Myth: A New Age CYOA

[Nevill]

As soon as they see the weapons the nobles rush in a mass toward the doors. They claw and trample each other in an effort to escape. Barely ten of them move to defend the king and not one pays you any mind.

I am not complaining that even the royalists ignored us, since it is completely understandable that the heroes that have crushed an army with a hundred-to-one odds can manage a few assassins.

Still, I'd like to know the houses they belong to. I think me might need allies besides the crown if we are to stay in the kingdom, and these are the kind of people I want to deal with.

If the King wants to throw a ball in celebration of the murder of the Eberhardts our feats anytime soon, I want to start building up connections with them there.

If it does not harm our chances at unlocking Thais romance, of course.

Added. Firebolt would probably be your best bet from what you have to hand.

The Tome of Elemental Magic quietly and lonely sitting in our backpack makes me sad. So many options, so little time...

 

[Smashing Axe]

A - It puts us in a better position to bargain with the merchants. We can't very well offer them our services when we ourselves don't know what our potential is. Splitting up sounds like a bad idea.

A>B - Make friends once we're in a better financial position. Note that it didn't say anything about illegal activity. I don't see why we're avoiding it. Also note that some great noble houses actually like us more from Mayer's pressure.

B - I really hope we don't opt to do this. Fangshi has said before that we'd be neglecting our own self improvement, and this is effort spent on someone with very little potential as a mage. Just, no.

C - Not worth it. Backdoors in our mental fortress are bad. Let's not waste so much time on useless Caoilainn. There's likely much better things we could be doing with the time and risk involved in developing this.

 

[Kz3r0]

1.A)
2.C)
3.B)
4.C)

 

[asxetos]

Actually the sneak out with Berty is very interesting and with high chances to work. I will flop to that.

 

[Fangshi]

Still, I'd like to know the houses they belong to. I think me might need allies besides the crown if we are to stay in the kingdom, and these are the kind of people I want to deal with.

Well those ten belonged to houses Welf and Hesse primarly but they died with the guards trying to protect the royal family.

If the King wants to throw a ball in celebration of the murder of the Eberhardts our feats anytime soon, I want to start building up connections with them there.

After yet another attempt on his life he is not likely to be holding any parties anytime soon. You could always choose to hold one if you move out though. You would need somewhere to host it of course but that could be arranged depending on what exactly Mayer manages to get.

The Tome of Elemental Magic quietly and lonely sitting in our backpack makes me sad. So many options, so little time...

Much of your spellcasting time is being eaten up by casting and maintaining enchantments on your gear. If you wanted to you could stop enchanting and turn your efforts towards teaching your group spells. It might be slow going as they only have a couple hours a day at most though.

 

[Nevill]

I was under the impression that enchantments take an hour a day at most. They aren't what is eating our time, our business activities are.

 

[Fangshi]

Yeah but you can't drop the business activities (what with 1000 WPs worth of debt, plus the 200 from Albrecht, plus your monthly expenses) unless you want to flee the country with a bounty on your head.

You could drop the enchanting and get an hour for group studies instead if you really wanted to use the book now, it is an option.

 

[Smashing Axe]

The way Mayer is going, we are looking at 225 WPs monthly. As long as it pays off the interest on the loan, we are gaining momentum. Let him continue.

Even if that works out to be the case, the thing is we're going to be paying off 200 monthly from the interest on the 1000 loan, plus our monthly costs of 35, plus the pathetic interest on Albrecht's loan. We're still losing on net each year even if things continue going as they are, and if we do come out ahead we'll not be seeing any money from this for a very long time.

Furthermore, we've seen no signs of the apocalpytic fears you have regarding our business activities. We ought to push more to ensure we're not losing each month. I don't see why we don't. No where in the text was there any mention of illicit acitivites that Albrecht might frown upon anyway. And with the recent PR stunt we did, we're even more golden.

Also, Fangshi. Does Calm Casting use energy like normal spells, or is it just meditation?

 

[archaen]

OK with updated vote.

1. D > B
2. A
3. C > B
4. B

 

[Nevill]

Even if that works out to be the case, the thing is we're going to be paying off 200 monthly from the interest on the 1000 loan, plus our monthly costs of 35, plus the pathetic interest on Albrecht's loan. We're still losing on net each year even if things continue going as they are, and if we do come out ahead we'll not be seeing any money from this for a very long time.

Yeah, no.

