Baron 2019/12/03(Tue)10:06 No. 950801 ID: 482fee
File 157539637953.jpg - (157.17KB , 1400x1050 , 4.jpg )

>Family name: Taruvik
>Family Leader: Lady Valeras Vinn Taruvik
>Leader gender and race: Female Hybrid-Rezan/Lizardfolk(Kobold)
>Family ideal: Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination. I will protect those who cannot protect themselves. I will protect even those I hate, so long as it is right.

Baron 2019/12/03(Tue)10:07 No. 950802 ID: 482fee
File 157539644720.jpg - (158.71KB , 1400x1050 , conception.jpg )

The template is created. The Lattice shall be pulled. Data must be injected.

>No family can survive on its own without getting swallowed up. So you need a patron.

Baron 2019/12/03(Tue)10:08 No. 950803 ID: 482fee
File 157539649268.jpg - (164.71KB , 1400x1050 , Makag.jpg )

>>950802
Makag
Lead by Patriarch Vanwa Varlian Makag, bastard child, latent karver, and was last in line for the throne. Through ruthless force, and cunning political maneuvering, all his rivals have mysteriously died or wound up on the losing end of the political bouts that make up high nobility within the great families. It has done nothing to settle Vanwa's suspicion nor his ambition. His eldest brother and bodyguards have never been found years ago. Many whisper it was Vanwa who started the fire who burned the summer estate, but the body of Talgu Makag was never recovered…

Nevertheless Vanwa is ready to carve his legacy across all of Rezo, and if his family couldn’t stop him, who could?

Currently, Makag is the sole owner to the secrets of Soul Karving, a technique that dampens key aspects of a slave's personality(namely the desire to be free), and so the family and its clients enjoy reduced upkeep for civil slaves to near nothing as they can be relied upon to look after themselves. Additionally, Vanwa has decreed that all Makag military forces are accompanied by Karvers similar to himself, to ensure Karving is enacted on any surviving enemies to replenish losses. This means every military victory automatically gives a unit of slave auxiliaries at no cost.(Military upkeep still applies)


Will start in: Angrat, Vek Romo

Baron 2019/12/03(Tue)10:09 No. 950804 ID: 482fee
File 157539656034.jpg - (181.83KB , 1400x1050 , Gamin.jpg )

Gamin
Lead by Matriarch Soovi Taloo Gamin, a veteran of family politics. Like most Gamin, she is Resilkem, and sees the coming conflict through their eyes: a wasteful war that will see her family destroyed unless she can end it fast. While she will not hesitate to bring the might of Gamin down on any foe, she is content to play the long game, letting her enemies fight each other rather than waste resources bleeding them herself. Economically, Gamin has control of all water based trade routes(as all Resilkem aid each other); and owns the largest and the fastest fleet in Rezo, comprised of the most advanced ships of all the families. Gamin's fleets allows for raids across the entire planet for the same cost. Their expeditions have given them first pick for slaves has given Gamin and its client families a population of specialized slaves, doubling output for all assigned slave populations. Gamin controls the only safe route to the island of the Grafla, a race of Rezans with poor eyesight but otherworldly sense of smell, size, and strength. Gamin regularly leases Grafla auxiliaries to loyal clients.

Will start in Sunassa, Vas Amra

Baron 2019/12/03(Tue)10:10 No. 950806 ID: 482fee
File 157539662858.jpg - (187.74KB , 1400x1050 , Rokof.jpg )

Rokof
Lead by Grand Patriarch Pokl Rokof Rokof. Unlike other rulers who inherited their positions after years of grooming, Pokl has gained his position when his mother was ambushed on her return from Rezo. Her fate remains unknown, and Pokl leads in her stead, posting a large bounty to anyone that can uncover her fate. As he was not yet ready for his position, he is unsure of himself, learning his position as new situations arise. However he does know that trade is the life blood of Rokof, and will do whatever it takes to keep the coin flowing. Even if he has to burn half the families to the ground. If that gets back his mother, so much the better.

Rokof owns Vot Kaltav, the richest city in Rezo thanks to its location. Rokof's near monopoly on land based trade routes gives client families a bonus to diplomacy with all families. Because of their trade, many smaller interest groups and guilds raise private mercenary companies to defend their wealth. As part of a pact, Rokof and their clients may purchase these veteran mercenaries for a single payment rather than raising their own soldiers. Rokof understands that an army consumes wealth, but that a family needs the safety of an army to generate wealth. Thus Rokof has established that all guilds and merchant conglomerates in his territory contribute to the Defense Fund, reducing upkeep for all military units.

Will start in Tamo, Vot Tikve

Baron 2019/12/03(Tue)10:11 No. 950807 ID: 482fee
File 157539668689.jpg - (176.27KB , 1400x1050 , Gamavo.jpg )

Gamavo
Master Hontra Iacro Poldras of Gamavo controls the mysterious Gamavo family and their deep holdings. His ambitions, unclear. His motivations, unknown. When the Council dissolved, he was the first to leave, his sole compunction for attending, the King, no longer chaining him to the table. Since then he has been busy. The walls of his city have grown high, and his armies march to no set pattern. He is preparing for war as the other families are. What his ultimate prize is however remains a mystery...

No member of Gamavo ever leaves their walled city, the only contact with the client families coming from the venomous, cave dwelling Scrshk, a chitinous race of humanoid arachnids that haunt the caves and ruins of Rezo. Most view the Scrshk as pests to be avoided at best, monsters that need to be exterminated at worst, but Gamavo has managed to establish some means of communicating an alliance with one of the larger broods. These chitinous things come to inform the clients of Gamavo what their history family demands as tribute. The city of Vot Gamavo is voracious and the family will make many demands of clients, be it money, material, or slaves. For those who meet the ever growing demands of tribute are rewarded with Scrshk skirmishers who entrap their enemies in viscous webbing ensuring new slaves after every battle. Families who earn the confidence of Gamavo are granted access to the Godscar, a crystalline labyrinth for wealth, and artifacts.

Will start in Opvar, Vot Sotao

Baron 2019/12/03(Tue)10:14 No. 950809 ID: 482fee
File 157539684481.jpg - (186.17KB , 1400x1050 , Tuk'drav.jpg )

Tuk’drav
Lead by Emi Ponta Tuk’drav, Suzerain of the North. The nations north of the mountain aren’t actually part of Rezo, and Tuk’drav technically isn’t part of the Council, but is invited to deal with the other Great Families in an unofficial stance as a representative of all the people North of Shraktal. The north needs the wealth and food of the south, and the south needs the minerals and wood of the north, a beneficial relationship overseen by the Suzerain. Emi controls the largest nation north of the Shraktal Mountains, and the city of Vuk Padsdal serves as the only safe passage through the hazardous pass. Emi however has long chafed at this arrangement. While the Rezans of the South need face the troubles of Winter for only a short time every year, her people must contend with the dangers all year round. Desiring a stronger voice at the Council, and greater support from her Southern neighbors, Emi thought very little of the Rezan King that blocked all her appeals for greater authority. With the royal line gone and council in disarray, none of the Southers have time to listen to her. So she will have to make them listen...

Southern tributary families of Tuk’drav have Rok'Gulpm advisors that teach them the means of working and fighting in winter so the horrors of Shardfall doesn't affect them as badly as other families. While they prefer the colder tundra and all who want to speak with her need to trek through the border city of Vuk Podr to the frigid town of Vuk Tuk’drav, Suzersin Emi Ponta harbors dreams of southern expansion, and will supply her allies with Valkn, a race of tree born warriors that attack with speed and ferocity unmatched by any other force on Rezo. Normally found only in Westerland under the protection of secretive elf clans and jotun, Suzerein Emi possesses the only Valkyn tree in Rezo.

Will start in Endran V’ka T’del

Baron 2019/12/03(Tue)10:20 No. 950810 ID: 482fee
File 157539721994.jpg - (184.62KB , 1400x1050 , Silida.jpg )

Silida
Lord Sanjingnam is the only foreign born leader of a family. Taken as a youth to be the bodyguard and companion to the Heiress Apparent of Silida, Sanjingnam learned the ways of Rezan culture from its highest strata. When he completed his Rite, he became the first and only husband to the late Matriarch. A skirmish, one of countless fought between the families, took that joy away from him. With no other successor, he has assumed her position as Patriarch of the family. Long chafing at the decrees of the king, and forced to sit at the same table with his wife's murderers, he was all to happy to leave the Council when no authority forced him to attend. He now builds his forces, seeing the coming war as an opportunity to seize control of Rezo and restructure its society...specifically into one without Gamin.

Inheriting the Silida family and its vast mineral wealth, he controls the Pariah’s Mark, one of largest deposits of Gretling, an ore conductive enough to hold Rezan magic. Under him, tributary families have more expensive, but elite fighting forces drawn from Rezo and beyond.

Will start in Rotaa, Vaa Telo

Baron 2019/12/03(Tue)10:24 No. 950811 ID: 482fee
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Talba
Great Queen Kilees Eesham Talba, the infamous Vermin Mistress. While not a true Great Family, her influence over the uncontrolled lands infested by the "vermin races" gives her influence and power on par with the reigning families. Utilizing the fast breeding Gulpa, the mysterious Voraklat, the underdwelling Skrshk, and the hated Dredanok

The Mother-Protector of the Rejected, and Queen of the Hated takes no Rezan families as clients. She may be willing to negotiate to those with deep pockets...

>Choose your Benefactor

Gamavo! The power of Scrshk and Godscar shall push things on to victory.

Rokof, I feel that help with diplomacy will be good since we don't want too much bloodshed. But in case we must fight reduced military upkeep is good.

Gamavo

I'm split between Rokof and Gamin. On the one hand, reduced upkeep for soldiers. On the other, Gamin can work slaves extra hard and seems to have a way to get more real cheap so capitalism ho?

Makag doesn't sound like a reliable ally, nor an easily out-backstabbed one, so let's stay clear of them. Rokof sounds good.

I'm voting Tuk'drav. Winters are the best defense against invaders. Turning what is an obstacle to most into an advantage is reason enough.

I'm not against Gamavo, though.

I dunno what's good about Gamavo honestly. I mean you got spider-people but they have the same benefits as Makag. And godscar sounds like something we won't get at the start.

It's not really the same benefit given the fact that Makag's slave auxiliaries are.. Well slave auxiliaries, and require military wins to gain while the Scrshk will be given based on cost/tribute. Not to mention they gain normal slaves rather then slave auxiliaries.. Not to mention being a skirmishing capture group instead. I'm not seeing how they are the same.

And yes Godscar is a benefit to gain later, but it's a decent method of gaining artifacts later on.

>>950838
I was referring more to what Scrshk bring to the table. From what raids sound like with Gamin, we can probably get slaves easily without relying on scrshk skirmishers. It just feels like extra steps. I dunno I guess we'll see but I still think Gamin or Rokof are the better economic choice.

Rokofs seem cool.

>>950837
I'd argue that the biggest advantage of Gamavo is that they have the most separation of client and patron. The only requirement for bonuses is tributes, while someone like Makag could be demands of "You need to huntdown this So-and-so because they're loyal to my uncle's nephew twice removed, and you need to do this or else you'll also be a traitor that needs to be hunted down"
Just that disconnection from the bigger political intrigues until we're ready to enter that circus ring.

>>950845
From what it sounds like though they might want us to go attack whoever like Makag, but where Makag will have reasons like 'I don't like how he looked at me last week. EXECUTE HIM!' Gamavo seems to want you to declare war just to enslave everyone. I'm just saying with the way these families sound, I don't think we can do anything that won't have some effect in the political arena. Gamin sounds like she'll try to deflect the blame to keep us safe, and Rokof is giving us a discount so we can whether the shitstorm that comes after

I'd suggest starting out with Tuk'drav. Their gameplay seems to be centered around holding a siege against everyone else via natural barriers and maintaining choke-holds on cross-border roads, followed by quick surgical strikes on specific enemies while Shardfall lasts. From there, we attempt to forge fluid diplomacy with mutual benefactors; Gamavo would be a major priority, as assisting in their tributes would give us a heavy trade presence, followed by an attempt to reconcile the Gamins and Silidas (or just side with one). Our main goal would be to break the monopoly each specialist clan has, and take them out if they become enemies.

>>950850
Actually what is Shardfall? Can we get filled in on that before we make our decision or is this kne kf those thing we learn as the quest progresses?

>>950890
Okay. Shardfall is basically a period of winter when crazy stuff happens. Basically any army that isn't garrisoned will take massive casualties, and any town that doesn't have any standing defenses(doesn't exactly need an army, could just be a militia) will suffer some major setbacks. Only happens in winter though. Which for Tuk'drav is all year round, hence why they mitigate most of the penalties

I'll wait till tomorrow around noon to count votes

Baron 2019/12/05(Thu)12:51 No. 950961 ID: 482fee
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Okay looks like Rokof is in the lead by one vote

Identity, and association established. Finalize.

Any other additions? (backstory for your character, the family, etc.). Anything beyond this is additional flavor that may affect how other families deal with you.

Hmm, since we're part kobold, maybe family is decided by egg cluster instead of by blood. Like I'm imagining that the eggs are communally cared for, so who popped out which egg doesn't matter as much as the ones who were raised in a group.
Since blood wouldn't determine who's the leading family, we got to be leader through guile and diplomacy. With a bit of brute force when needed too.

The Taruviks practice trading eggs with potential allies, similar to swapping princes with Darkseid. If the egg is raised healthy and educated, the ally is considered trustworthy. If not...

>>950995
Yes, this is good.

I think that our family should have a history where they were once prominent with a decent military which was divided by specialization and they fell apart after each division either abandoned, betrayed or demolished each other and the leader went mad.

Just an idea, if there is something better I will also support that.

>Lady Vinn is a shrewd tactician leading earning her position through a balanced application of cunning and clout.
>>Families of equal or lower power will be more cautious/respectful when dealing with Lady Vinn directly

>Egg Trading: Taruvik has joined the practice of like families of egg-exchange to strengthen ties and gauge potential patnerships
>>Have the option to exchange eggs with a family during diplomacy for political favor...provided the eggs are of the right quality.

>>Faded glory: The Taruvik family was once a proud military family. Once. Its barracks are empty, its soldiers a shadow of the veterans that once marched through its halls. Madness, ambition and treachery has broken the family, and it is up to you to pick up the pieces.

Anything else?

