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[Talvara]

seeing as we have a small shipyard set up it wouldnt hurt to build ships, however it would feel as such a waste to just 'keep them around',

maybe we can set up a sort of... ship levy system? where we sell out our ships to captains for a fair price but with a contract that they have to answer our call to arms if need be. They can use the ships for trade when times are good. maybe we can even lower the price more and ask for a percentage instead.

It would get troublesome if they made long trips and aren't always around to answer potential call to arms.

Also... lets not go sail out in search of the invaders. its really not our skill set, we wouldn't know where to start looking and I'm not looking forward to dieing on the open waters.

[Gotdamnmiracle]

seeing as we have a small shipyard set up it wouldnt hurt to build ships, however it would feel as such a waste to just 'keep them around',

maybe we can set up a sort of... ship levy system? where we sell out our ships to captains for a fair price but with a contract that they have to answer our call to arms if need be. They can use the ships for trade when times are good. maybe we can even lower the price more and ask for a percentage instead.

It would get troublesome if they made long trips and aren't always around to answer potential call to arms.

Also... lets not go sail out in search of the invaders. its really not our skill set, we wouldn't know where to start looking and I'm not looking forward to dieing on the open waters.

See. This is a great idea.

I never said our character should go do that. Jeez, I don't support the looking for our invaders idea, I was proposing conquistadoring.

Yes, it is a bit nasty work but economically, it's absolutely bitchin'. Even if we don't do any of that though there are to many recognizable benefits to having a big navy to pass it up.

really the only reasons I see against it are:

1: It may block the river.

1, Then we will only build enough so that it doesn't block the river. I suppose that would be our upward limit. Probably not that outrageous of a number depending on how we end up designing the ships.

2: We may not be allowed to or punished for making political moves without consent.

2, ... Then get consent before using them for such an action. Even if we can't go exploring the levying of the ships alone would pay off the expenses of building them in only a few months. Plus having the means will likely influence the result on the consent issue.

And also, does anyone have an opinion on having the machinist working on ballista and scorpion models for our ships and town towers and walls? We may even commission him into building crossbows for a trial of sorts. (Why not, he isn't doing much else and it isn't like it wouldn't pay off.)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Mal, this argument is not related to this turn so feel free to post when you are ready at any time.

[GreatWyrmGold]

I'm alright with building up our navy and upgrading our current ships a bit, but let's not go crazy with it.

Before I respond, please define "navy."

Anyways, I'd rather wait for a Colombus before worrying about being Cortez. And even then...was he funded by a knight or the king?

[Gervassen]

Our river is 100m wide. We could have about 10 trading cogs squeezing down our river at once, or 6-8 comfortably with maneuver space. Our river has approximately 300 square meters of throughput, which is comparable to middle Rhine. Not big, but hardly tiny and capable of decent naval volume. 

Spoiler: Cogs (click to show/hide)

Cog typical dimensions
Tonnage: 140 t
Crew:   28 men
Hull length: 20 m
Width:   7 m
Draught:   3 m

These are bulky trading cogs, and longships are thinner.

What does this mean? Well, I don't think a huge navy right now is important for us, but eventually after filling the Duke's quota, we want a decent naval force and to do international trade. We should first hone our shipbuilding skill on supplying the Duke and private merchants, but I love Talvara's levy system.

We should send a letter to the duke explaining that Marna is close to childbirth, with an invitation to see the new child once it is born.

He can see the child at the Fair, when it's been properly swaddled and given a little time gain its bearings. Let's not draw him away from rebuilding too soon. In the middle ages, there wasn't this immediate insistence that everyone view the squalling newborn in the hospital, to say nothing of the ghastliness of bringing camcorders in and taping the event!

We are progressively turning this into the Champagne's fairs, aren't we?
(Champagne's fairs: series of 6 fairs, each lasting several weeks, located in several cities of the XIInd century france. Biggest trading event of the world at the time. Saw the apparition of checks, early banks and loans.)

Yeah, I have been thinking about Troyes in particular.

[GreatWyrmGold]

I did not remember the width, but I still don't think we can justify a full-fledged navy. Especially if we look at it from the king's or probably duke's perspective, which is that those ships would do much more good downstream.

[Talvara]

I did not remember the width, but I still don't think we can justify a full-fledged navy. Especially if we look at it from the king's or probably duke's perspective, which is that those ships would do much more good downstream.

if for whatever reason there is advance warning, we could bring our ships to the side of the duke. We don't necessarily need to use our own navy. it could serve as reinforcement if it ever comes to it.

