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DD_jester.jpg
Maps. Small red, blue and black lines crisscrossing continents and pointing to things unknown. A circle there. A cross there. Another is traced across the sea. A question mark is noted down. Disembodied words and letters that form no coherent whole. The lines create an endless cacophony of connections and severed threads across the canvas of the world. Tracing them would take a clear mind hours. A madman, however…
Pages of long-faded books pinned to each piece of thread, each line. Words written upon words written upon words. Crossed out. Possibilities discarded and written anew and discarded again. Perhaps this time it'd be right. A small lockbox laying underneath the centre of the map. Swore to never open it. Opened it anyway. Should have kept it closed. He takes a piece of thread and rearranges it. Connect it here. Not there. Here. Or maybe over here. Impossible. Maybe that's why. So many variables. He flips open a book. Slams it shut again. He can't read the pages anyway, too old, too faded away. But perhaps he can find something. ''He must be here'' he murmurs. He cuts a thread with his dagger. Picks up the pieces and rearranges them. Maybe this time. A script detailing mythical creatures. A painting on the insides of a man dead of plague. A page from a holy book. He finds connections. He forgets them, discards them. Laughs at his own idiocy. Laughs to suppress anger. Another thread he cuts. Pins another to the paper's representation of a country, coloured in blue. Rips it out again, a small piece of paper following the thread. A maggot crawls on the wall, bringing with it the stench of death. Rain pounds against the wooden roof, drops of water leaking through and hitting the floor. Forbidden books, forbidden pages, forbidden words. All is available to the Inquisitor. A butcher's knife impales a wanted poster to the wall. The posters were removed carefully from each town, each village. That man was not going to be found. A murderer. That man was more useful free. The victims' families would disagree. They always did. No vision, no, no vision at all. Sacrifices must be made, sacrifices must be made. A cut across his thumb, he imprints a mark of blood on the wall. Rearranges the threads. All things come from blood. Sacrifices must be made.
A young man knocks on the door before slowly leaning it open. To clean. To refill the stocks of burning coals. He asks for permission in a fearful voice. He has heard the rumours of the madman. Who hasn't. No voice returns his question. A simple, slow nod from the Inquisitor. The servant walks slowly, carefully. As if every step could trigger a trap. The boy silently begins his duties. Hoping to leave as soon as possible. The man brings a hand to his chin. The window lies open, the sky spitting drops of water into the room. He ponders. All things come from blood. Sacrifices must be made. Each piece of coal is dropped with the greatest care, producing a sound of constant, regular pounding. Sacrifices must be made. The man turns around. The flash of a sickle flows through the air, reflecting tiny slivers of light. The servant's throat bleeds. He tries to scream. He tries to cry. He tries to whisper ''Why?''. Silence. No more pounding. No more words. Torches flicker in the cold wind. Sacrifices must be made. All must be made to bleed. The rain keeps pounding. The maggots crawl with renewed vigour. Blood paints the darkened maps again. In the distance, birds begin to sing the songs of morning. All has been made clear.
 
((IC to come))

Orders:

The Onion Sage will travel through northern Hendal, bound towards Sanapiro, visiting the various outlying villages he encounters, offering a hearty laugh and a few prayers while trying to pickup the local tongue.
 
c6f93edb0fbc17dd3ad1db98d18e1b50

House of Riosh

Orders

With the Igstrada treasury dwindling, Duke Ethan of Riosh's first course of action is to tour the docks of the Istrada port, meeting with the heads of various merchant families and notable ships, with the promise of lowering port fees. It is to be hoped that though fees levied upon specific ships will be slightly lower, merchant traffic in the port will greatly increase, along with the amount of goods coming into the harbour. If successful, port fees will increase due to increased traffic into the harbour.
 
This is the very official orders list. All the orders should hopefully be in here.

Meddeland Orders

Dadarian said:
Orders: Let's continuing burning things, killing people and slaughtering animals. If someone comes at me, they can burn too. Isn't life fun?

