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Author Topic: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization  (Read 8376 times)

VoidSlayer

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #30 on: January 14, 2016, 09:01:25 pm »

Thank him for his time and see what supplies we can buy or borrow before heading out.

As we were a soldier what kind of weapons would we be familiar enough with to equip troops with?

evilcherry

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #31 on: January 15, 2016, 11:36:30 am »

((Still no map!))

During the next few days, you were staying around waiting for your clothes. You remember that at least in your home village, the Governor is probably the only well-dressed man, so a good suit should relieve some of the trouble of showing authority.

Meanwhile, you tried to get your hands on the ropes. You know that Dora have a contingent of 100 uniformed regular city guards, which also doubles as Helmus' bodyguards, fire brigade, police force, jailers, and generally speaking, anything that need someone in official capacity. You did have a look at his armory, and it looked like it has enough weapons for 1000 men. Either way, you don't have any idea on if this number is too high or too low, but you know that its common courtesy that one should not spend more than his superior.

You also remember some details of your military life, given you were an infantryman. Being drafted into the more imperial parts of the army, you were relatively well equipped, with a leather brigandine over gamberson, and you sole weapon is a steel-tipped spear. Those who know how to shoot will be given bow and arrow, and some are also tasked to man large crossbows. The elite core of the imperial army were very heavy infantry, in extremely heavy steel armor, so heavy that they also can only effectively use a spear and nothing else. Cavalries of all kinds, from those in full armor to those without were also present. Helmus' armory lacks armor other than a very simple "mirror" to be put in front of the chest, consistent with those of drafted militia. They might be issued with a spear, a falx, knife, and large crossbows, or they will have to make do with anything in hand.

((note: the large crossbow is essentially a longbow-sized crossbow firing full-length arrows. Most personal bows are shortbows.))

You also remember that most people dead were not killed outright in battle, but rather from festered, black wounds, and even more from diarrhea.

-----

A few days later, you were once again in attendance of Helmus. He presented you with a brand new court uniform. Its the most fitting piece of clothing you have worn: every bit is tailored according to your size, except at the hand end of the sleeves, which are as large as your waist. You do remember that most court clothes looked like that, unlike your old clothes which are close to skin to allow easy movement.

"Rory, I hope you enjoyed your stay. Before leaving, I have some bad news to tell you. A messenger just told me that the governor's villa in Black woods was burned down and looted, probably by bandits. So I think you have to make do with your own. With this in mind, Rory, It might be prudent for me to lend you 100 gold so you have some money to rebuild."

100 gold, that should be enough to pay 100 commoners for a year. Or 50 skilled tradesmen. Either way its a lot of money, Rory told himself.

"How will you spend this is not my concern, and you don't have to repay this if you cannot. That said I would expect some return on my investment. I would also want the area be secured, and some taxes be safely collected, but that's for the longer term.

"I think there is enough information for you to work with. One more thing, 100 gold is really heavy. You can take an extra horse from my stables, or if you like I can procure a sedan chair for you, with two labourers prepaid for a year.

"I expect you to be travelling from tomorrow morning. Be dismissed."

This night, you have been plotting at your room. You will certainly need to buy some supplies - just in case you can't get enough food from your subjects. You may also recruit labourers and tradesmen ((GM note: ask for a quote)). You are also mulling upon whether you should take the horse or sedan chair.
On the map, there are a few places of interest.

There is a town, just on the road from the forest and by the river. Pavar told you the place has around 100 households, but the data was almost 20 years old. You also noticed a symbol that might stand for governor's office.

There is also another settlement, further from the forest but by the river, and of only 50 households.

Another place will be some crags, just by the forest, along the road, but far from the river, and you were told there is an inn and a few huts there.

Finally, there is a part of the river being marked with green ink. Pavar said that part of the river is less steep, and some early settlers have been recorded to cultivate the land around there.

Or you can suggest anywhere else (GM: describe some place to see if it exist).

VoidSlayer

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #32 on: January 15, 2016, 02:26:24 pm »

We should look into taking primarily skilled tradesmen and a few laborers then pay laborers from the local population.

What are we looking to do immediately?  Rebuild the governor's mansion, build a defensive wall around the largest town, set up a garrison and make weapons locally, maybe hire a few good healers and general supply people to avoid disease and starvation.

I say we take the extra horse, fancy clothing will be enough for the people to see we are in charge and an extra horse might be useful for a messenger or farm labor.

StrawBarrel

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #33 on: January 15, 2016, 03:20:37 pm »

We should look into taking primarily skilled tradesmen and a few laborers then pay laborers from the local population.

What are we looking to do immediately?  Rebuild the governor's mansion, build a defensive wall around the largest town, set up a garrison and make weapons locally, maybe hire a few good healers and general supply people to avoid disease and starvation.

I say we take the extra horse, fancy clothing will be enough for the people to see we are in charge and an extra horse might be useful for a messenger or farm labor.
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High tyrol

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #34 on: January 15, 2016, 07:06:19 pm »

We should look into taking primarily skilled tradesmen and a few laborers then pay laborers from the local population.

What are we looking to do immediately?  Rebuild the governor's mansion, build a defensive wall around the largest town, set up a garrison and make weapons locally, maybe hire a few good healers and general supply people to avoid disease and starvation.

I say we take the extra horse, fancy clothing will be enough for the people to see we are in charge and an extra horse might be useful for a messenger or farm labor.
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evilcherry

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #35 on: January 16, 2016, 05:30:57 am »

Name your immediate orders please. Or do you need a quote?

