DM Bloodgargler's Kingmaker (Inactive)

Game Master BinkyBo

"Well, even a blind hen finds corn on occasion." The Green Man chuckles.

"Well, we won't be much longer will we? Kesten, go ahead and leave now, we will meet you back in Stagfall."

"If all that is still to be done here regards healing and magic research, I'll follow Green advice and head back to Stagfall with Kesten and Kinsilvi"

"Well, I believe it to be so, and the research is probably to be done at Stagfall anyway, at least the majority of it.
All in all, I say we have achieved quite a bit here this day."

Dolgrym nods. "A win in anyone's scorebook, that's for sure. Some drinks with the crew will be really welcome this evening, that's for sure."

The Green Man grins, nods his head towards Kinsilvi as he is lead out and then raises an eyebrow, as if to say "Really? EVERYONE?"

A storm rolls in as Norton, the guards, and prisoners arrive at Stagfall. Kinsilvi appears to be stuck in a grim trance unaffected by the sudden drenching rains. He and Hyassus are taken into the cells while the old woman Janille is put in a secure guarded (but nicer) room adjacent to the one occupied by the haggard halfling you'd come across at Three Rivers Crossing.

The journey back for the others is not an easy one. A starless night, rains, and wind... it takes well over an hour before you reach Quillor Farm - a third of the way home. Green's old narcoleptic mare looks back at him and "burrips" as she realizes there's no intention to take shelter at the farm.

"Mother nature is cooking up quite a storm for us this evening.
You know, in all the stories, a storm like this tends to portend something big happening.
Maybe we should seek shelter for the night and return in the morning? Or do we press on?"

Sonechka, usually calm, cool, and composed, looks miserable with her sleek black hair slicked down and her cape of black feathers thoroughly waterlogged. She nods at Green. Her voice holds a hint of irritation at the circumstances that have made her so unpresentable. "That may be advisable, my lord. Though in other stories, such a storm might be sent by one's enemies to cause them to miss a crucial event."

"Damned if we do, or damned if we don't eh?
Well, I believe we can all see in the dark reasonably well, so let us press on.
On the upside, we will all appreciate a warm bath and a dry bed all the more once we arrive."

Dolgrym rides on, not particularly happy with either decision. Drowning was probably not a possibility, but he wasn't sure. It was going to be a miserable ride.

You arrive at Stagfall well after midnight. The rain has not let up, and the downpour dims the lantern lights of the inhabited areas. The construction areas have been tarped, but the ground is muddy - with standing water in the lower areas. You come right up to the walls of the fort before you are spotted and greeted by the night watch.
Watchmen Thoftner and Bainey open the gates, and salute. They raise their voices to near shouting to be heard over the thundering rains. "M'lords... M'lady. Having some trouble here. Set up a bucket brigade... lower levels flooding." They motion for a couple recruits to help with your horses so they may return to their posts.
You see one end of the line of guards and dwarves dumping water outside the keep. Jhod Kavken, the priest of Erastil, is among them - yelling out words of encouragement.

Perhaps one day this sort of thing might be considered beneath my dignity, but that day is not yet.

The Green Man hobbles over to the line, determined to help out with what energy remains in his body.

"Good work lads and lasses, but now you must work twice as hard, I trust nobody here wants to be shown up by their lord no?"
The Green Man laughs boisterously as he mucks in.

Dolgrym hops in with the rest of the dwarves. "Just the perfect topper to a miserable evening, huh, boys? Appreciate you fellas pitching in to help the town...now pass me a bucket!"

Unlike Green and Dolgrym, Sonechka is not the sort to jump in to help with physical labor. She heads for her quarters, where she takes a hot bath and cleans her sodden and muck-covered clothes, then slides into a warm bed- all accomplished by means of magic.

Spirits seem to rise... working alongside their Ruler and Magister. After securing other construction areas and stacks of materials, more Broadhammers join in - also patching areas taking in water. The rain continues for a little more than an hour at the first light of dawn.

Jhod Kavken approaches after giving blessings to those who'd worked through the night. He himself looks terribly exhausted as he takes a seat on an overturned bucket. "Good that you joined us. It's good for the people to see and speak of these things."

The next day you do find you've lost some of the progress made... costing the kingdom - by Treasurer Tournatore's estimate about 3000gp, though Brarim Broadhammer thinks it may be half-again that much. The settlement of Stagfall is a muddy mess, but the citizens seem to be taking it as well as they can.

"Ech...I'm too tired to think straight now.
We have to be careful with our projects for expansion until we can make up the loss.
Fortunately, the economy should be strengthened if we keep moving slowly but surely."

