- Location
- Philippines
[X] Plan Moving On
The Wild Edge (Fantasy Border Outpost)
- Thread starter inverted_helix
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
Well, Nerissa can calm the Magic so if we find out how she does that we could imitate it. Or we could try to change the Room for keeping Magic so that it isolates the Magic inside from whatever cause it to be so hard to shape.
- Pronouns
- They/Them
She could easily claim one got damaged on the trip back to the capital, or really any other "convenient" excuse for why she only has three. And the fact of the matter is, the Duke is going to believe her over us no matter what. He sent us on this mission to fail, and she most likely has him wrapped around her little finger, so telling him about this isn't going to do anything except earn us her ire (or at least more than we already have).
- Location
- Brazil
Don't worry, I never held any ilussions that the letter would do anything to support any formal acussation and the like, wich is why I only included it in the context of talking with Nerissa and Olivia and not father.
I don't expect the Letter to do anything about Mina. If she told him that Nerissa only made three Fruits then there could be Problems but as it is, I think it makes it less likely for the Duke to send her again if only because our other Siblings don't want her to get magical Stuff.
I'm also suprised Tristan still hasn't realized that no one expects him to survive in the long run. I mean we are going to die during the next Orc Invasion.
Our best Hope is starting a proper City and making it into a Fortress.
Mentioning things we could do.
@inverted_helix Could we use the Wood we get from the Overgrowth to make Charcoal? Would it give us a Bonus for the next Winter?
She didn't lie to Nerissa in the least about how many the duke wanted. She told her the duke wanted 3, but could Nerissa make 4 just in case.
I'll say that both of these are possible ideas. However there are challenges with both. For the first she's not going to be a whole lot of help because she's using her inherent powers rather than something she can teach a human, so it's full on reverse engineering. For the second there's going to be the question of why bother with that when you have to modify the design, instead of just using it as originally intended?
I'll tell you there's a lot of reasons she could offer. The last sentence though you're fairly wrong on, which you'll learn a bit in the planned conversation with the duke in the next turn.
I've mentioned this before but it's easily forgotten. While the orcs tend to stage a major offensive every 5-10 years, there are other places for that offensive to pass through the mountains further east of your assigned zone (amphibious invasions are extremely rare because of low tech level, though amphibious raiding happens fairly often). So you don't really expect them to launch the next one through this point.
Charcoal in general is used for forges more than heating because it creates a higher temperature fire (which isn't actually a good thing for keeping warm). Plus because of the oceanic heat sink effect your winters tend to hover around the freezing point rather than being all that cold, so ironically the capital further south of you has colder winters. A charcoal production facility could be used as a value adding option to your lumber though, and could alleviate the cost of importing coal to run a forge (wood generally burns at too low a temp for running a forge).
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- Location
- Somewhere, over the rainbow
[][Construction] Build route to the sea. (Unknown cost without survey)
[][Construction] Improve the wall with guard towers offering some protection from ranged weapons and a higher vantage point. (50 Denier)
[][Personal] Speak to your father. You suppose it's no longer urgent for the original reason, but you might not want Mina coming around either.
[][Nerissa] Spend a personal teaching her.
-[] Have her and the herbalist work together to come up with profitable goods that she could grow. Might take a hunter assignment to go looking for samples as well.
I still think we need to survey and find a way to the sea, a dock would do us good.
[][Construction] Improve the wall with guard towers offering some protection from ranged weapons and a higher vantage point. (50 Denier)
[][Personal] Speak to your father. You suppose it's no longer urgent for the original reason, but you might not want Mina coming around either.
[][Nerissa] Spend a personal teaching her.
-[] Have her and the herbalist work together to come up with profitable goods that she could grow. Might take a hunter assignment to go looking for samples as well.
I still think we need to survey and find a way to the sea, a dock would do us good.
What you'd want is probably fired brick double walls with the charcoal, since importing brick is a pain.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
You can make a plan. I'll vote for it.
If it doesn't take a Year and we can do it alone, then it's still cheaper and faster than to build a Room for Enchantments outside of the Overgrowth.
Figuring out how Nerissa calms Magic could also tell us about how the Overgrowth works.
It could be cheaper and easier to make?
I think this depends on how fortified the other Passages are. The Overgrowth is a Problem but if we are the only Place without a Fortress...
So more something for when we have a Forge or could ship Charcoal to other Citys.
Ultramandalore
Errant Quester
- Location
- just south of Parts Unknown
[X] Plan Moving On
Season 18: Summer
[X] Plan Moving On
-[X][Construction] Improve the wall with guard towers offering some protection from ranged weapons and a higher vantage point. (50 Denier) 62+5-5+20
-[X][Construction] Build a rabbit pen? (25 Denier) 30+5-5+20
Construction goes well this season, in part because the tasks were relatively simple. The guard towers are mere wood, but that will be enough to provide protection from arrows. They dot the walls at regular intervals with ladders from the inside of the wall to reach them. They should make it much safer for your guards, and give you a better defense in case of a full out assault.
