Scheming Princess Quest

[Seventeen]

[X] The servants know much [0] – They are everywhere, and they are all but invisible to the average noble. They would make acceptable pawns.
[X] Your seneschal has his job for a reason; leave him to it. [0]

Subverting the servants early gets us a good source of information with plenty of time to make use of it. As for the barony, the Princess is a pre-teen with almost no education: why would she be better than the seneschal who is already running things?

 

[Guile]

Subverting the servants early gets us a good source of information with plenty of time to make use of it. As for the barony, the Princess is a pre-teen with almost no education: why would she be better than the seneschal who is already running things?

Click to shrink...

Because she is a special snowflake quest protagonist, of course!

 

[drake_azathoth]

Subverting the servants early gets us a good source of information with plenty of time to make use of it. As for the barony, the Princess is a pre-teen with almost no education: why would she be better than the seneschal who is already running things?

Click to shrink...

She does have some insane social talent and is the most beautiful girl in the known world, so there's a possibility she could resolve any interpersonal problems or temper the seneschal's personality if it's unpleasant. But we should probably wait on Courtly Manners for that kind of thing so we don't commit a faux pas. Really should have taken that already...

 

[mrttao]

As for the barony, the Princess is a pre-teen with almost no education: why would she be better than the seneschal who is already running things?

Click to shrink...

joking aside. I should note that there was never an option or suggestion for having her take over from the seneschal. The options given were choices on how the seneschal manages the land (focus on steady income, or focus on reinvestment). and in both cases it most likely involves us basically being tutored by the seneschal about how to actually do those things

 

[KingofDiscord]

So are Brother's Courses are Law, History, Evocation Magic, Illusion Magic, Combat & One other Class
While are classes are Logistics, Engineering, Necromancy, Clairvoyance, Combat & One other class

I am bringing this up, as it said earlier in the Quest that we would be tutored in Six Subjects, yet both our brother and ourself only appear to be tutored in 5 subjects, so could you please clarify the final subject.

 

[Guile]

So are Brother's Courses are Law, History, Evocation Magic, Illusion Magic, Combat & One other Class
While are classes are Logistics, Engineering, Necromancy, Clairvoyance, Combat & One other class

I am bringing this up, as it said earlier in the Quest that we would be tutored in Six Subjects, yet both our brother and ourself only appear to be tutored in 5 subjects, so could you please clarify the final subject.

Click to shrink...

I lumped Athletics and Combat in together in the update, hence the running around bit. Athletics is one of those skills that mostly boosts your ability to perform in other physical classes. It'd get somewhat more exciting if you pay Fate points for it, of course.

 

[Dark Ness]

[X] The servants know much

[X] Focus on building up its limited resources and increasing prosperity.

 

[Ampersandwich]

[X] The servants know much
[X] Focus on building up its limited resources and increasing prosperity.

Guile: ... this Alice wouldn't happen to be based on Wulfhammer's Alice, would she?

She does have some insane social talent and is the most beautiful girl in the known world, so there's a possibility she could resolve any interpersonal problems or temper the seneschal's personality if it's unpleasant. But we should probably wait on Courtly Manners for that kind of thing so we don't commit a faux pas. Really should have taken that already...

Click to shrink...

I think that might be an issue if we were trying to do something more complicated, but we'd have to have a tin ear for social interaction entirely to put him off with something like this. No, if he takes offense, it'll more likely be because he was never remotely loyal and is looking for an excuse.

 

[Guile]

[X] The servants know much
[X] Focus on building up its limited resources and increasing prosperity.

Guile: ... this Alice wouldn't happen to be based on Wulfhammer's Alice, would she?

Click to shrink...

Not really if you go by personality or backstory (such as it is), but I admit that's where I got the name from.

Anyway, sorry for the long (long, long long...) wait on updates. I've realized I'm better with fic and omakes than I am sticking to a quest schedule. I'll see about picking back up on this one sometime in the near future though.

 

[Mu-Sensei]

I've realized I'm better with fic and omakes than I am sticking to a quest schedule.

Click to shrink...

Tell me about it. *crawls away slowly...*

 

[Guile]

So clearly that 'near future' thing was a filthy lie.

One entire year later, I'm finally ready and willing to make another go at actually getting Scheming Princess off the ground. Is there even anyone out there still interested in playing ruthless superhuman princesses?

 

[Bobs Beard]

Do bears shit in the woods?

Does the pope doze off sometimes?

Do people on the internet enjoy trivial pursuits?

Do-what the fuck do you think, ah!?

Now give us that crack you make!

 

[inverted_helix]

I had basically no recollection of this quest despite it being on my watch list. But it never got out of character creation really.

