Kingmaker

Game Master Galahad0430

There are 10 stats for the Barony:
Community - This represents the Barony's population. The Regent represents this stat.

Loyalty - This shows the favoor of the popualce to the Baron's policies. The Councilor represents this stat.

Military - This represents the strength of your armies. General.

Economy - self explanitory. Treasurer.

Relations - Extrenal, and to a small extent, internal diplomatic connections. In a small barony, the Regent handles this, but as you get larger, you will appoint a Grand Diplomat for this.

Divine - The barony's piety and support for religious works. High Priest or Priestess.

Arcane - the accumulation of new arcane practices and knowledge. In small baronies, the High Priest handles this. Whe you get bigger, a Magister will need to be appointed.

Stability - The compliance of the people and order of the barony. In small baronies, the General handles this. When you get bigger, a Warden needs to be appointed.

Culture - The cultural and educational development of the barony. The Councilor handles this until you get big enough to appoint a Curator.

Espionage - This really oesn't come into play until you appoint a Grand Diplomat. Self explanitory. After a while, you will appoint a seperate Minister to handle this.

The current stats of your barony will be in the Campaign Tab. I will also keep a list of the events there.

There are 10 stats for the Barony:
Community - This represents the Barony's population. The Regent represents this stat.

Loyalty - This shows the favoor of the popualce to the Baron's policies. The Councilor represents this stat.

Military - This represents the strength of your armies. General.

Economy - self explanitory. Treasurer.

Relations - Extrenal, and to a small extent, internal diplomatic connections. In a small barony, the Regent handles this, but as you get larger, you will appoint a Grand Diplomat for this.

Divine - The barony's piety and support for religious works. High Priest or Priestess.

Arcane - the accumulation of new arcane practices and knowledge. In small baronies, the High Priest handles this. Whe you get bigger, a Magister will need to be appointed.

Stability - The compliance of the people and order of the barony. In small baronies, the General handles this. When you get bigger, a Warden needs to be appointed.

Culture - The cultural and educational development of the barony. The Councilor handles this until you get big enough to appoint a Curator.

Espionage - This really oesn't come into play until you appoint a Grand Diplomat. Self explanitory. After a while, you will appoint a seperate Minister to handle this.

The current stats of your barony will be in the Campaign Tab. I will also keep a list of the events there.

Currently, the five advisor positions open are: Regent, Councilor, General, Treasurer, and High Priestess.

It seems that it has been decided that Faerin will be the High Priestess. Regongar as Regent is probably not a good fit as that position is more for a people person; a champion of the masses type.

Currently the following are the listed candidates for the other positions:

Regent - Octavia or Valerie
Councilor - Tristian
General - Amiri, Regongar, or Kassil
Treasurer - no current person.

You can fill a position with a nonrecommended person, but they get a -5 modifier to their attempts to solve issues.

Reg can have the general position, he'll probably do a more tactical job of it than I ever could.

I'm sure if we end up in a situation where we need to present someone as the Baron's Champion, that has Amiri's name all over it.

Reg can have the general position, he'll probably do a more tactical job of it than I ever could.

Maybe Amiri can be the Lieutenant ... and when it's time for a Magister and Reg asks to move over, she will be the next General :)

Depends on the situation. The baron will generally be quite happy to deal with duels himself. Especially if the challenger is a swordsman. Granted, that may not actually be the best idea.

Depends on the situation. The baron will generally be quite happy to deal with duels himself. Especially if the challenger is a swordsman. Granted, that may not actually be the best idea.

Reg would have to go full-on Commander Riker on that ...

You cannot, in good faith, handle challanges directly now.
You're the Baron ... and there's no succession plan.
(we should discuss that)
But in principle, until there is, you are the Head of State.
Someone else deals with everything that could threaten you directly, and even if you were to actually make a baby-baron, risking you is the same as risking the whole Barony.

