"Yes, I do." Kendrick responded to Cass Mordane. "I've found a partner. And we will be focusing on Serai and Mule Trains. And I hope to be able to expand the general store in a month or two."

In reply to Andalon de Lebeda (msg # 122):

Adoven considers, then nods. "it centralizes the areas under my purview. I hope, in coming months, to build a shipyards in Port Henry. We should not be beholden to Mivon for large transfers of people and goods."

Brother Bart makes a few notes, "So a sword school in Central as part of Iomedae's house, a bank and another sword school in the Merchant Quarter, courtesy of Andalon and Adoven respectively.

Adoven asks "out of curiousity, what style will you be teaching? Our School will specialize in the Gibbs style. Rapier, sabre, sawtooth, and whip among the weapons taught. And yours?"

Brother bart consults his notes again.  "I understand Borric will be training military chaplains, rather than duellists.  As with most Iomedian training monasteries it will turn out trained soldiers with minor clerical abilities.  Most will go on to serve as members of the military or town guard as embedded chaplains.  A very few might actually become  fully qualified clerics or paladins.  However, I would expect him to send those back to the training house in  New Steven."

OOC:  Borric is not setting up a duelling school - but a sword School that turns out warrior/adepts who will go on to serve in Midmarch Military.

Brother Bart stands up, clears his throat and draws a document from his jacket.  ”Lord Henry has asked me to make an announcement on his behalf.” looking down he starts to read  …

”After careful consideration of my Charter Duties to protect the southern border of Brevoy, I have decided on a slightly different strategy for Midmarch.  From now on, I am going to concentrate my efforts on establishing a new ‘South Road, that runs from Varnhold, east across Midmarch until it reaches the East Sellen river.  From there we will be able to forge trading routes with New Stetven, Drelev and beyond into Pitax. That will complement the other trading routes that we have established to Restov and Mivon – although there is no reason why they can’t be developed further.

To this end, I will not be sending any more expiratory groups south of tusk.  Come springtime, I will send trade envoys east to Varhnold, and send a group to explore the area weat of Oleg’s.  A third group will continue our work in the Narlemach, after all we don’t want any more surprises such as groups of Gnome eating Kobolds on our borders.

That doesn’t mean that any of you are banned from  working in the southern hills, just that my focus will be elsewhere.”

With that, he sits down and surveys the room, looking at the expressions on people’s faces.

"I hope this new direction helps facilitate more steak dinners within the realm." Cass was not a great fan of dining on eel, as many people knew.

Cass cleared his throat. "With the new information in mind, are there any more proposals for individual projects this session?"

He looked around the room. "I will give everyone time to consider. There is no rush. However, we will want to take all proposals into consideration before determining the direction that expansion will take in regards to the growth of Tusk Town itself."

"For example, if we choose to improve the area by implementing paved streets, we could use most of our current resources and one of the beans to equalize with an economic investment for the town in addition to simple tax revenue. Possible projects to match the paved streets include a large warehouse, large boatyard, or large tenement."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:36, Sat 02 Mar 2019.

The Warehouse and Boatyards are future plans for V&A.

"Alternately, I could offer to build  a roadhouse here in Tusk and city resources can be divided in civic and economic ventures, or focus primarily on the civic for this session. The floor is open for discussion."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:03, Sat 02 Mar 2019.

Adoven says "in theory, I can pay off my investors, build my Sword School, and expand either the Warehouse or the jetty to take full advantage of a paved road, all out of my own resources. But it leaves me no wiggle room to negotiate or contribute to community projects, unless I put Vik's and my home into mortgage. Our relationship is too important to me to risk it like that, though."

Fiddler, puffs gently at his pipe and comments  "I am sorry to ask, but there is the small matter of loan you took from me?  Lord Henry has said he will help me build another Holy site in the Narlemarch. "

Brother Bart continues to make Notes.

OOC: if you build

Abadar's Bank
Iomedae's Sword School
V&A's Sword School
Cass's Road House - you finish up with

Econ 24, Loy 22, Stab 23

A variance of 2 while you are only allowed 1 point of variance

"Yes, Fiddler. Thank you again for your support. We will return the agreed resources to you at this time." Cass said with a smile before peeking over at Brother Bart's notes.

"I believe that would allow for one of the districts streets to be paved, perhaps the Merchant district. That plus allowing V&A one expansion slot should keep things in balance, but bring to a close all improvements for this session."

Cass tried to make sure that he wasn't forgetting anything. "My fellow council members may have other ideas, however. And perhaps want to speak on the notion of adding another member to our council, such as a Marshal."

Cass was used to being the most outspoken member of the council, but in no way was he solely responsible for the decisions that were made. He never wanted to give that impression at all.