Seeing as I'm not sure it will ever come to it I wouldn't want a large strictly war-fleet, instead a fleet of trading vessels which can be militarised would have my preference.

[Jembot]

\ Presenting the son/daughter of the beloved lord to the people, lion king style, anyone?

YES

Also I'm new, seems like a good thread so I will join in (Big effort plowing through 150+pges)

[Origami_Psycho]

I think that if we're gonna make a 'navy' then we should more focus on trading vessels, rather than military riverine craft.  Firstly, we don't know how extensive this river system is, secondly, we don't know what the other lords naval capacity is, and thridly, we don't know if what we're doing is cool with the king/duke.
But I'm sure that nobody can argue with cargo vessels, and, if push comes to shove, those cargo vessels can also be used in a military campaign requiring a brownwater navy.

But this is all in the distant future, maybe two or three years.  Until then I say we stick to smaller ships.

[tryrar]

I know I wanted a small navy for defense after what happened with the raiders, but then I forgot bya12 and you guys totally ran away with it. Look, after the Duke's orders are finished, I'm not against expanding our fleet a little(maybe starting out with small trade vessels as suggested), but huge expeditions to far off lands are a no-go for me.

[Maldevious]

Year 5, March

March arrives, and early in the month Marna awakens you in the middle of the night. She tells you that the baby is coming. You are quite flummoxed, and sit stupidly for a moment, before she encourages you to go find her Lady's Maid. You do so, and she promptly tells you to run off to fetch the wise woman. You dispatch one of the guards to do so, and rekindle the fire in your hearth.

You spend a tense several hours, drinking a cup of mulled wine and glancing at the door to your quarters everytime it opens, only to be disappointed when it is simply a servant fetching water or some linens. You have fought in battles, you have killed men, you have seen death, but for some reason hearing the gentle moaning of labor makes you decidedly uncomfortable.

Morning breaks, and your eyes are bleary with fatigue. Irlof pays you a courtesy visit, and you take the opportunity to discuss the wool merchant that you set up after the unpleasantness last year. He tells you that the young man has prospered well, and his flock has nearly doubled in size. Your lands are coming to be known as a center for wool trading, just as you hoped. He also tells you that increased trade is flowing your way from Carshire on the gravel roads.

You are glad for the company, and you spend some time discussing the upcoming fair. You want to grow this event greatly, and you pass Irlof some ideas. You want him to spread the word that there will be a large gathering of wealthy individuals, and that you expect trade to be brisk. He nods in delight as you explain the various competitions you have devised: a prize for best acting troupe in both comical and tragical styles; a prize for best song in the noble style of the troubadour that swoons ladies, another for songs of valor that inspire knights, and a final for the jigs and hornpipes and songs of ribaldry that are much clapped for by the commons; a prize for the best recitation of poetry; three prizes for debating points of theology, moral philosophy, and natural philosophy; and several prizes for art in categories of pottery, jewelry, woodcarving and freemasonry for highlighting the strengths of the local artisans and giving visitors something to peruse.

Irlof is impressed, and promises to spread the word far and wide. You sit and chat for a while longer, and tell him how you have sent letters reaching out to Duke Erran and Lady Iris, several other local Counts, the Abbot of Hemswood, and other local notables to spread the word of the fair and serve as judges for the contests. You have also invited several other Knights, and plan on doing more research for your book during the festival.

Around noon time, the Lady's Maid comes out and tells you that you have a new child who would like to meet you. Irlof bows to you and takes his leave, promising to return on the morrow to see the little one for himself. You stand, feeling a buzz of anticipation. You enter the room, and are greeted by the sight of Marna looking down on a swaddled baby, who is staring up at her face through squinting eyes. You approach, and she looks up at you with a weary smile. "It's a boy, my love."

You are blown away. Your have a son of your own. You spend the day enraptured by his newness, holding him awkwardly at first, but loving him from the moment you see him. You realize that you haven't picked a name for him yet. Marna offers a suggestion: "I know we haven't decided, but it would mean a great deal to me to name him Isaac, after my father."

As you have no strong ideas of your own, you agree to this, and you send out word across the land that your son, Isaac Stone, has been born. There is an impromptu celebration in Feroshire, but you plan on truly celebrating his birth at the May festival.

Most of your attention is on your new family this month, although you do instruct Mr. Wood to build a theatre for the upcoming festival. You also ensure that construction begins on the walls, and that dredging continues on the river. You also instruct Mr. Dent to parcel out homesteads on the northern bank for the refugees, which he does gladly.

