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[Dragor23]

His thighs ached terribly.

That was the very first thought as Merandor finally approached the City of Five People, stretching his back slightly as he lazily turnt his horse closer to the middle of the road, riding it in a lazy walk. It earnt this pause after all these days of short pauses and hard gallop which was his travel. He slept three hours of a day mayhaps, barring any short naps he caught on horseback. The heavy breath flaring the nostrils of his steed reflected his state as well. Both needed a good rest, a good meal and a maybe a bath. Perhaps later only was true for him. He could only hope this was all worth the trouble he had on the road from the Jarldom to here. Of course he heard that Elbreth has clawed its way out of its servitude, turning free again. Stories travel fast and the story of a princess returning and crowning herself to a queen was one that might as well be the travel winds of the Storm Coast.

A young country, taken with fire and sword.

A perfect opportunity for some well-paying employment, so he hoped. And so he flicked off the hood from his forest green coat, making himself as most presentable as possible... And uncovering his fencing sword, showing his martial nature. A sell sword should show his wares, so he thought. Probably the most valuable commodity on his body, wearing a rough doublet, dirtied by dust of the road and salt of the wet air, leather riding pants and mud-crusted boots. He put on his best smile, showing the chipped tooth, closing on the next best individual he met, asking with his smoky, sonorous bass : "Friend of the road. This is Sheepstead, yes? I do hope so, I wish an audience with the Queen or one of her trusted advisors."

[Playergamer]

Hathcock snarls at the captain. "You foolish man! I will be back, and I'll bring a court-martial wigh me!"

Hathcock storms off, still impersonating the manner of an officer, before the Captain can stop him. As he walks back to the city, annoyed at his failure, he silently muses about how he could acquire a band of men. He had stumbled upon his new goal, following the Prestoner defeat. Free those prisomers, both those held by the Weys, and the traitors.

Action: Think. Is there any way I could acquire a band of men, loysl to Preston, or,at least, loyal to me?

[Ghazkull]

Hathcock

You go through the different possibilities in your head. The most obvious one would amusingly be the Weys. You overheard a conversation that their contract had run its way. If you talk to someone in charge you could surely hire a group of them or more as many as you have money in fact.

[6] If you want to go into less savoury and trustworthy sources you could deal with the local criminal element, which was more than willing in the past to hire out men to various private people. The only problem is they are all elbrethians. There have been prestonian criminals but all of them have been wiped off the face of the city. You still shudder as you recall the corpses found every morning during that particular gang war.

There would also be the option of hiring other mercenaries. While Weyland is dominating the Mercenary market and are primarily hired not only due to effectiveness on the field but also due to the prestige factor and the fact that Weyland Mercenaries never, ever betray a contract (although you have heard of situations where the word of the contract has been used to ignore the spirit of it), there are nonetheless various other Mercenary groups to be had.

Most of these are smaller, not as well organized and contain a particular brand of cutthroats,scum and deserters that make them perfect for off-the-books operations, but at the same time they oftimes are highly suspect in terms of loyalty.

Then again you could simply buy your prestonian comrades from the Weys. That would be the most direct and safe route.

Tabudai

[3] "Audience with the Queen eh?" the man shrugs, goes away and returns quickly with a Guard Captain. "So you want an audience? Let me see, i need you to fill out this form on the nature of your request, i need you to fill out this form on your current status, where you come from and who the men with you are, then i need you to fill out the Mercenary Application Form, The Diplomatic Mission Form, aswell as pay a tax on armed men within the city and one on non-draft horses. Once we have done that, one of you may enter the city and go to the mayors office, where you will have to deliver these forms and taxes and then return to me, whereupon recieval of instructions from the City Guard Commander i can grant you entrance...everything clear? Oh yes i need you to fill out extra Request Nature and Personage Forms for each and every single one of your men."

[Playergamer]

Hathcock cocks his head to the side as he considers the options. A group of Preston soldiers...behind enemy lines...they could do plenty of damage. Especially when they're being led by a dashing cavalier.

Still, he'll need money first. Being a man of noble birth, he probably has a nest-egg of some sorts. Hopefully the rabble haven't torn up the floorboards yet.

Go scrounge up some money, since I probably have a decent chunk hidden somewhere, and think: Are there any armories or guard posts that the rebels aren't guarding? I may be able to save some weapons before the rabble get their hands on them.

