>1 vote for option two, call on Cordelia to speak about the stables and kennels. >4 votes for option four, call on Ricardo to speak about the treasury. >2 votes for option six, call on Mania for her more detailed observation about the spirits. Call on Ricardo, your Master of Coin, to speak. (And possibly Camilla by extension.) Poll closed. Update soon.

The money situation is really the most dire, relevant, and deserving of hearing out. But, you have to be careful. Ricardo and Camilla already told you the situation was bad at your first meeting. If you just ask them if things have improved, you're going to look like an idiot who thinks asking for updates in itself will make the situation better. Ricardo, you begin to say, addressing him to get his attention. You're aware of the money situation. You're aware of his opinions on ways to rectify it. You'd like to bring it up again for the sake of everyone else present hearing about it. In other words, why doesn't he make direct appeals to them all? One by one. "..." Ricardo seems nonplussed by your words, but you think you catch Camilla smiling. "Well, I... that's a bit of a bold course of action for me, Your Majesty." ...Why is he taciturn? You don't ask him outright, but you thought he'd be glad for the chance. No, wait. He's used to a time King Vlad literally dictated every single expenditure in the castle. Constantly, without end. Speaking in public to a group is not going to be his forte. Much less cajoling them. And everyone here is his junior by decades, including you. You subtly motion with your eyes to Camilla, trying to communicate he could pass the burden on. Ricardo takes a moment, shares a glance with his wife, then nods to her. Camilla immediately becomes more animated and engaged. "With my husband's permission, I'll start with the most obvious person seated at this table. His Majesty's General, my sister, Robin." Camilla turns to her. The directness with which Camilla made her address has unnerved Robin. You suspect Robin hasn't been talked to like that in a while. Camilla's eyes are sharp and she all but stares down at her, like an owl looking at a rat. "Robin, justify your extravagant spending on the military." ...This has become uncomfortable very quickly. But, you've set the ball rolling. You can't stop it after all of that. Robin recovers from her initial shock, it seems. She gives a shrug. "It speaks for itself. No enemy will dare approach us. The King's realm is secure." Camilla pauses, glancing around the table, as if taking into account every person's reaction. The look on everyone's face. You can't follow her eyes, but you know your own expression is tense. --She knows you're not going to interrupt her. If you were, you would have already. Camilla turns back to Robin. "And, the weekly import of weapons you requisition each week?" Robin lets out a tiny little grunt. It's clear Camilla is getting under her skin. "It goes without saying that practice degrades weaponry. Of course replacements are necessary," says Robing. Camilla's response is immediate. "And the cloth, leather, and what you call 'medicine?'" "...It's natural that training also brings about sore muscles. Injuries. Even accidents. It's needed for the medicus." "Mhmm." Camilla adds, clearly judging her. "And the food budget, which is the largest in the castle?" She speaks in more and more clipped, crisp sentences. "The varied diet is both good for morale, and provides the nutrition to keep the men in top physical form." "Can you perhaps, scale back your training, lowering the rate of degradation of weapons, and such?" Robin is clearly becoming irritated. "I have a four-shift guard schedule already. The men most fit are guarding and taking a less intense training regiment." "If that's true, don't you have more than enough soldiers? Would you scale it back and let them go to work as farmers and laborers?" "That'd be an incredible insult. We aren't actively recruiting now, and the current standards to join are very high." "Yet, if a very robust man were to join, you'd gladly take him." "--Assuming there was space in the barracks, yes." Camilla smiles, as if she's got her cornered. "Is there? Space in the barracks?" That makes Robin pause. You remember why. When you visited the barracks, it felt like every bunk was full. Either an actual person there, or belongings while they were away. "...No," Robin finally admits. "So, you have a full complement of soldiers, fully armed with expensive weapons that either need to be imported or that their crafting takes away metal used for tools for farming. They're so well trained you literally have to shuffle them around doing nothing. Yet the only thing preventing you from increasing the number more is literally a lack of beds?" Camilla is outright crossing her arms now. "When do you admit you're looking at the size of your army as if it's a game, General?" There was absolutely too much sarcasm used in how Camilla said 'General.' You finally step in. Camilla has made her point. You won't have outright disrespect shown between your Council members in the middle of the Council itself! That is your command, as King, you say. It shocks Camilla out of her reverie enough to shrink back. "...My apologies, Your Majesty." You're not the only one who needs an apology, you tell her. "..." Camilla bites her lip. "I apologize to you too, Robin. --General. For my lack of decorum." You glance over at Robin. She's still irritated, but she takes a deep breath and replies. "Apology accepted." Good, you say. ... Besides that, Camilla has made some very, very good points. When you agreed to Robin to keep the military budget untouched, you hadn't really reflected that it was that severe. You'll ask the obvious question to Robin first. Is importing material for weapons really necessary? Why can't it be done locally, you ask? She explains technical details about the use of specialized wood for arrows, bows, and shields. It does not grow locally. It would take much more to try to grow those types of trees, if seeds could even be obtained. And they may not take root. And even if they did, they would likely grow so slowly, they would not be able to be used in their lifetimes. So much for that. ...You can't deny Camilla was very bold, compared to how Ricardo would have been. You think you see him sweating, even as he tries to sit still. You should be prepared for that in the future. But, that leaves you to act on it, for now. You have to pursue this. Which means talking with Robin. ... You made your promise with her. Do you go back on your word? Choice time: 1. Tell Robin you're going to have to reduce the amount of the budget given to the military. You have to go back on your promise to not reduce the military's budget. >(Robin's influence significantly decreases. Robin's faction's satisfaction significantly decreases. Ricardo's faction's influence significantly increases. Ricardo's faction's satisfaction significantly increases. 2. Try to give Robin a chance to make a rebuttal. She's said that it protects the realm. Prompt her to explain more about how so. >(No change of the Balance of Power, yet) 3. Tell Robin you will honor your promise. There will be no cuts to military spending as it is now. Camilla's made some points you will consider about the future, but nothing will change now. >(Robin's influence increases. Robin's satisfaction increases. Ricardo's faction's influence decreases. Ricardo's faction's satisfaction remains the same.) 4. Tell Robin that despite everything Camilla just said, she will always be given highest priority for matters concerning the budget. She effectively has your complete permission for anything... spent and done wisely. For the security of the realm. --This is more or less putting your Royal signet ring in Robin's hands, but who can argue the faction with the weapons is the one that always deserves support? >(Council's expectations of being heard decreases by a lot. Robin's influence starkly increases. Robin's faction's satisfaction becomes ecstatic. Ricardo's faction's influence falls to abysmal levels of influence. Everyone's satisfaction, other than Robin's, decreases significantly. This choice will effectively tilt the Balance of Power toward Robin, forever.) 5. Stall for time. Ask for every other Council member's opinion on Camilla's arguments against Robin's spending on the army. >(Council's expectations of being heard increases. Robin's influence decreases.)

