In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 260):

I'll go to where she is.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 261):

Two GE rolls, one for opposing forces, and another for general trip hazards.

You make the trip without seeing any but a few farmers who show no signs of concern at  your passing.  But that night, it rains hard, and you get wet.  The next morning is miserable as you dry out but no one seems to have caught a cold or anything from the experience.

Late in the second day, you ride into a small town and find that the lady you sponsored is out meeting some officials at a farmhouse five miles away.  The plan is for her to return before dark.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 262):

OOC: What should I roll? I'm not sure what it is for GE

OOC: I suspect that he rolled the GEs on your behalf already, and has described the resulting events for your reaction.  :)

In reply to Oak (msg # 264):

Oak is correct.  In the future, if you want to roll GE rolls you can.  It is a 3d10 with the numbers added up to make the sum.  Just tell me if  you want to do it that way.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 265):

thanks

I guess the plan is to go to the farmhouse.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 267):

Roll 3d10.

20:58, Today: Jacob rolled 18 using 3d10 ((6,10,2)).

In reply to Jacob (msg # 269):

You're halfway to the farmhouse and have not seen anyone but your crew for the last hour when you hear a sort of hoarse snorting and wheezing from the high bushes around you.  And then twenty feet ahead of you on your narrow footpath a two hundred pound boar walks out, and he just stares at you a bit surprised you think.  Your men are behind you, some close, some spread out a bit.  Sir Raive takes up a post to your immediate left where he is halfway into a bush, and he has his sword out.

"Might be  just one, might be a whole sounder, my king.  Boars are dangerous."

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 270):

I'll keep my blade close. "I understand. Keep your eyes peeled for anything."

The men take up posts, and a few more boars step out, and mill about, and everyone waits for about five minutes that feel like an hour.  Until finally one boar snorts, and they all charge off into the bush away from your group.

"The group was large enough, them few enough for us to scare them off. And as per your command we kept quiet instead of making noise which worked this time."  Sir Raive says.  The men are nerved up by the experience, and make quick time the rest of the way.

Upon arriving, you see a small farmhouse under some old trees, and fields extednging out behind the farmhouse along with a garden and a shed.  Some people are in the front yard as you emerge from the bush lined path, and at first they grab for their weapons, but a clear female voice among them rings out.

"Hold sisters, hold men of my army, do you not recognize the wise and generous king, our good friend?"

A striking blonde, tall, a bit horsefaced, with lively green eyes steps out from the group.  She stands as if its clear she's in charge.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 272):

I keep my blade by my side, but ease up as she holds her men back. I will ask about the murder and everything going on.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 273):

"I am the Great Lady Doria,  your majesty. Thanks to  your generous and wise gifts I have been able to hold much territory to the west of us.  But as we get closer to the Great Road you must have come down, I face the Great Lady Cynthia's forces.  She is enraged at your humiliation of one of her pawns which you had captured and then let go.  She is the one who wanted war with you.

But Great Lady Holly is in 'control' in the capital city, although such control is weak, and barely reaches past the gates.  She is trying to position herself as the 'go back to normal' candidate, and me as the 'wild reformer' and Cynthia as the 'bloodthirsty idiot'.

I of course, call her weak, but I can't attack her too much as Cynthia owns much of the ground near th ecapital, and if Cynthia can take the capital and that ground then I will be shut out.

But we are aided by several things.  One much of the Army of Men is restive, and some units have privately sworn not to fight you or me, so I hear.  So Cynthia cannot be sure of her own Army.  But then if she had a loyal unit with swords she could and would execute any open mutineers, so it is very touch and go.

Both sides are using assasins, poisons, arrows from behind trees.  I myself dodged an arrow attack yesterday.  But it is of course, not just me, but my supporters.  And I have to protect enough of them as well or  they will start to fear and go over to the other side.

Some of my people are genuinely loyal to me, or to my area of the country, and some are loyal to reform, but at least half are just heartsick at losing the war. So your strength has convinced many, even those who hate you, that it were better to seek peace.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 274):

"I can't agree more that we need to find peace. I will need to confer with my group to see what we should do about this."

In reply to Jacob (msg # 275):

She nods graciously, and offers you the use of a private gazebo with privacy screens in the back yard.  Its a very convenient thing for making sure no one is listening to you, and the fact that this house has one tells you more about this culture.  And one of your people asks, and yes, its a common thing at upper class houses.

Sir Raive and your others wait to hear your thoughts and questions once you are alone with your team.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 276):

I would ask them what their thoughts were - my thought is that we seek peace for now, but I want their input.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 277):

They, in general, think that the only way to get peace is to help your hostess.  There is some variation on that idea....some think that you should just toss the idea, go back home, raise an army and come back and burn some cities down.  Others point out that your hostess sounds very good, but she could change her mind once she gets power.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 278):

I feel like I wouldn't want to resort to violence unless needed. I will tell her I'm willing to work within reason with her.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 279):

"Your Majesty, the Great Lady Holly is in 'control' of the capital city.  Would you be willing to guarantee her rule of your southern city, as a Duchess, under  your authority of course, in exchange for her giving the capital city to me?  This might be enough for me to tilt the board in my favor, and force the Great Lady Cynthia to flee with her personal entourage."

In reply to Eric (msg # 280):

"I will need time to speak with my men regarding the matter. I will consider it, though." With that, I will speak with my men about it.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 281):

Your men think that the other nobles won't have too much of a problem with it....especially since you've made your feelings on equal treatment of men and women VERY clear.  Also, it won't put one group of your nobles above another group as the power will go to an outsider.

On the other hand, can you really trust the Great Lady Holly to be content to be a loyal to you and the Swamp Kingdom as the Duchess Holly?  Might she try to drag  you into a war to the South to regain her queendom?

They give you suggestions, but as always, lonely is the head that wears the crown. You're ultimately in charge, and win or lose its on you.  Your men though are loyal, and will follow your directions.  You've seen that they respect you more.  They won't complain whatever  you decide.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 282):

I will ask her to allow me a day or so to contemplate the decision, and I will return to her tomorrow.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 283):

"Of course, your majesty. Such matters are weighty indeed, and need due consideration.  If  there is anything you need, my people will only be too glad to get it for you or your men."  She bows, and walks out, leaving you with the hard job of deciding what now?

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 284):

We will decide if we go with her offer and refuse. I will speak with my men regarding the matter.