>>6298626

Malevus slept by your side as you carefully rolled your way out of the bed before pulling the silken blanket back over her body. Your girlfriend wasn't a morning person at all and while normally you would be dragging her early in the morning out to spar with you, it was better to allow her to sleep. Because you weren't at home, you were in Stormwind City. Different places, different rules.

Dodging the shed and thrown clothes of yours and hers, you picked up one of the morning robes and threw it lazily on your shoulders. Today would be an important day and it would mean making yourself look presentable and definitely not smelling like sweat and sex. So it was time to take a bath.

The quarters you had been given in the Stormwind Keep had its own private bathing room and it had everything. Fresh cold water came out a lead pipe if a lever was pulled, a pot heated the water through magic inscription that you needed to copy for your own use. You could do all of this alone, no servants needed and it didn't take long until you were in the hot water nose deep relaxing every single muscle of your body. There were no words to describe how good it felt. Then just to scrub yourself clean with some soap and a brush and you would be ready for the day.

But as you sat on a stool scrubbing yourself clean, you ended up staring at your reflection in a mirror opposite of you. The wound taken during the duel with Grom Hellscream had for the most part healed, leaving just a scar on your side. Your ribs still hurt from time to time, they hadn't healed yet so you needed to be careful. But all the other scars caught your attention. Small cuts received through the years, the punctured chest by the gnoll spike that nearly killed you. The Draconic Glyphs over your heart to keep the Fel within you in check.

Your Fel green eyes were just as green as before and your finger and toenails continued to be black. Just to make sure, you checked that no stubby horns grew in the midst of your hair and thankfully that wasn't the case.

“Alric!” Are you taking a bath?” Malevus shouted to you.

Oh she had woken up.

“Yeah, I am!” You replied.

“Do you need help?” Malevus asked.

“You can brush my hair after I am done, nearly finished!”

“Okay!” She replied happily.

She was Lady Malevus Silverthread, or just Malevus for everyone else. You are the luckiest man in the world for having met her and taken her as your squire and now that she is your girlfriend, you really felt like finally everything was going well in your life. She was the greatest, absolutely the greatest. It felt so good to be in love with her.

And it didn't hurt that as an elf she was really beautiful and her long red hair matched with your long black hair. It was like the two of you were meant to be a couple. If just she would learn to wake up early and you wouldn’t need to drag her groggy body out into the training yard. Outside of that, she was perfect.

1/2

>>6298628

“Alright, done.” Malevus said and finished brushing your hair.

“My turn now.”

The two of you switched places and you started combing and then brushing her hair. Malevus had taken a quick bath too while you dried yourself and put on your clothes.

“What are you going to do today?” You asked her.

“I will go back to the Church of Holy Light. To pray and… maybe pester one of the priests there.” Malevus said to you.

“You know there's a barracks or a dormitory they own behind the Church. I met Uther there last year. You should check that place out.” You told her.

“I don't know… will they even let me in there?” Malevus asked.

“First of all, you are an elf woman with red hair carrying a way too expensive sword.” You started to tell her, that made her automatically special. The ancient sword she had received from Lady Katrana Prestor would look nice by her side. “Secondly you are going to use who you are to change their minds.”

“But that won't be of my own merit.” She replied.

“Nonsense, you are my squire and you will use my name to get in there. If I were some random hedge knight and you some human lass that would be a completely different thing. But we are not anything like that and so you are going to introduce yourself as Lady Malevus Silverthread, the squire of Prince Alric Perenolde. They will let you in.”

“I don't like that though…” She lamented.

“Malevus, you can't run away from your family name forever. Besides, if you can get someone intelligent to teach you, then it has been worth it.” You told her and finished brushing her hair. “There, nearly as beautiful hair as mine.”

“You put more time into your hair than I do…” Malevus lamented again.

“I need to, after all I need to impress all the ladies of the realm. Isn't that what the rumours about me say?” You asked her.

“They also say that you seduce all the ladies…”

“Ladies need some self-control then, I can't be 100% at fault, right?” You replied and laughed as Malevus just shook her head disappointed in the quality of your jokes.

There done, the two of you were all ready for the day. Though for you it was still some hours until afternoon and meeting King Varian with Katrana. It would probably be helpful to be somewhat productive before that.

…

Having picked up your clothes and eaten breakfast, you escorted Malevus out of the Keep before returning back in. You remembered there being a study or a library here and you thought that maybe you could learn something useful from one of the books there.

Needing to ask directions a couple of times, you found the small tidy library and started searching for potential reading. A couple of the books looked promising and in the end three of them were remaining on the table in front of you. You knew that you wouldn't have the time for all of them and just skimming them wouldn't teach you anything useful so you just needed to choose one to read.

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>>6298630


Choose one:
>The House of Nobles, detailed description of laws and politics
>The Kings of Azeroth, lineage of the Kings from the founding to the present day
>The Darkest Days of Stormwind, events that nearly caused the destruction of the Kingdom

QM: New thread new adventures. Each option will give you one new option to use with King Varian, but you can only choose one.

Also because last thread went so swimmingly, let's have a bit of Questions and Answers time at the start of the thread. If you have any questions be it about the Quest, the characters, events or just about me the QM, I will try to answer them within meta and spoiler reasons.

>>6298633
>>The Darkest Days of Stormwind, events that nearly caused the destruction of the Kingdom
Anything with an absence of the king like sickness or simply missing or as in varians case simply unwilling to do hes job. Varian just needs a scare to either start cooperating and actually working or step down for a regency council until he is once again ready to work.

>>6298633
>>The Darkest Days of Stormwind, events that nearly caused the destruction of the Kingdom
Going all doom and gloom here. Putting the man out of his funk, still means he gets active again. Since he hates us, this definetly will have some drawbacks (possible support in negative decisions like what to do with the former Alterac kingdom etc...or throwing help toward the Garithos&friends faction)


Whats Beve cooking right now ?
How does Falconcrest feel after what happened ?
It seems Alric is making a gameplan for the incoming event with King Varian. Will this mean we will have sub-choices for what Nalice told us too (Katrana ambition being too high and her fearing she might get burnt for it) ?
Is Joe sent automatically to follow/protect Malevus (what we said during the campaign with Gravis about making sure she is also protected) ? About our protection detail, are the knights and royal foot guards going to follow us around this days (or is more strict. Like not being present, for example at the Stormwind royal council) ?
Should we go at the Cathedral and press the issue of not having our own priest, and overworking Hampton ? Or perhaps the status quo is better...?
Did Uther think of visiting us or sending a letter after the last things that happened ?
Is Blackmoore serious about making Gnolldiators ?
How much would it cost for make that feast we have mentioned has an idea time to time ? The one in Dawnholme. Maybe we could ask for help with Monica, Fowley and Langston.
Do we have an idea of how much it could cost to restore the old elven armor we found ? Especially if we go to say Melondras.
Would it be a good idea to give a title to Nalice like "royal mage" (she is technically under Katrana, while being our teacher) or is a step too far (she is not that present in the "official" stuff of Dawnholme. More out of mind and out of sight) ? I guess we could give it to Williams instead or Boyd. Perhaps is too soon. Dawnholme is a small realm(? Principality ?), growing (Imswit secret vassalage + the south ancient forest) but small.

