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May 03 22:18:08 In somewhat of a mad rush, they made their way out of the port of zweibrucke and onto the road heading north, taking both Sorgi and Claudia, leaving Koen in charge of the Rose. With three days travel ahead, the intense August heat is already irritating by early afternoon. Varick sleeps in the coach, but Molly rides alongside him.
May 03 22:20:24 ((Your turn))
May 03 22:22:26 * Morgan rides in his usual travelling clothes, long coat draped outwards over the rear of the saddle
May 03 22:24:09 * AndroUser is now known as Molly
May 03 22:26:19 * Molly watches the flat countryside as they pass. It is not pretty here like Sudlachenberg, the fighting was more frequent and bloody in south eastern Eisen than in the rural west of his lands. Ruined fields spread out on either side, burnt or muddied and and cracked.
May 03 22:27:47 sad... isn't it
May 03 22:33:55 * Molly nods, biting her lip
May 03 22:34:54 In Sudlachenberg, and even as far as Koln, there are few signs now of the destruction, but here it is as if it were just months ago
May 03 22:36:05 * Morgan nods
May 03 22:36:26 we were lucky
May 03 22:37:27 * Molly looks thoughtful
May 03 22:37:52 Was it the geography, or the fears of the Sudlache and the Schwarzenwald?
May 03 22:38:05 both perhaps
May 03 22:38:52 * Molly smiles a little
May 03 22:39:10 Or maybe your reputation?
May 03 22:39:47 I've mostly forged that since...
May 03 22:49:01 * Molly looks around once more
May 03 22:49:40 Did you ever fight so far inland? ((Your choice, it's about 20 miles))
May 03 22:49:46 * Morgan nods
May 03 22:49:48 on occasion
May 03 22:52:14 Does it seem strange now, peace?
May 03 22:54:16 sometimes... there's still a lot of animosity and tension
May 03 22:58:02 * Molly looks at him
May 03 22:58:12 Will it get better?
May 03 23:00:14 maybe. It was better before, it could be better again
May 03 23:04:16 * Molly smiles
May 03 23:04:28 I hope so, for all our sakes
May 03 23:06:07 **An hour or so later, they start to see and smell smoke in the distance
May 03 23:12:57 * Molly frowns, looking at him
May 03 23:13:09 Can you smell that?
May 03 23:13:55 * Morgan nods slowly
May 03 23:14:14 maybe its nothing...
May 03 23:21:45 * Molly looks around, obviously concerned. The cloud is a sooty grey
May 03 23:23:52 I suppose we should go and see
May 03 23:28:02 * Molly nods, easing her horse forward. Up at the front Claudia rides alone, watching for danger
May 03 23:30:38 * Morgan moves up to Claudia
May 03 23:31:13 we're going to investigate the smoke
May 03 23:32:37 * Molly is now known as Claudia
May 03 23:32:42 All of us?
May 03 23:32:52 no, Molly and I
May 03 23:33:03 I want you to watch over Varick
May 03 23:33:56 * Claudia 's frow furrows a moment, then she concedes, inclining her head
May 03 23:36:27 As you wish
May 03 23:38:57 * Morgan looks to Molly
May 03 23:38:58 ready?
