Niall has defeated 8 ACR 1 units (2X Goblins, 2X Archers, 2XKnights, 2X Pikemen), and 1 ACR 2 unit (Irregulars). If I understand the rules right, 8 CR1 encounters and a CR 2 encounter = 8*400+1*600 = 3800 xp
That would put him at 3300+3800 = 7100 xp, and into 3ed level. He has a level to add (and thus a feat among other things).
He succeeded in the commander's boon check, and as he has gained a level, his leadership is 5, and he qualifies to select the defensive tactics boon.
I assume the 2 captured commanders conveniently have no gear to loot... Because otherwise we can throw WBL out the window (although I think we already have...)
I will work on the level up and post when I get done.
I will also post in the discussion thread about the combat system
That aside, we are now at 5.3.4, last war move of the round and the turn...
Step 1 is Military Intelligence. Am I aware of any other Osoerdian Units? Has his fleet fled my waters by any chance?
Barring more moves by him, then I think we can call quits on this turn. I will not try to pursue a fleet that can take harbor in a city potentially protected by cannon... As such, I intend to reposition my forces back to something resembling the initial state. I will not invade Osoerde at this juncture...
That would bring us of the end of 5.3.4, and next is domain turn 6. I obviously have a bunch of things to deal with before we get to that though...
Total Provinces 22 * 1.0 = 22
Total Law Holdings 21 * 0.2 = 4
Total Sources 26 * 0.8 = 20.8
Total RP Collected : 46.8 > 46
4. Tax/Tithe/Trade:
Details:
• Tax (Moderate)
Banien's Deep 1
Shadowgreen 2
Westmarch 1
Northvale 2
Calrie 6
Dhoenel 5
Halried 5
Total Holdings =22, Total Income = 22
Guild Income
Banien’s Deep virtual (2)
Shadowgreen virtual (2)
Westmarch virtual (2)
Northvale virtual (2)
Total Holdings = 8, Total Income = 8*2/3 = 5.3
Law Income
Banien's Deep (1)
Shadowgreen (2)
Westmarch (1)
Calrie (6)
Dhoenel (5)
Halried (5)
Total Holding = 21, Total Income = 20 * 1/3 = 6.7
Vassalage
+2.5 GB from Spider River Traders
Total Income 36.5 GB
5. Maintenance Cost:
Details:
Assets
Caer Callin (Castle 6) = 4 gb
Court = 5 gb
Military
Garrison : 2X Pikeman,1XArcher, 1X Marines, 1X Rangers, 2x Knights, 2X Junior Rangers = 27/4 =6.75 gb
In port Navy : 2 X Coaster, 2XGalleon, 3XCaravel =52/24 = 2 1/6 GB
06-08 Diplomatic Matter
...
Diplomatic Matter: An ambassador from another domain wishes to discuss an alliance, trade issue, or other matter of mutual concern. The DM decides who wishes to talk to the regent and the importance of the issue to that character. Diplomacy might involve threats and brow-beating, or it may be a delicate affair of understatement and suggestion. If a regent wishes to conduct the negotiations personally, he must spend his action do so; in either event, a court action is required to receive the diplomatic party appropriately.
6. Free/Court Actions:
a) Personal use of Diplomacy to investigate Moure Alondir.
Diplomacy: Gather Information (this is not an espionage action, this is just collecting what is known inside her court.)
I think this is a personal use of the diplomacy skill, so I am applying her personal skill modifier, the +11, and the +3 is from her court level.
1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 3 = 34
In particular, she wants to know if he would be a reliable lieutenant or should simply be bought out.
b) Court Action to receive the Ambassador from Highland/Overland Traders. Siele, of course, will hear their proposal.
The Kingdom of Aerenwe
IR 6
7. First Action Round
a. Domain Action: Cale: Rule Province: Westmarch (Administrate), recruiting the ELVES of Niall’s mothers clan to come and settle in Northvale. This will not impact the sources in the province. (DC 11, 1 GB, Can’t spend RP, +1 to check for province loyalty)
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Niall (Full domain action) : Diplomacy with William Moergen (DC ???, 1 GB ) – Core plan, Niall helps him win the throne of Osoerde, he becomes vassal to the crown of Aerenwe, details to be negotiated. As with previous diplomacy (eg. With the Spider River Traders, you need to set a DC, assign William a court rating, and then I can decide if I want to spend GB to influence things…)
William Moergen -- DC 25, Court Rating 1 -- he's on the run alot.