Rising slowly to his feet, stretching slowly and yawning tremendously, The Green Man chuckles.
"I want to catch a little sleep before we deal with this.
We still have to keep building our army for the battles ahead."

"At least Kinsilvi is dealt with for now, the trial may have to wait a little while however.
THIS is more important."

The following few days you are kept busy... following up with the kobolds at the farm - who receive a clean bill of health, preparing for Kinsilvi's trial, and helping maintain the growth of your kingdom in various ways.
There is still talk in the community about the recent speech, and word has spread about Kinsilvi's capture. Your time here now seems to calm the gossiped notion that capable warriors (with no patience or skill as civic leaders) are not fit to rule. More people arrive every day from both near lands and far... dwarves from the Broadhammer Camp, humans from the Narlmarches, and hunters with familial history in these lands....

Kesten receives word from his men at Oleg's, Loomis and Mauersberger, that many have emigrated to the surrounding area from Restov... its population (by the newcomers' word) is at critical levels... poverty and crime are both on the rise. The two militia men now have four men under their command. Papa Grundy has opened an inn, and Bokken has a storefront and vendor - though he himself maintains isolation in his distant hut. Two of the prisoners have been executed... attempted escape including taking an innocent hostage. They were both captured mercenaries of Glausho (in fight where Nihtscada was captured).
In the letter Loomis and Mauersberger also send a message for Jhod. Some priest of Erastil ("just a boy" they'd said) who'd had haunting dreams similar to Jhod's, passed through Oleg's. The young priest hired two locals as guides through the Narlmarches, and the three are a week beyond their expected return.

The Green Man was slowly drumming his fingers on the temporary conference table, in the temporary council chamber.
As he did so he reflected on the number of things that were currently "temporary".
There was still much work to be done, Stagfall was yet to become a proper city, and the fort was yet to become a proper castle, but was was progressing at a steady pace nonetheless.

"In due time, our realm will include all these lands, but we cannot grow too fast or too far as of yet.
I would like to suggest that we begin the construction of a second town,, built a road between them and see if we can attract more people to there.
This would lessen the pressure on the other areas for now.
I would also suggest we send a few men to help keep the peace at Oleg's and the nearby area.
This will serve us two ways, one is to build good will for later when that area becomes fully integrated, and two, it prevent bandit gangs to form and threaten our people here in Stagfall."

"Because of the war brewing, we can't spare more than a handful, but it is a start.
Now, let us look at how our army is coming along, and the status of the various constructions."

"So, let us hear from master Broadhammer as well as master Kesten."

"Should we figure out where the priest and his retinue ended up? If he's a week late, he probably won't be coming back at all, but Erastil's temple would probably appreciate return his body for proper blessings."

"It is indeed something worth our time.
Whatever it is that is calling to the priesthood of Erastil might be worth finding, and whatever that may or may not have claimed the life of the cleric and his retinue should also be dealt with before it causes more loss of life."

Furiel sends Mikmek a message. He advises Mikmek to send a messenger if he needs their help in the future.

"We should probably build a road to Oleg's from Stagfall."

Sonechka shakes her head. "People make trouble here under our eyes and you want to send them out to build a village of their own? We would be better served expanding the economic opportunities available here, giving them something to do other than fight. Let them pave the streets or help rebuild the keep or put up a wall around Stagfall. Or put them to work building Furiel's road to Oleg's; that was a good suggestion."

"We should invest more in the militia, as well. The people will feel safer and the troublemakers less troublesome if they see the town is well guarded and orderly."

The Green Man grins toothily and steeples his fingers together.

"Oh the road will be built, if I have to break every stone, and pave every foot myself.
As for the militia, that should probably be our most pressing concern at present.
We need a standing army before winter to keep the services of the magpies, and the sooner we have at least a militia to protect our people from the foul king the better."

"As for establishing a new settlement, I think a good point is made, it may have been a too rash idea at present." The Green Man nods to Sonechka, showing that he appreciate the councel.

"The original idea was to claim the area directly surrounding stagfall, and then move north towards Oleg's."

Indicating a spot on the map, The Green Man nods.
"On the road we can claim the old mining-camp, restore that should give us some needed resources.
We should probably hold off on claiming the area where Mikmek's clan is until that area has calmed down a little.
Afterwards, we might see if they cannot work the mine for us to our mutual benefit."

"Any other suggestions, concerns or news of import?"

Kesten bows his head "No, My Lord. For what it's worth, I am in full agreement. Would you still have me select troops for transfer to Oleg's. M'lord?"

Brarim eyes the rest of the leadership - not wanting to butt in prematurely... "Castle will be completed on schedule. No more'n two whiskers above budget...."
"North.. and northeast... any of these areas would work well for us. I would like to take a look at that bridge at Three Rivers Crossing. If usable, that'd be a good choice - from what I'm hearing of your intentions."

