Evermark Underground: RPG Brothel Management

Reader mode
[X] Plan Getting to Court

I'd prefer to give Estellé simply a day off for her [Personal], but a date is fine.
I think a Bay Run would gain more contacts, and I'm still worried about displacing people with the Fish Market purchase.
 
Grief 1904
  • Threadmarks
    • "Holly, I trust the silk bolts needed for your renovations arrived safely?"

    Holly nods. "And they've all been put in place. I expect a major uptick in profit for us quite soon."

    "Good work."

    Holly smiles. "Yes, Mistress."

    "Edie. Talk to me about your noble clients. Please don't tell me we struck out again."

    "We didn't strike out again. In fact, we had the head of House Valero come by!"

    "The Great House? Creators of the Valera Orbite?"

    "The very same. Duke Valero himself."

    "Isn't he married?"

    "That didn't stop him from using our services."

    "How scandalous."

    "Indeed. A lucky catch."

    "A lucky catch. Now Varielle, what happened with the stock for the magic shop?"

    "Well, after weeks of fuckin' searching I turned up a few lines in potions that should diversify our stock. It's not much, but it's some real new income and I'm happy for it."

    "Glad to hear it. Leah, what about your dancers?"

    "I tapped All Faiths for more Vansaga practitioners, and was able to find a full half-dozen who were interested. So we're up to ten dancing pairs now."

    "Good work. And if there's nothing else, I have a ball to get to."


    Court is held in the West Palace, the Imperator's summer home. In its marble halls mingle the great and the good from across the empire. It is traditional for all new arrivals to present themselves to the Imperator; as such, the dress you choose today will be the first impression you make upon Evermark's almost-Emperor.

    Even the little things are high-stakes now, so you take extra care with your appearance.

    You wear your:
    [ ][Dress] Midnight-blue dress shot with silver stars.
    [ ][Dress] Heartsblood-red dress bearing a silver sea of gears.
    [ ][Dress] Onyx dress layered in blush-pink roses.
    [ ][Dress] Wine-purple dress bearing indigo waves.

    With:
    [ ][Jewellery] Nothing.
    [ ][Jewellery] The stainless steel rat you got from the former Rat leader.
    [ ][Jewellery] A Steamborne pendant.
    [ ][Jewellery] The Essence Pearl pendant.
    [ ][Jewellery] The ammolite pendant.
    [ ][Jewellery] The sapphire pendant.
    [ ][Jewellery] Leah's sapphire ring.
    [ ][Jewellery] The Essence Pearl ring.
    [ ][Jewellery] The Essence Pearl earrings.


    - [X] [Personal] Take time out of your schedule to go on a date with Leah.
    Onscreen

    You meet with Leah in the restaurant downstairs, and grab black tea with her. Both of you slide into one of the booths, and you settle into casual conversation - not about work for once.

    "I'd like to get out into the countryside sometime," says Leah. "It seems wider and brighter than the city."

    "The trouble with the countryside is that there's nothing to do out there. Give me the hustle and bustle of the city any day."

    "But you still want to take a vacation?"

    "Leah, you know me. The business is my life. But yes, I still want to take a vacation, in a kind of wistful it'll-probably-never-happen way."

    "I guess I can understand that," says Leah. "So, Ms. Fields. Where are you taking me today?"

    "I was thinking of staying in today," you say. "It's chilly out, and I don't want to have to wait for another coach."

    "Staying in," says Leah, "Or staying in?"

    "Yes."

    Leah smiles wickedly. "I knew you were only after that."

    "Only?"

    You laugh together, and go back to your tea, sitting in companionable silence. When you're done your tea, you take Leah's hand, and lead her upstairs to your rooms.

    The rest goes well.


    After basic interviews with all your staff, you've compiled This Spreadsheet regarding them.

    Upgrades:
    Tier 3 Wards
    Tier 3 Silken Wonderland
    Tier 2 Warded Strongboxes
    Tier 2 Signage
    Tier 2 Escort Beauty
    Tier 2 Steamy Atmosphere
    Tier 1 Landscaping
    Tier 1 Renovated
    Tier 1 Exclusive

