Thron's Altered Kingmaker (Now Litejedi's)

Game Master Litejedi

"I'm no rrulerr. I've neverr been and also have no intentions to be one. The rrole o' a Forrgeprriest is to be an advisorr o' the people." He explains.

"I can advise whomeverr o' ye decide to rrule, if ye vant to hearr my vorrds, o' courrse." It is clear that the matter is tiresome to him, which makes him grumpier than usual. "I know the imporrtance o' politics, but I have no patience forr that. I'm avarre this is a fault o' mine, but I'd rratherr spend my time in morre manual tasks. Considerr my vote as "blank", if I'm rrequirred to do so."

Sophiel climbs back down into the stone enclave and closes the trap door.

She scratches her arm, idly, and looking embarassed, says to Sootscale, "I don't know what came over me. I apologize." Approaching the table, she retrieves the pact they had signed earlier, and begins to roll it up, "it was a mistake, we are all too different. I should have understood that. Nothing I could have ever said or done would make any of you agree with me, or even respect me." She places it into a tube, and puts the tube into her sack, and hefts it onto her back. It's not clear who she's talking to at this point.

She shrugs, and makes ready to depart, turning to the ladder, she looks over her shoulder, "my hideaway will remain for some time, please continue here at your leisure. It is safe from prying eyes and ears. I would like to be alone for a while." She makes ready to leave the space, approaching the stone ladder.

Chrysa frowns at Soph's words, then gives a quick nod to the other rulers and follows her friend out. Once alone, ignoring any attempts of Being Alone, "You will have to temper those bouts of self-deprecation when you are the ruler of Shadowfall. My people are prone to take advantage of any weakness, even if it is only a perceived one." she pauses for her words to settle in. "Vincent and Baltor have agreed, as well as myself, and Impeek is considering. There is a lot of work to do to find that compromise on how this all will be accomplished without changing our own lands too much but... it is a start."

Chrysa will put forth her ideas expressed to the others of course if Soph wants to here them now.

"Ipmeek respect you very much, Sophiel," interjects Ipmeek as she moves to depart. "Your ideas just very surprising."

He stays put as Chrysa goes in pursuit, respecting Sophiel's wish to be alone.

Sophiel nods at Chrysa, glumly. "Maybe this will work itself out, I suppose." She's hunched over, and twisting a hanging braid around her finger, as if she's anxious. "Let us see how it works out. Keep your house in order, I suppose. We can start the process of... merging, once I have fiddled with things a bit. I had spent so much time trying to get everyone to the table - I didn't even honestly expect you to follow me out here - and Gliocas isn't ready to take on the feeding and education of all of your people yet." She sighs and straightens out her braid, realizing her fidgeting with a look of disgust at herself.

"In the meantime, I think we let each of our staff know what's happening. I think as a show of good faith that each of the... holdings should host the lot of us for part of each month for a while. People should get to know that I am to be helping out, and the people in Gliocas should know the same for you and Sootscale, right? Then we can set watches at night and there will be no more dream-eating surprises." She raises her eyebrow, "what do you think? The whole purpose of this is to stick together at all times. It's easier to justify if we're staying in each other's... capitols."

Turn 13 Sarenith 4711AR
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Balance=37 BP

Ending Balance = 37

Event: 1d100 ⇒ 21

Sophiel sends word to Marcanth and Namara to relax some of the agressive expansion posture, and to build out the holdings towards some of the richest areas available, the fertile area known for the fangberries - as well as the fine marble on the coast of Lake Silverstep. The area of the new settlment, which Sophiel and her avisors name Bogha Fòirneart (or just Bogha as it will be come to be known) in honor of the ruined temple of Erastil in the area. She builds a library there, as this is almost always her first source of buisness, and people move in from all around. In the capitol she proposes to build a food storage facility, a "granary" of sorts, though much of the food ends up being the rich and flavorful fangberries, which she stores and trades at a heavy discount to the people of Sootscale's lands, as a way to entice them to move in with her. The gambit works and Tri Firinnean itself grows further, with Trinity University gaining new students - even some kobolds and other folk who live underground.

