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Have had a crazy couple of days and seems like I'll be having a few more (board games, meetings, birthdays, taking care of a puppy-dog etc).
Next update on saturday or sunday. Sorry guys!

Spoiler

Have a picture of our new dog to make you all feel better for now:

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This Baron seems like a friendly fellow and he did bring you a gift, so you feel you should reply to his kindness in kind.

"I shall accept your gift, Baron of the Forkbeaks, and in return I offer you a place at my table tonight. We shall dine together, and representatives from our traders shall be present so that we may discuss future trade between our peoples."

Baron seems pleased with your response.

"I will kindly joing you for dinner, King of Grimdark. Until evening, then."



The Jester appears to receive the ORNAMENTAL TELESCOPE so that he may place it in your treasury for safekeeping, while Baron humbly takes his leave.
The Jester soon reappears.

"Hail, My King. Your new treasure has been stored away safely. Shall we grant another audience or do we have greater plans?"

You have the Jester escort Rorik to the Castle's guest quarters. Perhaps new faces in the castle will bring more colour to the daily activities within. As he leaves, the Jester permits entry to the next audience: a tall man in a handsome black sailor's uniform.



"Greeting, King of Grimdark." -he greets you using your formal title.

"My name is Baron, and I represent THE FORKBEAKS, the largest and the strongest of the six pirate clans, which control the seas to the WEST of your realm. I come to you in hope that we might form a friendship between our peoples, so that we might trade valuables and necessities in a peaceful manner. Should your realm ever seek to traverse the seas, you might also wish to contact me to secure safe passage to the high seas, for the pirate clans mercilessly capture and ransom any who dare enter the waters without our permission."



BARON produces a long tube, which shines like gold.

"As a token of kindness and friendship, I wish to offer you this valuable ORNAMENTAL TELESCOPE as a gift. It is not an instrument a true sailor would use, I'm afraid, I for one would certainly not give up my trusty old spyglass for it, but it's casing is gilded and encrusted with four valuable gemstones, one for each of the sea winds. Would you accept this gift to affirm the friendship between the KINGDOM OF GRIMDARK and the FORKBEAK PIRATE CLAN?"

[The deadline is up and it's a FOUR WAY TIE! Five points to each of you!]

Dudes... Duuuudes!

You do realize what you have done here, right? The deadline is up and it's a FOUR WAY TIE! Five points to each of you!

*stares off into space*

Duuuuuude...

I'll choose LostTrainDude as the winner based on the fact that all three other contestants have gotten to choose a theme in the last couple of months, so let's get some fresh ideas in here!
I'll try to draw up a five-way trophy for you guys tomorrow. Until then: good night you marvelous bastards!

You decide it is time to make a friend, and this Rorik seems to be the honourable sort, so you reply:

"Rorik, son of Rorik, I shall grant you shelter and safety from your plight, whatever it may be. Know, that my kingdom is a haven to those in need, and accept my friendship today. All I ask in return is that you share your tales of the road you have travelled and tell me more of the lands you come from."



Rorik's face brightens up and he seems to stand a few inches taller after hearing your reply.

"I humbly accept, King of the riverland, and I thank you. I must admit I expected a cooler welcome here, consireding how little I would share of my situation, but I can only tell you that secresy is the only thing that has kept me alive on the road, and the mission I carry is of utmost importance to me and my kin. Your kindness will not go unpaid, I assure you. My kin will know of you kindness!"

Rorik shifts his weight, looking for a more comfortable position, before beginnig his tale.

"I travel from the frozen lands to the north and to the east, far away beyond the Wailing Woods who'se trees are said to grab men off their horses, and the Frozen Fjords, who'se slippery sheets of ice are known to shift under men's feet and swallow entire groups into the cold waters running below.  It is a dangerous path that separates your land from ours, and that danger is what has kept the peace even in the darkest of times, as no army can march across the lands to make war on one another.

My people are known by outsiders as 'the men of winter' and we live most of our lives in solitude, hunting the frozen wastes for beast and fish. The tribes often go to battle with one another, be it for cattle, prestige or rights to marry another's daughter, and so those who survive these battles and the cold are all hardy warriors. No other race of men exists in this world who can do battle in the cold winter as well as we do.

During the summers we build fast longships and sail the fjords and rivers in search for the riverwhales. One such beast will feed a village for a month and the bones make for excellent handles for blades and axes, as well as fine crafting materials for the womenfolk. Sometimes we travel west from our lands, as far as the rivers will take us and then across the dry plains and to the edges of the lush jungles to trade with the furry-folk there. I have not met them myself, but it is said that they are a great tribe of black-and-white -furred womenfolk only, and that they weave dangerous traps in the narrow paths of the jungle. We buy herbs and woodcrafts and sell meats and riverwhale bones and fat to them.