[Deny]

Listening to this Humbert describe the new politics brought a faint smile to Ssyriths face, three political factions already starting to squabble over the ear of the new leadership,  it reminded him of home, albiet with less murder, though there was still plenty of time for that to change. Still, now was not the time for reminiscing,  there was still work to be done. "I'll start looking immediately your highness, having money with which to pay them should provide a good and proper incentive for them to get to work,  patriotism only goes so far. As for your corination, I would personally recommend appeasing the nobility,  however I must admit the degree to which blind religious faith can motivate some humans has surprised me in the past." He spared a quick glance towards the Abbess. "No offense intended of course."

Start searching for a working printing press and offer whoever owns it (if it is owned) the chance to print the Word of Erika herself.
Start searching for any miscreants,  troublemakers or anyone else who seems unhappy with the recent change in government.
Start looking for possible recruits for my (hopefully soon to be growing) spy ring.

[Dwarmin]

"We are most certainly in a state of war with Preston, and will be until they realise that attempting to take back Elbreth will be too costly for their bank balances to permit, or until Preston is a flaming hole in the ground, which I am sure the Jarl would prefer.  I agree with you though, sir.  A standing, citizen army is the way forward.  Many of our troops were hastily gathered together, militia armed with whatever they could muster.  In the long run I would like to see them retrained as line musketmen, but that will depend upon the treasury and what sacrifices we can afford to make there.  If we have to demobilise, I have a strong preference for us finding a way to make former soldiers into farmers or labourers, to stay them from a life of crime."

"Indeed. But, that's far and away. I'm not sure of the state of our finances, but I can guarantee a regiment of experienced men at our command for 2000 Piastres (2d) right at this moment-a relative bargain, since they're battle hardened, loyal men. I can personally vouch for their courage under fire...I've no doubt others would come in for similar rates, but I have not made many promises without a better idea what we're going to be spending...

Also, we should start talking to Preston, huh? We've got plenty of prisoners. I say we ransom them at generous terms-even the low born. Let's see the King of Preston tell his people the common man isn't worth a half a Piastre, huh? We can certainly use the money. And I might add we're currently footing their feeding and shedding bills-but unlike pigs, we can't butcher them into sausages after they've gotten nice and fat.
 
The sooner peace breaks out, the faster we can get to rebuilding our country. Of course, if they want a second round, then we'll show them what for. I'm not sure who the unlucky bastard we're going to send is going to be, he-or she-might get sacrificed for the sake of political symbolism...."

Issak had an ease with theatrics that he showed now-subtly changing his voice to a deeper tone-much like a cliched footman or bodyguard might be. Performing in front of an audience was natural to him-he completely lacked the self consciousness that usually caused other men to be nervous in similar situations.

"'Oh dear, where'd his head go? It looks like they say no, my Queen!'."

He picked up one his cheese squares and devoured it. Issak was young and hungry. Hunger was a sign of health.

"Lots to do. So, what's first?"

[Iituem]

"A fine idea, Captain, but with one problem.  My dear Jarl, would you mind stating the exact terms of our agreement with Weyland?  Regarding prisoners, but the whole detail just to make matters clear."

After the Jarl's explanation.

"Right, then.  Master Filroy, could you arrange for the representatives of the three parties to meet with me over the next two days?  I think a private audience, most likely with tea, so that they don't feel obliged to bring all of their associates with them when we first meet.  Colonel Oakley, then Viscount Adequin, then Baron Stiles.  No need to tell them the order, but I am sure they will work it out.  With a private meeting it isn't an obvious snub, but I want to communicate that I will see those who have served me personally first.  Oakley I have actually fought alongside, although I will admit we have not spoken much.

"Hoffenburg, if you can spare the time pay a visit to Oakley and extend him my fond regards for his service in the field and the accomplishments and experience of his men.  Abbess, if you could extend an invitation to Viscount Adequin for a private service, and express the importance of tradition to the church and state, and how much we appreciate a man with classic values.  Norn, if you can track down Stiles and impress upon him the importance of educated, responsible citizens in our government, and the necessary industrialisation of our country so that our people can stand free and educated amongst the nations of the world.

"Here are my preliminary designs.  Leak these as appropriate, but try to bring them around to the idea, and suggest any shortfalls are the result of their opponents.

"The Lords want a government that keeps the individual fiefs autonomous, but of course it will be necessary to centralise to survive and thrive.  I need to mull on the details a bit, but we may wish to suggest a reduction of the traditional levy, with some increased duties to help with the repair of the country.  We'll see exactly what they think they can demand, and what they think they can get away with.

