Spring of Year 1
Dear Sire...
It is with a joyous spirit that I welcome you to your new estate, Chateau Gratus. The peasantry, and myself, are certain that the years under your intelligent rulership will be a golden age for the estate. Milord Pomponius, I bid thee welcome to thine realm.
I am Scribe Hugh, and it is my most honoured duty to keep you informed of the happenings of the estate. Should you ever have any questions, send them to me and I will reply with all haste.
However, my duties bid me to explain three things in this, my first report during this most pleasant of Spring Seasons. First, I shall explain the surrounding countryside, second, I shall give details on the lands within your estate and finally, I shall inform you of the current matters of state that require your attention.
To the north-west, north and north-east spans the almost endless body of water known as the Sea of Claws. A sheer drop off the Tallon Cliffs is the only path to the Sea from your most pleasant estate.
To the east is the path to Couronne, I have received reports that area is a much fought over area between the rightful Bretonnian owners, and the usurping, Empire-born Elector Counts.
Slightly west and south-west is the path to the city and lands of L'Anguille, another Bretonnian realm. Although this one is admittedly more safe than the lands of Couronne.
Within Chateau Gratus estate itself, many interesting features may be found. The first, and most obvious, is the Lake of St. Leonne. This is a holy site for those who are faithful to the Lady of the Lake, as for a hero of times past, St. Leonne, it was here where he battled the Green Knight and sipped from the Grail, to join the ranks of the Grail Knights. Many Will-O'-Wisps have reportedly been seen in the area.
The Chateau rests in the south-east portion of your estate, overlooking the Lake, and also looks upon the road to Couronne.
North of the Chateau, and closer to the Tallon Cliffs, is the town of Celkirk. It is here that the abodes of your subjects are, and it is here that the people live. Not much more may be said of the area, except that many of the houses have wondrous views of the sea-dwelling creatures that sometimes may be seen on the far horizon.
West of Celkirk, and north-west of the Chateau, is the Farmstead and Field of the estate. Nestled in a pleasant area named Sea View, that is even closer to the Tallon Cliffs than the village. From here, many fish and other creatures may be regularly seen, hence the name. The Farmers ply their trade in the Fields of the area, producing food for their own, and other subject's consumption.
Many other areas of land are also within your estate, the most humble of which are L'Anguille Fields, Southmead and Meadowmarch. L'Anguille Fields is adjacent to the roads to the similarly named realm, and is uncleared and undeveloped. Groves, glades and trees are common in that area. Nice, but not very useful. Southmead is slightly north of L'Anguille Fields, and besides its position, no difference of note exists between the two places.
Meadowmarch, however, hides a dark secret. The territory is bare of trees besides the odd meadow or glade, but is overgrown with grasses of many kinds. However, none know why, but all settlements that have been built on those grounds have disappeared, leaving not even ruins behind. The creature or fell beast who has caused this is rumoured to still live deep within a hidden glade or perhaps a cave. Searches have turned up nothing, however.
The area known as Leonne Fields is a blessed area, where the soil is rich and the air clear. Some of your subjects believe it to be the perfect site for a Grail Chapel once cleared. Other, perhaps more practical people insist that a Farm and Fields would be the best use to put the lands to.
Almost finally, the area a short distance south of the Chateau is called The Farthing. A small area of the land has been cleared, and is ready for development.
The final, and most troubling, land within your realm is a network of caves and tunnels named The Caves. At some points, The Caves meet the surface of the Sea of Claws at the foot of the Tallon Cliffs. The area is anything but safe, however. Pirates and ne'er-do-wells are known to stop in the area, and often make camp and hideouts within the winding tunnels of the Caves. Although it is often said, that even the cut-throats do not venture into the deepest reaches of the caves, as things more dangerous than Goblins are rumoured to live within.
Now, I will give thee information about the matters of state in need of addressing in your realm, at this current time:
The Lord's Tax for this Season is 1 Revenue. In your wisdom, do you wish it to be paid?