DC 25? From a guy who's an the run from Duke Raenach's inquisition and is trying to inspire a rebellion against Raenach? Who's being offered state level support to fight Raenach?
Gavin Tael is offering William Moergen the same as you are. Help with his usurper at a reasonable price, vassalage. Ghoere did not like Raenech invading your land by the Erebannen. So, the seasoned conqueror is offering the same deal you are.
You just have to sweeten the deal. Show that you are more powerful than Gavin Tael.
King Niall has some ideas, but needs to ask some Questions, starting with my captured Osoerdian Commanders (note, they are not being let talk to each other. As a charmed MVP, the goblin is in the nice quarters. The other 2 (the Cav and the Alchy) are in the dungeons, being interrogated (although not tortured...yet!)):
1) Ok, the goblin admitted to being the Gorgon's pawn... While the duke was paying the mercenary contract. My question for all 3 is where's the money coming from? Osoerde can't be that rich - they have maintenance bills for a very large army (As I really doubt they sent everything they had into Northvale. They have close to a civil war at home, so they have to keep some unit at home, not to mention that has to be interfering with their collections.)
A better Q might be who do they believe/will testify the money is coming from? (What's the cover story? It can't publicly be the Gorgon, Raenach would have a 2nd rebellion if that got out...). It's obviously not Aerenwe. Coeranys or Elinie (ruled by a Paladin, who "does not believe in meddling in the affairs of other kingdoms" !) seem hard sells, but Ghoere, ruled by ambitious, LE, Gavin Tael? That sounds like a decent cover story for the Gorgon's involvement...) Is Baron Ghoere playing both sides against the middle for control of Osoerde (or can be painted as such)?
2) I am definitely going to bring my captive Cav and Alch to the negotiations (I assume they are in Calrie - we need a safe space, and Moergen can't provide), to demonstrate my ability. They can testify to how badly they got crushed: 9 dead units to 1 defender lost...
3) Also, if William has a use for (or dislikes) either of them I would be willing to hand them over as part of the agreement.
4) Finally, what terms is Gavin offering in the vassalage agreement ? Given both of us are offering to take the duchy from Raenach and give it to William, I think Created Vassals (and associated Overlord Tax) applies? I might well be willing to undercut him, especially if he is getting greedy...
King Niall has some ideas, but needs to ask some Questions, starting with my captured Osoerdian Commanders (note, they are not being let talk to each other. As a charmed MVP, the goblin is in the nice quarters. The other 2 (the Cav and the Alchy) are in the dungeons, being interrogated (although not tortured...yet!)):
1) Ok, the goblin admitted to being the Gorgon's pawn... While the duke was paying the mercenary contract. My question for all 3 is where's the money coming from?
A1. Raenech had confiscated a gold mine with the potential of offering up 1,000 talents of gold.
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A better Q might be who do they believe/will testify the money is coming from? (What's the cover story? It can't publicly be the Gorgon, Raenach would have a 2nd rebellion if that got out...). It's obviously not Aerenwe. Coeranys or Elinie (ruled by a Paladin, who "does not believe in meddling in the affairs of other kingdoms" !) seem hard sells, but Ghoere, ruled by ambitious, LE, Gavin Tael? That sounds like a decent cover story for the Gorgon's involvement...) Is Baron Ghoere playing both sides against the middle for control of Osoerde (or can be painted as such)?
Observation: You are definitely getting the politics of this game. It's more awful if Galwin was still playing and I can get Avanil into the mix.
A2. It seems that Gavin Tael is playing both sides of the civil war against each other, or maybe that's not his style. Perhaps it's his chief Exchequer that is funding both sides.
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2) I am definitely going to bring my captive Cav and Alch to the negotiations (I assume they are in Calrie - we need a safe space, and Moergen can't provide), to demonstrate my ability. They can testify to how badly they got crushed: 9 dead units to 1 defender lost...
A3. That's because of the "simple system" of handling mass combat in UC. Sure its simple, but there is no way you can use tactics in the system. So do you want to go to war cards?
