Meet with Lord Blackshield's forces and try to get in contact with Parnoth. Something does not add up in this whole ordeal; Duc Parnoth stands only to lose with his current actions.
You meet up with Lord Blackshield's small army. [6+1] You manage to get a few messengers in contact with Parnoth, and he sends back their heads. He appears to be unwilling to negotiate at the moment.
Using my 50 crowns and whatever might be found in the fort wine cellar, hold a small feast. Ensure that three casks of liquor/wine are brought in to the kitchens: One is to be as heavy as it can be, one is to be somewhat weak, and the last is to be watered down considerably.
(Charisma) Seek to befriend the diplomat, and make myself appear to be harmless. If necessary, allude to the (false) fact that I may be willing to provide shelter and supplies for Donnerstein forces, and that I may have been tasked with seeking aid against recent and more pressing threats. Both Zacharie and the Diplomat are served the weak wine at this time. All are to be clearly labeled so as to prevent confusion, and the cup which Zacharie drinks from is to be distinct from the Diplomat's for the entirety of the night so that he is never to be served the wrong wine. The diplomat is never to know of the differences between the drinks.
(Charisma) End the feast before it gets too late. Invite the Diplomat to the study or lounge or wherever would be appropriate for a more private meeting, using Zacharie's reputation as a party-boy to further disarm him. During this time Zacharie is to be served the watered down wine while the diplomat is to be given the heavy stuff. Throughout this meeting, Zacharie is to subtly needle the diplomat, through small-talk, for information as to the following:
-The number and strength of the Donnerstein forces at the border.
-The current defenses of Donnerstein's border forces.
-The names of any prominent nobles and other key players among the border forces, where their personal fiefs are located, and how many regiments they brought.
-The current status, strength, and location of the Donnerstein supply train.
(Charisma) The diplomat is to be invited to remain within Oathbreaker for as long as he likes, of course, and Zacharie attempts to be affable enough to convince him of this. To further attempt to convince him, Zacharie pretends to get a little too into his drink (impossible, likely, given he's drinking the watered down stuff), and confides in the diplomat who "reminds him so much of his dear deceased brother/father": He might be convinced to betray his Liege and side with Donnerstein given enough time to come around to the idea. He is also to imply that he is seeking to marry his sister off, to further enhance the image that he might be willing to turn coat given enough persuading.
[3] The beginning of the feast goes well. The diplomat drinks little, but that is to be expected from any experienced ambassador; overall, he remains polite and empties his cup a few times. [3+1] Your charisma, however, goes through his genre savvy; he becomes friendly and joyful as the night advances, though he does not start drinking more heavily. [5+1] Your allusions clearly enthusiasm him, and he begins to discuss about all sorts of "theoretical arrangements" about "theoretical military access treatires" in an "hypothetical mindset".
[5] Miraculously, the wine trick goes well. Yours is clearly watered down, while his is heavy stuff; he becomes drunk in a matter of moments. Already enthusiastic, he becomes extremely friendly with you. [2+2] Though he gives no numbers (either because he is not that drunk, or because he is so drunk he has forgotten), he does admit that most of Donnerstein's armies are massed along the borders. While said army is not as big as all of Windheath's combined forces, it is certainly stronger than any individual army within the kingdom. [5] He mentions no defenses to speak of; the forces of Donnerstein expect no battle any time soon. [4] And, most importantly, he speaks of who is present in the border force.
[5] The Duke of Redwaters Bridge is leading the army, and he is... A peculiar one, to say the least. He is a politician and a relatively good player at court, but his skills as a general are abysmal, to say the least. Infamous amongst Donnerstein's nobility, it is said that he could not win a battle against a band of peasants if he didn't outnumber them with an army of heavy knights, and even then he would probably have to rely on a terrain advantage of some sort. This shows that the king in Donnerstein is either not interested in a winter campaign, or that Duke Redwaters improved his skills at intrigue greatly.
Zacharie and [3] Count Rudolph of Clearfalls Way have become friends!Karas decided enough was enough. He would find his true Father, this Swordmaster. Someone in the city has to know who he might be
Ask around for any leads as to where any Swordmasters may be.
[5] Swordmasters are generally hard to find... But this is Windheath, home to the greatest city of the North. Stormstead probably contains a hundred swordmasters of reasonable talent, and at least a dozen good enough to train you everything you wish to know. However, they all work for a price - generally a very high one. How much are you willing to spend?
Renart ratifies Trent's edicts and calls a request to all the peasantry - all males of working age, able to wield a weapon and armor to report to Northwatch's armories for a region-wide arming. Defense has just gotten personal.
Alarm my vassals and other nobles about the coming threat and request their aid. Especially from the citizenry.
[3] A band of peasant show up at the castle. Your edict was obviously not very popular, but you can probably raise two levy regiments from these. Of course, it lowers your popularity amongst the common classes (+1 unrest), who believe they'd have a better chance of living through this by hiding in the woods, rather than fighting the Haegars on the field.
You raise two additional levies from your nobility, who are more than willing to defend their lands.
Begin the march to Northwatch. Set-up a siege immediately. Let none in or out. Including animals and objects; all those are to be killed or burnt.
[4] The snows aren't too harsh, which allows you to make a good time and to ensure the cold won't kill too many of your men. [1] On your way to Northwatch, however, you are challenged by one man. It is a lone horseman, wearing the silver stag of Altaregia on his coat, with the blue and white banner of the Conricht dynasty above him. He is posted right next to the Hangman's Tree (the tree where the last of the Red Kings of the North was hung, after the end of War of the Longaxe, which marks the border between Windheath and the North). He speaks in a loud and clear voice, in a flawless Haegar.
"Today, you are crossing into the border of Windheath. My Liege knows that none of his words will stop you from violating our border and breaking the peace; and so, he sends me not to order you to turn around, but to send you a fair advice. He advises you to make your prayers before you cross into our borders, as this will be the last time in your life you shall see your homeland; none of you will return north. The forces of Windheath will show no mercy and make no quarters. All Haegars who will cross in our border will be killed and burned on the plains of Adranic lands. May your God have mercy upon your souls - but remember that where you will spread, he has no power."With that, he rode away.
[2] The morale of the army takes a hit, to say the least. No one deserts, of course - no warrior will go home and say that he fled because a southerner threatened him without even drawing a blade! However, a certain uneasiness settles amongst your forces. You go on and install a siege around Northwatch - with the thousands of men you have at your disposition, surrounding the fortress is a matter of hours.
The Siege of Northwatch begins.
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Topic: You are King III: Spring 938 AAL (Read 133178 times)