Completed Let's Larp the Court of King Vale clumsily preparing a royal summit in Fit To Be A King

[Strange Fellow]

I'll sooner die than bend the knee to some foul demonic apparition! I have been loyal to the Crown and its subjects - yet the people of this land would hearken to the forked tongue of a wretched sinner? If it is truly so, then let me die, for my kingdom hath alredy perished.

 

[vazha]

Sir StrangFellow confronting the vile mob that demands his banishment & execution, spurred on by a malign ghost, superbly played by James Nesbitt. (best watch from 2:00 onwards)

 

[ValeVelKal]

Part VII : One wedding and one funeral

Queen Volourn demise

First thing first : I need to deal with Queen Volourn.

I walk to the executionner :

You'll come to a bad end for this

Clear the neck and think of England, my child !

The butler ! THE BUTLER ! YOU COULD NOT AT LEAST SEND ME THE PRIEST TO CONFESS ? ROOFLES !

The grisly task done, I ask Executionner Helly what he thought of Volourn :

This guy is a psycho !

Meeting Kalarion the Horse Master and Baud the Master of the Hunt

Next step is to visit the rest of my castle...

OH MONKEY !

Isn't he cute with his little hat !

The first place I missed last time was the Stable :

There is some woman in there, who I immediately talk to :

A stablemaster says: Welcome to the stables. We're nearly ready for the summit!

Pro-tip : Don't say "nearly ready" in a profesional environment

<name> I'm Kalarion, your Majesty

<job> I'm honored to be your master of Horse

<horse> You may (U)se any horse you like! But I hope we get destriers...

<destrier> Will you pay 400 gold for fine destriers?

<no>Then I should get saddles onto this lot.

<saddles> Just (U)se any horse you like!

<summit> We could go to the summit as is, or we could buy destriers!

Thank you I got the memo the first time.

I "use" a horse and WWOOOOTTT I am twice as fast now !

On the South-East wing part of the courtyard, I find the Kennel :

I don't have ONE dog after all ! I have four dogs ! I guess I can replace Citizen if he turns out to be the Devil after all.

A kennelmaster says: Welcome to the kennels. We're nearly ready for the summit

<name> I'm Baud Your Majesty

<job> I'm honored to be your Master of the Hunt

<hunt> I do wish we could try to hunt with badgers sometimes

<badgers> Will you pay 200 gold to try using hunter badgers ?

Hunting badgers ? HUNTING BADGERS ? OF COURSE !

<Yes> Wait 'til that Blakemore sees your ferocious hunting badgers! Haha! He'll probably just get up and flee!

You know what else will probably just get up and flee ? The peacocks AND the monkey.

<badgers><summit> Fine hunting badgers will be ready for the summit.

<dog> The dogs love you as surely as I do, Your Majesty

Well, do YOU ?

<Love> Baud blushes

Next to the kennel is the "mews"

It is a word I understand even less than "vinster", but since there are a bunch of hawks in there so I guess it is where you keep the hawks...

I guess I should invest some of that gold in a real fauconnerie whatever the serfs from here call it in English, rather than putting the raptors on the backroom of a stable.

<mews> I will bring a hawk to the submit

<hawk> Not a good day to hawk

Anyway, I release one of animal just for fun. I am sure it will come back...

... and get in the next room :

A very wise man

There is a library (which includes another book on monkeys), a chest (quickly opened) and ... some dude dressed fancily.

A foreign politician says: Your Majesty, I have traveled far to offer advice

When I talk to him, there is a really good music that starts playing, a sort of macabre pavanne that could have been fully at its place in Bard's Tale if Bard's Tale had been a darker game. Might be William Byrd. This dude looks either important or mysterious in some way.

<name> In my homeland, they call me Major Blackhart. Well, close enough

<prince>Aye, where I learned to give advice, to princes and Kings

<King> Aye, I pay my taxes

<Prince> I advise many, including a certain prince

<Italy> That is where I first began giving advice, yes.

<Machiavel> Ah! Your pronunciation is perfect, Your Majesty

<Advice> May I ask Questions about your ruling style, first (Y/N)

<Yes>

Uh ! A game ! I love that ! I am happy these kind of card games never ever defined anyone's character, though.

B. Misuse of church fund I could have taxed is the real crime here. Blasphemy is all in the eye of the beholder if you ask me.