"The Monarchists care about rank, position and influence, and they want the nobility preserved and a strong military.  Make it clear that we will be developing a true standing army, with meritocratic advancement, but on the understanding that any lords worth their salt will train their sons or daughters sufficiently to pass as officers.  A similar standard will apply to government; competent individuals should take roles in the palace.

"The Populists want an elected, representative government and aren't clear on what they can offer Elbreth.  On the other hand, they may be useful in modernising the country, particularly in the education reforms we eventually need to pass.  A representative local government and civil service, elected from suitable individuals would be beneficial to all.  And to avoid any accusations of unfairness, suitability should be determined by a written examination as part of entry to civil service.  After all, it can certainly be argued that the people running the country should be educated individuals with an insight into the running of government.

"As for money, we'll look at begging and stealing, see what we can sell off in terms of government property we've seized and what we can gather from our supporters.  As for borrowing, heh, we have some options.  There are other governments we can look at, but one thing to look into is setting up a Bank of Elbreth.  Of course, this may have to wait for now.  Let's get the war over, and then we can look at that."

[Iituem]

The Following Day...

Erika sat on a gilded chair in the Factor's Hall, guards arranged suitably around the room although none directly either side of her; her personal bodyguard and double was stationed at the foot of the raised dais upon which she sat, her hair styled to be less like Erika's and wearing a standard uniform instead.  Erika herself was in a spartan green dress with a military style cloak across her shoulders and polished black boots and gloves (to indicate femininity without approachability), a clerk sat on a table below the dais to take notes and for any decrees or judgements that might need to be recorded.

Erika had decided to start holding court as soon as possible, with impromptu magistrates set up (where they could be trusted) to deal with minor matters and for larger matters to be brought to the Queen Apparent.  One by one, petitioners filtered in to be heard.

Erika holds court, allowing characters not privy to her Council to speak with her.  Anyone may attend court who has business in the Hall, although they will have to remain behind a cordon of guards.

[Taricus]

Adrian was the first to attend the court, a veneer of contempt for the aristocratic trappings ever present in the refurbished factor's hall, disdaining the aesthetics the new occupants had put in place for the time being. Atleast he hoped there was some semblance of competency within the new regime.

Adrian requests a meeting with Erika regarding the factories in operation in Elbreth, along with a more general discussion regarding industrial development an economics if there's time.

[Iituem]

After two hours of waiting behind farmers and out of work factory workers, Adrian was permitted to present himself before the Princess.  She gave him a broad smile, tinged only slightly by tiredness from having to be so enthusiastic for the last two hours.

One of the soldiers saluted.

"Adrian Arialdi, ma'am.  Wishes to speak regarding the factory situation."

The Princess nodded and dismissed him.

"Thank you, Ipswich.  You are welcome at court, Master Arialdi.  Is that a... Ligorian name?  If this is regarding a Preston-owned factory in which you had stock, I am afraid my clerks will need to check over any deeds of shareholding.  Presently anything held by the First, Second or Third Banks of Preston has been declared eminent demesne, and whilst we aim to respect any foreign shareholdings, any Prestonian ownership is presently to be considered null and void."

[Ghazkull]

The Day before at the Meeting of the Council

As usual The eel was stuffing himself prodigiously, which was only interrupted to carefully clean fingers and mouth to begin his report.

My Queen. The matter of the treaty is a simple one.

First: Weyland has rights to any and all prisoners taken during the Elbreth Freedom War, for as long as that war with Preston continues.

Second: Weyland will ,irrelevant of Elbreth Interests on the Mirish Coast, get the right to plunder and raze the Grand City of Suul.

Fourth: Weyland has the sole right to any loot taken from within that city.

Fifth: Weyland soldiers, men and other personnel will get military access, priority of way as well as an immunity to any laws which would obstruct said venture. Individual Crimes committed by Weylandish Military Personnel will be treated according with Weylandish Thing Law.

Sixth: Elbreth relinquishes rights to any taxes, tariffs or similiar monetary reimbursement in regards to this Undertaking.

Seventh: While Elbreth will not be required to deliver any active support of the Weylandish Military it must allow the Weyland military to aquire supplies in a lawful manner in Accordance with Article 53 of Weylandish Thing Law, before, after and during this venture.

