Turn 2
2305 IC
The sun was surprisingly shining for once in the normally gloomy Ostland. White fluffy clouds puffed along cheerfully in a bright blue sky. The warmth of summer mixed with the bracing cold breezes of the north swept through the streets of Wulfenburg, and rose upwards towards the castle. The window to a bedroom that had been cracked open slightly due to the heat within the actual stone structure was teased open by the wind until the light could shine down neatly upon the well-furnished bed within.
Down in the kitchens, a chicken managed to escape from the confines of the cage where it had been kept for the past several hours. The cooks promptly yelled and chased after the brave bundle of white flapping feathers as it sprinted for freedom. It managed, at one point, to get atop the walls, soldiers looking on in bemusement as a balding cook whose gut hung widely chased after it. It was, after all, just one chicken. But then the bird made a mistake, and leapt along window sills with skilled and desperate jumps.
Then it leapt onto the balcony of one very specific room of the castle, where a window had been slowly pushed open over the course of an hour.
The chicken clucked loudly then, and was promptly silenced by a haphazard pistol shot which went wide and a bolt of frost that did not. As smoke rose from the barrel of the pistol you had taken to keeping next to your bed after realizing that the love of guns that most Ostlander's shared was one that you yourself possessed, you turn your gaze to the other occupant of your bed. An absolutely nonchalant and slightly irritated face that was nonetheless beautiful looked back with an eyebrow raised.
"Am I to expect all my mornings in this forest to be as such?" your wife murmured in her thick Kislevite accent.
"Hopefully not," you say with a shrug.
Alas, now you are both awake. As you both putter about the room, going through your morning rituals, you find your eyes every now and then going to the dry humorist that you have married yourself to. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity.
The first weeks of this year were a whirlwind of activity. Natasha's introduction to your people from the walls of Wulfenburg Castle went about as well as one could expect from a primarily Ulrican province with a Sigmarite capital city. That is, if one expected total chaos, shouting, roaring, and something that nearly devolved into a riot before you managed to get things under control again. Despite Magnus the Pious's edicts, magic users are still greatly feared by the people for multiple reasons. (Peasant Opinion Reduced).
But then, messengers arrived from Nuln. They had been sent out across the Empire far and wide. Magnus the Pious had, along with the assistance of Teclis the legendary elf Archmage, constructed a strange and wondrous set of institutions known as the Colleges of Magic. Instead of being executed, those who showed the talent there were to be remanded to Altdorf where they could hone their talents for the betterment of humanity. The Emperor himself, who enjoys an unprecedented amount of support in practically all of his actions due to saving the Empire and is known to be an incredibly devout Sigmarite who is supported by the whole of said faiths church, has thrown his support behind magic users in this regard. (Peasant Opinion Restored).
Alas, these Imperial Edicts came with a backhand that you honestly could have done without. Your new wife is regarded as a foreign priest. Yes. The
Ice Mages of Kislev are regarded as practitioners of a foreign faith and are thus not under the same restrictions and imperial requirements as another would be. You get to have the sensation of a queer brotherhood with Brettonnia far to the south. Apparently their Damsels will be similarly regarded.
Both you and your wife snorted at this, almost at the same time. There was an odd moment there where you both just looked at one another with similar expressions…
At this point the people of your province are quite perplexed. The hero and Emperor Magnus the Pious has declared himself for magic with a positive lean and has founded Colleges down in Altdorf for it. Your wife displays powers that must be magic. Except no, they are now a result of a foreign religion and she is a priest of Kislev. Though your people dislike Wizards and Witches more than they dislike foreign priests. So that's…good? (Peasant/Noble Opinion Lowered.)
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"Is…is that true?" you asked her, looking askance as you let the hand holding your copy of the new Articles of Imperial Magic loosen its grip, sending the sheaf of papers to flutter down.
"No, that's ridiculous. The Ursun Cult has a scant bare few members. There's no way that the big bear gives us our powers. Neither do any of the other God's," Natasha replied, waving her hand flippantly.
"Ursun?" you say with a raised eyebrow. She worships a big bear. Oh this can only mean good things for this marriage,
you think to yourself.
"I can see the contempt forming in your face, my husband
," she says with bared teeth, "but now I must puncture it. Alas."
Your eyes roll in eloquent response.
"I am technically part of the Cult of Ursun, because of the fact that it is so obscure. It means that I am not required to go to Ulrican or Sigmarite meetings and rituals. Besides, if the younger sister of the brand new Tzarina
Kattarin," she says with her teeth grinding somewhat at the mention of her sibling, "was a well-known worshipper of the man with a hammer or a wolf then her movements would be more noticeable to others who walked in those specific…hmmm, realms of society."