High tyrol

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #36 on: January 16, 2016, 04:51:58 pm »

Name your immediate orders please. Or do you need a quote?
how much for two or three healers,an engineer (fortifications experts),a few agricultural expert(highly skilled farmer),1-3 masons , and maybe a cartographer/surveyer?
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evilcherry

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #37 on: January 17, 2016, 01:38:58 am »

Name your immediate orders please. Or do you need a quote?
how much for two or three healers,an engineer (fortifications experts),a few agricultural expert(highly skilled farmer),1-3 masons , and maybe a cartographer/surveyer?
The next day, you were at the markets of Dora, finding trying to recruit craftsman. However, skilled men are hard to find on these lands.

No doctor, herbalist nor medicine men on the main street seems interested. You think you will need at least 10 gold / year to entice them to actually set up shop there. You remember that people usually bring their sick to the doctor or referring to some secret herbal mix from a neighbour.

Likewise, the search for engineers was also in vain. It was even worse though as no one would describe himself as one who actually designs defenses.

On the issue of farmers it is a bit tricky. No one who actually has good land to farm (directly or indirectly) would like to leave their land. However, those on the worse off farmlands might be enticed to move if you can guarantee them land, security in both martial and monetary sense, and an exemption from military duties.

Masons were not so widely available but one is willing to come for 2 gold / year. There are also three or four carpenters willing to work for public works at 2 gold / year.

Surveyors and cartographers were unknown in this place - you don't have concepts of the profession, either.

One more thing here: Presumably, as an imperial officer, you have the power to arbitrarily draft people into work. Doing so will cut your costs in recruiting in half (i.e. 0.5 gold for unskilled, 1 gold for skilled, more for specialists, mainly for food and supplies). The tricky part is that it is Helmus' turf, so if you draft people here, it might be prudent to ask him for permission. Its also on the frontier so many people are in fact exempted.

Spoiler: new concepts (click to show/hide)

VoidSlayer

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #38 on: January 17, 2016, 03:49:41 am »

Well, options.

Hire the masons and carpenters, no real need for more farmers I presume the existing ones will do.  See about hiring maybe 10 general laborers.  Once we can defend land then we can start handing out land.

See about if anyone is interested in prospecting for mineral wealth.

Maybe spend some money on quality equipment for our soldiers.

Or, big alternative, take the gold, change our name, flee to a foreign land and become a low class merchant.

StrawBarrel

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #39 on: January 17, 2016, 09:13:18 am »

Check the price of hiring people willing to fight or hunt.
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VoidSlayer

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #40 on: January 17, 2016, 09:14:24 am »

Oh right hunting is good, bone, ivory, leather, furs all good things for sale.

evilcherry

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #41 on: January 17, 2016, 10:17:48 am »

Well, options.

Hire the masons and carpenters, no real need for more farmers I presume the existing ones will do.  See about hiring maybe 10 general laborers.  Once we can defend land then we can start handing out land.

See about if anyone is interested in prospecting for mineral wealth.

Maybe spend some money on quality equipment for our soldiers.

Or, big alternative, take the gold, change our name, flee to a foreign land and become a low class merchant.

Check the price of hiring people willing to fight or hunt.

You are thinking for more options. The idea of fleeing come to your head, but, BUT, all the gold you are given have a distinct mint mark on it. It is imperial gold, after all, and somehow traceable. And its real heavy. If you had fled, chances were you will have to spend the money fast and live the life of an outlaw.

Sadly you have little knowledge in mineral wealth. You are ignorant of how metal comes into existence (you aren't educated mind you), so hiring a prospector will be out of question.

You do, however, know about military equipment. You estimates 1 gold will net you either 10 spears, 5 swords, 25 sets of crude armor, 5 sets of hard leather cuirass, or 3 sets of full hard leather armor, all of common quality. Anything better seems hard to come by.

Hunters can be recruited in a similar way to peasants; skilled hunters as skilled labour, and they would rather want a profit sharing deal than simply paid.

So can you finalize your shopping list?

Spoiler:  new concepts (click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: January 17, 2016, 10:56:46 am by evilcherry »
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tryrar

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #42 on: January 17, 2016, 10:28:17 am »

Hire masons and carpenters, buy 20 spears, 20 sets of leather cuirasses, and see if we can locate at least wooden shields. Then try to find 20 sufficient warm bodies willing to fight on the frontier; this won't exactly be an army, but 20 properly outfitted soldiers likely with provide at least a deterrent to casual raiding. Finally, try to hire at least a couple hunters to maybe provide cashflow.
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No. I suppose there are similarities, but I'm fairly certain angry birds doesn't let me charge into a battalion of knights with a car made of circular saws.

Sacasco

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #43 on: January 17, 2016, 11:46:24 am »

I'd personally say that the wooden shields are far more important than armour. Also, if we could get hold of a few skilled soldiers, they would probably be able to train the others much more quickly than if they were all unskilled. I'd go for four or five, if it's possible.
Agreed on the masons and carpenters, as again a couple of skilled labourers enables apprenticeships as well as proper management, which should allow us to build much more effectively and probably actually more cheaply.
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evilcherry

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Re: Governorship - on the very frontier of civilization
« Reply #44 on: January 17, 2016, 12:55:43 pm »

Finding actual soldiers is not the easiest task. Most people do have enough skill to handle a spear in battle, but someone who actually know the art of handling one is hard to find here. Most ex-soldiers aren't really interested in military work, either, unless you offer them something really well. You even tried to approach Helmus to spare you a few sergeants of his guard, but his guards simply throw you out and you were told to get to work immediately.

Shields are not really in fashion these times: Massed infantry with good armor has been the order of the day. Despite this you still find a blacksmith willing to sell 10 round shields to you, complete with metal rim and boss, though massively overpriced at 2 gold grand total.

Any finalized shopping plan?
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