Eighth: Weyland will relinquish its Military Access upon completion of said venture as stipulated in Article 2

Ninth: In return for said rendered services, The Council of Jarls sanctions Military Support of the Elbreth Crown in its rightful struggle for freedom as well as monetary support.

Tenth: Said Monetary and Military Support will be rendered by the Jarl of the Manskinner Clan.

yadda, yadda, yadda. I believe the rest is not interesting at this point anymore since it simply stipulates exact financial and military support numbers, Weyland policy in regards to failure of your war, till which point we will help you and so forth...in short everything that we have already handled.

he leans back clearly happy with his report and start eating again, a square pastry pocket, filled with a greenish mass...from the smell a mix of meat, garlic and herbs.

[Ardas]

The Council...

Humbet gave a slight bow, mindful of his back and replied.

"Of course, Your Highness. I will arrange for private meetings immediately. I will try to keep everything as inconspicuous as possible. I will allow your councilors to talk to them first though, to make them more... pliable to your suggestions."

Later on, as 'Eel' delivered his address, General Terryn only grew more an more upset, an angry scowl writ large on her face.

"I suppose they will ask to sleep in our beds next...."

Abbess Santaria

[4] Your sisters settle alongside other Elbrethians quickly, faster than you would imagine. To allow you to maintain your discipline and avoid any problems, you settle in Blackfriars House* - a small, decrepit cloister, up until now maintained voluntarily by few Cyclicist deacons, located not too far from the main church of the city in the old quarters - in itslef a rather old and not very large temple from ages past.

Civilian work with the townsfolk in hospitals, religious ceremonies, houses and the poor quickly drag you and your little order in all directions. The Cyclist Archbishop of Sheepstead himself takes great interest in harnessing one of the few remaining orders as a power for restoration of the wider Church; so far broken up and divided between minor parishes, the minute bishoprics in cities and finally struggling with the lack of the official head of the religion or a synod of it - the old faith of Suul has long since lost its potency and despite being fairly widespread, awaiting to be changed. 
 
The man actually approaches you with a request. He is a portly fellow in long, dark robes, a thin circlet of gray hair lining his head. His round face radiates with the acquired sense of self-importance and holiness that is only possessed by elder clerics/

“Abbess, I have a favour to ask of you, in the spirit of cooperation and the greater glory of Cyclicism. In spirit of teachings of Grandmaster Black, whose path you follow in your deeds, could I request your assistance in encouraging Queen.. that is Princess, to support faith and organize the Church in the country? Despite my best efforts, Prestonians held us at bay and any current efforts need to be speeded up, before these… insidious revolutionaries and ‘englightened’ atheists do their worst on this country. We have suffered enough.

Also, I fear the worst - while Suul might see us as heretics, their power is on the wane, and we have a chance to preserve many temples of the Faith for the proper worship of God. The barbaric Weylanders though, they want to sack the place. Do you think you could influence the Queen, or defend that holy place against desolation?”

*Named so after the order of the Burning Circle, whose first grand master was Knavston Black.

Hoffenburg

Hoffenburg begins the arduous task of questioning all prisoners, setting up patrols in and around the city and checking for any Prestoner equipment that was left behind. Commandeer all barracks/armouries.

[4][?] Your orders are carried out without a hitch and the troops secure all locations and interrogate the prisoners. Unfortunately, you secure little information and little to no equipment. It turns out that some things were actually misplaced or carried off home by the over-eager soldiers. As it stands, you would need to spend at least 1d extra on filling out the small inadequacies among the army, like extra tools, spare parts for weapons and the like before recruitment of any troops can begin.

Salvage any war materiels. If broken, fix them. Focus is to be made on any artillery.

[1] The earlier shortages only compound your materiel issues. You are unable to find or secure anything.

Check to see if Sheepstead has a local Korlanese community. If so, gauge their opinion on the change of government.

[5] Sheepstead's Korlanese community is small, but tightly knit and well-off; trading in Korlanese goods and running few establishments. Their opinion on the revolution is positive and they feel proud of your participation, even if theirs was small. Despite their relative minor role in the capital, they re willing to support your endeavors.

Speak to armament factory owners. See if they would be interested in closer ties with the Elbrethian military. Their production quotas, designs and quotas would be closely watched by the military but in return they would have lower taxes and subsidies when appropriate.

