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22:56, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Jacob's Job.

Posted by TadeuszFor group 0
Tadeusz
player, 10789 posts
As you dimension dance...
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Mon 8 Nov 2021
at 01:44
  • msg #286

Jacob's Job

In reply to Jacob (msg # 285):

They give you a wide variety of options, and you get to decide.
Jacob
player, 149 posts
Mon 8 Nov 2021
at 19:34
  • msg #287

Jacob's Job

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 286):

How common was each type of response?
Tadeusz
player, 10790 posts
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Thu 11 Nov 2021
at 21:50
  • msg #288

Jacob's Job

In reply to Jacob (msg # 287):

Smallest was 'let's go home now'.  Next highest was 'get a different deal'. Next higher up was a hybrid position of 'we probably can't trust her, but we can probably squish her when she inevitably betrays us.'  Next higher was 'just keep pushing and be patient.  Things will break out way.'
Jacob
player, 150 posts
Fri 24 Dec 2021
at 23:01
  • msg #289

Jacob's Job

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 288):

I'll go with the "keep pushing" option.
Tadeusz
player, 10792 posts
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Wed 29 Dec 2021
at 22:08
  • msg #290

Jacob's Job

In reply to Jacob (msg # 289):

Over the next two months....

Time for a GE Roll.

You do have a solid position, but it could go very bad.  Your hostess might decide her best chance is to poison you, or she might decide to trade you for her life if she gets sufficiently threatened by encircling armies.  But that's highly unlikely.

On the plus side, well, you might end up King of the Swamp Kingdom and the Soutehrn Kingdom, but that's also extremely unlikely.

GE Roll: 8. Ouch. Not the worst, but not that great either.

You've dodged two assasination attempts directed at you (poison in your wine, and a crossbow bolt from a bush as you ride your horse).  There have been four skirmishes with the enemy Great Lady who holds the field that you have participated in.  You're becoming a seasoned Army commander, and a decent cavalryman to boot.

One other 'skirmish' ended when Sir Raive killed the female Lady in charge in a sword duel, and the men of that small Army (about 50) threw down their weapons.  The male leader then spoke to  you.

"Great King. Some of my men would go with you, but most have to come back.  For if we all flee to your side, then our families will be put to the sword."  He waits on your decision.

  A tentative power sharing agreement between both enemy great ladies has arisen in the last week.  You can tell its naturally unstable as sweating dynamite.

Its like Stalin and Trotsky.  One man ain't going to die peacefully in bed.  But for now, they're making friendly noises and cursing your ally as a 'puppet of evil man king'....that would be you.

On the plus side, you've had a sizable amount of men from the Army desert to your side as your message of fairness for both sexes is quite liked by the men.  Most of these drift into the area, in ones and twos, and surrender to the first patrol that spots them.  And you've spotted a small number of Ladies who you are sure actually believe in what you are preaching.  Its a minority as smost on your Great Lady's side are in it for themselves or her or sound like they're there for your cause, but you're uncertain, but it is nice to meet a powerful noblewoman who does not have to restrain the urge to spit in your presence, or be stone faced, but actually honestly and openly respects you and is willing to stand up to her sisters and say so.  Your Great Lady is too good a politician to show her true feelings, but you think she's also good enough of a politician to not let things like prejudgices get in the way of her getting power.  And by now, she's tied to you.  For her, its win or die.  Her alliance with you has tainted her enough that she cannot surrender, and expect to live.

So, you are getting a hard core of supporters who can be relied on.

And the men in the Army of the Matriarchy, even your enemies on the field, all call you 'Great King' which aggravates any enemy female commander, but they do it anyways.

So, thats good...although mixed with the bad.

And Merry Christmas.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:21, Wed 29 Dec 2021.
Jacob
player, 151 posts
Fri 4 Feb 2022
at 00:15
  • msg #291

Jacob's Job

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 290):

Can I try to secure any alliances with anyone else?
Tadeusz
player, 10793 posts
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Fri 25 Feb 2022
at 22:26
  • msg #292

Jacob's Job

In reply to Jacob (msg # 291):

Sure, absolutely.  There is a collection of different tribes of the same ethnicity in the mountains who generally hate the Matriarchy, and raid them at times.  Other times the Matriarchy does a 'punishment mission' and burns one of their villages.  Its a long standing hate-trade-hate relationship.

Three weeks travel south of you is the end of the Matriarchy, and a cow farming land in a river valley called the Vale of Nine Towns.  Your people don't know much about them except that they occasionally if infrequently fight the Matriarchy, have good cavalry, disdain the Matriarchies' men as 'rice eaters' which seems to be an insult meaning weak physically and cowardly mentally.