At the end of the turn, it's size 17 with two settlements, Stability 39, Economy 41, Loyalty 31 - unless some weird event happens.

"It is simple." Chrysa was holding court. The head of the guilds: banking, prostitution, baking, weaving, and woodworking all in one place, along with her strong arms and the head of the church. "We will merge with the other countries, and Gliocas will be given the nominal reigns of leadership."

"Mame, why in the hell's big blue balls would you allow that?" Ari, who always had a way with words as well as a way of commanding the hearts of the former bandits that made up her armies.

As mummers rose, worried about the same thing, Chrysa leaned into the table, a slight smile on her lips "Profit, of course." silence stopped her wicked and greedy crew. "Gliocas is untapped markets. A supposed land of virtue and justice, but as we all know, no one seeks out Fun in lands of virtue and justice. They go there to retire or to huddle in fear. Not to live." the red-haired baroness moves slowly around the table, resting her hand on her lightly on the lovely half-elven priestess that runs her dance houses, Rina of Calistria "That is where we will come in." she smiles at the woman who is an expert in debauchery, who returns it though her clouded eyes could not have seen.

"But she has... them...." the 'them' said with such hate from the normally stoic warrior who commands the patrols, Krox, father of Ari who gives him a sympathetic look.

Chrysa's own hate flares for a moment, leaving no one in the room doubting her stance on the Fae has changed "Our personal war will have to move to the shadows, where I promise I will continue to do all I can to make these lands safe for your families." many grim nods are returned, especially from her Baker and her witch.

"The Fall is not falling, just evolving, growing. The river freedoms will still hold sway and I will break any that try and take anything from you." as the complaints and questions die down, Chrysa rolls out a plan "We start with hiding away..." she lays out the start of the plan to 'merge' with the kingdom of good.

King Sootscale returns to the kobolds and calls a council of the elders. "As you know, there are some among us who sought to overthrow my rule." He is referring, of course, to Mikmek--even if Mikmek was under some greater enchantment. "Those traitors believed that we would be best served by attacking the leaders of the soft-skinned nations. As if our last war against the mites brought us great profit."

"No--look before your eyes. Our success is grounded on good relations with our neighbors!" A feast had been laid out before the elders--including fangberries from Gliocas, and platters laced with gold from the north. "The nations of these lands are placing themselves under the protection of Gliocas. I am calling on the Kobold Reach to do the same."

The kobold elders looked among themselves. Murmurs and mutterings began to spread, before one of the elders spoke up--Vhaark, the high priest of the dragon-god Dahak. "No, you cannot do this! The church of Dahak will never accept the rules of those foolish soft skins! They will never give our kind our rightful place!" Others cheered Vhaark on.

"Silence!" Sootscale shouted, holding up his hand. "Our homes lie beneath the earth, in places that the surfacers do not easily tread. We will protect our ways and traditions. But our people are facing many external threats. Trolls, liches, and other powerful creatures. Our future depends on strong alliances."

Sootscale knew that the kobolds would not all agree. The question was whether the dissent would be too great. Sootscale might be "king," but without the support of his people, Mikmek would not be the only usurper.

Baltor tries to advise the rulers as bast as he can, while keeping in contact with the dwarves working on his mine.

Aside from the statue to Torag, that Baltor is still designing and prospecting for the right type of stone, his temple is finished. With dwarves working on the mines and bringing ore to the smithy, his concerns about their safety move him towards starting to fortify the place, specially because his mine is so far removed from the 'civilized' areas of the Stolen Lands. He sends words to Brunderton and even to the Five Kings Mountains, offering opportunities for brave warriors and soldiers.

Vincent meanwhile has little and less to contribute to the running of any kingdom. He stays out of sight, and thereby largely out of mind, keeping out of the sun and doing his best not to get caught eating.

Turn 14 Arodus 4711AR
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Balance=37 BP

Ending Balance = 39 Size 19 Barony

Event: 1d100 ⇒ 70

RP to come tomorrow.

The balance calculation in the spoiler was off, but the final values were right.