[3] There are few arms producers in the capital, but those that are operating take your words with a pinch of salt. They are looking forward to cooperation and are willing to establish steady supply contracts for the army (which could lead to lower maintenance costs), but in exchange they need assurances from the government that they can remain where they are, and that their not entirely legal expansion into the neighboring workshops and warehouses left behind won't be retroactively revoked.

Anate Norn

Find people who are likely to know something about the state of the realm; bureaucrats, merchants, the less distasteful nobles. Continue investigating the economic situation.

[2] Your search, be it due to the situation, or your lack of knowledge, leads you back to the same people you investigated initially. There is little to be done apart from either beg openly or get a degree in economics. That is, if Elbreth had an university.
Ssyrith Hassir

Start searching for a working printing press and offer whoever owns it (if it is owned) the chance to print the Word of Erika herself.

[?] Your hatcuri skills are of no value against a wall of unfriendly attitude displayed by humans here. While they are happy for the liberation, they are wary of a secretive lizard who stalks behind Erika, even if on her order. Despite inquiries and attempts to get your informants to get you to any sources, you achieve little.

Start searching for any miscreants, troublemakers or anyone else who seems unhappy with the recent change in government.

[6+1] Efficiency with which you undertake this job and the unwavering zeal of those who actually still follow your orders leads to few arrests and a wave of suspicion and whispers spread all over the capital, that the "Queen's Serpent" is on the hunt and looking for prey. The people arrested all turn out to be members of the Republican faction - despite liberation they still hold to the underground, or rather, The Crowned Head pub. You waste no time in investigating site and find out quickly that the location was a chief agitation and resistance centre during the occupation, before the Royalists raised their standard. It still gathers some members of the old underground, who are somewhat begrudging of a new monarch and more so of her "secret police."

Start looking for possible recruits for my (hopefully soon to be growing) spy ring.

[1+1] Your unabated terror drives people away, and you manage ot secure no real help, apart from few men without scrupules that have followed you since the frist day. Wether they count on rewards or just enjoy their jobs is something of a secondary concern to you. For all you know, the Capital is hostile to you.

Johnatan Highmaple

You are released from prison and find yourself free on streets of Sheepstead. Your regiment found you quickly enough, and lodged itself (and you with it) in a vicinity of the most famous "entertainment" parlour in the city - 'The Paramour Theatre'. Its large copper-plated domes hides a theatre, a saloon, and leisure rooms. Most of entertainment is quite civil, although it is to secret that for the right price one can find more. Or tun up at the right hour, where one half of the place sees moving operas, while the other sees not so moving scenes of revelry, both at the same time. Your soldiers quickly spend their money there and are left without any means. They look up to you to get them going again.

[Taricus]

"I am indeed ligorian, and almost certainly the only industrial engineer in the nation as of this moment.

In regards to the factories, if what you say is the government's course of action, means the state is now the owner of every factory in sheepstead. All the former owners were from Preston as far as I'm aware. There are a few that would need significant repairs but the majority have suffered mostly superficial damage, so that more than a few of them are operational already regardless of who actually owns it.

The only issue is what's going to happen in regards to the factories. An auction of the deeds is possible, but given that the only people with the money to do so would be the still-landed aristocrats which likely collaborated with Preston means it's not the best idea, doubly so if you want to avoid them gaining much more power."

[Ghazkull]

Hathcock

Frantically you search through your room, gathering all the money you have left...grand total of 3 and a half prestonian pigs. Hmpf. 3,5 Coppers won't get you anywhere...in fact you are not even sure you have enough money left to pay this months rent...and with the Preston Army gone and you presumed dead you didn't even get your pay.

[Iituem]

To Arialdi

"Ah!  Are you perchance looking for a stake in the rebuilding, then?  It has been some time since I had the opportunity for a talk with a man of science.  Tell me, do you have experience with such projects before?

"As for the factories themselves, I must admit I spent some time in your fine nation as a child, and I was enthralled by the capability of the Ligorian banking system.  Which itself lends a suggestion of policy.  Are you a people person, Master Arialdi?  If not, you may wish to find a business partner who is good at recruiting men.  If you can put together a team capable of getting our factories back into shape, with yourself heading that team, the possibility exists to charter a Corporation for the rebuilding and restructuring of Sheepstead's factories; in which the Crown would of course have a significant share.  Raise money as the banks do, from smallholders who have faith in your designs, with the promise of a share of the returns.  Then the revenues of the factories, as owned by this Corporation, would be divided up according to shareholding.

"Do you believe you have the ability to make such a thing happen?"