You can also call up your own troops in a feudal levee.  Or just call up your knights and men at arms who are much fewer in number but more professional.
Jacob
player, 152 posts
Sat 26 Feb 2022
at 00:30
  • msg #293

Re: Jacob's Job

ill head to Nine Towns then.
Tadeusz
player, 10794 posts
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Sun 13 Mar 2022
at 23:21
  • msg #294

Re: Jacob's Job

In reply to Jacob (msg # 293):

You set out, which does not endear you to your allies in the Matriarchy.  They're angry that you're not just relying on them.

The second day out, fogs roll in, and you're stuck travelling on horseback through fog dense enough that you can see the ass of the horse in front of you, but not the head.  After a bit, its clear the only thing to do is to wait and camp.  And then the alligators from the swamp show up.

Nobody is seriously injured, but its a full three days of triple watches, sudden attacks by hungry reptiles, and dew on everything including down your back, with weapons ready before the fog lifts and the alligators go back to the swamp.  Exhausted, you continue onward only to find out that while you are heading south, you somehow lost the main road. You're on a side road.

On the plus side, you increase your skills with sword and spear, kill a fourteen foot gator solo with a spear strike, and the men are more determined to stick together than ever.  Whatever soft edge there was to your men is now gone.

OOC: Bad dice rolls for skill and GE.
Jacob
player, 153 posts
Mon 14 Mar 2022
at 20:08
  • msg #295

Re: Jacob's Job

Is there anyone who looks like the leader here? If so I'll speak to them.
Tadeusz
player, 10799 posts
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Sat 19 Mar 2022
at 08:07
  • msg #296

Re: Jacob's Job

In reply to Jacob (msg # 295):

Another two weeks which are less harsh follow, and then you pass into plains land.  You are followed at a distance by a few men on horses, but they show no readiness to get close to y ou.

And then a crew of four dozen men on horses come over a hill in front of you after several days of being paced.  You ride out, and one in the middle with a black beard mixed with gray, and better weapons and fur trimmings than the others looks surprised, but then comes out to meet you in the middle.

"I am the Rancher Stefan. You ride on my grasslands for the last day."

He rides very well on his horse.
Jacob
player, 154 posts
Tue 3 May 2022
at 03:13
  • msg #297

Re: Jacob's Job

"I understand. THank you."

(ooc: tested positive for covid today, so I will likely have delays)
Tadeusz
player, 10847 posts
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Wed 4 May 2022
at 22:20
  • msg #298

Re: Jacob's Job

In reply to Jacob (msg # 297):

"Why do you come into my lands?  And who are you?"
Jacob
player, 155 posts
Wed 6 Jul 2022
at 23:58
  • msg #299

Re: Jacob's Job

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 298):

"MY name is Jacob. It's a... complex situation, but I can try to explain it." And with that I try to explain as best I can.
Tadeusz
player, 10880 posts
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Thu 7 Jul 2022
at 01:54
  • msg #300

Re: Jacob's Job

In reply to Jacob (msg # 299):

"Your Majesty, we are surprised to be visited by you, and your...." He eyes your group with respect and wariness.  And looking at his group, which is larger, you're not sure  your group would not win.  There is a hard edge of experienced veterans in all of your team. "Entourage.  I must say I find your proposal interesting.  We dislike the ways of the Matriarchy among the Rancher Lords with the way they refuse to speak to us, but require us to send out a female speaker.  We would be willing to set that aside however, if they were not inclined to send what they call 'taxing parties' and more honest folk would call raids for cattle into our lands.

The true border of our land is the River Tand which you crossed a day ago."

You remember it.  It was only a foot deep, and with plains on both sides.  But half a mile north of it was the last rice farm with a canal to the river, and good defenses.

"If you could get them to recognize the River Tand as our boundary we would be greatly pleased.  We burn their farms, and they send raids into our territory.  But I tell you truthfully, we have no desire to burn, not most of us.  We do it because if we did not they would keep moving south year after year.  We live on a free range, with each Lord being a minimum of one day's horse travel apart.  With their cities and farms, if we did not trim them back, they could just push us off the land.  I am content with my land.  I have two hundred Riders, and several villages, and a great Ranchhouse, and a ten thousands of free roaming cattle.  I don't want their barley or their rice.  My gardens grow enough herbs to put aside my steak that I am able to feed my people well."

He turns and makes a hand gesture, and all of his men suddenly rear their horses as one.

"We ride horses. We eat carrots and steak. We play music in the late evening and dance.  We want for little, but peace.  But warrior king, we are ready to fight if you can give us peace."
Jacob
player, 156 posts
Mon 12 Sep 2022
at 23:10
  • msg #301

Re: Jacob's Job

I nod at Stefan. "I understand. I would gladly speak to them about this, if you would allow me."
Tadeusz
player, 10925 posts
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Thu 15 Sep 2022
at 19:33
  • msg #302

Re: Jacob's Job

In reply to Jacob (msg # 301):

He pulls off a heavy silver bracelet engraved with horses, and hands it to you.

