Events: Early in Marmsmonth, Prince Arden marries Lady Agatha of Rochlyn, daughter of the First Councilor and granddaughter of the Duke of Caladyn. The wedding is the premier social event of the season for the nobility. However, the festivities are darkened when the Duke of Caladyn suffers a mild stroke at the wedding banquet, a stroke which leaves him paralyzed on his left side. The Duke is forced to step down as Lord President of the Regency Council, and retires to his estates at Caladyn. His son, the Count of Rochlyn, elects to remain as First Councilor, and the position of Lord President, which is largely ceremonial, passes to Prince Arden. The Prince's determinants as a key element are: Authority: 0 (his official position is largely ceremonial) Influence: 2 (he has much family influence and powerful charm) Consent: 0 (he is largely an unknown to the man in the street) Action 1: Building the Spy Network Weight: Double, strategic Description: Given the disappointments of past years, Councilor Ghere hopes that the recent hiring of more qualified instructors will speed up the rebuilding process. A network of 'diplomatic cover' agents has been established in the civilized and barbarian nations, but now the focus shifts to establishing 'deep cover' illegals. The hiring of qualified analysts remains a concern, and the establishment of counter-espionage agents and wetworkers is also a concern. Fortunately, secure means of communication have been established. Difficulty: Hard Fudge Points: 3 Sub-parts: * Insert 'deep cover' agents * Hire analysts * Develop counter-espionage * "Special Projects" Action 2: Renovation & Repair, Part 1 Weight: Single Description: In 1449, Legio IV was deployed to Vizinia in the wake of the mass assassination of the Burcancy royal family. During 1449-1450, the legion and its supporting auxilia were largely deployed in the Vizinian cities, maintaining public order during the transition period. In late 1450, the legion moved out of the cities and manned the forts along the southern border. By the end of the year, the General Staff in Thalcedon had received nearly 1,000 complaints about the condition and state of repair of the forts, the barracks, and the roads. In response, the Interior Ministry and the War Ministry send a joint team of surveyors and assessors to evaluate the condition of the forts and military roads, determine the extent of repairs needed, and provide an estimate of the cost in time and money needed for such repairs. Difficulty: Normal (0) Resolution: Failure indicates that for whatever reason, the team fails to complete its work. A legendary success (+4) indicates that any work needed can be done in one year; anything between 0 and +3 indicates that a strategic action of some length will be needed. Sub-parts: * Travel to the Vizinian border & back * Assess the forts & military buildings * Assess the roads * Estimate costs Action 3: Getting To Know You Weight: Single, Strategic Description: In his new role as Lord President of the Regency Council, Prince Arden comes into regular contact with the Councilors, both Noble and Common. The Prince establishes the habit of lunching with a different group of Councilors every day, and every weekend he invites a different group of Councilors and important city merchants to dinner at the townhouse in the Old City that the Duke of Caladyn gave him as a wedding present. The purpose of these meals is for the Prince to meet the Councilors, and for them to become comfortable around him. The Prince's Vraa'alish heritage also means that he is quite adept at extracting information from other people without them realizing it. Hopefully, he will be able to gradually improve his influence & consent in the Council. Difficulty: Easy (+1). The Prince is personally charismatic, and very skilled at making friends and influencing people. Also, the intent is to go slowly and subtly. Sub-parts: * Increasing Council Influence * Increasing Council Consent * Increasing Thalcedon Influence * Increasing Thalcedon Consent Andrew ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
