The Wild Edge (Fantasy Border Outpost)

[Void Stalker]

[X][Feeling] Pragmatic. He represents someone clearly loyal to your family if not you, and probably a lot better than you could otherwise expect to get for your money.
[X] Plan Fire Places without going broke
-[X][Construction] Repair damage from the weather to various facilities (1 action)
-[X][Construction] You don't need a steady supply of bricks for your current operation. But you do have a number of things you could use them for. Making bricks is simple enough that you can probably have one of your construction teams make a big batch with some hired advisors. (50 Denier)
-[X][Personal] Find a way to make it so you can recruit without taking so much of your time. You'll either find an assistant that can do recruiting for you or just build a network of contacts willing to do it for a fee. (Cost variable dependent on roll, will have option to refuse and retry or recruit normally)
-[X][Hunters] Guard the Merchants
-[X][Skirmishers] Scout to reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
-[X][Footmen] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
-[X][Levy] Guard
--[X] The base and sawmill
-[x][Captain] Recruit new units. Specify what kind.
--[x] Replace losses
---[x] Civilian: 85 Denier to replace all losses
---[x] Skirmishers: 20 (up to 90%)
---[x] Footmen: 30 (up to 90%)
---[x] Hunters: 30 (up to 90%)


Current Money to spend this turn: 118.05
After bricks and replacements : -129.2 (chance this is higher if hunters successfully guard merchants to reduce upkeep cost) (about +58 if escort is successful )

So basically we have no money to spend on reinforcements this turn, also are units are hurt and bleeding. Thus hunters are training (with hunter 2 more resting, how do we indicate that?)
Skirmishers are giving cover to footmen as we cannot afford losses which the footmen risk without skirmisher cover and sending the skirmishers over to the orcs is a great way to take losses we simply cannot afford. Instead of spending money we do not have I am looking to get our network up so that we can replenish without needing to commit an action.

Edit- Forgot the captain, sent him for replacement civilians (money) and possible replacement troops (if hunters successfully guard at which point we would have positive savings for the turn)

Also removed second personal so we get both a bigger dice and a bonus on setting up the replacement network.

 

[zup]

[X][Feeling] Resentful. Clearly your father did not expect you to manage on your own. The fact that he was correct merely makes it sting worse, and Leo's presence constantly reminds you of that.

[X] Plan Fire Places without going broke

Most especially we need that recruitment agent. Money is tight, but Tristan would be using his time better if he enchanted stuff for sale rather than saving on management overhead.

 

[Gaz]

[X][Feeling] Resentful. Clearly your father did not expect you to manage on your own. The fact that he was correct merely makes it sting worse, and Leo's presence constantly reminds you of that.

[X] Plan Fire Places without going broke

 

[Always Late]

You'd never seen the Overgrowth so motionless, and it's an eerie feeling as your men gather the bodies for transport on the sleds you brought along for the purpose.

Click to shrink...

Most of the nature magic is in hibernation. We probably wouldn't find any dryads anywhere.

There's a sigh of relief as your convoy reaches your walls, though the snow is still nearly high enough to walk across them. The furrows where you've cleared some of the snow at least offer some shelter from the wind. You seek the shelter of your room, where the the heating element of your tub at least keeps it somewhat tolerable. But even as you soak in the warm water, you can't put off wondering about your servant. Still can't let yourself be too consumed by such thoughts.

Click to shrink...

Hot tubs and frostbite... that's actually a bit of an issue.

Quickly enough the wolves are gutted and stripped. Some of the meat is set to cook, while more is left outside to be preserved by the cold.

With little options you just have skewers of meat. The flesh is tough, sinewy, and gamey. Yet hunger is as ever the best seasoning of all.

Click to shrink...

It's functional. The best we could've hoped for.

After a week of anxious waiting, Olivia returned drawing a single sled laden with a mix of grain and vegetables to at least add some variety to the wolf meat you already had. Though by itself what she had wouldn't have been nearly enough.

Click to shrink...

Eh, it's better than nothing.

You quickly adjust the temperature to something more mildly warm than steaming, heating too quickly can be painful. She undresses clumsily, her fingers uncooperative. You help her and swiftly have her in the water. You try to ignore the telltale signs of frostbite on her extremities. Though they certainly take any possible heat out of the moment for you.

