Scott says "Remind us to not make that much official power reside in single rubber stamp."  Scott, royal seals don't use rubber stamps, duh.

  At Addleworths further explenations, he nods.  "Looking good will be hard enough, so of course we're the sort of people who want to do more than just look good."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:09, Thu 02 Oct 2014.

Tread stretches her considerably long arms to pull her friends in for a hug (not Addleworth. Even if he was a fellow adventurer, he's too big for her arms). Shelly squeaks like a squeak toy from the hug. "Well I'm proud of you all for the fact you want to be good, benevolent leaders."

"Part of what intrigues me about your group," Addleworth answers Scott.

Joey smiles and returns Tread's hug.  "Right back at you, Tread.  And thanks."

He nods with a smile to Scott.  "Maybe more of a hassle, but totally worth it for the hugs alone."

  Yes, huge girls can be adorable.  This is a scientific fact.  "Thanks, Tread.  I'll settle for not being a huge jerk, but benevolent sounds better."

  All hail our not a jerk leader.  Sounds a bit more like a denial even if true.

Eli says, "I think I have hope that there will be a peaceful way to change the world or at least to live life. Too bad it requires unpeaceful methods first because of our enemies."

Joey chuckles and says, "Makes me wonder what high standards Scott has for himself if getting near killed by the Stag Lord to make the region safe for other people to live in doesn't count for a whole lot more than 'not a huge jerk."

He nods to Eli.  "You and me both."

  "You mean, aside from Grall's reaction to punching his dad to death?"  And then tossing the body to a zombie.

  "Though, things trying to kill people out in the wilderness is common enough that I don't really consider that part of 'leading' so much as 'going outside'"

Eli says, "But you followed us to the Stag Lord. That's a bit more than 'stepping outside'. Even the bandits didn't pick a fight with him."

Tread sighs. "Still such a sad story..."

Shelly adds, "A story we are fighting to keep from being repeated!"

Shelly then looks up at Scott and gives a nervous grin. "Well if you don't amount to much, I must not even amount to anything. You, at least, had a hand in taking down the Stag Lord. I came in late and have been hanging on the coat tails of your success."

"If the god of destruction were destroyed, I'm sure his worshippers would not be happy about it no matter how fitting his end was," Joey muses.

To Shelly he comments, "It seems everyone among us is the type to downplay our contribution.  But when it comes to you, I'm sure there are several rulers who would give anything to have just one word of endorsement from the oracle of the ocean, let alone have your full time support."

Addleworth nods.  "No doubt."

  "Maybe, but you are way more adorable than I will ever be so you can get away with that sort of thing Shelly."

  He shrugs,  "I'll probably feel accomplished once it's safer for people to wall more than a hundered feet from a settlement without worrying bandits, bears, or bandit bears attack them."  Scott, please!  It was a druid bear, get it right.

Shelly blushes from all the compliments, her whole body glowing. "Was just trying to show Scott how his words sound to the rest of us when he makes himself out as not really a hero. You guys are so kind!"

Eli says, "We'll get there, Scott."

Tread says, "Speaking of getting there, what is next on the agenda for securing the safety of our kingdom?"

"Oh I dunno," Joey chuckles, "We may encounter a nasty sorcerer with a strange sense of humor that casts a baleful polymorph spell on you to turn you int a baby bunny...  Hmm...  Or maybe a bear cub named Bandit."

He smiles at Shelly.  "Then you get the same reassurances Scott gets."

To Eli's comment and Tread's question he asks Addleworth, "Any suggestions?"

"If defense is the focus, then defensive structures are the popular choice for long term efficiency.  Some structures offer more defensive benefit than others, and some serve more than one function..."

He expounds on the pluses and minuses of each defensive structure.

  "As nice as it would be to have as sturdy a defense as possible, it might be best to start with the fasted thing to set up just for the sake of having something sooner."