>>2870 Option 5.

Option 2 Admittedly it feels like a little bit of a time stall as well, but at the very least it gives Robin a chance to defend herself. Edward might still ask for the rest of the Council's opinions afterward, but with both sides being heard, whatever follows will feel like a more fair decision.

>>2870 Let's hear what Robin has to say about it. But now i'm wondering... Does the new nursery also works with the army budget?

>>2875 Option No.2 My bad, i forgot to put the option.

>>2870 Option two. Give Robin a chance to explain and examine her own motives, then find a means to balance the budget so neither she nor Camilla lose face.

>>2873 Changing my vote from option 5 to option 2. Gave it a little more thought, Robin should have a chance to respond before we hear from the peanut gallery.

>>2870 Option 2, based on something Femanon said. I'm hoping that Robin will offer some suggestions of her own on places the budget can be adjusted- reducing the use of expensive goods in practice or reducing the number of "high quality" meals in a day/week, for example. We need to communicate with her that she and the army are still important to us, and we want to keep our word, but that there's still room for compromise here. Option one runs a risk of undermining our future credibility with the council- if we break one promise, we could break another. 3 is kicking the can down the road and building it up to be an even bigger fight when changes come for the military budget, while four is just asking to lose some loyalty and create all kinds of problems in the future. Just my read on them.

Option 2, then 5, as others have said. (I know you'll likely have separate votes Aristo, but I personally wouldn't mind if you expedited in this case.) >>2879 I appreciate your read on these, as I hadn't thought of how option 1 would reflect on how the others see us. However, I still believe we're now literally paying for trying to make everyone happy. We're gonna have to upset someone at some point, this time it will have to Robin.

>6 votes for option two, prompt Robin for a rebuttal. Attempt to resolve the situation with giving Robin a chance to champion herself. Poll closed. Update soon.