"Come now Regongar, expecting our Baron to give up the sword would be like expecting me to stay away from...trees, or sunlight. A duelist duels, it is as much his nature as your magic is yours." Faerin says with a touch of amusement, still getting used to the use of titles.

Turning to Jhod and Tristian, her expression becomes serious. "That is upsetting. The vileness that infused the land with that fog was bas enough. Anything that cause nothing to grow and will only get stronger...we will have to cleanse this as well. This wound will be closed again, and healed completely." she says resolutely, looking at the two priests.

"Also, Jhod, we’ve spoken with a high cleric of Erastil, Evenki, who wishes to establish a shrine to Erastil here. Perhaps you can oversee that once they start, perhaps help with finding the ideal site.” she suggests. ”I get the feeling the taint of the old temple still leaves a bad taste in your mouth.”

In response to Faerin's suggestion, Jhod brings up the matter of what to do with the Temple of the Elk.
"The old Temple of the Elk could be cleansed, but that would require quite a heavy expenditure of both time and resources. It might just be more worthwhile to raze it and remove the taint. We are building a new shrine here anyhiow."

Btw, Jamandi left a coronation gift for Pyros. Lord Protector; a +2 dueling sword. If the weilder is ever forced to attack someone that he is supposed to protect (in Pyros's case, all of the subjects of the barony), it imposes a -10 circumstance penalty to hit.

"After you decide what to do with those projects, you MUST meet the blind Elf that is here! He looks ancient! I've never heard of an Elf looking aged like he is. He is so cryptic, he hasn't talked about himself to anyone yet."

In response to Faerin's suggestion, Jhod brings up the matter of what to do with the Temple of the Elk.

"The old Temple of the Elk could be cleansed, but that would require quite a heavy expenditure of both time and resources. It might just be more worthwhile to raze it and remove the taint. We are building a new shrine here anyhiow."

"I agree that the latter may make more sense. What can be salvaged will be but the site would be better off razed and allowing the taint to leave fully." Faerin replies with a nod.

"It is regrettable to see such an ancient temple razed, but I bow to our High Priestess's wisdom in this matter." Pyros says, when he is apprised of the situation regarding the Temple of the Elk.

"An old elf, Linzi? Interesting. He must be ancient indeed."

The man standing before you seems to be an Elf, but a very old one. His face is wrinkled and his beard is snowy white (both things you've never seen in an Elf. He is also obviously blind. The old man stares past you with unseeing eyes. He appears to be lost in deep thought. He quietly hums a soft melody, swaying slightly to the rhythm. He shudder slightly and stops humming
"Ah, who is there? Oh, it's you, your Grace."

Linzi acts startled.
"How did he know it was you?! I thought he was blind."

The old man smiles at Linzi's reaction.
"It's not hard top recognize the tread of a ruler. No one here steps as confidently as his Grace does."

Just waiting on Pyros

Valerie Medvyed stands in the Hall of the former bandit lord's fort. She's looking over a map of the new country's lands. Her blonde hair is not just cut short, but ragged, like she cut it herself with her sword. She absolutely has "Helmet hair," and she does not care. Her face is beautiful, but her expression is grim. She wears full plate that shines, not because it is well cared for, but because it is magic. Her blade is in a simple sheath. "Too much unexplored lands." she mutters to herself."Could be full of more bandits or worse." Valerie can't stand not knowing what is in the new country.

Your grace? hat's going to take some getting used to.

Pyros nods to the ancient elf, and then feels a bit foolish for doing so, given his blindness. "You have a talented ear, my good man. What brings you to our little town?"

Once Jhod tyakes his leave to address some of the details of the shrine to Erastil, the druidess continues making her way around, marveling at the work that was done in their absence.

"We will eventually explore much of it." Faerin replies assuredly. "While I'm sure there are bandits and other dangers aplenty, there is also much beauty in the wild unexplored spaces, Valerie."

The Storyteller encounter is not just limited to Pyros and Linzi, anyone else that wishes to be at the ontroduction of the Storyteller can chime in whenever they wish.