Baron 2019/12/06(Fri)19:21 No. 951090 ID: 482fee
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>Finalized. Instance has been pulled. Injection imminent.

The blizzard obscures vision for more than a few feet in front of your face. You barely even see the bridge until you're crossing it. You're home.

You return with ill news. Your patron family has informed you this may be the last meeting of the council. Any attempt at finding a peaceful resolution has been lost with the death of the entire Deinoka family. The Family Deinoka is gone, even the slaves. The vacuum of authority will no doubt cause chaos across the land. It is recommended you prepare for summer, war comes.

The ancestral home of your family stands as a silhouette, a shadow barely visible through the haze of snow.

Baron 2019/12/06(Fri)19:21 No. 951091 ID: 482fee
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The Gorod, a distant sibling of yours, huffs in frustration underneath as it plows its way to the yawning entrance. The ancient doors creak in protest against the blowing wind. Your brother(through trade) and the ever dutiful servant Ssoolaku await you as you dismount, letting a pair of slaves handle the belligerent mount.

"So what is happening in Rezo sister” your brother Aligos asks. "Are the rumors true?"

"How do you not know already" you ask him. "I'm sure even the most isolated Shulka tribes in the north know by now."

He shrugs. "There are many rumors. Some are credible, others less so. I don't know which I should take seriously."

"What the young massster meansss" Ssoolaku raises a digit "is it true our patron readies for war with the other familiesss?"

"It seems that way" you sigh.

"And what does that mean for us?" brother asks.

>Your response:

It means we prepare. Whether for war, tribute, or even refugees. We need to be ready for anything. We need to be able to stand on our own two feet in the coming storm, with or without the patron's support.

Ssoolaku, what's the state of our lands?

It means we need to prepare for war as well. Hard times are upon us.

"It means we're @#$%ed. We have to play this smart every step of the way, or we die."

Baron 2019/12/08(Sun)14:05 No. 951229 ID: 482fee
File 157584272145.jpg - (200.90KB , 1636x2233 , 7.jpg )

"It means we prepare" you respond "Whether for war, tribute, or even refugees. We need to be ready for anything. We need to be able to stand on our own two feet in the coming storm, with or without the patron's support. We have to play this smart every step of the way, or we die."

Aligos laughs. "Good. Good! Our family made itself through fire and blood. And we shall do so again."

Your brother hefts his blade. “I expect Rokof will want to speak with you privately soon yes?", he turns to leave. “I’ll be drilling the men. At first thaw, they’ll be ready.”

You turn to your servant. "Ssoolaku, what's the state of our lands?"

He guides you to a table with a map of Rezo and outlines what assets Taruvik has:

Name: Vinn Taruvik

Resources:
Food(in tons):10
>Used to grow population. Every turn food exceeds total population, one city gains 1 new citizen
Industry:5
>Measure of how quickly your holdings can build new improvements/produce new goods. The higher the number, the faster the production.
Kushel(money): 1000 (+100)
>Used to buy soldiers, build improvements, hire armies, fund raids, and maintain slave populations.
Inertia: 100 (+10)
>Measurement of your governing body and how quickly it can get things done. Spent to enact policy, and reforms
Influence: 10
>Resource spent to engage in diplomacy with other families. Some actions require influence, others generate it.
Holdings :[City] (3,3)
>All cities and towns will be listed by name, and their populations(citizens, slaves)

>>WINTER IS UPON REZO. 1 TURN UNTIL SHARDFALL
Actions:
>Consult Your Family: No cost
>Enact Policy:Ssolaku will present 3 possible reforms and you may choose which to enact if you have the right amount of inertia
>Visit Your Patron: Progress turn

>Accept Refugees
First and foremost, all the smart freemen will realize they need to find someplace safe before their leaders lose their minds and start throwing armies at each other. We should advertise a "Give us your cold, your tired" speech to the local neighbors. Since we're only promising safe shelter, we can then put them to work as contracted engineers.
>Promote Industry
We don't have the numbers to mount a sufficient army defense, period. We need technology to turn the tide, and we need it now. As our province exists in the center of all these feuding factions, we also need an exit strategy and further mobility, which leads to
>Annex the eastern province
That province is close to the sea and away from the other capitals. Building a small fleet of civilian transports will be a high priority, as they will keep the civilians assured they can cut and run if things go badly. Which means you can get the first transport out!

No point in starting any projects, since they'll get halted when shardfall happens.

Let's ask Ssolaku for some reforms. The status quo is going to change so we must change as well.

Let's meet some family members as well.

Baron 2019/12/11(Wed)00:50 No. 951430 ID: 482fee
File 157605425129.png - (372.62KB , 1400x1050 , 8.png )

>Anytime you come to Ssoolaku asking for progress, he will present three potential options he has drafted that may improve family and holdings. You decide which to enact. There is an inertia cost to enact it, and it will be in effect across all family holdings by next turn:

Ssoolaku comes to you, papers in hand. “I and the sssscribessss have deliberated how besssst to ssssever our relationssss to the royal family. We feel these optionsssss are besssssst.”

1) Dismantle Royal Infrastructure: There has been a tariff on all trade in Taruvik lands for generations that went to supporting the king’s guard. As the king no longer guards us, we shall take that tariff for ourselves. (All money generating improvements increase gains by 10)

2) Defense Force: With no king’s guard to patrol the roads for vermin folk, and no royal force controlling family raids, it is only sensible that we raise additional forces to defend ourselves (+1 standing armies)

3) Applied Workhouses: It was by decree of the Deinoka that all work shall cease by the setting of the sun. Such niceties cannot be allowed when everyone is a potential enemy. By altering the schedules and pay of working families, freemen and slaves can have day and night shifts to ensure workshops and smithing houses are always productive. (All Industrial Improvements have additional work output of 5 per civilian and slave multipliers increase)


Welp my computer stopped working over the weekend. Turns out it was a motherboard issue. Swapped that out, now I'm back. Feels like I have a new problem every week...

> Dismantle Royal Infrastructure
Not yet. Keeping up appearances as submissive subjects will draw less aggro from our local subjects. Once our numbers dip into the red we can draw from our taxes with justified desperation, but for now, a few extra coins to whoever is hogging the gold means they'll spend money to preserve our tribute state.
> Defense Force
Not until after Shardfall. Conscripting people specifically to guard them during the ass-end of winter is liable to piss them off. We're better off fortifying our defenses with sturdy walls and bunkers than paying extra to make under-prepared scouts stare in the distance and get pneumonia.
> Applied Workhouses
Yes, great idea! Workshops shouldn't be emptied out and left alone for 66% of the day! That just makes them prime targets for gang hideouts! We can free up some land and materials and give jobs to everyone in our district at once!

2) Defensive force
Seems the most sensible to me. A protected people is a happy people. Plus, the prevention of raids will keep any resources we gain in our hands.

>>951432
The main thing we have to watch out for with Applied Workhouses is to keep the freemen from being worked like machines. While it'll boost our productivity for a bit. Men are not machines and will eventually break before the workhouses do.

>>951442
I think the idea is not to make people work more, but to make more people work in the same space.

Of course, that reasoning is only useful if we currently have either idle people (or people working jobs in which they're in surplus), or space problems (highly probable in a walled city).

Baron 2019/12/11(Wed)20:36 No. 951465 ID: 482fee
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As you ponder the decision, you call for a meeting of the family. Only Aligos is present. He still reeks of exertion training the soldiers.

"Aligos!? Where is the family?"

"Oh where to start" Aligos sighs. "You remember your egg-sibling that kept arguing with your over inheritance after mother and father died?"

"I thought that matter was settled."

"No, he just waited until you were gone to stage a coup. I killed him, rounded up his associates, and sold them to Rokof as slaves. The proceeds were needed so Ssoolaku could repair the estate. He and his sympathizers left a mess."

"How many did he have?", you ask, dreading the response.

"More than I expected him to have. I honestly was surprised sister. I would think there'd be greater loyalty between egg-siblings."

"There really should be..." you sigh. "That doesn't account for everyone though, where are the rest?"

"Run off. Hiding. This place has so many escape tunnels and secret chambers. I know several decided to just wait out the rebellion and side with the survivors, but I don't know where these chambers are hidden to tell them the fighting is over. You remember Uncle Dovorital during the siege by the Dredanok clan? His secret room was so well stocked he remained hidden for years before he came back out."

>Consulting with the family is a way to roleplay between members of the family to generate extra influence, and spend it to 'recruit' new family members through whatever means you decide (adoption, trade, finding a hidden chamber, etc.). Currently only Aligos is available to interact with.

>Ssoolaku still awaits your policy decision.

So why did you remain loyal, Aligos? Do not think we are ungrateful, but you were in a prime position to take control of the house.

Regardless, which would you prefer: More troops or better arms?

"Hilarious. My sibling manages to make life as difficult for me as possible, and he didn't even have the courtesy to endure long enough to laugh in my face. Or suck my blade.

Ssoolaku, there has been a change of plans. We need to set up a giant noisemaker in the tunnels before they start forming cults dedicated to my dead seditious sibling, or some other dumb idea that breaks our clan into doomed tribes."

Let's go with Applied Workhouses.

Baron 2019/12/18(Wed)17:02 No. 951829 ID: 482fee
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Fifteen page white paper finally written and behind me. Resuming!

You sigh as you walk across the table. "My sibling manages to make life as difficult for me as possible, and he didn't even have the courtesy to endure long enough to laugh in my face" You stand in front of your brother. "So why did you remain loyal, Aligos? Do not think we are ungrateful, but you were in a prime position to take control of the house."

Aligos smiles "Sister you should know by now I don't want to be a patriarch. All that power is tempting yes, but I know all the responsibilities that come with it" he shrugs "My place is leading soldiers, not an entire family."

You snap your fingers. The Jassanid retainer slithers into the room, but maintains a respectful distance away. "Ssoolaku, there has been a change of plans. We need to set up a giant noisemaker in the tunnels before they start forming cults dedicated to my dead seditious sibling, or some other dumb idea that breaks our clan into doomed tribes."

"Sister" Aligos sighs. "That will just convince them the fighting isn't over and they'll barricade themselves deeper. A loud noisemaker sounds much the same as a Grafla shot-tube down there."

"They'll need to be dealt with somehow" you wave a dismissive hand.

"My misssstresssss" Ssoolaku raises a hand "There is ssstill the isssssue of polissssy?"

"Ah. Aligos which would you prefer: More troops or better arms?"

"Both if you can manage it. Our standing force is comprised almost entirely of kobold skirmishers. In a raid they might be useful but as a standing force they're next to worthless I'm sad to say. And our armory has seen better days. As is our forces could be beaten by a strong wind."

"It's that bad?"

"No it's worse, but you have me" Aligos chuckles "I account for something."

"Well I'm afraid I can't get you both right now. It's one or the other, which is the better option for now?"

Aligos is pensive "Mmmm, if there really is no other option...weapons. Come thaw we can recruit stronger hands from outside the estate, but it means nothing if we have nothing to arm them with besides sticks and harsh words."

>>Choose reform, or put off(advance turn)

>>951829
Alright let's trade for weapons. Since everyone's hiding that means we have low upkeep and can afford to spend some capital.

Applied workhouses it is, then.

If I'm understanding it right, we're not at risk of raids during shardfall anyways

Get creative for now. Buy some shoddy weapons in bulk, then disassemble them and use them as trap components. They'll expect a rabble of easy EXP, not a house of deathtraps.

Baron 2019/12/21(Sat)14:28 No. 951985 ID: 482fee
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The plans are finalized and the quill pushers start putting idea into action. In the meantime, Ssoolaku commissions the usual sellswords and hirelings that pass through your land for whatever scrap weaponry they find on their travels. Their word should spread and bring in larger bulk once merchants catch wind.

You however are required in Vot Rokof. Travel is fast, much faster than usual. The Rokof family sends a fleet of Gorod to speed you on your way and you're there within a week's time. You are known well enough the guards expect you, and usher you in with no fuss or demands.

Grand Patriarch Pokl Rokof Rokof is in his study, pensive. A blizzard is beginning to form outside, yet whatever carvings place in the walls prevent the chill from seeping in and mutes the howling winds. Snow still falls through the open windows however, pooling into small mounds on the floor. He pays them no mind. He barely notices you coming in. He takes one of the green stones lining his waist and turns it in his hand.

"Do you know what these are? They're the seals of every family Rokof deals with. A requirement for stamping all the paperwork that goes past me" He points to the stones closest to his belt. "The bottom most rung are families Rokof trades with" his hand drifts to the upper wrappings. "The middle and top rungs are for subservient families to Rokof. I use these the most. I can't pass an edict, law, or even approve the pay schedule of the guard without each seal going on the documents. Most families don't even know they have one of these things. Do you know which is yours?"

You don't. Until today you didn't even know your family had such a thing.

Baron 2019/12/21(Sat)14:29 No. 951986 ID: 482fee
File 157696738451.png - (414.33KB , 1400x1050 , 12.png )

He doesn't give you time to answer. He juggles the seal in his hand. "It's this one. Yes, I know each of these seals by name. I know them because I have to. Just another requirement to becoming patriarch. Though none of that matters I suppose if the line of succession is called into question…do you know what makes Rokof so powerful Taruvik?"

>Response

Our trade and reliability. Our neighbors know we never make offers, or threats, in vain.

"Because all the world's a stage, and you're the director. You tell an actor to slightly change his lines, and the whole play shifts in meaning without directly ordering them to betray character."

Baron 2019/12/22(Sun)18:13 No. 952066 ID: 482fee
File 157706723008.png - (126.37KB , 1400x1050 , 13.png )

"Because all the world's a stage, and you're the director. You tell an actor to slightly change his lines, and the whole play shifts in meaning without directly ordering them to betray character."you reply.

Rokof smiles. "The Third Annad from 'The First Lie' by Kome the Bizarre. No. It's commerce."

He get up from his thrown and turns to a bare book case. "We stand in the middle of the easiest land routes between north and south. All trade must flow through us, and so we regulate it. It is our decisions that determine the price of grain in the north as does the cost of an axe in the south. That is our power. But like many things, it only existed because the royal family said so. Without that backing, there isn't much stopping a rival from trying to take that power from us. The attack on my mother's caravan was proof of that. Now my own family questions whether I am worthy of being Patriarch. My own family. Ready to tear itself apart like Makag gulpa."