"They will know you speak for me if you show them this, Great King. I will send thirty Riders with you, if you wish it, to be commanded by you.  And I will send word of your words, bravery to cross the Matriarch's land to talk peace with us, and friendship to the other Rancher Lords, if you wish it."

He thinks for a few seconds.

"King, if you can secure peace, so that my sons do not grow up to war with the Matriarchy's poor men, I will pledge up to five thousand cattle to your cause. And I will ride to war if need be, at your side."
Jacob
player, 157 posts
Wed 26 Oct 2022
at 18:59
  • msg #303

Re: Jacob's Job

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 302):

"Some riders would be helpful, and sending word would be as well. I will try my best to secure peace."
Tadeusz
player, 10938 posts
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Sat 5 Nov 2022
at 04:42
  • msg #304

Re: Jacob's Job

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 302):

You now have thirty veteran riders to serve as scouts and pathfinders.  It makes the trip wherever you are going faster, safer, and smoother.  Your guys are good riders. These guys ride like they were born in the saddle.
Jacob
player, 158 posts
Fri 16 Dec 2022
at 21:15
  • msg #305

Re: Jacob's Job

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 304):

I will ride to speak with the Matriarchy's leadership about the dilemma.
Tadeusz
player, 10953 posts
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Mon 19 Dec 2022
at 00:37
  • msg #306

Re: Jacob's Job

In reply to Jacob (msg # 305):

You speak to several other Rancher Lords, and get one other firm committment, and thirty more riders, and another silver bracelet.  But the other two are more skeptical.

However, you go on to the fourth, and come over the hill with your knights and riders and see the valley beyond filled with Riders.  Several dozen different bannners fly over different parts of the camp.

Your riders race up to you laughing.

"Its a Great Moot, my King.  We have these once every five years, or in an emergency."  As you stand on the hillside, you see riders with a new banner come over another hill, over a hundred of them.  They wave your way excitedly, and then pelt down the hillside in what looks like reckless speed with some of the Riders getting up on saddleback to stand while whooping out loud.

The Chief Rider smiles at you as he straightens up his own clothes.  "Best dress well, my King.  All the eligible young ladies of the Rancher Lords will be here as well."  You notice all the other Riders are doing the same to their gear.  This Moot is a big political thing, but trading, especially of horses, and marriages and parties are a big part of it as well.
Jacob
player, 159 posts
Fri 21 Jul 2023
at 22:07
  • msg #307

Re: Jacob's Job

OOC: I am SO sorry about life being so busy.

I nod to the men, straightening up my own gear as I take a swig from my flask. "I suppose you're right. When was the last one?"
Tadeusz
player, 10984 posts
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Sat 29 Jul 2023
at 19:00
  • msg #308

Re: Jacob's Job

In reply to Jacob (msg # 307):

OOC: No worries.

"Four years ago."

You ride into the 'town', and see that the ladies are out in their finest as well.  Brightly colored leather capes enamelled with various colors and patterns are over multi layered dresses, and everyone has their hair up in extravagant styles with silver rods stuck through their hair.  Everyone is smiling, and yelling, and chatting with old friends they haven't seen in years as they put up temporary tents for the Moot.

Going further, you hear horns and strings being played, and see a hundred dancers already getting in the first dance of the day as a half dozen players on drums, wood horns, and giant guitars play music for them.  They wave wildly at you as they keep on their dance moves with their multiple partners.  It involves a lot of jumping and kicking, and is partly between a jump off, a club scene, and a square dance.

On the other side, you see older men examining a bull of rather large size who is taking all the prodding and ear checking in stride.  Silver changes hands, and one of the men leaves with the bull on a rope, and the bull goes willingly along, which considering the size differential is the only way the bull would move.
Jacob
player, 160 posts
Wed 18 Oct 2023
at 00:32
  • msg #309

Re: Jacob's Job

I will try to join my men in some of the dancing - eventually things will be serious at the Moot, so might as well have fun now.
Tadeusz
player, 10990 posts
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Wed 1 Nov 2023
at 02:50
  • msg #310

Re: Jacob's Job

Given that you're a King (which ranks higher than a Rancher Lord or one of the Mayors of the Nine Vale Towns which are also in attendance---these towns are the market towns for the Ranchers and are a bit lower in status than the Rancher Lords), and a proven warrior, and unlike most of the Lords and Mayors you are not married, you find your dance card is full.  As in, there is a short line of girls wanting to dance who are waiting for you to stop dancing with one so you can move on to the next.  If you're up for it, you can dance for four hours straight with about sixty different girls.

Its a very vigorous dance style with lots of jumping and arm waving involved.  There is spinning about in place as well, and tap dancing as the partner watches, and even the horseriding part where the girls jumps on your back, or shoulder, and slaps the hand of another girl in similar situation.

It is a good thing you've had a lot of exercise because this is very energetic, and while the girl on your shoulders might be light, her five layers of decorated gowns and aprons add some weight.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Wed 01 Nov 2023.
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