Good morning, or evening good sirs and fair ladies. Finally, finally after an excruciating period of exams and trials and a battle against the administration of my university (but what to expect of non ordained clerks) worthy of Lancelot I graduated and I can write again this glorious quest ! Gloire !

To the veterans, and the new bannermen who join our ride against the saracens, the witches and the perfidious flemish burghers I shall give the last threads.

>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5085315/ thread 1
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5134375/ thread 2
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5194246/ thread 3
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5314154/ thread 4
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5422744/ thread 5
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5422744/ thread 6
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5561322/ thread 7
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5561322/ thread 8
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5702984/ thread 9
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5785267/ thread 10
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/5920163/ thread 11
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/6011182/ thread 12
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/6079405/ thread 13
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2025/6157669/ thread 14

Meanwhile you, Lord Charles de Villeroi, were travelling towards the queen, who had summoned you in her mysterious Guelphish ways. had decided, in your wisdom, after vanquishing the tentacled beast of the village of Weeb, to expand your protection to their village, since their lord was distant. The land was isolated but you liked the portrait of your lady Rose that the local artist, Ankama Bing did and as a patron of the arts and great lover of having more lands and receiving more taxes from your peasantry you were sure that the locals could make good subjects. So you swore to drive away the bandit Dark Sasuke that terrorised the good people of the village and then, after returning from the Capital, to speak with their count about being his vassal and protecting this isolated place for him.

But enough talking about Lord Charles, the tradition is to begin here by a small prologue, and we shall do so for the perpetuation of Tradition is the first duty of any power.

>>6256761 (OP)

PROLOGUE :

Hob the farmer had seen many things in his life, the flight of a dragon, a well of magic invoked by mages and even a mystical fruit brought by traders from the south called a "coconut fruit", he was not a well read man, nor a literate man, nor the wisest of men but what he saw shocked even the village elder, an old birdman whose feathers were ruffled and his eyes opened in shock. Goblins were approaching the village, but instead of attacking, the little pests, light brown of skin like some tribes, were marching behind a goblin mounted on a pony ! A goblin riding a pony ! Normally horses found these little pests repugnant and no orc nor goblin could mount one, but here these goblins were almost civilised. They wore some mismatch of armor, and a strange black and yellow livery, their leader had a ridiculous hat and was dressed like... Like some parody of an herald. Hit hat even had a feather, these goblins looked strangely, almost human. And the way they carried their spears, and the "herald" a trumpet made them look like some kind of messengers. The villagers, very intrigued by this display, began to go out, and even arm themselves. Some humans, elves, dwarves, halflings and a satyr or two got out of their homes and readied themselves, but strangely, the goblins did not attack, in place the strange herald on his pony blew his trumpet three times, as if it was an announcement. He then cleared his throat and produced a parchment ! Goblins knowing to read ! Were they bewitched ? Men changed into goblins by some curse ? Hob did not knew, but while he grabbed his pitchfork and told his wife and kids to stay at home. Then he heard, he heard the most surrealistic message of his life, coming from the high pitched voice of a goblin.

-In the name of Konrad the First, of the Hohenstaufen Dynasty, Emperor of the Holy Goblin Empire, King of Jerusalem, King of Sicily and Duke of Swabia I declare that this village, and all the lands surrounding it, now belongs to the Reich, and will be given as a fief to the Langrave Shitbag von Snaga, as your new liege lord he will collect a tribute in grain and riches every year from now on. Any tentative of rebellion shall be punished.

The villagers looked at themselves, some fought about killing the goblins but Tweet, the birdman who ruled the place, ordered to keep quiet, he was wise. After all if they killed those ten goblins one hundred more would take their place. It was decided to do what any villagers would do in this case : hire adventurers. Oh, if he knew, Hob would have advised against it, but after speaking with everyone the village council decided to do it, their liege lord was far away after all, and probably drunk, the adventurer's guild would help.

>>6256764

It was fifteen days ago, now Hob was watching as from the courageous band of six only two adventurers remained. The young wizard that they had engaged and the pretty female bard, the party's face who had negociated the contract with them. He had his glasses broken and a scar on his forehead, he had been beaten up and was held by many goblins that now occupied the town square, she had been brutalized and had a split lip. A strange goblin, with white robes and a tall hat told her.

-We offer you absolution, in the name of Jesus Christ. Accept baptism and you will be spared.

The bard lady seemed taken aback, and told.

-W... What... You mean I can be free to go ?

-If you receive baptism yes.

-How... How do you do it ?

-By rejecting your false idols and accepting our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, as the only God.

Monotheist goblins ! Hob never would have believed that. He thought about this Christ God, was he a kind of new Dark Lord leading the goblins ? It sounded quite megalomaniac to claim to be the only god. One thing was sure he did not like magic, because the same absolution was not offered to the mage, instead he was burned on a pyre before the people.

>>6256766

MEANWHILE ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD :

Meanwhile you had a good evening, the peasant of the village of Weeb had accepted to swear you their allegiance if the count of En, their liege lord, accepted. You could always be a vassal of two lords for your different lands and as any good landowner you liked having more lands anyway. Of course you first had to deal with this bandit, Dark Sasuke and his gang that hid in the hills. Killing a beast was one thing, but these knaves, of course the peasantry told that Dark Sasuke was dangerous but you knew his ilk, they were only good to frighten peasant, they would flee like little birds when seeing some knights in mail.
Still, an ambush could be dangerous, the place was mountainous and in your youth, during the Aragonese Crusade, you remarked that the Spaniards fought without honor, throwing rocks from cliffs like some primitives and attacking supply convoys instead of facing the French chivalry in open battle. Well, when they tried to face it in open battle they quickly got routed so perhaps there was some logic in their cowardice, but still, even if they forced the king's army to retreat by starving it it was a shameful display. So you ordered Brother Louis, the brave Templar, and Bohémond your knight, and your guardsmen to keep their eyes open. Elana, your servant who was an assassin before it, was a quick girl too and could see well with her eyes and was watching your backs. You turned towards here while riding, she still reddened when she saw you and you found it adorable, but you had made yourself clear and you did not plan to enjoy the joys of flesh with her. You were trying to remain faithful to your magnificent bride to be, lady Rose, and you intended to keep your discipline, as hard as it was.

You continued riding with enthusiasm, enjoying the mountainous landscade. You were an inhabitant of the plains, be it in Champagne or here, in India, and if you still found too stiff cliffs annoying you could not deny the beauty of their view. But as you rode seeing the mountains in the early spring you could hear Carius, your most reliable guardsman of those that you brought arguing with Gepees, the one who generally spotted tracks.

-I tell you Gepees, it's not a good place to go.

-But Lord Charles wanted to find the bandits, what better way as to go to the road where they ambush us.

-But it is the most ambushable place that exist look at those cliffs.

It was your brave Ancel le Purineur, your experienced scout and tracker that followed you from France that was the first pointing out what he saw.

-I saw movement up there, on the big rock.

There was indeed a big rock in the middle of the road, well, calling it a rock would be preposterous, it was more of a huge cliff in a place where the road was divided in two. This cliff was hard to access, you would need to climb on it, and it was perhaps 60 feet high. You wondered who would climb on it.

>>6256767

Indeed, this promontory was surrounded by cliffs, while the other two sides of the road, which formed a relatively narrow gorge, were equally good places for an ambush, in addition to having, on the opposite side of the road, a likely easier access route for attackers.

To be honest, this gorge seemed a relatively dangerous place, and you were hesitant to enter it; after all, being killed by a boulder thrown by some peasant who had decided to make a career as a bandit would be absolutely unworthy of a gentleman. You were therefore filled with apprehension and surprised to hear that there was movement on this central promontory, this rock standing proudly at this "Y" junction of the road.

Fortunately for you, this movement did not wait to reveal itself and you saw a form, you thought it was a silhouette seeing how much it was dark, even in the middle of the day. You then understood that someone has died all his clothes in black like a benedictine monk or a mourner and was looking at you. You discerned no emblem on his cape, you deduced that he was trying to intimidate you.

The silhouette on the rock moved with a great theatrical gesture and pointed at you, his voice was strangely not very impressive, quite youthful. You could not see his face but he seemed to be pale with long black hair. He began to tell pompously, playing with his cape to look more dramatic.

-Who dares to trespass on my territory ! For I am death and darkness incarnate ! Pay me a right to pass, or watch how my men and I cleave you like lambs ! You have no chance to escape ! Bow before I pluck out your eyes and drink from your skull ! Mufufufufufufufu !

No, the threats were one thing, as an outlaw this man should be hanged for his thievery and for it, but having a laugh like this one. It was a crime in itself, and it deserved a slow death. You thought of boiling him alive like some counterfeiter who played with coinage. You were about to answer while Elana whispered to you.

-He seems to be a high ranked adventurer, my lord he is dangerous.

Brother Louis, looking around told.

-I am perhaps getting old monseigneur, but I see no men on these cliffs, they remain hidden while we clearly lack ranged weapons. But let us be prudent, the place is made for ambushes.

>>6256769

You looked at Ancel who looked at the cliffs and answered in a typical French manner with a "eeh pffffft". You decided to look at this man and tell.

>I am Charles de Villeroi, lord of Local and soon lord of the village of Weeb and it's lands. If you know what is good for you I suggest that you beg on your knees to be spared, or face my wrath !
>You are Dark Sasuke the Bandit ? They spoke about you at the village. Mayhaps we can find an arrangement, I have enemies and you seem to have enterprising men who could raid their lands.
>You ridiculous oaf, you do as much gestures as an genoese fishwife when you talk ! And your black clothes ? What are you mourning with it ? Your dignity ? Get down there to get a proper spanking !
>I am Charles de Villeroi, lord of Local, and a knight who has sworn a vow to defeat the bandit that threatens these lands. I hereby defy you in single combat, let God Allmighty decide who is right and who is wrong. Accept my challenge if you still have some honor left !
>Other (write in)

>>6256770
>You ridiculous oaf, you do as much gestures as an genoese fishwife when you talk ! And your black clothes ? What are you mourning with it ? Your dignity ? Get down there to get a proper spanking !
Plus
>I warn you: I have already slain the tentacle monster who menaced the peasants of Weeb!

Good to have you back, milord.

>>6256803
Support

And welcome back messire, it has been far too long.

>>6256770
>>You ridiculous oaf, you do as much gestures as an genoese fishwife when you talk ! And your black clothes ? What are you mourning with it ? Your dignity ? Get down there to get a proper spanking !

Welcome back

>>6256803
>>6256844
>>6256854

Thank you good sirs, it was an adventure in itself.

====

You decided to answer provocatively.µ

-You ridiculous oaf, you do as much gestures as an genoese fishwife when you talk ! And your black clothes ? What are you mourning with it ? Your dignity ? Get down there to get a proper spanking ! I warn you: I have already slain the tentacle monster who menaced the peasants of Weeb!

You decided to add this last part to saw fear into the heart of your opponent, but the bandit seemed to be more outraged than intimidated. He pointed at you derisively, from his high promontory, sixty feet higher than you. Continuing his gestures he told.

-Mufufufufu, you fool ! You try to provoke me ! If you think I'm just a foolish kid ruled by his emotions, that's fine. Following Itachi's path would be childish, the whispering of fools who don't know hatred. If anyone tries to ridicule the way I live, I'll slaughter everyone they ever cared about. And then maybe they'll understand what it's like to taste... a little of my hatred.

He said it so dramatically and so much seriousness that you had to burst out with laughter. Who talked like that ? I mean, you knew some lords who were a bit too angry, who put their impaled enemies on their walls like the old baron Crook, he dressed in black too by the way. In France you knew a lord who after being drunk cut the throat of one of your father's servants at a banquet, he paid a fee of course, but well, there were cruel men. They loved to dramatise it. But at this level.

-Who do you think to intimidate like that, kid ! Get down there and get a spanking !

-You... Insolent baboon ! You do not know the meaning of fear. My goal is not to intimidate you, my only goal is the darkness ! Now prepare to embrace it as you fall to the blade of the legendary Dark Sasuke ! Yaaaaah !

And on this he unsheathed two swords, one longer than the other, who were slightly curved, you could not see the details of them but he then, as an absolute madman, leaped in the air as if to jump towards you. You were silent and amazed by such brazenness, and such madness ! Who leaps from sixty feet like this ? He then raised one as if ready to strike you while leaping high into the air. Bohémond told.

-He is completely mad ! He will die !

You agreed with him, but at the same time Elana screamed.

-It is the leaping strike ! He is an assassin ! Be careful my lord !

Spotifia the bard panicked and Bing the artist too, they screamed in unison.

-We will all die ! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH !

>>6257179

This did not help you at all. Fortunately as a good horseman you made your horse back for a bit while trying to raise your shield. So much doubt made you a bit afraid. At least the bastard would not fall upon you. You still did not have your helmet, you thought that he would be descending in a more normal way and thought about protecting your head, plus, you were against the sun since we were in the afternoon and you were travelling to the west, it would be a disadvantage for you. You were thinking about all of this when you heard a simple sound "Sprotch". You looked to the man dressed in black, he was now lying motionless on the stony ground before you. His blades were scattered. You raised an eyebrow.

There was a moment of silence. Dark Sasuke seemed to not be moving. You looked at Bohémond, he raised his shoulders. You looked at Brother Louis, he looked at you, clueless. Elana seemed at loss for words. Your guardsmen were looking at the corpse too, Spotifia and Bing were trying to forget their earlier panic. You tried to look at the cliffs around you, perhaps it was some kind of trap and some of Dark Sasuke's men would come at you. Finally you decided to tell.

-He is... Dead ?

Brother Louis told.

-What did he expected, jumping from such height ! He was a madman !

Elana tried to tell.

-Normally an adventurer can jump from such heights..

You ordered.

-Ancel, verify if he is dead.

-Me messire... but...

-You are allowed to loot him.

-Thank you messire, you are a good and kind master.

Your brave servant began to get his knife and to poke at the man, he then turned around the body of this Dark Sasuke and effectively, his face was all over the place, he was dead, probably he had broken arms and broken legs too. Ancel began to loot the blades of the man, who were intact, and who looked like great thin knives with strange handles. He apparently had some kind of metallic stars too on his belt, and perhaps a bit of gold. It was not of importance. You were in a joyful mood and commented.

-What an imbecile. And to tell that the peasants were afraid of him ! Hahaha !

Bohémond added.

-I wonder if he even had men, they did not even come to his rescue.

You laughed.

-Perhaps we should even go back to the village.

Brother Louis who was prudent told Bing, the painter who was from this village of Weeb.

-Is it at least the true bandit ?

-He... he dresses like him. That is sure... And these katanas are costly..

-Cataquoi ?

You asked before he pointed the blades. They were simply big knives in your opinion. Still, you raised your shoulders, raised your wine flask and toasted.

-To our victory ! Let us take off his head and send it back to the village.

>>6257181

You and your men toasted. Spotifia even promising to write a song about it, you were discussing if you should keep things as they are or add some epic duel by principle. But when you were doing this you saw someone climbing off the cliffs. He had a bow behind his back and wore a cloak and carried a small axe. He looked like your typical highwayman. Waving at you he told.

-Hmmm... My lord... I am sorry to interrupt but...

-But what ? Who are you ?

-I am the representative of Dark Sasuke's men...

-What he really had men ?

-There is fourty of us on the cliffs... With bows and rocks.

-By saint Denis !

-We were awaiting orders to attack, but since Sasuke said nothing... And since now, well... he is dead... We decided not to do it.

-I... suppose that is fair.

-Thank you my lord... I shall go now...

The man said, with a quite embarassed tone. But by Saint Michel ! Forty bandits ! By the heavens, it was a huge group. No wonder they were a threat to the village and with the terrain on their side it was probably impossible to get them. Perhaps they lied but in case of defeat you will lose everything. You wondered about returning to the village and announce your victory, or going straight to the capital. After all if you returned to the village you would have to return to this place and the bandit will probably have a new leader by then. It would not be with your four guardsmen and two knights that you could oppose them in the current situation. What would be your decision.

>Continue towards the Capital, Briberopolis, the news of your victory shall be heard anyway.
>Send Bing back with the bandit's heard, you could catch him when going again by the Weeb Valley's road after returning from the capital. He is from the village, the locals will believe him.
>Go back to Weeb, gloat about your victory, you earned this right.
>Other (write in)

>>6257183
>Go back to Weeb, gloat about your victory, you earned this right

Perhaps along with a stern lecture to the assembled Weeb peasantry about the sin of suicide and why they should not have bullied this poor chap into first taking to the woods and then eventually taking his own life.

>>6257183
>Send Bing back with the bandit's heard, you could catch him when going again by the Weeb Valley's road after returning from the capital. He is from the village, the locals will believe him.
We'll be back soon enough.

Kek, alas poor weeabandit.

>>6257183
>>Send Bing back with the bandit's heard, you could catch him when going again by the Weeb Valley's road after returning from the capital. He is from the village, the locals will believe him.

>>6257183
>Send Bing back with the bandit's heard, you could catch him when going again by the Weeb Valley's road after returning from the capital. He is from the village, the locals will believe him.

>>6257183
>>Other (write in)

Perhaps we should try and recruit some of the bandits?

>>6256761 (OP)
Welcome back my lord! it has been too long
>>6257183
>Send Bing back with the bandit's heard, you could catch him when going again by the Weeb Valley's road after returning from the capital. He is from the village, the locals will believe him.
They are bandits, but they aren’t our bandits and so I say we should have attempted to recruit them, after they accept Christ as atonement for their thieving ways. Also 40 men is a lot

>>6257233
A wise decision my lord, for you try to educate the peasantry, but unfortunately the laborator, the worker, is not made to think but to obey. And about this man dressed in black, if as a Christian we must forgive him, he deserved to have his hand cut off for theft anyway. And as someone who killed himself he cannot be buried on consecrated ground.

>>6257255
At least he died doing what he did best, being ridiculous.

>>6257345
>>6257550

>>6257768

>>6257708
An excellent idea good sir, unfortunately not supported by enough men.

>>6257711
Yes, 40 men would be hard to feed. And I am glad to have you back too. It seems as I have gone back from a crusade since I was absent for so long.

====

You decided to send Bing back, and told him to recount your glorious victory, while continuing towards the capital. On the road you still thought about this Dark Sasuke. What kind of man could do what he did ? Was it hubris ? Arrogance ? To suicide himself, defying God's gift of life ? And to suicide himself in a peculiar way, hoping to crush a nobleman under his weight. Then he tried to unsheathe his swords so you supposed that he wanted to hit you. Perhaps he really believed, like Elana, Spotifia or even your guardsmen, that he would survive such a fall. Heh ! What kind of fools they were. But then how could you expect reason and logic from the Indians, they have tempered with our right and proper feudal order and let women wear pants in public. It is obviously a sign of moral and mental corruption. And the logical conclusion is evident, if someone believes that a guild of armed vagrants, called adventurers, can take care of their problems better than their liege lord, or that a woman can do magic, and wear men's clothes in public and not be burned to the ground, this person obviously can err on such trivial matters as the fact that if you jump of a cliff you will fall and hurt yourself. Thinking about it you supposed that these people, without the light of Christ, lived in a completely different mental universe, without God in it's center. No wonder they perceived the round around them as very different. They were not grounded in the reality of God's law but in a pagan tale. You should discuss it with Brother Louis and Father François, they were wise men and educated too, they could enlighten you.

The travels to the capital were pleasant, each day you saw that the distance between villages got closer and closer and the villages themselves got richer and richer in the middle of the rolling plains. You crossed some sympathetic little towns too but apparently the capital will dwarf them all. Was it as big as Paris ? Perhaps.

>>6257769

When you finally reached the capital, you were in awe. If not as big as Paris itself it was a very important city, but what awed you most was it's elegance. High spires and towers of pure white stone reached the sky and gardens seemed to dominate some hills near manor houses. Blue roofs, reminiscent of Rouen when seen in a sunny day completed this picture of harmony and beauty. It seemed as if nature and stonework were linked together to create a vision of beauty. You immediately wanted to visit the city itself, even forgetting about the queen. Seeing how you, and the other frenchmen were amazed, Spotifia explained you.

-Up on the hills, the high quarters are those of the nobility, some elves live here too, there is an entire elven district since elves rule Bifuria. For the rest the queen gave the people many funds to build in stone, against fires, and it is a very rich city indeed. There are many gardens near the richest quarters and several rich nobles try to build the tallest and thinnest towers, sometimes supported by magic.

Magic made you frown, but you admitted that it was beautiful, there were some things that you supposed were pagan temples and what impressed you the most were the waterfalls near a great white building who could rival the Châtelet in majesty. Spotifia explained.

-It is the royal palace, redone by the queen of course, to better be at her taste.

Seeing it you had to admit one thing, these italian guelphs were sneaky and vile, but they knew how to build and how to make art. In France or in India Italians had the same gifts. You would still count your fingers if you shook the hand of one. Thanking spotifia you lead your horse towards the gates. And asked.

-What can we do in the city ? Before announcing our presence to the queen I mean...

-There is a market district my lord, and a street with thirty taverns, there is a theater too, and some places where we can dance, there is public parks, and the temples but you would perhaps not want to see them.

All of this was very interesting and, thinking about it, you decided, before reaching the gates, guarded by guelphs and some normal soldiers. The fortifications were a quite high wall and all the city was inside, no faubourgs or outskirts, and the street seemed to be clean.

>I shall go to the marketplace, I have to buy something for Rose after all.
>A street with thirty taverns ? The wines of these lands deserve to be explored.
>A theater ? With mummers and artists ! I want to see it.
>Let us see the taverns perhaps somewhere some amusing man will throw a cagot.
>Let us take a stroll in the public parks, or whatever it is. Let us see how nature and architecture live together.
>Other (write in)

PS : all of these rules against spam have been done by burghers or royal tax collectors ! By Saint Denis they should get the rope !

>>6257770
>I shall go to the marketplace, I have to buy something for Rose after all.
The marketplace is the heart of the economy in a town and we will gain valuable insight by observing the commoners there

>>6257774
Bah, what can one learn from commoners and burgher merchants?

>>6257770
>A street with thirty taverns ? The wines of these lands deserve to be explored.
In vino, veritas!

>>6257793
Absolutely nothing usually, but by observing how fat the burghers are and how abused the commoners are we can gauge how well the queen rules, that and we have to buy stuff for Rose

>>6257770
>>I shall go to the marketplace, I have to buy something for Rose after all.

>>6257770
>>A street with thirty taverns ? The wines of these lands deserve to be explored.