Framing this is important. On the one hand, you did want to perhaps lower Robin's expectations that she could get anything she wanted from the budget. But, can you do it without humiliating her? Or, alternatively, if you give her too much leeway, she might actually be able to come up with something to really hammer in her importance. It'd drive a wedge into the other council members and elevate her further. Is that what you want? You need to work on how you frame the questions. Camilla outright led her a trail of breadcrumbs where Robin ran out of ways to justify herself. How you follow up will be noticed. Unfortunately, you don't have much time to think about it. You just pick out some possible ways to ask questions and trust your gut. Choice time: 1. An open question. Something like "Robin, explain how the army protects the realm." >(Robin's faction's influence increases. Robin's satisfaction increases.) 2. Pick specific threats. Ask Robin how the army will protect from known threats, such as Yungaria, Elbania, internal revolts, or attacks from the plains. >(Robin's faction's influence decreases starkly. Robin's satisfaction decreases sharply.) 3. Pick up where Camilla led off and slowly, gently, coax Robin into a conclusion that a reduction or 'realignment' might be in her best interests. >(No change in the balance of power.)

>>2882 Option 3. Robin needs to be taken down a peg, and this will do so without burning bridges. (hopefully)

>>2882 Option 3. One is just giving her carte blanche to talk herself/her ideas up without having to defend exact points- either it'll lead to more conflict between the sisters or it'll just leave us where we started, and send the signal that either Robin can get away with talking herself out of this or that anyone might get that chance. Option two is appealing and would probably get the results we want financially, but I still feel like Robin coming to the conclusion herself and willingly reducing her budget is our best bet here.

>>2882 Option 3. Best to let her talk herself into reductions.

>>2882 Option 3. I think a realignment of the budget would be for the best. First, while is great that Robin has invested in the best weapons. It's not the tool what makes the best craftman. The soldiers need to use even the worst sword if is required. We're only making a weapon dependent army instead of an skilled one. Second, do we really need a 4 shift rotation for guarding the castle? While i don't say that we should get rid of half of our army. I think we could agree that they could be doing more important stuff. I mean, even in the ancient Rome the army had to make the roads and other important infrastucture. Speaking of which, we really need better roads, if i don't remember wrong it took like 2 weeks for Ed to arrive to Ruhemania the first time.

>>2887 King Vlad purposefully had Edward escorted through the wilderness by free people mercenaries. This was done despite that there was enough infrastructure to take him comfortably by horse. Edward got a suspicion of this when Robin brought it up during their first dinner together with the rest of her family. He had it confirmed in Bernkastel's vision where King Vlad said he'd send Edward back to Virilia by commissioned carriages now that Edward would no longer be his heir after Tharja was killed by Daniella. As for why he did this, it's unknown. Consider also in Witch of Fecundity that Edwys went through the same path when she was brought to Ruhemania, though. I'll give the vote a little longer. Please continue to vote.

Option 3.

>>2882 Option three, done in a way that lets Robin thinks it's all her own idea. Camilla clearly believes Robin is only satisfying her own ego with the army, so if Robin thinks a compromise is her own plan, then it might smooth things out with the sisters while improving the budget.

>6 votes for option three, gently coax Robin into a conclusion that a realignment or reduction is needed. Try to guide Robin to embracing some sort of cost-cutting measure. Poll closed, update soon.