Click to shrink...

What stage? We may want some painkillers, as rewarming's going to be painful as hell.

"Hmm," she opens sleepily, "I made it to the next town, but they're just as snowed in as we are. And they were real suspicious of me," she complained. A woman by herself out in this weather with a lot of money, yeah a lot of myths went along those lines.

Click to shrink...

... there are? Usually it's one or the other.

"Yes Master, but I… had to get a little rough with some men that were untoward," she explained. "No one was interested in helping me bring more supplies either, and they gouged me terribly as well!"

Click to shrink...

Jackasses, but not unexpected.

"I'm sure you could have made them give you a better deal," Leo comments through the doorway with an especial emphasis on 'made'.

You aren't looking at her, but the pout is practically audible as she replies, "I couldn't do that."

Click to shrink...

And that's the issue with our GF. She's too nice.

You can't help but reach back to pat her on the head at that kind of line. Though in the privacy of your thoughts you might have wished she had.

"How are we doing on now Leo?" you ask hopefully.

"Well with the extra bit Olivia brought back we should be able to make it through until the snow melts. To be safe I'll probably have to have some of the men on half rations just to give us some reserve."

Click to shrink...

We'll want to get some quality of life improvements in to make up for this utterly terrible season.

"Well despite the worry that we might get sick from eating the meat of carrion feeders things seem to have turned out okay. No one seems to have gotten sick from it at least. Casualties will be right about where I originally estimated," he concludes.

You breathe a sigh of relief. Those weren't good numbers, but better than you'd feared they'd end up being.

Click to shrink...

The small silver lining in all this.

"We're real lucky that you got Lord Kaleb to come out here, we're going to definitely need the breathing room. You also better get this place winterized before next winter or we'll probably have a mass desertion."

"So it would seem."

Click to shrink...

Agreed.

The other elephant in the room is that even you couldn't fail to realize at this point that Leo is an agent of your father. Probably sent to keep an eye on you as well as make sure you don't screw up too badly. You're not quite sure how you feel about that.

Click to shrink...

We're a tiny fish in a big pond. We're just going to get used to the fact we live with a noose around our necks that's ready to be thrown around a tree branch at someone's command.

 

[Zaratustra]

[X][Feeling] Pragmatic. He represents someone clearly loyal to your family if not you, and probably a lot better than you could otherwise expect to get for your money.
[X] Plan Fire Places without going broke

 

[Nevill]

I'm surprised there weren't any comments on Leo being your father's agent before. I sort of foreshadowed that through the quest, but no one picked up on it and Tristan remained oblivious as well.

Click to shrink...

That combined with Mina's comment before makes you realize that Leo was probably an agent of your father sent along to keep you from screwing things up too badly. Overall that's not something you can worry about right now though.

Click to shrink...

Why does it matter? This is being repeated as if it does, but I am just not seeing it.

I mean, he's been nothing but helpful, and if anything, the true head of this expedition. His advice keeps being extremely valuable, as is his service. In fact, he has been a fine tutor when it comes to base management.

I'd give him a bro-hug if he were a foreign agent, let alone dad's servant keeping an eye on one of the kids, with a safety net and everything. If anything, it makes Tristan look bad for his earlier outburst when he said he was sent here to die. And that's after he got Mina to check on him. The entire family seems to look out for each other... in their own way, admittedly, but the sentiment is there.

They are going to inherit the duchy, after all, and since they are all in charge of one of its aspects or the other, it's in their interests to see each other prosper.

---

[x][Feeling] Pragmatic. He represents someone clearly loyal to your family if not you, and probably a lot better than you could otherwise expect to get for your money.

Looking at the numbers as-is. Upkeep 1190, Income 1500. 310 Deniers to spare, and we are in the red by about -200. Alright then.

[x] Plan: Stop bleeding money
-[x][Construction] Repair damage from the weather to various facilities (1 action)
-[x][Construction] Work in the Sawmill, reduce upkeep by 90?

