BoSPaladin
The Paladin
Agreed with this. Vanessa is settling in to her role as Queen, the estates have had a look at her and how she actually rules (so far quite passably in my own humble opinion but then I'm somewhat biased) Point being, on a story level, any initial goodwill from us being the compromise candidate and seeing how we do could have ran out by now, and now they're judging her, menawhile she's getting an idea of what they think of her. (I'd suspect that, well, to give an example, (not yet, but eventually,) even if we might have the nobility and moneyed classes and the rural folk singing our praises no matter how high that number gets we might still have to expect assassins from some of Gramaires agents.)
On a meta level regarding gameplay. Yeah, if the points are intended as an additional challenge for us to bear in mind now we're getting our feet under us regarding the budget and lingering banditry from the rebellion, something that was named as a potential issue in the quests introduction cropping up is not unwarranted. We are the compromise candidate after all. Or, even better, if the points are intended to help us keep track of that I wouldn't turn down the assistance.
Regarding the update itself. Rykall continues to be a reasonable boss. Traynissa is of course very polite and should in no way take her well earned promotion as a slight against her. Ideally, in a few years if/when we've settled parts of the crown estate and given her more work to do she'll look back on this moment fondly. It also serves as a nice reminder to us the readers that expanding Vanessas own personal holdings can grow an income that's not reliant upon feudal vassals. Just as one example, repairing the sacked villages and towns in the coastal march wouldn't go amiss. Nor would strengthening the thornmarch or southmarch, especially if we're going to route a bunch of trade to the necromancers through the Deathwood.
Handling the overlap between some of our councillors isn't a bad idea from Rykall either. Just as one example, The keeper of secrets and the keeper of sheriffs and reeves responsibilities overlap. Preventing friction there wouldn't go amiss.
Recruitment only picking up about half of what we needed. Is, well it could have gone worse. And the flip side to that is that many have found honest work on the roads, or returning to their homes. Even settling into mercenary bands or filling out armsmen and town guards is good.
375 total troops recruited isn't that bad either. Rienne did say she'd want about 450 minimum recruited. We could send the entire task force to south zarsim from the mobile reserve, which is what I'd like to do ASAP. We can recruit to fill gaps, and possibly extra then to cover any potential/expected losses from Zarsims civil war. One idea I'd like to float, is rather than trying to recruit individuals into the royal army (to then possibly release them later, especially if actual boots on the ground isn't wanted in Morvaks civil war ( so we shouldn't need to keep numbers too high) Is, it might actually be an idea to recruit a mercenary unit. A block of about 100 blooded men at arms in a whole company wouldn't go amiss. Especially if we could deniably send them into morvak as a unit that Regara 'hires' while we foot the bill, or actually hold them in reserve, march them up to the border, release them from our service for Regara or her supporters to actually hire them.) Another thing to consider meanwhile, is the assassin getting into the palace, and us calling in city guardsmen from patrol. Actually bumping up the numbers of our guards further wouldn't go amiss. I wish I had aimed to hire more soldiers now, even with a full success we might be left wanting more, especially if we're sending hundreds of guards away to war. Live and learn, though. I will suggest that we probably have enough skirmishers regardless.
Palace security is actually not bad, stopped well away from Vanessa, guards checked on and woke her regardless, moved her. Security procedures with the letter and keeping the agent in a cell are all reasonable. Full credit to the assassin for getting into the castle and getting away and then turning themselves in. Guards to be commended for their response in arresting the agent.
Hopefully our keeper of secrets takes lessons from the infiltration on where improvement is needed. I would humbly suggest that for a personal action, getting to know our staff- the maids, cooks, regular palace guards wouldn't go amiss. Vallefor sent an intruder this go round. But there's nothing to say that one of the cooks might not be tempted by a few silver coins to stick a note on the bottom of our plate saying "This is poisoned." Or adding some extra salt to 'kill' us. Or failing that a maid who's supposed to clean our bedroom leaving itching powder on our sheets in place of a deadly contact poison or the like.
Or even just someone slipping on a spare uniform to get close. Knowing our staff, possibly even hiring a mage and/or a small team of dedicated bodyguards from the royal guards wouldn't go amiss as actions.
I'd also have some questions, in that, upon becoming aware of an intruder, our palace guards checked on the queen. Here's my question, did anyone check on Essinya or any other visiting nobles in case it was aimed at them instead? Something to think about.