General Robin, you begin by saying. You understand the state of the military is important, but perhaps there could be, not 'cuts', but measures taken to maintain the same value, while being more cost-efficient? Robin takes a moment to respond. She interlaces her fingers together before bringing the conjoined fists to a rest on top of the table your Council sits at. She looks you in the eye. Not an intense, defiant look, but a look of sober attention. "There are none. Your Majesty." The room is stone silent. You were hoping she would follow that up with a 'but perhaps,' or some such thing, but, no. That's Robin's honest answer. ... Really, you ask? Not one? You don't want to accuse Robin of being unimaginative, but there must be one, you say to her. Something. Anything. Robin keeps her voice calm and level. "This is not me making an appraisal based on my vanity. Or a place to negotiate downward from. This is the simple fact, Your Majesty. There is absolutely no measure that can reduce costs in the military without reducing its effectiveness." That can't be true, you say. You can think of some. What about, oh, using more local sources of wood for the equipment? Wooden swords, at least. "We already use wooden swords in training, where appropriate. That idea is already in place." And, what about for the archers? Robin said herself that even replacing arrows requires separate wood. Can't they practice with normal wood? Robin brings a hand up to pinch at her lower lip, breaking eye contact to look down at the table for a moment. "Your Majesty, that would be like going to the Court Bardess and asking her to practice on a hunk of dead wood with horse strings instead of the delicate instruments she plays. Anyone could get a stick, attach a sharp rock to it, and call it an arrow, but it's not going to be effective in battle, and it's not going to be effective as a training tool." Well... hm. That actually sounds like a really good point. You imagine if you asked Venti to 'practice' with an empty tub and a wooden spoon, she'd just laugh at you, thinking you were making a jest. Robin takes the moment of silence you use for contemplation to press her point. "Please also consider, Your Majesty. You could 'theoretically' lower the quality of the food the soldiers eat. You could 'theoretically' dismiss half the barracks and order them to the fields. You could 'theoretically' put all the degradable equipment in the armory and cease all practice for situations they're likely to encounter. But, those changes would be noticed. The soldiers would want to know 'why?' And soldiers gossip as much as anyone. The only reasonable conclusion they'd come to is: 'the castle must be running out of money. What's going to happen if we actually need to fight?'" She looks around the room. "And, as freely as we're talking about it now, that is something we want to at least not announce. Am I wrong?" The rest of the Council is starting to nod. Even Camilla looks at a loss of words. Though Ricardo's expression tells you he must have predicted this outcome. "Your Majesty, the maintenance of the army is what defends your realm. It is expensive, but Your rule is priceless. The previous Monarch maintained his rule through his reputation. Times have changed. The reforms I've enacted and the expenses I've requested have made Ruhemania's army into a true deterrent. I urge you, do not throw it away." ... You're beaten, you realize. At least in this argument you're having with Robin, in this manner, with this audience. Though you do still have some ideas. You turn your gaze steely and look at Robin. That's all fine. The military's needs will be respected. However, you are going to make some changes. And these changes are going to be made because you are King and you say they are. One, you're putting a complete moratorium on recruitment. If someone resigns, or must retire due to injury, or outright dies, then that spot will remain unoccupied except under your direct approval. You don't care how smart, clever, strong, or otherwise fit a new prospect would be. Robin's eyebrows twitch, you imagine the gears inside her head are turning. Two, you might not be overly familiar with military matters, but even you know enough to recognize a four-shift guarding schedule is ridiculous. Especially in peace time. Especially with no incoming threat. If any soldiers are needed for construction or some other work project the Crown deems necessary, they're going to do it. Keeping the army with the notion that work is 'beneath' them is outright bad policy, and one you're going to correct. No excuses about how 'every man is needed to be ready to fight'. Three, relations are going to be made with Elbania, and if their Queen seems open to formal declarations of friendship, you will be wanting a complete evaluation of the military, as the castle's most immediate threat will be irrelevant. Robin should be prepared that 'retirements,' not cuts, may occur. Does Robin have any objections? Robin has her hands interlaced again, but she's visibly fidgeting a bit. She must be looking for some wiggle room. Valid wiggle room that wouldn't sound trite after all this back and forth. "...That's all reasonable, Your Majesty," Robin says, finally. You let out a sigh in relief. Good, you say. All right, you weren't exactly able to 'take Robin down a peg,' but you did extract something out of her, at least. She defended and justified her position, but something is sure to come of this, down the line. It occurs to you that many of the soldiers must actually be female. If you were to lie with one, or more, they would technically have to 'retire'. The idea of impregnating a woman for some sort of ulterior motive is a little distasteful. But, you were intending to at least introduce yourself to some of them. The nursery exists for a reason. There could be theoretical romance to be had... you'll just have to think about how sex within your army may affect Robin's numbers after the 'moratorium' you put in place is now in effect. Anyway... Back to business. It was originally Ricardo, and therefore Camilla's, opportunity to talk. To make direct appeals to each Council member here about ways to improve the money situation from their point of view. You could put the ball back in their court, or move on. You decide against asking the entire Council what to do about the army now. If Robin's speech didn't move them to just trust her judgment, your declaration about the new rules has probably solidified in their head that the matter is 'closed'. So, where to steer the Council, now? Choice time: 1. Give Ricardo, or Camilla, more time to speak about the treasury. Have them continue to appeal to other Council members for answers to the money problem. (Choices to affect the Balance of Power from the treasury's perspective will continue from whoever they choose.) 2. It's time to move on to let someone else speak. Bring up some new business from someone else in the Council. (Choices to affect the Balance of Power from a new faction's perspective will continue.) 3. Time to end the Council meeting. (The Council meeting ends. The Balance of Power will coalesce around the changes that were made at this meeting until the Council meets again.)

>>2894 Option 1. I think money is one of our main issues right now. Btw, how possible is that we hire a caretaker (Sully) for the nursery? I mean, if our long term intention is to have more children with the female soldiers, they could use some help to watch over their kids. Especially Noi, now that she's about to become our bodyguard. And Sully is a former soldier that is familiar with the barracks. And while we know about her medical issues, taking care of babies doesn't seem to risky for her.

