As usual, your decisions complement each other. It shall be done so ;3.
On a somewhat different note, as soon as something is mentioned / set into motion, it will normaly run along it's path. As soon as our view rises above certain matters, we will only get the results and less reasoning - but at the moment it seems awkward if we were unable to follow the antics of our few men. I suspect that we will be able to direct our gaze towards the bigger picture in the future, but all in due time.
Some of the first decisions made in the new month are about trading, as this seems the most viable method to pay the debt quickly - and boost interest in your province. For this reason Gózul is sent towards the Homelands yet again. Besides the obvious hides and furs, your leatherworker is more than ready to pitch in his wares, and he is even able to talk some of his elvish counterparts into doing the same. While your expectations of the later ones turning a profit are only moderate, you deduce that it really could not hurt to do so. For that reason Gózul chooses a good portion of their better assorted crafts, but as they want the money up front you buy it from them with five silver in total. You send him along with two of his buddies from Surkoz men, with the three additional wolves carrying most of the tradegoods.
The pouring rain in wich he sets off really pulls a number on the natives fields, while the refugee fields are less impacted - mainly because they still lack irrigation. Luckily for the villagers, the quelling over only seems to have a limited impact on the construction itself. To a similiar end, you let the wolf-riders check up on the known populace in the area, but the rain only damaged their fields here and there. It also seems that all but those afflicted by serious disease or old age made it through winter. While they still hold somewhat of a grude against you from confiscating food in the first place, your later actions seems to have more than redeemed you.
(General Populace added)While discussing the matter of food and its preservation, you also inquire about the local methods. A grainary for the obvious and root cellars for a good portion of the other fruits of field seems to be what the locals use - nothing innovative there. You also inquire about the possibility of barrels and alike, and the elves even have an individual capable of crafting these. Seeing his prices - albeit indeed being feasible - they are a commodity that you will invest into after the debt is payed off.
After the heavy rainfalls have ceased, the weather plays along nicely. You also set some time aside for the men that they should spend training, and while joining them feel that despite injury and winter you have held up pretty well. While Surkoz seems to think the same, he requests your strengths to become more worthy of your current position. To fortify his point, he annihilates you in a sparring match - and while he majorly took you by surprise on that one, his remarks stick. He does clarify that his discontent is currently limited to that, apparently valuing your intellect and derived decisions quite highly.
While resuming work on the palisades, your men discover that the rain damaged the trench, and spend quite some time on restoring it. The woodworking part runs smoothly thou, and you are able to clear some good measure of space from trees. Space that is needed, for there is a trickle of immigrants, led here by Gózul advertising your lands before winter entombed you. Still only a trickle thou, as it seems that the peope indeed do fear the elves for their rebellious spirit. It seems most farmers that were enticed, did so because of quite distinct personal reasons. The natives do not take kindly to more orcs either way, and make sure that the fact is not lost on you. Their antics do not evolve further than some hostile stares thou - planting and fieldcare occupying much of their time.
The thought of maintaining some watchtower or presence of troops near the border gains Surkoz approval, and he will scout for some good places - albeit you both agree that you want the fort finished before commiting to that matter. While he also would be not uninclined to let the refugees learn orcish, he remarks that being able to go unheard is a comodity that might not be worth loosing - you decide to ponder the matter further before coming to a decision on it.
What are your plans for the next month?Orc society, while holding those that attain ranks in high regard, except from them quite more than they would from the common man. True enough, a rank is often enough joint by wealth and troops, wich in turn means managment and the perk of better food. Thus some shrewdness, but mainly strength are the often-met clichee surrounding ranked persona.
Should they exhibit weakness thou, the Supreme Chieftain and the Council have the ability to enact punishment on them. Albeit rarely administered, it is not unheard of - mostly as a political game thou. To that end, actually striping someone of his rank is practically unheard of, and mainly occurs when the orc in question is found to be guilty of treason against his people. Even loosing the bid for power against the "now-new-supreme-chieftain" would never dare to go that far, inducing heavy restrictions on troop size an alike instead.
Health: Good
Characteristics:
Raider-Tattoo
Impressive scar on the abdomen
Skills:
Adequate Axewielder
Poor Blocker
Competent Brawler
Beginner Elven
Amateur Wolf-Rider
Personal Possessions:
Set of adorned hardened leather
Decent Furs for harsh weather (Tribute)
Decent battleaxe
Moderate stylized wodden buckler
Scourge, Marauder-Strap
Ninkasi's Ashes
Parchment "for the Elves"
2x Elven Silver (looted)
14x Orcen copper
The whole areal seems to be one big sea of trees, anchored at the foothills of a massive range - the later somehow holy to the elves. There are countless brooks and shallow rivers cutting through the woods, fed by springs from the mountains. While there are some hunting cabins and farmsteads doting the land, "Fairspringwood" seems to be the only village really worth mentioning. The populace is spread out by a fair amount - with hunting being a big support to their daily food an obvious outcome. (Map in the first two posts).
"Fairspringwood"
Some Hovels - surrounded by ramshackle barricade
Few Farms
~215 Native Elves
20 Refugee Elves
Up to 50 Orcs, mostly soldiers
15 Orc-Hunters settled in for the winter, about most of the other times
10 Orc-Farmers +freshly settled in
Military Constructions underway: Barracks and moat finished, palisade in construction
Orcs:
30 Skilled Wolf-riders, moderate weapons and armour
25 Passable Milita, differing equipment, generaly low-tier
Native Elves:
~50 Passable Bowmen, good bows, no armour
Up to 150 lowly Milita, Mostly Farming and Woodman Tools, no armour
Refugee Elves: -
Orcs:
Plenty food - Tributed, hunted and bought
No real monetary assets, 200 Silvers debt, 75 Silvers - found, Many hides and pelts - hunted, Growing staple of useable lumber - produced
Bearable living conditons
Native Elves:
Enough food? - Gathered, farmed and hunted
Low monetary assets, array of crafts and hides - produced and hunted
Slightly bad living conditions
Refugee Elves:
Enough food - Gifted from the Orcs
No monetary assets
Tolerable living conditions overall
Ninkasi - Your shortly deceased Cousin - Dead
Gózul - Long-Term Companion - Trusted Friend
Surkoz - Raider in your employment - Respecting your intellect, Unsatisfied by your strength
The Elder - Native Elf in your "Service" - Passive Hostile
Murak - Translator - Enjoyable company
Alanor - Spokesperson of the Refugees - Thankfull but wary
Rakver - Neighbouring Warlord - Only heard of, but quite positively so
Uzgath - Supreme Chieftain - Only heard of
Citizens of your Province
Orcs: Contemptful towards the natives, Accepting of the Refugees. Generally obeying and respecting you.
Native Villagers: Quite hatefull towards the Orcs, Hostile towards the Refugees. Definitely hostile, openly glaring at you.
Refugee Elves: Thankfull to the Orcs, Spitefull towards the Natives. While a bit wary, they seem to consent to your rule.
General Populace: Quite wary, but overall accepting your rule for lack of other options.
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Topic: (TSG) Warlord (Read 8253 times)