Sophiel, still moving around to tend to everyone, was showing her fatigue and anxiety, but her expansion keeps continuing. After conferring with Chrysa and Sootscale, Sophiel agreed that she could start absorbing some of their holdings in the next month - because she needed a few more resources. Specifically more clay - and more sawmills. She knew that absorbing more of Shadowfall would cause unrest, and she had to maximize the comfort and loyalty of the new citizens.

Sophiel is a little worried, but figures that one thing that will help with that is to maximize the food stores by building a stockyard in Gliocas to maximize the output of the many, many surrounding farms.

King Sootscale informs his people that the integration of kobold lands with Shadowfell and Gliocas will begin in a month's time, and explains what that might mean.

Once again, not everyone is pleased with this change. Mikmek had laid the groundwork for strong anti-human sentiment among the kobolds. And while Ipmeek had some empathy for those views, he did NOT have any tolerance for those who actually conspired with Mikmek to overthrow Ipmeek. To talk was tolerable within reason, but to betray Ipmeek was far beyond the line. Ipmeek quietly begins an effort among his trusted loyalists to identify the ringleaders of the coup so he can purge the rebel scum and restore order and security.

Some proper smiths arrive to work on his smith, while progress is made towards the fortification of the whole place. By the end of the month, most of the work on the barracks are done.

Hearing rumors of disruption beneath the earth, and exceedingly curious about the underground realm, Vincent travels to kobold lands (although he does so rather carefully) and offers King Sootscale his services.

"I'm rather good at... maintaining order." He offers with a smile.

The Fall is full of busy little bees, cleaning up the dark secrets and putting those loudest voices to rest, permanently if needed. All in a good day's work.

"Rina, one of the first orders of business will be to, well, purchase a business. I am certain we'll find a willing seller in no time. With the markets open we'll have the weaver's guild ply their trade on the ground floor, with your guild on the upper." Chrysa hurries on through the hallway of her bank, with her Calistrian and Pharasmian in tow "And you will be given control of the bank. All the paperwork is in order to make it a private place of business. The less than righteous lords, ladies, and godfathers will breath easier with a priest of the dead looking over their ill-gotten gains than the very righteous Lady Medvyed. And will still need them, everyone, for now." the red-haired soon-to-not-be baroness reaches the bottom floor, with the big steel doors. "And make sure THAT stays sealed up, never to see the light of day, do you understand?"

He pushes up his glasses and seems almost put out that she even brought it up. "Of course, m'lady. You can count on me."

Turn 15 Rova 4711AR
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Balance=39 BP

Ending Balance = 64? Size is 21 - three more turns and we can do three hex claims per turn.

Sophiel finally received word that her allies had come, and she breathed a sigh of relief. The well-trained rangers - exiles from the surrounding area near Belzken, those who yearned for a more civilized homeland - one hundred half-orc men and women, along with their children, to settle in the forests. The children would receive the best educations that could be provided, and the regulars would patrol the forest and hills of Gliocas with expertise that few others could muster.

The half-orcs kept to their own ways, minding the roads and paths between the two settlements and environs beyond. They frequently made pilgrimages to the temple of Erastil and other ruins, their enigmatic religion inscrutable even to Sophiel. Those who despoiled the forest need only wait a short time before they soon found themselves surrounded, and woe to the human unlucky enough to make such a mistake (ancient enmity had softened to a mere practical level of skill against human foes). Sophiel had a method of logging, one which replaced every tree with care - and identifying the dead and dying ancients of the forest, cutting out the disease and turning the bad resources into valuable hardwood for eventual export to elsewhere. The Shadows of the Narlmarches enforced this directive.

She needed to build nothing, other than extending her now extensive road network which would speed travel across Gliocas and allow interested parties to visit any of three prominent landmarks of the lands. A useful benefit to secure the loyalty of all, as per the promise, the surveyors and engineers moved to take two of the eastern ends of Shadowfall, easily absorbing their most recent land "acquisition", the remnant of the race which the Gliocas and Shadowfall holdings found themselves in. It remained to be seen who would be the actual victor, but for now, the new citizens of Gliocas were treated like family, afforded all the benefits of citizenry and the opportunity to leave if they wish, at any time.