May 03 23:39:36 * Claudia nods slowly, moving alongside him
May 03 23:39:47 * Claudia is now known as Molly
May 03 23:40:23 **the smoke appears to be coming from the direction of a small town
May 03 23:40:39 * Morgan sets off at a canter
May 03 23:43:44 ** The town is small. They quickly see a large barn on fire, but noone seems to be around
May 03 23:43:56 well, thats not good
May 03 23:44:12 * Molly looks around slowly
May 03 23:44:18 Very odd
May 03 23:45:14 * Morgan looks around for a well
May 03 23:50:14 "There is one. As he moves away from the noise of the fire, he can here angry voices further into the market area
May 03 23:51:10 * Morgan looks for the source of the voices
May 03 23:52:58 **they are from a large group inside the market
May 03 23:53:28 * Morgan moves in the direction of the well, listening to the crowd
May 03 23:56:28 * Molly comes to help him
May 03 23:56:49 **they're shouting about unfairness and their rights
May 03 23:57:16 * Morgan lowers the bucket into the well
May 03 23:59:44 **the fire is quite big, and though they make headway, it's clearly going to take them a fair while
May 04 00:00:14 * Morgan concentrates on the fire, reducing it a little more than using the water alone would do
May 04 00:01:09 **it works well, they seem very efficient. Within fifteen minutes the fire is out
May 04 00:02:02 * Morgan listens for the villagers
May 04 00:04:32 **they are shouting and hurling abuse
May 04 00:04:58 * Morgan wanders towards them, hands in pockets
May 04 00:06:59 **They dont notice him or Molly. The crowd must be almost all of their town, and is too densely packed to see through
May 16 23:27:40 **they're shouting about unfairness and their rights
May 16 23:27:40 * Morgan lowers the bucket into the well
May 16 23:27:40 **the fire is quite big, and though they make headway, it's clearly going to take them a fair while
May 16 23:27:40 * Morgan concentrates on the fire, reducing it a little more than using the water alone would do
May 16 23:27:40 **it works well, they seem very efficient. Within fifteen minutes the fire is out
May 16 23:27:40 * Morgan listens for the villagers
May 16 23:27:40 **they are shouting and hurling abuse
May 16 23:27:40 * Morgan wanders towards them, hands in pockets
May 16 23:27:40 **They dont notice him or Molly. The crowd must be almost all of their town, and is too densely packed to see through
May 16 23:29:20 ((whats he wearing?))
May 16 23:29:42 ((riding stuff wasn't it, his usual travelling stuff that doesn't stand out))
May 16 23:30:11 ((so reasonably successful merchant?))
May 16 23:30:21 ((yeah))
May 16 23:32:03 ((ok))
May 16 23:33:09 **slowly people begin to notice the strangers, watching them warily, the sea of bodies parting around them
May 16 23:34:59 * Morgan looks at the people, watching for danger
May 16 23:37:44 **they seem more concerned than aggressive. The closest knit area still hasn't noticed them and are still being loud
May 16 23:39:20 * Morgan nods to a few people, moving towards the loud group
May 16 23:40:50 * MollyK follows along behind him
May 16 23:41:22 **the group have their backs to him. All seem focused on one small area
May 16 23:41:56 * Morgan tries to see what they're gathered around
May 16 23:43:40 **he catches a brief glimpse of stocks
May 16 23:43:53 Well, this can't be good
May 16 23:45:33 *a slight hush falls. The people turn around. The man in the stocks looks calm, mid thirties or so
May 16 23:50:52 so... we put your barn out...
May 16 23:52:22 **the townspeople look unimpressed, the stocks man says thank you
May 16 23:54:56 You're welcome I think... I'm confused as to whats going on, mind
May 16 23:58:35 **the closest townspeople look a little confrontational. The biggest one speaks*
May 16 23:58:46 What's it to do with you?
May 16 23:59:33 well, you know, generally speaking its polite to explain whats going on the the people who saved your building from fire
May 17 00:00:09 It wasn't our barn, it was his
May 17 00:00:53 Thats lovely, but the fire could've spread to your buildings.... so on, so forth
May 17 00:01:24 *the man looks a little uncomfortable, as do the others*
May 17 00:03:28 I suppose so...
May 17 00:04:15 * Morgan nods
May 17 00:04:40 indeed, so, since we've saved, essentially, the whole place, hows about you start explaining
May 17 00:06:28 StockMan: They want to be a democracy
May 17 00:07:28 * Morgan looks skywards for a moment
May 17 00:07:42 No... I'm not seeing the link
May 17 00:09:14 *stockman smiles wryly* And I'd prefer it wasn't
May 17 00:10:05 * Morgan nods slowly
May 17 00:10:16 I see
May 17 00:11:09 *the big man speaks again* It should be up to us to choose who runs this town
May 17 00:13:13 Why don't you let the man out of the stocks and we'll all discuss this properly... preferably without setting fire to anything else
May 17 00:16:21 **they look amongst each other, and eventually enough agree. They let the man out. He straightens up. He's quite tall, fairly well dressed, and doesn't have a scratch on him
May 17 00:20:27 Stockman: Thank you, Sir.
