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I'm a High Fantasy Tax Collector, So What? A CKII Tax Collector Quest

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[X] "Truly? You know, I've never heard of normal bandits carving the King's symbol on the wagons they rob. Claiming to serve the King even after his death, you must have been really loyal to him when he was still alive, a true pillar of support. In fact, I'm pretty certain that my boss told one of your.... associates that Oskaria's neighbors were planning to carve this nation up. The King ordered my boss to investigate this further, and we've discovered that some of Oskaria's own nobles are planning to betray our country. Our investigation has brought us here, to the Duke's lands, and I'm pretty certain that the proof you have will be a major help to us. Would you really demand compensation from a fellow servant of the late King for this?"
 
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INTERREGNUM MONTH 3.3
  • Threadmarks
    • "Truly? You know, I've never heard of normal bandits carving the King's symbol on the wagons they rob. Claiming to serve the King even after his death, you must have been really loyal to him when he was still alive, a true pillar of support. In fact, I'm pretty certain that my boss told one of your.... associates that Oskaria's neighbors were planning to carve this nation up. The King ordered my boss to investigate this further, and we've discovered that some of Oskaria's own nobles are planning to betray our country. Our investigation has brought us here, to the Duke's lands, and I'm pretty certain that the proof you have will be a major help to us. Would you really demand compensation from a fellow servant of the late King for this?"

    You hit the important parts with this vote, so I'm altering it to be better for you.


    "You're not fooling anyone, Renault of the King's Pillars," Tekla says, cutting words parting the veil. "I ask you on behalf of the Royal Finance Ministry: please give us the documents."

    The woman is silent for a few moments, and then straightens. Her hands come up, stick nearly weightlessly twirling itself up until it rests on her shoulders. Her veil falls backwards with her other hand, revealing a distinctly unimpressed face.

    "I did say that fear and cheap tricks alone would not occlude my identify forever, I suppose," she declares, backed in the certainty of a gaze that sees through all. Everything is laid bare, the bonds of loyalty, the sins and habits of the self, and indivisible portions of matter and soul alike. It is at once familiar and foreign to Tekla and Kerrie. A instant shared glance has Tekla shift forward and Kerrie shift backwards. "You are correct. I am Ludivine Renault, Pillar of the King, for all that that matters. If I had to guess, taxman, you are the bandits who graced this region, oh, right around the event you spoke of?"

    "Bandits?" Tekla asks, taken aback. "When did that - "

    "Oh, but of course. I suppose even now that spider keeps secrets from you," she casually shrugs. Tekla tries casually glancing back at Kerrie's placid expression and finds nothing. Did Kerrie know what Renault was talking about?

    "Yes," Renault answers. "Yes, I know what you were asking, no I cannot read minds, yes I can see the future," she rattles. "Only visions and possibilities, much like how just because you can see does not mean you know all about your own surroundings. Know that I say this, taxman, because I can see how the future rotates with each action I take."

    "The money, then?" Kerrie skeptically asks.

    Renault shrugs, unfazed. "I cannot see everything. I could not see whether you were a good group to gamble on before - now I can."

    "That...still doesn't explain the bandit comment, esteemed Pillar," Tekla carefully says, aware that he is the least informed member of the group.

    "Oh, it's quite simple," she coldly laughs. "What is the difference between a bandit and a taxman, tax collector?"

    "They're nothing alike," Tekla says. "The taxman has the right and obligation to collect dues on behalf of a higher authority, and the bandit seeks only their own personal gain."

    "Quoth the big bandit to the small bandit," Renault mockingly shrugs, before her gaze sharpened. "But you are correct about one thing: the great difference between a tax collector and a bandit is higher authority."

    Kerrie narrows her eyes. "Are you saying that they've already rejected royal authority?"

    "And now you reach the crux of it," Renault nods. "What royal authority? Does that even make coherent sense, when we live in a time without royalty?"

    The three of them stare each other down, as if their reflections would show the future.

    "I don't know. I cannot comprehend that," Renault finally admits, sighing. "All I know is that we have veered towards the path that punishes the greatest crime in Oskarian history," she says, gaze unfocused, "and have perhaps set the stage for something. Something even the future is terrified of."

    Tekla's eyes widen. "You don't mean - ?"

    "If I knew, I'd act like it," Renault grimaces. "But I don't, and I find the current situation unacceptable, so all that's left is a wild gamble."

    The three stand there quietly, Kerrie now the one who understands the least. Tekla's mind can only come back to the Calamity Frames. The grove mourns the future unknown.

    "Your faith is not misplaced," Tekla finally nods.

    "I hope so."


