Right, I get that, but if it isn't an option to vote on, it seems to me that people just aren't going for it. It's hard to build consensus and deliberately plan ahead for something x turns away when that something isn't in a vote, when the incentive is to prioritize things in the vote and we use the votes to progress. For that reason, I think it's important to have it there to gauge which course of action is preferable. Not everyone will be too well-versed in the income & expenditures balance sheet either, which can make it challenging to accurately gauge events that are a couple of turns away.
Look, I disagree with this idea of a vote to segregate the Neiswald funds. For one thing, it means we wouldn't know if we had saved enough money or not until the debt came due. Better to just put the Neiswald money in our pocket, and remember that we have a big debt to payoff, so we need to save a good amount of money.
Wouldn't it be better to do this?
1) Hire him has as a Military Advisor, to help research cannons.
2) Then switch him to Bodyguard.
3) Then switch back to Military Advisor, whenever we research "military" codex options.
4) Repeat 2) & 3).
Except we are researching the Cannons with the Codex right now. That is not something he can help us with. We won't need his help on cannons until we actually start building prototypes, and we need to secure either a blacksmith or a bellfounder before we can do that.
Adhoc vote count started by Elder Haman on Nov 26, 2020 at 1:28 PM, finished with 77 posts and 24 votes.
[X] [Hiring] Plan Spymaster and Bodyguard
-[X][Tobelli] Do not hire Bravor Tobelli. Maybe next year you will have more money, if he doesn't leave on some voyage of discovery or something.
-[X][Hilde] Hire Hilde Govesnacht as a Spymaster focused on securing the Bismarck fief and your industries against hostile intrigue. Commits a half-action to working with her. 1 Profit/turn, remainder paid by family.
-[X][Hooker] Hire Gerald Hooker as a highly skilled bodyguard, better than the guards who usually escort you. He would be content with it and you could probably use one of those, you know you're not the best fighter. 1 Profit/turn.
[X][Social] Hanna Renns-Abbot, who you met half a year ago, seems to have heard of your work with the Church of Shallya and invited you to some sort of party.
[X][Hiring] Plan Spymaster and Military Advisor
-[X][Hilde] Hire Hilde Govesnacht as a Spymaster focused on securing the Bismarck fief and your industries against hostile intrigue. Commits a half-action to working with her. 1 Profit/turn, remainder paid by family.
-[x][Hooker] Hire Gerald Hooker as a military advisor. He could come up with uses for gunpowder, work out how to effectively use cannons, or talk to the Army for you, perhaps? Commits a half action to managing him. 1 Profit/turn.
-[X][Tobelli] Do not hire Bravor Tobelli. Maybe next year you will have more money, if he doesn't leave on some voyage of discovery or something.
[X] [Hiring] Plan All In
-[X][Tobelli] Hire Bravor Tobelli, a brilliant and manic Romangan scholar, as a researcher and experimenter. Will likely come up with some very interesting innovations and developments. Commits a half-action to working with and directing him. 4 Profit/turn.
-[X][Hilde] Hire Hilde Govesnacht as a Spymaster focused on securing the Bismarck fief and your industries against hostile intrigue. Commits a half-action to working with her. 1 Profit/turn, remainder paid by family.
-[x][Hooker] Hire Gerald Hooker as a military advisor. He could come up with uses for gunpowder, work out how to effectively use cannons, or talk to the Army for you, perhaps? Commits a half action to managing him. 1 Profit/turn.
We are visiting our mother's cousin, writing to Timothy Greens, talking with the inventor (that we did not hire), meeting Count Franzen's grandchildren, and accepting the invitation to meet Helen Renns Abbot (probably Shalya related?)
Also looks like we are doubling down on the Canon/Mortar research.
[X][Codex] Plan MORE Cannons
-[X] Early Cannon/Mortar [Rare] [7/15] x2
[X] [Hiring] Plan Spymaster and Bodyguard
-[X][Tobelli] Do not hire Bravor Tobelli. Maybe next year you will have more money, if he doesn't leave on some voyage of discovery or something.
-[X][Hilde] Hire Hilde Govesnacht as a Spymaster focused on securing the Bismarck fief and your industries against hostile intrigue. Commits a half-action to working with her. 1 Profit/turn, remainder paid by family.
-[X][Hooker] Hire Gerald Hooker as a highly skilled bodyguard, better than the guards who usually escort you. He would be content with it and you could probably use one of those, you know you're not the best fighter. 1 Profit/turn.