>>6257770
>I shall go to the marketplace, I have to buy something for Rose after all.

>>6257774
This is spoken as a true lord, in great wisdom.

>>6257793
But you, good sir, speak latin so your argument has even more value and wisdom.

>>6257800
A wise argument between two wise men and invoking the love of a woman, and seeing the rest of the bannermen vote, made the marketplace win.

>>6258296
>>6257801
>>6257950
>>6258208

You told with your natural authority.

-I shall go to the marketplace, I have something to buy for Rose after all.

Your men bowed as you approached the gates of the city. You were soon in the middle of hundreds of travellers, carts, merchants and other good people trying to enter. They were of all shapes and sizes and your horse almost trampled a cagot. You finally managed to enter the city and effectively, it was very beautiful, with white stone buildings topped by blue roofs, the buildings had an elegance and were nor totally roman nor totally gothic, it was some architecture that you never saw and that was far more impressive than what you saw in Pleasantville. The city was truly beautiful. It even smelt far better than Paris and there were trees on very large streets, they were so large you wondered how much money was wasted in building the walls and in the fact that there were no suburbs. There were some beggars of course, and some poor people but just like the peasants were far richer in India than in France the burghers were too. At least the small craftsmen and other degenerate folk who made the bulk of a city's population. The rich merchants, be it here or in Paris, were as fat and corrupt as they always were. Seeing the boldness of burghers and them screaming always deranged you. You see, the burghers, or bourgeois, inhabitants of a city, are really the least honourable of the classes of society. Take a merchant for exemple, or a minor craftsman in a guild, he will be far less intelligent than a priest, farther away from God. He will be far less brave than a knight or a nobleman, far weaker and less honourable, because of a lack of warrior ethos or good breeding. And even in the third estate, amongst the commoners, a craftsman or a merchant will be far more lazy than a peasant. He would never make something grow out of the soil and protect it against the elements. So when you heard burghers dare to claim "charters" for their towns or speaking in the "name of the good people" what people were they speaking about ?!? There were perhaps ten or twenty peasant for each inhabitant of a town. And the peasantry, loyal to God and their liege lords, did not need some of these urban knaves to speak in their name, it did not need to speak at all, simply obey their betters. Worse these burghers tried to always discuss with the ecclesiastical authorities and even to buy expensive clothes or jewellery that the lower nobility, like you, could not have. They tried to replace the laws of God, Honor and Labor by those of gold and lies, it was abominable. Truly, cities were a disturbing place. But they could build beautiful cathedrals and host some nice fairs and whorehouses, so you were not in favour of burning them, simply watching them and sometimes seducing the daughter or wife of a fat merchant, if some student at the university had not done it before.

>>6258297

Still, in your polished chainmail and with the shield with your coat of arms, your long blond hair in the wind and a superior smirk on your face, you must have looked dashing. You even saw some ladies smile and blush. One of them even looked at you suggestively but when you saw that she had a baton like one of those witches you did the sign of the cross and turned away. You saw someone showing a kind of gigantic bear with an owl's head to amazed onlookers, you thought two things about it. One, that it was the stupidest looking animal that you had ever seen, and two, that not only the people in India slept with animals (creating cat men, dragon men, bird men, horse men and bull men) but the animals seemed to not have any Christian mores themselves. It was why they were judged in France and called to adopt civilised customs. If you taught your animals how to behave in society and respect the laws of God, you would never see owl and bear hybrids. That was certain.

It was in the middle of these philosophical questions that you finally entered the market district.

You had wanted to buy Rose an illuminated book. She loved reading and as much as you were new to all this literacy thing, you wanted to make your love happy. That was the only thing that counted. You quickly deducted that the book merchant would not be on the open, or even covert market. A copyist needed his own place to have his parchment and his books, they could be heavy and they were long to copy. A simple street scribe who wrote letters could be on a market of course but he would not bring something as precious as a book there, at the mercy of wind and rain. You decided to ask for directions with some locals and they told that everything would be. Before that you still looked at the stalls and saw many beautiful things.

A cat man was selling some lamps, candelabras and tools. This made you think about buying a cat for lady Rose, she wanted it, but you thought that asking the cat man where can you buy a pet cat would be rude. Perhaps it was his father or mother, or a cousin. You saw that a fat bellied Saracen was selling oils and spices and several women sold clothes that seemed to be very thin. Perhaps silks like those sold in Constantinople and brought in France by Venetian merchants. Some guelphs sold something like potions and you even saw smiths selling weapons. This interested you, you were now, even if indebted, but what nobleman was not, a lord and not simply a knight. You wanted to buy a Damascus steel blade, perhaps a sword, or only a dagger, it would look good. One of your guardsmen, Fed you guess, the son of Cop reprimanding Dummy. You asked.

-Why are you two arguing ?

>>6258298

Fed answered you immediately.

-He wants to ask you about having freedom to buy something my lord.

Dummy who was a loyal guardsman was someone a bit lax in his duties. He tried to defend himself.

-My lord, it is simply that... We will be at the palace next, and my wife wants a handkerchief from the capital. And...

Some other guards looked at you, even Elana murmured that she wanted a new pair of boots. Bohémond told you.

-I want to buy a new luthe monseigneur, Spotifia told me that there are great masters who can make some here.

You thought about buying a harp for your beloved too. And perhaps a sword for yourself. Only Brother Louis stayed stoic, he had sworn a vow of poverty. Then, after looking around, you thought that perhaps keeping only one man with you and brother Louis could be doable. There were guards here, and you saw no obvious thieves (in the form of gypsies). Perhaps you could give freedom to your men.

>You will buy your things later, we shall buy a gift at a copyist first before going to the palace.
>Allright, you will have freedom until the town criers scream the next two hours, then we will meet at the fountain with the scandalous statue of a naked women.

On your own side you decided to.

>Try to buy a sword or a dagger, go to the weaponsmith.
>Try to find a copyist or someone able to sell you books.
>Try to find some sellers of musical instruments.
>Try to buy clothing.
>Ask about buying a white cat for your lady.
>Simply visit the marketplace .
>Other (write in)

>>6258299
>Allright, you will have freedom until the town criers scream the next two hours, then we will meet at the fountain with the scandalous statue of a naked women.
It has been a long trip
>Try to find a copyist or someone able to sell you books.
It’s what Rose wanted

>>6258299
>Allright, you will have freedom until the town criers scream the next two hours, then we will meet at the fountain with the scandalous statue of a naked women.

>Try to find a copyist or someone able to sell you books

>>6258299
>Alright, you will have freedom until the town criers scream the next two hours, then we will meet at the fountain with the scandalous statue of a naked women.

>Try to find a copyist or someone able to sell you books.

>>6258299
>>Allright, you will have freedom until the town criers scream the next two hours, then we will meet at the fountain with the scandalous statue of a naked women.

>>Try to find a copyist or someone able to sell you books.

>>6258299
>Allright, you will have freedom until the town criers scream the next two hours, then we will meet at the fountain with the scandalous statue of a naked women.
>Try to buy clothing.

Sorry for the late update good sirs, I had an exam today, I passed.


>>6258460
Wise words good sir.

>>6258962
>>6259008

>>6259017
>>6259253

You decided to let your men go, the travel was long and the place seemed to be sure enough. So you told.

-Allright, you will have freedom until the town criers scream the next two hours. Then we will meet...

You looked around you and saw an interesting fountain.

-At the fountain with the scandalous statues of naked women.

They all agreed, saying that you were a good and kind lord. Seeing Ancel you understood that he would probably try to steal something. You remained with brother Louis. He told you.

-Since I cannot buy anything I would be pleased to remain with you monseigneur.

-Thanks, it will be good to have your learned opinion on articles. I think we shall try to find a copyist. Rose wanted a book after all.

-Let us try to find one monseigneur.

You first saw that a literal demon was a copyist in one of the shops, you quickly did the sign of the cross, then you saw a guelph lady but you knew that monks were the best copyist so you decided to find the boutique, under an alcove, of a wisened old man, represented by the image of an open book and with a name named "Flammarion's books". It was a small shop who smelt of wax and parchment. An old man in a purple robe, sign of wealth, was inside, you decided to attach your horses nearby and enter. The old man greeted you and seeing that you were obviously noblemen he bowed.

-What can I do for you my lords ? How can I help ?

-I seek a book, for a young lady, a present, something with beautiful illuminations, a work of art.

-Of course, of course, let me look.

You were very interested about how this man kept his books, and Brother Louis, who had seen far more libraries than you. He told.

-You do not put them horizontally on shelves.

-Horizontally ? Why ? They would take much more place.

-It is impressive to see that your shelves are full of books, you had much time to copy them all.

-Oh, yes, indeed, yes... A lifetime of work.

You raised an eyebrow.

-So you haven't sold them during your life.

-Oh, I sold some... of course...

Still, it was impressive to see so much parchment and books, and none, unlike in monasteries, were attached by chains to the library, to not be stolen. A book was very costly in France. Here with everyone paying in gold you supposed that it would be too, especially one with illuminations. You probably would have to borrow money, you already had debts, but it was not a problem, a gentleman should live above his means, and the beautiful smile and kind blue eyes of your lady were worth the screams of a hundred debt collectors. Especially if they were lombards. Damned thieves. You began to see a book, apparently of mythology, with bright colors in the illuminations and it looked like a rich book, but you read it it was about pagan myths, something religious about a god of light fighting a god of darkness, it was paganism, and you shall not promote it.

>>6259418

You decided to ask the man, while you wanted to watch some books, out of interest. You remarked something close to a half drawn map on his counter.

>Do you have some fiction, some roman of love and chivalry.
>Do you have something amusing, like Le Roman de Renart, tales or something that can make you laugh.
>Do you have some classical text from Bifuria, something important from your culture.
>Do you have some "miroirs" or moral tales.
>Can you show me some poetry book or something allegorical ?
>Do you have some map of the world, I never saw one.
>Other (write in)

> do you have any encyclopedia like text, that try to recount as much information as possible?

>>6259419
>Do you have some fiction, some roman of love and chivalry.
I’m sure it will suit her just fine

>>6259419
>Can you show me some poetry book or something allegorical ?
The most suitably for reading with our lady love.

>>6259419
>Can you show me some poetry book or something allegorical ?

>>6259419
>Do you have some fiction, some roman of love and chivalry

>>6259512
Unfortunately not before Diderot ! Hai hai !

>>6259607
Of course, it is the most popular kind of tales.

>>6259653
Ladies love poetry, and love men who can recite a chanson de fin'amor by heart, fortunately you can, this is a thing that you can learn if you do not know how to read and have to trust your memory instead of books. Hah !

>>6259950
>>6260058

You hesitated a bit, asking the copyist.

-I have two kind of works in mind. Do you have, per chance, some fiction some roman of Love and Chivalry like those that young ladies love. Or some poetry book, with allegories perhaps ?

The man nodded and answered in a flattering way that made you smile because of your ex-illiteracy.

-Oh, your lordship is a knowledgeable man. I will try to find something.

He brought you a pile of ten books, after you and Brother Louis had suppressed everything that you already knew, like the Twilight's tales that your lady read too much (and who promoted love between living people and dead monsters ! The outrage !) and other books that she already talked about you, you found three books.

The first was the Tale of Cay Iseq, a roman of adventure about not very worthy gentleman who got ran over by a cart and died and instead of going to hell or paradise, was reborn as a knight in the Core Province of the Empire that Bifuria was part of. If you were apalled by the fact that this pagan book opposed Eternal Life (but then the locals knew nothing of Christ). Plus Cay Iseq was an accountant, any normal person would instantly recognise him as not being a nobleman, and this tale of common born people loving noble ladies was repugnant to you. But on the other side Christendom wasn't known by the ignorant pagans living in India, and you found some of the tales of Cay Iseq, who was a foreigner too, and from the far East, before his death, quite amusing. You found some closeness to this knave because adapting to foreign lands was hard. Brother Louis must have had a hard time in the holy land, even if there were other Frenchmen with him.

The second book was of poetry and allegory, comparing love to a flower and a versification of the tales of some Stephen who planted a tree the day where he began to court the woman that he loved. This man grows an apple tree just like he grows his love and if it is tumultuous against wind and rain finally it gives good fruit, and some can be used to plant more apple trees. Just like marriage is tumultuous but brings fruits of love and descendents for your lineage. The language pleased you. And it was in general a good tale especially since you had planted an apple orchard, but it perhaps lacked passion and the greatness of some songs of love that you enjoyed. The illuminations were good too, but not the best.

>>6260159

The third, and last book that pleased you had the best illuminations by far, the characters were a work of art just like some letters. It was an epic tale from what you quickly read, about an order of knights comparable to Templars or Hospitallers, who maintened peace in some country reminiscent of a Venetian Republic. They seemed to meet in Thursdays (Jeudi in good French) and one of them by the name of Marcheciel unraveled a dubious plot from disgraced noblemen and merchants to separate from his realm. It was full of treacheries with the local doge who manipulated the main hero and even a forbidden love with a noble lady, despite the vow of celibacy of his order. It pleased you a lot, but it was tragic, at the end the hero was gravely burned and left to die while his love died in childbirth.You liked it but it was perhaps a bit tragic for a marriage. On the other side the tale of Tristan and Ysolda was tragic too.

Interestingly, if the books were not cheap, in gold, since everyone paid in gold here and India was very wealthy, books were comparatively cheapers compared to food, or any other basic ressources in India. You were no merchant but it was interesting. Perhaps they were copying them in groups like some students did in universtities ? Or they killed many beasts to produce parchment. Who knows ?

So you decided to choose :

>Give me these tales of Cay Iseq.
>I shall take the book of poetry about the apple trees.
>Give me this last book, about these knights that meet on Thursdays.
>I want to see some more books.
>Other (Write in)

>I want to see some more books.

>>6260161
>I want to see some more books.

>>6260161
>Give me this last book, about these knights that meet on Thursdays.
It is a rare thing to find a tale approaching Good Christian Family Values here. The apple tree book would be great. Rose loves both violence and romance, though, and this has both! Ah, if only we could get all these tomes... But what good knight has time to read TWO books? Egads!

>>6260161
>Give me this last book, about these knights that meet on Thursdays.
Has everything Rose loves as anon said, but one must question how this man was able to coy so many books

>>6260161
>Give me these tales of Cay Iseq.

>>6260161

>>Give me this last book, about these knights that meet on Thursdays.

>>6260163
>>6260246

>>6260374
Of course, those who read books tend to live shorter lives than those who learn the art of the sword.

>>6260381
Excellent question. Charles shall ask it.

>>6260494
>>6260774

During all this time where you took the liberty of looking in the books, you hesitated, but finally, you decided to tell.

-Give me this last book, about these knights that meet on Thursdays. And... Please, if you have other books about other subjects I shall be interested in them.

-Of course, of course, look, we have some books about laws and customs, other about history. Less fiction... Maps too.

-How do you have the time to copy all of it ?

-Well, I work hard. Even at night.

Brother Louis looked at him.

-How ?

Then he showed you a magical crystal that glowed when you touched it in a special way. You already had seen it in some places and understood. If you could copy not only in the morning you could work harder, of course. Candlelight could be weak, but this light, it was less demanding on the eyes. Plus he probably had apprentices. It could in part explain his amazing collection of books worthy of a great lord or a small monastery. While you were about to pay, and saw that you could have this for only 200 gold coins, that was not so much in this world. You were approached by two guelphs, a man with long silver hair and a woman with blonde hair, they were dressed in robes that were delicate and a bit too ridiculous but they seemed cheerful. They both had some kind of symbol on the middle of their forehead and the male looked effeminate but all guelphs were. The man told.

-Lord Charles de Villeroi, of Local I suppose ?

-Y... yes indeed, and who are you good people ?

-This is Obviouslie, my collegue and i'm Itsatrap, we serve in the palace.

You saluted them politely, understanding that they must be moderately important servants of the Royal Palace and introduced Brother Louis.

-Brother Louis is a member of the Templar Order, we travel together.

-Is he your only escort ?

-No, no, my other men are buying things in the market.

Brother Louis, always curious, asked Itsatrap.

-Itsratrap ? Are you a Persian ? I heard about satraps there...

-I unfortunately do not know what it means sir knight, but I wanted to present my apologies to Lord Charles, you see we were waiting you at the gates of the city. We heard about your arrival... But unfortunately you have changed your emblem, compared to the old coat of arms of Lord Random of Local, and we could not understand that it was you.

You nodded.

-Oh yes, I did a parti, this is my family's coat of arms back in France, while I kept lord Random's Griffin, to honor this Indian side of our bloodline.

>>6260924

You had suppressed the part of the coat of arms that you had that indicated that you were a third son. You absolutely did not want someone to ask why your big brothers were not inheriting in your lordship. Hey, if God transported you to India and not them there was a reason. But what this sympathetic officer of the queen ignored could not do any prejudice to the realm, plus you had unmasked a traitor and helped the fall of a corrupt chancellor so you probably would be rewarded. Obviouslie and Itsatrap looked at eachother and Itsatrap, who, you supposed, was the higher ranked, told you.

-Oh... I understand. May I suggest you to accompany me to the College of Heraldry so we can correct this mistake in the realm's Roll of Arms before accompanying you to your quarter's at the palace.

-Of course, of course...

You told. Throwing some money to Flammarion and giving the book to Brother Louis, you ordered it.

-Brother Louis, please, try to find all my men, if we are going to the palace.

Itsatrap suggested.

-Yes, Obviouslie could help you and then lead them to the palace. We have readied some accomodations for your party.

-Thank you very much.

You nodded, it was good, you will deal with these administrative, but necessary duties, while your men will await you before the Queen's palace. And very quickly you came. When you wanted to take your horse Itsratrap, who was, as you saw outside, accompanied by two guelph or half-guelph as they said here in armor similar to those of the royal guard told you.

-Oh, your lordship, walking will be simpler in the streets, your horse can be lead to the royal stables.

You nodded, sometimes walking could not be dishonourable, even King Philippe the Fair walked on foot in the parisian markets when he wanted to buy something. It was more practical than going on horse. With still your sword by your side, and two armed men with you, or more exactly an armed man and an armed woman, as per the strange Indian customs where women were allowed to dress like men and carry weapons, besides you you were sure to be safe. And this Itsatrap, he seemed to be a sympathetic fellow. You walked through the busy streets of the quarter, seeing all kinds of people, noblemen, merchants, humble craftsmen and even peasant coming to sell their wares in town. While you walked you decided to talk to Itsatrap in polite conversation.

-I must say that the beauty of this city is legendary, and all this Italian architecture... I never saw the Italian city states myself but I suppose that it is as beautiful as this. Godefroi, the knight that I squired for, and Brother Louis, who is a well travelled man, and even my father fought there and have much to say about this sunny land.

>>6260926

He seemed to be at a bit of loss, looking at his guardsmen who raised their shoulders.

-I... Suppose so... That this Italy must be beautiful. But I can assure you that it followed the Elvish plans, and old bifurian customs, there is deposits of white stone nearby.

-A beautiful stone helps beautify castles. The excellent stone of Isle de France helped build the palace of the City and render this region marvelous. But yes... Guelphs and Ghibellines... I have heard that there was some difference in their architecture.

The servant, or minor councilor in the palace, seemed to be almost shocked by such words.

-Yes... Elves and Goblins build differently..

-Yes... Brother Louis told me that it is something about the crenelations on fortifications. The Ghibellines build them swallow-tailed I think... It is a strange idea, though I would love to look at it.

He answered coldly.

-There is more differences than crenellations.

-Oh... Really ?

You asked, curious, while seeing that you were turning in a quite dark alley, even if the buildings were made from white stone. Around you you heard the noise of the city. You saw a beggar on the street and if he was chased by one of the guardsmen you had to ask.

-Is it normal that we pass by this sinister side of the town.

He said jokingly.

-It is more goblin like... But it is a shortcut, there is always many chariots on busy streets.

You nodded, continuing to walk through alleys, and saw suspicious cloaked individuals. And other kind of markets were goods of dubious provenance were exchanged. You saw some prostitutes too, not very beautiful in your opinion, Paris was better in this aspect. But you understood that you were in the poor quarter, even if it was strange that members of the royal government would choose to show you this aspect of the city.

>Please good sirs roll an Intrigue roll

(1d100 I shall take the average of the first 3 rolls)

/Roll 1d100

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>6260928

Around Guelphs, watch yourselves

/roll 1d100

>>6260957
In the options field, type "dice+xdxxxxx"

Ex, dice+1d100

It is case sensitive, lower case d.

>>6260961 thanks

dice+1d100

“dice+1d100”

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>6260928

Rolled 26 (1d100)

…

>>6260928
I think these guys know what they are doing
>>6260970
Thank god it wasn’t a crit

>>6260936
Thank you for your help to our yellow friend, I have, like him, often problem with all these technical machines, he should hire an engineer from Bologna.

>>6260970

Ouch, a critical failure... Since the situation is already dyre, no witty one liner for you...

>>6260971

>>6261192

You thought that perhaps it was truly a shortcut and shrugged. While you were walking in an alley with several cloaked people in it you asked your guide.

-Who is the architect that built the palace ?

-He is Niemeriel, a renowned master.

-I saw it only from afar and it looked majestic.

-Oh, it will looks even better when you are nearby, but unfortunately you will not be able to enjoy this.

You answered him, quite worried

-W... What ?!?

Itsatrap then told you.

-Because you will die now.

You were more than flaggerbasted. Shocked, absolutely unable to concentrate. You tried to tell.

-W... Why ?

And Itsatrap simply smiled and told.

-Because of this.

And after a word in a tongue that you did not knew flames erupted from his hand to hit you. They looked like the flames of Lord Hostil when you fought him in a duel and soon you had to close your eyes and recoil. But as against lord Hostil, God's will protected you against evil and the vile magics of the servants of satan. You did the sign of the cross and unsheathed your sword while the two guards of Itsatrap unsheathed theirs. You remarked that several cloaked men joined them, there were six of them ! An ambush ! You tried to look at exits but there was a wall behind you. You would have to enter a house. Itsatrap continued.

-Invulnerable to magic. Like in the legends... Impressive. But enough. Kill him with swords then.

The legends, of course ! You remembered Praetzel, the beautiful Guelph merchant's daughter who was well travelled and told you, a long time ago, that revealing that magic has no hold on you, as a pious man, could lead you to danger. That the Mage's Guild and some other magical and heretical burghers killed everyone who was immune against their vile tricks. By Saint Denis, this was it ! You thought to take Itsatrap hostage but he hid behind his armed soldiers. You looked at your attackers. Guelph, or half-guelphs, they were quick, two of them were in armor, you had your chainmail but not your helmet. You feared less those that had no armor but one against six, and seeing how they held their swords they knew what they were doing, you understood that your chances were slim.