    Give Chase
    DC: 10. Roll: 22 + 5.0 (Tax Cut) + 3 (Star of Oskaria) + 2 (Blessings of Oskaria) + 3.8 = 35.8

    Agueda returns to an crusading army. Hot fury wafts off the marching army, fed by the blazing inferno of Ophelia-Oskaria's towering rage. It shakes the land with the fury of the zealous. Revelation grips the army, as they see the cause of the Beasts of Autumn.

    The cause is simple. It is exactly what the old guard has always warned.

    There are those who do not obey the old rituals. There are those who would callously disregard them for their own gain.

    The spirits have retaliated with the Beasts of Autumn.

    So then there is only one thing to do.

    Right it.

    All they need is a target.


    Salaries and Wages Expense: 5 Budget
    Army Expenses: 3 Budget
    Net Loss: 8 Budget

    Remaining Budget: 194

    You now understand part of the situation.

    For a while, the rate of Antigua's industrial expansion has bothered you. While one rich adventurer could help start the process, that was simply not enough to explain the continuing stock market boom - especially since the boom continued after the adventurer left. The explanation you've deduced now is simple: economic growth fueled by reckless exploitation of ducal lands, pumped into fueling growth of ducal allies, which went right back into the ducal coffers by conquest and an informal gifting economy which the King naturally was not allowed to tax - as per the special clarifying orders Renault has provided you. The introduction of the stock market was just other Antiguan nobles hitching a ride onto the duke's economic engine.

    Of course, the only way the Duke was able to manage this was with two important methods: First, the reckless exploitation of ducal lands, and second, the recruitment of unrecognized colonists to do the dirty resource extraction.

    But what gave the Duke the confidence to pull this off?!

    The realization is a crushing weight.

    Who do you blame for impiety? The obviously untrustworthy Colonists who recklessly cut away the forest and strip mine the earth, or the unimpeachable nobility who could crush you with an errant thought?

    Who did you blame, when all you heard was that the greenskins were doing it?

    And once you did, and you had your weapons in hand...

    You look upon the fury of the army, and shrink in terror.

    You may spend as much money as you have available.

    You have three [Free] Action that may be spent in any category.

    You can cooperate with your teammates to add +3 Base Stat to an action you are cooperating on.

    You have six more months to register evidence before you have to start tangling with the new Registrar of Evidence.

    Martial (Choose 1) {Ophelia-Oskaria Action}
    [] [Martial] Knock Knock
    Your army is looking for a target. If you point them in the direction of some of the lower level nobles, you might be able to get them to...pay more attention, when you speak. DC: 10. Cost: 0 Budget.
    [] [Martial] Beast Hunt
    The Beasts of Autumn are going active soon, and you know where some of them are. You may be able to hit some of them in advance. DC: 30. Cost: 0 Budget.
    Killing the Beasts of Autumn is an autosuccess. Avoiding the army finding out about the greenskins is the higher DC. Due to the emphasis of Tactics, Tax Cut, Star of Oskaria, and Tools of the Trade will not apply.
    [] [Martial] Threat In Being
    For now, just have the army loiter around Antigua. You don't actually need it to hit something, and caution is probably the best policy. Maybe the cool fall weather will help them cool off. Cannot be taken with either Knock Knock or Beast Hunt. DC: 20. Cost: 0 Budget.
    [] [Martial] Force Reduction
    The army is too much of a pressure kettle. You need to wind it down. Mutaully exclusive with all other options. DC: 25 (Ophelia-Oskaria will not agree, and you will need to substitute someone else). Cost: 4 Budget.

    Diplomacy (Choose 1) {Agueda Action}
    [] [Diplomacy] Registering Renault
    Finding Ludivine Renault as a potential witness is an unbelievable coup for you - especially if you can confirm what she knows about the case and what she can testify about. Exclusive with Recruiting Renault. DC: 10. Cost: 2 Budget.
    [] [Diplomacy] Recruiting Renault
    On the one hand, Renault has not been successful on her own. Has she considered joining forces? She would be able to open up a few doors for you. Exclusive with Registering Renault. DC: 15. Cost: 0 Budget.
    [] [Diplomacy] Questioning Barons
    Okay, there's a limited number of people that could potentially be involved as the patsies for the Duke. You can begin by interrogating the lower barons - especially since at stake is the literal Beasts of Autumn. DC: 20. Cost: 4 Budget.
    [] [Diplomacy] The Counts
    You do know who in theory reports directly to the acting Regent for the territories where the fuel must be coming from. On the other hand, those people are Counts and possessed of their own infuriating pride. You'll need to arrange meetings to arrange meetings to talk to them. DC: 15. Cost: 4 Budget.
    [] [Diplomacy] Thevenet
    The slippery bastard would know something, and is certainly mercenary enough to take your coin. Any port in a storm, right? DC: 10. Cost: 20 Budget.