[X][Social] A distant cousin from your mother's side of the family is coming to visit. Try to get to know them, they are family after all.
[X][Social] Exchange letters with Timothy Greens to see how things are going in Nesiwald and with his wife and kid.
[X][Social] Hanna Renns-Abbot, who you met half a year ago, seems to have heard of your work with the Church of Shallya and invited you to some sort of party.
[X][Social] You wouldn't presume to try and have a friendly chat with the count of Franzen, but his grandsons or granddaughters, perhaps...?
[X][Social] Discuss whatever comes to mind with the scholar Bravor Tobelli. It's sure to be eclectic.
The arrangements to hire Mr. Hooker and Miss Hilde Govesnacht go quickly. Hilde vanishes to parts unknown to 'take care of some odds and ends', which you imagine to be threatening informants into silence but really probably just means arranging for lodging and sending some letters or something. Mr. Hooker hardly has any belongings to retrieve and joins the castle guards' little cell immediately. You spend an afternoon with him going over what you expect from a bodyguard and what he expects you to do to keep you safe. Your parents seem nonplussed but shrug and accept it, since it'll make it easier to arrange the castle guard shifts. He finds a spot in the barracks and armory for himself and his gear and begins ingratiating himself to all the servants with his quiet and calm demeanor.
Over the course of spring, you continue your study of the Codex's idea of blackpowder weapons. You take copious notes on how to properly cast and inspect the devices, how to prepare the charges, to to make the ammunition, the mechanisms and procedures for firing, the surprisingly complex mathematics of predicting where the shot will go. Or at least a specific case of them. You get the feeling this weird, alien business with triangles and manipulating stand-ins for unknown numbers and so on are missing some details... What's more, calculating a shot's path second-by-second as its speed and therefore drag change surely is not perfectly accurate, since the speed is changing all the time and not in neat one-second intervals. The Codex all but confirms your guess that there are sensible reasons for the strange, but you shy away from it for now. Too busy. You need to really understand this weapon, if it's going to be your first big prestige project.
Above all you study the arduous process of casting the weapon itself. It seems they have a terrifying propensity to burst open and send shards of metal flying into the operators rather than the enemy, simply due to the immense forces that must be contained. Reducing the pressure too much cannot be done - it would defeat the entire point of the weapon. Massively overbuilding the cannon with thick iron wouldn't work either, due to the sheer weight and expense of such a thing. Instead, the immense pressure of blast and gas is highest at the base, before the gas has any room to spread out, and lowers sharply as it moves forward. Only the rear of the gun needs to be especially thick, and you can taper it to reduce the weight.
You think you're ready to try building one. You have a pretty good understanding of all the important design elements, you think. You even have the supplies to make a little more gunpowder to test it with. You even have an estimate (though one you're not too confident on) on just how far a shot would go for a given weight of powder. You'll have to actually make the thing, of course. And fire it and see where it goes. Even then, you can tell the table will be only a rough estimate. Though if it's close enough, a 'rough estimate' could certainly still land shots on a wall, or into a formation of soldiers. A frightening new variety of siege weapon, powered by ingenuity, mathematics, and chemical fire...
[Social] Hanna Renns-Abbot, who you met half a year ago, seems to have heard of your work with the Church of Shallya and invited you to some sort of party.
Thankfully, the party invitation included a note saying what sort of attire and escort was accepted. You travel there shadowed by Mr. Hooker, and attend the party in a fairly 'casual' attire, at least as far as fine garments go. Just a nice pair of breeches and shirt. The gathering is meant to be a friendly setting, something that surprises you, as you hadn't imagined you made a very good impression on Hanna Renns-Abbot...
That mystery, at least, is explained when the hostess greets you and says that she greatly admires your commitment to the Dove of Mercy. She's found out about your gifts to the church of Shallya somehow. Hanna leads you to a table set with drinks and snacks and piles of unfamiliar manuscripts. You read a few titles - Collected Tales of Lumeria and their God, Khysia; On the Nature of Kami; Ionian Demigods: A History.
All religious books. You probably could have guessed. You're introduced to the others at the table - Hanna's brother, who seems to be asleep, two local middle-class, a scribe and a tailor's daughter, and an anxious-looking Priest of the crafting god Dreselin, who took offense to your attempts at metal casting. If She is warning this young man against you, you can't tell. He shakes your hand all the same.
