Weight of a Crown-SoruxKuragari

[Kuragari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

*Feel free to put up your own ideas of what 'lewd situations' the poor queen is stuck in :p

Your dreams are a mixed bit. Sometimes you see the Kingdom falling into ruin from unknown foes. Other times you see yourself going off into and beyond the borders of your Kingdom to deal with some of its problems personally. There are also a few where you find yourself in...lewd situations*. Suffice to say, while you do sleep, its not a peaceful one.

You wake up to the crowing of a rooster, and opening your eyes, you find the servant boy is still asleep, curled up in your arms with his head in the crook of your arm. He looks incredibly peaceful, a soft smile on his face. It occurs to you at this point that you don't know the boy's name...

[Soru]

Belle twitched in her sleep as she dreamed, though she was still enough to not wake the servant. Some of the dreams were dark futures of her kingdom. Some were her trying to resolve matters of her kingdom, sometimes going off to other lands to see to problems personally. Possibly diplomatic issues? Others were...lewd situations that involved her. She saw herself pleasuring people, but it was hard to tell who. Maybe leaders from other lands or those that she needed to preform a 'favor' for. She also saw herself being taken forcefully, maybe by bandits or enemies. She was even in some dungeon in one.

When she woke up she realized everything was just a dream. She let out a breath and looked down at the servant boy and smiled a bit. He looked so peaceful, something she wanted for her kingdom. She had to remember to ask for his name when he wakes up. She carefully tries to get out of bed without waking him so she could get ready for the day.

[Kuragari]

You manage to extract yourself from the servant boy, who murmurs a bit but doesn't awake. You quickly get dressed on your own, a much easier thing now that you aren't going to have to wear ceremonial attire every waking moment. After a soothing dip in your bath of course, which helps to soothe your mind after your strange dreams.

Soon enough, you are standing in the throne room, next to your throne as your Chancellor approaches, a scribe following after him. "Your Majesty, as the first official day of your royal office, it is time we determine your schedule. Running a Kingdom is a full time job I'm afraid, even if your father sometimes managed to make it seem easier. I and the rest of your council are of course here to help out, should you need us to do so."

Now...let us get to work!"

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Schedules plan things for up to two weeks in advance. Each day in the week has three phases-Morning, Midday, and Evening. Some actions take only one phase, some will take three, and some will spill into extra days. Each phase, has a chance of having a random event, usually dealing with the action taken during that phase, but not always.

Actions can last as much as a few posts, or pages depending on both the length of the action and how much you would like to RP things.

A few examples of actions, and the categories they fit under-

Tour the Palace-(Diplomacy+Intrique)- One Phase, you take a tour around, getting to know the staff and any guests who are present. You can also improve morale of the staff, and possibly learn of hidden plots...or just idle palace gossip.

Observe the Army-(Martial)- Can take one or two phases. You watch your soldiers and knights training for any future problem, and possibly give pointers and assistance if you see areas they can improve.

Request Repayment-(Stewardship+Diplomacy)- One Phase if a vassal is present, can take multiple days to resolve if asking a Vassal not present at the palace. You ask for the vassal to repay you money that the Kingdom has loaned to the vassal.

Investigate Person/Area-(Intrique)- Can take up to 3 phases if the person is at the palace, or if the area is nearby. Otherwise time can vary. You look into a person's activities or the troubles (or lack thereof) of an area to ascertain if there are any problems in the works.

Study Architecture-(Learning+Stewardship) One phase, you look into methods of construction both old and new, to learn how to better build new structures in the kingdom or improve existing ones.

List an action in the spoilers if you are uncertain if it is something you can or can't do.


Additonally, you can ask for suggestons for actions from your council, send them off to perform actions elsewhere in the kingdom, or ask them for a report on their department.

The date is 1st July of the year of the Sun 1103

Schedule for July 1st to July 14th

[Soru]

Belle thought over what she should do for her first day. Now that she's Queen she needs to get to know the people that work for her. She decided she'll spend the morning touring the palace, getting to know the staff and maybe even those who frequently visits the palace. During the midday she'll check the army. She'll need to know how much military strength she had incase of an attack. Now she'll need to make plans for the evening. The only thing she'll have time for is to study architecture. Might be something good to know later on.

