Warhammer Fantasy: A Dynasty of Dynamic Alcoholism

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[CANON] Recruiting Problems (For 'Filling Ranks' Action) - Sage_Of_Eyes
  • Sidestory
    • Recruiting Problems (For 'Filling Ranks' Action)

    Farek winced desperately trying to hide behind the bookkeeping desk. Frail as he was and judged not fit for combat, his place in the army was the unenviable position of recruitment. Usually he had a few of the burlier swordsman at his side, making sure the drafts among the populace went well enough.

    "What do you mean, no longer accepting applicants?!"

    That was not the current problem, in fact it was the opposite. Every village he has so far gone to has been bristling with energy, and the moment he set up his place in the town hall he was swarmed with men vying to join to army. There was a feverish energy about them, as though holy Sigmar himself was suffusing the towns he visited with the urge to go forth into the army and beat back the foul forces of Chaos.

    Salkaten was a harrowing battle for the army. With so many killed, his office suddenly became of greater import and he gained more supplies for his efforts. Farek could have probably asked for an entire caravan of liquor to bribe the populace into joining and he would've been hastily supplied.

    Handling the angry crowd whilst they were angry made Farek queasy, to say the least the idea did not appeal to him at all. The recruiter had thought that he would merely need more intimidating soldiery to keep him safe from mobs of angry townsfolk who didn't wish to see their able-bodied men taken.

    So far the swordsmen Farek had at his side has so far been bolstered to twelve and they were failing to hold back the crowd that wanted to be in the army.

    "You young lout! Me and my kin have our place in the army!" Farek, standing, would've only reached the man's chest. The large, well-muscled man was a woodsman, and they were hardy folk in a land covered by the Forest of Shadows. That man was currently red-faced, possibly drunk and looming over his desk to make sure his word is heard. "You have no right to keep us out!"

    The crowd seemed to rally behind the man, and they were all abuzz. Some began chanting Ulric's name, and a few others began to speak of Sigmar. They were all verses concerning the matter of man rising against the forces of chaos, quite a few of them Farek muttered to himself before he slept. The prayers were not whispered in fear this time, but a rallying cry.

    However, numbers were numbers and really all that could be taken in already were. Farek knew well enough logistics could not simply handle all the men who wished to join the army. Food, weapons, armor, horses, the bulk of the money went into those and were prepared for the specified number of men listed.

    A particularly rambunctious fellow threw a punch at one of the swordsmen holding the crowd back, and Farek well and truly hid himself beneath his desk.

    Maybe they'll be lucid enough to listen to his explanation after the brawl.​
     
  • Sidestory
    • [X] DD on Wulfenburg School of Gunnery/Engineering

    As I understand it the unrest that results from setting the Witch Hunters loose to hunt Nurglites results from their grabbing just about anyone who looks slightly suspicious and torturing them into spilling the beans, especially with the Elector Count's approval.

    There WILL be collateral damage, especially to the sorts of village wise women, hedge wizards, amateur herbalists, taxidermists, smugglers and petty criminals who'd be interrogated, and quite a few of them are going to die in the process. Even nobles won't be entirely spared, they can expect their indiscretions, mistresses, smuggling, tax evasion and drug habits to be dragged out into the open.

    And yet it would be worthwhile if we can catch any Nurglites before they can act in force.
     
    torroar said:
    Rumor Mill​

    Chaos, Unbroken?: Despite the victory of Magnus the Pious a few years ago at the gates of Kislev, the broken armies of Asavar Kul have shown frightening signs of reunification. Across the Empire's northern provinces dozens of shattered warbands have been seen moving in concert with one another towards an unknown location, meeting up and ravaging miles of land before disappearing once more. Thousands of survivors are coming out of the woodwork, laying waste to a small village or town, and then disappearing once more. The Emperor has called for all Elector Counts to increase efforts to root out these savage creatures, and has organized the Riekguard and much of the Imperial Foot to wipe out these chaos-aligned warriors wherever they may appear.

    Major Chaos Warband Destroyed: The new Elector Count of Ostland, Frederick Hohenzollern, has struck a mighty blow against the forces of Chaos that remained in his lands. The port of Salkaten was taken and cleansed from the disgusting touch of Chaos. Despite facing a force numerically superior to his own, the youngest Elector Count in the Empire sustained a great wound yet succeeded in reclaiming his lands. Many in the Ostland court praise the young Count for his martial abilities and the rapid speed with which he has retaken the coast of his Province. Others have spoken in whispers of the incredible powers shown by Lady Natasha, the Ice Mage of Kislev who is the Counts Wife. Not in fear, but in praise.

