1d8 and 1d6, best out of three for each.
263
264-omitted one small post.
265
266-omitted one small post.
267
268-------------------------
269
270>>46255345
271The strain of keeping up with both Olwen and Myrddin takes its toll, especially when the screeching of steel against steel gets louder than Myrddin's movements, but in the end, you prevail. 
272
273You sacrifice your bishop to trap Myrddin's queen. The game of chess soon turns to your favour after that and Myrddin concedes the game in your favour. 
274
275Olwen puts up a better effort, but she overextends herself when performing an attack against your torso. You're able to step in and throw her off-balance. The match ends with your blade at her neck. 
276
277"I can't believe you actually managed to pull that off," Olwen says. "Now I'm going to need a drink."
278
279"I must say, I'm more than a little surprised," Myrddin says. 
280
281"They call me the Victorious Prince for a reason," you say. "Besides, you two wouldn't follow my orders if I was incompetent."
282
283"I suppose that's true," Olwen agrees grudgingly. She gets up and wipes the sweat off her brow and neck. "And it was a little interesting. Maybe we can try it again." 
284
285You're interrupted when a servant arrives to summon you to the throne room, where your father is waiting. You weren't expecting to meet your father formally today, but it's not too unusual for him to consult the family on certain issues. 
286
287"Would you like us to accompany you?" Myrddin asks.
288
289>"You might as well. This might be important."
290>"You two have worked enough for one day. I can take care of this myself."
291
292-------------------------
293
294>>46255654
295You shrug and pick up a towel to make yourself as presentable as possible. "You might as well," you say. "This might be important."
296
297"Ugh, why did this have to happen now?" Olwen grumbles and tosses her own towel aside. "I hate going to court like this."
298
299"No one will notice how you look," Myrddin assures her. 
300
301You take the lead, while Myrddin and Olwen follow behind you. The doors to the throne room are wide open, but the usual nobles and attendants are absent. Only your father, siblings and uncle are there, waiting for you.
302
303"Ah, Meirion, you're here," your father, King Gerad, says as you arrive. "Good. I've received some troubling news."
304
305"Father, what happened?" You ask.
306
307"There have been pirates along the North River," the king says. "They've been harming innocent merchants and sailors. I want to send a military force to deal with them. One of you will be in command."
308
309Naval battles aren't quite your expertise, but you've been to a few. You should be able to deal with this. Of course, you aren't the only one here. 
310
311>1/2
312
313-------------------------
314
315>>46256183
316Your sister Nesta's eyes light up immediately. "Father, please put me in command of this expedition! I will not fail you!"
317
318"Brother, this is an important matter," your uncle, his face twisted into a mocking grin. Seriously, how can no one else notice he's a total bastard? "It would be more proper to handle this myself."
319
320Your older brother Haul, for his part, smiles politely. "Father, I'm afraid I have prior arrangements," he says. "I won't be able to go."
321
322And that just makes no sense. Haul has never excused himself from a military expedition as far as you can remember. 
323
324"Myrddin, what do you think?" You ask your advisor.
325
326"I haven't heard anything from my usual sources," he says. "This probably is just pirates. If you take care of it personally, you can assure a better outcome for the kingdom, but if your uncle or sister go, they won't be causing problems here."
327
328>[Military/1d12] Your uncle should go. You want him out of your way for a while. 
329>[Military/1d10] Your sister should go. You want to keep an eye on your uncle. 
330>[Military/1d10] You should go yourself. 
331>[Intrigue/1d4] Your brother should go, if only because it's suspicious that he doesn't want to.
332
333-------------------------
334
335>>46256203
336You step forward to voice your opinion. "Father, I think it would be best for Princess Nesta to deal with this problem," you say. 
337
338Your sister at you with her eyes filled with gratitude and admiration. She causes problems in the capital, but she's mostly benign. It's more important for you to clean up after your brother and uncle. 
339
340Meanwhile, your uncle glowers at you. 
341
342>Roll 1d10, best of three.
343
344-------------------------
345
346>>46256586
347"Meirion's words have merit," the king says. "Nesta, take a dozen frigates and patrol the North River until these pirates have been dealt with."
348
349"Yes, your majesty!" Nesta salutes the king proudly.
350
351"Your majesty, I must ask you to reconsider," your uncle Aled grumbles. "The princess is much too young to deal with a problem like this."
352
353"Royal uncle, you don't need to worry!" Nesta says. "This will be my eighth campaign and although I have had some difficulties in the past, I'm certain that I can deal with this."
354
355"I have faith in my daughter," the king says. "If the situation changes, I may reconsider. Until then, I will leave this matter to her."
356
357Your uncle sighs and relents. 
358
359"I'm sure your decision is the correct one, your majesty," your brother says. "Nesta will not fail us."
360
361The king dismisses the court for the day. Nesta has her preparations to make, while your brother Haul returns to his own chambers.
362
363>Visit your sister. 
364>Visit your brother. 
365>Visit your uncle.
366
367-------------------------
368
369>>46256813
370You decide to visit your brother before he turns in for the night and you make a note to pay a visit to your uncle and sister as well in the morning. You should be able to make time before Nesta has to leave. As always, Olwen and Myrddin follow you dutifully. 
371
372You knock on your brother's door and he invites you into his room, although you don't bother to make yourself comfortable. You don't plan on letting this take too long. 
373
374"Brother, I'm surprised you didn't want to go on the expedition," you say. "You're usually much bolder." 
375
376"As I said, I had a prior arrangement," Haul says. 
377
378"Come now, you can't leave me hanging like this."
379
380"I assure you, it's a very delicate matter," Haul says. "This is something that will undoubtedly affect the future of the entire kingdom. All that I can say is that it involves a woman."
381
382You laugh cheerfully. "Brother, congratulations," you say. "I was wondering how much longer you would take. You're getting a little old for this."
383
384"It takes time to find the right person." Haul shrugs. "You'll understand when the time comes for you as well."
385
386"In that case, I won't bother you any longer," you say.
387
388"Good night, brother."
389
390As you return to your chambers, you speak with Olwen and Myrddin about what your brother told you.
391
392"I don't suppose either of you know about my brother's mystery woman?" You ask.
393
394"I don't keep up with the palace gossip," Olwen says.
395
396"I do keep up with the palace gossip, but I haven't heard anything," Myrddin says. "None of the nobles or foreign dignitaries have been paying special attention to him. This is quite sudden."
397
398"Oh well, I'm sure it won't be an issue," you say. "We'll just investigate while Nesta's away to make sure there aren't any problems."
399
400Your brother has his issues, but he is an upright man. At least you're certain this won't end with a scandalous pregnancy. That's more than a lot of nobles can say.
401
402-------------------------
403
404>>46257448
405This is a good spot to end things for today. I'll run the next session tomorrow at around 7PM EST. You can check my Twitter account for the announcement. 
406
407I'll be checking the thread on and off for a bit in case people have any questions. It looks like we got a decent crowd going, so this should be fun. 
408
409On a side note, I was expecting /tg/ to go deal with the pirates personally, so I'll have to adjust my plans a bit. That's all part of the fun.
410
411-------------------------
412
413>>46257711
414>So what sorts of obvious evil shit has uncle done?
415
416His main deal is corruption and extortion. He puts his cronies in administrative positions or arranges for them to obtain land so that it benefits his own territory somehow by allowing him to control trade. I want to show more of him in the next few threads. 
417
418>Sis have any suitors? How about us?
419Traditionally, the Crown Prince has to get married first, so Meirion and Nesta don't have any official suitors yet.
420
421-------------------------
422
423>>46258043
424Olwen wants the D, but her position isn't quite high enough for her to be the legal wife and she and Meirion both know it. 
425
426>>46258282
427That is a possibility. It probably won't happen any time, but it could happen eventually.
428
429-------------------------
430
431>>46258456
432>Any other characters we meet that are vying for our hand? Or our sisters?
433
434It'll be really obvious if/when you meet them. 
435
436>Also how much higher would she need to be?
437
438She's going to be a marquess if she inherits, but she'd have to be a duchess or, ideally, a foreign noble. Marriages to the crown are about securing loyalty, so you want people who can raise decent armies. It can be seen as threatening if a lower noble marries into the royal family, since they might make a move on their direct liege.
439
440-omitted one small post.
441
442-------------------------
443
444>>46258984
445I might as well post the updated list. It'll be in the pastebin as well tomorrow. 
446
447Sovereign: Level 1 (5/100 XP)
448Military: Level 2 (37/200 XP)
449Intrigue: Level 2
450Merchant: Level 1 (12/100 XP)
451Dilettante: Level 1
452Enchantment: Level 1
453Alchemy: Level 1
454
455Basically, the harder the task, the more XP you get if you succeed. The results in the story will usually be better as well, so you can decide whether or not taking a chance with a more difficult roll is worth the risk.
456
457-omitted one small post.
458
459-omitted one small post.
460
461==== END THREAD ====
462
463Beleaguered Prince Quest
464written by BeleagueredQM (20 posts, 4 omitted posts)
465-------- qst2txt --------
466
467Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
468Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
469Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
470
471===============
472
473You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
474
475Your royal father has received word that pirates were raiding along the North River, and your older sister Nesta has been asked to deal with the problems. She'll leave in a few hours and with her away from the capital, you'll be able to focus on any problems the rest of your family might cause. 
476
477You decided to pay a visit to your sister before she left. She's currently Aurwain's military docks, overseeing the preparation of her frigates. She beams proudly as you arrive and beckons you closer. 
478
479"Meirion, I'm happy to see you," she says. She turns to gaze lovingly at her frigates. "Beautiful, aren't they? It's been a while since my last naval campaign."
480
481"I'm sure you'll do fine," you say. Nesta tends to be a poor host, but she can be trusted when it comes to the military. Mostly. 
482
483"I'll find those pirates and ram them into the shore!" 
484
485And that's why she can only be mostly trusted. 
486
487"It's a noble's duty to lead from the front! If they're not first on the battlefield, how can the soldiers follower properly?"
488
489She has launched into her tirade and there's no stopping her now. 
490
491"Only cowards stay behind! Those armchair generals are completely useless!"
492
493No, no. This is not how military campaigns work. At all. You can feel your headache growing already. You need to interrupt her before this gets any worse. 
494
495>"I just came to wish you good luck just in case."
496>"I'll miss you while you're gone."
497>"Take your time and be thorough. The people's safety depends on it."
498
499-------------------------
500
501>>46272730
502"Take your time and be thorough," you tell your sister. "The people's safety depends on this. Pirates along the North River could cause a lot of problems for the country, especially if they go far enough up the World Sea to attack Svekka and Rosea."
503
504"Rest assured, brother. I won't let a single one of these pirates get away. See there?" She nods towards a score of cannons that are being loaded onto her flagship. "These are the new cannons from the Enchanters' Guild. Better range, accuracy, power, and it comes with explosive ammunitions." 
505
506You remember hearing of the cannons, but you've never seen them in action yourself. You suppose that a simple assignment like this is a good way to get a feel for how they work. You'll need to try them yourself when you have the opportunity. 
507
508"And what of you, brother?" Nesta asks you. "What will you be doing while I'm gone?" 
509
510Your older brother Haul's mysterious lover has caught your curiosity, while you're certain your uncle would be doing something. Then again, you could also spend some time on your own affairs. You are part of the royal family after all. You need your own base of power. 
511
512>"I think I'll spend some time with the Crown Prince. It's been a while since we've had time for male bonding."
513>"I think I'll ask Uncle Aled if he needs help with anything. You know how busy he gets."
514>"I haven't thought about it much. I'm sure I'll find something to do."
515
516-omitted one small post.
517
518-------------------------
519
520>>46273203
521"I haven't really thought about it," you admit. "I'll see if the Crown Prince or Uncle Aled need anything first. If not, I'll come up with something."
522
523"Remember, sloth is a sin," Nesta says. "Royals should always be toiling for the benefit of the kingdom."
524
525Well, you have to admit that your family is usually toiling towards something that resembles a reasonably vague definition of benefit for the kingdom, assuming that everything is relative. You tend to prefer more clear-cut objectives though. 
526
527"I'll be sure to follow your example," you say. "Good hunting, and be careful."
528
529You wave goodbye to your sister and return to the castle under the escort of your personal guards. Olwen and Myrddin are waiting for you in your chambers. You leave your guards at the door so you can discuss matters in private. 
530
531"There shouldn't be any problems with Nesta's trip," you say. "Assuming the new cannons have been tested properly?" 
532
533"The cannons from the Enchanters' Guild?" Myrddin asked. "They're in perfect working in order. If anything, they should make the princess' task much easier."
534
535"That's excellent news," you say. "What do we have on our schedule today?" 
536
537"Nothing official," Myrddin says. "However, I noticed that Prince Aled's purse strings are tighter than they usually are. He gambled away some money last night, but not as much as he usually does."
538
539"I asked the palace guards about the Crown Prince's company," Olwen says. "They haven't noticed anything unusual. However, the servants were strangely tight-lipped when I spoke with them."
540
541>"Let's investigate my uncle's finances a bit."
542>"Let's investigate the Crown Prince's entourage."
543>"Let's look for something else to do. I have my own affairs to look after."
544
545-------------------------
546
547>>46273754
548"Let's investigate the Crown Prince's entourage," you say. "If my uncle tries anything, I'll deal with it then." 
549
550"As you wish, your highness," Myrddin says. 
551
552"We'll have to be careful," Olwen says. "If the guards and servants didn't want to talk to me, they'll be even more reluctant to talk to you. Commoners don't gossip alongside royalty."
553
554"Maybe they'll open up if I make it look like I'm concerned for my brother's well-being," you suggest. "I have some issues with Prince Haul's personality, but the people do love him. Then again, if they're keeping quiet on Haul's behalf, that would make them even more reluctant to talk."
555
556"Alternatively, you could hire some outside help to watch over your brother's chambers," Myrddin says. "Servants move in and out of the palace fairly frequently. One more face in the crowd won't raise any eyebrows."
557
558"That could cause some problems with the palace's security though," Olwen says. "What if we just spied on him ourselves."
559
560>[Intrigue/1d4] "I'll interview some of the servants and guards."
561>[Intrigue/1d10] "We'll hire someone from outside the palace to spy on the Crown Prince for a while."
562>[Intrigue/1d6] "We'll do our own spying."
563
564-------------------------
565
566>>46274297
567Difficulty is always relative. Your Intrigue is level 1, so you roll 1d4 for the interviews. If your Intrigue was level 2, you would roll 1d6 instead. 
568
569Note that if you do get a 4 on your roll, you get a lot of XP towards your Intrigue skill, so it might be a worthwhile gamble.
570
571-------------------------
572
573>>46274536
574For some reason, I thought it was a Sovereign bonus, not Intrigue. 
575
576Number of threads since the QM fucked up: 0. 
577
578All it means is that you get to roll 1d6 instead of 1d4. Since it's my mistake, I might as well throw in the extra XP if you pass the roll.
579
580-------------------------
581
582>>46274201
583"I'll ask the guards and servants myself," you say. "Given their behaviour, they must know something." 
584
585"We'll have to make you look more… casual," Myrddin says. "If you just ask them, it won't look naturally."
586
587"We can make it look like you're tried after all your work and you need to take a break," Olwen says. "You can go down to the kitchen and look for an opportunity to mention your brother."
588
589"That's an excellent idea," you say. "Myrddin, bring me a few days worth of paperwork. We might as well be productive about this."
590
591"Right away, your highness," Myrddin says.
592
593You spend a solid hours reading and signing sheets of paper, including the deal with the Svekkan merchant that you brokered yesterday. By the time you're done, your head is pounding, your body feels like it should be nailed to your chair, and you can have difficulty walking straight. Myrddin is faring a little better, but not much. Olwen, of course, is just watching you work. Bodyguard work is difficult sometimes, but this is not one of those times. 
594
595You force yourself to get up and stumble down to the kitchen, where the cooks are preparing lunch. They bow in a panic when they see you arrive. 
596
597"No need for formalities," you say. "I just got caught up in my work and lost track of time, so I thought I'd come by for a little pick me up."
598
599"Of course, your highness," the head chef says. "We're always ready to support the royal family."
600
601"Thank you, I appreciate your efforts," you say. "Speaking of which, have you heard anything about the Crown Prince recently. He seems more stressed than usual."
602
603>Roll 1d6, best of three.
604
605-------------------------
606
607>>46274757
608"I'm not sure if I should say, but…" The chef moves closer to you and whispers quietly. "I heard the Crown Prince intends to take a wife."
609
610"That's good news," you say. "The gods know he's waited long enough. Although… it is a bit strange. I haven't seen any nobles or foreign dignitaries around the Crown Prince recently. Do you know who his lover is?"
611
612"I heard that it was one of the maids," the chef says. "I don't know who it is though."
613
614The word 'maid' echoes in your skull like an explosion. This isn't the worst case scenario, but it's pretty close. 
615
616"Is that so?" You give a stiff smile and laugh. "That's good for her then."
617
618>1/2
619
620-------------------------
621
622>>46275144
623You take a snack and return to your room in a daze. You sit on your balcony and stare aimlessly at the sky for several minutes before your body collapses and you slam your forehead on the table. Myrddin and Olwen both look at you with concern. 
624
625"What happened?" Olwen asks. 
626
627"The Crown Prince wants to marry one of the maids," you say. "Maids aren't for marriage, damn it! They're for illicit affairs behind the drapes while Olwen isn't looking!"
628
629"I'm always looking."
630
631"Yeah. I know."
632
633"Setting aside your highness' chronic ability to ascend the stairs to manhood, how do you want to deal with this?" Myrddin asks. 
634
635Olwen shrugs. "What do we need to deal with?" She asks. "It doesn't really matter if the Crown Prince marries a commoner. The princess and the second prince should be enough to secure political alliances."
636
637"It'll be a problem if there's a war of succession," you say. "No one will raise armies for a maid."
638
639"Isn't it a few decades to worry about a war of succession?" Olwen asks. 
640
641"It's always good to be prepared," Myrddin says. "At the very least, we should learn more about the situation. Breaking up the Crown Prince's love would cause a number of problems, but his marriage could create opportunities for us."
642
643>"I need to learn more before I make a decision."
644>"I need to speak with my brother. I can't let him marry a maid."
645>"There's no point in delaying this. I might as well support Haul's marriage."
646
647-omitted one small post.
648
649-------------------------
650
651>>46275173
652"I need to learn more before I make a decision," you say.
653
654"Gwyrddarfordir's laws and traditions make explicit allowances for consorts and concubines," Myrddin says. "But you'd know all about that, wouldn't you Olwen?" 
655
656Olwen just glares at Myrddin, who gets her back with his most infuriating smirk.
657
658"In any case, this might not be as big a problem as you make think it is," Myrddin continues. "We'll need to take some steps to protect your brother's safety, but I agree that more information is required."
659
660"I could ask my brother, but it would complicate things if he learned that I went behind his back," you say. "Father might know something though. I don't think my brother would consider marriage before consulting him first."
661
662"There's also your uncle to consider," Myrddin says. "There aren't many rumours about the Crown Prince and his lover, but some of your uncle's servants might have heard something."
663
664>"I'll confront my brother directly."
665>"I'll speak with father and see what he knows."
666>"I'll pay my uncle a visit just in case."
667
668-------------------------
669
670>>46275674
671"I'll pay my uncle a visit just in case," you say.
672
673"Make sure not to let anything slip," Myrddin says. "If he doesn't know anything, we don't want to tip him off."
674
675"I'll be careful," you say. "Do you know where he is right now?" 
676
677"I believe he's in the garden," Myrddin says.
678
679"Very well. You two can stay here for the moment. I don't want him on his guard when I talk to him."
680
681Olwen and Myrddin stay behind while you make your way to the gardens. As you walk, you think over what you already know and ponder how you're going to approach Prince Aled about this. Maybe you can express concern for your brother, or just broach the topic of women in general. Prince Aled already has a few of his own, after all. He's certainly more knowledgeable in the matter than your father is. 
682
683You slow down as you approach Prince Aled's favourite spot, a gazebo where musicians play every afternoon. The crowd is never large, but their work is appreciated. 
684
685"Oh, uncle!" You call out to him and wave. "I was just looking for you."
686
687"Oh? And how can I help my favourite nephew?" Prince Aled grins. "Have a seat. I just received a special bottle of wine and I was hoping to share it with you."
688
689"Thank you, uncle."
690
691You sit down and your uncle pours you a glass of wine.
692
693>Roll 1d6 for Alchemy, best of three.
694
695-------------------------
696
697>>46276272
698>That would hurt chances hooking up with the sister but im sure BeleagueredQM said it was an option last thread so it might work out.
699
700I never would have guessed that /tg/ would want to go siscon, but I can roll with it. I have no idea how, but I will if I have to.
701
702-------------------------
703
704>>46276175
705You raise the glass to your lips and immediately notice that something is wrong. The smell of the wine is off and the red colour is a little too murky. You are a member of the royal family, and you were trained almost from birth to deal with poisons. You weren't force-fed poisons to develop an immunity or anything, but you know the basics of alchemy and you know when someone is trying to poison you. 
706
707Without breaking your calm façade, you pretend to sip the wine and place the glass back on the table. 
708
709"It's not bad," you say. "Although I prefer the sterner stuff, so I can't say I know much about wine."
710
711"It's an adult's drink, nephew," Prince Aled says. "You'll have to get used to it eventually."
712
713"Perhaps, but in the meantime, I shall enjoy whiskey," you say.
714
715Yeah, your uncle definitely tried to poison you with something, but you don't know what. You could try to fake a cough and dip your handkerchief in the wine glass to get a sample of the poison, but it might tip your uncle off if you're not careful. 
716
717>[Intrigue/1d6] Try to get a sample of the poison. 
718>You can let this slide for now. You have more important matters to deal with.
719
720-------------------------
721
722>>46276465
723Yeah, you can't let this slide. You need to get a sample of that poison and find out what your uncle tried to do to you.
724
725"Why do people drink, anyway?" You ask. "It's not like it's good for you. Unless you want to get rid of a headache, that is."
726
727"People drink for the same reason they enjoy any sort of leisure activity," Prince Aled said. "It gives them something to talk about. You should hear what so-called experts have to say about wine. They won't stop talking about."
728
729"I suppose there is-" 
730
731You pick that moment to start your play your trick. You abruptly stop speaking and begin to cough uncontrollably. 
732
733>Roll 1d6, best of three.
734
735-------------------------
736
737>>46276886
738You take out your handkerchief and politely cough into it a few times. As you place the handkerchief back into your coat pocket, you dip the corner in the wine glass. Your uncle doesn't notice anything. 
739
740"Are you all right, nephew?" Prince Aled asks.
741
742"I'm quite fine, uncle," you say. "It was just a passing cough."
743
744"Be sure to take care of yourself," your uncle says. "You're important to the kingdom's future." 
745
746"Of course, uncle."
747
748Now is as good a time as any to see if your uncle knows anything about the Crown Prince's matters. You just need to decide how to approach him to get the information you need.
749
750You could bring up the Crown Prince directly, using the country's future as a lead-in, but it might make your uncle suspicious. Marriage and women would be less suspicious topics, but they don't directly pertain to your brother. 
751
752>[Intrigue/1d6] "Then again, the Crown Prince is more important to the country than I am."
753>[Intrigue/1d10] "I've actually been thinking about marriage lately."
754>[Intrigue/1d12] "You said that people drink because it gives them something to talk about, but what about women?"
755
756-------------------------
757
758>>46277120
759You decide to take something of a middle road.
760
761"I've actually been thinking about marriage lately," you say. "I am at that age after all, and I'm not getting any younger. The royal bloodline must continue."
762
763Your uncle considers your words for a moment before speaking.
764
765>Roll 1d10, best of three
766
767-------------------------
768
769>>46277499
770"It's quite common for a young man your age," your uncle says. "You'll sort things out over time."
771
772"I wonder if the Crown Prince feels the same."
773
774"Who knows?" Your uncle shrugs. "That's his own business."
775
776You get nothing more out of him. It's impossible to tell if he doesn't know about Haul's lover, or if he's just keeping quiet about it. 
777
778At least your meeting wasn't a total loss. You did find out that your uncle wants to have you poisoned for some nefarious reason. 
779
780You return to your room and report your findings to Olwen and Myrddin. 
781
782"I'll have someone look at the handkerchief," Myrddin says. "It's not perfect, but it should be possible to figure out which poison your uncle tried to use."
783
784"I'm surprised he'd go so far as to poison another member of the royal family in the palace," Olwen says. "That's quite a bit farther than he usually goes."
785
786"If he's up to something, I'll deal with it," you say. "I always do."
787
788"As soon as the poison has been identified, I'll let you know, your highness," Myrddin says. He leaves, but Olwen hesitates at the door instead of following him.
789
790>"Olwen, you can if there's something else that's bothering you."
791>"I'll see you tomorrow, Olwen."
792
793-omitted one small post.
794
795-------------------------
796
797>>46277740
798"Olwen, you can stay if there's something else that's bothering you," you say. "Is it about my brother's marriage?" 
799
800Olwen sighs and shuts the door. 
801
802"I know you'll always do what's best for the kingdom," she says. "That's why I agreed to follow you. I just don't want to be left behind when your plans move forward."
803
804"You'll always be one of my most trusted advisors," you say. "But that's not what you're talking about is it?" 
805
806"No, it's not," Olwen says. "I just want you to know that it would put my mind at ease if you I could remain as your... companion in the future. I won't hold you to it, but I'd like to know if the possibility is there."
807
808>"For you? Anything."
809>"I'm sorry, but I can't do that right now."
810
811-omitted one small post.
812
813-------------------------
814
815>>46278270
816"Honestly, the only thing I can commit to right now is my bottle of whiskey," you say. "But you know I won't forget about you when I have time to deal with personal issues."
817
818Olwen smiles. "I guess that's true," she says. "Good night, your highness."
819
820She seems satisfied with your response, and that's good enough for now. Besides, you need to meddle with your brother's relationship before sorting out your own. 
821
822You spend the rest of your day catching up on some of your work before going to bed. You wake up the next morning to Myrddin pounding on your door. 
823
824"Your highness! I have urgent news for you!" 
825
826It must be urgent for Myrddin of all people to be so panicked about it. You reluctantly crawl out of bed and open the door. 
827
828"What is it, Myrddin?" You ask. "You sound like the world is ending."
829
830Myrddin looks absolutely terrible. His hair is dishevelled and there are prominent bags under his eyes. He must have pulled an all-nighter. 
831
832"I identified the poison your uncle tried to use," Myrddin says. "It's used for birth control, but in sufficient concentrations, it can cause… infertility."
833
834Your gonads coil back into your body, seeking protection as your mind processes what Myrddin just told you. 
835
836Oh. Oh, that motherfucker. Your uncle has crossed the fucking line now.
837
838-------------------------
839
840>>46278696
841With that revelation, thread #2 comes to an end. 
842
843I have to say that the discussion going on in the background is really interesting on my end. Trying to manage the player's expectations without going too far is proving to be a fun challenge. 
844
845Anyway, the thread is archived, the pastebin is updated and the next thread will be Monday, March 28th at around 7PM EST. Until then, have a good night.
846
847==== END THREAD ====
848
849Beleaguered Prince Quest
850written by BeleagueredQM (18 posts, 4 omitted posts)
851-------- qst2txt --------
852
853Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
854Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
855Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
856
857===============
858
859You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
860
861Also, your evil uncle tried to chemically castrate you. You should deal with that. 
862
863A cursory investigation by Myrddin suggests that you were your uncle's target this time, so your older brother and father should be in perfect health. Since you managed to avoid your uncle's poison, it seems that all is well and that his plot has been foiled, at least for the moment. Now, you just need to plot your retaliation. 
864
865"It's a pretty far-sighted plot," Myrddin says. "The Crown Prince marries a maid, the second prince can't father any heirs. If something happened to the princess, the king's succession would be tenuous at best and your uncle would be able to smoothly claim the throne." 
866
867"Are you sure you're all right, your highness?" Olwen asks. "I can check, if you want to make sure."
868
869"Haha, no, I'm fine, thank you." Plus you already checked. You're perfectly fine. "The question is, is the maid in on my uncle's plot, or is he just being opportunistic?" 
870
871"There's been no progress on that front," Myrddin says. "We could pursue that investigation, or we can retaliate against Prince Aled."
872
873"He must have gotten his poison from someone," Olwen says. "It's an inconspicuous poison on its own, but someone in the Alchemists' Guild might be involved with this, if only indirectly. If we deal with them now, it might prevent future poisoning attempts against you or others." 
874
875>"The poisoner is an immediate threat. We'll investigate the alchemists." 
876>"The poisoning attempt failed, so I can ignore it for now. Let's find out more about that maid."
877
878-------------------------
879
880>>46316460
881"The poisoner is an immediate threat," you say. "We'll start by investigating the alchemists. In the meantime, we'll just hope that my brother's lover is unrelated to this."
882
883"I agree with your decision," Myrddin says. "The maid will still be there after this is done, but things could get complicated if your uncle sends his associates away or… silences them."
884
885"How do you want to do this?" Olwen asks. "We do a lot of business with the Alchemists' Guild, so we could approach them directly."
886
887"Moreover, it's possible that Prince Aled bought the poison through legitimate pretences," Myrddin adds. "If we make careless accusations, it could cause problems for us. Ideally, your uncle should remain ignorant of our involvement." 
888
889You've gotten used to royal infighting. A layer of plausible deniability covers everything and ideally, your opponents should never become aware of how much you know. Retaliation best when people aren't exactly sure what you're retaliating for. 
890
891>"We'll approach the Alchemists' Guild directly. Make it look like legitimate business."
892>"I'd rather be circumspect about this, at least until we find something."
893
894-------------------------
895
896"We'll take the middle road," you say. "We'll pose as legitimate customers, but we'll be discreet about it."
897
898"It's quite common," Myrddin says. "Many people, nobles and commoners alike, have certain needs that they don't want to publicize much. No one will be too surprised, and we can always make more overt inquiries later on if we need to."
899
900"If that's how you want to do it, I'll leave your personal guards here," Olwen says. "It's not far anyway, and the alchemists keep their own guards."
901
902"All right, just let me get changed first," you say. 
903
904You replace your finer clothes with something more suitable for a shopping trip. It's fancy enough that you look like a rich customer, but it won't raise too many eyebrows. The low-level alchemists shouldn't recognize you anyway. 
905
906The headquarters of the Alchemists' Guild resembles a campus more than anything. There are several buildings for offices, storage, laboratories, stores and so forth. The central building is the auction house made entirely of white marble. 
907
908"Where should we look first?" Myrddin asks. 
909
910>[Merchant/1d12] "Let's just have a look around first."
911>[Merchant/1d8] "Let's see who sells contraceptive. We might find a lead."
912>[Merchant/1d8] "Let's see who sells aphrodisiacs. Make it look like we need an antidote for a contraceptive overdose."
913
914-omitted one small post.
915
916-------------------------
917
918>>46317489
919"Let's see who sells aphrodisiacs," you say. "If anyone asks, I overdosed on contraceptives and I need a bit of help."
920
921"A large amount of help wouldn't help you." Myrddin smirks. "Come on, those 'items' are hidden in a private corner of the shops."
922
923"Of course you'd know where they are," Olwen says.
924
925"… I know everything. This is just one of the things I know. Honest."
926
927Myrddin's protests are somewhat lacking in authenticity.
928
929You casually look around the stands without paying too much attention to any one thing. As far as the people here are concerned, you're just one more shopper among who knows how many. When no one's looking, Myrddin pulls you into a kind of alley and brings you to one of the smaller shops. 
930
931The place is lit by lightstones, but there are no goods on display. The attendant standing behind the counter greets you immediately. 
932
933"Welcome, sir," she says. "How many I help you today?"
934
935>Roll 1d8, best of three.
936
937-------------------------
938
939>>46317958
940"A 'friend' of mine gave me a contraceptive, but there were some side-effects," you say. "I think I may have taken too much."
941
942"Oh, that's not a problem," the attendant says. "Which contraceptive was it?" 
943
944"I don't really know," you say. "I had it with some wine. The colour was a little murky and it smelled funny. A little rotten, I think, but it didn't make me feel sick."
945
946The attendant's face pales and she looks at you in horror. A second later, she's right in front of you, checking your eyes and your forehead and grabbing every bit of exposed skin on your body. 
947
948"What is that idiot Aeron doing?" She mumbles to herself as she works. "You're supposed to be careful with these things…"
949
950Now you know who sold the poison to your uncle. 
951
952The attendant turns away and mixes several sachets of power, which she gives to you. 
953
954"Take one these every night before going to bed and keep the windows open to let the air in," she says. "You have to stay cool while you sleep. You should be fine in a few days, but remember, don't just take whatever drug people give you. If it doesn't come from an alchemist, you can't be sure it's safe."
955
956"I'll keep that in mind," you say. "Thank you."
957
958You pay for the sachets and leave the store. They're useless to you, but it'd be both rude and suspicious not to pay for them. 
959
960"Aeron, Aeron…" Myrddin repeats the suspect's name. "I think I know who it is."
961
962"Should we see him now, or would you rather wait and corner him in private?" Olwen asks.
963
964>"We'll go see his shop."
965>"We'll wait until he's done with work."
966
967-------------------------
968
969>>46318243
970"We'll wait until he's done with work," you say. "I don't want to cause a scene in the Alchemists' Guild in case something happens."
971
972"That's probably for the best," Olwen says. "If Myrddin was banned from here, where would he get the help he needs to satisfy his wife?" 
973
974"I'll have you know that my wife is perfectly happy with our living conditions," Myrddin says. 
975
976Wait. What.
977
978"You're married?" You ask incredulously. You've know Myrddin for most of your life, but this is the first time you've heard about this.
979
980"Oh, yes," Myrddin says. "About three years now. We just like to keep things private for a number of reasons." 
981
982"I have no idea how to process this," you say. "So I won't. Let's go wait somewhere for Aeron's work day to be over."
983
984"Where do you want to go?" Olwen asks. 
985
986>Visit the markets. 
987>Visit the taverns. 
988>Loiter around the Alchemists' Guild.
989
990-------------------------
991
992>>46318652
993"Let's visit the markets," you say. "I need to keep my finger on the pulse of the city. Food prices, ore prices, foot traffic, that sort of thing."
994
995"A stable market is the sign of a strong city, while an unstable market heralds problem," Myrddin agrees. "That's especially true in the Aurwain. People from all over Gwyrddarfordir make their way here, so if there's a problem somewhere in the kingdom, it'll affect us."
996
997"I'll take your word for it," Olwen says. "I mean, I know how to manage my family's finances, but I have no idea how you can keep track of all this."
998
999"In general, you only need to keep an eye on goods that are useful to military efforts somehow," you say. "Beyond that, it's just a question of identifying the country's major centres of production and keeping track of how much their goods go far."
1000
1001"We have a monthly review," Myrddin says. "This month it's silk, perfumes, corn, incense, soaps, snowtones, and dyes."
1002
1003"You two put far too much effort into running this country," Olwen says. She's probably right, but someone has to do it.
1004
1005>[Merchant/1d4] Look for new business opportunities.
1006>[Merchant/1d12] Just carry out your usual inspection.
1007
1008-------------------------
1009
1010>>46319121
1011You decide to wander around the markets and see if there's anyone with potential. It's actually not that difficult to find a business to invest in. Plenty of people here are skilled at their craft, especially since this is the capital. The tricky part is finding something that can provide a significant long-term investment and benefit the kingdom as a whole. As much as you like Aurwain, moving a few extra coins around usually isn't worth your time. You like to think big.
1012
1013>Roll 1d4, best of three.
1014
1015-------------------------
1016
1017>>46319454
1018You find absolutely nothing. Sure, there are some good spots, but they're already making money, while the stores that seem to be struggling are a risk that you don't need to deal with right now. Still, you spent some time exercising and getting some fresh air, so it's not like this was a total loss. 
1019
1020"The market feels a little strange when you take the time to really look at it," Olwen says. "Small stores, big stores, specialized stores, general stores. It's just a whole lot of everything, you know?" 
1021
1022"The market wasn't planned properly, to be honest," Myrddin says. "Ideally, the wholesalers would have their own section so they could deal with large clients more effectively. General stores would be located near the living areas so people don't have to go too far to get common conveniences. The smaller specialized stores should be cultivated more carefully to attract a special clientele." 
1023
1024"That sounds boring, to be honest," Olwen says. "This place has a nice charm."
1025
1026>"A haphazard market is still inefficient."
1027>"It does feel more lively with all the stores mixed together."
1028>"It doesn't really matter so long as the merchants make money."
1029
1030-------------------------
1031
1032>>46319620
1033"The most important thing is that the merchants make money," you say. "If a livelier atmosphere helps with that, so be it."
1034
1035"I suppose a proper city should look energetic to travelers," Myrddin says. "After all, appearances must be maintained."
1036
1037"Appearances aren't enough in this case," you say. "It's easy to look prosperous. Actual prosperity is a very different thing."
1038
1039"As fascinating as this conversation isn't," Olwen interrupts you, "we're here to stalk someone. Let's get back to the Alchemists' Guild before we lose track of Aeron."
1040
1041You cough awkwardly. "Right, we should do that. We need to find out if he knows anything about my uncle's plans."
1042
1043You casually walk back to the Alchemists' Guild and wait for the alchemists to start leaving for the day. It takes some time, but Myrddin eventually spots Aeron. You follow after him from a safe distance away. 
1044
1045Aeron is leaving with a group of others, but he breaks away after a few streets and walks away on his own. You could ambush while he's walking, or you could wait to see where he's going.
1046
1047>[Military/1d6] Ambush him as soon as you're sure you're not being watched.
1048>Continue to follow Aeron until he reaches his destination.
1049
1050-------------------------
1051
1052>>46319963
1053You nod to Olwen. She begins to walk slightly faster than you to get ahead of Aeron, while Myrddin hangs back a bit. Fighting isn't his strong suit. 
1054
1055You continue to follow Aeron through the streets as Olwen flanks him. There are people everywhere, but there's a logic to the flow. People are heading back home or for a tavern after a long day of work. They're tired, focused on their destination, and, in some ways, the crowd makes it much easier for you to blend in. 
1056
1057You pick up the pace and trust Olwen to take the lead. Aeron sidesteps a small group of people and steps next to an alley. There's your opportunity.
1058
1059>Roll 1d6, best of three.
1060
1061-------------------------
1062
1063>>46320222
1064Olwen rushes Aeron and shoves him into the alley. Myrddin and you step in to hide the two of them from the rest of the crowd. You look around carefully. No one has noticed anything. 
1065
1066Aeron is lying on the floor, petrified with fear. Olwen has her rapier to his chin to prevent him from screaming. So far, he's being very cooperative. 
1067
1068"It doesn't look like we have any problems here," Myrddin says. "Let's get this over with."
1069
1070"We have a few questions for you," Olwen says. "You don't mind answering them, right?" 
1071
1072Aeron shakes his head as much as he can without getting an amateur shave. 
1073
1074You could just tell Aeron you're the second prince and use your status to intimidate him, but that could backfire on you if anything goes wrong. Alternatively, you could keep your identity secret and ask him about the contraceptives, or just bluff him to see what happens. He might start talking about things that you don't know about.
1075
1076>[Sovereign/1d6] "So, how long have you been trying to poison royals?" 
1077>[Intrigue/1d10] "Someone bought some contraceptives from you. Tell me about them."
1078>[Intrigue/1d6] "You know why I'm here."
1079
1080-omitted one small post.
1081
1082-------------------------
1083
1084"Hello, Aeron." You kneel down next to him and pat his cheek away so he can't get a good look at you. You are wearing a hood, but it never hurts to be cautious. "Here's the problem. You know why I'm here. I know why I'm here. What I don't know is how much you've been told, and until I've figured that out, I won't know what to do with you. After all, you might be a liability, but if you're not really involved, anything I say could cause some very big problems for you."
1085
1086The tip of Olwen's rapier cuts at his chin. You can hear Aeron gulp in fear. 
1087
1088"So why don't you start from the beginning, and then I'll decide what I should do with you."
1089
1090>Roll 1d6, best of three.
1091
1092-------------------------
1093
1094>>46320753
1095"Look, I'm not involved with any of this, I swear," Aeron says. "As far as I'm concerned, it was just a bulk purchase. One bottle stays in Aurwain and two dozen bottles get shipped off to Duwcan. They're in a warehouse close to the city gates. They're in bottles from the Degfford vineyards. That's it. That's all I know. I don't know who else is involved, I promise."
1096
1097Duwcan is the kingdom's second largest city and your uncle's own principality. It's under his direct authority and only answers to your father as a matter of tradition, goodwill and courtesy. There's definitely a connection there. 
1098
1099"All right, you can go now," you say. "But Aeron? Try to stay away from deals like this in the future. There are some things that you just don't want to get involved with. Understand?" 
1100
1101"I understand completely."
1102
1103Olwen pulls her sword away and Aeron runs off. He's not one of your uncle's men, so there's no point in keeping him in custody any longer. Besides, you have a shipment of poison to deal with. 
1104
1105"How do you want to deal with this?" Olwen asks. 
1106
1107You're fairly certain you know which warehouse Aeron is referring to. You could take care of this yourself to prevent anyone else from getting involved, but on the other hand, there are also benefits to using a proxy that can't be traced back to you.
1108
1109>"Let's rob a warehouse."
1110>[Intrigue/1d10] "Let's hire people to rob a warehouse."
1111
1112-omitted one small post.
1113
1114-------------------------
1115
1116>>46320990
1117"Let's hire people to rob a warehouse," you say. "Myrddin, can you make it happen?" 
1118
1119"It won't be a problem," he says. "Prince Aled's warehouse is heavily guarded, but so long as you're willing to spend the money, alchemy can solve any problem. I'll get someone to smash the place, steal a few things on top of the wine bottles, that sort of thing. I'll even arrange for a burglary spree over the next few days to throw suspicion off."
1120
1121"Excellent," you say. "Make sure no one gets hurt though. If you can focus the burglaries on my own warehouses, that would be best."
1122
1123"I'm familiar with the procedures," Myrddin says. "You two can go on ahead. I'll contact you at the palace when I'm done making the arrangements."
1124
1125>Roll 1d10, best of three.
1126
1127-------------------------
1128
1129>>46321227
1130You and Olwen return to the palace and wait for Myrddin to take care of things. You sit on your private balcony and calmly watch the sun go down. 
1131
1132"Another busy day's almost over," Olwen says. 
1133
1134"They're all busy days," you say. "I have difficulty remembering the last time I had a vacation. Mind you, it's probably better that way."
1135
1136"For the kingdom, or for you?" 
1137
1138"Both, I imagine," you answer. "I'm honestly not quite certain what I would do if I woke up one day and had nothing to do. People need to keep busy, you know?" 
1139
1140"I do," Olwen says. "I don't know what else I'd be doing if I didn't have to look after you."
1141
1142Myrddin returns after some time. He seems quite pleased with himself. 
1143
1144"All the necessary parties have been bribed and everything has been arranged," Myrddin says. "There will be a string of burglaries in the warehouses starting tonight and your uncle's warehouse will be robbed before the shipment leaves. He'll never know we were involved."
1145
1146"As always, I'm very pleased with your work, Myrddin."
1147
1148"I am pleased that you are pleased, your highness," Myrddin says. "That said, how do you want to deal with the poison?" 
1149
1150>"Destroy it. I don't want to leave it around."
1151>"Keep it. It might come in useful some day."
1152
1153-------------------------
1154
1155>>46321362
1156"Destroy it," you say. "I don't want to leave it around. Evidence and all that."
1157
1158"Quite understandable," Myrddin says. "I'll make sure it's disposed of safely."
1159
1160You nod. "Now I just need to decide if I'm going to keep pursuing my uncle," you say. 
1161
1162"Technically, you're even," Olwen says. "Sure, he won't even suspect that for quite a while, but if you start up a plot against your uncle now, you'll be the one going after him."
1163
1164"It might cause some political instability if we escalate things too quickly," Myrddin adds. "Underhanded conspiracies are one thing, but if we take things too far, you might spark a battle you can't win." 
1165
1166"I'm well aware of the risks," you say. "However, I'm not sure I want to stay in a reactive role either."
1167
1168So far, you've only been defending yourself and retaliating. You've done a good job of holding things together, but you're also giving your uncle time to hatch his next plot. If you attack him, you might force him to behave himself for a while. 
1169
1170>"I suppose I can drop things now that we're even."
1171>"It's not enough to even things out. I need to break something of his."
1172
1173-------------------------
1174
1175>>46321674
1176"I suppose I can drop things now that we're even," you say. "It'll take him some time to sort out all the damage to the warehouse anyway."
1177
1178"We're moving back to the maid then?" Myrddin asks. 
1179
1180"I'll decide that tomorrow," you say. "For all I know, there might be a brand new disaster to deal with when I wake up tomorrow morning."
1181
1182"If there is, we'll be sure to let you know," Olwen says. "Good night, your highness."
1183
1184Your advisors return to their chambers. You stretch out your muscles and relax in a hot bath for a bit before going to bed. You lie down on the bed and stare out the window at the stars. One more day gone by. You'll deal with tomorrow when you wake up.
1185
1186-omitted one small post.
1187
1188==== END THREAD ====
1189
1190
1191==== END THREAD ====
1192
1193Beleaguered Prince Quest
1194written by BeleagueredQM (15 posts, 3 omitted posts)
1195-------- qst2txt --------
1196
1197Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
1198Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
1199Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
1200
1201===============
1202
1203You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
1204
1205You invited your brother and his girlfriend to a masked ball so that you could meet her, but he refused. You still ended up going because hey, a party is a party. You had fun on the dance floor and might have sprained every muscle in your legs, and now you have some time to mingle. 
1206
1207Myrddin and his wife Nimue have spotted a few people of interest. The first is the daughter of the Count Caunys, who holds territory in the north near Olstren. You haven't heard much about the area lately, so it might be good to check up on things. 
1208
1209There's also a merchant named Coleran and his daughter. You're not familiar with them, but they seem to be important, or else Nimue wouldn't have mentioned them. You don't know how much longer you'll be here, so you need to make your time count.
1210
1211>Speak with Count Caunys' daughter. 
1212>Go meet the Colerans.
1213
1214-omitted one small post.
1215
1216-------------------------
1217
1218>>46442905
1219"I should speak with Count Caunys' daughter," you say. "It's been a while since I've heard news from their territory."
1220
1221"I haven't heard anything noteworthy, but it's always better to get first-hand information," Myrddin says. "This way."
1222
1223As you walk, you recall what you know about Caunys. Seren auk Caunys is slightly older than you, and she's an accomplished alchemist. Thanks to the climate and soil of the north, her family is able to grow several plants and alchemical reagents which can't be found elsewhere. Their territory is just on the border, and it's been lost and taken back from Olstren several times. 
1224
1225Myrddin brings you and the rest of your party to a woman who's currently standing in a circle along with several other guests. Now that you can see her, you vaguely recognize. It's been several years since you've seen her, and the mask doesn't help, but you don't think Myrddin would be wrong. 
1226"Trade with Olstren has been decreasing lately," Seren opines. "Their taxes are increasing, and their border patrols are almost violent."
1227
1228"It's the same all across the border," someone else says. "At this rate, our coffers might take losses. I don't know if the king is going to do anything about this."
1229
1230You frown in confusion. You haven't heard about problems with Olstren and judging by the look on his face, neither has Myrddin. This must be recent. You should learn more. 
1231
1232>[Sovereign/1d8] "And what do you think the Crown should do?"
1233>[Merchant/1d6] "I find that economic troubles are filled with opportunities, if you know where to look."
1234
1235-------------------------
1236
1237>>46443487
1238Myrddin, Olwen and Nimue hang back while you step approach the chatting guests. 
1239
1240"I'm afraid the situation will have become even worse by the time I get back," a man says. "Unfortunately, I had urgent business to take care of in Aurwain." 
1241
1242"I tried to prepare my vassals and their forces, but I'll risk starting a war if I mobilize too early," a woman says. 
1243
1244"We frontier lords simply don't have the clout to deal with this," another woman says. 
1245
1246You smoothly step into the circle of guests and ask, "What do you think the Crown should do about this?"
1247
1248>Roll 1d8, best of three.
1249
1250-omitted one small post.
1251
1252-------------------------
1253
1254>>46443801
1255One of the men shakes his head. "I remember a few years ago when the king sent an army to Rosea because they were using slaves as miners," he says. "It started a small war, and for what? Foreigners? Why can't he raise an army for the sake of his own people?" 
1256
1257You remember that! It was one of the first messes you had to clean up. Good times. Good times indeed. 
1258
1259"Right, we need a demonstration of strength to force Olstren to toe the line," a woman says. "They shouldn't expect to provoke us like this and get away with it."
1260
1261Seren shakes her head. "I'm afraid it won't be that simple," she says. "A show of strength might just make things worse unless it's enough to intimidate Olstren into submission. Our priority should be to normalize our relationship so trade can resume. That's the only thing that can ensure our prosperity."
1262
1263>"If Olstren wants a war, we should give it to them."
1264>"I agree. Negotiations are our best options."
1265>"It's a bit too early to say. What's been happening at the border?"
1266
1267-------------------------
1268
1269>>46444169
1270"It's a bit too early to say," you say. "What's been happening at the border?" 
1271
1272"There have been additional patrols on the Olstren side during the last month or so," Seren says. "It was unusual, but it wasn't strange, so no one really paid much attention. However, just a week ago, I heard that Olstren was trying to completely close the border."
1273
1274Closing the border between Gwyrddarfordir and anywhere else is nearly impossible. With Olstren, it is flat-out impossible. There are open plains that are impossible to block and forests that are impossible to monitor and absolutely nothing else there to separate the two countries. 
1275
1276"That is very strange," you say. "They might be preparing for war, but this would only make us suspicious and give us time to prepare. They'd be better off launching an attack immediately."
1277
1278"Indeed," Seren says. "If anything, it's the uncertainty that's making everything worse. I was hoping to catch some rumours while I was here, but it seems I got here faster than the news. No one knows anything." 
1279
1280That is indeed a concern. It does take some time for news to travel from the border to Aurwain, and this doesn't sound like a priority yet. Fortunately, you heard about this before it could get worse. You might be able to deescalate the situation, if you think it's worth your time.
1281
1282>"If you're interested, I could give you a chance to discuss this matter with the Crown."
1283>"I hope the situation doesn't get any worse for you."
1284
1285-------------------------
1286
1287>>46444683
1288"If you're interested, I could arrange an appointment between you and people who are able to deal with this problem," you tell Seren. "That is, if you think you have the time."
1289
1290"I can delay my departure of it's necessary," she says immediately. "I want to make sure this is dealt with."
1291
1292"In that case, you can go to the palace tomorrow and tell the guards that you need to speak to someone concerning the northern matters," you say. "There shouldn't be any issues."
1293
1294"Thank you for your advice, my lord," Seren says. She curtseys and you bow in return before leaving. 
1295
1296Once you're out of earshot, you ask Myrddin for his opinion on this. 
1297
1298"Olstren's movements aren't serious enough to be called an emergency yet, but it is concerning," Myrddin says. "It's probably a good thing that you took an interest in this situation before it developed."
1299
1300"We'll see what Seren wants tomorrow and how much help we can give her," you say. "Tell the guards to let her through when she arrives."
1301
1302"Of course, your highness," Myrddin says.
1303
1304"Enough about your work," Olwen says. "Tell me, did you enjoy the evening, your highness?" 
1305
1306>"It was quite a bit of fun."
1307>"It was horrible. My legs will hurt for weeks."
1308>"I suppose it was all right."
1309
1310-------------------------
1311
1312>>46445122
1313The rest of the royal family isn't quite competent, MC was nearly castrated by his uncle, and /tg/ keeps trying to do something about the maid that MC's older brother wants to marry, but shit keeps getting in the way.
1314
1315-------------------------
1316
1317>>46445157
1318"It was quite a bit of fun," you say.
1319
1320"I'll be sure to remember you said that the next time I feel like going out," Olwen says. 
1321
1322"You want feel like going out? I don't remember that ever happening."
1323
1324Olwen rolls her eyes. "Just because it doesn't happen often doesn't mean it never happens," she says. "I do need to relax sometimes."
1325
1326The evening ends and you return to the palace. You soak in the hot baths for some time to help your muscles relax and put you to sleep. 
1327
1328The next morning starts off with business as usual. Myrddin comes by with the daily reports, which you discuss with him and Olwen. After some time, a servant comes to inform you that Seren auk Caunys has arrived to discuss the matters of her family's land. You send for tea, and ask the guards to escort Seren to your room. 
1329
1330She's visibly surprised when she recognizes you.
1331
1332"Greetings, your highness," she says. "I'm honoured that you would take the time to see me."
1333
1334>"I heard there were some problems in your territory. I couldn't ignore it."
1335>"We didn't have much time to talk last night, but it seemed like a serious issue."
1336
1337-------------------------
1338
1339>>46445677
1340Seren sits down and you pour her a cup of tea.
1341
1342"So, I heard there were some strange movements on the Olstren side of the border and that it's affecting trade in your family's territory," you say. "What kind of help are you looking for?" 
1343
1344"In truth, your highness, I'm not certain," Seren says. "I would prefer a peaceful solution that would restore trade to its usual levels as soon as possible, but I'm afraid no one knows what's happening on the Olstren side of the border. Without knowing even that much, it's difficult to think of a solution."
1345
1346"Military exercises are the usual excuse in this kind of situation," Olwen says. "We can bring a few paladins and soldiers to the north and if Olstren raises a fuss, we can say the troops are there on legitimate business."
1347
1348"That would work so long as Olstren doesn't react violently," you say. "Then again, if they do react violently, that would greatly simplify things."
1349
1350"We could also pay an official visit to Olstren," Myrddin says. "They certainly won't be able to turn us away if we go in the Crown's name."
1351
1352"I can't ask much of you, your highness," Seren says. "However, my family and I would be glad to host you if you would like to visit us."
1353
1354>"We'll travel north with a small army, just in case."
1355>"We'll travel north with a small escort. I don't want to escalate things."
1356>"I'm afraid I won't be able to go. It simply isn't worth the effort."
1357
1358-------------------------
1359
1360>>46446090
1361"We'll travel north with a small escort," you say. "I don't want to escalate things."
1362
1363"Thank you very much, your highness." Seren beams happily. "I'll make sure my father throws a feast on your honour!"
1364
1365"Don't get too excited," you say. "I'll go and have a look at things, but I can't promise that I'll be able to solve the problem."
1366
1367"Even so, I'm grateful for your efforts, your highness," Seren says. 
1368
1369"I'll gather a small groups of guards for the trip," Olwen says.
1370
1371"And I'll let my contacts know we're coming," Myrddin says. "Speaking of, what are you going to tell your father?"