None would be a slave. The Freedoms would be honored.

Let me know if we should build any buildings. I don't see a reason to. The stats are very close to being "optimal" at the moment, and I think saving the BP is best for emergencies.

Event: 1d100 ⇒ 22

*****

the 12th of Rova, 4711 AR

When everyone gathers together to keep watch, Sophiel reveals a turtle that she has, sitting quietly in a box with a dish of water and lettuce.

"So: this was an assassin that tried to murder me. Now it is a tortoise. I can easily guess what you all believe we should do with him, but I am no worse for wear, and one of my attendants was only frightened. Any thoughts/" She retrieves the tortoise which doesn’t resist and stares blankly at everyone.

”Unfortunately, his will was weak and we cannot question him if we don’t dispel the effect, even if we were to speak with animals.” The tortoise blinks. ”He has the mind of a tortoise now, I am afraid.”

"Cute" Chrysa says with a nod of respect to her friend. "Will he be dangerous once released, or is he already broken?"

Sophiel nods, ”it’s part of the whole package, I’m afraid. I can’t keep his mind as a turtle and turn him back into an elf, but we can dispel the whole effect with some effort.” She tilts her head, ”maybe someone doen’t like that everyone’s grudgingly working together? Someone with a lot of pride and cleverness and a large purse?” she hints obliquely, ”anyway, since torture doesn’t work and he’s unlikely to actually tell us anything, even though I can detect his lies, the best thing we could do maybe is put them on trial, execute them if found guilty, and speak with the remains.” Sophiel rubs the spot where she was stabbed on her arm absentmindedly. ”I think this is the first assassin we’ve caught, right?”

Chrysa's eyebrow raised "Why would torture not work?"

Sophiel shrugs, ”it never works? I thought that was common knowledge. They just tell you what you want to hear to make the pain stop. Or they have an unfathomably high tolerance for pain and just lie. Most people who torture do so because they are too lazy to come up with other means to extract information or they themselves are cruel and enjoy doing so. I believe the rest simply don’t know about the efficacy and consider that the ends justify the means.” She raises a finger, ”why debase your own soul when it isn’t even useful to do so? Plus - it’s quite immoral and quite illegal here, though that matters less to some than to others.”

She winks, ”one could always threaten torture, though, which is particularly funny if they tell you their plan and then realize you were never going to. I’ve loosened a few bolts that way.”

"I believe, Soph, you just might not have explored all the possibilities of the subject, lazily just be excepting 'common knowledge' as fact" Chrysa moves around the tank looking at the turtle. "Pain is a tool, meant to give them a reason to betray that they care about. Just to make it end. But you cannot go in with them knowing what you know. Otherwise, it ends up being the mess you describe. Pain is the tool but psychology is what wins." her dark eyes leave the tank to catch her friends "I think you would actually be quite good at it if you were willing to debase your own soul a little for the sake of making the world a safer place." her tone is probing, but she shrugs, clearly accepting Lady Sophiel's decision on the laws of the land.

”Apologies, it is commonly known among ethicists and such. I forget my place. I do not put much stock into adages and common sense, but this position that I hold not just because it is illegal, but because it is pointless, evil, lazy, cruel, and illegal. I know that for you, pain can be the a powerful motivator.” She pauses, ”but hope can be even more powerful. Or ambition. Or greed. Or honor. It is just a matter of finding your foe’s motivation.” She raises her hand, ”sometimes people just want to be heard. To have someone listen. In lieu of death and pain, can you think of something we could do to manipulate him into telling us what he knows?” she adds brightly, with a hopeful look about her.

"Ensure he can't move and I can deal with him." Vincent offers simply. "As a vampire I have extensive power over the minds of mortals when I choose to use it. Given enough time he will break. Then he will tell me, us, everything. I am even willing to release him afterwards if you would prefer - so that he can stand trial or whatever else you deem appropriate."