>>6298633
>>The Kings of Azeroth, lineage of the Kings from the founding to the present day
I do wish Blizzard expands on Stormwind lore more(they'd probably fuck it up but still).
In my headcanon the King's Calendar from WC1's manual used the coronation of the first Wrynn king as the starting date.

>>6298633
>>The House of Nobles, detailed description of laws and politics
I think legitimacy is what is needed. If the solution is found through the nobles and they agree or make it happen then it would be harder for opposition to act. Katrana and Alric alone is easier, but could military protest against the nobles?

Question, where do you find inspiration to characters because some of them are quite well written like Malevus.

>>6298688

It depends as many of the characters are relatively one note. Like for example of the knights Gravis of course gets the most attention, but Thomas and Empleton are just named bodies while Joe is short. That is his character, he is short and does dropkicks in full plate.

But then someone like Malevus, I originally based her on one of my friends, but as she has grown as a character, further away she had moved from my friend. Meanwhile Alric and Malevus resemble a quite lot a couple I knew back in school days who just couldn't wait till they get home. Like stop we know how madly in love you are get a room!

Meanwhile Taretha is mostly based around how she was depicted in the Lord of the Clans, but when throwing Alric into the mix I needed something more. I based how she acted when it came to Alric wanting to help her on a person I know. That person was in an abusive relationship and had two young children. How I wrote Tari, how hopeless she felt and denied help was exactly how said person acted while her friends tried to help her and get her to leave her husband. I remember anons being frustrated back then and so were we IRL

But while a grim inspiration, just like Tari, she got away and is now in a happy relationship.

>>6298686

That is not a bad headcanon, I am going to use it too. Shame that the timelines are quite a mess, but what can you do other than think everything by yourself.

>>6298684

>Whats Beve
Beve usually has servants making the food for her, she doesn't cook.
>How Falconcrest
Rather peeved, but found the encounter interesting. You are a more serious enemy than he thought.
>Sub-choices
Yes
>Joe
They are mostly in the background. If they are needed, they will be mentioned.
>Church
Matters will be mentioned if opportunity rises
>Did Uther
He did think, but the old man is more than busy and he probably wouldn't be welcomed by the Alteracis. You know destroyed the country and all
>Durnholde Gnolldiators!
YES, with funny costumes and obstacle courses
>Feast in Dawnholme
If an opportunity rises then yes, but I can't say how much it would cost. Do note the difference in just flavour for scenes feast and Capital F Feast with in-game effects. The latter will cost you.
>Elven plate
Some Wealth, it will be mentioned when you return back home
>Royal Mage Nalice
"Nalice is a mage? I thought she was just a scholar and a teacher?" Everyone in Dawnholme.

>alric reading about barathen and the gnoll war
>"finally a man that understands..."

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>>6298633
>>6298705
I don't remember if you talked about this, but how it the Church of the Holy Light in your world?
In canon it's supposed to be more philosophical, but I noticed during the campaign that you made references to things such as sodomy. Does that mean that it's more of a fantasy version of Catholicism in your setting?(it may have been like that in the original RTS games too looking at church sprites)

Also are there any heterodox sects or heresies of the Holy Light currently(besides obvious ones like Scarlets who don't exist yet)?
Like how in real world history there were people doing things their own way like Oriental Orthodoxy or the Bosnian Church etc.

I will start writing in an hour and it looks like dooming is winning right now. Still some time to vote.

>>6298751

Or a Warcraft equivalent of Cathars?

The Church unsurprisingly is quite lukewarm and nondescript in the games past WC1 and WC2. Light is just a power amongst others and we end up with a rather stereotypical fantasy church with vague philosophical concepts.

I have tried to flesh things out a bit, taking more real world ideas in to the mix. The world is at least how I see it still relatively "medieval and feudal" and with the Church as a moral guardian against not so nice and evil things, giving guidance to people is part of it. That guidance unsurprisingly ends up being conservative and people end up having old fashioned way thinking, especially if we talk about peasants.

So yeah you could say we are in a more fantasy Catholicism territory, but I don't really plan on going super deep on religion and how things work on itself. A lot is just flavour in the background. Like Alric is not overtly religious even if he has been healed by the Light and blessed, while Malevus says her prayers daily. Does that have much effect on the game? Not really no, but if some depraved evil guy goes blasheming, Alric won't like about it.

Really you could write essays about this, Religion in Fantasy Settings.

>>6298705
thanks for the knowledge!
>Everyone in Dawnholme.
oh right lol

>>6298759
i think its because they quickly realize how in depth you might need to go with religion. Making it simple is easy when you have to write a story for a game/setting. Not everyone does it of course.
Elder Scrolls is a good example, they have gone in depth in both religion and also they give to it a sense of different degrees of dedication to it. But it still feel that makes sense.

You could say that King Varian was in a tough spot mentally and what required to shake him out of it, or at least trying to get him to agree that things can and will get worse if he doesn't do anything, was quite important. And while the history books of previous Kings and the House of Nobles could have given you insight into how both systems work, you felt you needed something more.

Doom

Disaster

Devastation

And boy did this book have it all. You went through the events, many of them just accidents or things where Stormwind couldn't do more than just endure. There were heroic attempts to save the situations and plenty of fumbles, but nothing really that you could use. Stormwind just endured and that's it.

As couple hours had passed and you got closer to the afternoon, you finally found an example that could be used. That could actually be useful.

“Of course it is the fucking taxation.” You said aloud.

Two hundred years ago there had been a tax crisis. The King back then hadn't agreed with the budget and House of Nobles had shot down any and all counter offers. Very much like a deadlock right now. Now they were smart enough to get the bare minimum through and the Kingdom didn't grind into total halt, but this deadlock still lasted for nearly two years and ended only after a financial crisis nearly crashed the economy.