"The storm comes Taruvik, and it will test us all. For now as patriarch I order you to strengthen your borders, consolidate your home, and prepare. And be careful. We don't know yet who our true enemies are, and who are mere fools driven by greed."

>Objectives
Reach Food stocks of 20
Reach income of 500
Have at least 1 full standing army
Have a Prosperity rating of at least 50%

Baron 2019/12/22(Sun)18:15 No. 952067 ID: 482fee
File 157706733358.jpg - (239.75KB , 1636x2233 , 14.jpg )

Turn 2
Resources:
Food(in tons):10
Industry:2
Kushel(money): 1100 (+100)
Inertia: 10 (+10)
Influence: 20 (+10 from meeting with Rokof)
Holdings :Tamos-[City] (3,3)
Prosperity: 30%
>New Resources Prosperity - Determines the relative stability of your owned regions. It goes down when raided, battles are fought on it, or new settlements are annexed into your territory. Improve by making your territory safer(policy, patrols, improvements, holding captured territory long enough to rebuild what was destroyed, and other actions


>>SHARDFALL IS UPON YOU: Work grinds to its slowest pace as none dare leave their homes.
Actions:
>Consult Your Family: No cost
>Enact Policy: (-100 Inertia)
>Raise Army/Train Soldiers
>Skip Turn
>Other:You decide what the family should do this turn. Search for bandit nests, root out old family members, delve forgotten wings of the estate? This is for any action you think should be done that isn't listed. Can yield bonuses or penalties depending on results.

>Shardfall
Keep a token squad of scouts on the off-chance that Tuk'drav spends their strike trying to shake up Rokof. Think of it as soldier vetting; every recruit gets a day of guard duty. Meanwhile, Aligos will record their level of vigilance at random intervals, and determine which among the potential recruits have the potential to be more than rank-and-file.

>What do
Meanwhile, you're on vacation since most people don't need someone to tell them to stay indoors and do mostly nothing all winter. Do some dungeon delves, starting at your estate.

Let's train some soldiers. We may not have the best equipment for them yet, but you don't need grade A weaponry to train.

What sort of soldiers do we have available right now? Ask Aligos what our army look like currently and what we can add to it.

Baron 2019/12/26(Thu)13:06 No. 952210 ID: 482fee
File 157739438050.png - (224.85KB , 1400x1050 , 15.png )

You ask Aligos about Taruvik's military strength.

Aligos sighs. "Skirmishers. We have kobold skirmishers. They are equipped with whatever they bring. Some have bows and javelins. Others have swords and axes. And some have farming equipment and kitchenware. And a few just brought very big rocks."

"And how many do we have?"

"200. Enough for 2 companies of them."


Available for recruitment
>Taruvik Skirmishers: Assorted kobolds and Rezan-bolds. Can be used as raiders.
(-200 Kushel)
>Sagura(sword/repeater bow/spear): Sagura are fresh recruits who have sold themselves into a conditional slavery as military conscripts. The specifics of their contract vary per individual. Some seek fortune in loot. Others hope to be inducted into a higher family, or given enough status to form their own. While given extensive training, they are untested in actual combat. Can be used as raiders.
(-400 Kushel)
>Gulpa Auxilia: While Gulpa are considered a vermin race, a 'domesticated' nest can be formed in Rezan midden heaps, and young are culled to serve in a family's military. Mostly as aids or servants, but the more aggressive adolescents can be armed and made to serve as meat shields. What they lack in knowledge, skill, kit, and general intelligence, they almost make up for in savage fury. Gulpa make use of anything and everything as a weapon, including their razor-like teeth. Can be used as raiders.
(-100 Kushel)
==========================================================================================
You take a few guards with you down into the older sections of the ancestral estate.
>>Roll 1d100

rolled 23 = 23

---

>>952210
Pace out the halls of your lineage, once familiar, now foreign.

Train some Sagura spears for a defensive force, Then perhaps two groups of Taruvik skirmishers to bolster the main force. Should leave us about 300 in the bank + whenever income happens.

Gulpa sound like excellent raiders and forerunners. But it also sounds like they wouldn't really benefit from extensive training. So I'd say wait until we're thinking of striking out before starting the zergling rush.
(Plus, they cute.)

rolled 56 = 56

---

Dice didn't work

Baron 2019/12/28(Sat)01:05 No. 952274 ID: 482fee
File 157752395564.png - (246.91KB , 1400x1050 , 16.png )

>Your family combs the lesser kobold clans for capable fighters to fill 2 batallions of Skirmishers. They shall be prepared by the turning of the seasons
>The Sagaru contracts are being written and their ranks shall be filled by end of the season


Your inheritance was sudden, and very vague on many details. The tunnels and catacombs that run 'neath the estate are a mystery to you. Taking a small escort of your best...skirmishers, you explore your property and find...
>Moderate success
That's odd. It looks to be an egg. Though what laid something of this size is unknown. Yellowed parchment are written in a language you do not understand.

When you return it with you, Ssoolaku nearly jumps out of his skin. "Misssstressss" he exclaims "Thissss! Thissssss! How do you find thissssss?!"

"What? What? What have I found?"

"An egg" Ssoolaku pronounces, as if it is a profound discover, over and over.

"I can see that."

"It is Jassanid!", Ssoolaku hastily corrects himself.

"Jassanid? Like you?"

"Not like me! Not like me! I am mere Anumahat cassssste. Thissss! Thisssss egg not Anumahat! Thisssss egg Ssssirasssar casssste!"

Sirassar? The ruling caste of the Jassanid? In all of Rezan history no raid has even managed to capture one alive. To have an egg....what did your parents do to get this? "Ssoolaku, will it obey me upon hatching?"

"I...I do not know missssstressss" Ssoolaku looks away abashed.

You toss him the scrolls you found. "Then start translating these. Find out what you know about this egg. I want to know what value I have."

>Acquired Sirassar Egg
>New Project: Translate Sirassate Scrolls

Baron 2019/12/28(Sat)01:06 No. 952275 ID: 482fee
File 157752401169.png - (1.01MB , 1636x2233 , 17.png )

>Shardfall ravages Rezo
>Tuk'drav ignores the storm and conquers a rival clan in Vem Crek
>Gulpa raids break out in V'ka T'del, Voo Mas, Vas Amra, Vak Okras, Vek Rokta, and Vek Talobre
>Silida finishes construction of a wall around its capital.
>Makag launches a purge within its city. Those Vanwa accused as traitors are thrown out of the city, left to the mercy of Shardfall. Whatever remains is burned.

The horrors of Shardfall have passed. The temperature begins to rise slowly, Spring comes.
Turn 3
Resources:
Food(in tons):10
Industry:5
Kushel(money): 400 (+100)
Inertia: 20 (+10)
Influence: 25 (+5 for delving the estate)
Holdings :Tamos-[City] (3,3)
Garrison: 4 Kobold Skimishers, 1 Spear Sagaru
Armies: 0 (armies consist of a character officer, and up to 5 units(can be extended by reforms))
Prosperity: 30%

Actions:
>Consult Your Family: No cost
>Enact Policy: (-100 Inertia)
>Raise Army/Train Soldiers
>Skip Turn
>Other

Opps forgot to add in Actions
>Build Improvements
>Scout your land(Find potential threats to your territory)

>What do
Spring is here. Just focus on agriculture, like every other sane person.

>New Project: Translate Sirassate Scrolls
Concentrate on this project while you have the time. You do not want the egg to die from neglecting critical environment conditions. Or for the baby to do anything but imprint on you.

Scout the land. Protect the farmers while they sow their fields.

>List Improvements

>Existing Improvements
Taruvik Estate:Producing 100 Kushel, 10 Inertia, idle slaves producing 3 prosperity
Taruvik Workhouses: Producing 5 Industry, no civlians or slaves assigned
Grain Fields: Producing 10 tons of food, no civlians or slaves assigned

>Possible improvements
>Walled Garrison: Increase defenses of the city, adds 5 to prosperity and increase garrison size (-200 Kushel payment, -20 upkeep)
>Closed Sewage paths: increase prosperity by 10 (-100 Kushel payment, -10 upkeep)
>Trading Post: Generate 250 kushel per turn (-500 payment)
>Scribe's Retreat: Produce 50 Inertia (-200 Kushel payment, -20 upkeep)
>Metallurgists: Produce 2 Industry and 100 kushel (-700 payment)
>Other(Write in what you think can be improved and I'll add bonus and stats based on what it does)

I'd say save up for the trading post. Follow in our patron's footsteps.

Can we assign some slaves to the workhouses and fields?

Baron 2019/12/31(Tue)01:00 No. 952438 ID: fd2dfa
File 157778283104.png - (314.34KB , 1400x1050 , 18.png )

Scouts report one of the lower family farms decimated during your predecessors' rule has been infested by a wild Gulpa nest. If left to themselves, the vermin will grow to unsustainable numbers and raid your holdings. Additionally clearing this land will allow you to reclaim its fertile soil for exploitation.

>Can we assign some slaves to the workhouses and fields?
You may. Citizens apply a bonus proportional to the number of civilians working an improvement (1 for +1, 2 for +2) while slaves provide twice the amount. It should also be noted that slaves shouldn't outnumber civilians unless prosperity is over 50, are a client of Makag, or possess Soul Karving.

Can we talk with the other families and make a non aggression pact? At least keep the big players off out backs while we work on our home turf.

Remove those vermin. Eradicate them if they can't be put to use elsewhere

>>952470
You may. That is a perk of being a Rokof client. Which family?
>>952480
And who will be sent to clear the nest? Which soldiers?

Obviously send everyone. Blood the troops

Baron 2020/01/04(Sat)01:10 No. 952665 ID: fd2dfa
File 157812905529.png - (338.35KB , 1400x1050 , 19.png )

rolled 19 = 19

---

You send out the entire garrison to clear out the farmlands. Aligos leads the rabble with some sense of order.

Purging a Gulpa nest follows a pattern. When their nest burns, they will surge out in waves to meet the attackers. The warrior males will first retaliate, then the laborer males, then the steriles females, and finally the breeder females. To ensure as few as possible escape the purge, the nests are surrounded as they are lit from afar. Once the smoke reaches the sky, the first wave hits the lines...

Baron 2020/01/04(Sat)01:24 No. 952666 ID: fd2dfa
File 157812988971.png - (534.21KB , 1400x1050 , 20.png )

It's bloody work. As expected, the soldiers Aligos trained have little experience faccing real enemies. Even as wild and undisciplined as Gulpa, many fall to slashing claws, biting fangs, and crude weapons. Had it not been for overwhelming numbers, and the presence of Aligos reinforcing the line anywhere it threatened to crumble, the battle might have been a rout.

Victory is snatched from the jaws of defeat. Though they took their toll, the Gulpa nest is destroyed, the males slaughtered, and females burned inside the nest. A few intrepid sagura try to take Gulpa prisoners as slaves for extra pay, but most satisfy themselves with a grisly trophy. There's certainly plenty littering the field.

Many Rezan and Kobold are killed, but rather than demoralized, the survivors are ecstatic for surviving their first battle. Aligos lets them have their victory as they cart back the spoils plundered from the nest.

All this you read in a very glowing report sent by a slave sent to witness the conflict. Most of it is drivel about how 'sweat glistens off the perfectly sculpted muscles' of your brother's bare chest. Perhaps you should send someone else...

>>Gulpa nest cleansed
>>Looted 500 Kushel
>>Gained 20 influence, 5 Prosperity, and [Fertile Field] in Holdings

Baron 2020/01/04(Sat)01:29 No. 952667 ID: fd2dfa
File 157813019340.png - (884.58KB , 1636x2233 , 21.png )

>>Tuk'drav conquers rivals in V'ka Tros
>>Skirmishes break out between the border of Vot Gamavo and Vek Sota
>>The island of Eh is raided. The raiding forces are unknown.
>>Makag launches a campaign against the rebellious Tazara family in Vak Seru
>>Silida battles Royalists in Vot Talobas


Turn 4
Resources:
Food(in tons):10
Industry:5
Kushel(money): 1000 (+100)
Inertia: 20 (+10)
Influence: 50 (+5 for delving the estate)
Holdings :Tamos-[City] (4,3), [Fertile Field]
Garrison: 4 Kobold Skimishers, 1 Spear Sagaru (All units at 50% health, need 2 more turns to fully recover)
Armies: 0 (armies consist of a character officer, and up to 5 units(can be extended by reforms))
Prosperity: 35%

Actions:
>Consult Your Family: No cost
>Enact Policy: (-100 Inertia)
>Raise Army/Train Soldiers/Replenish troops
>Build Improvements
>Scout the Land
>Diplomacy (No cost to just talk, some costs for actual agreements)
>Skip Turn
>Other

Apparently I forgot to have the 'vacation' part in my winter vacation. These last few days were hectic

Claiming Vek Sotau and the coast should be done sooner than later.

At minimum scout it out, then raise the troops to take it.

Let's build those trading posts now with our spoils. If we can have multiple improvement projects, let's also start on some walled garrisons.

Baron 2020/01/04(Sat)21:10 No. 952761 ID: fd2dfa
File 157820105671.png - (890.51KB , 1636x2233 , 22.png )

rolled 94 = 94

---

While there is nothing stopping you from scouting Vek Sotau, however your scouts cannot pierce too deeply into the province; nor can they identify the owners of the four estates closest to Tamo. It would be easier if your family had more control over Vot Tikve, but wishing gets you nowhere.
>Identified 12 key territories. Control of majority cedes control of the province to your family.

Ssoolaku reports construction is now underway. While there is enough manpower for both the new walls and the trading post, it will take some time for either to be completed.

>Multiple projects can be undertaken. Your industry rating determines how quickly they can be built. At your current rating, they will be completed in 2 turns each.
>Random events happen every 5 turns, they can be beneficial or a pain. What will happen?

Baron 2020/01/04(Sat)21:27 No. 952764 ID: fd2dfa
File 157820206047.png - (949.81KB , 1636x2233 , 23.png )

94 = By chance, you had accidentally tripped a switch in one of your estates many dusty hallways, revealing a sealed chamber where one of your family members would have hidden. Unfortunate for the poor bastard his taste in decor was his undoing. However the fortune he had hidden away to buy his way into the graces of whoever won the family feud will most certainly be put to good use.

>Gained 2000 Kushel!

>Spring gives way to Summer, marking a rising of temperatures, and when the population of the Vermin races reaches critical points. Raids break out across Rezo. Some dangerously close.
>The campaign Makag launched intensifies as more families are drawn to the fighting, and raids add to the turmoil.