Sonechka nods at Brarim. "Bridging the river north seems like the logical next step toward Oleg's."

"Yes, I think a dozen men should be enough for now."
The Green Man purses his lips and taps a finger against them in thought for a moment before speaking again.
"No, make it sixteen men, four of them will have special orders to escort Budgie and Arlis back to Stagfall.
I have some plans for those two..."

After Brarim speaks, The Green Man nods as well.
"Bridges can serve as important monument of national pride, in addition to being quite useful.
Repairing it if possible sounds like an efficient use of time."

As the meeting is wrapping up, Kesten spots one of his men approach the doorway. "Yes, Fidulchek?"

Fidulchek replies at attention "My Lord. M'lords, M'lady, General, Warden... The prisoner Kinsilvi has requested a word with.. "whomever would listen."

Sense motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

The Green Man makes a "go on" motion with his hand.
"You have something else to say? Speak up, don't be shy."

"Yes, my Lord. May be nothing... The prisoner Kinsilvi asked if there happened to be a druid of any significance in Stagfall. It was after the other guard on duty mentioned Brother Kavken, that Kinsilvi asked to have his word with you, my Lord. Priest, cleric, chaplain, I'd think nothing of it."

"Hmmm, hard to say what and what does not constitute "Significance" in this case.
Lady Ta' De win is the only one I know of as of yet."

The cells are particularly musty after the recent flood. You reach the last one on the left... past Nihtscada, and Hyassus. Kinsilvi is standing with noble posture (as if posing for a portrait) a few feet from his cell door.
"To my hosts, I will be succinct... to minimize suffering my presence."
He keeps his chin up, and keeps his eyes fixed above your heads.
"I wish to invoke my right to trial by combat. I am well aware you would feel discontented should I find victory, therefore I propose my victory would grant exile. Should I fail... I would be granted the end you seek."

The Green Man raises an eyebrow.
"And what exactly makes you so sure there IS a right for trial by combat?
This land is under our rule, which means the laws will be the laws we write."

Before any protests can be voiced, The Green Man holds up a hand for silence.
"Nevertheless, it is an interesting proposal.
But a touch lacking perhaps.
The kinds of deals you struck, the insidious plans you hatched together with your accomplice...you wouldn't have to be within the realms to remain a threat.
What say you to that master Kinsilvi?"

"A traditional trial will be long and costly, Lord Green, if not... it will be viewed as a mockery.. where justice serves the whim of the self-anointed." He relaxes slightly, unbuttons his vest, and sits on the bench in the cell.
He remains plain-faced, but does allow himself to make eye-contact.
"And if my insidious plans are troubling to you... I'm inclined to believe it'd be better for our dispute to be settled with clashing steel... or some such thing."

Furiel adds: "We already defeated you. So consider the matter settled. No public exhibit is needed. You will be surprised how little you are missed."

"I agree that allowing to more or less set the terms of his sentence is probably not a great precedent."

"Hmmm..." The Green Man rubs his chin in thought, the intricacies of politics and the ways of the nobility (self proclaimed or not) was a mystery to him.
As such he turned to Sonechka and Norton, looking for their opinion.

At the same time, he makes sure to allow Kinsilvi to see him do so, figuring that if Kinsilvi makes some sort of appeal to them, he might let something more slip.

"You might want to ponder carefully that line of thoughts Green. I warned you already, we don't have a corpus legis which people can abide by. We can expect them to follow the common rules most societies use, or we can tell them that rule is what we think fit when we wake up. The second option doesn't give us much stability. Trial by combat is a well established custom, if you want to deny it, you better find a very good excuse."

I was afraid he would say something like that.

"And if such a trail by combat were to take place, who would fight for our side? This is after all not a formal challenge to a duel.
I have heard of a concept called Judicial champions before, but we have none like that as of yet."

We cannot afford to lose the trust of the people if we want to retain stability here. I would imagine some people are already on edge due to the threat of war.
And we cannot just turn to the people for their opinion at every turn either, we would be seen as weak instead of tyrants.

Sonechka frowns and glances at Kinsilvi. "We will take your request under advisement." She looks back at Green and the others. "While a fittingly somber location for such talk, I don't believe this conversation is best had in front of our prisoners."

When the conversation commenced again, whether right there in the dungeon or somewhere else, Sonechka shakes her head. "He is clearly plotting something. Giving an enemy what he is asking for is never good strategy." She sighs. "But I do see your point, Norton. Many of these people came from Restov, where skill with blades is held in highest esteem. It seems a small step from trial by combat to private dueling to address individual grievances, though. Is that the sort of culture we wish to cultivate here?"