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3) Also, if William has a use for (or dislikes) either of them I would be willing to hand them over as part of the agreement.
A4. That would be an action of good faith. +2 to Diplomacy.
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4) Finally, what terms is Gavin offering in the vassalage agreement ? Given both of us are offering to take the duchy from Raenach and give it to William, I think Created Vassals (and associated Overlord Tax) applies? I might well be willing to undercut him, especially if he is getting greedy...
The terms are simple, William Moergen will become Gavin Tael's squire and be fostered in his house. Then once he is ready, Gavin will provide men and arms to the young duke to help him drive Raenech from his ancestral lands. Then the young duke would have to pay back Gavin for his involvement. An overlord tax would be helpful to paying back what William would owe.
William, a wise duke has multiple strings for his bow. I do not believe my proposal and Baron Tael's proposal are incompatible... We both propose to make you Duke of Osoerde in return for your fealty - only one of use will be able to actually deliver the Ducal throne.
He proposes for you, a grown man and belted knight of Haelyn, to become a squire to him and be fostered in his house. He will support your reclamation of your patrimony once he is ready...How long that will be, I do not know - A season, a year, more? As you know, a normal squirehood is 5 to 7 years. Whatever, his proposal is that you wait to relaim your lands.
However long the wait is, there are 2 facts. First, the longer Raenach holds Osoerde un-opposed, the stronger he will be. His law holdings will grow, so will his armies, not to mention this imported priesthood of Belinik. Second, I will be acting now, Raenach has attacked me, and I will not stand by - thus, I will be acting before Baron Tael.
So I suggest you take both agreements - only one of us can deliver Osoerde, so you are not overpromised, you will not end up owing vassalage to both of us.
You will aid me with all your knowledge of Osoerde, and introductions to and support from your allies the Second Swamp Mage , and the other players who would support your return to the throne in Osoerde Diirk Watershold, The Impregnable Heart of Haelyn, the Church of Storm's Height . You will acknowledge, for the purposes of my diplomacy, the agreement you have reached with Baron Tael.
Further, I will turn over to you Raenech's two commanders that I have captured, Lord Ilsevere and the Alchemist Nemaris, for you to use for your own purposes.
You will go to Ghoere's court, and learn from him - but be careful to avoid entanglements while there, a duke's hand for example, is not given lightly in marriage - learn from him, he is a skilled ruler and conqueror and can teach you much, but do not let him shape your character.
We will see which of us delivers to you the rulership of Osoerde; to him you shall swear fealty! And let Haelyn, god of rulership, lord of justice, lawmaker, judge the contest between myself and Baron Tael...
Either way, you win: I succeed, you get Osoerde. I fail, and at least I weaken Raenech while you arm yourself with Ghoere's units... But commit to no vassalage with Baron Tael, until you have the units to take Osoerde, marching into Osoerde, under your command
So that's diplomacy check, against a DC I am not sure of...
+1 for Niall's more than 5 ranks in diplomacy, +4 for the difference in court levels, +2 for the turnover of the commanders. Hopefully the option to take up both offers reduces the DC significantly...
Add another +2 for the turn over of commanders. To a total of +4, thus your result is actually 24.
"I understand good king, that you want me to be fostered in Baron Tael's house," William began. "For I'll be safe there and as Haelyn permits, learn a lot from them. The Usurper has taken my lands, but I have the support of the second swamp mage."
Niall sniffs the air, a wolf on the scent... "I think I understand. You are not looking for safety. You do not want to wait in Ghoere's household, you want to strike back... " "You have been chased in your own homeland, run tired and hungry in lands that should be yours. Untested and uncertain, you feel the fear, like every warrior does when the steel is drawn for real - one mistake could be the end - but your courage makes you yet your own master. You are young, but heir to a fell heritage of war. "
Poining at William: "You want to fight! The usurper preys on your people, and feasts at the table of your patrimony! But as I said, you know you are untested and the strength of the army you could raise is uncertain, and should you fail... It bears not thinking about, for neither yourself, nor for your folk! Thus courage and caution war in you..." "But I have put the wrong offer in front of a warrior; I had not taken your measure. I have another one for a man such as you."