-[x][Personal] Find a way to make it so you can recruit without taking so much of your time. You'll either find an assistant that can do recruiting for you or just build a network of contacts willing to do it for a fee. (Cost variable dependent on roll, will have option to refuse and retry or recruit normally)

-[x][Hunters] Hunt for food, reduce upkeep by 50?
-[X][Skirmishers] Scout to reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
-[X][Levy] Guard
--[X] The base and sawmill
-[x][Footmen] Guard
--[x] The merchants that bring your supplies (eliminate 15% modifier)
-[x][Captain] Recruit new units. Specify what kind.
--[x] Replace losses
---[x] Civilian: 85 Denier to replace all losses
---[x] Skirmishers: 20 (up to 90%)
---[x] Footmen: 30 (up to 90%)
---[x] Hunters: 30 (up to 90%)

If you want to train Hunters, you need to specify who does the training.

[][Captain] Train unit (must be taken with appropriate action)

Click to shrink...

Replace the civilian losses! They are not covered by the draft, and they are bleeding our income. It is worth the Captain's action even if we are working on easier recruiting, because it's our money.

Guard those merchants for once! It's 150 Denier down the drain, and additional +15% to the costs on top of that!

Let's see.
Upkeep next turn: (1183-100 forge-50 rabbits-100? hunting and sawmill)+15%: (100 you +100 leo +180 sawmills + 180 construction crews +53 hunters + 45 levies +85 footmen +85 skirmishers +50 herbalist +90 woodworkers+45 harvesters+90 charcoal burner +40 forge +40 Nerissa)
Upkeep ~1072. Income 1500. Difference 428.
Costs: 165 (replacements) * 1.15 = 190
-194 + 428 -190 = +44 (if the upkeep reduction is counted correctly). If it's a concern, we can cut down on some of the reinforcements.

We should be able to recover quickly. Next turn, if we don't fail too many rolls, we should have our income back, and the penalty reduced, freeing up to 700 Denier to do some serious work.

I can consider switching a construction action towards working in the Sawmill, to reduce the upkeep of the workers. Then we should break even. As long as we don't forget to build them during the Summer turn. (switched)

I will keep trying to contact Nicolas until we do. It's not that hard to reach to one of our siblings, it's a free action!

[x][Contact] Nicolas
-[x] About a possible partneship, if he can help you with initial funding and perhaps staffing you could construct a drydocks and port facility in the middle of nowhere, wich should help his logistical problems.

[X] Plan Fire Places without going broke

Click to shrink...

Could you please consider sending the footmen to guard the caravans?
The orcs will be recovering from the winter same as us.

 

[wingstrike96]

[x][Contact] Nicolas
-[x] About a possible partneship, if he can help you with initial funding and perhaps staffing you could construct a drydocks and port facility in the middle of nowhere, wich should help his logistical problems.
[X][Feeling] Pragmatic. He represents someone clearly loyal to your family if not you, and probably a lot better than you could otherwise expect to get for your money.
[X] Plan Fire Places without going broke

 

[buli-buli]

[x][Contact] Nicolas
-[x] About a possible partneship, if he can help you with initial funding and perhaps staffing you could construct a drydocks and port facility in the middle of nowhere, wich should help his logistical problems.

[X][Feeling] Resentful. Clearly your father did not expect you to manage on your own. The fact that he was correct merely makes it sting worse, and Leo's presence constantly reminds you of that.

[X] Plan Fire Places without going broke

 

[Mathematicae]

[x] Plan: Stop bleeding money
[x][Contact] Nicolas
-[x] About a possible partneship, if he can help you with initial funding and perhaps staffing you could construct a drydocks and port facility in the middle of nowhere, wich should help his logistical problems.
[X][Feeling] Pragmatic. He represents someone clearly loyal to your family if not you, and probably a lot better than you could otherwise expect to get for your money.

 

[Pyro Hawk]

[x] Plan: Stop bleeding money
[x][Contact] Nicolas
-[x] About a possible partneship, if he can help you with initial funding and perhaps staffing you could construct a drydocks and port facility in the middle of nowhere, wich should help his logistical problems.
[X][Feeling] Pragmatic. He represents someone clearly loyal to your family if not you, and probably a lot better than you could otherwise expect to get for your money.

