Midmarch Province

This thread covers the areas between PC holdings -  so any blank spaces on the map as well as Wyvern Gate, Oston, Tatzleford, Apple Lodge, Litwin’s Cove, Vallart, Bar-Z, Junction, Outpost and Eastgate.  The area around the Fey Holding are declared as a natural area, and have severe restriction on development.  Other hexes in the Narlmarch Forest have lesser restrictions, but are open for rural/wilderness developments.

On the map, Midmarch is outlined in purple, and many of the numbered hexes are available for the holding development.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:15, Sun 04 Dec 2022.

The Province will build a military encampment between Elkwall and Westgate.  This will allow proper security coverage of the area around the Fey Enclave in the Narlmarch Forest, and release the troops from Westgate to patrol their own lands.

Cass arrived with a full tray of eel pies to present to Henry on behalf of Elkin. There was a running joke that during the early days, when the halfling had first joined Cass as his primary chef as well as business manager, Elkin had convinced Cass that unless he wanted to live on the moon radishes of which the local kobolds held so highly, that the only available substance fit to eat in all of Midmarch were the eels from the Sellen. Day and night, Cass dined on eel pies and eel porridge, eel soup and boiled eels.

It wasn’t until Cass finally lamented to Henry that he would do almost anything for a good potato right about now that Henry barked out an incredulous laugh. “Cass, what are you talking about? Midmarch is surrounded by farmers of every type. There are enough potatoes available to feed an army.”

So while Henry still enjoyed what he considered a ‘proper’ eel pie, Cass avoided them like the plague. He even winced when he heard tale of the Pickled Eel tavern at Silverhold and the illustrious shallop the Swamp Eel that was being commissioned. Forever would Cass be haunted it seemed.

Not one to spoil anyone’s fun, even at his own expense, Cass was happy to to act as courier for Henry’s little gift from Elkin. As well as the load of other fine pies and pastries that the halfling had sent along for the other members of the family and court.

“If it would please the court,” Cass said ceremoniously with an exaggerated flourish. “I would propose to upgrade the Bountiful Quiver tavern at Wyvern Bridge and the Vine and Orchard tavern at Apple Lodge each to roadhouse status this session. A few soft beds might suit welcome travelers most well some nights.” Not that Cass had not slept solely in his own cups on more than one occasion, but that hardly bore mentioning in front of such genteel and august company.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:59, Tue 06 Dec 2022.

Henry laughs heartily at the gift from Elkin, and tucks in to one straight away.  "An acquired taste ..." Henry tells the company, as he offers them around.

"Thank you Cass, for your services as courier, and of course your developments in Wyvern Bridge and Apple Lodge are both welcomed as well."

Henry reads a note passed to him by the Lord mayor of Tusk, and smiles broadly.  "My thanks again, Cass.  With the approval of the Tusk Council, I can announce that we will, jointly, be upgrading some of the roads across southern.  Soon, you will all be able to travel between Tusk, Newgate and Wyvern Bridge on well constructed highways, perhaps travelling in a carraige, and in comfort, for the whole journey."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:15, Tue 06 Dec 2022.

The church of Abadar in Tusk is looking for investment opportunities in any settlements in Tusk, Midmarch and the other provinces in the Southern Region Federation. Some of the potential developments the church would invest in are listed below. The investment package could include a combination of items if required to help balance the econ/loy/stab of the settlement.

• Shrine: costs 0.5BP for +1 Loyalty
• Great shrine: costs 1.0BP for +1 Loy / +1 Stab
• Holy house: costs 2.0BP for +1 Special / +1 Loy / +1 Stab
• Chapel: costs 3.5BP for +2 Special / +2 Loy / +1 Stab
• Bank: costs 2.0BP for +1 Econ / +1 Loy / +1 Stab
• Local market: costs 1.5BP for +1 Econ / +1 Stab
• Regional market: costs 3.0BP for +2 Econ / +1 Loy / +1 Stab

Tobias of V&A signals to speak. He stands and says "Lord Adoben sees much potential in Wyvern Bridge as a major trading hub with Restov, and perhaps someday New Stetvan. To that end, he is prepared to invest heavily in Wyvern Bridge's future, creating the conditions for that trade hub. To that end we would like to expand our warehouse there to handle more volume, expand our Merchant Store to a Regional Market, expand the jetty to a wharf, and build a Trade Exchange. In addition, we will be sending other vessels to call Wyvern Bridge their home port."


1 bp upgrade warehouse to Large warehouse 1E
1.5 bp upgrade Merchant store to Regional Market +1E +1L +1S
1 bp upgrade jetty to wharf 1E
4 bp build Trade Exchange 1E 3L 3S

7.5 bp cost gives +4 Economy, +4 Stability, & +4 Loyalty

A large man, dressed as a sea captain enters the room.  He has a mop of fuzzy dark hair and a well trimmed black beard.  ”My Lords.”  He greets those in the room in a deep voice, “I represent House Lebeda, and we would wish to build a jetty and a serai at Wyvern Bridge.”

Henry considers the proposals and comments that have been put forward.  "Cass is upgrading  his taverns, and Andalon, I thank you for your offer, but I think the province is adequately covered for those things at the moment.  However, Newgate would benefit from a branch of the bank.

Adoven, those sound like a well-thought-out set of developments, and I certainly welcome those in Wyvern Bridge."  Then he turns to the Lebedan Captain.

"Captain."  he offers in greeting.  "That is quite a significant proposal from House Lebeda, and I wonder why you might have chosen to make that request now?"

---

Agreed so far.


All Done
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:00, Thu 08 Dec 2022.

Captain Lebeda smiles wryly, guessing Henry knows the reasons, he is a merchant himself, but wants it stated publicly for some reason.

"Well, since Tusk and Wyvern Bridge have grown, there is a lot of opportunity.  For example we will have an alternate trade route into Restov, rather than going all the way by road from New Stetven.  And, of course, Lake Hooktongue is not an easy passage anymore.  It never really was with the river pirates, but since you have cleaned those out, the boggards and other monsters have grown in strength and Drelev isn't doing much about it, so this is a way around the problem."

"Interesting." Henry responds wryly, pleased to have his assumptions confirmed.

"However, I know that a number of our local merchant houses hope to expand their hioldings in the port and landard districts, which means that we don't really have a lot of space there, that I would feel comfortable allowing you to use."  He pauses for a moment, then adds, "However, if you are prepared to fund a new district, along with a district wall, I think we should be able to accommodate you in an area with a river frontage."

"We can accommodate that." The Captain says, without batting an eyelid, "Assuming our business here is successful, we will want to expand our holdings as well."

Henry nods his agreement, aware that he now has a major noble house interested in the Southern Region, and the opportunities that it offers. Where one treads, others follow ...

With a glance towards Captain Lebeda, Henry continues, "I intend to upgrade the DELEM Searai, to a full caravanserai, to take advantage of the new highways, being laid towards Tusk and Newgate."

"My Lord," Berta respectfully address the Vicount Midmarch. "House Roth would also love to take advantage of these new roads ... we would like to request permission to establish a carriage park in Wyvern Bridge with the aim of getting a coach service up and running."

The smile on her face is a sign that this isn't the first time Henry would have heard such a proposal at the many meetings they both attend, nor is it likely to be the last.

"What a good idea Berta.  It wasn't all that long ago, I was praising your family's brewing skills, and your Grapes of Roth wine, in particular.  Coaches will be an interesting new line for you.  I hope it works well"

"Thank you my Lord," Berta is nothing if not gracious.  "My brothers are very hopeful that coaches will be a popular venture, though we still wish to be best known for our wines and ales and spirits."