A. Anyone can humiliate my minstrel, including himself, but spending lavishly only a King can do !

A. I don't see how this can be a conundrum. If all my allies except me wear red, I will look like a dunce. I get to wear red first.

A. Well, I believe the serfs all see the interest in their King being magnificent. In reality I don't believe I would have to ask them.

B. There are good-hearted folks on both sides : serfs and overlords !

B. CERTAINLY it will be better for the sick-house to claim that the King himself sent part of his treasury for them. Though in reality I can see more interesting expanses, like hunting badgers, and the serfs understand it.

A. Charity starts with oneself.

Can't wait. I think I aced it !

I am not sure what "sycophants" mean, but I will make sure to gather more of them around me as you propose I do. I will even try to bring some at the summit. Possibly the Sultan knows where to find some of these animals.

<>Reflect on your choice. Is it really the path for a wise ruler

<sycophant> I have given you all the advice I can for now

<advice> After I watch for a few year, maybe I will have more advice

Ol'Wily the Minstrel of the Fountain

This was really interesting. There is a last court member to meet. Mondblut the Jester had told me to yell for the Minstrell near the fountain.

Consequently :

Are you all right, Your Majesty ?

Ah wait ! I need to say the word in the ugly language of the serfs.

[yeah I genuinely did the mistake, and yes I realize that the English Court had switched to English roughly one century prior... but not the court of not-England !]

A smiling minstrel says: I wonder if the summit needs a new song.

<name> They call me Ol'Willy, Your Majesty

Ah ! I was just talking about you with my friend Blackhart

<job> As a minstrel, I can sing a song or tell a story

<sing> I see you have a lute! Here's a song: Play 245676531 to make a lady swoon!

<story> Once a queen became so angry she broke her mirror in a rage! But behind it was a secret passage... The queen entered it and never returned. The End!

<summit> For 500 gold, I can hire firebreathers for the summit!

<firebreather> Do you want to pay 500 gold for fire breathers

<no> Perhaps I should sing or tell a story instead.

Judiciary decisions

"Meet the Court" is now over. But I know have other tasks. First one, reduce the court size.

I go straight to the Barracks :

Tell my mother I loved her, eh ?

I thought Andnjord had advised everyone not to let me or Helly any close to their mother.

After that, I get to the village...

On the way, I meet a Town Announcer :

If you see a question in a title of a newspaper article, the answer is "no" so good. I knew I could trust Endemic.

Azira should defintely put a notice

My fair people are impressed ! Maybe I will be able to raise taxes

Wait WHAT ? That's not totally true at all ! I need to talk to my council about that guy !

Anyway, I first went to meet Horatii :

And then in the In, I went to see Maxie :

This done, I rolled back to the Execution line to see if everyone was where they were supposed to be :

Looks like the Execution line is working according to LIFO principles

LIFO, Your Majesty ?

Last In, First Out. Let me check how everyone is doing.

<Talk> Don't do it, Your Majesty. It will demoralize your men.

<Talk> Please my Liege. Pardon me ! I am sorry for offending you so.

The Princess and her dowry

There was one IMPORTANT thing left to do...

I travelled to not-Grenada...

... on the way tried to Knight a cat, without success ...

... and proposed for real to Princess Sukhavati !

At last I shall marry you, my Love !

This will give you access to my dowry. Spend it wisely

There was a nice, CATHOLIC wedding :

And back to collect :

SIX 100-gold chests !

This important duty to my Kingdom, I went back to my wife for another sort of duty :

<marry> I'm glad we're married, though our wedding was simple

<job> I must produce an heir, for both our kingdom's sake

<Blakemore> I did fancy him, once, but that's long gone now. I promise.

<heir> My dwry helps bring us together, but an heird would be best

<dowry> Use the star key in my father's palace to claim my dowry

<summit> I heard there will be monkeys at the summit

<monkey> I love monkeys in little costumes

<costumes> Perhaps a tailor could make costume for your monkeys

WE CAN PUT LITTLE COSTUMES ON OUR LITTLE MONKEYS AND NO ONE TOLD ME ANYTHING ?


I beeline to Endemic the Seamstress :

You're looking very regal today. I look forward to the summit

<monkey> We should sew them little costumes!