Turn 5
Resources:
Food(in tons):10
Industry:5
Kushel(money): 2300 (+100)
Inertia: 30 (+10)
Influence: 50
Holdings :Tamos-[City](Garrison and Trading Post completed in 1 more turn) (5,3), [Fertile Field]
Garrison: 4 Kobold Skimishers, 1 Spear Sagaru (All units at 50% health, need 1 more turns to fully recover)
Armies: 0 (armies consist of a character officer, and up to 5 units(can be extended by reforms))
Prosperity: 35%

Actions:
>Consult Your Family: No cost
>Enact Policy: (-100 Inertia)
>Raise Army/Train Soldiers/Replenish troops
>Build Improvements
>Scout the Land
>Diplomacy (No cost to just talk, some costs for actual agreements)
>Skip Turn
>Other

I would say that windfall is best spent by raising armies of Sagura. We need to take Sotau in the next few years to remain solvent.

We can lay some groundwork by using Diplomacy to find out about that region's feuds, and who we might promise governorship to.

Soldiers sound like a good option.
4 Companies of Sagura. 1 Sword, 2 Repeating Bow, 1 Spear.
1 Company of Gulpa.

Once training is complete we'll have enough soldiers for a Regular army of Sagura and an Auxiliary Army.

Consult the family. Aligos makes a fine general but even he cant head 2 armies at once.

We should probably scout Vot Tikve to see the local players and find who we can roll over and who might be a problem later.

Troops are fine, but build that trading post first! It'll boost our income by 250%, allowing us to field more troops.

Baron 2020/01/06(Mon)00:47 No. 952833 ID: fd2dfa
File 157830042566.png - (235.48KB , 1400x1050 , 24.png )

You arrange a meeting with your brother. He doesn’t take to the summer weather well, and you find him by the window overseeing the new sagura drilling below. At least when he takes the time to remove the damp cloth he is using to cool his head.

“Aligos-“

“Raiding party” he interrupts you.

“What?”

“I saw the mustering reports Ssoolaku delivered to you. The Sagura can form the core of a proper army. Skirmishers and Gulpa do not work well in ordered forces. They can serve as a raiding party. They do not need an officer leading them. Better they don’t have one anyway as it prevents rivals from tracing them to us if the party fails or is captured. Summer is the season of raiding so this is the best time to do it. Ach ka, I do not understand how you and Ssoolaku take so well to this heat.”

“I see. That answers my question for now, but in the future we will need other officers” you raise.

“Well our options are limited. Either find the ones hiding in the catacombs below, find one out in wild, or we can fuck and hope our bastard is a child prodigy!”, Aligos snaps.

He really does not like the heat...

Baron 2020/01/06(Mon)00:47 No. 952834 ID: fd2dfa
File 157830046130.png - (908.74KB , 1636x2233 , 25.png )

>The Trading Post will be completed next turn
Scouting Vot Tikve, you identify the key territories of the province.
>Red territories are hostile
>Blue are clients of Rokof. You cannot attack them without permission from Rokof.
>Green are neutral. They are not hostile, and they can be negotiated with to become clients. If that fails you can use force to try and crush them.


Turn 5
Resources:
Food(in tons):10
Industry:5
Kushel(money): 1000 (+100)
Inertia: 30 (+10)
Influence: 50
Holdings :Tamos-[City](Garrison and Trading Post completed in 1 more turn) (5,3), [Fertile Field]
Garrison: 4 Kobold Skimishers, 1 Spear Sagaru (All units at 50% health, need 1 more turns to fully recover)
1 Gulpa Auxiliary
Armies:
Tavurik 1st Leklos [Aligos | Sagura(1 Sword, 2 Repeating Bow, 1 Spear)]
Prosperity: 35%

Actions:
>Consult Your Family: No cost
>Enact Policy: (-100 Inertia)
>Raise Army/Train Soldiers/Replenish troops
>Raid (New Action): Send a raiding party to a target. The number of forces in the party, initial funding, and distance all add to chances of success.
>Build Improvements
>Scout the Land
>Diplomacy (No cost to just talk, some costs for actual agreements)
>Skip Turn
>Other

Petition Rokof for (A) temporary forces to help you take Sazoga or (B) permission to march past Sov and 'negotiate' with Suzo.

If you can't get enough forces to obtain a new town within a single turn, go for Metallurgists or any other potential upgrade/recruitment.

Ok, so a plurality of holdings in this province means 7. With all reds conquered, that gets us 5. No reason not to get started on that.

We need 2 neutrals to swear fealty, or be convinced to come under our banner.
I suggest we leave Rokof's friends alone for now.

Open talks with Ozuva. We need them to at least look the other way as when invade Suzogu, and we will need their cooperation to became more prominent in the region in the future.

>>952849
Looks like we'll need their roads to finish our campaign too.

Lets train one more Spear Sagura for the army as well. Have an solid front line for the archers, swordsman on the flanks.

I second that we shpuld ask Rokof for support against Sazoga(won't do to have hostile neighbors) while we ask Ozuva for help(or at least stay out of it).

Alongside the spears we should also raise one more unit of skirmishers for flexibility. They won't be an army but keeping them in the garrison ought to keep the city safe if anyone raids it while Aligos is away.

>>952860
I dunno man. We still haven't fulfilled our patron's request of us. Asking Rokof for help now may make us appear impotent.

>>952862
True. We we should still ask Ozuva though

I'm not sure we should consider conquest quite yet. Our patron wants us to focus on prosperity for now, and we have no idea how strong our enemies are. Although a good way to test that is with raids, as our brother has said. Let's send a skirmisher unit and some gulpa towards Sazoga

>>952871
Our Skirmishers are at 50% health until next turn.

>>952871
Spies would be better. A raid would make the region alarmed, fearful, and angry, which would ruin any diplomacy. Worst case, they seek refuge with rivals.
Spies, however, can quietly aid diplomacy with secrets.

>>952872
Alright, just the gulpa then
>>952875
Raiding is very much part of this world, what with the brother straight up saying this is the season for it. It's not like our raiders will be waving our banner. It's only if they get captured and interrogated will it get traced back to us, same risk as spies. Besides, we've already seen others commit raids without anyone knowing who did them.

>>952876
That's literally suicide.

What if we take the Gulpa, Consolidate the 4 damaged Kobold raider companies into 2 functional ones, and burn a couple hundred gold on extra supplies and equipment for the Raid.

I don't know if consolidation will effectively eliminate 2 companies or if we'll have 2 useless companies for a few more turns, but either way if the the raiding companies take damage we'll be largely without garrison or auxiliaries during our invasion. There is merit in restraint. As >>952875 suggests, spies could also be an option.

>>952886
I guess what I'm picturing when talking of raids: is some loose troupes sacking and looting some farms and small, defenseless towns. Fleeing as soon as any actual armies appear. Some gulpa could be just as viable to ruin a farm or two and run away with some food and tools. We don't need to put all our forces on the line to lay siege to a city. Just smash and burn.

>>952897
Sure, but the Gulpa are just one step above animals.
They are suitable for creating chaos while more reliable troops get the real work done, and little else.

Besides, The point of a raid against Suzogu right now would be to soften the target and test their defenses.
Sending insufficient force will yield little damage and no information.

Baron 2020/01/06(Mon)19:46 No. 952942 ID: fd2dfa
File 157836876862.png - (357.33KB , 1400x1050 , 26.png )

Well while you decide what to do, diplomacy with Ozuva will go on ahead.
Ozuva was a moderately sized city famed for its timber and the the exquisite works of the Karvers and wood-shapers. From humble spear to massive Storm-breaker ships, Ozuvan lumber is considered one of the greatest(with some debate) and is the primary export of the city. The dense trees provide cover for Voraklat raiding parties, and the Vermin have become very tricky in getting past Ozuvan defenses. Ozuvan people have in turn become expert ambush hunters and extremely wary of outsiders. Can never tell if you really are an outsider coming to do trade or just a Voraklat wearing someone else's face...

Generations ago Deinoka had granted control of this city and its forests to the Zokuval family, a Resilkem line that makes even the conservative Rokof look progressive by comparison. Unchanged throughout the centuries, they care not for who rules or the crumbling political structure of the world around them. They will agree with whatever lets them remain in their isolated world.

"Heyha. I am Karver Saleeyana, daughter to Lord Patriarch Hadru Sanklek Zokuval, Speaker of the Zokuval family, Guardian of its House, and leader of the first Zokuval Leklos. I greet you Tavurik representative, and inquire what business requires your intrusion into our realm."

>Making agreements with other families first comes down to negotiation. Once a settlement has been made, a payment in influence and/or money must be made to make the treaty official. If the payment cannot be made, the treaty is simply left in escrow until payment is made.

Seems like we should make our intentions plain. Simply that we intend to leave them alone when our forces move, that they are not our current target nor are they a future target.

>>952834
Alright, my official vote as to what to do will be to start a raid against Inva. Send all skirmishers and the Gulpa with 300 Kushel in funding.

This should allow for a decent chance of success without alerting our immediate neighbors should things go sour. We now have a standing army to defend us should the need arise. I do see the skirmishers and gulpa as expendable, since it would be easier to simply raise more at the moment than to wait for them to heal. Any loot brought back should cover any losses and then some.

>>952940
We seem to be just of two minds when it comes to how the raid should and will go. Hopefully what I've voted for won't terribly interfere with your plans.

>>952942
We seek to bring some semblance of order to the province. The south supports Rokof, while the north goes it's own way. Divided as we are, we're easy prey for larger kingdoms.

We desire to move caravans and patrols through your province, and to trade for supplies at your city. We offer you a spot in our coalition, and substantial profits once we form a trade route.


(I want to topple Sazoga with overwhelming force, before they even expect it.
Once we do that, we'll have that working for us in negotiations.)

>>952897
Fine, but if it's just looting, why hit places we'll own? Shouldn't we go loot places our rivals are likely to target? Let them pay to rebuild.
>>952950
I'd be careful about how that's worded. Downplay changes.

We could offer the Ozuva an opportunity to construct a road between our two cities.

As we speak, Tamo is enhancing it's trading infrastructure. In these trying times our survival and independence relies more than ever on our access to the money and resources we need to defend ourselves.

As it stands it takes over 2 weeks for traders to make the journey between the two, and travel is made more precarious by the factional nature of the recent political breakdown. To be successful our traders need better access to the northern lands. Ozuva is the heart of Vot Tikve. A road between our two cities would be mutually beneficial, Our traders would be able to reach the northern lands in under a month, and Ozuva would become the hub of all trade in the region. I propose construction of a road between us start in earnest. With both sides working to complete one half of the length of the project.

---
Such a proposal would benefit us more than Ozuva, and I suspect they will realize this and ask for more favorable or additional conditions on it's construction. Which is fine. Permission to build a road at all would be fine. Any agreement that somehow binds them to us can act as a line in for when they inevitably freak out and bunker down when we attack their neighbor.


>>952949
Personally I'd prefer a raid against Zovdek if raiding Vek Sotau for reason of distance alone. In the interest of getting things moving however, I will back your plan of targeting Inva.

I still suggest consolidating the skirmishers however.

>>952980
I don't think we can safely move into Vek Sotau until we've neutralized the reds on our starting province.

In any case, once we own the province we can field larger armies.

>>952949
>>952980
The more I think about it, the more I think it might be a bad idea to raid an unknown territory. Better we just raid a distant hostile like Tog. I mean what's the worst that can happen? They hate us more? Declare war? We were planning that anyway. At least if they attack we can claim to be on the defense and petition aid from Rokof.

If we raid Inva and they wind up being a neutral or worse, they're a Rokof client he didn't tell us about (he didn't tell us about the ones in Vot Tikve we had to find them), that could come back to bite us in the ass if the party gets captured.

>>952997
I'm willing to resign to just not raid.
At the very least we'll have a shitload of manpower to march with in the fall.

>>952998
Oh no I think we should. I'm just saying better a known target than an unknown one. Much more predictable outcomes.

>>953000
Welp. Then here's my analysis.

Suzo is a good potential target, but raiding could cause trouble for our patron's other clients. They are also currently neutral and we'd risk burning a potential partner.

Sazoga is a conquest target. A raid now would have unpredictable effects is relation to that goal.

Ozuva is too near our conquest target to risk angering right now.

Arglos is annoyingly out of the way road wise, and would require the expedition to travel through a sizable amount of wilderness.

Everything North of Ozuva presents an extreme challenge in terms of distance for our Damaged Troops.

Vek Sotau Cities are poorly scouted. Though I doubt their influence extends this far south, we run a real chance of angering House Gamavo should we raid blind.

There's really no good obvious choice.

The real question is is the potential lost opportunity cost worth the risk?

If we do nothing we get the small "reward" of a full health raiding army next turn.
If we raid something we gamble with not only the potential fallout, but with the actual units themselves. We could end up with fantastic rewards, or we could lose all of our units.

So. Do we go for broke, or take the unexciting sure thing?
And if we are raiding, Where?

>>953001
The way forward is to control Vot Tikve. That will give us de facto control of everyone's armies.

Vek Sotau is folly until we do that. We can raid, but can't stand the counter attack, or the diplomatic heat from it.

We can't head north of Ozuva until they allow it, which is why I'm making diplomatic overtures. In the meantime, we need to concentrate on bringing down Sazoga.

>>953003
Yes, but do we raid?

>>953005
My vote is split between Arglos and Sazoga, if only to see how raids will work

Baron 2020/01/07(Tue)23:43 No. 953029 ID: fd2dfa
File 157846939450.png - (304.67KB , 1400x1050 , 27.png )

"As we speak, Tamo is enhancing it's trading infrastructure. In these trying times our survival and independence relies more than ever on our access to the money and resources we need to defend ourselves.

As it stands it takes over 2 weeks for traders to make the journey between the two, and travel is made more precarious by the factional nature of the recent political breakdown. To be successful our traders need better access to the northern lands. Ozuva is the heart of Vot Tikve. A road between our two cities would be mutually beneficial, Our traders would be able to reach the northern lands in under a month, and Ozuva would become the hub of all trade in the region. I propose construction of a road between us start in earnest. With both sides working to complete one half of the length of the project."

The Lord Patriarch calls his daughter to him and they have a whispered conversation.