There is a slight pause as you consider what she just said.
"Do you actually worship Ursun?"
"Do you actually worship Sigmar?"
Both of you raise a single eyebrow as you slowly begin to circle one another.
"Well?" you say at the same time.
With a shrug, she answers first.
"I do. Somewhat. He's a bear. Poke it and you die. Let it be and nothing bad happens to you. I like that. It fits
me. As an Ice Mage the traditional
fiction is that we are Priests of the Ancient Widow. Or Kislev. Or 'The Land'. As for me…eh." She shrugs nonchalantly.
"And that's as far as it goes for you?"
"Just about. I'm not about to go try and do the Bear Walking Ritual. That's ridiculous."
You have no idea what that is. She gestures for you to speak yourself.
"On paper, I do follow Sigmar."
"And not on paper?"
"I choose not to rely on any God for any reason, not even Sigmar. Ostland has been like it is for more than two thousand years. Plenty of time for godly intervention. There isn't going to be any. So I'll have to do it myself."
Natasha nodded respectfully.
"I can understand that, at the least. So. How is this going to go, husband of mine?"
You've been married for only a few weeks now, and she has only ever referred to you as husband. Never any more affection than that, for now.
"I'm going to save Ostland."
"What of my homeland?"
"That too."
"Because we are married?"
"Because Kislev deserves more. It has safeguarded the lands of the Empire, Brettonia, Estalia, Tilea, and everywhere else from the predations of Chaos for its entire lifetime."
And you mean that. In your opinion Kislev has been part of a raw deal for far too long. It's time that changed. Yet before you can articulate that, you stare, dumbfounded, as your wife nods decisively and strides over to your pitcher of Ostka and drinks about half of it. There is a small pleased sound which emanates from her before she returns, the scent of alcohol more than anything marking her as being in Ostland.
"Well said."
Then she kisses you on the mouth, conjures ice which slips you into bed, and-
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"Pflafh!" you say in surprise as some feminine smallclothes smack you in the face, drawing you from your reverie.
"Awake now,
darling," and there's the ever so slightly sarcastic drawl whenever she uses that word now, "we must go and recuse ourselves from the daily praying."
And
that is something that signaled that you might get along with this ice woman. Both of you had come together, as husband and wife, to continually refuse invitations by priests of both of the major gods in Ostland. It gives you several more hours in the day to do things. For instance, take care of actually important things rather than smell incense and read from a big dusty book.
Ostland will require much more work indeed if you plan on pushing Ostland past whatever former glories it may have had to something better. Kislev as well. If the people of the Empire are going to ignore the north and the worshippers of Chaos until another Everchosen comes along, then Ostland and Kislev will have to pick up the slack.
You pause, on the way out the door of your personal quarters. There are now two pitchers of Ostka. Not because the two of you will not drink from the same glass. It's just that apparently Kislevites love their drink as well. You need two pitchers just because both of you will drain the things. The sun has begun coming up, the morning has begun.
You swallow down about three pints of Ostka, open the door, and head out into the day.
Military: Sir Maximilian von Raukov is a retired member of the Bull Warriors, Ostland's only Knightly Order. Despite being retired, there remains a fire in his belly. He is here to advise you on military matters. (Choose 2)
Soothing Egos: The nobles of Ostland are in a tizzy. You married a foreigner, a foreign priest! This has not gone over well with either Ulricans nor Sigmarites. Those who follow quote and unquote lesser gods are of similar opinion but they make up a very tiny amount of your population to, well, matter as much. Before they were asking, and now they are
very nearly demanding that you provide protection for their interests. You slew many a beastman and greenskin last year, but with no dedicated guards some of the holdings of your nobles suffered. It would be a simple matter to post some guards, if only to sooth egos. You don't need to be assassinated before you get in your first five years after all. Cost: 50. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Noble Ego's soothed. Slight raise to Noble Opinion.
Systematic Clearing: You've come to a decision. You are going to clear Ostland of beastmen. Now, just because this has been attempted before and never succeeded at by multiple Elector Counts of Ostland doesn't mean you can't try. The times are changing. Magic is now allowed in the Empire. You're married to the only person who wasn't a dwarf who can match you drink for drink and who also has strange and terrifying powers of ice magic. You have the Bull Warriors now, and you are going to grind down the beastmen from your province inch by inch if you have to. It's time to begin. Cost: 50. Time: 1 Year. Reward:
The Beastmen of Ostland Quest Line Activated. Dead Beastmen. Peasant and Noble Opinion Boost.