That's about all I can say of my homelands. We are simple folk and we live simple lives, that is all. Is there something else you wish to know of me? My travels have left me weary and I would much like to have a rest. Last night I spent hiding in the town, and the night offered me very little in the way of sleep. Perhaps within your walls I can finally rest."

Correction: while Lancelot is not at his post in the castle, his men have not left their posts. The knights still guard their king and the town walls. (Lancelot is not THAT foolish!)

A new day dawns and you feel well rested and strong as you enter your throne room.
Remembering the queue of people awaiting your attention from the day before, you bid the Jester to permit the next audience immediately.

A somewhat stunted man enters the room, greeting you with a deep bow as he steps before you. The LOST WARRIOR seems old and wizened, yet strong and muscular, though you can tell there is something in his posture and behavior that speaks of the rough road he has been through.



"Hail, King of the South!" -the WARRIOR booms, his voice strong and coarse.

"My name is Rorik, son of Rorik, and I have traveled far from the frozen Northlands on an important mission. I began my travel with six companions, but as of now I am the only one remaining, as the others were..."

There is a short silence, during which Rorik blinks a few times as he tries to maintain composure.

"...lost. I shall say no more of their fate."

The WARRIOR's eyes turn to steel as he musters his strength.

"I am to travel further to the south and to the west as soon as I can, but the roads have become too dangerous for me these days, and I am forced to seek shelter and kindness. King of the Southlands, my request to you is this: permit me to remain within your walls for a few days so that I may rest and recover, as well as try and hire help from the town. Knowing the fates of my comrades, I dare not stay at any regular inn, so it is safety in your walls that I seek. I have nothing to offer but the gratitude of myself and mine, as well as the promise that a Northman always repays a kindness.

How do you answer, King?"

Unless other commands pop up, the next audience will be granted automatically.

[kconen, Sinitrena, LostTrainDude, Baron]

Time is up (it was up quite a few hours ago, but I'll let it slide since I was asleep)! It's time to vote and see who made you feel happy.


The contestants: kconen, Sinitrena, LostTrainDude, Baron

As before, categories:

Character: You find one or several characters really believable/captivating/magnetic/unique, etc.
Plot: The story arc was well-organized, coherent, and well-executed with appropriate pacing
Background World: The best setting or milieu for a story; a place brought to life.
Word Choice/Style: The technical art of combining words in clever or gripping ways
Happiness: How happy the story made YOU feel when reading it

You can vote up to two contestants per category, and each vote is worth one point. 
Voting ends at midnight (GMT) on the 26th of December, so take a moment during the holidays and enjoy.

Oh, almost forgot: Merry Christmas to all!

You stand up to make your proclamation more official.

"Sir Lancelot, I hereby order you to seek volunteers amongst the townspeople, in order to swiftly form a new Town Guard to keep the King's peace and to serve the King's justice. Report back to me as soon as you know what is needed of the Crown."



Lancelot gives you a curt bow.

"As you wish, My King." -he answers solemnly, before making his leave.

As Lancelot leaves, you call out to the Jester: "Jester, send in the next audience!"



The stange man in an even stranger hat appears before you.

"I'm afraid I cannot, My King, for the day is at it's end and those seeking your presence have left to seek rest. You should rest too, My King, for tomorrow the people will expect you to rule them fresh and strong."

The Jester's giggling and prattling unnerves you, but his words make sense and you do feel rather tired.
With that you decide to retire for the night.

Just under 4 hours left, and it seems we'll have two last minute entries!

Really busy weekend, so no update until sunday evening. Sorry.

I sense a consensus forming here.
New update tomorrow, and I think we are at the end of day 2 with this meeting.

With Sir Kevin and his men gone, Lancelot permits the two knights to return to their posts close by, yet hidden from sight.

You gesture for Sir Lancelot to approach.

"Sir Lancelot, I feel we need to secure our realm further, and to do that I need men armed and trained as guards, so that your Knights need not patrol the streets. Would you be willing to traing those of the townsfolk willing to serve the realm to become members of a newly formed CITY GUARD?"



Sir Lancelot ponders for a moment.

"If it pleases you, My King, I am willing and able to train men, and my Knights can spread the word during their patrols so that we can easily gather those willing volunteers. However, the townspeople are not warriors or knights or even squires, but commoners, traders, craftsmen and peasants. They will not make for Knights or great warriors, and I fear the like of myself might not be able to train them to their fullest potential. We will also require coin to arm the trainees and my time will be spent training the men. It could take several days to drill the men in the basics, and during this time my services will not be available to you."