Baron 2020/01/07(Tue)23:44 No. 953030 ID: fd2dfa
File 157846946029.png - (305.74KB , 1400x1050 , 28.png )

After some time has passed, Karver Saleeyana turns back to you.

"This offer is...acceptable provided you offer a gesture of faith."

>Zokuval will accept your proposal if you pay them 750 Kushel

Okay. 300 up front, and an annuam of 150 for 3 more years.

We cant squeeze our merchants harder until they've had a chance to recoup their losses.

Negotiate that you wish to pay them 500 Kushel now for the construction of the road between Ozuva and Tamo, but if you are satisfied with Ozuva's construction crew you will pay them another 500 Kushel to construct a road between Tamo and Weka.

Ah, an offer most shrewd. As can only be expected of the famed Lord Patriarch Zokuval.
However, we could hardly call ourselves traders if we didn't at least engage in one of the oldest and most time honored traditions: Haggling.
Let us begin...

Start at 400 and work up until an agreement is made.


I also have another suggestion if anyone wants to bite:
When we hit 500 and 500 is rejected, what if we offer 500 again, provided we build the entire road?

After Sagoza is taken, we could rush construction by using the army to build it (Since they newer specified we couldn't use soldiers), which would put us in prime position to seriously intimidate them, perhaps allowing us to subjugate them bloodlessly.
It would also give us a good excuse to send "Survey Parties" into Ozuva's southern forests. We could observe troop placements and ambush techniques, we could map the surrounding terrain finely, and we could even perhaps contact the local Voraklat.

Haggle it down or make it like a safety deposit. Why would something mutually beneficial be something you should pay for? It's almost like they're trying to get you to pay for the entire road.

>>953050
Judging by the description, they're both suspiscious, and need money to keep funding theor defenses. If they can have someone else foot the bill, they'll probably do it. Try to haggle them down with promises of mutual defense.

Baron 2020/01/09(Thu)19:00 No. 953141 ID: fd2dfa
File 157862522513.png - (922.95KB , 1636x2233 , 29.png )

“Ah, an offer most shrewd. As can only be expected of the famed Lord Patriarch Zokuval. However, we could hardly call ourselves traders if we didn't at least engage in one of the oldest and most time-honored traditions: Haggling. 400. In addition we shall pay the same amount for the construction of a road between Tamo and Weka if your people perform satisfactory work.”

Karver Saleeyana turns to the Lord Patriarch who whispers in her ear. “Make it 500, in addition your patrols defend our work crews.”

“An acceptable compromise.”

And so it was a contract was signed between Tavurik and Zokuval, witnessed and notarized by representatives of four additional families. Work crews begin laying the foundations. (Road will take 2 turns to complete)

>Lost 500 Kushel
>Gained 50 Influence

>The Kobold Skirmishers have been consolidated and taken out of recovery.
Resources:
Food(in tons):10
Industry:5
Kushel(money): 500(+100)
Inertia: 30 (+10)
Influence: 100
Holdings :Tamos-[City](Garrison and Trading Post completed in 1 more turn) (5,3), [Fertile Field]
Garrison: 1 Spear Sagaru (50% health, need 1 more turns to fully recover), 2 Kobold Skirmishers
1 Gulpa Auxiliary
Armies:
Tavurik 1st Leklos [Aligos | Sagura(1 Sword, 2 Repeating Bow, 1 Spear)]
Prosperity: 35%

Actions:
>Consult Your Family: No cost
>Enact Policy: (-100 Inertia)
>Raise Army/Train Soldiers/Replenish troops
>Raid (New Action): Send a raiding party to a target. The number of forces in the party, initial funding, and distance all add to chances of success.
>Build Improvements
>Scout the Land
>Diplomacy
>Skip Turn
>Other

Can you squeeze in Closed Sewage Paths for your construction workers without increasing the projected time to complete the other two projects?

You can also opt to train some troops. You'll need them next turn.

We don't need a completed road to raid Sazoga, so if the weather permits, lets do it.

I'm against spending our more of our money until we can get more.

Train a skirmisher
Move a repeating bowman unit to guard the road to honor the agreement.

Lets Raid
Target Sazoga
2 Skirmishers and the Gulpa
Use the Gulpa sacrificially to cause chaos. Strike when the guard is busy.
Prioritize isolated patrols and defensive structures.
Burn 200 for firebombs and digging implements.

>>953155
I agree that closed sewers should be our next improvement. Going to say that we should wait until our current projects are done though, and maybe see how a raid goes first.

>>953164
I'm fine with this raid.

>>952320
Just realized I asked about assigning citizens and slaves, then didn't suggest to do so. Let's put 1 citizen and slave into the fields, and then 2 citizens and 1 slave into the workshops.

Can we use the fertile field right away, or does it need to be improved first?

Oh crap we forgot to trade eggs with Ozuva!

>>953167
We'll get to it eventually.

>>953167
As far as I know we only got one egg and like hell are we just giving that to anyone.

Baron 2020/01/10(Fri)21:50 No. 953187 ID: fd2dfa
File 157872183049.png - (188.33KB , 1400x1050 , 30.png )

rolled 66 + 35 = 101

---

You can use the fields as is, but you can place improvements on the fields to specialize crop production towards food, trade(meat), industry(textiles), influence(luxury crop), or prosperity(crazy good drugs).
While you would trade eggs, your hatchery was left empty by the family scuffle. Replenish it first before trading. How you refill it is up to you.

>Raid Bonuses
>Gulpa (+1)
>Skirmishers (+1)
>Raid size (+3)
>Raid funds (+20)
>Distance (+10)

>The raiding party is given the funding and supplies, its target, and is let loose into the wild. Their success is now in the hands of the gods…

Baron 2020/01/10(Fri)23:02 No. 953195 ID: fd2dfa
File 157872614268.png - (483.09KB , 1400x1050 , 31.png )

>Sazoga identified – Royalist Stronghold
Royalists: Generals that believe there is a missing Deinoka heir. Deluded lowborn believing they’re a bastard from some forgotten Deinoka line, or officers exploiting their position in the royal forces to carve out territory for themselves before everything collapses. These, and dozens of other assorted factions fall under the blanket collection the families call the ‘Royalists’. While many claim to act under the authority of preserving the rule of the old kingdom, most are simply plundering the land for wealth and labor, retreating to strongholds to wait out the coming disaster or possibly harboring dreams of becoming Great Families themselves.

>Perfect Raid
The Gulpa unfortunately were too enthusiastic with the firebombs. However their pyromania worked in your favor as the enemy became so embroiled in putting out the raging infernos, the skirmisher attack came as a complete surprise and by the time any realized they were being ambushed, they were drowned under a tide of angry furry bodies. Many targets were softened by Vorklat raids, meaning defenses were already breached by the time your party arrived, making it a simple matter of waiting for the two forces to exhaust themselves before swooping in and claiming the spoils.

On their way back the party had even more luck of stumbling upon an ambushed patrol about to be routed by a Voraklat hunting band. As the predators were about to haul the defeated forces back to their larders, your party swooped in to save the day and claim 'payment'. Carts carrying 'taxes' for Sazoga,your collected loot, and a bound Royalist officer - Karver Kavonika, are now bound for Taruvik pulled by newly enslaved royalists. Revel in this victory. Rare does everything that can go right actually go right.
>Gained 3000 Kushel
>+2 Slave Pop
>No casualties taken!
>Bonus-Gained Karver Prisoner of War

Baron 2020/01/10(Fri)23:03 No. 953196 ID: fd2dfa
File 157872623253.png - (946.22KB , 1636x2233 , 32.png )

Turn 6
>Summer is in full swing, raids intensify across Rezo
>Your raid of Sazoga set something off as it suffers raids from three additional assailants.
>Makag’s war intensifies even further as it fortifies the border of Vot Rezo
>Tuk’drav launches a two pronged campaign northward and southward to claim Vem Tus and the islands of Tuu, T’uu, and Tu’u.
>Gamin fortifies the walls around Roso.
>Rokof launches a retaliatory campaign in his territory, striking back at all known raiding hideouts and scourging hidden nests.
Resources:
Food(in tons):13
Industry:9
Kushel(money): 3630(+330)
Inertia: 40 (+10)
Influence: 100
Holdings :Tamos-[City] (6,5)
[Garrison]
[Trading Post]
[Fertile Field] (1C,1S)
[Workshops](2C,1S)
Garrison: 1 Spear Sagaru , 3 Kobold Skirmishers, 1 Gulpa Auxiliary
Armies:
Tavurik 1st Leklos [Aligos | Sagura(1 Sword, 1 Repeating Bow, 1 Spear)]
Prosperity: 35%

Actions:
>Consult Your Family
>Enact Policy: (-100 Inertia)
>Raise Army/Train Soldiers/Replenish troops
>Raid
>Build Improvements
>Scout the Land
>Diplomacy
>Skip Turn
>Other (Deal with Prisoner)

>>953187
D'aww they're so cute

>>953195
Well that was impressive. Talk to that girl slave later.

>Jackpot
Buy the most expensive combination of upgrades you can afford, while it still lasts.
Spend about a fourth of your windfall recruiting and training.

After 4 seperate raids, is Sazoga ready for occupation?
That is to say, how do we make it turn blue? Consult with family if need be.

Treat royalist slave with care, she may become someone's spouse/tutor if she plays her cards right.

Don't squander too much wealth, but plug any gaps that need shoring.

Consult Aligos.
Sazoga Burns. The time to strike is now.
Soldiers? Raiders? Rokof Veterans? Supplies? What does he need, we can make it happen.

We should Start The Metallurgist right away, along with an upgrade for the field.
Can't go wrong with food, but we also desperately need industry so textiles might be the way to go..
Might as well Que up the Scribes Retreat, Closed sewers, and Garisson Upgrade while were at.

We still have over 2000 left after all that investment for soldiers, supplies, and more after we talk with Aligos.

Also, do talk to the prisoner.

>>953205
Blue nothing, time to annex Sazoga. Blue means making them Rokof clients, when we can just add it to our holdings. Not only will that give us room to grow, but it will give us room tk expand and act as a show of force to persuade neutral families joining us is in their best interest. So new turn, lots to do. We can use that money to start constructing Closed Sewage and Metallurgists, while keeping some for building whatever we'll need to get Sazoga up to speed once we occupy it. Also we should talk with the prisoner and see what we can learn from her. And since eggs were brought up last turn maybe we should look up Ssoolaku and see how he's progressing on getting that sirassar egg hatched.

Metallurgists seems like a must after such a windfall. I would liked closed sewage as well.

I'm at a loss as to what would be best for the fertile fields, I'm thinking between meat, textiles and luxury goods.

Does seem like a good time to strike as well.

Baron 2020/01/11(Sat)22:31 No. 953245 ID: fd2dfa
File 157881069967.png - (292.17KB , 1400x1050 , 33.png )

You're call goes unheeded this time. Aligos is in your home's shrine to Ach-Ka, and he is meditating before the Fires of War.

"Aligos."

"You come asking of Sazoga. There is nothing left to be done. The raids have drained its coffers and ruined its defenses. I can command a full leklos. Unless you have another officer hidden away, I am all you have to take the stronghold."

"Is there...is there anything else we can do to ensure success?"

"Depends on what they have left. If they can still defeat our forces in a siege or outnumber even a leklos after the beating they recieved, we can starve them out. But for that, I will need your support. Tamo will have to feed its soldiers while we surround Sazoga and wait them out."

"Then that is what we shall do!"

"I will be waiting" Aligos returns to his meditations.

>When marching against another stronghold, rather than engaging the enemy in open battle, you have the option to lay siege and force them to surrender after a set amount of turns. The amount is determined by the state of the stronghold before your army lays siege. This option however requires half your food and industry to act as a supply chain to keep your army in fighting shape.
>If you opt to take it by force, you still need to supply your army with 2 food and 1 industry per Leklos

>Construction begins on Closed Sewers, Scribe's Retreat, Metallurgists, and Textile Specialization (-1200 Kushel). Their combined efforts divide the labor force, requiring a total of 5 turns to complete

>What shall you do?

Prioritize the Metallurgist and Textile Specialization, Keep the Money Invested for the Sewers and Retreat, but don't actually start constructing those two yet until at least one of the Industry building is complete.

Raise 2 companies of Saguru, Spear and Repeater. And another Kobold Raider Band.
Replace the Battle proven Spearmen from the Garrison and the Repeaters guarding the road with the new recruits.
Use the older companies to fill the Leklos.
Order The Invasion of Sagoza.

I would prefer not to besiege. Give them to much time to summon allies or compose poems to our cruelty, and they'll take it.

My feeling is after 4 raids their army is gonna be pretty puny anyway.
We need to present a unified front against north and east.

A straight up assault does seem best in this sort of situation.

We might want to start investigating or spend resources for another officer

>>953266
Were gonna need to go into the catacombs anyway to pick up a governor once we take Sazoga right?
Might as well pick up an officer while We're there.

>>953274
Depending how it goes, we could always award governorship to an officer that distinguishes himself. Could work alright, especially if he marries the slave.

Baron 2020/01/12(Sun)23:18 No. 953318 ID: fd2dfa
File 157889993473.png - (919.08KB , 1636x2233 , 34.png )

rolled 78 + 40 = 118

---

The forces have been mustered, and the Leklos made all speed for Sazoga...

>Sazoga weakened (+20)
>Distance (+10)
>Fresh Troops (+10)

Baron 2020/01/12(Sun)23:45 No. 953322 ID: fd2dfa
File 157890153166.png - (386.56KB , 1400x1050 , 35.png )

Sazoga burns
The Royalists core army is made of a handful of Tovaru, whose skill means nothing in the face of sheer numbers. As Aligos cuts down their command, the gang-pressed Sagura begin to scatter, making them easy prey. Some of the more inexperienced separate from the Leklos to pillage and enslave for extra pay, but the majority stay in formation as they push deeper and deeper into the stronghold. Most of the city falls within the day. The real challenge however will be the keep itself. It is as old as your ancestral estate, filled with booby traps, hidden passages, and secret chambers. Prying the royalists that still fight will be hard and bloody...

Baron 2020/01/12(Sun)23:45 No. 953323 ID: fd2dfa
File 157890155720.png - (440.39KB , 1400x1050 , 36.png )

Blood coats the walls, the floors, the ceilings. Aligos shouts down empty halls as he beheads one opponent after another. "Enough of the chaff! Where is the commander! Show yourself coward!"

