Retinue Expansion
After two days of dealing with obscure magical lore and the complexities of the Chantry's internal politics you are ready to tackle some simpler problems. The first task on your list is recruitment.
You have attempted to recruit people several times over the last two weeks, but there has always been something else demanding you attention. This week you have decided to prioritise the matter, in order to prevent anything interrupting you again.
You ride on Orundómë for the local villages. Despite your determination, you are not sure if there are enough people still looking for work at this point. Autumn is well on its way and harvest season should be soon. It is one of the reasons why you needed to prioritise the time, as you might need to ride further than usual.
The forest has been peaceful since the death of the spiders. The environment brings you a sense of peace and completeness that you had not even realised was missing since you left Arda. The return of the familiar sensation makes your short ride in the woods pure joy to experience.
Sadly, all good things come to an end, and you are all too soon riding along the roads you made in human territory. The roads are not busy, yet there are still people going about their lives, trading or pilgrimaging.
The villages themselves are bustling with activity. People work the fields in preparation for the harvest. Census takers have arrived early to get estimates of what can be taxed this year. The winters of Ferelden are mild, according to those who you ask, and many people are making excited plans for what they shall do during the period of light work.
You check with the job boards and are surprised to find that they have high expectations. Iterant workers and those who otherwise have stable jobs look to take on extra tasks during this busy time. The clerks who manage the boards are confident that some of the more forward looking of them will take the chance to have employment over winter.
On the way here you have been debating what exactly you need at the moment. Naturally you want to continue your pursuit of builders that you had been forced to set aside last week. That will be a time intensive task, but hopefully a rewarding one.
There is also the niggling worry in the back of your mind that you will need more warriors. You need approximately fifteen weeks to bring warriors up to a level of skill you deem acceptable. Given you have only two months or so until you might need to march, this might be your last chance to increase your numbers.
Then there are the concerns about your logistics, a desire for additional labourers to drive carts and carry supplies, or anything else. Perhaps you could get some more blacksmiths to reduce the cost of maintaining weapons and armour, and maybe have a surplus who can actually make some for you.
A deep breath stills your thoughts. You have to focus on what you need. There are only so many people you can train at once, you need to choose one group to focus on.
You had come here with the intention of looking for builders to take over the work on the chantry. You still wanted to recruit them. Yet, as you went over the maths again and again, you kept coming up with the same numbers.
Best case scenario gave you two months until call up, that saw your warriors dangerously undertrained, but if you personally contributed two good lessons or one that was exceptional, they would make it to your standards, just. If they started any later though…
You try to find another option. You consider the possibility of hiring those who are already skilled, unfortunately all those who have such skills are currently in high demand, and thus unavailable for a relatively minor noble in the middle of nowhere.
With a sigh you accept that you are simply going to have to recruit people who are willing to risk their lives for a steady income and the prestige of being a warrior. Frankly, you are concerned by how well that particular strategy has been working for you so far. It is either a damning condemnation of the lives of those in Thedas, or a cautionary tale about the endless ambition of humanity. Your current theory is that it is both.
There is a fine art to convincing people to join up as a warrior. Obviously there is the elements of convincing people that they wish to fight for you in particular, but it is equally important to weed out those who should not be trusted with weapons.
"What exactly are your qualifications for this position?" You ask one candidate.
"What? Qualifications, I heard you were taking just about anyone!" Exclaims the shifty looking man.
"I simply thought that you happened to look like a man with some experience with violence." You observe, truthfully.
"Well maybe." The man states smugly.
Are your people this vulnerable to flattery? You have always thought that overwhelming hubris was the Eldar's flaw, not humanities.
When that man has been safely seen to by the guards, he is wanted for murder in three different Bannorns, you return to the task of recruiting. You mostly look into second sons and unmarried daughters of farmers. Those who do not have many opportunities in life yet are made healthy by their work.
Your reputation and general demeanour help a great deal. More than a few people ask if you are a foreign prince. Which is technically true, but in the spirit of avoiding misunderstandings you explain your current role. This, interestingly enough, actually leads to more interest than the prince theory. Apparently, the locals are fascinated by the 'wizard of the woods'.
After a day of recruiting in all three villages you have managed to recruit fifteen people who are willing to join up to become warriors. The only real question is what you are going to assign them as. Given the tight constraints on your time and theirs you suspect that the most profitable option is to join them to the heavy infantry, but you do have other ideas.
No, second guessing yourself at this point is more likely to cause problems than solve them. This force is going to become almost entirely heavy infantry. You even intend to have your signaller trained in that particular style.
As you lead the recruits back to Endataurëo, you take the time to pick out your officer and signaller. The latter is easily decided by asking if anyone has musical training. There's a woman named Hester who 'sung in the local chantry choir' so she gets the job of a signaller. She may not have a relevant skillset, but at least you will not need to teach her basic terminology.
