(( That is not exactly what I had in mind, but this does give me an idea. ))
Grab my knives from my dress sleeves and drive them both into his heart.
Remove my armour from my pack and put it on, then search the chiefs clothing for anything important or of value then swiftly carve a message into his chest.
Your clan has lost it's way, those true of faith sent me to punish you and now your chief lies dead, we name you all outcasts from the alliance forever more.
Walk outside and lower the mask to hide my face, keep my bag with me but keep it empty except for the hair dye and sleeping medicine, then head for the treasury, stay hidden and do not attack anybody, if I'm stopped then explain that I have been hunting a witch and tracked her to this town. After all, nobody has seen me in my armour and they have no reason to suspect me of being anything what I say I am.
You brutally murder the chief to avoid complications, carve your message into his chest and change into your armour. [2] Just as you are putting on your mask, a different pair of guards enter the hut. You quickly explain that you are here to hunt a witch, [2-1] but the bloody mess on your hands and knives and the fact that you're standing over the chief's mutilated body doesn't do much for your credibility. They draw their axes and advance upon you.
[5+1 vs 3] Before they make their second step, one guard has a knife protruding from his forehead. His comrade turns to him in shock, [6+1 vs 4] but by the time he turns back to you you've already slid your other knife into his ribs. You stab him a few more times for good measure, retrieve your knife from the other and head out of the hut.
[4] There is a certain amount of chaos of people running around shouting 'witch'. With that and the night you are able to sneak through the town toward the chief's longhall, which you assume is where the treasury will be. [2] Unfortunately, when you get there you discover its entrance guarded by about half a dozen warriors. What will you do?
Herr Gamel's first thought is "Witch?!", followed quickly by his second: "Alexis!"
Even a brief meeting with such a unique personality as hers leaves a distinct impression, and after two days alone in the woods with her, covered with mud and leaves, the Royal Forester is certain that she is the cause of this commotion. After all, who else could so much panic in the populace and so much trouble for him at so late an hour?
Run toward the screaming, in hopes of finding Alexis and getting out of the village as soon as possible.
[2] You run around, looking for Alexis in the chaos, but you can't find her. You assume she's already fled the village and attempt to do the same. [1] As you do so, a pair of warriors stop you. "Where do you think you're going?" one asks.
Try to get an estimated cost on the road, and the opinions of Guild leadership on the proposal
[1+1] Unfortunately, even with your experience as an engineer you know this will be a tricky job. Much forest will need to be cleared, and the gradients of some of the hills will present difficulty. You estimate a cost of £70 for the whole job. [5] The Guilds are very responsive, at least. They can provide up to £30 in service (tax breaks should be treated as credit, minimum repayment £10/year) and are willing to cover infrastructure maintenance in exchange for the offered monopolies on labour. Maintaining the road (and other public works) will not be a concern for the Crown.
After resting, Hulen leaves Highreach to travel across the countryside, rallying the peasantry to the King's cause and army (Demagogue).
[1+1] Unfortunately, the peasants are too busy in the forest and field to heed your call. They don't see any reason why they should fight men who live up in the hills and are so very far from their homes. Apparently they are oblivious to the idea that said hillmen can travel down from their hills to kill them and take their women and property. You inform them of this and you are laughed off; it has been so many years since a hillfolk raid most think them only the stuff of stories now.
You return to Meridon with not a single follower for your troubles.
Chancellor Atsam approaches King Arcadius with a stack of scrolls "If the time is opportune, I shall get us started on the royal treasury's report"
Income
Royal Demesne: Covers about a third of the country. 10% Land Tax produces a Small income, as Meridia is not terribly developed. This includes forestry and logging income. Supplies half of the present levy (100% of Royal Demesne levy).
Town of Meridon: Capital. Has a Moderate income from trade and industry. 10% Urban Tax produces a Meagre income for the Crown.
Town of Penters: Ghost town. A recent plague nearly eradicated the population of Penters and, even though the plague has since passed, few have dared return to set up business again. Has a Trickle of income from trade and industry. Even with the 10% Urban Tax, it produces No Appreciable Income for the Crown.
Temple of Viridon: Has a Small income from tithes. Tax Exempt.
Temple of Highreach: Administered by Hulen. Has a mere Trickle of income from tithes and offerings due to its extremely out of the way location. Tax Exempt.
Earldom of Gol: Feudal vassal. Tax Exempt. Supplies a quarter of the present levy (20% of Gol's total levy). Has a Small income from land, bulked up slightly by sub-vassal dues.