[Kuragari]

July 1st-
Tour the Palace
Observe the Army
Study (Architecture)

You tell the Chancellor that you would like to take things slow at first, and handle things on a day by day basis. He nods understandingly, gesturing to the scribe to write it down for the records before shooing the scribe off.

"My liege, would you like to here our weekly report on the state of the realm before you begin your tour?"

[Soru]

Belle nods. "Yes, that would be nice. Anything of note?" She hoped there was no bad news on her first day. She had a lot of work ahead of her already.

[Kuragari]

Chancellor Henden spoke first. "Well, most of your vassals are currently content with the transfer of power, your father was well liked and it helps that your father ensured you were well known amongst those who would be answering to you. There's a few here and there who are wary of your rule, as they are unsure whether or not you will end up posing a threat to their interests."

"Aside from that, there is not much to report. There is supposed to be a representative from one of the nearby Islander city states arriving sometime this week, he will likely be surprised to be speaking with you rather than your Father, but such things happen."

Marshall Sarah is next. "Your father's personal retinue has sworn loyalty to you, and will serve you honorably in battle. I am not certain of the capabilities of our levies...the Kingdom has not had to face a major internal or external foe in two generations. I do have reports that some of the barbarians to our north-west are making themselves into a nuisance, but otherwise, nothing else to report your Majesty."

"Your Majesty," Brand, your steward speaks, "Our Kingdom is currently doing well economically. We have over 5000 gold stockpiled in the royal coffers, and trade and tax continue to flow into our purses without trouble. I shall inform you immediately the instant this changes."

Spymistress Vevet is next. "There is no current threat to you or this palace that I have been able to uncover. I have been working on trying to loosen the tongue of the Assassin from yesterday, but she refuses to talk."

"The people are happy and believe the gods are backing the Throne your Majesty. There is nothing to report on my front." Priest Theyin says.

[Soru]

She nods and smiles. Everything seemed normal and in order. She may want to talk to the assassin some time, maybe not today. "Thank you for your reports. Tell me when the representative arrives and let me know if the barbarians in the northwest become any worse. I'm going to tour the palace for now so I won't be far if you need to report anything else. Marshall Sarah, I want to observe the army later during midday." Belle dismisses them to go about on their business as she begins her tour of the palace.

[Kuragari]

You begin your tour by heading into the palace courtyard, walking next to the walls that surround your home and defend it from those that would wish harm upon it. You pass by the stables, and the squires and servants tending to the horses wave at you. They're a bit busy, so bothering them might not be a good idea. Eventually, you end up near the palace Garden, and you see two of the maids giggling and laughing as they pick fresh fruit and flowers.

[Soru]

Belle waves at the squires and servants as she passes by the stables. She was glad to see everybody happy and hard at work. When she got to the garden, she noticed the giggling maids. She wondered what those two were talking about? As she walked through the garden she tried to walk within hearing range so she could eavesdrop. Even though she was Queen, she was still a girl who liked to here some gossip every now and again.

[Kuragari]

(GM Roll-11)

You manage to remain unnoticed, and you place yourself near one of the larger bushes, plucking a blue rose off it and admiring it as you listen in.

"Have you talked with Eaigan?"

"I bumped into him in the hallway near the queen's quarters this morning, but he seemed pre-occupied. He barely waved when I passed by."

"Isn't he the Queens attendant now that King Trueblue has passed?"

"I think so. I wonder if he's doing a good job, he told me a few years ago that he had a bit of a crush on her majesty. I think its why the King introduced him to me."

"Was he worried about them getting together?"

"...I don't really think so. I think he just wanted to save both of them the troubles they'd have if a relationship were to be pursued. After all, he's not even a lesser noble or of any noble house. I'm sure some of the lords would have a field day."