May 17 00:20:49 lets adjourn somewhere more comfortable shall we?
May 17 00:26:56 **with some grumbles from the townsfolk, and the stocksman leading the way, they go to a meeting hall almost identical to those in other Eisen towns. The stocks man stands alone, the others grouped together
May 17 00:28:51 **they all look at Morgan*
May 17 00:29:51 well then, whats the situation here?
May 17 00:35:11 BigMan: We don't want to be ruled anymore. We want a democracy where we can choose.
May 17 00:35:31 I got that part... why?
May 17 00:36:10 Big Man: Why should anyone rule over people just because he was born in the right bed?
May 17 00:37:54 Why shouldn't they?
May 17 00:39:08 BM: Because they aren't any better than the rest of us
May 17 00:39:30 * Morgan nods slowly
May 17 00:39:55 I can see your point... and why don't you want a democracy? *he looks to the other man*
May 17 00:41:54 *Stock Man smiles slightly at Morgan* Because I am their Freiarr, and this land has been in my family for 7 generations
May 17 00:44:19 so?
May 17 00:47:13 SM: so I wish for my sons and grandsons to carry on our family's work and place here. I don't think Eisen is ready for such a revolution, especially in the wake of War, and the Eisenfurst would likely take the land by force
May 17 00:48:53 * Morgan looks at the big man
May 17 00:48:56 he has a point...
May 17 00:51:22 BM: In the wake of a War created by the nobles, and not by the rest of us who were the ones most likely to be killed. We should have the right to self-determination
May 17 00:52:47 I'm not sure its that simple
May 17 00:55:02 BM: why should he be in charge? He isn't more skilled than us, more respected, more intelligent
May 17 00:56:39 I don't think its as easy to dismiss as nobles creating war... things get muddy wherever religion is involved... 
May 17 00:58:48 BM: Without being forced to fight by the nobility, we could have voted to stay and defend our town
May 17 00:59:51 * Morgan smiles slightly
May 17 01:00:20 I'd rather fight away than have it that close to home...
May 17 01:04:45 *someone else shouts "it came anyway!"
May 17 01:05:37 * Morgan nods
May 17 01:05:52 yes it did... but less of it than if we'd stayed home
May 17 01:10:01 **there are murmurs. Someone shouts* we'd pay less taxes if we didn't have to pay for his big house and lifestyle!
May 17 01:10:45 * Morgan nods
May 17 01:11:43 did you know that having a freiarr gives a surprising amount of protection?
May 17 01:13:16 BM: why?
May 17 01:17:27 its a little hard to explain... think of it like this, one person in charge of running the whole place is, strangely, more respected in terms of protecting the land than a group of people... he was born to oversee, protect, grow these lands, thats his whole purpose
May 17 01:18:32 BM: we could have a Mayor
May 17 01:19:31 let me put it in simple terms... if someone invaded the land, you could move, start again elsewhere... as could a mayor, yes?