- Town of Brighthall: Urban sub-vassal. 10% Tax to Gol. Has a Small income from trade and industry.
Earldom of Breen: Feudal vassal. Tax Exempt. Supplies a quarter of the present levy (20% of Gol's total levy). Has a Small income primarily from land.
- Temple of Asterbury: Religious sub-vassal. Tax Exempt. Has a Small income from tithes.
The country is Stable and largely Content.
Total Income: Small+
Expenses
(Treasury: Small+)
Blades/Secret Police: Meagre (Treasury: Small)
Hillfolk Tribute: Meagre (Treasury: Small-)
Festivals: Meagre (Treasury: Meagre+)
Military: Trickle (Treasury: Meagre)
Royal Household: Trickle (Treasury: Meagre-)
Surplus: Meagre-
Hoarded Treasury: Moderate-
"The entirety of the Crown's income comes from the Royal Demesne and the Capital, as bishopries and your noble vassals are not taxed. While the current treasury is seizable, and the raw income respectable, the ultimate net revenue leaves much to desire, and the army is largely underfunded in relation to other organizations within the realm" he concludes.
"Penters is, as it stands, a waste of tax collectors, and likely best left tax exempt until the populace can recover sufficiently from the Plague. The same applies to Highreach, which is not currently taxed. We could, however, skim Viridon's tithes at 10% and raise the Royal Demesne's land tax and the Capital's urban tax to 15% for an appreciable increase of roughly a half in raw revenue, and possibly tenfold in net revenue. While a permanent increase may anger the populace, it is currently kept content by Crown sponsored festivals, and the Crown's expenses in infrastructure and emergencial military concerns would more than justify the raise for a year or two. We could, of course, exempt particulars as necessary, at your own volition" he suggests.
Immediately Enact the Tax Reforms
You implement the tax reforms by an Act of the Crown.
The following Reforms are Enacted:
- Tax Exemption for Penters
- New Clergy Tax Introduced @ 10%, Viridon Subject.
- Royal Land Tax Raised To 15%.
- Capital Tax Raised to 15%
- New Taxes Framed as Emergency Measures
Effects of the Reforms
[5] Thanks to good public relations, most peasants comply with the taxation, understanding that it is necessary in the current circumstances. There is an expectation that the raised taxes will not last more than a year or two.
[4] The burghers of Meridon accept the tax raise gracefully, but expect it to be temporary. The tax exemption in Penters will likely encourage some migration, but only if the plague fears can be finally put to rest.
[1] The bishop of Viridon protests the reforms loudly and extensively, arguing that it violates the ancestral privileges of the church. He threatens both to withhold payment and inform the local Ogre Archbishop (who is actually an ogre) if the new tax is not immediately withdrawn.
Income Changes
Royal Demesne: £45 @ 15%
Meridon: £15 @ 15%
Viridon: £4 @ 10% - Withheld
Current Expenses
Blades/Secret Police: £10
Hillfolk Tribute: £10
Festivals: £10
Military: £0
Royal Household: £0
Misc.: £10
Current Expected Surplus: £20
Treasury: £80
5 blades are to escort Grewie, 5 are to form an outer cordon around them concealed and 5 more are to track the group from a discreet distance, these 5 are not to reveal themselves until the mage has been delivered safely and the full 15 can regroup or until the mages group are in danger.
The sisters know what they need to do, inform them to set out in the arranged formation, if the mage wants an escort he will have to catch up with them on the road otherwise he can face the wilds and the dangers that it hides on his own, I'm sure they are as tired of these constant delays as I am. Our mistress faces the enemy alone and we do not abandon our own. Go now.
15 blades set out for the town Alexis is in, 5 take the road directly and 2 groups of 5 conceal themselves to either flank, they are to remain hidden unless any group is attacked in which case all groups are to converge on the attackers and bring them down, attempt to take prisoners if possible but only if it can be done without risk to them.
((Thanks to the eternal plague of the world--real life--I am only now able to post a response.))
Inform the Blades of what the King said and head out. With the mandated reduced escort.
I assume these are the same 15 blades, not two separate groups.Alexia's double sure is paranoid, sending out essentially the entire remaining contingent of the Blades on this mission. What with the blades already shaking down the countryside, there are only a dozen or so left to actually provide security in the palace or maintain espionage within the kingdom.