    Treasury:
    65 Discretion
    20 Scandal
    735 Clean Æther
    1190 Dirty Æther
    1 Small Essence Pearl
    1 Essence Pearl Pendant
    1 Essence Pearl Ring
    1 Pair Essence Pearl Earrings
    1 Stainless Steel Rat
    1 Sapphire Pendant
    1 Sapphire Ring
    1 Ammolite Pendant
    1 Steamborne Talisman
    1 Silvermist Consecration
    7 Healing Potions
    4 Suffragist Favours
    2 All Faiths Favour
    1 Progressivist Favour
    0 Months Till Recruiting Drive
    0 Months More Merchant Membership
    50 Libertine Pamphlets
    50 All Faiths Pamphlets
    50 Suffragist Pamphlets
    50 Innumerable Pamphlets
    4 Silk Bolts
    1 Fur Bolt

    Current Monthly Income:
    135 Clean Æther from Tea
    350 Dirty Æther from Sex
    5 Clean Æther from Cooked Books
    5 Clean Æther from Fine Cuisine
    10 Clean Æther from Ostmarkian Tea
    25 Clean Æther from Hotelry
    50 Clean Æther from The Band
    35 Clean Æther from Apothecary Deal
    375 Dirty Æther from VIP
    175 Clean Æther from VIP
    100 Dirty Æther Enchantress
    250 Dirty Aether Harbour Tribute
    120 Clean Æther from Harbour Laundry
    25 Clean Æther from Magic Shop
    1 Bolt Silk Silk Shop Tribute

    Current Monthly Expenses:
    -25 Clean Æther Room Service
    -5 Clean Æther Weekly Checkups
    -5 Dirty Æther Cooked Books
    -10 Clean Æther Bouncers
    -20 Dirty Æther Harbour Laundry
    -80 Dirty Æther Gang Sponsorship
    -10 Clean Æther Chef
    -15 Clean Æther Gardeners
    -10 Clean Æther Exclusivity
    -10 Dirty Æther Exclusivity
    -5 Clean Æther Cosmetics
    -25 Clean Æther Etiquette Teacher
    -50 Clean Æther Mage Licence
    -50 Dirty Æther Apothecary Deal
    -1 All Monthly Timers

    Current Monthly Net:
    320 Clean Aether
    810 Dirty Aether
    1 Silk Bolt
    -1 All Monthly Timers


    Control under Holly:
    [ ][Control] Build another back of house room, at a cost of 75 Clean Æther.
    [ ][Control] Call in a favour with the Libertines and have a room built on the cheap. Cost: 30 Clean Æ, 1 Libertine Favour
    [ ][Control] Search for more contacts who sell goods & services under the table. (IE, that you can pay in dirty money.)
    [ ][Control] Distribute your leaflets covering revolutionary topics. (Opens menu for where to send leaflets.)
    [ ][Control] The Suffragists' Union is dedicated to political and mercantile equality. Go see what they're doing.
    [ ][Control] Invest in a Bay Run. 500 Clean Æther; returns 600 Clean Aether in 2 months, with a small chance of disaster.
    [ ][Control] Attend the Merchants' Summerend Ball.
    [ ][Control] Purchase a new Merchant's Guild yearly membership for 100 Clean Æther.

    Charm under Edie:
    [ ][Charm] Search for contacts among the Ceverra.
    [ ][Charm] Search for contacts in the city.
    [ ][Charm] Start targeting and looking for noble clients.
    [ ][Charm] Buy out the fishmarket next door so that the smell of fish won't disturb the customers. 1000 Clean Æther.
    [ ][Charm] Make a public donation to charity to improve the business' good name. 100 Clean Æther.
    [ ][Charm] Renovate the courtyard to add a fountain. 500 Clean Æther.
    [ ][Charm] Purchase some pieces of statuary for the garden. 500 Clean Æther.

    Intrigue under Filia:
    [ ][Intrigue] Continue Filia's education in Markish and Tradecraft.
    [ ][Intrigue] Talk to the Sharks and get a better idea of what the gang is doing.
    [ ][Intrigue] You've grown accustomed to the underworld here, but more contacts are always a good thing. Cultivate more criminal contacts.
    [ ][Intrigue] Continue cultivating contacts along the local waterfront. Surely there's something more interesting than the fish market next door?
    [ ][Intrigue] The Succubus Liberation Front claims that the succubi are badly mischaracterized. Attend a monthly meeting and keep your ear to the ground.
    [ ][Intrigue] Make an anonymous donation to charity. 100 Dirty Æther.
    [ ][Intrigue] Make an under-the-table donation to the cause. 100 Dirty Æ becomes 1 Libertine Favour.
    [ ][Intrigue] Make a major under-the-table donation to the cause. 500 Dirty Æ becomes 5 Libertine Favours.
    [ ][Intrigue] Make a further "donation" to the struggling House Galero. 250 Dirty Æ becomes one House Galero favour.
    [ ][Intrigue] Buy another tenth-share of House Galero's debt. 1,250 Dirty Æ, +5 House Galero favours.