1372
1373Oh. Shit. 
1374
1375Yeah, you should probably do something about your father.
1376
1377>[Sovereign/1d10] "I'll just tell him the truth."
1378>[Intrigue/1d8] "You know what? He doesn't need to know I'm leaving."
1379>[Intrigue/1d12] "I'll tell him it's just a leisure trip."
1380
1381-------------------------
1382
1383>>46446471
1384"Obviously, I'll lie about it," you say. 
1385
1386Olwen and Myrddin seem nonplussed about your declaration, but Seren seems thoroughly confused. 
1387
1388"You're going to lie to the king about where you're going?" She asks. "Why not just tell him the truth?"
1389
1390"It's better this way," you say. "I can handle this myself. There's no need to get him involved."
1391
1392Sure, you just told Seren that you might not be able to accomplish anything, but it's not like bringing your father into this would make things any better.
1393
1394"You two can get everything ready," you say. "I'll go talk to his majesty."
1395
1396Fortunately, it's a slow day at court, so you don't need to wait to see your father. 
1397
1398"Greetings, your majesty." You bow before the king, as is proper decorum. 
1399
1400"Meirion, you've been difficult to find lately," the king says. "Tell me, what can I do for you?"
1401
1402"I just wanted to let you know that I'd be going on a trip north."
1403
1404>Roll 1d12, best of three.
1405
1406-omitted one small post.
1407
1408-------------------------
1409
1410>>46446850
1411The king laughs boisterously at your announcement. 
1412
1413"Excellent!" He says. "You're young, so it's only right that you should go out on some adventures."
1414
1415"No, no, this is just a leisure trip," you say. "I just want to travel a bit and see the country."
1416
1417"That still counts as an adventure," the king says. "Go, and have some fun!" He laughs again. 
1418
1419You bow and take your leave of the king. That's one problem dealt with. 
1420
1421Olwen and Myrddin are taking care of everything else, so you only need to retrieve your trusty sword and you'll be ready to leave. You go to your personal armoury and take your weapon…
1422
1423>[Enchantment/1d4] Tanplaen, an enchanted sword of fire ideal for fighting multiple opponents.
1424>[Enchantment/1d4] Rhithcan, a sword that bends sound and light to disorient enemies, applicable to both duels and large battles.
1425>[Enchantment/1d4] Ungwynt, a sword of wind designed for duels. 
1426
1427>Since you have an active critical, this roll is automatically successful.
1428
1429-------------------------
1430
1431>>46447203
1432You retrieve your trust rapier Rhithcan, a blade of illusion and deception. Its attacks are impossible to predict and its shriek can disorient even the most experienced paladins, making it useful in all situations. You've won several fights because the sword caused your opponents to pass out and keel over. It isn't capable of mass destruction, but its illusory blades make coordination between multiple opponents nearly impossible. 
1433
1434You also pack some clothes, medicines, and food for traveling. You don't know how long you'll be gone, but it never hurts to be prepared. 
1435
1436The servants bring everything to the carriage which is waiting for you. Myrddin and Olwen are already there, along with Seren, who will be traveling with you. 
1437
1438"My entourage will come along in a day or two," she says. "I'm afraid they still have a few things to take care of in the capital." 
1439
1440"That's quite all right," you say. "There's more than enough space for four in the carriage." 
1441
1442"We'll be accompanied by a small mounted escort," Olwen says. "They're armed with both spears and muskets, so they'll be ready for anything." 
1443
1444"I'd prefer a quiet trip, to be honest," you say. "We'll have enough problems to deal with once we reach our destination." 
1445
1446You all get in the carriage and leave the city. As you pass through the gate, Seren asks you a question.
1447
1448"Your highness, if you don't mind telling me, why did you agree to help me?"
1449
1450>"You asked."
1451>"The kingdom's stability is my priority."
1452>"I wanted some time away from the capital anyway."
1453
1454-------------------------
1455
1456>>46447727
1457"The kingdom's stability is my priority," you say. "It also helps that you asked. I can't do anything about problems I'm not aware of." 
1458
1459"Regardless, I must thank you for your help once again," Seren says. "I just hope that things haven't gotten worse in my absence."
1460
1461"If they have, we'll just have to deal with it," Olwen says. 
1462
1463"Once we arrive, we'll need to find out where Olstren is drawing its lines, how much force they're using, and which nobles are involved," Myrddin says. "We'll need your assistance as someone who's familiar with the area."
1464
1465"It doesn't matter if this is big or small," you say. "So long as it poses a problem for the kingdom, I have to do something about it." 
1466
1467With that, the carriage rolls on towards the lands of Caunys.
1468
1469-------------------------
1470
1471>>46448049
1472Another early stop. I'm not entirely pleased with that, but I've run out of material for today and I don't want to drag things out just for the sake of it. I need to find a way to make my threads one or two updates longer. 
1473
1474Anyway, the next thread will be Friday April 8th at around 7PM EDT. I will see you then. Until then, thank you for joining us and good night.
1475
1476==== END THREAD ====
1477
1478Beleaguered Prince Quest
1479written by BeleagueredQM (18 posts, 8 omitted posts)
1480-------- qst2txt --------
1481
1482Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
1483Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
1484Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
1485
1486Pastebin is updated. I keep a running tally of the XP in my own notes, but I keep forgetting to actually post them. 
1487
1488===============
1489
1490You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
1491
1492You decided to travel north towards Olstren along with your retinue and Seren auk Caunys, whose family rules lands near the border. There have been suspicious movements in the area - merchants turned away, troop deployments, rumours that Olstren wants to close the border, that sort of thing - and you decided to personally investigate. The information is recent enough that your own contacts haven't told you about it, but in this case, it's a good thing. Whatever's happening, you can put a stop to it before it becomes a serious problem. 
1493
1494The carriage rolls into a small town just big enough to hold the Caunys castle. After several days, your journey has come to an end. 
1495
1496"Your highness, now that we've arrived, I'm certain my father would be glad to meet with you," Seren says. "He should be able to tell us about anything that might have happened while we were traveling as well."
1497
1498"It might be better to stay away from the castle for now," Myrddin says. "No one knows we're here. We can benefit from the element of surprise for a day or two."
1499
1500"I'd rather make our presence known," Olwen says. "I'm curious to see how Olstren's forces will react at the prince's presence."
1501
1502"So am I," Myrddin says. "I'd just like to be prepared first."
1503
1504>"We'll stay at a quiet inn for a day or two." 
1505>"No point in hiding. Let's pay the count a visit."
1506
1507-------------------------
1508
1509>>46549188
1510"We'll stay at a quiet inn for a day or two," you say. "Myrddin's right. If I provoke Olstren into action, I want to be smart about how I do it. Seren, can you recommend a place?" 
1511
1512Seren puts a finger to her chin. "I can think of a few," she says. "I suppose it depends on what kind of inn you want. Merchants stay at the White Gold Coin Inn if they don't have anywhere else to go, while commoners stay at the Horseshoe Inn. There are a few others, but those are the major ones."
1513
1514"What about places of ill repute?" Myrddin asks. 
1515
1516Seren's face turns bright red. "How would I know anything about those kinds of places!" She yells in offended tone. 
1517
1518"No, not that kind of ill repute." Myrddin dismisses her indignation. "I'm talking about thieves and smugglers."
1519
1520"Oh." Seren thinks for a moment. "The Black Veil Inn, I suppose? Father said it was a shady place. I don't know how nice it is though. Actually, if you want a private place, we might be able to rent a house. Visiting nobles and wealthy merchants do that sometimes."
1521
1522>"We'll stay with the merchants at the White Gold Coin."
1523>"We'll stay at the Horseshoe with the commoners."
1524>"The Black Veil should be the most useful place."
1525>"We'll just rent a house."
1526
1527-omitted one small post.
1528
1529-------------------------
1530
1531>>46549491
1532"We'll stay with the merchants at the White Gold Coin," you say. "It's their goods at stake, so they should know what's happening. Myrddin, can you take care of our guards?" 
1533
1534"I'll see to it they have a place to stay near us," Myrddin says. "If anything happens, they'll be able to reach us quickly." 
1535
1536"Good." You turn to Seren. "Can you tell us where the inn is?" 
1537
1538"Of course, your highness," Seren says. 
1539
1540The town isn't very large, but it is close to the border, so it has an above-average number of inns to accommodate travellers. Seren leads you to one of the bigger inns closest to the northern entrance. It has stables fit for carriages and even some warehouses. Myrddin sends the guards somewhere out of the way so they can change into less conspicuous clothes and take up rooms in different places. His people will know how to contact them if necessary. 
1541
1542Your carriage enters the grounds of the White Gold Coin Inn and an attendant comes to greet you. His clothes are good, but not too fine. It looks like he can handle rough work, if necessary. 
1543
1544"Welcome, sirs and ladies," he says with a bow. "How may we help you today?" 
1545
1546"We need space for our carriage, as well as two rooms for two," you say. "A hot meal wouldn't go amiss."
1547
1548"Of course, sir," the attendant says. "May I inquire as to your business in this town?"
1549
1550This could be a chance to learn something, if you can come up with a convincing excuse for why you're here.
1551
1552>[Intrigue/1d8] "We're going to Olstren to expand our business."
1553>[Intrigue/1d10] "We're from Aurwain. We're looking for sound investments here."
1554>[Intrigue/1d12] "I'm afraid that's private."
1555
1556-omitted one small post.
1557
1558-omitted one small post.
1559
1560-------------------------
1561
1562>>46549968
1563You step out of the carriage and help Olwen and Seren out after you. 
1564
1565"We're travelling," you say. "Looking for new opportunities to expand our business."
1566
1567"Many merchants come here looking for fortune," the attendant says. "Sadly, too few of them achieve their goals. I hope you are better."
1568
1569"So do I," you say. "A merchant needs to be daring, but I don't like unnecessary risks. This time, we'll be looking into Olstren."
1570
1571>Roll 1d8, best of three.
1572
1573-omitted one small post.
1574
1575-omitted one small post.
1576
1577-------------------------
1578
1579>>46550432
1580"In that case, I doubt you'll have much luck," the attendant says. "Things have been strange at the border lately." 
1581
1582"So I've heard," you say. "Unfortunately, it's too late to change our plans. We'll have to figure something out."
1583
1584"For what it's worth, I hope you do," the attendant says. "It'd be better for our business that way. But I shouldn't bother you with such things. Come, I'll show you to your room."
1585
1586You're assigned a room with Myrddin, while Seren and Olwen will share the room next to yours. The rooms are quite nice ̶ they come with a bed room, lounge and bathroom ̶ and the view isn't bad either. After unpacking your luggage, you congregate in the dining room for roasted potatoes and grilled beef skewers. 
1587
1588"This isn't bad," Olwen says. "It has that rustic feel to it that you don't get from the palace's kitchens." 
1589
1590"It's a common regional dish," Seren says. "It's easy to eat and cook, so it's convenient for hunters and soldiers."
1591
1592"I wouldn't mind tasting a more refined version of it," Myrddin says. "That aside, how do you want to proceed with information gathering, your highness?"
1593
1594>[Intrigue/1d10] "I'll just eavesdrop on others while we're eating."
1595>[Merchant/1d8] "Since we're pretending merchants, I'll try to try strike a deal. It'll give me an excuse to make conversation."
1596>[Military/1d6] "We'll scout the border ourselves."
1597
1598-------------------------
1599
1600>>46550841
1601"Since we're pretending to be merchants, I'll try to strike a deal with someone," you say. "It'll give me an excuse to make conversation and it might get us the information we need."
1602
1603"Is it really all right for you to lie about that?" Seren asks. 
1604
1605"I'm not lying," you say. "I do have investments and businesses on the side. I'm sure I can find something."
1606
1607"See that you do," Myrddin says. "Our budget can always use a fatter margin."
1608
1609You snort and stand up. You casually walk around the dining room on your way to the exit and keep an ear out on the merchants' comments to see if an opportunity arises.
1610
1611>Roll 1d8, best of three.
1612
1613-------------------------
1614
1615>>46551236
1616"I wish the beer around here was made of sterner stuff," you hear one of the merchants say.
1617
1618"The fields around here are too cold go grow hops properly," one of his companions says. "It's hard to get the right bitterness."
1619
1620There you go. 
1621
1622You casually saunter over to the merchants and smile. "I know what you mean," you say. "I wouldn't drink bitter stuff all the time, but it cleanses the palate every now and then. It's a shame it's so hard to get around here. I really miss my brewery some times."
1623
1624"Brother, you own a brewery?" One of the merchants asks. His eyes gleam with opportunity. Or possibly alcoholism. It's hard to tell at this time of day. 
1625
1626"Yeah, it's a little place near the capital," you say. "I've been thinking of expanding, actually. I can afford the transportation fees, but I don't know anyone who can handle the distribution."
1627
1628The merchant laughs. "I know a few people who can help you with that," he says. "I can arrange some introductions, if you can make it worth my while."
1629
1630"Certainly! However, I heard things haven't been going too well here lately," you say. "Something about problems on Olstren's side of the border?" 
1631
1632"Odd business," the merchant says. "I heard the Duke of Machrain is massing a small army. There's no conflict in Olstren that we know of, so Gwyrddarfordir's his most likely target. The strange thing is…"
1633
1634"Machrain is no where near here," you say.
1635
1636Which means the duke's son is getting involved with things that aren't his business. 
1637
1638You note the merchant's name so you can make the trade arrangements later and return to your companions. You share the news you receive and discuss the implications.
1639
1640"Well, we know there's an army," Olwen says. "We know enough to make preparations."
1641
1642"Or we could accidentally provoke them before we're ready," Myrddin says. "Our situation hasn't changed all that much. What do you want to do, your highness?"
1643
1644>"We'll prepare our defenses now."
1645>"I want to gather more information first."
1646
1647-------------------------
1648
1649>>46551679
1650"I want to gather more information first," you say. "I don't want to let anything slip and if Machrain wants to invade, it'll take him several hours to reach anywhere important. We'll have time to intervene. Until then, our priority is to prevent a worst case scenario."
1651
1652"I hope your highness' judgment is correct," Seren says. "If my family's lands are attacked…"
1653
1654"The prince won't allow your people to be harmed," Olwen says. "Even if Olstren does encroach upon our lands, we'll force them back."
1655
1656"If we're lucky, we'll be able to settle this with an easy assassination," Myrddin says. "Both easier and cheaper than a war."
1657
1658"We'll consider that later," you say. "For now, we need to decide how we're going to proceed." 
1659
1660"We can try sneaking through the border during the night," Olwen says. "It'll be dangerous if we get lost or if we're caught."
1661
1662"I'd rather try to cross the boarder as merchants," Myrddin says. "We'll be able to see first-hand how Olstren is turning people away, and it's less likely to arouse suspicion." 
1663
1664>"We'll cross the boarder during the night."
1665>"We'll wait until tomorrow and cross the border as merchants."
1666
1667-------------------------
1668
1669>>46552180
1670"We'll wait until tomorrow and cross the border as merchants," you say. "We'll be able to bring the guards as well. I don't want to take any chances."
1671
1672"That'll give us time to clean up and sleep for a bit," Myrddin says. "I'm still a bit tired from the journey." 
1673
1674Olwen snorts. "This is nothing," she says. "Try a forced march for fun one of these days."
1675
1676"No. No, I will not."
1677
1678"Forced marches can wait," you say. "Now is the time for reconnaissance. Get ready for tomorrow."
1679
1680You return to your rooms. You take a quick shower while Myrddin opens up the freezer and starts mixing fruits and rum. 
1681
1682The sun is beginning to set, but the day isn't over yet. Fortunately, you don't have that much left to do. You can extend your break for a bit.
1683
1684>Stay with Myrddin. 
1685>Visit Olwen and Seren. 
1686>Take a walk around the city.
1687
1688-omitted one small post.
1689
1690-------------------------
1691
1692>>46552624
1693"I'm going next door to see how the ladies are doing," you say. "Somehow, I don't think Seren is used to our kind of business."
1694
1695"Suit yourself," Myrddin says. "I'll be right here, getting increasingly drunk." 
1696
1697"You have fun with that."
1698
1699You leave Myrddin to his bottle and knock on the ladies' room. "It's me," you say. "I want to check up on you."
1700
1701"Come in!" Seren calls out. 
1702
1703You enter the room and immediately shut the door so that no one else can see. The blood immediately rushes out of your head and into your… other head. 
1704
1705Olwen and Seren are in their nightgowns, still damp from the bath. Seren's displays her bountiful cleavage and while Olwen's is very slightly more modest, the way she crosses her legs so that her nightgown slides up her thigh most certainly is not. Your brain shuts down and you dry very, very hard not to ogle them.
1706
1707"Your highness?" Seren tilts her head and gives you a confused look. She's not faking it either. Doesn't she realize what she's wearing? "Is something wrong?" 
1708
1709"Did you need anything?" Olwen asks. She presses her lips into a thin line to hide her smile. She's doing this on purpose and you both know it. Is this some kind of revenge? It's because you wouldn't make her your consort immediately isn't it? Goddamn it, it's not like it's your fault that you have so many problems to deal with and women can't even make the top ten list yet. 
1710
1711>"I just wanted to talk for a bit."
1712>"I wanted to ask how Seren was doing."
1713>"I wanted to talk to Olwen about tomorrow."
1714
1715-------------------------
1716
1717>>46553245
1718You cough awkwardly and sit down. "I just wanted to talk for a bit," you say. "See how the two of you were doing."
1719
1720"It's the same as always for me," Olwen says. "Kingdom's imperilled, we come in and save the day, we go back home and move on to the next thing. I've gotten used to it by now."
1721
1722"I must admit this is a bit different for me," Seren says. "I spent most of my time managing my family's alchemical labs. It can be difficult sometimes, but it's never quite so… exhausting."
1723
1724"That's all it takes for most nobles," Olwen says. "There's nothing wrong with that. So long as you're doing your duty, you're doing your duty. It's appreciated if you want to go beyond that, but no one expects you to do it."
1725
1726"Thank you, Olwen," Seren says. "I'm glad someone understands." 
1727
1728"If it makes you feel any better, I dealt with it better than his highness did at first," Olwen says. "If it hadn't been for Myrddin, I think he would have lost his mind."
1729
1730You remember when you first got involved with the kingdom's affairs. There were so many problems to deal with that you didn't even know where to start. 
1731
1732"It helps to have excellent advisors," you say. "You need to learn what you can delegate and what you need to take care of yourself."
1733
1734"I'll take your advice to heart, your highness," Seren says. "If you don't mind, I'd like to assist you again in the future."
1735
1736>"It's fine so long as you can look after your family."
1737>"I'll be sure to ask if I ever need your help."
1738
1739-------------------------
1740
1741>>46553702
1742"I'll be sure to ask if I ever need your help," you say. "I can always use more support."
1743
1744"Thank you, your highness!" Seren smiles brightly a bows, giving you a good look at everything under her nightgown. 
1745
1746In an instant, your faces flushes. Olwen's eyes widen and she briefly chokes on her tea. You suspect she didn't want to take her little private joke quite this far. 
1747
1748"Yes, well, for now, you can rest until tomorrow," you say. "I still have some things to take care of." 
1749
1750"I'll bet," Olwen quips. 
1751
1752You stand up and leave as quickly as you can without embarrassing yourself further. As soon as you're out of the room, you lean your forehead against the wall and let out a sigh of relief. However, you can't help but notice something is a little off. You open your eyes a crack. 
1753
1754There are two men in enchanted full plate standing at one end of the corridor. 
1755
1756There are two men in enchanted full plate standing at the other end of the corridor. 
1757
1758There's a blonde woman in traveling clothes standing in front of your room. 
1759
1760You do not need this right now.
1761
1762"Greetings, your highness," the woman says with a curtsey. "I wish we could have met under more formal circumstances, but a friend of mine told me you were here and I simply had to meet you. There's something I'd like to discuss in private. I believe it would be beneficial for both of us."
1763
1764>"Okay, fine. Let's talk." 
1765>"I think it would be better if my advisor was part of this conversation."
1766>Try to run away.
1767
1768-------------------------
1769
1770>>46554225
1771"Okay, fine." This isn't a cold shower, but it's close enough. "Let's talk."
1772
1773"Thank you, your highness," the woman says. "I reserved a table at a nearby restaurant. Please escort me."
1774
1775You dutifully offer the woman your arm, keeping your face impassive as you do so. You follow her directions - and her four gigantic guards - to a nearby restaurant. The guards wait outside while a servant brings you to a private table. Fortunately, the establishment is crowded, so there's no worry that you'll get jumped.
1776
1777"So, what would you like to discuss?" You ask.
1778
1779"Love problems, unfortunately."
1780
1781Fuck your life, you really don't need any more of this right now.
1782
1783"The first man I was supposed to marry died in war three years ago," the woman continues. "The Winterbread skirmishes. Have you heard of them?" 
1784
1785"In passing." You were there, actually. It was a small war against Olstren, and one of the first battles you commanded. "My condolences."
1786
1787"Thank you," the woman says. "The second man I was supposed to marry drowned at sea after falling off his ship. The third was killed by a wild boar while hunting." 
1788
1789The story seems oddly familiar, but you can't quite put your finger on it. 
1790
1791"The fourth was killed in bed by one of his jealous lovers, while the fifth and sixth killed each other in a duel over my hand."
1792
1793Oh. Well, that explains that. 
1794
1795>1/2
1796
1797-------------------------
1798
1799>>46554813
1800"How tragic." You calmly poor the woman a glass of wine. "Tell me, what can I do for the Widow Princess?"
1801
1802Princess Reagan mac Connaught, the king of Olstren's only child, is most famous for her string of dead suitors. Olstren's power is decentralized and the king's succession is unstable, so a civil war is likely upon his death. The princess' odds of survival are not very encouraging according to what you know. 
1803
1804"My seventh suitor chose to prove himself worthy of me by conquering his own lands," the princess says. "Unfortunately, he can't wage war against anyone in Olstren, so he came to raid Gwyrddarfordir."
1805
1806And that explains what the Duke of Machrain's son is doing around here. 
1807
1808>[Intrigue/1d10] "I wonder if he'll have some kind of unfortunate accident too."
1809>[Military/1d12] "I'm afraid he'll find that quite difficult."
1810>[Sovereign/1d8] "I'm quite grateful for this information."
1811
1812-------------------------
1813
1814>>46554840
1815"I'm quite grateful for this information," you say. "I would prefer to have peaceful and profitable relations between our kingdoms." 
1816
1817Now that you know who's involved in this and why, it'll be easier to make plans. You doubt any other nobles will want to get involved into this. 
1818
1819"That is my wish as well," Reagan says. "Gwyrddarfordir is fortunate to have the Victorious Prince. I'm afraid the Widow Princess' reputation is embarrassing in comparison."
1820
1821>Roll 1d8, best of three.
1822
1823-------------------------
1824
1825>>46555189
1826"In fact, I wouldn't mind borrowing your highness' reputation," Reagan says. She reaches across the table to gently stroke your hand. 
1827
1828You resist the urge to bang your head against the table until something breaks. 
1829
1830"The men of Olstren are simply too deplorable," she says. "They only care about the throne, and none of them have the talent to earn it."
1831
1832"Royalty is a demanding responsibility," you say. "Few people understand that."
1833
1834"I'm glad that your highness is one of them," she says. "I think I would enjoy it if we could support each other. Of course, my current suitor would have to meet a tragic end before that could happen."
1835
1836"That is unfortunate," you say. "And I'm afraid I can't make any commitments at the moment."
1837
1838"Oh, I understand," Reagan says. "Svekka and Rosea have their own princesses after all. However, if I could spend time with your highness in the future, that would be fate. Those who go against fate are doomed, aren't they?" 
1839
1840In other words, she'll help you arrange for her current suitor to join his predecessors in exchange for a few dates.
1841
1842>"I would greatly enjoy the pleasure of your company in the future."
1843>"I'm afraid I'd rather handle this on my own."
1844
1845-omitted one small post.
1846
1847-------------------------
1848
1849>>46555404
1850"I would greatly enjoy the pleasure of your company in the future," you say. 
1851
1852Reagan beams, genuinely glad at your response. "I shall look forward to it. It seems my current suitor's future" - she slides a folded piece of paper across the table and you pocket it immediately - "is quite unfortunate."
1853
1854"He was doomed the moment he set his sight on my country," you say. "I simply hope that this can be resolved with as few complications as possible. And that I won't be the next one to join him."
1855
1856"You have no reason to worry about such things." Reagan smiles behind her wine glass. "You're not like those boorish thugs. Nothing untoward will happen to you, regardless of our personal or professional circumstances. I guarantee it."
1857
1858That's certainly a relief.
1859
1860-------------------------
1861
1862>>46555837
1863And that's all for today. Tonight felt a really good run, so thanks for playing. The background discussions are always fun to read. 
1864
1865The next thread will be today, Saturday April 9th at 7PM EDT. I'm still trying to figure out what schedule works best, but so far, it looks like Friday is best. 
1866
1867I'll see you all next time.
1868
1869-omitted one small post.
1870
1871==== END THREAD ====
1872
1873Beleaguered Prince Quest
1874written by BeleagueredQM (16 posts, 0 omitted posts)
1875-------- qst2txt --------
1876
1877Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
1878Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
1879Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
1880
1881===============
1882
1883You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
1884
1885You recently learned that a noble of Olstren is preparing to attack your home country of Gwyrddarfordir. Culann mac Ferrid, son of the Duke of Machrain, wishes to claim his own territory in order to further his courtship of his country's princess, Reagan mac Connaught. Said princess had six other suitors who died under various "mysterious circumstances" and she has offered to help you make Culann mac Ferrid unlucky number seven in exchange for some small personal considerations. 
1886
1887As a result, you now know how many troops mac Ferrid has under his command, where they're being deployed, what passwords his spies use, and so on. The only limit to how badly you can ruin his plans is your imagination. 
1888
1889"We can definitely work with this," Olwen says. "It's just a question of how much effort we want to put into it."
1890
1891"I have to ask," Myrddin says, "how did you even get this?"
1892
1893>"I don't want to talk about it."
1894>"I may have prostituted myself. I'm not too sure what happened."
1895>"Have you heard about Princess Reagan's six dead suitors?"
1896
1897-------------------------
1898
1899"I may have prostituted myself," you say. "I'm not too sure what happened."
1900
1901Seren blushes bright red and Olwen coughs and chokes on her tea. Myrddin stares at you blankly, perhaps still too hung over to properly react. 
1902
1903"You're going to have to explain that one," Myrddin says. 
1904
1905"You know about Princess Reagan's six dead suitors?" You ask.
1906
1907"Of course I do," Myrddin says. 
1908
1909"There are rumours about it in the county," Seren adds. "They all died under strange circumstances. Some people say she's cursed, or even that she was responsible."
1910
1911"Oh, she was definitely responsible," you say. "And our current target will be dead suitor number seven once we're done with him. She just wants us to socialize a bit in exchange for her help."
1912
1913"That doesn't quite sound like suicide," Olwen says, "but it seems really, really close."
1914
1915"It'll be fine," you say. "She's just trying to secure her position. Her inheritance will be tenuous at best once her father dies."
1916
1917"At least we know the information can be trusted," Myrddin says. "We just need to decide how we want to use it."
1918
1919"We can pretend to be merchants working for their agents," Seren says. "I can prepare a supply of fake alchemical medicines so they'll bring us to their camp."
1920
1921"I'd rather just sneak through their patrols and assassinate the target," Olwen says. "There's no point in dawdling."
1922
1923>"We'll go with the original plan and pretend to be merchants."
1924>"We'll circumvent their patrols and sneak in. No one can know we were there."
1925
1926-------------------------
1927
1928>>46573040
1929"We'll circumvent their patrols and sneak in," you say. "No one can know we were there."
1930
1931"It's probably better this way," Myrddin says. "If we take the direct approach, getting out once we're done might be… complicated."
1932
1933"In any case, we should leave immediately," Olwen says. "We know where Culann is going to be, but until we're across the border we won't know where we'll be able to get to him. It might take us longer than expected to get there."
1934
1935"I go hunting every now and then, so at least I can make sure we don't get lost," Seren says.
1936
1937"We'll also need to decide if we'll bring the guards along," Olwen says. "The more we guards we have, the more difficult it will be to go unnoticed, but if we do get caught, we'll need more than the four of us."
1938
1939>"We'll bring the guards. We'll just have to be careful."
1940>"The four of us will go alone. As long as we make preparations, we'll be fine."
1941
1942-------------------------
1943
1944>>46573726
1945"We'll bring the guards," you say. "We'll just have to be careful about how we move. We can ask them to hang back a little if necessary, but I don't want to be caught alone if something goes wrong. We'll need the extra muskets."
1946
1947"I'll gather them immediately," Myrddin says.
1948
1949"In that case, let's get going," you say.
1950
1951You change into proper traveling clothes and ready your sword, Rhithcan. It's getting a little old-fashioned, but you can't use a musket effectively if you're not focusing on a single target, which isn't your job. Most of the time, the sword works just fine as a backup weapon. 
1952
1953You leave the city on foot, accompanied by your guards, who are all hiding their armour beneath cloaks. The armour is protected by basic enchantments so that it doesn't get to hot, but it still can't be that comfortable. 
1954
1955Seren leads you into the forest, and you follow the hidden trails across the border, checking Seren's knowledge and the notes you received to avoid patrols.
1956
1957>Roll 1d12, best of three.
1958
1959-------------------------
1960
1961>>46574297
1962You cross the boarder in record time and avoid any patrols using the information you received from Princess Reagan. You find a spot somewhere out of the way and plan your next move. Since it didn't take you very long, you have quite a bit of time to prepare. 
1963
1964"Culann will be moving between two camps to make his usual inspection," Olwen says. "We can attack one of the camps, or we can try to intercept him while he's traveling."
1965
1966"Attacking the camps will be more difficult and we'll have to make sure not to leave any survivors," you say, "but an ambush will require very careful timing. This is going to be a bit tricky."
1967
1968"We have more than enough time to prepare, and we have the element of surprise," Myrddin says. "Either, it's not impossible." 
1969
1970>"We'll attack one of the camps."
1971>"We'll attack while he's traveling."
1972
1973-------------------------
1974
1975>>46574630
1976"We'll attack while he's traveling," you say. "This gives us three options."
1977
1978You draw a crude map outlining the two camps, the road in between, and your current location. 
1979
1980"The first is to just attack when we have an opportunity," you say. "It's flexible, but it won't give us any advantage. The second option is to prepare an ambush in advance."
1981
1982"That's a good idea," Seren says. "There aren't many trails around here, so it's very unlikely that they'll deviate from their route."
1983
1984"And the third option?" Olwen asks. 
1985
1986"We follow them and hope we get an opportunity to take the target out while he's alone," you say. "That way, we won't have to fight any of his entourage." 
1987
1988"All options depend on timing and preparation," Myrddin says. "I don't have any preferences."
1989
1990Olwen and Seren don't have an opinion on the subject either. The decision is up to you. 
1991
1992>[Military/1d4] "We'll try to get to isolate the target."
1993>[Military/1d10] "We'll prepare an ambush."
1994>[Military/1d12] "We'll follow them and wait for an opportunity to attack."
1995
1996>Note that you have an active critical, so this roll is automatically successful.
1997
1998-------------------------
1999
2000>>46575166
2001"We'll try to get him while he's isolated," you say. "Gather everyone. We need to move quickly."
2002
2003You stay in the underbrush and move in parallel to the trail so that you can't be spotted. The map you were given, while crude, gives you a good enough idea of where you're going. You quickly come within view of Culann mac Ferrid and hide. 
2004
2005Culann mac Ferrid is… it's like someone carved a statue of the perfect idiot and gave it life with forbidden sorcery. He just looks like a complete tool. It's no wonder Princess Reagan would like to be rid of him. 
2006
2007You're too far away to hear, but it's not difficult to tell that he's ordering his men to move out. You follow at a careful distance, and remain undetected. 
2008
2009After a few hours, the enemy stops to take a break. The soldiers scatter to gather food and wood for a meal, leaving Culann with a single guard. This is the best chance you're going to get.
2010
2011>[Military/1d10] Attack from range with your muskets.
2012>[Military/1d10] Kill them at close range with your swords.
2013
2014-------------------------
2015
2016>>46575701
2017You pull out your sword and motion for the guards to surround the encampments. You don't know if they have defenses against muskets, and fighting up close will make it easier to deal with the bodies if you choose not to leave them there. 
2018
2019You approach the enchantment and strike a tree with the flat of your blade. The area around you becomes silent, and there's a slight rustling on the other side of the camp. Culann and his guard both turn their heads away from you to look at what it is, giving you the chance to strike. 
2020
2021>Roll 1d10, best of three.
2022
2023-------------------------
2024
2025>>46576073
2026With a push of your legs, you charge into the encampment. Culann screams in surprise when he finally spots you and clumsily raises his sword to defend himself. With a turn of your wrist, your sword refracts towards Culann's throat. 
2027
2028Then slips under his guard and pierces right through Culann shoulder. He drops his sword and you punch in the throat to shut him up.
2029
2030Olwen comes charging in at the guard, pulled in by the wake of her own sword thrust. The guard's armour is thick, but the point of Olwen's sword is sharp and she is moving fast. Her first thrust slides off the armour - most likely Olwen's doing, since bandits usually don't have enchanted swords - and knocks the guard on his back. Before he can recover, she runs him through. 
2031
2032You follow her example and cut open Culann's throat as soon as your weapon is pulled free. 
2033
2034All things considered, everything went quite well. Being prepared really does pay off. 
2035
2036Myrddin arrives, followed by Seren, who's trying not to look at the bloody corpses.
2037
2038"And that's one war averted with just a few sword strikes," Myrddin says. "What do you want to do about this?"
2039
2040You don't have enough time to carry everything away with you. Culann didn't scream too much, but someone might have heard him. 
2041
2042>[Military/1d10] "Let's finish off the rest of the soldiers."
2043>[Intrigue/1d10] "We need to hide the corpses before the soldiers come back."
2044>[Intrigue/1d10] "Leave the bodies and take as much loot as we can."
2045>"Let's leave quickly."
2046
2047-------------------------
2048
2049>>46576362
2050"Grab the bodies and hide them somewhere," you say. "Make sure they'll never be found." 
2051
2052That way, the enemy will have to waste time trying to figure out what happened and if you do this right, they will never know for sure. 
2053
2054"Yes, your highness," Myrddin says. He orders the guards to pick up the bodies and bring them along until you can find a hiding place. 
2055
2056You quickly leave before the Olstren guards come back.
2057
2058>Roll 1d10, best of three.
2059
2060-------------------------
2061
2062>>46576900
2063You walk at a brisk pace for a few miles until you come across a dead tree that fell over. You dig a shallow grave for the corpses and move the tree on top of it. It's not perfect, but you doubt anyone will bother to pull a tree away just to dig up a patch of dirt that looks like it might possibly be a grave, not unless these soldiers really like their boss. 
2064
2065"Looks like we're done here," Myrddin says. 
2066
2067"Let's get back to Gwyrddarfordir," Olwen says. "I don't want to be on this side of the border any longer than I have to."
2068
2069You slow a bit to catch your breath, but you don't want to stay in Olstren longer than necessary either. You move through the forest, your sights set for home. 
2070
2071By the time you're back on the right side of the border, it's late in the afternoon. You're all tired and sweating, especially Seren, who doesn't seem used to this kind of exercise. 
2072
2073"I suppose it's over now," she says. "The soldiers don't have a reason to attack now, do they?" 
2074
2075"Without their commander, they'll have to leave," you assure her. "They're outside their lord's territory, and few nobles will tolerate their rivals' soldiers on their lands for long."
2076
2077"In that case, I must thank you, your highness," Seren says. "I don't know how many lives you've said."
2078
2079"And if we're lucky, we'll never know," Olwen says. "I'd really rather not have a war. For now, I just want to clean up a bit." 
2080
2081You gladly accept Olwen's request. Besides, you have your own report to make and you need to make yourself presentable first. 
2082
2083You return to your room to soak in a warm bath and change into more formal clothes so you can meet Reagan again. 
2084
2085>Meet Reagan alone. 
2086>Bring the others with you.
2087
2088-------------------------
2089
2090>>46577309
2091You decide to bring Olwen with you just in case. You knock on her door and you're quite glad to see her open the door in her normal clothes. 
2092
2093"Do you need anything, your highness?" Olwen asks. 
2094
2095"I have one more meeting to take care of," you say. "I'd like you to accompany me just in case."
2096
2097"Afraid of becoming unlucky suitor number eight?" Olwen smirks. "All right, I'll come protect you from the big bad killer princess."
2098
2099"Much obliged."
2100
2101Reagan mentioned she would be waiting for you in a small teahouse. It's a quiet place, but it's still public, so you know she's not up to anything. Olwen sits near the front while you go to meet Reagan at her table in the back of the establishment.
2102
2103-------------------------
2104
2105>>46578056
2106"Greetings, your highness." You politely bow before Reagan. It's odd to do this for someone who isn't a member of your family. "I'm afraid I have bad news concerning Culann mac Ferrid."
2107
2108"Oh, how tragic." Reagan puts a hand on her cheek and sighs. "For such misfortune to befall me once again… Oh well, I'm quite certain you'll make more enjoyable company, your highness."
2109
2110You sit and Reagan pours you a cup of tea. "I suppose you wish to discuss… compensation," you say. 
2111
2112"I'd rather not think of it in such terms," she says. "I really would like to know you better personally."
2113
2114"I've never really dwelt on such things, to be perfectly honest," you say. "I just assumed politics would be involved."
2115
2116"They are," Reagan says, "but I have done far too much politics. I would prefer something more personal."
2117
2118"I suppose we'll just see how things go then."
2119
2120"Isn't that what normal people do, or are the playwrights all liars?" Reagan asks. "To be honest, I wouldn't mind if your lady friend joined us."
2121
2122"Wouldn't that be inappropriate?" You ask.
2123
2124"I'm not such a narrow-minded person," Reagan says. "Besides, I said I would very much like for us to support each other. I also meant to include your advisors and your more intimate acquaintances. I don't believe it's impossible for us to learn to support each other politically and personally, if we're willing to make the effort."
2125
2126-------------------------
2127
2128>>46578204
2129That would certainly make things easier. Consorts and concubines aren't that uncommon among nobles who can afford it, and they're nearly crucial to the usual royal nepotism and innocent corruption that goes on in most kingdoms. Your life would certainly be easier if more nobles had a direct connection to your father. It's just that finding people with mutual interests and a willingness to compromise can be difficult. 
2130
2131"I'm impressed you see things that way," you say. "Few people in your position would."
2132
2133"I have enough problems dealing with my father's consorts and their children," Reagan says. "I don't want to follow in their example. I'm much more interested in mutual benefits. Speaking of which, I do have some free time before I must return home, if you would like to… socialize. Unless you'd like to return with me?"
2134
2135>"It's been too long since I left the capital, but I don't mind if you'd like to accompany me back."
2136>"I suppose I can stay in this town for a few days longer."
2137>"I think I'd like to visit Olstren."
2138
2139-------------------------
2140
2141>>46578228
2142"Unfortunately, I've been away from Aurwain too long," you say. "However, I don't mind if you'd like to accompany me back." 
2143
2144"I suppose an extended vacation would do me some good," Reagan says. "My competition will most likely turn on itself while I'm away, and I don't really have a power base of my own to protect. I'll gladly accept your offer, your highness."
2145
2146"Excellent, it'll give us time to discuss things further," you say. "Perhaps some of my contacts can make your life a little easier."
2147
2148"So long as they can help me preserve my life, that will be more than enough," Reagan says.
2149
2150"I know that feeling better than I'd like," you admit. "Other matters aside, since you helped me, I must at least try to return the favour."
2151
2152"I'm quite happy to see that you take such things seriously, your highness," Reagan says. "The kindness of others is too often exploited."
2153
2154"I'm not sure I'd call it kindness," you say. "But as you said, mutual benefit is important." 
2155
2156"Since you chose to return to that topic, I've been wondering something. Do you have any other 'intimate acquaintances' I should meet?" 
2157
2158Your brow twitches despite your best efforts to remain stoic. You doubt that topic will go away, which is quite inconvenient since you yourself aren't certain how to answer that question, and you doubt you'll have time to figure it out over the next few days. 
2159
2160Still, you probably averted a war. That's worth some awkwardness and discomfort.
2161
2162-------------------------
2163
2164>>46578732
2165
2166Huh. I just got a connection error for some reason. Good timing, I guess.
2167
2168Anyway, that's it for today's thread. Incidentally, no, your family can't survive a few days without you, but you'll know more about that in the next thread, which will be Friday, April 15th at around 7PM EDT. As always, check twitter for updates. 
2169
2170I hope you all had a good or at least okay time. Good night and I'll see you all next time.
2171
2172==== END THREAD ====
2173
2174Beleaguered Prince Quest
2175written by BeleagueredQM (18 posts, 3 omitted posts)
2176-------- qst2txt --------
2177
2178Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
2179Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
2180Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
2181
2182===============
2183
2184You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
2185
2186You've recently managed to thwart a raid on the northern territories of your native Kingdom of Gwyrddarfordir. Seren auk Caunys, who made you aware of the problem in the first place, stayed behind in her family's territory to keep an eye on the situation and stabilize things as necessary, while you returned to your father's palace in Aurwain. Accompanying you is Reagan mac Connaught, the princess and legitimate heir of the Kingdom of Olstren. 
2187
2188So far, you've kept Reagan's presence quiet. You've only just arrived and provided her with a guest room not too far from your own chambers. As far as most of the palace is concerned, you just returned from a perfectly normal leisure trip and you happened to meet an acquaintance along the way. 
2189
2190"I hope you enjoy your time here," you say. "Let me know if there's anything wrong with the room."
2191
2192"It's quite lovely," Reagan says. "It feels more open than my room in Olaim." 
2193
2194Most of the windows are made of cut glass and the doors lead to a balcony similar to yours.
2195
2196"I'm told it's a Parlan design," you say. "They like to keep the wind flowing through their buildings. It's quite impressive how they deal with sandstorms."
2197
2198"I'd like to go there some day," Reagan says. "For a long time, I thought I'd never get the opportunity. For now, however, I would prefer to spend my free time with you."
2199
2200>"I suppose I should introduce you to the king."
2201>"We could go for a walk around the city if you're up for it."
2202
2203-------------------------
2204
2205>>46696805
2206"We could go for a walk around the city if you're up to it," you say. "The palace can be a little stuffy, and I'd like to check up on things myself. I can show you around while I'm at it."
2207
2208"That would be absolutely lovely." Reagan smiles. "I'm very curious to know what's different between Aurwain and Olaim." 
2209
2210"In that case, let's get going." 
2211
2212You politely offer Reagan your arm, and she's quite happy to take it. Enthusiastic, even. You suspect she's standing far too close to your for casual socializing, but it's certainly a pleasant experience. Not quite worth getting assassinated for, but still pleasant. 
2213
2214You send the word out to your clerks and have them prepare a report of anything important you might have missed while you were away. They don't mention anything that requires your immediate attention, so you can afford to wait and look at them later. You pick up Myrddin and Olwen on your way out and ask them to join you. Reagan spent quite a bit of time talking with them during the trip back, and she doesn't mind their presence now. 
2215
2216"Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I really visited the city," Myrddin says. "Even that ball was mostly business." 
2217
2218"I heard visiting Aurwain is just something rich people do now to make themselves look important," Olwen says. "I can't say I see the appeal. Spend enough time here, and it's just another city."
2219
2220"I suppose I could say the same about Olaim," Reagan says. "However, this place is new to me, and I quite enjoy that." 
2221
2222You glance around the streets filled with merchants hawking their wares and labourers going out for lunch. It's certainly bustling, but it's not what you'd call romantic, even if you adjust your standards downward to make them more appropriate for the… situation. 
2223
2224>"Let's visit the markets. We might find something to buy."
2225>"I think the theatres might be open for public rehearsals."
2226>"We could start with the temples. I haven't been there in a while."
2227
2228-------------------------
2229
2230>>46697246
2231"We could start with the temples," you say. "I haven't been there in a while." 
2232
2233"Now that you mention it, I don't know much about Gwyrddarfordir's religion," Reagan says. 
2234
2235"It's primarily based on hero worship," Myrddin says. "Parlan invaded more than two thousand years ago to spread their own religion, but they were unprepared for an extended war across the sea, so they were quickly repelled. "Since then, Gwyrddarfordir's mythology grew to glorify mortal heroes and deicide in contrast to Parlan's more theistic religion."
2236
2237"The myths were used to enshrine hero-kings as the kingdom's rulers when we adopted the Svekkan and Rosean feudal system several centuries later," you add. "The religion isn't that important, but there are holidays associated with it depending on any given person's own beliefs and priorities."
2238
2239"It gets more formal when there's a war," Olwen says. "People love their war heroes."
2240
2241The temples are walled off from the rest of the city in order to keep them quiet and solemn; they technically double as graveyards. Your party crosses the steel gates and enters the sacred grounds. The largest temple, one made of marble, is dedicated to the royal family. Other, smaller temples focus on legendary heroes, some of which are associated with noble families. 
2242
2243There's a priestess patrolling the grounds. She's wearing the traditional white and red robes associated with war heroes. "Welcome to the Temples of the Blood Sword," she says. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
2244
2245>"No, we won't be here long."
2246>"No, we just wanted to walk around a bit."
2247>"Yes, my friend here is new to the city, and I wanted to show her around."
2248
2249-------------------------
2250
2251>>46697701
2252"Yes, my friend here is new to the city." You nod in Reagan's direction. "I wanted to show her around a bit."
2253
2254"Of course, your highness," the priestess says. "I'll be happy to give you the tour."
2255
2256"Wait, you know who I am?" 
2257
2258The priestess smiles awkwardly. "I was an apprentice chaplain at two of your battles," she says, hoping to job your memory. "The Naval Battle of Three Worlds and the Long Winter Raid? My name's Delyth?"
2259
2260You scratch your chin and cough. "Sorry, it must have slipped my mind," you say. "It's been a while."
2261
2262"Forgetting a woman's name?" Olwen gives you an accusing stare.
2263
2264"What a terrible, terrible thing to do." Myrddin shakes his head sadly.
2265
2266Reagan, for her part, looks incredibly amused by your suffering. 
2267
2268"I suppose it's normal." Delyth says. "There were quite a few people there, and I wasn't important enough to go anywhere near the commanding officers anyway. But enough of that. Let me show you around."
2269
2270-------------------------
2271
2272>>46698217
2273Delyth brings you to the Paladin's Monument, which lists the names of all the paladins who died in battle during the last few centuries. 
2274
2275"Most enchanted weapons aren't too difficult to use, but some are trickier than others," Olwen explains to Reagan. "Soldiers who can master more powerful enchanted weapons like his highness' sword or mine are given offices in the palace and named paladins." 
2276
2277"The great hero Vaughan was the first to master the use of enchanted weapons," Delyth adds. Olwen preens at the mention of her ancestor. "Although it took us quite a bit longer to learn actually make them. Before that, heroes had to earn their enchanted weapons by killing their previous owners. Maybe noble houses still keep Parlan weapons as heirlooms, even if the weapons themselves are outdated."
2278
2279-------------------------
2280
2281>>46698269
2282Delyth shows you some of the other prominent monuments before taking you to the temple dedicated to Gwyrren, the founder of the royal dynasty. It's significantly larger than the others, and there are statues to several of your ancestors. While it's a great honour for them, it's also an honour reserved for those who died in battle, so you'd rather not join them any time soon. 
2283
2284"This is the temple dedicated to the royal family and its accomplishments," Delyth says. "When the country was nothing more than fishing villages and wilderness, Gwyrren gathered the greatest warriors and strategists he could find to repel the enemy and unify Gwyrddarfordir's cultural identity. Without him, we wouldn't have been able to protect ourselves from neighbouring countries." 
2285
2286Reagan doesn't seem the least bit offended by Delyth's words. If anything, she seems quite fascinated by Gwyrddarfordir's history. 
2287
2288"This is everything as far as the temples go," Delyth says. "However, we also having fencing and chess halls, if you'd like to see them. We've actually been trying to build training grounds for archery and muskets, but we can't find the space or the money, unfortunately."
2289
2290>"A round of fencing wouldn't hurt."
2291>"A game of chess would be nice."
2292>"I'd like to know more about those archery grounds."
2293>"We shouldn't disturb you any further. Thank you."
2294
2295-------------------------
2296
2297>>46698346
2298"It's been a while since I played chess," you say. "We can talk about those archery grounds in the meantime." 
2299
2300"As you wish, your highness," Delyth says. "The fencing and chess halls aren't technically part of the temple grounds, but they might as well be. Nobles and officers often go there as part of their pilgrimage to test their skills against others, although there aren't many people around now." 
2301
2302The chess hall is more like a lounge. There are some private boots, and junior priests and priestesses carry food and drink to anyone who requests it. The place is dead silent.
2303
2304"This silence feels strange," Reagan whispers. 
2305
2306"It's usually like this even when it's crowded," Delyth says. "People come here to focus and concentrate, so they don't like to be disturbed."
2307
2308Delyth brings you to one of the most private tables and shows you several different boards. You recognize one of them as standard chess, but not the other two.
2309
2310"They're variations from Han," Delyth says. "I thought you might want to give them a try. One is just a more complicated variant of chess, while the other is called go. It's a cross between chess and checkers."
2311
2312>[Military/1d8] "I'll stick with the standard chess game."
2313>[Military/1d6] "I'd like to try the Han chess variant."
2314>[Military/1d4] "Go seems interesting."
2315
2316-omitted one small post.
2317
2318-------------------------
2319
2320>>46698754
2321"Go seems interesting," you say. 
2322
2323"I've seen it a few times, but I've never played it," Myrddin says. 
2324
2325"I don't think there's anything like this in Olstren," Reagan says. 
2326
2327"The rules are quite simple," Delyth says, "but it requires very deep strategies. Given your highness' reputation, this might be a suitable game for you."
2328
2329The fundamental rules are quite simple. You need to place your stones to establish the largest territory possible while constraining Delyth's own territory and claiming her pieces if you have the opportunity. 
2330
2331"You can play first, your highness."
2332
2333>Roll 1d4, best of three.
2334
2335-------------------------
2336
2337>>46699076
2338The rules are the only thing simple about this game. It starts off easy enough; you put your stones down and claim spots of the board. After a few turns, however, Delyth starts going after your territory. By the time you realize what's happening, you're long past the point where you should have resigned out of courtesy. 
2339
2340"Well, that's certainly embarrassing," Myrddin says. 
2341
2342"I know," Olwen says. "It was almost painful to watch." 
2343
2344Reagan gives you a look of pure, undiluted pity while Delyth coughs awkwardly. 
2345
2346"I'm sure you'll get the hang of it eventually," Delyth says. "It just takes some practice. Or maybe a lot of practice." 
2347
2348You lean back against your seat so that you don't accidentally tip over and slam your head on the table. 
2349
2350"Setting all that aside," you say, "what about the archery grounds?" 
2351
2352Delyth is quite happy to help you change the subject. "The temple grounds were established before the Enchanters' Guild could figure out how to make proper bows; there's always been some confusion about whether to enchant the bows or the arrows, and putting enchantments on both can cause problems. We tried to build archery ranges in the past, but we never got around to it, and bows were never important enough to warrant extraordinary effort anyway, but now that muskets are becoming more prominent, we really need to find a solution." 
2353
2354"Why not use part of the fencing hall?" Reagan asks. 
2355
2356"We absolutely can't do that," Delyth answers. "There's not enough space, and the hall simply isn't designed for ranged weapons anyway. We'd have to rebuild the whole thing, and that would marginalize the sword. The temple's duty is to chronicle the kingdom's history and its warfare, so we need to keep up with new developments, but we can't cast our history aside either." 
2357
2358"That does pose some problems," Myrddin says. 
2359
2360>"I'm sure I can help you figure it out."
2361>"I'm sure you'll find a solution eventually."
2362
2363-------------------------
2364
2365>>46699296
2366"I'm sure I can help you figure it out," you say. "What would you need, exactly?" 
2367
2368"Ideally, we'd need several hundred yards of space," Delyth says. "We need at least that much distance for our targets if we want people to really be able to practice. It has to be self-contained as well, or else people might get hurt by missed shots."
2369
2370"That does sound difficult to find," Reagan says, "especially in a city as packed as Aurwain." 
2371
2372"Space has been a problem in a lot of areas for years," Myrddin says. "At some point, we'll need to build another city outside the walls."
2373
2374"I'd like to solve this problem now rather than in several years, Myrddin," you say. 
2375
2376"You could organize hunting trips," Olwen says. "It would be less formal, but it could allow for more realistic training, and several of the heroes enshrined here were hunters."
2377
2378"Alternatively, you could combine ranged weapons training with naval training," Myrddin says. "You don't have anything to cover naval training, right?" 
2379
2380"I don't think anyone's ever really thought about it," Delyth says. "After all, it's not something we can do on temple grounds."
2381
2382>"Organized hunting trips are a good idea."
2383>"The kingdom does need help developing its navy."
2384>"I think it'd be better if we just expanded the temple grounds."
2385
2386-------------------------
2387
2388>>46699717
2389"The kingdom does need help developing its navy," you say. "Do you think the temples could help with that."
2390
2391"I suppose." Delyth puts a finger to her chin and ponders your offer. "Actually, it would help us keep up to date with Gwyrddarfordir's military. We do have several shrines and mausoleums dedicated to the navy, but I don't think they're current." 
2392
2393"Let's go with a naval solution then," you say. "It would certainly be beneficial if captains can congregate in places like this one like the army officers do. Will you be able to make an archery range though?" 
2394
2395"My father has some enchanted discs that can fly on their own and be called back with a whistle," Olwen says. "That's what he uses to practice his marksmanship."
2396
2397"I've heard about those," Delyth says. "They're expensive, but that won't be an issue. We don't like large training groups anyway. They make discussions and debates more difficult."
2398
2399"We're getting ahead of ourselves," Myrddin says. "We still don't know how we're going to expend the temple."
2400
2401Myrddin's right. You'd need to find some property by the docks, or donate a ship to the temples in order to do this.
2402
2403>"We'll build a new, smaller temple on the docks."
2404>"We can donate an old ship to the temples."
2405>"We'll have a ship built to the temple's specifications."
2406
2407-------------------------
2408
2409>>46700155
2410"We can donate an old ship to the temples," you say. "We use a few to train cabin boys and ship supplies. They're in excellent condition, just too old for combat." 
2411
2412"Is that really all right, your highness?" Delyth asks. "Are you sure you can use your authority like this?" 
2413
2414"He does it all the time," Myrddin says. "It's just a question of how royal authority should be applied." 