As for the officer, that is a more difficult proposition. In order to make a decision that is both sound and swift, you give deliberately vague instructions. It breaks a principle of leadership, so you have to fight the urge to correct yourself, but it is the best option.
With your commands throughout the day of initial travel and training being, there is no word for it other than insufficient, the group needs guidance. It is here you hope to find your officer. Thanks to either good planning or sheer luck, it works.
A woman named Paloma, with darker skin but a lack of an accent, steadily emerges as the leader the group gravitates to. Once you have established that, you increase the level of specificity of the instructions you are giving slowly. The woman does not fight against your slowly increasing control, and before too long you are confirming her as the commander of this group.
You do not tell her that her time commanding the new recruits is a test to see if she is acceptable as a leader of the entire infantry contingent. Both to avoid giving her ideas or an ego, but also to prevent her from being overwhelmed by too much responsibility.
Choosing a champion is actually the easiest task. A champion's role is that of a prince absent the command responsibility. They are to seek out the most dangerous opponents and act as a standard that their comrades pursue. As a result, choosing one is a simple matter of sparring with all your new recruits repeatedly and see who improves the fastest.
Yet another woman, this one named Lara proves to be the best. Naturally graceful and talented, what truly sets her apart is the burning ambition in her eyes. From the moment you first defeat her, you see in her eyes the same fire that once burned in your own. The need to be better, to be the best, and a refusal to accept anything less from yourself.
The fact that after a single day of training she is already the best of the new recruits proves your decision to be correct. You note her down as a priority for personal attention.
Raising the Roof
There is an endlessly burning passion within your breast for the building of great works. You love nothing quite so much as the artistry of taking ink and paper and creating, though sheer skill, a great monument of stone and wood. To see all that you know become something that will last for an eternity.
That said, herding the collection of fools and incompetents, at least as far as building goes, you have on hand is a quick way to smother that enthusiasm. Admittedly, there is still a burning passion for the project itself, to see the end result, but the act of creating it has passed from pleasure to chore.
At this point, however, it has been thoroughly established that you are not a quitter. So, with your new recruits settling in, you set out with the labourers once more to continue construction.
Saris seems to have settled down somewhat at this point, you wonder if he has grown bored of his attempts to use this project to propel himself forward. Perhaps, he has simply lost enthusiasm as the attempts continued to fail, or he may find herding the fools in the group as tiring as you do.
Whatever Saris' reasons, he remains helpful in bringing the group to task. At this point they are becoming reasonably familiar with their tasks. This week should largely see the same tasks as last week, merely higher up. Which sounds simple but is likely to present a whole host of new challenges to the amateur builders.
Maron and Lauron have proven their worth once more, having gone out of their way to prepare scaffolding ahead of your arrival.
"You have my thanks, and I applaud your initiative." You inform the two men.
The brothers smirk at Saris, which undercuts the gratitude and pride you had been feeling. The enmity that seems to crop up between elves and humans has long since passed the point of evoking extreme emotion and settled down into a nagging irritant, always present yet never welcome.
"Perhaps you can instruct the workers in the proper methods of utilising the scaffold and run them through safety procedures." You suggest tiredly. "Saris, can you gather everyone and make sure they pay attention."
While those three carry out your instructions, you take the time to settle yourself and prepare for your part in the weeks work. There are a number of options you could take and only so much time.
Despite your plans, you simply have not found time to hire a builder. As such, though you would like to begin preparing to have someone else take over running what you could perhaps most charitably describe as a circus, you cannot. Since you needed warriors more than builders you do not have anyone to take over from you.
Instead, you resolve to take some time to instruct your workers on proper building techniques, explain why they cannot do the things they wish to. You have yet to meet someone who does not improve at their tasks when they understand the reasons why they must be done.
Prior to any of this, you have to ensure that work proceeds apace. You have already begun to fall behind somewhat, and it would be foolish in the utmost to miss your deadline due to inaction this week. It should be a short endeavour; everyone should know what to do at this point.
"I was under the impression that we solved the north wall issue last week." You state flatly.
The wall sags into the ground. Too much weight built up on soft ground and away from the foundation. Grey stones jut out of soil like teeth, for now.
Surrounding you are a number of sheepish looking workers. They glance from one to the other, none wishing to be the one to speak first.
"Am I to assume sabotage?" You ask, to encourage them to speak. "Should I take your silence for guilt?"
"No!" Several of the elves shout at once.
There's a few moments as they negotiate who will be speaking, but in the end one does step up with an explanation.
"When we had the problem with the wall, we had to leave it unfinished." The short male says. "So when we came back the next day we couldn't remember what had happened exactly. We remembered that there'd been a problem, and someone said we never got to move it. So we ended up putting it where we remembered it being."
"Am I to understand that in the process of doing this, none of you noticed that your wall was a good arm length away from the others?" You ask.
"We thought they were lagging behind." One of the other workers mutters.
You close your eyes and breathe deeply.
"Are you mad?" One of the workers asks nervously.