The event turns out to be a long discussion on religion, the gods, and related topics. You find yourself without much to say for most of it - everyone brings up references to previous discussions or obscure gods and religious practices and history you don't understand the implications of to support their points in discussion, and you feel awkward asking for clarification constantly. What do you have to say about whether Kami, an obscure sort of god from the other side of the ocean, have proper churches or not? Apparently they don't, or at least that's what the group concludes after some time. Hanna is not the boring woman you remember meeting now, she has come alive leading this discussion and passionately defending the importance of religion. It's interesting enough, at least, and gives you a new appreciation for the alien perspective gods must have on the world.
"Why don't we give Master Bismarck a chance to speak," Hanna says at the end of that discussion. "I'm sorry - we were just continuing our talks from last time but it must be terribly confusing to you. We should pick a topic you can engage with."
"Oh, don't mind me. It's actually fascinating, and I think I'm learning a lot. I didn't want to interrupt with questions..."
"Nonsense. You're a guest. And fresh perspectives often add something interesting anyway. Hmm... If it's acceptable, why don't you tell us what inspired such generosity to you? Not only a generous donation to Shallya's church, but I have heard from friends passing through the region that you have taken steps to greatly improve your peasants' lives, with genius instead of gold."
"Ah..." You grasp for words, feeling warm inside. Almost determined, almost like you felt when you first saw the Codex's future of shining cities and happy safe people. "Well, that is because... The world is a terrible place."
Hanna opens her mouth to respond, but you continue. "It is full of monsters, and war, and harsh weather, and disease, and starvation. I saw it up close for years, half exiled to a village in the hinterlands. And I decided that something needs to be done about it. But I can't just do what everyone else has done. Generous kings die and leave greedy heirs. Eventually famine or war comes and destroys mighty works... I had to do something different. I had to be smart about it. Inventions, ideas."
You look around to faces all intent on yours.
"The sad truth is, almost everyone needs to farm, or we all starve. We are all lucky enough to have never needed to plow a field in our lives. I want more people to have that. Less toil, less hunger. If one person can grow more food, there will be more weavers and scribes and tailors and bookbinders and scholars and jewelers and painters and singers. Everyone can be rich."
"Surely not everyone can be rich," Hanna's sleepy brother drawls. "You mean to say that an unwashed pig farmer will have a castle and servants of their own? Logically impossible."
"Invention can make one person more productive. Instead of taking land and gold off another, make the land produce more. It is clearly evident that with windmills and heavy plows and piston-pumps, a family may have time to work a larger field, or spend more time on crafts. They are richer, and not at the expense of anything else. If that continues with more invention, even slowly, over generations..."
He shakes his head. "I cannot credit it. There will always be the poor, and the rich."
"Maybe. But still, I want my inventions, my ideas, to spread."
"I think that's a fascinating and admirable point of view," Hanna nods at you. "Thank you very much for sharing it."
After that the conversation moves back to religious matters. You try to participate a little more, and eventually head home, having enjoyed the evening.
[Social] A distant cousin from your mother's side of the family is coming to visit. Try to get to know them, they are family after all.
You aren't sure what to expect of your cousin. Her name is Byers Catalina, and she is the daughter of your mother's brother Veron Catalina - and you don't know your mother's family as well as you should. You're only mostly sure you could recall all the relevant names and faces, from the portraits your mother has. Not to mention. But family is family. They're one of your house's staunchest allies, at least in theory.
Byers Catalina arrives in a fancy carriage, not especially large or heavy but clearly expensive and painted a brilliant blue, with white-curtained windows. The carriage struggles slightly to make its way up the road to your family's castle. You can see it shaking from side to side a bit.
The carriage pulls up to the gatehouse, and the driver hurries to open the door. Byers Catalina steps out and the first impression you get of her is one of arresting beauty. Her hair and outfit are elaborate and somehow combine into an impression of elegance and power. Part of it might be the way she holds herself. You find yourself staring, paying far too much attention to her, and aware you're doing it but wondering how she does it.
You and your mother are both there to welcome her. While all she says for the first while are meaningless pleasantries and some subtle sniping back and forth with your mother. ("When will you learn something useful, like the blade, dear?" "Just because someone doesn't see the value of something doesn't make it not valuable."
Once you're inside the castle's dining hall Byers relaxes considerably and is no longer quite so... Magnetic. You conclude it's something to do with her pose and motions. Your mothers goes off to arrange food and rooms, leaving you with your cousin and a servant who seems rather overawed herself.
You make some small talk about the war, the weather, the journey, the town. Just when you are getting bored and considering going back to your workshop, Byers asks conversationally, "What kind of person are you, cousin? I think I'd like to get to know you, and sometimes the best way to do that is the most direct."