It could be interesting, it's all what you make of it.

 

[megrisvernin]

So clearly that 'near future' thing was a filthy lie.

One entire year later, I'm finally ready and willing to make another go at actually getting Scheming Princess off the ground. Is there even anyone out there still interested in playing ruthless superhuman princesses?

Click to shrink...

I am interested. Personally I'd have preferred to know more about the other stages of character generation when we were first spending points. I felt we made sub optimal spending decisions with our points given our build and would have made different decisions. Honestly you're likely to see a lot of new players anyways given the long hiatus and it feels weird to be stuck with decisions a lot of players made a year ago, even when those participating then like above may not remember much about it. More or less I'd prefer to go back through character gen again if we can.

 

[Xicree]

So clearly that 'near future' thing was a filthy lie.

One entire year later, I'm finally ready and willing to make another go at actually getting Scheming Princess off the ground. Is there even anyone out there still interested in playing ruthless superhuman princesses?

Click to shrink...

Dammed skippy we are.

 

[Guile]

I am interested. Personally I'd have preferred to know more about the other stages of character generation when we were first spending points. I felt we made sub optimal spending decisions with our points given our build and would have made different decisions. Honestly you're likely to see a lot of new players anyways given the long hiatus and it feels weird to be stuck with decisions a lot of players made a year ago, even when those participating then like above may not remember much about it. More or less I'd prefer to go back through character gen again if we can.

Click to shrink...

It's not perfectly optimal (you guys reeally could have used either an indulgent uncle or a more hands-off one, or even both), but it'll all work out. I'm afraid if we went through character gen again I'd lose the spark - again. So, sorry, but onward!

 

[Pipeman]

On the one hand Chargen is obviously cancer, so I can't disapprove of definitely not repeating it, but If I recall correctly I was shaking my head at at least one part of every decision made.
Still the only way to go from here is forward and there'd definitely be interest from me.

 

[inverted_helix]

Prolonged character gen is just total cancer in terms of quests I think. It just sparks so much arguing and arguing.

I mean it's a nice idea to be able to customize and min-max characters. But I think it's better to just offer players like 3 archetypes and then just fill in the blanks as the GM feels best.

Mostly because way way too many good quests die in character gen.
Example: https://forum.questionablequesting.com/threads/iberian-feudal-quest.547/ Which I bug Fitzgerald to continue on a regular basis.

 

[Akritedes]

Everyone needs more Machiavellian politics in their life.

 

[Dark Ness]

I want the quest to live, for sure

 

[Guile]

Only 13 months since the last update? Perfect.
Anyway, I think I'll try for a minimum of two updates a week. That seems sustainable, even for me.

Winning vote from before:

The servants know much,
Building up your barony's resources

Click to shrink...

Year 1, Update 1b

Your plotting is interrupted by an older, heavyset woman briefly speaking to your guard, who stands aside. You frown in annoyance at having your personal time so easily interrupted. Her outfit marks her as an alchemist; most of the well off in Caelis Valera adore the bigger-on-the-inside belt pouches that the journeyman enchanters sell, but few mages go in for alchemically-treated leathers like the ones the woman is wearing. You can't think what errand an alchemist would be on that would be so urgent your guard let her past without even checking with you. And there is always the chance she is here for some nefarious purpose. Your hand drifts over to the little enchanted knife you were using to peel oranges, the one your uncle gave you for your last birthday. She looks a little familiar, not the stout and matronly figure but the sharp eyes like chips of ice-stone… but you don't quite recall…

"Come over here and give us a hug, child," the woman demands imperiously, hands on her broad hips.

Oh. The voice is familiar even if the rest isn't.

"Granny Wither?" you ask a little incredulously. You stand and allow her to sweep you into a powerful hug that leaves your toes dangling over the stone cobbles. She's younger than you've ever seen her, looking more like someone's spinster aunt than the wizened crone you knew her as. She must have discovered a superior youth potion to her usual batch. She smells the same as she ever did though, something sharp and actinic and quite unpleasant. You allow your nose to crinkle where she can't see you.

"I swear you get prettier every year, even if your face will get stuck like that someday," the older woman croons, petting your long hair like a cat. You don't know why you bothered trying to hide your distaste, she always knows. She doesn't care enough to change herself, and people just have to learn to live with her. You can admire that sort of mentality, from a distance.

Granny adds conspiratorially, "You won't be needing my love potions, that's for sure. Maybe some of the poisons to kill a man's ardor. What do you think? For you, child, my prices would be very reasonable."

While destroying your brother's libido is a little tempting, it also seems like the kind of thing that would have unforeseen consequences. You shelve the thought.