The rabbit pen is a simple pen like you'd use for a typical farm animal, none of your men having experience with raising rabbits as opposed to hunting them. The two rabbits you've been keeping escape in less than a day, but then continue to wander the compound. They do seem to like a designated sleeping space though.
-[X][Personal] Speak to your father. You suppose it's no longer urgent for the original reason, but you might not want Mina coming around either.
Heading back to the castle you grew up in after a few years away is an odd experience. You'd never paid that much attention to it when you were a child running around its halls. After a few years in a dangerous wilderness though you recognize the value of its defenses: thick stone walls topped with crenulations and machicolations, narrow arrow slits, kill boxes, a drawbridge over a good moat. The gatehouse features a portcullis at each end and two sharp turns to stymie battering rams, with murder holes dotting each surface to allow defenders to fire upon those inside.
The interior is rather austere with its lack of decorative painting, and it's small compared to some of the great palace castles of richer nations. You doubt any of those could match the defensibility of this one though.
Despite knowing the castle has been built up by generations of your family, it matches your father in your mind. He's a very practical man.
You wait in your suite for the summons. You're a little surprised it's still as you left it, rather than converted into an armory or something. He never approved of how you filled it with drapes, paintings, and carpets hiding the stone as much as you could and adding a bit of insulation. You at least had a fair sized window, but only because if faced the inner courtyard of the castle; only arrow slits looked out from the outer walls. You'd often sit in the inset of the wall around the window to look out as a child.
Olivia had taken one look at the room when you returned and grabbed as many bits of the furnishings as she could—looking much like a giant ball of fabric with legs—and carried them out to wash, appalled at the dust settled into them. It didn't surprise you though. Your father wouldn't have wasted servants' time on an unused room.
So you were alone when you were summoned to a private meeting with your father, though he likely wouldn't have let a mere maid attend anyway.
The room was his typical peacetime office at the top of the castle, illuminated by an iron grated skylight. You stood passively waiting for him to begin conversation as he read various documents.
He had always cut an imposing figure to you. Though now, with him behind a desk covered in paperwork and his arms far less brawny than you remember, he was less so. His hair was speckled with grey, but you expect it was more lack of time to exercise that reduced his fitness. The noble families aged more slowly and gracefully than peasants. Most of them would say it was part of their divine right to rule. Your own research suggests that there is elvish blood in the aristocratic lineages.
"Well, what do you have to say for yourself?" he opens without looking up.
"You've no doubt read Mina's report on it," you respond carefully.
"I have, but I want it from you," he replies, still perusing papers on his desk.
"Well for such a potentially valuable connection it was worth risking myself. If the result was positive I gained the dryad's trust for no cost. If there was a negative effect and it was unintended as the case turned out to be I would gain her debt as I have. If it was a negative and intended, well whoever succeeded me would have learned from it. No doubt you could have easily replaced me." You try to stand by what you told Mina. Your father pauses, straightening the papers, and gives you a piercing look.
"Mina simply didn't care that you didn't give her the whole truth Tristan. You can scarcely expect to hide from me that you did it on impulse without realizing how dire the consequences could be." His words cut straight through you. "Furthermore you seem to have a false perception that you lack value to the family," he continues.
It's hard to restrain your emotions at that. You don't quite manage it. "You sent me out there to die. I don't have half the resources I need. The next orc invasion will crush my position." You regret the words almost as they come out of your mouth. They were true, but they weren't at all helpful to your case.
His lack of angry reply is surprising. Instead when he speaks his voice is almost sad. "Ah if only I could combine all my children I could have one good heir, of course they'd also be a monster twice over." He sighs before continuing. "You always were impulsive, too indulgent, and didn't look beyond the obvious."
You'd reply, but you've already dug a deep enough hole, and it's not exactly wrong.
"You've not even looked into what your siblings have been up to have you?" He shakes his head already knowing the answer. "You've all been assigned jobs through the duchy. Kaleb has been given command of an elite mobile army unit, and been putting out fires throughout the duchy. Edgar has been working as a negotiator. Adolphine has been running the port city Colsir. Mina has been allowed to manage an intelligence cell. Nicola has been running an anti-piracy interceptor."
You think you're still meant to be silent. You consider that all of them have been given roles of varying importance.
You wait a moment for him to continue but he just watches you. "Expecting me to expound on their triumphs and successes? I just told you that you hadn't look into what your siblings had done. Assuming I've roused some curiosity I'm not going to undercut that by giving you easy answers. Suffice it to say you're not the failure you assume I saw you as. If you want to know more, look into it yourself."
"I suppose you'd have me ask Mina about it?" you reply dryly.