2415
2416In this case, it shouldn't be too complicated. You can just demand a ship from the navy, or even buy one. Certainly, the simplest way is to forge the records and have a ship assigned to your personal use.
2417
2418>[Sovereign/1d6] "I'll just ask for a ship."
2419>[Merchant/1d6] "I should be able to buy one of the navy's ships."
2420>[Intrigue/1d10] "We'll just falsify a few papers and the problem will solve itself."
2421
2422-omitted one small post.
2423
2424-omitted one small post.
2425
2426-------------------------
2427
2428>>46700470
2429"I'll just ask for a ship," you say. "There must be a few around that won't be missed. Myrddin, if you could give me some ink and paper, please?" 
2430
2431Myrddin obliges and you quickly jot down a request to have an old ship turned over to you for your personal use. The navy doesn't do charity, so they won't care even if you mention the temples, but they do have to obey royal edicts and someone out there must have a ship they're willing to get ready, if only so they can save on maintenance and have you owe them a small favour at some point. After all, you have to maintain a good relationship between yourself and your vassals.
2432
2433>Roll 1d6, best of three.
2434
2435-------------------------
2436
2437>>46700843
2438You fold the letter and turn it over to Myrddin so he can have it delivered to the right people later.
2439
2440"There, that should take care of it," you say. "It might take a while, but you'll have your ship."
2441
2442"Thank you, your highness," Delyth says. "We'll need time to make all the necessary arrangements anyway, so the wait won't be a problem."
2443
2444"If there is a problem, you can have someone contact me," you say. "I'm looking forward to seeing the results of your effort. 
2445
2446You remain on the temple grounds a while longer to enjoy tea before you return to the castle. 
2447
2448"I must say, that was quite impressive," Reagan says. "I'm not used to seeing nobles as active as you, your highness. Is your life always like this?"
2449
2450>"Basically, yes."
2451>"Only when I got out on dates."
2452>"Not always. Today just happened to be busy."
2453
2454-------------------------
2455
2456>>46700966
2457"Basically, yes."
2458
2459"Come to think of it, didn't our last break turn into work as well?" Olwen asks. 
2460
2461"Technically, it was always meant to be work," Myrddin says. "His highness just failed to invite his brother to come along, so we had to turn it into leisure. Although I suppose it would have been all work if only his highness had kept flirting with Lloyd's daughter." 
2462
2463"She's the one who walked away from me," you say. "I think she was bothered by something."
2464
2465"And then you asked me not to keep track of her, which I could have done," Myrddin says. "Sometimes, I think you don't want to be a philandering manwhore."
2466
2467"Why are we even having this conversation?" 
2468
2469"I don't know," Reagan says, "but I find it absolutely enthralling. Tell me more about this girl."
2470
2471"Oh, his highness used me to attract other women," Olwen says. "Then he danced the… what was it, the Rose Garden Waltz? Something along those lines. Anyway, she ditched him right after."
2472
2473"And that is quite enough of that." You wrap one arm around Reagan's waist and pull her along away from the gossip.
2474
2475>"Let's find a restaurant. I'm starving."
2476>"Let's go back to the castle. I'm tired."
2477>"Since you're on the subject, let's find ourselves a party."
2478
2479-------------------------
2480
2481>>46701403
2482"Let's find a restaurant," you say. "I'm starving."
2483
2484You walk into a little restaurant that's best known for its grill. Most of its food is cheap, but they do have better fare for people who can afford spices. Fortunately, you are one of those people. You all sit down and order wine and food.
2485
2486"How do you like Aurwain so far, your highness?" Olwen asks Reagan. 
2487
2488"It's very pleasant," Reagan says. "Having competent company certainly helps. Aside from my personal guards, I don't have many people to rely on at home, and their talents are rather limited, unfortunately. It's a shame I can only stay for a few days." 
2489
2490"We'll make sure to keep you entertained while you are here," Myrddin says. "It's the least we can do to keep your mind away from your worries."
2491
2492"The Crown's mind is always on its worries, Myrddin," you say. "That's why you wear it on your head."
2493
2494"Fortunately, I wouldn't know."
2495
2496"There is one thing I'm curious about, Prince Meirion," Reagan says. "Did you enjoy your day?" 
2497
2498>"Any productive day is a good day."
2499>"Of course I did."
2500>"I can't say I did."
2501>"It was about average."
2502
2503-------------------------
2504
2505>>46701750
2506"Of course I did," you say. "I was able to relax a little and get some work done. Any productive day is a good day as far as I'm concerned."
2507
2508"I'm quite glad to hear that," Reagan says. "I wouldn't want to impose on you."
2509
2510"You're a princess, your highness," Myrddin says. "It's quite literally your job to impose on princes."
2511
2512"A job implies far less intimacy than I'm looking for," Reagan says. 
2513
2514Olwen briefly chokes on her wine before recovering. You decide to change the subject before things get worse again.
2515
2516"Still, I'm afraid I'll be busy for the next few days, so I won't be able to entertain you much more," you say. "I will arrange for someone to accompany you if you'd like to see more of the city."
2517
2518"I think I'd like to rest for a day, at least," Reagan says. "The journey was a bit tiring and I haven't had time to recover. I'll be sure to ask if I do decide to go out again."
2519
2520You finish your meals and return to your respective rooms at the castle. You soak in a hot bath for some time before going to bed. Tomorrow, you'll need to deal with all the little problems that came up while you were off preventing a war. There's nothing serious yet, but the situation has a way of changing quickly. You have a feeling you have another long day ahead of you.
2521
2522-------------------------
2523
2524>>46702042
2525And that's it for today. I've got a cold that's starting to get to me, so unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to run a second thread tomorrow. The next thread will most likely be April 22nd at 7PM EDT. I'll make an announcement on Twitter if anything changes.
2526
2527/tg/ continues to make choices that mess up my outlines, but that's what makes this interesting. I'll see you all next time. Until then, good night and thanks for playing.
2528
2529==== END THREAD ====
2530
2531Beleaguered Prince Quest
2532written by BeleagueredQM (23 posts, 4 omitted posts)
2533-------- qst2txt --------
2534
2535Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
2536Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
2537Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
2538
2539===============
2540
2541You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
2542
2543The day is off to a good start. You're sitting on your balcony along with Olwen and Reagan, who's still in the capital. From your vantage point, you can see the bustling markets and docks that signify Aurwain's prosperity. Everything is quiet at the palace, and you've received word that your sister's assignment has been successfully completed, and that she'll be back home in a few days. 
2544
2545So you're not at all surprised when Myrddin storms in, panting for breath. 
2546
2547"Your highness," he says, "we have a problem."
2548
2549"And thus the cosmos is returned to its proper order," Olwen says. "What is it this time?" 
2550
2551"Some merchants and destitute nobles want to meet the king to discuss ownership rights," Myrddin says. "And by 'some,' I mean over a hundred. I'm afraid things will get complicated if they're not placated."
2552
2553"That does sound like a problem," you say. "So why am I only hearing about it now?" 
2554
2555Myrddin coughs and very deliberately avoids your gaze. "From what I can tell, they planned the specifics during regular meetings and negotiations," he says. "My agents didn't notice anything since most of it was business as usual. I came as soon as I learned about it and figured out who was involved."
2556
2557-------------------------
2558
2559>>46842534
2560"Is it really such a problem?" Reagan asks. 
2561
2562"Legally, only the nobles are allowed to own land and resources, and to control the production quotas of the various guilds," you explain. "In practice, there's more flexibility. Some nobles prefer a hands-off approach, while others like to become heavily involved. It's not usually a problem, but it can affect regional economies, and there's always a certain element of uncertainty involved since the nobles can seize and redistribute assets whenever they want." 
2563
2564"This time, it looks like the Coleran merchants have allied themselves with House Haearnty," Myrddin says. "Haearnty lost its lands, its wealth, and its seal of nobility several years ago when Prince Aled swindled them into bankruptcy to acquire some of their farmland which was suitable for growing alchemical reagents."
2565
2566In other words, they're unlikely to have a positive impression of the royal family. A noble house can still recover after losing its land and its wealth, but the loss of a seal of nobility is catastrophic. Without its seal, mercantile enterprises are the only way for House Haearnty to make some kind of recovery, but even then, they'll always be dependent on another noble house. 
2567
2568>"Ignore them. There's no need to get myself wrapped up in this."
2569>[Sovereign/1d10] "See to it they have a meeting with the king. He can take care of this." 
2570>[Sovereign/1d8] "I need to handle this personally. Invite their representatives to my offices."
2571>[Sovereign/1d12] "I'd like to show them some good will. I'll meet them at a venue of their choice."
2572
2573-omitted one small post.
2574
2575-------------------------
2576
2577>>46842546
2578"I need to handle this personally," you say. "Invite their representatives to my offices."
2579
2580"I'll send a messenger right away," Myrddin says. "They want to meet someone, but I'm not sure they'll be willing to meet you instead of the king though." 
2581
2582"Convince them," you say. "It'll be better for everyone involved."
2583
2584"Would you mind if I join you?" Reagan asks. "I promise not to interrupt."
2585
2586"I don't see why not," you say. "It's not like this sort of thing is a state secret."
2587
2588You go to your business office and prepare them for company while Myrddin sends out a messenger to the merchants and Olwen lets the guards know about the guests you invited and orders them to keep an eye out for potential disturbances. With that done, you wait for the representatives to arrive.
2589
2590>Roll 1d8, best of three.
2591
2592-------------------------
2593
2594>>46842969
2595Your guests arrive under a light escort. You stand up and bow politely when they enter the room. 
2596
2597"Welcome to the palace," you say, "and thank you for meeting me on such short notice."
2598
2599Your first guest is Ceri auk Haearnty, the eldest daughter of the defunct house. You don't recall ever meeting her; her family's decline preceded your involvement with state affairs. 
2600
2601"Thank you for the invitation," Ceri says in a dull voice. Her face is tense, but otherwise expressionless.
2602
2603Your second guest is Esyllt Coleran, the daughter of a fairly prominent merchant. From what you know, she's spearheading a various efforts to strengthen the merchant class, although this is by far our most daring endeavour. 
2604
2605"I'm grateful you were willing to meet with us," Esyllt says, "and I hope these discussions are profitable."
2606
2607"I'll make every effort to ensure they are," you say. "Please, have a seat."
2608
2609-------------------------
2610
2611>>46843353
2612You, Myrddin, Ceri and Esyllt sit at the centre of the room, while Reagan and Olwen sit a little farther behind you. 
2613
2614"Since you went through the trouble of contacting us, I assume you're familiar with our demands," Esyllt says. "The current state of thing creates too much instability. It's difficult for the guilds to coordinate their efforts across the kingdom when prices fluctuate so quickly, and we can't make long-term plans while the nobility can threaten to seize our assets at any moment."
2615
2616"I'm well aware of the current system's limitations," you say. "However, this is isn't something that can be decided in a single meeting."
2617
2618"We are aware of that," Ceri says. "However, we would like a… demonstration of your willingness to help us."
2619
2620You can think of a few things that would help their cause, some of which are more… personal than others. Recovering the Haearnty seal somehow or usurping some of your uncle's assets for their benefit might buy you some time and it shouldn't be too difficult, but it wouldn't be a major step forward. Giving merchants some ownership rights or deregulating the guilds and their production quotas would be a greater display of sincerity, but it would be much more difficult. 
2621
2622>"I believe I can help you recover the Haearnty seal."
2623>"I believe Prince Aled would be willing to 'lend' you some of his assets for now."
2624>"I'll find a way to give you some ownership rights."
2625>"I'll find a way to deregulate the guilds and give them more independence."
2626
2627-------------------------
2628
2629>>46843375
2630You're not sure you want to give the merchants too much power while things in the palace are still unstable. You can revisit the idea later when your own base is more firmly established and supporting the merchants benefits your plans. In the meantime, you can screw your uncle over. 
2631
2632"Matters of resources and commerce are long-term projects," you say, "but I think I can 'acquire' additional resources from my uncle if you're looking for something more immediate. I'm sure I can find something satisfactory."
2633
2634Ceri's eyes narrows and burn with hatred. Your uncle ruined her family, and it seems she's willing to put personal matters ahead of business on that point. Esyllt seems much less enthusiastic, but she's not rejecting the idea either. 
2635
2636"If you can get make some of Prince Aled's resources available to merchants who are amenable to our goals, it would convince us of your trustworthiness, and we would be able to slow our plans down a little," Esyllt says. "However, we would require some concessions."
2637
2638"Such as?" Myrddin asks. 
2639
2640Ceri and Esyllt glance at each other for a moment. 
2641
2642"You'll need to turn the assets over to my family," Ceri says.
2643
2644That means you would have to recover her house's seal. 
2645
2646"I'm afraid there's no one else we can trust with this," Esyllt adds. "Not even you."
2647
2648>"I agree with your plans."
2649>[Intrigue/1d10] "I'll agree to your demands, but I'll need a cut of the profits."
2650>[Merchant/1d8] "I'll agree to your demands if I can invest in your endeavours."
2651
2652-------------------------
2653
2654>>46843809
2655If you're going to be doing this, you might as well get something out of it. Besides, it never hurts to make friends. 
2656
2657"I'll agree to your demands," you say, "if I can invest in your endeavours. I have several businesses of my own, and quite a bit of coin that isn't doing anything. I'm willing to accept whatever deal you offer to your usual members."
2658
2659The two women glance at each other again, uncertain of whether or not to accept your proposal.
2660
2661>Roll 1d8, best of three.
2662
2663-------------------------
2664
2665>>46844141
2666"I suppose that's acceptable," Ceri says. "We are looking to expand our support."
2667
2668"The standard agreement isn't too demanding anyway," Esyllt says. "So long as you're willing to show preferential treatment to our associates, we'll be quite happy to have your help." 
2669
2670You don't have many long-term arrangements, so giving business to Ceri and Esyllt's associates won't disrupt any of your current relationships. If they're willing to give you a discount out of gratitude, you might see even greater profits. If not, then you're still making connections. Some times, who you know is worth more than how much money you can spend. 
2671
2672"In that case, I'll take care of the arrangements as soon as possible," you say. "Until then, I need to decide what I'm going to do about my uncle." 
2673
2674Prince Aled must have the Haearnty seal somewhere - it's just too valuable to destroy or get rid of. All it takes is one long-lost heir to make a seal useful. On the other hand, going after your uncle's holdings might bait him and create an opening for you to exploit. 
2675
2676>"I'll focus on getting the Haearnty seal back first."
2677>"I'll start by getting my hands on some of my uncle's assets."
2678
2679-------------------------
2680
2681>>46844333
2682"I'll start by getting my hands on some of my uncle's assets," you say. "I can use that to extort the seal out of him or something. Is there anything in particular you need."
2683
2684"Enchantment and alchemy remain the most profitable businesses, so mines or reagent gardens are always in demand," Esyllt says. "However, we don't have that many enchanters and alchemists right now, so normal farms, forests, and plots of land are always useful."
2685
2686"We're also looking for trade routes," Ceri adds. "We need to guarantee our people are treated fairly by patrols, and that bandits are kept away." 
2687
2688That should be doable. Your uncle's holdings are centralized around his territory, but he does have some isolated assets. You should be able to pick some of those off.
2689
2690>"You'll have more enchanters and alchemists in the future. I'll find you a source of reagents."
2691>"Land is always useful to everyone. We'll start there."
2692>"I think I can get my hands on some roads for you."
2693
2694-------------------------
2695
2696>>46844784
2697"Land is always useful to everyone," you say. "We'll start there."
2698
2699"Prince Aled has some territory around the capital and elsewhere," Myrddin says. "We'll just need to figure out how to get our hands on it."
2700
2701"That's for you to figure out," Esyllt says. "We'll give you some time to obtain results, but you should act quickly. We do have a timetable to keep."
2702
2703"Please contact us as soon as you can make good on your promise," Ceri says. "My family has waited many years to reclaim our status. I would be extremely disappointed if you can't deliver."
2704
2705"I assure you, I always come through," you say. "No matter how difficult it can be."
2706
2707"We certainly hope so, your highness," Esyllt says. "Good luck."
2708
2709The two ladies bow once more and leave. 
2710
2711"That was quite interesting," Reagan says. "How are you going to get your uncle's lands? Steal them?" 
2712
2713You snort. "Of course not," you say. "There's no point if he profits from this."
2714
2715"We'll have to swindle him," Myrddin says. "Either that, or we'll have to trick him into swindling us."
2716
2717"It would be easier if Prince Aled thought this was his idea," Olwen says. 
2718
2719"Right." You nod. "If we con him, we'll have to use a proxy, or else he'll know we're involved. Then again, bringing in an outsider might be a risk." 
2720
2721"He shouldn't know who I am," Reagan says. "I can help you if you want."
2722
2723>"That's a good idea. We'll have Reagan approach my uncle."
2724>"No, I'd rather get my uncle to approach us. We'll think of something."
2725
2726-------------------------
2727
2728>>46845259
2729"No, I'd rather get my uncle to approach us," you say. "It'll be cleaner that way. If he thinks he's swindling us, he won't investigate."
2730
2731"So we need to come up with an incentive for Prince Aled to give us some of his lands," Myrddin says. 
2732
2733"It shouldn't be impossible long as we don't ask for anything near Duwcan," Olwen says. "Maybe we can temporarily poison some of his lands? Or get bandits to raid them to the point where guarding them isn't worth the effort?" 
2734
2735That's the first part of the problem: Convincing your uncle to get rid of some of his lands. Alchemical poisons should be the faster option, but you'll need to be careful to avoid getting caught, and undoing the poison will carry additional costs. Bandits are much easier in comparison, but you'll have to cause a hell of a ruckus to pressure your uncle into selling now. 
2736
2737>"We'll go with poison. Let's visit the Alchemists' Guild."
2738>"We'll gather some trustworthy bandits and raid his lands."
2739
2740-------------------------
2741
2742>>46845682
2743"We'll gather some trustworthy bandits and raid his lands."
2744
2745Olwen raises an eyebrow. "Does anyone else notice the irony here, or is it just me?" 
2746
2747"It's not like I'm against raiding," you say. "I just prioritize the kingdom over everything else. Myrddin, can you make it happen?" 
2748
2749"Sure," Myrddin says. "I've got people. They'll leave the city casually and we'll meet somewhere close to the target."
2750
2751"What about me?" Reagan asks. "I'm not exactly suited for this."
2752
2753"You can help cover our alibi," you say. "You can stay in my chambers while we sneak out of the palace."
2754
2755"That sounds simple," she says. 
2756
2757"We still need to pick a target," Olwen says. "Your uncle has a lot of land around the capital, but I don't think he'll be willing to part with all of it." 
2758
2759"There's a forest, a lake, and a plain," Myrddin says. "There are some villages near all those areas, so they should be profitable, but aside from the terrain, there aren't any major differences."
2760
2761Which means you can pick the terrain for strategic purposes instead of looking for the fattest cow. That certainly makes things easier.
2762
2763>"I'm in the mood for another forest battle."
2764>"The lake shouldn't be too hard to attack."
2765>"I'd like an open battlefield. We'll attack the plains."
2766
2767-------------------------
2768
2769>>46846184
2770"I'm in the mood for another forest battle," you say. "Can we make that work?" 
2771
2772"The forest is mostly used for hunting trips," Myrddin says, "but it's not too heavily guarded. It'll be enough to make a point." 
2773
2774"It's settled then," you say. "Let's get going. I'd like to get this done as quickly as possible." 
2775
2776"You know that if we do this, we'll have to kill a lot of people, right?" Olwen asks. 
2777
2778"It wouldn't be the first time." You shrug. "Whatever it takes to keep the world going."
2779
2780Myrddin sends the word out to his "people" and you sneak out of the palace in casual clothes. You leave the city alongside other common travelers; no one notices anything special about you three in particular. 
2781
2782The forest is a fair bit away, but it's not so far that you won't be able to make it back before sundown unless something goes wrong. You stop a short distance away from the meeting point to put on your masks and armour so no one can recognize you before making the rest of the trip. 
2783
2784The raiders are all waiting for you at the appointed place. Myrddin's efforts are quite impressive, considering how little warning they had. The bandits are quite disciplined as well; they all stand at attention in perfect ranks. 
2785
2786They wait for you to give your orders. Your main objective is to force your uncle's forces out, and you have several ways of doing that. The most effective would be to destroy their barracks and defenses, but it would also be more difficult. Attacking or outright killing the guards would work as well, but it wouldn't be as effective in the long term; you'd have to put extra effort into baiting your uncle.
2787
2788>[Military/1d6] "The enemy has some fortifications here. We're going to burn them down and make sure they can't come back."
2789>[Military/1d10] "We're here to make a point. We're going to find the patrols and butcher every single last one of them."
2790>[Military/1d12] "We're here to make a point. We're going to find the patrols and beat them into a retreat."
2791
2792-omitted one small post.
2793
2794-------------------------
2795
2796>>46846768
2797"We're here to make a point," you say. "We're going to find the patrols and beat them into a retreat. They need to deliver the message, so avoid excessive violence."
2798
2799There's a chorus of nods and agreements. You divide your forces into squads and move out into the forest. It'll take you a while to hunt down all the patrols, and you'd be more likely to get caught if you moved as a single force, so this is one of the occasions where splitting up is a sound idea. 
2800
2801>Roll 1d12, best of three.
2802
2803-------------------------
2804
2805>>46847114
2806Your uncle has three dozen guards here in total. Most of them just stay in the same spot all day, but some of them have to patrol just in case. 
2807
2808You get the drop on the first group thanks to Rhithcan. You strike the sword against a tree, and the soundwaves distract the guards just long enough for you to launch a sneak attack alongside your hired mercenaries. The guards don't last very long. Oh, they try to defend themselves, but when they realize that you aren't going to panic and run, they're the ones who are forced into a retreat. Off in the distance, you hear more yells of surprise and pain. 
2809
2810The guards are trained, but they're primarily trained to deal with wild animals and poachers. Wild boars are vicious beasts, but they aren't as dangerous as people so long as you know what you're doing. Fighting bandits is something else entirely. 
2811
2812You keep up a game of back and forth for several hours. The guards rally together and try to fight back. It ends very badly for them. There's no permanent damage, but they're clearly on the losing side. As their morale drops, you manage to briefly capture their leader. 
2813
2814"Now, listen here," you whisper into his ear while keep a knife pressed to his cheek. "We like this forest, so we're taking it. If you don't want trouble, you'll get lost. Understand?" 
2815
2816The guard nods frantically. You release him, and he and his men get as far away from the forest as they can. 
2817
2818"That went reasonably well," Olwen says. "Are you ready to go?"
2819
2820>[Military/1d6] "Not yet. I want to rough a village up first."
2821>"Let's get back. I've got everything I need."
2822
2823-omitted one small post.
2824
2825-------------------------
2826
2827>>46847602
2828>>46847620
2829With the timeline you're on, the bandits won't really have time to launch another attack. They'll stick around and keep "attacking" to draw suspicion away from you if you do get the land though.
2830
2831-------------------------
2832
2833>>46847496
2834"Let's go back," you say. "I've got everything I need."
2835
2836Myrddin makes the appropriate arrangements with the mercenaries. They'll make regular appearances over the next few days and come back once your scheme is successful so that your uncle doesn't become suspicion. Of course, that still hinges on your ability to talk your uncle into giving up the land, but at least part 1 of the plan is done. 
2837
2838You walk away from the forest and change into your normal clothes. 
2839
2840"Hopefully, that'll be enough to get Prince Aled to sell his claim to this land," Myrddin says. "Have you thought about what you're going to do about the Haearnty seal?" 
2841
2842"I'm still working on that part."
2843
2844You can't steal it. Or rather, you can't just steal it. Your uncle would realize what happened, or he might create some problems for Ceri, which is something you want to avoid. 
2845
2846The easiest solution would be to try and buy the damn thing, but it wouldn't be subtle and it'd cost you a mountain. Seals of nobility are in limited supply and they are not easy to come by. 
2847
2848You could also try to rob your uncle's place. If you're lucky, the seal will be at his house at the capital. You can grab the seal along with some of your uncle's items and fence them through the black market. After that, it's just a question of finding the stolen goods and returning them to their rightful order. The risk will be greater, but it's a far more elegant solution.
2849
2850>"I'll try to buy the seal back."
2851>"We'll try to steal the seal and then recover it once it's on the black market."
2852
2853-------------------------
2854
2855>>46848103
2856>>46848143
2857The general idea is that the seal gets stolen, and you happened to be the one to find it and return it to its original owner, so there would be absolutely no connection to house Haearnty. There might be other difficulties, but so long as the dice gods are willing, you'll get away with the theft itself and no one will know who was involved. 
2858
2859I said it before, but I don't put traps in the options I present. So long as you pass the rolls, you get what you want. Different options might have different benefits, but picking one choice over another won't completely screw you over.
2860
2861-omitted one small post.
2862
2863-------------------------
2864
2865>>46848452
2866Oh, there's nothing secret about it. It'd be closer to the police returning stolen property, except the police here isn't really bound by rules and regulations. Once the seal is back in Haearnty hands, keeping it there wouldn't be too difficult. You'd just need to find a half-decent excuse.
2867
2868-------------------------
2869
2870>>46847934
2871"We'll try to steal the seal and then fence it on the black market," you say. "Then we'll raid the fence's place and 'return the stolen goods to their rightful owner' once we find the seal. It'll be tricky, but it won't be impossible to get away with it. Are those warehouse robberies still going on?" 
2872
2873"The ones you ordered after that thing with the contraceptives?" Myrddin asks. "They stopped, but it hasn't been long enough for people to forget. Do you want me to get them started again?" 
2874
2875"We'll need some suspects to draw attention away," you say. "If they can move on to houses, it'll be better. Just make sure the people who are hit are in the know."
2876
2877"I'll take care of it," Myrddin says. "Anything else?" 
2878
2879"Your uncle isn't likely to let this go," Olwen says. "It is a seal of nobility."
2880
2881"I'll figure that part out when I get there," you say. "I'm not giving that old bastard any more money than I absolutely have to."
2882
2883You quietly return to the castle. It's fairly late by the time you get back, and Reagan is quite happy to have some company after a boring day spent locked up in your chambers. You all return to your respective rooms to clean up after a long day. It feels good to scrub all the dirt and sweat out of your body.
2884
2885You eat dinner while watching the sunset. Afterwards, you still have time before you go to sleep.
2886
2887>Visit Myrddin. 
2888>Visit Olwen. 
2889>Visit Reagan.
2890>Go to sleep right now.
2891
2892-------------------------
2893
2894>>46848607
2895Yeah, but the guards won't know that. It's a noble seal, so obviously they should give it back to the noble house it's associated with, and once the seal is physically back with Haearnty, they can at least make an effort to keep it. It's a question of politicking and probably some underhanded deals, but it's not impossible for them to claim and keep it legally.
2896
2897-------------------------
2898
2899>>46848554
2900You put on an extra layer of clothes so Olwen doesn't get any ideas and go to knock on her door. 
2901
2902"Come in."
2903
2904You push the door open and enter Olwen's room. She's sitting at her desk, dressed in her nightgown. 
2905
2906"Oh, your highness. Do you need anything?"
2907
2908"I just wanted to talk about how things went today," you say. "Make sure we're all in agreement with the way things are going."
2909
2910"Honestly, I'd prefer a straight-up fight," Olwen says. "Sure, I know it'd be messy, and I know it'd cause more damage to the kingdom than you're willing to accept, but we all know it's going to happen eventually. I'd rather get it over with."
2911
2912"True, but it's because we know it's going to happen that we can plan for it."
2913
2914"Your plans are going to strangle you one day," Olwen says. "How many layers deep are we in now? Two? Three? How many more are left until you can complete your objective? Three? Four? You'll lose track of things if you keep going like this."
2915
2916You sight and rub the back of your neck. "Yeah, I guess you're right," you say. "It's just that this is what I need to do right now in order to win later. I can't escape that." 
2917
2918"I suppose that's what makes you the Victorious Prince," Olwen says. "I'm not sure I could plan that far ahead."
2919
2920"Anyway, that's all I needed to know," you say. "Good night."
2921
2922Olwen waves you goodbye and mumbles something under her breath that you don't catch aside from the fact that it involves Olwen's "quality time." You decide to walk away before you have a chance to think about it. 
2923
2924You need to be up and awake tomorrow in order to refine your plans.
2925
2926-------------------------
2927
2928>>46848883
2929And that's another fun thread done with. I think it's best if I take a day off to recover and plan the next part, so the next thread will be Sunday, April 24th, at 7PM EDT. Until then, good night and thanks for joining us.
2930
2931==== END THREAD ====
2932
2933Beleaguered Prince Quest
2934written by BeleagueredQM (17 posts, 7 omitted posts)
2935-------- qst2txt --------
2936
2937Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
2938Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
2939Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
2940
2941===============
2942
2943You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
2944
2945In order to placate a group of merchants who were planning to raise a ruckus with the king, you offered to help them get some land on the sly. You've completed part one of your master plan, raiding one of your uncle's territories in order to encourage him to get rid of it, and you're about to move to part two, which is actually getting the land into your possession. After that, you'll have to find a way to steal a seal of nobility and get it back to its proper owners without anyone objecting, which will probably involve several more crimes. 
2946
2947You remind yourself that the alternative is to give ownership rights to people who aren't fully in your corner or to actually pay your uncle by giving him real money, and that would be a gross violation of your bottom line.
2948
2949-------------------------
2950
2951>>46887143
2952"How do you want to do this?" Olwen asks. 
2953
2954You organized a last-minute strategy with Myrddin and Olwen before you try to swindle your uncle out of his lands, just to iron out the last few wrinkles. 
2955
2956"If you want, I can leak false information to your uncle that you're having some difficulties financing your personal guards," Myrddin says. "It might make him think that selling you the forest would put your further into debt, since you'd have to spend more money to manage it and get the 'bandits' out." 
2957
2958"That's one option," you say. "What else?" 
2959
2960"We could also just let him know that you're trying to acquire some lands for leisure," Myrddin says. "It'll be less complicated, but you might have to work harder to make him willing to sell."
2961
2962>[Intrigue/1d8] "Let him think I'm having financial difficulties."
2963>[Intrigue/1d12] "Let him think I'm looking to buy some land."
2964>"No need for tricks right now. I'll just approach him directly."
2965
2966-------------------------
2967
2968>>46887151
2969"Let my uncle think I'm having financial difficulties," you say. "If we can manipulate him into swindling me, he'll do most of the work. It'll make things easier if I just have to smile and nod."
2970
2971"And how many layers of deception does that make now?" Olwen asks. 
2972
2973"Two," you answer. "Three if you want to count the plan in general."
2974
2975Myrddin coughs to interrupt your banter. "I'll arrange for Prince Aled's spies to hear some things," he says. "It shouldn't take very long."
2976
2977You concentrate on your paperwork while Myrddin does his thing. The information needs to go through several hands so that your uncle doesn't suspect anything, but it's not the first time you've done something like this. 
2978
2979>Roll 1d8, best of three.
2980
2981-omitted one small post.
2982
2983-------------------------
2984
2985>>46887404
2986Myrddin soon returns with a slight smirk on his face.
2987
2988"It's done," he says. "My spies heard Prince Aled laughing at your fake bankruptcy. He's quite please that he's not the only one having problems." 
2989
2990"Time to pull the line then," you say. "I'll be back as soon as possible."
2991
2992"Good luck," Olwen says.
2993
2994You dishevel your hair a little to give yourself a haggard look, making sure not to go overboard. You need to look tired and bothered, not slovenly. After that, you calmly walk towards your uncle's quarters and make a show of casually walking by his office while the door's open. 
2995
2996"Nephew!" Your uncle calls out for you. "I was just thinking of paying you a visit. Please, come in. It's been too long since we talked. Tell me, how are things?"
2997
2998You enter the office and give him a bitter smile. You can try to broach the topic of your uncle's land indirectly and hope he takes the bait. Alternatively, you can keep the charade going and "bluff" about your supposed losses to get to let your uncle think he has the initiative, or you can admit to your "financial difficulties" and see if he gets the hint.
2999
3000>[Merchant/1d8] "Oh, just the usual. I'm trying to expand my assets a little to make up for some losses."
3001>[Intrigue/1d8] "I'm doing quite well, uncle."
3002>[Intrigue/1d12] "Not too well, I'm afraid."
3003
3004-omitted one small post.
3005
3006-------------------------
3007
3008>>46888035
3009Prince Aled mumbles to himself for a few seconds. "I think I can help with that," he says. "I own several forests for hunting trips and such, and I've been thinking of selling one of them. I won't make it too expensive, and you should at least be able to use it as collateral." 
3010
3011Of course he won't make it too expensive. He wants you to buy it, and he can't take the risk that you won't have enough money.
3012
3013"Really, uncle?" You fake the happiest look you can manage. "That would be extremely helpful."
3014
3015"Of course, nephew," Prince Aled says. "I have the deed somewhere around me. Just give me a moment…"
3016
3017Prince Aled thumbs through his paper and ledgers and pulls out the deed to the forest you raided. 
3018
3019"There it is," he says.
3020
3021You examine the deed and confirm that it's genuine. This is exactly what you were looking for. Even the price is quite reasonable. You're reluctant to give your uncle any kind of benefit, but in this case, it's enough of a steal that it won't bother you.
3022
3023You quickly fill out the paperwork to have the forest transferred to your name and place the deed in your coat pocket.
3024
3025"There you are, nephew," Prince Aled says. "I hope this will help you get back on your feet."
3026
3027"Thank you, uncle," you say. "I won't forget this."
3028
3029It'll go on your list of amusing stories about the capital that you can never tell anyone.
3030
3031-------------------------
3032
3033>>46888316
3034With the first part of the plan done, you return to your chambers to figure out the second half with Olwen, Myrddin, and Reagan, who came to join you for lunch. 
3035
3036"That's half the job done, but the deed is useless until we steal back the Haearnty seal," Myrddin says. "It should be in Prince Aled's house in the capital; he wouldn't let something that important out of his sight."
3037
3038"The first thing we need to do is decide who we're going to send," Olwen says. "Should we hire someone, or would you rather that we do this ourselves?"
3039
3040>"We'll hire someone. Leave this to the professionals."
3041>"We can't trust anyone else. We'll have to take care of it ourselves."
3042
3043-------------------------
3044
3045>>46888331
3046"We'll hire someone," you say. "Leave this to the professionals."
3047
3048"Which means we'll need to come up with an alibi," Myrddin says. "Or a distraction."
3049
3050"Or both," Olwen says. 
3051
3052"This sounds like a good opportunity for a night out in the city," Reagan says. "I'm afraid I'll be leaving soon, and I'd like to enjoy myself while I still can."
3053
3054It's not a bad idea, especially since the only alternative you can think of would be dinner with your family. Your uncle would automatically attend a family dinner, but if you choose to go out instead, you can arrange for him to receive an invitation to the same party. 
3055
3056>"I'm afraid I'll have to arrange a family dinner."
3057>[Dilettante/1d10] "Let's go out. I'll try to make sure my uncle joins us."
3058
3059-omitted one small post.
3060
3061-------------------------
3062
3063>>46889254
3064One of your uncle's servants sends a letter back informing you that he'll be happy to join you. You're not naïve enough to think he's just being polite, but if he wants to pick a fight with you tonight, you'll be more than happy to add to his losses.
3065
3066The ladies leave to prepare themselves, which gives you and Myrddin time to finalize your plans. 
3067
3068"Have you got people lined up for the robbery?" You ask. 
3069
3070"A few," Myrddin says. "It depends on how exactly you want this done."
3071
3072"We're looking for a seal, or a lockbox that looks like it could hold a seal," you say. "They also need to take a few other valuables to make it look like a normal robbery. Anything else?" 
3073
3074"If I can find high-end specialists, they might be able to pick through Prince Aled's personal documents," Myrddin says. "Some of it might be useful."
3075
3076>[Intrigue/1d10] "Make it a standard robbery."
3077>[Intrigue/1d8] "Find someone who can look through my uncle's papers."
3078
3079-omitted one small post.
3080
3081-omitted one small post.
3082
3083-------------------------
3084
3085>>46889791
3086"No problem," Myrddin says. "All we need to do is enjoy ourselves and they'll have the merchandise at our place by morning." 
3087
3088"Your enthusiasm is downright infection," you say. 
3089
3090You climb into the carriage. Olwen is wearing an elaborate red and white dress, while Reagan is in a simpler white dress that displays her prominent bust without showing much cleavage. It's strangely enticing, in the sense that you know it's there, but you can't have it. 
3091
3092"I'm quite looking forward to this," Reagan says. "I'm afraid I don't have many opportunities to go out back home."
3093
3094"Since we pulled you along for our work, this is the least we can do, your highness," Olwen says. "I'm sure the prince will provide you with suitable entertainment."
3095
3096Tonight's celebration is hosted by a mid-level noble, so there is a bit of a crowd. You step out of the carriage and help Olwen and Reagan down. 
3097
3098"What should we do first?" Reagan asks. 
3099
3100>"I suppose I should greet my uncle."
3101>"I've been quite successful at dancing." 
3102>"I'd like to see who the other guests are."
3103
3104-------------------------
3105
3106>>46890101
3107"I'll greet my uncle first to let him know I'm here," you say. "I'll visit the dance floor after that."
3108
3109You very deliberately ignore the gleam in Olwen and Reagan's eyes. Instead, you scan the room and look for your uncle. Given his girth and general appearance, he isn't that difficult to find. He's drinking wine and talking with some other nobles.
3110
3111"Uncle!" You call out to him and wave. "I'm pleased you could make it."
3112
3113"Ah, nephew, thank you for telling me about this evening," your uncle says. "I've been tense lately, and this kind of relaxation is quite helpful."
3114
3115"No need to mention it," you say. "It's the least I could do to repay you." 
3116
3117"We're family," Prince Aled says. "We look out for each other like this."
3118
3119"Well, I won't bother you any longer," you say. "Have a pleasant evening, and let me know if I can help you with something."
3120
3121"Likewise, nephew."
3122
3123With the formalities out of the way, you're free to display your skills on the dance floor and impress the crowd once more. It may be nothing more than a hobby to you, but it is the royal family's duty to nurture the kingdom's arts and culture. 
3124
3125>[Dilettante/1d8] Dance with Olwen.
3126>[Dilettante/1d8] Dance with Reagan. 
3127>[Dilettante/1d6] You can dance with both in a row.
3128>[Dilettante/1d10] Find a random partner.
3129
3130-------------------------
3131
3132>>46890544
3133You can handle two women in a row, right?
3134
3135…
3136
3137You immediately decide not to share that thought with anyone. 
3138
3139Reagan and Olwen are both waiting by the dance floor. You gently take Reagan's arm first; she is royalty, so it's customary for her to have priority. 
3140
3141"Would you care to join me, your highness?" You ask.
3142
3143Reagan smiles brightly. "Of course, your highness."
3144
3145"Excellent." You smile at her. "Olwen, I'll be with you once I'm done."
3146
3147"You better."
3148
3149Cold sweat pours down your back. You're glad you didn't snub her. Now you just need to hope your stamina can endure two dances in a row.
3150
3151>Roll 1d6, best of three.
3152
3153-------------------------
3154
3155>>46890876
3156Fortunately, the dance is a slow waltz. It still requires effort, but it's not as physically demanding as some other dances. Reagan presses herself against you a little closer than would be normal, but it doesn't affect the balance of your hold. You slide across the dance floor in elegant circles. 
3157
3158"I must say, you're quite good at this," Reagan says. "I didn't expect the Victorious Prince to be so refined." 
3159
3160"Royalty requires a broad skillset," you say. "Unlike some other members of the family, I like to provide an inspiring example in as many fields as possible."
3161
3162-------------------------
3163
3164>>46891208
3165The dance comes to an end and you gracefully let go of Reagan. After some polite applause from the crowd, Olwen steps onto the dance floor to take her place. 
3166
3167"I hope you're not too tired," Olwen says. "Then again, you do look appealing when you're panting."
3168
3169"Hahaha." You laugh dryly. "This isn't a spar. I won't get worn out by such little effort."
3170
3171"I would be very disappointed if you were."
3172
3173Olwen leans back entrusts most of her weight to your hold. She's just barely keeping herself up in order to maintain your balance. It's the sort of thing very few dancers could manage. If you hadn't known each other for so long, you probably would have slipped and fallen after the third step. 
3174
3175This time, you stay near the edge of the dance floor to show off your talents, and Olwen certainly seems glad for the additional attention, and for the fact that she's dancing with you. 
3176
3177As the song winds down, Olwen straightens out and you let her go. 
3178
3179"This was nice," she says. "I'm glad we were able to do this again." 
3180
3181"So am I," you say. You're tired, covered in sweat, and out of breath, but dancing as an exercise is both fun and challenging. You could probably keep going if you really wanted to. 
3182
3183As you step back into the crowd, you hear a woman call out to you. 
3184
3185"Your dancing form is quite impressive. I was wondering if you would like to join me for one more?" 
3186
3187>"That would depend on who's asking."
3188>"I'm afraid I'm too tired at the moment."
3189>[Dilettante/1d6] "One more dance wouldn't hurt, miss…"
3190
3191-------------------------
3192
3193>>46891266
3194"One more dance wouldn't hurt, miss…"
3195
3196You turn around and see a somewhat familiar brown-haired woman wearing a blue dress. 
3197
3198"My name is Eleri," she says as she curtseys. "Eleri Lloyd."
3199
3200That would explain why she looks so familiar. This must be the one-time dance partner you met at that masked ball you attended some time ago.
3201
3202Olwen snickers and gives you a push in her direction. "You should dance with your friend," she says. "It'll make Myrddin happy." 
3203
3204You bite back your reply and hold out your hand for Eleri, who gladly takes it. 
3205
3206"Shall we dance?" 
3207
3208>Roll 1d6, best of three.
3209
3210-------------------------
3211
3212>>46891700
3213Eleri's form is, once again, impeccable. Her weight doesn't put any strain on you, she carefully adjust hers hips to maintain your balance, and she smoothly follows her lead. Her smile doesn't waver in the least as you move across the dance floor. 
3214
3215"I thought you looked familiar," she says. "I wasn't sure if I'd ever have the chance to dance with you again."
3216
3217"Isn't it rude to pry about masked balls?" You ask. 
3218
3219"I'm sorry. I'm just sentimental about the Rose Garden Waltz. My parents met when they were practicing it, so…"
3220
3221She suddenly blushes and averts her eyes. You very deliberately avoid further prying and focus on your steps. 
3222
3223The songs and you walk Eleri off the floor. The fact that she's helping you steady your aching legs is just an added bonus. 
3224
3225"You could be a professional, you know," she says. "You certainly have the talent."
3226
3227"Unfortunately, I have more pressing responsibilities," you say. "Although if I did dance professionally, I assume the whole thing would turn into a disaster for me somehow."
3228
3229"Ah." Eleri sounds genuinely disappointed. "I suppose dancing isn't a very respectable profession for most people."
3230
3231"Oh, no, I wouldn't say that. It's just that -"
3232
3233"YOU!"
3234
3235-------------------------
3236
3237>>46892107
3238Someone yells above the crowd. The gathered guests look utterly appalled at the lack of decorum and turn to look at the delinquent who disrupted their celebration. A young man stomps towards you, his eyes filled with anger. 
3239
3240"How dare you put your hands on Eleri! I challenge you to a duel, sir!" 
3241
3242…
3243
3244You had a plan to raid your uncle's lands, force his people out, trick him into selling those lands to you, steal a seal of nobility that's currently in his possession, get that seal back to its rightful owner, and use that to bribe some merchants into not ruining the kingdom's economy out of spite or doing something equally drastic. 
3245
3246And now you've just been challenged to a duel over a woman. 
3247
3248You wonder if the other princes need to deal with any of this. 
3249
3250In the background, Myrddin is grinning madly and giving you two thumbs up. 
3251
3252Well. At least someone's happy about this situation.
3253
3254-------------------------
3255
3256>>46892123
3257And there's a good cliffhanger for today. There are a lot of plots to juggle, but it's actually entertaining to see how they crash into each other like this. 
3258
3259Next thread will be Friday April 29th. We'll presumably find out how Prince Meirion wants to handle this challenge, and how badly the thieve botched their robbery. 
3260
3261I'll see you all then. In the meantime, thank you and good night.
3262
3263-omitted one small post.
3264
3265-omitted one small post.
3266
3267==== END THREAD ====
3268
3269Beleaguered Prince Quest
3270written by BeleagueredQM (16 posts, 1 omitted posts)
3271-------- qst2txt --------
3272
3273Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
3274Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
3275Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
3276
3277I'm going to give /qst/ a trial run to see how it goes, so here are the basics if anyone's reading this for the first time:
3278
32791- Don't roll unless I tell you to. 
32802- The target number for all rolls is 4. 
32813- You roll bigger dice if a task is easy and smaller dice if it's more difficult. 
32824- Critfails only happen if all dice fail and you roll a 1. They increase the difficulty of your next roll with that ability. 
32835- Crit successes only happen if you roll a 10, 11, or 12, so they're limited by your dice. They decrease the difficulty of your next roll. 
3284
3285===============
3286
3287You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
3288
3289You had a plan. It was convoluted, but it was a plan. You were going to get your corrupt uncle out of his home so professional teams could rob the place and steal a seal of nobility, which you would then return to their rightful owner along with some land in order to keep a merchant conglomerate happy. 
3290
3291Then this happened:
3292
3293"How dare you put your hands on Eleri! I challenge you to a duel, sir!" 
3294
3295Myrddin is terribly please that you've been challenged to a duel over a woman, while Olwen and Reagan look something between amused and exasperated. The rest of the gathered nobles move into a circle around you in order to watch things play out. 
3296
3297Eleri's face turns pale and she steps in front of you protectively.
3298
3299"Lord Cadryff -" She calls out to the noble who challenged you. 
3300
3301It takes you a second to place the name. You've never met the Count of Cadryff in person, but you know the previous one died recently, so this should be his son, Andras. 
3302
3303"This doesn't concern you, Eleri!" 
3304
3305No, you're quite certain that this does, in fact, concern her. 
3306
3307"Wait isn't that…"
3308
3309"I think so…"
3310
3311"Yes, it looks just like him…"
3312
3313And now the nobles are whispering about you, which means some of them know who you are. That means you can't back down yourself without losing face. 
3314
3315The Victorious Prince can't lose face. 
3316
3317You sigh and rub your forehead. 
3318
3319>"Okay, let's do this. Myrddin, get my sword." 
3320>[Sovereign/1d8] "Kid, do you seriously not know who I am?"
3321>[Military/1d10] "Kid, I have killed more people than you've met in your entire life."
3322
3323-------------------------
3324
3325>>13175
3326It's a lot of nice bells and whistles, but nothing really that important. The text formatting tags are useful, but even then, I don't think I'd ever use anything more than italics and maybe bold. Mostly, I just want to check what kind of playerbase I can get here.
3327
3328-------------------------
3329
3330>>13092
3331You take a moment to seriously consider this. On the one hand, this is incredibly fucking stupid, and a colossal waste of your time. On the other hand, it has been a while since you've dueled someone, and you should show off every now and then to remind people of who you are. 
3332
3333What finally clinches your decision, however, is that you are utterly out of fucks to give about anyone else's bullshit. The kid wants a duel? Fine. Olwen is going to complain for days that you never had a duel for her honour, but you'll take out your frustrations on Cadryff.
3334
3335"Okay, let's do this," you say. "Myrddin, get my sword!" 
3336
3337"Right away!" 
3338
3339Andras Cadryff looks surprised for a moment, as if he really didn't expect you to accept. He recovers quickly and tries to sound as pleased and smug as he can manage. 
3340
3341"Very well, I commend you for your courage," he says. "I will await you in the courtyard. Eleri, accompany me."
3342
3343Eleri looks at him, and then at you, her face still white as a sheet. After some hesitation, she pulls you back into the crowd. Cadryff walks away, obviously irritated at her display of defiance. 
3344
3345"You can't duel him!" Eleri says. "He's already won seven duels! He's never killed anyone, but I'm afraid that this time…"
3346
3347"Oh, it'll be fine," Olwen says as she walks over to join you. "This is quite romantic, although I'm quite disappointed that you never duelled anyone for my sake." 
3348
3349You can predict the future now, apparently. You'll be sure to add that to the list of your talents. 
3350
3351"Indeed," Reagan says. "Although I must admit, this is quite a deviation from what you planned. First the time I ambushed you at the inn, and now this. Things always seem to go wrong for you, don't they?" She giggles shamelessly at your misery. 
3352
3353"Please, this is serious," Eleri says, almost begging. "I just… I just wanted to dance with you. I didn't want any of this to happen. You have to go before it's too late."
3354
3355>"It'll be fine."
3356>"What is this even about anyway?" 
3357>"… you know I'm the second prince, right?"
3358
3359-------------------------
3360
3361>>13231
3362The major problem I had was when posters couldn't post images because the mods wanted to cut down on reaction images and help QMs to preserve the quest's tone. 
3363
3364I don't give a shit about the tone of the images I use. I picked a bunch of anime pictures from different sources because it was the easiest way to get a lot of pictures of the same character. On the other hand, I love getting random reaction images because it shows people are invested. 
3365
3366It really shows that the people who designed this /qst/ never ran a quest of their own. 
3367
3368Now that the image posting restriction is gone and suptg has the /qst/ archive going, I don't mind giving this place a fair chance.
3369
3370-------------------------
3371
3372>>13356
3373"What is this even about anyway?" You ask. "If I'm going to duel someone, I'd at least like to know why."
3374
3375"Andras was my childhood friend," Eleri says. "I told him I'd only marry someone who could dance the Rose Garden Waltz like my parents did, so he started learning how to dance even though he was never really good at it. I never thought he'd take it so seriously. His family is one of my father's backer. My father… this could ruin his career."
3376
3377Eleri's body is shaking, and she looks like she's about to cry. 
3378
3379"There, there." Olwen pulls Eleri into a tight hug and she calms down. "None of this is your fault, and the person whose fault it is" - she gives you a pointed glare - "is going to take responsibility for his womanizing ways."
3380
3381"Olwen, please stop saying misleading things," you say. "I believe you're quite aware that I'm not a womanizer."
3382
3383Her eyes burn with the hatred of a thousand exploding suns. In hindsight, you probably shouldn't have said that. 
3384
3385"Yes, and I'm reminded of it every day for fifteen minutes to an hour," Olwen says. "It doesn't make things any better."
3386
3387"Do I want to know?" Reagan asks.
3388
3389"No, probably not," you say. "Anyway, Eleri, you don't need to worry about this or anything that comes of it. I'll be sure to smooth things out." 
3390
3391"It's the least he can do for a woman's sake," Myrddin says. He gives you your rapier, which is still in its sheath. You have no idea how he could have gotten it so fast. "There you go. Try not to embarrass yourself. I'll be taking care of the bets."
3392
3393"Always glad for your services, Myrddin." 
3394
3395You attach your sword to your sash and walk out to the courtyard where your opponent is waiting. Olwen and Reagan follow you while supporting Eleri. 
3396
3397Lord Cradyff has his own rapier drawn. It's enchanted, but you can't tell how just at a glance.
3398
3399"So you have come," Lord Cradyff says. "I almost feared you would renege on your promise. Know that while duels of this kind traditionally end at first blood, accidents do happen."
3400
3401"Oh, you have those here too?" You here Reagan ask. 
3402
3403Your opponent raises his sword in a salute and you do the same.
3404
3405>[Enchantment/1d6] Try to figure out what his weapon does. 
3406>[Military/1d8] Shatter his eardrums. It'll knock him right out if you do it right. 
3407>[Military/1d10] Just take him out traditionally. No need to drag this out.
3408>[Military/1d12] Let him have one hit. It'll make you look manlier.
3409
3410-omitted one small post.
3411
3412-------------------------
3413
3414>>13623
3415You knock away the tip of Cadryff's sword and lunge. He falters for a moment before raising his weapon back into a defensive position. He tries to riposte, but you twist your blade around his thrust to point it at his chin and force him to back off. 
3416
3417You don't want to exert yourself more than you have to, but you're not going to let this drag out either. Using Rhithcan's enchantments, you hide the size and angle of the blade and launch quick attacks at Cadryff, hoping one of them will create an opening in his defense that you can exploit.
3418
3419>Roll 1d10, best of three.
3420
3421-------------------------
3422
3423>>13780
3424You maintain your offensive. Cadryff does his best to keep up, but it's clear he is badly outmatched. His stance is slowly collapsing, and he's running out of space to fight with. It's just a matter of time before he slips and you can score a point off him. 
3425
3426Suddenly, Cadryff's sword catches power. It's a neat trick, but it's also a very popular trick. You've seen it many, many times, and you know how to deal with it. You shift your body back and extend your arm to hold the flaming weapon at bay. 
3427
3428You can tell by Cadryff's footwork that he's about to disengage in order to reposition himself and stabilize his stance. His sword will be out of place for a fraction of a second; that's the opening you've been waiting for. 
3429
3430>[Military/1d8] Try to disarm him.
3431>[Military/1d10] Aim for a cut at his forearm.
3432
3433-------------------------
3434
3435>>13845
3436Angry people make poor decisions, and this kid hasn't exactly been a genius thus far tonight. If you just put a scratch on him, he might force you into a life and death battle, but if you knock his sword away, he won't have a choice but to surrender. 
3437
3438Cadryff's sword wavers for a instant. You charge forward and lock your guard against his. He's holding his ground, but he's forced to put a lot of pressure on his ankles. The pain must be excruciating. 
3439
3440This is your chance to end this.
3441
3442>Roll 1d8, best of three.
3443
3444-------------------------
3445
3446>>14019
3447You twist your wrist and give a slight upward push. Cadryff tries to match the strange movement and ends up with his elbow and wrist bent at an odd angle. His face is contorted with pain. He's trying to force you back, but he just doesn't have the leverage. 
3448
3449In the end, he's forced to drop his sword. You kick it away as soon as you can to avoid getting your pants set on fire. Cadryff blankly stares at his sword as it flies away and falls to his knees, defeated.
3450
3451"I… I lost… Why… I just wanted to impress…"
3452
3453All around you, nobles are exchanging small sums of money. It seems none of them were stupid enough to bet against you in large sums. Myrddin himself collects more than a few purses. 
3454
3455As you turn around and walk away, your opponent calls out to you.
3456
3457"You… who are you?"
3458
3459>"I'm the prince."
3460>"I'm just a guy who's good with a sword."
3461>"I'm just a guy who solves problems."
3462
3463-------------------------
3464
3465>>14110
3466You answer without even bothering to turn around and look at the guy. 
3467
3468" I am Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, son of King Gerad auk Gwyrren, the Victorious Prince, and second in line for the throne of Gwyrddarfordir."