"Then what brings you here, Granny Wither?" you wonder.

She sniffs. "I don't like coming back to court where I might run into that young brat Roshan, but your uncle said you were needing a Clairvoyance teacher. And of course I'm the best we have. Naturally, tracking you down was simplicity itself for someone like me!"

You've known Granny for much of your life. Your family's retainers don't really have a leader or a court mage position, but if there could be said to be a first among equals of that group, then Granny had viciously defended that title for longer than you've been alive. Most look to Roshan these days, though. Even though the dark-skinned foreign mage stays meticulously above politics and seems to you fairly unpleasant in person, he is always fair in his dealings and he has your uncle's ear for reasons you're not entirely clear on. More importantly in Caelis Valera, his genius for magic is undeniable. He had already mastered two branches of magic when he came to the Caelis Valera's Great Colleges! It had been something of a shock, when you heard. You hadn't actually been aware the greedy Barunese or the barbarous Highlanders could produce mages of his caliber.

"Uncle did say he was having trouble finding a mage tutor for me," you muse leadingly.

"Necromancy, pah," Granny waves a thick-knuckled hand dismissively. "Why would you even want to learn it? It's still not popular even now, and pretty or not you know life is a popularity contest."

"I had reasons," you mumble. Which you'd had to explain to your uncle, at some length. He hadn't been precisely pleased, but tradition was on your side in that instance. Allowing a mage to choose her own discipline was common sense in Caelis Valera.

"At least you understand the benefit of Clairvoyance for a ruler!" Granny sighed in defeat. An affectation, of course; you'd never known Granny Wither to give up on anything of her own free will.

"... I'm not a ruler, Granny Wither," you prevaricate.

"Ha! Of course not, yet. You've got the ruthlessness for it, though," the old bat says conspiratorially.

You allow yourself a smile that means nothing.

"Of course, of course. Well, we can get started before whatever necromancer your uncle found under some rock appears. Come along, child."

You find Granny patting at your shoulders and arms firmly and then you are hustled off. For such an aged… voluptuous woman (you refuse to even think the word 'fat'; the woman is your Clairvoyance teacher, after all), Granny bustles everywhere she goes like a motherly force of nature. Your guard allows your pair to proceed him before bringing up the rear, his long stride letting him keep up with Granny's determined bustle. Alice has vanished somewhere, as the best servants do when they are no longer needed.

Granny natters on about star charts and tarot cards and reading the bones as you walk. It is tempting to pay more attention to the lovely blooming roses than to the impromptu magic lesson, but you need to know these things. Your force yourself to pay attention to Granny discussing the reading of live entrails, a traditional form of divination still used today, though thankfully not by you. You might have found a certain unprincessly enjoyment out of hitting other children with sticks, but blood is still icky.

You are nearly to the cluttered little laboratory/cottage that she still owns on the palace grounds (or was gifted to her, you're not quite sure how she installed herself there so many years ago), when a rapid tap-tap-tapping of metal against ice-stone interrupts you.

You turn to find a man in somewhat ostentatious, cloudy blue robes with silver threading and black geometric designs along the sleeves. It was the sound of his cane tapping as he moved with alacrity to overtake you. To his left was a slightly huffing and puffing girl of about your age in a rich maroon dress. You carefully don't smile. She was clearly not being made to run about the castle the way you were of late, and was out of shape.

Her slightly wild, wavy dark hair, rather large nose and habit of lining her eyes with kohl allow you to peg her as Sophia Hill. A foundling that your father had sent to be raised by the same nannies and tutors as you and your brother. Your father had called her the last of an old bloodline, and his duty to keep from dying out. But considering the peasant-like last name, you had your doubts. You'd privately assumed her some by-blow of his, and given no more thought to it.

You had never been friends, due to an inferiority complex she had developed early – it was no one's fault you had been better tutored than her, but she had taken it so personally! You'd occasionally put some minor effort into drawing her into your camp, but she had been adamantly opposed. In fact, she somehow had gotten it into her head that you were her rival. She was rather dreadfully embarrassing, at times.

She huffed at you and began trying to fix her hair. The nobleman with her – the richness of his dress, immaculately kept long hair and goatee, and eccentric use of a cane suggested no less – looked at Granny Wither like she was a species of bug. She returned the look with no less venom.

"Gregory Blackstone," Granny said with deep dislike. "I had wondered if you'd pulled your head from your old tomes long enough to remember what day it was."

"And leave you to poison young minds against me?" was his urbane reply. You're not quite sure what he's getting at, there. Picking at some old wound, perhaps.