"Hah of course not. She'd tell you the truth twisted however fit her desires of the moment. She's dangerously competent, but given to whims, and even I don't trust her fully," he says with a level of honesty you didn't expect.
You aren't sure quite how to reply. Things aren't going anything like you expected. "Why do you let her get away with things then?"
"Precisely because she's dangerously competent, and I need all of that I can find these days. The duchy is in a more precarious situation than you realize. You don't lack for funding because I'm plotting your elaborate death. If I wanted you dead I'd just have you killed and be done with it," he says as if it was nothing.
You're tempted to ask, but you're uncertain you want the answer. Ignorance is bliss after all, you'd lived by that much of your life.
"A lesson Tristan is to know when you're losing your audience. From your expression you're still mulling this all over, and you've at least chosen the expedient route of holding your tongue when you don't know what to say. Be sure to actually think over what I've said. Hopefully next time we meet it won't be over another impulsive act of yours."
You take your leave then, welcoming the dismissal.
-[X][Nerissa] Spend a personal teaching her.
--[X] Time to teach her some politics and etiquete, including why most of your family isn't realy to be trusted, Mina specialy. And if Olivia calls you paranoid just use her as an example of how insidious your sister is, becasue at this point she is ignoring evidence. 1d85 = 10
--[X] Have her and the herbalist work together to come up with profitable goods that she could grow. Might take a hunter assignment to go looking for samples as well. 1d100+20 = 103
You try to explain etiquette and politics to Nerissa but that turns out to be near impossible. She just has no framework for understanding. Maybe dryads just don't have anything like it, or maybe it's just because she's a child, you don't really know.
"You can't trust Mina, she's really dangerous, and mean," you try to explain to the young dryad sitting on the living couch with you.
"But I'm dangerous too, and you trust me even after I hurt you," Nerissa replies sweetly with a hug. "Plus Mina was super nice to me!"
"She got four fruits from you and only delivered three though, that means she kept one for herself." That detail had really been worrying you.
"She told me she wanted a fourth one just in case one got damaged on the way, and she wanted to do some experiments herself if she had it extra anyway. She said she could never be too careful when it came to family." Nerissa nods as if it all made perfect sense.
"She promised to kill my younger brother," you respond heatedly.
"Well… Olivia's threatened to kill me a few times, but she's starting to come around again. Sometimes people get angry and say things they don't mean, I'm sure it was the same way," her voice starts hesitantly before picking up speed, clearly hoping Olivia will be her friend again.
"Nicola certainly thinks she meant it."
"Yeah, Olivia told me all about that," Nerissa says quickly. "After you left the castle he went completely crazy and would only be served by shirtless male servants so he could know they weren't Mina in disguise, and made them taste everything first and then stay until he could be sure it wasn't just slow acting poison. She seemed rather upset about him no longer letting her be around him actually. She really doesn't want you to end up like him," she concludes.
You bury your face in your hands. He's really not helping your case here.
About the only good thing this season is that when the herbalist brings Nerissa a variety of useful herbs to ask if she can grow any of them, one of them is in such a state that Nerissa can immediately coax it back to growing and spreading. It's a useful plant found in many varieties of pain relieving medicines and thus very widely used.
You could produce enough to satisfy most of the local market at a very heft profit. The herbalist says you'd need some workers and a building for doing the work of harvesting and properly preserving the herbs. They won't need to be highly skilled professionals like herself though, some simple peasants can be quickly trained in the work.
(Herb drying house: 400 profit per season, 100 construction cost, 50 upkeep)
-[X][Hunters 1] Explore the forest, collect flora and fauna samples. Attempt to map out the notable locations 11+7+3-10
--[X] Olivia helps 1d50 = 35 (Prevents casualties but not enough to give good results.)
The hunters sent into the forest to search for interesting samples are almost immediately set upon by the wolves. It's only because of Olivia's presence that they don't take heavy casualties as she smashes one sending it flying into a tree and killing it. The other wolves swiftly withdraw at the show of strength. They seem to be intelligent enough to remember her, and after a few probes learn to leave her alone. She can't be present on every patrol though, and your men are harassed heavily when she's absent, which tends to limit their willingness and ability to advance into the unexplored parts of the forest.
Mapping is nearly an exercise in futility as the shifting tree cover stymies attempts to note landmarks. Entangling vines covered in thorns slow them down immensely, and they make little progress in deeper exploration. They bring back a few samples of things they had to hack their way through, but nothing the herbalist identifies as valuable.
-[X][Hunters 2] Scout to reduce chance of enemies slipping by. 43+7+3-10-2+10
-[X][Footmen] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by. 22-15-10+10+10
-[X][Levy] Guard 62+20+15 -10
--[X] The base and sawmill
-[X][Captain] Command troops, raising morale and effectiveness
Your scouts manage to escape casualties this turn, but your footmen are being worn down by continued attacks by orcs and forest wildlife. Casualties aren't too heavy this season as they're quite on guard, but the continued losses have damaged their morale badly. They might need some time to recover at this rate.
