BBBD: Um, no I think it was actually a Mesopotamian flute, used for fund-raising when building Mesopotamian towers, and such like.
Fiftypence: Strathclyde and Fife are two temptingly independent counties right now, but cost about 300 prestige each to grab, so Duncan will have to start saving. Luckily the court is fairly heaving with young maidens to marry off, which always helps.
Dead William: Yes indeed, amazingly, the Duke of Berwick also suddenly acquired the "Wicked Ogre" trait, AKA Excommunicated - why the King sat around doing nothing with a one-province excommunicated Duke on his doorstep I don't know, but the magic pause button worked very nicely again when, after I'd declared war, he suddenly thought of attacking himself.
Murmurandus: Gilbert and James were so-so stats-wise, which is why I changed to salic consanguinity and made sure Duncan got in - it's done wonders for my income, that's for sure. Mad Count Alwin, who lived to nearly 60 (
), was of course a disaster area, however it's amazing how you can still survive in such circumstances.
J.Passepartout: Duke Duncan is a veritable mine of adorable traits - just, wise, merciful and trusting. I'm sure poor widows throughout the realm just love him to bits!
Lurken: Hah! Don't try to pressurize me - it won't work! See if I care if you spank me with a salted herring!
Draco Rexus: Now what exactly is a fine upstanding member of the AARA doing "preparing to be possibly away from the forums for quite some time" ? I fear your membership might be on shaky ground there...
Well, many thanks for all this lovely feedback. I will throw myself into Duke Duncan's reign now with great enthusiasm, and hopefully get another update done before too long.