Ivy Underfoot's page

"Our Empire is in decline. The only cure for this decline would seem to be some type of expansion of the Empire. Perhaps, if Galt could be stabilized, Taldor could eventually expand northward, perhaps eventually to the River Kingdoms. If not, our excess nobility could be encouraged to colonize and explore westward. Surely there must be something off the border of the map."

"Finally, Taldor needs to put an end to the institution of slavery within our borders. A true great Empire should not be built on the backs of slave labor. Taldor is not Cheliax. I have purchased several of my relations from bondage. I would love to see the remainder set free. Taldor may appreciate me spending my wealth at home instead of on the Isle of Kortos."

"The Pathfinder Society has always been about gathering knowledge and trying to improve the world in general. I have performed tasks both useful and completely self serving and inane for both the Society and Taldor. During the course of most of these missions, I have found that laws tended to be conveniently ignored, providing that the 'ends justified the means'. Also, these various inconvenient laws did not seem to apply to everyone equally. Those of high station tended to flout and ignore the law until forcibly removed from this plane of existence."

"I have no wish to see the streets running red with blood. Taldor does not need to become an Andoran type republic. Taldor does need to make a few changes. Firstly, the law must apply to everyone equally, up to and including the Emperor. Secondly, we must streamline our bureaucracy. Thirdly, we must put some of our do nothing nobility to good use."

If Stavian is not willing to change with the times, it may become necessary to remove him from power. I would prefer to have him exiled to executed.

If we were to remove Stavian, who would we elevate to fill his position? To whom would he bend our knee and address as "Highness"?

"We are either forgetting or ignoring the fact that the first duty of the aristocracy is to protect the common people. The nobility is supposed to perform that duty by levying taxes and using said tax money to raise and train an army. Maintain the roads to move that army. Build forts to house the army and provide protection for the common people."
The Halfling Seeker pauses to sip her tea.
"Nobility and titles mean absolutely nothing, especially if those nobles with empty titles are going to do nothing for the people, line their pockets with gold, and expand their wardrobes."

Retirement has been DULL. Val Morik, I would be more than happy to join your lodge. I have no ties to Taldor. My seneschal can take care of my town house in Absalom. My search for a husband has been fruitless.

I am not the best combatant, but I have many useful skills. I even have a lyre of building that I would be more than happy to put to good use. Expanding the lodge and reinforcing the surrounding caves would be simple. My healing skills are excellent as well.

Now would not be the time for a Taldan power play for control of Absalom. While we raised an army, recovered the Horn, and arrived late to the battle, the Demonic Hordes were not defeated by Taldan forces alone. We should be looking to annex the River Kingdoms. More banditry than nobility there, but the people could use a good steady influence.

There was a time I supported working toward reunification with Andoran. Seeing as how the Andorans just locked up several corrupt senators, I feel that we should leave the great experiment in democracy to their own problems.

Lady Morilla

It has come to my attention that certain high-born members of our faction feel that peasants are nothing but mere cannon fodder to be used up in the name of Taldan glory. While I am freeborn, and have accumulated much prestige, I have claimed no titles for myself.

The Aristocracy exists for 2 reasons. The first is to collect taxes for the Emperor. The Army, roads, forts, and etc. must be maintained. We collect said taxes from rents paid by our citizens that till our fields and mill our flour. In return for these rents, the aristocracy is supposed to, the second reason, provide protection to our citizens.

There is a reason that the common citizens of Andoran overthrew their aristocracy. If word gets out that the highborn consider our citizens to be "expendable peasants", there could be another revolution just waiting to happen.

No good person should consider any lives expendable.

Your servant

Ivy Underfoot

I may have a solution to our border problem with Qadira. First, we manumit all of our slaves. Second, we make form a treaty with Andoran-see if we can get the Eagle Knights to build forts, train soldiers, and defend our border with Qadira. Surely, if we end the scourge of slavery within our borders, the rift with Andoran may be soothed. Our two nations will be better able to trade, and perhaps may even join together one day. Certain members of the Andoran People's Council certainly seem to remember their aristocratic roots.

While Taldor's army and adventurers are running north to fight demons and cover themselves with glory, who shall stay behind to make sure that Qadira doesn't try to take advantage of our unguarded back? How stable is our truce with Qadira?

Building an Aristocracy would require settling down, collecting taxes, protecting the common people, making civic improvements, and eventually getting married and having children. Is there room for a halfling settlement among the good folk of Varisia? Do the Vsrisians even want to be a part of the Empire?

I am an entertainer. I enjoy travel. I enjoy my dalliances with certain Gnomish bards. If I could find just the right husband, I would consider settling down and planting roots someplace. The way I can play a Lyre of Building would certainly be of great use to a community.