May 17 01:21:30 BM *he nods*
May 17 01:21:38 * Morgan points at the freiarr
May 17 01:22:02 he can't... he must stay here, his whole purpose is to be responsible for this land, and everyone in it
May 17 01:24:56 BM: but he gets to control our lives
May 17 01:27:34 to an extent, yes... but if you dislike it so much, you can still leave
May 17 01:29:43 BM: *he looks thoughtful* we COULD leave... we could find an old village somewhere and start our own town. *There are some appreciative murmurs. The Freiarr looks a little panicked*
May 17 01:30:35 * Morgan nods
May 17 01:31:47 you could... with no protection, ready to be annexed by your neighbours.... or it might even work for a time... until someone gets greedy, thinks they deserve more than the rest
May 17 01:37:08 BM: *he nods slowly* that would be hard
May 17 01:37:48 as I've said, your freiarr wants... no, needs you to be successful
May 17 01:41:23 BM: I suppose si
May 17 01:41:27 So*
May 22 22:44:48 to an extent, yes... but if you dislike it so much, you can still leave
May 22 22:44:48 BM: *he looks thoughtful* we COULD leave... we could find an old village somewhere and start our own town. *There are some appreciative murmurs. The Freiarr looks a little panicked*
May 22 22:44:48 * Morgan nods
May 22 22:44:48 you could... with no protection, ready to be annexed by your neighbours.... or it might even work for a time... until someone gets greedy, thinks they deserve more than the rest
May 22 22:44:48 BM: *he nods slowly* that would be hard
May 22 22:44:48 as I've said, your freiarr wants... no, needs you to be successful
May 22 22:44:48 BM: I suppose si
May 22 22:44:48 So*
May 22 22:47:38 BM: But I still think we should get rid of all the nobles and have a democracy
May 22 22:48:07 * Morgan shrugs
May 22 22:48:52 some people think you should only be able to speak with God in particular buildings.. doesn't necessarily make them right, does it
May 22 22:50:36 **there are a few mutterings in the crowd about the "bloody vaticines". The freiarr starts to look a little concerned*
May 22 22:52:10 * Morgan scratches his nose
May 22 22:52:36 of course, there are those that believe you can talk to God whoever you damn well wish... 
May 22 22:53:57 **there's a cheer*
May 22 22:54:22 * Morgan snorts derisively
May 22 22:59:44 *there are some hostile murmurs*
May 22 23:00:51 * Morgan stretches slightly
May 22 23:01:51 BM: we CAN talk to him whenever we wish!
May 22 23:02:38 If you say so... that'll be your belief, and I'm not going to argue with you about it... 
May 22 23:02:57 lets look at it another way... some of you must have children, yes?
May 22 23:07:08 *many nod*
May 22 23:08:47 and I assume then you're happy for them to leave now and setup their own village under their own counsel?
May 22 23:12:34 **they laugh. Some shout "don't be stupid" "not likely"
May 22 23:13:07 they;re individuals, they can work it out for themselves... 
May 22 23:13:32 after all, just because a parents always been in charge and made sure you're safe, that doesn't mean thats how it should be...
May 22 23:16:16 BM: are you calling us children?! *His fists clench*
May 22 23:17:00 Surely you agree, down with the tyranny of parents! 
May 22 23:18:34 *people start to sound unsure*
May 22 23:18:54 BM: We are adults, we can make our own decisions
May 22 23:20:17 how terribly your Freiarr must treat you, for you to all wish to leave... but I don't think it is all of you wish to leave, is it? 
May 22 23:21:56 **someone in the crowd says"we DONT want to leave, we just want to not be ruled by someone just because they were born noble
May 22 23:22:37 then I return to my question, what terrible things has this man done to incur such wrath?
May 22 23:24:58 *someone else* nothing, really. It's just the principle of the thing
May 22 23:26:53 the principle, right... the principle of having someone stand for you whenever another freiarr wants something, the principle of making sure you're all fed, the principle of making sure the lecherous, unprincipled types don[t just roll in and take over
May 22 23:27:26 and believe me, ladies and gentlemen, I've had experience of those types in the last few weeks
May 22 23:28:56 **there are lots of nods and sounds of agreement
May 22 23:32:12 BM: so we just tolerate it?
May 22 23:33:12 aside from... this one, do any of you have any actual problem?
May 22 23:34:19 or are we all whipped into a frenzy over an imagined slight because of one or two enthusiasts?
May 22 23:35:36 *people look sheepish
May 22 23:36:33 * Morgan nods slowly
May 22 23:36:37 thats what I suspected
May 22 23:42:32 **the freiarr looks at Morgan* now what?