Beneath him the fighting is a stalemate. Your forces have the numbers, but numbers mean little in such tight spaces, and the enemy knows the layout. Aligos could take direct command of the Leklos and sweeep through the keep, but risk losing whatever commanding officers are in the keep, or continue his search, and damn the casualties.

>Choice?
>Roll to determine success

Also I wanted to ask you guys something unrelated to the quest, so I'll pop it in the discussion board.

rolled 24 = 24

---

>>953323
PURSUE

>>953323
Damn the Casualties, Overrun this whole keep if you have too!

If the commander escapes we'll be target number one once the royalist finally up and organize, plus a ransom could be worth an entire Leklos depending on who it is.
FIND THEM!

Try to avoid becoming a casualty yourself. Take risks but not absurd ones

A general your sister can depend on is worth more than this anthill of a town.

Baron 2020/01/13(Mon)18:00 No. 953374 ID: fd2dfa
File 157896722894.png - (237.54KB , 1400x1050 , 36.png )

Minor failure
Aligos finds the commander...what's left of him. "Poison" he spits as he sniffs the bottle. "Coward's way out."

The commander apparently also slit his throat to prevent him from compelling his corpse to talk if there was a Karver along. Not that you have any in your army.

Baron 2020/01/13(Mon)18:00 No. 953375 ID: fd2dfa
File 157896724943.png - (282.96KB , 1400x1050 , 37.png )

Aligos takes the severed head of the commander and brings it with him through the keep. Royalists see their fallen commander, and the poison still staining his lips and know they've been abandoned. The keep is captured shortly afterwards. Aligos takes the head to the top of the tower, letting the gods see his victory, and his trophies as the Leklos cut down the banner of the Royalists and supplant it with the seal of Taruvik.

>Sazoga captured! (4,1)
>Unrest across the city will need a Leklos garrison to control for 5 turns
>Unrest causes a dip in overall prosperity (-7)


What shall be done with the captured soldiers?

>Press into service (replenish losses)
>Release (Reduce unrest to 3 turns)
>Enslave(+1 Slave Population to Tamo)

I'm fine with a release. The sooner the people fall in line, the sooner they'll be productive.

Take a contingent of the best Kobolds from the garrisoned squads and head down into the catacombs.
I'm sure someone in your family will be willing to wield some power. Aligos can't stay in Sagoza forever after all.

Also, we still haven't interviewed the prisoner. We should do that.

Press into service. Regionally and linguistically, we're close cousins. They can learn our ways. And we do need the men.

Guess we need to get working on making a spare Leklos, for expansion.

Press gang. Sazoga was your buffer to the rest of the sector's angry psychos out to crush your eggs, and now they know you're coming for them. You'll need all the troops you can get, both to defend against the tide and to convince more neutrals that you've got this if they help.

>>953375
Back to front boys!

Press into service. The reduced unrest would be nice, but I feel it won't matter until we have a suitable family member to govern the land anyways.

Baron 2020/01/13(Mon)20:17 No. 953388 ID: fd2dfa
File 157897542324.png - (926.04KB , 1636x2233 , 38.png )

>Soldiers pressed. Some grumbling is had, but being on the winning side is argument enough for most.

>The war south takes a turn. Makag takes partial ownership of Vak Seru.
>Gamin begins construction on a drydock.
>Tuk'drav's campaign south grinds down as it meets fierce resistance. The islands however are quickly brought to heel.

Turn 7
Resources:
Food(in tons):23
Industry:14
Kushel(money): 1840(+410)
Inertia: 80 (+40)
Influence: 100
Holdings :Tamos-[City] (7,5)
[Garrison]
[Trading Post]
[Fertile Field] (1C,1S)
[Workshops](2C,1S)
Garrison: 2 Sagura(1 Spear, 1 Repeater) , 4 Kobold Skirmishers, 1 Gulpa Auxiliary

Sazoga - [Stronghold] (4,1)[5 turns of unrest]
[Garrison](Ruined)
[Tovaru Barracks] (Damaged)
[Taxing Office] (Damaged)
[Trading Post](Ruined)
>Damaged improvements offer no bonuses but still take upkeep. Costs the same as building to repair it
>Ruined structures offer no bonuses, take no upkeep and costs the same as building to repair it

Armies:
-In Sazoga-
Tavurik 1st Leklos [Aligos | Sagura(1 Sword, 1 Repeating Bow, 1 Spear)]
Prosperity: 28%

"...Ssoolaku, you have some explaining to do."

Baron 2020/01/13(Mon)20:19 No. 953389 ID: fd2dfa
File 157897555949.png - (465.21KB , 1400x1050 , 39.png )

"Misssssstressssss?" Ssoolaku is surprised to see you intrude in his private chamber.

"I oversee distributions on everything you approve of Ssoolaku. That compound you put in the garrison wine. What is it?"

"Why doesssss it perplex you misssstresssss?

"Because my entire garrison is now at each other like Gulpa in heat!"

You were just down there, and to say order had broken down was an understatement.

"Misssstressss did say the family hatchery wasssss depleted" Ssoolaku notes.

"What does that have to do with anything?!"

"In the old country, when a Jassssssanid casssssste population dropped to unacccceptable levelsssss, the Ssssssirassssate would order the mussssssijarhaati be dissssstibuted to living membersssss and a great coupling would commence where we would all engage and copulate with each other for monthsssss to bring populationsssssss back up to working levelsssss again. I gave them to your garissssssson misssssstresssss as I knew the overwhelming number of koboldssssss would ensssssssure that when the Great Coupling began a great number of Kobold eggsssssss would resssssult. I even have prepared the hatchery ssssspace for the many layings that will surely commenccccce!"

"But they aren't listening to me! They don't respond to anyone!"

"Mussssssigarhaati is quite strong" Ssoolaku nods. "And once consumed, they are compelled to ssssssseek more."

"And we allot rations by season you scalebrained dolt" you shout "My soldiers will be too busy fucking each other all Fall!"

"You could forcccce an early end to the rutting Missssssstresssss" Ssoolaku raises his hands in a placating gesture. "Remove the mussssssijarhaati, and they sssssshall normalize within dayssss. Though I do not know the effectsssss that would bring. Most come down ssssslowly as the ssssssupply dwindlesssss. To take it all away at once" he looks wistful "I've never seen it happen before."

>Action?
>Quarantine the kobold barraks(Garrison cleared for a turn, adds [Full Hatchery] Improvement which grants bonus to influence and inertia.
>Remove the musijarhaati (Keep garrison staffed, prosperity drops 5%, add [Hatchery] improvement with diminished bonuses.

>>953389
Quarantine. We need a Leklos in Sazoga to keep things stable there, we don't need our garrison in Tamo.

Speaking of which we have to repair the garrison in Sazoga immediately. May as well repair the other buildings there while we're at it.
Also I feel we should work on prosperity somehow since it seems to be something we have to spend occasionally... what options are there to do this?

Welp.
Quarantine the Barracks.

I guess recruit a company of Spear Sagura for basic defense and I dunno... Just have them report to duty from their homes or from a temporary encampment and supply them like we would a traveling army.

>>953389
The evil we know is probably the better one to go with.
Quarantine the garrison, let this drug run it's course and reap the benefits of it.
We know exactly what the garrison being down entails and can plan around it, but not whatever side effects removing the musijarhaati could have.

Whats done is done, and we need the population. Ssoolaku should be punished, but administratively, not seriously.

>>953390
Using the occupying army to repair buildings would be good for PR and useful.

That's... one solution. Quarantine.

Remind Ssoolaku that he was to deal with the one egg. Not multiple, kobold ones.

Baron 2020/01/14(Tue)16:45 No. 953459 ID: fd2dfa
File 157904914830.png - (926.56KB , 1636x2233 , 40.png )

>The barracks are quarantined, and Ssoolaku has a stern talking to. Unfortunately he is Anumahat so he probably enjoyed the scolding more than learning anything from it.

>Prosperity can be raised by scouting the local land around your claimed territory for unclaimed landmarks(farmlands, caves, forests). Claiming them grants prosperity(capturing it, usually by killing whatever squatters are using it at the moment) and additional bonuses based on what the landmark it.

>The road to Ozuva has been completed.

Resources:
Food(in tons):23
Industry:14
Kushel(money): 840(+410)
Inertia: 80 (+40)
Influence: 100
Holdings :Tamos-[City] (7,5)
[Garrison]
[Trading Post]
[Fertile Field] (1C,1S)
[Workshops](2C,1S)
Garrison: 1 Spear Sagura
QUARANTINE[2 Sagura(1 Spear, 1 Repeater) , 4 Kobold Skirmishers, 1 Gulpa Auxiliary]

Sazoga - [Stronghold] (4,1)[5 turns of unrest]
[Garrison](Under repairs, 3 turns)
[Tovaru Barracks] (Under repairs, 2 turns)
[Taxing Office] (Under repairs, 2 turns)
[Trading Post](Under repairs, 3 turns)

Armies:
-In Sazoga-
Tavurik 1st Leklos [Aligos | Sagura(1 Sword, 1 Repeating Bow, 1 Spear)]
Prosperity: 28%

Actions:
>Consult Your Family (No one here)
>Enact Policy: (-100 Inertia)
>Raise Army/Train Soldiers/Replenish troops
>Raid
>Build Improvements
>Scout the Land
>Diplomacy
>Skip Turn
>Other (Deal with Prisoner)

Well we don't have much of a mobile army for most of this and not much liquid funds either, so let's just deal with the prisoner.

Meeting the karver is fine.

Medium range goals: province is 1/2 Rokof. We need only turn 1 more red or green to get a plurality.

We attain that by approaching Sazo to turn, or marching troops north to raid Arglos. Both of those will be hard, but we need to start taking steps.

>>953463
We might want to shift gears and start building prosperity. Taking Sazoga meant taking a hit there and we don't know if we're getting it back after unrest is over.

Interrogate prisoner and see if we can't get her to switch sides. Afterwards maybe scout around Sazoga if they have any landmarks.

>QUARANTINE[2 Sagura(1 Spear, 1 Repeater) , 4 Kobold Skirmishers, 1 Gulpa Auxiliary]
Gulpa/Kobol/Rezan Hybrids? That'll be interesting.

Recruit a Swordsman unit, Scout the land, And deal with the Prisoner.

Baron 2020/01/15(Wed)16:32 No. 953524 ID: fd2dfa
File 157913476656.png - (190.40KB , 1400x1050 , 41.png )

Though she has been in your cells for months, the prisoner is as alert as the day she was brought in. As soon as the door opens she stares at you intently.

"So" she rasps. The guards have been limiting her water it seems. "My jailer has finally deigned to remember me. To what do I owe the honor of seeing a traitor to the king?"

>Response

We meant to do this earlier. But we have had distractions...

We are not convinced that there is a king, or a regent. But there is a Vot Tikve, and there are those who wish her harm. The only way out is through a unified front.

Your home, Sazoga has come under our protection. Will you serve her new rulers, as a noble ought, or waste yourself down here as both our enemies gather strength?

Baron 2020/01/15(Wed)21:07 No. 953538 ID: fd2dfa
File 157915125406.png - (182.24KB , 1400x1050 , 42.png )

"We meant to do this earlier. But we have had...distractions"

"Distractions?"

"We are not convinced that there is a king, or a regent. But there is a Vot Tikve, and there are those who wish her harm. The only way out is through a unified front."

"Your home, Sazoga has come under our protection. Will you serve her new rulers, as a noble ought, or waste yourself down here as both our enemies gather strength?"

"I accept."

"I know this must be difficult for a Royalist but I guarantee you mercy if-what?"

"I'm no fool. Your...soldiers rescued me from Voraklat. Sazoga was under incompetent leadership, and General Togaro in Sot Nasau had abandoned us. That much was obvious. If you've taken my home, I've no reason to stay loyal to him. I submit."

The karver gets onto her knees and bows. Well that was simpler than you thought.

"Then I name you Karver Kavonika Taruvik."

>Karver Kavonika has joined you!
>Karver Officers fight from the rear casting magic. If used actions that require dice rolls (exploring, raids overseas, etc.) results can be a bit...explosive.

Further Actions?:
>Consult Your Family
>Enact Policy: (-100 Inertia)
>Raise Army/Train Soldiers/Replenish troops
>Raid
>Build Improvements
>Scout the Land
>Diplomacy
>Skip Turn
>Other

>>953538
Oh, that didn't use up our turn. Uh...
Can we fortify Tamos using the funds we have now?

We should negotiate with Ozuva to make it a client state. They don't really care who rules over them so we should apply quickly and let the trade flow through.

>>953549
I'm against it because it doesn't gain us anything. And convincing an isolationist to shift politics sounds expensive.

Now Suzo... is trapped between us and Rokof, and might see the light clearer.

>>953549
Ozuva is in a Cushy, if precarious Position right now. They stand to make a lot of money, but are also going to need friends. But, their isolationist nature will make them not want to become TOO involved with anyone.
I suspect however, that if we maintain positive relations
while Clienting/Conquering most of their neighbors, they will eventually see us their natural partners.

We should make use of this new road. See if we can hire Ozuvan Workers/Buy Ozuvan Wood to speed production of at least one of our buildings. Sitting on our hands for a year doesn't sound like a great idea.

I agree that we should begin dialogs with Suzo.

Baron 2020/01/16(Thu)10:10 No. 953580 ID: fd2dfa
File 157919824236.png - (323.76KB , 1400x1050 , 43.png )

>Suzo is has thrived since coming under the control of the Navozem Family. A Rezmodla descendent line, they are one of the few 'River Folk' families who have moved completely onto dry land, though they still maintain strong ties to the rest of the Rezmodla trade network. This means they have a direct line of trade to Gamin, who in turn supplies them with all manner of exotic slaves and goods that have bolstered the city's wealth.

>The best words that could describe Navozem are 'shrewd' and 'decadent'. While they are just as sharp as other Rezmodla, honed from generations of being hunted by other Rezans, they revel in their financial superiority and choose to spend their extended lives in luxury few in the world know. Do not take their jovial tones and spendthrift attitudes as shallow or stupid. Their political structure is based on Gamin, and a wrong word can have dire repercussions.

"Heyoowa Soosanwe. Sagla pol-Rutani Navosem ruksal, yilerosootanru ru-pora yil ru-resoo. Naa rukswaleea ipora etsa ruksanvrali; kiso ruksujipem reelasoonavrabaloodiana."