    Nordland Troubles: The Province of Nordland suffered greatly during the Great War Against Chaos, as all did. However, unlike other northern provinces like Ostland or Ostermark, it seems plagued with issues. Of these are two separate peasant rebellions, a higher than expected amount of Chaos-aligned warriors who survived the death of Asavar Kul, food shortages, a shattered fleet that has yet to be fully repaired and replaced, and worst of all, actual plague. A terrible disease has taken hold in the south eastern edges of Nordland, with over a dozen villages forced to be quarantined.​
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    I think you're forgeting something. Poor Marienburg is always forgotten :p
     
    Turn 3 Results
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    • Turn 3 Results
    2306 IC​

    Military: Sir Maximilian von Raukov is a retired member of the Bull Warriors, Ostland's only Knightly Order. Despite being retired, there remains a fire in his belly. He is here to advise you on military matters. (Choose 2)

    Filling The Ranks: The Army of Ostland was essentially halved by your victory at Salkalten. Those that remain are in good spirits, especially considering how many of their fellows were killed. Sir Maximilian wishes to begin a recruitment drive in order to refill the ranks to former state. You don't have to, but what sort of Elector Count doesn't try to keep a fully staffed army, even if it's just the singular one? Give the order and open the treasury to let him train and equip them. Cost: 850=765. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Swordsmen restored to 4000, Archers to 2000, Light Cavalry to 1000, Pike to 2000, Ogre to 500, Greatswords to 500.

    - It costs a hefty sum, but you need your army to be back to full strength. Wonder of wonders, you have no shortage of recruits. Your victory at Salkalten is one that the people can take pride in, and many are eager for glory. Also, anything to not just sit around drinking is a welcome activity. So now they can march and drink which is far better because you get to carry weapons along with your fellows so you have numbers. Reward: Swordsmen restored to 4000, Archers to 2000, Light Cavalry to 1000, Pike to 2000, Ogre to 500, Greatswords to 500.

    Quarantine: Nordland has been struck with the plague. Though it started in the south east of their province, it has begun to spread. You won't let that happen. There is only one route into Ostland from Nordland, and that is the same road upon which you recently marched upon to Salkalten. Set up a border guard to ensure that no plagued refugees make it across the border. You already have the Forest of Shadows, you don't need plague added to the problem. Cost: 50. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Nordland-Ostland border quarantined.

    - You send a rather hefty amount of soldiers to the border. One, because you really don't want any plague in your province, and two because they have to travel through the Forest. Any military movement is one that involves a hefty amount due to that. Regardless, they reached the border weeks before any refugees showed up, but then they began to show up in force. Your people were forced to turn away about half of them due to signs of plague and worse, and as for now they have been halted at going any further into the forest at Limshof. This plague is pretty bad, people are beginning to simply rot in their own skins yet keep moving for far longer than they should, according to the brave doctors who examine the bodies while fully enclosed in their protective gear. Reward: Nordland-Ostland border quarantined.

    Diplomacy:     Baroness Katrin von Freud is a slim and stiff necked old bat. But she's been wining and dining with the best of them since before your father was a twinkle in your grandfather's eye. (Choose 1):

    The Wood Never Bothered Me Anyway: If there's one thing that Kislev needs, its food and building materials. You can provide only the second right now as you need to deal with your own food issues before selling any surplus. You would have approached the Tzarina about this but Natasha steered you elsewhere. The royal treasury of Kislev is a single source, and to negotiate a bulk mercantile supply and demand would end up with you selling at a loss due to the volume required. Instead you will sell on a case by case basis, what your wife calls a 'grassroots market'. In the end, however, the citizenry of Kislev will be able to build new houses, heat new fires, and be able to get back to their lives. Which in turn produces money, which…well, its all somewhat circular after that point. Cost: 10. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Trading Income +50 Crowns Per Turn, Logging Income +50 Crowns Per Turn. Kislev citizenry appreciative. Wife Approval Increased.