Boulangerie said:
1. Appeal to the international banks, which call Meddeland home, for a war loan; trying for the most favorable rate possible on the argument that if the Ardans succeed in taking more Meddish cities after Vantage they'll loot the banks and more generally won't be able to be trusted to respect international property law the way that the Briar and Brierling kings have historically done.

2. Prostrate myself before the Great Council and ask that in the name of Namid and Meddeland they either pass a continuing war tax or give their blessing for the King to exercise his long defunct but theoretically existent conscription powers, in order to lift the siege of Brier and liberate occupied Vantage.

3. Send the King's Giant Armored Lizard and what caretakers and "experts" we have on its behavior to Francis' army, so that Meddeland's True Hero might have a magnificent battle-mount.

Ardans Orders

aedan777 said:
1. Throw Benjamin Brierling back into the dungeons
2. Rally the Militia across Ardans to harass the invading armies and deny them food and shelter by spreading word of the invasion and calling on citizen's patriotic duty to defend themselves from heretic oppressors.
3. Ask for donations from the citizens of cities to support Ardans in these trying times.

Dalmira Orders

BlackBishop said:
Ethan Riosh will assign his steward to ensure a profitable harvest. ((Collect tithes))
as well as dispatching his chancellor to request small loans among the nobility, to be used against the enemies of the Faith. ((Collect 50 ducat loan.))

iisbroke said:
1) Marry the Sister of Duke Henry of Stolgen, as had been previously discussed here.
2) Begin construction on a stone highway (imagine a traditional roman road), between Erdheim and Rortzen.
3) Retreat back to Outposts and begin defense.

Otto of england said:
1. Continue to encourage people to join the Buirdeasach, this time inform them that members of the Buirdeasach do not have to pay tithes on their harvest or rents on their land.
((Buirdeasach order is here to make it easy on you))

Buirdeasach Order:
- Create new military class called the Buirdeasach, Buirdeasach will not have to pay rents on land or tithes on their harvest.
- Allow up to 50,000 serfs to join costing them each 1/2 year tithe to join
- by military equipment for the soldiers using the tithe taken from them, if possible give each infantryman 1 pike, 1 steel helmet, 1 leather cuirass, 1 short sword and buckler
each archer 1 longbow, 1 steel helmet, 1 leather cuirass, 1 short sword and buckler
outfitted in 3:1 ratio of infantry to archer companies (roughly 37,500 infantry, 12,500 archers)
- Divide the Buirdeasach into 5 units (maintaining the archer to infantry ratio) and those 5 will alternate the period in which they are required to be in active military duty each year, this will never be required during 2 months of harvest season.
- Buirdeasach in active duty will train as normal soldiers.
- Buirdeasach will be required to be ready for call up at anytime during the year during a war.
- Monetary compensation will be given for lost harvests, if they cannot be dismissed for harvest season during a military campaign.


2. Start to calm the fears of the nobility by explain how through trade and peace, not through war, is the best way to cleanse the heresy of the Ardans and bring them back to the true faith.
2a. Encourage people to start trading with the Ardans to assist in this peaceful conversion.

jeeshadow said:
Exploit gold found in last update
Continue looking into my magic statue of dragon

Plutonium95 said:
1. High Chancellor Vasa orders that the roads in the King's Domain be linked with those recently built in Igskada to facilitate greater trade between the regions. He also orders that a small toll be established for the road, to be split between the crown and the duke of Igskada.

2. With the king gone leading his army, the High Chancellor takes the opportunity to clear the king's relatives and friends out of household roles, replacing them with people who actually know what they are doing.

Canadian_95_RTS said:
March troops east through the country (through the South), to get as far East to the Eastern front war as possible.
Send prospectors to try and find good places in the mountain passes to build a castle, and the relevant cost of building there.

happycats517 said:
Sofia will command the light cavalry acting as outriders, as explained by Wiegraf's orders.