May 22 23:43:47 They don't want to leave, most of them have no issue... just the odd ringleader, so I'd suggest you give that ringleader what he wants and encourage him to move elsewhere
May 22 23:44:05 * Morgan looks at the big man
May 22 23:44:31 though, I wish you the best of luck finding anywhere that isn't ruled over by someone through their birthright... 
May 22 23:44:44 I understand Montaigne is nice this time of year
May 22 23:44:44 BM: *he pales* I don't want to leave
May 22 23:51:08 I'd have suggested that you may have wished to have thought about that yesterday
May 22 23:53:24 **Molly, who has been watching quietly til now, speaks* Freiarr, you seem like a reasonable man. Is there any compromise that could be come to?
May 22 23:54:16 Freiarr: *he looks to Morgan a little puzzled, as if not sure that he should listen to her
May 22 23:54:42 * Morgan looks impassively at the Freiarr, then back to the big man
May 22 23:55:34 BM: *he looks at Molly with interest* what sort of compromise?
May 22 23:56:39 *she looks to Morgan, trying to gauge his reaction*
May 22 23:57:41 * Morgan shrugs slightly
May 23 00:03:28 *she looks at both men* You form a group of townspeople who get together and decide the things you wish to see happen here. *She looks to the Freiarr* And you take on board their requests and concerns, and do what you can to make those changes happen. Continue it for the future.
May 23 00:03:54 **both men look to Morgan for his opinion*
May 23 00:05:25 * Morgan watches them, waiting for them to make up their own minds
May 23 00:07:25 Freiarr: that sounds reasonable
May 23 00:07:53 BM: at least we'd get some say
May 23 00:09:03 out of interest... has anyone approached the freiarr with any concerns? or is it just something you've come to feel annoyed about?
May 23 00:14:35 **noone volunteers an answer*
May 23 00:16:46 * Morgan nods slkightly
May 23 00:16:47 I see **situation resolved, they ride back to the others. It's getting dark* You were very good, liebling
Jun 10 22:42:24 and I didn't hit anyone... I'm growing, I think
Jun 10 22:45:54 * AndroUser smiles
Jun 10 22:46:12 Were you tempted to?
Jun 10 22:46:35 almost always. Arrogance really irritates me
Jun 10 22:48:04 * AndroUser goes quiet a moment
Jun 10 22:48:48 Do you think Eisen will change over time, until there is the sort if democracy he wanted?
Jun 10 22:49:36 never say never, I suppose... though I suspect other countries would get to that first
Jun 10 22:57:59 * AndroUser nods
Jun 10 22:58:25 I wouldn't be surprised if Montaigne falls in the next decade or so
Jun 10 22:59:48 * Morgan nods
Jun 10 23:02:12 only time will tell 
Jun 10 23:03:13 * AndroUser nods again, then looks sidelong at him
Jun 10 23:04:21 Does it trouble you that it could happen to the nobility here?
Jun 10 23:05:29 only in so much as there's so much greed and stupidity. The very first question for those wishing for any sort of power needs to always be why...
Jun 10 23:15:04 Would you miss it?
Jun 10 23:15:32 * Morgan looks at the sky for a moment
Jun 10 23:16:06 probably. Its all I've ever known. Even settled in a little cottage, I always knew I could be called on if needed
Jun 10 23:18:09 * AndroUser nods
Jun 10 23:18:51 You'd miss the duty, but not the power or wealth
Jun 10 23:19:11 * Morgan nods slowly
Jun 10 23:19:16 that sounds about right...
Jun 10 23:27:11 * AndroUser smiles fondly
Jun 10 23:27:27 You're a very unusual man, liebes herz
Jun 10 23:27:37 no doubt about _that_
Jun 10 23:30:43 * AndroUser grins
Jun 10 23:31:03 I wouldn't like you half as much if you weren't
Jun 10 23:33:02 well then I'd best stay unusual
Jun 10 23:34:23 * AndroUser smiles
Jun 10 23:34:32 That would be best
Jun 10 23:35:55 * Morgan nods