    Lore under Varielle:
    [ ][Lore] Search for more stock for the magic shop.
    [ ][Lore] Having witches and wizards on your side can only ever help. Try to make more contacts in the magical community.
    [ ][Lore] Innumerable Aspect seeks to promote freedom of Orbite, encouraging the unbanning of proscribed Aspects. Go to their monthly meeting and keep an ear to the ground.
    [ ][Lore] The Progressivists' Guild advocates for the free development of new magic and technology, and the reversal of laws that ban specific technologies. Contact them and stay in touch.
    [ ][Lore] Purchase a smuggled load of succubus artifacts in order to research them. 100 Dirty Æther, success has a chance at unique items.
    [ ][Lore] Talk to the magical girl contract magicians and see what they have to say.
    [ ][Lore] Have Varielle brew some healing potions, just in case. 100 Dirty Æther should suffice for a batch for six.

    Faith under Leah:
    [ ][Faith] Send Leah to attend this month's meeting of All Faiths Harmonious and keep her ear to the ground.
    [ ][Faith] Reach out and try to connect with the local preachers, temples and shrines.
    [ ][Faith] Idols, Magical Girls, and the radio broadcasters who make them famous can all be found here in Gradentine. Try to get closer to that brilliant glamour.
    [ ][Faith] Dance with Leah and practice its use as a channel for Steamborne power.
    [ ][Faith] Dance with Leah and try to produce an Essence Pearl.
    [ ][Faith] Try to gather more pairs of dancers capable of making Steamborne mist.
    [ ][Faith] Try to organize another dance between the Kalinsha and Marielle.
    [ ][Faith] Spend more time experimenting with the Essence Pearl.
    [ ][Faith] Look into the Coppergold faith of the Ceverra.

    Personal:
    [ ][Personal] Take more time alone to cultivate your Aura and Orbite.
    [ ][Personal] Personally teach your Redcaps some more Broken Fang Way.
    [ ][Personal] Spend time overseeing one of the major business areas. (Write in a stat; Control, Charm, etc.)
    [ ][Personal] Take some time to get to know one of the staff. (Write in a name.)
    [ ][Personal] Spend some time relaxing and unwinding in the gardens.
    [ ][Personal] Experiencing your own business from time to time can generate real insights. Take tea at Harbour Tea.
    [ ][Personal] Take time out of your schedule to go on a date with Leah.
    [ ][Personal] Take Edie aside and try to talk her out of succubus liberation. It's just a bad move.
    [ ][Personal] Go to the adventuring store and purchase supplies or weaponry from them.
    [ ][Personal] Go to the Progressivist Jeweller's and see what he has in stock. (Opens jewellery store event; likely to cost a few hundred Dirty Æ.)
    [ ][Personal] Go to the local magic shop and see what trinkets and doodads they have on sale. Perhaps they'll have a radio or a record player? (Opens magic store event; likely to cost a few hundred Clean Æ.)
    [ ][Personal] Go to the proscribed apothecary and haggle over lines on spices, teas, medicines and potions. (Opens apothecary event; likely to cost a few hundred dirty Æ)
    [ ][Personal] Try to find somebody selling silk, so that you can renovate the second floor with it as well. (Opens silk merchant event; likely to cost a few hundred clean Æ)
    [ ][Personal] Go down to the docks and purchase "lost" or confiscated cargoes from the Port Authority on the sly.
    [ ][Personal] Go to the underground printer's and have some leaflets commissioned.
    [ ][Personal] Go to the transmuter to have something duplicated.
    [ ][Personal] Go have some silk or fur made into dresses.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Evenstar said:
    0 Months Till Recruiting Drive
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    It's go time!

    Evenstar said:
    [ ][Faith] Dance with Leah and practice its use as a channel for Steamborne power.
    [ ][Faith] Dance with Leah and try to produce an Essence Pearl.
    [ ][Faith] Try to gather more pairs of dancers capable of making Steamborne mist.
    [ ][Faith] Try to organize another dance between the Kalinsha and Marielle.
    [ ][Faith] Spend more time experimenting with the Essence Pearl.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Do any of these involve using these dance-pairs to increase our Pearl supply?



    (P.S. Congrats on making Councillor!)
     
