[X][Hunters] Scout, learn more about the forest, reduce chance of enemies slipping by. 69 (79-20+5+5) vs 91 enemy
The hunters return to the field this season, but their limited numbers prevent them from fully canvasing the forest. The weather is similar to the previous winter, with heavy storm after heavy storm, feet of cold rain soaking through clothing followed by snow to cling to it. The wildlife seems to have settled down this winter though. Perhaps they were more successful at getting food and are hibernating or staying close to their dens.
There's no losses at least. Though neither do they see the orcs that you know to be slipping past.
[X][Construction] Construct a sawmill. (200 Denier startup cost, 100 Denier ongoing cost, 200 Denier expected profit.) [More difficult in winter] 27-20 = 7
[X][Levy] Guard 47+15
-[X] The construction crew
Construction of the saw mill suffers heavy setbacks. Heavy rains and occasional snow slow merchant caravans with the needed supplies and hamper all work outside. The occasional orc scout doesn't help as even though the guards keep them off the carpenters, they run for cover each time. You aren't able to get the lumberjacks in during the winter anyways; the builders barely get a frame up as it is. It's going to take more time to finish it.
At the very least posting guards seems to have kept the orcs from pressing. They spotted the occasional scout, but there weren't any real raids. Really the only reason they could find the them was running patrols and stationary lookouts around a fixed position making it difficult for scouts to get close undetected. They weren't able to stop the scouts from retreating, but it seems just being grouped up and on guard was enough to discourage them from trying anything.
(Sawmill incomplete, cost paid, but needs another season of work)
[X][Personal] Spend time with your men. It might be useful. 62
Spending time with the men under your command is a bit odd to you. While fraternizing with soldiers is fairly normal for the more martially inclined nobles, you've never had cause to in the past. They're rather nervous with you around, though whether that's because you're their boss, or because Olivia is hovering behind you and they've seen her smashing trees, you can't really say.
It doesn't help that they've heard the fate of the previous unit they replaced. It's not like you tried to gag the rest of your people about it. Fortunately while it's made them nervous, the rumors have also explained just how bad their predecessors were. Some of them may be smart enough to think you arranged the death of the previous unit, but if they have they aren't unduly worried about their own future yet.
As you gradually get them to open up to you, you can't help but think that they're a crude and uncouth bunch. Then again you can expect little more of peasants.
You have the occasional sparring match with them as well. Their hesitancy to hit you is appreciated compared to the time you had practiced against the earlier levy. Without Leo to supervise you can't be certain, but you'd make a fair wager that you'd have been beaten in short order if the opponent had been willing to hit you. Olivia shouting encouragement from the sidelines is nice though, even if she doesn't seem to have a clue the other guy is going easy on you. Still you think you've made a more positive impression with them for being willing to try.
They do appreciate that this winter they aren't desperately digging ditches and piling dirt to keep the water out of their barracks. Though the lack of heating is still an issue, at the very least they can dry out more easily.
[X][Captain] Recruit new units. Specify what kind. Will only return in spring due to winter travel being too difficult.
-[X] Replenish losses (50 denier hunters, 10 denier levies)
-[X] Recruit Footmen
You send Leo off to recruit replacements for your lost forces, and this time direct him to recruit a unit of fully trained and experienced soldiers as well. He's quite pleased to be getting some real soldiers that won't need handholding, and is hopeful that he can use his connections to get some quality ones rather than ones no one wants. You won't know how successful he is until next spring though.
Plans for Spring: (Base costs shown, increase 10% for merchants issue)
[][Construction] Try to put up a couple wooden watchtowers in the Overgrowth. (50 Denier in needed materials)
-[] Treehouses
[][Construction] Improve the wall with guard towers offering some protection from ranged weapons and a higher vantage point. (50 Denier)
[][Construction] Expand a palisade to cover a larger area. (50 Denier in needed materials)[][Construction] Improve the barracks with more furniture, bedding, separated rooms with sturdy doors for the officers. (100 Denier in needed materials)
[][Construction] Construct a sawmill. (100 Denier ongoing cost, 200 Denier expected profit.)
[][Construction] Write in
Thanks to Olivia handling many of the mundane tasks of life for you now that she has her gloves, you have more time free for other things. You could squeeze in two actions now, but they would be on d85 rather than d100. You can also assign her to assist in any other task, though some jobs she'll obviously be of more use in.
[][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] Spend time with your men. It might be useful.
[][Personal] Have Leo give you a bit of training. However much you hate the idea, it might be worthwhile to be able to swing a weapon if you get ambushed.
[][Personal] Produce a fireplace exclusion enchant to try in the forest. (50 Denier in needed materials)
[][Personal] Try to convince your father to increase your funding. That seems like squeezing blood from a stone, an angry stone, but might be worth trying.
[][Personal] Recruit new units. Specify what kind. Will only return in spring due to winter travel being too difficult. (Will allow you to set orders in advance, but what happens more variable)
-[] Replenish losses (50 denier hunters, 10 denier levies)
-[] What units?
Unit Assignments
[][Hunters] Hunt for food, reduce upkeep by 25
[][Hunters] Scout, learn more about the forest, reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Levy] Patrol, reduce chance of enemies slipping by.
[][Levy] Guard
-[] The construction crew
-[] The merchants that bring your supplies (eliminate 10% modifier)
The captain is currently recruiting units, will return next season. Note that this is giving a bonus to their rolls for him having had the chance to spend a longer period searching for better peasants to train than the last bunch. You could send him a quick letter to recruit additional units. He's automatically purchasing supplies this time, because why not.
[][Captain] Pick up? (Can do multiple things, assuming he's competent to buy them. Non-military at a penalty.)
-[] Write in
800 starting -410 upkeep this turn -220 construction - 360 recruitment +600 season payment = 410 Denier
Upkeep next turn: 375 (discounted for the captain buying and escorting them, will be 500 base normally then a 10% surcharge for danger)
AN: Didn't have as much time to work on this as usual, wanted to get something out though since it's already been 4 days. Hopefully manage something more substantial for the next, but I'm going to prioritize keeping updates regular over larger.
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