The Tax Rate, at present, is set at Average level. This pays all of the upkeep costs of the realm, but not much more. Do you wish to increase the Tax Rate to give more Revenue, or decrease the Tax Rate to increase happiness? Leaving the Rate as is an option too, of course.
Rationing in the realm is currently at Full Rationing. Do you wish to increase this to Double Rationing (increasing moral and the birth-rate but at a cost of Food Stocks), or perhaps you wish to decrease the Rationing. As before, leaving the Rationing alone is also an option.
Speaking of Food Stocks, the Season is Spring and the Fields must be planted now, if they are to be harvested. Do you wish the Farmer's to sow the crops now, and if you do, at what level of quality?
The Farthing possesses a section of cleared, but undeveloped land. Do you wish to build upon this land? Or perhaps you would like to construct a minor building within one of the existing parts of your realm. A Barracks, for example, would offer our Men-At-Arms better training and weaponry, thus assisting them in battle.
I now finish my first Spring report to you milord, and await your response. Should any other actions need to be done besides those I have explained above, please include them in your reply and I will see them done to all of my abilities.
Your servant,
Scribe Hugh.
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STATISTICS:
Revenue: 104
Food Stocks: 138
Townsfolk: 52 (grown by 2 since the start of the Season)
Idle Villagers: 47
Farmers: 5
Men-At-Arms: 10
Land Squares (Total): 5
Shelter Squares (Serf Level): 2
Farmstead Squares: 1
Field Squares: 1
Free Land Squares: 1
Tax Rate: Average Tax (1 Revenue per 4 Townsfolk or Men-At-Arms)
Rationing: Full Rations (1 Food Stock eaten for each Townsfolk or Man-At-Arms)
Subject's Loyalty: 62%
Faith: 48%
King's Favour: 40%
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Summer of Year 1
Dear Sire...
'Tis now the Season of Summer, and I am happy to announce that all of your orders given were performed.
The lowering of Rationing to Half Rations and the increasing of the Tax Rate to High was met with some minor complaint. However, the people have accepted your decision, and because of that, food is abundant and the Revenue income much greater.
The Field at the Farthing was completed, and planted, along with the Field at Seaview. Using several water-usage techniques and a few simple vermin-repelling devices (the Farthing Field also had incense of some kind in the air around it at one point. I have no idea as to how this would help the crops grow), the Agricultural Fields were harvested with a massive bounty of Food Stocks.
The Food gained in this harvest will be enough to feed the population for the rest of the year, and longer. If the Rationing remains at Half Rations, my calculations suggest the food could sustain the population for as long as three years.
Now, to bring the matters of state before your most wise attention:
The Lord's Tax is 3 Revenue. The increase in Revenue income from the new Tax Rate has also caused a larger Lord's Tax to be needed. Do you wish this sum paid?
With such a large harvest bounty, it seems that the Lady has blessed you and your subjects. Being Summer, the annual Harvest Day Festival approaches. How much Food Stocks and Revenue do you wish to be spent on the celebrations of this holy day?
No unused land is cleared at this present time, and a Land Square must be cleared before construction of another type of area may begin. However, smaller buildings are ready to be built. Do you wish to clear a Land Square, or perhaps build an Upgrade on an existing area?
Besides those actions mentioned above, do you, in your intelligence, wish for any other actions to be done?
Awaiting your reply.
Your most humble of servants,
Scribe Hugh
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STATISTICS:
Revenue: 73
Food Stocks: 677
Townsfolk: 52 (has not grown by since the start of the Season)
Idle Villagers: 42
Farmers: 10
Men-At-Arms: 10
Land Squares (Total): 5
Shelter Squares (Serf Level): 2
Farmstead Squares: 1
Field Squares: 2
Tax Rate: High Tax (1 Revenue per 2 Townsfolk or Men-At-Arms)
Rationing: Half Rations (1 Food Stock eaten per 2 Townsfolk or Man-At-Arms)
Subject's Loyalty: 62%
Faith: 46%
King's Favour: 41%
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