Sneakyflaps said:
A marriage between Duke Henry's sister Anna to the Duke of Erdheim and Rotzen.

Henry Stolgen will travel his duchy, meeting with the local mayors and nobility in hopes of further impressing them and securing their loyalty

Hendal Orders

Terraferma said:
The Iron Hands will use their growing finances to very slowly buy out the Mercenaries of other outfits in an attempt to absorb other organizations that operate in South Hendal to increase their numbers. Meanwhile "The Crow" will use the assistance of Laurens Jansingh, Lord Treasurer and Overseer of the Royal Hendal Bank for an allotted space or building within the capital of Burnhem to act as their headquarters as well as their primary recruitment and training center. Also the Iron Hands will deploy roughly two dozen men to accompany Laurens Jansingh, Lord Treasurer and Overseer of the Royal Hendal Bank on his journey. Lastly, The Iron Hands will organize a small handful of private jousting tournaments with moderate size purses/prizes to help elevate the training of their fledgling cavalry units for the year.

Khan XLT said:
Orders:
Contract out a contingent of Iron Hands for body guard service
Begin Pilgrimage for Victorsburg

Andre Massena said:
1. Henry will sail on the Bordelon, the flagship of the Hendalian Navy, for his first voyage. Captain Valjean will look after Henry throughout the voyage and teach him how to command a ship and become an effective captain. The Bordelon shall sail from Burnhem ((or the closes port)) to Sanapiro and back.

2. This voyage will not be merely ceremonial, however. The Bordelon shall accompany a number of trade ships that are carrying military supplies that will be delivered to the garrison of Sanpiro. However, the cargo will not be enough to significantly aid the people of Sanpiro and will serve mostly as a morale boost for the cityfolk and a minor face-saving public relations attempt by the monarchy.

Dish of Fish said:
Reassess trade flow in and out of Hendal, like last season.

Search through the budget and the treasury for any corruption, bribery, etc. Pull that out by the roots. Executions are fine.

Zex said:
Talinus Blackgate continue his training in swordplay and continues his studies on leadership
Talinus joins Riverwatch
Talinus Blackgate tries to garner more support again for a military academy

Tavan Morin Orders

Noco19 said:
1. The Onion Sage shall explore Sanapiro under the guise of a strange, Namidist, hermit monk. During this, he shall observe the Hendal culture and attempt to further learn about Hendal and its beliefs.

Superiacy Orders

king cruel said:
1. Declare Crusade on Ardans and ask all Namidist faithful rulers to join
2. Have Dwaller mobilise all the men he has and can find and take orders from the King of Meddleland, unless they are against Namid and the Superiacy and the Forgiven Knights
3. Convince men to join the Forgiven Knights by having Monks print and post posters and delivering messages to other churches and towns

Wandering Hobo Orders

TJDS said:
1.Dwaler will convince the Superius that all who join the forgiven knights will have everything they want after the rebirth, he will spread this news all over the continent
2. Dwaler will train his men

Stuff that isn't orders but is still Important

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Orders from former turns

 
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Orders

1. The lands of Dalmira have long struggled with the rugged landscape and tough terrain in the highlands. The infrastructure of the country requires improvement, and the improvement of roads around Halbstahdt is of vital importance to the realm.
2. The highlands are sure to hold rich deposits of metals. We should send teams prospecting to find new metals in the highlands, and if successful, start building new mines there.