You nod as you ponder on Lancelots words. You decide to ask Lancelot another question while you think.

"You've travelled the world and seen things, I'm sure. Tell me, Lancelot, how would I go about finding suitable HEROES to serve my cause?"

"My King..." -Lancelot responds; "The easiest way to find heroes is simply to wait and grant audiences to those who seek it. That is how I came to serve you, and I am sure that as time goes and and word of your arrival on the throne spreads, more people will seek to serve the new King. Sending out EXPEDITIONS will also send those serving you far and wide, and thus people in distant lands might come to know of our Kingdom and decide to seek an audience with you. Finally, commissioning a CRIER to spread your word could be a fine solution. If you are hesitant to hire a crier, send the JESTER to spread the word to the townsfolk, I'm sure he'd appreciate the chance to wander about a bit, and since he can sing and shout with the best of them, I'm sure you'r words will be heard all through the town. As the words spreads through the town, traders and travellers will spread it further in no time."

Lancelot pauses for a moment.

"My King, would you like me to begin gathering volunteers for the TOWN GUARD? If so, I will return to you with information on the volunteers and an estimate for the costs by tomorrow night."

“We are not looking for a mercenary who is out to serve his own interests but for a true knight who is dedicated from his heart to serve both the realm and its lord as owed to the code of chivalry. A man who lives for honor and glory and not for money alone. And a man who seeks challenge and not refuses it.” -you bellow at Sir Kevin. He chuckles and nods at Sir Lancelot in return.



“And Sir Lancelot here serves you just to be chivalrous and noble, is that it? He and his men pay for their equipment, lodging, food and whores out of their own pocket? Tell me, what quest did Lancelot undertake before being named military advisor of the king as well as the captain of the guard?”

Sir Kevin steps closer to you, gesturing in a threatening way. Within seconds Lancelot and two of his knights emerge to protect their King, causing Sir Kevin to step back.



“Phah! I could care less! But do have it your way, usurper, I shall take my men elsewhere. Pray that we never meet again.”

Before you have a chance to respond to this menacing threat, Sir Kevin turns his back to you and gestures for his men to follow. The knights begin the file out of the throne room, muttering curses. Sir Lancelot gives you a look to see if you are all right as well as to see if you wish to instruct him to take further action.

"Sir Kevin, your offer interests me, but I already have knights at my disposal, and thus I need to evaluate your abilities before agreein on hiring you to serve the realm. I order you to venture NORTH in search of STRANGE STONES, EXOTIC WOODS OR THE BONES OF SOME EXOTIC BEAST, and only upon your success will I hire you and your men."



Sir Kevin frowns and gives you a hurt look.

"King of Grimdark, my men and I do not serve you yet. Either you will hire us and we will serve you accordingly, or you do not and we will go elsewhere. We are knights, not some rabble eager to prove their worth to an upstart King, and we shall not do your bidding unless we are compensated!"

There is rebellious muttering amongst the knights, and several are gesturing to one another as if they intend to storm out and leave right away.

"King of Grimdark, I am a patient man, but not all of my men are. I will offer our services to you once more; will you hire us?" -Sir Kevin demands.

You dismiss your council so that they may each pursue their personal tasks for the time being, aside from Sir LANCELOT, whom you request to accompany you for a while longer. Meanwhile you order the JESTER to permit another audience.

Clatter of heavy steel plate fills the throne room once more, as a young but strong knight leads a group of other equally heavily armored knights into your throne room. Each of the men is equipped with a fierce looking battleaxe as well as a heavy tower shield. Lancelot gives an approving nod at the display.



"King of Grimdark, I, Sir Kevin of Axemont, and my fifteen HEAVY KNIGHTS, seek to serve you and your kingdom. Our price for a year's upkeep is a mere THREE GOLD PIECES."

Man of few words this fair-haired Axemont, it seems.

LANCELOT steps closer to you: "My King, I have heard fairly little of this AXEMONT, and this worries me. He and his men seem well armed and armored, but they are also young and inexperienced, eager I am sure, but not nearly as well-trained as my knights. I bet that the worst of my knights could defeat sir Axemont himself if given the chance. Hiring them would allow you to set one of us guarding the castle and town while the other would partake in an expedition, but on the other hand, we need more men and even young knights are expensive.

I would rather suggest we hire someone cheaper and with more men. We could even have the JESTER hire a CRIER to spread the word that we seek more able-bodied men to defend the realm. I'm sure we could find more suitable warriors that way."

