An unusually hot and persistent heatwave accompanies this summer.
Sir Biscuits takes local forces and attacks the bandits near the capital.
{5} vs {4} - Many great tales will be sung of this day. The Dragon's Wrath had accumulated quite the following, and were quite determined to win. Fortunately, they had the same supply problems plaguing the rest of the kingdom, and were poorly equipped. After a fierce battle, they were slain to the .. "man," their under construction fortifications put to the torch, and their ill-gotten gains plundered in the name of the kingdom.
Local military forces are now more experienced.
Darius uses the treasury to invest in local businesses.
{6} - Darius takes the entirety of the treasury and causes a massive economic boom near the capital.
Locke writes that cults are not good.
{3} - The high priests of the Pantheon of Good are convinced that the Cult of Shadows is bad.
<GLASSIfIED> continues chasing the adventurers.
{6} - This time, the assassin quickly finds the adventurers, heavily drinking by the side of the road. Not one survives the night.
According to their notes, they'd only just discovered the secrets of the vial: Fill it with plain water. After an hour, the liquid inside will be capable of turning rocks it is poured on into gold. The fluid is quickly absorbed by the stone.
Zechtenmarkus looks for a mountain to build a tower on.
{4} - There's a very nice mountain two hours' ride away from the king's castle.
Asha leads an anti-cultist inquisition.
{4},{5} vs {5} - The priestess and the necromancers go from town to town, gathering loyal forces and hunting down traces of the cult. The necromancers prove instrumental in locating many cultist hiding places.
Ultimately, she estimates that they purged only 80%-90% of the cultists in the kingdom this month. {?} - She did discover hints of a darker plot. As best she can tell, they're trying to gather enough influence to summon greater demons. {?} - The powerful necromancer doesn't seem to have been further corrupted by hunting down and fighting with cultists.
There are some casualties amongst the kingdom military forces.
Sage Holtze sends all 'clerics' with the priestess, and sends an aggressive letter to Swordsguard.
{2} - One night, while writing his letter, a squad of Swordsguard's finest assassins climb in through his window. {6} He activates his emergency escape ring, {3} and is teleported to a grassy field. The assassins teleport behind him less than half a minute later.
Holtze does not survive.
Sir Mangrove takes a vacation somewhere friendly.
{6} - Sir Mangrove takes a vacation in small state of Undermoon, to the north. They are emphatically concerned by the thought of Justdale falling. They send aid in the form of a fine knight, a squad of fierce berserkers, and a chest of assorted, valuable-looking jewelery.
They say not to mind is name, Slaughtersoul the Fiendish. He's a nice guy, really. Very dedicated.
King Roland sings drinking songs(??).
The treasury is dwindling, but is adequate to pay the military.
Taxes remain moderate.
The capital is clear.
Rebels have taken a few counties in the western part of the kingdom. Landed nobles are keeping the rest in check.
The cultists are quiet.
The local economy is recovering.
The kingdom economy is abysmal.
The local levies are moderate and mediocre.
The kingdom levies are taking heavy losses and of poor quality.
The king wants the rebels destroyed.
John Locke (nosaneinme), the palace fool.
Sir "Biscuits" McGee (NJW2000), knight of the crown and head of military finance.
Sir Mangrove (Harry Baldman), the Secretary of Love, Worldliness and Quests.
Asha Imeremifava (penguinofhonor), Priestess and Religious Adviser.
Darius Welthon (Coolrune206), Economic Adviser.
Classified (ATHATH), assassin.
Zechtenmarkus (crazyabe), Royal Mage and Adviser of magical Affairs.
SlaughterSoul The Fiendish (BFEL), Knight of Darkness.