Middle Mountain Scouting: You do not like large plumes of smoke in areas not under control by the Empire. Generally you just don't like large plumes of smoke. It usually means that a large number of greenskins have come together, or a large number of beastmen. You don't like either possibility. So, as such, put together a few scouting parties to investigate, yes? Cost: 50. Time: 1 Year. Reward: ???
Reclaiming The Coast: The coast of Ostland is filled with beastmen and Norscan marauders who can come and go with impunity. It is there that your father fell, attempting to do just what you are about to try. The largest port of your province, Salkalten , is also the only real port of your province. Verborgenbucht is at best a very large yet singular dock. It is there that what seems like an entire clan of Norse raiders has taken up residence. There they sit, even now, drinking the copious stores of Ostland alcohol in its many forms, and prancing about the blackened ruins with their dark and disturbing culture and rituals. The Norse were supposed to be broken utterly by Magnus's actions, but not these ones. Perhaps they have gotten so drunk they have forgotten to be afraid. It's a common Ostlander problem to be so drunk that fear takes a holiday. Which means only one thing. They took your port, your beer and ale, and now they are starting to appropriate your culture. No. Longer. Your father attempted this with a small detachment of soldiery. You are going to bring an
army. Cost: 0. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Battle of Salkalten (Ostland's only actual port, currently caught in the grip of a surprisingly stubborn band of Norscans. Success = Large boost to Peasant/Noble Opinion)
Diplomacy: Baroness Katrin von Freud is a slim and stiff necked old bat. But she's been wining and dining with the best of them since before your father was a twinkle in your grandfather's eye. (Choose 1):
His Magnanimousness: Yes yes, hurray for the new Magic Colleges. But you know what you need right now? Imperial aid. The North has been greatly neglected by the Emperor as of yet, who has apparently been spending his time building colleges and rebuilding Nuln. Which is, fine, of course, for the Empire and all that rot. But it would be nice if he could send literally any form of help at all for the North. A helpful Order of Knights? Building materials? Some additional soldiers? You'll honestly just take an injection of capital for your treasury. But it would be nice if the Emperor could aid you somewhat. You are, after all, one of his Elector Counts. No, wait, ask him for his blessing for your marriage to Natasha! With a barrel of Ostka to go with it! Cost: 50. Time: 1 Year. Reward: ???. Chance of Success: 65%.
The Wood Never Bothered Me Anyway: If there's one thing that Kislev needs, its food and building materials. You can provide only the second right now as you need to deal with your own food issues before selling any surplus. You would have approached the Tzarina about this but Natasha steered you elsewhere. The royal treasury of Kislev is a single source, and to negotiate a bulk mercantile supply and demand would end up with you selling at a loss due to the volume required. Instead you will sell on a case by case basis, what your wife calls a 'grassroots market'. In the end, however, the citizenry of Kislev will be able to build new houses, heat new fires, and be able to get back to their lives. Which in turn produces money, which…well, its all somewhat circular after that point. Cost: 10. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Trading Income +50 Crowns Per Turn, Logging Income +50 Crowns Per Turn. Kislev citizenry appreciative. Wife Approval Increased.
Talabecland Sympathies: For a wonder, the Elector Count of Talabecland seems to be genuinely interested in aiding you. Tales of lowered tariffs at the cost of profit so that trade and goods may flow easier through the bruised and battered Empire have created an odd wave of simultaneous gratitude everywhere in the Empire and slight irritation at the mercantile quarter of his province. But for the most part he seems to be very well regarded for his kindness. Also the man fought in the Great War Against Chaos so none can call him soft, not after he lost an eye in the war in exchange for slaying one of those dastardly armored Chaos Champions. It might to do try and increase trading exchanges between your people. Trade is always good for improving peoples mood. Cost: 0. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Trading Income +50 Crowns Per Turn. Better Diplomatic Contact with Talabecland.
Stewardship: Morgan von Bernhardt is an experienced steward, and often ran things while your father was off gallivanting around. The middle aged man is quiet, but his ideas more often than not have merit. For now he
wants to repair the roads and ports, but you need to reclaim those from the creatures of the Forest first. (Choose 1)
The Middle Mountains: The greater portion of this greenskin and beastmen infected mountain range belongs to Ostland, with minor portions ceded to Middenland and Hochland to the south. Your father never did much with it, focused as he was on the fool's errand of trying to challenge the naval superiority of Nordland and Erenburg of Kislev in an only somewhat friendly rivalry. You are not as idiotically competitive. There must be some sort of resources in the Middle Mountains. It's time that you got at them. Cost: 0. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Small portion of Middle Mountains get a mineral survey.