The Tax Office was paid from the budget and not directly from the taxes they collected, as the budget wasn't agreed on, they found themselves unable to pay salaries and so the tax collectors stopped working. The Treasury realised that with no taxes coming in, they have no income and no income means no salaries paid to anyone. So they did the only thing they could do and started pressing more coins, just with less silver and gold in them.

Unsurprisingly inflation followed, which evolved into hyperinflation when the silver coins were worth barely nothing. You were fascinated by the story as while the economy was imploding, the King stubborningly chose not to sign the budget. Only after the people in Stormwind City, joined by the farmers from outside, started rioting and threatened to break into the Keep did the King sign the budget and tax collectors went to work. Of course it took a decade of careful accounting and collecting the low quality coins out of the system to push inflation down, but in the end things were fixed.

You thought about it, this could be it. The melancholy had lasted for nearly a year so one year to go to reach the point in the story. Of course economies were different then compared to now, but maybe things could break apart faster nowadays?

Your stomach protested that you were hungry and realised how much time had already passed. Just a quick lunch and then off to see Katrana.

…

You met Katrana where she would wait for you. The meeting room where the Kings of the Alliance would meet in a week or two was located near the Royal Wing so that made it a very convenient place to meet up.

1/2

>>6298863

“Alric.” Katrana greeted you and gave you her mischievous smile.

“Katrana.” You greeted her back and gave her a polite smile. She was wearing a more modest dress of red and purple this time. It suited her quite well. “I might have something for us.”

“Let's go inside.” She said and you followed her into the meeting room. It was empty, just several large tables waiting to be sorted and chairs put into their place. “What have you found out?”

You told her about the discovery and told her the story. Katrana seemed unsure as you went through it.

“Are the tax collectors still paid from the budget?” You asked her.

“They are, but…” Katrana started to say.

“But what?”

“They take their salaries off the taxes they collect…” Katrana replied.

“Light be damned!” You cursed. “Useless, just useless… unless… does the law still say that their salaries must come from the budget?”

“Alric, they are taking their salaries off the coins they collect to avoid the scenario you told me about.” Katrana replied.

“What does the law say?” You demanded.

“It is from the budget.” Katrana sighed.

“Then enforce the law. If the law is not enforced, you must have a way to get them to follow it.” You told her.

“It would crash the economy.” Katrana said. “We couldn't pay you, our trade would suffer.”

“I am willing to take that risk.” You said and continued. “It led to riots back then. What caused all of this? Riots.”

Katrana looked at you and was going to say something, but stopped. Slowly a smile appeared on her face.

“That is such a malicious plan.” She said quietly. “I didn't think you had that in you.”

“If a riot killed his wife…” You said.

“Who dies in the next riot?” Katrana continued.

She hid her mouth with her hand to avoid showing how wide of a grin had appeared. The implication of who would be the next one was something you didn't want to say aloud.

“It could work, it really could work.” Katrana said.

“The law just needs to be enforced, after that it is just a matter of time.” You said to her.

Katrana looked at you and nodded.

“Good thinking Alric, very good thinking.”

“Thank you Katrana.”

“Shall we go then?” She asked. “I have the budget proposal ready.”

She had been holding a leather folder full of papers the whole time.

Shall we go? You hadn't mentioned anything about Nalice or Mathias Shaw to her last night. Should you? Both of them had warned you about Katrana just from different angles. Clearly Nalice had acted in secrecy against Katrana and could end up in trouble if you weren't careful, but Shaw was a Varian loyalist. He was a different case.

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>>6298865


>Tell Katrana about Mathias Shaw. You met him yesterday and he warned you of her.
>Be truthful, Nalice had asked you to keep Katrana safe by slowing her down.
>Make a point of having to be really careful. You are going to be asking a lot, so the risks are really high as well.
>Tell Katrana that you have doubts about a regency or Light forbid a coup. A softer approach might be needed.
>You are ready, just go and meet King Varian.
>Abort for today. You need someone else with you. Someone who would have the support that Katrana is missing.
>Other, write in.

QM: Alric says, fuck them kids.

>>6298866
So a crisis could be created over time to force a regency, but it has a decent chance to damage our trade for however long it takes them to clean it up.

It took another year in the story to reach a crisis but Alric thinks it could happen faster now. Then hopefully the clean up could also be faster.

Alric and Malevus talk pointed to having a war hero on our side would be a big boon. Does Alric know the big names in Stormwind? But we'd have to abort for the day.

>>6298866
>>Tell Katrana about Mathias Shaw. You met him yesterday and he warned you of her.
>>Tell Katrana that you have doubts about a regency or Light forbid a coup. A softer approach might be needed.

>>6298866
>>Tell Katrana about Mathias Shaw. You met him yesterday and he warned you of her.

>>6298866
>Tell Katrana about Mathias Shaw. You met him yesterday and he warned you of her.
>Tell Katrana that you have doubts about a regency or Light forbid a coup. A softer approach might be needed.

Would she actually feel like Alric is doubting her, or more like, "This Spymaster is obviously skilled and opposed to you, has his eye on me, and even if Varian can't...This Shaw doesn't seem like the type to show himself unless hes prepared to make a move. I want to switch gears and slow down. Besides that, I have a plan."

>Other, write in.
Why move now when we've got a card almost ready. The oil. Its a great way to get the support of the Navy and the Merchants who both need oil for their ships. With popular support she could raise militias, with the noble support she could raise knights and household men at arms. Add some mercenaries on top of that and its real military power that answers to her. Use that to patrol the gnoll and troll movements to earn even more favor. There must be some soldiers or a war hero that dislikes the current state of affairs who'd be willing to join her faction, put Shaw in check from the start.

Give it a couple seasons to a year to have all that, and we're in a much stronger position to make this play to secure Stormwind. If that fails? Backup plan is to use the tax collector crisis.

“Couple things first.” You said and continued. “Yesterday morning after the brief visit, I went to the Stonemason quarters to see how widespread the damage was. While there, Mathias Shaw came to talk with me.”

“Mr. Shaw, of course he is involved in this.” Katrana replied. “What did he say?”

“That he hasn't yet figured out what our plans are and that I should be careful with you.” You told her.

Katrana seemed annoyed, you could see a small twitch in the corner of her eye.

“Mr. Shaw does a lot of good things for the Kingdom, but he is way too paranoid and sees threats behind every corner.” Katrana said and continued. “Thank you for telling me this.”