Eli asks, "Isn't that how defenses are made? You start with something simple and functional, then you add to it, making something more permanent."

Shelly says, "That's possible. Slightly more expensive, but possible. For the sake of security, though, it's ideal. We set up basic defenses like Scott said. Then we improve them over time."

Tread says, "Thanks for all your information, Addleworth. Your advice sure has been helpful for our decisions."

"You are most welcome Tread," Addleworth answers with a smile.

"Historically, yes," he agrees with Eli, "Though the reason is usually lack of funds more than lack of time.  Your young nation has already grown more than most do over the course of several generations.  With your booming economy being what it is, you are in a unique position to have it both ways.  Sturdy and swift.  Projects that would strain the treasuries of other communities are trivial to your kingdom's wealth to build in one month's time.  Granted, you have not yet rivaled the budget of Brevoy by any stretch, but certainly you have surpassed the prosperity of most of her distinct municipalities that have lasted for hundreds of years."

"Well that's good to hear," Joey answers, "But I don't suppose they have to deal with bandit bears."

"Not to the degree that you do I wouldn't imagine.  Also they have stable, non-hostile communities surrounding them for the most part."

  A kingdom building campaign following a more reasonable time scale would probably be less of a draw to players, especially with the usual sort of fantasy problems thrown their way on top of political ones.

  "Comforting that we can afford better defenses straight away, if not the fact we need them more than others."

Eli says, "I'd have to look at the numbers in the treasury, but... if we're really that wealthy, then by all means, we should improve the defenses as much as possible without going into the red and without sacrificing effectiveness."

Shelly squeaks, "I'm sure you can find any numerical discrepancies, Eli!" She takes a moment to admire that her latest statement sounded kind of smart in her opinion. And this is her second language! "So let's get started. I'll work on getting the people on board. Tread and Scott can work on figuring which places are the best to start in first, in case we can't build all the defenses at once."

Tread says, "Phew... land surveying..."

Shelly pshaws. "Not as hard as you might think. All you need is a map. You've walked this land so much, you'll remember things about the map that nobody could know by just looking at it."

"Nothing says 'wealthy' quite like converting a ruined bandit lair into a bustling town complete with noble villa," Addleworth comments with a mouth full of chocolate covered raisins.

"I'm with Scott," Joey says, "Villa or no, I'll be happy when defensive structures are no longer needed."

He smiles at Tread & Shelly.  "The longer I stay here the more I love this land as home.  The waters remind me of play time with Shelly.  The trees remind me of strength, the hills of Tread's endurance, the sunrise of Eli's warmth.  It's inspiring!  I think I'll devote myself to writing a national anthem for us.  It's high time we had one."

  "Just so long as you think it's okay for one of the so called leaders to be faking it when they can't remember the words."  Something something cavebears lame something something seabears cool something something where the Elk and Antelope rampage purple drop mountains rolled for need, of thee I sing.

Indeed the surveying is easier than expected. Indeed, the treasury is able to handle the sudden build-up of defensive structures everywhere. Shelly is sure to make the team take breaks at regular intervols, helping them remember how to have fun. Tread is sure to worry. Eli is sure to do any and all calculations needed. Together, the team makes amazing progress.

Joey chuckles.  "That's what sheet music is for."

He helps out where he can, directing materials deliveries, leading prayers at ground breaking ceremonies, negotiating with labor unions, carrying stone, etc.  He enjoys fun times with Shelly and the others.  While working or playing Joey often hums or sings lines for the anthem he's writing.

  Scott isn't going to make any claims towards 'if you want something done right, do it yourself'.  But if you want something done slightly faster that involves manual labor, helping out yourself seems to work.

  At least, if you do not have noodle arms.

After the walls are all built, however, at a meeting, Tread brings up that the wilderness is not taming itself. "I've been itching to go out there and make sure things get better. Have we made up our minds about who stays and who goes?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:28, Sun 23 Nov 2014.

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