>>719423
Alternately: Tell her if she doesn't want to live here, she can go and get lost among the city's vagrants, beggars and prostitutes. You said you wouldn't keep them against their will, after all.

The sword stays here, though. It's not hers.

>>719452
this sounds cool, we should say this.

Single Update SamEmpower 2016/05/17(Tue)19:22 No. 724076 ID: b5dead
File 146353814689.jpg - (134.03KB , 956x832 , eowq page 142.jpg )

Aurelius: "Firstly! I may be a son of Rome, but it is a Rome far removed from the one you know!" Ow, I think some of the pot got lodged in the back of my skull!

Aurelius: "Secondly! Stop being Ridiculous! Even if you could kill me, The Praetorian Guard would hunt you down the moment you step outside!"The damn piece of porcelain is messing with my nerves, I can't open my left eye!

Aurelius: "If you wish for freedom then leave, I'm not stopping you! But know that your fate will be to live among the city's vagrants, beggars and prostitutes! That is assuming you don't end up back at the slave market! But if you really want true freedom, Freedom to decide what you want for yourself, Then stand by me and I swear you will never be shackled again!"

Persuaded?
(Dice1d20 -2 for injury, + 5 for slight silver tongue)

rolled 20 + 3 = 23

---

>>724076
Alright let's see how that goes.

rolled 10 - 2 = 8

---

I DOUBT IT, AURELIUS. I DOUBT IT VERY MUCH.

>>724080
Well alright then.

Don't forget to ask her to remove the piece of jar from your head.

Single Update SamEmpower 2016/06/03(Fri)20:41 No. 727673 ID: 4cb314
File 146501168178.jpg - (114.25KB , 956x840 , eowq page 142 v2.jpg )

Odila: She seems to have calmed down a little, not enough to drop the sword and forget about killing me mind you, but enough to at least entertain this line of conversation a little longer. "You say we are free and yet you bought us, we have been dragged from the places we called home and yet you claim to want freedom for us?! The others might buy into your polished words but I don't! I have known to much loss to fall for such false promises, especially from a Roman!" Damn this Shard! I can't think straight! Should I continue with trying to pacify her (she mentioned loss?) or just skip to the getting stabbed bit! (Though I doubt it would totally defuse the situation.)

Hit her with this: "Part of having freedom includes the ability to define what you think freedom IS. I never said you were fully, completely free. None of us are, not while three other factions are planning to rape, pillage, and otherwise conquer us into submission. I've given you a rank, orders, and tools to complete them. It's up to you to determine what they mean, how you want to carry them out, and IF you want to carry them out."

>>727673
Buying you was the best way to get you out of the market.

All I'm saying is you can either leave and get lost, or live here on condition of not being a load. I have a job to do for the empire, and as long as I fulfill it there will be food and shelter for all those who live in this house.

That can include you if you're willing not to hamper the others.

I don't care whether or not you believe me. I have laid down the facts, you can believe them or not, you'll only be effecting your self. I am offering you an opportunity here, it's your choice, take it or leave it.

>>727761
(try tugging that shard out of your head while saying this, it's kinda annoying)

Start of Update SamEmpower 2016/06/05(Sun)18:09 No. 728051 ID: 605e98
File 146517539289.jpg - (135.71KB , 958x832 , eowq page 144 v2.jpg )

Aurelius: "Part of having freedom includes the ability to define what you think freedom IS. I never said you were fully, completely free. None of us are, not while three other factions are planning to rape, pillage, and otherwise conquer us into submission. I've given you a rank, orders, and tools to complete them. It's up to you to determine what they mean, how you want to carry them out, and IF you want to carry them out." Think I found the shard, just.... gotta...

MrWorkingTitle 2016/06/05(Sun)18:10 No. 728052 ID: 605e98
File 146517544534.jpg - (133.91KB , 956x830 , eowq page 145 v2.jpg )

Aurelius: "AGH!" Got it! "I don't care whether or not you believe me. I have laid down the facts,Buying you was the best way to get you out of the market, I have a job to do for the empire, and as long as I fulfill it there will be food and shelter for all those who live in this house. You can believe in these facts or not, you'll only be effecting your self. I am offering you an opportunity. What I'm saying is you can either leave and get lost, or live here and take more of a hold over your life then you would anywhere else in the Empire!"

End of Update MrWorkingTitle 2016/06/05(Sun)18:12 No. 728053 ID: 605e98
File 146517554235.jpg - (134.23KB , 960x834 , eowq page 146.jpg )

Aurelius: "It's your choice, take it or leave it!"