Itrick continues to be wonderful. We might want to keep a standing requirement for any say Fillibusters or the like. And permission may need to be granted on an individual basis, but I don't think it unreasable for us to request the estates vote on an exemption for Keeper Itrick on grounds of his health taking into account his many years of dedicated service to the kingdom. A respectful grace period, would be fair, but hours on end, very taxing.
Regarding Roland. I've said before. I'm inclined to slap with with fines for the financial crimes and even that not too harshly. If being foolish were a crime the prisons would be overflowing I'm inclined to let him off with a warning. in twenty years or so it will be Rolands heir we're dealing with, or if it is the man himself he and his friends and other former loyalists should remember this mercy.
As Itrick says, the evidence and letters are enough to prove he was supporting Gramaire and her son in the hopes of repayment and reward. (one minor caveat I enjoy is that legally, were it not for the expectation of reward, it would in fact be more than acceptable for a friend of Gramaires and Syrokis' to provide charity and aid to them) It's not explicitly spelled out as treason, but well, given the context, more than enough evidence to lay out for a pretty easy vote on de facto. And confiscating half of the lands.
I won't argue too hard against anyone who wishes to auction off the lands to his peers, or even to confiscate the lands directly. We have enough evidence on our side to argue convincingly for the latter, even if some nobles won't like it. But I'll stick to my position. We're in a strong enough position that we don't need to push for the maximum punishment. Some minor fines for the financial crimes (maybe push that slightly higher if we're letting him keep all his lands) but a small child on the opposite side of the world does not concern us. The civil war is over. We have the law as written on our side, but in dispensing justice we can afford to be merciful and by the legalese, we could swing it in a vote, but yeah. "Not actually illegal, this is a warning. We've got our eyes on you." Would not go amiss.
Beyond that, in my opinion, now we know the exact numbers involved. I would rather take the PR win of drawing a sharp divide between Syrokis who trampled all over the law, and not only the law but justice, compared to our rule where we've forgiven the loyalists, seeking to put the rebellion behind us. And are doing our best to act with compassion and mercy. So yeah, my vote has to be the finger wagging. That said. I would want this seen and understood as the warning and second chance that it is. Certainly not a precedent. If any people wish to take this as a sign of the queen being a soft touch I intend to firmly rebuke the next would be traitor to test us. There's only so many chances we can offer, after a certain point if people won't take the hint and bow with good grace we will be forced to conclude they will never accept our rule and we would have to deal with them accordingly.
Onto Regara and Morvak. I actually don't think this is a particularly good deal here. To be sure, Regara, the formal ceding of the Thornmarch. (I would want to add a specification, that this is a ceding now and forevermore. Just so that Regara doesn't get the bright idea that the ceding only lasts the length of the non-aggression pact. I don't think she will play word games like that, but I'd like any legal agreement to be clear and without room for interpretation.
On the face of it, lowering food prices for the duration of the civil war, and financial support before (likely to be used to bribe supporters or hire forces loyal to her, possibly even mercenaries) in exchange for 10 years of peace plus lower tariffs, should pay for itself and then some, especially if we're not even expected or required to supply troops. On the other hand, the 10 years non-aggression pact cuts both ways. And I wouldn't want to, for example, sit on our hands while Morvak cuts slices off Nerinthar or Illegorost in future. So that's a downside.
On the other hand, Regara is negotiating well, and the elephant in the room, is that, of course, we're supporting her because A, she should be less aggressive (at least towards us) but less charitably, there's B in that were I in Regara's shoes I'd suspect Halrun was purposely seeking to instigate a civil war in order to weaken Morvak as a goal in of itself. (Taking that into account, the 10 year non aggression pact might be to protect herself and her nation from Halrun invading and conquering more land) (which might not be a bad idea actually, this is a secret pact, with no contracts or treaties to be signed... If the non-aggression pact is only to be signed after the conclusion of the civil war, then simply not signing that, forgoing the trade agreement and then invading while they're weak... Or smirking and using the unspoken threat of invasion to prevent them from weakening their garrison on the border and hampering any wars of conquests Regara might wish to undertake, or even just biting the bullet and actually aiming to conquer another strip of territory weeeellll... Things to be considered after the civil war.) But, just as written, accepting the treaty in order to shift troops elsewhere is still an acceptable outcome IMO.