>>2895 I appreciate everyone's attempts to get Sully back into the story regularly, and I hate saying outright 'no,' but Tharja has hired a large force of maids who will be better suited to this. Please continue to vote.

Option 1.

>>2894 Option 1, as it's only fair to let them go on to the rest of the table like we said would happen. Don't want it to look like we're just targeting Robin. That said, I can see what happens next. They'll bring up Venti as the next easily cut expense, we'll have to say no, but we'll probably need to acquiesce to talking to her about reducing expenditures. >>2895 Thank you for trying with Sully. Glad to know I'm not the only one who's interested in finding a place for her.

Option 1

>4 votes for option one, pass the ball back to Ricardo and Camilla. Let Ricardo and Camilla keep talking. Poll closed. Update soon.

You invite Ricardo or Camilla to keep speaking. You want this to be a collaborative effort. They're looking less confident after Robin came out of her 'interrogation' unmussed. But after a long moment, Camilla turns her head toward... Tharja? "Your Highness, now that I have the opportunity, there is something I wished to discuss," she begins. Tharja, for her part, nods politely. "Yes?" "..." Camilla lip twists, as if deciding whether to go through with it. "You've hired a great deal of maids while His Royal Majesty was recovering from his time of illness." Tharja looks at her, curious. "Yes." "Moreover, you requested something... unusual. You requested they all be of a certain... build. None of them are truly experienced with maidwork." Tharja nods again. "Yes." Camilla stops, as if expecting Tharja to go on, but she doesn't. "Is that a fair assessment of the situation, Your Highness?" Tharja tilts her head and seems to gaze up as if recalling. "Yes, that's right." Camilla stops once again, as if expecting Tharja to go on once more. The situation is becoming more desperate to the point of comical. "Don't you think it would have been better to hire... cheaper staff? Or perhaps not as many?" Tharja barely takes even a half second to answer. "No," she says. Oh dear. You think you remember now. Tharja specifically dismissed the old maids in Castle Valachia, and she replaced them with maids who are young, beautiful, and of age. Then she told them stories of how manly you are, and showed them portraits of how handsome you are. In other words, they've become ideal maids you could impregnate. There's no doubt that effort cost the Kingdom money. Camilla looks as though she's hit a brick wall. It'd be accurate to say she has. No way is Tharja going to dismiss any of them. You vaguely recall Beatrice spying on Camilla and discovering she absolutely loathes Tharja. You're beginning to see why. The two women approach situations completely differently and have diametrically opposed personalities. Tharja leads with her heart and doesn't think about future consequences. Camilla seems to analyze and plan for everything. Or at least, is trying to. So much for Camilla attempting to make any headway with that. You're not going to intervene and 'correct' Tharja right in front of the Council. Even if you did, it would probably prompt her to justify it as doing it all for your sake. Tharja admitting she hired cute maids for you to have sex with when you woke up is not something the Priest needs to know. Camilla decides to cut her losses, it seems. "Apologies for the obvious questions, Your Highness." Tharja smiles and tells her she doesn't mind. Camilla scans the room. Looks like she's trying to juggle who to ask next.​ >No choice yet, further update coming soon. (No changes in the balance of power. No one expected Tharja to budge.)