 

[inverted_helix]

God I love this quest.

Finally a quest where the rolls are below average, where not everything goes our way, where a potentially OP hero unit fails at stuff and is needed just to keep everything together. Where there is a real chance of losing, and I actually believe we might get there.

Long have I searched for such a quest, and finally it's here.

Hell, at this rate we might keep slowly getting better at something instead of being a near-god by turn 50.

Not that those quests aren't fun, but I just really needed something like this to balance it out, to make things feal meaningful again. Don't let up, keep things fair and let the dice roll as they may, for the better or worse.

Click to shrink...

That's really nice to hear. A lot of times it seems like people don't like this sort of difficulty. It's certainly less popular. I'm glad at least one person appreciates it.

Hot tubs and frostbite... that's actually a bit of an issue.

Click to shrink...

Hot water would be a bit of an issue, but body temperature water is one of the main treatments for frostbite. Though Tristain didn't get frostbite, virtue of having the best clothes and not being out there for as long as others.

What stage? We may want some painkillers, as rewarming's going to be painful as hell.

Click to shrink...

Somewhere around stage two. Though she was exhausted enough to pass out anyway. Painkillers are actually the one thing you have though, since that's what you're growing.

... there are? Usually it's one or the other.

Click to shrink...

Well I was thinking of various myths about enchantresses asking for hospitality. They don't usually have money though I'll grant. That just lends it to the suspicion she robbed someone instead.

We're a tiny fish in a big pond. We're just going to get used to the fact we live with a noose around our necks that's ready to be thrown around a tree branch at someone's command.

Click to shrink...

Heh a bit of a depressing viewpoint.

Why does it matter? This is being repeated as if it is, but I am just not seeing it.

I mean, he's been nothing but helpful, and if anything, the true head of this expedition. His advice keeps being extremely valuable, as is his service. In fact, he has been a fine tutor when it comes to base management.

I'd give him a bro-hug if he were a foreign agent, let alone dad's servant keeping an eye on one of the kids, with a safety net and everything. If anything, it makes Tristan look bad for his earlier outburst when he said he was sent here to die. And that's after he got Mina to check on him. The entire family seems to look out for each other... in their own way, admittedly, but the sentiment is there.

They are going to inherit the duchy, after all, and since they are all in charge of one of its aspects or the other, it's in their interests to see each other prosper.

Click to shrink...

Indeed. But fundamentally this choice is being offered largely because it's a useful moment of characterization. @MrSicarian wanted more opportunity to affect character, and earlier I was asked to have more non-plan votes that had other effects in general. Well how you react to realizing this is an important piece of characterization.

Realizing that your father is looking out for you, in his own way, is an important part of that characterization. Before you had blown up at your father for sending you off to be killed (and that was the general player impression which is why it came up) and your father just kind of internally laughed at how wrong you were. Tristan never paid attention to politics is said right at the start of the quest, and so he was kind of oblivious to the subtle bits.

If you want Tristan to be more upbeat, less paranoid, etc, then this is a major opportunity for that by going full "comforted". Since yes his family really is looking out for him.

This family is seriously messed up, but it doesn't mean they don't care.

 

[WanderingTwix]

Well, I'm convinced, even if there's like no chance of this winning

[X][Feeling] Comforted, your father cared enough to send someone to look out for you.

 

[Zaealix]

[X][Feeling] Comforted, your father cared enough to send someone to look out for you.
Mostly voting this because Tristan's bad mood seems to mostly stem from dice crapping on the poor kid.
[x] Plan: Stop bleeding money
[x][Contact] Nicolas
-[x] About a possible partneship, if he can help you with initial funding and perhaps staffing you could construct a drydocks and port facility in the middle of nowhere, wich should help his logistical problems.

 

[kitsune9]

[X][Feeling] Comforted, your father cared enough to send someone to look out for you. ​

 

[Nevill]

And now to comment on the update.

Though you could always have gone yourself. A bit of an oddball idea I know, but you're the least valuable in a fight.

Click to shrink...

You know, I didn't want to beat a dead horse and appear like I was looking for excuses, but I actually considered that.