    - The trade road between Erengrad and Schönfeld is suddenly filled with goods. Ever so slowly, Ostland timber makes it way into Kislev. Not much of it goes to Praag or any of the major cities, and instead goes to small town and local Kislev nobles who wish to repair their individual lands. Money is pooled together by these people in varying yet stable amounts. Surprisingly, especially to Natasha, not much repairs are being done for Kislev as a whole. Most of the repairs have been in Kislev which, admittedly, was wrecked by Asavar Kul before he was defeated, but still. Thus, you are looked to as a godsend, no matter your uncomfortableness with that word, as many of the Kislevites scrabble to purchase from you at frankly obscene prices. In any case, Natasha is happy that her land is being slowly rebuilt. Reward: Trading Income +50 Crowns Per Turn, Logging Income +50 Crowns Per Turn. Kislev citizenry appreciative. Wife Approval Increased.

    Stewardship    : Morgan von Bernhardt is an experienced steward, and often ran things while your father was off gallivanting around. The middle aged man is quiet, but his ideas more often than not have merit. For now he wants to repair the roads and ports, but you need to reclaim those from the creatures of the Forest first. (Choose 1)

    Potatoes For Everyone…in Ostland: This thing grows all over the place and does it well. Morgan wishes to add potatoes to just about every food production farm in Ostland so that crops gain that extra boost. By adding potatoes to your annual crop you'll gain access to the things in much greater numbers. Plus, the people seem to like them boiled and salted. Furthermore, from this point onward he wishes to make it a policy that future farms make sure that they produce potatoes along with other general food crops. Cost: 100. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Farm Income Boosted.

    - By adding potatoes to your crops, you have vastly increased your amount of food per year as time goes on. These robust and powerful little tubers can be consumed in various forms, boiled, mashed, in a stew. They're great! Also, way more important, you make ostka from them. Now that your farms have added potatoes, and some small new farms have been built purely for potatoes, you will likely be able to produce some ostka breweries of your own. Reward: Farm Income +150 Per Turn.

    Research:     Helga…has no last name. Despite the fact that you are pretty sure that girls are not allowed in the Gunnery School in Nuln, she has shown to be extremely adept with firearms. As in she took one apart and put it back together supposedly 'better' during the first privy council meeting you had with her. Are there female dwarf engineers willing to teach people? Where did your father find this woman? (Choose 2):

    The Wulfenburg School of Gunnery and Engineering: First, you must convince Valma to help you build one. Then, you must actually build it. At this point in time you are entirely unsure which of the two will be harder. Teaching manlings in a crowded room over a few barrels of drink is one thing, according to the Slayer Engineer, but teaching them akin to what the dwarves down in Nuln do is entirely another. The venerable woman may have fully come to the accept that she is a dead woman walking and was perfectly willing to teach Helga…but that was an Oath. Oaths are specific. She owes neither Ostland nor her people an Oath to teach and/or build a school. Not to mention just how expensive it would be to create an institution even a quarter the size of Nuln's and to properly run it. But you must try. Cost: 0. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Valma willing to help construction of a gunnery/engineering school. Chance of Success: 75% Required: 25. Rolled: 53+20-73/100

    - Valma grumbled, she groaned, she went out into the woods and came back with a hundred beastman heads that she then threw into a fire which she made fly bigger with a splash of dwarven ale, she agreed. She isn't happy about it, and says that she will have incredibly exacting standards about her students. Idiots, layabouts, fools, embarrassments, and simpletons will not be allowed. If anyone tries to mess around, she'll either beat them up, kill them, or beat them up then kill them. And then she'll expel them. But…she'll do it. Now all you have to do is actually build the school. Valma, obviously, is thusly going to be heavily involved. Reward: Valma willing to help construction of a gunnery/engineering school

    Join The Lessons: You don't intend on shoving the cannon into every battle. They're too valuable to use willy nilly. Instead, why not have these experienced and veteran engineers of the Imperial Foot assist in teaching Valma's classes? They are not privy to specifically be a part of Nuln. They are the Emperor's personal army, and are thus the army and soldiers of the Empire instead of a single province. Itmay take some convincing to have them teach all they know however. Cost: 100. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Imperial Foot combat engineers assist Valma in teaching.