Orcs continue to slip past your position despite Leo's best efforts. He comments that it often feels like the whole operation is cursed with how unlucky things are. So many coincidences pile up against you.
At the very least your base has become too tough for the current orc raiding units to assail and wildlife is discouraged by Nerissa's presence.
(-5% footmen casualties +5% footmen replacements. Morale degrades to Low. Levy 10% replacements, hunters 5% replacements)
The woodworking operation at finally gets up to full production though, which you're grateful for. It puts you back in the black again. Though now the merchants are agitating that they'll have to raise rates again if you don't get the orc raiders under control.
Plans for Fall: (Base costs shown, increase 10% for merchants issue)
You now have 2 construction actions (For clarity specifying number of structures inside wall now, you are at 5/6):
[][Construction] Herb drying house: 400 Denier profit per season, 100 Denier construction cost, 50 Denier upkeep
[][Construction] Forge: 200 Denier construction cost, 50 Denier upkeep, reduces costs by 10% up to first 1000 per turn. (10 discount to upkeep with charcoal burner, but in general lack of ore hurts you here.)
[][Construction] Charcoal Burner: 100 Denier construction cost, 100 Denier upkeep, 200 Denier profit.
[][Construction] Build a Tavern and hire some appropriate staff 200 Denier cost. Increases morale.
[][Construction] Expand Wall again (double building slots from 6 to 12). (50 Denier in needed materials) [this is using the current two squares as one of the walls basically, so from 1x2 to 2x2]
[][Construction] Build route to the sea. (Unknown cost without survey)
[][Construction] Write-in
2x d85s or 1x 1d100.
[][Personal] You could produce some basic enchanted gear for one of your units. Sharper blades and harder armor are staples for a reason. (100 Denier in needed materials)
-[] Specify a unit.
[][Personal] Have Leo give you a bit of training. However much you hate it, being better at fighting will help a lot if something is trying to eat you. (Must be taken with appropriate Captain action)
[][Personal] Recruit basic units. Specify what kind.
-[] Replace losses, 135 denier
-[] What units?
[][Personal] Recruit one Specialist unit (Enchanter, Elite, Healer, Potioneer) These units need special persuasion or negotiation so can't be hired in bulk. (Note this will involve traveling to them)
[][Personal] Investigate what's happened with your siblings.
[][Personal] Write-in
There's always something nice about taking time out of your day to visit with Nerissa.
[][Nerissa] Spend a personal teaching her.
-[] write-in request
[][Nerissa] Just ask something of her.
71 starting -948 upkeep this turn +600 season payment +200 sawmill profit +200 wood workshop = 123
Upkeep next turn: 870+10% (100 you +100 leo +100 sawmill + 200 construction crews +100 hunters + 50 levies +70 footmen +50 herbalist +100 woodworkers) - 200 Sawmill profit -200 Wood Workshop
AN: I never get as much in as I want these days. I had wanted a bigger conversation with Nerissa and with your father, but this was already long enough for an update and past the update time.
-[X][Construction] Improve the wall with guard towers offering some protection from ranged weapons and a higher vantage point. (50 Denier) 62+5-5+20
-[X][Construction] Build a rabbit pen? (25 Denier) 30+5-5+20
Construction goes well this season, in part because the tasks were relatively simple. The guard towers are mere wood, but that will be enough to provide protection from arrows. They dot the walls at regular intervals with ladders from the inside of the wall to reach them. They should make it much safer for your guards, and give you a better defense in case of a full out assault.
The rabbit pen is a simple pen like you'd use for a typical farm animal, none of your men having experience with raising rabbits as opposed to hunting them. The two rabbits you've been keeping escape in less than a day, but then continue to wander the compound. They do seem to like a designated sleeping space though.
-[X][Personal] Speak to your father. You suppose it's no longer urgent for the original reason, but you might not want Mina coming around either.
Heading back to the castle you grew up in after a few years away is an odd experience. You'd never paid that much attention to it when you were a child running around its halls. After a few years in a dangerous wilderness though you recognize the value of its defenses: thick stone walls topped with crenulations and machicolations, narrow arrow slits, kill boxes, a drawbridge over a good moat. The gatehouse features a portcullis at each end and two sharp turns to stymie battering rams, with murder holes dotting each surface to allow defenders to fire upon those inside.
The interior is rather austere with its lack of decorative painting, and it's small compared to some of the great palace castles of richer nations. You doubt any of those could match the defensibility of this one though.
Despite knowing the castle has been built up by generations of your family, it matches your father in your mind. He's a very practical man.
