Sorry for the inactive period. Last week of school and all. I can't promise any updates beyond this one over the next few days, but things should be back to normal by Monday or Tuesday.
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You decide to neither punish your daughter, nor interfere with Gnoll's attempts to modify the Staff of Creed.
6
This decision goes over surprisingly well with your court. You would have thought such a blatant miscarriage of justice would anger at least some of your followers, but apparently Senshinochi and his children command far more respect in your court than you had assumed, and nobody dares speak against Azuma.
Once the matter is settled, Skoonhein approaches your throne to speak his bit. "My queen, Tull-Charcoal, the wealthy mountain dwarf whom you encouraged to choose an heir from among the ranks of his gay lovers, has recently passed peacefully in his sleep. The vast majority of his fortune has fallen to Applebark, a young member of the blessed clergy of Charity who is as ambitious as he is kind. Sadly, this ambition has gotten him into potentially life threatening trouble."
Skoonhein explains that Applebark has used his newfound wealth to court a Dwarf named Lionsoak, who is the son and heir of the Chieftain of Great Noses, one of the heathen Chestnut Dwarf towns that does not belong to your empire. The Angel suggests that the relationship is as much political as it is a love match, informing you that Lionsoak has converted to your cult to appease his lover, and had planned on swearing fealty to Sun-nut and joining the empire once he inherited the town. Unfortunately for the lovers, the Chieftain of Great Noses caught on to their plan, formally disinherited his sodomite apostate son, and locked the couple away in his dungeons to await a trial. Skoonhein believes that there is a strong possibility that both or either of the dwarves will be executed.
"What would you have me do, my queen?"
A: Applebark decided to interfere in foreign politics without my blessing. I shall not protect him.
B: I will not let some heathen kill one of my blessed clergy! Just because there is a prophisized mountian dwarf attack coming in two years dosn't mean the Empire can't spare its legions to rescue Applebark and take Great Noses!
C: Old age be damned, this sounds like a job for Senshinochi!
D: Her forseen role in the forseen upcoming war be damned, this sounds like a job for Azuma!
E: The feelings of the dwarven pantheon be damned, this sounds like a job for my host!
F: I'll make a minor artifact to facilitate the escape of the lovers, and send a cherub to slip it into Applebark's cell!
G: None of the options presented to me are worth the cost or risk, but I can't just leave my priest hanging. Skoonhein, be a dear and negotiate with that heathen for the release of the lovers.