Persuaded?
(1d20 +2 for un-inhibited brain +3 for show of bad-assery +5 for slight Silver tongue)

rolled 16 + 10 = 26

---

Bonus points FTW

Start of Update MrWorkingTitle 2016/06/07(Tue)13:09 No. 728310 ID: 024d8b
File 146533017085.jpg - (124.91KB , 964x844 , eowq page 147.jpg )

Aurelius: Huh?

Odila: A look of terror has spread across her face. She is shaking like a leaf in a tornado before she finally speaks,"T-t-t-t-that. T-that s-s-should have k-k-killed you!"

Aurelius: A quick glance at the shard reveals it to be roughly 4 inches long with nearly three inches coated in blood.

MrWorkingTitle 2016/06/07(Tue)13:11 No. 728311 ID: 024d8b
File 146533026013.jpg - (124.51KB , 960x844 , eowq page 148.jpg )

Aurelius: Oh jeez. Here we go. "Yes I am conditionally immortal. I have said this already at the Colosseum. And it is as true as every other word I have said to you."

Odila: "..." She is completely paralyzed. Though it's hard to tell if it's from seeing me survive a death blow or from realizing that I meant what I said.

Aurelius: "Odila."

Odila: "!!!"

Aurelius: "Drop. The. Sword."

MrWorkingTitle 2016/06/07(Tue)13:11 No. 728312 ID: 024d8b
File 146533028746.jpg - (121.49KB , 960x844 , eowq page 149.jpg )

-clang-

MrWorkingTitle 2016/06/07(Tue)13:11 No. 728313 ID: 024d8b
File 146533031327.jpg - (121.26KB , 960x844 , eowq page 150.jpg )

Aurelius: uh-oh "Wait-wait-Odila!"

MrWorkingTitle 2016/06/07(Tue)13:12 No. 728314 ID: 024d8b
File 146533035682.jpg - (104.78KB , 962x842 , eowq page 151.jpg )

Aurelius: crap "Itet, could you find Baltair and come here with him please."

Itet: "of course, my lord"

MrWorkingTitle 2016/06/07(Tue)13:14 No. 728315 ID: 024d8b
File 146533045898.jpg - (174.74KB , 960x828 , eowq page 152.jpg )

Itet: "What is it Lord Aurel-" I point her towards Odila before she finishes her thought. "Oh my! My Lord, What Happened?"

Aurelius: "Odila found out how truthful I was about My conditional Immortality and passed out from the shock. Both of you find her a bed to rest on. And Itet, keep an eye on her until she wakes up will you ?"

Itet: "Yes, of course my lord."

Aurelius: Well that was quite the can of worms, and one I will have to re-visit later I'm afraid. Now what? Should I look around, check out another room, or should I do some other third thing?

(forgot to add that to the last panel)

Doodle on her face.

Check the villa blueprints. See if you can find a discrepancy or two.

SamEmpower 2016/06/07(Tue)15:53 No. 728355 ID: 024d8b
File 146534002486.jpg - (85.10KB , 1250x730 , eowq page 153.jpg )

>>728325
I don't see any discrepancies, this is actually pretty standard as far as Roman homes go, the only oddity I see is that the Exedra (15) and the neighboring Triclinium (14) are in the wrong places. So should I look at another room or look around in the one I'm already in?

1. Tabernae: storefront rooms that open out onto the street and are usually rent out.

2. Tabernae

3. Cubiculum: small rooms that usually functioned as bedrooms but were sometimes converted into private meeting rooms, libraries, storerooms, etc.

4. Cubiculum

5. Cubiculum

6. Cubiculum

7. Triclinium: Dinning room.

8. Tablinum: Office/Study, usually where the familial and financial records were stored and worked on.

9. Culina: kitchen.

10. Peristylium: Open air colonnaded garden.

11. Cubiculum

12. Cubiculum

13. Cubiculum: I am here!

14. Triclinium

15. Exedra: Garden room usually used for formal entertainments and lavish dinner parties.

I'm thinking flamethrowers in rooms 3-6 and four turrets in room 10, if we can research the technology in this campaign.

Turn the stalls into window display cases with model airplanes and wax fruits. Get the investors interested so you can get started on upgrading Rome.

>>728355
Inventory continues. Time to check which cubiculi contain what (bedroom, storeroom, etc.), and then check the state of the tabernae (have they been completely vacated or is there evidence that the vineyard's salesman still renting them and waiting for the house to be open anew).

Also, check the sleeping arrangements/hygiene features/etc.,

>>728356
I doubt we'll be able to get that far technologically until the war is long over. Besides, I don't really see much need to fortify our home, it's already inside the city and the only important person living in it happens to be immortal.

>>728485
This. Then we can get to work on "inventing" some stuff, or at least making the preparations to "invent" some stuff.