Camilla scans the room until she settles on... Mania? "Witch... Mania," she addresses her. She has to use some effort. She's probably wondering why she's sitting at the same table as a 'witch'. Camilla knows just Mania being in the castle, in this room, being trusted with these sorts of secrets, it all elevates Mania beyond a mere vagrant. Beyond most aristocrats. Mania's also the only woman sitting at the table who isn't visibly pregnant, which is likely confusing her even more. "Hee hee hee. I need no formal address. Even 'hag' is fine," Mania replies, her smile playful. Camilla's eyes shift to yours. You can't help but give her a look that says if anyone dares to just call Mania 'hag' you won't react well. Camilla turns her attention back to Mania. "Witch Mania, you spoke last meeting about how the money lenders would be best repaid for their loan with nothing." Mania's face turns from grinning to more uncomfortable. As if she sucked on something sour. "I did. What they originally loaned, or nothing. They trade in deceit and greed. It is like gross veins growing under the castles threatening to destroy its life. Already it's affecting its people: the people in this room There is strife and squabbling instead of peace." She's not wrong, you add on, vocally. Camilla gives a nod, though more to you than Mania. "Understood. But, if I were to press you, press you personally, when you said 'only pay back the original amount, or otherwise refuse anything,' you mean tell them immediately when they pull up to the castle drawbridge, or some other way?" Mania watches Camilla in a way you could only describe as 'cautious'. She's wondering what Camilla is getting at and likely doesn't want to fall into a trap. "The drawbridge would be the most direct," she says. Camilla nods. "But, if one were to teach a child, or any other person of the error of his ways, wouldn't it be better to bring them inside? Break bread, in this case? Make them feel welcome?" Mania takes a very long moment to think of this. "No. The lenders are so wrapped up in deceit, greed, and profit through others misfortunes, it would be like inviting a storm into the castle. --Not an animal. An animal has a spirit. An animal exists as part of nature and doesn't search for greed. These people are too twisted. The spirits have departed from and would only return to individuals who detach themselves... not the whole thing." You glance around at other people's faces. The majority of them seem riveted on what Mania is saying. Even Father Tomas is nodding. "Forgive for the seemingly unrelated question, but is King Edward... popular?" Everyone suddenly turns to look at Camilla, including you, and Ricardo. "Among the common people. Those we'd never meet, but witch Mania surely has, and does." "..." Mania takes a subtle breath through her nose. "There was much mourning when the Sir was taken away. There's much relief now that he has returned. The peasants and commoners might not know his titles or even his name, but they know. 'The King has come back. It is a miracle. Soon he will surely bring other miracles to us. Miracles of prosperity. The Goddess was very pleased that day he returned." You can't help but feel the strings of your heart pulled taut when Mania speaks like that. The... the prosperity of Ruhemania really does rest with you. The reminder is sobering. You have to hold your face tight to keep back from showing your emotions. "That's wonderful to hear, for His Majesty, and us." Camilla says, sincerely. "If the common people were to know the King, and the country, was being threatened by this 'storm,' what would they do?" she asks. "...It goes without saying they wouldn't like it." "And aristocrats are distrusted, right?" "...They harmed Sir. They know this." Camilla nods. "What if, should the drawbridge be lowered and this storm were invited in, what if the people were well aware of it? That they were there to harm their King, with words of deceit?" ... Oh. You think you see what Camilla is getting at. You interrupt. Camilla, you ask, is she suggesting the peasants and other commoners be 'roused' against the money lenders? Camilla gives a little shrug. "It's strictly speaking, a hypothetical. Money lenders are not even aristocrats, Your Majesty. They are simply merchants who amass a lot of money. Through this storm of deceit and greed. And, as much pressure as we can put on them inside of the castle, on your command, it might also be worth having pressure on them from a sort of organized spontaneity, from the peasants. They also hold a stake in the matter." Camilla turns back to Mania. "Well?" "..." Mania seems to be going through conflicted emotions. She would surely like very much to 'rouse' the peasants against the money lenders. In fact, didn't Bernkastel call her a 'revolutionary'? That she might really be capable of leading the peasants in such a way. "--Their hearts may be stirred up. But, for what purpose? Is this for the convenience of the aristocrats inside the castle, or righteous justice?" Camilla shrugs. "The simple matter is if we do follow through on that bad loan, and can't get them to back down, then it will create very deep problems for everyone in the castle. One that will echo throughout the country and through even the smallest countryside." Mania seems to have all her senses on high alert. "But, it won't be a blow against the belly of the beast! Even if the money lenders were to be outright torn apart, they would simply send more. To sink teeth into Ruhemania again, and others. And, what are these 'deeper problems?' More taxes seized?" Camilla looks around the room. "We will have much worse than 'raised taxes'. If the money problem truly gets out of control, there will be no 'cutting back.' There will be no 'gradual decline.' All of what is necessarily to maintain the castle will stop, nearly overnight. Robin, you will be lucky to have gruel to feed your soldiers, let alone weapons to train. If the merchants and caravans that import our needs-- not just luxuries, but needs-- if they find out we have no money and nothing to pay them with, they will never come back. So, we need to tread carefully. All avenues, even the most desperate, should be considered." Camilla turns once again to Mania. "Well?" The subtle breathing Mania had tried to maintain is gone. She's taking long, deep breaths. "So, you would have the peasants as one last dagger to strike with if the game you played with them ended poorly." Camilla replies, "I think of it more as a shield. They would merely need to know not just were soldiers watching them, aware of who they are. But, also the common people are aware of who they are. Money lenders understand why they are disliked come collection day. But, to that extent? It will likely make them more uncomfortable at the discussion table. More likely to take what they can get, even if it's nothing but curses as they return empty handed." Mania seems to be on the cusp of giving in to Camilla's plan. She's really seen what is most precious to Mania. The idea that the common people had better be treated decently... or else. No one is raising an objection or even acting like they want to ask a question. All attention is on Mania, and she knows it. ...Should you let her make the decision yourself? Choice time: 1. Allow Mania to respond to Camilla's offer. Whatever she decides, you won't intervene. >(Mania's influence significantly increases. Ricardo's faction's influence significantly increases. The satisfaction of various factions will change in ways Edward can't predict. 2. Veto Camilla's proposal before Mania replies. Even as a mere form of psychological warfare, it's too much. >(No change to the balance of power.) 3. It's dangerous to imply Mania has this sort of ability. Veto it on the grounds that it's simply not possible for peasants to be organized like this, and it goes beyond Witch Mania's true purpose here at the council, to talk about the spirits. --At this point, claiming that will probably make you look like a clown, as well as hurt Mania's feelings, but it might be worth it. >(Monarch authority decreases. Ricardo's faction's influence increases. Mania's influence sharply decreases. Mania's faction's satisfaction sharply decreases. The other factions' satisfaction also decreases, except for Father Tomas and Tharja, who stay the same.)