I also remembered our experience with the very first levy, and how a rectuit had tried to skewer us. Sending Tristan alone in the dead of winter... didn't seem like a sound plan, but sending him along with a bunch of men so he could keep an eye on them was a double-edged sword as well. Namely, if there were a mutiny brewing, he has precisely zero capability to stop it dead in its tracks. Leo can, for sure - he'd just beat the ones questioning his authority black and blue, but Tristan is softer... and much more likely to get offed in his sleep, too.

So one of the considerations of the plan I had was to have men to keep an eye on Olivia in case of trouble, and Olivia keep the men in check, by force if need be. Because she was more powerful than the entire unit I intended to send with her.

...and now I think I may have overestimated her capabilities there, just a little.
She can't even bring a bunch of peasants to heel!

You aren't looking at her, but the pout is practically audible as she replies, "I couldn't do that."

You can't help but reach back to pat her on the head at that kind of line. Though in the privacy of your thoughts you might have wished she had.

Click to shrink...

I am definitely of one mind with Tristan here. Olivia should exert her will more often, and more forcefully. Especially when the fate of the expedition is on the line. Not sure if this is something that is innate to her personality, or something that can be trained into her, with our or Leo's help.

In any case, we should consider taking steps to avoid something like that in the future. Why can Leo act on behalf of the Duke or us, but Olivia can't? Aren't there writs that can declare a person our official representative? How come we sent her away without one?

The town had just about starved the son of their ruler - and likely their protector (bad as we may be) - of supplies. I am leaning more and more towards Kaleb's line of thought. Maybe we need to start building a reputation too. I bet very few would have refused his request were he to make one... if he makes requests at all.

But that got me thinking... how much authority do we have? Can we requisition resourses from nearby towns in case of emergencies and tell them to put it on our (duchy's) tab? If it were not Olivia but us, how likely would it be for us to encounter insubordination? Is the difference between Leo and Olivia that the former is not being shy about making demands, and enforcing them if need be?

 

[inverted_helix]

You know, I didn't want to beat the dead horse and appear like I was looking for excuses, but I actually considered that.

I also remembered our experience with the very first levy, and how a rectuit had tried to skewer us. Sending Tristan alone in the dead of winter... didn't seem like a sound plan. And sending him so he could keep an eye on a bunch of men was a double-edged sword; namely, if there is a mutiny brewing, he has precisely zero capability to stop it dead in its tracks. Leo can, for sure - he'd just beat the ones questioning his authority black and blue. Tristan is much more likely to get offed in his sleep.

Click to shrink...

Well I didn't realize you'd considered it. That's a fairly decent point. Tristan would have made a mutiny somewhat less likely, but if it happened anyway there'd be extreme risk yes.

Leo can't take on an entire unit, he's not that tough, but he entirely could take on the top three or so and has the skill to cow the rest using that into not trying their luck.

So one of the considerations of the plan I had was to have men to keep an eye on Olivia in case of trouble, and Olivia keep the men in check, by force if need be. Because she was more powerful than the entire unit I intended to send with her.

...and now I think I may have overestimated her capabilities there, just a little.
She can't even bring a bunch of peasants to heel!
I am definitely of one mind with Tristan here. Olivia should exert her will more often, and more forcefully. Especially when the fate of the expedition is on the line. Not sure if this is something that is innate to her personality, or something that can be trained into her, with our or Leo's help.

Click to shrink...

Olivia actually would have been much more able to bring soldiers to heel than the peasants, and she could indeed have plowed through a whole levy or hunter unit most likely. She has the power to slaughter the whole village most likely.

The issue here is more that Olivia is a peasant. She might be able to beat them all to death, but she knows they're just trying to take care of their own families, and she could hardly fault them for that. Plus supposing she had beat them all to death she wouldn't have been able to take anything more that way because there'd have been no one left to haul it. She can't really overload a sled because then it just sinks.

In any case, we should consider taking steps to avoid something like that in the future. Why can Leo act on behalf of the Duke or us, but Olivia can't? Aren't there writs that can declare a person our official representative? How come we sent her away without one?

The town had just about starved the son of their ruler - and likely their protector (bad as we may be) - of supplies. I am leaning more and more towards Kaleb's line of thought. Maybe we need to start building a reputation too. I bet very few would have refused his request were he to make one... if he makes requests at all.

