The sun shined down upon your palace, fluffy white clouds passing by peacefully on the wind. The warmth of the summer sun mixed with the cold drafts of the mountains sweep through the valley below and up towards your home. The window to a bedroom that had been cracked open slightly due to the heat within the building was pulled further open by the breeze, allowing the light to shine unfiltered upon the luxurious bed within.
Down in the kitchens, a chicken managed to escape from its cage. The cooks pursued the white feathered animal as it made a run for it. It managed, somehow, to get atop the walls, soldiers watching in amusement as an overweight cook struggled to keep up with it. It was, after all, just a chicken. But then the bird grew desperate, and began jumping along window sills.
Then it leapt onto the balcony of one very specific room, a room that had had its window slowly pried open by the wind over the course of the past hour.
The chicken clucked loudly, and was promptly beheaded by an expertly tossed throwing knife. You blearily raise your head from your pillow and gaze upon the other occupant of your bed, her talon still outstretched in a tossing pose, her eyes not even open. Gabriella sighs, anticipating your obvious question.
"Cockatrices. Safest way to kill them. Bit of a reflex I'm afraid."
There is a pause as she finally opens her eyes, blinking groggily before focusing her gaze upon you.
"Does this happen a lot? Cause if so, you really need to get better guards."
You roll out of bed, grumbling.
"It better not."
Alas, you are now both awake. As you go about your respective morning rituals, you find your eyes straying towards the deadly young hen you've found yourself married to. The past few weeks have been a blur of activity. Her arrival, the introductions (which went quite well now that you think of them), the wedding itself (a small, private affair. Neither of you were big on flashy ceremonies. She'd actually worn her armor instead of a dress!), her coronation as Queen…you've been busy.
Unfortunately, it comes with the territory of being King. Always more to do, always more problems that need solving. At least now you have someone by your side to help you through it.
Martial: Gustav Kingfeather is one of the most scarred Griffons you've ever seen. A former Troll hunter, he lost a wing, an eye, and a hind-leg to a particularly vicious Manticore. Despite his injuries, he's one of the most spirited people you've ever met, and can drink and brawl with the best of them. (Two Actions Per Turn)
Investigate the Smoky Mountains: You do not like large plumes of smoke in areas not under your control. Generally you just don't like large plumes of smoke. It usually means that a large number of Diamond Dogs have gathered together, or a Dragon has decided to take up residence. You don't like either possibility. So, as such, put together a few scouting parties to investigate, yes? Cost: 50. Time: 1 Year. Reward: ???
The Lion's Den: The Knights Lion are the last of the knightly orders, the militant brotherhoods that served the Emperor in the age before Discord. As the only known living descendant of the Imperial Family, the few remaining knights have sworn their service to you. But if they are to truly recapture the glory of their ancestors, they will need a base of operations. A citadel. You intend to give them one. Cost: 400. Time: Two Years. Reward: Citadel of the Knights Lion constructed. Knights Lion upgraded from bodyguards to battlefield unit.
Mountain Militia: As a result of living in such a dangerous region, many Griffons possess their own personal weapons to defend themselves, and will rally together to defend their homes should the creatures of the forests threaten them. Wouldn't it be nice if they did the same when the kingdom was faced with invasion by less beastly foes? Cost: 100. Time: One Year. Reward: Village and town militias incorporated into military.
More Boats? More Boats: You now have a navy to defend your coasts and to serve as a counter to Aquileia's maritime ambitions, but as of now you're simply maintaining parity. If you want to truly ensure your control of the seas, you'll need to construct more ships. Cost: 200. Time: One Year. Reward: 10 Cogs added to Navy
Big Sticks: The mobile Ballistae show promise as new weapons, good for fighting larger monsters and breaking up masses of smaller enemies. They also have a significant range advantage over traditional bows. Build a few more. Cost: 100. Time: One Year. Reward: +5 mobile Ballistae added to army.
Diplomacy: Elva Von Cleef is a stern eyed and stiff necked old bird. But she's been negotiating deals between city-states since before you were born. Negotiating deals between kingdoms was the logical next step for her. (One Action Per Turn)
Extending an Olive Branch: Brochard doesn't like you, and you don't like him, but the last thing you want right now is a war between your kingdoms. You have enough problems to deal with as it is, and after decades of a unified front against Discord you can't say you're comfortable with the idea of Griffons fighting and killing each other. Propose a meeting with your fellow king to try and clear the air and smooth out any issues between the two of you. Cost: 100. Time: One Year. Reward: Chance for Relations with Aquileia, meeting with Brochard. Chance of Success: 20%
Calling on Old Friends: Gabriella has numerous contacts throughout the Feathersian League, from nobles and scholars to mercenaries and merchants. You should try to leverage these connections for better relations and additional trade deals with the League. Cost: 100. Time: One Year. Reward: Better Feathersian relations and additional trade income. Chance of Success: 50%
Throw a Dog a Bone: While none of the Diamond Dogs in your territory could be considered "civilized", not all of them are completely feral. Some have been known to use tools, wear clothes, and even speak your language to a certain extent. It might be worth trying to open a dialogue with some of the less aggressive packs, if for no other reason than to tell them that you know where they live and that you'll kill them if they don't stop raiding your territory. Cost: 100. Time: One Year. Reward: Diplomatic contact made with several Diamond Dog Packs. Chance of Success: 40%
Stewardship: Claus Rosewing is, much like you, a former merchant. You'd actually done business with him a few times, and he always struck you as a fair and reasonable gryph. Good thing too, because now he'll be handling much of your finances. (One Action Per Turn)
Tariff Time: Now that you've started trade with the Feathersians, you can institute a tax on any goods crossing your borders. This may give you some extra revenue, but your people might not like it, and the Feathersians definitely won't. Cost: 0. Time: One Year. Reward: Tariff Revenue, Risk of Decreased Noble/Feathersian Opinion.