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    [X] Plan: What's Next Boss Mistress
    -[X][Dress] Wine-purple dress bearing indigo waves.
    -[X][Jewellery] The ammolite pendant.
    -[X][Jewellery] The Essence Pearl ring.
    -[X][Jewellery] The Essence Pearl earrings.
    -[X][Control] Search for more contacts who sell goods & services under the table. (IE, that you can pay in dirty money.)
    -[X][Charm] Buy out the fishmarket next door so that the smell of fish won't disturb the customers. 1000 Clean Æther.
    -[X][Intrigue] Continue cultivating contacts along the local waterfront. Surely there's something more interesting than the fish market next door?
    -[X][Lore] Having witches and wizards on your side can only ever help. Try to make more contacts in the magical community.
    -[X][Faith] Dance with Leah and try to produce an Essence Pearl.
    -[X][Personal] Experiencing your own business from time to time can generate real insights. Take tea at Harbour Tea.

    The waves dress was said to be really in touch with the current court fashion, and the essence pearl rings/earrings complement each other in a way that makes the ammolite pendant stand out.

    This month is the big recruitment event, so I'm conflicted. We could be distributing leaflets on our own, which runs the risk of overlap and linking the Hotel to the revolution too soon, but could also synergize with their efforts and make it harder for the authorities to track exactly where the leaflets are coming from. We could also look for more places to spend our growing amount of dirty income, but it might be missing out on an opportunity. I'm leaving it as the safer option for now.

    Buying out the fish market will simultaneously give us a large property to repurpose, and get rid of the fish smell for our customers.

    I want to use our intrigue actions on the groups the Sharks splintered into, but I'm not sure if there will be specific actions for that or if the old Sharks action counts. Leaving it blank for now.

    Our inability to find good magic stock could be because we haven't really made inroads with the magic community here. Time to rectify that.

    Trying to make an essence pearl will either work, or it will merely grow the small essence pearl we already have. Getting a better understanding of how much fire/water is needed to make the steam into a pearl on its own will be a big help in scaling up our pearl production.

    Finally, we've just finished outfitting the hotel in silks. Other than the garden fountain/statues, there isn't much left to upgrade in the hotel. Taking Tea should help us see if there is anything we've missed or if we can start investing heavily in our other affairs.
     
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    [X] Plan Social Media
    -[X][Dress] Onyx dress layered in blush-pink roses.
    -[X][Jewellery] The Essence Pearl pendant.
    -[X][Jewellery] The Essence Pearl ring.
    -[X][Jewellery] The Essence Pearl earrings.
    -[X][Control] Purchase a new Merchant's Guild yearly membership for 100 Clean Æther.
    -[X][Charm] Make a public donation to charity to improve the business' good name. 100 Clean Æther.
    -[X][Intrigue] Make a major under-the-table donation to the cause. 500 Dirty Æ becomes 5 Libertine Favours.
    -[X][Lore] Innumerable Aspect seeks to promote freedom of Orbite, encouraging the unbanning of proscribed Aspects. Go to their monthly meeting and keep an ear to the ground.
    -[X][Faith] Send Leah to attend this month's meeting of All Faiths Harmonious and keep her ear to the ground.
    -[X][Personal] Take more time alone to cultivate your Aura and Orbite.


    The dress & jewelry is subtle advertisement. Blush-pink roses? Hint-hint. All Essence Pearl jewelry? Someone either rich or powerful.
    I think the Merchant's Guild has been worthwhile, so let's re-up our membership.
    The fishmarket seems to be a popular option, so sure, let's do it.
    Make a big donation for the recruiting event, and send out some advisors to the various organizations to help out and see how things are going.
    I'm interested to see what Estellé can do with herself now that she's leveled up with special traits (Broken Fang Way, Steamborne Revolution, etc.) so often.
     
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    Well, this is a pickle. Neither plan is a complete plan at the moment. Plan Mistress is missing an Intrigue option (I assume because of the confusion about the Sharks situation?), and Plan Social Media is spending more Clean Aether (1100) than we have even after counting this turn's income (1055).
     
    Plan Social Media is currently the only valid plan; if it goes through, we'll sell Silk to make up the 50 Æther shortfall.

    Breakdown options for the Sharks are coming! I've just been struggling a little to stay on schedule, and as a result a few items were missed in the deadline rush. The Shark shards will be included in the next update. (Sorry for not including them here.)
     
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    Fixed my plan by giving it an intrigue action, looking for more contacts on the waterfront. Since we'll be getting the breakdown actions for the Shark shards next turn, I don't feel the need to "talk to the Sharks" this turn.

