Ssyrith HassirHave my agents attempt to find a working printing press while making sure they also show no affiliation with me whatsoever.
Also have my agents search for potential recruits, but do not approach them, just observe.
[4+1-1] Your agents work with due diligence and discretion, but your earlier results bring you no new outcomes on this occasion. You find out that Anate Norn claimed one of the presses and that independent press was already running in the capital in most locations. Last but not least, the printing press of the Republican club in the Crowned Head pub was suddenly working as well, likely a reaction to your arrests. The republicans were still a minor group, but they added to the information noise that was generated by the press and agitators in the capital.
[5] On this occasion your agents find a large number of like-minded and active people – despite the revolutionary fervour and the national character, there are quite few Elbrethians who would not mind serving their Queen in less than savoury ways. To hire these people and maintain good information network beyond the capital would cost you 1d, and to create out of country agents in other nations would cost you additional 2d on top.
Anate NornBeg the Queen to assign someone else to figure out this mess of an economy. Poor bastard.
Seek out information on Stiles and hear out people's opinions of him.
Find Stiles and go meet him.
[4+1] To find information about Elijah Stiles, one only had to turn their ear the right way – the man was well known in the capital for his spending, way with women and his equally skilled craft with words. You do not have a lot of trouble finding out that he is one of the many romantics and bohemians on the capital, but himself is a staunch supporter of an open government. The man has a past of subversive activities, but they are nowhere on the level of things you used to commit yourself to or things that a more radical people were able to do.
He seems well versed enough in political theory as and was capable of rousing people in need, and it is no secret that he managed to snub Viscount Adequin once in a debate carried out in one of the many coffeehouses of Sheepstead - ever since then Julian was confined to his residence while the streets belonged to Elijah.
*
The man himself was also easy enough to find, making his chief agitation place in that same coffeehouse in the Foreign Quarter (no doubt as the establishment was run by a Korlanman).
“Ah, the hero of the revolution joins us, finally! Welcome, Son of Elbreth!”
Stiles, a young man, in his late twenties at most, has longish dark hair, which falls in light curls and is tied back in a short tail. His keen hazel eyes are curious as you enter and are greeted. He himself wear an undone shirt and a loose jacket, extruding that careless attitude of an eternal student. The crowd surrounding him was a combination of young and old, students and inellectuals, some workers and nobles too. Coffee and more war being drunk and loud discussions filled the place.
Stiles becons you to sit with him and his companions, few men and women who up until now listened intently to a debate going on between Stiles and one of his friends. The eyes of the people are suddenly on you as you join.
“Finally, here’s a man I can talk real politics with. Tell me my friend, how are you? Did you manage to live and survive the suffocation by the upper spheres? Their air is not for the likes of us, apparently.” A small laughter rolls through the group.
“I’m sure you are curious about my political plan, but before we discuss me, I want to know what are you about. You were with Erika since the very beginning of your march here, you must know a lot about her.” You notice how freely he talks about the Princess, as if he held no regard for the divine right, using her name and being quite open about his interest in her.
“Truth be told, a lot of people urged me to go out and meet her, and agitate as much as we can, but after her first address, I thought it would be good to give the girl a little breather. Not to mention, a single letter was enough to bring you here. So tell me, how is she? How are you? What are the plans? No need to beat about the bush here, the time is finally here to get down to work!”
Erika SigurdsonEarmark 1d for military resupply, 2d for Captain Andres' re-recruitment.
Research Action: Study public archives, taking extensive notes. Build up a picture of the trade network of Elbreth and its surrounds, our chief partners, and what needs to be restored or improved. Identify chief assets and obstacles.
Humbert diligently manages your affairs as your interim secretary. You are sent receipts for the expenses soon enough as a proof, with Humber taking care of the rest.
[6] You work very diligently, if not too much. Coffee can do only so much for someone as young as you before you are sick of it and suffer some aches – the resulting tiredness does take away some of your focus – you are unlikely to do any more research or heavy work for now (until next season) but you still manage to find out plenty about the national economy.
You have already been made aware of the money situation by Norn’s earlier research – the economy is in chaos, due to a lack of national standards or currency, with Prestonian money and measures still in place, but unsupervised and substituted with other currencies where possible. Efficient taxation and trade are impossible without defined standards.
Elbreth has been a land of cloth for ages – name of the capital itself is a strong indication of that. Wool, textiles and thread are all traded with neighbouring nations, in particular Weyland, who have high demand for warm clothes and up until recently Preston, who made an industrial killing on the wool of the country. Lonemine was a major importer as well, up until the collapse of the mines there and resulting poverty. At the moment, they import little and if any, and they are more interested in stealing few sheep on the border rather than buying the cloth.