You wait in your suite for the summons. You're a little surprised it's still as you left it, rather than converted into an armory or something. He never approved of how you filled it with drapes, paintings, and carpets hiding the stone as much as you could and adding a bit of insulation. You at least had a fair sized window, but only because if faced the inner courtyard of the castle; only arrow slits looked out from the outer walls. You'd often sit in the inset of the wall around the window to look out as a child.
Olivia had taken one look at the room when you returned and grabbed as many bits of the furnishings as she could—looking much like a giant ball of fabric with legs—and carried them out to wash, appalled at the dust settled into them. It didn't surprise you though. Your father wouldn't have wasted servants' time on an unused room.
So you were alone when you were summoned to a private meeting with your father, though he likely wouldn't have let a mere maid attend anyway.
The room was his typical peacetime office at the top of the castle, illuminated by an iron grated skylight. You stood passively waiting for him to begin conversation as he read various documents.
He had always cut an imposing figure to you. Though now, with him behind a desk covered in paperwork and his arms far less brawny than you remember, he was less so. His hair was speckled with grey, but you expect it was more lack of time to exercise that reduced his fitness. The noble families aged more slowly and gracefully than peasants. Most of them would say it was part of their divine right to rule. Your own research suggests that there is elvish blood in the aristocratic lineages.
"Well, what do you have to say for yourself?" he opens without looking up.
"You've no doubt read Mina's report on it," you respond carefully.
"I have, but I want it from you," he replies, still perusing papers on his desk.
"Well for such a potentially valuable connection it was worth risking myself. If the result was positive I gained the dryad's trust for no cost. If there was a negative effect and it was unintended as the case turned out to be I would gain her debt as I have. If it was a negative and intended, well whoever succeeded me would have learned from it. No doubt you could have easily replaced me." You try to stand by what you told Mina. Your father pauses, straightening the papers, and gives you a piercing look.
"Mina simply didn't care that you didn't give her the whole truth Tristan. You can scarcely expect to hide from me that you did it on impulse without realizing how dire the consequences could be." His words cut straight through you. "Furthermore you seem to have a false perception that you lack value to the family," he continues.
It's hard to restrain your emotions at that. You don't quite manage it. "You sent me out there to die. I don't have half the resources I need. The next orc invasion will crush my position." You regret the words almost as they come out of your mouth. They were true, but they weren't at all helpful to your case.
His lack of angry reply is surprising. Instead when he speaks his voice is almost sad. "Ah if only I could combine all my children I could have one good heir, of course they'd also be a monster twice over." He sighs before continuing. "You always were impulsive, too indulgent, and didn't look beyond the obvious."
You'd reply, but you've already dug a deep enough hole, and it's not exactly wrong.
"You've not even looked into what your siblings have been up to have you?" He shakes his head already knowing the answer. "You've all been assigned jobs through the duchy. Kaleb has been given command of an elite mobile army unit, and been putting out fires throughout the duchy. Edgar has been working as a negotiator. Adolphine has been running the port city Colsir. Mina has been allowed to manage an intelligence cell. Nicola has been running an anti-piracy interceptor."
You think you're still meant to be silent. You consider that all of them have been given roles of varying importance.
You wait a moment for him to continue but he just watches you. "Expecting me to expound on their triumphs and successes? I just told you that you hadn't look into what your siblings had done. Assuming I've roused some curiosity I'm not going to undercut that by giving you easy answers. Suffice it to say you're not the failure you assume I saw you as. If you want to know more, look into it yourself."
"I suppose you'd have me ask Mina about it?" you reply dryly.
"Hah of course not. She'd tell you the truth twisted however fit her desires of the moment. She's dangerously competent, but given to whims, and even I don't trust her fully," he says with a level of honesty you didn't expect.
You aren't sure quite how to reply. Things aren't going anything like you expected. "Why do you let her get away with things then?"
"Precisely because she's dangerously competent, and I need all of that I can find these days. The duchy is in a more precarious situation than you realize. You don't lack for funding because I'm plotting your elaborate death. If I wanted you dead I'd just have you killed and be done with it," he says as if it was nothing.
You're tempted to ask, but you're uncertain you want the answer. Ignorance is bliss after all, you'd lived by that much of your life.
"A lesson Tristan is to know when you're losing your audience. From your expression you're still mulling this all over, and you've at least chosen the expedient route of holding your tongue when you don't know what to say. Be sure to actually think over what I've said. Hopefully next time we meet it won't be over another impulsive act of yours."
You take your leave then, welcoming the dismissal.
-[X][Nerissa] Spend a personal teaching her.
--[X] Time to teach her some politics and etiquete, including why most of your family isn't realy to be trusted, Mina specialy. And if Olivia calls you paranoid just use her as an example of how insidious your sister is, becasue at this point she is ignoring evidence. 1d85 = 10
--[X] Have her and the herbalist work together to come up with profitable goods that she could grow. Might take a hunter assignment to go looking for samples as well. 1d100+20 = 103
You try to explain etiquette and politics to Nerissa but that turns out to be near impossible. She just has no framework for understanding. Maybe dryads just don't have anything like it, or maybe it's just because she's a child, you don't really know.