Smashing his fist into his palm, "Will thee, nihil thee, I will move against Osoerde in this matter - the invasion of the Erebannien's peace cannot be forgiven: those forest glens have not felt the tread of armies and the stench of the battlefield since before the coming of man to this land! Indeed, if I did not move, I might face a rebellion myself, heh." Instead, I will not offer you safety. I will offer you war and victory. Come stand beside me William. Raise your banner beside mine! Become my lieutenant in this matter. You will raise your blade to avenge you father, with comrades and my full and unstinting support to ensure you against failure. You will meet Raenach with equal strength or more, and my warcraft as well as your own. When we take Raenach's head, you will take up your ducal patrimony, earned with steel in your hand, as my loyal vassal. Is this more to your liking? Niall offers his hand to young knight.
" A good army? Last season, Raenach put 9 units - pikemen, knights, archers and alchemists- onto Aerenwe's soil. Not a soul made their way back to Osoerde... Every unit of Aerenwe's carried their own colors back... That good enough? "
"Some... I'd be a lot more inclined to say a crushed invasion is punishment enough if he hadn't violated the Erebannien. What I really want is a secure Northern border, with a friend on the other side, not an enemy. But there's no way I'm getting that with someone lunatic enough to violate the Erebannien in charge in Osoerde. So that has to change.
I also don't think that Ghoere's fingers in the pie would make for peaceful sleep at night...
"You want to take care of the Usurper, by yourself, and without allies?"
"No, you misunderstand my intent and objectives."
" If I thought that Raenach wasn't a mad weasel, I might be willing let him learn from his burned fingers (the loss of his invading army entirely!) and see if we couldn't establish a detente we could both live with. Sometimes the best friendships start with someone getting their nose broken."
"But he is a mad weasel - he violated the Erebannien, and there are some other 'details' to his conduct (eg. the church of Belinik) - so I don't think he will learn from a large pile of dead bodies. "
"War is not the first solution I turn to - it's very expensive - but what Aerenwe wants is a peaceful northern border with a friend on the other side of it. How to accomplish this is my strategic challenge. I could get rid of Raenach simply by letting you go to Ghoere, and letting you (William backed by Ghoere) and him (Raenach) fight...but that's either going to give me either Raenach on my border still, if he wins, or a Ghoerean vassal, if you win with Ghoere's backing. Baron Ghoere is a man who looks to war as his first solution, and he's very ambitious. He thinks the Iron Throne would fit him very well... and I disagree; I would not sleep peacefully at night."
"As to allies, you are the first one, not the last."
"Strategy : first figure our your desired end state. In this case, for me, a trustworthy friend on the throne of Osoerde. William Moergen, beholden to the crown of Aerenwe, not to Ghoere, fits that to a T. That fits your end-state, you as Duke of Osoerde as well... "
"Step one then, get William Moergen onside, which is why I am making you this offer."
"Further, you taking up that offer, leads directly into step two of strategy: know. Know the enemy, know the battleground and know yourself. Your rebellion, the embers of which Raenach is attempting to stamp our through terror, will bring a great deal of that knowledge to the cause."
"So your with me?" Diplomacy Action Successful? This is a short post because I have some stuff on the go. I will expand later, but next is establish what we know about the forces in Osoerde, what allies we can bring to bear, and then we start talking how to do diplomacy next action round.
Handing William a glass of wine, and taking one himself, ”Excellent, a toast to the next Duke of Osoerde, William Moergen!” After taking a healthy swig, Niall continues, ”Normally, as mentioned, the next step would be to assess what we know, but to assuage your undoubted impatience, we will start with discussing the other allies I mentioned first.”
Pulling out a large map of Anuire, Niall begins to point at it as he talks. ”To begin with, we will have diplomatic discussions with Coeranys, who are of particular interest, and Elinie. Neither of those 2 states can love having a vicious madman on their border. With he Usurper’s violation of the Erebannien, we can talk both of them into aiding us, especially as there is a second arrow in the quiver. You will lead the discussions, and as part of the discussion, we will reveal your negotiations with Ghoere. Given the Baron’s reputation as a militarist, neither would be comfortable with him as a neighbour – particularly with one of his flanks protected (by Osoerde being his vassal)!”