"I am an Elf, from Kyonin. My name... is not important. People just call me the Storyteller. I collect unkown legends of anciemt times,"
He smiles, though it does not seem to be directed at anyone.
"Long ago I was a smith in Kyonin. The fire of the forge burned out my eyes, but I am grateful for it. If I could see, I would yet forge armor for Iadara's guards. Instead I have stepped on the path of an adventurer and gatherer of ancient legends."

The old man ponders silently for a moment.
"Many people are long dead, their homes crumbled to dust and their bodied to ash. Only legends can tell us of their triumphs and defeats, their joys and fears. I would be so interested to hear the stories they tell about us after our demise..."

"I have always been drawn to the Stolen Lands where so many expeditions and arimes, and even kingdoms have met their untimely ends. When I heard of a new barony being founded in the heart of these lands, I knew I wanted to be part of its story. So I journeyed here."

Linzi can barelt contain herself. She is almost vibrating visibly.
"Oh!! I would just LOVE to trade stories with you!"

The man's voice rustles like autumn leaves.
"I am a collector, not a trader. If I share a story with you, you gain the power to pass it further, changing or embellishing it, whether willingly or not. Can I be certain you will keep it in its purity?"
He ponders silently for a moment.
"No, I don't think so, at least not yet."

"These legends are the most precious valuables of this world, the last remnants of ancient tribes. The are beacons illuminating the way to the past, allowing us to meet lost generations. I cannot let their light fade. The path to the past must not be lost."

The old man thinks for a moment, and then continues.
"I can offer you a deal though, Your Grace, and you also, little one. If on your journies, you fins old relics and such, bring them to me and I can see if my eyes can discern their past. If so, I will gladly share their story with you. And if you find all the pieces of any ancient artifacts, I can recall my old smithing skills to unite them and restore their power."

Linzi, at first looking crushed by the Storyteller's initial refusal. Suddenly brightens again with his new offer.

"Deal!!"
She then blushes and looks at Pyros.
"I mean if the Baron agrees of course." She adds sheepishly.

"I have a few interesting things we have collected so far, I will get them for you!"
With that Linzi rushes off.

As for Valerie's post, I will be posting a new map of the areas that you have explored so that you can fill in the gaps.

"We will eventually explore much of it." Faerin replies assuredly. "While I'm sure there are bandits and other dangers aplenty, there is also much beauty in the wild unexplored spaces, Valerie."

"I don't have much use for beauty, wild spaces or not." Valerie flicks her hair. She wishes she had cut it even shorter. She points to an unexplored area of the map, near the town. "We need to make sure the few miles around our town are safe. I wouldn't want to leave just to have the place overtaken by mites or whatever."

"Feh old man! Who cares if the stories are changed and embellished? What's more important, preserving how things were, or how things should have been? If you want history, go write a book. We Kellids know that a good story is only as good as the storyteller, and Linzi here is the best at it."

Amiri continues muttering to herself. "What good is a storyteller who won't even tell stories? It's as bad as a barbarian without a sword."

The old man turns towards Amiri.
"I offer not simple campfire tales, but long lost legends of import. There accuracy is paramount."

Amiri bristles further. A vein throbs on the back of her hand. "Simple campfire tales? Where I come from, we don't have paper or letters. "Simple" campfire tales is the only way we know our history. Campfire tales is how we learn about our fight against the giants." Kellids don't have writing, they seem to be a purely oral culture.

Pyros edges toward Amiri and the storyteller, not quite stepping between them. "Now, friends, lets not celebrate our new home with argument. We all have our different backgrounds, and I'm sure our opinions differ on some matters. But let's save our anger for those who deserve it. Storyeller, surely you can appreciate the great spoken epics of the Kellids, handed down from generation to generation. And Amiri, I'm sure you see the value in accurate knowledge, whether of foes to be fought or ancient ruins to be explored. Better to know exactly what we face than be surprised by someone's alterations or embellishments."