    Between our acquisition of the fish market, and our plan of absorbing the Shark shards into the Redcaps (giving us total control of the waterfront's underworld), getting a better understanding of what the waterfront has to offer will not only aid our sources of income, but potentially aid our revolutionary causes. It's been mentioned that there is a lot of tenement housing near the harbor, and the rats used to own a number of townhouses, so the population nearby can easily assumed to be ranging from working class to lower middle class. They could be a good source of support for our causes if we can get them on our side.
     
    Fade 1904
  • Threadmarks
    • You take your time getting ready for Court, making yourself up in the mirror. Subtle blush. Violet eyeshadow, to match the wine-dark sea you bear on your dress. Silver lipstick, to set off the smoky tones of your Essence Pearl earrings.

    You fasten the ammolite pendant at the back of your neck, and settle it into place close by your throat. In the mirror, you look alien. High and haughty, your cheekbones brought out by the makeup, the ammolite at your throat advertising your wealth to the world.

    You hold in your hand an invitation from the Imperator himself, sealed with the crossed swords of the Imperium. It is a summons to Court before His Highness, and it will be your writ of passage to the heart of Evermark today.

    You check yourself in the mirror one last time, then head down into the hall. You need an escort, dressed as you are like a noble lady in territory owned by gangs. So Valerie is waiting for you, in full dress uniform. While normally you would seek to distance yourself from the Redcaps, some things are too important to leave to chance.

    She bows to you. "Mistress."

    You salute casually. "Valerie."

    "I'm ready to take you to your carriage."

    "Lead the way."


    "You want to buy the entire fishmarket? No way, no how." The old fishmonger crosses his arms over his chest, and spits. "I'm not moving."

    Holly smiles slightly. "Not even for an even share of four Terra? Divided twelve ways, that would be…"

    "About seventy-five Æther, just for me to move shop?"

    "It's eighty-three Æther and change, actually. "

    "You have a deal, sir."

    Holly closes his ledger. All twelve fishmongers, bought out. The market that's always been here is now his Mistress' property.


    You step up into the carriage, pre-hired for the occasion. It's made of fine wood and covered in gilt.

    "Valerie," you ask. "How much did this outing cost?"

    "About 50 Æther," she replies. "But don't worry about it. We can cover the cost ourselves."

    "Alright."

    "I'll be riding along on top," says Valerie. "The better to keep lookout."

    You nod, and wave her off. She clambers up next to the coachman, and with a crack of reins you're off.


    You and Leah lie exhausted together on the stage in the shrine room, hands still clasped, breath all ragged.

    "One more dance?" asks Leah.

    "One more dance."


    Out your carriage window, a vast manor comes into sight, rose gardens ringing its white walls. Above the gate, the crossed swords of the Imperium are emblazoned in gold; they fly as a banner above the manor as well.

    Your carriage stops at the gatehouse, and a polite but well-armed soldier asks for your invitation. You present your letter, and after checking the authenticity of the seal the soldier ushers you through.

    It takes another five minutes for you to cross the gardens at a brisk trot, but finally you reach the white steps up before the main building. It's beyond vast up close: the wings of the building spread out further than you can see, lost among the garden that stretches off in every direction.

    Valerie gets down and opens the door of the carriage.

    "Ready, Mistress?"

    "I suppose I'll have to be."


    You flow with Leah, moving to her rhythm, guiding her with your rhythm. You put all your energy into the dance as you let yourself get carried away by the flow.

    Leah smiles with you. Leah dances with you. Leah is there for you. Leah is as lost in you as you are in her.


    You step out from the hallway, and are swallowed by the crowd.

    Though you've been to Merchant's Balls before, the grand ballroom of the Imperial Palace is something else entirely. All around you stand heavy-medaled generals, noble sons and daughters, great merchants and churchmen and heroes of the realm. Here, the great and the good are truly collected under one roof.

    You go back to basics. The young and the radical will be more easily convinced than the old and traditional. You focus on the noble sons and daughters, the merchants, the minor and scrappy. Though your approach is cautious for now, you make a few steps in the dance.


    A heavyset man wearing a Steamborne Gear stands up in a bar, holding what's left of a fat stack of leaflets.

    "Listen to me, all of you! Revolution is coming! The clammy grip of old Ostmark is gradually releasing, and we, the people of Evermark, demand new leadership and freedom from the ways of the old! We demand freedom of religion, Orbite and the press! We demand democracy and equality among all peoples! We demand more, more than the cowardly aristocrats are willing to give us!"


    The time comes for you to kneel before the Imperator and speak with him face-to-face. You don't expect it to take long. A thin man clad in a gold cloak with a small crown perched atop his head, the Imperator has remained seated atop a small dias for most of the party, greeting guests throughout the party with lazy waves.