His words are ostensibly addressed to Sophiel, but his eyes are on Chrysa.

The corner of Chrysa's mouth tugs upward. "No torture then, but still we get answers. I personally feel that is a very excellent compromise, don't you Lady Medvyed." she stresses the title lightly.

Sophiel grimaces, ”that sounds like a good plan, yes.”

"I do not oppose the idea o' torrture, even if the Forrgefatherr vould rratherr ask us to avoid it, but if it is illegal, then it is out o' question. Rrules should apply to all, orr they arre not rrules afterr all." Baltor voices his opinion.

Turning to Sophie, he asks. "If not now, laterr, but I'd advise ye on makin' rrules against the use o' mind contrrolin' effects, since they arre rrarrely used in a noble vay. The ideas o' consent and frreedom arre gone vhen someone has the contrrol o' yerr verry thoughts. A rrape o' the mind, in my opinion."

"When a simple charm spell can lead to exile or execution, we'll never have anyone with any magical talent willing to live here." Chrysa counters than continues "The intent, the Reason, should be the only reason to create a law. If a cleric casts a spell of Command to make a killer drop his weapon before he kills his victim, that is a Mind Controlling effect. If Vincent uses his powers to make this man talk and saves countless lives because if it, It Is Not Wrong. Blanket laws that don't care about Reason take away the Freedoms this land has held on to for countless generations." Chrysa's voice is rational and soft, though she does seem to be a personal soapbox here.

It is a very good ethical conundrum.

Sophiel blinks, "just as Chrysa says, enchantment is just magic. After Vincent was enslaved, not with enchantment magic of course, but enslaved nonetheless, well... this was already a 'base law' or what the Andorans call a 'constitutional law' against slavery of the mind or body. In fact it is one of the river freedoms. This does not preclude employment, or contracts, but we have some cases where those who used enchantment spells or abilities were asked to ... avoid using them in the same way. One person was asked to leave Gliocas when they would not agree." She looks pained, "something that we hate to do."

For reference, enchantment magic is not banned. The only types of enchantment magic that would likely be forbidden is stuff that has the "evil" descriptor or permanently enslaves someone's mind. So if you dominated them to stop them fighting, that's fine. If you dominate them, and keep them as a slave, no good. If you dominate them for a few days, and then let them go, whatever. Charm would have fewer restrictions, because it just makes people look at others deeds and words 'favorably'. "Someone" in this case is any creature with an int score of greater than 2.

"Oh, and we've been trying to pare down the laws since you all have agreed to tag along on our ride. Our goal is to have a minimal number of 'base laws' that encompass the freedoms as well as ... what we think are ethical and moral baselines for behavior. Things that reasonable people wouldn't object to." She sighs, "not everyone is reasonable - but even the unreasonable like being educated, wealthy, and safe, so it's in their interest to at least go along."

She reaches back into a satchel she has at her side and pulls out copies of pamphlets, "these are what our barristers Selquat and Fizzleboop came up with, in consultation Doctor Ardent and Professor McSontal, so far." She offers them to all who would want them, "as we move to what some call a 'republic' it will be important that the majority likes these - and that the remainder not find them too objectionable. I hadn't thought to ask you all about this but if we're going to be talking about ethics, it's as good a time as any."

She looks at the turtle for a moment, "you all may take classes at Trinity whenever you'd like, you know. Audit them, seek degrees. You can learn a lot - I have, even if some of their discourses of deontology are beyond even my understanding, it's useful to at least try to understand them. They've changed my mind about a few things at least." She taps the base laws pamphlet, "this - for example. Too many times I thought an additional law would solve the problem, but all it did was muddle things as the laws became more complex. So in the end - we just have to ask what we owe, to each other, as citizens of this ... whatever it is. Country, I suppose."

The base laws contain the six river freedoms:

1) Say What you Will, I Live Free - this explicitly is listed out as freedom of religion, speech, assembly, the press, and to petition the government without fear of reprisal;

2) Oathbreakers Die - this is a baseline for contract law - though 'die' is interpreted not literally, but figuratively. Amendments note that contracts may be enforced by the government if all parties agree to this, which may be preferable some as the government is largely impartial. Contracts in writing should be filed at the Law School of Tri Firinnean, where they are organized and kept safe for future reference.