"Maybe you should invite him to take a stroll with you through the gardens tonight. He did always seem to like walking around and looking at the flowers."

"Hmm...maybe I will..."

The two walk of, leaving you alone once again. Well, this is...not what you expected to over hear. You move on through the rest of the gardens, nodding to the caretaker as your mind is occupied by thoughts of what you learned.

[Soru]

Belle continues through the gardens. 'Eaigan? Is that the servant boy's name?' She asked herself mentally. While she didn't care much about noble status when it came to a relationship, she didn't really plan on seeking one with him, Besides there was also the possible age difference there as well. She hoped it was just a little crush and not much else. She continued through her tour of the palace, making sure to check the time for when she should check up on the army.

[Kuragari]

You still have plenty of time, and as you go about your tour, you soon find yourself in the palace kitchens, where you find yourself being drawn to several children bothering the cook.

"Come on, we helped clean the kitchen, you said we could try the cookies when they were done!"

"Yeah, and I can see them right there in that bowl!"

The cook sighed, the woman trying to keep the bowl out of their reach. "And I've told you four times now, they need to cool down first. You don't want to burn those feisty tongues of yours eating a snack do you?"

"But we're hungry, and they smell so good!!"

That they do indeed, as you get a whiff of them yourself. It smells like rasberries and blueberries..

[Soru]

Belle's mouth waters a bit from the smell of the cookies. She decides to step inside, smiling at the children. "Now, now. He's going to give you some cookies, but they need to cool a bit first. They won't taste that good if you burn your tongues. I'm sure they'll be worth the wait."

[Kuragari]

They seem a bit surprised when you speak up, and the cook bows to you, the woman flashing you a smile in thanks as she looks down to the children. "You hear that little ones? Even the Queen knows its better to wait."

The children, of which there are two girls and one boy, all look a little sullen, but don't seem like they want to argue any further with you in the room. The cook looks back up to you and asks "It is nice to have you stop by your Majesty. Is there something you were needing help with? A mid-morning snack perhaps, or are you simply passing through?"

[Soru]

"I was just passing through while touring the palace. I overheard what was going on as I walked through. Though a cookie would sound nice, after the children get there's first though." She looks down and smiles at the children. "I know it's hard being patient because I was your age once too. But t's always worth the wait. And know knows, maybe next time you'll get more cookies or something better for helping out."

[Kuragari]

"Of course your Majesty." The cook says, reaching into the bowl and poking at the cookies experimentally. "Well, your all in luck. They're cool enough now. Here you all go." She hands the kids a cookie each first, who eagerly take them and start chomping down. They all smile, and one of the girls beams up at you and says "Wow, they were worth the wait!"

The cook hands you, to your surprise, two cookies. The children don't seem to notice, as they are now talking amongst themselves. "Thank you...they were starting to drive me batty. I'll be getting started on the Midday meal soon your Majesty. Perhaps if these kids behave themselves, they might get another one."

She shoos you out gently, allowing you to finish your tour of the castle, which ends atop the front of the outer walls. It gives you a good view of the city around your castle, and some of your realm.

[Soru]

Belle smiles as the children enjoy the cookies. She thanks the cook for her cookies and continues her tour. At the outer walls she leans over the edge, bracing herself with her arms. She looks over her city and lands. They were her responsibility now. She had to serve them well and protect them, as are her duties as queen. She'll need to inspect the army soon, so she shouldn't stay out here too long.

[Kuragari]

After flagging down a guard, you are escorted out of the palace and to the mustering grounds that are near the edge of the city. You see Marshall Sarah gathering up the soldiers that make up your personal retinue and putting them through some drills. They look like they are doing fine, but you recall Sarah said it was the peasant levies that she was not sure about.

[Soru]

While she is glad to see that he personal retinue were doing well, the levies might need practice. If they did have an enemy, they'll need a stronger military. She walks up to Marshall Sarah when she wasn't busy. "Excuse, Marshall Sarah. I would like to see the peasant levies and talk about possibly strengthening our armed forces incase something happens."