Start of Update SamEmpower 2016/06/10(Fri)22:24 No. 728810 ID: 502b9c
File 146562264320.jpg - (239.36KB , 2162x988 , eowq page 154.jpg )

>>728356
Aurelius: ....OK...That's kinda outside of my capabilities at the moment, and sorta pointless seeing as Rome is in no real threat of being attacked at the moment. But, yes I can see how having one of the two store fronts filled with models and designs that people can invest in would make for a productive means of "modernizing" Rome. And It might be a good idea to convert one of these Cubiculum into a small workshop for making these designs, the one I'm in right now could work seeing as now that I really look at it, it's kinda barren. Just a few empty pots and dusty bookcases, and there is a single chest in here but it is locked. I also found a small bit of cloth to clean up the large patch of blood that covered the back of my head. It sounds like Itet and Baltair managed to find Odila a bed in the neighboring Cubiculum.

>>728485
As for your question of Hygiene features in here, their are none. Most Roman cities are dotted with public latrines and have bathhouses near the center of the city. (Might be another thing to work on later.)

SamEmpower 2016/06/10(Fri)22:26 No. 728811 ID: 502b9c
File 146562281791.jpg - (242.58KB , 2162x988 , eowq page 155.jpg )

>>728485
>>728569

Aurelius: But that is for another time, for now lets see the Tabernae!

SamEmpower 2016/06/10(Fri)22:28 No. 728813 ID: 502b9c
File 146562288423.jpg - (122.97KB , 1104x1024 , eowq page 156.jpg )

Aurelius: It looks like Aberdaal had the same idea, and it also looks like you were right, the vineyard's salesman is waiting to open the Tabernae along with someone else who is unloading the nearby Cart full of wine and grapes, guess he has yet to hear that the Senator passed away. Well guess its time he found out.

SamEmpower 2016/06/10(Fri)22:30 No. 728815 ID: 502b9c
File 146562304077.jpg - (180.82KB , 1124x1028 , eowq page 157.jpg )

Aurelius: "Ah, Aberdaal, what is going on?"

Aberdaal: "Ah! My lord Aurelius, I was just asking why this man what his business here is."

Vineyard Salesman: "Greetings lord Aurelius, I am here to discuss business with Senator, Cyprian Decimus Cornelius. Is he in at the moment?"

Aurelius: "I am sorry to say that he has passed away not that long ago."

Vineyard Salesman: "What?!"

Aurelius: "I am sorry that you have to be so lately informed of this, but I have been gifted this home and all that lies within by Emperor Hadrian himself, and that includes the Tabernae."

Vineyard Salesman: "What a grim day, now I will have to find work elsewhere."

Aurelius: "Actually..."

End of Update SamEmpower 2016/06/10(Fri)22:34 No. 728816 ID: 502b9c
File 146562325966.jpg - (166.88KB , 1156x1012 , eowq page 158.jpg )

Aurelius: pulling out the dead to the Vineyard, "....As of now you simply have a new employer!"

Vineyard Salesman: "OH! The deed to the Vineyard! Splendid, then shall we retire to the Tablinium so that we may discuss the work that needs to be done?"

Aurelius: Should we retire to the Tablinum? Or should we discuss business while they set up the Tabernae for the day?

> Grave Vineyard Trading Contract
Oh DOODY. SO much stuff you can do with a small, water-saturated fruit:

Raisins
Vinegar
Ethanol
Ointment

... You know what, just get to work on developing faster-fermenting wines.

retire to the Tablinum

Single Update SamEmpower 2016/07/23(Sat)15:36 No. 738166 ID: 354b70
File 146931336542.jpg - (145.02KB , 928x784 , eowq page 159.jpg )

Back in the Tablinum a few minuets later...



Aurelius: "So then, the Vineyard is is built mostly with wine in mind?"

Vineyard Salesman: "Yes, but we also deal in vinegar. And occasionally ointments."

Aurelius: "How much wine do we have stored away at this time?"

Vineyard Salesman: "We have enough of our more highly prized, sweet white wine to last until the next harvest, but we have more that twice as much red wine stored away. So we won't really need to sell the white wine yet; especially since, though it is fully matured, it is only a year away from the best age for it."

Aurelius: "Good, now how have we done as far as this month's sales go?"

Vineyard Salesman: "Not very well actually, normally we would sell close to 130 Amphora (Ancient Roman equivalent to wine barrels) each month, but we barely sold more than 40 this month. With all the rumors of the strange things happening at the frontiers, many believed it to be an ill omen, so we only earned close to 210 denarii."

-210 Denarii acquired-

Aurelius: "Well those ideas will soon change. For now continue to sell the Red wine."

Vineyard Salesman: "As you wish, my Lord"

Aurelius: Alright, before I send him away, is there anything else I am missing?

Before you leave, try to teach the merchants how to make better wine with different conditions.