3) Walk Any Road, Float Any River - this is a freedom for citizens to move here, or leave, or move to wherever they want, while also granting the freedom for trade and commerce anywhere. The roads and rivers are always open (except to foreign armies);

4) Courts Are for Kings - our laws extend to all who live or visit, as long as they are here. There is no nobility or aristocracy, by law, and all are treated equally regardless of where they come from. As an amendment to this - it is noted that all sapient beings (those with int-scores > 2) are protected by all of these laws.

5) Slavery Is an Abomination - as noted earlier, you can't ensalve people in mind or body. An amendment to this notes that you shouldn't push your luck with exploitive contracts.

6) You Have What You Hold - if you start a fight you forfeit what you have on your person if you lose. The person defending themselves may be merciful but they don't have to be. If you commit a crime during this fight, such as murder (not yielding when a foe surrenders while near a city or other place of authority) then you'd be subject to lose other things you hold, through the judicial system.

There are also a few more base laws that outlines how those accused of crimes are subject to jurisprudence (and there are rights against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, a right to a speedy trial, rights to appeal, as well as a right to have a legal defense). There is a law against inflicting pain to get information or to punish people (no torturing, no torturous executions). Executions are still permitted - but there seems to be a high bar if there is a way for the problem to be dealt with using exile or inprisonment. There is also a law noting that unions and guilds are permitted by law for any industry where this is requested, but that the dues have pay caps. There is a law noting that all citizens have a fundamental right to safe and clean air, water, and food, and as part of this, that the spirits of the land themselves are afforded some rights. An amendment to this notes extractive and destructive industries without care for those who live and work nearby are banned. There are druids that are provided, free of charge, and live all over the country, who check on and monitor this, keeping the industries clean and responsible (Sophiel's followers). Generally the river freedoms take precedence, however.

There are also placeholder laws for how voting and the government/decisionmaking will work. At the moment, by popular decree, Sophiel is acting as the sole administrator, but may be overriden by a 2/3 vote by her advisors. If 80% of them believe she is unfit, then another person will be chosen to lead. This section is obviously unfinished.

For any PC which had read the laws previously, this is a SUBSTANTIAL paring down from the volumes of law she had accumulated before. The other laws were hundreds of pages long - this set is no more than ten to fifteen pages, a few orders of magnitude smaller. There are obvious nods to the laws of Shadowfall and those of Sootscale. Sophiel or someone has obviously been very busy.

"Pamplets... before even talking to us?" Chrysa says, but the teasing quality in her voice betrays her. "I have no issues with them." the fact she doesn't open the pamphlet to see if she does tell Soph that her once political rival has already read them.

assuming the fact they were being printed meant they were potentially able to be swiped by an entripd information gatherer (what spies are now called since we are country now.

---------

Good work on the laws! I did the same way long ago when we first did a write-up of our countries to Thron. Below is the shadowfall's

Shadowfall
“Even as darkness descends, we can prosper”
flag, a coal-black field with a single gold dot in the center, representing a gold coin.
Chrysanthemum is what Chrysa is named after, which is a Fall flower. Shadows are what she is drawn to. So Shadowfall.
Alignment: Lawful Evil


Advertised Summary: A group of free-thinking people who recognize the best route to security and stability is through commerce. Our laws are simply taking from those that all from the kingdoms hold dear.

Laws:
Oathbreakers die. Our words are our bonds. The nation will fund clerks to record and bind any who wish to make this rule official (private deals are of course private). Official involvement will involve investigation and enforcement, potentially to a greater than agreed on punishment based on the investigation.

Disruption of trade will not be tolerated. Folding in the laws of walk any road, float any river, and you have what you hold (to a degree). There are no tolls or taxes, but the kingdom’s freedoms allow for banditry and the sale of want you hold. Shadowfall provides guards for traveling merchants or any bands at a reduced fee within its holdings, scaling up according to the danger of the lands traveled.