“It raises another point I wanted to talk about. He is obviously very skilled in what he does and he is opposed to you, has his eye on me, and even if Varian can't… Shaw doesn't seem like the type to show himself unless he's prepared to make a move.” You said to Katrana. “Who else could oppose us? The military? The Church?”

Katrana gave you a curious look and allowed you to continue.

“We have our trade, soon we will have the first barrels of oil. The tax crisis can end up applying enough heat if King Varian doesn't relent. We have options and we can use all this time to gather more support and allies.” You said to her and continued further. “Well ‘we’, I am here just for a couple of weeks, but if we can get things moving and a solid foundation built. You and the House of Nobles should have all the cards needed to solve this issue with King Varian.”

“You are asking us to slow down?” Katrana asked.

“Less so to slow down, but more so to gradually increase the pressure.” You said and sighed. “That is of course if King Varian doesn't immediately fold or just outright refuses to budge. At that point he needs to be forced out.”

Katrana seemed thoughtful for a moment and then her mischievous smile returned.

“I get your thinking. Alric, you have a mind for ploys and schemes. I like that, I like that a lot.” She replied. “Shall we go then?”

“Better not keep him waiting, I mean he could be really busy right now.” You replied.

Katrana laughed and took your free hand for a moment before letting you go. She seemed rather enthusiastic about this, even if the chance to succeed is quite low in your mind.

1/2

>>6299238

The servant who had stopped you before received you and Katrana, and after the same spiel of no visitors, Katrana showed him the budget proposal and demanded to see the King as the representative of House of Nobles. The servant stared back at her and left to inform the King of the visitors.

“Now we wait.” Katrana said.

It didn't long for the servant to return. The King would see you both in his office.

Following the servant, you reached the office and the two guards standing by it. They opened the door and let you in.

The office looked just like you remembered. Old furniture, a flag of Stormwind hanging from a wall. Lion motifs and armour stands between bookshelves. Behind a large office desk sat a man dressed in fine clothes, blue robe thrown over his shoulders and sporting a stubble of at least a week.

“King Varian.” Katrana said to him and did a polite curtsy.

“King Varian Wrynn.” You greeted him with a small bow, not an inch deeper than needed.

“You.” Varian said, his voice dripping of anger. “Lady Katrana, why have you brought him here?”

“Prince Alric wishes to talk with you.” Katrana said and glanced at you. “So do I.”

“Then talk and begone.” Varian said back to her.

“The latest budget proposal by the House of Nobles reflects the changes to our economy, we are in recession.” Katrana said and walked to his desk, putting the folder down and opening it. The line to sign and all were there waiting for Varian. “Sign it and we aren't going to bother you any further.”

Varian stood up and at the same time with a single motion swept the folder off his desk, sending it and the papers flying. Katrana was startled and she took several steps back.

“No!” He shouted. “I am not going to sign anything after what happened. The Nobles could have prevented it! But now you and the rest want to continue as if nothing had happened.”

“King Varian, the Kingdom needs its budget.” Katrana replied to him.

“My answer is no. And for the Princeling, I didn't think you would stoop so low to bring him here.” Varian spat.

You being there seemed to have put him into a really bad mood. Varian right now didn't seem to budge at all and you haven't even said a word beyond a greeting.

“I am here on my own accord.” You said back to him and crossed your arms. “I wish to thank you for the hospitality and talk with you to clear any misunderstandings. That is at least in the first place.”

“There's nothing we need to clear, you are housing murderers, traitors in your lands.” Varian now spat at you. “I should have expected you to be just like your brother and father.”

You really didn't like the way he spoke to you, but you kept your stiff upper lip and bottled your now growing anger within you. You wondered if it was even worth trying to reason with him now, was he that lost in his melancholy and anger to be all blinded by it. But you are here now, it might be worth a try.

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>>6299239


>It is not worth a try. King Varian has lost his mind. Just leave, there’s no point talking to him.
>Comparing you to your father who betrayed the Alliance, and your brother who leads a criminal organisation is low and King Varian knows it.
>Your goal with the Stonemasons was to prevent the riots from happening and when that failed, give a home to women, children and those who are not fighters.
>Ask his Spymaster, he agrees with your actions.
>Doesn't King Varian see that Lady Katrana tried to prevent the riots, she is thinking of the good of the Kingdom.
>Varian has dishonoured himself by the way he acts. Alterac won't forget this insult.
>Other, write in

Type and tone of response:
>Polite and friendly
>Stiff upper lip and neutral.
>Matching his anger with yours.

QM: Unless you decide to leave, this back and forth will continue. All three tones can work, just opens different paths.

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>>6299240
>Other, write in
>Try to shame him. You thought he was a warrior king, but perhaps you were mistaken. The person before you seems like a petty man only interested in running and hiding away. Since he's interested in comparisons, compare his weakness to the strength of his people.
>Matching his anger with yours.
How mad can we make him?

>>6299240
>Comparing you to your father who betrayed the Alliance, and your brother who leads a criminal organisation is low and King Varian knows it.
>Matching his anger with yours.

We should drop the Shaw opinion later i think. Or perhaps at the end.

>>6299240
>>Comparing you to your father who betrayed the Alliance, and your brother who leads a criminal organisation is low and King Varian knows it.
>>Your goal with the Stonemasons was to prevent the riots from happening and when that failed, give a home to women, children and those who are not fighters.
Has varian ever said what he wants with the stonemasons? what is he gonna imprison/execute every single old man woman and child if he got hes hands on them? anyone who was a threat to him went with vancleef.

>Stiff upper lip and neutral.
I see no benefit to antagonizing him. Could bring him to action but that action would most likely be against us.

>>6299240
>Your goal with the Stonemasons was to prevent the riots from happening and when that failed, give a home to women, children and those who are not fighters.
>Ask his Spymaster, he agrees with your actions

May as well get this squared. What would he do? Throw the old men, women and children in the stockades? Into the gnoll and troll infested wilds?

I see if we didn't tell Katrana about Shaw the spymaster one would have been rather awkward to use But we did, so we may as well use it.

That said, I'm thinking getting those papers signed will be harder than expected lol.

>>6299299

>Stiff upper lip and neutral
Almost forgot this

>>6299240
>Ask his Spymaster, he agrees with your actions.
>Doesn't King Varian see that Lady Katrana tried to prevent the riots, she is thinking of the good of the Kingdom.
Type and tone of response:
>Stiff upper lip and neutral.

>>6299240
Supporting >>6299253 and >>6299282
>Match his anger with yours
Fight fire with fire. What will he think if we back down or look weak? He insulted us very directly.