Your shipyards are busy cranking out trade ships for the Duke, per your contract, but you have them begin studies on the longboats, to see if any advances can be gleaned from them for future use.

April beckons, and your May festival shortly thereafter. What will you do?

Spoiler: "Sir Samuel Stone" (click to show/hide)

Age: 24 (February birthday)
Spouse: Lady Marna Stone - Age 20 - April Birthday
Children: Sir Isaac Stone - One Month Old - March Birthday

Good Health
Elite Fitness

Literate
Natural Archer
Fine Man of the People
Fine Swordswman
Above Average Rider
Above Average Woodsman
Average Etiquette
Average Lancer
Average Shield User
Average Armor User
Average History
Novice Heroic Combatant (fighting against the odds)
Poor Legal Mind
Poor Rhetoric

Spoiler: "Equipment and Possessions" (click to show/hide)

Weapons
Militia-grade Short Sword
Fine Longsword
Iron-tipped Lances

Armor
Steel Plate Armor
Mail Shirt
Brigandine Armor
Fur cloak and leggings
Iron Shield
Steel Barding for Destrier

Transport
Felucca
Mottled Grey Hunter
White Destrier

Housing
Brick and Lumber Manor
Fine Furniture
Stag Skull
Falconry Mews

Misc.
Average Clothing
Silver Sun Necklace with Gold Pendant
Bound New Testament
Book of Laws
Cask of Beer
Stone Weights

Spoiler: "Feroshire (Capital Town)" (click to show/hide)

Treasury - Fat
230 Citizens

Services and Housing
Nice Communal Housing
Mix of Wood and Brick Housing
Nice Inn
Rowdy Inn
Small Courthouse
Small School and Scribe
Small Theatre

Defense
Wooden Palisade with watchtowers
Stone Tower (11% complete)
Stone Walls (7% complete)
Three longboats
Fake Town for river defense

Trade and Travel
Brick Roads
Medium Brick Paved Market
Medium Dockyard
Two-way Ferry
River Parlon (being dredged)

Industry
Large Clayworks
Smokehouse
Watermill (Lumber Mill and Grindstone)
Growing Shipyard
Brewery
Stables - Large herd of horses
Small Furniture Workshop

Spoiler: "Your Land" (click to show/hide)

Medium (5x city size) population (Loyal)
River Parlon (fertile banks on both sides, light forest to the north)

Farming
Nice parcel farms south of the river (four field crop rotation)
Crude parcel farms north of the river (four field crop rotation)
Fine Communal Farm (four field crop rotation)
Medium Vineyard
Grand Flock of Sheep
Communal Grazing Land

Defense
Fortified Average Barracks, Armory, and Obstacle Course with Furnaces and Forges
Jousting practice field

Trade and Travel
Gravel Roads
Medium Warehouse

Industry
Medium Fishing Fleet
Fortified Mines north of river (silver, copper, gold, iron, gems)
   * Small community of miners in communal houses

Misc.
Trash Pit
Graveyard

Spoiler: "Your Forces" (click to show/hide)

Ranged - Longbows, iron short swords, fur armor, mounts
Two elite Archers
Six veteran Rangers
Eight veteran Archers

Melee - Iron halberds, iron brigandine armor, iron short swords, mounts
Twelve veteran Halberdiers

Reserve - Iron short swords, fur armor, wooden shields
Ten regular Watchmen
Mandatory Bow or Halberd Training for Able-bodied Men

Spoiler: "Your people" (click to show/hide)

Skilled Potters
Above Average Jewelers
Above Average Trappers
Above Average Miners
Average Metalworkers
Average Wine Makers
Journeymen Masons
Journeymen Furniture Builders
Journeymen Horse Breeders
Journeymen Weaponsmiths
Journeymen Armorers

Spoiler: "Nearby" (click to show/hide)

Market Town of Carshire - Gravel Road
Folesden - Land of Count Foles - Downstream
   * Curbiston - County Seat of Folesden
Land of Sir Denton - Upstream
Land of Sir Percival - Adjacent to Sir Denton's land, across the river
Hemswood Abbey - Far Upstream - Known for dark beer
Lands of Duke Erran - Across the river to the north - Used for hunting
   * Torchester - Duke Erran's Capital - Damaged metropolis with a bustling port located on a wide estuary

Spoiler: "Known Lords by Rank and Relationship" (click to show/hide)