First, that is what our two enterprises are for. The merchants and the security company are a separate potential source of income entirely.

Second, there is our Muirthemne money that we can transport here to pay off the loan.

Third, I think Mayer would only be glad to pay off our loan by himself for a bigger cut of future profits. Unlike us, the dwarf can consider the long-term perspectives.

The ways to solve this are numerous. In the end, it means we've finally found our source of steady income.

Furthermore, we've seen no signs of the apocalpytic fears you have regarding our business activities. We ought to push more to ensure we're not losing each month. I don't see why we don't. No where in the text was there any mention of illicit acitivites that Albrecht might frown upon anyway. And with the recent PR stunt we did, we're even more golden.

I am not bending the rules for profits. We've tested our luck enough.

Well those ten belonged to houses Welf and Hesse primarly but they died with the guards trying to protect the royal family.

Don't at least some of the younger nobles belong to the officer corps of the Royal Army? Some fucking nice officers Albrecht has if ten people are all that came to his aid.

I hope that wasn't the last of the nobility of the houses Welf and Hesse. Maybe we can work some kind of an alliance with them, seeing how they are most loyal to the King. I also hope Albrecht is making mental notes about where the houses stand.

After yet another attempt on his life he is not likely to be holding any parties anytime soon. You could always choose to hold one if you move out though.

Nah, throwing a party in the middle of civil unrest sounds like asking for it. With all the terrorists running amok, chances are someone will try to murder us and kill the guests, turning the whole thing into a big disaster. We'll pass.

I wonder who is directing and sponsoring the Eberhardts' remnants, though. I hope the Pathfinders get them.

Hmmm... if it turns out that the Brannons family are financing the assassination attempts on the dwarven king, what sort of consequences are we looking at?

 

[Smashing Axe]

Even if that works out to be the case, the thing is we're going to be paying off 200 monthly from the interest on the 1000 loan, plus our monthly costs of 35, plus the pathetic interest on Albrecht's loan. We're still losing on net each year even if things continue going as they are, and if we do come out ahead we'll not be seeing any money from this for a very long time.

Yeah, no.

First, that is what our two enterprises are for. The merchants and the security company are a separate potential source of income entirely.

Second, there is our Muirthemne money that we can transport here to pay off the loan.

Third, I think Mayer would only be glad to pay off our loan by himself for a bigger cut of future profits. Unlike us, the dwarf can consider the long-term perspectives.

The ways to solve this are numerous. In the end, it means we've finally found our source of steady income.

Furthermore, we've seen no signs of the apocalpytic fears you have regarding our business activities. We ought to push more to ensure we're not losing each month. I don't see why we don't. No where in the text was there any mention of illicit acitivites that Albrecht might frown upon anyway. And with the recent PR stunt we did, we're even more golden.

I am not bending the rules for profits. We've tested our luck enough.

While it's true that the two enterprises have the potential to earn us money, the way Fangshi has worded both of them, with the merchant contracts requiring manned, high quality holdings across the trade way, and the mercenary company in organisational disarray, leaves me to believe there will be some more initial investment required there, which will have to come out of the loan's funds, which is going to reduce the earnings we receive from the properties further. And who knows when the revenue from that will start, I can see it taking half a year to get fully up and running, while our loan compounds each month.

As for the Muirthemne money, we don't know how much of it has been spent by Gareth, who was told to do some setup work for us, and even then, transporting it is going to be either extremely risky (portal) or risky and extremely slow, both of which aren't particularly appealing to me.

And bending the rules isn't breaking the rules. Loopholes are there to be exploited. And Mayer's a pro at this.

 

[Nevill]

While it's true that the two enterprises have the potential to earn us money, the way Fangshi has worded both of them, with the merchant contracts requiring manned, high quality holdings across the trade way, and the mercenary company in organisational disarray, leaves me to believe there will be some more initial investment required there, which will have to come out of the loan's funds, which is going to reduce the earnings we receive from the properties further. And who knows when the revenue from that will start, I can see it taking half a year to get fully up and running, while our loan compounds each month.

While it is nice to theorize, I believe we'll need to meet with them to assess the state they are in. Then we will plan accordingly.

Not to mention Mayer has about 300 WPs worth of funds of his own. Raise his share in the venture, and that won't be a problem anymore - if that is too much of a concern to you.

Nah, there is no need to put the cart before the horse. If Mayer is going to invest our money by 200 WPs increments, there will be 4 more opportunities to correct his course. For now I see no reason to change things when we have no information available on the status of our assets.