"You can't trust Mina, she's really dangerous, and mean," you try to explain to the young dryad sitting on the living couch with you.
"But I'm dangerous too, and you trust me even after I hurt you," Nerissa replies sweetly with a hug. "Plus Mina was super nice to me!"
"She got four fruits from you and only delivered three though, that means she kept one for herself." That detail had really been worrying you.
"She told me she wanted a fourth one just in case one got damaged on the way, and she wanted to do some experiments herself if she had it extra anyway. She said she could never be too careful when it came to family." Nerissa nods as if it all made perfect sense.
"She promised to kill my younger brother," you respond heatedly.
"Well… Olivia's threatened to kill me a few times, but she's starting to come around again. Sometimes people get angry and say things they don't mean, I'm sure it was the same way," her voice starts hesitantly before picking up speed, clearly hoping Olivia will be her friend again.
"Nicola certainly thinks she meant it."
"Yeah, Olivia told me all about that," Nerissa says quickly. "After you left the castle he went completely crazy and would only be served by shirtless male servants so he could know they weren't Mina in disguise, and made them taste everything first and then stay until he could be sure it wasn't just slow acting poison. She seemed rather upset about him no longer letting her be around him actually. She really doesn't want you to end up like him," she concludes.
You bury your face in your hands. He's really not helping your case here.
About the only good thing this season is that when the herbalist brings Nerissa a variety of useful herbs to ask if she can grow any of them, one of them is in such a state that Nerissa can immediately coax it back to growing and spreading. It's a useful plant found in many varieties of pain relieving medicines and thus very widely used.
You could produce enough to satisfy most of the local market at a very heft profit. The herbalist says you'd need some workers and a building for doing the work of harvesting and properly preserving the herbs. They won't need to be highly skilled professionals like herself though, some simple peasants can be quickly trained in the work.
(Herb drying house: 400 profit per season, 100 construction cost, 50 upkeep)
-[X][Hunters 1] Explore the forest, collect flora and fauna samples. Attempt to map out the notable locations 11+7+3-10
--[X] Olivia helps 1d50 = 35 (Prevents casualties but not enough to give good results.)
The hunters sent into the forest to search for interesting samples are almost immediately set upon by the wolves. It's only because of Olivia's presence that they don't take heavy casualties as she smashes one sending it flying into a tree and killing it. The other wolves swiftly withdraw at the show of strength. They seem to be intelligent enough to remember her, and after a few probes learn to leave her alone. She can't be present on every patrol though, and your men are harassed heavily when she's absent, which tends to limit their willingness and ability to advance into the unexplored parts of the forest.
Mapping is nearly an exercise in futility as the shifting tree cover stymies attempts to note landmarks. Entangling vines covered in thorns slow them down immensely, and they make little progress in deeper exploration. They bring back a few samples of things they had to hack their way through, but nothing the herbalist identifies as valuable.
-[X][Hunters 2] Scout to reduce chance of enemies slipping by. 43+7+3-10-2+10
-[X][Footmen] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by. 22-15-10+10+10
-[X][Levy] Guard 62+20+15 -10
--[X] The base and sawmill
-[X][Captain] Command troops, raising morale and effectiveness
Your scouts manage to escape casualties this turn, but your footmen are being worn down by continued attacks by orcs and forest wildlife. Casualties aren't too heavy this season as they're quite on guard, but the continued losses have damaged their morale badly. They might need some time to recover at this rate.
Orcs continue to slip past your position despite Leo's best efforts. He comments that it often feels like the whole operation is cursed with how unlucky things are. So many coincidences pile up against you.
At the very least your base has become too tough for the current orc raiding units to assail and wildlife is discouraged by Nerissa's presence.
(-5% footmen casualties +5% footmen replacements. Morale degrades to Low. Levy 10% replacements, hunters 5% replacements)
The woodworking operation at finally gets up to full production though, which you're grateful for. It puts you back in the black again. Though now the merchants are agitating that they'll have to raise rates again if you don't get the orc raiders under control.
Plans for Fall: (Base costs shown, increase 10% for merchants issue)
You now have 2 construction actions (For clarity specifying number of structures inside wall now, you are at 5/6):
[][Construction] Herb drying house: 400 Denier profit per season, 100 Denier construction cost, 50 Denier upkeep
[][Construction] Forge: 200 Denier construction cost, 50 Denier upkeep, reduces costs by 10% up to first 1000 per turn. (10 discount to upkeep with charcoal burner, but in general lack of ore hurts you here.)