    Intrigue (Choose 1) {Agueda Action}
    [] [Intrigue]     Labor Camp Infiltration
    You need to find the agents the acting Regent is using as cutouts to control the unrecognized Colonists - and you need to find the connection and prove it. DC: 25. Cost: 1 Budget.
    [] [Intrigue] False Flags
    You need to get the army to smash against some other target than the obvious Colonist targets. You have to make them target someone else, blame someone else. Preferably someone you're mostly certain is guilty. It will be a mess at best, but better than a pointless massacre. DC: 24. Cost: 0 Budget.
    [] [Intrigue] Reconnecting Networks
    You had an old network a few years ago here - you may have need of it again. DC: 20. Cost: 1 Budget.

    Learning (Choose 1) {Tekla Action}
    [] [Learning] Containers
    It will cost you a significant amount to commission custom spirit containers - and custom they are - but it is also the only way you'll ever get any spirits to be able to testify. DC: 20. Cost: 50 Budget.
    [] [Learning] Apothecaries
    You have the chance to pick up a few potions along the way to boost your abilities further, so should you desire. DC: 15. Cost: 1-3 Budget.

    Stewardship (Choose 1) {Ophelia-Oskaria Action}
    [] [Stewardship] Registration of Letter Evidence
    You have some legally obtained evidence. Well, it'll be legal after your expert touch is applied. You just need to register it. DC: 10. Cost: 2 Budget.
    [] [Stewardship] The Migrant Paths
    If all these greenskins, by Ophelia's wording, are coming from elsewhere, there are only a limited number of ways to even bring them in - especially if you need to dodge normal business as well. Find the path, and you may be able to lay an ambush for the Colonist traffickers. DC: 25. Cost: 0 Budget.

    Piety (Choose 1) {Ophelia-Oskaria Action}
    [] [Piety] Appeasing The Country Spirits of Antigua
    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ANYTHING AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA DC: 25. Cost: 10 Budget.
    {Succeeding here starts you on the process, not resolving the issue in one shot - success or failure, the nature spirits are still boiling with anger}
    [] [Piety] Shifting the Blast Zone
    You know what you're in the mood for? Directing some divine justice to where it's richly deserved. At least, in sort of the general direction? DC: 25. Cost: 10 Budget.
    [] [Piety] Spiritual Testimony
    Requires Containers. This is...an unfathomably large crime to be committed. If you can get spiritual attestation, the impact would be...hard to overstate. DC: 30. Cost: 2 Budget.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Plan Calm the Hell Down!
    -[X] [Martial] Force Reduction (Kerrie)
    The army is too much of a pressure kettle. You need to wind it down. Mutaully exclusive with all other options. DC: 25 (Ophelia-Oskaria will not agree, and you will need to substitute someone else). Cost: 4 Budget.

    -[X] [Diplomacy] Recruiting Renault
    On the one hand, Renault has not been successful on her own. Has she considered joining forces? She would be able to open up a few doors for you. Exclusive with Registering Renault. DC: 15. Cost: 0 Budget.
    -[X] [Diplomacy] Questioning Barons
    Okay, there's a limited number of people that could potentially be involved as the patsies for the Duke. You can begin by interrogating the lower barons - especially since at stake is the literal Beasts of Autumn. DC: 20. Cost: 4 Budget.
    -[X] [Diplomacy] The Counts
    You do know who in theory reports directly to the acting Regent for the territories where the fuel must be coming from. On the other hand, those people are Counts and possessed of their own infuriating pride. You'll need to arrange meetings to arrange meetings to talk to them. DC: 15. Cost: 4 Budget.

    -[X] [Intrigue]     Labor Camp Infiltration
    You need to find the agents the acting Regent is using as cutouts to control the unrecognized Colonists - and you need to find the connection and prove it. DC: 25. Cost: 1 Budget.
    -[X] [Intrigue] Reconnecting Networks
    You had an old network a few years ago here - you may have need of it again. DC: 20. Cost: 1 Budget.

    -[X] [Learning] Containers
    It will cost you a significant amount to commission custom spirit containers - and custom they are - but it is also the only way you'll ever get any spirits to be able to testify. DC: 20. Cost: 50 Budget.

    -[X] [Stewardship] The Migrant Paths
    If all these greenskins, by Ophelia's wording, are coming from elsewhere, there are only a limited number of ways to even bring them in - especially if you need to dodge normal business as well. Find the path, and you may be able to lay an ambush for the Colonist traffickers. DC: 25. Cost: 0 Budget.