Suggestions for wedding. Well, my big one is that, even knowing they're unlikely to accept it, maintaining the 5 standing invitations to the Knights-generals wouldn't go amiss. Even had we succeeded I doubt they'd have sent all five, at least one would have probably claimed to be busy. As is, we can expect none, save maybe Darrach. But being polite and leaving the invitations open would be the play to me.
Specific for the wedding. In the Absence of our father, Cyril, Lord Lucas, or Councillor Trins, any one of them would be excellent father figures to 'give Vanessa away' if it needs to be done. Cyril, our mentor and teacher, father figure, famous, comes with some potential issues with the necromancers, but well, of all three he's likely the one she has the most personal connection to. General trins, powerful noble, respected general, former loyalist defected to the rebels in the face of being ordered to perform reprisals. He represents our duty to defend the nation, not least in his role of cleaning up banditry. Beyond that, he also represent our acceptance of former loyalists in our realm. Lastly, Itrick, Cleric, god of Rulership and Law and order, he's a council member we work with regularly. We mean to give the kingdom truth, justice, law and order and time to heal.
Unrelated to the wedding itself, but as to the question of who would bear the children. I'm not sure on the exact specific discourse in universe. But IMO, it might be better for Vanessa to carry the children, to avoid any possible accusations that they're not her children, or adding any fuel to any silly ideas that a 'Necromancer child' will inherit the throne if Essinya is the one to bear the children. On the other hand, there's the possibility that some assholes might get it into their head that Vanessa is 'getting screwed' by the deal if she's the one to bear the children. Either way there will probably be someone who screeches about something. There's an argument for maybe each of them bearing a child (more if they're overtaken by sudden desires to have a large sprawling family) but honestly that's probably getting too far into the weeds. My personal preference one each, or quite happy to have Vanessa bear both, especially if Essinya has reservations about carrying a child. But quite honestly, so long as the children are safe, happy and healthy I don't see that it matters too much and spiteful gossips can be ignored.
Back to our actions. One thing actually. I know that it was a failure? But actually, Knight-General Vaskon. Confirming that their obligations to the crown hold. (even if only to the letter of such agreements and not an inch further) Well, they actually have my respect for that. Arguably, one of the best things to do right now? Okay, they can't be convinced, fine. Open invitation for the knight generals to attend the wedding or send witnesses or observers in their stead, no offense taken if they decline. Apart from that, them standing sentinel to the north and watching for any banditry is a-okay. We've also got their tacit agreement that by their obligations they're bound to obey our orders to not disturb embassies, travellers, merchants, or undead travelling under the flag of peace. That should cover any necessary wedding guests and so on. That was my biggest concern.
Large numbers of undead labourers for the roads we'll have to bring in through the south from the deathwoods. It's annoying but fair enough.
To recap Overall, south Zarsim. I do think we immediately send the full amount from our mobile reserve and either spend another action with another round of recruitment to gather professionals. Failing that we could see if there are any existing mercenary companies to hire on a temporary basis if they're already in existence and have better success chances. That said, digging our way out of debt, increasing our total amount of professional soldiers wouldn't be the worst idea.
The knights failure, not great, not the end of the world. Dragging their feet at being called away from their posts for anything non-necromancer related could be painful in the event of an emergency. But honestly, just the confirmation that their obligations to us are in effect and they're not chafing to declare their independence at any moment is 'good enough'. Yeah, letting them cool off for a bit wouldn't be the worst idea before any attempts to mend that particular fence. We've got plenty of other issues to juggle. And actually just accepting that we're probably never going to be the knights of the golden throne's favourite person is. Yeah. That said, long term? Adun, Justice, cleric-knights, etc. Having them in our back pocket in case Lyrus ever *does* get deposed isn't a bad idea. And we can find other projects to help keep them busy.
Fundamentally. The knights have their responsibilities. The queen has her responsibilities. Agreeing to not step on each others toes isn't the worst idea in the world. I'm sure it would be a blessed, stress-free reign if every vassals upheld their responsibilities and the queen likewise fulfilled her obligation to her vassals and the people in turn. Loyalty flows both ways. Now's not the time to remind them of that as it might come off as petulant or a threat, but well, they did turn the offer to be first in line for new and expanded roads.
[X][TREASON DE FACTO] No, the lands shall not be confiscated in any part. (Law and Custom are on your side, but this act will be seen as generally magnanimous to Arbolast's heirs and relations, as well as suggesting you're not especially concerned by Arbolast's nominal Treason)
Last edited:
.