    - The members of the Foot are surprisingly not that much into carousing. The stark and stern discipline that has been beaten into their skulls by the Reiksmarshal and personally serving one of the greatest heroes in the Empire's history has left them quite the soldiers. They do not seem to go into the usual relaxation phase that most soldiers do when they are not fighting or just sitting around. Thus, they are surprisingly open to teaching. It gives them the ability to practice their craft, and further ensure the protection of the Empire. If your future engineers and gunners save Imperial lives, then it will be worth sitting down and teaching. Perhaps even better, as they are quite experienced and have first hand combat knowledge instead of someone who has never left the school in their life. Reward: Imperial Foot combat engineers assist Valma in teaching.

    Piety:     Most people wouldn't expect an Ulrican and Sigmarite Priest to stand shoulder to shoulder on something. Well, wonder of wonders, it's happening here in Ostland. Wulff and Leopold glare at you from across the table during Privy Council meetings, while Eizenhorn stands on the far wall behind them with his hands casually near his weapons. (Choose 1):

    Cleansing Salkalten: The only true port that Ostland had to her name has been burnt to the ground, and thusly purified somewhat in fire. But you want to make sure. The place had Chaos Knights boarding in her, and must be purified! Good thing you have five veteran Warrior Priests of Sigmar on hand. With their cleansing powers, surely they can help re-consecrate your lands. They'd better too, you need a port. Sort of important things, ports. Also, send some guards there just in case. Cost: 100. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Salkalten ruins purified fully. Can rebuild Salkalten.

    - Ah, good, yes there was most certainly a trap. Specifically, a demon. Nothing too bad, just what is apparently known as a Horror, and though it would have torn apart regular workers, it was literally nothing before five Warrior Priests who stood with Magnus the Pious. They carefully cleared every building, basement, and the perimeter, letting loose great purifying bursts of Sigmar's light, or so they said, and had many a ritual. By the end, they tell you that Salkalten is pure, and ready to be reborn. Reward: Salkalten ruins purified fully. Can rebuild Salkalten.

    Intrigue:     Ah yes, what could be better than one twitchy Witch Hunter? Another twitchy Witch Hunter. Unlike Eizenhorn, Marlisa is focused on matters of internal security and intrigue. With a smaller emphasis on faith. But not by much. Eh, you'll take what you can get. (Choose 1)

    Internal Hunt: Ah, here is something the Witch Hunters should revel in. You want them to go hunting for this supposed Nurglite commander. Whoever they were they somehow had enough authority to order a bunch of Chaos Knights to stay put. The Witch Hunters should relish being let off the leash for this. Your authority and public opinion is doing quite well, which is good because allowing the Witch Hunters full reign to do what they wish without applying any of the normal pressure required to keep them from burning entire villages down means it is likely to take a hit. But you cannot allow yourself to be weak hearted, not in this case. Ostland must be clean, internally. Cost: 50. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Event

    - One of Magnus the Pious's greatest stated missions beyond establishing the magic schools and rebuilding all the damage that was dealt by Chaos and foolishness during the Era of Three Emperors is to fix up all the corruption in the higher governmental echelons of your civilization. You weren't expecting for that to happen this year, but, well, it did. Captain Lieselotte seemed surprised yet pleased that you asked her to perform a painstaking survey of Ostland. Then, they did. Wow, they…they really did. Doors were kicked down, citizens hung for crimes they had thought they could escape from and fifteen different people were located with the talent. Under their new edict they were sent south with an escort to the Magic Colleges. Collateral damage was unavoidable, with many wise women, amateur herbalists, taxidermists, smugglers and petty criminals, and those who claimed to be hedge wizards. The latter were chained up and sent south to Altdorf, while the smugglers and most petty criminals found that the hangman's noose was quite active this year.

    All of this was very impressive but then the Witch Hunters went beyond the common citizenry. After all, a place of influence is easier to spread chaos from, capital C or otherwise. What they found was that most of your nobility were not aligned with Chaos…but some were aligned with just general corruption. Bribes, embezzling, and abuse of power amongst them. Twelve nobles died. The nobles were actually somewhat alright with this as much of the assets and estates of those twelve were divvied up amongst the nobles. However, you did reap a bounty of illegally obtained funds which were either stolen from your treasury, not reported for taxation, or gained through smuggling or some other manner of things. In the end, however, your supposed Nurglite champion was not located. The Captain assures you that they would have found them if they existed…in Ostland. She then asked you a rather foreboding question – did not a large amount of plague suddenly appear in Nordland? Reward: Crime reduced, corruption reduced, is Nordland in the sway of a Nurglite? 1000 Gold reclaimed from corrupted Nobles. Peasant Opinion Reduced to 7/10.