I'm not sure introducing soda is a good idea, but it's your choice.

Single Update SamEmpower 2016/07/23(Sat)19:29 No. 738242 ID: 354b70
File 146932738757.jpg - (122.86KB , 780x988 , eowq page 160.jpg )

Aurelius: ....UH.

(Dice1d20 for Scientific History Knowledge)

rolled 11 = 11

---

Well they can start with NOT PUTTING LEAD IN IT.

rolled 18 = 18

---

Internet said screwcap > cork.

Start of Update SamEmpower 2016/07/23(Sat)22:13 No. 738315 ID: 354b70
File 146933719874.jpg - (147.21KB , 1144x988 , eowq page 161.jpg )

>>738243

Aurelius: Yeah. Sorry I'm more of a connoisseur of fine wines. I taste wine, I'm no expert on modern means of how to properly make wine.

Aurelius: I do see your point in excluding lead from the process all together though.

SamEmpower 2016/07/23(Sat)22:17 No. 738317 ID: 354b70
File 146933743064.jpg - (148.20KB , 928x784 , eowq page 162.jpg )

Aurelius: "One more thing, is any lead used in the wine making done at the Vineyard?"

Vineyard Salesman: "Lead? Yes, actually we occasionally use it as a sweetener in some of the Wine that comes out to bitter-"

Aurelius: "Well, that ends today. From now, on no lead is to be used in any of the wine." This statement puzzles both Aberdaal and the salesman.

Vineyard Salesman: "Uh. Very well, it shall be done. May I ask why?"

Aurelius: "To put it simply, lead is one of the least healthiest things to put in your body. Despite what many would say."

Vineyard Salesman: "I'm not entirely sure of what you mean, but I will have faith in your judgement. Now if you will excuse me my lord; the sun has set, the 11th hour (5 pm) is passing, and I must return to the Tabernae."

Aurelius: Wait, the 11th hour is passing?

SamEmpower 2016/07/23(Sat)22:51 No. 738347 ID: 354b70
File 146933947191.jpg - (142.15KB , 928x784 , eowq page 163.jpg )

Aurelius: "Ack!"

Aberdaal: "I-Is Everything alright my lord"

Aurelius: "The Emperor's Banquet is about to start soon! I need to leave! Aberdaal, See this man out and start preparing dinner for the rest of the house!" I am already making a bee-line for the front door!

Aberdaal: "But my lord, the food stores are empty!"

>>738347
What really, give them some money to buy some food then.

Then COOK something! You have wine, trade it for food and start a few dishes that use alcohol steaming!

SamEmpower 2016/07/23(Sat)23:15 No. 738357 ID: 354b70
File 146934090315.jpg - (89.85KB , 928x784 , eowq page 164.jpg )

Aurelius: "Fine! Take this money and see to dinner for the others! I will be returning later tonight!"

-100 Dennarii removed-

Aberdaal: "Ah! Right away my lord!"

SamEmpower 2016/07/24(Sun)00:06 No. 738363 ID: 354b70
File 146934396294.jpg - (184.80KB , 1148x988 , eowq page 165.jpg )

Aurelius: I hope I don't get there to late, but at least I will be relaxed when I arrive.

SamEmpower 2016/07/24(Sun)01:01 No. 738365 ID: 354b70
File 146934726781.jpg - (171.20KB , 1150x988 , eowq page 166.jpg )

Aurelius: Ah The Imperial palace! it is even more magnificent at night.

Servant: "Lord Aurelius?"

Aurelius: "Yes?"

Servant: "...this way my lord."

End of Update SamEmpower 2016/07/24(Sun)01:35 No. 738369 ID: e7c154
File 146934933024.jpg - (215.00KB , 1152x988 , eowq page 167.jpg )

Aurelius: The Banquet hall is overflowing with talk and music and the smell of delicious food. All over I see huddles of senators and military leaders both young and old all chatting away over plans and proposals to "make Rome even greater!" I'm going to have to choose my friends wisely here, unless I want to get stabbed..... again. In any case, I need to work the political scene of Rome if progress is to be made. The question now is, where should I start?

>>738369
I'd say start with the merchants, they will be the best early spies and we know what they're interested in: Profit.

But first, if Emperor Hadrian is here, duly greet him before you wander off to meet the crowd.

See if you can find anyone you recognize, by name or otherwise, to be trustworthy, moral, honorable, and reasonable. If such an individual can be found they'd be the obvious place to start with making connections. Avoid anyone with too many selfish interests, we aren't skilled enough to manipulate them properly and they may see the change we represent as a threat to their interests. This goes double for merchants, given our weak economics. You're new here and are the obvious center of attention, people are likely to approach you on their own, be cordial to them, and answer any question they may ask, but don't make any agreements or promises with anyone.