>>6261307

You prepared to sell your life dearly. Thinking about Rose and of your home, not Local, but Villeroi back in France, of your Lord father and of your mother and even your sweet little sister. You spared a thought for Oldfossil your councilor who helped you so much and for saint Michel, the archangel leading God's armies. Perhaps you will see him soon if you meet in paradise. You prepared to deflect your assaults, your opponents took their time. Around these dark alleys you could hear the muffled sounds of the city. But a part of you wanted to flee, even templars could refuse a battle of more than three against one, and it was dishonourable to end up gutted in an alley by treachery instead of falling in battle. Yes, perhaps fleeing and avenging yourself later would be the wisest course of action. You looked around you, you had a wall behind you and attackers before you. Those without armor probably would run faster than you in open streets but if you could enter a house, then throw something in a narrow corridor you could handicap them, stop them from gathering speed, or force them into a chokepoint where you could face one at a time. Two such entranced existed. One on your right, where the door to a house was closed, if it was locked you would probably be unable to break through it and would die, and one several meters to your left, near an old provisions chariot full of half rotten apples. It was lightly opened, but a cloaked attacker stood nearby and you would have to deflect his attacks and push him back quickly before running there.

>Fight (combat roll)
>Try to flee through the closed door to the right (combat roll)
>Try to flee through the slightly open door to the left (combat roll)
>Other (write in)

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>6261310
>Try to flee through the closed door to the right (combat roll)
Will this be the end of our Charles?

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>6261310
>>Try to flee through the slightly open door to the left (combat roll)

The assassin will perhaps not expect us to go on the offensive.

This Guelphish treachery shall not soon be forgotten.

Rolled 26 (1d100)

>>6261310
>Try to flee through the slightly open door to the left (combat roll)

>>6261310
>Try to flee through the slightly open door to the left (combat roll)
If these men (and woman) are truly agents of the queen, perhaos ee'll be starting our revolutionary arc sooner than expected.

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>6261391
*perhaps we'll
Droped my roll, too. Mobile posting, it is a horrid thing!

>>6261311

It was very close, as you see, the left door was the better choice, I put a bonus of +10 on it (you had chainmail you could tank), the right door would have been Combat -10 and staying and fighting Combat -20. And with a 67, a 26 and a 93 you have 62. Exactly 62. While your combat capability is 52, so with the +10 it passes.

>>6261315
Always beware of Guelphs and Ghibellines.

>>6261369

>>6261391
A revolution ? You mean a restablishment of the right and proper customs of our just and fair feudal society, the customs willed by God himself and your frankish ancestors (I never believed in all these new laws apparently founded in the Codex Iustinianus by the king's legists, they always diminish the landowner's rightful privileges).

>>6261440


By the way for your stats :
Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 5
XP : 845 xp (next level at 1000)

Stats

Combat : 52%
Intrigue : 30%
Rulership: 36%

Piety : 96
Mudcore : 63

With 63 Mudcore you have a strong field of gritty realism around you (150 meters), in this field heavy magic and supernatural abilities will not work, women will lose 4 pounds of strength and the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. You have chosen Blood of Mud so your mudcore field will be weaker than in the other options could be transmitted to your children. Magic, even restorative, will become considerably weaker near you. Weak practitionners of magic (less than rank 5) are unable to cast in your mudcore field.
Next level at 70.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander
-Foreign Etiquette
->Basic Literacy

Traits :
Leader

>>6261666

You decided to flee through the left door, the one slightly open, because being killed while trying to reach it was less humiliating than dying before a closed door. So you ran, you ran with a great deal of fanaticism, and hit with a great slashing movement to make the man before you recoil, but he was quicker, with the remarkable agility of a guelph, as you saw your brave guardsman Gardasil do before his tragic demise, and the ability in the blade of a professional sellsword, the man pivoted and was out of your reach. You had no time to lose you rushed at the door and tried to open it with your shoulder but before you could do this you felt pain in your left shoulder, the bastard hit you with his weapon from the back, a slashing blow. Not very useful on your chainmail but his weapon slided through the length of your arm and cut a part of the flesh on the top of your hand. You were bleeding. Damn it, you thought about your death, Italian murderers always had poison on their blade, it was an effeminate weapon for cowardly people but it could kill you anyway. Still, no time to think, you pushed the door open and almost stumbled inside, and turned back just in time to parry a thrust that would have opened your exposed head.

You were in a kind of peasant's dwelling and when a first not armoured man tried to follow you, encouraged by Itsatrap who was screaming to kill you you almost killed him, without his agility in a narrow corridor, and without the help in numbers you thought that you could hold them back there. It was at this moment that Itsatrap cried.

-The windows ! The windows on the first floor ! Get him through it.

You heard one of them jump and you cursed the agility of the pointy eared bastards and the far too big windows in Bifurian architecture that were helping murderers. One new crime of allowing the commoners to have enough money to live in houses with large windows. You decided to do a fighting retreat and when you saw the inhabitant of this house, a small cagot who was asking "What is it" you caught him by the hair and even with your wounded arm, managed to throw him, protesting, on your pursuer. You then ran, breaking the large window that led to a small courtyard. You probably had a light cut on your cheek from broken glass but you had no time to think, you began to run towards another open door, pushing aside a fat woman rather unchivalrically. You managed to mutter a "sorry" in time still, French gallantry was not completely forgotten. You had time to see another man jumping through the window of the first floor and shrugging the fall. You ran through another house, putting a table down, just in case and making some children scream when they saw you enter, sword in hand, while you ran through their home.

>>6261668

Finally you managed to go outside, in a rather busy street, you saw the armor of some guardsmen to the left. You began to run towards them, even if they were quite shocked to see you like this, wounded multiple times, pushing peasants aside. You still had time to tell them.

-Good men, I have been attacked ! Murderers, they are...

At this moment you saw the two persons in royal guard's armor who guarded Itsatrap come with him in the street, the woman screamed.

-He is a murderer, stop him !

A simple look at the eyes of the guelph guard made it clear that he was more inclined to believe his uniformed colleague than a frankish nobleman. Perhaps because you were wounded, had a sword in hand, and a mad expression. But whatever, you decided to push the guard on the chest. He almost fell on his comrade and you continued to run. Only after this you thought that you could surrender to them, but now it was too late, they seemed to want blood especially when you heard on the street a man telling.

-A wanted murderer ? Is there a price on his head ? Get him Kitkat..

You had only the time to run several meters more before you saw a blurr of movement, a cat man with a baton was jumping at you.

You pivoted and disembowelled him, it was clean, but you had just commited murder on the street, even if it was against an armed vagrant, at least the people ran away from you, so you could run, but the problem was that guelphs ran faster than you so you kicked a merchant's small cart full of fruit behind you, making the man behind it scream, and took a small passage between two houses. Here even if you had a bloody sword nobody saw you and people screamed about wares so you managed to sneak through the crowd. You saw your murderers pursuing you, not trying to scream, they did not want you arrested but dead. Still, you needed to take another street, you walked under a bridge and ran in another street, less busy, you saw that nobody was watching you. And you decided to run into a building, the first that you saw, a tavern. It was always full of people, you could hide, and even if not, you could ask someone to hide you, you had gold on you.

When you entered this establishment, who seemed to be quite clean and luxurious, you saw that there was only one patron, almost sleeping on a table before two empty carafes of wine. His long blonde hair and pointy ears showed him as a guelph. The owner behind the counter was a guelph too with braided chestnut hair. Seeing you with a bloody sword he raised his hands and told.

-Y.. I have nothing... p...please...

-People are trying to murder me, damn it ! I have gold. I need to hide !

Seeing your honesty he nodded.

-Of... of course sir knight... Y... your hand is bleeding...

-Yes of course... Do you have something...

-I shall... I shall ask my wife... Take it in the meantime...

He told, trying to give you a napron as an improvised bandage. He told you.

-You could perhaps go up the stairs in one of the rooms.

>>6261669

You nodded.

-Good... Good...

And began to tie it while you mounted, but right when you were on the first step you saw the door being kicked. One of the cloaked men, a half guelph now that you had the time to see it, kicked the door open and screamed.

-He is here !

You tried to get to the stairs but he attacked you, you parried and had to recoil an instant a fake guardsman, in armor, was coming, and a cloaked murderer, who revealed to be a woman too. Damn it ! They were all there, they begin to pour in, you managed to parry the attacks of two of them but without any occasion to riposte. They were in half a circle, blocking all retreat from this room. The owner of the tavern was hiding, while Itsatrap, who looked furious of having to run, told you.

-Now now now, lord de Villeroi. You put up a brave resistance, but it ends here.

You told him, looking around you and seeing no way to escape.

-Damned pagans ! Passavant li meillor ! May the bravest of you come first !

You looked at those around you, their faces were steely, they clearly knew what they were doing, and you were now probably living the last moments of your life, you tried to concentrate, praying to take at least one or two of them to hell while the angels of the Lord would accompany you when you heard a thick voice with the typical hesitation of a drunk man.

-By all the heavens... What is happening here ? Why have you... Hic... Drawn steel ?

Itsatrap turned around and just as him you saw the drunkard rise, he was well dressed, as a nobleman, and wore a sword at his side. Definitely a nobleman. You thought about using this distraction to flee but unfortunately you remarked that most of the killers remained focused on you. They were well drilled. Itsatrap answered.

-This man is dangerous your highness, let us deal with him.

-Nonsense ! Hic ! You twelve... Against these two... Hic... Ah, no, six against one... I see too much... Plus you...

He walked towards you, some tried to push him but Itsatrap made a sign to stop. The guelph nobleman, with a red nose because of his drinking but quite sharp features, told you.

-I do not know who you are, good sir, but when a lone man stands against many honor calls to help him !

Your eyes opened and your head bowed in gratitude and admiration, what magnificence, what panache ! This man acted like a frenchman ! Glory to him... Still, unfortunately, if he unsheathed his blade, he remained a drunkard and you will probably die with him. You told him.

-Monseigneur, I do not know who you are but I admire your sense of Chivalry, I would not want still to have you end your life with mine in an unequal fight. Simply tell my lady, Rose Takable, that I love her and died fighting with her name on my lips.

The man seemed taken aback, and drew his sword, pointing it, a bit clumsily, at the devious rogues, who seemed to hesitate about what to do.

-Unequal ? Hah ! Unequal for them if I am here ! Draw steel you blackguards...

>>6261670

Then Itsatrap sighed and spoke latin, or something like this, and you saw some golden light go out of his hand, a light countaining small particles as if they were strands of golden sand. He explained his thugs.

-Better not to murder third parties.

But when struck by this, the drunk Guelph remained stoic, he then looked scandalized with his eyes open and big like some eggs on a plate.

-You... Hic... You devious knave ! Pulling spells in a swordfight ! Die already !

And like that he charged. The room erupted into chaos. You decided to attack one of the cloaked men, exchanging passes, he tried to close the distance and use your wounded free hand against you, attacking with a dagger on his other hand but you feinted on the left, making him push to the right, near the wall and attacking. He parried at the last moment but you headbutted him, probably broke his nose and then hit again in a great slashing motion that cut him in the shoulder, and until his heart. You turned around, waiting to parry another blow but what you saw astonished you. The drunk nobleman was not letting anyone near you. More impressive, he was killing them.

>>6261672

Itsatrap and the cloaked woman were already lying dead on the ground, one without his head, the other with a pierced chest. The rest were circling him, two fully armored and one lightly equiped. They were not bad but this one. Even if he seemed a bit drunk, he moved in a way that you never had seen before. You were not a bad knight, you would say that you were above average, but you had the humility to tell that you were not one of the greatest warriors of the realm. You saw many of them in battle or tournament, but even them, even great masters of the sword that you saw, one of them travelling from the Holy German Empire, were like children before this one. There was not a wasted move, not something that he anticipated, he moved fast, with purporse and in a deadly way. This drunkard in a green doublet was fighting with a mastery that left you speechless. It was almost like seeing Roland at Ronceveaux, or perhaps sir Lancelot. He attacked and feinted towards the armored woman, when she tried to dodge you almost fought that he left an opening for the cloaked man but it was a trap, the golden pommeled sword of this guelph gentleman cut off his hand, then his throat in a second stroke, he moved at the same moment to dodge by a very small interval, the attack of the last armoured murderer. He let him then overextend with a thrust and with a simple flick of his sword redirected it while his own sword struck into the murderer's barbute's visor. Going for the visor, for the head of an armoured person, even in a barbute, was very hard but he did this as if he practised the gesture. Just at this moment he saw the feint of his last living opponent and dodged under it, striking under her armpit right where her metal armor would not protect, he pierced her heart quickly and in a very short moment the last three attackers were dead.
You were always a great enjoyer of martial prowess, since you were a kid you watched tournament and since you were a squire and saw real battles you loved war because of that, you trained every day and you enjoyed as much the thrill of the action as to see it from the side and try to understand how each duellist fought. But this, this left you speechless, it was something that you never saw. A marvel of India beyond your imagination. So when the man stumbled towards a chair sat and told you.

-Count Servmiabarel of Mytab, I would have preferred to meet... hic... under better circumstances...

And then he added, screaming at the innkeeper.

-And pour me more wine damn it ! I am dying of thirst !

Your only answer could be.

>Uh !
>Duh ?
>W.. What ?
>How ?
>Blink your eyes and look at the scene again

>>6261673
>>Blink your eyes and look at the scene again

It appears the guelphs should have watched themselves

>>6261673
>Sit down for a drink, talk.

Truly, my critical failure was a blessing in disguise! For had I not rolled the devil's dice, we would not have met this noble warrior.

>>6261666
Oh damn, we really gotta get more bonuses for ourselves
>>6261727
Support
To think we would meet a paragon of virtue in this world, amazing! More importantly such blatant intrigue in the open has made it clear that the pagan Guelphs must be destroyed and a rightful catholic placed on the throne

>>6261673
>>Sit down for a drink, talk.

>>6261673
>Say to a prayer of thanks, to the Lord, for sending us this great and virtuous man in our time of need.
>The sit down and talk, over wine.

>>6261706
Thank you good sir, I have not made "write in" and you were the only one to choose. I did it for fun, and because it represented Charle's surprise.

>>6261727
God works in mysterious ways.

>>6261775
Yes generally good choices give bonuses. Then the stats slowly go up with experience. And about paganism, it is always good to fight against it, like Charlemagne when he burned the Irminsul, and like those who fought the moors and saracens during the crusades, everybody knows that these knaves pray to pagan idols.

>>6261932

>>6262037

You blinked your eyes and looked at the scene, silent, the bodies, the man who was asking for more wine, it felt surreal. You had seen battles and skirmishes but this. Was this... What your men called... About surreal "adventurer abilities" these peasant's tales ? Or was it like witnessing Roland. You were snapped from your thoughts when you heard.

-Would you share a flacon... Hic.. with me good sir. It is elven vintage from Dontaskthepris.

-Hum... Yes your excellency... I am Lord Charles.. Charles de Villeroi, lord of Local.

The Guelph nodded and while he gestured to the owner of the place to evacuate the dead bodies he began to pour you and himself two cups and soon they clinked together. You downed the fine vintage, it was excellent you had to admit. But still, finding a count, someone on the level of Count Careless, alone in a tavern, apparently drinking until sleep. It was strange. You decided to first thank him.

-Thank you, your excellency, for your help. I fear that I would not have been able to kill these alone. I do not know why but they seem to have been hired to murder me by some rascal, and two were dressed like guards.

He shook his head with too much enthusiasm because of the alcohol.

-Treachery, plots... And do not thank me, I acted as any knight would.

-Not all of them with such success your excellency.

He then laughed, a generous laugh before telling.

-Aye. But not everyone has been on the path... Hic... On the path of the blademaster for several millennia. Well, at least, before...

You were impressed, several millennia ? This man practised the blade, where he was gifted for, for several millennia. It explained why even being drunk he was able to slaughter these knaves as easily as children. You dared to ask him.

-Millenia ? You... I am sorry, it is hard with Guelphs but how many times are you...

-I still train.. But since my birth... Hic... I had to be a blademaster like my father before me and his father. It is... Hic... The tradition of our house, the house of Macilii that we all master the blade. We are... hic... an old High Elven house, old as this world. And for the 4879 years of my life I have been practising. Aye. No magic trics, no strange adventurer abilities to enter in transe and help the world. Sheer dedication to mastering a craft. Well, at least it was before...

He showed his wine flagoon. And began to tell.

-Woe, hic... Woe unto me, and all those fated to decline, as the fallen stars fall and hide behind the world. Ô rage, ô infinite pit of darkness..

>>6262052

He pronounced it with such lyrical passion that you did not even remark that he was then talking in his own language and lamenting. Letting you some time to digest the information. So this Count Servmiabarel was swinging a sword since... Since far before Charlemagne, far before Christ... Since the time of Moses and Pharaoh perhaps ? The time of Achilles and others. You had trouble imagining what you would do if you could practise your craft for so long. And survive. He must have known more wars than you could imagine. But now, seeing him lamenting and drinking, and asking for more wine... You wondered why he was drinking. Probably some loss. You heard that Guelphs were more sensitive than most people, according to them. You still raised your cup.

-To our most fortunate encounter.

-Indeed... Hehehe.. indeed my lord.

He said, then he asked.

-And you ? You lack technique of course.. and are young and impetuous, but you fought bravely.

-Oh, I had armor and the other not.

-Yes, yes, but he was an elf... Humans are clumsy generally, even if they can use their brute strength to their advantages. Where are you from... Hic... You have a... Hic... Very funny accent !

You opened your mouth in shock and answered.

-I think that my accent is perfect your excellency, it is your french that is strange.

-My... What is strange ?!? Bwahahahaha !

He laughed and you laughed, him not understanding why, because of the wine and his drunkeness, and you simply because you were of good company. You then explained.

-I come from a land far away, the kingdom of France. Perhaps you have travelled there. It is far in the west.

You vaguely pointed the direction.

-Never heard of it. I suppose it is far beyond the borders of the Empire.

-It is beyond the holy lands, if we look from here.

-Oh, hic... Very... Impressive... And... What brought you in Bifuria ?

You poured yourself, and for him too, another cup.

-Inheritance, I inherited the Local Lordship from a distant relation.

He seemed interested, showing his agreement, and explaining.

-Oh... Indeed... Lands and privileges, how to bring humans somewhere hahaha !

You asked him then.

-From landowner to landowner, your excellency, what do any person desire more ?

He then laughed, just like you, and answered you.

-That it humanity resumed, you my lord, Hic, of good bearing and gallantry, almost an elf, but your mind is like the one of humanity itself hah. Look, seventy years ago, the Queen gave me acres of land, a county, from a poor sod who was beheaded with his family for treachery. So I do not go bankrupt by drinking myself to death..

He then quickly ordered a new flagon of wine, this time a sugary white wine.

-Fifteen thousand peasants, and a bunch of vassals to manage, I leave it to my... Hic... councilors, as long as taxes come...

>>6262053

You were astonished by the admission from this man that he was a drunken wastrel, well, the fact that he was drunk was an evidence but you did not think that it was perpetual. You answered.

-I cannot believe that this is the only reason...

-Oh, I have ancestral lands, but my grandfather rules them, far to the south, since he succeeded my great grandfather, it was before you, some seven thousand years ago. Now I have everything, a mansion in the capital, a castle... Hic... But all of this, all of this feels empty, your lordship... All of this... When you can not anymore find your love there...

You believe that you saw him crying a single tear and you began to understand when he continued.

-In such times, marble walls loose their splendor, verdant fields become dull and you have only the fair curls of your beloved in your mind. All the songs of the birds in the wilderness sound empty without her singing voice to guide them. And the world itself falls to darkness.

He ended it by emptying his cup, and you could tell that he was not in a great state but he seemed to have a tolerance to alcohol built with an experience probably far longer than your life. But you understood him, love, courtly love, could do this to an honest man. Losing your loved one, in your long life, probably could break the heart of a stern warrior. You saw such things in France, Indians, on this part were no different. Such was human nature, despite this man's will to deny it. You answered sympathetically, and poured you both new cups since you had finished yours and you began to be quite happy with this excellent vintage.

-I... Am sorry for your loss, your excellency... Seeing a loved one leaving this world can be harsh. But she will await you in Paradise, near God... And you will spend eternal life together.

He looked at you, as if taken from his drunken stupor.

-God ?!? What God ! She did not leave me for a God ! She left my home ! My wife ! And she left with the kids !

He put his hand on his face and drank more, as if to forget such infamy. And here, to be sincere, you had trouble understanding him. What ? His wife just... Left him ? Has she annuled their marriage ? Before the pope ? No, they were pagans... And he told about simply leaving. As strange at is seemed. So you gave some good advice, it was the minimum that you could do for someone who saved your life.

-You... Did not send riders after them to catch her and bring her back ?

He looked at you, apparently at loss before such a demonstration of common sense.

-We.. We can do that ?

You nodded, and he shook his head.

-No... She would be sad.. And perhaps take it poorly... And it was... Two centuries ago...

-HOW MUCH ?!?

>>6262056

You regretted telling it a bit too loud but the wine had it's effects. You lost the count of cups emptied. But if he was emptying flagons of wine every day it was terrible. Perhaps you would end up like this if you lost Rose... But still, how could his wife just walk like that.. There has to be a reason. You did not know if it would be rude to ask, or change the subject of the conversation.

-Two centuries... Yes... Several decades after I stopped being the master at arms at the Bifurian court.

You decided that you needed more wine to think about it and asked the innkeeper for a new flagon. You then continued your conversation with the topic.

>I am sorry to ask but, your wife... Two hundred years, it seems so surreal, how could she leave you ?
>Master at arms ? You were the master at arms of this kingdom ? Training the king's men and all this ?
>I did not think that I would be helped by a man of such prestige. Do you still have your entries at court your excellency ?
>Have you waged war your excellency ? I have found that many of the local knights do not even know about wars, while I imagine that you see more wars that I have seen years in my life.
>I am sorry to ask you about such mundane matters, but, would you know something about these knaves who tried to murder me. They presented themselves as officers of the realm, and they took the pretext of bringing me to the college of heralrdy to isolate me from my men and murder me.
>You told that you were a knight ? Knighthood seems to be forgotten in these lands.
>You served as master at arms.. You must be close to the royal army, do you know Endoftutoriel of Dobii, he has been recently made Baron of Someplace. He was captain in the royal guard before this I think.
>The vintages here are excellent, I shall remember this tavern.
>You told about not being a master at arms, but... Do you still train every day ?
>Other (write in)

Choose maximum 3 please, some can give bonuses to the intrigue roll.