<costumes> It would cost 1000 gold to sew the gold money costumes. Do you want them as much as I do

<no> That's fine. Some dreams should stay dreams.

No they should not, but I need approval from my Council at that price.

 

[ValeVelKal]

We welcome in our court :
Sukhāvatī the Consort
baud the master of the Hunt
Kalarion the Horse Master
Major_Blackhart the not-Italian diplomat and politician
Ol' Willy the Minstrel

Strange Fellow is on the execution line and his advice are not welcome any more !

Decision dashboard up to #180

Exploration (reset each turn), decision at majority or plurality.
Rampart : Kalerion (3), Endemic(1)
Village & outside the village : Mondblut (3)


Politics - decision taken at +7 (edited from +10).
6 : Jail the town crier : Darth Roxxor (3), Vazha (3)
6 : Knight Mondblut : V_K(3), Mondblut (3)
6 : Jail the dog : Mondblut (3) + execute results (3)
3 : Execute Tindrli : Mondblut (3), Andnjord (3), Darth Roxxor (3), do not Execute Vazha(-3),Forgive Tindrli : Dayyalu (-3)
3 : Knight Darth Roxxor : V_K(3)
3. Execute Vazha : V_K (3),but Azira(-3)
3. Knight the ghost : V_K(3)
1 : Buy Monkey Costumes : Vazha (3), Ol'Wily (1), but Mondblut(-3)
0: Execute the dog : V_K (3), Helly(3) but Vazha (-3)Azira(-3),.
0. Execute Vazha : V_K (3),but Azira(-3) Rejected
-2 : Execute vs Strange Fellow [Confirmation]: Mondblut(3), V_K(+3),Major_Blackhart(1), Darth Roxxor(3) do not execute, Vazha(-3),Azira(-3) Forgive Kalerion (-3), Andnjord (-3)
-3 : Execute Azira : V_K (3) but Vazha(-3), Azira(-3),
-3 : Execute Andnjord : V_K (3) but Vazha(-3), Azira(-3),
-3 . Execute all dogs : V_K(3) but Vazha(-3) Azira(-3) :
-3 : Execute Kalerion : V_K(3) but Vazha(-3) Azira(-3) :
-3 : Knight Azira : Azira (3), do not Knight Dayyalu (-3), V_K(-3)
3 : Reform Religion : Azira (3), Andnjord but Do not Reform : Dayyalu (-3),
-5 : Execute Maxie [Confirmation] : Kalerion(3), Major_Blackhart(1) do not execute Andjord (-3),Vazha(-3) forgive&jail V_K(-3)
-6 : Execute Mondblut : do not execute Darth Roxxor (-3), Andjnord (-3)

 

[ValeVelKal]

Paging the rest of the crew

Knight Citizen the Dog
Andnjord the Steward
mondblut the Jester
Endemic the Seamstress
Darth Roxor the Cook
Dayyālu the Butler
vazha the Vintner
Helly the Executioner
V_K the Ghost
Father Azira

 

[Darth Roxor]

Life imitates art.

Also sounds to me like we should [J]ail the town crier for demoralising the churls.

 

[Kalarion]

Good King, the Path of Wisdom dictates a Thorough Inspection of the Castle before our Enemy Most Vile arrives at our Gates. Explore the Ramparts!

Pardon Strange Fellow. He has ever been a Loyal and Stalwart Knight.
Execute Maxie. Who knows what Seditious and vile Plots and Strategems this Foul Fellow has hatched?!
Exorcise V_K. The Bible has Declared that it is Appointed Man to live Once, and thence to Judgement. Send Him Hence!

 

[vazha]

Jail the crier for fanning the flames of dissent, O Glorious Overlord. Stay your hand and don't execute anyone at this point. Mayhaps your Majesty should also look into ways to exorcise the premises from vengeful ghosts, seeing as already three servants seem to have perished there.

A most fervent support to the noble cause of spending exorbitant amounts of money on monkey costumes. Long Live King Vale and May Fair Codexia Prosper Forevermore!

:burps, opens another bottle of wine:

 

[V_K]

EXECUTE ALL DOGS!!!
And the kennelmaster. No god-fearing person would agree to work with the satanic beasts.

I also think you should forgive Maxie. He was only calling you "smelly" because he sensed the taint of the foul creature on you. Mercifully jail him instead.

