Blood of the Frontier (CK2) Completed.

Reports from the Rus:

A City that is safe: Your bodyguards have taken to the Streets of Novgorod out of boredom, and have been extremely effective in cleaning up the streets from Squaler and crime. Some even leave a signal in the highest church steeple, to remind the scum of the city that there are prowlers of the night waiting for them to make a wrong move.

You didn't have much to say about that... other than feeling a bit disappointed that you weren't there to help them.

Reward: Personal action rolls increased by 5 next turn.

Report from the Order of the Dragon:

Vlad Tepes released from prison: Vlad Tepes of Wallachia has been released from imperial custody after serving his sentence. The Sultanate of Rum is not amused and is threatening immediate military action against the Empire.

The Emperor responded with a simple response "Try to attack... We'll be waiting to kill you all."

Reward: Reaching out to the Sultanate of Rum's difficulty increased by 10. Tensions are building between the empire and Rum.

An Order meeting is in two years: Alexander announced that in two years time, on the sixth of November, that the Order of the Dragon would be meeting in Berlin. To discuss the growing hostilities in the east and a new weapon to be used against them.

Reward: An order of the Dragon meeting is scheduled in two years. Your appearance is expected.


Reports from within the Empire:

The Free City Elections: The representatives of the House of Lords for the free cities are now under election. May they choose their representatives wisely and may the lords serve faithfully.

Riots in Paris: Following a grain shortage, the city of Paris erupted into anarchy as the peasantry and poorer free men rioted for several days until the Imperial army under the command of Reinhard Von Lothengram cracked down on the rioters. Reports estimate that a thousand rioters lay dead and 50 imperial soldiers were killed. The Lord of Paris is currently awaiting trial for not requesting more food for the city from neighboring regions, and for not informing the House of Lords that there was a crisis within his city.

A New Pope Elected: Following the Death of Pope Stephan the III'rd, the college of cardinals has seen fit to elect Cardinal Giovanni di Sapienza as the new pope. The new pope is an old man, but he calls for all brothers of the faith to stand together and fight against the darkness from the east that is coming... Threatening to consume all of Christendom if they do not stand together.

His papal name is Pope John the XIII

Reward: New Action Avalible.


News from Outside the Empire:

The Emperor of Japan has died: His Imperial Majesty Senka has died. The Empire of Japan now has a new emperor, Tenji. Unlike the last emperor, he is much more militaristic, and the rumor from China is that he is planning on an invasion of Korea. But of course, it being from China, you should take that with a grain of salt.

The Kingdom of the Congo forms: T'challa the warlord of the Congo has cemented his power over the Congo and has crowned himself king of all tribes.

AN: I know the rumors are shorter than the other one, but things have come up in RL that forced me to shorten the Rumor mill.

Edit: Yes the Americas have been quiet to Europe. but they'll come into play soon.

Turn 7

Finally, the troops that Fulk needed were finally with them. The entire army of the Frontier was now an actual army.

Axel said that besides the absolute nothingness in the land and the Mongols raiding, that Russia could attract a large group of settlers from throughout the empire. Of course, that is the hope, but the land has to be safe, and you need to actually be home instead of being at the Imperial army academy.

Nicholas is… well from what you learned from Natasha in her letters to you, he's absent for most of the time. He has been with Fulk and with Anya of the Cossacks, trying to draw up plans to stop Mongol raiding parties.

Stephan was the one who had the most fun, as he spent much of his time drinking with your bodyguards because he has nothing to do… Something that he doesn't particularly mind as he enjoys their company.

Rurik will just be happy when you get back and make herding your councilors your problem. Because as he joked in his letter, he was too old for this shit.

Brilliant. Hopefully, they won't be too much of a hassle when you finish at the academy.

Diplomacy: You were pretty sure Stephan was drunk when you were not looking.

(Choose 1)

[]Brotherhood of Faith: The Pope has requested an audience with you. You have a right to refuse, but you are curious as to what he has to say. Cost: 0 Chance of success: 85% Reward: You meet the Pope.