King Edward Geronos IV, Lord of the Falls, Keeper of the Flame, Seer of the Dawn - Known

Duke Erran - Fond

Count Aaron Foles - Your Liege Lord - An angry drunkard - Antagonistic
Count Gorgan - A fine fighter - Introduced
Count Zanders - Introduced

Sir Derrick Denton - Introduced
Sir Alan Percival - Friendly
Sir Uriel Lope - Count's Marshall - Unsure
Sir Melvin - Lady Marna's brother, Duke Erran's nephew - Friendly
Sir Ivanson - A renowned jouster - Introduced
Sir Owen - A household Knight of Count Zanders - Rival

Lady Marna - Wife - Loving
Lady Iris - Lady Marna's mother, Duke Erran's younger sister - Cordial

Isaac Stone - Your First Son - Newborn

Spoiler: "Important Citizens by Occupation" (click to show/hide)

Fin - Captain of the Militia
Oswald - Ranger Captain
William Dent - Steward, Mayor
Victor Irlof - Master of the Market, Treasurer
Curtis Stumpf - Miner, Councilman
Ian Wood - Carpenter, Councilman
Marge Kannity - Brewer

Shipwright
Architect
Armorer
Weaponsmith
Horse Breeder
Scribe
Healer
Wool Merchant

Spoiler: "In Fond Remembrance" (click to show/hide)

Sir Alan - Your first squire - Killed in the Battle of Torchester
Sir Blake Denton - Your good friend and confidant - Killed in the Battle of Torchester
Tor - Your first Captain - Killed by the brigand "Ox" in a forest skirmish

[Theodolus]

I have nothing to offer at this point other than the coincidence that my little sister just had her first boy a few days ago. His name is Isaac. So yeah, great choice on the name!

[Mlamlah]

I think this month we should focus our efforts on things of little strain. Sir stone has had a very full year to say the least, and i think he could do with a break.
Spend time with the family, mingle with the people, perhaps read. Anything that doesn't have us stray too far from home really. We should also be prepared to receive all sorts of visitors, including our uncle and/or brother in law. If they don't know already, we should send them news.

[Gervassen]

It's not that I can't think of things, but I have this feeling that our plate is full, construction-wise. Enlarging our docks again never hurts.

Gauge the interest and buzz for the Flower Fair, and expand the plans if appropriate. Irlof is Master of the Market, so give him management of the fine details, such as setting fair prices for market stall space, and instruct him to hire extra watchmen, plus more educated arbiters with weights to test scales, experience in assaying gold and silver quality, and to bring trade disputes swiftly to his attention. A good reputation for standard weights and mediating disputes will gain us trust among merchants and customers. Extend these measures into the Wool Market later in May.

Practice sword-fighting and heroic situations a bit more. Fight random groups of our men so that we aren't getting used to the fighting styles of specific training partners. Try to read the body language of a given band of attackers more and choose which attackers to target first. Train indoors and outdoors. Be more aware of the environment in controlling opponents; such as, in a forest, whipping branches back into their faces while retreating, and maneuvering them to stumble backward over exposed roots or fallen logs when pressing a quick counter-attack; kicking furniture into their paths when indoors, etc. Try to expand beyond just having a sword and shield, while still having a sword and shield. And actually, let's do a little sword and cape just for fun, while relying more on parries and whipping our cape into the enemy's guard.

Let Finn and Oswald join our fun by having a few three versus six matches. At any rate, even if its never used, the new skill intrigues me.

Also I'm new, seems like a good thread so I will join in (Big effort plowing through 150+pges)

Enjoy the reading! I started at around 90+ pages. You can do a quick and dirty read by clicking on Maldevious and selecting "Show Posts" but you'll need to read other people when roleplay sections start.

[Gervassen]

I think this month we should focus our efforts on things of little strain. Sir stone has had a very full year to say the least, and i think he could do with a break.
Spend time with the family, mingle with the people, perhaps read. Anything that doesn't have us stray too far from home really. We should also be prepared to receive all sorts of visitors, including our uncle and/or brother in law. If they don't know already, we should send them news.

We did things of little strain last month. How many months to do things of little strain? Little strain didn't get us here to this point. No to mingling with the people, no to spending undue amounts of time with the baby like a "perfect modern husband" and we be about our business as a medieval man. Soon Marna will have a wet nurse and be about her business, too.

[Origami_Psycho]

Enlarge the docks, continue the defensive stuff, and some such.