3469
3470You expect some sort of apology, or pleas for forgiveness and mercy. You get something else entirely.
3471
3472"But… that's impossible! Prince Meirion is supposed to be seven feet tall! He wears armour made of bone, and his sword is covered with a hundred layers of dry blood!
3473
3474What.
3475
3476That's not even.
3477
3478Motherfucking.
3479
3480What.
3481
3482An awkward silence falls upon the spectators. It's immediately broken when Olwen points at you and laughs so hard it almost looks like her sides are going to explode out of her body. You suppress your twitching brow and keep walking forward. 
3483
3484"Seven feet? HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
3485
3486Yeah, she's going to be doing that for a while. 
3487
3488"Uhm, your highness…" Eleri shuffles uncomfortably and avoids your gaze. "About…"
3489
3490"Don't worry about it." You shake your head and cut her off before things become even more awkward. "There's no need for excessive formalities at an event like this."
3491
3492"If you say so," Eleri says. "Although, this does feel quite… fantastic. Magical, even. I never thought I'd be in this kind of situation outside one of my father's plays. I wonder if that makes me a princess now?" 
3493
3494"I'm so glad you're enthusiastic about your prospects!" Myrddin says as he walks up to you. "Fortunately, while royal titles are carefully regulated, a woman of your talents has several options -"
3495
3496You cut Myrddin off with a sharp elbow strike to the ribs and knock the wind out of him before he really gets started.
3497
3498"I'm afraid we need to go now," you say. "Will you be all right?" 
3499
3500"Yes, thank you, your highness," Eleri says. "It's been a pleasure."
3501
3502>"Likewise."
3503>"Please let me know if you need anything."
3504>"I hope we can do this again sometime. Without the duel, I mean."
3505
3506-------------------------
3507
3508>>14409
3509"Likewise," you say. "Come on, Olwen. Let's get you back home before you laugh yourself into asphyxiation. Myrddin, don't say anything else." 
3510
3511You pull your two advisors along and leave the party is quietly as possible. Nimue helps you carry Myrddin back to the carriage; he's having trouble breathing. 
3512
3513"I must say, this evening was quite pleasant, even with the complications," Reagan says. "It's a shame I have to leave tomorrow."
3514
3515"I'm sure you'll have a chance to come back," you say. "Official visits and all that. Hopefully, the circumstances will be better."
3516
3517"I'll do what I can to keep myself in the meantime," Reagan says.
3518
3519"Do try to avoid further 'accidents,'" you say. "People are already talking."
3520
3521"That is the point."
3522
3523You take the carriage back to the castle and return to your chambers. Reagan and Olwen can turn in early, but you're stuck sitting at your desk until Myrddin brings you news of the attempted robbery. 
3524
3525You wait. 
3526
3527And wait. 
3528
3529And keep waiting. 
3530
3531After a suspicious amount of time, Myrddin carefully pushes your door open and peeks through the crack.
3532
3533"Your highness, I'm afraid there's a problem."
3534
3535>"I'm sure it can't be that bad."
3536>"Of course there is. What is it this time?"
3537>"All right, what is it and how do we deal with it?"
3538
3539-------------------------
3540
3541>>14583
3542"Of course there is," you say. "What is it this time?"
3543
3544Myrddin closes the door and sits in front of you. You both steeple your fingers and stare at each other. 
3545
3546"The Haearnty seal wasn't at your uncle's home," Myrddin says. 
3547
3548"Do we know where it is?" You ask.
3549
3550"It's being sold at a black market auction tomorrow night," Myrddin says. "One of my guys overheard the guards talking about it. They didn't say anything specific - they probably don't know the details themselves - but the thieves were able to put it together."
3551
3552"That's impossible," you say. "He would have planned that far in advance. If he knew that much money was coming in, he wouldn't have been willing to sell that forest to me just to get rid of it. He would have hired more guards."
3553
3554"It's possible if he needs to spend money on something so expensive that he absolutely can't afford to squander his coin on any additional expenses," Myrddin says. 
3555
3556"So my uncle is planning something very big and very, very expensive," you say. "Do we know what?" 
3557
3558"No," Myrddin says. "It hasn't made any ripples yet."
3559
3560"We're going to need a bigger net," you say. "We've been dealing with threats before they pose a problem, but we're starting to run out of slack."
3561
3562As impractical as it is to get reports on every little thing, your spy networks' limitations are starting to cause serious problems. If your uncle needs that much money, you should be told about it before he even starts raising funds.
3563
3564Myrddin shrugs. "There's only so much we can do with your current resources," he says. "But we will come back to that later. For now, we need to focus on getting the seal back. In the meantime, I'll have my people figure out what Prince Aled is up to."
3565
3566Raiding the auction - legally or otherwise - isn't an option. The security will be tight, and the people involved might run away with the seal at the first sign of trouble. You'll have to get it the old-fashioned way.
3567
3568>"Fine, we'll just buy the damn seal and get it over with."
3569>"I'll see if I can find a way to manipulate the bids in our favour."
3570
3571-------------------------
3572
3573>>14798
3574"I'll see if I can manipulate the bids in our favour, at least."
3575
3576"That's a quick way to go bankrupt."
3577
3578"I know," you say. "But all it takes is one or two bids here and there to drive the prices up. If I do it right, everyone else will run out of money before the seal comes up and we'll be able to get it for cheap."
3579
3580"So long as you're careful," Myrddin says. "And remember to bring your money with you. Those place don't take credit."
3581
3582"I'm familiar with illegal auctions, Myrddin," you say. "We've run several ourselves."
3583
3584"There's no such thing as being too cautious."
3585
3586Myrddin leaves, and you turn the lights off to get a few hours of sleep. It's not enough to feel satisfying and comfortable, but you wake up the next morning rested enough to get the job done. 
3587
3588The first order of business is to see Reagan off. You've also received word that your sister has finally returned from her voyage at sea, but it'll take her some time to get her ships back into port and sorted out. You'll have plenty of time to greet her later.
3589
3590Reagan sits in her carriage, surrounded by heavily-armed guards. You wonder how she's going to get herself back to Olstren safely, but you trust her judgment.
3591
3592"I wanted to thank you one last time before I left," Reagan says. "I don't have such pleasant days very often."
3593
3594"It was the least I could to make up for your loss," you say.
3595
3596"Are you sure you couldn't do just a little more?"
3597
3598She leans off the side of the carriage and brings her face closer to yours.
3599
3600>"Sadly, I can't. Farewell, your highness."
3601>Kiss her cheek.
3602>Kiss her hand.
3603
3604-------------------------
3605
3606>>14943
3607You gently take her hand and kiss it. It's not what she wanted, but it's close enough and it doesn't violate the standards of propriety. Besides, she's still blushing.
3608
3609"I suppose that does count as a little more, even if it is too literal for my taste," Reagan says. "Goodbye, your highness. I'll try to visit again as soon as possible."
3610
3611"I expect the Crown Prince will be marrying fairly soon," you say. "That should give you an excuse."
3612
3613You haven't had time, to look into your older brother's mystery lover, what with all the other fires you had to put out, but there haven't been any problems either, and that's always a good sign."
3614
3615"That sounds lovely," Reagan says. "I'll look forward to it."
3616
3617You watch Reagan's carriage as it departs. That's one less thing you need to worry about it. Now you just need to deal with your sister, your brother, your uncle, your father, that illegal auction, and those merchants. You really hope they won't lose their patience with you.
3618
3619-------------------------
3620
3621>>15029
3622It's a bit earlier than I'd like, but that's my cutoff point for today's material. The next thread will be Sunday May 1st at around 7PM EDT. You can check twitter for the announcement. I will most probably be running on /qst/ again. 
3623
3624So far, I've got a pretty positive impression of this board. You guys were great and I think the thread was actually a little more active than it usually is over on /tg/. I guess I'll stick with the trial run, at least. 
3625
3626This thread will probably autosage before the next one and I don't want to mix old threads with new ones right now anyway, but I will check this thread every now and then in case anyone has questions. 
3627
3628I'll see you next time. Thank you and good night.
3629
3630-------------------------
3631
3632>>15158
3633>>15251
3634Actually, I thought the autosaging was still set for 48 hours, but it's actually 72, so this thread would still be there by Sunday. I'll think about whether or not I should keep it or start a new one.
3635
3636==== END THREAD ====
3637
3638Beleaguered Prince Quest
3639written by BeleagueredQM (22 posts, 2 omitted posts)
3640-------- qst2txt --------
3641
3642Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
3643Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
3644Threads 1-10: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
3645Threads 11+: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
3646===============
3647
3648You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
3649
3650You stand at the docks alongside an elaborate escort - guards, servants, flags, the whole ensemble - to welcome your sister Nesta back to the capital. Under your gaze - and the gaze of the gawkers who came by to watch the show - royal marines march a line of captured pirates off the ship and into the carriages which will take them to their proper punishment. 
3651
3652On the ship's deck, your sister leans on her sword and oversees the proceedings. 
3653
3654"Let it be known that this shall be the fate of all those who stand against justice and who dare to harm the people Gwyrddarfordir!" Nesta's voice resounds throughout the docks and receive a swell of applause. 
3655
3656The marines drag the prisoners away and the ship's crew steps off the ship so the dockworkers can take care of the necessary maintenance. 
3657
3658"Welcome back, sister," you say. "How was your trip?"
3659
3660"It was but a trivial matter!" Nesta plants her hands on her hips and beams proudly. Then she looks at your face and frowns a little. "Meirion, are you sick? Your face looks miserable."
3661
3662"I've been busy," you say. "Lots of work to do in very little time and all that." 
3663
3664"You should take better care of yourself," Nesta says. "You're the youngest, so you can trust our royal brother and I to look after things!"
3665
3666If only that were true. 
3667
3668>"I'll take that under advisement."
3669>"No, if anything, you should be the ones to take a break."
3670>"Let's just go see father."
3671
3672-------------------------
3673
3674Okay, so the crowd's a bit small. That's not unusual at the start of the thread, but since /qst/ is still a trial for me as well, I'll keep an eye out on participation in case I decide it's better to reschedule. In the meantime, I'll keep going to see if things pick up.
3675
3676-------------------------
3677
3678"I'll take that under advisement," you say, "but if anything, you're the one who should be taking a break."
3679
3680"I won't waste time on such things!" Nesta says confidently. "The life of a royal should be devoted to battle and glory! It would be an insult to your great ancestors if I rested!" 
3681
3682"If you say so."
3683
3684You return to the palace alongside your escort. Your father's audience chamber is emptied once he learns of your sister's return. The various unrelated courtiers leave, while high-ranking military advisers arrive to here your sister's report. Myrddin and Olwen arrive as well. They stand next to you in the back of the room while Nesta steps before the king. 
3685
3686"At least she made it back in one piece," Olwen says.
3687
3688"Indeed," Myrddin says. "It would have caused such a headache if she had gotten injured or died."
3689
3690"Let's just take comfort in the fact that things turned out alright instead of thinking about how they could have gone wrong," you say. "Good news is hard enough to come by these days."
3691
3692"My daughter!" King Gerad laughs boisterously and beckons his daughter forward. "Tell me, how did your mission go?"
3693
3694"Royal father, I completed my task without problem," Nesta says. "The pirates have either been killed or arrested. The people shall be plagued no more!"
3695
3696"Excellent!" The king laughs once more. "It seems sending you really was the correct choice. This calls for a celebration!" 
3697
3698"Indeed, I believe we both have reason to celebrate," Prince Haul says. "Father, with your permission, I have an announcement to make."
3699
3700"Oh?" The king turns towards the Crown Prince and raises an eyebrow. "What is it?" 
3701
3702It seems the Crown Prince has decided to publicize his lady love's existence. He must have waited until Nesta returned. 
3703
3704"So we'll finally see the truth of this mystery," Myrddin says. "I must say, it has been bothering me for some time."
3705
3706>"I can already tell this is going to be a disaster."
3707>"So long as my brother's happy, we'll find a way to deal with the consequences."
3708>"I doubt it'll change things around here much."
3709
3710-------------------------
3711
3712>>33782
3713"So long as my brother's happy, we'll find a way to deal with the consequences," you say.
3714
3715"Of course we will," Myrddin says. "In fact, you could start by -"
3716
3717"Don't you dare finish that sentence, Myrddin," you say. "I will end you."
3718
3719Prince Haul stands before the court and bows. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce that I intend to be married soon." A maid shyly steps out of the audience, and Haul wraps an arm around her. She blushes bright red at his touch. "This Mair, the love of my life. She has been my friend and companion for many years, and I wish to announce to all that I will make her my legal wife."
3720
3721There are whispers and murmurs throughout the court. Nesta looks up at Prince Haul with unadulterated admiration, while your uncle chortles and smiles greedily; with the Crown Prince marrying a commoner, his position is now much more secure. The king loudly claps his hands to quiet the people down. 
3722
3723"Good, good! This is truly a joyous occasion! We must prepare a grand ceremony for the marriage of the Crown Prince!" 
3724
3725Prince Haul shakes his head immediately. "Father, we have no need for such a thing. A simple ceremony will be more than enough."
3726
3727Oh, he thinks the wedding is for him and his lover. That's adorable. He's adorable. 
3728
3729No, the marriage is for you, and possibly Nesta, if she feels like finding a husband of her own. Royal weddings are one of the few occasions where all the important nobles from Gwyrddarfordir and its neighbours can meet, talk and negotiate. They're prime opportunities for trade and diplomacy, and they're useful to help the Crown Prince's younger siblings find marriage prospects of their own. 
3730
3731In fact, Myrddin is positively seething at Prince Haul's comments. He's grinding his teeth so loudly you can hear it and his hands are clenched into fists of rage. 
3732
3733Myrddin's a bit of a busybody, but you can understand his feelings this time. A wedding is an extremely important state event. 
3734
3735>[Sovereign/1d8] "Your highness, weddings are rare occasions. There needs to be a grand celebration."
3736>[Sovereign/1d10] "Your highness, I can at least arrange for a small celebration. The two of you deserve at least that much."
3737>"I suppose we might as well skip the celebrations."
3738
3739-------------------------
3740
3741>>34178
3742"Your highness, weddings are rare occasions," you say. "We should hold a grand ceremony. It would be disrespectful to our people, our vassals and our peers if we snubbed them like this."
3743
3744The king rubs his chin and thinks about your words. "That is true," he says. "I know your mother would like to come, and it has been too many years since I've seen her." 
3745
3746"Besides, it's traditional for the Crown Prince to take over the kingdom's major functions," you add. "The wedding preparations could give you the time you need to prepare and facilitate the transition."
3747
3748>Roll 1d8, best of three.
3749
3750-------------------------
3751
3752>>34418
3753"If you put it that way, a wedding does sound like a good idea," Prince Haul says. "Very well, we shall proceed with a celebration. I would like to give mother an excuse to come visit."
3754
3755"It's settled then," King Gerad says. "I'll arrange for the grandest wedding in the kingdom's history for my eldest son! Hahahahaha!"
3756
3757The advisers offer their congratulations to Prince Haul and his soon-to-be wife, as well as to Nesta for a successful campaign. She doesn't seem the least bit upset that her return has been overshadowed. If anything, she's quite pleased that Prince Haul waited for her to return before making his announcement. 
3758
3759"Brother, congratulations," you say. "I was starting to think it was time for you to get married."
3760
3761"Ah, Meirion." Prince Haul smiles and clasps you on the shoulder. "Now that I'm becoming a responsible adult, Nesta and you are next. Speaking of which, I heard so rumours…."
3762
3763Your smile stiffens.
3764
3765"What rumours?" 
3766
3767"Something about you fighting a duel over a woman." Your brother looks at you seriously. "Meirion, you need to be careful about how you act. You can't be irresponsible about some things. No matter what, a man shouldn't play with a woman's heart."
3768
3769>Smile and nod. Smile and nod. 
3770>"No, it wasn't like that at all."
3771>"… I'll take that under advisement."
3772
3773-------------------------
3774
3775>>34588
3776"… I'll take that under advisement."
3777
3778You disengage and perform a swift tactical retreat. Prince Haul has plenty of other people to keep him busy anyway. You won't be missed.
3779
3780"That went surprisingly well," Myrddin says. "That wedding will certainly come in useful for my plans."
3781
3782"So long as you remember they're supposed to be my plans, Myrddin," you say.
3783
3784"It's a team effort," Myrddin says.
3785
3786"In any case, we have other problems to deal with," Olwen says. "That seal of nobility?" 
3787
3788"It's being sold for auction tonight," Myrddin says. "We'll join the crowd and buy it. There's no other way."
3789
3790"None that won't make too much of a mess anyway," you say. "We'll bring all the money I can spare and go under disguise."
3791
3792"Very well, let me know when we're leaving," Olwen says. "I have some work to do."
3793
3794To be exact, you all have work to take care of. You spend most of the day reading and signing documents. Fortunately, there are no problems that require your personal attention. 
3795
3796At sunset, Myrddin and Olwen arrive. You put on blank masks and plain cloaks and leave to the auction house. Myrddin shows the guards a token and they wave you in. 
3797
3798The auction is taking place in the basement of a luxury clothing store which belongs to your uncle. There is a small crowd, but it is heavily guarded. After all, all transactions must be made in cold, hard coin to protect everyone's anonymity. It's ridiculously heavy, but you don't have a choice in the matter. You sit at an inconspicuous spot in the middle of the room. 
3799
3800"How confident are you about this?" Myrddin asks. 
3801
3802"Relax, I know what I'm doing."
3803
3804Your goal here is simple. You need to drive up the bids and make the other guests spend as much money as possible. That'll make it easier for you to purchase to Haearnty seal of nobility when it does come up. 
3805
3806The auction begins without any of the usual fanfare. A middle-aged man wearing plain black clothes and a simple velvet masks steps up on the stage and unveils an enchanted sword. 
3807
3808"A sword with an ice enchantment," the auctioneer says in a voice utterly devoid of enthusiasm. "Bids begin at 1000."
3809
3810It looks like you'll have to do his work for him on top of everything else. 
3811
3812>[Intrigue/1d8] Make a sudden large bid to drive the price up quickly. 
3813>[Merchant/1d8] Use small, incremental bids to subtly increase the price. 
3814>[Enchantment/1d6] Make some positive comments about the sword's enchantment to drive up interest.
3815
3816-------------------------
3817
3818>>35048
3819There's a psychology to auctions. So long as the price only goes up by a little, meeting the new bid just costs a little bit more. The trick is to make that little bit add up to a large amount. It's a lot like stoking a campfire. 
3820
3821You let the other customers get into it first. Whenever it seems as if the bidding is about to stop, you raise your hand to keep things going. 
3822
3823>Roll 1d8, best of three.
3824
3825-------------------------
3826
3827>>35316
3828You quietly manipulate the auction as the price doubles, then triples. No one seems to notice anything wrong. It'd be different if someone put their foot down and made a large bid, but that won't happen for something as insignificant as an enchanted sword. 
3829
3830As the auction proceeds, the bidders start to drop out. That tells you who's wealthy, and who's just rich. The former might make credible bids for the seal of nobility, but the latter won't, so it's extremely useful information to have. 
3831
3832The bids stop after they reach five times the sword's original price. If the auctioneer is happy, he's not showing it. 
3833
3834"You're off to a good start," Myrddin says. 
3835
3836"This is just the beginning," you say. "We still have a few more."
3837
3838The auctioneer removes the enchanted sword and replaces it with a luxurious - and absolutely immense - tapestry. 
3839
3840"This tapestry was imported from Parlan," the auctioneer says. "It was made by the royal weavers, and it is one of a kind. Bidding starts at ten thousand."
3841
3842>[Merchant/1d8] Keep going with smaller bids.
3843>[Intrigue/1d8] Up the price - and the interest - with a sudden large bid. 
3844>[Dilettante/1d8] Comment on the tapestry's cultural significance.
3845
3846-------------------------
3847
3848>>35481
3849"The royal weavers, eh?" You speak just loud enough for the other guests to hear you. "Look at the white and blue thread along the border. This is one of the sacred tapestries; they're made by the three best weavers of any given generation. They're only made once every twenty years. Even the Caliph only has three in his palace, and one of them is on loan."
3850
3851You raise your hand to make a bid. The other guests are certain to take notice of your words.
3852
3853>Roll 1d8, best of three.
3854
3855-------------------------
3856
3857>>35790
3858Your comments drive the bidding into a frenzy. If the mighty Caliph of Parlan only has three of these tapestries, how much would they be worth in Gwyrddarfordir?
3859
3860The price quickly doubles, then triples. The guests try to use massive surges to force the competition out, but it doesn't work the least. You keep up with the bids to maintain the appearance of interest, but drop out once the price is multiplied by five. Even then, the bids keep coming until the winning bid outweighs the original price by a factor of ten and then some. 
3861
3862"And sold." The auctioneer pounds the table with his gavel. "Our next item is an original copy of King Iwan auk Gwyrren's war journals. The bidding begins at twenty thousand."
3863
3864"Damn, your uncle must be really desperate for money if he's selling that," Olwen says. "It's almost a family heirloom."
3865
3866You've memorized a copy of the journals, of course, but the original should be worth a fortune. King Iwan was the one to introduce professional soldiers and standing armies to Gwyrddarfordir several generations ago. The historical value of his war journal is incalculable, and while many of the tactics and strategies it contains are obsolete, its fundamental theory is still sound. 
3867
3868>[Merchant/1d8] Go for small bids again. 
3869>[Intrigue/1d8] Drop a large bid. 
3870>[Military/1d10] Talk about the war journal's significance.
3871
3872-------------------------
3873
3874>>36010
3875People will become suspicious if you make comments about every item that comes up for auction. It's best to go back to basics, at least for this round. You raise your hand to incrementally increase the bid and, hopefully, bloat it into an absurd amount of money.
3876
3877>Roll 1d8, best of three.
3878
3879-------------------------
3880
3881>>36225
3882You calculate your bids to get the final price as high as possible. It's a little more difficult this time; the guests know how much this journal is worth, so there are some sudden jumps. However, you keep up with the bids and push them higher and higher until it becomes nigh-unaffordable. The auctioneer strikes the table once more when the bidding stops.
3883
3884"Sold," the auctioneer says. "Now, we move on to our final item of the night. This is the seal of nobility House Haearnty. Bidding starts at a hundred thousand gold."
3885
3886The customers mumble in displeasure. This is what they were waiting for - even if they are nobles themselves, it's always useful to have some sort of plausible deniability - but thanks to your efforts, they're left significantly poorer. Unless something goes horribly wrong, you have this in the bag. You just need to decide your strategy.
3887
3888>[Merchant/1d8] Try to keep the bidding as low as possible. 
3889>[Merchant/1d10] Just go with the flow.
3890>[Merchant/1d12] Spend as much money as necessary.
3891
3892-omitted one small post.
3893
3894-------------------------
3895
3896>>36374
3897This is your uncle's fundraiser, and you don't want him to raise any funds. You'll have to do your best to keep the bidding as low as possible. In most cases, that means one massive bid that the other guests won't be able to match, but you can't go too high or too low without screwing yourself over.
3898
3899>Roll 1d8, best of three.
3900
3901-------------------------
3902
3903>>36729
3904Crits are only on 10+. I wanted mechanics that gave the players more control. Lower dice give you more XP, but higher dice area easier and can give you crits, which can make your future rolls easier. In straight d20, crits are just random, but with this system, they're a tactical option.
3905
3906-------------------------
3907
3908>>36812
3909It's in the pastebin. I probably should have mentioned it specifically when I moved over to /qst/, but I wasn't sure how much information I should put up. I didn't want to overload people with pointless stuff, so I just listed the basics.
3910
3911-------------------------
3912
3913>>36637
3914You let a few small bids go by and then drop a massive increase on everyone's heads. You can tell the other guests are all sweating. They want the seal, but they don't have much money left. They throw in a few other bids, but you slam them down immediately. 
3915
3916In the end, the price of the seal didn't even double. Although the other items sold at higher than expected prices, you estimate that, overall, your uncle suffered a loss. Oh, he still made plenty of money, but not as much as he could have made if you hadn't interfered. It might only be a drop in the bucket, but it's still a worthy effort on your part. 
3917
3918You quickly pay the auctioneer and confirm the seal is indeed real. You leave the auction house and return to the palace as quickly as possible. Olwen keeps a hand on her sword's hilt just in case, but you don't encounter any problems. 
3919
3920You put the seal under your people. It takes you a few hours to go to sleep and when you wake up, it feels as if you hadn't slept at all. You change into your more casual clothes and meet Myrddin and Olwen outside your room. 
3921
3922"I sent a messenger ahead," Myrddin says. "They'll be expecting us."
3923
3924"Let's get this over with then," you say. 
3925
3926Ceri and Esyllt agreed to meet you for breakfast in a small teahouse. They try to hide how pleased they are to see you, but Ceri does a poor job of hiding it. You sit at their table and slide both the deed of the forest and the box containing House Haearnty's seal over to them.
3927
3928"The deed of ownership to one forest, as well as the seal of nobility of House Haearnty," you say. "Just as promised."
3929
3930"Thank you, your highness," Ceri says. She opens the box to check the seal and immediately puts in out of sight in one of her pockets. "I believe this is a sufficient demonstration of your good will."
3931
3932"We'll find some way to make use of the forest, and House Haearnty's cooperation will make things much easier for us in the future," Esyllt says. "For the sake of the kingdom's stability and our profits, we promise not to cause trouble for the royal family so long as our relationship remains mutually beneficial." 
3933
3934"If there's anything we can do to help you, please let us know," Ceri says.
3935
3936>"I'll keep that in mind, thank you."
3937>[Intrigue/1d8] "I could use your help to investigate Prince Aled. He needs money for something, but I don't know what."
3938
3939-------------------------
3940
3941>>36857
3942I'm not too sure yet. It'll probably depend on the skill. The major advantage of leveling Merchant is that you can manage economies on a larger scale rather than just your (extensive) personal funds, but there are some plot points that need to happen before you can really get into that. 
3943
3944It's the same thing for Intrigue and Military. You can control an army of thousands if you need to, but it just hasn't come up yet.
3945
3946-------------------------
3947
3948>>36888
3949"There is something you could help me with," you say. "I bought that seal at an auction, but Prince Aled wouldn't have sold it unless he really needed the money. He's up to something, but I don't know what, and I need to find out."
3950
3951The two women look at each other.
3952
3953"That should be possible," Ceri says. 
3954
3955"If he's moving large amounts of coin, we'll hear about it somehow," Esyllt says. "I'll ask around and see what our people know."
3956
3957"Thanks for the help," Myrddin says. "I'll have someone keep in touch."
3958
3959"I hope we can conduct further business together in the future," you say.
3960
3961You take your leave of Ceri and Esyllt and return to the palace while they and Myrddin's people investigate your uncle. Fortunately, it's still pretty quiet. There is some noise because of the Crown Prince's upcoming wedding, but it's all preliminary, and it's not like any of it poses a thread to the kingdom. 
3962
3963>Roll 1d8, best of three. Since the difficulty is artificially increased because of that crit fail you're still carrying, you'll get 7XP if you pass.
3964
3965-------------------------
3966
3967>>37039
3968You're not too surprise when Myrddin knocks on your door and pushes it open. You're not surprised when you see his face looks like he's just returned from a funeral. He looks even worse than he did when he told you his people hadn't been able to steal the seal. 
3969
3970"How bad?" You ask.
3971
3972"Bad," Myrddin says. "Prince Aled's been buying weapons, horses, medicines, non-perishable foods, and mercenaries. It's all in small amounts, and it's all done through surrogates, but between my spies and Esyllt's, we were able to put it together."
3973
3974"So he's building an army," you say. "Do you think he's preparing for a civil war?"
3975
3976"Yes, but not one in Gwyrddarfordir," Myrddin says. "He's been sending people to the Rosean border. It's not enough for an invasion, but it is enough to back a side in a hypothetical Rosean power struggle."
3977
3978"And that would give him foreign support later on if he tries to claim my father's crown for himself," you say. "Do you have any news about the situation in Rosea?"
3979
3980"I know who the factions are, but none of the specifics," Myrddin says. "From what I know, Prince Aled has some ties with a Rosean prince born from the king's second wife. His tie to the throne is weaker, so he might be going to war against the competition."
3981
3982Rosea's far, but not that far. If you put together an army of your own, you could go to Rosea yourself and oppose your uncle's plans. You should be able to make it back with plenty of time to spare before your brother's wedding.
3983
3984>"Rosea's politics aren't my concern at the moment."
3985>"Let's go to Rosea and see what my uncle's up to."
3986
3987-omitted one small post.
3988
3989-------------------------
3990
3991>>37197
3992"Let's go to Rosea and see what my uncle's up to," you say. "We've already interfered with Olstren's internal matters. One more kingdom won't hurt."
3993
3994"Should I plan a trip to Svekka, just in case?" Myrddin asks. 
3995
3996"Not until after my brother's wedding, at the very least," you say. "For now, focus on Rosea." 
3997
3998"We'll be at a disadvantage," Myrddin says. "We'll need some time to make our own preparations, and we won't be able to move openly."
3999
4000"We'll plan accordingly," you say. "If my uncle's planning trouble, there's bound for us to be a chance for us to insert ourselves into the conflict. For now, go get Olwen. I'll need her advice on strategy. A report on Rosea would be useful as well."
4001
4002"Yes, your highness."
4003
4004You want to stop whatever it is your uncle's planning, but your priority is, and has always been, the kingdom's stability. If you can find a way to drum up support for yourself while you're there, you certainly won't pass it up.
4005
4006-------------------------
4007
4008>>37361
4009And that's all for today. The complications from that critfail got you a night at the auction house and a foreign civil war, but overall, it's not a bad deal. You certainly got a nice chunk of XP out of it, at least.
4010
4011It took some time to get the thread warmed up, but overall, I feel pretty good about the level of participation, so thanks for coming. The next thread will be Friday, May 6th at 7PM EDT. I'll see you all then.
4012
4013==== END THREAD ====
4014
4015Beleaguered Prince Quest
4016written by BeleagueredQM (19 posts, 6 omitted posts)
4017-------- qst2txt --------
4018
4019Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
4020Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
4021
4022Threads 1-10: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
4023
4024Threads 11+: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
4025
4026===============
4027
4028You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
4029
4030You have recently learned that your uncle is sending mercenaries and other armed forces to the neighbouring kingdom of Rosea. You're not sure what he's planning, but it seems likely that he's going to support one of his allies or connections in some sort of internal conflict. Although what happens in Rosea isn't any concern of yours, you can't allow their internal affairs to benefit your uncle, so now you're getting ready to deal with yet another problem of rather significant proportion. 
4031
4032"The first order of business is to decide how many soldiers we should bring," Myrddin says. "We'll need some kind of military force if we want to be effective."
4033
4034"If we pose as a small mercenary company, we'll need at least a hundred men," Olwen says. "Anything less, and we won't be able to accomplish anything. Honestly, a thousand men would be best."
4035
4036"The problem is time," Myrddin says. "Getting supplies for a hundred soldiers isn't too difficult, but arming a thousand would be challenging."
4037
4038"But we can do it if we have to," you say.
4039
4040"Oh, it is possible," Olwen says. "But if the slightest thing goes wrong, it would be very bad for us later on."
4041
4042>"We'll settle for a hundred men."
4043>"Five hundred men will be enough."
4044>"We need a proper army. We'll get those thousand soldiers somehow."
4045
4046-------------------------
4047
4048>>76262
4049"Five hundred men will be enough," you say. "It's a nice middle. We need to get moving as soon as possible, but a hundred is too few."
4050
4051"Even cutting down the number of men to five hundred will take a lot of the pressure off." Myrddin says. "Should we take care of the recruitment first, or the supplies?" 
4052
4053"Shouldn't we find our army before we outfit it?" Olwen asks.
4054
4055"Not necessarily," you say. "It would take longer to get the supplies than to find the soldiers, so getting started on that first might save us some time."
4056
4057"If we get our soldiers first, we'll have a better idea of what they need," Olwen says. "I don't want to give muskets to soldiers who only ever fought as infantry."
4058
4059"That goes both ways though," Myrddin says. "We can recruit according to our equipment."
4060
4061"I suppose that is one way to look at it." Olwen shrugs. In any case, the decision is up to you.
4062
4063>"We'll recruit the soldiers first."
4064>"We'll acquire the equipment first."
4065
4066-------------------------
4067
4068>>76511
4069"We'll acquire the equipment first," you say. "That'll be the difficult part. As long as we have money, we'll find people willing to fight." 
4070
4071"We'll need weapons, armour, horses, alchemical supplies for recovery and healing, food, clothes…" Olwen lists off everything you'll need to keep your army in fighting condition. "We'll also need basic supplies for repairs and such."
4072
4073"For once, your charm will be useful for something." Myrddin smirks. "We should get most of the mundane supplies from your merchant friends, so that just leaves the enchantments and alchemical supplies."
4074
4075"The Caunys lands are known for their alchemy," you say, "and they'll want to keep a good relationship with me. So long as I don't ask for something unreasonable, they'll come through."
4076
4077"It would take time though," Myrddin says. "We'll have to send a messenger all the way to Caunys and wait for them to come back or meet us somewhere with the supplies. It'd be faster to deal with the Alchemists' Guild."
4078
4079"The Alchemists' Guild won't be inclined to give me a discount though," you say. "What about enchanted weapons?"
4080
4081"That… our options there are more limited," Myrddin says. "I'm afraid we'll have to deal with the Enchanters' Guild."
4082
4083"Not necessarily," Olwen says. "One of my family's vassals specializes in the trade of enchanted weapons. They might be able to help us with a bulk purchase."
4084
4085"House Hirbraich, right?" You ask.
4086
4087"That's the one."
4088
4089Hirbraich has a history of distinguished military service, and their standing army is one of the best in the kingdom. They won't move for you, but they might be willing to spare some weapons and armour.
4090
4091>[Merchant/1d8] "We'll get the alchemical supplies first. We'll contact House Caunys and home they can send supplies in time."
4092>"We'll get the alchemical supplies first. Let's meet with the Alchemists' Guild."
4093>"We'll get the arms and armour first. Arrange an appointment with the Enchanters' Guild."
4094>"We'll get the arms and armour first. Olwen, get in contact with House Hirbraich."
4095
4096-------------------------
4097
4098>>76822
4099"We'll start by contacting House Caunys," you say. "I'm assuming getting a messenger won't be a problem?" 
4100
4101"It never is," Myrddin says. "I'll make sure they're as fast and discreet as possible." 
4102
4103"Excellent."
4104
4105You take out a pen and some paper and write out your request to House Caunys. You start off with the usual pleasantries, and politely inquire if they could please send you some supplies as quickly as possible for what's a very reasonable sum, consider your status and the fact that this is a bulk order. You need to tie your purse strings at the moment, but you can't very well rob your own allies.
4106
4107>Roll 1d8, best of three.
4108
4109-------------------------
4110
4111>>76994
4112You send the letter off to House Caunys and hope it'll make it there and back in time. If it doesn't… well, you'll deal with that if it becomes a problem. 
4113
4114Now you just need to figure out how you're going to arm your troops. 
4115
4116The options are still the same. The Enchanters' Guild does this for a living, so to them, it's just another transaction. They'll give you preferential treatment because of your status, but they won't go out of their way to do you any favours. 
4117
4118House Hirbraich is the opposite. They'll be inclined to help you thanks to your personal connection via Olwen, but they don't produce arms the way the Enchanters' Guild does, and they have their own armed forces to look after. 
4119
4120Either option will give you what you want, but you'll have to be careful about how you ask for it.
4121
4122>Contact the Enchanters' Guild. 
4123>Contact House Hirbraich.
4124
4125-------------------------
4126
4127>>77127
4128"Olwen, how soon can you get in touch with House Hirbraich?" 
4129
4130"I can take care of it right away," Olwen says. "My friend Mererid is in Aurwain at the moment. You can deal with her?" 
4131
4132"You have friends?" Myrddin asks. 
4133
4134"Yes," Olwen says, "and unlike you, I don't have to pay them."
4135
4136"We can talk about friendship later," you say. "For now, I need to buy a large number of ones."
4137
4138"Yes, your highness."
4139
4140You leave Myrddin behind to handle some of the simple details. Olwen brings you to a small estate in the capital. The guards allow you to pass immediately, and a servant soon comes to escort you to the backyard. 
4141
4142"Olwen, it's a such a pleasure to see you again," your host says. "And it is an absolute delight to meet you at last, your highness."
4143
4144"Likewise."
4145
4146You've seen your host, Mererid auk Hirbraich, on several occasions, although you never had the opportunity to speak with her. You both sit down and she pours you some tea. 
4147
4148"I must regretfully assume this isn't a social visit," Mererid says. "But I'll be glad to assist you just the same. Tell me, what can I do for you?" 
4149
4150"We need weapons," Olwen says. "Enough for five hundred people, at least."
4151
4152"And I would prefer to take care of this quietly," you say. "It would cause problems if the wrong people found out."
4153
4154"That's certainly possible, depending on a few things," Mererid says. "Swords or muskets?"
4155
4156>[Merchant/1d8] "Muskets, along with ammunition." 
4157>[Merchant/1d10] "Both, preferably. I'd like something balanced."
4158>[Merchant/1d12] "I'd prefer swords. I don't need anything fancy."
4159
4160-omitted one small post.
4161
4162-------------------------
4163
4164>>77395
4165"I'd like something balanced, so both, preferably," you say. "I could use pikes instead of swords." 
4166
4167"That's quite a tall order," Mererid says. 
4168
4169"This isn't even the half of it," Olwen says. "After this, we'll have to find owners for all those weapons." 
4170
4171"We'll have to travel," you say, "so if it makes things easier, we can arrange for the weapons to be delivered elsewhere."
4172
4173"Let me think about that…"
4174
4175>Roll 1d10, best of three.
4176
4177-------------------------
4178
4179>>77605
4180"Very well, I think I can help you," Mererid says. "Of course, you'll need to provide proper compensation."
4181
4182"That won't be an issue," you say. "I'm not as wealthy as my father, but I do have regular streams of income." 
4183
4184"Oh, good," Mererid says. "I would have hated to trade on your highness' credit. It's such a crass thing to do. After all, the winds of fortune are ever-changing."
4185
4186"I'm well-aware," you say. "Accidents do happen."
4187
4188And sometimes, those accidents don't involve you raiding your uncle's lands to drive him off. 
4189
4190"There is one other thing to consider, however," Mererid says. 
4191
4192"What is it?" Olwen asks. 
4193
4194"I can give you used weapons right now if you want them," Mererid says. "If you'd like something new, I'm afraid it'll be slightly more expensive. I can offer you a discount, but still, there are costs to consider?" 
4195
4196"What's the difference in quality?" You ask.
4197
4198"Newer weapons will require less maintenance," Mererid says. "The muskets in particular should be more accurate and powerful. They're very needy when it comes to repairs. It shouldn't matter very much for the pikes though."
4199
4200>[Merchant/1d10] "I can afford new weapons. I'll save money in the long run."
4201>[Merchant/Autosuccess] "Used weapons will do. This is just a short-term project."
4202
4203-omitted one small post.
4204
4205-------------------------
4206
4207>>77720
4208"I can afford new weapons," you say. "I'll save money on maintenance in the long run anyway." 
4209
4210"Weapons are the one thing you don't want to be cheap with," Olwen says. 
4211
4212"That'll make things slightly more difficult, but…" Mererid opens a ledger and thumbs through the pages. "Let me see what I can do for you…"
4213
4214>Roll 1d10, best of three.
4215
4216-------------------------
4217
4218>>77903
4219"I can find you some new weapons," Mererid says. "I'll have to juggle our current orders a bit and find some excuses for our other clients, but we don't have any really pressing orders in our backlog."
4220
4221"Thanks for the help," you say. "I'm terribly sorry for the trouble."
4222
4223"It happens quite often," Mererid says. "We've learned to plan for it. We'll just say you owe me a favour."
4224
4225"I'm afraid that favour might have to wait," you say. "I'm quite busy at the moment."
4226
4227"Oh, I won't forget," Mererid says. "Now then, armour?" 
4228
4229"That would be nice," you say. "I'd prefer if my men didn't get killed after the first battle."
4230
4231"Armour is relatively straightforward," Mererid says. "You can emphasize mobility or defense, or you can balance it." 
4232
4233"It's not an exact trade-off," Olwen says. "Balanced armour won't provide, say, half the protection of armour that focuses on defense. It'll be a bit higher than that." 
4234
4235"It also means the cost will be greater," Mererid says. "Still, for quality, balanced armour is generally better unless you want specialized troops."
4236
4237>[Merchant/1d8] "I'll take the balanced armour."
4238>[Merchant/1d10] "I'd like armour that focuses on mobility."
4239>[Merchant/1d10] "I'd like armour that focuses on defense."
4240
4241-------------------------
4242
4243>>78058
4244"At this point, I might as well keep spending," you say. "I'll take the balanced armour."
4245
4246"Excellent choice, your highness," Mererid says. 
4247
4248"It's always nice to have more tactical options available," Olwen says. "Pike walls, fusillades, mobility, defense… Since we don't know what we're getting into, we should prepare for anything."
4249
4250"Expect the worst and all that," Mererid says. "I'll just need a moment to check if I can accommodate you."
4251
4252>Roll 1d8, best of three.
4253
4254-------------------------
4255
4256>>78295
4257Mererid checks her ledger and nods. 
4258
4259"Mixed muskets and pikes and armour for five hundred people. I'll have it all discreetly delivered within a day or two."
4260
4261"That fast?" You ask. "I'm not sure I can find the soldiers by then."
4262
4263"Half is to provide exemplary, half is to get it out of the way as quickly as possible so I can focus on making the necessary adjustments to our schedule," Mererid says.
4264
4265"Thanks, Mere," Olwen says. "You're lifesaver."
4266
4267"It does sound better than 'Merchant of Death.'" Mererid snorts. "So long as the kingdom requires arms, I'll do my best to provide." 
4268
4269"I'll be sure to call on you in the future when it's necessary," you say. As unfortunate is it is, there's no doubt in your mind that it will be necessary eventually. 
4270
4271"I'll keep that in mind if there are any developments in our business that might interest you," Mererid says. "Until then, goodbye, your highness."
4272
4273You take your leave of Mererid, confident that your army will be equipped with weapons of the highest quality. You still have some things to take care of, but at least you have one less weight on your shoulder.
4274
4275Your next stop as at one of Esyllt's offices. It's a simple but orderly place, and you can't help but notice that her chair is much more comfortable than the one she gives you. 
4276
4277"Welcome, your highness," Esyllt says. "I can more or less guess why you're here, but I'd like to confirm, just in case."
4278
4279"I need to outfit an army of five hundred," you say. "The enchanted and alchemical supplies have been dealt with, but I still need to find some mundane supplies. I was hoping you could help me."
4280
4281"It's a simple matter," Esyltt says. "I should be able to provide you with basic supplies, a steady supply lines, and even some auxiliary forces to handle repairs and camp tasks. If you're able to pay the price, of course."
4282
4283>[Merchant/1d8] "Money's not an issue. I'll take the supply lines and the auxiliaries."
4284>[Merchant/1d10] "I only need the basics and a supply line."
4285>[Merchant/1d12] "The basic supplies will do."
4286
4287-omitted one small post.
4288
4289-omitted one small post.
4290
4291-------------------------
4292
4293>>78482
4294"I'll take the basics and a supply line," you say. "Five hundred soldiers isn't that much, and I'm expecting our 'employer' to provide the auxiliaries for cooking and medical treatment."
4295
4296In general, mercenary companies don't have their own supply lines. It'll be a definite advantage over whoever your uncle is sending.
4297
4298"Very well," Esyllt says. "You're going to Rosea, correct?" 
4299
4300"That's right," you say. "Although I probably won't know the details until I'm there."
4301
4302"And you can guarantee the safety of the caravans?" 
4303
4304"To the best of my considerable military abilities."
4305
4306>Roll 1d10, best of three.
4307
4308-------------------------
4309
4310>>78781
4311"I'll let people know," Esyllt says. "I'm certain some of them will be interested. War is always good for profit, after all."
4312
4313"So long as they don't drag out," you say. "They're good for short bursts, but they're simply unsustainable in the long run." 
4314
4315"I wouldn't say a war ends when the fighting stops," Esyllt says. "Peace - and the investments it brings - is as much part of the process as the killing."
4316
4317"That's one way to look at it, I suppose," you say. "I'm afraid the Crown has many other priorities to take into consideration."
4318
4319"I suppose it does," Esyllt says. "In any case, is there anything I can help you with?"
4320
4321Esyllt should be able to find you some mercenaries, if you're willing to pay. On the other hand, you could go to the temples. If you could get their backing, you'd be able to recruit soldiers off the back of their reputation. It'd be cheaper, and depending on how you do it, you might be able to get some more devout soldiers, which would be better for morale. 
4322
4323>Ask Esyllt to help you hire mercenaries. 
4324>Recruit soldiers via the temples.
4325
4326-------------------------
4327
4328>>78923
4329"That will be all, thank you."
4330
4331"You can thank me by making this worth my investment," Esyllt says. "Ruining Prince Aled's day might satisfy Ceri, but I don't mix business with my personal interests. Or rather, all my personal interests are business on some level."
4332
4333"I'll be sure not to disappoint."
4334
4335You leave Esyllt's office and walk towards the temples. You've been walking around the city since morning, but you still have some things to do before the day is done.
4336
4337"You know, you make this look really easy," Olwen says. "Father was always so stressed out whenever he had to gather an army."
4338
4339"That's the difference between conscripts and mercenaries," you say. "If I levied an army of serfs, I'd have to deal with people who have no military training or interest, and who aren't raising crops like they're supposed to." 
4340
4341"Isn't that what standing armies are for?" Olwen asks.
4342
4343"Yes, it's always best to rely on professional soldiers," you say. "It's far less disruptive in the long run, but some times, you can't afford it, or you just need a larger number of soldiers than you have access to."
4344
4345You enter the temple grounds and go straight for Delyth, who's currently cleaning one of the paths.
4346
4347"Oh, hello, your highness," she says.
4348
4349"It's a pleasure to see you again, Delyth," you say. "I was hoping you could help me find some soldiers. Five hundred or so."
4350
4351"Oh, that's quite possible," Delyth says. "People often come here looking for work. Most of them end up on patrols in the middle of no where, but I should find some interested prospects. Mercenaries, young nobles looking to make a name for themselves, that sort of thing."
4352
4353"Can it be handled quietly?" You ask.
4354
4355"The need for discretion does eliminate some prospects," Delyth says, "but I'll do my best. How would you like to proceed?"
4356
4357>[Dilettante/1d6] "Could you spread the word that this is a sacred task for the temples?"
4358>[Merchant/1d8] "I'm willing to offer a modest payment."
4359>[Military/1d8] "You know my reputation. Let people know that certain victory awaits them."
4360
4361-omitted one small post.
4362
4363-------------------------
4364
4365>>79192
4366"You know my reputation," you say. "Let people know that certain victory awaits them."
4367
4368If you could do this openly, your reputation alone would be enough to gather an army. You need to rely on the temples' reputation instead, but they wouldn't lie about an officer's talents, and they wouldn't call someone undefeatable unless it was true, so it's a pretty sure deal.
4369
4370"I can do that," Delyth says. "Can you tell me more about the war?" 
4371
4372"Unfortunately, I don't know much," you say. "All I know is that it's in Rosea, and that it's most likely an internal conflict. However, I won't throw myself at a fight I can't win. If this turns out to be more trouble than it's worth, I'll leave immediately. I have a supply line prepared, and I can provide arms and armour, including pikes and muskets. Loot can be divided equally among the soldiers. It's not like I need my own cut."
4373
4374>Roll 1d8, best of three.
4375
4376-------------------------
4377
4378>>79383
4379"That does sound appealing," Delyth says. "Do you think there'll be opportunities for further employment?" 
4380
4381"That's kind of a double-edged question, isn't it?" You ask. "Anyway, if people want to stay in my employ, I can always find something for them to do, or refer them to one of my associates."
4382
4383"I'll spread the word," Delyth says. "It shouldn't take longer than a few days." 
4384
4385"Good, that'll give me time to prepare the equipment," you say. "I'd appreciated if you could send me the list of names in advance. I'll have to vet them and make sure there aren't any spies or something." 
4386
4387"That won't be a problem, your highness," Delyth says.
4388
4389"Thank you, I appreciate it," you say. "I won't bother you any longer."
4390
4391"Oh, it's no bother," Delyth says. "In fact, I wouldn't mind accompanying you as a chaplain, if you'd like."
4392
4393Chaplains are trained in most aspects of managing an army, include strategy and tactics, so Delyth would certainly make a significant contribution if you decide to bring her along… and you don't mind listening to Myrddin's meddling snark. There's no way he'll ignore the fact you're bringing a woman along for a war.
4394
4395>"That sounds like a good idea."
4396>"Thank you, but that won't be necessary."
4397
4398-omitted one small post.
4399
4400-------------------------
4401
4402>>79483
4403"That sounds like a good idea," you say. "I'll contact you as soon as you're ready."
4404
4405You can feel Olwen's eyes boring through the back of your head. 
4406
4407"Thank you, your highness," Delyth says. "I'm glad to be able to see your battlefield once more."
4408
4409"Oh, you're the one performing the greater service," you say. "I know how important a chaplain is to an army."
4410
4411"Hardly as important as its commander. Still, I appreciate the sentiment."
4412
4413You wish Delyth goodbye and return to your palace. It's eerily quiet, as if Olwen is looking for the best way to ambush you. 
4414
4415"So you picked up another one," she says. "I can ask Mererid if she'd be interested as well, now that we're at it."
4416
4417There it is. 
4418
4419"Your implications are baseless," you say. "I just made the best choice for the army. I don't make decisions based on my personal interests."
4420
4421"That's because you don't have any personal interests."
4422
4423Damn it. You walked right into that one. 
4424
4425"I'm not a child anymore, and I have more important priorities," you say. "Someone has to hold the kingdom together."
4426
4427"You keep telling yourself that."
4428
4429You sigh and rub your forehead. The foundation's been set, but you still have a lot of work to do. After all, you're going to have to check all the equipment you ordered and the soldiers you recruited before you leave, and you don't have much time to spare. The next few days are going to be busy.
4430
4431-------------------------
4432
4433>>79702
4434And that's all for today. It was another slow start, but it the thread turned out great wants it was warmed up.
4435
4436The next thread will be Sunday May 8th at around 7PM EDT. I'll see you all then. In the meantime, thanks for coming and goodnight.
4437
4438==== END THREAD ====
4439
4440Beleaguered Prince Quest
4441written by BeleagueredQM (19 posts, 2 omitted posts)
4442-------- qst2txt --------
4443
4444Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
4445Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
4446
4447Threads 1-10: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
4448
4449Threads 11+: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
4450
4451===============
4452
4453You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
4454
4455Putting a mercenary army together is pretty simple, especially when you have subordinates capable of doing most of the work for you. It took only a few days for you to get the supplies you needed and recruit your soldiers, at which point you moved them to the Rosean border by road and ship. Vetting them wasn't too difficult; it seems Prince Aled already deployed his own people to execute whatever his plan is, so he doesn't have any left to infiltrate your army. 
4456
4457The mercenaries and soldiers don't know why they've been hired, nor do they know who you are; you, Olwen, and Myrddin wear masks most of the time. Myrddin spread some rumours that this is an affair between nobles, so your soldiers should twice before asking questions. 
4458
4459Of course, you can't accomplish anything from Gwyrddarfordir's side of the border. You need to get across somehow, but moving mercenaries across border isn't easy at the best of times, and it's going to be even more difficult if there is some sort of war brewing.
4460
4461"I chose this place as a rallying point because Prince Aled's forces didn't come through here," Myrddin says. "That means the Rosean nobles on the other side of the border either oppose him, or have chosen to remain neutral. In either case, we can use that." 
4462
4463"I'm not so sure," you say. "If they want to maintain their neutrality, they might rebuff us."
4464
4465"In which case you'll just have to find a way to talk things out," Myrddin says. "And if they are sympathetic towards whoever we're supposed to be fighting against, they'll make our lives easier."
4466
4467"Either way, we need to make arrangements before we march the army across the border," Olwen says. "You'll have to go negotiate yourself."
4468
4469The polite thing to do would be to go with only a few guards, meet the local noble, and convince them to let you cross. It might take a few hours longer, but it'll also make things easier on your supply lines. 
4470
4471The fastest approach, however, would be to convince the border guards to let you through without giving them time to contact their lord. If you don't mind coming off as an asshole, you can bring your army along to lean on them a little. 
4472
4473>"I'll negotiate with the lord. It'll make things easier for us in the long term longer."
4474>"I'll deal with the border guards directly. I don't want to get involved with local politics any more than I have to."
4475>"I'll deal with the guards. Bring the army along to put some pressure on them as well."
4476
4477-------------------------
4478
4479>>97303
4480"I'll negotiate with the lord," you say. "It'll make things easier for us in the long term."
4481
4482"I would prefer to avoid any misunderstandings," Myrddin says. "Besides, this will also give us a chance to find out who we want to be fighting for."
4483
4484"I'll prepare the horses and a few guards, just in case," Olwen says. "I'm hoping this won't turn violent, but I don't want to take any chances."
4485
4486"That's fine," you say, "but make it quick. I don't want to waste any more time than we have to."
4487
4488Olwen prepares the horses and you leave for the border accompanied by Myrddin and a small number of guards. There isn't a lot of traffic, but a few merchants give you odd looks - you're still wearing a mask. No one makes much of it though. You ride behind the merchants and wait for your turn at the border. 
4489
4490The border checkpoint is just a small fort that can't hold more than a hundred guards. Still, it's enough to police this road and keep order. Although you could probably take it with your army, it wouldn't be a simple manner. 
4491
4492When your turn finally comes, the guards stare at your dumbfounded for a bit until they snap out of it and remember their job.
4493
4494"Can we… help you… sir?" One of the guards asks. Maybe it's his confusion, but his mastery of Gwyrden is not that good. 
4495
4496"I should certainly hope so," you answer in perfect Rosean. "I lead a mercenary and I heard there might be some opportunities for my men and I. I was hoping to speak with your lord to arrange for safe passage through his lands."
4497
4498The guards look at each other and shrug.
4499
4500"He's at the fort, so we can take you to him," a guard says. "Just leave your weapons and your guards outside."
4501
4502You nod and disembark from your horse. You, Olwen, and Myrddin leave your weapons behind and the guards bring you to a small waiting room. You don't have to wait long before you're joined by the fort's commander. He looks only a few years older than you. 
4503
4504"I am Lord Boris Kedvev," the commander says. "My guards tell me you want to move a mercenary army through my lands. I would very much like to know why."