"Your language has no words to express the depths of my fury." You reply.
Needless to say, the vast majority of this week is spent knocking the wall down, reclaiming its materials and rebuilding it in the correct position. You take great care to ensure that those who made the mistake do the vast majority of the work.
Given that there is little time to make progress, there is equally little time for education. Most of your 'lessons' end up being repeated reminders that stones do need to be prepared before they are mortared in place.
That said, over the two days you are working on this project you manage to find time to teach a few lessons. They do not go well.
"… It is akin to the saying 'measure twice cut once'." You explain to the builder. "The fact of the matter is that a regular measurement of stone is advantageous to ease of construction later, no matter how much you may wish each to be shaped to your immediate needs."
"With respect, your lordship, I don't tell you how to do ruling stuff, so I'd appreciate it if you left me to my building." The elf replies.
"As I have already explained, I have spent far more time building than you have. Despite your recent experience you remain relatively new to the task." You repeat, patience growing thin.
"Yeah, knife ear!" A Gladesville villager chimes in. "Listen to your betters."
Before you have a chance to reprimand the man, the elf has swung a fist at him. To make a long story very short, a brawl develops. Humans attack elves, who in turn swing back. The balance is relatively even as, though humans outnumber the elves here, most humans want nothing to do with the brawl.
The sound of steel on steel rings through the clearing. Instinctively the combatants go still, searching for the person who is escalating the situation. Their eyes land on you, standing casually with your sword resting on a mailed arm. All around them your warriors stand, red cloaks and star emblazoned shields prominent.
"Children." You state coldly, eyes boring into Saris, Maron and Lauron.
You stare at the mixed group of humans and elves, many lying on the ground where they had been wrestling.
"Two groups. My employees on my left, villagers on the right. Now." You command in a level voice.
The two groups rapidly disentangle, scrambling to be in their groups as quickly as possible. It is unnecessary, and you would intervene to make sure that nobody gets hurt, but you fear that breaking the atmosphere you have created will result in the resumption of hostilities, so you do not.
When the two groups have separated, you turn your attention back to the 'leaders' of each group.
"Why have you permitted this conflict to take place?" You ask them.
"They started it!" Lauron exclaims.
"I could not simply leave my people to suffer at the hands of humans!" Saris protests.
Only Maron has the good grace to wince, he alone seems to have realised why you are angry.
You smile coldly at the three leaders. "I see. Could you tell me, why exactly you think I am angry?"
Lauron and Saris are more uncomfortable now. The two shuffle in place nervously.
"Because work has stopped?" Saris tries.
"No." You reply, voice cracking like a whip. "I am experiencing rage to make my father blush, because the three of you have betrayed my trust."
All three flinch at your tone.
"I believed that I could trust you all to act as leaders on this project. That you would serve to keep everyone working together and address any issues that arose. Instead, you have chosen to descend into the basest factionalism, and could not even be bothered to do that properly." You state, fury burning in your eyes.
The three look suitably chastened, and you turn to the rest of the group. You do not wish to give out punishments just yet as tempting as relieving all three of their authority is.
"I think I will begin with the humans." You state, walking towards their group. "In my life, I have known many men. They were loyal, courageous and true, and I was proud to call them friends."
Your sword strikes your boot with a crack that makes several of the villagers jump. "For the first time in my life I am grateful they are not here to see what their people have become in their absence. Is keeping your tongues behind your teeth too much to ask of you? Or are you all so consumed by bloodlust that you cannot restrain yourself from the opportunity for violence?"
You hear a giggle from the elves. "I will get to you so stop laughing!"
As always, a sudden escalation from measured speech to a yell startles the group enough for your words to land. Everyone is now on edge again, and you continue to address the humans.
"These people came here to build your chantry. They are doing something for you, something you have all indicated that you desire deeply. So why are you interfering with them? Your behaviour is disgraceful, and inexcusable." You finish coldly.
Then you turn to the elves. "I have never, in my life, been so ashamed of those I employ. Are your skins so thin that you cannot allow even a single insult to go unanswered? Is violence your only solution to problems posed by words?"
The elves shuffle in place, and you press on. "Do you have no faith in me? Did you believe that I would not come to your defence, that you could not count on me to act in your interests? If that is so, then please, the road is there. I have no desire to employ those who can only keep one eye on their work as the other is watching me."
Now guilt is creeping into their expressions. "Children. That is how you have all behaved. Children with no self-control, whose desires must be met now, or they will throw a tantrum. Very well. If that is your desire, then I shall treat you as such. There will be no meal this evening, for any of you. You will go now, gather your bedding, and sleep here."
"Tomorrow." Your voice silences the objections that the crowd is beginning to shout. "You will apologise to each other. If you do not, then you shall also not receive breakfast."
You end up needing to chase down several people who tried to duck out of their punishment. After a hungry night, there are apologies, most begrudging. You do not believe the problem solved, but at least you have prevented another fistfight from developing.
None of the elves choose to leave.