>>6299240
>Doesn't King Varian see that Lady Katrana tried to prevent the riots, she is thinking of the good of the Kingdom.
>Comparing you to your father who betrayed the Alliance, and your brother who leads a criminal organisation is low and King Varian knows it.
It was Alric that reported by brother being a traitor to the Alliance at large. So nice try King Varian. Maybe Varian can default on more debts and abdicate more responsibility, so he can show how a real king governs.

>Stiff upper lip and neutral.
>Cynical deadpan.

You took a deep breath in and then out. Staring at King Varian through your darkened glasses, you didn't allow your anger to be shown outwardly. But within you the boiling sea that resembled your mana had reached a maelstrom.

“King Varian, comparing me to my father or to my brother is a low move and you know it.” You said back to him and kept a steady tone in your voice. “But it is good that you made the comparison so that I can tell you how bloody wrong you are.”

“Prince Alric…” Katrana said as you took off your glasses.

“Look very closely into my eyes. My brother did this, I told you about the Syndicate and his organisation tried to kill me.” You told Varian and pointed into your eyes. “What sort of a big brother tries to kill their little brother. Same family!”

Your voice raised a bit.

“As much as he is of my blood, do not compare me to him!” You said.

Varian just stared back at you without saying a word and so you continued.

“And of my father, he did the worst crime someone can do. He betrayed his fellow man. And what followed from it was the doom of my homeland. He chose that path of ruination and instead of trying to prevent it, he allowed it to happen.” You told him and paused. “So do not compare me to them.”

Katrana watched you and then Varian who had stayed silent.

“I am not like them because I care for my family and for my people. You know my reputation, you must be aware of it. So guess why I did what I did with the Stonemasons.” You said and asked him.

Varian didn't answer.

“Because I am someone who tries to help those who need help. I gave my tournament winnings to them so that they could pay their salaries, which might have postponed the events for a month or two.” You told him and continued. “Which bought time for Lady Katrana to try to solve the situation, that was her goal, that was my goal!”

Varian chose to still stay silent.

“So when everything happened, I did what was right. I gave the children, the women, the elderly, those who are not fighters. Defenceless! I gave them a home, a new start!” You told Varian and raised your voice, but continued with a near whisper. “Just like Lordaeron did to those of Stormwind after the First War.”

1/2

>>6299425

The eyes of Varian opened up a bit.

“You have stayed silent for this whole time because you have no way to refute or argue back. Because you know were you in my stead, you would have done the same. I can't stand aside when people have lost their homes.” You said to him. “Neither could you.”

“Get lost.” Varian said back to you.

“How about no.” You replied.

“I will not sign anything, nor will VanCleef get away without a punishment. Do not even think about helping him.” Varian spat back at you.

“And the alternative is what?” You asked, you were under his skin now.

“Get lost.” Varian replied.

“The only one lost here is you.” You said back to him.

“Get! Lost!” Varian shouted to you.


>Varian doesn't want to talk with you, do as he wants and leave him alone.
>Have Katrana to bring up the economic issues that will come up longer this continues. Tax crisis just like two hundred years ago.
>You saw the city and the damage, the cobblestone streets are still unpatched and houses have just hasty repairs. Is that the great Stormwind City?
>How will the rest of the Kings and Lords of the Alliance see and think about Varian? Will he even show his face during the meeting?
>Other, write in

QM: A sliver of anger in the middle of stiff upper lip, a bit of pushback. Potentially another update today if enough votes come up in the next two to three hours.

>>6299427
>>Varian doesn't want to talk with you, do as he wants and leave him alone.

>>6299427
>You saw the city and the damage, the cobblestone streets are still unpatched and houses have just hasty repairs. Is that the great Stormwind City?
>How will the rest of the Kings and Lords of the Alliance see and think about Varian? Will he even show his face during the meeting?

Dress him the fuck down. He's the king, he should fucking act like it.

>>6299427
>You saw the city and the damage, the cobblestone streets are still unpatched and houses have just hasty repairs. Is that the great Stormwind City?
>How will the rest of the Kings and Lords of the Alliance see and think about Varian? Will he even show his face during the meeting?

time to double down

>>6299427
>>Varian doesn't want to talk with you, do as he wants and leave him alone

>>6299427
>>Have Katrana to bring up the economic issues that will come up longer this continues. Tax crisis just like two hundred years ago.
He can ignore us but he wont be able to ignore hes people forever.
>How will the rest of the Kings and Lords of the Alliance see and think about Varian? Will he even show his face during the meeting?
Varian is actively working against hes own nation by refusing to do anything.

>Have Katrana to bring up the economic issues that will come up longer this continues. Tax crisis just like two hundred years ago.

>How will the rest of the Kings and Lords of the Alliance see and think about Varian? Will he even show his face during the meeting?

>>6299427
>>6299468
support

Lets not foreshadow the taxation crisis discussed with Katrana - that's an internal Stormwind matter that Alric will be considered as a conspirator if mentioned.

>>6299637
Also instead, mention that we were followed by his man Shaw. We explained the same when we saw the broken homes.
The trade between Alterac and Stormwind was discussed, that the silver is helping stabilise the economy while the King sits and idles on these budgetary matters.

“To where? To the city where the cobblestone streets are still not repaired? Where the houses, nearly a year later, still bear the marks of the rioting with just hasty repairs done.” You immediately replied with an accusory tone. “Or the quarters burned or pulled apart? Should I go there?”

Varian, who had been standing behind his desk, took several steps to walk around it.

“I have walked the city, I wanted to see the damage it had taken. And in a week when the Kings and Lords of the Alliance arrive in your city, they will see the exact same things as I did.” You continued to speak. “And what will they think then?”

Varian stopped in front of you, forcing you to look a bit up on the man taller than you. You could see that he was angry, but his eyes betrayed his feelings. You had gotten underneath his skin.

“How will they see you and Stormwind? What will they think? Will you even join the meeting, because right now I am not sure.” You said to him and continued as Varian had stopped speaking again. “They will just see the same thing I am seeing right now, a King who has chosen to throw a childish temper tantrum and stopped acting like someone in his position should act!”

You saw the punch coming, but didn't have the opportunity to dodge. Varian's fist struck you in your nose, making you lose your balance and crashing on the stone floor.

“Alric!” Katrana shouted out. “Varian what have you done!”

“You have no right to speak to me about how to be a King!” Varian shouted to you. “You are no King! Just a ruler of a podunk-town!”

You smiled as you tasted blood and tested with your tongue that all of your teeth were still there. Pushing yourself up to sitting position, you felt droplets of blood trickling from your nose and based on how it hurt, he might have broken it.