You get the feeling that Sir LANCELOT does not think very highly of Sir AXEMONT. You wonder what would happen if one had to serve under the other.

You thank Dennis for his information, and instruct him to stay for a while longer. As he waits, you have the Jester gather the other guildmasters, as well as your military advisor, Sir Lancelot, in the throne room.
The nearest thing to a council you have has gathered at your behest, and you put to them the most important question your realm now needs answers for: "How do we make money?".



Lancelot begins:

"My King, as your military advisor there is fairly little I can suggest. As it stands, I can understand that my men and I are costing the crown rather much, but these men are knights of the realm, and their services are sought elsewhere as well. Should we offer them lesser pay, they might feel insulted and some might leave.

The only solution available to me is to send out more expeditions to chart out the land and to seek quests, artefacts and villains and monster to take and to conquer. Vanquishing bandits is always good for the economy and sometimes we might secure their previous loot for the crown. Alas, with our current manpower, I would be hesitant to lose any more of my men from their guard duties, to ensure there is no unrest in the streets."

Next up is Cat, though you are not sure why she is here again. She looks uncomfortable as she tries to think for a moment, before trying to relax and delivering her response.

"Gosh darn, m'King, the people are working as hard as they can, 'n' their wages ain't that good as to be willing to pay more taxes or nuffin'. The Evil King's taxes were so steep'n that many a farmstead are only now beginnin' to slowly recover, and ah don' think that most folks will have much 'afore th' 'arvest anyways."

You nod, slightly disappointed. Raising taxes for the common folk may well turn some of them against their new king. Next up is Mandarb, of the crafsmen.

"My King" -he speaks in a no-nonsense voice; "the craftsmen are making the most of the resources we currently have, but the local markets are well stocked with goods and I do not think we can count on making any majo breakthroughst any time soon. There is always the possibility that one of the craftsmen will produce an especially fine item, an artefact you see, but these things take time and we can never know for sure until the work is done. If we had some more exotic resources, such as STRANGE STONES or EXOTIC WOODS or perhaps even BONES of some faraway beast, our craftsmen might be inspired to produce even more special wares and artefacts sooner. I'm sure that if we can boost our production quality, the word will spread and Mr Dennis here will find trading partners more easily as well."

Next up is Dennis of the Trader's guild.

"As I see it, My King, we should send out expeditions to re-establish contact with the other nations. Turbanistan to the far south reminds me of valuable trade, but the route there is dangerous and unreliable. I am almost certain there are other nations we could trade with to the west, north and east, but we just need to find them and ensure they are peaceful. Our caravans are not willing to brave the wilderness without a clear goal to aim for, I'm afraid, and sending them out with valuable wares in search for the unknown is immensely dangerous for them and the economy."

Finally, there is Contrued of the Builders.

"As it stands, My King, our realm does not seem valuable to the outside eyes. The Evil King withheld almost all the gold to himself and so the run-down farmesteads outside of town are tilled by ragged peasants, the walls surrounding our town are but a crude wooden palisade and the town itself is but a collection of huts and lodges with a castle in the middle. We need to think about improving the palisade if nothing else, as this is what outsiders see if they pass our lands, and a secure wall is a signal of wealth within. In it's current sorry state the wall may even turn away some merchants. Alas, construction is not free, and I understand this may be a problem as we try and get started."

Sir Lancelot seems to be pondering Construed's words, but finally nods approvingly.

Last but (not?) least is the Jester, your most trusted (and only) advisor.

"Well, My King, it seems there are quite a few ways we could be trying to resolve this little situation.
- Fire Lancelot and his men and replace them with cheaper warriors to save coin (Lancelot looks troubled)
- Improve the peasant's lot in life to improve tax income from the people in the long run
- Construct new walls to attract more traders (construed rubs his hands excitedly)
- Find more valuable resources for the craftsmen to use
- Find more trading partners who might be interested in the crafts and goods we produce
- Send out expeditions, preferrably with a hero in charge, to map out the kingdom, seeking out treasure and quests and collecting rewards."

The Jester pauses and ponders for a moment.

"I'm sure there are more ways to make money too, we just need to find them!"

Maybe it's the  time of year or the weather, but damn, I'm finding it hard to think of a happy story.  I'll keep trying.

Sounds like you are in need of happiness yourself!
I'm actually thinking of writing a story myself, but as the organizer I will abstain from actually competing (not sure if it's said in the rules that organizers cannot participate, but it feel unfair), just to force myself to think happy thoughts.

I don't think there is a precise definition for happiness, so go wild.