OOC: With the paved streets and allowing V&A to increase either the warehouse or jetty by 1 more BP, I think that would put the balance at Econ 25, Loy 24, and Stab 25.

Brother Bart looks up surprised.  "The Merchant District, my lord?  Not Central?  Surely the churches ....." the

"Brother Bart," Cass began with a twinkle in his eyes and a crinkle to his ears. "What a civic minded idea. Let's pave near the churches instead."

OOC: if you build

Abadar's Bank
Iomedae's Sword School
V&A's Sword School
Cass's Road House

and Pave Central you get

Econ 24, Loy 24, Stab 24

Which is in balance.

Of your regular builders/contributors/officers - Pipre is the only one who hasn't contributed yet.

Adoven, seeing an opportunity slip by, says "Mayor Mordane, does that mean I can not expand the pier at this time?"

OK, let's see...

We get 3.8 BP from taxes for the city to spend, plus we still have two Building Beans which can count as 0.5BP each toward separate projects.

Paved streets in Central costs 2BP, gives +2 Loyalty and +2 Stability.
Port Henry still lacks a District Wall, which would cost 1BP, gives +1 Loyalty and +1 Stability.

Clearing the land for each new district to be added to the city costs 1BP per district. Expanding the city from current 3 districts to 4 districts would take us up from Large Town to Small City status and increase Base Limit from 2,000gp to 4,000gp and Purchase Limit from 10,000gp to 25,000gp, which is good for adventurers returning with loot to sell and wanting to buy magic items in the city.
We should definitely open up at least one new district.

I favour the idea of increasing defence as well, because Tusk could potentially be attacked by the River Kingdoms sometime in the future. I would suggest expanding the City's Small Wall to include the new district 4 (if we go that way). Previously, "Building a Small wall around two districts will cost 4bp -  around three will cost 5 bp", so presumably expanding the Small Wall around another District costs another 1BP and adds +1 Defence (I think).

Adoven's proposed upgrade from jetty to pier would cost him 1BP and add +1 Economy.
Perhaps we should ask for 0.5BP contribution from Adoven toward the cost of a District Wall for Port Henry for permission to upgrade to Pier? If he doesn't have that 0.5BP now it could be a contribution paid next Kingdom round instead.

So what might that add up to?

• 2BP Paved streets in Central
• 1BP District wall in Port Henry
• 1BP new district 4
• 1BP extend Small Wall around new district 4
• Total cost 5BP

We have 3.8 BP (taxes) +1 BP (building beans) +0.5 BP? (Adoven, now or next round?).
We might have to borrow from somewhere else if Adoven can't contribute straight away.

Pipre's plans (whatever they are) might still change things, too.

It has also been suggested that we could add the position of Marshal on the City Council. I would certainly support the suggestion of someone (of Lawful Good alignment) from the Church of Iomedae in that role, as the stronghold stewardship rules would then allow us a bit more variance in the Economy/Stability/Loyalty values of the city.

I support Andalon's proposal, with flexibility for whatever Pipre might have in mind. If a contribution from Adoven for 0.5 needs to be deferred until next kingdom term, I believe the town of Tusk can request that our creditors allow it.

If the good and honorable Mariam doZima Wolfeater would be interested in the position of Marshal (or perhaps Marshalle), then she has my endorsement. ;)

There are some problems with that :(  Although I think they are (mainly) good long term objectives.

Extending a wall is expensive and it would cost 3bp to include another district.-  see the bottom section of this page .. http://rp.baileymail.net/doku....strongholds:district

I might be willing to review the rules on concentric walls, although I need time to be able to do that.

That said, if you add a fourth district you would want to increase your defence - if you want to add the benefits of a marshal.  You must have at least one point of city controlled defence for the marshal to be effective.

Off the top of my head, it looks like your other proposed developments add 3 Loyalty and 3 Stabilty and 1 economy -  which would put you at 25,27,28 - (which might still leave you out of balance)

What if we upgraded the keep to a small castle instead?

You can put a small wall about the castle and then build outward :)

Bother - I didn't see that footnote.


Too expensive. Keep is 5BP, small castle is 9BP, so it would cost us 4BP which is more expensive than extending the Small Wall.

OK, the other cheap option for defence is a Watchtower at the outer edge of the new District, which costs 1 BP and gives +1 Defence, which would take the city up to the 4 Defence required to allow a Marshal.

As for the Economy/Stability/Loyalty balance, I always assumed there would be no trouble finding more people wanting to invest in businesses with Economy scores. Probably Pipre, at least.

Henry would love it if you upgraded his keep to a castle  :)  However, watchtower is a good choice - that is what an Urban watchtower is all about.

Pipre and Adoven are the only people left with uncommitted BP, who might be spending this round.

NOTE:  There is nothing to stop the Town of Tusk from developing businesses with an economic return.