First Season, 201 ALJózef RajuncAccept alliance with Velkyrod.
Hold a meeting with the electors to figure out what's happening in the realm.
Census the population and wealth of the realm, both to gather data and remind everybody who's in control.
Figure out how much we owe, and to whom, in war debt.(Your incomes, debt and state of the country are in your sheet. Your land revenue is at the same time a rough measure of colonization and population as well, since feudal taxation usually revolves around land rents and dues for various rights, which are usually a flat payment.)
The electors gathered in the common hall of Ciemstroz. It is not the same as the old castle, yet it suffices for this Sejm. The lords are not overly happy, as they have to get used to sharing power again. The declaration of alliance with the mercantile city is given a grudging acceptance and a question of a western expedition is raised, to claim the black earth on the other side of the river. Of course, the expectation is that you would lead these yourself and would fund the troops for the operation. Despite their vassal status, they do not seem intent on helping you much - if they can’t be persuaded or bent, these lords will forever be an obstacle.
There is also a question of succession - lords are all too happy to choose a bride for you and steer your family’s future, seeing how your recent suggestion sent to Calisaren was rebuked, but whomever they choose for you might not be the best for your own interest, even if it is good for theirs.
Sara GallieneSara summons the vassals of the land for a convocation.
She also holds an open audience for the locals of her personal demesne, intending to hear out an issues and problems that they have, as well as getting a decent overview of affairs.Lords of Calisaren oblige the summons of their sire with deference and gather in Valaren. Each swears the traditional oaths before your throne as they take their place around the throne room. The lords are content, if bored by the current state of affairs. In majority they have expressed the desire to expand and begin new colonization. In addition, the question of your sisters and yourself arose between the lords - all of you are of marriageable age and to an ordinary man, you are all past the point where suitable husband should have been found. Naturally, the lords are aware of your family’s legacy and some share their history with you, Lords Desmond and Istvan in particular, although these connections cast a shadow of doubt on the viability of these marriages, in particular from the lords that do not share these ties. The fact that an offer from Palensk was not disclosed or what the purpose of those knights was arose even more suspicion and guesses.
The country itself is at peace, if somewhat underused. People prefer hunting and tannery as trades, as opposed to farming and pottery, with the foreboding forests proving to be a bountiful resource. There is one fear among the people however, and that is of the crimson knights. You know them as the Brotherhood of Blood. A secretive band, they have been visiting Calisaren for generations, letting on little and hunting, both beasts and men that they did not like the look of. With their red tabards and crimson cloaks, heavy swords and maces, they began appearing in the countryside again, prowling it like their own hunting ground.
Lord Mayor Morghaen up VelkyrodLook at the local monster situation and ponder the economic viability of selling monsters, their parts or taming them.
Consider Trade beyond the continent is there some exotic parts of the world from which we could import stuff?
Look into the local Economy and see where we can invest and improve our incomes
The beasts are not a thing to be trifled with, a you well know, but the lure of danger and profit makes it an interesting business venture. Most people stay away from the beasts if they can, so you need to look for people both strong and mad enough to undertake such a job.
As far as you are aware, some bests are more akin to normal animals and allow for extraction of their resources, while some are blighted monsters fit only for slaying. Majority of the latter ones are kept beyond Matec and the southern kingdoms, but in the wilderness to the north, fauna is untouched and reports from dependencies say that some beasts have been spotted.
Trade beyond the continent is pretty much non-existent - no one has seen the east in 200 years, as both storms and the currents push ships west. However, traders from Stormport used to make trips south, where they found exotic materials usually unobtainable in the cold north - silks, spices, gems and fruit. If you are willing to finance an expedition, you could find those yourself.
The economy of the city is stagnant - yours is the biggest commercial centre on the continent, but that will not last, as you depend on trade. You can invest money in the city and bring some of the guilds up, but the investment is not guaranteed (5%+Admin roll for each 1000 invested). You can also undertake a project of your own choosing, like expand the harbours, which would need prior planning, or fund a colonization effort into virgin land, with untapped resources guaranteeing higher return (10%+admin roll for each 1000 invested.)
Trent GreysteelCall the Houses and Families of the Ironpeaks together for a Council where they are free to tell me of the problems plaguing the realm, the financial situation of their industries, and their desires for the future of the realm.The lords of Ironpeaks are reluctant to gather, if only because they would have to move from their abodes to climb up to get to Stonebrook. Once there however, they shower you with praises for leaving them be most of the time. The mountain folk are strange, but you share the sentiment, laughing at the problems of the lowlanders.
The country is in good shape and there are no problems anywhere in the country. Given the fact that mountains protect you from the worst of the monsters and the fact that the land itself is protected by the ministrations of the clerics from the monastery of First Light, high in the crown of the mountains.
What is getting everyone’s interest however are the prospectors from Northaven. The merchant city on the island sent its explorers to your shores and these, by the permission of your lords, begun looking for various ores. The city has been battered by the storms and it is likely that it might decline further if it does not make some trades. You, due to your proximity and wealth are their best and last hope, with Velkyrod to the west and Stomrport to the south. Your lords are happy to cooperate, if they can get an investment and a share of the mining wealth in addition to the iron they already extract, albeit on a small scale. Mines in your country are but shallow pits and surface excavations, with the deepest shafts being merely extensions of caves where first ore was found. These people bring expertise however and are willing to establish a first proper deep mine, if their search succeeds.
Also, Lord Hammond of Eastmountain expressed interest in your sister. He is young and his demesne moderately rich. He could make a strong ally.
Prince VishkarPrince Vishkar holds a grand assembly of the lords and ladies of the realm, and asks them to bring problems and suggestions to him.
Following the elaborate ceremony, your lords bring you their fears and troubles more directly.
Right now large parts of the country suffer from drowner infestations, as these troublesome beasties rose from the murky waters of the lakes. They are also worried about prosperity of the country. The kingdom has been isolated for a while now and despite potential trade, the bazaar in Sakand hosts only few stalls nowadays - a far cry from the days where the trade and wealth generated were the pride of the kingdom.
Last but not least, the borders of the kingdom have been infested as well, especially south and west. Lords are able to keep the worst at bay with their own forces, but some are worried that a herd of vermin and other foul monsters might be driven towards the kingdom by a manticore pair or an enraged owlbear. Some scouts reported long stretches of land that were devastated in wake of fleeing beasts.There is also word of the Brotherhood of Blood appearing from the east, clearing out the monsters wherever they appear, but by the looks of it, they treat it more as a feat and a sport rather than full-blown service to the small folk.
Falrak OberithSummon the other lords of Valden for a meeting. Also ready a report on the land.
The hastily assembled meeting told you the same story as you expected - most people fled beyond the river, hardly anyone is left in the south. Ranger patrols and waters of the Whiterun keep the worst out, but the captains demand revenge. They demand that the beasts be pushed south and that you spearhead a colonization effort. The land is not rich and the only other thing you could do is to turn north and trade with others, or try to settle the emptiness between their borders, at risk of being involved in their politics. You can always try to attempt resettlement of the abandoned boroughs on your side of the river and make sure that the refugees are tended to, but do not count on much, at least immediately.
Another issue raised was your dynasty situation. Another heavy loss might mean a total collapse of your house - Aledrin is old and Acaetrem not much younger than you and even less experienced in the ways of the world, for all of his knowledge of dry numbers. Valden did well in its isolation, but you need reinforcement, from whatever direction.
Trade with Stormport appears to be the sole lifeline that at the moment is sustaining your people above the subsistence level. You never paid much mind to these affairs, but with your back to the wall, you cannot afford to ignore any path.
EDIT:
Trade