4505
4506"We heard there might be some opportunities in Rosea," you say. "Gwyrddarfordir has been quiet lately, so we were hoping to make our fortune elsewhere for a while."
4507
4508Kedvev mumbles something rather rude under his breath. "Now we have foreigners come to pick at our scabs," he says. "This entire situation is a disgrace."
4509
4510>[Intrigue/1d8] "And what's your stake in this, if you don't mind me asking?" 
4511>[Intrigue/1d10] "What is the situation anyway?"
4512>"It does sound like a mess."
4513
4514-------------------------
4515
4516>>97605
4517"And what's your stake in this, if you don't mind me asking?" 
4518
4519"I don't see how that's any of your business," Lord Kedvev says. "You foreign vultures wouldn't understand anyway."
4520
4521"You don't go into the mercenary business without learning a thing or two about how royalty and nobility do things," you say. "Besides, I'm asking to move through your lands. I might as well see if I can do you a favour while I'm at it. What do you say?"
4522
4523>Roll 1d8, best of three.
4524
4525-omitted one small post.
4526
4527-------------------------
4528
4529>>97808
4530Lord Kedvev sighs and runs a hand through his hair.
4531
4532"I suppose I might as well tell you," he says. "It won't stay secret for long anyway." He reaches into a cupboard and pours himself a glass of clear alcohol. "Some years ago, the Tsar married one of his mistresses and legitimized their son. You see, the Tsar's oldest child is a son, but all his other legitimate children are daughters."
4533
4534"And he wanted a spare just in case," you say. It's not an uncommon phenomenon. Hell, it's probably the reason why you were born. 
4535
4536"Something like that," Lord Kedvev says. "Archduke Victor Volkov. He was able to leverage his military prowess to rise in the Tsar's court even when he was just a commoner. Now that he's formally royalty, he isn't satisfied with his status. He's been trying to usurp Archduke Radomir's position as the Tsar's presumptive heir."
4537
4538"And the Tsar isn't doing anything about it?" Myrddin asks.
4539
4540"His options are limited," Lord Kedvev says. "After all, if Archduke Radomir wishes to inherit the throne, he'll have to stand on his own. Besides, Archduke Victor isn't declaring open war against his brother. No, he decided to attack the Archduchess Aleksandra's territories. He found some legitimate excuse, so no one can censure him."
4541
4542"And how does that affect you?" You ask.
4543
4544"I do owe the Archduchess a favour," Lord Kedvev says, "but I can't rally an army against someone of Archduke Victor's status for her sake. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't have the numbers to make much of a difference. My men are needed elsewhere."
4545
4546"You could repay that favour by allowing my men safe passage through your lands," you say. "If anyone asks, it's not like you have a reason to turn us away."
4547
4548"I could," Lord Kedvev says, "but this and that are different things. I want to help the Archduchess, but I also need a reason to help you."
4549
4550>[Sovereign/1d6] "We both know your territory will prosper if peace is restored."
4551>[Military/1d8] "Brigands thrive during times of war. My involvement will help ensure they don't plague your lands."
4552>[Merchant/1d10] "I've arranged my own supply lines. Having additional merchants going through your territory should generate some profits."
4553
4554-------------------------
4555
4556>>97926
4557People who know you also know what your skills are and what your word is worth, but unfortunately, Lord Kedvev doesn't know you, and for the moment, you'd prefer he didn't. If you want to get his attention, you'll have to give him something tangible. 
4558
4559"Bandits thrive in times of war," you say.
4560
4561Olwen drops in to support you. "Deserters trying to get by, routed soldiers who don't know what to do, people from the losing side who need to kill for money…" She trails off. "It's only going to cause more problems for you men."
4562
4563"My involvement can ensure that, at the very least, you don't have too many brigands to deal with."
4564
4565>Roll 1d8, best of three.
4566
4567-------------------------
4568
4569>>98104
4570"Very well," Lord Kedvev says. "I will allow you passage through my lands. I'll even write you a letter of introduction to the Archduchess. According to the latest news, she's only three days north. Her army won't be too difficult to find."
4571
4572"Your assistance is much appreciated," you say. 
4573
4574"You can pay me back by not making things worse," Lord Kedvev says. "At least not for me." 
4575
4576Lord Kedvev gives you a letter of introduction so you can have an audience with the Archduchess, if you choose to do so. Afterwards, you send a messenger back to your army and ask them to join you across the border; Delyth should be able to herd them this far in your absence. 
4577
4578Your main force arrives an hour later. The merchants gawk, but the soldiers' march is irregular and their posture is relaxed, so the merchants don't worry for too long. Delyth rides ahead along with the bannermen to receive your orders.
4579
4580"There haven't been any problems in your absence, sir," she says. "We're ready to proceed on your orders."
4581
4582"What do you want to do?" Olwen asks. "Should we join Archduchess Aleksandria's force, or would you rather attack the enemy alone first? It would give us a chance to build a reputation."
4583
4584"It's risky, but we should be able to pull it off," Myrddin says. "Archduke Viktor's army won't be difficult to find."
4585
4586>"No unnecessary risks. We'll meet with the Archduchess before we do anything else."
4587>"Let's give Archduke Viktor a bloody nose. Maybe it'll draw out my uncle's forces."
4588
4589-------------------------
4590
4591>>98233
4592"Let's give Archduke Viktor a bloody nose," you say. "It'll make us look good, and it might draw out my uncle's forces."
4593
4594"If the Archduchess is close, her opponent won't be too far away," Olwen says. "Myrddin, you should be able to find him, right?"
4595
4596"Of course," Myrddin says. "I'll just need a few scouting units."
4597
4598"It might be better to keep the army together," Delyth says. "We'd be able to attack a soon as we find Archduke Viktor's forces."
4599
4600Your army isn't large, but five hundred people is too much for a good scouting force. You'll be able to find your opponent eventually, but it'll be more difficult to move. 
4601
4602On the other hand, the element of surprise is a powerful advantage. So long as you don't get caught first, you'll be able to launch a devastating attack on the Archduke's forces.
4603
4604>[Military/1d8] "We'll keep the army together.
4605>[Military/1d12] "We'll send out scouting parties."
4606
4607-------------------------
4608
4609>>98454
4610"We'll send out scouting parties," you say. "We're not in any particular rush, and I don't want to make any mistakes. Take as many men as you need, but whatever you do, don't get caught."
4611
4612"Don't worry, your highness," Myrddin says. "Scouting is close enough to spying that I can handle it." 
4613
4614"I can help you map out the scouting paths," Delyth says. "I don't know the area very well, but we do have maps and geography is very good at imposing limits on where armies can and can't go."
4615
4616"I'll be very happy with the help," Myrddin says.
4617
4618You keep your army moving in the conflict's general direction for a few days while Myrddin and Delyth oversee the scouting efforts.
4619
4620>Roll 1d12, best of three.
4621
4622-------------------------
4623
4624>>98682
4625"What have you found?" You ask Myrddin and Delyth. 
4626
4627"Do you want the good news first, or the very good news?" Myrddin asks. 
4628
4629"Good news," you say.
4630
4631"There's a small roaming contingent of five hundred or so troops raiding villages along the Archduchess' territory," Delyth says. "They're big enough to cause damage, but not large enough to force the Archduchess to deal with them. She'd certainly be grateful if we dealt with them?"
4632
4633"Can we deal with them?" You ask. "The numbers are even."
4634
4635"Our troops and our equipment should be better," Delyth says. "With your tactics, our losses should be minimal."
4636
4637"And the very good news?" 
4638
4639"The contingent is led by Meuric auk Soryn," Myrddin says. "It seems we found Prince Aled's trail."
4640
4641Meuric auk Soryn is the son of a minor noble. On his own, there's nothing noteworthy about him. However, he is a close ally and subordinate of your cousin Siarl. You didn't think your uncle would be willing to send one of his sons all the way to Rosea for this. He must have a lot riding on this civil war.
4642
4643"Can we kill him?" You ask. "Can we afford not to kill him?"
4644
4645"He won't see our faces unless we make a mistake," Myrddin says. "There's shouldn't be any risks towards us of we capture him and hand him over to the Archduchess. She can ransom him."
4646
4647"We'll be fine, but what about Gwyrddarfordir?" You ask. "If word spreads that we're involved in this…"
4648
4649"Archduke Viktor's reputation will fall a little," Myrddin says, "and you'll need to smooth things over with the rest of Rosea. It's hardly an unusual situation for you."
4650
4651"It's a moot point for now," Olwen says. "We need to get to him before we decide what to do with him." 
4652
4653Where and how you attack Meuric's army will determine the flow of the battle. An ambush at night will give you a decisive advantage, but you'll have to wait to set it up, and the delays might allow him to attack more civilians. You can intercept him and force him into a traditional battle, but the risk to your men will be slightly greater unless you're very, very careful. 
4654
4655>[Military/Autosuccess/7XP] "We'll ambush him at night."
4656>[Military/Autosuccess/18XP] "We'll intercept the army as soon as possible."
4657
4658-------------------------
4659
4660>>98879
4661"I won't permit civilian casualties." At least not unless you have a good reason to cause them. "We'll intercept the army as soon as possible." 
4662
4663"I'll get the soldiers marching," Olwen says. "We'll need to decide a strategy by the time we get there though."
4664
4665"You can leave that to me," you say. "We'll come back alive and loaded with whatever Meuric's men are carrying on me."
4666
4667"I'm sure the soldiers will be glad to hear that, your highness."
4668
4669You order your soldiers to arm themselves and march towards Meuric's army, keeping away from villages in order to prevent a panic. You wouldn't want a mob coming after you. Delyth and Myrddin work together to adjust your direction so you can block Meuric's army. 
4670
4671After several days, you come to a stop. According to your scouts' reports, Meuric will be coming your way in a matter of hours. That gives you plenty of time to decide your strategy. 
4672
4673You gather your lieutenants and examine the battlefield. 
4674
4675"They're marching, so they'll be alert," you say. "The terrain is wide open, so an ambush would be difficult." 
4676
4677"We can just use a defensive formation," Delyth says. "It'll be easy enough."
4678
4679"A defensive formation would work if we just wanted to protect the civilians, but we want to kill the enemy," Olwen says. "We can mix muskets and pikemen to launch an offensive. Our range should be better than theirs, so by the time they reach us, most of their men should be dead." 
4680
4681"That's still not good enough," you say. "They might retreat. We need to flank them."
4682
4683"It won't be easy to coordinate a flanking manoeuvre," Olwen says. "We'll need reliable runners, and separating our forces will leave us outnumbered."
4684
4685"But if it works, Meuric's army will be decimated before they can get the first shot in," Delyth says. "It's aggressive, but it might work."
4686
4687>[Military/1d12] "We'll use a defensive formation to start. It won't kill them, but it'll keep us safe."
4688>[Military/1d10] "We'll use a mixed pike and musket formation. Our range is the major advantage."
4689>[Military/1d8] "We'll use a mixed pike and musket formation along with a flanking manoeuvre. That's the most advantageous manoeuvre."
4690
4691-------------------------
4692
4693>>99206
4694"We're grabbing all the advantages," you say. "I want two mixed pike and musket formations. One of them will wait by the road, while the other will move to a farther distance so they're not spotted. I'll command the main force. Delyth, I'll leave you in charge of the flanking army. Make sure to position your forces so that Meuric's army enters our range at about the same time."
4695
4696"Yes, sir," Delyth says. "I won't fail you."
4697
4698"For all our sakes, I hope not," you say. "The rest of you, arrange your soldiers. We'll lie down so it takes longer for the enemy to spot us. It's not much, but it'll do, and the musketeers will still be able to get the first shot in." 
4699
4700"Yes, sir."
4701
4702Your forces arrange themselves so that the pikemen can use their shields to protect the musketeers. The shields are closer to bucklers since you wanted to strike a balance between mobility and defense, but the wind enchantments should provide sufficient protection from ranged attacks. 
4703
4704With your preparations done, you wait for Meuric's raiders to arrive.
4705
4706>Roll 1d8, best of three.
4707
4708-------------------------
4709
4710>>99430
4711You wait. And you wait. And you wait. 
4712
4713You finally hear a shot, but it's not from one of yours.
4714
4715"The flanking army got their position wrong," you say. "Move, NOW!"
4716
4717Your soldiers scramble to their feet and run towards the sound of the battle as fast as they can. Your pikemen are struggling to run while carrying their weapons, but thankfully, they don't have to go far. 
4718
4719As you suspected, the flanking army positioned itself too close to the road and got spotted. They're currently surrounded by Meuric's own musketeers. The losses aren't significant yet - the numerous wounded are behind the defensive pike formation, but at least they're at least just wounded for now - but they're not in a position to fight back.
4720
4721"This is why you don't go cheap for armour," Olwen says. "Orders, sir?" 
4722
4723>[Military/1d8] "We're rushing Meuric's forces before they can cause serious damage."
4724>[Military/1d10] "Attack Meuric's forces at range to draw their attention."
4725>[Military/1d12] "We're joining the flanking force to reinforce them."
4726
4727-------------------------
4728
4729>>99584
4730You draw your sword. "Muskets, fire two volleys! Pikes, we're charging!" 
4731
4732If the muskets fire any more than that, you'll be caught in the crossfire once you get into a melee. You'll be outnumbered, but it will take some time for Meuric to reorganize his forces to defend against your assault. In the meantime, you'll be able to do some damage, and Meuric's muskets won't be able to focus on your flanking force unless they're willing to throw away their lives. 
4733
4734You just hope nothing goes wrong.
4735
4736>Roll 1d8, best of three.
4737
4738-------------------------
4739
4740>>99697
4741You have 125 muskets under your direct command. The enemy is spread out in a tight encircling formation. This is not an advantageous position for them, especially since most of them have their back turned to you. The two volleys you ordered cause massive damage, especially when the flanking force manages a few shots of its own. 
4742
4743Meuric's forces quickly realize that they're a second enemy, and they do their best to get back into a defensive formation, but they're tripping over the corpses of their comrades. You easily spot the gaps in their defense and use them to force your way into their ranks. 
4744
4745Ineffective as it is, your flanking force is doing its job. It can't really fight, but Meuric can't ignore either. He has to prepare for an attack from any direction. 
4746
4747The battle soon dissolves into a chaotic melee. You can hear the enemy commanders shouting orders over the clash of weapons, so you could use your sword's enchantment to interfere with the chain of command, or you could try and find Meuric to force him into a duel. If you win, the enemy's sure to collapse. 
4748
4749You could also maintain the battle. It would drag things out longer, but so far, the advantage is yours.
4750
4751>[Military/1d8] Disrupt the enemy's chain of command.
4752>[Military/1d8] Find Meuric and fight him. 
4753>[Military/1d10] Focus on the battle.
4754
4755-------------------------
4756
4757>>99813
4758You need to check up on the flanking force as soon as possible. You can't let this fight drag on any longer than is absolutely necessary. You need to find Meuric and take him out one way or the other. 
4759
4760There's always a certain order to a battle. The commander gives the orders, while the lower officers execute them to the best of their ability depending on the circumstances. You focus on the orders that are being shouted and sift through the ones that are specific and the ones that are broader. That'll tell you where Meuric is.
4761
4762>Roll 1d8, best of three.
4763
4764-------------------------
4765
4766>>99953
4767"Pikes and swords at the front! Muskets, pull back!" 
4768
4769There's a generic retreat order if you ever heard one. It seems you found Meuric, and he's not too far away. You turn towards his voice and advance, stabbing, slashing, or otherwise wounding everyone unlucky enough to get in your way.
4770
4771You push through the crowd of enemy soldiers and find Meuric accompanied by two guards. You slash one at the leg and, with a twist of your wrist, stab the other in the chest. You roughly pull your blade out and use the added momentum to cut into the first guard's neck. The two guards fall over, either dead or dying. 
4772
4773Meuric is visibly distraught by this development. 
4774
4775"Guards!" He yells. "Guards!" 
4776
4777That's a mistake; now everyone knows that the commander is pressed, and with your own soldiers still in the fight, there's no one less to rescue him. 
4778
4779"I think this battle's gone on long enough," you say in Rosean. "Don't you?" 
4780
4781Meuric snarls and draws a sword covered with a thin layer of frost. 
4782
4783"I won't be defeated by a Rosean dog!"
4784
4785>[Military/1d8] Use your sword's enchantment to knock him out and take him alive.
4786>[Military/1d8] Kill Meuric.
4787>[Military/1d10] Focus on defending yourself.
4788
4789-------------------------
4790
4791>>100033
4792Meuric is about as good as you, but you can't play it safe. You need to gamble and take him alive. He might know something, and Archduchess Aleksandria will certainly appreciate having him delivered alive, especially if you can get him to admit his name. 
4793
4794That's for later though. You still need to win this fight.
4795
4796You bend your knees into a comfortable stance and hold up your sword. 
4797
4798>Roll 1d8, best of three.
4799
4800-------------------------
4801
4802>>100145
4803You thrust your sword towards Meuric's face. He raises his sword up in a guard and you smirk. You press the edge of your blade against his as hard as you can. The scraping noise carries along the sword. No one can hear it, but you know it echoes in Meuric's ear. 
4804
4805Meuric falters for a brief instant. His arm loses its strength and his glaze over. He stumbles back and falls unconscious on the ground. The surrounding soldiers panic and try to rush towards him. 
4806
4807You stab the closest soldier in the throat as a warning to the others. They get the point and back away. 
4808
4809The enemy soldiers lose their morale and retreat in a formless mass. Unfortunately, your forces aren't in a position to track them down and wipe them out. No matter. A few hundred soldiers - maybe even a few dozen, now - won't make much of difference in the long run. 
4810
4811You grab Meuric's body and drag it back to your own forces.
4812
4813"It looks like we won," Olwen says. She's covered with blood and grime. You probably don't look much better. "Are you okay?" 
4814
4815"I'll be fine." You drop Meuric's unconscious body at Olwen's feet. "Make sure he's bound and kept under watch. How's the flanking force?" 
4816
4817"It'll take some time before they're effective again, but it looks like there weren't any deaths among the soldiers," Olwen says. "Only…" 
4818
4819You sigh. "What is it?" 
4820
4821"Delyth was at the front, so she took a serious hit," Olwen says. "She'll probably make it, but she'll need treatment." 
4822
4823"That's what the alchemical supplies are for," you say. "Keep the wounded alive no matter what it takes. All able-bodied soldiers are to loot the dead. We're pulling back as soon as we can. I don't want to get caught by reinforcements."
4824
4825"Yes, your highness."
4826
4827This wasn't the overwhelming victory you'd hoped it was, but you came out of it alive. Next time, you won't make the slightest mistake.
4828
4829-------------------------
4830
4831>>100227
4832And that is all for today's thread. Your army's going to be a bit banged up for a while, but one bad roll isn't enough to completely screw you over. You'd need at least two bad rolls for that. 
4833
4834Anyway, the next thread will be Friday, May 13th. That sounds kind of ominous, actually. I'll see you all then. In the meantime, thanks for playing and goodnight.
4835
4836-omitted one small post.
4837
4838==== END THREAD ====
4839
4840Beleaguered Prince Quest
4841written by BeleagueredQM (16 posts, 2 omitted posts)
4842-------- qst2txt --------
4843
4844Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
4845Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
4846
4847Threads 1-10: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
4848
4849Threads 11+: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
4850
4851===============
4852
4853You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
4854
4855You ride up to Archduchess Aleksandra's main camp with Meuric auk Soryn firmly in tow as your prisoner. Word of your actions have spread in the immediate area, and while the Archduchess' forces were initially skittish at the presence of an unknown mercenary company operating in the war theatre, it was nothing that a few messengers and a promise to attend a meeting couldn't fix. 
4856
4857Not that you could put this off any longer than you already have anyway. Most of your army is still in a sorry state, and while you have supplies enough to get by for a long time, you don't a place to stay. 
4858
4859"Any idea what we should expect?" You ask Myrddin. 
4860
4861"From what I know of the Archduchess, she excels at warfare," Myrddin says. "It's a necessity of the Rosean nobility. The kingdom is immense, but there are regional and cultural enclaves that never quite became part of Rosea, so rebellions need to be put down every now and then." 
4862
4863"Is she like someone else we know?" Olwen asks. Your sister's name remains unsaid for the benefit of Meuric. 
4864
4865"Not as far as I'm aware," Myrddin says. "If anything, she's more like us."
4866
4867"Hopefully, we can use that to get along."
4868
4869The guards hold up their pikes and you come to a stop. Although they were expecting you, armed soldiers with masks are enough to make just about anyone nervous. 
4870
4871"Are you the mercenaries we've been waiting for then?" One of the guards asks. 
4872
4873"That's correct," you say. 
4874
4875"And that'd be the rat who raided our villages and murdered our people?" 
4876
4877"Also correct." You jerk on the rope you've tied around Meuric's next and pull him up to the tip of his toes. "I figured you'd want to get a good look at him before anything unpleasant happened to him."
4878
4879"I'm sure the officers will," the guard says. "And for what it's worth, thank you for helping our folk."
4880
4881>"Of course. War should have some rules, after all."
4882>"It was my pleasure."
4883>"It made sense at the time."
4884
4885-------------------------
4886
4887>>124421
4888"Of course," you say. "War should have some rules, after all."
4889
4890The guard snorts. "That's for the nobles to decide," he says. You can't say he's wrong. "The rest of us just kill when told to." You can't say he's wrong about that either. "Anyway, you can dismount and leave your weapons here so you can meet the Archduchess. We'll look after them. It's the least we can do."
4891
4892You step off your horses and leave your weapons with the guards, although you do get to keep hold of the rope you tied to Meuric. Pulling him after you is quite satisfying. 
4893
4894The guards bring you to an open tent where the officers are waiting. Maps and books are strewn around a crude table that's fit together without nails. It's a flimsy design, but you're quite familiar with it, as it's quite easy to disassemble and carry around. A necessity, when leading an army. 
4895
4896Archduchess Aleksandra Volkova leans over the table, a frown on her face. Her eyes dart up as you step inside the dance. 
4897
4898"So you're our mysterious benefactor," she says. "Well, you've made yourself useful, so I won't ask too many questions for the moment. I would, however, like to know your name."
4899
4900"You can call me Gwain, your highness," you say. 
4901
4902"I suppose that's not so bad, as far as pseudonyms go," Aleksandra says. "At least it sounds heroic. And I prefer 'Archduchess' when I'm commanding an army." 
4903
4904"As you wish, Archduchess."
4905
4906"Now that the introductions are over," Aleksandra says, "what does your prisoner have to say?" 
4907
4908Olwen removes Meuric's gag and he immediately tries to spit on you. You stomp on his head and press his face into the ground as you pull the rope and choke him.
4909
4910"Not much, it seems." Aleksandra smirks. "I suppose we'll have to execute him as an example to others."
4911
4912You certainly won't lose any sleep over Meuric's corpse, but he would be more useful to the Archduchess alive than dead. Of course, you can't tell her that without raising some questions you don't want to answer at the moment. You'd have to trick Meuric into revealing his name himself. 
4913
4914Or you could just let him die. 
4915
4916>[Intrigue/1d10] Try to trick Meuric into revealing his name.
4917>Let the Archduchess execute him.
4918
4919-------------------------
4920
4921>>124600
4922"He's yours to do with as you please, Archduchess," you say, "but would you mind if I took his belongings first? I only took his weapon, just in case."
4923
4924The Archduchess shrugs. "You need the money more than I do," she says. 
4925
4926You loosen your hold on the rope pat Meuric's body and look for something that would force him to reveal who he is. Your eye is drawn to one of his rings. It's not enchanted or special in any way, but it is an heirloom of House Soryn. He might react poorly if you take it away. 
4927
4928You pull the ring off Meuric's finger and toss it to Myrddin. "There, that's better than nothing," you say. "You can use it to pay off your next whore."
4929
4930"Oh, good," Myrddin says, not missing a beat. "I can finally afford to get creative."
4931
4932>Roll 1d10, best of three.
4933
4934-------------------------
4935
4936>>124682
4937Meuric screams and range and desperately grabs at the ring. 
4938
4939"Take your hands off that ring, you barbarian!" He yells. "It's a sacred heirloom of House Soryn!" 
4940
4941It's not, because it's barely two hundred years old and nothing sacred really happened in the last two centuries, but he's about to be held for ransom, so whatever makes him happy.
4942
4943"Stop!" The Archduchess' lips curl into a feral grin. "House Soryn… That's a Gwyrden noble house, isn't it?" 
4944
4945Meuric's face turns white as he realizes what he's just said and how badly this could go for him and his entire family. 
4946
4947"How very interesting," Aleksandra says. "I think I'll keep you around for a while after all. You can be my special guest until your family pays the cost of sending you back home."
4948
4949You have no doubt that said cost will be heavily inflated, but that's your uncle's problem now, and that makes you very, very happy. You hand the rope off to one of the Archduchess' soldiers and Meuric is pulled away, kicking and screaming.
4950
4951"Now then, we can finally get on to business," Aleksandra says. "I heard your company was wounded. How long until you're ready for combat again?" 
4952
4953"It depends on the combat in question, Archduchess," you say. "I can at least take care of simple assignments until we're back on our feet." 
4954
4955"In that case, I have work for you right now, if you want it," the Archduchess says. "Archduke Viktor is fortifying his position close to a nearby river. The river makes it difficult for us to attack each other, so we're headed towards a stalemate which would favour him. For some reason, he has more resources than I do, so he can outlast me if it comes down to it."
4956
4957"And what would you like me to do?" You ask. 
4958
4959"Right now, I just need a simple scouting mission," Aleksandra says. "I need someone to find Viktor's supply lines, or else to find a spot I can use to attack his main base. You can't get caught, and you can't get into a fight. No one can know you were ever there." 
4960
4961Both are simple enough assignments for you. 
4962
4963>"We'll find Archduke Viktor's supply lines."
4964>"We'll find a spot where you can establish a base."
4965
4966-------------------------
4967
4968>>124753
4969"We'll find Archduke Viktor's supply lines," you say. "Are you sure they won't change?" 
4970
4971"They can't," Archduchess Aleksandra says. She clears much of the table and shows you one of the maps. "His army is here, so he can only receive regular supplies through these three villages." She points to several other spots on the map. "There's absolutely no other way, not unless he wants to clear a path through the forest from nothing. I just haven't had time to send someone out to find out which roads he uses and what the schedule is."
4972
4973"We can take care of that, Archduchess," you say. "We'll just need a few days."
4974
4975"I'll hold you to that," the Archduchess says. "In the meantime, I'll have some supplies sent to your wounded."
4976
4977"No need," you say. "I've arranged for us to receive our own supplies while we're here. We just need a place to stay."
4978
4979"I'm impressed," the Archduchess says. "Mercenary companies aren't usually his well-organizes. However, I won't turn down competent help. Just let me know if you ever do need anything."
4980
4981"Yes, Archduchess."
4982
4983You bow and return to your own encampment. You'll need to leave someone behind to stay with the wounded, but you don't need many people for a quiet scouting mission anyway. 
4984
4985"I'll get the scouts ready," Olwen says.
4986
4987"And I'll look over the information we have," Myrddin says. 
4988
4989That leaves you with very little to do while you wait.
4990
4991>Accompany Myrddin. 
4992>Accompany Olwen. 
4993>Visit Delyth. She's still wounded. 
4994>Just wait for the preparations to be finished.
4995
4996-------------------------
4997
4998>>124875
4999You decide to pay Delyth a visit. She's still wounded from the last battle, and her morale is low for obvious reasons. If she hadn't missed her company's placement, the battle would have been much easier. As it is, you could have lost half your army if things had gone the slightest bit wrong. 
5000
5001But that's just how war is sometimes, so there's no point in getting hung up on it. 
5002
5003You enter Delyth's private tent and sit next to her. Her body is covered in bandages. She cracks on eye open and looks at you. 
5004
5005"Hello, your highness," she says. "Is everything going well?" 
5006
5007"As well as can be expected," you say. "Our new employer gave us our first job, so I'll be away for some time."
5008
5009"I'm sorry I can't accompany you," Delyth says. "I'll do better next time."
5010
5011"Don't worry about it," you say. "War is unpredictable. Sometimes, things just go wrong."
5012
5013"Still, your orders were correct," she says. "It's my fault we almost failed…"
5014
5015>"We didn't fail. That's the important part."
5016>"Mistakes are an opportunity to learn. Always remember that."
5017>"You win some, you lose some. That's just how it is."
5018
5019-------------------------
5020
5021>>124952
5022"Mistakes are an opportunity to learn," you say. "Always remember that."
5023
5024"And if my mistake gets people killed?" 
5025
5026"That happens too," you say, "but people will still get killed even if you don't make mistakes. We got lucky once, but it might not happen again. Besides, if it's not your soldiers dying, it'll be your enemy's."
5027
5028"I suppose that's true," Delyth says. "Damn it, this is so embarrassing. This isn't even my first battle, but I'm still acting like this."
5029
5030You smile and pat her head. "Don't worry about it," you say. "You were just a chaplain before, right? Command is very different."
5031
5032"Thank you, your highness."
5033
5034You let Delyth rest and joined the scouting party Olwen and Myrddin prepared. 
5035
5036"Are we ready?" You ask. 
5037
5038"Almost," Olwen says. "We still need to decide which path we'll take."
5039
5040"There are three possible supply lines," Myrddin says. "One to the East, one to the West, and one in the middle. We'll have to circumvent Archduke Viktor's own forces, so we'll have to scout out the East or West roads first."
5041
5042"Are there any reasons to pick one over the other?" You ask.
5043
5044"As far as we know, they're all the same," Myrddin says. 
5045
5046>"We'll go to the East road first."
5047>"We'll go to the West road first."
5048
5049-------------------------
5050
5051>>125087
5052"Since it's all the same, we'll start with the East road," you say. "Let's get going."
5053
5054You only have two dozen scouts for this job, so even if you were inclined to do so, you wouldn't be able to split your forces. You'll just have to get there as soon as possible and hope you can spy on the supply convoys. 
5055
5056Lots of things can go wrong, of course. You can't know for sure which roads the convoys are using, or what their schedule is, so it's possible that you'll just barely miss them. All you can do is hope you'll find something worth reporting back. After all, you might not need your pay, but you do need to stay in the Archduchess' good graces. 
5057
5058The journey takes several days since you need to travel through woods and over rivers, but you eventually arrive at your destination. 
5059
5060"This is close enough to the road," Olwen says. "How do you want to do this?" 
5061
5062You can send a large number of people at various points in the road in order to gather the most information possible. Alternatively, you can send a smaller number of people at a single point just to confirm if a convoy is passing through. Naturally, the risk you'll get caught will increase with the number of people you send out.
5063
5064>[Military/1d10] "Put the entire road under surveillance."
5065>[Military/1d12] "We'll focus on a single point. We just need to confirm the convoy."
5066
5067-------------------------
5068
5069>>125170
5070"Put the entire road under surveillance," you say. "Send the scouts out in pairs just in case. We shouldn't get caught, but I'm not asking anyone to throw their lives away."
5071
5072"We should have enough scouts to cover every few miles," Myrddin says. "We'll work out a subtle signal to keep in contact." 
5073
5074"Remember to keep an eye out and write down everything you notice," you remind the scouts. "We don't know what will be important and I don't want to ignore crucial details."
5075
5076"Yes, sir!"
5077
5078You organize your men and send them out along the road, marking their location down on your map. Hopefully, this won't take you too long.
5079
5080>Roll 1d10, best of three.
5081
5082-------------------------
5083
5084>>125246
5085You recall your men back after several days, having found nothing of note. You'd like to stay longer, but the Archduchess made it clear that she doesn't have the resources required for a drawn-out war. You pack up your things and move on to the middle road. 
5086
5087"What do we know about this path?" You ask Myrddin. 
5088
5089"It's the shortest of the three, and there aren't many hiding spots," Myrddin says. "We can hide by the watering hole and wait for someone to show up, or we can disguise ourselves as merchants."
5090
5091"Would merchants use this road during a war?" Olwen asks. 
5092
5093"They'd still have to," Myrddin says. "And it might give us a chance to talk to whoever's running the supply caravans."
5094
5095>[Military/1d12] "We'll hide by the watering hole."
5096>[Intrigue/1d8] "We'll disguise ourselves as merchants and cross the supply caravan."
5097
5098-------------------------
5099
5100>>125283
5101"We'll disguise ourselves as merchants and hopefully cross the supply caravan," you say. "Even if they're not talkative, we'll at least be able to get a closer look at what they're carrying."
5102
5103"We have enough spare clothes to make it work," Myrddin says. "We'll use the furs we collected while we were out hunting as goods. Those wouldn't sell well in an army camp, so we'll have an excuse to be moving away from the Archduke's army."
5104
5105"It goes without saying, but I really hope this works," Olwen says. "If we get caught…"
5106
5107"If we get caught, then we're just a group of poachers," you say. "We run, and that's it. They won't suspect anything."
5108
5109You change into your disguises and get on the road.
5110
5111>Roll 1d8, best of three.
5112
5113-------------------------
5114
5115>>125355
5116After several hours, you encounter a group of people on foot. They're only carrying some packs and satchels, but they're escorted by a large number of guards, who glare at you and nudge their weapons your way when they see you. You avert your gaze and step away from the road to let them pass. 
5117
5118"Damn, this is tiring work," one of the merchants says. "We come back from one trip and we have to go right back on another."
5119
5120"Don't complain," another merchant says. "This is good money."
5121
5122You keep walking your way and let the merchants pass until they're out of earshot. 
5123
5124"Looking at their bags, they can't be carrying anything heavy," Myrddin says.
5125
5126"It has to be alchemical supplies," you say. "Can you guess their schedule based on how long the road is?" 
5127
5128"Sure," Myrddin says.
5129
5130At least you have something to show for your efforts now. You just need to scout out the last road and you'll be able to get back to the Archduchess to make your report. 
5131
5132The West road is much like the East road. It's long, winding, and the surrounding trees provide some decent cover. 
5133
5134"Looks like we're back to basics," Myrddin says. "How do you want to handle this one?"
5135
5136Once again, you can spread out, or you can stay focused.
5137
5138>[Military/1d10] "Spread scouts throughout the road."
5139>[Military/1d12] "We'll gather a few people in one spot."
5140
5141-omitted one small post.
5142
5143-omitted one small post.
5144
5145-------------------------
5146
5147>>125409
5148"We'll keep it simple," you say. "We'll hide in a spot in the middle of the road and wait."
5149
5150"It would be a shame to blow it and get caught when we're almost done here," Olwen says. "Besides, we'll be able to work in shifts. That'll keep the mood up."
5151
5152You divide your scouts up into different groups and find a spot in the forest where you can hide and observe the road. Hopefully, this will pay off.
5153
5154>Roll 1d12, best of three.
5155
5156-------------------------
5157
5158>>125474
5159You watch over the road for the next several days. There are no armed caravans, but there is a constant flow of merchants going back and forth. They bring with them good clothes, good food, good alcohol, and, in some cases, good women. It seems the Archduke is using the West road to move luxury goods for his troops. 
5160
5161The West road has luxury goods, the short middle road has alchemical supplies needed for medicine, and the East road is still nothing more than a question mark, but your mission is complete for now. The Archduchess will be able to put this information to good use. In any case, it's time for you to head back. 
5162
5163"I'm glad this is over with," Olwen says. "Long-range scouting missions always take too long." 
5164
5165"We're dealing with thousands of troops," you remind her. "This isn't just a little skirmish we can kill off between lunch and supper." 
5166
5167"Oh, I'm sure you could manage if you tried hard enough," Olwen says.
5168
5169"There is something I've been curious about," Myrddin says. "What do you hope to accomplish here?" 
5170
5171"What do you mean?" Olwen asks.
5172
5173"This doesn't just concern Prince Aled's plans," Myrddin says. "This is about the future of Rosea. The way we deal with this could have ramifications later on." 
5174
5175>"I just want to stop my uncle's plans."
5176>"The Archduchess could make a powerful ally for us." 
5177>"We're here to stabilize the situation before it involves Gwyrddarfordir."
5178
5179-------------------------
5180
5181>>125506
5182"I like to think of myself as an opportunist," you say. "My priority is to stop whatever my uncle's doing before it spreads to Gwyrddarfordir, but if we can benefit from a positive relationship with the Archduchess, I won't turn my back on her."
5183
5184"Speaking of the Archduchess," Myrddin says, "I couldn't help but notice that her chest - Ow!" 
5185
5186You punch Myrddin in the ribs, while Olwen grabs his ear and twists it. True, it's unnecessarily cruel, but he really should have seen this coming. 
5187
5188"Fine, fine, I won't bring it up again!" Myrddin shakes you both off and straightens himself out. "Setting that matter aside, we're still no closer to finding out what your uncle is doing here." 
5189
5190"There's always Meuric," Olwen says. 
5191
5192"Meuric's a tool," you say, "he won't know anything important. Our best hope is to find my cousin Siarl if he really is here." 
5193
5194"Prince Aled wouldn't trust an operation like this to anyone," Myrddin says. "Prince Siarl is one of the very few people who might qualify." 
5195
5196As much as you hate to admit it, your cousin is about as good a commander as you are. Even if you find him, it's going to be a stiff battle. Fortunately, your army should be back in shape by the time you get back to make your report. 
5197
5198Of course, that still leaves the question of what you're going to do with Siarl if you do find him.
5199
5200-------------------------
5201
5202>>125575
5203And that is all for today's thread. Aside from dice gods being dice gods, you still managed to complete your objective. Mostly. 
5204
5205The next thread will be Sunday May 15th at 7PM EDT. As always, I'll see you all then and in the meantime, thanks for playing and good night.
5206
5207==== END THREAD ====
5208
5209Beleaguered Prince Quest
5210written by BeleagueredQM (17 posts, 4 omitted posts)
5211-------- qst2txt --------
5212
5213Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
5214Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
5215
5216Threads 1-10: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
5217
5218Threads 11+: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
5219
5220===============
5221
5222You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
5223
5224Archduchess Aleksandra pours over your scouting reports. Every now and then, she sets the reports aside to make some notes on her maps. Although you weren't able to conclusively finish your finish, you do know how Archduke Viktor gets his luxury goods and medicines. That's more than enough information to give his army a few wounds, assuming the Archduchess can find some way to use it. After all, those roads aren't exactly accessible to you. If they were, the Archduke wouldn't be using them to run his supply lines. That's not your problem though. 
5225
5226"I think I can work with this," Aleksandra says. "Thank you for your efforts, Gwain."
5227
5228"You're my employer, Archduchess." You shrug. "I'm only here to accomplish your orders to the best of my abilities." 
5229
5230"Most mercenaries would be here to get paid," Aleksandra says, "but I appreciate the sentiment nonetheless. Have your soldiers recovered?" 
5231
5232"They're ready for battle."
5233
5234The additional supplies you requested have arrived, and the merchants were quite pleased to relieve you of some of your spare loot as compensation. You haven't sold off Meuric's sword yet, but his soldiers had some decent equipment. The bloodstains just need to be scrubbed out. 
5235
5236"That's excellent news," Aleksandra says. "I'll see if I can find an appropriate task for your company. In the meantime, you can stay on standby." 
5237
5238"Yes, Archduchess."
5239
5240 Until you receive your next orders, you're free to do what you want.
5241
5242>Spend some time with your soldiers. 
5243>Spend some time with Myrddin, Olwen and Delyth. 
5244>Go sleep somewhere.
5245
5246-------------------------
5247
5248>>136820
5249It's traditional to maintain a certain amount of distance between the officers and the soldiers; it's a little awkward to drink or gamble with someone you're going to order to their possible death a few hours later. You decide to spend your time with your officers instead.
5250
5251"How did the report go?" Myrddin asks. 
5252
5253"The Archduchess is thinking it over," you say. "We'll have our next assignment soonish, but we're free until then. I just wanted to kill some time."
5254
5255"That's good," Delyth says. She seems to be in a good mood, now that her convalescence is over. "I hope that I can make up for my previous failure."
5256
5257"It's not like this is our army," Olwen reminds her. "We might spend the rest of this little war guarding the food supplies."
5258
5259"A quiet little guard job has a certain appeal," you say, "but I don't see it happening. Plus, we'd have to go off on our own to find out whatever it is my uncle's planning anyway."
5260
5261"That's the sort of thing that tends to happen when you're not actually interested in following someone's orders," Myrddin says. "But what can you do?" 
5262
5263"That's a good question, actually," you say. "What do we do when we're not fighting? I don't think I've ever had to sit around and wait for someone else's orders before."
5264
5265The four of you look at each other. Olwen and Myrddin were always your advisor, so they never had any downtime during a war either. That just leaves Delyth. 
5266
5267"I was usually busy with chaplain duties," she says, "so I don't really know what we're supposed to do either."
5268
5269So none of you know what you're supposed to do when you're not busy killing people. There's a depressing thought. 
5270
5271>"Maybe we can go swimming?" 
5272>"Are there any hunting grounds we could use?" 
5273>"So… does anyone have anything to talk about?"
5274
5275-------------------------
5276
5277>>136954
5278You can't get risk getting drunk at the moment, you don't actually have anything to talk about, and hunting would just tire you out, which defeats the purpose of relaxing. 
5279
5280"Is there any place we could swim around here?" 
5281
5282"Yeah, there's a small creek nearby," Myrddin says. "If we go upstream, no one will bother us."
5283
5284"That's good enough to kill a few hours," Olwen says. "Let's go."
5285
5286Myrddin leads you up a trail in the woods. It's away from the camp, but given the geography and the location you won't have to worry about getting attacked anyway. 
5287
5288"This isn't a bad idea," Myrddin says.
5289
5290"I agree," Nimue says. 
5291
5292"Yeah - Wait, Myrddin, how long as your wife been here?" 
5293
5294"What are you talking about?" Myrddin pushes his glasses up and smirks. "She was always here."
5295
5296"No, she wasn't," you say. 
5297
5298"Of course she was." Myrddin's smirk expands even further.
5299
5300"No, she really wasn't," Olwen says. "I asked you if she was coming along before we left and you said no."
5301
5302"I thought it'd be nice to go swimming," Nimue says. 
5303
5304Forget it. Making sense of this is just not worth the amount of effort you'd have to invest into it. 
5305
5306The ladies go a little farther away so you can all change into swimming clothes. You and Myrddin sit at the edge of the creek and dip your feet into the water.
5307
5308"I think I've got some cards and dice around here, if you want to go a few rounds," Myrddin says.
5309
5310>[Intrigue/1d8] "That sounds like a good idea."
5311>"You're not going to tell me to ogle Olwen and Delyth?" 
5312>"I'll pass."
5313
5314-------------------------
5315
5316>>137116
5317"That sounds like a good idea to me," you say.
5318
5319Myrddin pulls out his cards and expertly shuffles them. You keep an eye on him just in case he decides to try something funny. Sleight of hand tricks are well within the scope of his responsibilities. 
5320
5321"You know, I'm surprised you didn't tell me to ogle Olwen and Delyth," you say.
5322
5323"Oh, they'll come out here on their own soon enough," Myrddin says. "If I need to tell you to look at them after that, well, that's really their problem." 
5324
5325Myrddin deals out the cards.
5326
5327>Roll 1d8, best of three.
5328
5329-------------------------
5330
5331>>137224
5332What follows is an epic battle of wits as you and Myrddin bluff, double-bluff and otherwise try to cheat each other through any means necessary. 
5333
5334You handily win all your engagements. Myrddin's face twists into a tableau of frustration as you emerge victorious hand after hand. 
5335
5336"Look on the bright side," you say, "at least your shirt is already off, so you can't lose it." 
5337
5338"That's not actually comforting, your highness," Myrddin says. "Then again, if you want me to take my pants off…"
5339
5340"I'll pass."
5341
5342You put the deck of cards away just in case. There's no reason to tempt fate and give Myrddin any ideas.
5343
5344"You're done already?" Olwen asks and she saunters over from the other side of the river. 
5345
5346Both she and Delyth are wearing swimsuit that prominently shows off their assets, while Nimue is wearing something significantly more modest. 
5347
5348"Well?" Olwen bends forward to give you a better view. "How do we look?" 
5349
5350>"I guess you look okay."
5351>"You look beautiful."
5352>"Oh please, as if you never tempted me with those before."
5353
5354-------------------------
5355
5356>>137296
5357"You look beautiful," you say, "although they have kind of lost their effect, given the number of times you've tried to shove them in my face."
5358
5359"Oh, they got a little bigger since the last time I really put effort into it," Olwen says.
5360
5361"How do you even - No, you know what? Nevermind."
5362
5363"Oh, I didn't know you had that kind of relationship," Delyth says. 
5364
5365"We don't," both you and Olwen say. Olwen sounds rather more displeased about the situation than you do.
5366
5367Myrddin coughs to draw attention away from you. "Since we're here," he says, "we might as well enjoy ourselves for a bit."
5368
5369Nimue joins her husband to talk about something or other, while Delyth lies down on the riverbed and Olwen starts swimming in the creek.
5370
5371>See what Myrddin and Nimue are talking about. 
5372>Go lie down next to Delyth. 
5373>You came here to swim. You might as well join Olwen.
5374
5375-------------------------
5376
5377>>137446
5378You don't want to disturb Myrddin and Nimue's couple talk, so you jump into the water. 
5379
5380You immediately bite back a scream. The water is cold. Very, very cold. You didn't mind so much when it was just your feet, but now that your entire body is in the water, it is just so very cold. 
5381
5382Olwen looks at you and laughs. "You look miserable," she says.
5383
5384"I'm fine," you say. "The temperature just took me by surprise."
5385
5386You swim over to Olwen to warm your body up. It helps a little. 
5387
5388"Yes, I'm sure you're shivering from surprise." Olwen grins. "Want me to warm you up? Or maybe you'd like some water wrestling?" 
5389
5390>[Military/1d8] "Sure. When was the last time we wrestled anyway?" 
5391>"Please do warm me up."
5392>"This is a trap, and I won't fall for it."
5393
5394-omitted one small post.
5395
5396-omitted one small post.
5397
5398-omitted one small post.
5399
5400-------------------------
5401
5402>>137624
5403"Sure, I could use a warmup," you say. "When was the last time we wrestled anyway?" 
5404
5405"Should be… two years ago, I think," Olwen says. "I wish we'd done it more often."
5406
5407"Which is probably why I didn't want to," you say. "Anyway, be careful not to hit your head." 
5408
5409"Oh, I'll be fine."
5410
5411You swim to the centre of the creek to give yourself more space to struggle in and put up your hands. 
5412
5413>Roll 1d8, best of three.
5414
5415-------------------------
5416
5417>>137790
5418Olwen lunges at you first, but the water makes her movements slow and sluggish. You're able to use your height and reach to kick off the riverbed and slip under her guard. You wrap your arms around her waist and lift her up. 
5419
5420"Wait!" Olwen yelps in surprise. "What are you doing? Lemme go!"
5421
5422She flails about to break your grip, but she can't get away. In a moment of desperation, she just wraps her legs around your waist and throws her arms around your neck. 
5423
5424You take a deep breath and jump up slightly. The two of you crash into the river and Olwen squeezes hard her. You can feel her nails digging into your back, and she has a habit of keeping her nails short so they don't break in battle. 
5425
5426You pull out of the water. Olwen coughs a few times, then starts laughing heartily. She rearranges her grip on you slightly to make herself more secure and comfortable, but she doesn't let go. 
5427
5428"Okay, okay," she says, "you win this one."
5429
5430She clings to you with all the strength she can muster and rests her head on your shoulder. You can clearly feel the warmth of her body and the rhythmic beating of her heart where her chest presences against yours.
5431
5432"I wish we could do this more often, too," she says. 
5433
5434>"Yeah, so do I."
5435>"Maybe some day."
5436>"There's no point in dwelling on it."
5437
5438-------------------------
5439
5440>>137881
5441"Yeah, so do I." You wrap your arms around Olwen to return her hug and support her. "I just have other things to take care of right now."
5442
5443"And then it'll be something else, then something else, and so on until the kingdom falls apart or something." Olwen sighs. "But you picked your priorities years ago and that's what made me care in the first place."
5444
5445"So you can't complain."
5446
5447"No, I can still complain," Olwen says. "It just feels hollow." 
5448
5449You stay like this for several minutes, just desperately clinging to each other, until Myrddin calls you back. You've been gone long enough, and now your break is over. You all towel the water off and change into your uniforms before making your way back to the camp. 
5450
5451The camp hasn't caught fire and burned down while you were away, so that's something. There aren't any messengers desperately looking for you either, so it seems that, for once, you didn't miss some disaster. 
5452
5453"I suppose I'll go check back with the Archduchess," you say. "This atmosphere is too relaxed. I don't trust it."
5454
5455"In the last few weeks, I've come to realize that there are two kinds of disasters," Myrddin says. "The ones we know about, and the ones we don't know about."
5456
5457Hardly the most insightful advice, although it is technically accurate. 
5458
5459Myrddin, Olwen, and Delyth return to your company while you head towards the Archduchess' command tent. She's still pouring over her maps, and she seems quite pleased with the situation. 
5460
5461"Oh, Gwain, I was just wondering whether or not I should contact you," the Archduchess. "Since you're here anyway, I might as well ask. Do you think it's more important to attack Viktor's luxury goods or his alchemical supplies?" 
5462
5463>"Go for the luxury goods. There are fewer guards, the road is more vulnerable, and it'll hurt their morale." 
5464>"Go for the alchemical supplies. It's riskier, but the lack of medicines will cripple their army."
5465
5466-------------------------
5467
5468>>138048
5469"Go for the alchemical supplies," you say. "It's riskier, but the lack of medicines will cripple their army."
5470
5471"That's a daring approach," Aleksandra says, "but I can't say it's wrong. How would you pull it off?" 
5472
5473"Do you want me to pull it off?" 
5474
5475"No," she says, "I'd need to deploy a small combat force to avoid them getting caught, and I have other uses for you. I just wanted a second opinion on strategy."
5476
5477In other words, she wants to measure your skills as a strategist, not just as a battlefield commander. You're more than happy to oblige. 
5478
5479Alchemical supplies are literally an army's life, which is why Viktor is sending them through the shortest and least accessible path. In conventional strategy, the simplest and most effective countermeasure would be to send woodsmen to harass the supply caravans, but attrition would be a problem, and Archduke Viktor would secure the road soon one way or another soon enough. It would create a small window of opportunity to make his army vulnerable to an attack, but no more. 
5480
5481The more permanent solution is to resort to scorched earth tactics. Alchemical supplies must be grown and tended carefully. If his suppliers' fields are destroyed, he won't be able to replace his supplies at all. Moreover, the Archduchess' allies might be able to take over the market once the crisis is over. It would, however, be more difficult to pull off.
5482
5483>[Military/1d10] "Stay with the basics. Send woodsmen to harass the caravans."
5484>[Military/1d8] "His supplies rely on fields of alchemical reagents. Destroy them and his army will be permanently crippled."
5485
5486-------------------------
5487
5488>>138205
5489"His supplies rely on fields of alchemical reagents," you say. "Destroy them and his army will be permanently crippled."
5490
5491The Archduchess raises an eyebrow. "That wasn't the answer I expected," she says. "The traditional strategy would be to harass his caravans."
5492
5493"That would just buy us some time," you say. "It would only be really effective if we launched an attack on Archduke Viktor's main camp at the same time. If we cut off his supplies entirely, attrition will quickly take its toll."
5494
5495"That's certainly true," Aleksandria says. "Is there anything else?"
5496
5497"It depends on your personal connections," you say. "Once this conflict is over, you could take over the supply of alchemical medicines to the lands that supported Archduke Viktor. If you act quickly enough, your could monopolize the market and strengthen your position." 
5498
5499"I hadn't even thought of that," Aleksandria says. "Can you go over the details."
5500
5501"Of course," you say. "First off…"
5502
5503>Roll 1d8, best of three.
5504
5505-------------------------
5506
5507>>138337
5508>>138342
5509>>138348
5510In an odd twist of fate, you guys got incredibly lucky. I just remembered that you had a critical success going because you rolled an 11 in the last thread. It should have gone to one of your earlier rolls, but since I forget about it, I'll count it now. 
5511
5512Roll 1d10, best of three.
5513
5514-omitted one small post.
5515
5516-------------------------
5517
5518>>138335
5519You do the best you can to advise Archduchess Aleksandria so she can eliminate her rival's medical supplies, but the lack of information with the nearby lands and markets makes your job significantly more difficult. In the end, you have no way of knowing whether or not your plan will succeed. Still, Aleksandria seems impressed by your military acumen. 
5520
5521"I must say, you're quite different from most of the other mercenaries I've hired," she says. "They usually can't think beyond the next battle."
5522
5523"That kind of shallow thinking just gets people killed," you say. "Every battle is a prelude to the battle that follows it. That's what war is."
5524
5525"That's certainly true," Aleksandria says. "Still, I have to wonder why someone with your talents would come all the way here just to work for me. Strictly speaking, Archduke Viktor's prospects are better than mine."
5526
5527"I thought you weren't going to pry."
5528
5529"The situation is changing," the Archduchess says. "I need to be a little cautious, and I don't like being used."
5530
5531>[Sovereign/1d8] "Archduke Viktor has caught some Gwyrden interest. I work for competing interests."
5532>[Intrigue/1d10] "I just go where the work takes me. That's all."
5533>[Military/1d12] "Wealthier nobles come with fatter loot."
5534
5535-------------------------
5536
5537>>138469
5538You'd rather not go into the details just yet, but since Meuric got caught and blurted his name out, it's not exactly a surprise that Gwyrddarfordir is involved in this to some extent. 
5539
5540"Archduke Viktor has caught some Gwyrden interest," you say. "I work for competing interests."
5541
5542"So Soryn wasn't here out of boredom," Aleksandra says. "What else?" 
5543
5544"Nothing I can share," you say. "I'd rather not be executed for treason."
5545
5546"That's not exactly reassuring." 
5547
5548"I know," you say, "but it's the best I can do at the moment."
5549
5550>Roll 1d8, best of three.
5551
5552-------------------------
5553
5554>>138540
5555Aleksandra sighs and sinks into her chair. "Fine," she says. "I can accept that for now, but you obey my orders and my orders alone, understand? I won't allow my kingdom to be subverted by foreign interests, even if it ends up saving my life."
5556
5557"Fair enough," you say. "If I wanted to act independently, I wouldn't have contacted you in the first place. I do appreciate your support, and I do consider myself in your employ for the duration of this conflict. Besides, look on the bright side. At least someone is looking after you."
5558
5559"I suppose that is something to be grateful for," Aleksandra says. "I just hope it lasts. Having a common enemy doesn't make for long-lasting alliances."
5560
5561"Mutual benefit should be the purpose of any diplomatic or political relationship," you say. "Anything else just leads to further resentment. I'm certain those who sympathize with your situation understand that."