[][Construction] Charcoal Burner: 100 Denier construction cost, 100 Denier upkeep, 200 Denier profit.
[][Construction] Build a Tavern and hire some appropriate staff 200 Denier cost. Increases morale.
[][Construction] Expand Wall again (double building slots from 6 to 12). (50 Denier in needed materials) [this is using the current two squares as one of the walls basically, so from 1x2 to 2x2]
[][Construction] Build route to the sea. (Unknown cost without survey)
[][Construction] Write-in
2x d85s or 1x 1d100.
[][Personal] You could produce some basic enchanted gear for one of your units. Sharper blades and harder armor are staples for a reason. (100 Denier in needed materials)
-[] Specify a unit.
[][Personal] Have Leo give you a bit of training. However much you hate it, being better at fighting will help a lot if something is trying to eat you. (Must be taken with appropriate Captain action)
[][Personal] Recruit basic units. Specify what kind.
-[] Replace losses, 135 denier
-[] What units?
[][Personal] Recruit one Specialist unit (Enchanter, Elite, Healer, Potioneer) These units need special persuasion or negotiation so can't be hired in bulk. (Note this will involve traveling to them)
[][Personal] Investigate what's happened with your siblings.
[][Personal] Write-in
There's always something nice about taking time out of your day to visit with Nerissa.
[][Nerissa] Spend a personal teaching her.
-[] write-in request
[][Nerissa] Just ask something of her.
(2 Hunter units available)
[][Hunters] Hunt for food, reduce upkeep by 50
[][Hunters] Scout to reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Hunters] Catch a bunch of rabbits for the rabbit pen. (Requires rabbit pen.)
[][Hunters] Explore the forest, collect flora and fauna samples. Attempt to map out the notable locations
[][Hunters] Survey the coast for a potential way to the water and a place to build a docks. Keep in mind the coast is a cliff.
[][Levy] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Levy] Train with the captain (must be taken with captain action, is not advised at this time)
-[] Upgrade to footmen, 200 Denier upfront, 50 upkeep
[][Levy] Guard
-[] The base and sawmill
-[] The merchants that bring your supplies (eliminate 10% modifier)
[][Footmen] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Footmen] Train with the captain (must be taken with captain action, is not advised at this time)
[][Footmen] Guard
-[] The base and sawmill
-[] The merchants that bring your supplies (eliminate 10% modifier)
Herbalist changed to simply add a bonus to all actions where herb lore would be useful automatically.
[][Captain] Command troops, raising morale and effectiveness
[][Captain] Train Olivia
[][Captain] Recruit new units. Specify what kind.
-[] Replace losses, 135 denier
-[] What units?
[][Captain] Train regulars (must be taken with appropriate action)
[][Captain] Train you (must be taken with appropriate action)
[][Hunters] Hunt for food, reduce upkeep by 50
[][Hunters] Scout to reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Hunters] Catch a bunch of rabbits for the rabbit pen. (Requires rabbit pen.)
[][Hunters] Explore the forest, collect flora and fauna samples. Attempt to map out the notable locations
[][Hunters] Survey the coast for a potential way to the water and a place to build a docks. Keep in mind the coast is a cliff.
[][Levy] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Levy] Train with the captain (must be taken with captain action, is not advised at this time)
-[] Upgrade to footmen, 200 Denier upfront, 50 upkeep
[][Levy] Guard
-[] The base and sawmill
-[] The merchants that bring your supplies (eliminate 10% modifier)
[][Footmen] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Footmen] Train with the captain (must be taken with captain action, is not advised at this time)
[][Footmen] Guard
-[] The base and sawmill
-[] The merchants that bring your supplies (eliminate 10% modifier)
Herbalist changed to simply add a bonus to all actions where herb lore would be useful automatically.
[][Captain] Command troops, raising morale and effectiveness
[][Captain] Train Olivia
[][Captain] Recruit new units. Specify what kind.
-[] Replace losses, 135 denier
-[] What units?
[][Captain] Train regulars (must be taken with appropriate action)
[][Captain] Train you (must be taken with appropriate action)
71 starting -948 upkeep this turn +600 season payment +200 sawmill profit +200 wood workshop = 123
Upkeep next turn: 870+10% (100 you +100 leo +100 sawmill + 200 construction crews +100 hunters + 50 levies +70 footmen +50 herbalist +100 woodworkers) - 200 Sawmill profit -200 Wood Workshop
AN: I never get as much in as I want these days. I had wanted a bigger conversation with Nerissa and with your father, but this was already long enough for an update and past the update time.
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That went well!
[X] Plan Charging My Wallets
-[X][Construction] Herb drying house: 400 Denier profit per season, 100 Denier construction cost, 50 Denier upkeep
-[X][Construction] Expand Wall again (double building slots from 6 to 12). (50 Denier in needed materials) [this is using the current two squares as one of the walls basically, so from 1x2 to 2x2]
-[X][Personal] Investigate what's happened with your siblings.