    Personal:     You refuse to let being an Elector Count consume every free hour you have. (Choose 2)

    A Trade: Smithing is your true passion. Yet you exhausted all avenues for further growth in your former residence. Now, as an Elector Count you have the rare opportunity to try and see if you could request a true teacher. You speak, of course, of a dwarf. Would any dwarf be willing to help teach you to be even better? If you succeed in getting a dwarven teacher, this would likely be quite a positive in any future dwarven relations. Cost: 0. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Dwarven Blacksmith Teacher. Chance of Success: 60% Required: 40. Rolled: 43.

    - Valma may be a Slayer, but that does not mean that she has become completely cut off from the rest of dwarf society. As such she manages to put you in contact with another of her kind, an especially craggy old dwarf named Borgin Thorleksson. Borgin is quite old indeed, and his clan is quite small. He did not choose to become a Slayer, and instead simply plies the last few decades of his life teaching. It would be impossible for you to manage to learn everything he has to offer, but it is better than nothing. Simply being around Borgin makes you feel more alive. The next set of armor you forge will be much better than the set you wore at Salkalten! Reward: Dwarven Blacksmithing Teacher – Borgin Thorleksson.

    Honoring The Fallen: More than half of Ostland's army died in the battle to cleanse Salkalten. They should be honored for their sacrifice. A more manipulative person, like Natasha, would note that it would be likely to increase the personal loyalty of the army and the opinion of the peasantry. You just think that they deserve to be honored for what they've managed. It will be a much more somber affair than last year's party, but those who live deserve to get medals and those who died should be buried with grace. And if that Morr knows what's good for him, he'll keep their souls in comfort and peace. Cost: 100. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Fallen Honored.

    - Last year you held a party that left the people pleasantly surprised and happy with your wife. This year you are throwing another, though it is a substantially more formal affair. Over five thousand men died, died to reclaim Salkalten and fight the predations of Chaos. Each and every one is honored, the bells of all the temples to the gods of the Empire ringing out on a day of communal mourning. Others who were nominated for their valor and honor and as of yet live are rewarded. Sir Stier, of the Bull Warriors, viciously guarded the lives of ten men when they were injured. Captain Urgdug, who protected the cannons and is the highest ranked ogre in the Ostland Military, received a very large shiny medal and an entire portion of the feast for himself. He managed a bow and said almost eloquently how he was honored. Impressive. All the remaining Knights Griffon were similarly honored. All in all, the people were respectful and mournful. Your actions in the battle and afterwards by honoring these men does much to alleviate the resentment that your peasantry felt post Witch Hunt. Reward: Fallen Honored. Peasant Opinion 8/10.

    Rumor Mill
    ​
    Plagues of Nordland Worsening: All land routes into Nordland have been locked down by bordering provinces, and the ports of the province have been locked down. Any ships that arrive bearing the heraldry of the maritime power are to be quarantined and kept from disembarking. It is said that almost a full fourth of the entire province has been struck by the plague. Witnesses and surviving refugees report that a massive amount of marauders of Chaos made it into the province before the borders were closed, initiating massacres on many of those not affected. The sounds of cannons come from further inland, but none are willing to investigate just as of yet.

    New Province: All hail the new province of the Empire, Westerland. Their capital shall be the great trading city of Marienburg. Unlike other provinces Westerland shall be run without a specific Elector Count and is instead ruled by a trio of patriarchs of the most powerful merchant families in Marienburg at the time of the passing of the edict transforming the area into a Province. Trade has already increased between Westerland and other portions of the Empire, though they are unable to do much of their normally profitable naval trading with their northern neighbor of Nordland.

    Ostland's New Twins: In the waning months of the year, the wife of Elector Count Frederick Hohenzollern of Ostland gave birth to twin baby girls. Though Natasha Hohenzollern nee Romanov was greatly weakened by the exertion, by all reports her health was not permanently affected. This is more than likely the result of five separate priests of Sigmar being on hand to provide healing. Though it is unknown what the names of the children are, Count Hohenzollern has publicly announced that both children are in no danger of a premature death. Reward: Natasha gains Trait: Weakened – As a result of giving birth to twins, Natasha has been greatly weakened. Gain – 2 Twin Daughters.

    [ Will need you guys to name the twin girls]
     
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