Final Food Stretch: Two thirds of Ostland's farmland has been rebuilt and regrown as best it can. One third remains to be repaired and have farms rebuilt there. It will take an entire year to do, but helping Ostland get back up to its former levels of food production is probably one of the most vital things you need to do in the coming future. Cost: 100. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Ostland Farms return to Pre-Great War numbers. Increase Farming Income.
Potatoes For Everyone…in Ostland: This thing grows all over the place and does it well. Morgan wishes to add potatoes to just about every food production farm in Ostland so that crops gain that extra boost. By adding potatoes to your annual crop you'll gain access to the things in much greater numbers. Plus, the people seem to like them boiled and salted. Furthermore, from this point onward he wishes to make it a policy that future farms make sure that they produce potatoes along with other general food crops. Cost: 100. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Farm Income Boosted.
Walking On Moonshine, Woah Woah: This may or may not be a controversial move. Everyone in Ostland drinks. No, not mostly everyone, or almost everyone,
everyone. The problem is that nobody really acknowledges this, it's just become so ingrained that no one really even questions it. But here's the thing, there would be no way to supply the demand if it weren't for the fact that a lot of people just make their own. That right there is an immediate income source just staring you in the face. Instead of having a bunch of independent brewers making incredibly disparate concoctions in their basement, contract a few on your own, and sell to the citizenry. A consistent quality and/or flavor (flavor optional) is rare in Ostland. Some people might raise an eyebrow at an Elector Count's government selling alcohol. Well, those people aren't Ostlanders. Cost: 500. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Government Controlled Breweries. Gain Alcohol Selling Income. May raise Peasant Opinion. May lower Peasant Opinion. 50% Chance of one or the other of those two.
Research: Helga…has no last name. Despite the fact that you are
pretty sure that girls are not allowed in the Gunnery School in Nuln, she has shown to be extremely adept with firearms. As in she took one apart and put it back together supposedly 'better' during the first privy council meeting you had with her. Are there female dwarf engineers willing to teach people? Where did your father find this woman? (Choose 2):
Through the Trees: One of the greatest difficulties in fighting through the forestry that is most of your province is orders. Colors stick out like a sore thumb but are easy for enemy forces to detect. Same for flags. At the moment your people don't possess any real sort of communicating orders except through messengers. There has to be a way to do so, or else your people shall suffer reduced adaptability on the battlefield. Which…is bad. Cost: 100. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Something easier than colors/flags for forest operations (aka Ostland operations)
Her Name Was Valma: All the tales say that dwarves are meant to be grim folk, which is understandable given the tales of how much they have lost over the millennia. Valma Tharmaniz is anything but grim. She is not bubbly, no, but she is not stoic in the least. She is filled with a harsh and spikey sort of energy, but she is filled with it. Curses abound, as well as drink, wherever she walks and talks. But, Valma did promise to teach Helga. Now it remains to be seen if Valma would be willing to teach others. Not to the extent of Helga, obviously, but every chunk of knowledge helps. Cost: 0. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Valma willing to teach others about engineering and guns. Chance of success: 65%
The Wulfenburg School of Gunnery and Engineering: First, you must convince Valma to help you build one. Then, you must actually build it. At this point in time you are entirely unsure which of the two will be harder. Teaching manlings in a crowded room over a few barrels of drink is one thing, according to the Slayer Engineer, but teaching them akin to what the dwarves down in Nuln do is entirely another. The venerable woman may have fully come to accept that she is a dead woman walking and was perfectly willing to teach Helga…but that was an Oath. Oaths are specific. She owes neither Ostland nor her people an Oath to teach and/or build a school. Not to mention just how expensive it would be to create an institution even a quarter the size of Nuln's and to properly run it. But you must try. Cost: 0. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Valma willing to help construction of a gunnery/engineering school. Chance of Success: 55%
Piety: Most people wouldn't expect an Ulrican and Sigmarite Priest to stand shoulder to shoulder on something. Well, wonder of wonders, it's happening here in Ostland. Wulff and Leopold glare at you from across the table during Privy Council meetings, while Eizenhorn stands on the far wall behind them with his hands casually near his weapons. (Choose 1)
Damage Control: Oh damn it. The Witch Hunters have been following Natasha around the Castle. This will not do, but at this moment the Order of the Silver Hammer is far more likely to manage killing you for being a tainted traitor than you would be at defeating all of them. You don't fancy being filled with lead. Something must be done, and you aren't stupid enough to think that just ordering them to 'stop that' would actually work. You need to do something to at least somewhat relieve their suspicions. This means that you may…ugh…have to go to church. At least to put on a show. Natasha is willing to go. Perhaps if they see the two of you attending a few services then they'll back off because you're showing 'remorse and/or repentance." It also may do to have at least some of the Sigmarite Priests on your side. Through say…a few donations? Cost: 100. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Reduce Witch Hunter Suspicions. A bit. Chance of Success: 75%.