("Hello out-clan. I am Sagla pol-Rutani Navosem, and I speak with the authority of all my family and people. I don't recall ever meeting your family before; but I hope this is the start of a fruitful and happy relation.")

>Rezmodla families speak the Rezmodla dialect in court. While you understand it enough to speak it, the dialect is more than just the words spoken. The tones used, the subtle gestures of the hand, the tilt of the head, the language is as much song and dance that conveys hidden meaning only fluent users can pick up on.

>Unless you have a diplomat skilled in Rezmodla, they will have the upper hand in negotiations as they can dupe your envoy into adding things they didn't exactly agree to.

>Response?

RaccoonGuy 2020/01/16(Thu)10:39 No. 953587 ID: 9876c4

We hope so too.
We heard from our ally Sou, that there was a fabulous city just to the west. As traders ourselves, it makes no sense to be strangers. With our expansion into the north through Ozuva, we want to meet and feast with all of Baron Rakof's neighbors.

Indeed, you do appear to be weathering the unrest quite well!
(It's a start, and I think the message is clear)

Indeed, we wish for nothing more than to trade and reach prosperity. So turning to the Navosem seems to be the natural choice.

I due agree that we should emphasis our relation and their position with Rakof. Sounds like whatever we suggest, the deal won't be entirely to our benefit. Might be worth the price anyways for good relations.

What exactly do we have to offer though? Just implied threats?

>>953589
Implied Profits is a key point too.

My, what an astounding sight to behold! You must be very proud to have built such a marvelous city! Though of course, the appetite of such a gleaming metropolis must be ravenous. All manner of people and materials flow both into and out of cities, and that fact does not change regardless of political climate.
Surely in this period of unrest, there must be certain things Suzo is finding harder to come by. Meanwhile Tamo, though a humble city by comparison is experiencing a period of growth.
Perhaps we could direct some of that growth toward your needs, to our mutual benefit.

Baron 2020/01/16(Thu)17:31 No. 953621 ID: fd2dfa
File 157922471819.png - (285.55KB , 1400x1050 , 44.png )

"You must be very proud to have built such a marvelous city! We heard from our allies that there was a fabulous city just to the west. As traders ourselves, it makes no sense to be strangers."

"Ayoo ayoo, Suzo kejo suscra. Maavaz kejo kushel rupamaneeane, ui ruswajane maswapem. Kiso soovaks marassas aljuaniza.”

(Yes yes, it is a great city. Much kushel was poured into its development and it continues to swell. This conflict has been a boon to us more than anything.")

“Yes but even with such benefits, surely there must be certain things Suzo is finding harder to come by. Surely Tamo, a humble city by comparison, may stand to help and gain benefit?"

“Ivoosa kushra a? Sass monaz enti a? Ivoosa jelookra madleti Soktra monaz enti a?”

(“Are you proposing a trade deal? So close to winter? How will that benefit either of us with Shardfall so close?”)

>Response?

"Why, just before Shardfall is the greatest time for a trade deal! We offer security and shelter, we have a great surplus after we garrisoned our troops to a recently-claimed town in need of improved leadership. You bring your farmers and workers to our homes and we'll keep them safe AND paid throughout winter, for a modest tax of supplies to keep our bellies fed."

This guy has gotten rich off his noble sponsor. He's not about to switch gears without pressure from Rokof.

Let's promise him something meaningless, and head back.

Trade deal?
Nothing so immediate. Rather, we're trying to lay the groundwork for something more substantial. More permanent.
What could we be doing for you by this time next year? We'll make it happen.

Baron 2020/01/18(Sat)21:53 No. 953838 ID: fd2dfa
File 157941323241.png - (190.41KB , 1400x1050 , 45.png )

Itoozala, rukuanas trom shovar. Ui trom ikoolukra, rukfaasalpem soonagr. Gulpa, yik-sloosal, yik-soosanwe maagrinas. Siicho saasal moograsol-akwoma voo...'isatrane', ruktoodalmi."

("Settle down, we can negotiate again at a future date. However if you are so determined to aid me, there are a few problems I've had. Vermins, rebel slaves, and other riff raff that disrupt my people. My scouts have identified a number of possible hideouts. If you would be kind enough to 'dispatch' them for me, I would be in a more giving mood.")

>Marks identified

"Rukfeysi tseh oogl nantsamee"

("I hope you don't die")

With the traditional goodbye of the Rezmodla, Sagla tosses his drink cup over his shoulder, and gives your envoy a warm smile.

Baron 2020/01/18(Sat)21:59 No. 953839 ID: fd2dfa
File 157941354568.png - (952.97KB , 1636x2233 , 46.png )

>The war with Makag drags on as Silida families fortify their borders. Makag claims no hostility, but at the same time he makes no claims to leave neutral families out of his warpath. Campaigns slow as supply chains from Rezo to the front are bogged down by the long trails of prisoners being sent back to be enslaved.
>A surprise attack by Gamavo splits the province of Vem Tus. Tuk'drav and Gamavo rush to conquer neutral territories before their rival can.
>Gamin reinforces seaside borders.


Turn 8: Winter comes again. Armies settle into garrisons and cities collect their harvest. Slaves and Civilians alike prepare for Shardfall.

>The Jassanid brew runs its course. Bleary-eyed Rezans stagger out of the barracks, some clutching their genitalia with pain, others carrying kobolds in their arms. Inside is a veritable mountain of eggs. You don't know who laid them, and you don't really want to know. By right, they are property of Taruvik and so they are hand carried one by one to the family hatchery.

>New improvement: Full Hatchery (+5 to inertia and influence)
Resources:
Food(in tons):23
Industry:14
Kushel(money): 1250(+410)
Inertia: 125 (+45)
Influence: 100 (+5)
Holdings :Tamos-[City] (7,5)
[Garrison]
[Trading Post]
[Fertile Field] (1C,1S)
[Workshops](2C,1S)
[Full Hatchery]
Garrison: 3 Sagura(2 Spear, 1 Repeater) , 4 Kobold Skirmishers, 1 Gulpa Auxiliary]
(Lady Kavonika idle)

Sazoga - [Stronghold] (5,1)[4 turns of unrest]
[Garrison](Under repairs, 2 turns)
[Tovaru Barracks] (Under repairs, 1 turn)
[Taxing Office] (Under repairs, 1 turn)
[Trading Post](Under repairs, 2 turns)
>>1 new issue - A royalist cell was uncovered among the conquered peoples. Aligos has waited until all known members have been identified before planning any action, and has decided now is the time to deal with this problem. He writes to you for advice as both possible actions will mean killing a number of people (-1 civilian population)

>>Purge the cell, and hold a public execution to remove this tumor from the Taruvik body(+3 prosperity)
>>Raid the cell and enslave the members. Let them work to rebuild what they tried to destroy.(+1 slave pop)


Armies:
-In Sazoga-
Tavurik 1st Leklos [Aligos | Sagura(1 Sword, 1 Repeating Bow, 1 Spear)]
Prosperity: 28%

Actions:
>Consult Your Family
>Enact Policy: (-100 Inertia)
>Raise Army/Train Soldiers/Replenish troops
>Raid
>Build Improvements
>Scout the Land
>Diplomacy
>Skip Turn
>Other

It sounds like Sazoga was mismanaged, so execution is better for loyalty.

Lady Kavonika, conduct a ritual to find out which of the greens is most receptive to Baron Rakof. No sense wasting resources for middling results.

We finally have enough inertia for another policy. Talk to Ssoolaku and see what he has.

>>953839
EXECUTION.
Also now that we have our barracks back let's start killing vermin.

I say turn the cell into slaves. Give them a chance at redemption.

>>953852
Yeah, let's get rid of some of these problems. If I'm reading the map right. There's trouble right next to us that should probably be dealt with.

Are these squares to our west things Suzo marked? If so, lets raid the one immediately nearby first. Use the Kobolds and Gulpa and dump in 200 Kushel in supplies as well.

I'd rather enslave them than execute. We NEED the manpower and with Kavonika on our side we can probably restore a couple of the Sazogan slave units to citizenship when the unrest is over.

Consult Ssoolaku. Progress must be made.
Bring Kavonika in on the discussions as well. A karver's thoughts are sure to be insightful.

Baron 2020/01/19(Sun)21:05 No. 953893 ID: fd2dfa
File 157949675196.png - (365.24KB , 1400x1050 , 47.png )

Ssoolaku approaches you with three new policies drafted over the year:

1) Bonded Auxiliaries: It is no secret that many Rezans have harems of slaves they hope to marry once freed, and second generation slaves are generally more enthusiastic towards Rezan culture and are eager to transition to citizenship status. By specializing our military force to accommodate the different races, new rites can be drafted based around these beings to streamline their contributions to the family and hasten their own path towards freedom. (Unlocks slave auxiliaries. New Auxiliaries are unlocked based on foreign lands raided and what races are captured)

2) Reformed Servitude: Slave work output can be increased by restructuring their labor and home lives. By relocating slave quarters closer to designated work stations and fitting twice as many slaves into assigned labor zones, output is expected to double. (Output from assigned slaves is now 4 instead of 2)

3) Bait the Tovaru: Tovaru are veterans of war and while there are certainly plenty living in our city, there aren’t enough to form a battalion. A barracks that provides the basic needs of the Tovaru(personal pleasure slaves, bonus pay, exotic meals and spirits) should attract wanderers to the family banner. (Allows construction of Tovaru barracks and recruitment of Tovaru)

Kavonika is consulted over the policy. "It is not my place to decide Matriarch" she shrugs. "However your forces would stand to benefit from having a larger more adaptable fighting force than the Sagura. My previous commander, employs Tovaru, and even maintains a corp of Kovatu. Where and how he found them I do not know, but they've been instrumental in him holding power. Sagura alone would be decimated fighting them."

>The policies Ssoolaku submits changes after one is employed. Old ones however may resurface if he feels this is an opportune time to enact them.

3 is probably the most immediate boon. Getting a unit of skilled soldiers> getting a mob of unskilled ones.

1) Bonded Auxiliaries.

This is similar to how the romans liked to assimilate people, and it worked pretty well until it didn't. Plus, new unit type!

3 - We're going on the offensive now. We need mercs and we need them fast.

Tovaru. We'll need to bring in outside labor to build the barracks before next winter... But with Sov to the east and Ozuva to the north that shouldn't be a problem.

Have Ssoolaku draft estimates for the price of construction for what he would deem fair using outside materials and labor.

Baron 2020/01/20(Mon)19:57 No. 953965 ID: fd2dfa
File 157957906194.png - (0.98MB , 1636x2233 , 48.png )

Ssoolaku takes your accepted policy and sends his scribes off to make preparations. "The Tovaru ssssshall be ready for consssssideration come Sssshardfall Misssstressssss."

You turn back to Kavonika regarding the other neutral holds in the province. Kavonika points at your map where Vogu is located. "I don't even need magic to tell you Sarzolig is sympathetic to Rokof. They're position places them close to Gamavo and fear of Scrshk attack is making them more receptive to finding allies here. They aren't finding any with the Royalists however."

Actions:
>Consult Your Family
>Enact Policy: (-100 Inertia)
>Raise Army/Train Soldiers/Replenish troops
>Raid
>Build Improvements
>Scout the Land
>Diplomacy
>Skip Turn
>Other

What if we...
Approached Sou and Vogu about a group raid on Sozu? We'd share risk, reward, and ideally get another city out of the deal.

We'd lay the groundwork, build our army, and strike in tandem sometime next year.

We'd be closer to our allies, and their trade routes would be mildly more secure.
Can't imagine Rokof would be all that displeased either.

>>953973
Suzo, rather

Vogu and Sarcera could indeed be good targets for diplomacy with Gamovo so close. With our road to Ozuva complete they are definitely in range for something like a defensive pact. We might have to formalize a non-aggression pact with Ozuva to move troops through their land.

Open dialog with Vogu and scout one of these nearby encampments Suzo suggested we take down for them. If we can get a good raid off on one of them before shard-fall I wouldn't be complaining.

Scout that land. We need to be able to utilize what we have.

>>953973
Eh. I'd rather raids on Suzo wait until we have some more non-Rokof allies. Our compatriots could prove somewhat unreliable since they not only have to deal with their on shit, but Rokof shit as well. A city like Suzo is built on blood. Perhaps we shouldn't poke at the hornets nest until we are ready.

>>954032
Disagreement is all well and good. I'm only suggesting it because they're house Gamin-aligned, and will become a spy problem sooner or later.

Something every Rokof house, like ours, will want to head off.

>>954048
The fact that they are making such a killing off of the current unrest unsettles me is all. It suggests war profiteering or large scale raiding, the likes of which shouldn't be possible for a lone landlocked city state to pull off.

They are a real threat and they have an ace up their sleeve to back it up further.

I agree that they are a problem that we will likely need to take care of militarily at some point, but they're one I'd like to address with overwhelming force.

Baron 2020/01/22(Wed)14:59 No. 954106 ID: fd2dfa
File 157973396104.png - (318.43KB , 1400x1050 , 49.png )

Placed at the border of Gamavo, the wild lands of Varas Itvar, and the vermin infested Vak Tavu, Vogu has become less a city and more a fortress. It's people expect battle, and everyone of fighting age has experience beating back raiders, rival families, assaults from vermin people, and enduring the horrors Varas Itvar vomits up every Shardfall. For them the death of Deinoka has done little to change their attitude. Just added more enemies to a very long list.

Sarzolig has seized control of Vogu more out of necessity than granted ownership. No one wants to be placed near Varas Itvar, but their family was exiled generations ago from some offense no one can remember. Stripped of their holdings the family and their clients had founded a new estate at the borders between the wild lands and Gamavo and fought tooth and nail to make it livable. While you won't be seen as an enemy outright, you aren't going to be given a warm reception either...

"Heyha envoy, I am Lord Patriarch Argalvas. Every moment I waste here is a moment I'm away from directing my leklos so speak your mind or go away."

>Response?

We'd like you to consider joining the southern coalition. A united VT is a strong VT. Your current independence is adequate for now, but it's not doing you any favors.

We'd welcome your military ability, and your thoughts about how trustworthy and helpful Suzo's placement is.

We'd require a token show of fealty to the coalition's patron,
Baron Rokof, and the ability to trade in your lands, once our caravans are running.

>>954111
... Of course, with Shardfall upon us so soon we understand if you have more immediate concerns.