“Alric, are you alright?” Katrana kneeled right next to you and offered a handkerchief.

“I am fine.” You said back to her and declined the piece of cloth. “Feeling better now King Varian?”

You pushed yourself up and faced him again.

“You finally did something, how does it feel?” You asked him again and allowed your smile to fade away. You probably deserved to get punched, you had probed and poked him a bit too much. “But what do you think you wish to accomplish with that? My ego is strong enough to withstand a temper tantrum and my nose can be healed. This does absolutely nothing to the issues present!”

Blood trickled from your nose and droplets left marks on the floor. Raising your voice made blood and spit gather in your mouth that you spat on the floor.

1/3

>>6299865

“What I am still seeing is a King who chooses to cause self-harm to himself and to his people. You can choose to ignore me and break my nose, but at the end of the day you can't ignore your people! They are the ones who matter the most!” You said to him and continued. “So act like a fucking King, or if you don't feel like being one or acting like one, at least have the decency to have someone else to handle the daily tasks so that your people don't have to suffer because of your grand idiocy!”

Silence filled the room and you could see Varian breathing faster. You stared at the King who suddenly took a step back and turned away to stare out of the window.

“Go.” He said with a quiet voice.

“Of course, it was a pleasant talk King Varian.” You said giving him a polite bow he didn't see, but Katrana saw. “Lady Katrana.”

You walked out of his office with Katrana following right behind you past the guards and the servant who gave you a curious look as your nose kept bleeding. When out of sight of them, you stopped and let your guard down.

“I could use that handkerchief now.” You said to Katrana and she quickly passed it to you.

“Are you alright?” She asked, genuine care in her voice. “There's a healer in the Keep, he can fix your nose.”

“I am fine, it is just a broken nose.” You said back to her and pressed the cloth against it.

Finally your left hand let go of the hilt of the Cinder Sword. If Varian had done something drastic, you were quite ready to draw it. You were sure that he noticed it too.

“Did I go too far?” You asked yourself. “Doesn't matter, he got something to think about.”

“I have never seen him act like that.” Katrana replied as she watched you try to stop the bleeding. “But this was the first time he even chose to listen to anything he was being told.”

“He will think about my words.” You said to her. “But where is that healer, I don't think the bleeding stops on its own.”

“This way, I know the way.” Katrana said and gave you her mischievous smile while taking your arm.

…

The healer thankfully didn't take that long to find and it didn't take too long for him to first straighten your nose and then use his healing magic to stop most of the bleeding. You still needed to stuff small pieces of cloth down your nostrils, but most of the pain was gone at least.

2/3

>>6299866

Having returned to your room, which had been cleaned by the maids under watchful eyes of your Royal Foot Guards, you could finally speak more freely with Katrana in private about what just happened.

“So what now?” You asked as Katrana took the liberty to pour two glasses of wine.

“There's a meeting with some of the more senior and more powerful Nobles later today.” Katrana told you and passed you the wine glass. “I will need to tell them what I… we managed to succeed in doing.”

“It is better if I don't join you. Would give wrong ideas if Varian or them starts to think that I am some sort of a co-conspirator.” You said to her and sipped the wine. After all this the wine tasted pretty good.

“You are right, good thinking.” Katrana mused back as she watched and found it funny how you lamented the condition of your bloodied shirt and jacket.

“What? It is my favourite jacket and white shirt.” You replied to her.

“Alric, I haven't seen you wear any other type of a jacket and white shirt.” She replied.

“And you are always wearing the same type of red and purple dresses.” You shot back at her. “What will you tell them?”

“I am not sure, at least that he did listen to what you said to him.” Katrana mused. “And that he punched you.”

It felt to you that the Nobles were a key to this, Katrana needs their strong support and if some sort of a regency is applied, they need to be in lockstep with her. And you needed to change this shirt and get it washed soon.


>King Varian still has a too muddled mind, you aren't sure anything can be done with him. At least not voluntarily.
>He went too far in punching you. That could have led into a diplomatic crisis just before the Alliance meeting. The Nobles know how that will be seen.
>A thought or a seed is planted in his mind. If he is not willing to rule, someone else should have the task for his people's sake.
>The Nobles should present an unified front behind Katrana. If she needs to make compromises with them, she should.
>Tax crisis should be informed to them. It is a very distinct possibility that could hit the City.
>Alterac is willing to help Stormwind City and their people again, but your resources are limited, if they catch the hint.
>Other, write in

>Change the shirt now, you don't mind Katrana being here.
>The shirt can wait, undressing in front of a noblewoman is unmodest behavior

>>6299867
>He went too far in punching you. That could have led into a diplomatic crisis just before the Alliance meeting. The Nobles know how that will be seen.
>A thought or a seed is planted in his mind. If he is not willing to rule, someone else should have the task for his people's sake

Strong support from their king almost causing a diplomatic incident.

A seed planted will take some time to grow, which is fine by me that's what Nalice was asking for. Later on maybe Varian might even offer, or more reasonably won't stand in the way, of regency.

If we were pushing to get a regency as quickly as possible I'd throw in the compromise option or the tax crisis warning, but slow and steady is good. I think the plan to steadily increase pressure will work. Hopefully won't even need to initiate a tax crisis.

The resource implication one I wouldn't not use at all. Bad look when Shaw is watching.

>Change the shirt now, you don't mind Katrana being here

Thirst trap Alric. Is Katrana pro dragonic rune tattoos. Would she be convinced to the slow and steady route. Don't want stains on the favorite shirt. Alric should pull her strings a bit.

>>6299867
Supporting >>6299902
Varian fucked up and the way he asked us to leave is the proof. This looks like good progress that doesnt tie our hands in Stormwind too much. And yes, tease Katrana by being shirtless for second or two.

>>6299902
>>6299867
support
The longer Varian does nothing the stronger the case for regency is. And if he does start acting? we can just say katrana and Alric finally managed to get through to him.

>>6299867
>>He went too far in punching you. That could have led into a diplomatic crisis just before the Alliance meeting. The Nobles know how that will be seen.
>>A thought or a seed is planted in his mind. If he is not willing to rule, someone else should have the task for his people's sake
>Change the shirt now, you don't mind Katrana being here

I remembered the death knight body of their stormwind knight, I wonder who is going to bring it up? Maybe a surviving member of that family, if not just a general public reaction.

“Thank the Light I am not making a bigger scene out of him breaking my nose.” You said to Katrana and took off your jacket. That would be easy to wash clean. “It wouldn't help him nor anyone, but the word will spread and people will understand the weight of his actions.”

