Year 3, AugustYou dash off a letter to Lady Marna, welcoming her and asking particulars about when she'll be arriving. You then turn your eyes towards the town, which you decide is in need of a massive upgrade before her visit.
First off, you have Morgan begin work on a ferry (well, two ferries to be particular), post-haste. Then you find the most capable of the raft drivers, build him a hut by the best crossing site, and name him the pilot. You instruct him on how to collect tolls, with nobles obviously crossing for free. A second pilot is set up in a similar position on the other side of the river.
You also set Mr. Wood on upgrading the inn, which has existed in its current state for around three years now. With the new milled wood, the project goes smoothly, and comes off excellently. The new inn has wood floors, ten private rooms, a dedicated kitchen, two fireplaces lined with granite from the quarry, and an attic and second community sleeping room for common travelers. It is quite impressive, and you imagine it will bring much prestige to your town.
On the administrative side, you inquire with Mr. Dent as to the laws of the land. He knows most of them by heart, but he offers to send off a letter to the royal courts for a written copy. You tell Dent that you will most likely set up a system for hearing grievances. He agrees that it is a good idea, but would like some time to go over the laws with you before doing so. You agree to wait until you have the written copy of the laws to study.
During the days, you head to the barracks and pick out a bow, which you decide you should learn for hunting. Taking it out to the range, you find that you have a natural aptitude for the weapon, and are soon able to best even some of the experienced archers. You also note that, with you at the range, the men practice harder, and the green archers are now improved to regulars.
Towards the end of the month, a letter arrives from Marna. She will be arriving near the end of September, with a party of eight to ten. She looks forward to seeing you again, and cannot wait to see your lands.
You also hold a forum on the upcoming festival, which you say will be held during the visit from the hunting party at the end of September. The people seem agreeable, and some tell that word has spread far and wide. You expect the festival will be much larger this year. In addition to the martial contests, suggestions are given for cooking, farming, and craftwork competitions.
How will you prepare for September, the month of the big visit?
Age: 21 (February birthday)
Good Health
Great Fitness
Moderately literate
Average Etiquette
Poor Rhetoric
Average Swordswman
Poor Rider
Mediocre Shield User
Natural Archer
Militia-grade Short Sword
Average Clothing
Mail Shirt
Oak Shield
Old Brown Mare
Average Farmhouse
Bound New Testament
Cask of Beer
Treasury - Empty
83 Citizens
Wooden Palisade
New Arrival Barracks
Nice Inn
Growing Small Paved Market
Growing Small Trade
Modest Pottery Complex
Modest dockyard
Watermill (Lumber Mill)
Basic Shipyard - Under Construction
Brewery
Two nightly patrols
Two-way Ferry
Medium population (Loyal)
River Parlon (fertile banks on both sides, light forest to the north)
Modest parcel farms south of the river (two plantings per season)
Adequate Communal Farm
Small Vineyard
Crude Roads
Small Warehouse
Bare bones Barracks, Armory, and Obstacle Course
Shallow mines north of river (minerals are deeper)
* Small community of miners in communal houses
Ten veteran archers
Ten veteran spearmen
Five regular axmen
Five regular archers
Skilled Potters
Average Trappers
Novice Masons
Journeymen Miners
Novice Mechanics
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, across the river
Hemswood Abbey - Far Upstream - Known for dark beer
Lands of Duke Erran - Across the river to the north - Used for hunting
King Edward Geronos IV, Lord of the Falls, Keeper of the Flame, Seer of the Dawn - Vaguely remembered
Duke Erran - Unknown
Count Aaron Foles - Your Liege Lord - An angry drunkard - Suspicious
Sir Blake Denton - Friendly
Sir Alan Percival - Friendly
Sir Uriel Lope - Count's Marshall - Unsure
Sir Melvin - Lady Marna's brother, Duke Erran's nephew - Unknown
Lady Marna - Intrigued
Alan Alanson - Squire - Companionable
Fin - Captain - Happy
William Dent - Steward - Companionable
Ian Wood - Overseer of Construction- Devoted
Marge Kannity - Brewer - Happy
Victor Irlof - Master of the Market - Devoted
Curtis Stumpf - Miner - Happy
Morgan - Shipwright - Happy