 

[Jester]

A
B
C
B

 

[Fangshi]

Also, Fangshi. Does Calm Casting use energy like normal spells, or is it just meditation?

It is technically a spell so it does use a little of your reserves to cast however it is quite low maintenance. Casting it once is equivalent to casting Light or Polish or something else quite minor. There are mundane forms of meditation (body training) that can have similar effects but those would take you a bit of time to learn even if you found a teacher.

Don't at least some of the younger nobles belong to the officer corps of the Royal Army? Some fucking nice officers Albrecht has if ten people are all that came to his aid.

Some of the younger nobles do belong to the Royal Army yes. If you recall though it was mentioned that many of the officers would go where the money is. Well most of those officers are young nobles.

I hope that wasn't the last of the nobility of the houses Welf and Hesse. Maybe we can work some kind of an alliance with them, seeing how they are most loyal to the King. I also hope Albrecht is making mental notes about where the houses stand.

They weren't the last.

You might be able to ally with them if they like you.

Albrecht knows where the Houses stand.

Hmmm... if it turns out that the Brannons family are financing the assassination attempts on the dwarven king, what sort of consequences are we looking at?

If the Brannons were funding dwarven terrorists? Well you would be looking at an ultimatum from the dwarves to the Empire. Turn over the Brannons for execution or prepare for war. War would be the more likely outcome.

Derryth is not sure how great the dwarves' odds would be to be honest. The Imperial armed forces probably outnumber them something like ten to one though the Kingdom's solders are more skilled.


Current Tally:

Spoiler

Azira: 1.A, 2.B, 3.B, 4.B
Nevill: 1.B, 2.B, 3.C, 4.B
asxetos: 1.D>B, 2.B, 3.B, 4.B
archaen: 1.D>B, 2.A, 3.C>B, 4.B
Smashing Axe: 1.A, 2.A>B, 3.B, 4.C
Kz3r0: 1.A, 2.C, 3.B, 4.C
Jester: 1.A, 2.B, 3.C 4.B
Grimgravy: 1.D>B 2.B 3.B 4.B
Kipeci: 1.A, 2.A, 3.C, 4.C

1.
A) 5 votes
B) 1 vote
C)
D) 3 votes

2.
A) 3 votes
B) 5 votes
C) 1 vote

3.
A)
B) 5 votes
C) 4 votes

4.
A)
B) 6 votes
C) 3 votes

Post Flop:

1.
A) 5 votes
B) 1 vote
C)
D) 3 votes

2.
A) 2 vote
B) 6 votes
C) 1 vote

3.
A)
B) 6 votes
C) 3 votes

4.
A)
B) 6 votes
C) 3 votes

 

[Azira]

Imagine Derryth's reputation now, 8 feet tall, lightning sparking from her eyes, an almost godly healing touch, monstrous plants leaping to her defense, jabbing people to death with broken pottery.

 

[Grimgravy]

D>B
B
B
B

 

[archaen]

If the Brannons were funding dwarven terrorists? Well you would be looking at an ultimatum from the dwarves to the Empire. Turn over the Brannons for execution or prepare for war. War would be the more likely outcome.

Derryth is not sure how great the dwarves' odds would be to be honest. The Imperial armed forces probably outnumber them something like ten to one though the Kingdom's soldiers are more experienced.

Except for the huge Dwarven army that mysteriously appears from the Muirthemne ruins 10 minutes after the declaration of war and decapitates their leadership.



Nevill can I convince you to go 1.D? We need to get both our operations up and running fairly quickly. We don't want to give the mercenaries time to take a bad contract or the merchants time to jump ship. We can send Lyssa and the bracelet with her if you are worried but I think the mercenaries may be the more dangerous party.

 

[Nevill]

Nevill can I convince you to go 1.D? We need to get both our operations up and running fairly quickly. We don't want to give the mercenaries time to take a bad contract or the merchants time to jump ship. We can send Lyssa and the bracelet with her if you are worried but I think the mercenaries may be the more dangerous party.

You probably can't, as I was tempted to flop myself, but in the end decided against it.

I do not view fixing our security enterprise as a good enough incentive to venture out without an escort while being hunted by professional assassins.

Even if those don't get to us, they can cause trouble in the city, and the last thing we need right now is starting another fire when we sneak out against the King's orders.