Option 1.

>>2910 Option. 1

Option 1. And I'll admit, Camilla and Mania are understanding each other better than I would have expected.

>>2910 Option 1. Best to let Mania make this choice on her own, though hopefully she'll want to discuss it with us in private before she goes and rallies the common folk.

I would have liked to have gotten a few more votes, but it's unanimous anyway. >4 votes for option one, let Mania make the decision for herself, tacitly saying you'll accept her judgment and whatever deal she makes with Camilla, if any, without a veto. Don't intervene in Mania's talk with Camilla. Poll closed. Update soon. We are almost at 500 posts. I'm not sure what is the thread limit, but it might be 500. If someone gets a "can't post anymore", please put it in the regular chat thread. Either way, I might start a new thread on my own before too long, as this might just start to get to look too intimidating. Don't worry, it'll be at a natural 'break point.'

You'll let the deal they make fall how it may. This is between them. You trust Mania. Moreover, you think you can trust Camilla. At least a little. "..." Mania pauses. A long time. Her expression is unreadable. You'd almost suspect the spirits were whispering in her ears. "You... you are simply an aristocrat who would manipulate the so-called 'lowly peasants' how you like. Your heart does not bleed at their suffering," she says, coldly. But at hearing her words, Camilla... laughs. "That's right, I'm just some aristocrat." Camilla says, outright smiling. "I've never talked to a commoner who wasn't there to wait on me. Much less wanted to. Until you joined our Council, that is." Mania is outright shocked, she looks at Camilla with wide eyes. And she's not the only one. Camilla is really not holding anything back by saying something like that. "All I want is to sleep in my nice bed, eat nice food, be waited on by servants, and live comfortably. If it means so many servants and peasants must toil for it, I won't cry. And soon I'll give birth to my husband's child, who will exist to do the same thing." You gaze back at Mania. Something magical is happening to her. ...You think you understand what it is. "But right now, my needs to avoid a complete budget collapse are tied with the needs of the peasants not to starve. And, how am I going to convince them of that? I'm a hated aristocrat, after all." Camilla adds, sounding almost as if she's gloating. "Can you shut your ears to my words, Witch? I doubt the spirits will be satisfied when all hell breaks loose. Which is going to happen if we can't put every bit of pressure we can on those money lenders." Mania's mouth is practically hanging open as Camilla finishes her speech. Yet at the same time, there's some fire burning in her eyes. --You get it. You think Camilla gets it, too. Camilla just gave Mania what she always wanted. Something beyond her wildest dreams. ...Validation. What Mania's family was too proud to admit to her back on that fateful day. Hells, those were words you would never think. Yet, words that Camilla said, almost casually. "...Heh heh heh." "HA HA HA!" Her laugh echoes as Mania looks at Camilla with a smile that hits an emotion you know, but aren't sure how to describe with one word. If you had to try to describe it at all, you'd say it's a smile a hunter would give when he found good prey to chase. Mania sucks in a breath through her teeth, staring dead at Camilla. As if no one else existed in the room but she and her. "There's a certain respect to be given to someone who knows what they are! ...Alert me to a time the money lenders will arrive, and don't be off by even an hour. I can't promise what will happen should the peasants and commoners become roused with emotion for nothing. Except you won't like it." ...That's terrifying. It's a good thing this is Camilla's proposal and not yours. Your spirit to go through with this idea has departed. But, you decided to allow them to reach their own deal... you need to just watch the conclusion. Camilla for her part shows no sign of backing down. "That won't be a problem." She turns her head to look at Robin. "Will it, General?" "...No, of course not," Robin replies. The table goes silent, except for the exciting breathing coming from Mania, though it slowly ebbs. "And," Mania adds on, sounding more out of breath. "Don't think this will happen again: at your beck and call, that is." "Agreed." Mania's breathing finally goes back to normal