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[Fluffe9911]

D blah blah only two certainties blah blah DEATH and TAXES

[Naturegirl1999]

D
Humans need to learn that not all dragons are out for blood

[mightymushroom]

D

[Superdorf]

"Go and speak to them," you say to your secretary. "Tell them the Baron is cast down. Tell them I am lady. I'll be along shortly."

The secretary scurries off; a few minutes pass in silence. You descend from your dais, and approach the taxman and his retinue with words of greeting.

7

A gasp rises from the imperials at your appearance, and a few guards step back with hands on swords-- but the taxman himself steps forward, his eyes gleaming with delight!

"You are magnificent, lady ZENDRAKIEL!" He's a tall man, richly-dressed with a pointed beard. "Your scales, they-- they burn like the dawn!"
"--I'm getting ahead of myself," he continues with an ecstatic bow. "I am Cornelias, and I have always wished to see a dragon."

What a charming and perceptive human! You invite him into your hall.


Alas, business is business.

"Lady ZENDRAKIEL, I will be blunt," says the taxman. "The Baron was a scoundrel, but he was a predictable scoundrel. You are not. In happier times, my king would send many knights to part you from your holdings and your life."

"In happier times," you murmur, eyes narrowed. "What stops you now?"

"We are at war," says the taxman. "Castle Grebbish has fallen to savage lopers from the north: even now, they lay waste to field and thatch! My king cannot afford the loss of a barony, nor the soldiers to recapture it, when an alliance may be had."

Lopers-- you remember the loping tribes, who made war over the distant plains. You remember their auburn hide, their greenish hair; their crooked legs, that leap so swiftly into battle.

"...you offer amnesty," you whisper. "A claim to what is mine, by the laws of your people... for a price."
"The price is simple and time-honored," says the taxman. "Men, or money. Soldiers, or gold. Your choice."

A) Men.
B) Money.
C) I'll give nothing to you.

[Naturegirl1999]

An alliance is good. Do we have fighters? If so, we should give fighters. The taxman is already getting money from the taxes
A

[Fluffe9911]

A If we remember back to our status report a couple of turns back we had 3 Gold and 4 Pop since then im sure both of these numbers have probably gone up especially the pop number considering our new holdings and since everyone is happy from the dragon festival earlier we can probably spare some pops without our citizens getting pissed at us/depopulating our holdings.

Also why do I get the feeling that Cornelias wants to do more than just see a dragon wink wink nudge nudge

[Naturegirl1999]

A If we remember back to our status report a couple of turns back we had 3 Gold and 4 Pop since then im sure both of these numbers have probably gone up especially the pop number considering our new holdings and since everyone is happy from the dragon festival earlier we can probably spare some pops without our citizens getting pissed at us/depopulating our holdings.

Also why do I get the feeling that Cornelias wants to do more than just see a dragon wink wink nudge nudge

I get that feeling too and I’m not the romantic sort

[Devastator]

D.  We should go in person, and show our glory to the troops of the king.  I'm sure having a dragon on campaign would be worth more than people or money.

..and, in victory, we would have a chance at a share of the spoils.

[Glass]

D.  We should go in person, and show our glory to the troops of the king.  I'm sure having a dragon on campaign would be worth more than people or money.

..and, in victory, we would have a chance at a share of the spoils.

Exactly my plan. +1 to D.
(This can also be considered a variation on A.)

[Shadowclaw777]

D

The Kingdom will become ours!

[King Zultan]

D

[TricMagic]

DA,men and dragon. Or just D.

[Superdorf]

AA
DDDDD

An idea springs into your mind, unbidden.
"There's a third option," you tell Cornelias. "Your little castle is taken by lopers? I'll kill them myself, and save my dear people the trouble."

4

The taxman frowns, thinking. "It's... unusual," he says. "Unheard of, even. But these are perilous times."
"You cannot afford to refuse," you whisper, and the room echoes. Your pupils dilate, rimmed with a brilliant blue.

7

"...you're right, of course," says the taxman, wide-eyed. His mouth hangs open a bit. "I-it's an unprecedented boon. I'll send word of your flight to the king."

You quickly obtain directions to Castle Grebbish from the shaken bureaucrat, and send him off with the usual pleasantries. A few minutes later, you hear the horns of the departing retinue.


Looks like you've got a journey ahead of you! The town's going to need someone in charge while you're away... you consider who to appoint as city steward.

A) Your ratty young secretary, Lucias. He's not the most authoritative figure, but he knows how the city works and he's not liable to start any trouble.
B) The head cleric, Myrre. A stern and fiery lady, she enjoyed a respectable position in the Baron's court... however, she doesn't like you very much after your meddling with Orrom Fish-god.
C) Dokker, fisherman. Very popular among his fellow-sailors, and one of the "lads" who threw the festival for you! He probably doesn't know much about governance, but he'd be well-liked.
D) Ervin, captain of the guard. In the case of your sudden disappearance, he'd be the default authority. You don't know much about his loyalties.

[Glass]

D. We may not know much of his loyalties, but showing we trust him to run the city while we're out is wont to shift them in out favor.
He should be told to accept advice on stuff from Lucias, though.

[Naturegirl1999]

A