"I suppose you would remake my body in your own ideal-the ultimate power of the artist over the world. Perhaps give me fang, horns and a cape, if I displeased you somehow-or render my face into abstract squares, for satirical effect?"
"Why should you fear such reprisals, milady? Would you take me for anything less than a man of honour, with no motive beyond depicting a woman of great beauty?"
"Regardless, if I were to paint you, it would be your decision how I portrayed you. If a plain portrait would be too boring, I could set your radiant face on some figure of mythology, or I could paint you as a soldier- sure to be popular with the queen. Or anything else, really. I can't imagine how one could get bored of paintings... the play of light, the subtle variation in colour, the fold of the cloth and the shine of the eyes- even the plainest portrait has a thousand variables."
Hugo stares into the air for a moment, shakes his head and turns back to Tala. He briefly considers trying to learn more about her, but decides he isn't really that interested. Besides, if she decides to get a portrait painted, there would be time to study her as she models.
"Anyway, milady. If you wish to buy some paintings, I can recommend a few, and if you want me to paint your portrait, we can plan modelling sessions, but we cannot talk forever. The brush may work for love of art alone, but the body does not, and I am unfortunately reduced to selling artwork to merchants to fund more ambitious projects, and I have many paintings to paint and not much time to paint in; I must return to my work."
"Ah, Hugo I've just came by to say that I and Kawakai will be leaving soon...Well that and to ask you a few questions. I've heard that you've had a few vistors lately...Normally I wouldn't care about your personal life, but from what I've heard these people have included a Mirish fellow, who I presume to be our friend William, and a woman noble. What business have they with you? If it's a personal matter then no need to tell me..."
"Ah, of course. The tour of the lands. Fair travels to you. As for my visitors, well, William is a... friend of mine, though he left town a few days ago, and the noblewoman... she wants to start an art gallery. I presume she seeks prestige in the eyes of her fellow nobles. An odd character, that. I couldn't say what's odd about her, but she is certainly someone to watch. I'll be sure to inform you if anything interesting happens."
Try to get an audience with the Knight Commander, try to get hired. After that stroll around the city and check rumours for any opposition against Ligoria...
[6]It emerges that Galam is currently mustering a huge strikeforce, to march north and crush a 'barbarian army' that has been making incursions into Galam's lands. The Knight Commander is too busy planning the campaign to speak with anyone, but upon explaining that you command armed forces you are immediately offered a job. [1] Unfortunately, the city's treasury is all but depleted from preparing for this war, so the pay is pitiful; falling just short of enough to pay your troops wages and keep them fed. If you join their army, you would be loosing money on upkeep. (I'm not sure what units you control, but lets call your potential wages your yearly upkeep - 0.1d*amount of units). Of course, there might be some money to be made from looting, and allies to be won in the courts of Galam.
[2]You search for rumours of opposition against Ligoria, but to no avail. Galam itself has no quarrel with them, nor can you find any exiled noblemen who might have some vendetta against the queen. It seems the only one in this town who truly has a problem with Ligoria is you.
Train my troops, and ask them about the surround area in detail.
[6-
1]Despite your small numbers and lack of anywhere to train, you somehow manage to get the peasant rabble to turn into something resembling soldiers. That's their inexperience dealt with; now all you need is to find them weapons, food, and pay.
[1]The peasants know next to nothing about the land, having spent their entire lives in tiny villages tending to crops.
Search Moun for people willing to join my merc regiment
[4]Scouring the local taverns you manage to round up enough men for a unit. As former soldiers and freelance mercenaries, they demand a higher up-front pay than the average peasant: it will cost you 1.5d to recruit these men rather than 1d.
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Topic: You Are King II: Tales of the Storm Coast (Winter 416a) (Read 238253 times)