but the meeting enters a period of awkward silence. You cautiously glance around the room. Robin seems a bit unnerved. You imagine her calculus on if peasants could be driven off by her elite army has been a little shaken. Cordelia is actively ignoring the conversation. Corrin is trembling. It's slight, but you imagine his stomach must be tied in absolute knots. You don't blame him. You're feeling similar. Father Tomas looks the most affected. He can't stop staring at Mania. You think she just shattered his world view. Or at least, punctured it. You imagine him mentally trying to bail out water from the boat that is his faith before it sinks. ...Tharja is stroking her belly. You think she must have reacted when Camilla addressed Mania as 'witch,' and been startled more from that than anything else. Ricardo, for his part, is probably the least affected. He's gritting his teeth under his old lips, but it looks more out of irritation than fear. ...Well, as much as the cat wasn't out of the bag, you imagine it is now. The Council now knows Mania isn't just here to talk vaguely about spirits. She has real power outside of these walls. Power they could never have. --And, they must now respect that the money situation could really spiral out of control so badly that Camilla would risk the peasants descending on them all for revenge just to get the tiniest bit more leverage over the money lenders. "Hee hee hee... this is a special day... the Goddess dances on this day..." ... You think you had better direct the meeting again before Mania startles them any more. You're vaguely happy for her, but best not to end on this note. Choice time: 1. Prompt Camilla and Ricardo to go on. Any next business from them is fine. (Choices to affect the Balance of Power from the treasury's perspective will continue from whoever they choose. 2. You're not sure Camilla can follow that up. Move on to another faction. (Choices to affect the Balance of Power from a new faction's perspective will continue.) Edward will not end the meeting now, because he doesn't want the meeting to end with everyone dreading the next. The Balance of Power has changed. Balance of Power >Ricardo's faction's influence has significantly increased. >Mania's faction's influence has significantly increased, and will not decrease past a certain threshold. >Father Tomas's satisfaction has significantly decreased. >Robin, Cordelia, and Corrin's satisfaction has decreased.​ >Tharja's satisfaction was altered in a way Edward does not yet understand.

>>2916 Option 2.

>>2916 Option 2

>>2916 Option 2

Option 2

>>2916 Option two. This'll be a hard act to follow either way.

Option 2.

>>2916 Option 2.

>7 votes for option two, pass the torch to a new person on the Council. Move attention away from Camilla, for now. Poll closed. Update soon.

You tell Camilla that you're glad you have reached an agreement with Witch Mania for a sort of... tactic. One to put more pressure on the money lenders. It should at least indirectly solve the problem, if it works. But, perhaps that's enough intensity for treasury decisions, for now. You'd like to move on to hearing from another person on the Council. Camilla nods, not making any objection. Ricardo doesn't in the least bit look surprised. ... Okay, now that you've restored some order, who to call on next? You'll rule out Father Tomas. He's not composed. Corrin or Robin are the most obvious choices, but with the current atmosphere in the room, you're not sure what they'll say. ...You could call on Cordelia, but you'd be making it very obvious you're just giving attention to someone who doesn't have many issues worth talking about. For the purpose of not allowing them to speak. Maybe Mania herself? Or Tharja might be able to lift the mood. Choice time: 1. Call on Robin. For the Army. 2. Call on Corrin. For diplomacy. 3. Call on Cordelia... just to pass time talking about horses. >(The Council's expectation of being heard will decrease.) 4. Call on Mania. For more spiritual guidance. 5. Call on Tharja, just as an attempt to lighten the mood.​

>>2926 Option 2. Let’s hear what’s on Corrin’s mind.

Option 4.

>>2926 Option 2. Diplomacy update, and find out if he needs anything from anyone else on the council.

Option 2

>>2926 Option two.

>4 votes for option two, call on Corrin for diplomacy opinions. >1 vote for option 4, call on Mania for concerns she has beyond her deal. Call on Corrin to speak at the Council. Poll closed, update soon.