"...A practical one," you muse. "I am trying to get things done. I have so many ideas. Largely succeeding, too."
"You might say that for yourself, but I've heard you spent a lot of money on useless mad inventions."
You bristle. "Is that what people are saying? Did you not see the tower on the way here? It's quite visible from the road. It does the work of four oxen grinding grain, whenever the wind blows. Is that mad and useless?"
She laughs, a delicate sound that lights up her eyes. "I did see it, in fact. It's impressive. I wanted to see your reaction. So defensive..."
"I think I have reason to be proud," you say stiffly, though part of you feels guilty about the Codex, as always.
"The gossip circles aren't particularly favorable of you, cousin, but you're clearly on the rise. Why, I remember you as a sulky and chatty little thing, but now you're driven, and those hobbies of yours are proving very interesting indeed. You may have potential. Why, I'd be delighted to introduce you to some bachelorettes who fit your station!"
You make a neutral sort of noise. While you know you have to marry soon, for resources, connections, politics, to signal stability, to work on an heir... The current situation feels... Comfortable. You're working on a small corner of the fief, putting the best of your abilities towards it. You spend time with your family and friends and come home to a nice room every night. A wife would be a major shakeup.
"Oh, you know you must, Harold."
"Yes. I do. I just..." You shrug. She pats you on the shoulder.
"I was anxious myself, but my husband Daubar is perfectly fine, once I settled into things. Tell me, what kind of woman do you want to marry?"
You nearly choke on your biscuit. "What? Why?"
"So I know who to talk you up to, of course, silly! I don't necessarily mean looks, though if she has to be pretty well every man expects that so don't be ashamed-"
"I don't care if she's pretty," you say immediately. "...Well, I care a little. Mostly... Hmph. Let me think, please." She nods, smiling a smug little grin. Now, she is patient, sipping her ale while staring at you intently.
[ ][Wife] Someone who can take care of herself.
[ ][Wife] Someone intelligent and capable.
[ ][Wife] Someone with resources and connections.
[ ][Wife] Someone I can get along with.
[ ][Wife] Frankly, yes, someone attractive.
[ ][Wife] Write-In (QM Veto Noises in background)
Your answer to Byers will depend on the ratio of votes, if there are roughly equal votes for 'intelligent' and 'attractive' you'll say both are important, for example.
This was... Really fighting me but I finally managed it. Since there seemed to be a natural stopping point for a vote here I'll put the remainder of the social interludes and the next turn's options in the next update.
Still to come:
[Social] Exchange letters with Timothy Greens to see how things are going in Nesiwald and with his wife and kid.
[Social] You wouldn't presume to try and have a friendly chat with the count of Franzen, but his grandsons or granddaughters, perhaps...?
[Social] Discuss whatever comes to mind with the scholar Bravor Tobelli. It's sure to be eclectic.
By the way, I'm not very happy about the Hanna Renns-Abbot interlude, it feels like Harold just going on a soapbox mostly, especially with that strawmam castle argument, but whatever. Brain is flop.
What would people think about me cutting back the social interludes to like one or two a turn as they seem harder to write than normal turn stuff?
[X][Wife] Someone with resources and connections.
[X][Wife] Someone I can get along with.
these two above and if the chance to be more picky comes
[X][Wife] Someone intelligent and capable.
I'm fine with social turns becoming a little less common. Maybe have it happen after we get married and explain the cut social turns is socializing with wife/newly married noble politics, happening in the background if you want a reason IC. if you dont want to explain imn fine with that also, However social actions tend to be my least favorite in most quests.
[X] Wife- I think he would want someone who is at least relatively attractive but more importantly someone who is intelligent and capable.
I don't think he'd want to be with a homebody but I think he would value capability and intelligence more. She would be more likely to be able to keep up with him and maybe even help him with his ideas or have some of her own. Otherwise he might just spend as much time as he can inventing and "working" as he can to get away from her. He can always figure out how to get along with her more as they spend time together.
[X][Wife] Someone with resources and connections.
[X][Wife] Frankly, yes, someone attractive.
Yes, grab us a socialite!
We are going to be causing a lot of change hopefully and that means we need someone that can grease the wheels both politically and economically.
We have the Codex, we can handle the sciences and being able to take care herself matters less as a noble especially if we plan to provide to war efforts in less personal ways. While being able to get along with her from the start is a nice benefit, I would prefer someone that can help us in areas we are weak in. Effort can be made to connect with her instead.