Our lives are our own, and our children are our future. Slavery is an abomination combined with Chrysa’s personal hatred of violence toward children. Children will be taken from abusive parents and slaves are automatically freed in the trading company’s lands.

Courts are for Kings. Shadowfall is not a kingdom ruled by people whose only qualification to lead is being born. Our tenants are simply to make trade flow, to allow our lands and people to grow and flourish. Strangling our freedoms with tomes of laws is not how our lands have been for as long as anyone can remember and they will not be now. To prevent anarchy and to protect our people’s rights, each case of dispute by any aggrieved party can be brought forth to one of the nation’s assigned arbiters, with the nation’s support in enforcing the arbiter's ruling.

Sophiel nods, ”I figured. Your spies should be forgiven for having a weakness for tea and biscuits, as most are when you invite them in for such things.” She sighs, ”of course, the skullduggery was a bit misguided - our discussions were open to the public, so the good ethicists and legal scholars took many citizens’ AND tourists’ input into account.” She inclines her head, ”we were inclined to gather information from regular people who would be most affected. I would forgive them for their, erm, disloyalty.”

It sounds like this is a joke but Sophiel is playing it straight. She’s speaking to Sootscale as well.

Chrysa's eyes widen just slightly and laughs her ass off suddenly and without restraint. Exactly what she found so humorous is up in the air, but as she digs her fists into her eyes to stem the delighted tears, it does not seem like she is inclined to enlighten.

"Very good, Lady Medvyed, but please..." she finds her breath again, smiling wide, "... they are information gatherers, not spies, anymore. Your Vice-um-whatever does not SPY in their own kingdom. They just... watch out for upcoming problems." she grins at her friend "Still it would have been nice to be informed, for all of us here, to be informed, before pamphlets were drawn up. But you are in charge, and we accept your decisions. With only mild... ... ... oh sometimes words fail us all... reproach maybe? Not a word I would normally use, but I am at a loss for another. Sorry." the last part does seem to be truly heartfelt. "The laws are good. I appreciate the effort you took to loosen yours for our people." her gaze shifts to Impeek, and another smile comes out, a nice warm one.

Sophiel smiles slightly, "Well, if anyone does have any complaints, Doctor Ardent usually requires a pot of honey and a raft of fresh berries and cream before you can persuade her of much, given that she is a bear."

She takes a long breath, and looks at the others, "I hope everyone realizes that Chrysa and I are just playing around with each other. She and I have been spying on each other for a while. But truly, these... 'pamphlets' were just drafts that were drawn up for everyone to see. I had started the process some time ago and forgotten about it until we started talking about laws. The panelists only really came up with the drafts... four days ago? I didn't intentionally hide anything, what with the assassination attempt and all. I forgot about the drafts until just now when everyone was chatting. I hope there are no hard feelings."

She looks back at Chrysa, "it still isn't about me," She tilts her head, "joking aside, you understand that, right? We're in charge. You, me, everyone here, including the citizens - even if we haven't figured out how quite yet. Once this place is running well, I'd like nothing better than to leave it and travel the world. It is a greater challenge to build something which rules itself, I think."

Chrysa takes her friend's hands "I do understand. But you get caught up in your own head. About what is right and best for everyone. Without ever stopping and Asking those you are deciding for. While wanting to make everyone happy is a trait I love you for, you do need to slow down on occasion and simply talk with those of us that mean the most to you." the baroness that has killed more of her own citizens than almost anyone here (other than Vincent) advises the ruler that truly wants to make the world a better place.

"And it was five days ago. Remember the 'problem' with the presses. Shame about the ink vats, and no that was not me. A particular vandal with a desire to coat the world in darkness, Dark man he called himself, goodness your citizens... OUR citizens... have a tendency for the thematic." Chrysa smiled "He is in custody. I think he might be good for propaganda purposes, you do that in your lands, right? Tout the impressive points while downplaying the mundane boring parts." the redhead smiles while looking into Soph's eyes to let her know all this is banter, and she trusts her to see them all through this mess.