Magnus Landau I, King of Dalmira
 
2000px-Coat_of_Arms_of_Camilla,_Duchess_of_Cornwall.svg.png


A MESSAGE FROM HIS MAJESTY, MAXIMILLIAN III of HOUSE BRIARLING, BY THE GRACE OF NAMID, KING OF MEDDLELAND AND ARDANS, DEFENDER of the REALM, GRAND DUKE of KANDON and KEEPER OF JUSTICE, to the GREAT ASSEMBLY​

Our good Meddlepeople, Councillors, Knights of the Shire, Aldermen and Guildmasters,

With trepidation and understanding of the heavy burden of the responsibility did We take the crown of Our august cousin. It is grievous for us that Meddleland, one of the greatest realms under the eye of Namid, has been subdued to so many hardships during the latter years - but We are sure, that with Divine assistance and cooperation of all of you, Our beloved subjects, we would return the realm to glory and prominence. The example of our ancestors must always be remembered by us - for do we not remember how, during previous centuries and due to Divine providence, implemented by Our royal predeccessors its representatives, the Briar Kings of Meddleland, our Kingdom did become a country, where a man can walk free and proud, where serfdom has been abolished and people are not sold like cattle, where justice is implemented in accordance with law, not whim of judges, where the Monarchs rule in cordial сoncord with the representative bodies and where the commonweal and good of the country are put above factional strifes. We would overcome the current problems, as we did before - and in this holy mission we do need coworking of all of our people.

Having overviewed the current situation, We do believe that new and able men are needed within our halls of council, for it is the ineffeciency of many of the prior advisors, who assisted Our august cousin, that has led to the defeats of the previous reign. For this reason We have decided to appoint several gentleman of sound reputation and talent to sit within our Crown Council - and encourage them to dedicate all of their zeal to service to Us and Meddleland.

Since the previous commander has proved to be insufficient in the wars against the rebels in Ardans, he would be hereby dismissed from his office. Today we name our beloved Knight and General, Sir Leopold Zweigler, as our Lord Marshal, ask him to sit in our Crown Council and do his best to improve the military capabilities of the Royal Armies.

Our financial situation needs improvement - and for this reason we name Our beloved Master Alfons Windfell, known for his wisdom as a merchant, as our Lord High Treasurer, ask him to sit in Our Crown Council, keep Our purse and do his best to achieve monetary stability within the Treasury.

It is important to keep domestic peace within the Kingdom - and for this reason We name Our most noble and excellent Sane V Thunderfalcon, Margrave of Henry's Gate, as our Lord Justiciar, ask him to sit in Our Crown Council and do his best to guarantee law and order within our boundaries and defend us from internal disorders and agents of the enemies.

We ask them to join Us in the Briar Palace in Kandon as soon as possible (our beloved Zweiger only when the Meddish threat is dealt with), so that We could discuss the matters of state.

MAXIMILLIANUS REX

Written in Kandon, in the Light of Namid, by Our own hand
 
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Edict on the Formation of the Royal Council
We, whilst recognizing our right to rule granted by the Master of All Things, do recognize the need for assistance and advice in our good rule. It is thus that We endeavor to appoint a Royal Council to be compromised of a number of individuals in service to Us, to be appointed and dismissed as seen fit. The Council itself shall be comprised of the following;

The Lord Chancellor, to act as Our right-hand and the executor of Our will, and furthermore to aid in the administration of Burnhem. To this We appoint Anders Wyngarden.

The Lord Treasurer, to act as Our responsible adviser on financial matters and to aid in managing Our wealth. To this We appoint Laurens Jansingh.

The Lord Constable, to act as Our policing force in the kingdom and to deliver reports to Us on matters as requested. To this We appoint Prince Charles Bordelon.

The Lord Marshal, to act as Our chief officer with regards to the army and to at times of war lead forces when We are not able. To this We appoint Baldwin Montague.

The Lord Admiral, to act as Our chief officer with regards to the navy and to at times of war lead forces when We are not able. To this We appoint Prince Henry Bordelon.

The Lord Steward, to act as Our manager of the palaces and castles held by Us and to manage the Royal Household. To this We appoint Rhett 'the Nameless'.

We hope these men will take their new duties with zeal and provide a great service to Us and the Kingdom.