[4,5] The extended blades retinue remain concealed throughout the journey, not even particularly visible to Grewie. Without any particular need for concealment, Grewie takes the roads toward Westhill and approaches one of the known Hillfolk villages, stating his position as emissary of the King and wishing to speak with their leader. [3] After a brief misunderstanding with the village elder, you are given directions to Alford, home of the Alvings, as the elder informs you that their chief is the one who deals with 'you lowlanders'. The chief is notably reticent in giving further information.
[6] Your journey toward Alford is relatively smooth and unhindered, even by poor weather. The journey takes a few days, but you awake bright and fresh one morning about half a day's travel from the town to find an old man has made camp near your own. He smiles toothlessly at you when he wanders over to your tent and offers you a drink from his waterskin and some of the fermented goat's milk he's having for breakfast. You can't help but notice his disconcertingly golden eyes.
"Greetings, lowlander! What brings a fellow like you so far from home?"
"Thank you. If I may direct her to the town center?"
Introducing Eava to the town center, Anders sighed.
"Look at the state of this town. Horrifying, isn't it? I was hoping that you could help me first improve the public infrastructure on the roads outside the city, to better facilitate the transportation of goods. Since the vast majority of this city lives off the surrounding forest, I think that it would be a good idea to make bringing in produce to the city a tad bit easier. Would you agree?
Get advice from Eava and try to get her assistance in improving infrastructure.
Eava, it turns out, is quite skilled in her knowledge but less so than you. She doesn't really bring anything to the table that you aren't already familiar with, but you appreciate her company and the two of you work well together.
Can you be a little more specific as to what you mean by infrastructure? I'm afraid I don't quite understand what to roll for here.The others, he sent all around the royal demesne, to every region sending the king levies.[/b] Although the exact wording differed from one to the other, they all asked the same thing - that every region sent a tenth of its levies (preferably volunteers, though that was not obligatory) to the capital from training.
The levies you request are certainly able to appear, fired up by fear of the hillfolk, but you'll need to sort wages out for them if you want to start proper training.
Your assistant provides you with a more up to date set of costs for upgrading and training the military:
Size: 600 men (Base Wage @ £1/100)
Source: Strictly Levy-Based (Eliminates Wage Requirement)
Equipment: Minimal (Levy: Peasants Provide Own)
Training: Militia (Local Lords' Feudal Obligation to Train: Free)
Discipline: Undisciplined (Result of training)
Current Cost: £0/Year
(Regularity has disappeared because it could be combined more efficiently into general training.)
Upgrading the Military
The first necessary step will be to bring levies up from strict levy to levy reserve. Before you can apply training any more regular than annual or seasonal or train them with more than minimal equipment, a reserve of the levies must be available for training. This will re-instate the basic annual wage requirement @ £1/100 men. The levies are still only available when raised, and take time to gather, but more professional armies are more expensive.
Equipment
Minimal: Sticks, cleavers, whatever the peasants have on hand. +£0 / 100 men.
Basic: Spears or clubs and light wooden shields, basic leather armour. +£0.5 / 100 men.
Simple: Maces, axes or pikes, heavier wooden shields, leather armour. +£1 / 100 men.
Light: Above, with studded leather and reinforced shields. +£2 / 100 men.
Higher than Light Armour is not available because of the lack of experienced armourers in Meridia.
Training
Militia: The peasants have enough training to hold spears without killing themselves. Free.
Basic: The recruits are taught to march in order and not hit each other. £1 / 100 men.
Structured: Formations are taught, as are combat techniques and basic stances. £3 / 100 men.
Professional*: The troops are taught to fight and kill effectively with their chosen weapons in a variety of circumstances. £8 / 100 men.
Harsh*: The troops survive in the worst conditions and can kill with anything. Their discipline is iron. £20 / 100 men.
Elite*: The best ordinary men can become. Feared by all. £50 / 100 men.
Spartan*: Legendary warriors to whom war is a way of life. Soldiering is all they know. £150 / 100 men.
Marked * tiers require a Commander assigned permanently to training in addition to the cost. A Commander assigned to training can reduce the cost of training by £25/year, but cannot contribute by leading battles.
Recruitment
Recruiting essentially means rush-training troops up to a desired standard, whereas the above training merely keeps such training in shape. To recruit a band of troops within 1 month costs 5x the cost of the training quality, plus whatever equipment costs they require. One or more Commanders assigned to recruitment can reduce this cost by £10 each. Commanders assigned in this way cannot lead troops in battle.