“A King shouldn't punch a Prince.” Katrana replied and watched as you folded the jacket away.

“I know the decorum, the pecking order… why am I explaining these things to you?” You asked yourself and got a chuckle out of Katrana. “I might not look much, but I am a Prince.”

“And the Nobles will understand it, etiquette needs to be followed. Even the Church might have some issues with this.” She said.

“You are right, they if any respect the hierarchy.” You said and looked at your shirt. This needs to be washed quickly.

Putting your sword belt away, you quickly pulled off your shirt and felt Katrana's eyes bore on your back.

“But I think the seed has been planted in his mind.” You said to her as you walked into the bathing room and threw the shirt into a bucket. “I told him to find someone else to run the show for him.”

“We can hope he understands it.” Katrana said to you as you left the shirt to soak. “I will let the Nobles…”

Katrana lost her words as you stepped out of the bathing room shirtless.

“What? Haven't seen a shirtless man before?” You asked her nonchalantly.

“No, I mean I have, but not for some time…” Katrana stammered and you could see her eyes darting up and down your chest as she downed her glass of wine in one go. “Those scars and handiwork of Lady Nalice?”

“Oh yeah, this one was done by a gnoll spike. Punched through my plate and nearly killed me.” You told her. “And this, that's Hellscream. The Draconic Glyphs keep the Fel in check.”

“Alric, may I…” She started to say as she frantically poured another glass of wine.

“May what?”

“Nothing!” She replied and took a long sip while you walked to the bedroom and took out another near identical white long sleeved shirt.

“There, perfection.” You said as you pulled it on and joined Katrana at the sofas. “So you are going to tell them about the idea put in his head.”

“That at least he listened to it.” Katrana said.

“It might be enough to get the Nobles rally behind you. And if Varian is receptive, maybe he could agree to regency or something.” You said to her. “He did listen!”

“Thank you Alric.” Katrana said and smiled. “Even if your nose suffered from it.”

“I hope I made my own stance clear to him. He is just so… I don't know how to explain it, but he feels just so stuck.” You said back to her and drank your wine.

“Then today we made some progress to get him unstuck.” Katrana said to you and continued. “Alric, how you spoke to him was something I hadn't seen for some time. You were fantastic!”

1/3

>>6300059

“Thank you. You should have seen me dress down Colonel Garithos, that was impressive.” You replied and chuckled.

“Who?”

“Exactly.”

Katrana laughed and smiled. Seeing you shirtless and you dressing down Varian had put her in a good mood.

“It is better that I go now.” She said. “Better not to keep the Nobles waiting.”

“When will we see each other again?” You asked.

“Tomorrow the House of Nobles is in a session. You can join us in one of the spectator booths.” Katrana replied. “We won't achieve much, but maybe a step or two can be made. We can talk after that.”

“Understood, I'll be there.” You said and stood up to escort her out.

“I enjoyed today, thank you.” Katrana said.

“So did I, except my nose.” You replied.

Katrana smiled as she left your room. Boy was she hopelessly fallen for you. Was being shirtless a bit too much based on her reaction? She really fidgeted on the sofa and couldn't stay still. You laughed, oh well it is the time to wash the shirt.

…

“Alric! What happened!” Malevus said in a surprise as she returned later in the evening and saw you lounging on the sofa still having the pieces of cloth in your nostrils.

“Oh these? Varian broke my nose.” You replied nonchalantly. “What about you, that isn't your robe?”

“Varian did what! He broke your nose!” Malevus frantically walked to you and kneeled to see the damage done.

“Yeah he broke it… ouch ouch…” You protested as she touched it. “A healer straightened it out and healed it, but it is still sore.”

“At least they did a good job. I like your nose.” Malevus said to you. “But what happened that made Varian punch you?”

“Well… you better take a seat.”

…

It did take you a moment to go through everything and based on her reactions, Malevus was either really amused or just disappointed based on the amount of looking down and shaking her head.

“Alric… you dumdum. What if he had thrown you out of the Keep?” She asked.

“Nah, he wasn't in any mindset to go further than that.” You replied. “But what's with that robe? That's not your normal robe?”

“No, it is not. They gave this to me.” Malevus said proudly.

“Ohhh.”

“And you were right, the moment I told them who I was and whom I served, they let me in. I am sorry for doubting you.” She said to you and smiled.

“Don't worry about it, but why the robe then?”

“A student needs a robe, they offered to take me in for a few days starting tomorrow. So I need to dress and behave like the rest of them.” Malevus told you.

“That is wonderful! You shouldn't miss this opportunity.” You said to her and noticed something being wrong. “But there's a but.”

“Yeah… if they are to teach me, I need to stay at the dormitory. That means no coming here for the night.” Malevus told you. “They asked me to ask you for permission.”

“Of course you will get my permission.”

“And for how many days, I can't leave if they take me in just like that.” She told you.

2/3

>>6300062

Oh right, that makes sense.

“How long do you want to stay there?” You asked her.

“I want to learn and I can't miss this, but I also want to see Lady Jaina and the others.” Malevus said. “I have things I want to do.”

You thought about it. It would be still several days till the rest of the Kings and Lords arrive and then there would be at least several days of the meetings followed by the feasts and the tournament and more feasts. After that everyone should return back to Lordaeron.


Malevus studying time:
>4 Days, she won't miss anyone
>6 Days, she misses everyone arriving
>8 Days, she misses the Alliance Meeting
>10 Days, she misses the tournament
>12 Days, she misses the feasts
>14 Days, Full Training, she misses everything

QM: The more time you give her, the more time she gets to study. Simple.

>>6300042

It will be brought up. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten it.

>>6300064
>4 Days, she won't miss anyone
6 might be fine too, still have a day or two to impact the big meeting. Though I am very tempted for the Full Training.

Days leading up to the Alliance Meeting where she can meet the delegations seem like the most important days to have an impact lol. Like the tournament and feasts she could just miss unless she wanted to try her luck.

The elven delegation, a couple others. Kael if he shows up. Jaina. Calia. Jandice. Dwarves like the Wildhammer do actually have a good relationship with the elves if I remember.

Showing the ancient sword to Vorenthal if he shows up. Though Nalice could also read it I imagine.
Looking into the Gilneas plot.