    You rest with Leah on the stage again.

    An Essence Pearl falls from your clasped hands, and goes bouncing off into a corner.


    You kneel to the Imperator.

    "Mrs. Fields," he says. His baritone voice is rich and smug. "A pleasure you could join Us today. It is your first time visiting, is it not?"

    "It is, Your Highness."

    "Our loyal subject the Duke Galero has impressed upon us the good service you have done him. Our own ears have also heard of you from… other quarters. You are a most intriguing woman, Mrs. Fields."

    A shiver runs down your spine. "Thank you, Your Highness."

    "And for these reasons, it does amuse me to elevate you as the Comtessa D'Estelle."

    You hesitate for a moment, shocked.

    "Er, Thank you, your Highness!"

    The Imperator smiles. "My attendants will arrange things with your attendants soon enough. Welcome to Court, Ms. Fields."

    "Thank you again."

    You rise, and retreat with all the composure you can muster.


    You put the lid of the teapot back on, and pour.

    Picking up your fine china teacup, you take a deep draught of black tea.

    You set down the teacup, and it clicks against the saucer.

    Nothing will ever be the same again.

    Class Up to Comtessa.


    END OF BOOK 1
    UPDATES WILL RESUME
    SEPT 21    ​
     
  • Threadmarks
    • What's the threshold for being a noble House? Like ... how fancy does a family have to be before it's a House? Are countesses above or below that cutoff?

    Can we legally now inscribe Orbites? Like, can we start producing Estelle Orbites now and no one can complain?
     
    I didn't know there even were level 4 classes!

    (...I'm gonna miss Kalinsha.)


    More seriously: this was exquisite. A true and worthy capstone.

    This chapter was a dance.
     
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    ...I wonder what level of intrigue the Imperator is on.

    Because this could be a "keep your enemies closer" move, or he might actually like us.
     
    God that's a really good move on the Imperator's part, not only does making us a member of the Nobility forcibly entwine us in the politics of the Nobility, but it also complicates our relationship with the Revolution. One of it's goals is tearing down the nobility, so the fact that we're now a noble will cause problems by either making the causes look hypocritical if they accept support from us, or bring suspicion on our actual loyalty to the revolution.

    We're gonna have to put in a lot of effort to turn this to our advantage, but luckily we have the drive to carry us through this in spades.
     
    The Imperator is truly playing by the Michael Corleone school of intrigue.

    "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
     
    Spring 1905
  • Threadmarks
    • "So, how did the winter go?", Leah asks.

    "It was hectic. Because we're a Noble House now, we had to rearrange the ledgers - "


    Holly looks over his shoulder at you. "This accounting won't go any faster with you watching me."

    You sigh. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

    "No, most of the work's already been done. All I have to do is finish this month's allotment and then make damn sure that this - " he taps a black ledger book by his right hand "- isn't in the hotel when we inevitably get audited. We should pass."

    "Good. Then I'll leave you to it."


    "We had to rethink some of our shadier dealings."


    Valerie crosses her arms. "So what's this about a House Guard?"

    "I'm allowed a House Guard of up to a hundred. The Redcaps come in at half that, so you've been legitimated. Congratulations."

    "I have so many questions. What about the tribute we're paid from the harbour and the protection we provide from the gangs?"

    "House Éstelle has been empowered to collect tax from the waterfront, which has been undertaxed for some time. What we skim off the top should match or exceed our current tribute. As for the protection… would you steal from a minor noble's backyard?"

    "No, I wouldn't. So…"

    "Yes, your new job is to be my personal guard and collect taxes from the waterfront."

    "The rank and file aren't going to like this, Milady."

    "They'll just have to get used to it. It's the best way they have to serve the Revolution."

    "Aye." Valerie salutes, just touching her red cap. "I'll break the news."

    "Good woman."


    "And you remember our sessions on noble politics."


    Leah sits on your bed, reading from a thin textbook.

    "Historically, the politics of Evermark have been characterized by discord between the nobles and the crown, with the Imperial faction gradually losing ground over the last few decades. Corruption has been seen repeatedly, as in the case of Eduar Encoro in 1891.

    The most prominent guilds in high-level politics as of this writing are the Adventurer's Guild that backs House Amino and the Broadcaster's Guild that backs house Hæra."

    Leah frowns. "All common knowledge, and outdated besides. The latest Mob scandal was a Remnio, wasn't it?"

    You nod. "Marc Remnio. I don't remember the details."