Diggy Diggy Hole: Now that you know where all the major mineral deposits in your kingdom are, it's time to start exploiting them. Subsidize the construction of several mines for the extraction of iron, coal, copper, and other metals suitable for industrial and military applications. Cost: 200. Time: One Year. Reward: Mining Income, access to large supplies of raw materials.
I'm a lumberjack and I'm ok: Where it not for the fact that they were infested with monsters, the forests of your kingdom would provide a nearly inexhaustible supply of lumber. That's not to say that your people don't cut down trees, it's just that they've never really done it on a large scale for fear of angering the things living in the woods. If your kingdom is going to grow and prosper, you'll need that timber. Gather some soldiers and have them assist with the construction of sawmills and woodcutting camps. Cost: 100. Time: One Year. Reward: Logging income. Chance of Success: 70%
Learning: Archimedes is an almost comically small and scrawny Griffon, often mistaken for a teenager despite being middle-aged. What he lacks in physical stature, he more than makes up for with brainpower. He has authored numerous works on history, biology, and physics, making him an ideal choice for an advisor. (Two Actions Per Turn)
Fungus Farming: In a mountainous, forested land such as yours, arable land is in short supply. That, plus the threat of bandit raids and monster attacks makes the production of a reliable food supply a significant issue. Archimedes claims to have a solution: Mushrooms. They can grow places other foodstuffs can't, don't require sunlight, and are highly nutritious. You're skeptical, but are willing to give him some time and funds to explore the viability of his idea. Time: One Year. Cost: 100. Reward: Viability of Mushrooms as Food Crop investigated.
Aquaculture: One of Archimedes' assistants has proposed a strange new idea. Why don't we just farm fish the same way we farm other foodstuffs? After being accused of Discordian sympathies he hastily clarifies that he did not mean to invoke the memory of the horrific squid-plant hybrids created by the mad trickster god, but something much more mundane: "corralling" fish in artificial lakes and ponds, feeding and harvesting them in a similar manner to other livestock. Well…you've heard of crazier ideas. Time: Two Years. Cost: 400. Reward: Fish Farms
Selective Breeding: By carefully controlling the reproductive processes of crops and food animals, desirable traits such as pest resistance, stronger immune systems, and greater size can become widespread across farm populations. At least, that's what Archimedes tells you. The difficulty lies in getting farmers to go along with the plan. Time: Two Years. Cost: 100. Reward: Increased Farming Income due to greater yields. Chance of Success: 80%
Ocean Navigation Tools: As a traveling merchant who operated in Discord's era, you are familiar with the importance and difficulties of traveling over a constantly shifting and often dangerous landscape. You can therefore emphasize with those sailors that dare to venture beyond the sight of the coasts. Archimedes has a few ideas to improve ocean navigation, hopefully making the operation of your navy go much smoother. Time: One Year. Cost: 100. Reward: Better naval navigation, +5 on certain naval and exploration rolls
Intrigue: Lord Ravenburg is a stoic fellow with dark feathers and fur. He speaks only when spoken to and somehow manages to be both unassuming and mildly intimidating. You're not sure exactly how he became spymaster, but the fact that he seemed to know everything about you before you'd even met him indicates he is well-qualified. (One Action Per Turn) Choice Locked
-Spy School: If you're going to unite your people, you're going to need information. And to get information you'll need spies. Good ones. Have Ravenburg set up a recruitment and training program for infiltrators to operate beyond your borders. Cost: 400. Time: Two Years. Reward: Spies trained, can be sent on missions to other nations. Will Finish This Turn
Personal: You refuse to let your duties as King take up every moment of your day. (Two Actions Per Turn)
Painting the Forest Red: You need to make a statement. Despite how well things have been going under your rule there are still some who question your ability to lead. You may have once been a simple merchant, you may not have been raised to take the throne, but you are of the House of Gryphus! You are King! And now, with a blade worthy of your station, you shall silence your critics and prove it! Cost: 0. Time: One Year. Reward: Dead Diamond Dogs/Trolls/Timberwolves/Manticores, Boost to Public Opinion (Combat Interlude)
I Work Out: Your wife is…ok, there's no beating around the bush here, your wife could probably break you in half with her bare talons. And while that's not a bad thing at all, you have to admit that you feel a little…inadequate when standing next to her. She's intelligent and attractive, and most importantly, your Queen! You think she deserves a husband that can at least stand a chance against her in an arm wrestling match. There's only one solution to this: start exercising regularly. Cost: 0. Time: One Year. Reward: Increased martial stat, chance to gain Strong Trait, chance to improve Gabriella's opinion of you. Chance of Success: 70%
Ingratiating the In-Laws: Your wife's father is Federico Montefeathertro, Duke of the city-state of Urbirdo. A veteran warrior, patron of the arts, and a major player in Feathersian politics, he's an extremely powerful and influential Gryph. It might be a good idea to meet with him in a more official capacity and discuss matters of state. It'd be nice to have a friend on the Feathersian council, and it's always a good idea to be on good terms with your Father-in-Law. Cost: 0. Time: One Year. Reward: ???