-[X][Nerissa] Spend a personal teaching her.
--[X] Ask her about notable locations in the area
-[X][Hunters] Catch a bunch of rabbits for the rabbit pen. (Requires rabbit pen.)
-[X][Hunters] Scout to reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
-[X][Levy] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
-[X][Footmen] Guard
--[X] The base and sawmill
-[X][Captain] Command troops, raising morale and effectiveness
-[X] Olivia helps the Patrols
Save up again I guess.
[X] Plan Charging My Wallets
-[X][Construction] Herb drying house: 400 Denier profit per season, 100 Denier construction cost, 50 Denier upkeep
-[X][Construction] Expand Wall again (double building slots from 6 to 12). (50 Denier in needed materials) [this is using the current two squares as one of the walls basically, so from 1x2 to 2x2]
-[X][Personal] Investigate what's happened with your siblings.
-[X][Nerissa] Spend a personal teaching her.
--[X] Ask her about notable locations in the area
-[X][Hunters] Catch a bunch of rabbits for the rabbit pen. (Requires rabbit pen.)
-[X][Hunters] Scout to reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
-[X][Levy] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
-[X][Footmen] Guard
--[X] The base and sawmill
-[X][Captain] Command troops, raising morale and effectiveness
-[X] Olivia helps the Patrols
Save up again I guess.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
If we aren't, we must be invaluable, because he sure is reluctant to translate that into gold!
That's... actually not bad. It gives us some avenues of dealing with our problems without drowning in debt.
The port city is especially notable. If we build our own, we can start trade between our respective places of interest. The ships may need protection, but that's what Nicola is for. And our brother is in charge of elite infantry... maybe we could barter something for a unit or two.
And Mina is in charge of an intelligence cell? That's pretty awesome. Lots of possibilities there, although we'd have to come up with something to make it worth her while.
Our siblings have positioned themselves into some neat places, covering all angles. Guess we'll be writing a lot of letters this winter!
Heh, if she meant it, she'd have done it. Not like there is anything to stop her even now. But given that she has a decent relationship with our dearest dad, who likes his heirs alive since they allow the house to dig its roots deeper into the Kingdom's most vital areas, I think her words were only meant to scare him and kick him out of the house in search of
He seems to have grown into a fine captain, after all. If a bit neurotic.
One more rousing success story to add to Commissar Mina's spotless resume!
*furiously scribbles down notes*
Olivia, you listening? I suddenly feel very paranoid myself.
Huh. Maybe we could make an enchanted compass or something, to help them with the task? After all, not even the Overgrowth can mess up directions like 'head west for two hours, there will be a brook'.
...it can't, right?
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- Location
- PA
It can't, but I bet the trees can diddle around and make that 'west for two hours' path into 'north for 10 minutes, then southwest for 30 then swing up and hope you find the wolf's head boulder-if you miss it return to camp immeadiately no matter how lost you are lest the bear gets you at midnight.'
Hrrm...Part of me wonders about the idea of setting up somethign to let the Overgrowth magic talk to us...Or better yet, why not ask the local Dryad we befriended about it?
WanderingTwix
Posting something good once in a full moon
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Location
- Brazil
I still find this a bit puzzling. You can fire bricks with normal wood. Though I'm also not sure what you mean by "brick double walls"?
My understanding of your idea was to just use the same setup except with the direction of effect inverted. That would end up taking the same resources.
It can be easier to pass through with an army than a fortress, but maintaining a logistical train is far more difficult, as is moving siege engines through it. So it's a tradeoff with immediate ease but problems later. So the exact choice is somewhat more complex.
Meant to be indicated that your father assigned them to those roles.
Ah this reveals mistakes in my writing. It was quantum for a while, but I ultimately decided your family runs an independent Duchy, rather than being part of a kingdom. (This happened many times through history for various reasons, including continuing to call it a duchy rather than calling it a kingdom even though independent.) Changed "kingdom" to "duchy" in the update. Of course independent duchies often had problems with keeping that independence.
But yes this is about partly about putting blood related people in important positions as was often the case with feudal politics, because even the person at the top had to worry about lesser nobles disagreeing with them or plotting against them.
:lolHe seems to have grown into a fine captain, after all. If a bit neurotic.
One more rousing success story to add to Commissar Mina's spotless resume!
The brook probably won't be there.
In terms of compasses will have to think about that. Appropriate tech level for this would have compasses be little more than a magnetic needle in a bowl of water at this point, inaccurate compared to modern compasses and easily lost. This is not our world though so can be variable at times in tech level.[/QUOTE]
- Pronouns
- They/Them
We could ask her to grow a couple more fruit, and ask her if she thinks it'd be possible to control the local wolves by feeding them rabbits who have ingested the fruit.