5562
5563"I hope so," Aleksandra says. "There's nothing else you can tell me?"
5564
5565"Nothing that would significantly affect your decisions," you say. "Not as far as I know anyway."
5566
5567"Very well." Aleksandra sighs once more. "You can leave, Gwain. I'll send for you when I need you."
5568
5569"Yes, Archduchess."
5570
5571You bow and leave the Archduchess' tent. Her position is quite unfair, but that's just how it is. There's nothing about your cousin Siarl that makes him particularly noteworthy as a military commander, so his presence shouldn't affect the Archduchess' plans, but it could be construed as an act of war. You can't allow that to happen, at least not in the current circumstances. 
5572
5573You'll have to deal with it, but later. For now, your focus is on the next battle.
5574
5575-------------------------
5576
5577>>138626
5578And that's the end of today's thread. When I first came up with this dice system, I thought it would be too easy, but it turns out to be just right. Getting a 4 on most rolls is easy enough to keep moving the plot forward, but failures happen often enough to prevent things from getting predictable. 
5579
5580The next thread will be Friday May 20th at 7PM EDT. Until then, thanks for playing.
5581
5582==== END THREAD ====
5583
5584Beleaguered Prince Quest
5585written by BeleagueredQM (10 posts, 3 omitted posts)
5586-------- qst2txt --------
5587
5588Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
5589Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
5590
5591Threads 1-10: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
5592
5593Threads 11+: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
5594
5595===============
5596
5597You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
5598
5599You're currently on day… whichever of a quiet guard assignment on the edge of Archduchess Aleksandria's battle line. There hasn't been a fight more impressive than slight skirmishes between scouting parties in days, and the false peace is beginning to get on your nerves. Oh, your men are doing well enough, and you don't begrudge them their honest pay even if they're not doing much to earn it, but you're here to stop your uncle's plans, not to entrench yourself and wait out a war. You have to get back home in time for your brother's wedding, after all. 
5600
5601Perhaps today will change things. 
5602
5603"We're screwed," Myrddin says. He hands you a missive that came in with the morning messenger. 
5604
5605"I'm sure it can't be that bad," Olwen says. 
5606
5607"No, we're really screwed this time," you say. 
5608
5609The missive is an order from the Archduchess. She wants her mercenary forces to perform reconnaissance in force on Archduke Viktor's main encampment. That means fighting an army's defensive position across a river. You can't blame the Archduchess for handing this job over to mercenaries rather than her own vassals - suicide missions tend to strain loyalties - but it doesn't change the fact that you're screwed. 
5610
5611"How many men does the Archduke have at his encampment?" You ask. 
5612
5613"Somewhere around 15 000," Myrddin says. "Of course, they can't all man the walls at the same time. I'd expect to have to fight no more than a hundred men at a time, if all the mercenaries attack together and force them to spread themselves out."
5614
5615"That's still not an enviable position to be in," Olwen says. "We could try sneaking around the river."
5616
5617"Yes, but it'll take longer and we don't know what opposition we'll encounter on our way around," you say. "Not to mention that we'll be left without support."
5618
5619"On the other hand, going at it alone could give us an opportunity to find your uncle's men," Myrddin says. "There are no gains without risk."
5620
5621The final choice is, as always, up to you. 
5622
5623>"We'll attack across the river."
5624>"We'll try to circumvent the river."
5625
5626-omitted one small post.
5627
5628-omitted one small post.
5629
5630-------------------------
5631
5632>>160415
5633"Let's press the attack a little," you say. "I want to see what happens."
5634
5635"I'll pass the order," Olwen says. 
5636
5637The muskets go silent for a moment as their wielders prepare their bullets and weapons for an onslaught. The bullets soon resume, accompanied by a booming thunder that doesn't end. The soldiers march upon the encampment faster and faster, and the pikemen on the front lines hack at the palisades as soon as they're close enough.
5638
5639>Roll 1d10, best of three.
5640
5641-------------------------
5642
5643>>160486
5644The pikemen aren't lumberjacks, and they don't have axes, but the wooden defenses that surround the enemy encampment can only take so much damage. The enemy has to do something to push you off, but they can't, not while the musketeers are still firing. 
5645
5646You keep an eye up for anything unusual. 
5647
5648Then you see him. It's just for a brief moment, but it's definitely your cousin Siarl. 
5649
5650"Looks like we finally found what we were looking for," you say. 
5651
5652"If he's here, he's unlikely to leave any time soon," Myrddin says. "Maybe for negotiations or to oversee the occasional patrol, but since he's not commanding his own encampment, he must be here to act as a liaison." 
5653
5654"What do you want to do about him?" Olwen asks. "I think we can get him if we're lucky."
5655
5656You can't capture him at the moment, but you might be able to kill him. Still, withdrawing now would give you more time to plan. 
5657
5658>[Military/1d8] "I'm going after him. Cover me if you can."
5659>[Military/1d12] "We're withdrawing for now. We can deal with him later."
5660
5661-omitted one small post.
5662
5663-------------------------
5664
5665>>160528
5666"I'm going after him," you say. "Cover me if you can."
5667
5668"That is a terrible idea," Olwen says. "You know you'll be completely surrounded by 15,000 soldiers, right?" 
5669
5670"I'll deal with it," you say. 
5671
5672You get a running start and climb up the fence as fast as you can. Your fingers are bleeding by the time you roll over the top to avoid your own men's bullets, but you manage to make it. The soldiers around you are confused for just a moment, but that's enough for you to pull your sword out with a horrific screeching noise that sends them clutching at their ears. You scramble to your feet and run towards your cousin. 
5673
5674>Roll 1d8, best of three.
5675
5676-------------------------
5677
5678>>160587
5679You run towards Prince Siarl, your movements covered by horrific noises and twisting illusions. No one is in a position to stop you, but you are forced to kill a few people just to clear the way. You let out a mighty warcry to get as much attention as possible. 
5680
5681Noticing that something is wrong, Prince Siarl frowns and draws his weapon. It's… well, it's best described as a giant fucking sword. It's the size of a normal man, and while it doesn't even have an edge, you know it possesses a powerful earth-based enchantment that can simply shatter a knight and his armour into pieces. 
5682
5683Prince Siarl points at you and yells. "Get him! Get him, you idiots." 
5684
5685The paltry opposition set against you accomplishes very little. You grab the nearest warm body and use it as a human shield for a bit before discarding it and replacing it with fresh one. 
5686
5687You're getting closer to Prince Siarl now, and you know you'll only get one shot at this. 
5688
5689>[Military/1d8] Bait him into attacking you. You can kill him with a counter.
5690>[Military/1d8] Use your sword's illusions to make the first attack. You can end this before he strikes.
5691
5692-------------------------
5693
5694>>160639
5695Although you're probably nimble enough to dodge Prince Siarl's gigantic weapon and kill him with a counter, you would much rather not take any risks. You quickly rotate your sword and the light swirls around you to hide your movements. 
5696
5697Siarl frowns and hesitates for a moment. His grip weakens and his sword's momentum wavers. 
5698
5699You step forward with your left foot and jump forward.
5700
5701>Roll 1d8, best of three.
5702
5703-------------------------
5704
5705>>160727
5706Prince Siarl's blade swings wide to your right. You step under his guard and thrust your rapier towards his throat. 
5707
5708"Wait. That sword." A look of recognition briefly flashes over his face, but it's too late. "You're -" 
5709
5710Your sword smoothly cuts into Prince Siarl's throat and through the back of his neck, slipping between the bone. You give it a light twist to make sure his spine is properly severed. His limp corpse slides away. 
5711
5712Before the surrounding enemy soldiers can react, you jump over the palisade. It's a rough landing, but you've had worse. You return to your soldiers as quickly as you can, and they form a defensive perimeter around you. You're soon joined by Myrddin and Olwen. 
5713
5714"Is it done?" Myrddin asks. 
5715
5716"It's done," you say. "What's the situation?" 
5717
5718"The other mercenaries are starting to pull back," Myrddin says. "It seems the mission is complete. We don't have any boats, so we'll have to walk back." 
5719
5720"Sound the retreat then," you order. "The others will just have to hope they're lucky. We can't support their retreat anyway." 
5721
5722Your soldiers slowly move backwards until they're out of the enemy's range. Their caution doesn't lessen as they return to the bridge you captured, but it looks like you've made a clean retreat this time. 
5723
5724"Are you going to be all right?" Olwen asks as the two of you walk together. "About Prince Siarl, I mean."
5725
5726>"It's not my first time killing someone." 
5727>"I did what I had to do."
5728>"It's better this way. Letting him live could have led to war with Rosea."
5729
5730-------------------------
5731
5732>>160777
5733"I did what I had to do," you say. "Besides, it'd be bad if a Gwyrden prince became involved in Rosea's internal matters."
5734
5735"You're -"
5736
5737"It'd be bad if a Gwyrden prince got caught getting involved in Rosea's internal matters."
5738
5739Olwen sighs. "Fine, if you say so," she says. "Just don't go overboard."
5740
5741"On the plus side, our work here is mostly done," Myrddin says. "We can probably justify leaving if you want to."
5742
5743"I'll think about it," you say. "I'd have to speak with the Archduchess first anyway. My cousin is no longer an issue, but that doesn't mean my uncle's men won't cause problems. He might decide to double down in order to recoup his losses."
5744
5745Still, today is a very good day for the Victorious Prince. You survived a suicide mission with no losses, captured a bonus objective that your employer didn't even know about, and you struck a major blow against your uncle's powerbase. You just need to decide where you want to go from here.
5746
5747-------------------------
5748
5749>>160878
5750And that is all for today's thread. The next one will be Sunday May 22nd at 7PM EDT. 
5751
5752Tonight went pretty well, so I can't really think of any closing remarks. Hopefully, it was fun. 
5753
5754Until next time, thanks for playing and goodnight.
5755
5756-------------------------
5757
5758>>160894
5759Not as many as you'd think. It was usually more subtle than that. 
5760
5761>>160906
5762A lot, but you just killed off the eldest, so he's going to have to restructure his affairs to a significant extent.
5763
5764==== END THREAD ====
5765
5766Beleaguered Prince Quest
5767written by BeleagueredQM (18 posts, 6 omitted posts)
5768-------- qst2txt --------
5769
5770Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
5771Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
5772
5773Threads 1-10: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
5774
5775Threads 11+: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
5776
5777===============
5778
5779You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
5780
5781Your little stunt at the bridge earned you quite a reputation and a nice bonus, but time is running out. Archduchess Aleksandria needs to use the opportunity you gave her and the information obtained during the reconnaissance in force as soon as possible, or else the situation will change and her advantage will fade away. 
5782
5783This puts you in something of a conundrum. Strictly speaking, you've accomplished your main objective here. Sure, you could stay around and thoroughly ruin whatever his plans are, but whatever's left can't possibly compare to Prince Siarl's death. You asked your advisors to help you come to a decision. 
5784
5785"We should stay," Olwen says. "Things won't last much longer one way or another either way, so we might as well make sure it's done right."
5786
5787"I agree," Delyth says. 
5788
5789"The Archduchess' failure at this point wouldn't affect us much," Myrddin says. "If anything, it might be a net positive. If she loses her support in Rosea, she'll have to go elsewhere for protection. So long as his highness is willing to take responsibility, this could be quite beneficial to us."
5790
5791You rub your temples. "Really, Myrddin? Really? You want to do this now?" 
5792
5793"I'm merely outlining the possibilities," Myrddin says. 
5794
5795"Speaking from a woman's perspective, 'I let you lose your territory, so please marry me' is not a particularly romantic gesture," Olwen says. "Assuming his highness wants to pursue this further at a latter day, it's better for us if the Archduchess is grateful rather than desperate." 
5796
5797>"We're staying. We're almost done anyway, and I want to finish this right."
5798>"We're leaving. We've already done our part. The Archduchess will have to fend for herself."
5799
5800-------------------------
5801
5802>>169493
5803"We're staying," you say. "We're almost done anyway, and I want to finish this right."
5804
5805"I'm glad to hear that," Olwen says. "It would bring shame to the Victorious Prince's reputation if we left now." 
5806
5807"Because his highness' reputation is what really matters here," Myrddin says while rolling his eyes. "Still, I suppose I can work with this."
5808
5809"Still not the time, Myrddin," you say. "If you want to do something useful, I need a full account of our soldiers and resources before the next battle. I'm expecting orders any time soon now, and I want to be ready."
5810
5811"Yes, your highness."
5812
5813Your advisors leave to reorganize the soldiers. It's unfortunate that you can't let them rest longer, but they need to be prepared for the next engagement. Besides, as you've already said, this is almost over. They just need to push themselves a little more. 
5814
5815Eventually, a messenger summons you to the Archduchess' war council. As you predicted, she's organizing her army for a major assault. 
5816
5817"This could very well be our last chance," she says, "and I want it to count. Smaller warships will attack the main camp with cannons while we march an army around the bridge we recently captured. Again, cannons will be doing most of the work. The turning point will be when the walls come down. If the enemy attacks, maintain defensive position. If they try to turtle in, we'll have to assault them directly." 
5818
5819There are a few more details - specific assignments to each mercenary companies, who's in charge of what, who's staying to defend the Archduchess' camp, that sort of thing - and finally, the Archduchess gets to you.
5820
5821"Gwain, given your achievements and the size of your company, I'd like you to supplement my personal troops," the Archduchess says. "I'll be leading the charge if we're forced to attack the camp in a melee, and I want to have as much support as possible." 
5822
5823>"Yes, Archduchess."
5824>"I would prefer to act independently during this battle, Archduchess."
5825
5826-------------------------
5827
5828>>169735
5829Myrddin is aware and he generally approves, but Olwen and Meirion's relationship isn't a major priority for him at the moment. You'll learn more about Myrddin's plans and motivation in a few threads.
5830
5831-------------------------
5832
5833>>169707
5834"Yes, Archduchess." 
5835
5836You have no reason to refuse and you don't want the Archduchess to die because of someone else's incompetence. Staying with her keeps her safer, and it allows you to be closer to the action and to keep track of what's happening. 
5837
5838The war council wraps up and the officers return to their soldiers with their orders.
5839
5840"We're doing an escort mission," you say. "The Archduchess wants us around in case she needs to storm the enemy encampment. If we're lucky, the enemy will surrender or rush it, and we'll have an easy time of it."
5841
5842"And when we're inevitably unlucky?" Olwen asks. 
5843
5844"We'll have to break through their defenses and end Archduke Viktor's little war in the most violent and lethal manner possible," you say. 
5845
5846"It's unlikely the Archduke will surrender," Myrddin says. "All he really needs to do to win is kill the Archduchess and run away." 
5847
5848"Aren't we in the same position?" You ask.
5849
5850"Not necessarily," Myrddin says. "The Archduke is mostly doing this to help secure his succession, but he does have competent vassals under his command who would benefit from the Archduchess' defeat; otherwise, they wouldn't have joined him. They might keep fighting even after their leader is defeated."
5851
5852"We'll deal with that when the time comes," you say. "If the battle gets too heated, we'll just run away after taking care of the Archduke." 
5853
5854"When all else fails, improvise," Olwen says.
5855
5856"I'm sure everything will turn out all right," Delyth says. You're glad to see someone is optimistic about this situation. 
5857
5858You assemble the men and ride out on horseback this time. You join the Archduchess' personal force near the bridge and ride beside her so you can finalize your strategy.
5859
5860"I'm glad you could join us," she says. "Tell me, what do you think of our odds for this battle?" 
5861
5862"Isn't it too late to ask me that?" 
5863
5864"I couldn't ask during the meeting," the Archduchess says. "I can't allow people to think I'm second-guessing myself."
5865
5866That's a fair point. Myrddin and Olwen are your friends and advisors, but you can't be as honest with your other vassals as you are with them. Despite Myrddin's sarcasm, your reputation really is that important.
5867
5868>"I expect a decisive victory for our side."
5869>"It'll be a difficult battle. The enemy isn't weak."
5870>"We'll be fine so long as we focus on our objective."
5871
5872-------------------------
5873
5874>>169884
5875"We'll be fine so long as we focus on our objective," you say. "We shouldn't get bogged down in unnecessary things."
5876
5877"You mean we should kill Archduke Viktor and get away?" Archduchess Aleksandra asks. 
5878
5879"Unless you want to let him live," you say. "Do you?" 
5880
5881"I haven't decided yet," she says. "I don't want him to cause more trouble in the future, but killing him… It just seems improper."
5882
5883"It's your decision," you say, "and the consequences are yours to bear." 
5884
5885You continue to ride towards the Archduke's encampment. Your advance force encounters a few scouts and patrols, but while they're more heavily-armed than normal, they're easily dealt with. At the end of the ride, you find the encampment already under siege by your naval forces. 
5886
5887"It's time to finish this," the Archduchess says. "Bring the cannons to bear!" 
5888
5889The artillery crews move their weapons into position to bombard the enemy camp. 
5890
5891"Any suggestions before we start?" The Archduchess asks. 
5892
5893>[Military/1d8] "We should aim the bombardment inside the camp to cause chaos."
5894>[Military/1d12] "Just blast through the walls to expose the enemy."
5895
5896-------------------------
5897
5898>>170016
5899"We should aim the bombardment inside the camp to cause chaos," you say. "If we're lucky, it'll swing the numbers our way a little."
5900
5901"That's not a bad idea," the Archduchess says. "Are you sure you can do it?" 
5902
5903"It's not a problem."
5904
5905You order the cannons repositioned slightly so as to increase their elevation without putting them in range of the enemy. If you're right, the cannonballs will fly over the walls and explode inside the camp.
5906
5907"Ready," the Archduchess calls out. "Fire!"
5908
5909>Roll 1d8, best of three.
5910
5911-------------------------
5912
5913>>170124
5914The cannonballs land in the enemy camp and exploding, sending dirty and plumes of smoke into the air. There is some return fire, which you use to target the enemy's artillery with your own. You continue the bombardment until retaliation stops. 
5915
5916"Looks like we softened them up enough," the Archduchess says. "Or at least enough that they can't fight back effectively." 
5917
5918"The next step is breaching the palisade," you say.
5919
5920"We have enough cannons to blast the whole thing down," the Archduchess says. "We can just charge right in afterwards." 
5921
5922"I don't know," you say. "A smaller opening might be better."
5923
5924"We'd be in a bottleneck though."
5925
5926"True, but it would constrain the enemy was well," you say, "and we'd be able to replace our forces with fresh ones throughout the fight."
5927
5928"That's true, but -" 
5929
5930Your discussion is interrupted when the camp's gates open and the flags go up to signal parlay. 
5931
5932"Looks like the Archduke wants to talk," you say. 
5933
5934Archduke Viktor rides out on his white horse, escorted by an armed escort of his own. Archduchess Aleksandra orders her own soldiers back and rides forward to meet Viktor. 
5935
5936"Greetings, Archduchess Aleksandra," Archduke Viktor says. His voice… sonorous is the only way to describe it. Although it's soft, you can clearly hear it across the battlefield.
5937
5938"Greetings, Archduke Viktor," Aleksandra says. "Have you come to discuss your surrender."
5939
5940"Hardly," the Archduke says. "The outcome of this battle is already determined. We both know you can't win this no matter how hard you struggle. However, if you are willing to become my concubine, I will overlook your transgressions."
5941
5942The Archduchess' soldiers cry out in anger and indignation. If you're surprised at anything, it's the Archduke's boldness. Offering the position of concubine to royalty is nothing less than a grievous insult. 
5943
5944"I refuse," Archduchess Aleksandria says. 
5945
5946"In that case, I must challenge you to a duel."
5947
5948You frown. You hadn't expected that. You've killed officers personally when the opportunity presented itself, but halting a battle for a duel is something else entirely. 
5949
5950For the sake of her reputation, the Archduchess must accept, but it's not a favourable position for her. 
5951
5952>Let Archduchess Aleksandra fight the duel. 
5953>Fight the duel as the Archduchess' champion. 
5954>[Military/1d6] You have musketeers. Order them to shoot Archduke Viktor.
5955
5956-omitted one small post.
5957
5958-omitted one small post.
5959
5960-omitted one small post.
5961
5962-------------------------
5963
5964>>170239
5965"I'll answer your challenge," you shout. "I'll fight in the name of the Archduchess." 
5966
5967The soldiers mutter and whisper among each other at your declaration. You ignore them and casually ride towards Aleksandra and Viktor. 
5968
5969Archduke Viktor looks at you and sneers. "You have no business here, mercenary."
5970
5971"My business is to kill people for my employer," you say. "Right now, I'm offering to kill you."
5972
5973"Thank you for the offer," Aleksandra says. She smiles and moves away. "This is a waste of mine time anyway. Gwain, take care of it." 
5974
5975"With pleasure, Archduchess." You draw your sword and face the Archduke. 
5976
5977"You meddle in affairs beyond your understanding," Viktor says. "A mere commoner knows nothing of the burdens of royalty."
5978
5979You might care, if Viktor wasn't so obviously in over his head.
5980
5981>[Sovereign/1d10] "A half-bastard like you knows nothing of royalty."
5982>[Intrigue/1d10] "I understand royalty better than your backers do."
5983>[Military/1d12] "And you understand nothing of war, or else you wouldn't be here."
5984
5985-------------------------
5986
5987>>170423
5988Archduke Viktor maintains a calm, aloof appearance, as if he doesn't care about anything that's happening around him. Let's see if you can crack his façade. 
5989
5990"And you understand nothing of war," you say, "or else you wouldn't be here." 
5991
5992"You -" 
5993
5994"Shut your fucking mouth." You interrupt the Archduke's retort. "Tell me, did you come up with this idea because you realized you were cornered, or do you really believe duels are worth anything?"
5995
5996>Roll 1d12, best of three.
5997
5998-------------------------
5999
6000>>170498
6001You can see the Archduke's face crack into a snarl. He screams in rage and kicks his horse forward. You easily parry his first attack and strike his leg. Your sword bounces off his armour, but it allows you to gauge how strong his defense here. He's using enchanted armour, so with your light blade, you'll have to aim for joints and other weak points. 
6002
6003"I will kill you and drag your body along my borders to mark them in your blood, mercenary!" 
6004
6005You have to admit, it's pretty inventive as far as threats go. 
6006
6007Archduke Viktor charges at you once again. You have to decide how you're going to meet his attack.
6008
6009>[Military/1d8] Try to unhorse Archduke Viktor.
6010>[Military/1d10] Attack one of the Archduke's joints.
6011>[Military/1d12] Try to kill the Archduke's horse.
6012
6013-------------------------
6014
6015>>170561
6016You point your sword at the Archduke and kick your horse forward to meet his charge. At the last moment, you swing your sword in a circle with your elbow and shoulder, aiming to cut into its throat. 
6017
6018>Roll 1d12, best of three.
6019
6020-------------------------
6021
6022>>170659
6023Your sword bites into the horse's neck. The animal rears in shock and loses its footing. It falls down while blood pours from its throat. 
6024
6025The horse falls on top of its rider, who screams in surprise. You hear something break, and then the Archduke screams in pain. He slowly crawls out from beneath his dying horse. 
6026
6027"Kill you…" The Archduke's voice is hoarse and desperate. "I will kill you, you filthy commoner animal!" 
6028
6029His threat might be a little intimidating, if there wasn't a bone jutting out of his right leg. Still, you have to admit the Archduke is a resilient man. He stand up on his one good leg and holds up his sword in a guard. 
6030
6031"You could just surrender," you say. 
6032
6033The Archduke spits a bloody glob at your horse's feet.
6034
6035"I will die before I surrender to you, commoner!" 
6036
6037At least he's saving you the trouble of having to decide whether you should kill him or take him alive. If he wants to commit suicide, you'll be glad to accommodate him.
6038
6039>[Military/1d12/7XP] Dismount and kill him on foot.
6040>[Military/Autosuccess/5XP] Run him down with your horse.
6041
6042-------------------------
6043
6044>>170713
6045"If that's how you want it to be."
6046
6047You swing off your horse and casually walk towards the Archduke. You smirk behind your ask - really, it's a shame Viktor can't see the expression on your face - and reach for his arm.
6048
6049>Roll 1d12, best of three.
6050
6051-------------------------
6052
6053>>170817
6054Before he can attack you, you grab his arm and twist it until he loses his hold. You bash him over the head with the pommel of your sword for good measure and pull him face-first into the ground as he screams and flails. 
6055
6056"Remember, you asked for this."
6057
6058You press your foot against his back and pull his helmet off. You press the point of your sword to the back of his neck and stab down. 
6059
6060Archduchess Aleksandra's troops cheer, while the deceased Archduke's soldiers cry out in outrage and raise their weapons to resume the fight. You don't see what they're complaining about. After all, this was the Archduke's idea. It's not your fault he didn't know how to fight properly. 
6061
6062"Charge!" Aleksandra's horse gallops down the hill towards the enemy's army, and your own soldiers gather around you, waiting for orders.
6063
6064"Not bad," Olwen says. "That was even more dramatic than your last duel."
6065
6066"Please don't bring that up," you say. "I wouldn't want Myrddin to get any ideas."
6067
6068"What should we do now, sir?" Delyth asks. "The Archduchess seems to have things well in hand." 
6069
6070>[Military/Autosuccess/18XP] "Eradicate the enemy completely. We need to make an example out of them."
6071>[Military/Autosuccess/12XP] "Let's join the battle. We don't want to get left out."
6072>[Military/Autosuccess/5XP] "Let's just defend the Archduchess."
6073
6074-------------------------
6075
6076>>170856
6077"Eradicate the enemy completely," you say. "We need to make an example out of them." 
6078
6079"Yes, sir," Olwen says. "That's one crushing rout with a large number of dead nobles. It shouldn't take more than an hour."
6080
6081"That's what I like to hear," you say. "Just don't get sloppy. I don't want people dying at this point."
6082
6083"I'll be sure to order the men not to do anything you would do, your highness."
6084
6085The battle doesn't last much longer after that. The officers are quickly killed or captured, and the rest of the soldiers do everything they can to get away now that their leadership is completely crippled. Some of them manage to make a run for it. Others don't. Hopefully, the piled corpses will ensure that the Archduchess' other rivals won't get ideas any time soon. 
6086
6087Once the battle ends, ferries come to carry you over the river to save you the trouble of having to ride all the way back across the bridge. Archduchess Aleksandra waits alongside you, sitting astride her horse. 
6088
6089"That went as well as it could have," she says. "Thank you for dealing with Viktor. I'm afraid it would have been a difficult fight for me."
6090
6091"Yeah, I thought it would be something like that," you say. "To be honest, I'm a little surprised you would admit that. Most people don't like to acknowledge their limits."
6092
6093"I consider my life to be more important than my pride." The Archduchess pauses for a moment. "So, what are you going to do now? I could entertain you for a few days, if you'd like."
6094
6095That's certainly an abrupt change in topic. You really hope Myrddin is no where within earshot. 
6096
6097>"I can stay for a few days longer."
6098>"It's better if I return home as soon as possible."
6099
6100-------------------------
6101
6102>>170957
6103"It's better if I return home as soon as possible," you say.
6104
6105"Ah yes," the Archduchess says. "I suppose your 'interests' will want to hear about how things turned out."
6106
6107"They'll be quite pleased that your position is secure," you say, "so please return the favour if you ever had the chance."
6108
6109"I'm not an ungrateful person," Aleksandra says. "The strings bother me a little, but it's only fair to pay favours back." 
6110
6111"They'll be quite pleased to hear that as well."
6112
6113"It is a bit of a shame, though," the Archduchess says. "I really wanted to see what you look like under that mask, and now I'll never know."
6114
6115"Oh, I'm sure we'll meet again," you say. "Maybe you'll recognize me, maybe you won't. Odds are, it won't really matter either way."
6116
6117"It'll matter," Aleksandra assures you. "I definitely won't forget what you did for me."
6118
6119You really hope Myrddin didn't hear that.
6120
6121Fortunately, the ferry arrives and you both get on board. Myrddin follows you on board, while Olwen and Delyth stay behind to coordinate the men. You bid Aleksandra farewell and go to speak with Myrddin.
6122
6123"That Archduchess sounds quite 'grateful.'" 
6124
6125Shit. He did hear what she was staying. 
6126
6127"Do we need to have this conversation again, Myrddin?" 
6128
6129"Yes, but it can wait until we get back home," Myrddin says.
6130
6131"Myrddin, I have work -" 
6132
6133"This is work, your highness," Myrddin says. "And with your brother's upcoming marriage, we need to at least discuss it."
6134
6135Yeah. He's really not going to let it go this time. 
6136
6137You hope you'll have a massive pile of work waiting for you once you get back home. The excuses won't last long, but it'll let you buy some time.
6138
6139-------------------------
6140
6141>>171042
6142And so today's thread comes to an end. Next time, we'll learn more about Myrddin and his plans for Meirion's future. It's actually one of the very first things I thought of back when this Quest was still in its planning stage, and it marks the end of Part 1. 
6143
6144So, the next thread will be on Friday May 27th at 7PM EDT. Until then, thanks for playing and goodnight.
6145
6146-omitted one small post.
6147
6148-------------------------
6149
6150>>171099
6151There are 13 (or 13.5, depending on how you count them) candidates total, but there are 3(.5) that you haven't met yet because of how the votes turned out, and one who only showed up briefly.
6152
6153-omitted one small post.
6154
6155-omitted one small post.
6156
6157==== END THREAD ====
6158
6159Beleaguered Prince Quest
6160written by BeleagueredQM (32 posts, 1 omitted posts)
6161-------- qst2txt --------
6162
6163Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
6164Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
6165
6166Previous threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
6167
6168===============
6169
6170You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
6171
6172You are not currently hiding from Myrrdin. You are not desperate to avoid him and whatever twisted plans he has for you and your future. You most certainly did not agree to have lunch with your siblings because you knew it would be the very last place Myrddin would come looking for you. 
6173
6174"Have you heard about the Archduke of Rosea?" Crown Prince Haul asks. 
6175
6176"The rumours are spreading all over the capital," your sister Nesta says. "To be defeated in a duel by a mercenary… it must have been an impressive battle. It's a shame I wasn't there to see it."
6177
6178It is nice to receive praise from your older siblings, even if they don't know they're giving it. 
6179
6180"If only we could settle all conflicts like that," Prince Haul says. "War is such a terrible waste of life."
6181
6182"I understand your meaning brother." Princess Nesta sighs. "However… I cannot forget the glory of battle. Standing at the front of an army and leading others by example - that is our true purpose."
6183
6184"Too true," Prince Haul says. "These are our burdens to bear." 
6185
6186On second thought, perhaps there's a civil war in Svekka you could get yourself dragged into? 
6187
6188"What do you think, Meirion?" Your sister asks you. 
6189
6190>"Even with an army, it should still be possible to minimize the loss of life."
6191>"Armies are necessary. We wouldn't be able to hold territory without them."
6192>"I believe the soldiers also wish to fight for the kingdom's glory."
6193
6194-------------------------
6195
6196>>191181
6197You wriggle uncomfortably in your chair and try to figure how you're going to answer that question. 
6198
6199"We wouldn't be able to hold territory without armies, so we can't get rid of them," you say. "Besides, I believe the citizens also want to fight for the glory of their home."
6200
6201"That is a good point," Nesta says. "The people should claim their share of our ancestral glory."
6202
6203"Can such a thing be worth their lives?" Prince Haul asks. 
6204
6205"Even in battle, there are ways to minimize death," you say. "So long as we make the correct decisions, we can save as many people as possible." 
6206
6207"If only it were that easy." Prince Haul sighs. "I hope my wife never needs to worry about such things."
6208
6209Nesta perks up at the mention of Prince Haul's imminent wedding. "Tell me, royal brother, how are the preparations for the wedding going?" She asks. "It must be an exciting time for you."
6210
6211"There are so many bothersome things to deal with," Prince Haul says. "I'm glad the courtiers are making themselves useful for once, but I'm afraid I'm putting a terrible burden on Mair. Her training has been quite difficult. Really, who cares about etiquette and dancing?" 
6212
6213"Think of it as a different kind of battle," you say. "You need to do this in order to honour our ancestors and, as you wished, there will be no bloodshed."
6214
6215Prince Haul considers your words before nodding. "That is certainly one way to look at it," he says. "I'll keep that in mind during the coming days."
6216
6217"The hardship is what makes the celebration worth it," Nesta adds. "This is a joyous occasion for the whole kingdom! I've heard all the nobles are looking for proper gifts for you and your wife."
6218
6219"Don't make me think about it," Prince Haul says. "All those wedding gifts are nothing more than a display of greed and excess. I believe I'll have them donate wealth to charity instead."
6220
6221That's a good way to solicit meagre wedding gifts if you've ever heard one. The Crown Prince would have more luck if he asked for money and decided himself how to allocate it, and it would be more proper still if he simply accepted the gifts. 
6222
6223>[Sovereign/1d8] "It would be impolite to refuse wedding gifts, brother."
6224>[Sovereign/1d12] "Perhaps you should simply request money and then donate it yourself?" 
6225>"I'm sure they'll be delighted at your suggestion, brother."
6226
6227-omitted one small post.
6228
6229-------------------------
6230
6231>>191285
6232"The gifts are a sign of respect, brother," you say. "Both for you and your wife. What will our vassals say if you turn away their respect?"
6233
6234"I would say that our royal brother's integrity is exemplary," Nesta says with a great beaming smile on her face. 
6235
6236"Everyone already knows that," you say. "What about requesting gifts for the Crown? There should be a few things we need, and it would be taken as a sign of loyalty. With the coin it'll free up, you'll be able to fund worthy causes." 
6237
6238>Roll 1d10, best of three.
6239
6240-------------------------
6241
6242>>191380
6243"I hadn't thought of it that way," Prince Haul says. "It does sound like the proper thing to do. I'll request a list of what the Crown needs."
6244
6245Sometimes, you need to fight other people's wars for them. Other times, all it takes is the right word at the right time. 
6246
6247Sadly, your victory is short-lived. 
6248
6249"Oh, there you are, your highness. I'm so glad I found you. We have some very, very important business to take care of."
6250
6251Cold sweat pours down your back and you turn your head to look at Myrddin and his twisted smile of sadistic glee. His hand burrows into your shoulder like a steel vice and he pulls you away from the table before you can react. Your siblings just stare in confusion.
6252
6253"Crown Prince, Princess Nesta. Shame we can't chat, but there's work to do."
6254
6255You reluctantly accept your fate and let Myrddin pull you through the hallways and into the shadowy dungeon of secrets he calls an office. He pushes you into a chair and takes out a few lightstones before sitting at his desk. 
6256
6257"If you wanted to see me so urgently, you could have just asked," you say. 
6258
6259"Having lunch with your siblings was a clever move, your highness," he says. "I looked through the entire palace and most of Aurwain before I found you, but now, it's time we talked." 
6260
6261"Talked about what?" 
6262
6263"Your marriage prospects, obviously."
6264
6265>"Why do you even care?" 
6266>"I don't see how that's any of your business."
6267>"Fine, what is it?"
6268
6269-------------------------
6270
6271>>191409
6272"Fine," you say, "what is it?" 
6273
6274"It's about finding people who can support you," Myrddin says, "people you can trust with your life and your future."
6275
6276"Isn't that what you and Olwen are for?" You ask. 
6277
6278"Our help won't be enough for much longer," Myrddin says. "The three of us can put out fires every now and then, but that's only a small part of our duties."
6279
6280"Oh, now you're just being dramatic for the sake of it."
6281
6282"Let's be honest your highness, how long do you think you can keep this up?" Myrddin asks. "Traveling all over the kingdom, getting involved in other people's disputes, financing thieves and mercenaries to further your plans… You do it because there are few people who can and fewer who will, but we both know you won't be able to keep at it forever."
6283
6284"Are you telling me to retire?" 
6285
6286"I'm telling you to keep your position in mind," Myrddins says. "You've dealt with the kingdom's worst problems because the courtiers could handle the daily tasks, but with the Crown Prince's marriage, things will change. Your responsibilities will change. You'll have to leave the capital behind and establish your base of power elsewhere." 
6287
6288Per Gwyrddarfordir's tradition, siblings of the Crown Prince or Princess are expected to claim one of the kingdom's major cities as a principality. It's a good enough consolation prize to bury the resentment of not being born first, and it makes it easier for the royal family to manage the kingdom. Upon their ruler's, the principality is returned to the Crown and managed by a council of retired nobles until another royal elects to rule it. 
6289
6290Aside from the capital of Aurwain, there are six cities in Gwyrddarfordir. Duwcan, the second largest after the capital, is currently under your uncle's rule. It would be proper for you to claim a principality of your own once the Crown Prince is married. Princess Nesta would have first pick, but you can always negotiate something with her if there's a conflict. 
6291
6292"I'm quite aware of what's expected of me, Myrddin," you say. "I know I'll have to become more involved in the common aspects of rulership soon, and that I'll need to find other ways to realize my plans." 
6293
6294"That's good," Myrddin says, "but what do you expect from yourself? What are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren's ambitions?" 
6295
6296"You want me to decide this now?" You ask. "What does any of this have to do with my marriage prospects?" 
6297
6298You assumed Myrddin was going to go on about securing your bloodline and gathering support for the kingdom. This is turning out to be much more serious.
6299
6300"I'll get to that in a bit," Myrddin says. "First, I need to know how far you're willing to go. If you change your mind because of circumstances later on, that's fine, but I need to know what you want to accomplish right now. Otherwise, I won't be able to help you."
6301
6302>"I just want to survive."
6303>"My only goal is Gwyrddarfordir's prosperity."
6304>"I want to be King."
6305
6306-------------------------
6307
6308>>191538
6309"My only goal is Gwyrddarfordir's prosperity," you say. "That's what it's always been about." 
6310
6311Your father's throne doesn't mean much to you, and while you'd rather not get assassinated, you can and have put your life on the line for the kingdom's sake. You can't turn your back on that, not after how far you've already come. 
6312
6313Myrddin smiles at your answer. "Just the answer I expected," he says. "Are you sure that's what you're satisfied with?" 
6314
6315"I'm absolutely certain," you say.
6316
6317"Let's get things moving them." Myrddin takes a pile of documents from the mess on his desk and unceremoniously drops it in front of you. "Three candidates to become your wife, five candidates to become your consorts, and five candidates to become your concubines. You can only have one legal wife, and I'd recommend two consorts and two concubines. Any more than that, and you might have to stretch your obligations too thin." 
6318
6319You stare at the documents. A small part of you had always assumed Myrddin's comments were all jokes at your expense. It turns out he was absolutely serious about all of it. 
6320
6321"I'm so pleased that you put so much effort into this." You look through the documents to see who Myrddin wants to set you up with. At least you recognize most of the names. 
6322
6323"Who do you want to start with?"
6324
6325>"I suppose the legal wife is the most important."
6326>"Remind me of the traditions regarding consorts?" 
6327>"Let's talk about the potential concubines."
6328
6329-------------------------
6330
6331>>191645
6332"I suppose the legal wife is the most important," you say. "What are your suggestions?" 
6333
6334"Fortunately for us, Olstren, Svekka, Rosea all have princesses we can secure a political alliance with," Myrddin says. "You've met two of them already, and all three have been invited to the Crown Prince's wedding. I'm certain they'll attend."
6335
6336"At least I won't have to worry about marrying a complete stranger," you say. "Do you have any advice?"
6337
6338"Just a bit, and you should keep it in mind when you choose your consorts and concubines as well," Myrddin says. "For you, this isn't about producing an heir, or even securing a political alliance. Your wife and companions will share your burdens and help you rule. With their support, you'll be able to delegate some of your tasks, and work more efficiently." 
6339
6340Gwyrddarfordir has a difficult relationship with its northern neighbours Olstren, Svekka, and Rosea. Since Crown Prince Haul has chosen to marry a commoner, the responsibility of securing a political alliance falls to you and your sister. Given your sister's personality, it's better if you take care of it yourself if you want it done soon. 
6341
6342>Per Myrddin's advice, your companions will help support you and help you develop your skills. All of the ladies on Myrddin's list focus on two skills, and provide you with a 10% discount to the experience you need to level up these skills; instead of needing (Current Level x 100) XP to level up a skill, you would only need (Current Level x 90) XP. These discounts stack, so with one wife, two consorts, and two concubines, you could theoretically get a 50% discount to the experience you need to level up certain skills. 
6343
6344>Note that this discount is not retroactive, and that the ladies' skills are not distributed evenly; some are rarer than others.
6345
6346-------------------------
6347
6348>>191804
6349The first name on the list is someone you've already met. Reagan mac Connaught is the unfortunate princess of Olstren. As the king's only child, she is solely responsible for the royal succession, but as a princess, her position is tenuous at best. Numerous Olstren nobles have attempted to marry her in order to secure a claim to the throne, but all of them have been met with an unfortunate "accident." 
6350
6351Princess Reagan has no resources and little influence. She does, however, have a very solid claim to the throne of Olstren. If her father dies and you're able to subjugate Olstren's nobility, you would become king at her side. The benefits for Gwyrddarfordir are obvious. 
6352
6353As a princess, Reagan is familiar with a Sovereign's duty. In addition, her talent for Intrigue has allowed her to survive among nobles who constantly seek to manipulate her.
6354
6355-------------------------
6356
6357>>191810
6358You only know the second name by reputation. Princess Agda Almstedt is one of Svekka's princesses. Her brother died in battle against Olstren several years ago, leaving her as the kingdom's heir. Unlike Reagan, however, she enjoys widespread support from the nobility. 
6359
6360Svekka has emerged as a major mercantile power in recent years. Although they somewhat lack in raw materials, in part due to the colder climate, their production capabilities are second to none. They have the most stable relationship with Gwyrddarfordir at the moment, and a stronger alliance would be an economic boon for both kingdoms.
6361
6362However, you are concerned about some of Myrddin's notes. Svekka's prosperity has allowed its merchants to become more influential, and Myrddin believes that there might be some conflicts between them and the nobility in the near future. 
6363
6364Agda is certain to be an excellent Sovereign and Merchant
6365
6366-------------------------
6367
6368>>191815
6369The final candidate is Aleksandra Volkova, another acquaintance of yours. Although she has no credible claim to the throne of Rosea, you know she's a strong supporter of Archduke Radomir, the Tsar's most likely successor. Military prowess his highly prized in Rosea, a fact which is reflected in its art and culture, and the Archduchess has her own forces to command. A marriage with her would gain you a powerful ally, as well as a refuge if things go wrong. 
6370
6371There is a drawback to Rosea's military tradition. Gwyrddarfordir's wars with Rosea were some of the toughest. A Gwyrden mercenary hiring himself to an Archduchess isn't going to raise any eyebrows, but a marriage between a Gwyrden prince and an Archduchess is going to insult a few people, if only as a matter of principle. The Roseans will respect the Victorious Prince, but gaining acceptance in the Tsar's court would be a challenge. 
6372
6373From what you've seen, Aleksandra is a competent Sovereign and an excellent Military commander.
6374
6375-------------------------
6376
6377>>191815
6378These three princesses are certainly impressive, both in terms of status and personal competence. 
6379
6380"You must hold my charm in high esteem," you say. "Courting a princess is no small feat, even for a prince."
6381
6382"Based on past experience, I'm certain you'll manage," Myrddin says. "They're also royalty. They'll know how these things work. Is there anything else you'd like to know?" 
6383
6384>Do you have any questions for Myrddin about the princesses he suggested?
6385
6386>Discuss the consorts next. 
6387>Discuss the concubines next.
6388
6389-------------------------
6390
6391>>191841
6392"I want to know more about Svekka," you say. "How does Princess Agda stand with the merchants?" 
6393
6394"To the best of my knowledge, the nobles control resources, the merchants control production, and Princess Agda is somewhere in the middle," Myrddin says. "The merchants know how much money they could be making if the nobles weren't part of the equation, and while the princess and her father are trying to steer things in favour of Svekka's shared prosperity, they can't go against the nobles or placate the merchants. It's bound to end in a revolution, even if I don't think it will be too violent. That wouldn't benefit anyone."
6395
6396So if you end up throwing your lot in with Svekka, you'd need to find some way to forge a compromise between the merchants and the nobles. It'd be difficult, but if you played your cards right and gained support from either side, it would secure your position. You'd just have to be willing to put in the required effort. 
6397
6398"What about Olstren?" You ask. "What do they have, and how do their marriage laws work?" 
6399
6400"Their weather is milder than Svekka's, and they have access to oceanic trade," Myrddin says. "It would be to Princess Reagan's advantage to marry into your bloodline, so your claim to the throne of Olstren would be shared equally." 
6401
6402That makes sense. If you went to Olstren, you wouldn't be able to bring your connections or your army with you. It's better for Princess Reagan to move to Gwyrddarfordir instead. 
6403
6404As for Oceanic trade, you do get some from your mother's homeland, but Gwyrddarfordir doesn't have many ports to the West. Having access to Olstren's ports would bolster your economy. 
6405
6406"That's everything for now," you say. "Remind me of the traditions regarding consorts?" 
6407
6408"Consorts relinquish their claims to the bloodline of Gwyrren," Myrddin says, "or at least that's how it works as far as you're concerned. In any case, they can't marry upwards into the royal family. In exchange, their house pays taxes to you instead of the Crown, and you can set them as high or as low as you want."
6409
6410"It's a large enough incentive to keep vassals loyal," you say, "but the Crown's other vassals won't have to worry about their peers becoming too influential or making a claim for the throne."
6411
6412"Exactly."
6413
6414-------------------------
6415
6416>>192028
6417Predictably, Myrddin's first suggestion is Olwen. All things considered, she's been an excellent bodyguard to all these years, in spite of your best efforts. She's in line to become a duchess, and her father is a respected paladin. With her house's resources, establishing a principality wouldn't be a problem. 
6418
6419Olwen is most familiar with Military matters, but after all the time she's spent with you and Myrddin, she's also learned how to be a good Sovereign.
6420
6421-------------------------
6422
6423>>192033
6424The second candidate is Mererid auk Hirbraich, one of Olwen's vassals. You've met, but only once. Mererid will inherit the title of Countess once her father retires, so she does have resources of her own. Her family primarily deals in enchanted weapon, and they know how to use them as well. 
6425
6426Mererid is skilled in Enchantment and Military matters.
6427
6428-------------------------
6429
6430>>192047
6431The next name is not one you're personally familiar with. Rhonwen auk Cysgod is another presumptive countess. Her family has only been part of the nobility for a few centuries, but they've made a name for themselves by pursuing the arcane arts. They own very little land aside from their home, but their knowledge and skills in alchemy and enchantment are excellent. 
6432
6433Rhonwen followed her family tradition and earned a respectable reputation as a mistress of Alchemy and Enchantment.
6434
6435-------------------------
6436
6437>>192053
6438The fourth candidate is Seren auk Caunys, whose family owns land near Olstren. You've already helped her deal with some problems near her land, so she would likely be amenable to any interest you express in her. Her family is quite wealthy and they have a formidable reputation as alchemists. 
6439
6440Seren is talented in Alchemy and she's also skilled as a Merchant.
6441
6442-------------------------
6443
6444>>192059
6445House Haernty has recently been restored thanks to your help, and Ceri is poised to inherit the title of Baroness. Her position in the nobility is low, and her lands are nothing to brag about, but she has allied herself to a powerful merchant consortium. Those merchants are your allies as well, but they've already shown themselves willing to cause a bit of trouble for the Crown, so a stronger alliance with them might make your life easier in the future.
6446
6447Ceri possesses great talent as a Merchant, and she is also a bit of a Dilettante.
6448
6449-------------------------
6450
6451>>192069
6452"So… what do you want to do about Olwen?" Myrddin asks. "If you made her an offer right now, she'd say yes." 
6453
6454"Wouldn't that be a problem for you?" You ask. "I thought you'd want me to consider my options carefully."
6455
6456"Not really," Myrddin says. "I suggested you take two consorts for a reason. If you choose one now, you'll have someone to escort you for your brother's wedding celebrations, and the other candidates will have to compete harder for the remaining spot."
6457
6458It is, after all, a political arrangement as much as a personal one. If ladies want your attention and favour, they'll have to offer something in exchange, and if they know only one of them can be chosen, they'll have to make a better case for themselves. That's one of the advantages of being the Prince. 
6459
6460>"I'll go visit Olwen as soon as we're done. I've been putting this off too long as it is."
6461>"I'll wait longer before making a decision." 
6462
6463>Also, do you have questions for Myrddin about your potential consorts?
6464
6465-------------------------
6466
6467>>192106
6468"I'll go visit Olwen as soon as we're done," you say. "I've been putting this off for too long as it is."
6469
6470"I'm sure you're not just saying that because you're terrified of what she'll do to you if you snub her." Myrddin smirks. "In any case, you'll want these."
6471
6472He hands you a scroll. You blow the thick layer of dust off it and read the content under one of the lightstones. 
6473
6474"The Bloodline of Vaughan hereby relinquishes all claims to the Bloodline of Gwyrren. The Bloodline of Vaughan is hereby exempt from paying tithe to the Crown, and shall instead pay dowry to… How long have you had this? Our names are filled out and everything."
6475
6476"About two years now," Myrddin says.
6477
6478"Your foresight is, as always, impressive," you say. "I suppose the potential concubines are next?"
6479
6480"They are."
6481
6482-------------------------
6483
6484>>192243
6485The list of potential concubines starts with Eleri Lloyd. Her parents are celebrated artists, dancers, and musicians, and Eleri has inherited their talents. She's performed in concert halls and ballrooms all over the kingdom, and her contacts and patrons could help you turn your principality into a centre of culture, if that's what you're interested in. 
6486
6487Eleri is a renowned Dilettante and she is somewhat skilled at Intrigue
6488
6489-------------------------
6490
6491>>192249
6492You briefly met Ilsa Owens shortly after your uncle tried to poison you. Hopefully, she doesn't remember the specifics of the encounter. Isla is the granddaughter of the Alchemists' Guild's master. Although she lacks fame, her knowledge of alchemy and the experience she gained helping the Alchemists' Guild's business are quite valuable. 
6493
6494Isla is talented at Alchemy, but she is also a Merchant.
6495
6496-------------------------
6497
6498>>192260
6499Esyllt Coleran is one of your associates, although your relationship thus far has been nothing but formal. She's part of a successful group of merchants, and you know she has great ambitions for both herself and her peers. She's already one of your allies, but a more intimate relationship might make her more willing to compromise with your own position and interests. 
6500
6501Esyllt is mostly known as a Merchant, but she has also shown some talent for Intrigue.
6502
6503-------------------------
6504
6505>>192269
6506The fourth candidate is Nia Fisher. You've never met her but you can see why Myrddin took notice of her. She's the niece of the Enchanters' Guild's current master, and while her accomplishments aren't too noteworthy, she is talented and she does have some connections. 
6507
6508Nia is an expert at Enchantment and a successful Merchant.
6509
6510-------------------------
6511
6512>>192282
6513You've already fought alongside Delyth. She's a respected chaplain, and you certainly wouldn't be the first royal to take a concubine from the temples. In fact, Myrddin informs you that the children of a chaplain and a royal can be legitimized in some circumstances, although it doesn't happen very often. You know Delyth can command troops fairly well, and her company would gain the approval of the most pious or traditional citizens of Gwyrddarfordir. 
6514
6515Delyth's knowledge of Gwyrden history and culture is mostly related to the Military, but she is also a Dilettante.
6516
6517-------------------------
6518
6519>>192288
6520"Concubines are most often commoners, so inheritance can get complicated," Myrddin says. "Your children wouldn't be able to inherit from you. They can inherit from their mother, but they can't inherit from anyone else in their mother's family unless there are no other direct relatives. It's been common for women to be given a way so a family wouldn't have to split their wealth."
6521
6522Hardly a commendable practice, but it's just one of the decisions that the poor have to face. 
6523
6524"I'll make sure my children" - the word sounds utterly bizarre coming out of your mouth in this context - "are taken care of."
6525
6526"There is something else I'd like to discuss," Myrddin says. "Since you'll be taking part in your brother's wedding celebrations, it might be wise to take a concubine now as well if you're interested in Eleri Lloyd or Esyllt Coleran. Their talents would be very useful to you." 
6527
6528"Is that a recommendation?" You ask.
6529
6530"No, I just wanted to inform you," Myrddin says. "If you're not absolutely certain you want to court either of them, it's better in the long run if you wait." 
6531
6532"And what happens if I do wait?"
6533
6534"I'll arrange for you to meet the candidates you haven't spent much time with," Myrddin says. "You will definitely meet them during your brother's wedding celebration, but this will give you a little more time to get to know them."
6535
6536>"I might as well choose a concubine as well."
6537>"In that case, I'd rather wait."
6538>"I should talk to Olwen first. This affects her as well."
6539
6540-------------------------
6541
6542>>192354
6543"I think I'll wait," you say. "I'll see how things go with Olwen first and then talk to her about it if it comes up." 
6544
6545"Just let me know what you decide," Myrddin says. "The wedding itself will only last two days, but the celebration will take a few weeks, both before and after the wedding. You have time, but probably not as much as you'd like. Make good use of it."
6546
6547"Thank you, Myrddin," you say. "I'll go speak with Olwen now."
6548
6549"Be sure to enjoy yourselves."
6550
6551You pointedly ignore the stupid grin on Myrddin's stupid face - although you make sure to bring the contract he gave you along - and walk to Olwen's chambers. You know her schedule, and she should be in at the moment. You knock on the door and wait.
6552
6553The door opens a crack. "Oh, you're here." Olwen doesn't seem surprised to see you. "Myrddin's been looking all over for you, you know." 
6554
6555"I did my best, but he outwitted me in the end," you say. "Can I come in?" 
6556
6557"Of course." Olwen steps aside and closes the door once you enter. "What can I help you with?"
6558
6559>"There's something I'd like you to sign."
6560>"Would you like to become my consort?" 
6561>Kiss her.
6562
6563-------------------------
6564
6565>>192498
6566You gently place your hand against Olwen's cheek and kiss her. She freezes for a moment, and you take the opportunity to slip your tongue inside her mouth. 
6567
6568Olwen very quickly realizes what's happening and begins sucking you in, to the point where you need to struggle for opportunities to breathe. With one hand, she pushes you against the wall. With the other, she fumbles with your belt and tries to pull it off. You had the initiative for a very brief moment, and now it is gone. 
6569
6570Olwen is having her way with you, and there isn't much you can do about it. 
6571
6572>[Military/1d4] You should stop this before it goes too far.
6573>[Military/1d6] You should take charge. 
6574>[Dilettante/1d12] Just let Olwen have her fun.
6575
6576-------------------------
6577
6578>>192613
6579Olwen's been waiting years for this. You should just let her have her fun. 
6580
6581You help Olwen with the belt and your shirt button. The contract Myrddin gave you ends up somewhere. She'll find it eventually. You think your shirt landed close to it. 