    "Either way, it looks like we're going to have to get our own information the direct way."

    "Well, there's only 12 Great Houses. How hard can it be to gather information on all of them?"


    "Those didn't go very well."

    "No, they didn't, but that doesn't mean they had to."

    "I suppose. Did my workaholic work her little heart out?"

    "I'm not allowed to do that anymore. After all, my heart's meant for you."

    Leah smiles. "Flatterer."

    "You do realize you're dating a noblewoman now, right? The stakes are higher for both of us."

    Leah nods. "I think it's worth it anyway."

    "I think so too."


    Welcome to Book Two of Evermark Underground.

    As a Noble House, the transactions you used to make before as a brothel have been reduced to pocket change. For this reason, the standard currency has been changed from Æther to Terra. 1 Terra = 250 Æther.

    You also operate on a larger timescale. The 10 months of Evermark have been replaced by a Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter seasonal cycle.

    All options have been re-generated. Contact options have been entirely removed or transformed so they have a certain outcome, due to often resulting in "nothing of practical use happens." Options have been re-organized into five new categories. Dates are no longer competing with work.

    I hope you'll enjoy this new edition of Evermark!


    House D'Estelle
    Treasury:
    3 Clean Terra
    12 Dirty Terra
    2 Essence Pearls
    (1 Essence Pearl = 2 Terra if liquidated.)

    Assets:
    Hotel Variety (17 Terra)
    House Galero's Debt (15 Terra)
    Harbor Fishmarket (4 Terra)
    Harbor Magic Shop (3 Terra)
    Ammolite Pendant (3 Terra)
    Essence Pearl Pendant (1 Terra)
    Essence Pearl Ring (1 Terra)
    Pair Essence Pearl Earrings (1 Terra)
    Sapphire Pendant (1 Terra)
    Sapphire Ring (1 Terra)
    Succubus Contract Pen (1 Terra)
    Healing Potion Reserve (1 Terra)
    Personal Wardrobe (1 Terra)
    Steamborne Talisman (0 Terra)
    Stainless Steel Rat (0 Terra)
    Net Worth 68 Terra

    At Court:
    85 Discretion
    19 Scandal

    Favours and Holds:
    4 Suffragist Favours
    2 All Faiths Favours
    1 Progressivist Favour
    1 Aspect Favour

    3 Redcap Holds (Money, Loyalty, Ideology)
    2 Waterfront Holds (Money, Power)
    2 Revolutionary Holds (Money, Ideology)
    1 House Galero Hold (Scandal)
    1 House Valero Hold (Scandal)

    Current Seasonal Net:
    3 Clean Terra
    7 Dirty Terra
    1 Essence Pearl


    Investments under Holly and Edie:
    [ ][Invest] Have a Bay Runner built and outfitted to your specifications, and hire a captain and crew to take it on cargo runs. 5 Clean Terra for a 1 Clean Terra/Season return.
    [ ][Invest] Now that you're a noble, you should have an estate. Purchase a small one for a cost of 4 Terra.
    [ ][Invest] Develop an empty lot in the city into a hotel. A real hotel, this time. 4 Clean Terra for a return of 1 Clean Terra per season.
    [ ][Invest] Bring the Progressivist Jeweller's Store under your ownership. 1 Progressivist Favour and 8 Clean Terra for a return of 3 Clean Terra a season.
    [ ][Invest] Buy out Harborfront Jewellers for 15 Terra. Return of 3 Terra a season.
    [ ][Invest] Buy out Harborfront Silks for 10 Terra. Return of 2 Terra a season.
    [ ][Invest] Bring Innumerable Aspect's printer under your ownership. 1 Innumerable Aspect Favour and 6 Clean Terra for a return of 2 Clean Terra a season.
    [ ][Invest] Develop an empty lot in the city into a teahouse. A real teahouse, this time. 4 Clean Terra for a return of 1 Clean Terra per season.
    [ ][Invest] Construct a gambling house in order to launder large sums of money quickly. 6 Clean Terra transforms 3 Terra of dirty income to clean.
    [ ][Invest] Invest in a smuggling ring with your dirty money. 6 Dirty Terra for 3 Dirty Terra a season.
    [ ][Invest] Invest in your new magic shop. 1 Terra for 1 Terra/season.
    [ ][Invest] Purchase an entire new silk wardrobe for 2 Clean Terra.
    [ ][Invest] Purchase better weapons for your Redcaps, arming them as befits a House Guard. 2 Clean Terra.
    [ ][Invest] Sell Essence Pearls for their value in Terra. Write in how many pearls.