She smiles her chilly smile and looks around at the others. "That is not rhetoric, my lords. I am actually asking the question. What kind of culture do we want to establish? Is it one where grievances, even with the throne, are settled with steel? We would fit right in with Restov and Mivon, if that is the case. There is some merit to the idea of modeling ourselves on other successful cities."

"Then again, trial by combat is only one of several modes of trial by ordeal. Do we wish to also embrace fire, water, and stones as judicial methods? The gods will protect the innocent, is it not true? If one is not a witch," Sonechka smirks, "the woman will not drown, correct?"

She clears her throat and shakes her head. "Further afield we have the model of Andoran, a land of personal freedom held in check by iron law. Of course, closer to hand we have an example of a land where that model has run amok- Galt. There are both benefits and dangers there. I believe in Andoran, Kinsilvi would have a trial adjudged by a jury of his peers- in this case, I believe 'Lord' Kinsilvi's peers would be the peerage of this kingdom. That is to say, ourselves." Sonechka sniffs. "Perhaps we would need to come up with a substitute decider in this case."

When well away from the prisoner, The Green Man rubs his temples and groans in frustration.
"Damn the man, he STILL manages to torment me.
The smug bastard is sitting pretty in a prison cell, with proof of truly nefarious deeds, and yet somehow he manages to cause more problems still."

"This feels, somewhat like a damned if we do, damned if we don't situation.
Furiel is right in that few people are likely to care about Kinsilvi himself, but master Ambrosi is ALSO correct in that what we do here will set a precedence.
Kinsilvi as a person is no threat, but what he REPRESENTS is!"

"If we give him a right to trial by combat, anyone could ask the same.
If we give him a proper trial, it will take time, resources and be difficult for us since we have no clear laws yet.
And if we just ignore him and leave him here to rot, eventually SOMEONE will complain and try to use it against us."

Sighing deeply, The Green Man looks a little crestfallen.
"Tell me honestly, what are we looking at here?
Is this a situation where we look for the best solution, or the least BAD solution?"

Furiel has spoken on the Kinsilvi matter. But he adds: "There is a good solution. Don't let the man in your head."

He plans to raise a large army of human archers and put them in the castle garrison. Fielding an army can wait for the economy to prosper more. Archers take a while to train, so Furiel starts the militia out on crossbows.
We can pay 2 a month for reserve archers. Especially if we keep building farms every turn.

As you leave his presence - the manner of his fate yet to be determined - Kinsilvi's parting words... "Take your time... I'm in no hurry."

Sigh once again, The Green Man straightens up and gives Furiel a half-smile.
"You are right, we have a lot of more pressing things to deal with.
By the time we need to deal with kinsilvi, things may have changed significantly."

"Perhaps our next objective should be to try and find that shrine, then we can swing by Oleg's and see how things are coming along.
We also have to look into Sal'dor, whom is supposed to have his camp close to Oleg's.
Might explain the upsurge in banditry there."

"Heh, and I thought life as an adventurer was tough, being an adventurer MONARCH makes that seem tame by comparison!"

Sonechka nods at Green. "Given that one of the vexing issues you mentioned is not having established laws, you should have someone look into the codified laws of Brevoy, Restov, and perhaps Andoran to see what our options are. If not having written law is bothering you, my lord, it is time to start writing some down."

"Aye, that does sound like a good idea. And it is something that can be done while WE focus on the more "hands on" tasks needing to be done.
I think I know someone suitable as well."

Turning to Kesten, The Green Man clears his throat.
"Kesten, I want you to find out of master Senex Senis is still around, if so, ask him to come to the castle at his convenience."

"While we are on the subject, I also need a moment with ladies Kressle and Rojeune.
One at the time, mind."

Scratching his chin in Thought, The Green Man chuckles a little.
"I best no overuse this "summon" thing, I'll get lazy if I just sit on a fancy chair all day and have people come to me."

Kesten discovers Senex has left the settlement, but his nephew-apprentice Iandiro Senis has taken over his studies and taken up residence here. Iandiro stands behind Kesten as he passes on this information.

Iandiro in light blue and cream-colored robes - balding and grey at the temples, bushy lambchop sideburns.... He bows with a folksy smile "If I may be of service, M'Lord, I have learned a great deal from my uncle, and my own eruditic pursuits." He looks around at everyone - with the look of someone "just happy to be there", and nods "Afternoon... Hello how are ya?..."

Kesten clears his throat, and continues. "Kressle and Miss Rojeune are waiting in the antechamber, My Lord."

"Pleased to meet you master Senis, I think you will be of great help to us."
The Green Man reaches out to give Iandiro a firm handshake.

"I am sorry to hear your uncle left, have you any idea where he went?"