:)

Sootscale picks up the turtle and looks at it curiously from various angles. Setting it back in its box, he takes the piece of lettuce and starts to feed it to the turtle. "Let's keep turtle as pet. Good reminder of what happens when bad creatures come to kill us!"

He picks up one of the pamphlets that Sophiel has handed out and reads the entire thing before speaking. "These rules much simpler. But in human tongue. Need Draconic version for kobolds to understand better."

Vincent just sits and watches with the infinite patience of the undead.

"I stand by vhat I've said about enchantments capable o' contrrollin' the mind. I believe they arre harrmful and dangerrous to the society, and rrarrely used forr the good. You arre frree to ignorre my advice, of courrse." He says, making it clear his point, but also showing he isn't willing neither to be convinced otherwise, nor to continuing the argument.

Thoughtfully she nods at Chrysa, ”maybe…”

”Well, at some point, there will be a referenda process. If you can convince enough people you’re right then it could become a law. As it stands, the freedom against slavery is sufficient, I believe, as it covers almost all of your concerns - yes?” She responds to Sootscale ”again, I point out that these aren’t for distribution. Anything we would give to your people would be in Draconic, giantish, or whatever languages are appropriate. You may translate if you’d like, or rely on me or the academics to do so, though obviously the first requires work on your part.” She looks down at the turtle ”I think that this assassin being a symbol only really works if people know what happened. Thus we must interrogate them and put them on trial. At the moment, nobody knows this is a turtle - and it seems that it would be a liability for other parties to be able to remove the effect and for the elf to escape. Whomever he was working for.” She picks up the turtle box, ”shall we do what Vincent proposed? Then we can compel the assassin to tell us the truth in a controlled environment, perhaps in Shadowfall?”

Chrysa agrees, catches VIncent's eyes and nods respectfully for him to use his talents. "We should be prepared to strike him once he changes back, in case it takes more than a second for his mind to give in to the inevitable." she will draw her swords and stand behind the turtle when it is time.

Sophiel shakes her head, "I cannot dismiss the spell easily. Could we use your jail? Travelling there would give me, Vincent, or Baltor time to prepare a few 'dispel magic' spells."

Can't get rid of the spell because it's not "dismissable" unfortunately.

Chrysa does some mental calculations "Yes, I believe there is an empty cell."

”Just one cell? Chrysa has been very busy!” jokes Sootscale.

"I would defer to your expertise there." Vincent says simply when Sophiel mentions dispelling the magic. "My bloodline means I'm much better at blowing things up than undoing the spells of others."

"I can do it now." Baltor informs as he waits for the others to ready themselves.

”Yes, but again, we need a jail cell. This meeting room isn’t appropriate. Even with the dominate ability we must be cautious. Come, we can go to Shadowfall and put the turtle in prison first.” Sophiel gets ready, and then takes everyone (along with Marcanth to detect lies), traveling to the jail in Shadowfall via a pair of oak trees.

In short order the turtle and their box are placed within the cell. ”Whenever you’re ready, Vincent. Does anyone wish for any other witnesses, judges and the like?” She directs the question primarily to Chrysa.

"I require no particular preparations." Vincent says. "We can proceed."

Once the turtle is secured, Baltor dispels the magic. The turtles form begins to glow, and then in a swirl of magic, is replaced with a lithe elven male clad in dark attire, wearing a featureless white mask, and wielding a rapier.

He looks around in confusion, collecting his bearings, before his eyes lock on all of you, Sophiel in particular. He then begins pacing back and forth in the cell, leering at Sophiel and no one else.

Vincent’s domination effect seems to take hold…

Sophiel nods at Vincent, ”please direct him to disarm all of his weapons and place all valuables on the ground outside of the cell, including any poisons. Obviously everything is forfeit.” She clears her throat once everything is deposited, ”yes, you’re very scary with your leers. Who sent you, and why? Please have him answer Vincent.”

The man says nothing, simply continues staring from behind the bars.

Sophiel throws up her hands, ”alright. That isn’t supposed to happen, is it Vincent?”