Roll an intrigue roll too please

PS : I do not have any representation, dear bannermen, of Count Servmiabarel because finding an image of a drunk Guelph is harder than to put a camel through the eye of a needle.
I hesitate to use Ai slop to make it.

>>6262056
>-God ?!? What God ! She did not leave me for a God ! She left my home ! My wife ! And she left with the kids !
In orbit

>>6262058
>I am sorry to ask but, your wife... Two hundred years, it seems so surreal, how could she leave you ?
>I am sorry to ask you about such mundane matters, but, would you know something about these knaves who tried to murder me. They presented themselves as officers of the realm, and they took the pretext of bringing me to the college of heralrdy to isolate me from my men and murder me.
>You told that you were a knight ? Knighthood seems to be forgotten in these lands.
It seems that if we play our cards right, we may be able to go on a quest to bring his wife and kids back to him

>>6262120
Supporting

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>6262058

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>6262058
A wise refrain, my lord. For the work of AI is the devil's work.

>I am sorry to ask but, your wife... Two hundred years, it seems so surreal, how could she leave you ?
>You told that you were a knight ? Knighthood seems to be forgotten in these lands.
>I am sorry to ask you about such mundane matters, but, would you know something about these knaves who tried to murder me. They presented themselves as officers of the realm, and they took the pretext of bringing me to the college of heralrdy to isolate me from my men and murder me.

>>6262367
I am cursed! Where is this luck in other quests!? RNGesus, why?!

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>6262058
>I am sorry to ask but, your wife... Two hundred years, it seems so surreal, how could she leave you ?
>I am sorry to ask you about such mundane matters, but, would you know something about these knaves who tried to murder me. They presented themselves as officers of the realm, and they took the pretext of bringing me to the college of heralrdy to isolate me from my men and murder me.
>You told that you were a knight ? Knighthood seems to be forgotten in these lands.

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>6262058
>I am sorry to ask but, your wife... Two hundred years, it seems so surreal, how could she leave you ?
>I am sorry to ask you about such mundane matters, but, would you know something about these knaves who tried to murder me. They presented themselves as officers of the realm, and they took the pretext of bringing me to the college of heralrdy to isolate me from my men and murder me.
>I did not think that I would be helped by a man of such prestige. Do you still have your entries at court your excellency ?

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>6262120
+1

>>6262120
That is indeed a good and noble goal. If the poor man did not have the wisdom to send riders after her when she left.

>>6262367
>>6262369
I would have believed you good Sir, about AI, but apparently the dice does not believe you. Is it God's will ? Or have you been bewitched because of a lack of prayers ? A new critical failure... And the roll of messire 6262567 being a 93... It is hard. God has not intended to make Charles a diplomat.

>>6262576
>>6262587

>>6262744

You took the decision to take the bull by it's horns as we say and begin with the most sensitive question.

-I am sorry to ask but, your wife... Two hundred years, it seems so surreal, how could she leave you ?

You told him but you sensed that something flicked in his mind perhaps something in his eyes, that passed from woe to suspicion.

-You... You came here to mock me !

-I ? No I never even saw you before your fortunate...

-Lies ! This is all a mummer's farce ! Once more we know who is behind this ! Bestanas ! You work for him ?

-I do not even know who this man is your excellency ! I am not lying !

-Or perhaps ! You simply wanted to mock an old elf ! Damn you !

He said while rising with difficulty, and you were so flaggerbasted by the fact that this sympathetic man began to be so aggressive that you could not stop him when he threw coins at a counter and still cursed his woe. In another language this time, probably the one of the guelphs. And then he tossed a few coins on the counter and left. You tried to tell.

-Your excellency, you have drunk quite a bit, perhaps going back to..

-Out of my way you serpent in a sheep's skin !

And he left as such, not walking straight. You felt bad and looked at the innkeeper, and at his pretty silver haired wife. The two Guelphs saw the distress on your face and the innkeeper told you.

-Heh... He.. may be difficult, his family, can be a touchy subject, and his fall from grace too.

You told them.

-I assure you I do not know anything about all of this, I am not native of this land. And..

The innkeeper's wife fixed her beautiful green eyes at you and answered.

-Do not worry your lordship, you did nothing wrong. Let me see your wound please. You bandaged it but if it is not disinfected I shall clean it, and if it is poisoned we will need to call healers.

You thanked her greatly.

-Thank you very much. Yes..

-You have a cut on your face too.

The inkeeper stayed close too. And told you simply.

-These events are two hundred years old old. I have seen them you know... About the noble Servmiabarel. He is a good man, do not judge him harshly.

His wife nodded, supporting this. You then told.

-I do not doubt it, he acted with chivalry, but understand me, I feel bad when a knight who just saved my life calls me a liar after this. I...

The innkeeper nodded, and, serving you a bit of wine, explained.

-His history is a sad one, he tells it sometimes, and I lived the very last part, but for one and half thousand years he was the master at arms of the King of Bifuria. Even if his family is not from there. You see, I am a wood elf but the light elves like him, they were living in great cities and integrated in society far earlier than us. So having such a blade master, able to best two hundred men, as instructor for the kingsguard, and the royal family, was a question of prestige. Of course as any light elf Servmiabarel is arrogant, but he did many noble deeds too and was well liked.

>>6262746

You then asked.

-And his wife ?

-His wife ? Dilenna, she is a powerful mage. He has two kids, adults and older than me, with her, they knew eachother since childhood. She does important magical research at the Norin Surveillance Array. She always supported him, a woman as beautiful and charming as a flowered garden.

When his wife looked at him and raised an eyebrow the innkeeper answered quickly.

-Of course less beautiful and charming than you my love.

She smiled and her pointy ears got up again, she continued to clean your wounds with wine, explaining that it may sting a little bit. It was not a big deal. But then you understood, marrying a witch would not lead to happiness. No wonder that she left him and their tale was tragic. Still, you wanted to ask.

-And what happened ?

-Bestanas happened. A blademaster from another clan. High elf too, with a rivalry with the one of Servmiabarel, younger than him, but deadlier. He defied him for the post of master at arms, before king Changent III...

You told.

-I suppose that this new man won.

-Yes indeed, how they were duels for the post each year, but it was the first time in one and half thousand years that Servmiabarel lost. It was a sensation at court. And you know high elves, they take the loss poorly, but some can be poor winners too. Bestanas mocked him. Servmiabarel woved revenge. He trained hard. We were all cheering for him.

His wife chuckled.

-It was twenty years before my birth, you were cheering.

-Yes, but the people I mean, he had done plenty of good deeds before, behaved as a knight, fought barbarians and orcs. So we hoped he would win but.. heh.. he lost again... I had bet good coins on him but still. He lost the third time too. And was badly wounded. It was the time when he began to drink. Too much, he became slower, thought he had no chance. His wife helped a first time, three years later he recovered, fought, it was close to a standstill but he lost again. Bestanas then paid people to paint rumours about him, undermine him. And bolstered his reputation by doing some heroic deeds of his own. While Servmiabarel's wife helped him it was hard for her and for the kids, wounds, alcohol, and the image of shattered invincibility. By his fourth loss and with the rest several people began to take the old blademaster as a joke. It was hard for him. He managed to win again, with the help of his wife, his own war against the flagon.. and he took a pilgrimage back on the light elf original lands, to perfect his techniques with some of the eldest masters who had become high elves and were wise. It was only after twenty years and while many humans had forgotten him that he came back in Bifuria.

The only word on your lips was.

-And ?

>>6262748

The innkeeper seemed sorry to tell it, his expression pained, but he explained.

-And he lost again, it was worse than the fourth time. His opponent has progressed too and won. He understood that Bestanas was simply better, more talented. It is not easy for an old warrior, amongst humans, to understand that age undermines you. But for us elves, who are not aging, it is... Harsh. Very harsh to understand that someone else is simply better. Servmiabarel took to the bottle anew, becoming more irritable. His wife who already saved him from it twice, decided to leave. I cannot blame her... His kids followed her. He drowned in regrets.

You wondered.

-Didn't he gather the courage to try again, be the champion of a duke, or perhaps find contentment in war ?

It was the innkeeper's wife, who had finished cleaning the wound on your hand and cleaned the one on your brow that answered you.

-It is hard to work for a duke instead of for a king. Pride cannot allow it. And he was seen as a joke by the time I was an adult.

The innkeeper added.

-Yes, and Bestanas, as I said, was a sore winner. Loved to torment him. Sometimes he would hire false bandits to attack a young woman on Servmiabarel's way, the blademaster will kill them all and then it would turn out that he saved a whore from paid actors and he would be a laughing stock at court. During the last war against the barbarians he arranged for Servmiabarel to command the supply train, have a very dishonourable post. He even paid mummers to write a comedy to mock his rival. Everything to keep him from defying him.

You frowned at this.

-These are not the actions of an honourable man. Especially since he could win honestly.

-Indeed my lord, but he does not want to take chances. And his nature is cruel. Even if he drapes himself in the virtue of a hero. He teaches the blade to the sons of the royal family, at the palace.

You felt bad and asked.

-Still, I would not want to part on bad terms with a man who saved my life.

-He has an estate in the garden district. Ask for the estate of the Count of Mytab, someone will show you my lord.

-Thank you...

You drank a bit of wine, thanked the innkeeper's wife who reassured you about the lack of poison on your wounds but then you hit the table with your hand.

You proclaimed loudly.

-By Saint Denis, my men ! Brother Louis was with one of the accomplices of this scum. I must return to the market district.

You were a bit drunk and saw not very far away and the innkeeper suggested you to call the guard instead. About this attempted murder. Perhaps other assassins lurked in the shadows.

>Call the city guards to find your men
>Try to find your men in the market district
>Try to find your men near the palace
>Other (write in)

>>6262744
Wish we had this luck in other quests but alas
>>6262749
>Try to find your men in the market district
If these are queens men then the city guard will not be very helpful for us.

>>6262749
>>Try to find your men in the market district

>>6262749
>>Try to find your men in the market district

>>6262749
>Try to find your men in the market district
They will wait where we bid them wait, of course.

>>6262938
Your suggestion is wise. We never know. As for luck, pray God to have some.

>>6263111
>>6263509

>>6263829
Of course, of course, if they are not trying to search for you, much time must have passed with you drinking.

After reflecting a bit you you walked, a bit drunk, to the market district, trying to find your men. You needed to get there quickly before the night and you had to cross it many times, losing yourself in the streets, before finding your horse and one of your men who was guarding it. It was Dummy. Seeing you, he absolutely rejoiced.

-My Lord ! I have been sent near the fountain with your horse... Because the rest of the men are searching for you, it has been hours... Our guide has... You are wounded my lord !

-Of course I am wounded ! These vermin tried to murder me ! We have to find all our men... Where are they ?

-Brother Louis is near the palace. Bohémond is searching for you, he even called the city guard.

-By all the saints ! Where is Ancel ?

-He is with Bohémond, searching... But I am sorry my lord... That you would be attacked and some thugs would have taken your purse.

-My purse ? It is where...

You put your hand there and remembered bumping on a man when walking drunk through the district. Impossible to find him with the crowd.

-Damnation ! Rhaaargh... Let us find Brother Louis first, then we will find this culprit.

You mounted on your horse, to avoid thieves and see above the crowd and asked Dummy.

-And tell me, my good lad... The woman with you... Obviouslie... This Guelph woman, where is she ?

She must have been in league with Itsatrap. She had helped gather your men while her colleague was trying to murder you. She sent them far away from your person. If she was still with the rest of your men, reassuring them during all these hours while knowing that you were a corpse, you could catch her and interrogate her.

-She disappeared into the palace my lord. To seek some guard's help.

The palace ! So it was people from the palace that tried to murder you ! Guelphs ! Mages ! Pagans ! Jews ! Lombards ! Flemish burghers ! You did not knew who it was but you knew that something was rotten in this realm and the fact that they tried to kill you was terrifying. If you were attacked by true royal troops then the queen wanted you dead and going to the palace might not be an excellent idea.

Before you could think about it, you heard a voice in the crowd and recognised the kettle helm of one of your men, Fed, in the middle of two royal guardsmen, guelphs in fancy armor. He was screaming.

-My lord ! My lord !

You made Dummy sign to approach and soon your recognized Fed. He bowed and told.

-My Lord, you are alive ! Thank the gods... We were worried, not seeing you coming.

One of the guelphs asked.

-You seem to be wounded... What is it ?

>>6264639

Here, this was a strange moment, you were not sure if telling the truth was worth it. That some man claiming to work at the palace and disguised royal guardsmen, just like these two, tried to kill you. You could lie too. But if you lied to the guardsmen and they reported your lies to their superiors you will lose credibility at court. Ah, it was these intrigue choices that a nobleman from the countryside like you should not have to make. Damn the Guelphs and all those who live beyond the Alps !

>Tell the truth about the attack
>Lie and try to spin a story (intrigue roll, written ideas suggested)
>"I need to talk to your superior about this. It is of utmost importance."
>Other (write in)

====

PS : By the way sorry for the short update, last exam to be admitted to write a thesis is in two days, I have been a bit busy, normally I shall write far more after the 26th.

>>6264640
>"I need to talk to your superior about this. It is of utmost importance."

>>6264640
>>"I need to talk to your superior about this. It is of utmost importance."

>>6264640
>"I need to talk to your superior about this. It is of utmost importance."
It could be a shady councilor and jot the queen herself. Let us see...

>>6264640
>"I need to talk to your superior about this. It is of utmost importance."
Hopefully we can report to a human and not a gu*lph,

>>6264640
>>"I need to talk to your superior about this. It is of utmost importance."

>>6264773
Sadly, India has few if any Frenchmen. An Italian may have to suffice. At least dome of those whom we have met have been honorable folk.

>>6264675
>>6264691

>>6264709
We can never know for sure, there is so much ennemies in the shadows.

>>6264773
A human ? Are guelphs not human ? They have funny ears yes, but jews have funny noses and Engl*shmen have funny teeth, and they are human too, even if the later are only barely human. You ever saw ethiopians, all black of skin with only very white teeth, born this way because in their land the sun never shines. Let us not talk about saracens, or un-hoofed mongols. No, they are all human, after all they have a soul.

>>6265158

You took the decision to tell the man before you, in your most authoritative voice.

-I need to talk to your superior about this. It is of utmost importance.

The soldier looked a bit dumbfounded but he nodded and quickly told.

-Captain Thalamor is at our barracks near the palace... But we searched for you..

You told him.

-Lead me to this captain. Let one of your men remain with Fed to call find the rest of my men and bring them here.

The Guelph nodded and you were soon ready and began to travel towards the barracks. It was already late afternoon when you entered the white stone building who looked frail and elegant but had fortified crenellations on top. Inside, in a place decorated with white wood who smelled far better than any guardpost that you visited in your long life (you were already 27 years old !) you saw a tired Guelph who was barking orders at two of his men to throw someone in the cells, probably a petty thief. The guelph soldiers began to explain while presenting you.

-Captain Thalamor, it is Charles de Villeroi, Lord of Local. The lord who we were searching...

This captain looked at you with his silver eyes. He had dark hair and a martial face and the pointy ears typical of the guelphs who were protruding from his specially crafted helmet. Seeing you wounded he told.

-My Lord, I suppose that you were attacked.

He was straight to the point, good, you nodded lightly to salute him and decided to.

>Tell only the truth.
>Omit the fact that you were brought here by people disguised as guards who attacked you.
>Omit the fact that people disguised as councillors attacked you.
>Omit the fact that you killed a cat man who tried to stop you in your flight from the false guards.
>Ask him if he saw someone called Obviouslie.
>Other (write in)

>>6265171

Very well said good sir, very well said. There are some few good knights beyond the Alps, after all Charlemagne, has he not married a Lombard princess too ?

PS : I finally finished my exams, I shall be able to update more and post longer updates from now on.

>>6265706
>>Ask him if he saw someone called Obviouslie.

>>6265706
Let us begin by determining if the man we wpooe to was even one of the queen's own.

>Ask him if he saw someone called Obviouslie.

>>6265706
>>Ask him if he saw someone called Obviouslie.

>>6265725

>>6265782
Of course, it is our priority.

>>6265871

You decided to be prudent, you did not trust the Captain and remembered how each time the French came to Italy they were betrayed. Your tentative of murder, by Guelphs, reminded you of your youth, 1282... It was 17 years ago, you were a child still, and the actions that were done this year were the cause of your first military campaign in the name of God, the Aragon Crusade. Effectively, in 1282, Guelphs ruled southern Italy, they supported the pope against the pro imperial Ghibellines, and their leader was Charles d'Anjou, King of Sicily, the one who fought against the young Conradin, whose reincarnated spirit you saw in this strange little german, Schamann he was called, heh, you remembered his escape from your castle, and wondered where he was since he was not found. Perhaps he found other small green germans, or even germans of an average size and not decoloured from an overconsumption of vegetables. Whatever, let us remain in 1282, Sicily had been prosperous because of Angevin rule, and Charles d'Anjou worked hard to bring civilisation, it means high taxes and french noblemen, in place. He even displaced the capital to the beautiful city of Naples instead of Palermo, the ancient capital of this wretched island. And what happened, supported by local noblemen and merchants, jealous of the French, and ghibelline partisans, with Aragonese gold (these wretched Aragonese already controlled several islands on the Mediterranean and their king was married to Constance of Sicily, daughter of the previous king of Sicily, Manfred, an Imperial, and a member of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, they plotted a revolt. Following a signal (after, according to rumors, a french soldier touched the corset of a local noblewoman to see if she was hiding weapons, because they were forbidden in Palermo) groups of agitators began to attack the French troops, just when they were a small garrison because the main fleet left to fight the Saracens in Northern Africa, following the will of the Pope. They killed everyone, the few soldiers in Palermo but the wives and children of the French too, and their Amalfitan allies who were so good for counting money and doing these mundane tasks that Italian merchants do so well. It was a bloodbath, more than 2000 people murdered in a day. And soon after Aragonese armies were pouring in the island. Of course the Spaniards could not expect to beat the Frenchmen on land so they were stopped in Southern Italy and Naples remained under Angevin control but the island of Sicily was lost. All because of the local's treachery.

>>6266486

Even the pope was shocked, and seeing the Hohenstaufen taking back lands in Southern Italy, excommunicated king Peter III of Aragon, who organised it all, and gave his throne to the brave Charles de Valois, at this time second son of King Philippe III the Brave of France. It was how, 2 years later, in 1284, you crossed the Pyrenées with the Royal Host, following Godefroi and your father as a squire and got your first taste of war. A most pleasant activity that you would do more if you had the occasion.
Of course some might say that this captain Thalamor, with his pointy ears, was a Guelph, and so was as much a victim of 1282 as yourself, but the Guelphs used of the same treacherous stratagems in their day to day lives. It is simply how they lived. Guelphs and Ghibellines are the same people, separated by politics. Of course some would say that all the Italians are different, and you could agree, a Lombard was not a Sicilian, but you could not make the difference between them yourselves so Tuscans, Amalfitans, Lombards or Sicilians, Guelphs, Ghibellines, it was different kinds of treacherous people, that was the most important. Ah, yes, the only thing that you had to know was that an Italian banker was a Lombard, even if he insisted that he was from Sienna or another place, it was a Lombard, only Lombard dishonoured themselves with usury while remaining Christians.

So you decided to remember history and tell a question to this Captain Thalamor.

-Indeed, and I would want to know if you know a woman called Obviouslie ?

-It is a quite rare Elven name. Was it the name of the one who attacked you ?

-No, no... Simply she was with my men and..

Your soldier, Dummy, who was near you told.

-She left to go to the palace to call for soldiers, but I suspect her of treachery...

Captain Thalamor seemed to be distressed by this, he told.

-I do not know of an Obviouslie working at the palace. It is most disturbing... What was she like.

-Blonde with blue eyes, high cheekbones, pointed ears...

-Mmmh, it does not help us.. And what did she do, why going to the palace.

You added, before Dummy ruined your master plan more.

-Because I had disappeared, to ask for the guard's help to find me.

The captain frowned and was a bit appalled by it. He explained.

-The woman who came to ask for troops to search for you was a brunette half elf, and I knew her. But she acted odd... Legronas, go ask if Thaifeillia is here and tell her that we have found the man. She was the one who called us...

As his guardsman left the place the captain seemed to be in an intense moment of thought. He added.

-She seemed to act strangely enough... What you are saying is very strange... Normally entrance to the palace is restricted. And I know that my men would not have let an Obviouslie enter. I suspect an illusionist mage... Of course we have wards against this but only in the inner palace.The budget is stretched unfortunately.

>>6266488

You did not understand everything but you understood that this man was not an enemy, he seemed as puzzled by you and so you told him everything, about this Itsatrap, he did not knew any Itsatrap working for the palace, you told about the Inn where you managed to flee and how men disguised as guardsmen tried to murder you in a back alley and you were saved. The man believed you and immediately sent several guards there, to collect the bodies and try to find proofs. He told you sincerely.

-What you say is an absolute catastrophe, murder of Her Majesty's guests ! Right here ! In the capital, under our noses... With illusion magic. You did not bring a court mage against such treachery ? They can detect illusions...

-A court mage ? No... I have no such man.

He shook is head, as if not having a satan worshiping wizard in your court was a mistake ! Heh ! He was sympathetic but still a pagan. You did the sign of the cross, just in case. It probably protected against illusions. The captain then saw that his guardsman was back, he was reporting.

-I saw Thaifellia and she did not knew who "the man" was and who we researched... nevertheless I saw her asking us for reinforcements to find a Lord from the county of Pleasantville...

His captain cut him.

-We were betrayed all along, illusionist mages.

It was your time to intervene.

-Wait, they can... Really change their faces ?

-Yes, yes and their size too.. Damn it... We have shapeshifting assassins in the city now... Well at least only one after what Servmiabarel did. A shame that he is a drunkard. I must assemble all your men, and make them pass under wards, they could have a second plan, having masqueraded as one of yours after having killed him.

-They can... Do this ?

-Yes they can !

-Then we shall do this. But tell me, who do you think is responsible for this ?