Placebo Effect: Apparently sigils, symbols, engravings, and a bunch of other odd religious knick knacks are just the things for the ailing Empire family. At least according to Leopold and Wulff. It sounds ridiculous to you, because if they truly were that effective then why wouldn't everyone have covered their walls and homes with the things but you've already made enough of a mess with your relations to the religious folk. It's a way out that they are offering you, that adding these things will hearten the people and increase the protection of the faithful and…a bunch of odd religious pithy back and forth. You have no problem with it if it makes the people happier and less liable to try and kill you while you do some real work protecting them. Cost: 500. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Sigmarite and Ulrican symbols built into buildings across Ostland as well as road signs and posts. Supposedly will grant some sort of protection, but will
definitely make people feel better. Religious people, am I right? Boost to Peasant/Noble Opinion.
Intrigue: Ah yes, what could be better than one twitchy Witch Hunter?
Another twitchy Witch Hunter. Unlike Eizenhorn, Marlisa is focused on matters of internal security and intrigue. With a smaller emphasis on faith. But not by much. Eh, you'll take what you can get. (Choose 1)
Emperor Says So: The Emperor has ordered that witches are no longer to be burnt at the stake. While the Witch Hunter's must follow his orders, you can tell that they are doing so quite grudgingly and you don't believe for a second that they truly do so every single time. More likely they kill the poor fellows when no one is looking and claim that they had no choice. Well they're right about one thing, they don't have a choice. But first you need proof. Marlisa was only somewhat offended when you posited that this was occurring, but eventually admitted that there were those amongst the Order who would do so without remorse or caution. This cannot be allowed. If the Emperor wants people who have 'it', then by your hands he'll get people who have 'it.' Cost: 0. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Witch Hunters kill less potential Wizards for the Empire. Chance of Success: 65%
Trouble Makers: You aren't naïve enough to assume that the Witch Hunters are just going to let your marriage and general lack of religious fervor slide. You can hope that more intellectual ones will accept what the Emperor and High Theologian say, but know that the more zealous ones are likely to be an issue. Marlisa is one of the former, thankfully. She accepted the word of Magnus the Pious with immense stoicism as she apparently mentally reorganized her entire world-view. She
also is aware that such an action will be beyond at least some of her Order. It will be better if she's the one asking instead of you, by the way. Cost: 50. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Problematic Witch Hunters within Ostland identified.
Personal: You refuse to let being an Elector Count consume every free hour you have. (Choose 2)
Frost And Steel: Your wife's command of ice magic is impressive, and on a battlefield you have no doubt that she would be a force to reckon with…individually. But what if someone gets too close, or she must lead troops instead of Captain Ivanov should the big man be incapacitated? Can she fight without her magic if she must or need to? You never know, especially in this neck of the woods. Offer to train her at least with a sword, while discussing battle tactics. It's a two for one. You get to know your wife better, and she gets to learn more about combat, something she was unable to do much of in Kislev while her sister did much of the work. Reward: Better spousal relationship. Natasha +1 Martial.
A Trade: Smithing is your true passion. Yet you exhausted all avenues for further growth in your former residence. Now, as an Elector Count you have the rare opportunity to try and see if you could request a true teacher. You speak, of course, of a dwarf. Would any dwarf be willing to help teach you to be even better? If you succeed in getting a dwarven teacher, this would likely be quite a positive in any future dwarven relations. Cost: 0. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Dwarven Blacksmith Teacher. Chance of Success: 60%
Care For A Drink?: You have got to get the people used to Natasha. One of the best ways to connect to Ostlanders is to share a drink with one. Now, you know for a fact that your wife is a hell of a drinker, so perhaps it may be worth it to throw a bit of a party? Isn't that the noble thing to do, throwing parties? By doing so she can prove that she can drink with the rest of them, one of the best ways to set your people at ease, and also she can provide something which so far only you have gotten to experience – chilled Ostka. It makes it taste better. Make the people see it! This would have the added benefit of letting you and your wife make an entwined appearance. Cost: 300. Time: 1 Year. Reward: Party Thrown, Public Opinion improved? Chilled Ostka introduced to Nobles.