"Ah, does this mean that Uncle has found a second magic tutor for me?" You interject neutrally. The name 'Gregory Ludo Blackstone' would almost certainly make him the head of House Blackstone. That was supposed to be a powerful – if eccentric – noble house, though you couldn't recall what they focused in. You've never actually met a noble head before, just the younger generation. Being unsure what respect his rank allows him compared to you, you default to a slight bow of the head towards him. That seems safe enough.

Gregory Blackstone offers you a thin-lipped smile. "Indeed. You and the Hill girl." He tapped his cane upon the ground to punctuate his sentence. "Now, if you are done playing games, Wither, perhaps we should adjourn to my laboratory and begin lessons for the day?"

"My lab is better stocked, and just around the corner," Granny points out in a pleasant voice that was somehow… not.

And Sophia is glowering at you like this was your fault. Lovely.

"Perhaps, since we are so close, we could attend our first lesson in Granny Wither's?" You offer, in the interests of moving this along. As interesting as whatever this is, your focus is learning magic. Your suggestion causes Granny's smile to widen and grow rather smug.

The whole event rather reminds you of playing with the other noble children when you were younger, and their steadfast determination to claim you as their 'bestie' over the others. This seemed like the grown-up, somewhat more dignified version of that old game.

The only thing you learn on the rest of the trip – which is undertaken in strained silence – is that Lord Blackstone's cane was not actually an affectation, but rather his right leg seems somewhat withered.

Granny Wither's cottage is a modest affair. The lowest floor is devoted to wide, sweeping racks of shelving with many jars of unguents and pastes and potions, multiple cauldrons set in niches, and what actually looks like some kind of climbing vine trellising its way across the ceiling and hanging down here or there with heavy white blossoms. Papers written in Granny's elegant script rustle and jockey for space along the walls. When your group arrives, Granny Wither tells you sweetly, "Come in, dears. Would you care for tea?"

"Not if you told me you had the rarest Barunese black in stock," Lord Blackstone said calmly, leaning on his cane and looking around the place with a certain patrician tolerance. That is, making it obvious that he is tolerating the cheerful clutter, and no more.

"I was not offering any to you, Lord Blackstone," Granny said, smiling with teeth.

"Of course," he said blankly, before making his slow way to a slate board that looked almost new compared to everything else's worn, comfortable appearance. "Then, while the witch makes tea, I shall begin. The first task of any budding necromancer is the ability of soul sight. Before one can touch the souls of others, one must first understand them…"

---

Your choice to get the staff on your side is locked in, and will be next. Choose one more event to follow.

[X] Pay a call on the Blackstones. Lord Blackstone did say you were free to call on him whenever you wished.
[X] A day trip into town. Supplies are necessary for a good Clairvoyant.
[X] A dare from Sophia Hill. The girl is flourishing in your shared magic class, and you suspect she wants to show off her new powers in a less… structured setting.
[X] Your teachers are at each other's throats! It would not be wise to favor one over the other. Abide, and wring from them what you can without getting involved. [+10 Fate points]

 

[Bobs Beard]

I think I'll go for this, since it'd double as a chance to peer at the world in which this quest takes place from a first-hand PoV.

[X] A day trip into town. Supplies are necessary for a good Clairvoyant.

I have a strong confidence silly and snarky nonsense will, if not directly impact the PC at least take place before her eyes; this is a Guile quest after all.

 

[Xicree]

[X] Your teachers are at each other's throats! It would not be wise to favor one over the other. Abide, and wring from them what you can without getting involved. [+10 Fate points]

 

[Guile]

Bit of an inauspicious day to restart up a quest, having QQ go down for 7 hours or so.

 

[Adyen]

[X] A dare from Sophia Hill. The girl is flourishing in your shared magic class, and you suspect she wants to show off her new powers in a less… structured setting.

 

[megrisvernin]

[X] A dare from Sophia Hill. The girl is flourishing in your shared magic class, and you suspect she wants to show off her new powers in a less… structured setting.

 

[Pipeman]

[X] A dare from Sophia Hill. The girl is flourishing in your shared magic class, and you suspect she wants to show off her new powers in a less… structured setting.

If she's really our uncle's bastard strengtening our pseudo rivalry could give us an angle to work on our uncle from.

 

[Seventeen]

[X] A day trip into town. Supplies are necessary for a good Clairvoyant.

 

[Blargh]

[X] Your teachers are at each other's throats! It would not be wise to favor one over the other. Abide, and wring from them what you can without getting involved. [+10 Fate points]

 

[Briareus the Gardener]

[X] Your teachers are at each other's throats! It would not be wise to favor one over the other. Abide, and wring from them what you can without getting involved. [+10 Fate points]