    -[X] [Piety] Appeasing The Country Spirits of Antigua
    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ANYTHING AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA DC: 25. Cost: 10 Budget.
    {Succeeding here starts you on the process, not resolving the issue in one shot - success or failure, the nature spirits are still boiling with anger}
     
    [X] Plan: Using the Fury
    -[X] [Martial] Beast Hunt
    --[X] Add Free Action to Beast Hunt
    -[X] [Diplomacy] Recruiting Renault
    -[X] [Intrigue] Reconnecting Networks
    -[X] [Learning] Containers
    -[X] [Stewardship] Registration of Letter Evidence
    -[X] [Stewardship] The Migrant Paths     (Free action)
    -[X] [Piety] Shifting the Blast Zone
    -[X] [Piety] Appeasing The Country Spirits of Antigua     (Free action)
     
    Random Member said:
    Even with a Free Action, this has a 50% chance of failure.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    I am willing to take that chance. Especially since if we don't soften them up and they get up naturally, we're stuck with them either way. This way we have a chance of thinning their numbers at least a bit. I seriously doubt we can fix the situation quickly enough before the Beasts of Autumn awaken naturally. In my opinion taking a risk here is less risky than hoping for no other problems to turn up by a bad DC elsewhere over multiple turns (thus causing other problems to solve) of trying to appease the nature spirits enough for them to call off the beasts of Autumn.
     
    Can we get the colonists official recognition? It would seem like the first step on getting them patriated and compelling the system to treat them with some measure of restraint. Combined with identifying precisely how they are being compelled, we might be able to then get them to stop in order to settle in official holdings. The Duke could somewhat block this, but he is busy playing regent right now, and running off to deal with matters at home would look really bad for him. Maybe?

    Would there be any interest in actions to get the colonists officiated and compelling them to pause the harvesting while they are busy settling into their reservations?
     
    Aunty Shi Ping said:
    Can we get the colonists official recognition? It would seem like the first step on getting them patriated and compelling the system to treat them with some measure of restraint. Combined with identifying precisely how they are being compelled, we might be able to then get them to stop in order to settle in official holdings. The Duke could somewhat block this, but he is busy playing regent right now, and running off to deal with matters at home would look really bad for him. Maybe?

    Would there be any interest in actions to get the colonists officiated and compelling them to pause the harvesting while they are busy settling into their reservations?
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Maybe? Though we would need to do something about the crusaders that might sword them before we do our thing, and prevent the simple response of simply bringing more unrecognized colonists.
     
    I think that keeping the militia organized will prevent them from disbanding into smaller angry unorganized mobs.
    Especially when they are likely to engage in racial violence if we let them go.
    The beasts of Autumn might become a problem, which weighs into my decision but I´m mostly hoping to expand some pent up energy in our army. light losses are acceptable if it calms everyone down too.

    [X] Plan: Using the Fury
     
    Hm. I will highlight one key part of Beast Hunt that may have been lost in the bolded text:
    Killing the Beasts of Autumn is an autosuccess. Avoiding the army finding out about the greenskins is the higher DC. Due to the emphasis of Tactics, Tax Cut, Star of Oskaria, and Tools of the Trade will not apply.
    If there is no change, then we shall go to rolling at
     
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    INTERREGNUM MONTH 4 ROLL CALL
  • Apocrypha
    • Very well. Using the Fury wins 2-1.

    We shall see whether you can wield the fury - or whether the fury will wield you.

    Roll me 9d100s.

    Martial
    Beast Hunt
    DC: 30. Roll: 22 + 3.

    Cost: 0 Budget.

    Diplomacy
    Recruiting Renault
    DC: 15. Roll: 20 + 2 + 2

    Cost: 0 Budget.

    Intrigue
    Reconnecting Networks
    DC: 20. Roll: 22 + 2 + 2

    Learning
    Containers
    DC: 20. Roll: 23 + 2.

    Cost: 50 Budget.

    Stewardship
    Registration of Letter Evidence
    DC: 10. Roll: 24 + 2 + 2.

    Stewardship
    The Migrant Paths
    DC: 25. Roll: 24 + 2 + 2.

    Piety
    Shifting the Blast Zone
    DC: 25. Roll: 24 + 2.

    Piety
    Appeasing the Country Spirits of Antigua
    DC: 25. Roll: 24 + 2.

    Random Event Roll
     
  • Apocrypha
    • Oh Great Oskaria, in your hour and need and peril, grant us fortune, to revive you!
    EDIT: nevermind
    Aura threw 1 100-faced dice. Reason: Oskarian Patriotic Dice Total: 35
    35 35
     
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