-I was asking you the same thing, perhaps some partisans of the old Chancellor, you have been called at court, if I remember well, because you brought proofs of his nephew's dabbling in slave trading. Chancellor Vile Wickedson had several followers, especially among humans. Not all of them have your loyalty to the realm...

>>6266489

Hah, again this story about humans... To be sincere the new baron openly tried to replace the old families, he was perhaps cleaner than Crook Wickedson as a liege lord, and less cruel, but you disliked him nevertheless. He had tried to humiliate you, perhaps he wanted you gone. You had other candidates to your murder too, the Magical Burghers, after you killed some of them when they imprisoned you by treachery in Pleasantville, perhaps they learned that God protected you against magic and feared you. There were the armed vagrants of the Adventurer's Guild, you supposed that after executing enough of them they decided to avenge themselves. Then there was B'beg the Terrible, you remembered how one of his servants tried to menace you. This Abovyurlevel. Oh and of course those that disliked you by principle, after the death of Baron Crook, his loyal partisans : Lord Creepy Bitchson of Darkplace, who in plus of being automatically treacherous because he was not born, but made, a nobleman even had a school where he formed assassins, apparently for the crown and the Empire ; and Lord Salty Rival, who hated you by principle. Since this Creepy Bitchson was now loyal to the new baron, Endoftutoriel, you supposed that he could have acted alone or on his orders.
Thinking about it a quite great quantity of people wanted to murder you. You wondered if it was because you were prone to conflict of insufferable as Lady Sue told, no, she was the insufferable one, everybody agreed about this, and you refused to take into account the opinion of a woman dressing in manly clothes. You remembered the treacheries of Sicilians, Englishmen, and many others... Perhaps the world was united against Frenchmen ? Well, they were simply jealous, they lived in dull lands with bad wine, fat merchants and ugly women. Just like the locals are acting weirdly and violently against your decisions because they are pagans who do not know about the Lord. Sometimes having many enemies means having much honor.

>>6266491

But on second thought some of the suspects could be unwise to mention, your baron served in the Royal Guard before, just like this captain and accusing former comrades would be unwise. Other could be powerful forces in the realm, but kneeling to commoners, even if powerful, would be dishonorable and a perversion of the feudal order who put you on top and them on the bottom, by birth.

>I have had encounters with the forces of B'beg the Terrible this enemy of the realm.
>The magical burghers are behind it all ! The Mage's Guild ! They tried to imprison me already in Pleasantville ! They plot against the good land owning nobility of the land !
>The armed vagrants of the Adventurer's Guild have reacted poorly to my decisions against them keeping order in my lands instead of my men. Some are assassins.
>I have enemies in my lordship, loyalists of the old baron, baron Crook Wickedson who was the nephew of chancellor Vile Wickedson. Lord Creepy Bitchson of Darkplace has an assassin's school, I suspect him.
>I have enemies in my lordship, loyalists of the old baron, baron Crook Wickedson who was the nephew of chancellor Vile Wickedson. Lord Salty Rival is an enemy, our families have an old feud.
>My liege lord, baron Endoftutoriel, has some rather strange plans for the Lordship, that he tries to besmirch the name of Her Majesty with. He calls about removal of the old bloodlines that are the backbone of our right and proper feudal society. Sometimes he threatened this removal to be physical.
>Other (write in)

Choose as many as you want from the list.

>>6266492
>I have had encounters with the forces of B'beg the Terrible this enemy of the realm.
>The magical burghers are behind it all ! The Mage's Guild ! They tried to imprison me already in Pleasantville ! They plot against the good land owning nobility of the land !
Magic wielding pagans must be destroyed

>>6266492
>The magical burghers are behind it all ! The Mage's Guild ! They tried to imprison me already in Pleasantville ! They plot against the good land owning nobility of the land !
>The armed vagrants of the Adventurer's Guild have reacted poorly to my decisions against them keeping order in my lands instead of my men. Some are assassins.
>I have enemies in my lordship, loyalists of the old baron, baron Crook Wickedson who was the nephew of chancellor Vile Wickedson. Lord Creepy Bitchson of Darkplace has an assassin's school, I suspect him.

>>6265782
> if the man we wpooe to
*the man we spoke to
Goodness, one could be forgiven for thinking English was not my first language. Bien sûr, mon français est encore pire.

>>6266492
>I have had encounters with the forces of B'beg the Terrible this enemy of the realm.
>I have enemies in my lordship, loyalists of the old baron, baron Crook Wickedson who was the nephew of chancellor Vile Wickedson. Lord Creepy Bitchson of Darkplace has an assassin's school, I suspect him.
They could even be in league! And if they're not, well, using this incident as a pretense to turn the queen against a regional rival is good politicking, no? Perchance we'll make a diplomat of Lord Charles yet!

>>6266515
Amen good sir ! May the Lord hear you.

>>6266831

>>6266893
Who speaks English anyway ? Not Richard the Lionheart nor the actual sodomite king Edward II, at least not at court. So do not worry.
And you are right, diplomacy will be key to help Charles rise as befits such a noble gentleman.

====

You thought about the responsibles and you began to list all those who you deemed able to do be félons like Ganelon.

-I have had encounters with the forces of B'beg the Terrible this enemy of the realm ?

-B'beg ?!? But why, why would he be interested.... Sorry to tell you this, but by a noble with only a lordship and..

-It was one of his men, Abovyurlevel..

-Abovyurlevel ? You saw him ? The blood elf wizard ? The Master of the Dark Tower who was once called Larion of the Silver-Stone ?

-Euuuh, yes... They said something like that about him ?

-And you... You survived ?!?

-I knew he was an important lieutenant of B'beg and very old like some Biblical Patriarch but...

-It was him who sacrificed 911 virgin girls during the Second Age to break the two towers that guarded the city of Nendel ! The city fell and orcish hordes put an end to the ancient High Elven Kingdom. He is...

You supposed that it was important, but you remembered what they knew about God protecting you from evil magic, unlike the pagans and choose to keep silent on the episode where you chased this Guelph who was protected by a ring who displaced him put of the reach of your strikes until he climbed a tree. You tried to pursue him and he threw pinecones at you, it hurt so you tried to throw rocks at him. He then threatened to burn your castle and fled on a flying horse made of smoke. Rose congratulated you and called you a hero. You still smiled at the memory. But still you understood that recounting this could be poorly understood here so you told.

-Yes yes, very powerful, but he tried to manipulate me, I saw through his lies... I would still say there is more dangerous scum out there.

-Who ?

-The magical burghers are behind it all ! The Mage's Guild ! They tried to imprison me already in Pleasantville ! They plot against the good land owning nobility of the land !

This answer good you an angry look from captain Thalamor.

-The Mage's Guild is an honourable institution my lord. And I doubt that they would imprison someone without reason.

>>6267492

-But I was imprisoned ! And Count Hapyon Careless was a witness of such injustice ! They were found guilty of such crimes.

-Her Majesty has always trusted the Guild and is a member, as a high ranking wizard herself. Let it be clear.

You understood what it meant ! Treachery ! All these Guelphs were bought by the burghers. Or they worked hand in hand against God and the nobles that were put in place by him. You tried to control yourself, closing your fist, before telling.

-There is, too, another man. I have enemies in my lordship, loyalists of the old baron, baron Crook Wickedson, nephew of the traitor Chancellor. Lord Creepy Bitchson of Darkplace, this upjumped commoner, has an assassin's school, he forms murderers here, he was rewarded with land after being the spy master of baron Crook.

This made the captain think and he nodded, telling.

-I regret that the Empire has to hire such scum. And I understand your frustration, I promise you to talk about this with my superiors and notice your words in the inquiry about this case. I will send someone to the palace too, so they present you their excuses and arrange a secure location for you and your men where you will be able to rest. An agression, an attempt of murder, against a nobleman is unacceptable.

You agreed, and you hoped that some heads shall roll for this but learning that the queen will believe burghers over noblemen disturbed you greatly. Worse, that the soldiers in her armies will too. Perhaps this Guelph was a merchant's son ? A bastard ? Still, he seemed to be helpful.

You soon saw someone from the palace, a beautiful Guelph lady with golden hair and green eyes that seemed alight with kindness. She explained that she was Damagaia of house Control a handmaiden of the Queen herself and that Her Majesty was horrified by what happened. She told that she will be seeing you tomorrow. You were overjoyed.

Damagaia had an enchanting voice and she explained that quarters in the outer palace would be reserved for your men while you shall have the honor to sleep in the inner palace with your closest servants. Of course you choose Elana and Ancel, the last being the one who carried your clothes and all that you needed. You thanked this beautiful Guelph lady for her help and were happy to learn that your knights will have rooms of their own in the outer palace while your guardsmen will be admitted in the servants quarters.

>>6267495

You marvelled at the palace, it was of an unmatched beauty. Everything, from the thin arches of the corridors, defying even the prowess of Gothic architecture, to the furniture seemed narrow and lightly ornate but precious. It had an almost aerial grace an elegance. You looked perhaps even too much at some very beautiful Guelph ladies who were playing the harp in the evening to entertain some guest Guelph lord with a silver coronet and a white tunic. The fact that these women had bare shoulders in their dresses was very interesting. It distracted you from some of the explanations of the sweet Damagaia. You decided to listen again.

-... And this grove has been planted recently, it is joined by a portal too the deep forest of Lusnimry, to the great World Tree where elves live in Bifuria like they lived far before the Empire conquered our lands. Her Majesty loves to take a walk there.

-A portal ? You mean a door to the forest ? You walk in it and end somewhere else ?

She smiled kindly at you.

-Yes, indeed, it is what it means.

You crossed yourself and prayed Saint Denis against such satanic ruses. And thought about your own transportation to India.

-There is a library here, and see the waterfall.

It was indeed magnificent, but what was very strange was that it was impressive and big but did not do much sound. Seeing your intrigued air your guide explained.

-It is enchanted to not disturb those who want to spend time in the gardens overlooking the city. So it gives the pleasant sound of water without being too loud. And look at this thin tower, Her Majesty ordered it to be made by Eiffel, a great architect.

You looked at the thin needle like tower who was even higher than the dungeon of Vincennes, higher than all the towers that you saw and thought that if King Philippe heard about him he would call this Eiffel to build something in Paris.

-It is impressive, the white stone gives it a majestic air. I always thought that Île de France had the best stone but yours seem brighter.

-Yes, it is it's natural color, there is quarries in the north of Bifuria but they do not have this bright taint, even if they are good enough for the houses of the commoners. We have to import some of the stone from the Imperial Corelands. The ancient High Elves already built cities out of these.

-It looks bright even in the sunset. What is in this tower ?

-A place to dine upstairs and an observatory and some places to work for the military and the mages, they love the view and can hold their researches in peace. There is a small temple to the elven gods too.

You nodded kindly but understood that unfortunately this marvel was tainted by witchcraft and paganism. Damagaia asked you, concerned.

-Would your lordship take a bath once in his apartments ? Or would he prefer going to the common baths downstairs, near the enchanted streams ?

>>6267497

Enchanted streams ? And common baths ? Like in a warehouse ? You were about to protest when you saw some young Guelph ladies giggling and curtsying before you while one told.

-My Lord... And Damagaia, will you be able to join us on the baths, Lord Epambal will be playing the flute and there will be wine.

Damagaia had a sorry smile and told.

-I cannot join you for now, I shall show his lodgings to lord de Villeroi and report to her majesty.

-Oh, of course. May the stars guide your path then.

As the beautiful creature in a light dress told you good bye, and you answered, you were a bit surprised and looked at Damagaia's green eyes.

-I am sorry if I misunderstood but these baths, near the streams, there was a lord. And ladies.. at the same time ?

-Yes of course ? Why would they not be together ?

You opened your eyes and blinked several times, before thinking that even if you were in a den of paganism and witchcraft there were some good things in the culture of the Indian Guelphs. You were about to tell that you would join the baths before two other green eyes looked at you with reproach, as to remind you about the Lord above and your dear Rose in Local. It was the eyes of Elana who judged you like a servant should not judge her lord. Ancel, on the other side, seemed happy to volunteer to serve you there. But you had to tell.

-I am to be married and seeing so much beauty would be unfair.

Damagaia seemed to be very happy about it and answered you.

-Soon to be married ? Congratulations. Her Majesty would be happy to give your bride a gift as per custom.

-I was trying to buy her a book before I was attacked.

-A book ? I will try to ask Her Majesty to open our libraries just for you.

You thanked her greatly. You were glad to see your room after this, a quite small room but with a mirror that was very precise and beautiful furnitures. The bed seemed to be very comfortable and the two windows big. There was even a small balcony that gave you a view of the city in the sunset. The breeze seemed not to bring the smell of the city here and it's majesty was really glorious. Smaller than Paris, but cleaner, Briberopolis offered an unforgiving spectacle. After your bath where Elana massaged your sore shoulders with great skill, as your two servants would be sleeping near the door, you entered your bed happily and thought about the future. And about the queen. You would look modest but try to find some powerful nobles at court. Even perhaps ask for the Queen to help you receive the Weeb valley village from their count, so you could protect it. You hoped to hear some minstrel too it would be a good idea.

>>6267498

It was when you slept, in the middle of the night if you had to believe the moon that you saw outside, that you heard some song. Almost an ethereal song, something beautiful and perhaps above human. Something like you would imagine the choruses of the angels of the Lord. But it looked more eerie and less majestic. It made you think about dolmens, menhir, old stones and old forests and peasant superstition. Beautiful ladies hiding in the woods. Something breton. And you disliked the bretons. You rose from your bed. You felt perhaps compelled to investigate. On the other side, going outside would not be prudent. You looked at your room, at night the tapestries representing a hunting scene and embroidered with silver looked almost ghostly when illuminated by the moon.

>Stay in your bed
>Investigate the palace at night

>>6267500
>Investigate the palace at night
What man of action shall cower in his room from spirits? Beautiful song awaits, and if there is heathenry behind it, well, we shall see to it that the Light of Christ cleanses it.

>>6267500
>>Investigate the palace at night

>>6267500
>Investigate the palace at night
A lord has the right to meander, scamper and otherwise aimlessly wander whenever and wherever he wishes

>>6267516
You are right, a good man faces evil with a blade in hand and a prayer on his lips. God has not brought you here by chance but to obey His plan.

>>6267738

>>6267917
Well said good sir, you are a far better legist than those who lost Robert d'Artois his case against his vile aunt Mahaut (Mahaut the sow ! May the leper eat her face !).

====

You took the decision to come outside, you raised Ancel with a kick and told him to help you put on quickly your fanciest doublet. He heard the song too and told "c'est satanerie messire !". You let Elana sleep, it would be wiser to not tell your wife's servant and friend that you were chasing beautiful female voices in the night, even if it was only for musical curiosity.
You took your sword though, you never new when something strange could happen. Once dressed elegantly you began to walk towards the corridor and towards the noises. At night, despite some flickering torches and strange gemstones, it seemed as if it was a green light that basked the palace, the place felt eerie, full of shadows. Even the few guardsmen that you saw, and that seemed to ignore the noise were not reassuring. You finally entered the gardens, the trees seemed ancient while the palace was new, and you had heard that the gardens were not so old too. There was sorcery in it... They had a discreet charm far away from the great halls of the Palace of the Cité in Paris with it's statues of all the Frankish kings since Pharamond.

It was at this place, lightened only by a lone ray of the moon that you saw a strange pedestal, no, not a pedestal, a basin. A small basin like the small font at the entry of a church. Not big enough to baptise children but enough so every man can put his hand in it and do the sign of the cross before the altar. It seemed that a kind of silver basin was inside this marble structure, the guelphs here loved to intertwine stone and metal in an impressive way that you failed to understand in their constructions. It was when you were approaching that you saw perhaps one of the most beautiful women that you saw. She wore a simple white dress but her gait made her almost float in the air, like if she was a spirit, or an angel descending from the sky. She irradiated lightly while pouring water from a narrow silver pitcher.
She looked at you then, her eyes, almost golden, seeming to peek into your soul. Her voice was enchanting, as enchanting that the song that you heard before. Without saluting, without even asking a question she asked.

-Would you look into the mirror ?

You were so distraught by her appearance that you took some time to answer, and your answer was simply.

-What will I see ?

>>6267919

It was a dumb question, probably your face. But her answer like some fey from Bretagne feared by superstitious peasants (and not French knights from civilised regions who knew that God protected them against witchcraft) put doubt into your theory.

-Even the wisest cannot tell for the mirror shows many things.

She marked a dramatic pause and poured more water.

-Things that were, things that are, and some things... That have not yet come to pass.

You did the sign of the cross. Witchcraft ! The church taught against false prophets. But somewhat, you felt entranced, you whispered.

-Devilry...

-Are you, afraid to look into it, Lord de Villeroi ?

How did this woman knew your name ? How ? By the beard of Saint Jacques, she looked at you again with these eyes. You did not want to pass for a coward. But witchcraft, that could damn the soul of an honest man... Still, looking at a simple mirror is not like offering sacrifices to the devil ? One thing was sure, you were not a coward and would not hesitate or try to deflect by asking questions. You were a man of swift decisions and your decision in this case was.

>Look into the mirror
>Do not look

IF YOU CHOOSE TO LOOK CHOOSE PLEASE :
>Look into the past
>Look into the present
>Look into the future

>>6267920
>Look into the mirror
>Look into the past

>>6267920
>Look into the mirror
False prophecies are false, and wicked. But looking into the past... That is like the opposite of prophecy!
>Look into the past

>>6267920
>>Look into the mirror

>>Look into the past

>>6267920
>Look into the mirror
>Look into the past
Magic mirrors hold no sway over religious men!

>>6267920
>Look into the mirror
>Look into the present

>>6267920
>6267920 #
>Look into the mirror
>Look into the present

>>6267926

>>6267956
Wise words, very wise words. And we can learn from the past about the good old customs that made our land as it is.

>>6268041

>>6268051
May God hear you.

====

You gain "Wisdom of the Ancestors" from looking at the mirror, so a permanent +1 in combat

===

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 5
XP : 845 xp (next level at 1000)

Stats

Combat : 52+1 = 53%
Intrigue : 30%
Rulership: 36%

Piety : 96
Mudcore : 63

With 63 Mudcore you have a strong field of gritty realism around you (150 meters), in this field heavy magic and supernatural abilities will not work, women will lose 4 pounds of strength and the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. You have chosen Blood of Mud so your mudcore field will be weaker than in the other options could be transmitted to your children. Magic, even restorative, will become considerably weaker near you. Weak practitionners of magic (less than rank 5) are unable to cast in your mudcore field.
Next level at 70.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander
-Foreign Etiquette
->Basic Literacy

Traits :
Leader


====

>>6268394
>>6268821

You decided to walk towards the mirror, entranced by the words of this woman. You walked towards this silver basin slowly, carefully, before watching in it's waters. And what you saw was more than surprising.

It was as if you felt a morning fog in a dark forest, in a climate of late autumn instead of spring. As instead of your doublet you felt on you the weight of a chainmail armor, no, of a scale armor. And you heard the footsteps of an army marching. It was not an army that you already saw, no, there were no knights in brightly coloured tabards, it was something else entirely. A mass of infantrymen in mail or scale armor, with oval shields and some strange helmets. The men wore short hair, shorter than what noblemen in your time would have, and many had impressive mustaches instead of being clean shaven. A rare group of men was on horses, one of them wore a crown and had a thick mustache and a commanding air. They spoke another language, not french, something close to the German dialects or what passes for a tongue amongst the Flemish. Many of them seemed tired. It was when javelins and arrows flew, even some stones hurled by slingers... Slingers... Who used slings. The mustachied man with a crown was screaming orders, the men in the column formed as savage men, perhaps sometimes more lightly equipped, charged them. Swords and spears clashed with shields, men screamed, pierced or hacked into pieces.

One of the men around the king hacked at his enemies, killing many of them with a prowess with the sword that was very impressive, almost as impressive as what you saw with Servmiabarel. This man screamed at one of the soldiers, a heavily armoured man in a line who looked to have noble bearing and a helmet one of many heavy troops who protected their sovereign against this ambush.

-Humbert !

He then pointed towards somewhere and told something in his tongue. But the name, Humbert, and the face of the man that you saw close. He was looking like you, not too much of course, but the high cheekbones, the blonde hair. Well, he had a mustache that fell on both sides of his head but he nodded at the indication of this great warrior. He reminded you of your father a little bit. Humbert... Humbert the throat slitter... The founder of your Dynasty ? May it be him ? The first man who held Villeroi as a fief ? He was with Charlemagne... was this king who was commanding his armies and now striking some scum who tried to unhorse him Charlemagne. No, Charlemagne had a beard, he was "l'Empereur à la barbe fleurie", the emperor with the flowered beard, wich meant the thick beard, according to the poets. Or had they lied ? The legendary warrior near him, someone addressed him as "Roland" even if it was strangely pronounced. Might it be Roland ? The Count Roland ? One of Charlemagne's paladins... And who were these knaves ?

>>6268957

Humbert took several men and showed them the way that Roland had indicated, he crossed himself before charging, killing three men and putting others to flight when he saw a strange man. A man with a wolf's head on his head, who wore pagan symbols and who roared a challenge.
The wolf-man tried to hit the Frankish warrior with an axe and disarmed him with a blow to the hand, you saw the fear on your ancestor's face before he covered himself with his shield against the next blow. But Humbert charged and bashed his opponent's face with his shield, trying to push him. After a struggle he managed to put the pagan to the ground, it must have been a Saxon, yes, a Saxon, they were pagans still, and cut his throat with a dagger that he held on his belt. It seemed to discourage some pagans. The vision then faded to the Emperor patting him on the back, perhaps giving him land.

You then saw an even more glorious scene, brave monks and faithful men were cutting down the Irminsul, Roland was not here but Charlemagne was, with all his court, and your ancestor too, he even hit it with his axe for the glory of God. This gigantic tree was worshiped by heathens, they believed that it held the world, cutting it down proved that it was just a tree.

The vision then faded to Humbert, you recognised the skies of Champagne but frowned when you saw old forests there, you remembered it as a province of plains... Forests were to the north in the Ardennes. Then perhaps that at this time many places were still covered in trees, with all the wood that got cut by peasants in years. Humbert was on a horse, followed by two other horsemen, and servants, he saw a kind of motte and bailey, if we could call this like that, a small tower in the woods guarded by several men. He let go of his horse and observed it, before entering at night. Was it... Oh, yes, it was, it was when he rapted his wife, Adelheid, the daughter of some lord whose name was forgotten. It was before courteous love, in the time of the good Frankish customs. He managed to enter the castle with a rope and slit the throat of one of the guards before his men poured in. He entered the tower sword in hand, and found the woman, she had blonde hair, a long and kind face, and piercing blue eyes. According to legend she fell in love with him at first sight. Here, well she kicked him where it hurts and tried to kill him with a kitchen knife but it made him love her even more if you had to believe his laughing face. He still slapped her and you winced, you disliked when violence was done to women, but these were barbaric times. He took Adelheid on his shoulder while she tried to wriggle free and his men laughed just like him when he charged her on his saddle, he seemed to order not to take loot and to spare those who had surrendered.