Ordained and Signed by His Majesty, Hugh Bordelon, By the Grace of Namid, King of Hendal, Lord of Burnhem and Protector of the Realm
 
Henry sees the news about his appointment to the Admiralty which would put him in charge of the navy, the lifeblood of Hendal. Henry had read much about Hendal's glorious naval history and knew every kind of ship in the Hendalian navy. However, he had never talked to a sailor before nor had he ever stepped foot on a ship. He was not sure why his father appointed him over captains, many of noble stock, who had served the navy for over five decades and he was afraid to ask.

"Oh dear"
 
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2000px-Coat_of_Arms_of_Camilla,_Duchess_of_Cornwall.svg.png


To His Majesty, Hugh Bordelon, By the Grace of Namid, King of Hendal, Lord of Burnhem and Protector of the Realm

Our High and August brother,

With joy in heart do We congratulate you on taking the throne of Your ancestors and ruling Hendal, one of the greatest Namidian realms under the stars. For a long time have Our Kingdoms been united in brotherly embrace, maintaining the Merry Alliance that have kept peace and order on the continent, that could be endangered by other lands, full of instability and heretical thoughts. Our Houses and our people are united in their longterm friendship and We want to inquire whether Your Majesty would be willing to maintain and further it, as Our fathers and grandfathers did. It is also Our belief that the Line of Briar and Line of Bordelon may consider joining the hands of their members in Holy matrimony.

MAXIMILLIAN
 
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Years of planning, scheming and clever business practices have finally landed Laurens in one of the most important positions in Hendal. He now had nominal power and oversight over all of the wealth that moved through western Makira. It was not a particularly hard position to get, but spectacularly difficult to retain. His first assignment handed to him by the king was to balance the budget of the richest nation of the known world. Laurens, trusting the day to day running of his business to his compteantly trained managers, secluded himself in his study for several days, developing a multi-year plan to bring wealth and prosperity to his King and Country. Before Long town Criers were proclaiming the first of His decrees, made with the Kings blessing.

Town Criers said:
Hendal Bank

For generations now, good honest merchants would come to Hendal to do business and make their fortunes and yet, would have to travel several thousands of kilometers in order to safely store their earnings, constantly praying to Namid that their treasure ships or caravans are not preyed upon by pirates and brigands. The sheer inefficiency of it all makes me weep for my fellow man.

That is why I, Laurens Jansingh, Royal Treasurer, By the Grace of his Majesty Hugh, to expedite and assist my fellow merchants, hereby declare the foundation of Royal Bank of Hendal.

For those who are aware of Hendal History, you may be reticent about joining Royal Bank of Hendal (RBH), But as Bank Chairman, I will personally assure all that Hendal will become so prosperous that the King won’t ever have to look past his vaults filled with gold, let alone the banks. For those who desire more assurances, I will personally back the account of our precious members with my own, prodigious family fortune.

Additionally Loan and interest rates will be set at competitive Meddeland standards. I trust that every true Hendalish, and any man true to his pursuit of the elusive ducat, will make the right choice and switch to RBH Today.

~Laurens Jansingh, Lord Treasurer, Overseer of the Royal Hendal Bank


Town Criers said:

Sound Toll Census


In order to better understand the Trade that flows through our Great Kingdom, His Majesty Hugh Bordelon has tasked me to begin a process of taking a census of what passes through the Sound toll. All ships passing through the toll will be required to claim the number of crew on boards, as well as what they are transporting. I do not expect this process to take much longer than it would to normally pay the toll. This information will be used to better expedite the future trade of the hard working merchant class that I owe my position to.

Long Live the King! Hendal Ascendant!