    Your actions at Court:
    [ ][Court] Make a minor public donation to charity. Spend 1 Clean Terra to subtract 1d6 from Scandal.
    [ ][Court] Make a major public donation to charity. Spend 4 Clean Terra to subtract 4d6 from Scandal.
    [ ][Court] Gather 1d6 further Discretion by subtly advertising your brothel to the minor nobility.
    [ ][Court] Attend the Merchant's Guild Ball and gather their Favour.
    [ ][Court] Speak to great heroes of the Adventurer's Guild and curry their Favour.
    [ ][Court] Speak to the senior wizards of the Mages' Guild and curry their Favour.
    [ ][Court] Speak to the radio broadcasters and gather their Favour.
    [ ][Court] Speak to bishops and churchmen and gather their Favour.
    [ ][Court] Offer up incriminating information on certain key Mob bosses to the Crown. Spend 1 Mob Hold for an Imperial Favour.
    [ ][Court] Contribute an undiscovered orchid to the Imperial greenhouse, demonstrating your skill at trade. Spend 1 Undiscovered Orchid for an Imperial Favour.
    [ ][Court] Bring an Essence Pearl of unknown color before the Imperator, demonstrating your ability to contribute to the realm's supply. Spend 1 Essence Pearl for an Imperial Favour.

    Intrigue under Filia and Valerie:
    [ ][Intrigue] Solidify a Hold on the dockworkers of the harbour.
    [ ][Intrigue] Solidify a Hold on the street rats of the harbour.
    [ ][Intrigue] Solidify a Hold on Gradentine Bay's sailors.
    [ ][Intrigue] Speak with the Succubus Liberation Front and gather their Favour.
    [ ][Intrigue] Speak with Innumerable Aspect and gather their Favour.
    [ ][Intrigue] Speak with All Faiths Harmonious and gather their Favour.
    [ ][Intrigue] Speak with the Libertines and gather their Favour.
    [ ][Intrigue] Speak with the Progressivists and gather their Favour.
    [ ][Intrigue] Speak with the Suffragists and gather their Favour.
    [ ][Intrigue] Unify the revolution using your skill as an organizer. Cost: 1 Favour from each of the six revolutionary causes.
    [ ][Intrigue] Purchase another tenth-share of House Galero's debt. 5 Dirty Terra.
    [ ][Intrigue] Search for a means to turn your information regarding House Vanico - "the daughter of Duke Vanico is a lesbian who sleeps with escorts" - into a real Hold on the house.
    [ ][Intrigue] Become Lady Galero by using House Galero's debt as a weapon. Purchase the debt, force the house to default, and then see to it that the title falls to you. 35 Dirty Terra, 1 House Galero Hold, 1 Imperial Favour.
    [ ][Intrigue] Become Marquessa of the Gradentine Harbour and demand that all shipping going through the bay pay taxes to you. 4 Waterfront Holds, 1 Imperial Favour.

    Esoterica under Varielle and Leah:
    [ ][Esoterica] Research a crate of succubus artifacts and search for unique items. 1 Terra.
    [ ][Esoterica] Focus on producing Essence Pearls with Leah. Generates 1d6 Essence Pearls.
    [ ][Esoterica] Spread some money around to find qualified dance pairs to produce more Essence Pearls. 2 Terra for +1 Essence Pearl/Season.
    [ ][Esoterica] Search through the confiscated cargoes sold off by the Port Authority for items worth your time.
    [ ][Esoterica] Go to the underground transmuter and see about having some of your smaller, more valuable assets duplicated.
    [ ][Esoterica] Go to the Progressivist Jeweller and commission a piece of jewellery.
    [ ][Esoterica] Go to the local magic shop to purchase something esoteric.
    [ ][Esoterica] Investigate the possibility of illegally inscribing and selling your own Orbites.

    Social, in your spare time:
    [ ][Social] Pursue your relationship with Leah, your former mentor turned girlfriend.
    [ ][Social] Take time to get to know Holly, your apprentice dominant and bookkeeper.
    [ ][Social] Try to pry some social time out of Edie, the manager of Hotel Variety.
    [ ][Social] Speak to Filia, your right hand in the underworld, about her experiences as a Ceverra and her place in your organization.
    [ ][Social] Speak to Valerie, your lieutenant and bodyguard and the leader of the Redcaps, about your vision for the world and the Redcaps.
    [ ][Social] Speak to Varielle, your herbalist, about her life and her magic.
    [ ][Social] Speak to Melody, the lead singer of your band, about performance and the arts.
     
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