Meanwhile in a parallell universe, user MoneyB wrote:
Uncertain Loyalties - an Advisors Quest
Turn 12ish
(Roll: [???] 100 + 20 (??? Blessing) = 120)
You awoke, the pain in your abdomen completely gone. You remember being somewhere, with someone. You felt it was important, but it was quickly fading away. Which is odd, because you didn't really feel that bad about it.
You didn't really feel anything at all in fact. The last thing you really remember was giving that book to....
No.
She didn't.
You opened your eyes to a very familiar face, a very familiar and very tired face, inches from yours. This face consequently let out a tremendous squeal and gave you a tremendous hug, which was surprisingly strong for the tiny, grey cloaked individual. You look around in shock, as your eyes adjusted to the darkness.
You were in the bowels of somewhere ancient. Underground by the lack of windows. Enchanting and magic related equipment lay on the surprisingly large amount of tables, while an entire corner was seemingly dedicated to cats. You blinked and looked at the very excited little wizardress that was in a fit of excitement. Smacking your lips as you realise just how much you thirsted for water, your voice came out much more gravelly than you were used to.
"Mathilde, did you do what I think you did?"
The little bundle of energy stopped, grey cloak swirling around her. Apparently she didn't expect those words to be your first. As she carefully put a certain book into a certain box, she turned to you.
"Yes, I thought it was appropriate."
If your eyes could've rolled back into your head, they would have. Wait, could they? You are undead now. Nevermind that, chalk that up to the 'figure out later' list. Addressing the now, a rising tide of rage at the idea of what you've become has started to assert itself.
"Mathilde, why am I alive. No, undead. Mathilde, why am I among the undead? What could have possibly gone through your mind to think this was okay?"
Mathilde face betrayed her chagrin, turning a unique shade of crimson. The little magic wielder began to waver in the face of your wrath.
"You were dead. They were going to elect some no-name from the backwoods I haven't heard of. I missed you. I thought it was your idea. I didn't know what else to do. I...."
You waved and shushed her. Rubbing your brow you tried to stand but realised your body didn't know how to do that quite yet. Instead, you chose to let loose the rest of your insulted feelings.
"I am an undead Elector-Count, no, better, I am an undead Witch Hunter. The irony of this must make some god laugh."
Which in response received a chorus of meows from the gathered cats. Why were there so many of them? However, Mathilde being a cat lady made far too much sense. Thinking of which, Mathilde seemed to have collected herself.
"The Countess in Drakenhof has been burnt, however that was simply one half of the plan. She was nothing but a plant from the Countess Gabriella von Bundebad, who turned out to be the actual Countess claiming to be the heir of von Carstein and has launched her war against our fatigued county. Stirland is on the backfoot, the new Count is more interested in horse racing, Gustav and Kasmir are both dead, and Anton is currently in the Imperial capital begging for help. I made the decision to bring you back in order to turn the tide against this evil woman and defeat the vampires once and for all."
You started to process all this information just as Mathilde presented you with your sword. However she got it.
Okay, so you are undead, Stirland is being routed by a truly diabolical plot, most of your court (former court) is dead, and leadership is missing. What's the worst that could happen.
Seemingly in response to your thoughts, the cats meow again.
Choose one action for each advisor. Voting in plan format.
Loyal, well-funded advisors may carry out additional projects on their own time to gain your favor, but this is not reliable.
Multiple advisors get a synergy bonus to working on the same major task, assuming they can make a relevant contribution.
In every category, you may also []Write-in.
(This is an AU post, you should not actually choose or vote for anything here.)
[] Diplomacy:
-Contact Anton and inform him of your return.
-Appoint a new Chancellor.
[] Martial:
-Appoint a new Marshal.
[] Stewardship:
-Find Wilhelmina.
-Appoint a new Steward.
[] Intrigue:
-Find out what the heck is happening in Stirland from Mathilde in detail.
-Let Mathilde be and let her figure it out.
[] Faith:
-Pray to Sigmar for guidance.
-Appoint a new Chaplain.
[] Learning:
-Find Detlef.
-Appoint a new Architect for Stirland.
Choose three Personal actions. "Write to" options count as half actions if you take more than one (correspondence is easier to handle in parallel).
[] Personal:
-[] Intervention: Select a second project for one of your advisors this turn. Cannot be chosen with Assistance.
-[] Assistance: Select one of your advisors, their project gets +10 to all rolls this turn. Cannot be chosen with Intervention.
-[] Investigate one of your councilmembers. (Choose which one.)
-[] Getting Back In Practice: Select an attribute to train. Higher attributes are harder to raise. Failing this action increases the chance of it succeeding if you pick it again the next turn.
-[] Figure out what has changed in your body.
-[] Write to some of the other Elector Counts and ask for advice on what to do.
-[] Write to the Grand Theogonist and seek spiritual guidence.
-[] Write to the Grey Order and report Mathilde.
-[] Pray for your eternal salvation.
-[] Come out and declare your return in Wurtburg.
-[] Coup the current Elector-Count.
Management wishes to remind you that shadow turns are for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as reflective of events in the true quest.