 

[V_K]

I also don't think raising the threshold for decision-making is warranted. Larger size of the court means there's more disagreement and infighting heathens and heretics trying to lead you astray from the righteous path of canine genocide. At that rate, we won't execute anyone. I think it should be lowered back to +6.

 

[ValeVelKal]

I also don't think raising the threshold for decision-making is warranted. Larger size of the court means there's more disagreement and infighting heathens and heretics trying to lead you astray from the righteous path of canine genocide. At that rate, we won't execute anyone. I think it should be lowered back to +6.

I may modify it depending on how many of the new people are active. It will never be +6 though . That would be "2 votes are enough, or one Knight ".

 

[V_K]

That would be "2 votes are enough".

Only if there's no opposition. That's my point - more people means more opposition so votes will just cancel out.

 

[ValeVelKal]

That would be "2 votes are enough".

Only if there's no opposition. That's my point - more people means more opposition so votes will just cancel out.

Point taken. I ll leave it at +7 (edited from +8), so 3 Larpers or 2 Larpers and 1 normal person

Plus with the fact that you don't need to revote between two updates, AND the "transition" by the execution line, it is less likely to have "surprise execution".

 

[mondblut]

My lyege, thou shouldst go explore outsyde the vyllage and leave thy precyouse bryde in my care. I vvouldst do my beste to entertayne her.

Also, knyghtes shouldst be stryppede of their unfayre votynge pryvylege. That strange fellovve alone couldst have topplede thine juste and ryghteouse reygne, wyth his doge sydekique and alle. Dost not forgete to jayle the doge!

...VVho is Horvatii, anyvvaye?

 

[Major_Blackhart]

Executions should proceed immediately!

 

[Azira]

That ghost surely is a bloodthirsty thing. People are calling for me to exorcise it, but I don't see it on the possible actions you've lined up.

If I cannot exorcise it, then, for the good of the kingdom, Reform the religion, so you can dispel the ghost yourself, your highness.

My vote is no longer conditional on me being knighted. That ghost is dangerous.

Oh, and explore the village. It would be good to be acquainted with your villagers.

 

[Strange Fellow]

That ghost surely is a bloodthirsty thing. People are calling for me to exorcise it, but I don't see it on the possible actions you've lined up.

If I cannot exorcise it, then, for the good of the kingdom, Reform the religion, so you can dispel the ghost yourself, your highness.

It looks like this is the only way to get rid of it. But sire! Pray free me from the gallows! I was to make you a knight, before yon horrid spectre put me in shackles. I vow to do so upon my release, that together we may put an end to his wicked reign for good.

 

[V_K]

So it seems that even the clergy of this poor country is taken over by heathens and heretics. Fine, have it your way.
I change my vote on the subject of reformation from "for" to "against". Also, add my vote against knighting Azira. Devil worshippers shouldn't have undue influence.

 

[Strange Fellow]

It's afraid...

 

[Azira]

Well then. I vote against all executions that V_K has voted for. Anyone can be saved, if they see the light. Even the ghost.
Also, let Strange Fellow go. Further bloodshed is not warranted.

 

[V_K]

It's afraid...

You wish! Ever heard the expression "vengeful spirit"?

 

[Ol' Willy]

I second the idea of monkey costumes

Blonde haired, good lookin' tryin' to get me hooked
Wants me to marry, get a home, settle down, write a book
Ha, too much monkey business, too much monkey business
Too much monkey business for me to be involved in

 

[Endemic]

Explore the rampart.

 

[mondblut]

In termes of spendying thine budjet, lyege, thou shouldst carefullie vvryte dovvne all possibylities, yet not vvaiste a shyllynge for novve. Ounce thou hast restored everie pennie to thine treasurie vvhence it beloungs, then thou canst go spendying. Mayhaps the goulde wouldst be better investede into a nevve and largee armie to crushe Blakemore for goode. Remembere the summytes of 1356 and 1415, lyege.

 

[V_K]

Mayhaps the goulde wouldst be better investede into a nevve and largee armie

Emphasis on new because the old captain clearly can't be trusted and should not be pardoned.
I have an idea: knight mondblut, Darth Roxor and me. Imagine an army lead by a jester, a ghost and a rat - surely it'll terrify any foe into immediate surrender!