~Laurens Jansingh, Lord Treasurer, Overseer of the Royal Hendal Bank


Orders:
Create A bank in Hendal, With me at its head.
Create an information Network within the city of Burnhem, I wanna know everything that matters inside the city, especially the unsavory things.
Setup bureaucracy for Sound Toll Census
 
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Anders sat slumped in a padded armchair. The responsibilities of his position were draining him. He had renegotiated a trade deal with a personal rival, gave a blessing at the opening of a church, and made a speech about the importance of piety. Now there was nothing left for him to do. He made a small effort to pray, then settled himself into the cushions and closed his eyes.

"Sir? Sir?" Anders woke, startled. There was a man shaking him awake. A messenger with the King's symbol. The man handed Anders a thin envelope. "A message from Burnhem." Anders nodded, and made his way to a desk. He slit open the envelope. Its contents promised many more busy days. Anders sighed, cracked his neck, then bent to write another speech.

Under the eyes of Namid and by the Edict of His Majesty, Hugh Bordelon, King of Hendal, Lord of Burnhem, Protector of the Realm, through his Lord Chancellor,

A decree: To increase an understanding of the cities and towns of the Kingdom,

And to establish a system of communications between the aforementioned,

For the advancement of trade and wealth.

(1) Each man and woman in the cities of Burnhem, Etela, and Sanapiro, and the towns and villages surrounding them, shall be counted and listed.

(2) Each trading vessel entering or leaving harbor shall be counted and listed.

(3a) After these tasks have been completed, the current taxes, tithes, fees, and tariffs on the people and merchants of Hendal shall be examined and adjusted for fairness.

(3b) Docking fees and tariffs on foreign goods will be lowered.

(4) Messenger outposts will be established along the Stenian Straits to quicken the transfer of information to the coast. Similar outposts will be created around other major cities.

(5) A Royal Messenger Corps shall be established. The transport of vital information and goods shall be entrusted to them.

Ordained and Signed by His Majesty Hugh Bordelon through the Lord Chancellor of Hendal.

Orders:

Take a census of Hendal. People and the amount of trade will be counted.

Adjust taxes, etc to even them out. Lower docking fees and other naval trading-related taxes.

Establish a mail service/messenger corps. Build up an infrastructure for them.
 
cf84e1bfb7-c2abe1bc80ceb3cebdcf8ecf83cf84e1bfb3-cf80cebfcebbceb5cebcceaccf81cf87e1bfb3c2bb-6.jpg

Name: Francis II Vantage
Culture: Meddish
Resides: Vantage, Kingdom of Meddeland
Personality: True Hero
Background: Cavalry Commander
Age: 26
Titles: Duke of Vantage, Marquess of Caldion
Style: His Serene Highness, Francis II, Duke of Vantage and Marquess of Caldion
Biography: Francis is the head of one of the oldest and most prestigious houses in Meddeland. Before the conquest of the city by the Brier Kings the city of Vantage was ruled by Francis' ancestors, after the conquest and the crowning of the Brier Kings as Kings of Meddeland and the conversion of the Meddish to Namidism the Vantage family were made the Dukes of Vantage and quickly secured a not insignificant bloc on the Great Council. The Dukes quickly secured their position as the second most important family in Meddeland during the conquest of Ardans with several Dukes leading large armies on behalf of the King. Following the successful conquest several Dukes of Vantage were also made Viceroy's of Ardans although none proved able to crush the constantly rebellious Ardans. In addition losses sustained in the war severely weakened the Vantage family and the murder of the last Viceroy of Ardans, who was also Francis' father, sent the entire family into disarray.

Francis himself, only 20 at the time, was with his father in Moraille and managed to avoid his father's fate and kill his would be assassin. Realizing the significance of the event Francis, now Duke of Vantage and Marquess of Caldion following his mother's death, gathered the remaining Meddish garrison in Moraille and, realizing the futility of trying to hold a city while the entire populace would be trying to kill them, ordered the confiscation of all available horses in the city and, riding fast, managed to break through the weakest point in the militia's lines. Smashing his way through Francis and his cavalry managed to rejoin the main army of Meddeland. During the remainder of the war the new Duke of Vantage and his cavalry raided across Ardans and crushed several detachments of the Ardans militia, despite being surrounded by vastly superior forces on several occasions the Duke and his cavalry managed to escape the clutches of the enemy every time.

