About benevolence, We disposed a lord and his wife who were actively planning to attack us. also we didn't put them to the sword. our young claimant did that. we we're lucky that the 'pretender' was acting without backing from other counties, but the fact that he has been killed probably made a few enemies for Arthur and us anyway.
while these events are clearly in the darker grayzone it doesn't mean we should go 180 into selfish scheming bastard mode. (exaggeration) its stewarding our people, helping our friends and honouring our duty towards the realm that has brought us from simple beginnings to be a Barron. We shouldn't turn our back on that just because the county has fallen on bad times.
I think we should try and share our 'techniques' to combat the plague with our neighbours. We can even use messages tied to arrows to do that.
I'm in agreements with Origami that we can't leave Silverhills to well... rot and fester, Its a damned shame that we couldn't prevent things from escalating there.
about the Refugees... If we ignore their problems and simply look out for only ourselves, I wouldn't be surprised if there was an uprising or at the very least a very sharp increase in banditry... I mean that's where bandits come from right? people forsaken and hopeless.
I think we should prepare to take refugees in, but do it in a controlled manner. set them up in separate camps, not in the town. tighten the belt buckle a bit more. and use the same techniques we used to get the plague out of Feroshire.
Besides... We're going to need the manpower to get Silverhills up and running again.
Here's a thought. Just throwing it out there to change the conversation.
We could leave Finn in charge of Feroshire and go to Curbiston alone, reunite with Gunther there, and attempt to save it in person. If Arthur is truly dead as the reports say, then the entire city is in danger of descending into bedlam. We could try to save it, and I think we just might succeed, too, if benevolence doesn't get in our way first!
Going to Curbiston, Yeah I think that may be a good idea... if we can stabilise the situation there it could mean less refugees to deal with. and if Arthur is still alive we can get a feel for what kind of ruler he is turning into.
I don't believe you can be a good leader without being benevolent. Power either comes from the people through admiration or it comes through suppression. Benevolence really isn't some kind of dirty word is it?