>>6268958

You knew the rest of the story, Humbert honestly paid the wergeld, the price of a man, and since the union was consumed Adelheid's father, who was out hunting at this time, could not complain. As we say "Qui va à la chasse perd sa place", "who goes hunting loses his place". Even if he tried to grumble. Frankish custom was Frankish custom, if your daughter was caught and married it was it, you could not complain, only ask for compensation, compensation that was paid in this case paid gold but could be paid in nature. You wondered how many cows the virginity of a daughter was worth. Probably more than the murder of a servant.

The mirror then faded to black and you felt refreshed. It was, it was magnificent, you had trouble even describing it. Seeing your ancestors was something unique and you were more than happy with this vision, it filled you with pride and remembrance, you wanted to thank the Guelph woman who permitted it but she seemed distraught. She told you.

-W... What did I just watched ?

You answered her with enthusiasm.

-Thank you, thank you for showing the glorious deeds that the Franks did in the name of our Lord and our Holy Church.

-Why were they marching in this forest and killing these men, and this wizard.

You wanted to say "Because it was a wizard" but knowing the sensibility of the Indians, and being a wise diplomat you decided to tell her.

-It was clearly a heathen priest who preached against God. So he was killed. Then the Emperor Charlemagne, Charles the Great, ordered to burn the world tree of those heathens and slaughter those who worshipped it if they refused to convert.

-You mean they destroyed a world tree ?!? And killed... Hundreds of people before this tree. Women and children too.

-Oh, I didn't watch, I was watching their armors, and the fact that Charles did not have a mustache, I thought it might be false, but it felt so real. And how they felled the tree too. It was a lesson.

-A lesson ?

You chuckled, seeing that the lady seemed on edge and wanting to lighten her mood.

-The heathens thought that this tree, that they worshiped, had a soul and was holding the world together, the Emperor proved them wrong.

If you knew what a checkmate and what an animist was, you would have probably added "checkmate animist". But the message had stuck, it was at this moment that the lady then asked.

-And at the end, what... Was that... Why was the man killing everyone in a fortress and capturing this woman to rape her.

-To rape her ? No, it is my ancestor. It is how he got married.

-He killed her servants and stormed her keep !

>>6268959

You tried to explain her politely.

-Those were less civilised times, courteous love, and the importance of the consent of the lady, were not so much pushed by the church. In fact even centuries after this many bishops, some of my ancestors amongst them defended the point of view that rapting women and capturing them before bringing them before the altar was very much the custom of the Franks. Perhaps they were happy like this, I know that Humberd and Adelheid had seven children, only two of them dying at a young age.

-She tried to kill him with a knife and then to gouge his eyes out.

-She has spirit, women in my family are like this. If you had seen my little sister. Or even my mother, she is a cousin of my father so she is part of the bloodline as well.

Your enthusiasm seemed to not move the beautiful Guelph lady and she instead muttered something in her language and told.

-What is the strangest is where all of this happened.

-In France, my land. By the way how did you know my name, my lady ?

-Because mirrors, or spies, show many things. But for now I hope that you are more civilised than your ancestors. Lord de Villeroi and know how to pay respect to a queen.

You opened your eyes greatly, her... But... She had no crown. Or anything. But her air, her bearing, yes she had something very regal about her. When you understood who she was, your face became red, and you immediately fell to your knees. You told her.

-Your majesty, I am sorry, I should not have...

She had a half smile and answered.

-Do not worry lord Charles. Rise. It is sometimes enlightening to hear someone who does not speak to flatter a queen but tells the truth.

Seeing that she waited an answer you told.

-A Frankish man is an honest man your majesty. But I am truly if I upset you in any way, command, and I will don anything to right what I have wronged your majesty.

The queen raised an elegant eyebrow and the ghost of a smile appeared on her face.

-You were very bold, my Lord, when speaking.

You understood that she wanted an answer, and even if she was a queen and a widow, she was a woman. And if you did not knew how to deal with diplomacy, as a Frenchman you evidently knew how to deal with women. Honhonhon. So you took a dashing smile and answered.

-Your majesty, before knowing about our differences in rank, I only saw a very fair maiden, and knights know that boldness is the best way to impress fair maidens. Even if I am to be married, your majesty, I was too transfixed by such a regal presence to think about my duties.

>>6268960

A flicker of amusement passed into her eyes. 100 years old guelphs or young provençal maidens, there was only one law with women, appear sure of yourself and act like the perfect knight. The effect will be the same. She answered you.

-You speak dangerously lord Charles, but braving danger is what knights do I suppose. And, I hope that your bride is more enamored of you than your ancestor was of her husband.

-I saved her from a tower, my Lady, but by fighting the vile traitor who kept her here, and who spat on your laws by selling slaves.

-I know, you did a great service to the realm, Lord de Villeroi, I shall see you rewarded for it.

You bowed, but she continued.

-But now that we are only together. Please, tell me more about this "Lord and His Church".

You understood that you had all her attention, and that now was the time to act.

You decided to talk humbly but clearly, after all monotheism was not well seen in these realms.

>Your majesty, one day the Lord sent his own Son to save humanity... (Rulership roll, explain the history of the Faith)
>Your majesty, the Pope is in Rome, perhaps you have heard of it, he is the head of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. (Rulership roll, explain structure of the Church)
>The world was created, as your people must remember a long time ago, by God, as is written in the book of the Genesis. In fact, Brother Louis, a most learned man, thinks like your people, Guelphs, live as long as the first biblical patriarchs. (Intrigue roll, try to explain everything in her context).
>The events that you saw were the expansion of the Church into pagan lands, the saxons were raiding Frankish lands and refused to convert. Widukind, their leader, rebelled many times. (Intrigue roll, change the subject to talk about the conquests of Charlemagne to avoid controversial topics)
>Other (write in)

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>6268961
>Your majesty, one day the Lord sent his own Son to save humanity... (Rulership roll, explain the history of the Faith)
It’s the most important bit

>>6268961
>The events that you saw were the expansion of the Church into pagan lands, the saxons were raiding Frankish lands and refused to convert. Widukind, their leader, rebelled many times. (Intrigue roll, change the subject to talk about the conquests of Charlemagne to avoid controversial topics)
Charles is really, REALLY impenetrable to understanding the basics of how people in "India" think, if I'm being Frank (ha!) about it. He still hasn't worked out that people consider elves and goblins to be non-human, or that Goblins aren't just tiny green German men for that matter. He will NOT be able to convincingly portray himself as a sympathetic fellow believer to the Queen, who is probably 10,000 years old or something and knows her history going back further than Charles believes the universe has existed.

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>6268961
>>6269180
Oh, and my roll!

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>6268961
>Your majesty, one day the Lord sent his own Son to save humanity... (Rulership roll, explain the history of the Faith)

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>6268961
>>Your majesty, one day the Lord sent his own Son to save humanity... (Rulership roll, explain the history of the Faith)

QM?

>>6269118
Faith and not intrigue ! And the rolls helped you !

>>6269180
Charles is not impenetrable, he is simply right and knows how to recognise pagan superstitions. Why should someone who looks like a frenchman, but with pointy ears, not be human while a saracen, or even an ethiopian with black skin and very white teeth be ? Charles knows that cagots, even if descendants of heretics are human too. And the short scotsmen or short jews.. Don't they have souls ? Or is there a required size to be human ? Would it exclude the children then ? And as any man who frequents learned men Charles knows about the Mongols, beastlike men with hooves instead of feet and slanted eyes, just like the huns before them. He saw some not hooved mongols too and they seem to be considered human but if someone with hooved feet (not a demon) could be considered human, why pointed ears or green skin would be a discriminating factor ? And about the goblins, or ghibellines, the only ones he met were effectively behaving like tiny green german men (perhaps victims of a malediction) following some Schamann, a typical german name, their only not german feature was their pet turtle but such is the queerness of India. The question of the half human hybrids is interesting, horse men, bull men etc... Even if their conception is unnatural animals have souls (as Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote), Saint Francis of Assisi always preached to them as "Creatures of God" and "Brothers and sisters" with a place in God's plan.
Charles knows that the Guelphs, Short Scotsmen or Ghibellines are different there than in Christendom, they look different, but they are perhaps far away descendants of these european peoples if we look at their similarities. So correcting those that do not consider them as human is like correcting superstitious peasants about the presence of "evil spirits" in the fields and forests of your lands.

>>6269181
>>6269431
>>6269494

You decided to begin by the beginning, if she wanted to know about the Faith, she should know about Christ. You began honestly.

-I am not a wise man, nor a learned man, much less a clergyman. I am a knight and a warrior first, your Majesty, but I shall oblige you.

She answered that she understood and nodded once, before you began to explain.

-Your majesty, one day the Lord sent his own Son to save humanity...

-Why did it need saving ?

-To bring redemption, to save it from evil and death.

>>6270166

And you explained everything, in your own words, about the original sin, from the Genesis to the Apocalypse, about the Last Judgement and the Resurrection of the Dead, and how Jesus-Christ vanquished death by death. In your own opinion it was confused but enthusiastic, the queen answered you with interesting questions, even if she seemed amused by what you said about the creation of the world. The queen heard you without prejudice before ordering.

-Your faith seems not to be evil. But it is monotheistic and as thus, dangerous for the other cults of the realms. I shall let you and your priests preach and convert as long as they do not try to destroy the property of other temples or incite violence against followers of other gods. I am talking about discrimination too. I do not want to see some believers in our gods persecuted on the lands that you keep in my name.

-Your will is law, your majesty.

-And, you talked about humanity... Does Salvation concerns others ?

-Every person who has a soul and a capacity to reason, made in the image of God is human, as the church teaches.

-A rather new way of thinking. I am not against the presence of more cults. As long as they respect our laws, and do not break any world trees or ancient temples.

You decided not to tell anything about the temple of Monsanto and the killed priests. You transformed it into a church. Sometimes what the monarchs ignore is the best for them. You bowed and told.

-It shall be done your majesty, I am but a loyal vassal, as I proved by denouncing the traitor Crook Wickedson your majesty, and I will always uphold the laws of the realm.

She looked into your eyes and seemed to agree after a moment. She added.

-You have proved useful indeed, Lord Charles. And a loyal vassal, despite coming from... A very different land. Know that the realm will remember that.

You bowed once more and thanked her majesty for her kindness, you were never so close to a monarch before, you had never spoken personally to one and you felt that you were not so bad at it. Oldfossil's lessons had proven useful. The queen continued.

-The fact that some unknown murderers have tried to kill you worries me. I know that all the partisans of the ancient Chancellor, who had my trust but proved to be unreliable, have not been dealt with and I hope that Abastardion will soon end them. I have heard too about what you said, be it about the lords of your barony, or about the Mage's Guild.

Oh, so the captain told everything, you wondered what her Majesty thought about that. She continued, more sternly.

-I will not have noblemen criticize the actions of the Mage's Guild, who are central to the stability of the realm and of the whole Empire. I shall see about the arrest that was made in Pleasantville, by the Guild. I do wish to see why they took such a rash decision and why the Count Hapyon Careless decided to take your side.

>>6270167

You approved this wise decision since they arrested you for no valid reason. Well perhaps for the reason that God protected you against their magic but if the queen just gave you permission to establish churches it would invalidate their claims. You hoped, at least. You remembered the words of the Guelph merchant's daughter about people wanting to kill you because you were protected against magic.

The queen then softened a little bit and asked you politely.

-But still, you must be rewarded do you have something to ask ?

You thanked the queen and explained her.

>I am to marry, your majesty, and I would want to give a gift to my future wife, Lady Takable. Something from the crown will greatly please her.
>Your majesty, during my travels towards the capital I have stopped in the valley of Weeb, where I saved the villagers from a tentacled monster and a horde of bandits. They asked for my protection since their liege lord, the Count of En, is far away. Can I ask your majesty to tell this Count that I am ready to assume protection of the village and swear him fealty as a vassal.
>Your majesty, I know how much you love the peace of the realm. But I demand Justice, and if it is proved that the vile Lord of Darkplace was behind my assassination attempt, as he was behind other ones under the rule of Baron Crook, can I have the right to wage war against him with the support of the Crown.
>Your majesty, I have had to deal with a border problem between lord Random my predecessor and Lord Hostil, about the hamlet of Disputed. Now the land has been given to the court witch of Baron Endoftutoriel, and the baron told that he will look into the border. Having the support of the crown, for my right on the hamlet, would be more than enough.
>Your majesty, I wish not to ask for myself, but for my lady and future bride, Lady Rose Takable, she saw her lands confiscated, her father beheaded on trumped charges under the orders of the slave trader Crook Wickedson who ignored your laws. I asked the same thing about Baron Endoftutoriel, and he told that there was no treachery from the baron at the time where he executed lord Takable. But your majesty, we know the wickedness of this individual, so I implore you to give my bride her lands back and make her as happy as she is loyal to you.
>Your Majesty, I only ask you to give me the right to legislate about the presence of the armed vagrants of the adventurer's guild on my land. I do not wish to give mercenaries the mission to protect the land that I shall protect myself with my men. The support of the crown would be crucial against an organisation like this.
>I am entirely at your disposition your majesty and will be happy with any reward that you will bestow upon me.
>Other (write in)

And roll an intrigue roll please.

>>6270148
Sorry for the late update good sir, I caroused too much to celebrate my graduation and a drunk man makes a poor writer.

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>6270170
>Your majesty, I wish not to ask for myself, but for my lady and future bride, Lady Rose Takable, she saw her lands confiscated, her father beheaded on trumped charges under the orders of the slave trader Crook Wickedson who ignored your laws. I asked the same thing about Baron Endoftutoriel, and he told that there was no treachery from the baron at the time where he executed lord Takable. But your majesty, we know the wickedness of this individual, so I implore you to give my bride her lands back and make her as happy as she is loyal to you.
This will assert her own justice and prevent other corrupt individuals elsewhere from following that bad example, since they know now that they will not profit.

>>6270170
Soit dit en passant, toutes félicitations pour vostre graduation, noble sire ! Certes, trop de lectures amollissent un homme, mais avec la lumière du Christ et quelque noble lignée -- en y mêlant juste ce qu’il faut de cousins -- j’ay grande confiance que vous deviendrez un homme d’action aussi savant qu’un templier!

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>6270170
>>Your majesty, I wish not to ask for myself, but for my lady and future bride, Lady Rose Takable, she saw her lands confiscated, her father beheaded on trumped charges under the orders of the slave trader Crook Wickedson who ignored your laws. I asked the same thing about Baron Endoftutoriel, and he told that there was no treachery from the baron at the time where he executed lord Takable. But your majesty, we know the wickedness of this individual, so I implore you to give my bride her lands back and make her as happy as she is loyal to you.

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>6270170
>>Your majesty, I wish not to ask for myself, but for my lady and future bride, Lady Rose Takable, she saw her lands confiscated, her father beheaded on trumped charges under the orders of the slave trader Crook Wickedson who ignored your laws. I asked the same thing about Baron Endoftutoriel, and he told that there was no treachery from the baron at the time where he executed lord Takable. But your majesty, we know the wickedness of this individual, so I implore you to give my bride her lands back and make her as happy as she is loyal to you.

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>6270170
>Your majesty, I wish not to ask for myself, but for my lady and future bride, Lady Rose Takable, she saw her lands confiscated, her father beheaded on trumped charges under the orders of the slave trader Crook Wickedson who ignored your laws. I asked the same thing about Baron Endoftutoriel, and he told that there was no treachery from the baron at the time where he executed lord Takable. But your majesty, we know the wickedness of this individual, so I implore you to give my bride her lands back and make her as happy as she is loyal to you.

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>6270170
>Your majesty, I wish not to ask for myself, but for my lady and future bride, Lady Rose Takable, she saw her lands confiscated, her father beheaded on trumped charges under the orders of the slave trader Crook Wickedson who ignored your laws. I asked the same thing about Baron Endoftutoriel, and he told that there was no treachery from the baron at the time where he executed lord Takable. But your majesty, we know the wickedness of this individual, so I implore you to give my bride her lands back and make her as happy as she is loyal to you.

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>6270170
>Your majesty, I wish not to ask for myself, but for my lady and future bride, Lady Rose Takable, she saw her lands confiscated, her father beheaded on trumped charges under the orders of the slave trader Crook Wickedson who ignored your laws. I asked the same thing about Baron Endoftutoriel, and he told that there was no treachery from the baron at the time where he executed lord Takable. But your majesty, we know the wickedness of this individual, so I implore you to give my bride her lands back and make her as happy as she is loyal to you.

Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>6270170
>Your majesty, I wish not to ask for myself, but for my lady and future bride, Lady Rose Takable, she saw her lands confiscated, her father beheaded on trumped charges under the orders of the slave trader Crook Wickedson who ignored your laws. I asked the same thing about Baron Endoftutoriel, and he told that there was no treachery from the baron at the time where he executed lord Takable. But your majesty, we know the wickedness of this individual, so I implore you to give my bride her lands back and make her as happy as she is loyal to you.

Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>6270170
>Your majesty, I wish not to ask for myself, but for my lady and future bride, Lady Rose Takable, she saw her lands confiscated, her father beheaded on trumped charges under the orders of the slave trader Crook Wickedson who ignored your laws. I asked the same thing about Baron Endoftutoriel, and he told that there was no treachery from the baron at the time where he executed lord Takable. But your majesty, we know the wickedness of this individual, so I implore you to give my bride her lands back and make her as happy as she is loyal to you.

>>6270179
Of course, this is a wise course of action.
>>6270181
Et merci beaucoup messire, j'estois en effet fort gaillard et heureux, maintenant que je suis de retour sur mes terres. Et si l'appel du Seigneur, de quelques anciens manuscrits et d'une bonne lame peut encourager les gens, messire Guillaume de Nogaret et le Roy Philippe ont quelque peu réduit les vocations dans l'Ordre du Temple. Je reste néanmoins prêt pour touste croisade s'il falloit marcher sus aux sarrasins et libérer le tombeau du Christ !

>>6270190
>>6270427

You thought about what to ask and you understood the evidence, you needed to ask about what you were fighting about after all, about your wife's lands. You had the occasion to give her her lands back and have the support of the crown. Even if it would anger the baron it should be your goal. You spoke clearly and humbly.

-Your majesty, I do not wish to ask for myself but for my lady and future bride, Lady Rose Takable, she saw her lands confiscated, her father beheaded on trumped charges under the orders of the slave trader Crook Wickedson who ignored your laws. I asked the same demand to baron Endoftutoriel and he told me that there was no treachery from baron Crook at the time when he executed lord Takable. But your majesty, you know the wickedness of this individual so I implore you to give my bride her lands back and make her as happy as she is loyal to you.

She looked at you and had a kind of light, mischievous smile, when she began to answer.

-I must admit that you try to present your case well, lord de Villeroi, but I have a complete trust in baron Endoftutoriel of Dobii, who protected me for years and served loyally. If he thinks that he can better rule your wife's lands than her then perhaps it is for the best.

You looked at her and you tried to swallow what she just said ! This was the reward for service ? Your poor Rose having her lands seized by this witch ? Such is the injustice of paganism. Still, she told "perhaps" and her expression was not so closed. And she added.

-But you should have a reward still, I am not an ungrateful monarch.

You understood that you could adopt different strategies here.

>Ask for another reward from the previous list (the roll depends on the demand)
>Ask for lady Rose to at least get back the castle of her ancestors and parts of the lands, even if not all of them. (easier roll)
>Try to defend again the return of all your wife's lands. After all if she is a young woman not experienced in government, you will rule in her stead and you know how to do it. (hard roll)
>"I am entirely at your disposition your majesty and will be happy with any reward that you will bestow upon me."
>Other (write in)

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>6271197
>>Ask for lady Rose to at least get back the castle of her ancestors and parts of the lands, even if not all of them. (easier roll)

>>6271197
>"I am entirely at your disposition your majesty and will be happy with any reward that you will bestow upon me."
At least we have guarantee of our religious rights. Just as when Christendom was finally accepted into Rome, we must wait until the people have converted, and then once everyone in power has accepted the lord we outlaw these pagan practices. In the meanwhile our Templar and Priest can perhaps look into training missionaries? We have to spread far and wide as fast as possible after all, especially now that we have crown backing.

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>6271197
>Ask for lady Rose to at least get back the castle of her ancestors and parts of the lands, even if not all of them. (easier roll)

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>6271197
>Ask for lady Rose to at least get back the castle of her ancestors and parts of the lands, even if not all of them. (easier roll)

>>6271269

>>6271349
You are as cunning as a fox messire and clearly educated, probably in a Monastery. Ordinating and forming new priests would be very useful indeed. But how to do it without a bishop ?

>>6271482
>>6271713

You decided not to surrender, after all Rose's prosperity depended on you. And so you pleaded.

-Your majesty, I can understand that you do not want to make one of your loyal servants lose lands. But lord Takable, lady Rose's father, would never have betrayed the realm, and she is only a girl of seventeen herself. Is it fair to deprive her of her Father's ancestral home ? I do not talk about all the lands, but some of them.

The queen answered, perhaps harshly.

-Is it permitted in your realm of... France... To criticize so brazenly the decisions of your monarch, lord Charles ?

-Your majesty, I do not wish to criticize your judgment, even if it pains me greatly, or oppose it, for such is not my role. I simply plead for my bride for the most noble or reasons : for love. For hundreds of years lady Rose's family held her lands in the name of the realm, and I cannot see her as a traitor.

This argument about love seemed to soften her. The guelph queen answered.

-Your intentions are pure, at least. I shall see what I can do.

She told you these good news while you bowed humbly, thanking her for her kindness and generosity and praising her decisions. In truth it was honest, at least if she had her castle your sweet lady Rose will be happy. She resented the fact of not living in the home where she grew up. The queen then added.

-But I want you to entertain me in exchange. Tell me a tale about your home, this France that you were talking about.

You tried to scramble for an answer and to think of something befitting a queen.