I'd loathe to take off the bracelets after we promised Caoilainn we wouldn't, too. I dislike the idea of separating with Thais. You don't even know if it would be our party that gets attacked. The Eberhardts are essentially sending suicide bombers after us, and the escort is not failproof against those.

I know this is still better than what was initially proposed, but I don't want to take any more risks here just to squeeze a couple more coins out of our deal. Our lives are worth more than that.

 

[Nevill]

Some of the younger nobles do belong to the Royal Army yes. If you recall though it was mentioned that many of the officers would go where the money is. Well most of those officers are young nobles.

Well... yeah. They would have supported the rebel houses if those paid them. They would also have shared the fate of the Eberhardts if the fortune turned their back to them, since it is pretty much mutiny.

I just don't know... abandoning your sovereign, and more than that, your supreme commander (it is a Royal Army, for Wyrd's sake) at a time of need when following him is your primary duty as an officer... it calls for a reprimand, to put it mildly. I'd say it actually calls for a tribunal, but the situation is difficult as it is to make enemies out of those who don't necessarily need to be.

Still, it makes me very much doubt that Albrecht has 'almost full control of the Kingdom' when stuff like this happens and everyone goes about their business as if it was nothing.

 

[Fangshi]

I just don't know... abandoning your sovereign, and more than that, your supreme commander (it is a Royal Army, for Wyrd's sake) at a time of need when following him is your primary duty as an officer... it calls for a reprimand, to put it mildly. I'd say it actually calls for a tribunal, but the situation is difficult as it is to make enemies out of those who don't necessarily need to be.

Well a lot of them are not in the army because of duty or patriotism so abandoning their sovereign is less of a big deal for them. Many of them were open to committing treason after all.

Still, it makes me very much doubt that Albrecht has 'almost full control of the Kingdom' when stuff like this happens and everyone goes about their business as if it was nothing.

I guess it is all in how you look at it. No House will move against the King right now unless given a good reason and he does directly or indirectly control most of the important assets and industries in the kingdom. Physically he is almost unchallengeable as long as the remaining Houses stay loyal.

 

[Nevill]

If the Brannons were funding dwarven terrorists? Well you would be looking at an ultimatum from the dwarves to the Empire. Turn over the Brannons for execution or prepare for war. War would be the more likely outcome.

Interesting. I thought Alric would be pissed enough at Brannons for stirring the enmity between the kingdoms to execute them himself. That he would wage war over it comes as a bit of a surprise. I get it that he has to show everyone that he is the big boss around here, but don't you primarily show it by making sure your associates do not try to murder your allies, rather than stomping your allies when they get upset at your inaction?

Either he isn't all that benevolent and wise, or the Brannons hold even more power than I though they did.

 

[Fangshi]

Interesting. I thought Alric would be pissed enough at Brannons for stirring the enmity between the kingdoms to execute them himself. That he would wage war over it comes as a bit of a surprise. I get he have to show everyone that he is the big boss around here, but don't you show it by making sure your associates do not try to murder your allies, rather than stomping your allies when they get upset at your inaction?

Either he isn't all that benevolent and wise, or the Brannons hold even more power than I though they did.

It is because he is quite wise that he would be willing to fight that war. He views the Empire as the greatest hope for civilization and the Light, whatever endangers that must be dealt with decisively.

He is smart enough to realize that even if he was inclined to side with the dwarves it would still mean war. The Brannons hold a lot of power, to remove the clan would require either a string of perfectly executed assassinations or a civil war.

He might not like it but if he were to view the situation pragmatically it would be less destructive to exterminate the dwarves and keep the Brannons as firm supporters than to fight that civil war to support Albrecht's claims.

Of course that is a rather dire scenario to begin with and not the most likely of outcomes anyway.

 

[Kipeci]

AACC

The security company is the most important. If that's organized and competent, it can defend our merchants and we can gain a reputation for being reliable on safety that will grow our caravans even if we start smaller. Starting with a lot of loot and little organized security... that's asking for trouble.

 

[Nevill]

But will we have the merchants to protect, come next week?

We aren't taking several months between the business visits. We plan to deal with them consequently in two weeks, from what I gathered.

 

[Kipeci]

Two weeks is a lot of time for things to go wrong, and reorganization will not occur right away. But vote for what you will, I'm just paranoid that some disaster will occur due to a poorly organized force and we will be left with less men and scared caravans to screw this up and leave us in nasty debt.