But that got me thinking... how much authority do we have? Can we requisition resourses from nearby towns in case of emergencies and tell them to put it on our (duchy's) tab? If it were not Olivia but us, how likely would it be for us to encounter insubordination? Is the difference between Leo and Olivia that the former is not being shy about making demands, and enforcing them if need be?

Click to shrink...

Well I'm guessing you mean when you send Leo to recruit in your place. And that's more a matter of the military people he's talking to to requisition men know him better than they actually know you. Recruiting civilians he's actually at a bit of a malus because he has to go through hoops to get them on board, but in terms of military personnel he can go through the standard apparatus without even drawing any sort of identity or order check. (To draw a MASH analogy it's like how Colonel Potter knew pretty much everyone in the region at Colonel and above. No one needs to check Leo's identity or authority.)

Your ability to use a writ and declare a person an official representative is kind of questionable because you don't have a title yourself.

In terms of direct authority, this is a feudal area, so that town is under a baron who in turn is under the duke. They don't owe direct fealty. And you performing the duty of border guard poorly does contribute to surliness about fulfilling requests. It also means you can't directly requisition emergency resources instead of paying, at least without a negotiation about it.

You would have had much more luck buying the supplies you needed at least to the point the peasants could spare without going hungry, and been able to get a meeting with the baron if you needed more, and likely gotten them to release some of their siege stores or give you permission to force the peasants to give you more.

Leo could maybe have done along the same lines, though with a bit more difficulty. He's not a noble, but in this country being powerful military figure is almost as good. With a military unit he certainly could have gotten the peasants to release whatever they could safely spare, though he wouldn't have forced more without the leave of the local noble.

Olivia for all her strength still thinks like a peasant. That limits her options a lot. Plus the local noble would likely be a bit insulted by someone sending their maid to speak with him.

 

[Nevill]

Leo could maybe have done along the same lines, though with a bit more difficulty. He's not a noble, but in this country being powerful military figure is almost as good.

Click to shrink...

Plus the local noble would likely be a bit insulted by someone sending their maid to speak with him.

Click to shrink...

Okay, what do we do to eventually promote her to Maid-Colonel?

Now I want another officer...

 

[Ultramandalore]

[X][Feeling] Pragmatic. He represents someone clearly loyal to your family if not you, and probably a lot better than you could otherwise expect to get for your money.
[X] Plan Fire Places without going broke

 

[NoThymeToulouse]

[X][Feeling] Comforted, your father cared enough to send someone to look out for you.
[x] Plan: Stop bleeding money

 

[Mayrun]

[X][Feeling] Comforted, your father cared enough to send someone to look out for you.

 

[me.me.here]

[x] Plan: Stop bleeding money
[x][Contact] Nicolas
-[x] About a possible partneship, if he can help you with initial funding and perhaps staffing you could construct a drydocks and port facility in the middle of nowhere, wich should help his logistical problems.
[X][Feeling] Pragmatic. He represents someone clearly loyal to your family if not you, and probably a lot better than you could otherwise expect to get for your money.

 

[MrSicarian]

Interesting chapter, and I was a little harsh calling him a bitch when some noble sons are so much worse.

Nicolas contact seems viable unless there's something I'm missing. Could work unless he just refuses to dock anywhere in genreal due to his caution.

Though maybe make it more enticing in saying we will only have buff shirtless dudes with certain body types for his viewing pleasure and that we don't judge his sexuality, with other "security measures" that he wants for the funding. Include teasing.

I would like to ask advice from Nicolas but it would probably be paranoia about our sister and tips on how to not let her in the outpost. Which might be useful generally for security later on when we have the funds and morale not to cut corners in the case of foreign agent sabatours.

Stop bleeding money because money makes this quest go round, hunters might just die to a bad roll. Can't justify not using them though because we do need all hands on deck.