>Talk about the wonders of Paris, the greatness of it, try to flatter her of course by telling that her capital is cleaner even if smaller.
>Tell that France is a land of art and culture, from the Song of Roland to the works of Chrétien de Troyes. Make her love french poetry. Women always love poetry especially if they are queens. Aliénor d'Aquitaine is a proof of it.
>Tell her about the flower of the French chivalry and how it crushed the English, the Flemish and the Barrois. Tell about your own deeds too. Bifuria has not known war for a long time but if it does the queen should be happy to have a competent commander at the ready.
>Tell the Queen about the vast land and it's people, the power of the greatest realm in Christendom, impress her with it so she will understand that France is a powerful land and perhaps allying with it would be wise.
>Other (write in)

>>6272461
>Tell that France is a land of art and culture, from the Song of Roland to the works of Chrétien de Troyes. Make her love french poetry. Women always love poetry especially if they are queens. Aliénor d'Aquitaine is a proof of it.

>>6272461
>>Tell that France is a land of art and culture, from the Song of Roland to the works of Chrétien de Troyes. Make her love french poetry. Women always love poetry especially if they are queens. Aliénor d'Aquitaine is a proof of it.

>>6272461
>Tell that France is a land of art and culture, from the Song of Roland to the works of Chrétien de Troyes. Make her love french poetry. Women always love poetry especially if they are queens. Aliénor d'Aquitaine is a proof of it.
Bitches love culture, hon hon hon

>>6272461
>Tell that France is a land of art and culture, from the Song of Roland to the works of Chrétien de Troyes. Make her love french poetry. Women always love poetry especially if they are queens. Aliénor d'Aquitaine is a proof of it.

>>6272722
>>6272899

>>6273067
Tonerre ! To speak so poorly of women (who even if not able to decide for themselves or to inherit are a marvel of creation and the proof of God's existence) in company of noble frenchmen ousts you as a vile miscreant. Go be whipped by the men at arms of your local lord, that will perhaps teach you manners. Your hon hon hon marks you as of good French stock so such lack of politeness is even less excusable.

>>6273109

You knew what a woman was and that they all loved pretty dresses, jewellery and poetry. Fortunately France was the first realm in the Christendom in all three. Be it the joailliers of Burgundy, the textile workers of Flanders or the poets of Occitania or of your native Champagne, they were the best. To be sincere you somewhat wondered how would someone cope with not being born in France. So you began to tell her.

-France, your majesty, is the largest and most glorious realm in all the Christendom, ruled by King Philippe the Fair. But in my opinion, it is mostly great for it's art, it's poetry, tapestries, architecture and wine of course. They are renowned far beyond the borders of the realm. It is the land where chivalry was born, and courteous love. The land of songs of Fin'Amor and of refined life.

The queen seemed interested, but perhaps a bit dismissive, when she told you.

-Great human poetry ? Amusing.

You almost rolled your eyes, but simply smiled politely. What are they thinking ? That dogs and horses can write poetry ? Or that people who do not have pointy ears cannot write it ? This nonsense was a proof of the barbarity of the pagans. Many people could write poetry, even commoners. Bernard de Ventadour was the son of a simple soldier and a servant maid after all. So you answered.

-Of course your majesty, the greatest of all humanity. I am more accustomed with the works of the trouvères than those of the troubadours. Our countess's grandfather, Thibaud of Champagne has composed many songs and poems that he had painted on the walls of his palace.

You had seen them yourselves but not knowing to read you learned them listening to trouvères singing chansons de geste and glorious odes to love and beauty. You added.

-I know some of them, if your majesty wishes. Several even sung to a queen.

-To a queen ? Really.

-It was said that count Thibaud de Champagne was fond of Blanche de Castille, even if she was older than him, he sung of her beauty and supported her when she reigned in regency for her son, who will become Saint Louis, our most noble king.

The reference to an older women seen as very beautiful and courted by younger men seemed to amuse the queen and she let you recite calmly. So you began with a poem about the beauty of love, that is the only pleasant illness that can strike a man. That death is preferable to a delivrance from such illness and that the remembrance of the beauty of a lady is enough to guard the poet from any pain.

>>6273184

-De touz maus n’est nus plesanz
Fors seulement cil d’amer,
Mès cil est douz et poignanz
Et deliteus a penser
Et tant set biau conforter,
Et de granz biens i a tanz
Que nus ne s’en doit oster.

Fins amis obedianz,
Vueil a ma dame encliner.
Je ne puis estre dolanz,
Quant je oi de li parler ;
Tant me plest a remenbrer,
Que de touz maus m’est garanz
Sa biauté a recorde

Amors, quant vous m’avez mis
Lïé en vostre prison,
Melz ameroie estre ocis
Que g’eüsse raençon.
Tels maus est bien sanz reson
Qui me plest, quant me fet pis,
Ne ja n’en qier garison.

Quanque il vous est a vis,
Dame, me senble reson ;
Si m’a vostre amor sorpris
Et vostre plesant façon,
Et biautez a tel foison
Qui resplent en vostre vis
Et dès les piez jusqu’en son.

Se de vos peüsse avoir,
Dame, un pou plus biau senblant,
Je ne savroie voloir
Querre Dieu merci si grant,
Que de joie avroie tant
Que tuit autre honme, pour voir,
Seroient vers moi dolent

Dame, ou touz mes biens atent,
Sachiez, quant vous puis veoir,
Nus n’a si joieus torment.

And this sincerely surprised the queen, she even closed her eyes while listening to it and seemed entranced, her ears moved slightly and she then looked at you as if gazing into your soul, she told you sincerely.

-It is of a great beauty, lord de Villeroi... Such finesse in the words. Some would even wonder if you do not have elven blood when earing such beauty. You should write these poems my lord.

Eager to promote your brave Bohémond you told.

-One of my knights knows how to sing them and play the lute at the same time your majesty. I am sure you shall enjoy his singing.

The queen answered kindly.

-As will many ladies at court.

Thinking about it you took your courage in your hands and decided to help an old friend. This most beautiful woman and very just queen that liked poetry and was a cultured lady could perhaps help you.

-I fear, your majesty, that his heart is already taken, and that the woman that he loves has fallen ill...

-I am sorry to hear this, lord de Villeroi, I can perhaps send someone, a healer... Or even help myself.

You then admitted.

-I heard a vile wizard predict her death, and her illness, and I swore to find a cure.

She seemed preoccupied and told.

-I shall send one of my court healers, as a gift. We will see what is possible. But... This dark wizard, was it not, Abovyurlevel, the master of the Dark Tower, one of the main servants of B'beg the Terrible. Captain Thalamor told me that you apparently survived an encounter with him.

>>6273185

You looked at her, you had in fact encountered him but explaining that God protected you against magic would probably not be seen well by the mages here, and the queen, despite being sympathetic, was a witch. Was she so sympathetic, and why was she smiling at your face who did not manage to scramble for an answer.

>Tell the truth, God protected you against evil magic, such is the power of the Lord. (intrigue roll)
>Tell that you ignore why his spells did not work but that you survived (intrigue roll)
>Lie, tell that this dangerous enemy was not hostile but simply threatening. (intrigue roll)
>Other (write in)

Rolled 20 (1d100)

>>6273186
>Tell the truth, God protected you against evil magic, such is the power of the Lord. (intrigue roll)
Not that outrageous a claim, these pagan idols apparently give blessings to their followers

Rolled 79 (1d100)

>>6273186
>>Tell the truth, God protected you against evil magic, such is the power of the Lord. (intrigue roll)

Uh oh

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>6273186
>Tell that you ignore why his spells did not work but that you survived (intrigue roll)
We can't have her questioning the wisdom of allowing us to proselytize.

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>6273186
>>Tell the truth, God protected you against evil magic, such is the power of the Lord. (intrigue roll)

>>6273304
Wise words, you are clever as Renart in his roman. I will simply tell you that the rolls were unkind to you.

>>6273386

>>6273406
Of course, the True Faith must expand.

>>6273689

You decided to tell the truth and told simply.

-God protected me your majesty, such is the power of the Lord.

-Your god protected you ? From the magic of Abovyurlevel ?

You remembered that he complained about being unable to cast most of his magic, even if he fled on a flying horse made of darkness. You remembered trying to throw stones at him when your sword did not work. You answered the queen.

-Yes indeed.

-He is stronger than minor gods.

You wanted to answer that there were no minor gods, but idols that did not exist. But you decided to simply tell.

-Our lord and saviour Jesus Christ is not some minor deity like Apollin, Mahomet or Tervagant. He is the creator of the Universe !

She seemed sceptical but told you simply.

-This shall be investigated lord Charles. This shall be investigated by someone knowledgeable in godly matters.

-You mean an officer of the crown your majesty ?

-No, no need for this. The time has not come from an investigation on your lands. But perhaps someone with an organisation that you have not appreciated enough.

You wondered what she meant and stayed silent before she asked you.

-Why don't you have a court mage, lord de Villeroi ?

You scrambled to find an answer that will not disturb her.

-A court mage ? It is not a custom in my lands. I have enough good councillors already. And the first...

-I wish you to have a court mage, lord Charles. I cannot let a brave lord like you without a vassal. Since you do not know a lot about magic I shall order the Mage's Guild to send you someone. I hope that you will treat them well and learn to appreciate the value of magical counsel, and of our Bifurian customs.

You tried to tell something but you became all red and unable to speak. Bifurian customs, you had Oldfossil for this. By Saint Denis ! Satanic witches in your realm ! No no no ! Aaaaaah ! You were trying to scramble for an answer without results, and more panic. Especially when the queen told you.

-I shall tell this mage to investigate about your religion and it's divine magic too. Perhaps it will help you establish it as an official cult in the Empire.

You were caught, like a donkey led by a carrot and a stick. The carrot was recognition, the stick the presence of this spy. You had to accept satanry. You wanted to say "never" but were mesmerised by the queen's majesty and only bowed.

-I... I... I shall do as you wish, your majesty.

She smiled radiantly and softly told.

-Excellent, you are now free to pursue your journey, lord de Villeroi.

>>6274435

And so, after bowing, you left the enchanted gardens, even losing your way but being kindly led back to your room by a servant in the middle of the night. You were absolutely struck and unable to think. The fact that someone was imposing pagan witchcraft on your court, the risks, the rewards. And how guilds may force noblemen to act like this... No, you could not accept witches or burghers dictating the behaviour of the nobility and even spying on people who had knighthood in their blood for centuries. Tonnerre ! This was outrageous ! An abuse of royal authority ! Even if the queen was a beautiful woman she was a witch ! But rebelling would be foolish and you had accepted. And she gave back some lands... At least she will give back some lands. Perhaps... Land or morals. Land or morals. You were thinking about refusing, and getting perhaps beheaded. No, you cannot refuse a king. On the other side you thought of Rose, not of you, how could you deprive her of her ancestral home. You promised her her lands, you shall receive some of them. And healers, for her friend Becky. No, you could not be totally ingrate towards the Queen. You frowned, it was hard to have a nuanced opinion about someone, see the greatness and the pettiness of it. You were no clerk or chronicler. No diplomat or high lord. You were simply a knight who inherited a minor lordship, a warrior accustomed to war with clearly defined enemies under clear banners.

Of course you could try to kill someone and then reconcile with him. Such were the laws of battle, but you had trouble dealing with liege lords like this. Then you remembered your duty, as a vassal you should be loyal, first to your direct Liege lord, then to his liege lords. Your baron was a donkey but if he was forced by the queen, he would have to obey and you could accept his rule in good consciousness.

>>6274436

You thought about it when breaking your fast in a hall adorned by crystal and silk where harpist played appeasing melodies. Guelphs and normal Indians were discussing together, there were even a few Saracens and perhaps a short Scotsman or two, and a cagot. You stayed near your men, telling that you saw the queen yesterday and that your affair with lands was good, you waited to have the good news proclaimed officially before telling them. And talking about politics in a so public place would be unwise. So you decided, learning from some courtier that the queen holds court in the afternoon to :

>Take a walk in the palace, visit the place and see the view from the battlements of the walls and the high windows.
>Try to meet some important courtiers and lords.
>Try to find a courtyard to train and demonstrate your skill at arms.
>Take a walk in the gardens, they must be very beautiful during daytime and there is games there perhaps.
>See if there is some amusing distractions like a jester or even more musicians. Perhaps even games.
>Try to see if the investigations about your attackers have advanced.
>Stay in your quarters and send your servants to collect informations about who is who in the court.
>Other (write in)

====

PS : Sorry for the delay in answering, going back to France means unfortunately dealing with saracens in these dark days. Fortunately God grants victory to those who trust in Him.

>>6274437
>Try to see if the investigations about your attackers have advanced.
We must safeguard ourselves.

>>6274437
>>Try to meet some important courtiers and lords.

>>6274437
>Take a walk in the palace, visit the place and see the view from the battlements of the walls and the high windows.
May as well

>>6274437
>Take a walk in the palace, visit the place and see the view from the battlements of the walls and the high windows.

>>6274545
Of course.

>>6274624
>>6274674

>>6274945
Thank you for the tie breaker good sir.

====

You decided to simply walk into the palace. You were a simple man who enjoyed architecture and it was indeed, in the light of days, magnificent. Between the silk dais probably imported from the orient, who was far more close to India than to France, and the presence of gold even on the stone. This mix of stone and metal, with many trees and greenery was impressive.

The ribbed arches of Gothic architecture, or the more rounded ones of Romanesque architecture, were not the norm in India. What you had before you was a space of balustrades, white stone, belvederes, and colonnades. The slender, delicate forms of the towers were lit by elongated windows with panes much larger than those you see in France, much less leaded than cathedral stained-glass windows, and single-colored, where each pane was separated by a long band of gold or silver. Most impressive, however, was a slender tower topped with a glass dome. This impressed you greatly, a skylight containing a columned gallery where caryatids rose. Each seemed to represent a Guelph beauty in a fine gown and with a serene appearance. The tower seemed animated, and servants and a few courtiers passed through it.

>>6275290

Further outside, towers lit by green stained-glass windows and decorated with stone arabesques, as fine as lace, rose towards the heavens to show the grandeur of the Bifurian monarchy. Passing over a strangely uncrenellated wall with a view of the main building, where Romanesque windows this time lit a more defensive place, its blue domed roof was of an impressive scale, you wondered how it could hold up. The roofs also seemed not to be covered with tiles or slate but with a single piece of metal forged by some unknown means. It was an architectural marvel. A marvel with a bird's eye view of the city of Briberopolis, its covered markets, its immense sort of arena, its bizarrely shaped temples, one seemingly surmounted by the statue of an eagle and another by that of a woman. Its white houses had a truly harmonious appearance and, in a curious waste of space, part of the space within the walls was used to plant trees and have a pond instead of making fields or built-up areas. Perhaps there was not enough money in the coffers to build everything and the locals refused houses that were not of the white stone from which the city was made. Its streets were also ordered according to a very straight and square plan, unlike the rounded plan of the cities you were used to visiting, this gave an unnatural air to the city that did not please you, although its architecture was impressive. Even more impressive were the villas and other residences on the hills inside the walls, each with its gardens and overlooking the city, facing the palace which itself, on a hill, saw a silent cascade of water, enchanted, it is said, no doubt forming the source of a river flowing through the middle of the city. You tried to follow the river with your eyes and noticed two covered white stone bridges, but curiously uninhabited; once again, it was wasted space. A bridge without even a market and shops on its sides was useless.

You then noticed in the palace a building painted white but with crenellated, albeit delicate, towers and the statue of a bearded man. This style was reminiscent of Pleasantville and some of the Indian castles you had seen. It was clearly built before the Guelphs and the work the queen had undertaken.

You headed that way, ignoring the towers of the main building, but you saw several well-dressed lords and servants passing by, people bowing to them and saying "Your Highness." You took it to mean one of the royal princes. You bowed low before him, but didn't understand who the prince was among them all. Without armorial bearings or crowns, it wasn't easy. You'd have to find someone to explain who was who.

>>6275291

You decided to enter the main building next, before going to see the gardens. Its first hall was filled with statues, of Guelph warriors and others. A sort of warriors' hall filled with banners representing the great houses of the kingdom, no doubt. Although you have trouble with the particular heraldry of the Guelphs, it was there that you finally saw a familiar face.
In addition to a few Guelph lords, or sometimes Saracens, or less exotic ones, you noticed a former fencing master an Count whom you had seen in other circumstances.

Servmiabarel was already drinking, alone, but he looked sober, without any hangover. Strange and probably sorcerous. He had not remarked you. You wondered if you must try to approach him, or try to find someone you knew. The Captain Thalamor was in your mind, or perhaps someone else. Or try to find someone.

>Go try to reconcile with Servmiabarel.
>Try to find the Captain Thalamor
>Try to find some lord to befriend.
>Try to find a beautiful lady to befriend.
>Continue walking through the halls.
>Other (write in)

>>6275292
>Go try to reconcile with Servmiabarel
He seemed a good man, for an Italian, and it would be good to mend that relationship now that he is sober enough to understand.

>>6275292
>>Go try to reconcile with Servmiabarel.

>>6275331
Yes, he has a lot of honor for an Italian, probably he has some Norman blood.

>>6275780

You decided to try to reconcile with Servmiabarel. The man saved your life after all and you felt poorly about having him thinking that it was all part of some sort of ruse. So you decided to approach him, under the statue of a pointy eared warrior with a long spear and a strangely shaped shield that looked very impractical. You nodded to him and told.

-Your excellency.

He frowned a bit and then nodded too.

-Lord Charles de Villeroi ? Is it... My memories from yesterday are... Not so bright. I have perhaps been too harsh with you. I have had to see one of the guard's captains and apparently it was not some ruse.

-I am afraid that not, your excellency. But still, I wanted to thank you for saving my life.

-I acted as you would have in my stead. You look like the chivalric sort.

You had a half smile, it was true. You even considered this man as a Frenchman. He did not know you but saw a man in need and respected his knightly vows, just like you had helped the baron Notavant Pyre when he was assailed by some marauding scum. So you agreed.

-Indeed, I have had to do it, but I fought that chivalry has been forgotten in India before seeing you extending me a helping hand. By the way this was the greatest demonstration of swordplay that I had ever seen.

-You flatter me too much, lord de Villeroi, you flatter me too much... But tell me, why are you alone walking in this palace.

-I must confess that I am simply vitising this architectural marvel, awaiting an audience with Her Majesty.

The count had a sad smile.

-An audience, yes, indeed. Because of what happened. I suppose that it is your first time in the capital.

You nodded, you had told him when you were together in the inn but he had drunk all the night and a great quantity of wine can blur the memory. You then asked.

-I hoped to learn more about it.

He answered dismissively.

-All of this palace is new, it has none of the charm of old elven residences. And it is a mix of wood elf faeries trying to be urban and humans. As the mighty philosopher Chudarion wrote, nothing good can come out of mixing.

>>6276110

You understood that he was in a sour mood while drinking his wine. You wondered what to answer. You understood that you had to stay discreet about the meeting that you had with the queen.

>I agree with you, it is not the palace of the Cité (intrigue roll)
>I think this architecture is beautiful, the stonework is delicate as lace and the grandeur of these statues impresses me. You are perhaps too harsh your excellency. (intrigue roll)
>I am not learned enough into Indian culture to recognize all of this, but I must admit that it looks impressive. I would be curious to see what these old elven residences are. (intrigue roll)
>I have seen the architecture, but could you talk to me about the inhabitants of this palace. I have seen one of the princes I think, in the middle of high barons but I was unable to recognize who it was. (intrigue roll)
>You must know her Majesty well, I have only heard rumors about her, what should I wait when meeting her. And the new chancellor too, Alabastardion. (intrigue roll)
>Kindly try to leave Servmiabarel after doing a joke. He clearly must not well be seen at court. (intrigue roll)
>Other (write in)

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>6276112
>I am not learned enough into Indian culture to recognize all of this, but I must admit that it looks impressive. I would be curious to see what these old elven residences are. (intrigue roll)
> could you talk to me about the inhabitants of this palace. I have seen one of the princes I think, in the middle of high barons but I was unable to recognize who it was. (intrigue roll)
We are just a silly provincial lord, teehee.

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>6276112
>>I have seen the architecture, but could you talk to me about the inhabitants of this palace. I have seen one of the princes I think, in the middle of high barons but I was unable to recognize who it was. (intrigue roll)
>>You must know her Majesty well, I have only heard rumors about her, what should I wait when meeting her. And the new chancellor too, Alabastardion. (intrigue roll)

>>6276260
Wise choice messire, it is always better not to appear dangerous.

>>6276568
Nice roll good sir, it is a critical roll I guess.

====

You decided to answer cleverly, telling the brave count.

-I am not learned enough into Indian culture to recognize all of this, but I must admit that it looks impressive. I would be curious to see what these old elven residences are your excellency.

He looked at you and your innocent face, and smiled while shaking his head subtly.

-Hah, you are clever as a fox lord de Villeroi. Wise as an old oak. But if you like elven architecture so much, you should visit my mansion in the hills.

-Is it ancient ?

-No, nothing in this city is, it is a shallow parody of elven and human life. A disgusting hybrid. People here try to build impressively to compensate for the lack of history.

-Like some burghers and merchants so.

-Burghers ? Merchants ? I was thinking dwarves, but yes, we can agree on that. New money has poor taste. My family's home deep in the coast of the Imperial Corelands is something out of legends, but here, no, it is a small country house, with all that is needed, balconies, ballustrade, a magical fountain, even an aviary to keep my sweet sister's giant eagle. The beast has the appetite of a true griffon and the number of feathers that it leaves is absurd, but seeing the smile on my sister's face when she flies on it can warm even my drunken heart.

You turned towards him, surprised.

-Pardon me, your excellency, but have you just said, flying on it ? Not flying it ?

-On it of course. It is a giant eagle, not the simple beast. It is an intelligent beast, she had to convince him to live with her when she is here, she owns a necklace of animal talking.

-She can talk to animals ?

-Because of the enchanted necklace yes. I could, or you could too if you put it on.

You imagined a conversation with your wise Pâquerette, your palfrey, and shook your head at the absurdity of it. You wondered about what the old beast would complain. You then were taken by the nostalgy, not of beasts, but of sisters and asked.

-Is your sister the eldest ?

-Her ? No... She is my youngest, we have more or less three millennia of difference. A romantical evening of our parents, and some spiced wine had them behaving like young lovebirds again for a few decades, and she was born. She is a kind heart and she helped me many times, you have some siblings too.

-Many, and among them a little sister. Even if we do not have the same age gap than you and yours, and that she prefers falconry to riding the falcon, if I may say.