[]Reaching Out: (The Sultanate of Rum): The Buffer state between the Persian Empire and the warring states in the Levant, Egypt, and Arabia, They do little to extend their diplomatic channels to anyone within the empire itself. But you need to establish diplomatic ties with them. You need to have people ready to negotiate if the Black Sea becomes contested. Cost: 50 Chance of success: 35% Reward: Foreign contact made, further diplomatic negotiations can be made.

[]Reaching Out: (The Sultanate of Egypt): The Richest of the warring kingdoms of the Middle East, they have vast swaths of cotton, grain, and influence. The Empire has long been allied with the easternmost kingdom of North Africa and has profited greatly from it. To tap into that wealth, you need to be able to talk. Cost: 50 Chance of success: 65% Reward: Foreign contact made, further diplomatic negotiations can be made.

[]Reaching In: (Random Province): Your father said that there are men throughout the empire who understood the dangers of the Frontier, and they are more than willing to meet and discuss its future and safety. Cost: 50 Chance of success: 70% Reward: Domestic lords met. New actions become available.

[]Lords of the Rus: You need to make sure the Lords of the Rus are going to be on your side. Cost: 10 Chance of success: 50% Reward: Relations with the Russian Lords improved.

Martial: Between the bullshit of Mongol raids, and the unusual political nonsense you really want to go out and hit something.

(Choose 2)

[]Armed and Ready: You need to standardize the equipment for your men that you can call upon. You can't have a rag tagged force fighting alongside the imperial army. Cost: 300 Chance of success: 40% Reward: All battle rolls for all unit types are increased by 10.

[]Spar with Zima: Zima asked if you wanted to spar. Cost: 0 Chance of success: ???% Reward: You spar with Zima, Relation increase by 5.

[]Drilling the Troops: You need your men in top shape. To be prepared for battle at any minute, and fight as well as any Imperial Infantryman. Cost: 250 Chance of success: 15% Reward: Troop quality of local troops will increase (Gain roll bonuses).

[]The Raids: You need to send a message to the Mongols who are raiding your territory. You are not going to tolerate their continued presence. Their transgression and the blood of your people will be paid with their own blood. Even though you are not there to do it, you can Send Nicholas to do it for you. Cost: 100 Chance of success: 35% Reward: The Mongols will not raid your territory. Disaster Roll reduced.

[]Recruit More Troops: You need more able-bodied men in your army, and you know the Rus has a larger population to call upon. Cost: 100 Chance of success: 30% Reward: A D10,000 is rolled for soldiers recruited. Soldiers experience will be placed at (Recruits)

Stewardship: Axel has been a busy bee. He says there is much to be done. He also says that getting people into the Rus is an excellent way to start off an economic growth.

(Choose 1)

[]Mines in the Mountains: The Urals are rich in gold and silver, you need to set up the mines. And keep them safe. Cost: 500 (This action lasts for three turns) Chance of success: 40% Reward: The mines are set up. Taxes and trade income increased by 500.

[]Land offerings: Offer parcel of land to anyone who is willing to venture to the east. Cost: 100 Chance of success: 30% Reward: Domestic income for taxes increased by 400.

[]Tax Breaks: You need to ask the emperor if you can be exempted from the yearly taxes to the empire for next year so that you may use it for other projects. Cost: 0 Chance of success: 40% Reward: You do not need to pay the Imperial tax next turn. The Emperor and the House of Lords will not like you asking for it if it succeeds.

[]Imperial Funds: You can request for funds to improve the Infrastructure in the Rus. Though considering the Rus is not high on the empire's to do list, it will take a lot of political arm wrestling. Cost: 20 Chance of success: 30% Reward: You get a random (d2000) amount of money from the Imperial treasury to use as infrastructure funds for the next turn.

[]Ship Repairs: You need to spend money on repairs for your ships so they can patrol the waters. Cost: 400 Chance of success: 40% Reward: Your ships are repaired.

[]Protecting Trade Routes: The Cossacks are more than willing to protect the trade routes to Novgorod and your other cities because they get to kill Mongols. Cost: 200 Chance of success: 60% Reward: Domestic trade income increased by 300

Intrigue: You will do whatever you can in your power, you have to, to protect the people you love.