"I don't have much use for beauty, wild spaces or not." Valerie flicks her hair. She wishes she had cut it even shorter. She points to an unexplored area of the map, near the town. "We need to make sure the few miles around our town are safe. I wouldn't want to leave just to have the place overtaken by mites or whatever."

"Oh I definitely agree that knowing the area around our new home is important, there is as much danger as there is beauty in the wilds. We definitely nned to explore the surrounding area. Which reminds me there is one of the outlying dangers we still need to address be delivering proof of the Staglord's death." Faerin replies.

Are we still having nightmares?

"Agreed. We need to do the exploring, but that I also need to build up a militia to patrol it afterwards. I hope Kesten already got that started ... "

Regongar took the security of the new barony VERY seriously, at least in part because having been a bandit himself, he knew what it took to generate respect in the lawless. His time training with Faerin while they were in Restov had been invaluable: he planned on having a detached platoon or company of martial druids & shifters one day, all of whom could only speak to he & the High Priestess in Druidic. No one else had protection like that."

The Storyteller smiles at Ammiri's commmmennt and nods to Pyros's interjection.
"I think you misunderstand. I do not write anything."
He gestures to his eyes.
"Nor do I tell stories in a strictly oral traditional sense. I read objects and see their past so that I can tell the stories of their owners."

As you are talking to him, Linzi comes running back with a stuffed backpack and spills the contents on the table. She has apparently been collecting odd items along your journey. collected on the table are a strange assortmenty of ancient coins, strange leafy tokens, old talismans, and old pieces of armor and weapons.

"Here! These are things that looked liked junk to everyone, but I could sense they had stories behind them."
Linzi exclaims breathlessly.

The Storyteller "looks" at Linzi with a quizzical expression.
"You could "sense" that? Interesting."

He begins to run his hands through the pile, murmuring to himself. He quickly sorts out the coins and tokens.
"These, I can get you to collectors that will pay well for these. They are somewhat rare. The coins are from the ancient Cyclops empire, the leafy tokens are Dryad tokens, these here are old Taldan warrior dog tags."

He then sorts out four items; a broken arrow, a crumpled paladin's helm, a broken crossbow, and an empty dueling sword sheath.
"Ah, the belongings of brave heroes, who performed their feats before you. I sense that you would be particularly interested in their story. There is an item missing, I am sure you will not find the time searching for it to be wasted. With the last item I will be able to reveal their story."

He then finds what appear to be shards of a broken necklace. He gently touches them, sorting through the pile until he has collected five pieces.
These scorched pieces of metal are pieces of a curious artifact known as the Necklace of Double Crosses. Inside it I sense a story of many deeds, not heroic, but low and maleficient. If you find all seven pieces, I can restore the artifact and recount its inglorious history."

For game purposes, since I'm not going to have you actually search every pile of dirt in each area, I will just assume Linzi collects things, and when you have what is needed, I will then do the stories by the Storyteller.

"You're right chief." Amiri's knuckles unclench, her teeth ungrit. Almost as an afterthought she adds to The Storyteller. "Sorry."
--
"So your grace, everyone else has a role to play here. Anything I can do to help you out? Or maybe Cordova has something for me to do? I don't want to lose my edge."

"You're right chief." Amiri's knuckles unclench, her teeth ungrit. Almost as an afterthought she adds to The Storyteller. "Sorry."

--
"So your grace, everyone else has a role to play here. Anything I can do to help you out? Or maybe Cordova has something for me to do? I don't want to lose my edge."

"Amiri, would you be willing to be my Lieutenant? Patrol the village and patrol the wilds with me? Help train the militia not to be wimps? I would really appreciate it, I think we need it."

Valerie Medvyed wrote:

"I don't have much use for beauty, wild spaces or not." Valerie flicks her hair. She wishes she had cut it even shorter. She points to an unexplored area of the map, near the town. "We need to make sure the few miles around our town are safe. I wouldn't want to leave just to have the place overtaken by mites or whatever."