>>6276814

This seemed to amuse Servmiabarel who raised his glass of wine and asked.

-She seems to be charming. And there is no risk of her running with a human ! Hehehe. But tell me, since you are new here you must have your mind filled with many interrogations.

-Yes indeed your excellency, first I wish to know how to recognise everyone. I have seen one of the princes I think, in the middle of high barons but I was unable to recognize who it was.

-Where was he going ?

-Near the battlements, they were outside, at least twenty of them, dressed in the Guelph manner in robes. But with golden or silver trim. There were lord dressed in more conventional way too.

Servmiabarel answered amusedly about it.

-You saw Prince Fulrion, grandson of our queen. He has silvery blonde hair, long features, slightly pointed ears and silver eyes. Always near the duke of Ing, a human with a brown beard and a square face. Lord Dorenlar, a blond elf of light elf stock is one of his best friends but he is close to some young human noblemen too.

-Fulrion ? I have heard of his Highness, and heard that he is the heir to the throne.

Servmiabarel stopped you, explaining the thing.

-Do not tell me this, Lord de Villeroi, do not tell such things here. The chancellor, Alabastardion would immediately dislike you, just like half of the court.

You wondered why, and looked at him.

-I beg your pardon your excellency, I have heard about the conflict of succession but...

He corrected you, explaining immediately.

-You see, Her Majesty the Queen reigned, but she had no children with the human king of Bifuria. She married again and even if her human husband, the duke of Yesman, a very pleasant fellow, died a century ago they had a son, the Prince Unluckias. He was probably poisoned by the Bofurians 20 years ago, but he had the time to marry twice. First with an elven lady, the Countess of Underwood, murdered by agents of B'beg the Terrible 30 years ago, but they had a daughter, Notyumanea, three quarter elf, a very beautiful princess as skilled with the sword as she is with the harp. She is 37 now but looks young. Meanwhile in his second mariage, the deceased Unluckias married a human woman, the daughter of the Duke of Ing, one of the most powerful human lords of the realm, and allied with some elves too. They had a son, prince Fulrion, that you just saw, three quarters human, with a lifespan of no more than a century and already 22, he is supported by his family and many vassals who fear long reigns. Others fear him.

>>6276816

You nodded, remembering your conversation with count Careless about it. You were really scandalized by the fact that you would have a lady knowing how to wage war as a ruler, you already had enough with Lady Sue in your lordship. But you answered calmly.

-Yes and according to elven law the eldest must inherit while according to human law it is the first male child.

-Exactly, and Alabastardion, our new Chancellor, is a supporter of the Notyumanea party, while the last chancellor was for Fulrion.

You then dared to ask, while you were walking alone on the battlements and looking at the waterfalls bellow.

-And what about prince Paulus, I have...

-Do not tell his name here lord de Villeroi ! Do not ! I have seen so much malcontents telling that prince Paulus will come and right all their wrongs. That he is the true descendant of the last king of Bifuria. They even wanted to send me to kill him when I was drunk ! I refused of course because it would be dishonorable, and probably only strain our relationship with the Imperial core and make the malcontents ever more malcontent. He is not spoken about here...

-But, you served the king of Bifuria you must...

-We will be able to speak in my residence. No more speaking of the king.

You nodded, sorry for your rather naive question. You still managed to ask.

-And about the Queen ? You must know her Majesty well, I have only heard rumors about her, what should I wait when meeting her. And the new chancellor too, Alabastardion.

-Alabastardion is an ambitious elf, the leaves of his life trees are soaring high in the sky and he has an excellent policy against race mixing. Unfortunately I fear that he is too young and wants to do everything too quickly. And lacks patience and understanding for the humans in our realm. The queen named him because he was young and dynamic, only several centuries old and active. And about Her Majesty Leilatha the Fair... I am a loyal subject, but even those that are her enemies admit that she is intelligent, well read and a very powerful mage. But she is young, only 300 years old. And she reigned for 180 of them in Bifuria. And you see, it is why I think that the system built had flaws. A 300 years old monarch, in an elven realm, is not considered to be wise enough to rule and has to be counselled by a council of elders or of highborn, to shape him. So her Majesty cannot order the elven lords, even if they are disparate, around without beeing seen as "too human", while for the humans her rule is too long, 180 years, three human lives. And with her being not legitimate according to human law, it brings discontent, she tries to balance it with empowering her council, and it could work, everything depends on her councilors. And she has to find friends among those who are not concerned about succession laws : the guilds.

>>6276818

You grimaced, like in France, the royal power was bolstered by the burghers, who twisted it in their own ways. But here you had magical burghers, you still remembered her words about the Mage's Guild and you asked.

-Like the Mage's Guild ?

-Yes ! She is even a member.

-A queen ? Member of some guild like a common cobbler ?!? How...

-All mages are, and they provide her majesty with an important support, for their own goals. So you better not criticize them.

-It is outrageous !

-You should learn to be discreet Lord de Villeroi... Even if you are not a man of intrigue, but a man of honor, like me. I can understand that for someone who fights with honor, being at the mercy of some limp wristed mage who can teleport you in an abyssal dimension before you can get to him is annoying but such is life...

You thanked him by nodding, and while you were walking on the walls you decided to talk to him. You decided of course to avoid the topic of Prince Paulus, you remembered that Count Hapyon Careless called him "mad".

>Tell me more about these malcontents, they must have leaders or something ?
>You have enemies at court you said ? Is there someone I should worry about ?
>Tell me more about prince Fulrion, I understand that he is a fine knight, but has he distinguished himself somehow ?
>Tell me more about princess Notyumanea, she seems to be a kind lady but has she distinguished herself somehow. Is she married to a noble family of the realm ?
>Tell me more about the duke of Ing.
>You talked about important Guelph Lords, who are they, they seem to behave like Normans in England.
>You talked about old Bifurian nobility, I do not know much more than the Count Hapyon Careless.
>Are the finances of the realm well. In our lands the King had to borrow money from the jews, the lombards and the Templar Order.
>Ask about Alabastardion centralising policies, or his fiscal policies.
>Ask Servmiabarel about why he is so opposed to "race mixing"
>Ask Servmiabarel what to do at court for amusement.
>Ask Servmiabarel about his family.
>Ask Servmiabarel about the imperial Corelands.
>Other (write in)

>>6276821

Oh, I forgot to write, choose maximum 3 choices please.

>>6276821
>Ask Servmiabarel about why he is so opposed to "race mixing"
>Ask Servmiabarel what to do at court for amusement.
>Ask Servmiabarel about his family.
Lets not be all business with our new friend, no?

>>6276821
>You have enemies at court you said ? Is there someone I should worry about ?
>Tell me more about princess Notyumanea, she seems to be a kind lady but has she distinguished herself somehow. Is she married to a noble family of the realm ?
>Ask Servmiabarel about his family.

>>6276874
Well said good sir, it is by genuine friendship that we have the best allies.

>>6276985

I will try to wait for a third answer to answer completely but I will begin writing now.

>>6276821
>You have enemies at court you said ? Is there someone I should worry about ?
>Ask Servmiabarel what to do at court for amusement.
>Tell me more about princess Notyumanea, she seems to be a kind lady but has she distinguished herself somehow. Is she married to a noble family of the realm ?

>>6276874
>>6276985
>>6277523

I gave you a small guide, sometimes a family tree is better than long explanations.

=====

You decided to ask the count about his family. In a pleasant voice you told him.

-You told me about your sister but are you numerous in your family. You told yesterday that you were count of Mytab...

-It is a recent title, given by the Queen, I am from the Macilii, an old line of light elves, old as the world itself, nobility already from the first High Realm, my grandfather remembers this time. We have always produced blademasters, we studied the blade when other races were still playing with sticks and stone. Today these lands have been intregrated in the Empire, invaded, and my father still rules, he is a Count in the Imperial Corelands. But I am afraid that we have not many children, in more than ten thousand years of existence my parents had three, and my elder brother died, fortunately he has one male child. And as for my own marriage, it...

You understood that he would fall in melancholy again, like yesterday, when he quickly finished his cup of wine and demanded another one. You decided to change the subject.

-Tell me more about princess Notyumanea, she seems to be a kind lady but has she distinguished herself somehow. Is she married to a noble family of the realm ?

The count seemed to chuckle, and explained slowly.

-You see, lord de Villeroi, you put your hand on one of the major problems of the realm. Princess Notyumanea is a beautiful lady, skilled in sewing, dancing and playing the harp as much as in the art of war and magic, she has had an excellent education. She enchanted her coronet herself. Unfortunately her marriage is a major problem. She is three quarter elf so she could reliably live for several centuries, and will not know aging untill later. But for elves 37 is very young for a marriage. So the elven houses push for her to be married to an elf, to produce practically pure blooded elves later. Some like Alabastardion would want their son to be her husband, even if they are clever enough not to tell it. And others plot. In the human realm and even among some elves some push for her to be married to a human so their kids would have more human blood and it will show the union of our realm and avoid a too long reign. The dukes of Opportu and of Nist have already asked for her hand to be given to their sons. I have even heard propositions to marry her with a half-elf to create a line of disgusting hybrids ! Imagine the shame, fortunately there is not enough half-elves of blue blood so it shall not pass. Even some adventurers hope to marry her.

-Vagrants ?!? How uncouth !

-Yes indeed, it will not come to pass. But people are divided and there is no marriage just like prince Fulrion is a bachelor. The queen waits before marrying her grandchildren and heirs.

>>6277851

You gravely nodded, learning that this Notyumanea was a witch made her less sympathetic. Besides only fools would let a woman reign. As said Gaucher de Châtillon "Do you see lady or damsel commanding the armies ? Impure each month, fat each year ? Or commanding to the vassals when they cannot even command to the moods of their own nature ? No, lillies do not spin nor their weave." This last part was from the Bible and if Jesus Christ did not take directly about the kingdom of France when mentioning lillies it was the realm's sigil and so an excellent comparison. You thanked Servmiabarel.

-Thank you very much your excellency, and as I see the court full of different parties. Like any court... But do you have enemies there ? Is there someone I should worry about ?

-Besides those who tried to kill you you mean ?

It was your time to chuckle. The Guelph answered then, a servant having arrived with some wine and having poured him it in a thin golden cup sculpted like a tree with it's branches, a masterwork indeed.

-I only meant to be prudent your excellency.

-I am not a master of intrigues lord de Villeroi. But beware of the current master at arms of the palace, Bestanas, he has taught the blade to the prince and the princess and is jealous of his position, close to both of them, probably supports the new Chancellor. For the rest many people consider me to drunk to be their enemy. And about you, you should worry about the barons of Bougres and the Merchant's guild.

You raised an eyebrow and before you could ask he explained himself.

-They are allies of the old chancellor, he gave them privileges, well they are the remaining of his allies, the rest have been put to the sword by the new one.

You thanked him, wanting to continue the conversation.

>Ask Servmiabarel about his past and about Bb'eg the Terrible perhaps he has faced him.
>Ask Servmiabarel about the man that everyone seems to fear and that you put to flight Abovyurlevel.
>Ask Servmiabarel if his family has connections to the Emperors of India.
>Ask Servmiabarel, who is old and wise, if he heard about the Prester John and if there is a Christian kingdom in India.
>Ask Servmiabarel how to have fun at court. What are the activities.
>Ask Servmiabarel whom he thinks will marry princess Notyumanea, and who what lady will marry prince Fulrion.
>Ask Servmiabarel about the most powerful nobles in the realm.
>Ask Servmiabarel if he has friends at court.
>Ask Servmiabarel if he knows count Careless.
>Ask Servmiabarel about the barons of Bougres and the merchant guild. What privileges did they have and why do they hate you.
>Other (write in)

>>6277855
>Ask Servmiabarel, who is old and wise, if he heard about the Prester John and if there is a Christian kingdom in India.
The rest is too much intrigue for our good, nightly fellow, I fear. Well, except that merchants guild and these barons who, if they are affiliated, it clear why they hate us: merchants and burghers and their friends hate men who respect good feudal law and the enforce the god-given privilieges of the nobility!

>>6277855
>>Ask Servmiabarel, who is old and wise, if he heard about the Prester John and if there is a Christian kingdom in India.
>>Ask Servmiabarel how to have fun at court. What are the activities.

>>6277855
>>Ask Servmiabarel how to have fun at court. What are the activities.

>>6278097
Of course, those who are not born are always jealous of those who were. These fools pretend that their capacity to lie, cheat and intigue might permit them to be heard by the powers that be. They should have their taxes doubled for their insolence or they will become reckless.

>>6278254
>>6278339

You decided to ask Servmiabarel the most basic, but necessary question that you had on your mind.

-Your excellency, you told me that you were four thousand years old, and it seems that you are well travelled in the Indias. Have you heard about Prester John, in these last 1200 years. A christian priest who became king in your lands.

The ears of the Guelph twitched and he took a thoughtful expression. He told.

-A priest you say... Called John... I have... Known several priests called John, but none who were at the same time kings I am afraid. And what is a christian by the way ?

-A follower of the Lord... But... If you do not know such realm, it must be somewhere else, I should ask Brother Louis, he is a learned man. A templar.

-A templar ?

-A member of the Order of the Temple, of the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon if you prefer, a soldier-monk, as skilled with a blade as he is pious and wise. He is far more well read than I am.

-We call that a paladin here.

-No, no, he is not on par with the warriors of Charlemagne.

You could not say that you knew them, but the vision where you saw Roland, amongst others, striking several saxons, left a strong impression on you. The glorious past of your ancestors shone upon you and reminded you why you were of high birth. Still, the man seemed curious.

-Charlemagne ?

-Our Emperor, he ruled 500 years ago, a great man who united Christendom, or almost did, and converted many pagans. He is one of the greatest rulers of France.

-You should one day tell me about the history of your realm, before some red wine of course, it is always pleasant to discuss of such things.

-I will be glad to do it your Excellency. By the way, do you know about the activities at the court, there seem to be no banquet or tournament.

-The courtiers play cards or chess in several halls or play in the gardens, young men and women flirt with each-other. Sometimes there is special activities like falconry of course, or song and dance contests, but for now the court is calm. Let us take a tour. There is always wine in the cellars and I know the stewards in charge of the kitchens, we can go taste it if you want. Generally when the queen and her council are busy ruling, as in the morning, we may watch some bouts between knights in the courtyard, or compete in archery we can even listen to some musicians. There is a portal too, to the woods of Tricked, for wood elves who miss home. We could walk towards the world trees even if I suppose that you will not be able to appreciate their beauty. There is a huge library too, if you love reading. I shall show you the way, where should we go first ?

>>6278615

You understood that he wanted to judge even more your character. You ignored what were some of the activities. You regretted the lack of a court jester, what is a royal court without a fool who will tell amusing stories and jokes ? You still asked.

>Let us try to play a game of chess.
>Let us see if the cellars of her majesty contain wine worthy of royalty.
>I would love to see how the finest knights of the realm train.
>An archery contest, I am not excellent with a bow myself but it can be amusing.
>I would love to listen to some music.
>A portal ? To a forest ? A servant woman told me about this marvel yesterday. I wish to see if her stories are true.
>I am curious to see the extent of a royal library. Is it as great at those of the oldest monasteries ?
>Is there not a court jester ? Or perhaps even a court dwarf so we may mock him.
>Other (write in)

>>6278618
>I would love to see how the finest knights of the realm train.
We both love the sword, after all. maybe we can get pointers?
Seeing a real world tree would be quite the thing for Charles, I'm sure, but mudcore might cause the portal to fail.

>>6278618
>>I am curious to see the extent of a royal library. Is it as great at those of the oldest monasteries ?

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6278639
>>6278716
Two different choices, I will have to roll. And indeed, using the portal would have been fun (I would have requested a roll on one of those big tables that old rpg's are so fond of).

I shall roll 1d2 and see if the first or the second choice wins.

>>6278639
>>6278716

You decided to ask.

-I am curious to see the extent of a royal library. Is it as great at those of the oldest monasteries ?

It surprised the brave count who did not expect you to be well read. You were not, in fact you were illiterate since a few months ago, but you had a fiancée who loved to read so you decided to see what marvels could she like. Servmiabarel told you.

-You are a scholar then. Let us go, the library is impressive, it contains many tomes of historical, philosophical, scientific and magical knowledge. And about it's size we always say that a library is like a tree, it grows in every direction each year, it's leaves opening to the sun, knowledge brings knowledge.

You nodded before his wise words while following him on the walls and under a colonnade. The beautiful white stones and the golden decorations of the palace impressed you. You saluted some courtiers and looked at the dress of a very elegant Guelph lady with dark blonde hair who had a cristalline laugh. She was unfortunately with some lord. You then finally saw a gate in a very polished white stone that seemed to almost glow. Servmiabarel explained you.

-These are moonstone gates, the moon means hidden wisdom to the wood elves. They always place moonstones in their libraries, since Kubrickas pretended to get to the moon and give hidden knowledge to them. Follow me.

He told while you entered, the library was guarded by two soldiers. Once inside Servmiabarel showed you a cat man dressed in blue robes in the middle of a desk of white wood sculpted in the intricate Guelph style. He must be the responsible of those archives. Servmiabarel explained.

-This is Gepete, master of the royal library. We should ask him for directions.

You thanked Servmiabarel. Because what you saw was simply the most imposing library that you ever saw. Very strangely books seemed to be put vertically on shelves here, just like in the bookshop that you visited. There were at least two floors and probably several thousand books, strangely you did not see the army of scribes necessary to write and copy all of them. Even more strangely, no chains retained the books, people seemed not to fear thieves. You asked why.

-There is no chains to prevent theft ?

-No, no, the room is enchanted, the books cannot be taken outside without permission.

>>6279528

You did the sign of the cross. Witchcraft and devilry permeated the place. Once more nothing good could come out of books. You still basked in the smell of parchment, before finally coming before the Cat Getepe. Servmiabarel asked him.

-Dear Getepe, this is Lord Charles de Villeroi, a brave lord who is interested in seeing this library.

-I am happy to see you your excellency. And it is an honor my lord. We have many unique books here, not the archival records of course, they are kept elsewhere, but we treat every subject from poetry to fencing treatises, to geography atlases or tomes of magic. We have a total of 10 000 books. It is not the Imperial Library of course but it is perhaps one of the most completes in Bifuria comparable only with the one of the monastery of the Seekers of the Deep.

10 000 books ! You never even imagined that so much books existed and that people wrote so much. You complimented the cat of course, you were not a specialist of cat affairs, they were after all creatures of the devil according to some priests and were not of good company in general. They were useful to hunt pests but not pets, unlike a loyal hunting hound they would not protect their masters. And ferrets or weasels were more popular be it amongst the nobility or the peasantry. You were suspicious of cat people too, after all they were the spawn of bestiality, which was a sin. And with a cat it was a grave sin. Unlike the fancy that some of your Frankish ancestors had for fucking horses in the absence of women (it was a terrible sin that deserved penitence but was understandable) a cat could be a demon.

And you heard that deep in the Alps, Waldensian heretics accepted to serve their dark master by kissing the ass of a demon who took the form of a cat. The fact that this Getepe was the son of a cat fornicator meant that his parents were perhaps some Waldensian extremists who decided to push this intimacy with a demon even further. Whatever, you were not in a court to judge if it was the cat who had seduced one parent of this Getepe, or if they were both taken in a disgusting passion, or if the cat was an innocent victim of a degenerate man. To know who was responsible. Nevertheless this Getepe seemed less Waldensian than the other cat person that you interacted with, you remembered this female cat that you sawed the legs off in the dungeons of the Mage's Guild to escape, she menaced to kill all humans and repeated it more and more and was completely mad. It was a clear case of possession, you could tell it even if you were not an exorcist. Perhaps caused by her Waldensian heritage or perhaps by the foul magics of the denizens of the Mage's guild headquarters of Pleasantville.

>>6279530

Whatever cats should be watched, even if they are half human. You remembered being sceptical at the wish of Rose to have a white fluffy cat, but after much thought a white cat was white, that made him better than a black cat, and she looked at you too pleadingly for you to refuse. Some would call you hypocritical, foolish or weak-willed but these men have never been married or never loved a woman. Because as anyone knows, in a couple the man is the head, but the woman is the neck, where she turns the head follows. Such is the reality of life. It was in the middle of these reflexions that Getepe asked you.

-Do you wish to consult a particular book, or a book on a particular subject your lordship ?

>I would wish to see a treatise about history.
>May I see where you keep your poetry books ?
>Perhaps an Atlas of Geography would be helpful.
>I would like to see something on alchemy.
>Theology is the queen of sciences, do you have anything about it.
>Perhaps some treatise of Heraldry would be helpful.
>Do you have some treatise about law ? Perhaps a "coutumier" containing some laws of the realm.
>Where do you store your chivalric romans ?
>His excellency Servmiabarel told me about fencing treatises, I would be curious to see them.
>I simply wanted to see the library with my own eyes. I unfortunately do not have the time to read today.
>Other (write in)

>>6279531
>Perhaps some treatise of Heraldry would be helpful.
We've been having trouble identifying people, after all.

>>6279531
>>Perhaps an Atlas of Geography would be helpful.

>>6279531
>Perhaps some treatise of Heraldry would be helpful

>>6279551
Indeed, it is a wise choice.

>>6279567
>>6279756

You decided to consult a tome of heraldry, first because you did not need to know how to read to enjoy it. You knew how to recognise a ducal or a countal or a baronnial crown. The fact that you read, even slowly, could help you understand whose house was represented. Plus you could try to understand how some sygils, like those of Guelphs or short scotsmen here, were organised. So you asked.

-Perhaps some treatise of Heraldry would be helpful.

Getepe nodded and told you.

-Of course, please follow me my lord.

The brave Servmiabarel explained you then.

-If you are going to read I shall leave you here undisturbed, lord de Villeroi, it has been a pleasure.

-The pleasure is mine your excellency, thank you once more for your help.

And with these words you parted ways, following Getepe to the second floor of the library. There you found leather bound tomes that he presented you as the "Coats of Arms of the Kingdom of Bifuria" a far bigger tome called the "Great Armorial of the Empire" and a third one indicating the "Old families of Bifurian Nobility" a good way to root out people who were not well born but masqueraded as such. There was a book too, about "The Great Houses of the Wood Elves". You had to choose one and begin to read it, probably on a white wooden table under a huge window.

>Coats of Arms of the Kingdom of Bifuria
>Great Armorial of the Empire
>Great Armorial of the Empire
>The Great Houses of the Wood Elves
>Other (write in)