Stories of the exploits of the Duke of Vantage and his band quickly became legend across Meddeland and kept morale high despite the war in Ardans being grueling and bloody. During the Battle of Bar River Francis and his cavalry were away on a raid and while they rode at a full gallop where unable to save the Meddish army from a bloody defeat at the hands of the ferocious Ardans infantry. Despite the battle being largely over Francis still ordered a frontal charge into the reforming militia. This suicidal charge successfully distracted the enemy army long enough for remnants of the Meddish force to escape. Francis and his cavalry however were almost entirely surrounded. Reforming his men into a wedge, with himself at the point, the Duke of Vantage ordered a charge into the rapidly closing gap in the enemy lines. Miraculously the charge worked though nearly half of his cavalrymen lay dead on the field and the cavalry corps, like the army as a whole, was shattered by the defeat and was largely unable to take any further action against the enemy.

Frustrated by the ceasefire Francis returned to the city that was his home for the first time since becoming Duke and was given a hero's welcome by the townsfolk, setting his affairs in order the newly crowned Duke continued to the capital to attend the crowning of the new King of Meddeland. Upon his arrival he was again given a hero's welcome, rivaling that of the new King himself. The appointment of an unknown duelist as Lord Marshal of Meddeland and commander of the army did not sit well with Duke Francis but his loyalty to the King means he will continue to serve, albeit with significant reservations about the new King's leadership. Known as a skilled duelist and a relatively good administrator Francis' main strength lies however in the leadership of men and his ability to inspire all those who would falter has only been enhanced by his near-legendary status across many parts of Meddeland.
 
Who are you again?
Laszlo dan Toffe, sir. I'm here to talk about taxes.
Ah, you're Szabolcsi's guy. Go ahead...

Reynald shoves away his military maps, only to cast a particularly uninterested glance back at Dan Toffe.

You've recently ordered to institute a city tax in Moraille and a trade tax in the valleys to the West of it. Now, that may sound like a good idea, but it might cause some trouble. First of all, these plans conflict with the Steward's plans.
Why can't the Steward just change his bloody plans? I made mine first...
Well, that brings me to my second point. I did some calculations and apparently, checking every merchant's cargo in the valleys and calculating what he has to pay, all the while keeping him from travelling onwards will cost us as much as it will yield. Not only because this tax will decrease trade but also because determining what everyone has to pay in a fair way is just ridiculously difficult.
Okay, so you obviously know what you are talking about. Tell me how we can solve this problem.
Ditch the city tax. People are already paying an income tax, which is pretty much the same thing but applicable to the entire State.
Hm.
For the valleys, I'd recommend a flat toll of one-hundreth of a ducat. I estimate that 18000 people cross the valley each year, that is 50 people per day. Let's say that decreases to 15000 people per year because of the toll, we'd still make a comfortable 150 ducats each year!
Of course, that would piss some poor people off, but they don't travel as much anyway. Right?
Correct. But most of all, it would save us the hassle of determining each merchant's cargo value.
Fine, go and implemem-
Implement.
Go and implement those changes. I still have to persuade my Captains to agree to lower wages.

New Orders:
Order 1:
Raise the soldiers' salaries to 2/5ths of the norm. That is all they need for now, since Namid will give every man his due and whatever they miss out on as far as salary is concerned, will soon be compensated for with gold, women and other "loot". And loot will come...
Order 2:
With the Marcher's permission, set up a toll in the valleys west of Moraille and east of Desrois.
((I am not quite familiar enough with the game currency to give you a price. 1/100th of a ducat sounds fair, but the goal is that it should be doable for poor people to visit other cities once per season, while still keeping toll high enough to make a meaningful sum of money.))
 