(Choose 1)

[]Find The Will: You needed to find that will if there is any chance of finding the truth to save Zima. Cost 10, Chance of Success: 20% Reward: You have the will.

[]Spies...spies everywhere: You need to know who's keeping tabs on you...and whether you should leave them be or purge the sons of bitches to send a message. Cost: 100 Chance of success 50%. Reward: You learn who might be spying on you.

[]Spy networking: You want to get agents out around the world, and the empire. Natasha knows people that can help, but it will take time. Cost 100 Chance of success 75% reward: International and Domestic espionage unlocked.

[]Spiders hiding steel: Natasha is willing to get you some contacts within the imperial assassin network, as a thank you for killing Gavelo. Cost 0 Chance of success 30% Reward: You get assassins on your beck and call. Assassination rolls get a -10. New actions will become available when the time comes.

Learning: You are thankful that you found the midwife for Zima.

(In Progress)
[X]Study at the Imperial Military Academy: You are now old enough to study military academy of Rome, a place where even the greatest military mind can learn more. It is also a good place to make friends with future officers and with the old guard. Cost: 600 Chance of success: 100% Reward: You get a d2 in all stats for 4 turns, and new actions become available. You also gain a specialization (Combat modifiers). Lose one action in all categories for the duration of Vasily's stay. (Last turn)

(Choose 1)

[]Study Architecture: The Marble columns of Rome inspired you to look more into building structures. Structures that you will make worthy of Rome itself. Cost: 0 (This action will last for 2 turns) Chance of success: 70% Reward: You start to study architecture, Gain Trait Architect. New Actions become available.

[]Study your family history: You have never really bothered looking into your family's past, mostly because you always wanted to be a soldier. Cost: 0 Chance of success: 100% Reward: You learn a bit more about your family that wasn't told to you as a child in stories.

[]Specialize in tactics: You want to specialize leading a particular group of forces in your army: Cost: 0 Chance of success: 100% Reward: You get to choose your force specialization (Combat modifiers).

[]Workshops Galore: Rurik had an idea. Maybe you could hire some carpenters, metalworkers, and other skilled laborers and have them try to build whatever the hell they want and you get the device's patent for half of the cut. You were going to call him crazy until Jory said that was a great idea. And you didn't want to hurt the old man's feelings so you agreed to it. Cost: 200 Chance of success: 40% Reward: You get a workshop of skilled laborers and craftsmen experimenting on… stuff. What could possibly go wrong?

Personal: Zima is so happy that your sons are okay… You are too.

(Choose 1)

[]Practice writing: You have no idea what came to you, but you wanted to start writing. Maybe your exploits and journals will be like Caesar's conquest of Gaul or Otto the Strong's brilliant strategic victories against your ancestors. Cost: 0 Chance of success: 100% Reward: You start to practice writing. Trait gained: Writer. New actions will become available. Learning stat will increase.

[]Practice Artistry: You do not know why, but the wondrous paintings and sculptures and drawings caught your eye, and the splendor of Rome has imprinted itself onto your mind. That and you need something to do besides the usual business of running the state. Cost: 0 Chance of success: 100% Reward: You start going through the fine arts to find out what works for you. Gain trait: Patron, New actions available, Learning stat will increase.

[]Spend time with your family: You will find some time in your busy schedule to be there for them. What kind of man would you be if you were not? Cost: 0 Chance of success: 100% Reward: You spend time with your family.

[]Talk with the Trio: You decided to spend time with your fellow cadets, to talk about those plans they had. Cost: 0 Chance of success 100% Reward: You meet fellow cadets of the imperial army academy. Increase relation cadets in the Academy.

[]The Old Guard: You decided to talk to some of your instructors and professors. They have plenty of stories to tell. Cost: 0 Chance of success 100% Reward: You meet some officers of the Imperial Army Academy.

[]Overlook: You can oversee a project personally, giving it a personal touch. Cost 0 Reward a single action can have a +15 roll added to the dice.

AN: I thought it would take me until tommarow to get this out.... But I mangaed to get it out. Enjoy. And choose wisely.