6582
6583The next thing you know, you're dragged away from the wall and tossed onto Olwen's bed. Olwen, now down to her underwear, hops on top of you and bites her lip. 
6584
6585"I always wanted to do it a little rough," she says. "Do you think we can do that?" 
6586
6587"If that's what you want…"
6588
6589>Roll 1d12, best of three.
6590
6591-------------------------
6592
6593>>192684
6594By the time you're both finished - three times each, although Olwen was biting the sheet pretty hard to keep quiet towards the end, so you can't be sure - the area within arm's reach of the bed is a mess. You're both covered in sweat, saliva, other fluids, and a bit of blood, but even if you're completely filthy, the bath just seems too far away for either of you to bother. 
6595
6596Olwen cuddles up against you and pulls a blanket up for warmth. "You know," she says in between gasps, "I always thought our first time would cause more damage than this."
6597
6598"I wouldn't want the gossip to get too indecent," you say. "You're my consort now. You should be a respectable figure in the palace."
6599
6600"I suppose I am your consort, your highness," Olwen says. "Tell me, why did you choose me?" 
6601
6602>"Because I love you."
6603>"You're the most reliable person I know."
6604>"I need your skills."
6605
6606-------------------------
6607
6608>>192765
6609"Because I love you," you say. "You're the most reliable person I know."
6610
6611"It's a little sad that I can't tell if you're being honest or not." 
6612
6613"Spending my life with someone I don't care about sounds like a thoroughly miserable existence," you say. "Just because my standards for love include criteria that usually aren't included in the novels and plays doesn't mean they're not valid."
6614
6615"Oh?" Olwen slides up a little to kiss your neck. "And what are those criteria?" 
6616
6617"Birth, wealth, connections, competence, future opportunities, the ability to conquer small towns…"
6618
6619Really, who wants to marry someone just because of feelings? That's probably just about the same sex anyway. If you're going to build a future with someone, you should actually think about what that future entails.
6620
6621Yeah, it'll work out for your brother, but only because you'll be there to make sure the whole thing doesn't fall apart the second politics more complicated than who sits where at the dinner table become involved.
6622
6623Olwen laughs in your hear and you pull her into a tight hug. "That's the least romantic thing I ever heard," she says. "Don't say that to the other girls." 
6624
6625"What makes you think there are other girls?" 
6626
6627"You expect me to believe you won't get married?" Olwen asks. "I promise, I won't get jealous." 
6628
6629Since it's come to this point, you might as well tell her. It's not like she'll never find out anyway. 
6630
6631"Myrddin suggested one wife, two consorts, and two concubines," you say. "I wanted to talk to you about that, actually."
6632
6633"Thank you," Olwen says, "for including me even if you don't have to."
6634
6635>"I think I should choose a concubine as well. I'd like your advice."
6636>"There are a few ladies I should meet before my brother's wedding. I'd like you to join me."
6637
6638-------------------------
6639
6640>>192905
6641"There are a few ladies I should meet before my brother's wedding," you say. "I'd like you to join me."
6642
6643"It will be my pleasure, your highness," Olwen says. "Anyone in particular?" 
6644
6645"Enchanters and alchemists, mostly," you say. "Possibly a Svekkan princess. I'll have to check with Myrddin on that. Your friend Mererid should be one of them."
6646
6647"Oh, that's wonderful," Olwen says. "Even if nothing comes of it, I hope you at least get to know her better."
6648
6649"That's the idea," you say. You feel a slight hunger pang in your stomach and regretfully sit up. "It's almost time for dinner. We should go."
6650
6651Olwen groans and gets out of bed without bothering to cover herself up. "We should decide on some sleeping arrangements," she says. "I need to catch up on several years of wasted time." 
6652
6653"I wouldn't call it wasted." You take Olwen's hand and pull her towards the bath. "If we hadn't spent all that time together, we wouldn't be together now."
6654
6655"Now that sounds romantic," Olwen says. She grins and follows you into the bathroom.
6656
6657-------------------------
6658
6659>>193008
6660And today's thread comes to an end. 
6661
6662I mentioned last time that this thread marks the end of Part 1 of the quest. That was mostly about introducing as many characters as possible. Now that that's done, Part 2 will focus more on choosing your political alliances to build a larger faction. 
6663
6664The next thread will be Sunday May 29th at 7PM EST. Until then you can follow me on Twitter @BeleagueredQM. The threads on /qst/ last for a while, so if you have a question, you can just post it here and I'll check back to answer it before the next thread. I'll also try to remember to update the pastebin tomorrow. 
6665
6666Until next time, thanks for playing and goodnight.
6667
6668==== END THREAD ====
6669
6670Beleaguered Prince Quest
6671written by BeleagueredQM (21 posts, 3 omitted posts)
6672-------- qst2txt --------
6673
6674Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
6675Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
6676
6677Previous threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
6678
6679===============
6680
6681You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
6682
6683You're currently on your way to have dinner with your family. Having a meal with your siblings twice in one day is not something you look forward to, but after the time you spent with Olwen, you'll probably be half-asleep for most of it, so it might not be so bad. 
6684
6685Speaking of which…
6686
6687"You know you're going to have to tell your father about us, right?" 
6688
6689"Probably," you very reluctantly agree. "He'll at least need to know why House Vaughan isn't paying any taxes, not that he's likely to notice if I don't tell him." 
6690
6691"The Crown Prince defies his station to marry a commoner for love, while the second prince latches on to the first woman he knows who can give him money and an army." Olwen chuckles and pats you on the shoulder. "Your father will be so disappointed in you."
6692
6693"It's going to be horrible," you say. "I don't know if it's better or worse that I'll have to talk to him about it in private."
6694
6695"You won't bring it up during dinner?" 
6696
6697You shake your head. "I don't want to overshadow my brother's marriage," you say. "I don't want to make a big deal of it yet."
6698
6699"That's quite considerate of you," Olwen says.
6700
6701"Not really," you say. "It's just proper etiquette."
6702
6703"Speaking of etiquette, I was wondering how we should sort out our living arrangements," Olwen says. "Your room's certainly big enough for two people."
6704
6705>"That sounds like a good idea to me."
6706>"I'd rather keep separate rooms, bur you can come visit me whenever you want."
6707>"It's probably best if we limit our dalliances for the moment. We do have work to take care of."
6708
6709-------------------------
6710
6711>>202112
6712"It's probably best if we keep separate rooms and you just come visit whenever you feel like it," you say. "It sets a better precedent if everyone has their own room, instead of having to figure out who sleeps where and when, and who gets to share with me."
6713
6714"Isn't that just delaying the inevitable?" Olwen asks. "You'll have to bring your concubines into the palace, at least. Do we have enough room?"
6715
6716You do have your own private wing in the palace, but since you're only the second prince and your sister is older, it isn't much. You've mostly used the rooms for storage and meetings, so your not sure how many can be used as living quarters. You'll have to check with Myrddin to see what needs to be done. 
6717
6718Then again, if and when you establish your own principality, your rooms in Aurwain won't matter much, so extensive renovations might not be worth the effort. Still, it's something to keep in mind. 
6719
6720"I'll figure that out if it becomes an issue." You lean down to kiss Olwen on the cheek. "I'll see you later."
6721
6722"Good luck with your family," Olwen says. "Think of it as practice for when you have to talk to my father. I sent him a letter to let him know about our arrangement."
6723
6724Damn, you'd actually forgotten about that. Still, it can't possibly be that bad. This is as beneficial for Olwen's family as it is for you. 
6725
6726You enter the royal dining room. It's a small, private affair set on one of the larger balconies so you can have a good few of the city. You decide to greet your father first.
6727
6728"Hello, father." You bow respectfully. "I thought I should come by for dinner today. It's been too long."
6729
6730"Indeed it has, my son," King Gerad says. "I was beginning to wonder if you were jealous of your brother."
6731
6732Prince Haul smiles. "We all have our duties, father," he says. "I'm sure Meirion has simply been busy." 
6733
6734"I had to travel to take care of some affairs, and it's quite tiring," you say. "Fortunately, I should be able to stay here until the Crown Prince's wedding. It'll give us a chance to spend time together."
6735
6736"I'm glad to hear that," your father says. "For the kingdom to be united, the royal family must be united as well." 
6737
6738Your sister Nesta is here, as is Prince Haul's lover/maid. However, you can't help but notice that your uncle is absent. You haven't heard much from him lately, and you don't yet know how he reacted to his son's death. 
6739
6740>"Since we're all here, we might as well eat."
6741>[Intrigue/1d12] "Father, has something happened to Uncle Aled? I haven't seen him lately."
6742
6743-------------------------
6744
6745>>202330
6746You might as well take this opportunity to see if the king knows about what happened to his nephew. Prince Aled can't discuss the true circumstances of Prince Siarl's death openly - not without causing problems for himself and admitting to his involvement in a foreign war - but he'll have to make something up eventually. Although Siarl's status was low, he was still a royal. People will ask questions if he simply disappears. 
6747
6748"Father, has something happened to Uncle Aled?" You ask. "I haven't seen him lately."
6749
6750"Come to think of it, he left shortly before you returned," Nesta says. "He didn't tell anyone where he was going. Perhaps something did happen?" 
6751
6752>Roll 1d12, best of three.
6753
6754-------------------------
6755
6756>>202456
6757"Hrpmh." Your father closes his eyes and sighs. "I just received some news about that matter. It seems Prince Siarl was wounded while he was out hunting with a friend of his. I didn't want to make an announcement since the state of his injuries is still uncertain and I don't want to bring gloom to Haul's wedding, but… your uncle may be grieving soon."
6758
6759You all bow your heads in respect. The loss of a royal is always a regrettable, no matter how necessary it was at the time. If only Prince Siarl hadn't involved himself in affairs that could undermine Gwyrddarfordir, he wouldn't have died. 
6760
6761Of course, you're more interested in the excuse your uncle came up with. A hunting accident is a good cover; Prince Aled can simply wait for a while before announcing his son's death, and no one will ever suspect that Prince Siarl was part of a Rosean war. 
6762
6763That friend your father mentioned should be Meuric auk Soryn. Prince Aled must have paid a large fortune to have him ransomed without fanfare. It would have been easy for Archduchess Aleksandra to publicize Meuric's identity and cause a scandal. 
6764
6765Of course, that also means that Meuric and Aleksandra are both loose ends for your uncle. You don't particularly care if your uncle decides to execute Meuric to keep him quiet, but you obviously can't let anything happen to Aleksandra. You'll have to keep that in mind. Hopefully, nothing will come of it, but it's better to be safe than sorry. 
6766
6767"I'm sorry," you say. "I'm afraid I've ruined the mood. I shouldn't have asked."
6768
6769"You couldn't have known," King Gerad says, "and you'd have heard about it eventually anyway." 
6770
6771"That's true," Prince Haul says. "Enough with the melancholy. I've been in a bit of a mood lately because of all the wedding preparations, but that changes immediately." 
6772
6773"I agree, royal brother," Princess Nesta says, "From now on, you should be less dour. Otherwise, your future wife will think you're displeased with her."
6774
6775"Tha- that's not true at all!" Prince Haul's lover Mair stammers. "His highness is quite considerate towards me."
6776
6777>"That's obvious to everyone who sees you together."
6778>"No one who knows the Crown Prince would doubt the sincerity of his heart."
6779>"Regardless, if you have problems now or in the future, it's best to discuss them openly."
6780
6781-------------------------
6782
6783>>202565
6784"No one who knows the Crown Prince would doubt the sincerity of his heart," you say. "If he was dissatisfied somehow, he would speak of it openly, and you would be able to discuss it as a couple."
6785
6786"Quite right, Meirion," Princess Nesta says. "Our royal brother is known for his honesty and his sense of justice. He wouldn't deceive a young maiden!" 
6787
6788"Please, stop it you two." Your brother looks away awkwardly and scratches his cheek. "This is embarrassing." 
6789
6790King Gerad looks at you and laughs joyfully. "Haha, this is the joy of youth! Oh, if only I could be your age again." 
6791
6792"You're not that old yourself father," you say.
6793
6794"In any case, we should it," Prince Haul says.
6795
6796The servants bring you wine and food. It is, as always, excellent, although the seasoning is lighter than usual; the spices are being held in reserve for the wedding celebrations. 
6797
6798"Are you nervous?" Princess Nesta asks. "About the wedding, I mean."
6799
6800"I have no qualms about the wedding itself," Prince Haul says. "After all, it's something I've already committed myself to. I just wish there wasn't so much ceremony involved."
6801
6802"It is a little overwhelming," Mair says. "There are so many things I need to learn. I don't want to bring shame to the kingdom."
6803
6804>"Don't worry, you'll do fine."
6805>"What of you, sister? Have you considered marriage?"
6806
6807-------------------------
6808
6809>>202659
6810"And what of you, sister?" You ask Princess Nesta. "Have you considered marriage?" 
6811
6812"I can't say I have," she answers. "It can wait until I'm 25, at least. So long as there are bandits and miscreants to fight, I don't have time to squander on such thing."
6813
6814"You should consider it a bit," Prince Haul says. He smiles fondly at Mair and takes her hand. "Love is a very comforting feeling."
6815
6816"I can see that, royal brother," Nesta says, "but I'm not sure comfort is what I need at the moment."
6817
6818Off the top of your head, the most beneficial match for Nest would be Archduke Radomir of Rosea, but you have no idea how you'd introduce them to each other. It'd be best if Nesta would look after her own affairs, but you have no idea how long that could take. 
6819
6820Dinner continues for a while, until your siblings and Mair retire for the night. You remain behind to speak with your father. 
6821
6822"Father, there's something I need to talk to you about."
6823
6824"Oh, what is it, Meirion?" King Gerad asks. "If I can advise you, I'll do my best to help."
6825
6826How should you do this? Tell him straight? Make it look like you're following your brother's example? Just approach the topic and see how your father reacts? 
6827
6828>[Sovereign/1d10] "I've chosen to take Olwen as my consort."
6829>[Intrigue/1d12] "The Crown prince has inspired me to fall in love as well."
6830>"I've been considering the subject of marriage myself in recent days."
6831
6832-------------------------
6833
6834>>202778
6835You decide to take the direct approach. Sometimes, it's best to just rip the arrow out.
6836
6837"I've decided to take Olwen as my consort. I'll make the final arrangements with Duke Vaughan at the first opportunity." 
6838
6839Your father narrows his eyes and frowns. You decide to keep going before he can ask questions. 
6840
6841"We've been companions for many years, and this is something we both desire," you say. "I believe this should be beneficial for both of us."
6842
6843You just hope he doesn't ask why you didn't marry her instead of taking her as your concubine.
6844
6845>Roll 1d10, best of three.
6846
6847-------------------------
6848
6849>>202899
6850"If this is something you both want, I have no reason to get in your way," King Gerad says. It's certainly a relief to hear. "If House Vaughan is willing to support my son, that's as good if not better than supporting me."
6851
6852"Thank you, father," you say. "I'm grateful for your support." 
6853
6854"How could I not support my own son?" The king laughs and pats your shoulder. "I suppose we'll need to hold a celebration for you two as well."
6855
6856"That can wait," you say. "I don't want to intrude upon the Crown Prince's wedding, so we'd both like to wait until the celebrations are coming to an end."
6857
6858You wisely decide not to inform your father that you'll be announcing your wife, your other consort, and your two concubines at the same time, assuming it all goes well anyway. 
6859
6860"That's reasonable," your father says as he laughs once again. "Remember, if you ever encounter any difficulties, you can come to me or your brother. It's our duty as men and as your family to help you with this sort of thing."
6861
6862"Thank you, father."
6863
6864You quickly leave while you still can and return to your room. 
6865
6866You're not at all surprised to see Olwen wearing her nightgown and waiting in your bed.
6867
6868"How did it go?" She asks. 
6869
6870"We have the king's permission," you say. "I'm not sure we needed it, but if it makes things easier for us in the future, I'll take it."
6871
6872"It's nice that he approves," Olwen says. "I wouldn't want to go against the king."
6873
6874"Sometimes, the best way to help the king is to go against his will," you say, "especially if he never learns about it. That's not an option in this case though."
6875
6876You toss your clothes aside and change into some sleepwear. You most certainly do not take your time purely for the sake of teasing Olwen. 
6877
6878"What's your plan for tomorrow?" She asks.
6879
6880Right now, you need to speak to Olwen's friend Mererid, Isla Owens from the Alchemists' Guild, and Nia Fisher from the Enchanters' Guild. It shouldn't be difficult to find an excuse to any of them. 
6881
6882>"Can we meet your friend Mererid?" 
6883>"We should pay a visit to the Alchemists' Guild." 
6884>"We should visit the Enchanters' Guild."
6885
6886-------------------------
6887
6888>>202982
6889"Can we meet your friend Mererid?"
6890
6891"I think so," Olwen says. "We should tell her the equipment she sold us was useful anyway. Just don't tell her you're looking for a consort. It would be off-putting."
6892
6893"I do have some manners, you know." You slip into bed and kiss Olwen.
6894
6895"I like it better when you don't have manners." Olwen pulls her nightgown's shoulder straps aside. "Now, let's tire ourselves out properly. Again." 
6896
6897You make less of a mess than you did in Olwen's room, although it does take you quite some time to clean up when you wake up in the morning. 
6898
6899Myrddin shows some consideration and doesn't come knocking on your door. You find him drinking tea in one of the gardens. He pours you each a cup.
6900
6901"Good morning," he says, "and I assume a good night as well?" 
6902
6903"A very good night," Olwen says. "I hope to have many more in the future." 
6904
6905"You do seem more pleasant than usual, so please keep at it," Myrddin says. "Have you decided what you're going to do next?" 
6906
6907"I have some business with House Hirbraich," you say.
6908
6909"Personal, or professional?" 
6910
6911"Both, I should hope," you say. "This should be a mutually beneficial arrangement. There should be some practical advantage to it."
6912
6913"Well, don't be afraid to ask for advice if you need it."
6914
6915Your father already offered, but Myrddin is also married, and he tends to be more… sensible about these things. 
6916
6917>"I think I'll be fine."
6918>"Can you recommend a topic of discussion?"
6919>"When should I let her know I'm looking for a consort?" 
6920>Ask something else?
6921
6922-------------------------
6923
6924>>203143
6925It depends on what you want to prioritize. Reagan and Agda can make you king if you're able to deal with angry nobles/greedy merchants. Aleksandra can't, but her position is almost conflict-free and she has her own wealth and armies. 
6926
6927Basically, the bigger the reward is, the more you have to work for it if you want it.
6928
6929-------------------------
6930
6931>>203138
6932"Can you recommend a topic of discussion?" 
6933
6934"Fortified defenses and artillery weapons," Myrddin answers. "That's what a city needs the most, so that's where her skills would be most useful. Well, running water as well, but such enchantments are already in place. It's just a question of looking after them."
6935
6936"That's not a bad idea, actually," Olwen says. "Enchanters can get a little eccentric when it comes to innovation, so this would definitely get her talking." 
6937
6938More importantly, you're interested in having skilled consorts. The ability to make weapons and defenses is definitely something you should take into consideration. 
6939
6940"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind," you say. "Should we get going."
6941
6942You and Olwen quietly walk to Mererid's home in Aurwain. Whenever the streets are empty, Olwen takes your hand, only to get self-conscious and let go of it whenever you do see someone. 
6943
6944When you reach Mererid's home, one of the servants brings you to her workshop. It's been a while since you've entered an enchanter's workshop. The ones you've seen were in complete disorder, but Mererid's is extremely neat. Raw ores and smelted ingots are carefully categorized on steel shelves, which are themselves enchanted to maintain specific temperatures or humidity. It's very impressive equipment.
6945
6946"Olwen, your highness, welcome," Mererid says. "I'm afraid I can't offer you much hospitality. I was just beginning some experiments."
6947
6948"That's quite all right," Olwen say. "We just wanted to thank you for the help you gave us. It must have saved a few hundred lives."
6949
6950"I'm always glad to hear my work is useful," Mererid says. "Is there anything else you needed?" 
6951
6952"Not immediately," you say, "but there are a few things I'd like to discuss for some of my future plans."
6953
6954"Of course," your highness. "What would you like to know?"
6955
6956>"What can you tell me about enchanted artillery?" 
6957>"Are you familiar with enchanted fortifications?" 
6958>"I'm actually curious about the experiments you're conducting."
6959
6960-------------------------
6961
6962>>203260
6963"Are you familiar with enchanted fortifications?" 
6964
6965"Ah, that's a difficult topic," Mererid says. "The most basic forts are just reinforced to defend against a large amount of force such as a battering ram, but they're not easy to construct. After all, structures tend to be, well, large, so it's impossible to find enough magical ores to construct a castle."
6966
6967That makes sense. Weapons and armour are small and relatively easy to make, but castles are something else entirely. 
6968
6969"So how does it work?" You ask.
6970
6971"There are some options, like enchanted cement to hold the stone together or… I guess you could call them webs of enchanted that run across the stone," Mererid says. "Most of the time, it's easier to use a large decorative shield that has some enchantments built into it, but they're not part of the stones themselves, and they're usually made with wind-based enchantments, so they are somewhat limited."
6972
6973Your eyes glaze over a little as you listen to Mererid's explanation. She's avoiding the technical jargon, but her words are still a little difficult to follow what she's saying. 
6974
6975Mererid notices your expression and grins. "Tell me, your highness," she says, "what do you know about the art of enchantment?"
6976
6977>[Enchantment/1d4] "I happen to be an expert on this topic."
6978>[Enchantment/1d8] "I'm familiar with the basics."
6979>[Enchantment/1d12] "Enough to choose a reliable weapon."
6980
6981-------------------------
6982
6983>>203364
6984"I'm familiar with the basics," you say. "Particularly the part where no one knows exactly how enchantment works."
6985
6986Mererid smiles. "That is the easiest part to figure out," she says, "unless you actually dabble in enchantment. Let's start from the beginning…"
6987
6988You had to learn some enchantment as part of your military training, so perhaps this will jog your memory a bit…
6989
6990>Roll 1d8, best of three.
6991
6992-------------------------
6993
6994>>203446
6995You briefly discuss the basics of enchantment with Mererid. 
6996
6997To start with, no one actually knows how it works. Ores suitable for enchantment seem to grow organically, although it does take quite a bit longer than alchemical reagents. The ores are attuned to some element - air, fire, earth, water, which can be combined to produce "alloyed" elements such as light - and they must be combined in order to produce magical effects. This can include alloys, enamels, engravings, or particular arrangements of metal.
6998
6999For example, much of your sword's enchantment comes from the sweeping pattern of the guard. Without it, the vibrations from the sword's sound-based enchantment would shatter every bone in your hand. 
7000
7001"It takes years to master enchantment, and most masters are only comfortable with a limited set of ores," Mererid says. "That's why enchanted fortifications are so difficult. You'd need dozens of enchanters to make the required patterns, and the slightest deformity would ruin everything. It's theoretically possible, but in practice, it's only done for secure vaults." 
7002
7003"So how would you defend a city?" You ask. 
7004
7005"As I said, enchanted decorative shields," Mererid answers. "However, I wouldn't rely on the simpler defenses. If you used, say, wind and fire enchantments, you could combine your defense and your offense."
7006
7007"So why aren't more people doing that?" Olwen asks. 
7008
7009"It's the same problem as muskets," Mererid says. "Muskets have been in development for about a thousand years, but they only became practical a few decades ago. Before then, the manufacturing techniques simply weren't advanced enough to produce reliable muskets and bullets. What makes it more difficult is that since most enchanters want to make a living, they can only spend so much on research. Fortunately, I have more coin to work with." 
7010
7011"You think you could produce these kinds of combined enchantments?" You ask. 
7012
7013"Eventually," Mererid says. "Come to think of it, I require certain rare ores from across the ocean. If you can help me find some, I'd be willing to turn my research towards something you need."
7014
7015You can't ask Mererid to make that kind of commitment at the moment, you might be able to get the resources she needs.
7016
7017>[Sovereign/1d10] "I think we have some ores in the Crown's vaults."
7018>[Merchant/1d10] "I'll ask around some special markets."
7019>"I'm afraid I can't help you with that."
7020
7021-------------------------
7022
7023>>203479
7024There are some people who do really messed up shit, but they're still referred to as Alchemists or Enchanters. 
7025
7026Something like the Hulk would be the product of Alchemy, although I guess you could add enchanted prosthetics.
7027
7028-omitted one small post.
7029
7030-omitted one small post.
7031
7032-------------------------
7033
7034>>203539
7035"The Queen sends special ores over as gifts every now and then," you say. "We keep most of them as curiosities, but I should be able to procure some samples for you. As for the research, we can discuss that later."
7036
7037"Thank you, your highness," Mererid says. "I'll be sure to remember your kindness."
7038
7039"Don't thank me yet," you say. "I'm afraid the samples won't be large."
7040
7041"That's fine," she says. "If anything, it's better that way."
7042
7043Mererid takes a small coin from a small wooden box. It seems either blue or green depending on how the light reflects off it. When you touch it, it feels a little cold. 
7044
7045"My experiments are quite simple," she says. "I just want to see how ores can be combined. That's the foundation for everything else. The more complicated work comes after."
7046
7047"I can definitely help you with that," you say. 
7048
7049"I'll assume this makes us even for the favour we owed you," Olwen says. "Will we be seeing you at the Crown Prince's wedding celebration, Mere?" 
7050
7051"I haven't decided yet," Mererid says. "I suppose I'll have to go to at least some of the parties."
7052
7053>[Sovereign/Autosuccess/12XP] "I'd consider it a personal and professional favour if you did come."
7054>[Dilettante/Autosuccess/12XP] "I'm sure I can show you a good time if you do attend."
7055>[Merchant/Autosuccess/12XP] "I can help you negotiate for resources, if you're interested."
7056
7057-omitted one small post.
7058
7059-------------------------
7060
7061>>203637
7062"I'm sure I can show you a good time if you do attend."
7063
7064"Oh, your highness." Mererid blushes and cups her cheek. "I'm afraid that if you say something like that, Olwen will get jealous."
7065
7066"Don't worry about it," Olwen says. "I'm fine right where I am. Rather, I'd prefer not to escort his highness to every single event he needs to attend, and I can at least trust you with him."
7067
7068"In that case, I'll gladly accept your offer, your highness," Mererid says. "It's always nice to have a bit of pleasure on the side." 
7069
7070"For royalty, this is all business," you say. "Reputation and status are meant to be displayed, after all."
7071
7072"I'll do my best not to bring you shame," Mererid says. "Come, I'll see you out."
7073
7074You bid Mererid farewell and return to the palace. Olwen still holds your hand whenever no one's looking. 
7075
7076"That went quite well," you say. "It was certainly insightful." 
7077
7078"I suspect she's picked up on something," Olwen says. "I wouldn't be surprised if she started expressing her interest."
7079
7080"Yes, well, for now, I'm just glad we were able to help each other," you say. "That's how relationships get started."
7081
7082Next, you need to think of how you can help the Enchanters' and Alchemists' Guilds.
7083
7084-------------------------
7085
7086>>203726
7087And once again, the thread comes to an end. We had another good long run today, although I suspect the next ones will be a little bit shorter. 
7088
7089Anyway, next thread will be Friday June 3rd at 7PM EDT. Since this thread is going to be hanging around for a while, I'll check back periodically in case anyone has questions I can answer. 
7090
7091Until next time, good night and thank you for playing.
7092
7093-------------------------
7094
7095>>203738
7096By my count, you triggered flags with 9 out of 13 girls so far. 
7097
7098>>203786
7099Probably Olwen, since she's been the most prominent. 
7100
7101The easiest way to set Nesta up with Radomir would be to get them to fight or duel somehow. That's the sort of thing they're both into. 
7102
7103You'll see how angry Aled is later during the wedding celebration. 
7104
7105>>203826
7106I can do that. I still have problems with how long it takes for threads to fall off /qst/. I got a lot of duplicate images last week and it was really annoying. 
7107
7108>>203992
7109That sounds like a typo, although I have no idea how it could have happened. Two XP won't make much difference, so I'll just add it. 
7110
7111>>204450
7112I added it to my notes for the future.
7113
7114-------------------------
7115
7116>>204503
7117Olwen, obviously. Ceri and Eleri are tied for for second place. 
7118
7119Folding weapons are possible, but enchantments that involve a lot of moving parts tend to be difficult. 
7120
7121>>204508
7122Lamps and ice boxes are common, and enchanted aqueducts provide running water in urban centres. 
7123
7124Boat motors aren't rare, but they're not as efficient as wind or current, so they're only used in rare cases. You'll get more info on that later.
7125
7126-------------------------
7127
7128>>204660
7129Esyllt is at one flag since you helped her get some land. Ceri got land in the same deal, but she also got her family's seal back, so she's up to two flags. 
7130
7131I loosely keep track of the flags with a difficulty countdown. They start at difficulty 5, and major positive interactions drop the difficulty down by one point until it reaches 0. 
7132
7133I thought about adding automatic failures, but it seemed kind of pointless. If people are interested in seeing what they'd look like, I can throw one in every now and then.
7134
7135==== END THREAD ====
7136
7137Beleaguered Prince Quest #21
7138written by BeleagueredQM (17 posts, 4 omitted posts)
7139-------- qst2txt --------
7140
7141Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
7142Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
7143
7144Previous threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
7145
7146===============
7147
7148You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
7149
7150Also, you're in charge of counting the wine barrels and fruit preserves that were ordered for your brother's wedding. The palace full of clerks and chars - and you're quite certain your father didn't get rid of them to get rid of bureaucratic obstruction or some other such nonsense - but somehow, this epic task has fallen to you. 
7151
7152This begs a very important question. 
7153
7154"Myrddin, honestly, why am I doing this?" 
7155
7156"It's a delivery from the Alchemists' Guild," he says, "and I want you to familiarize yourself with their work before your meeting. Medicines are only a small part of what they do."
7157
7158"Fair enough - Wait, what meeting?" 
7159
7160"Remember the guildmaster's granddaughter Isla?" Myrddin drops another ledger on top of your growing pile of work. "You'll need to meet her this afternoon to finalize the deliveries and make sure the Alchemists' Guild is ready for the celebrations."
7161
7162You take a look at the items listed on the ledger. There's everything from mundane cooking oils to stomach medicines to antidotes, and you'll need to make sure they're stocked with the proper amount of reagents just in case something runs out in the middle of the celebrations. It would be mildly inconvenient if someone died because the Alchemists' Guild didn't have enough plants on hand to cure the common cold.
7163
7164>"I'll be sure to make a good impression."
7165>"I suppose there are worse tasks out there."
7166>"If you're trying to set me up, couldn't you think of something a little more casual?"
7167
7168-omitted one small post.
7169
7170-------------------------
7171
7172>>218731
7173"I'll be sure to make a good impression," you say. You put the ledger aside and go back to counting wine barrels. 
7174
7175"Think of it as practice for tomorrow's meeting," Myrddin says. "You'll have to pick a few things up from the Enchanters' Guild."
7176
7177"Of course I will." You mumble to yourself and pinch the bridge of your nose to ward off the building headache. It doesn't work. "Anything else I should know?" 
7178
7179"Rhonwen auk Cysgod will be here the day after tomorrow," Myrddin says, "and you'll be the one greeting her."
7180
7181"Anything else?" 
7182
7183"Sadly, no," Myrddin says. "Not until the celebration starts anyway. I tried to time it so the Svekkan delegation would arrive first." 
7184
7185"I get the idea," you say. "Sometimes, I wonder how normal bachelors do this without the help of their meddling best friend."
7186
7187"They don't," Myrddin says. "They die alone, and their last thoughts are of how much they envy the second prince and his many, many lovers."
7188
7189Good thing you're not a commoner then. It sounds like a truly miserable way to die. 
7190
7191Myrddin keeps on rambling about your love life while you finish up the inventory. You ignore most of it, especially his questions about your dalliances with Olwen. It would be ungentlemanly to discuss such things. Also, you have no idea how Olwen would react, and as tiring as they can be, you quite enjoy your dalliances. 
7192
7193After finishing your work, you meet Olwen by the guard post; she's been organizing the palace's security for the last few days. 
7194
7195"Hello, your highness," she says, "can I help you with anything?" 
7196
7197"Myrddin arranged another date for me," you say, "so I thought I'd invite you." 
7198
7199"Who is it this time?" 
7200
7201"Isla Owens," you say. "She's from the Alchemists' Guild, and I haven't really met her yet."
7202
7203"I have some business with the Alchemists, actually," Olwen says. "I think we need some 'marital aids.'" 
7204
7205>[Dilettante/1d4] "No we don't. We're not even married, technically."
7206>[Dilettante/1d8] "You don't need me for that, right?"
7207>[Dilettante/Autosuccess] "That sounds like an excellent idea."
7208
7209-------------------------
7210
7211>>218895
7212You want Olwen to enjoy herself, and you want to enjoy yourself, but if you buy marital aids from the Alchemists' Guild, you're not sure you'll be able to go there again. No matter what, you are a member of the royal family. You have to protect your reputation from unsavoury rumours. 
7213
7214"You don't need me for that, right?" 
7215
7216Olwen gives you a flat stare. 
7217
7218>Roll 1d8, best of three.
7219
7220-------------------------
7221
7222>>219000
7223"Fine, I'll take care of it myself," she says. "I just need some contraceptives, and maybe a few bottles of special oil. I don't want to get pregnant before your wife." 
7224
7225"Thank you for protecting my dignity." You hug Olwen and kiss her forehead. "It means a lot to me." 
7226
7227"Oh, I know exactly how much your dignity is worth."
7228
7229You wisely decide to let this conversation drop. 
7230
7231The two of you walk to the Alchemists' Guild. The city is bustling with action; street performers and merchants have flocked to Aurwain in anticipation of the Crown Prince's wedding. There's going to be a lot of coin moving around the city once the celebrations start, and everyone wants their share. 
7232
7233As you reach the Alchemists' Guild, you open your ledger to check your order. You ignore the smaller shops and stalls and go to one of the warehouses. Olwen stays behind to take care of her own shopping. 
7234
7235"Welcome, sir," the clerk says. "Can I help you with something?"
7236
7237>"I'm here to check a bulk order."
7238>"I have some business with Isla Owens." 
7239>"Please tell Isla Owens that Prince Meirion is here to see her."
7240
7241-------------------------
7242
7243>>219041
7244"I have some business with Isla Owens." You give the clerk a copy your order. "My friend's still shopping, so I'm not in a hurry."
7245
7246"Yes, sir," the clerk says. "I'll inform Miss Owens right away." 
7247
7248You sit down and wait long enough for Olwen to come back with a full bag in her hand.
7249
7250"That didn't take long," you say. 
7251
7252"I knew what I was looking for." She blushes slightly. "What about you? Still waiting?" 
7253
7254"There's no rush," you say. "Besides, they'll be busy with the wedding preparations. I'd rather not put any extra pressure on them." 
7255
7256Olwen shrugs and sits next to you. Fortunately, you don't have to wait much longer before Isla arrives from the storage room in the back. 
7257
7258"Hello," she says. "You're here for the palace's order, yes?" 
7259
7260"That's right," you say. "I also need to make sure the Alchemists' Guild is ready to act in case of emergency." 
7261
7262"Oh, you don't need to worry about that," Isla says. "We try to keep a surplus of all our stock just in case..." She stares at your face for a second. "Have we met before? You seem somewhat familiar."
7263
7264You did meet once, but you'd rather she didn't remember that.
7265
7266>[Sovereign/Autosuccess] "Quite possibly. I'm Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren."
7267>[Intrigue/1d12] "No, this is the first time we've met. Maybe you just saw me in the streets once?"
7268
7269-------------------------
7270
7271>>219189
7272Isla's bound to find out who you are eventually, but for the moment, you'd rather put on a more casual air. 
7273
7274Reputation is a very strange thing. Sometimes, you need it to keep people in line, but at other times, it just gets in the way. You want to see if Isla could make has the skill and temperament to be one of your concubines, and telling her you're the prince might spoil things.
7275
7276"No, this is the first time we've met," you say. "Maybe you just saw me in the streets once?"
7277
7278>Roll 1d12, best of three.
7279
7280-------------------------
7281
7282>>219299
7283Isla shrugs at your answer. "That's probably it," she says. "Anyway, here's our records of the palace's order, as well as our remaining inventory." 
7284
7285She gives you a sheet of paper covered in tiny writing. You painstakingly check it all against the ledger Myrddin gave you. As far as you can tell, there aren't any discrepancies. 
7286
7287"Everything seems in order," you say. "Do you mean if I check a few things while I'm here? The palace would like to know how the Guild is doing."
7288
7289"Certainly," Isla says. "I can give you a bit of a tour, if you'd like. Some workshops are too dangerous to visit casually, but I can show you the rest."
7290
7291"How dangerous, exactly?" Olwen asks.
7292
7293"Oh, it's not a danger for visitors," Isla says, "but if the measurements are slightly off, a medicine can easily become a poison. Tell me, how much do you know about alchemy?"
7294
7295>[Alchemy/1d6] "I've studied the subject extensively."
7296>[Alchemy/1d10] "I'm familiar with the basic principles."
7297>[Alchemy/Autosuccess] "Just enough to avoid poisoning myself, actually."
7298
7299-omitted one small post.
7300
7301-------------------------
7302
7303>>219358
7304"I've studied the subject extensively," you say.
7305
7306"Really?" Olwen raises an eyebrow. "When did that happen?" 
7307
7308"During my spare time," you answer, knowing full-well that Olwen knows exactly what you've been doing in your spare time lately. 
7309
7310"If you know that much, I won't go over the fundamentals much," Isla says. "Anyway, since alchemists are trained to measure reagents by sight alone…"
7311
7312She launches into an explanation of the Alchemists' Guild's work.
7313
7314>Roll 1d6, best of three.
7315
7316-------------------------
7317
7318>>219444
7319You smoothly follow Isla's explanation of how the Alchemists' Guild works. As you talk, she shows you some of the storage rooms and greenhouses. Some reagents are better fresh, some are better if they've been stored for a while, and most have different effects depending on how they're kept. 
7320
7321The gist of it, although Isla doesn't put it in such negative terms, is that common alchemy has been mostly stagnant for the last few centuries. The most common reagents have already been studied in every manner possible, while the rarer plants are too valuable to squander in experiments. After all, an alchemical pill that goes bad is likely to kill someone. That's a risk few people are willing to take. 
7322
7323Alchemists tend to pick up shifts, working on one particular recipe for a given period of time and then switching to another in order to preserve their skills. Once they meet their quotas, they're free to do as they wish. It's not an innovative system, but it ensures that the most common and most important alchemical concoctions are produced in sufficient supply. 
7324
7325"I think that covers everything," Isla says. "This is the alchemical method we developed in order to ensure the safety of our customers." 
7326
7327>"Is this how it's done everywhere?" 
7328>"How long do you think it would take to establish a guild like this in another city?" 
7329>"Do you ever wish you could experiment with your alchemy?"
7330
7331-------------------------
7332
7333>>219499
7334"How long do you think it would take to establish a guild like this in another city?"
7335
7336"Hmmm… it depends," Isla says. "We do have smaller branches across the kingdom, including other cities. It's just that they're mostly used to sell alchemical products that are made here, and their own production capacity isn't that great. If you could get the equipment and the reagents, you could supply most cities locally after less than a year."
7337
7338"That fast?" 
7339
7340"That's the easy part," Isla continues. "Alchemists will go so long as there's work, but in order to establish a guild, you'd need a way to train apprentices. That would take at least twenty years, possibly more. Without that, it would just be a store, not a guild."
7341
7342Gathering a bunch of alchemists together and getting them to work isn't complicated, but the value of a guild comes from its ability to train up new masters. Without that, the guild has no future. You'll have to keep that in mind for later. 
7343
7344"Does the kingdom want to expand its alchemy?" Isla asks. "We've been thinking of doing it ourselves, but the general consensus is that the demand simply isn't worth it."
7345
7346It probably isn't worth the effort if all one cares about is producing medicine, but it definitely matters where connections and influence are concerned. 
7347
7348"It's being considered," you say. "I'm not sure if anything will come of it, to be honest."
7349
7350"Well, if it does, I'm sure we'll cooperate," Isla says, "so long as it benefits the Alchemists' Guild anyway."
7351
7352>"Thank you for your help. Will you be attending the Crown Prince's wedding celebrations?" 
7353>"I think that's all, thank you. I hope to see you at the Crown Prince's celebration."
7354>"That's everything I needed to know. I hope we have the chance to talk again."
7355
7356-------------------------
7357
7358>>219602
7359"I think that's all, thank you," you say. "I hope to see you at the Crown Prince's celebration."
7360
7361"I'll definitely attend some of the parties," Isla says. "Alchemists get a lot of invitations to these things from grateful patients."
7362
7363"Saving someone's life is an easy way to make friends," Olwen says. "It's not all work, I hope?"
7364
7365"It usually is, but I don't mind it," Isla says. "Anyway, I'm afraid I need to get going. Please let us know if there are any problems."
7366
7367You leave the guild and slowly walk back to the palace. You try to take a peak at whatever it is Olwen bought, but she keeps her back closed tight and pokes you in the ribs whenever she catches you looking. 
7368
7369"If you wanted to know what I bought, you should have joined me," she says. "Think of it as a surprise."
7370
7371"I hope it'll be pleasant," you say. 
7372
7373"That's the idea," Olwen says. "I guess we'll find out eventually."
7374
7375"I suppose we will."
7376
7377You return to the palace and Olwen follows you all the way back to your room, doing her best to look casual. You open the door and immediately notice something is wrong. 
7378
7379For some reason, there's a man heavily-armed man standing right on the other side of your door. This raises many questions. 
7380
7381Why is he here? How did he get into your room? Why is he giving you a stone-faced look that is utterly devoid of human emotion? Did you make sure to pick up all the things Olwen's left in your room over the last few days?
7382
7383The only answer you know is the one to the last question, and even then, it's only because you still haven't found those panties. This does not improve your situation. At all. 
7384
7385"Father!" 
7386
7387Olwen throws her arms around the man and kisses his cheek. She also tosses her bag out of sight by the door. 
7388
7389"Hello, Olwen," Duke Heath auk Vaughan says in a deep voice that is no longer as soothing as you used to think it was. "Greetings as well, your highness. I hope I'm not interrupting. There's some business I'd like to discuss with you." 
7390
7391>[Military/Autofail] RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
7392>[Sovereign/1d4] Come up with some excuse to make him go away? Maybe?
7393>[Sovereign/1d8] Accept the inevitable, and try to maintain your dignity.
7394
7395-------------------------
7396
7397>>219699
7398"Certainly, Duke Vaughan," you say. "I always have time for my vassals." 
7399
7400"Vassal?" The duke glares at you and the vein on his forehead starts throbbing. 
7401
7402This is not a good start to think. Fortunately, Olwen has you covered. She pulls her father to the table you keep on the balcony so you can sit down and discuss your "arrangement" with Olwen. You can't think of another reason for her father to come here under these circumstances. 
7403
7404You sit down and steeple your fingers to project a false air of confidence. Hopefully, the duke won't see all the sweat that's pouring off you. 
7405
7406"So, how can I help you, Duke Vaughan?" 
7407
7408>Roll 1d8, best of three.
7409
7410-------------------------
7411
7412>>219743
7413Duke Vaughan stares at you right in the eyes. You hold his gaze, knowing that the consequences will be disastrous for you if you're the one to flinch. Olwen and you didn't do anything wrong, and her father is just going to have to accept. 
7414
7415After what feels like an eternity, Olwen's father breaks contact. You've won this exchange, at least. 
7416
7417"I've received some concerning news from Olwen," Duke Vaughan says. "Now that she's at a marriageable age, I was expecting her to get married."
7418
7419"Please, father." Olwen rolls her eyes. "I've suspected for years that things would turn out like this, and with the Crown Prince marrying a commoner, the second prince needs to marry foreign royalty. It's just how it is."
7420
7421"I won't allow my daughter to be treated like a political tool!" 
7422
7423"Then you shouldn't have inherited the duchy," Olwen says. "Besides, it's too late to do anything about it now. It's all settled."
7424
7425"YOU'RE PREGNANT!?"
7426
7427"Okay, maybe not that settled." 
7428
7429You really hope no one heard that. 
7430
7431Duke Vaughan takes a deep breath to calm himself down. "Fine, fine," he says. "Since it's what my daughter wants, I won't get in the way. However, there is the matter of the dowry."
7432
7433Now that Olwen is your consort, House Vaughan is supposed to pay taxes to you instead of the Crown. It doesn't absolve them of their other obligations, but you control how much money they have to give. 
7434
7435"Your highness, I assume you'll be claiming a principality after the Crown Prince's wedding," Duke Vaughan says. "In that case, you won't need the same tribute as the kingdom requests, right?"
7436
7437>[Sovereign/1d6] "Since you can afford it, why not pay it?" 
7438>[Sovereign/1d12] "I wouldn't be offended if you reduced your tribute by half."
7439>[Sovereign/Autosuccess] "I have my own sources of revenue. I can exempt House Vaughan from its financial obligations, at least for the moment."
7440
7441-omitted one small post.
7442
7443-omitted one small post.
7444
7445-------------------------
7446
7447>>219799
7448Duke Vaughan is family now, and you don't need the money immediately anyway. It's better to meet him halfway for now and negotiate another arrangement later if it becomes necessary. 
7449
7450"I wouldn't be offended if you reduced your tribute by half," you say. "It would show respect for tradition without putting undue strain on your resources." 
7451
7452By which you mean that the Duke would have to accept he's now your vassal. 
7453
7454>Roll 1d12, best of three.
7455
7456-------------------------
7457
7458>>219843
7459The tribute would be much larger than your current income, but you can expect your expenses to go up as well relatively. It's still a significant net gain for you though. 
7460
7461It is one of the perks they traditionally get, although strictly speaking, you don't have to give it to them. Lower taxes does allow them to pass the cut down to their own vassals though, which also makes them more grateful towards you.
7462
7463-------------------------
7464
7465>>219841
7466"That's acceptable," Duke Vaughan says. "A little excessive, perhaps, but cities aren't cheap to run and the promise of House Vaughan's coffers will certainly come in useful for any agreements you negotiate during the Crown Prince's celebration." 
7467
7468"Thank you, Duke Vaughan," you say. 
7469
7470"There's no need to mention it," he says. "This is merely my duty. If my daughter is to be consort, it may as well be to the Victorious Prince. Such a thing can only be called an honour to my house."
7471
7472"I'm glad you decided to support me, father," Olwen says. "I've been waiting years for this."
7473
7474"Since you're my heir, how can I not support you?" The duke stands and bows to you. "If you'll excuse me, your highness, I'd like to spend some time with my daughter while I'm here. Olwen, would you mind?" 
7475
7476"Of course not, father."
7477
7478You suspect Olwen will be "visiting" you less often than usual over the next few days, but you can hardly complain about that to her father's face. 
7479
7480You see them both out and then plop yourself down on the bed. You've fought in quite a few wars, but staring down Duke Vaughan is probably the hardest thing you've ever done. 
7481
7482That just makes your victory feel even better.
7483
7484-------------------------
7485
7486>>219888
7487And that's all for today's thread. The next one will be Sunday June 5th at around 7PM EST, same as always. Just 3.5 more girls to meet (plus another one you can't court) before the party gets started. Expect a lot of negotiations and underhanded deals. 
7488
7489I'll check the thread again a few times before the next one, so if you have any questions, you can post them here and I'll answer if I can. 
7490
7491Until next time, thanks for playing, and good night.
7492
7493==== END THREAD ====
7494
7495Beleaguered Prince Quest #22
7496written by BeleagueredQM (17 posts, 0 omitted posts)
7497-------- qst2txt --------
7498
7499Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
7500Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
7501
7502Previous threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
7503
7504===============
7505
7506You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
7507
7508You wake up alone for the first time in… a couple of days, actually. It still feels strangely lonely, as if waking up next to Olwen has become normal for you already. 
7509
7510Or maybe you're just waxing philosophical because you don't feel like getting out of bed yet. Sadly, the decision is taken out of your hands when Myrddin comes pounding on your door. 
7511
7512"Your highness! The delegation just arrived at the port!" 
7513
7514"Which one? We're waiting for six of them." 
7515
7516"It's the Vitland ship," Myrddin says. "The Queen has returned."
7517
7518"I'll be right out."
7519
7520You leap out of bed and change into the first set of clean clothes you get your hands on. You're still straightening yourself out when you rush out of the room. Myrddin struggles to keep up with your pace. 
7521
7522"I thought they were going to make port at Mynydffern first," you say. "Did something happen?" 
7523
7524"There haven't been any messengers from the port aside from my people," Myrddin says. "She probably just wanted to save herself the carriage ride." 
7525
7526Prince Haul, as the Crown Prince, was mostly raised by your father, while Princess Nesta always idolized your brother. When you were born, Queen Margrete decided to become more involved with your upbringing to make sure you weren't unduly influenced by some of your fathers "eccentricities." Since you were only the second prince, no one complained. 
7527
7528Shortly after you became more involved with the affairs of the kingdom, she decided to return to Vitland to look after your aging grandfather. You haven't seen her in years; the trip across the western ocean isn't that far for merchants, but it's too long for personal travel.
7529
7530>"Get a carriage. We'll go pick her up."
7531>"Let the palace know. We'll greet her when she arrives."
7532>"Can you find us a quiet place? I'd like to talk with her before she announces her arrival."
7533
7534-------------------------
7535
7536Writing.
7537
7538And since I didn't want to bump an old thread for something minor, here are the answers to some of the questions from last time. 
7539
7540>>220109
7541
7542Enchantment is usually better for weapons. You can make something like FOOF with alchemy, but then you need to figure out how to store and transport it without killing yourself. Once you've figured out how to make, say, exploding cannon balls that don't immediately blow up in your face, they're much safer to handle. 
7543
7544>>220466
7545
7546The relationships are mostly about political power. Theoretically, it's possible for wives/consorts/concubines to have other relationships, but in most cases, it's just not practical because of all the conflicting interests. 
7547
7548Inside the relationship, it depends. Olwen understands the politics of it, so she would be inclined to also consider herself the consort of Meirion's wife.
7549
7550-------------------------
7551
7552>>227440
7553"Get a carriage," you say. "We'll go pick her up."
7554
7555"Right away, your highness," Myrddin says.
7556
7557While Myrddin goes off in search of transportation, you look for Olwen. You catch up to her just as she's leaving her room pull her away. 
7558
7559"Your highness, wait," she says. "Where are we going?" 
7560
7561"Mother's back," you say, "so we're going to meet her."
7562
7563"You want me to meet your mother?" Olwen asks. "Now? Couldn't you let me know in advance?" 
7564
7565"I only just heard about it," you say. "Besides, haven't you met my mother already?" 
7566
7567"That's not the point, your highness."
7568
7569You ignore Olwen's protests and drag her over to the carriage. You had to deal with her father yesterday, so she can smile and greet your mother in return. This is the sort of thing couples do, right?
7570
7571Olwen grumbles all the way, but she reluctantly climbs into the carriage just the same. Myrddin smirks at her throughout the whole journey. It does very little to help your consort's mood. 
7572
7573The carriage stops close to an ornate ocean vessel bearing the white diamond on a blue background that symbolizes Vitland's royal family. A tall woman with snow-white hair gracefully steps off the ship, escorted by a dozen guards. 
7574
7575You step out of the carriage and the woman's face immediately lights up. 
7576
7577"Meirion!" 
7578
7579She saunters down the ramp, nearly tossing some of her guards into the water in the process, and presses your head against her chest in a hug that threatens to crush your skull, choke you, or both. 
7580
7581"I'm so happy to see you again! You've grown so much since I left!"
7582
7583>"I missed you as well, mother."
7584>"Welcome back, mother."
7585>"Uncle tried to poison me and brother's marrying a maid and there's wars everywhere and I can't deal with this anymore."
7586
7587-------------------------
7588
7589>>227627
7590"I missed you as well, mother," you say. "Things have been difficult around here."
7591
7592"Oh, dear." Your mother sighs. "Has your father been going on about justice again?"
7593
7594"Among other things," you say. "Come, let's go back to the palace. We can talk along the way."
7595
7596Your mother steps up to the carriage and Myrddin and Olwen both bow respectfully before her.
7597
7598"Welcome back, your majesty," Myrddin says. "We're pleased that you could join us for this occasion."
7599
7600"Myrddin, thank you so much for looking after my son!" Your mother says. "It must have been difficult for you."
7601
7602"No, this is well within the scope of my abilities," Myrddin says. "I'd be quite bored without this job."
7603
7604Your mother sits in the carriage and you wait around a while longer for the guards to get themselves organized so they can escort you back to the palace. In the meantime, you wrack your brain trying to figure out how you're going to tell your mother about your personal matters. 
7605
7606"So, Meirion, what are you up to these days?"
7607
7608Myrddin does a bad job of stifling a laugh. "Yes, your highness," he says, "what have you been up to these days?" 
7609
7610Well. You're done wracking your brain whether you like it or not.
7611
7612>"Olwen is my consort."
7613>"I've been thinking about my own marriage prospects."
7614>"Not much, just thinking about my future."
7615
7616-------------------------
7617
7618>>227761
7619"Olwen is my consort," you blurt out. 
7620
7621"Did you have to just come out and say it?" Olwen hides her face in shame and curls up in her corner of the carriage.
7622
7623"I get to deal with your father," you say, "and you get to deal with this. It's just fair."
7624
7625Your mother looks at Olwen's hips and chest. 
7626
7627"I suppose that's not a bad body for childbearing," she says. "Just cut back on your training a little."
7628
7629Olwen whimpers and tries fruitlessly to bury herself deeper. 
7630
7631"It's a bit early for that mother," you say. "It'd be improper for one of my consorts to have a child before my wife."
7632
7633"Ah, yes, Haul is marrying a maid after all." Your mother shakes her head sadly. "It's such a shame that boy never got used to his position. Really, who marries for love? If I had married your father out of sentiment, we would have gotten divorced years ago."
7634
7635Then again, with how long your mother's been away, they might as well be divorced anyway. 
7636
7637"What's the situation around Gwyrddarfordir?" Your mother asks. "Your father sends letters, but they're not very informative about important things."
7638
7639You briefly explains the trouble you've been having with your uncles, the conflicts in Olstren and Rosea, as well as the various rumours you've heard. 
7640
7641"At the moment, we're considering political marriages to Olstren, Svekka, or Rosea," Myrddin says. "It's still too early to make a final decision."
7642
7643"At least one of my sons his thinking things through carefully," your mother says. "Thank you so much for setting him straight, Myrddin."
7644
7645"My pleasure, your majesty."