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Order 2:
With the Marcher's permission, set up a toll in the valleys west of Moraille and east of Desrois.
((I am not quite familiar enough with the game currency to give you a price. 1/100th of a ducat sounds fair, but the goal is that it should be doable for poor people to visit other cities once per season, while still keeping toll high enough to make a meaningful sum of money.))


Permission granted.

- Henrik dan Vant, Marcher of Ardans
 
So the King had finally decided that he was worth keeping around, Baldwin thought. He would now have actual influence over the affairs of state -- funny how destiny had placed a man like him in such an important position. But now he was Lord Marshal, and he felt that he might as well settle in to his new role. He quickly penned a letter to the King of Hendal.

To His Majesty, Hugh Bordelon, By the Grace of Namid, King of Hendal, Lord of Burnhem and Protector of the Realm,

Your Majesty, I am most grateful for the appointment You have so generously given me. I shall dutifully see to the defense of the Realm.

Your Obediant Servant,
Baldwin Montague, Lord Marshal of the Kingdom of Hendal

Now that he had formally accepted his position with all the grace and gratitude required of a Councillor, Baldwin could get to work actually preparing the Kingdom for the storm that he knew was brewing.


Orders:
Gather the northern Hendal forces, and begin drilling them. This should help prepare the troops for combat with any potential enemy.
 
Orders from the Lord High Treasurer of Meddeland
1. Convert the taxation system to a tax farming system so those taxes in the King's authority to collect will be collected more reliably.
2. Awaiting the King's permission, appeal to the Great Council to collect those taxes under their authority, offering the concession that those taxes will remain in a General Fund that will require their approval for the King to spend.

Edit:
I can already tell my finalized orders are going to look waaay different than this, don't even bother putting them in the list in this current form. I'll keep them there as to prevent confusion of course.

Revised Orders -
1. Appeal to the GC to collect those taxes under their authority, on the concession that those taxes go into a General Fund for improvements and projects related to strengthening the nation. The King shall be able to draw from the General Fund for direct military expenditures at will, but will also be able to request from the Great Council to make withdrawals from it for other expenditures, such as but not limited to infrastructure projects. This agreement shall last for ten seasons/turns.

2. Divy up the King's salt monopoly in ten season leases for lump sum payments (they pay a lump sum now, they keep the profits for ten seasons after which the monopoly returns to the King).
 
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(IC)

Orders
Order 1- Maximillian will encourage the migration of new serfs and freehold farmers to Viktorsburg by redistributing part of the land that's currently not being used and under his direct control. He'll also build new windmills and watermills in strategic locations in order to maximize the grain output from the farmers. Should the crop production increase, Max will also build new granaries to acomodate the grain in excess.

Order 2- Maximillian will personally inquire retainers and search documents of the past administation about the imprisoned "wizard", the reasons of his detention, his past activities, etc. Should his offense be a minor one, he'll ask a small tithe from the wizard as a compesation to donate to the church. He'll then inquire his talents and character; should the man prove to be a competent wizard and reliable character, he'll fully be employed as a court wizard.
 
Henry had spend the past two nights reading everything he could about the Hendalian fleet's ships, and the ocean. The next morning he met with his lieutenant, Captain Alphonse Valjean, who had served in the Hendalian Fleet for fifty years to discuss strategy and future plans for the fleet. Henry had many grand plans in mind but he was afraid to cross the burly and grizzled sea captain. He decided that he would start slowly for now.

"How many of each kind of ship do we possess in our fleet?" Henry timidly asked the captain while wearing his comically large admiral's hat.

"No idea," Captain Valjean curtly replied as he resentfully shrugged his shoulders. "Your fath-err the king keeps all the statistics in secret vaults for his own keeping."

"Perhaps we should find out?"

Valjean nodded his head silently.


Orders

1. Find how many of each kind of ship there is and where they are all located.
2. Read more books about boats and navies.

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