Elbreth is also a major hub for trade between Brighthall and the Storm Coast, as the former is landlocked and always had a huge demand for manufactured and luxury goods, in exchange exporting grain, leather and paying their way with gold and silver.
Elbreth also is well-supplied with grain and timber, and the Prestonian industrial growth did not make a major dent in natural resources of the country yet. The countryside and its wealth are controlled by the aristocracy however, who are satisfied in extracting feudal dues and taxes, turning a tidy private profit. The peasants themselves are not educated in modern techniques and as result the food production, while sufficient, is below the capacity of the country.
In the older days, Elbreth imported a lot of manufactured goods from Preston, ores from Lonemine and raw materials and leather from Weyland, while furnishing the long-distance trade with Brighthall. Forays from the merchant guilds did not take root as the direct occupation stopped that but under Preston independent business grew nonetheless, until the revolution.
As it stands, the country needs access to the sea, be it directly or via peaceful connection to continue the trade with Brighthall and to restart its cloth exports. Also, the country has little if any precious metal and industrial ores and more importantly, the infrastructure as it stands cannot bear any more growth – railroads or even metalled roads are not existent beyond the ancient paved highways (much in need of repair anyway) and Sheppstead’s export capacity cannot expand any more. As a result, information flow is slow and growth is stalled.
Revealed problems (check modifiers in country table):
- Local Aristocracy rule
- Poor Agriculture
- Lack of national currency
- Lack of infrastructure
- Blocked trade routes
Ambros Von Hoffenburg"But tell me viscount Adequin, what do you think of our current issues? Preston? Weyland? The republicans? Her Majesty? The non-republican commoners?"
“Well, it would be a long story, to explain my views on each and in particular on our nation, but suffice to say I am willing to submit to whatever course Her Highness will see fit. However, I am of a mind that our nation has to seek out strong allies if it is to find itself in a sufferable position, squished as it is between envious bankers, raiders and poverty in the east and south.”
He takes a sip of the coffee before indulging you further.
“The people have their hearts in the right places and I am sure our nation will prosper with that, as long as its leaders are serious about working for the country. After all, you can hardly manage all of it with good heart and honesty of the people, proper oversight is needed. Not to mention, a degree of… composure, certain qualities and attitude that will make the entire process of transition to independent rule all the smoother, both in material terms as well as people working at the highest ranks. I hope you follow?”
He looks at you with a keen eye.
“From what I heard, and I mean it in no offensive terms, Erika has been styled to be somewhat of a saint among the people – tireless servant of Elbreth, saviour of the common man and the redeemer of Sigurd’s Blood. But how is she really? I know you already said that she is of noble quality and certain quantity, but surely it must be a lot for someone so young.”
Isaak AndresMost of your men quickly gather to receive their pay and clear their books before sticking Elbrethian red and blue ribbons in their hats. You noticed that some of them also added the white colour of Sheepstead in the middle between the other two colours… .
The soldiers are established in the Prestonian barracks in the Citadel, next to existing Elbrethian troops. Your individual regiment, although paid for and led separately, did not relish going back to ordered military life, whereas army colonels looked at your men with annoyance and frustration. You knew that they could give them a run for their money if they tried, but now, you were comrades and Elbrethians all.
The Citadel was full of work and construction, and it seemed that the army would not rest there for long – The old castle was being readied for the royal restoration and the troops would have to move out. However, this was not a concern for you- your immediate needs were taken care of for now.
[3] Your family is well, as you learn from correspondence from them – albeit somewhat troubled, as they found themselves enveloped by the retreating Prestonian forces and ended up on the wrong side of the border. While safe for the time being, they had little opportunity to work or get organized, as the events took them by surprise. It is likely they might not leave before winter, and travelling then might be impossible.
Adrian Arialdi
Start searching for people with skill in mechanics and engineering to recruit into the SMC.
[5] Your knowledge and skill seemed to be a magnet for the people who wanted skilled work and had technical expertise - your own knowledge also knew what kind of men you wanted to have. In a short time, you have a cadre of supervisors, engineers, technicians and designers. Although few, these people are ready for work and are able ot kick off production in elbreth's factories. all they need is funds to get the equipment working again. In your case, they need 1d.
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Topic: You Are King! - The Steam Age - Chapter I: Liberty [Game Thread] (Read 20335 times)