”Further, although neither Boeruine nor Avanil are in a position to participate with troops, we will invite them to support your rebellion through diplomacy and gold. Again, the reasons they participate is two-fold, 1) to be owed a favour from Osoerde (you), and 2) to ensure that Gavin Tael does not become a true rival for the Iron Throne; neither would like that chase to become a three-way race! “
”Then there are the churches. As Aerenwe’s state religion, I can count on the Eastern Temple of Nesrie’s support in defeating Osoerde’s threat. But the real action starts in Osoerde, and of course, this is where your knowledge comes in. Is it true that there is Church of Belinik starting to grow in Moriel? ( He should know, Moergen has a law holding in Moriel, which gives him visibility into the holdings in Moriel. ). How is it growing? Normally, the churches of Cuiracaen and Haelyn would not permit such a development; is Raenach cultivating them? Even without that, I suspect that your connections with the Imperial Heart of Haelyn and the invasion of the Erebannien could bring them to ally with your rebellion. But if the rumours about this True Church of Vosgaard are true (them being supported by Raenacgh)… the Church of Storm’s Height might be willing to ally with your cause as well! “
”The third pillar of a ruler’s domain is the guilds. Again, this is where your local knowledge comes into play. I know little of the state of economic affairs in Osoerde, other than Raenach’s taxes have been ruinously oppressive. There have been rumours that he has pressed the foreign guilds, from Ghoere and Baruk-Azhik very hard. Could we bring them onside in a rebellion with a promise of reduced taxation?”
”Finally, there is the magic of the land. I know that Raenach maintains a court wizard, styled the Swamp Mage, and you claim an ally in the Second Swamp Mage. But that is the extent of what I know. What can you tell me of them? Can your Swamp Mage wrestle his Swamp Mage well enough to keep them both out of the fight? I don’t think there are other mages who would get involved… Unless Ghoere piles in – the Sword Mage is a power to be respected, even feared.”
So that’s laying out my intent for diplomacy in the near future, although there are things that I have not mentioned. Like soliciting Ghoere for a contribution after we try Avanil and Boeruine. Surely he wouldn’t want to appear less committed to the values of Anuire than either of the big players…
Q? Can you diplomacy more than 1 person at a time, if I invite them all to a big conference in Calrie to get them all around a table, all about one subject – supporting William’s rebellion?
Niall takes a seat, and motions William to stand, ” Now my throat is dry, and my wind is running out, so your turn to talk. What do you know about:
[b]1) How much of an information network do you have in Osoerde? What do you have for military units? Would any of the provinces rise if you raised your banner? Does William have spy network(s)? 2) The church of Belinik in Moriel? Where did it come from/is it being supported by Raenach? Can you prove it? 3) What do you know about the guilds in Osoerde? Who are their leaders? Could they be talked into supporting a rebellion against Raenach? 4) Tell me about your ally, the Second Swamp Mage. Can he fight the Swamp Mage effectively? 5) I am very, very curious about the Usurper’s finances – gold being the sinews of war. The prisoners I took in the incursion told me that Raenach confiscated a gold mine, and that is how he is financing this war… But I do not recall gold being a Osoerdian export. Gold mines don’t spring from nowhere. Is there a history of gold mining in Osoerde? Could this be a cover story for foreign financing? I would not put it past Ghoere to be financing him, playing both sides, so as to get the duchy as a vassal either way… 6) Between yourself and you ally the swamp mage, you have holdings in all of Osoerde’s provinces but Algael, Brothendar and Spirit’s End (and my scouts report to me about military units in Algael and Spirit’s End). What can you tell me about the military units the Usurper has in these provinces, Ghalliere, Moriel, Gulfport, Moergen and the Sunken Lands? Don’t forget the naval units – the Gulf of Coeranys could be a key factor." IIUC you have a holding in a province, you can see the military units in the province…
So that’s laying out my intent for diplomacy in the near future, although there are things that I have not mentioned. Like soliciting Ghoere for a contribution after we try Avanil and Boeruine. Surely he wouldn’t want to appear less committed to the values of Anuire than either of the big players…
Q? Can you diplomacy more than 1 person at a time, if I invite them all to a big conference in Calrie to get them all around a table, all about one subject – supporting William’s rebellion?
A1. There's nothing in the rules that say you can perform a diplomacy action about more than one person. I think its reasonable to perform the diplomacy action with more than one player. As long as its about one subject. Remember the scene in Skyrim where you perform diplomacy between more than one player in the game?