With our more secure location, we may have a spare general -and Sagura- to help take some of the heat off.
Just say the word.

Baron 2020/01/23(Thu)00:46 No. 954181 ID: fd2dfa
File 157976920061.png - (238.54KB , 1400x1050 , 50.png )

"We'd like you to consider joining the southern coalition against the royalists. Your current independence is adequate for now, but it's not doing you any favors. We'd welcome your military ability, and your thoughts about how trustworthy and helpful Suzo's placement is.

We'd require a token show of fealty to the coalition's patron,
Baron Rokof, and the ability to trade in your lands, once our caravans are running."

"Fealty to Rokof?" Argalvas scoffs as he unsheathes the dagger by his hip. "Last envoy that was so brazen owned this. Royalist bastard thought just because we were so pressed we were desperate for aid. I sent his head back to the scum in Sot Nasau. The rest of his remains feed the beasts of the wildlands. The Great Families tossed us out here. What reason do I have to accept their yoke again after years of fighting to be free of them?"

Let's reframe this. Every house has an army, and vassals. And they're all moving in on unprotected lands.

You've got a fortress here. Does that protect you from Gamin, the Royalists and the local fauna if any of them decide to get serious? You can't beat them by outlasting them. To fight a united army, you need one yourself.

Irrespective of Rokof's merits as a man, he governs to your west, and his allies rule the south, even moreso with Sazoga annexed. Is that an advantage you can afford to pass up, if you intend for Vogu to stay free?

>>954186
I think his answer would be yes, he feels safe enough.

>>954181
We don't have any ammunition here as the big players haven't made big enough moves to be an urgent threat, though we could reassure him that he would not be under a yoke. We could offer him more independence than he had under the Great Families.

*Visibly relax*
Oh thank the gods. Lady Taruvik would have my head if I came back with that. Since we're on the same page I'll drop the pretext.

My presence here is borderline treasonous to Rokof.
Tamo is working to unify Vot Tikve. To that end I am here to secure a military alliance.
Rokof has not been informed. They have thus far been seemingly uninterested in this province, no doubt thanks to the fires raging at home. But with Lord Rokof's relative inexperience and his central position on the continent, it's only a matter of time before he is swallowed by the other houses.
When that happens Vot Tikve must be able to fend for itself. That can't happen with the families squabbling with each-other over scraps. That can't happen while there are still royalists holding on to delusions of grandeur. That cant happen while cities like Suzo profit from the chaos only to horde more wine.

Admittedly, You'd be the first to join us. But with a joint strike on another one of the Royalist Strongholds say, in the spring or summer, it could give us the diplomatic pressure to convince Ozuva or Sarera to join.

In the meantime, though. With Tamo's much more secure position to the south, It wouldn't be a problem for us to lend you a spare Leklos for the shard-fall.

What say you?

For the same reasons I did: Share a bigger army, trade more. More prosperity.

>>954214
That's a big statement to make if we haven't necessarily agreed on doing it ourselves! (And even if we did, this is way too soon to be making those kinds of waves.)

As for more general speculation, he all but said that the royalists the Karver got her info from were mistaken, and this guy isn't desperate in the slightest.

"You aren't hurting for fighting forces, yes, but what of the livelihood and comfort of your people? I realize that suggesting you swear fealty is a bit sudden, so let's back up; you're good at surviving, but what can we offer to help you thrive?"

>>954239
>That's a big statement to make if we haven't necessarily agreed on doing it ourselves! (And even if we did, this is way too soon to be making those kinds of waves.)
Perhaps, but it's a decision we're going to need to make eventually. No matter what we choose it's gonna be messy. That and unsanctioned military agreements as a client state are frowned upon at best.

I mean, what are we even here for? If they wanted to join Rokof they would have pledged loyalty at the onset of the chaos. Meanwhile our industrial capacity is sapped until late next year, we control no unique resources, and we are not here with the blessing of our patron. What exactly do we have to trade for?
Unless we are here to form a private military agreement, we are literally wasting their time. We can soften the words, we can manipulate the terms, but the implications remain.

Finally, don't mistake their bluster for confidence. The first words out of his mouth were "Every moment I waste here is a moment I'm away from directing my leklos".
His situation is tense at best. They NEED an ally, they just aren't willing to surrender their sovereignty for one. That's reasonable. In fact this is the most reasonable leader we've encountered so far.

Baron 2020/01/24(Fri)21:48 No. 954392 ID: fd2dfa
File 157993128745.png - (623.39KB , 1481x2033 , 51.png )

"You aren't hurting for fighting forces, yes, but what of the livelihood and comfort of your people?" you backtrack.

"Safety is the only comfort my people need. And so long as the enemies stay on the otherside of the walls, they are safe enough" Argalvas replies.

"Alright, I realize that suggesting you swear fealty is a bit sudden, which was brash of me. What I mean is we should start a more profitable relationship? You're good at surviving, but what can we offer to help you thrive?"

"Gretling."

"I'm...sorry. Gretling?"

"Bring me Gretling. My karvers would make greater armor and weapons for my soldiers if gretling was infused into the metal. I doubt you have any, as any lord who had a supply would have given some to me as a bribe" he gets off his seat of skulls. "I have now spent enough time with you. Return with Gretling, or not at all. I have an army to manage."

>Sarzolig will agree to softer relations if you have a supply of Gretling to trade. Gretling can be secured by finding mines(through scouting) or trading with a family that has access already.

Baron 2020/01/24(Fri)21:49 No. 954393 ID: fd2dfa
File 157993138599.png - (249.94KB , 1400x1050 , 52.png )

Your envoy returns shaken but with Sarzolig's demands. Reasonable. Gretling is a rare metal, but it is in circulation enough that you can find a trade-family to supply you. Though many swear it is easier and cheaper to secure a vein for yourself.

Alongside the missive from your envoy is a report from your scouts. The place marked on your map, the closest to Tamo in fact, has been identified. An abandoned shrine to Dof-Ka, the Guardian God. Ironically it has since been overrun and occupied by a Scrshk brood. Securing it would be a great boon to you as worshipers would see it as a sign of the god's favor, increasing prosperity overall.

Baron 2020/01/24(Fri)21:50 No. 954394 ID: fd2dfa
File 157993144608.png - (911.31KB , 1636x2233 , 53.png )

Turn 9: Shardfall comes again. The families whether the storm as the worst of winter delivers hell upon Rezo.

>The Tovaru Barracks have been repaired. Come Spring, Tovaru can be recruited again.
>>Tovaru(sword/spear/bow/mounted/axe): Sagura Who complete their contract but choose to continue their profession as a fighter are known as Tovaru. Whether the allure of greater wealth, the promise of work as a mercenary, the freedom of responsibility as a retainer, or the devotion to the art of killing, Tovaru hone their skills with a manner of weapons, gaining valuable experience over centuries of fighting. While more venerable families can hold entire leklos of Tovaru, smaller estates need to attract wandering Tovaru to their cause with promises of greater pay, good food, warm beds and warm slaves. The benefits they bring to the battlefield however are often worth the expense. Cannot be used as raiders.
(-1000 Kushel)
>The Taxing Office has been repaired, and the taxman will start collected the appointed tithe from locals come spring, though it will cause some grumbling.(+300 kushel, -3 prosperity)

Resources:
Food(in tons):23
Industry:7
Kushel(money): 1660(+710)
Inertia: 70 (+45)
Influence: 105 (+5)
Holdings :Tamos-[City] (8,5)
[Garrison]
[Trading Post]
[Fertile Field] (1C,1S)
[Workshops](2C,1S)
[Full Hatchery]
Garrison: 3 Sagura(2 Spear, 1 Repeater) , 4 Kobold Skirmishers, 1 Gulpa Auxiliary]
(Lady Kavonika idle)

Sazoga - [Stronghold] (5,1)[3 turns of unrest]
[Garrison](Under repairs, 1 turns)
[Tovaru Barracks]
[Taxing Office]
[Trading Post](Under repairs, 1 turns)
>>1 unresolved issue - A royalist cell was uncovered among the conquered peoples. Aligos has waited until all known members have been identified before planning any action, and has decided now is the time to deal with this problem. He writes to you for advice as both possible actions will mean killing a number of people (-1 civilian population)

>>Purge the cell, and hold a public execution to remove this tumor from the Taruvik body(+3 prosperity)
>>Raid the cell and enslave the members. Let them work to rebuild what they tried to destroy.(+1 slave pop)


Armies:
-In Sazoga-
Tavurik 1st Leklos [Aligos | Sagura(1 Sword, 1 Repeating Bow, 1 Spear)]
Prosperity: 25%

Actions:
>Consult Your Family
>Enact Policy: (-100 Inertia)
>Raise Army/Train Soldiers/Replenish troops
>Raid
>Build Improvements
>Scout the Land
>Diplomacy
>Skip Turn
>Other

>>954394
PURGE

Execution for a free taxation cycle. 1 kobolds and 1 spear Sagura to cleanse the shrine.

Suggestion 2020/01/25(Sat)01:15 No. 954406 ID: c37dad

>>954402
We sent a full leklos in to deal with what was basically murder-gerbils and they took a thrashing. You want to try and accomplish the same thing with less? On spider people?

We got money. I say we spend it. Hire a unit of Tovaru and send them in with the entire garrison to cleanse it after shardfall

>>954406
And to specify, axe tovaru. Those bugs look like they have natural armor that need to be hacked open

Oh boy, what time is it? Purge o'clock? I think it's purge o'clock!

As for our second action while we're stuck indoors - It is two full actions per turn, right? That's the trend I'm seeing? - I say we search for family hidey holes and/or treasure.

Actually... should we really hold public executions at a time when nobody is going outside?

Enslave, killing pops is like burning money.

Send Kavonika with the 3 Sagura to the shrine.
Raise a sword Sagura and an axe Tovaru, send them to meet Kavonika there. Cleanse the site when the army has joined up.

Since its the ass end of winter can we like burn an extra 250 Kushel on Cold weather supplies?

Baron 2020/01/25(Sat)20:18 No. 954472 ID: fd2dfa
File 158001229830.png - (736.83KB , 1636x2233 , 53p.png )

>The prisoners are executed. While it cannot be a public display thanks to Shardfall, their heads are dangled from the central keep as a sign of what happens to those who challenge Taruvik. Shardfall is bad, but it can do little to a severed head.

(Prosperity Restored)

>>954409
If you want to explore the estate, roll 1d100


>>954414
Sending soldiers outside towns during Shardfall incur (1d100)% casualties, are you sure you want to do that?

rolled 6 = 6

---

I'd rather not commit forces under these conditions. Lets search.

maybe I remember how to do this...

rolled 37 = 37

---

Uh, I hope we can roll more than once...? Exploring the estate.

rolled 61 = 61

---

>>954472
Oh damn. Yeah no. Waiting is better.
Although I wonder what we can do in the future to mitigate that.

Might as well explore the estate then.

rolled 88 = 88

---

It's about time we recovered one of our missing family members!

Is the roll decided by the first roll, last roll, or highest roll?

Baron 2020/01/29(Wed)21:42 No. 954933 ID: fd2dfa
File 158036296220.png - (172.67KB , 1400x1050 , 54.png )

>>954560
Highest roll.
>Major Success

You find Sorgav, a distant cousin of yours that is more Rezan than kobold. He always had an acumen for trade, and little for much else. Small wonder when the coup happened, he took his fortune and hid.

"Cousin! Mistress! You are still the mistress Taruvik yes?"

"I am, the coup is over, and my rebellious family members are gone. It's time to come out of hiding."


>Sorgav Taruvik has joined.

Baron 2020/01/29(Wed)21:43 No. 954934 ID: fd2dfa
File 158036299585.png - (857.13KB , 1636x2233 , 55.png )

>Turn 10

"Mistressssss Taruvik" Ssoolaku slithers to you "A messsssssenger has arrived, claiming to be a represssssentative from Talba."

"Impossible. We've just reached the end of Shardfall. No one travels during Shardfall."

"She says her ssssssecretsssss are her own and wishesssss to ssssspeak with you on behalf of her mistresssssss."

>Let her in
>Turn her away
So yeah, got confirmation. It's the flu. I'm gonna be stuck like this for a while so expect more slowdowns.

Let her in. We're building a network anyways

Let her in but do not let her near anyone important. Talk through proxies, but compliment her grace and finesse. Anyone who can survive Shardfall deserves nothing less.

Sorgav seems like a natural to direct our caravans when applicable.

Talba isn't even anywhere on our maps. This should be interesting.

>>954934
Fine let her in. We've got guards, what can one person do?

Mother fucking TALBA?!?!
This far south no less???
At least it makes sense that it would be her. No other house save perhaps one, would challenge the shardfall.
Our half Rezan leadership has surely caught her eye. She sees opportunity.

Well. Let the Obviously-a-Vorklat envoy in.
This will be interesting.

...I feel like the only reason we'd get a visit from them is for them to offer to find more hidden rooms for us in exchange for a cut of the recovered funds. A *lot* of funds were lost like that, so...

Let her in and listen to what she has to say. Keep her distance from anyone important, though.

> He took his fortune and hid.
And how big is that fortune? Or is he not interested in sharing?

Baron 2020/02/01(Sat)01:37 No. 955195 ID: fd2dfa
File 158054982879.png - (192.04KB , 1099x1061 , 56.png )

"Greetings illustrious Taruvik. The great Mother-Protector extends her wishes to you and your family for a long and healthy life"

"I thank you representative..."

"My name is irrelevant as after today you shall not see me again. The Mother-Protector mourn the loss of your parents and wishes to enquire if you knew their affairs?"

"Why does Talba want to know Taruvik affairs?"

"Because oh wise mistress of Taruvik, your family had an arrangement with Talba. Your province is rife with Gulpa and Dredanok. Our mistress offers to extend her protection over your family as she did to your parents. Of course such work requires a tithe of wealth. Unfortunate that she can only extend her beneficence to those who return in form. The royalists of Sazoga chose to reject her generous offer just days before they were overwhelmed by Voraklat. It would be a shame if the same happened again now that you have finally brought your new province into order..."

"Is that a threat representative Talba? I do not respond well to threats."

"I do not threaten oh mistress Taruvik. I offer only truth and my own Queen's most generous offer."

>>Talba offers protection from raids by Gulpa and Dredanok for a payment of 500 Kushel every turn

Our hands are tied. As allies of the Baron, we can't give our funds to another.

Protocol has been followed, so she can and should go.