Pragmatic and Comferted seem to be good options, though I'm picking pragmatic because I would like to be independent eventually, though I do hope our relationship with our father can grow with this. I would like to replace Leo with a probably worse and more expensive captain much much later on, because even if he is useful now, and the captain we hire has a chance of being disloyal or incompetent, I prefer the men under us to be picked on our own judgement. Though I could be persuaded to leave him be, but independence and to eventually succeed after initial failure on our own merits is key to us learning the ropes better, and hard to be true friends with somebody when they are sent by your parents.

Edit: QM clarified comforted would be a more positive outlook and pragmatic more of the same

[x] Plan: Stop bleeding money
[x][Contact] Nicolas
-[x] About a possible partneship, if he can help you with initial funding and perhaps staffing you could construct a drydocks and port facility in the middle of nowhere, wich should help his logistical problems.
[X][Feeling] Comforted, your father cared enough to send someone to look out for you.

 

[inverted_helix]

Okay, what do we do to eventually promote her to Maid-Colonel?

Now I want another officer...

Click to shrink...

Well keep in mind I said way earlier that a second officer wouldn't be nearly as good as the first. I hadn't noted that anywhere in the recruitment section at the time because at that point I didn't think anyone would be looking for more officers. But the reason a second officer won't be as good is because your father basically put one of his top five-ish officers on this. Whereas later picks you're just going to get more average people.

It's also why Leo would be recognized by people that pay attention to such things. (Tristan basically assumed as the fifth child he had to make his own life so didn't really care about anything beyond the job he picked out for himself. He knows the top enchanters, and some of the good blacksmiths and potioneers as related to enchanting, but not the military.)

In terms of promoting Olivia, you'd need to get the okay from the duke for that kind of thing for it to carry weight beyond your own outpost. Though something to keep in mind is that military structure in a feudal society is a bit simplified to the modern eye. Generally speaking the only ranks are equivalents of soldier < sergeant < captain < general. With variably nebulous distinctions amongst them. A professional soldier is obviously going to be the superior to a half trained peasant levy, but when you have a bunch of captains who ends up in charge is usually more political and shifting.

Something I forgot to mention that might or might not have been obvious. Olivia's success in this venture was rolled for. She rolled mediocre twice over. Enough to make the trip without serious injury but not easily. Enough to get some supplies, but not enough. So it wasn't entirely narrative, though it did affect her chances on each of those rolls.

Interesting chapter, and I was a little harsh calling him a bitch when some noble sons are so much worse.

...

Pragmatic and Comferted seem to be good options, though I'm picking pragmatic because I would like to be independent eventually, though I do hope our relationship with our father can grow with this. I would like to replace Leo with a probably worse and more expensive captain much much later on, because even if he is useful now, and the captain we hire has a chance of being disloyal or incompetent, I prefer the men under us to be picked on our own judgement. Though I could be persuaded to leave him be, but independence and to eventually succeed after initial failure on our own merits is key to us learning the ropes better, and hard to be true friends with somebody when they are sent by your parents.

Click to shrink...

I find you going with pragmatic quite odd really. I mean you wanted an opportunity to make him a bit less pessimistic, and I gave you one. Though I'm glad that you reconsidered on how bad he is now.

Basically the choices were (I figured these would be fairly obvious):
Comforted: A bit more upbeat.
Pragmatic: Same attitude as present.
Betrayed: More negative than present.

The write in Resentful would be somewhere in between Pragmatic and Betrayed.

Certainly I don't mind Pragmatic since it means I don't have to adjust my writing style, but I figured you would be guaranteed to go for Comforted.

 

[Void Stalker]

@inverted_helix
For our low morale hunter unit would they be capable of escorting the merchants?

Also for the 2nd hunter unit do we just say rest to let them recover?

 

[Nevill]

I am not our QM, but...
Then:

(2 Hunter units available)

Click to shrink...

Now:

(1 Hunter units available)

Click to shrink...

Our 2nd unit is unfit for combat... or anything, really.
I am considering letting them go and hiring another unit of Skirmishers instead once we have the money. Right now the broken Hunters have no morale, no equipment bonuses, no utility, and are just wasting our upkeep (tiny as it may be in their state). Replenishing them will cost ~100 Denier, and they would still be unlikely to recover fully as they ate a permanent morale penalty.

In the best traditions of Darkest Dungeon, 'use them and lose them'.