Year 2, JuneJune is mild and beautiful. You spend your days lounging on the docks, waving down passing merchant barges and holding long, thoughtful discussions with the captains that land here. They have been taking notice of Feroshire for the last few months, and many of them are impressed. They sample your pottery, and come away impressed. You ask them what you could do to attract more trade, and they mention two things. More goods, and more stability.
Several mention those brigands that are encamped north of you, and that they are generally skeptical of putting ashore so near such unsavory characters. Otherwise, it is simply the paucity of goods you have available for trade at the moment that seems to be holding you back. However, many of the merchants do seem to enjoy your quirky little inn and its well cooked food, which is a plus. As is, several mention that they plan on stopping here in the future, which is encouraging.
You work hard on the communal farm, improving the irrigation canals and further demarcating the plots. It is now very acceptable, and seems to be attracting attention from the parcel farmers, who come to you for ideas and techniques. The fields are flourishing.
On a whim, you decide to cast about your land for some grapes, with the notion of making wine. You've only seen grapes a few times in your life, but you are shocked and pleased to find a few bushes growing naturally across the river in your land. With care and effort, you could easily set up a winery. If you knew someone who knew how to do it.
You ask Irlof about his ship, hoping to get a lead on a shipwright. Unfortunately, he didn't build his ship, but inherited it from his father. However, he tells of a great shipbuilding industry in the Duke's capital (your lord's lord, who you have not yet met). He indicates that would be a good place to look. When you ask him about a still, he notes that you already know the Abbey has them, you just don't have enough money to make them want to sell you one. He also suggests possibly looking in the towns for enough tin, brass, or copper, and someone who could work the metals.
With your increasing literacy, you realize that your lands have a definite boundary, and it may not be wise to have your trappers wandering off your land. You give them a small seal, painstakingly written in your own hand, that indicates they are allowed to take game on your land, and have your steward explain where your land ends. An intelligent move to ward off future ills.
The miner states that setting up the mine would take a good portion of the village's population at the moment, unless you hired a crew. He will continue to survey, and await further orders.
Just thought I'd clarify: this year, you'll start gaining your own personal wealth in October, when you collect taxes. Then you can start buying some stuff, if you'd like... or saving. Your call.Age: 20
Great Health
Average Fitness
Somewhat literate
Awful Swordswman
Very Poor Rider
Militia-grade Short Sword
Old Brown Mare
Worn-down Farmhouse
Bound New Testament
28 Citizens
Modest Inn with kitchen
Small Market
Nascent Trade
Modest Communal Kiln
Modest dock
Brewery (Unfinished)
Two nightly patrols
Low population (Loyal)
River Parlon (fertile banks on both sides, light forest to the north)
Modest parcel farms south of the river
Crude Roads
Small Warehouse (low supply of food)
Adequate Communal Farm
Bare bones Barracks and Armory
Rocky outcropping north of the river
Five veteran archers
Ten green militiamen (inactive)
Skilled Potters
Novice Trappers
Market Town of Carshire - One day's ride on main 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
Hemswood Abbey - Far Upstream - Known for dark beer
King Edward Geronos IV, Lord of the Falls, Keeper of the Flame, Seer of the Dawn - Vaguely remembered
Count Aaron Foles - Your Liege Lord - An angry drunkard - Suspicious
Sir Blake Denton - Polite
Sir Alan Percival - Polite
Alan Alanson - Squire - Companionable
Ian Wood - Overseer of Construction- Devoted
William Dent - Steward - Companionable
Ian Hermage - Personal Cook - Happy
Marge Kannity - Daughter of a brewer - Mildly Upset
Victor Irlof - Master of the Market - Devoted
Curtis Stumpf - Miner - Happy