"Oh I definitely agree that knowing the area around our new home is important, there is as much danger as there is beauty in the wilds. We definitely nned to explore the surrounding area. Which reminds me there is one of the outlying dangers we still need to address be delivering proof of the Staglord's death." Faerin replies.

Are we still having nightmares?

"Proof of the Staglord's Death? To whom? With all the hustle and bustle around here, I can't imagine there's anyone in the stolen lands who hasn't heard of your exploits"

I know about Nettle's crossing, but Valerie doesn't.

Ah, yes, I forgot all about Nettle.

"The ferryman...or I should say, former ferryman in spot along the Shrike river called Nettles crossing. He was murdered by the Stag Lord and apparently his rage and hate won't let him live on until he know the Staglird has met his end. Gave us, and anyone that ventures into the area, terrible nightmares. That should stop once he's appeared with proof." Faerin replies to Valerie.

"We do need to do that. Would you handle that, Faerin? If you feel you need escort, perhaps Amiri would be willing to accompany you." he turns to Valerie "While they're doing that, Valerie could you assist me in visiting the outlying areas and ensuring there will be no trouble there?"

"Absolutely. Amiri, care to check meeting a creepy undead curse bearing corpse off your list?" the Druidess asks her companion.

"With pleasure!"

"We do need to do that. Would you handle that, Faerin? If you feel you need escort, perhaps Amiri would be willing to accompany you." he turns to Valerie "While they're doing that, Valerie could you assist me in visiting the outlying areas and ensuring there will be no trouble there?"

"That is exactly what I'd like to do." She pauses "Are you so quick to split our forces, my lord? It's the opposite of the tactical recommendation for small squad. However, running a nation might require such a split."

Splitting up makes perfect sense in this situation, but I don't want to do it without the DM's approval, since it can create twice as much work for him.

I'm also wondering if we could rebuild Nettle's crossing? You can't in the video game, but it would be very useful to us to have it working. It'll increase trade, and decrease the time needed to cross the the East.

For the case of resolving events and projects, only those that require the Baron's direct participation will prevent concurrent adventuring. In this case, just visiting Nettle is no big deal, so Faerin and Amiri are fine. Events and projects that are handled by a single advisor do not interfere with adventuring as they just get updates from their agents.

While Pyros and Valerie are surveying the Outskirts, Faerin and Amiri (along with Linzi and Harrim, who both decide to tag along) head to Nettle's Crossing. When they arrive, the head to the river where they last saw Nettle. Sure enough, the drowned corpse comes out of the river.

The Stag Lord is dead...farewell...Pharasma awaits." He says in a rasping voice. With that, his body crumples to the ground. In his hand, a shining spear rolls away from his corpse.

When Pyros and Valerie return, both Tristian and Harrim are waiting for an audience.

Tristian approaches first.
"Greetings, your Grace. I hate to take you away from your other affairs, but your people need you."

"When the Stolen Lands were freed from the Stag Lord, the people breathed a sigh of relief. However, they are a bit confused by their swift change of fortune. Frankly, they are unsure what kind of ruler they have now. Will you be a fair ruler for all, or only those of wealth and status?"

"Let us reassure the people __ show them where your favor truly lies. A small celebration, a fair, for all the people. Of course, you could instead have a banquet for the new nobility and merchants to curry their favor as well, but I recommend the fair for the common people -- the ones whose shoulders your power actually reside on."

So, a choce, the fair or the banquet, or neither. The first helps Culture and Community, the second helps Relations and Economy, the last nets you a small amount of BPs.

After Tristian, Harrim comes to see you. He looks a bit embarrassed and he bervously runs his fingers through his beard and clears his throat several times before finally beginning.

"I heard...not that it's important, but...well" He again clears his throat.
"I heard that an old trade road built by dwarves of the Five Kings Mountains runs through these lands. I don't know what happened to them, or where they went. Unforgiving Time spares no one...but the road still exists. And perhaps even more."

"Well, Pyros, I'd like to make a request. If you find any dwarven ruins, I'd like to accompany you to see them with my own eyes."