Balir starts talking just as Kirpich does. The dwarf lets the human finish, and then says his piece: "I don't know what salted dead are, but yeah, especially the last two we fought were pretty bad. That was partially our own fault though, because we forgot to use the tools we had brought.
But to answer the other half of the previous question, we intend to live there, as it was given to us by the previous baron. We hope that farmers, and maybe even tradesmen, will come to the area and perhaps we can have a flourishing economy."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:43, Thu 05 Oct 2023.

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 38):


after some back and forth with the Elder, the ashigaru responds in his accented aralaise.
"As long as you no treat villagers like old baron did, maybe trade can grow."

Chou-Zhen listens quietly to all this, nodding as Chye Isuel passes along the elder's thoughts.

"I think both we and Baron James would be unhappy if that were to be the case."

In reply to Chou-Zhen Mou (msg # 40):

"How did the baron treat villagers?"

"The difference between taxes and tribute is that taxes fund necessary services like city guards and maintenance of sewers, while tribute is merely theft from working folk by nobility."

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 41):

"Taxes can be excessive too, depending on what is given in return. Tribute is usually demanded of conquered peoples as a sign of servitude. But how did he treat villagers? Did he demand tribute? If so, did he invade, or threaten to?"

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 43):

Balir suddenly realizes how much more appealing taxes look when you are the one collecting them. "Yes, it is probably worth adding that the tower is in a rather sorry state, presently, having been left unmaintained for decades. And in general the whole area needs much investment, starting new fields, building roads, and such. But we will, of course, do our utmost to balance these endeavours with the needs of the people. A good way to obtain extra gold is always to go get it yourself - from villains, of course - so hopefully the guild will have much work for us. We will need to hire a steward to take care of the fiefdom while we are out."

Kichiro carefully listened to back and forth until a comment made him stop and speak.

"Are you planning on this village becoming part of your supposed fiefdom?  What do think Baron James would think of this plan?", he asked

In reply to Kichiro (msg # 45):

"Oh no. At the moment we are not entirely sure where that fiefdom ends and begins."

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 46):

"As far as we understand, we have no fiefdom, just a tower. But we will have to confirm even that with the new Baron now..."

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 47):
  The Elder indicates through his translators that he would like confirmation of these things as well, and that at the moment he recognizes the Omo, Sakemoko as his overlord and protector.

In reply to Village elder (msg # 48):

"We are not trying to take over as overlord of your village, but we are glad to work with those who are. But we will be glad to send you confirmation once we have it."

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 49):

"Yeah, we were more like hoping to trade with this village. In time. When we have something to trade with."

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 50):

A glance around the village lets you know that they have no blacksmith, so metalwork of any kind is likely to go over well, even cheap goblin crafted gear.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 51):

"We are happy to look at metalworking, and perhaps installing a smithy. I will check my contacts...once we are established."

Is there more to discuss here, while we do not have definite ownership? Other than them supporting our claim?

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 52):

It might be better to install a smithy on the castle grounds, that way you can produce metalwork as an export

In reply to Narrator (msg # 53):

Yes, Kirpich will look into that a bit later...

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 54):

if it is to be a hireling, I get to draft them.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 55):

If it is to be an Ally added when I get a cp? Waiting a little would be suitable anyway...next trip.

Ales is there in the background, listening to the conversations.

Aethul is getting a bath ... with Help?

In reply to Aethul (msg # 58):

Yes, for those difficult to reach areas.

And those needing more attention too.

In reply to Aethul (msg # 60):

While you two experiment with starting a family, I am guessing we are working to build relations and get ready for heading out next morning, after assisting with the earthworks this day. Did I miss anything?

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 61):

The villagers seem nonplussed at the activity in the bathhouse.  It does look cleaner to the folk who put something inside a chained barrel... who has that btw?