7646
7647The queen turns to you. "Tell me, Meirion," she says, "between Olstren, Svekka, and Rosea, do you know which country is in the most difficult position for your purposes?"
7648
7649>"I don't know the answer to that question at the moment."
7650>[Sovereign/1d10] "I believe the answer is obvious."
7651
7652-------------------------
7653
7654>>227920
7655>>227935
7656The crit is included in the roll. 
7657
7658I actually wrote a note saying that the crit was included in the roll, but I forget to paste it into the update. This is the second time this has happened.
7659
7660-------------------------
7661
7662>>227913
7663You think about your mother's question for a moment and review what you know about those kingdoms. 
7664
7665Rosea is generally hostile to Gwyrddarfordir, but the enmity isn't that great at the moment. The biggest problem to you there is that Archduchess Aleksandra isn't in line to inherit the throne, an alliance with them would limit your potential. 
7666
7667Svekka is in the middle of some conflict between the nobles and the merchants, and the royal family is trying to keep the conflict from blowing out of proportion and taking the whole kingdom down with it. If you threw your lot in with them, you'd need to find some way to resolve the conflict before you could secure your position. 
7668
7669Olstren, you're more familiar with. The royal family's influence is on the decline, and various noble families are trying to use their connections to the king's consorts or digging up old marriage ties in order to make a claim for the throne. Princess Reagan has maintained her position by assassinating all the nobles who tried to court her, but if you married her, you'd have to find some way to suppress her opposition. 
7670
7671"I believe the answer is obvious."
7672
7673>Roll 1d10, best of three.
7674
7675-------------------------
7676
7677>>228015
7678"Svekka."
7679
7680Your mother claps her hands. "That's right, Meirion," she says. "I'm so proud of you!" 
7681
7682There's not much you can do in Rosea, but you can at least get an army and a significant amount of land out of them. 
7683
7684Olstren is more dangerous, but it's just a question of purging all the nobles who get in your way. That's not difficult, just tedious. Besides, if you follow Myrddin's advice, you'll probably have enough children to replace most of Olstren's nobility on your own. 
7685
7686Svekka is different. If the merchants are suppressed, the entire kingdom will be weakened. They have to be dealt with through negotiations, not conquest. That's a much more difficult task to undertake. 
7687
7688"It's not much," you say. "If I don't take these little details into consideration, I'll be the first one to pay."
7689
7690"That's exactly the kind of foresight a king should have," your mother says. "Father abdicated so he could retire, and my brothers are getting along now that I had their most prominent supporters assassinated - you'd be surprised how much hemlock it takes to kill a fat enough man - so I won't be leaving again any time soon. I look forward to meeting all the girls you're interested in."
7691
7692>[Dilettante/Autofail] "That won't be necessary mother."
7693>"I'm sure Myrddin can tell you everything you want to know."
7694>"I was hoping you could help me with that, actually."
7695
7696-------------------------
7697
7698>>228132
7699"I was hoping you could help me with that, actually," you say. "I know you had father had some… difficulties, but you've managed to make things work well enough."
7700
7701"I'll be happy to help, dear," your mother says. "Olwen, let's have dinner once I've settled in. We can talk about your plans."
7702
7703Olwen hangs her head. "Yes, your majesty," she says. "I look forward to it."
7704
7705The carriage arrives at the palace and you step out. Olwen regains a bit of vigour as she runs around and puts together an improvised honour guard to greet the queen. Your mother stands proud and calmly walks towards the door.
7706
7707In front of the throne room, the queen takes a deep breath to steel herself and pushes the doors open. 
7708
7709"Darling! I'm home!" 
7710
7711"Margrete!" 
7712
7713The king jumps off his throne and for a moment and your parents run into each others' arms. 
7714
7715"Margrete, I didn't expect you so soon!" 
7716
7717"I know, darling," the queen says, "but I wanted to meet Haul and his bride as soon as possible. Do you know where they are?" 
7718
7719"He's interviewing someone for a post at the treasury," King Gerad said. "An impressive young man by the name of Gryfter Boxman. He comes highly recommended by my brother."
7720
7721Your mother smiles stiffly. "Yes, well, that can wait," she says. "Meeting my son is much more important than whatever silly thing the treasury is doing, isn't it?" 
7722
7723It's so nice to have another competent person around here.
7724
7725"Too true, too true!" 
7726
7727"Meirion, I need to pay your siblings a visit now," your mother says. "We'll speak about that matter again later, all right?" 
7728
7729"Of course, mother."
7730
7731You exit the throne room and comfort Olwen, who is still thoroughly mortified by her encountered with your mother.
7732
7733"That was the most embarrassing moment of my life," she says. "She won't ask about our sex life, will she?"
7734
7735>"Given how interested she is in your childbearing disposition, I'd be surprised if she didn't."
7736>"I'm sure it won't be so bad. She's just excited about everything."
7737>"If it makes you feel any better, you won't be the only one getting embarrassed before she's done."
7738
7739-------------------------
7740
7741>>228347
7742"Given how interested she is in your childbearing disposition, I'd be surprised if she didn't," you say. "But if it makes you feel any better, you won't be the only one getting embarrassed before she's done."
7743
7744"I'll take comfort in the fact that the Crown Prince's maid will get it worse than I did," Olwen says. "Although with the size of her chest, I doubt she'll be told to cut back her training."
7745
7746"Come on." You wrap your arm around Olwen's shoulder. "We have to pay the Enchanters' Guild a visit. Why do we need to go there again, Myrddin?" 
7747
7748"Utilities," Myrddin says. "Hardly the most glamorous job for your highness, but if the water stops running in the palace while it's full of guests…"
7749
7750"I get the idea," you say. 
7751
7752"We can always ask about weapons while we're there," Olwen says. "It'll make a more interesting topic of discussion. What does it say about me that I'm so invested in helping my man flirt with other women?" 
7753
7754You give her a kiss. "It means you're considerate of others and willing to compromise for the sake of the kingdom," you say. "And that puts you two points ahead of Myrddin."
7755
7756"I've made many sacrifices for the kingdom," Myrddin says, "so you'll forgive me if I don't offer myself up to your highness as well."
7757
7758"You're pardoned of any and all crimes so long as you promise never to say that again," you say.
7759
7760You decide to get out of the palace as quickly as you can and go to the Enchanters' Guild. 
7761
7762They're even busier than the Alchemists' Guild, but you quickly find a clerk who can help you check the state of the palace's request. According to their ledger, everything is in order, and they'll be able to fix any problems swiftly. You even arrange for a team of enchanters to stay in the palace for the duration of the celebrations, just in case. You're certain they'll appreciate the job. 
7763
7764"Is there anything else we can help you with, sir?" The clerk asks. 
7765
7766"I've been asked to meet with Nia Fisher," you say. "There are a few non-urgent matters that the Crown wants to discuss before things get too busy."
7767
7768"Of course, sir," the clerk says. "May I ask what you'd like to discuss?"
7769
7770>"Just a few details about the utilities."
7771>"We'd like to know more about the guild's military production."
7772>"I'd like to ask some questions about how the guild's business is faring."
7773
7774-------------------------
7775
7776>>228503
7777Since you're here to talk about the palace's utilities, you might as well be thorough. It might come in useful at some point. 
7778
7779"Just a few details about the utilities," you say. "I have some questions about long-term issues that aren't immediately relevant to the celebrations." 
7780
7781"Very well, sir," the clerk says. "I'll let Miss Fisher know immediately."
7782
7783"I'd complain about how boring this is probably going to be," Olwen grumbles, "but it can't be worse than speaking to your mother."
7784
7785The clerk soon returns with a young woman with long, pale hair. You're not sure your mother would approve of her. Her hips aren't bad, but her chest is somewhat lacking.
7786
7787"Oh, your highness." The woman gives you a look so smug, you're not sure even Myrddin would be able to pull it off. "I didn't expect to see you so soon."
7788
7789The clerk's face turns white and he very quietly leaves the room. 
7790
7791"Hello, Miss Fisher," you say. "I wasn't aware we were acquainted."
7792
7793"We're not," Nia says. "But I was present during your duel with Cadryff. For you to duel with a man over a woman and then come to my offices with a different woman, I can't help but feel a little… curious."
7794
7795You look at Olwen, who simply shrugs. You doubt Nia's just interested in gossip. Maybe you can use this chance to gauge her interest?
7796
7797>[Intrigue/1d12] "Perhaps I can satisfy your curiosity." 
7798>[Enchantment/1d8] "I'm not here for anything special. I just have questions about utilities."
7799
7800-------------------------
7801
7802>>228684
7803"Perhaps I can satisfy your curiosity?" You ask. "I'd hate for unpleasant rumours to spread about me." 
7804
7805"Of course, you highness," Nia says. "Please, follow me. It isn't much, but I have some tea for you and your companion."
7806
7807"You don't need to mind me," Olwen says. "His highness' matters are more important than mine."
7808
7809"Even so, it would be rude if I ignored you wouldn't it?" Nia asks. "Might I ask your name, at least?" 
7810
7811"I don't see why not," Olwen says. "Olwen auk Vaughan."
7812
7813"Oh my, I was nearly rude to your grace," Nia says. "Please forgive me."
7814
7815"My father still has the duchy," Olwen says. "Our status isn't so different at the moment."
7816
7817"His highness would disagree with that, I think," Nia says, "although your words are worth considering."
7818
7819Nia brings you to one of the more pleasant waiting rooms and sets an enchanted kettle to boil.
7820
7821>Roll 1d12, best of three.
7822
7823-------------------------
7824
7825>>228794
7826You're beginning to suspect this conversation isn't about enchantment. 
7827
7828"I was quiet moved to see his highness fight for a woman's love," Nia says. "I sometimes wish I could enjoy that kind of treatment as well." 
7829
7830In fact, you're quite certain this conversation isn't about enchantment at all.
7831
7832Nia's expressions of interest would make Myrddin giddy if he were here, but you… you don't want to lead anyone on, and you have many other things to take into consideration before you even think of selecting a concubine. 
7833
7834On the other hand, this is also a chance for you and Nia to get to know each other, which is the whole point of this visit.
7835
7836>[Sovereign/1d10] "In many ways, that duel was one of my duties as a prince."
7837>[Dilettante/1d10] "Cadryff offended a friend of mine. I couldn't let it go."
7838>[Enchantment/1d10] "That was just some trivial business. I'd rather focus on today's business."
7839
7840>You have an active crit for this next roll. Will I remember to mention this in the post? Let's find out together!
7841
7842-------------------------
7843
7844>>228877
7845You might as well see where this is going. If nothing else, it'll be good practice for later."
7846
7847"Cadryff offended a friend of mine," you say. "I couldn't let it go."
7848
7849>Roll 1d10, best of three.
7850
7851-------------------------
7852
7853>>228976
7854"Oh." Nia looks disappointed. "I was hoping it'd be more than that."
7855
7856Apparently, it went no where.
7857
7858"I'm afraid not," you say. "To be honest, I've been through quite a few fights. That duel wasn't much." 
7859
7860"I suppose that attitude is appropriate for the Victorious Prince," Nia says. "In that case, what can I help you with?"
7861
7862"I had some questions about utilities," you say. "I'm interested in urban development."
7863
7864"Come to think of it," Olwen says, "do you think it'd be possible to set up utilities for army camps?" 
7865
7866"Such things already exists, albeit in a limited fashion." Nia nods towards her enchanted kettle. "However, if you're talking about more elaborate enchantments such as showers, it's something we've been working on for the last few years."
7867
7868"Wouldn't that be inconvenient to move around?" You ask. 
7869
7870"We've been importing some Svekkan technologies," Nia says. "They focus on mass-production and making standardized parts. Right now, we have to build every piece of a shower by hand, but if our current projects produce results, we'd be able to build the shower piece by piece so that it can be disassembled. It would be cheaper and it would make maintenance much, much easier."
7871
7872"How long do you think that would take?" You ask. 
7873
7874"The tools are designed for Svekkan enchantments, so we need to adapt them to Gwyrddarfordir," Nia says. "Enchantment is very precise work, so it can be difficult. Still, the Enchanters' Guild's goal is to make simpler enchantments such as utilities, lightstones, iceboxes and heaters cheaper and more accessible to the general public."
7875
7876"I would've assumed that the military is your biggest client," Olwen says. 
7877
7878"Arms dealing is more profitable, but it's not as reliable," Nia says. "Besides, we prefer to work towards benefits rather than harm, even if we do have to make weapons."
7879
7880"I'll keep that in mind," you say. "Thank you for speaking with me."
7881
7882>"I hope we'll be able to meet during the Crown Prince's celebrations." 
7883>"Perhaps we'll have the chance to talk again soon."
7884>"I'll contact you if I have any other questions."
7885
7886-------------------------
7887
7888>>229087
7889"I hope we'll be able to meet during the Crown Prince's celebrations," you say. 
7890
7891Nia briefly frowns. "Of course, your highness," she says. "I've received a few invitations myself. I quite look forward to it."
7892
7893With your business settled, you leave the Enchanters' Guild to return to the palace. As soon as you step out of the building, you get a scolding from Olwen. 
7894
7895"That was terrible," she says. "No wonder Myrddin had to put so much effort into finding you a woman. Then again, if it means I get to monopolize you a bit longer, I suppose it's not so bad." 
7896
7897"In what way was that terrible?" 
7898
7899"You know she was flirting with you, right?" Olwen doesn't even give you the time to answer. "You told her you fought a duel over a friend and then you asked her out on a date during the Crown Prince's celebrations. How can she know where she stands."
7900
7901"I said nothing that wasn't accurate," you say. 
7902
7903"I'll be sure to ask your mother if she agrees with me." 
7904
7905You get the sudden feeling that, if it isn't terrible yet, it will be soon.
7906
7907-------------------------
7908
7909>>229199
7910And today's thread comes to an end after a cockblock from the dice gods. 
7911
7912The next thread will be Friday June 10th at 7PM EDT. Until then, if you have any questions, you can just post them here and I'll get around to reading them before the thread falls off the board. I'm not sure when or where I'll post the answers, but I'll get around to it eventually. 
7913
7914Until next time, good night and thanks for playing.
7915
7916==== END THREAD ====
7917
7918Beleaguered Prince Quest #23
7919written by BeleagueredQM (18 posts, 5 omitted posts)
7920-------- qst2txt --------
7921
7922Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
7923Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
7924
7925Previous threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
7926
7927===============
7928
7929You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
7930
7931Your mother is currently very disappointed in your ability to woo women. You're not quite sure if this counts as the most embarrassing moment of your life, but it's up there. Oh, it's up there. 
7932
7933"Honestly, Meirion," your mother opines, "it's obvious that girl was flirting with you. You could have encouraged her a little bit more." 
7934
7935"It's my fault, your majesty." Myrddin passes a hand over his forehead and sighs. "I should have let him play with the maids more when he was younger."
7936
7937"Olwen would have killed you," you say. 
7938
7939"They would never have found the body," Olwen agrees. 
7940
7941"You need to be considerate about these things, Meirion," your mother says. "Courtship is a necessary skill to royalty. If you're too obvious, you'll look boorish, but if you're too subtle, you'll miss your chance. You have to carefully balance things and emphasize your charm."
7942
7943"Don't pursue women, convince women to pursue you," Myrddin says. "It's much easier that way."
7944
7945"Is that from your personal experience?" You ask. 
7946
7947Myrddin adjusts his collar and looks away. "Possibly," he says.
7948
7949>[Sovereign/1d10] "People are naturally drawn to power. This shouldn't be difficult."
7950>[Intrigue/1d12] "I can be subtle when it's necessary."
7951>[Dilettante/1d8] "I'll be sure to be as charming as possible."
7952
7953>As a reminder, you have an active critical failure on your Dilettante skill, so you're at a -1 penalty.
7954
7955-------------------------
7956
7957>>244126
7958Maybe you've been approaching this wrong. You've been treating this as a negotiation because that's what it mostly is, but it's not just what it is. Profit and benefits are an important of any negotiation, but it's also important to remember that the parties involved should get along with each other. Personal conflict just breeds professional conflict if it's kept in check. 
7959
7960"I'll be sure to be as charming as possible."
7961
7962>Roll 1d8, best of three.
7963
7964-------------------------
7965
7966>>244200
7967Your mother smiles proudly. "Don't worry, Meirion," she says. "I'm sure you'll do fine."
7968
7969Your mother's right; this shouldn't be too difficult. After all, you spent a significant amount of time schmoozing to people and manipulating them. It should be much easier to just be nice to people. 
7970
7971"And just to be sure, I'll be joining you for your next meeting with the Cysgod girl."
7972
7973"Mother, you don't need to -"
7974
7975"Did you say something dear?" 
7976
7977"No, mother."
7978
7979This is not an argument you can win, and you know it. At least with your mother there, you'll have someone to tall back on if the conversation becomes awkward. 
7980
7981"The current Count Cysgod was quite surprised, but quite grateful, to receive our invitation," Myrddin says. "I'm assuming his daughter has something important to discuss."
7982
7983"I'll keep that in mind," you say. It would be nice if you could get something out of these meetings. Sure, they're not a total loss, but you do have quite a bit of business to take care of, so there's only so much time you can spend interviewing several potential consorts when you know you can only choose one more. 
7984
7985"Remember, Meirion," your mother says, "you can't allow for conflict between your lovers. I've seen quite a few nobles fall apart because they only wanted more women and didn't pay enough attention to their relationships."
7986
7987>[Sovereign/1d8] "Of course, mother. Such arrangements should be beneficial for all parties."
7988>[Intrigue/1d10] "I'll be careful about how I manage things."
7989>[Dilettante/1d4] "I promise I'll love all my companions equally, mother."
7990
7991-------------------------
7992
7993>>244247
7994"Of course, mother," you say. "Such arrangements should be beneficial for all parties."
7995
7996You realize it's all a delicate balancing act. Affection and intimacy are useful to build long-term trust, something which is necessary to any relationship, but they're only a means to an end. As Myrddin told you, you need to surround yourself with people who should help you rule, and your wife, consorts and concubines should be able to use your resources to pursue their own plans. You can't take without giving anything back, and the same applies to your lovers. They should support and receive support from each other as well. Otherwise, it simply isn't fair.
7997
7998That's the answer your mother was looking for, right?
7999
8000>Roll 1d8, best of three.
8001
8002-------------------------
8003
8004>>244316
8005"Correct again, Meirion," your mother says. You can't help but feel warm in your chest when you receive her approval. "It's a delicate balancing act. Love can emerge from cooperation, but if you cooperate out of love, you'll easily be swayed by your emotions. It won't last."
8006
8007"Are you talking from personal experience?" You ask. 
8008
8009Your mother's face stiffens and her eye twitches slightly. "Something like that," she says. "Your father's eccentricities are just a bit much after a certain amount of time."
8010
8011"I'm quite satisfied with his highness' quirks, your majesty," Olwen says. "You don't need to worry about such things."
8012
8013"It's nice to know I'm tolerated," you say. "Myrddin, what about our guest?" 
8014
8015"She should be arriving soon," Myrddin says. "Where would you like to meet her?"
8016
8017>"Somewhere private, like my chambers."
8018>"Some place nice, like the gardens."
8019>"I'd rather give her a tour of the palace."
8020
8021-------------------------
8022
8023>>244351
8024"Some place nice, like the gardens," you say. "Summer's ending, and I'd like to enjoy the flowers before they wither for the winter."
8025
8026"Of course, your highness," Myrddin says. 
8027
8028"I'll give you points for choosing a proper venue," your mother says. "It's romantic, but not too intimate. Quite appropriate for a first meeting with a young lady."
8029
8030"Just be sure not to accept drinks from strange men," Olwen says. "We wouldn't want another incident, would we?" 
8031
8032Your testicles shrink back up into your body protectively at the memory. 
8033
8034"Did something happen?" Your mother asks. 
8035
8036"I'd rather not speak of it," you say. "Besides, it's already been dealt with."
8037
8038"That's fine, dear," your mother says. "I'll just ask Myrddin later."
8039
8040Damn it. You don't even want to think about how your mother will react if she finds out she was almost denied grandchildren. Fortunately, that's your uncle's problem now. So long as you avoid all the embarrassment of talking about it, it's fine by you. 
8041
8042You escort Olwen and your mother to the gardens and find a spot in the shade. Several benches are arranged around to the table. You claim one as your own, while Olwen and your mother share another. 
8043
8044After that, you wait for Myrddin to arrive with your guest. From your position, you're the first one to spot them. You stand up to offer a polite greeting. 
8045
8046"I would like to introduce you to Rhonwen auk Cysgod," Myrddin says.
8047
8048Rhonwen lifts the corners of her dress up to curtsey. "Greetings, your majesty, your highness." She speaks in a quiet voice, as if half asleep. "My family and I were delighted to receive your invitation."
8049
8050Rhonwen auk Cysgod is, to put it lightly, ridiculously erotic, and you can't help but wonder if she chose that dress that show off her chest, or if her breasts are so large that she can't help but show them off. Your mother seems quite pleased, and even Olwen is staring at her incredulously.
8051
8052"And we're quite grateful you accepted." You maintain your composure and proceed with the standard niceties. "Please, join us."
8053
8054Myrddin guides Rhonwen to your own bench before sitting next to your mother. Rhonwen sits next to you, although she doesn't get too close. Her head dips slightly and you're starting to suspect she is half asleep. 
8055
8056"What would your highness wish to discuss with me?" Rhonwen asks.
8057
8058>[Sovereign/1d10] You wanted to meet the nobility. 
8059>[Dilettante/1d10] You wanted to develop some personal relationships. 
8060>[Enchantment/1d8] You're curious about her most recent work.
8061
8062-------------------------
8063
8064>>244486
8065"I'd like to know more about what you're working on," you say. "I've been meeting with enchanters and alchemists during the last few days so I could get a better idea of the state of magic in Gwyrddarfordir, and I'd like your opinion on things."
8066
8067"Is that so?" Talk of enchantment seems to perk Rhonwen up a little. "I'm afraid that's quite a broad subject, but I suppose I can explain some of the more… promising projects to you."
8068
8069"Do you have many unsuccessful projects?" Your mother asks. "I imagine you need to be careful with your resources."
8070
8071"Not everyone in House Cysgod is equally talented," Rhonwen says. "Much of our business focuses on basic enchantment and alchemy, the sort of thing the guilds focus. It's just that we use it to fill out coffers. We're not as rich as some of the other houses, but we have a steady stream of income." 
8072
8073There are a lot of houses like that, and it's not common for black sheep to get kicked out if they can't enter the family business. It's a testament to House Cysgod's determination that even those who are called untalented still have the skills to make a living as professional enchanters and alchemists. 
8074
8075"In any case, we're currently studying how alchemy and enchantment can be used together," Rhonwen says. "We only started a decade ago, but the results are quite promising."
8076
8077"Shouldn't that be something common?" You ask.
8078
8079-omitted one small post.
8080
8081-omitted one small post.
8082
8083-omitted one small post.
8084
8085-------------------------
8086
8087>>244506
8088"Not really," Rhonwen says. "After all, it takes a lifetime to learn alchemy and enchantment. To learn both requires a great deal of effort; even I would only call myself an amateur. Furthermore, it's quite common for alchemists and enchanters to compete for funds, so there's often some animosity between the two. Some enchanters using alchemical solutions to maintain their tools, but that's no different from blacksmiths and carpenters."
8089
8090"What do you do differently?" Myrddin asks. 
8091
8092"We use alchemical solutions as part of the smelting, quenching and tempering process," Rhonwen explains. "Getting it right took several years, and there are still some difficulties, but when the process is successful, it produces much more stable enchantments. It also makes maintenance much easier."
8093
8094-------------------------
8095
8096>>244595
8097Having spoken with Mererid, Isla and Nia, you're familiar with how difficult enchantments can be, and how dangerous alchemical solutions are when they're not handled properly. House Cysgod must have expended a significant amount of resources to achieve these results. 
8098
8099"Do you have any practical applications?" You ask. That's the part that concerns you the most. As much as you appreciate the pursuit of knowledge and magical research, your immediate concerns are far more pragmatic. 
8100
8101"Transportation, mostly," Rhonwen says. "The water engines we have right now are too expensive for smaller boats and too weak for larger ones, but we've thought of a trick that should work with land travel."
8102
8103Your heart pounds in your chest and you bite down on the inside of your lip to keep yourself calm. You glance at Myrddin and your mother, and you can immediately tell they're as excited as you are. Even Olwen seems curious, and this isn't really your thing.
8104
8105-------------------------
8106
8107>>244600
8108Transportation has always been one of the major challenges of alchemy. Moving parts are too delicate and unstable, and they require too much maintenance. They're used on boats as an emergency life-saving measure when a ship is dead in the water, but that's it. 
8109
8110If enchanted devices could facilitate movement and transportation across the country… you're not sure you can estimate the economic and military possibilities.
8111
8112>[Sovereign/1d10] "This would make a great contribution to the kingdom."
8113>[Merchant/1d10] "What would you need to make this work?"
8114>[Enchantment and Alchemy/2d8] "Can you tell me more about how that works?"
8115
8116-omitted one small post.
8117
8118-omitted one small post.
8119
8120-------------------------
8121
8122>>244603
8123"Can you tell me more about how that works?" You can see the potential here, but you'd like to understand it before you make any plans. 
8124
8125"Without going into the tedious details…" Rhonwen stifles a yawn before beginning an explanation. "We use different oils and liquids to treat the metal at all stages at the forging process. This helps… lubricate, for lack of a better term, the different parts of a moving enchantment engine. The pieces need to be treated regularly in order to maintain their efficiency, but it's still much easier than normal maintenance procedure."
8126
8127That would significantly cut down on the financial and time costs of performing maintenance on enchantments, and it would allow someone to make enchanted objects more complex than muskets. That's only part of the problem though.
8128
8129-------------------------
8130
8131>>244681
8132"What about power?" You ask. "That's the other obstacle in enchanted engines, isn't it?" 
8133
8134"That was the simplest part, actually," Rhonwen says. "The trick is to set a carriage on tracks to guide it. The tracks react with the cart's wheels and move it forward. There are other mechanisms required to stop the carriage once it reaches its destination, but we've had some promising successes."
8135
8136"So it's not ready yet?" Your mother asks. Like you, she can appreciate the potential of what Rhonwen is describing, but she needs to understand its limits as well. 
8137
8138"Size is proving to be difficult to deal with," Rhonwen admits. "We have small models that work fairly well, as well as track systems that are just large enough to move light supplies around a castle or house, but we can't build something that could carry people yet. We expect it won't take much longer than two or three years though. Once that's done, it's just a matter of building the tracks between Gwyrddarfordir's major cities." 
8139
8140You're surprised at how optimistic Rhonwen is about her work, but you hope her estimates are accurate. This could revolutionize trade in Gwyrddarfordir, and even a web of smaller tracks, such as the one she seems to have built already, would make letters and communications significantly easier, if you could protect it somehow. 
8141
8142>[Sovereign/1d10] "The Crown would be glad to offer you its assistance in this matter."
8143>[Merchant/1d10] "I believe I know some people who could help you finance your work, if you need it."
8144>[Dilettante/1d10] "This is quite impressive. I'd like to discuss your ideas further, if we ever have time."
8145
8146-------------------------
8147
8148>>244684
8149You've learned your mother's lessons, and you don't want to seem too distant. You have a good idea of what Rhonwen's work is about and how you and House Cysgod can help each other, so you just need to make it a little personal. 
8150
8151"This is quite impressive," you say. "I'd like to discuss your ideas further, if we ever have time."
8152
8153>Roll 1d10, best of three.
8154
8155-------------------------
8156
8157>>244725
8158"That sounds lovely." Rhonwen yawns and only makes a token effort to hide it this time. "I'm afraid I'm quite tired though. It'll have to wait."
8159
8160"Of course." You stand to help her out. "You'll be attending the Crown Prince's wedding, yes?" 
8161
8162"And some other celebrations as well." Rhonwen takes your hand and you pull her up. "Such tedious things…"
8163
8164"I believe the Crown Prince shares your sentiment," you say. "Still, such things are necessary from time to time."
8165
8166"I suppose so."
8167
8168You escort Rhonwen through the palace grounds and to a carriage so she can return to her family's house in Aurwain. Olwen, Myrddin and your mother linger behind slightly and talk to each other in whispers. 
8169
8170Rhonwen bids you farewell and you watch her leave for a moment. You wait until she's out of earshot and out of sight before speaking. 
8171
8172"Myrddin, what do you think?" 
8173
8174"If House Cysgod's work really is so promising, Gwyrddarfordir might become the most powerful mercantile power on the continent," he says. "It's more complicated than that, of course, but if it works…"
8175
8176"I must agree," your mother says. "I have some doubts - I've seen too many large projects go wrong to believe optimistic plans - but the potential is great."
8177
8178"I'm more interested in the military implications," Olwen says. "It sounds like a good thing, but if we need to build tracks first, our troop movements will become obvious and much more vulnerable, even if they are faster."
8179
8180There are other matters, of course. Some cities will benefit more than others - Cyfoethmor, for example, is a major city, but connecting it to other cities would be impossible because it's on the other side of the river - and you'll need a large number of enchanters to build and maintain the tracks, but still, Rhonwen has certainly piqued your interest with her work.
8181
8182>"This is going to complicate my decision."
8183>"I'll just wait and see how this goes."
8184>"No matter what, we need to develop these enchantments."
8185
8186-------------------------
8187
8188>>244792
8189"I'll just wait and see how this goes," you say. "At the very least, I'd like to take a look at one of their prototypes. I don't want to get caught in something that's headed for a loss."
8190
8191"A wise decision, your highness," Myrddin says, "although I do assure you that House Cysgod is always up to par when it comes to alchemy and enchanted.
8192
8193"Duly noted." You cast a furtive glance towards your mother and try to gauge her reaction to your performance. "Did that go well?"
8194
8195"Well enough, dear," your mother says. That's good enough for you. "She was a little strange, but I think you attracted her interest." 
8196
8197With those simple words, you feel an enormous weight lift off your shoulders. It's not just about pleasing your mother either; you know how important this is to the kingdom, and you can't afford to make any mistakes. At least with this out of the way, you can go back to what you do best: spying on people. 
8198
8199All right, it's not what you do best, but it's at least a close second.
8200
8201>[Intrigue/1d6] "Myrddin, I want spies everywhere during the celebrations. Nothing happens in Aurwain without your knowledge"
8202>[Intrigue/1d8] "Myrddin, I need you to keep track of the city's key figures during the wedding."
8203>[Intrigue/1d12] "Myrddin, I need you to keep track of my associates during the celebration. I can't permit any accidents."
8204>[Intrigue/Autosuccess] "Myrddin, let me know if anything strange happens during the celebration."
8205
8206-------------------------
8207
8208>>244899
8209Aurwain is going to be packed with nobles and foreign delegates during the Crown Prince's wedding. It'll be a prime opportunities for assassins. You don't care much about the people who aren't connected to you, but you can't let anything slip by. If someone died in Aurwain during the wedding, it would be a grievous blow against royal family's reputation. 
8210
8211"Myrddin, I want spies everywhere during the celebrations," you say. "Nothing happens in Aurwain without your knowledge."
8212
8213"That's possible, but it will be difficult," Myrddin says. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
8214
8215"It's necessary," you say. "We can't let anything slip."
8216
8217>Roll 1d6, best of three.
8218
8219-------------------------
8220
8221"It will be done per your orders, your highness," Myrddin says. "I'll have regular updates for you as well. The first one will be ready before Princess Agda and her entourage arrives."
8222
8223The celebrations officially begin once some kind of royalty arrives in Aurwain. Royal visits to the capital aren't rare, but they're not common either. Even Reagan's visit was unofficial. 
8224
8225"You've done very well today, Meirion," your mother says. "If you keep at it like this, Gwyrddarfordir will be in good hands. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to see what your father's up to. Since you're doing your best, I can't slack either."
8226
8227Myrddin leaves to organize his spies, while your mother leaves to make sure your father won't accidentally burn down the kingdom before your brother can inherit it. Olwen, of course, stays behind and gives you a hug. 
8228
8229"You really were impressive," she says. "I was even jealous for a bit."
8230
8231"You were jealous of enchantment?"
8232
8233Olwen laughs and pinches your arm. "No, I was jealous of Rhonwen's absurd chest," she says. "Although maybe I was a little jealous of the enchantment. It used to be we'd talk about military strategy together for hours on end."
8234
8235"It has been a while since we did that," you say. "It's just been real battlefield lately, and the real ones aren't quite as challenging as hypotheticals."
8236
8237"You are quite possibly the only person alive who would say that," Olwen says, "but we could make the time to talk now, before the celebration starts."
8238
8239You only need to think about it for a moment. "That sounds like a wonderful idea," you say. "We can plot the invasion of Olstren or Svekka." 
8240
8241The two of you walk to your office in hand in hand. You enjoy Olwen's visits to your bedroom, but this isn't bad either.
8242
8243-------------------------
8244
8245>>245022
8246We managed to get through today's thread despite 4chan's near-death experience. The next thread will be Sunday June 12th at 7PM Eastern. 
8247
8248Like I said on twitter, I might run some kind of experimental one-shot thread later today based on something completely different depending on how the mood strikes me. I've been meaning to play around with some of /qst/'s features and the slower turn around on threads, but I haven't really had the chance to do that with Beleaguered Prince Quest. 
8249
8250Anyway, if I decide to go through with it, it'll be a quest taking the piss out of Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei. Like most Japanese light novels, it's an okay premise with a terrible execution, only the author went beyond that and added fuckstupid geopolitics, YAMATO DAMASHII GLORIOUS NIPPON MAGIC FOLDED 1000 TIMES, and vaguely amusing racism against the Chinese, so there's some fun to be had there. 
8251
8252With that out of the way, thanks for playing and I'll see you all either in a few hours or Sunday eening.
8253
8254==== END THREAD ====
8255
8256Beleaguered Prince Quest #24
8257written by BeleagueredQM (17 posts, 4 omitted posts)
8258-------- qst2txt --------
8259
8260Twitter: @BeleagueredQM
8261Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/FEc6v8FP
8262
8263Previous threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Beleaguered%20Prince%20Quest
8264
8265===============
8266
8267You are Prince Meirion auk Gwyrren, the only sane man in a royal family with dubious concepts of strategy, justice, taxation, and governance in general. You have made it your goal in life to keep your family on the throne and your head firmly attached to your body. 
8268
8269Today, you're swamped with work and reports. Your spies and informants are reporting on everything that's happening in Aurwain, and quite a few things that are happening outside, including some news from your uncle. 
8270
8271It seems that Prince Siarl's death has been officially announced. Of course, seeing as how you're the one who killed Prince Siarl, you know exactly what happened. Your uncle must have delayed the announcement for as long as he could in order to redistribute his assets among his surviving children. Now that the Crown Prince's wedding is so close, he has to come to the capital, so he can't hide Prince Siarl's death any longer. 
8272
8273Overall, this is good news for you. It'll take some time for your uncle to arrive, so you're free to act for a few days, and whichever of his children he brings won't be as competent or dangerous as Siarl. 
8274
8275It's not an immediate concern though. Right now, you have more pressing issues to deal with. 
8276
8277"The Svekkan delegation's herald has just arrive," Myrddin says. "Princess Agda Almstedt will be here this afternoon. Her half-sister Laila is traveling with her."
8278
8279"Half-sister? A consort's child?" 
8280
8281"Concubine's," Myrddin says. "Apparently, they're quite close." 
8282
8283The Almstedt family is having some problems with its merchants. You don't know the specifics, but if anyone in Aurwain does, it would be Esyllt Coleran. In fact, you wouldn't be surprised if her merchant consortium was directly involved with Svekka's problems. 
8284
8285"There is something else." Myrddin gives you another sheet of paper. "It seems Andras auk Cadryff is still feeling jilted."
8286
8287"I was hoping he would learn his lesson." 
8288
8289You take the paper and read it. Eleri Lloyd and her father have lost several of their patrons and no longer receive as many invitation as they used to. They were ostracized by Cadryff's circle, but things have since gone beyond that. Myrddin has already ordered some preventative measures to make sure things don't get worse, but since this might be an act against you, he doesn't want to act overtly without your permission. 
8290
8291This is a cause for concern. Notwithstanding the fact that you're considering taking Eleri as one of your concubines, you did duel for her. For the nobility to insult her is a challenge to your authority. 
8292
8293You have reasons to meet both Esyllt and Eleri, but you only have time for one of them at the moment. You'll have to prioritize. 
8294
8295>"I need to meet Esyllt. I have some business with her."
8296>"I'll go see Eleri. I won't tolerate such insults."
8297
8298-omitted one small post.
8299
8300-omitted one small post.
8301
8302-omitted one small post.
8303
8304-------------------------
8305
8306>>252317
8307"I need to meet Esyllt," you say. "I have some business with her concerning the Svekkans. As for Eleri, make sure she and her father are taken care of, but don't let anyone. I'll investigate further when I have time."
8308
8309"Understood, your highness," Myrddin says. "I'll have my informants coordinate their efforts accordingly."
8310
8311"In the meantime, can you tell me anything about Esyllt's activities that I don't already know?" 
8312
8313"As far as I can tell, she's biding her time in Gwyrddarfordir," Myrddin says. "She's making money, but she isn't clashing with the nobles. She might be waiting to see how the Crown Prince's wedding turns out, or maybe she just has faith in you."
8314
8315"I can't let her down, then," you say. "Let's see what she thinks about Svekka."
8316
8317You bring Myrddin with you as you leave your office and drag Olwen along when you find her. Now that foreign delegations are arriving, the palace is kept in strict order. The guards have doubled and the servants are even more invisible than usual. Your brother would no doubt find some reason to complain about how oppressive it is, but you're certain your mother can handle him. 
8318
8319In the streets of Aurwain, it's the complete opposite. There are small-time merchants and street performers everywhere, and the streets are crowded with visitors and locals alike. The guards have doubled here as well, but there isn't much they can do without obstructing trade, and that's simply unacceptable to everyone. 
8320
8321You make your way to Esyllt's home and her secretary lets you in. 
8322
8323Esyllt's office reminds you a little of yours. Papers and ledgers are stacked everywhere, and there are several maps of Gwyrddarfordir on the walls. They're covered with pins and annotations. 
8324
8325Esyllt looks up from her work as you enter. "Greetings, your highness," she says. "I wasn't expecting you today. Did something happen?" 
8326
8327Despite all the work piled in front of her, she sounds calm and confident.
8328
8329>"I wanted to catch up before I got too busy."
8330>"I was wondering if you could tell me about Svekka."
8331>"I might have found a new business venture, and I wanted your opinion."
8332
8333-------------------------
8334
8335>>252439
8336"I was wondering if you could tell me about Svekka," you say. "Their representatives are arriving soon, and I heard they were having some problems."
8337
8338"Svekka…" Esyllt mulls it over for a moment. "I know a few things. Please, take a sit." 
8339
8340The three of you find chairs while Esyllt clears her desk a little to make it more presentable. 
8341
8342"I'm assuming you're referring to the tensions between Svekkan nobles and merchants," Esyllt says, "as well as to my own efforts to improve things for merchants in Gwyrddarfordir."
8343
8344"Are they related?" You ask. 
8345
8346"They aren't," Esyllt says. "Rather, it's the same elsewhere, but it happens to be worse in Gwyrddarfordir and Svekka."
8347
8348Indeed, Esyllt's main claim is that merchants should have greater access to wealth, but property laws in Gwyrddarfordir, Olstren, Svekka, Rosea and Gael aren't all that different.
8349
8350"Gwyrddarfordir conducts a significant amount of trade with Palran, which has allowed merchants to develop their wealth independently of the nobility and royalty over the centuries," Esyllt explains. "Svekkan merchants remain tied to their nobility, but to make up for it, they developed very advanced methods of production in most markets. They could be much wealthier than they are now, but Svekkan nobles control the extraction of basic resources. The nobles don't see the need to invest in their operations, so the merchants remain constrained."
8351
8352>"Do you think there's a way to resolve the tension?" 
8353>"Is there any way we can exploit the situation?" 
8354>"How does the royalty fit into all this?"
8355
8356-omitted one small post.
8357
8358-------------------------
8359
8360>>252545
8361"How does the royalty fit into all this? Do you think there's a way to resolve the tension." 
8362
8363"We know they're trying to maintain the status quo," Myrddin says, "but that can't last much longer."
8364
8365"The royal family can't put pressure on the nobles or the merchants without eroding their support," Esyllt says. "Everyone knows that royal intervention would likely favour the merchants, so the nobles loudly declare this to be an internal matter outside the Crown's concern." 
8366
8367"Can't the royal family just invest in infrastructure themselves?" You ask. "It's what I would do if I was in their position."
8368
8369"It's been proposed," Esyllt says, "but it didn't work. The nobles saw it as a violation of their domains. Moreover, the Crown wouldn't be able to afford the regular upkeep."
8370
8371You'd propose a military solution, but it wouldn't be an easy thing. The nobility would fight back tooth and nail, and the damage to Svekka would be severe. Besides, while you do enjoy a good war, it would be inappropriate in this situation. The nobles and the merchants should be able to reach a common understanding, and there's no point in waging war purely for the sake of it. 
8372
8373Fortunately, you're only testing the waters at the moment. It would be nice for Svekka and Gwyrddarfordir to become stronger trade partners, but if it turns out to be none of your business, you won't poke your nose into it any more than you have to. 
8374
8375In the meantime, you still need to gather information, and Esyllt might be able to help you with that. 
8376
8377"This does seem like a thorny problem," you say. "As I mentioned earlier, the Svekkans will be here soon…"
8378
8379>[Sovereign/1d10] "… I was wondering if you could help me greet them."
8380>[Merchant/1d10] "… I thought you might want to talk business with them." 
8381>[Dilettante/1d10] "… I was hoping you could join me for the welcoming dinner."
8382
8383-------------------------
8384
8385>>252633
8386"… I was hoping you could join me for the welcoming dinner."
8387
8388Esyllt looks to Olwen. "Don't you already have company?" 
8389
8390"I have duties to take care of," Olwen says, "and I'm aware of where my skills lie. This isn't something I can help his highness with, so I'd rather leave it to more capable hands."
8391
8392>Roll 1d10, best of three.
8393
8394-------------------------
8395
8396>>252678
8397"I suppose I shouldn't let such a rare invitation pass by," Esyllt says. "I look forward to the pleasure of your company."
8398
8399"I assure you, the pleasure will be mine," you say. "I wouldn't make the offer otherwise."
8400
8401Esyllt smiles very, very slightly. "Oh my, how charming of you. In that case, I'll join you right away. Should I wear a dress?" 
8402
8403"It shouldn't be too formal," you say. "I think your business clothes suit you well enough."
8404
8405Decorum will probably fall apart the moment your father speaks anyway. Esyllt will be quite dignified in comparison. 
8406
8407Esyllt makes some arrangements to have the most important tasks on her list taken care of, and the four of you walk back towards the palace. Myrddin and Olwen walk at a slightly slower pace to give you a chance to talk to Esyllt. You decide to take it. 
8408
8409>"How did you become a merchant?" 
8410>"What do you do outside your work?" 
8411>"What are your plans for the future?"
8412
8413-------------------------
8414
8415>>252708
8416"So, what do you do outside your work?" 
8417
8418"Very little," Esyllt answers. "I have a lot to do, and people rely on me for their livelihood, and I can't fail them. Whenever I have free time, I use it to contribute to my father's business."
8419
8420You're familiar with the feeling. It's hard not to work when there's always a new problem to take care of, and you know people will lose their lives if the situation is rectified. You're fortunate that Myrddin and Olwen are there to help you. You know Esyllt works with Ceri, but having a partner isn't the same as having trusted subordinates to delegate tasks to. 
8421
8422"No plans for the future then?" 
8423
8424Esyllt doesn't show the slightest emotion at your question. "Nothing in particular," she says. "Grow the business, get married, have children, teach the children how to grow the business. As far as I'm concerned, the true meaning of life is to inherit what came before and leave something behind."
8425
8426That sums up nobility and royalty fairly well, to be honest.
8427
8428"What about you, your highness? I've heard a bit about your accomplishments. Why do you put so much effort into your work?" 
8429
8430>"I enjoy the challenge."
8431>"It's my responsibility."
8432>"Someone needs to protect the people."
8433
8434-------------------------
8435
8436>>252764
8437"I started because it was my responsibility," you say, "but after some time, I came to enjoy the challenge. Dealing with the unpredictable and the unforeseen on a daily basis keeps life challenging."
8438
8439"A challenge, huh?" Esyllt looks thoughtful. "I don't recall ever having such a thing."
8440
8441"Really?" You're genuinely surprised at that. You've seen some cutthroat negotiations in your time, and your own encounter with Esyllt wasn't exactly simple. "Surely there must have been some difficult parts."
8442
8443"I couldn't say," Esyllt says. "Perhaps I simply can't judge. It's not like I can compare my experiences to others." 
8444
8445That might be it. If she's used to simpler legitimate deals, she might simply not know how dangerous mercantile endeavours can get. That's something for another time though. 
8446
8447You return to the palace on time; the delegation hasn't arrived yet. This time, Myrddin and Olwen walk beside you, while Esyllt stays slightly behind you. 
8448
8449You enter the throne room through one of the side passages. Your mother spots you immediately.
8450
8451"Meirion, you're here." She walks over to you and gives you a once-over. "I suppose you look presentable enough, perhaps a little roguish, but some women like that." Then she says Esyllt. "Who is this?" 
8452
8453"Mother, this is Esyllt Coleran, a business associate of mine," you explain. "She has some interests in Svekka, so I invited her along."
8454
8455"It's an honour to meet you, your majesty."
8456
8457Your mother careful evaluates Esyllt, glancing at her up and down. "A business associate, is it? I'm glad my son is surrounded by capable people. Now, Meirion, take your place with your sister."
8458
8459"Yes, mother."
8460
8461Your father sits on the throne with your mother beside him, overlooking the rest of the throne room from atop a short flight of stairs. The Crown Prince stands one step lower than the throne at the king's right. Your sister - who's currently propping herself up with her sheathed sword - and you stand on the bottom two steps at the king's left. 
8462
8463"Welcome, brother," Nesta says. "For a moment, I thought you'd run away. I was almost jealous."
8464
8465"How could I run away from this? Guests must receive proper hospitality."
8466
8467"That is true," Nesta says grudgingly. "I wonder what the Svekkans are like."
8468
8469Before the delegation arrives, you should decide how to present yourself.
8470
8471>[Sovereign/1d10] Try to look formal and stately. 
8472>[Military/1d12] Stand at military attention.
8473>[Intrigue/1d10] Stay out of the way. 
8474>[Dilettante/1d10] You just need to look pretty.
8475
8476>As a reminder, you have an active crit for this roll.
8477
8478-------------------------
8479
8480>>252828
8481You need to make a good impression on Princess Agda, and it'd be best if you caught her eye without trying. Just looking pretty won't be enough, and you don't want to be intimidating. You decide to just hold yourself in a pose that balances formality with the casual confidence of a ruler. 
8482
8483It takes a bit of effort, especially since you need to actually hold that pose, but you're quite proud of your poise. 
8484
8485A messenger comes to inform the king that the Princess and her entourage have arrived. It's time.
8486
8487>Roll 1d10, best of three.
8488
8489-------------------------
8490
8491>>252885
8492A herald in a heavy military uniform enters the throne room. 
8493
8494"Greetings to you, Your Highness King Gerad auk Gwyrren…"
8495
8496And the poor herald keeps going long past the point where your family and even the professional courtiers get bored. At least you and your mother can feign interest. 
8497
8498"… and now I present to you Crown Princess Agda Almstedt, heir apparent to the Kingdom of Svekka."
8499
8500The Crown Princess enters the throne room and calmly walks towards your father to present herself. You look at her without making any overt movements. For a brief moment, your eyes meet and her pace falters slightly. You remain aloof and act as if nothing happens. You've accomplished your goal of catching the princess' interest, at least. 
8501
8502The Crown Princess' walks at her right, standing almost next to her sister. It's technically improper decorum, but Myrddin told you they were close. 
8503
8504"Greetings, King Gerad auk Gwyrren, and to you as well, Prince Haul auk Gwyrren," Princess Agda says. "It is with great pleasure that Svekka has come to celebrate your marriage." 
8505
8506"Hahaha!" As you expected, your father dispenses with the formalities immediately. "Welcome to our palace, young lady," he says. "I'm glad to see so many of our neighbours come to celebrate by son's union."
8507
8508"We've arranged chambers for you and your retinue at our palace," your mother says. "Please, inform us if you require anything else."
8509
8510"Thank you, your majesty," Princess Agda says, "but we don't wish to take advantage of your hospitality."
8511
8512>[Sovereign/1d10] "It's only appropriate for us to accommodate a guest of your stature."
8513>[Intrigue/1d10] "Please, take advantage of us as much as you wish."
8514>[Dilettante/1d10] "Since you're here, you might as well enjoy yourself."
8515
8516-------------------------
8517
8518>>252941
8519"It's only appropriate for us to accommodate a guest of your stature," you say. "We don't get many visits from princesses, and we can't be seen as inconsiderate."
8520
8521Olstren places more importance on hospitality than Gwyrddarfordir, but you consider it important as well, especially when your guests will one day have the power to declare one on your kingdom. 
8522
8523>Roll 1d10, best of three.
8524
8525-------------------------
8526
8527>>253010
8528"Princesses, you say?"
8529
8530Agda and her sister Laila are both surprised at your words. Agda must be used to people treating her sister as a commoner. It wasn't hard to figure out that treating them as equals would please them. 
8531
8532"Since your highness is willing to treat us with such generosity," Agda says, "my sister and I will gladly accept your offer."
8533
8534"Thank you, your highness," Laila says. After that, she remains silent. 
8535
8536"Since our first royal guests have arrived, it's only proper to organize a feast," your mother says. She looks at you and you swear you see her wink. "We prepared one of the more intimate dining rooms. We didn't want you to feel to stuffy."
8537
8538"Thank you, your majesty," Agda says. 
8539
8540"Think nothing of it," King Gerad. "I can't stand all those bothersome formalities and etiquette."
8541
8542And now your mother is winking again. Or her eye is twitching. It's probably twitching. 
8543
8544"That's very nice, darling. Let's go now."
8545
8546Servants bring you to one of the private dining room. You join Esyllt and Olwen so they can join you as well, but Myrddin excuses himself. 
8547
8548The table arrangements are similar to the throne room. The king sits at the head of the table, with your mother to his left and the Crown Prince to his right. Your sister Nesta sits next to your mother, while you, as the youngest, are supposed to sit next to the Crown Prince rather than royalty, but -
8549
8550"Meirion, dear, why don't you sit next to Princess Agda?" Your mother orders. "You can keep her company that way."
8551
8552"Of course, mother."
8553
8554You smile at Princess Agda, who sits opposite to the king, and sit to her left. Princess Laila sits in front of you, and Esyllt sits next to you since she has no one else to talk to, while Olwen sits between your brother and Esyllt. The table isn't balanced - Haul didn't bring his lover, for some reason - but there's still more than enough space for everyone. 
8555
8556Your father speaks casually with your mother and your brother, while Nesta contributes to the conversation every now and then, but your end of the table is dreadfully quiet. 
8557
8558>[Sovereign/1d12] "I hope Svekka is fairing as well as Gwyrddarfordir."
8559>[Intrigue/1d10] "Princess Agda, I hope your time in Aurwain is productive."
8560>[Dilettante/1d10] "I've been looking forward to meeting you and your sister, Princess Agda."
8561
8562-------------------------
8563
8564>>253092
8565If no one is going to start talking, you'll just have to make the effort.
8566
8567"I've been looking forward to meeting you and your sister, Princess Agda," you say. "I hope we can establish a long-lasting relationship between our kingdoms."
8568
8569>Roll 1d10, best of three.
8570
8571-------------------------
8572
8573>>253138
8574"I didn't know we were so popular as to catch the Victorious Prince's interest," Agda says. "You're not quite what I expected from your reputation. In fact, I remember you winning quite a few battles against Svekka."
8575
8576"Circumstances change," you say, "and there are many kinds of battles. I adapt as necessary."
8577
8578"I think that's quite commendable," Laila says in a voice too soft for anyone on the other end of the table to hear. "We shouldn't fight if we don't need to." 
8579
8580"Indeed, if it wasn't for pointless battles, I wouldn't have lost my elder brother." Agda looks down and sighs. "Things would be different if he were still alive. Still, I don't want to be dreary during a time of celebration. Instead, I'll look forward to the future the Crown Prince wishes to build."
8581
8582"As will many others," Esyllt says. You honestly weren't sure if she was going to speak up as well. "As his majesty, circumstances change, but people inevitably seek their own profit and fortune."
8583
8584>[Sovereign/1d12] "The people's good fortune is a sovereign's greatest goal." 
8585>[Merchant/1d10] "Opportunities for profit are everywhere."
8586>[Intrigue/1d10] "Sometimes, good fortune can be fabricated."
8587>[Dilettante/1d10] "If anyone deserves to be blessed with good fortunes, it would be our guests."
8588
8589>You still have an active crit on Sovereign.
8590
8591-------------------------
8592
8593>>253184
8594Esyllt only cares about profit and you know Agda will be looking for someone to help her rule Svekka is she isn't already. In this situation, it would be best to say something to please them both. 
8595
8596"The people's good fortune is a sovereign's greatest goal," you say. "After all, it's the continuation of a kingdom's glory."
8597
8598>Roll 1d12, best of three.
8599
8600-------------------------
8601
8602>>253250
8603"It's an admirable sentiment," Agda says. "I can see how you became so successful."
8604
8605"I get by on a bit of talent and luck," you say. "Fortunately, it's been enough for now, but I fear I might fall short in the future."
8606
8607"I'm quite confident in your future prospects, your highness," Esyllt says. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have allowed you to invest in my ventures."
8608
8609"Oh?" Princess Agda suddenly takes a very keen interest in Esyllt's presence. "Are you a merchant then."
8610
8611"Yes, your highness," Esyllt says. "Prince Meirion helped me with a small problem. We had some business to discuss today, and he invited me to join him for dinner as thanks."
8612
8613"Rulership involves different tasks," you say. "I accomplish as many as I can, but it's nice to have help every now and then."
8614
8615Princess Agda ignores her meal and simply looks at you and Esyllt, lost in thought. She only moves again when Laila asks her if something's wrong. Agda shakes her head and starts eating again. 
8616
8617You continue to make small talk until the servants come with desert and dinner comes to an end.
8618
8619-------------------------
8620
8621>>253285
8622Once again, our evening comes to an end. This is so much easier when the Russians aren't invading. 
8623
8624The next thread will be Friday June 17th at 7PM EDT, same as usual. Until then, thanks for playing and good night!
8625
8626==== END THREAD ====