Niall takes a seat, and motions William to stand, ” Now my throat is dry, and my wind is running out, so your turn to talk. What do you know about:
[b]1) How much of an information network do you have in Osoerde? What do you have for military units? Would any of the provinces rise if you raised your banner? Does William have spy network(s)?
A1. William is paranoid enough to have his vassals' correspondence opened, red, and closed again to be sent. Just like Louis the XIV. He has a spy network across Osoerde, it helps him stay one step ahead of Raenech.
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2) The church of Belinik in Moriel? Where did it come from/is it being supported by Raenach? Can you prove it?
A2. It came from somewhere in Vosgaard. It's supported by the bully Raenech. William has a spy in the Church.
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3) What do you know about the guilds in Osoerde? Who are their leaders? Could they be talked into supporting a rebellion against Raenach?
A3. William's spy network reports that the guilds are foreign guilds. One of the guildsmen is Diirk Watershold of the Royal Guild of Baruk-Azik. The other is Ghorien Hiriele of the Highland/Overland Traders of Ghoere. It will take some work to convince them to join the cause.
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4) Tell me about your ally, the Second Swamp Mage. Can he fight the Swamp Mage effectively?
He's a mysterious figure that communicates only through correspondence. William thinks he can fight the first swamp mage effectively.
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5) I am very, very curious about the Usurper’s finances – gold being the sinews of war. The prisoners I took in the incursion told me that Raenach confiscated a gold mine, and that is how he is financing this war… But I do not recall gold being a Osoerdian export. Gold mines don’t spring from nowhere. Is there a history of gold mining in Osoerde? Could this be a cover story for foreign financing? I would not put it past Ghoere to be financing him, playing both sides, so as to get the duchy as a vassal either way…
William's spy network reveals that there is indeed, a gold mine the usurper managed to get. But it's not in Osoerde. It's in Ghoere.
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6) Between yourself and you ally the swamp mage, you have holdings in all of Osoerde’s provinces but Algael, Brothendar and Spirit’s End (and my scouts report to me about military units in Algael and Spirit’s End). What can you tell me about the military units the Usurper has in these provinces, Ghalliere, Moriel, Gulfport, Moergen and the Sunken Lands? Don’t forget the naval units – the Gulf of Coeranys could be a key factor." IIUC you have a holding in a province, you can see the military units in the province…
6) Between yourself and you ally the swamp mage, you have holdings in all of Osoerde’s provinces but Algael, Brothendar and Spirit’s End (and my scouts report to me about military units in Algael and Spirit’s End). What can you tell me about the military units the Usurper has in these provinces, Ghalliere, Moriel, Gulfport, Moergen and the Sunken Lands? Don’t forget the naval units – the Gulf of Coeranys could be a key factor." IIUC you have a holding in a province, you can see the military units in the province…
Elton, did your reply here get cut off somehow, or does William know nothing about Raenach's military units?
6) Between yourself and you ally the swamp mage, you have holdings in all of Osoerde’s provinces but Algael, Brothendar and Spirit’s End (and my scouts report to me about military units in Algael and Spirit’s End). What can you tell me about the military units the Usurper has in these provinces, Ghalliere, Moriel, Gulfport, Moergen and the Sunken Lands? Don’t forget the naval units – the Gulf of Coeranys could be a key factor." IIUC you have a holding in a province, you can see the military units in the province…
Elton, did your reply here get cut off somehow, or does William know nothing about Raenach's military units?
Nothing got cut off. I suddenly had to work. It was taking to long so I didn't want to risk getting a message and having to start over again.
William knows quite a bit about Raenech's military units. Since you reduced his invasion force, Raenech has three military units left and they are in Ghalliere, Moriel, and Moergen. These units have been chasing William. Secondly, there is the navy and they are docked at Gulfport.
Another Q, what did Siele get from her gather Knowledge, and what was the offer from Highland/Overland Traders?
The offer was one of mutual cooperation. The ambassador came and offered silks from Khinasi in exchange for elven weapons. The purpose was to deal with Osoerde, who has been trouble for Ghoere of late. Ghoere is preparing for open warfare with Osoerde due to Osoerde's violation of the Errebannen.