>>6300064
>14 Days, Full Training, she misses everything
I want the best for her

>>6300064
>10 Days, she misses the tournament
That gives her four days to catch up with jaina and enjoy stormwind

>>6300064
>>10 Days, she misses the tournament

>>6300064
>>14 Days, Full Training, she misses everything

>>6300064
>8 Days, she misses the Alliance Meeting
balance

10 days and 14 days both have two votes each. Could I get a tiebreaker between those two as majority wants Malevus to get as much out of this opportunity as possible.

>>6300412
Sure, if shes going for that long either way might as well go all the way and earn the Full Training. After losing to those kobolds she needs a montage.
>14 Days, Full Training, she misses everything

>>6300417
but she will not see her friends...... :(

>>6300418
Maybe her friends should come visit Dawnholme

Dang ya know I am feeling conflicted, but what does she really wanna do and talk about. What will she miss if she doesn't get the Full Training with those last days.

Once its over will no one linger a couple days lol, or what would stop Malevus from taking their two week training course after all the events.

>>6300423

"what would stop Malevus from taking their two week training course after all the events."

QM Fiat. Two full weeks it is, Malevus goes studying! Writing!

“How long is the training supposed to last?” You asked her.

“Two weeks, but that would mean I would miss seeing Lady Jaina…” Malevus said.

You placed your hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

“We can invite her to come visit Dawnholme on the way back to Dalaran.” You suggested and continued. “Because you shouldn't miss this opportunity, being taught by the priests and scholars that build the foundation of the Church.”

“You are right.” Malevus said. “When would I get a similar opportunity again?”

“Father Hampton and Raleigh both will be very proud of you.” You said to her. “And I am incredibly proud of you, my Malevus.”

“Though I won't get to see you for two weeks then…” Malevus lamented.

“That means we need to condense two weeks into one night.” You said matter of factly.

It took a moment for Malevus to understand the implication before the blush and drooping ears made it clear.

“Y-you c-can't be serious?” She asked.

“We will start with a bath.” You said.

Malevus just hid her face beneath her hands to hide the embarrassment as she started to laugh a nervous laugh.

“Now let's go and let’s get rid of that gruff robe, I can't go hugging you while you wear that.” You said and pulled her up.

“Alric…” She whispered and didn’t continue.

“Don't worry, we will create memories and feelings that you won't forget soon.”

“That is what I am afraid of, how can I study if I am only thinking about you!” Malevus lamented.

You just laughed. You loved her so much.

…

Dragging Malevus out of the bed the next morning was a hurdle in itself. Both of you needed to take a bath to wash the sweat away and then you made sure she was properly clothed and had everything else that she might need packed and prepared.

Brushing her hair and making final checks that she was ready, you walked with her through the city to the Church.

“Two weeks.” You said. “Not too long of a time.”

“You are right, still being that long away from you.” She said.

“We just had the campaign…”

“Where I got to see you every few days.” She replied. “Besides, I am less worried about myself, but more about you.”

“Katrana?” You asked.

“Less her, but more King Varian and everything else.” She said. “Politics.”

“Don't worry, I am not planning on getting punched again.” You said and dared not to mention your plans to join the tournament against her wishes.

“You'll be fine, I am just too worried.” She said to you and smiled.

1/2

>>6300447

Malevus then leaned closer giving you a kiss.

“Out here in public?” You asked her. “Not that I don't mind…”

“You are my boyfriend and Sir Gravis already knows about us.” Malevus said. “See you in two weeks, my Alric.”

“In two weeks, my Malevus.”

You watched as she walked away, her red hair cascading over the robe. You sighed and turned to Gravis. He was very poorly trying to look elsewhere.

“Sir Gravis, at least try to learn to pretend to look elsewhere. What you are attempting now is just horrendous.” You said to him.

“Of course Prince Alric, what shall you do next?” He replied.

“First we are going to drink a pint of beer and then… I don't know what. The House of Nobles session is later today, plenty of time before that.” You said to him.

You really felt like wanting a pint of beer. No better thing than day drinking! But after the pint, what then?


Choose one:
>You need a new set of finer clothes. The clothier last year should serve you well. Have him make something for Sir Gravis as well.
>Surena Caledon, her teacher is somewhere in this city. You have no real leads, but there shouldn't be that many mages in the city in the first place.
>Go drink the pint in the seediest and sketchiest tavern you can find. With Stonemasons gone, who has filled the vacuum?
>Find Lady Nalice, she wanted to see you in private to assess your growth as a mage and to talk about the Fel within you.

QM: You have time for one.

>>6300448
>Go drink the pint in the seediest and sketchiest tavern you can find. With Stonemasons gone, who has filled the vacuum?

>>6300448
>>Find Lady Nalice, she wanted to see you in private to assess your growth as a mage and to talk about the Fel within you.

>>6300448
>Surena Caledon, her teacher is somewhere in this city. You have no real leads, but there shouldn't be that many mages in the city in the first place.
hmmm

>>6300448
>Find Lady Nalice, she wanted to see you in private to assess your growth as a mage and to talk about the Fel within you.

I am torn between second best girl and the clothier that made the Raiments.. of course second best girl wins.

>>6300448
>>Find Lady Nalice, she wanted to see you in private to assess your growth as a mage and to talk about the Fel within you.
I would like to find the teacher of Surena, but Nalice is more relevant right. We can tell her about Varian and how things went with Katrana while she checks on us.

Nalice I think has her own plans as well not just serving Katrana no questions asked. And I am starting to warm up for the teacher and student trope.

>>6300448
>Find Lady Nalice, she wanted to see you in private to assess your growth as a mage and to talk about the Fel within you
Nalice comes first. Maybe see if she can help with healing. Or more dragonic tattoos. We could hunt down that Warlock together, her favorite, snag the cool stuff he's got, and great PR to clean up a Warlock for Stormwind.

In addition to the beer being pretty good, you got an opportunity to chitchat with the innkeeper for a moment as he didn't recognise you.

You asked the man a couple simple questions of trade, what is going on and so on and the overall feeling was that the city just wanted to move on from the Stonemason Riots and carry on with their lives. The innkeeper was annoyed due to the budget being still undone, but seemed to put more blame on the House of Nobles. Maybe a sign of King Varian's immense popularity?

“Say, don't I recognise you?” The innkeeper asked you as you finished the beer.

“Hmmm, I don't think so.” You said and gave him the mug. “Sir Gravis, shall we go?”

“Of course.” He replied and was in on the jest.

When you walked out of the inn, you could hear the wooden mug hitting the floor when the innkeeper saw and recognised the orange cloak with the black falcon of Alterac around the shoulders of Gravis.

The two of you laughed when you got outside.

…

Finding Lady Nalice wasn't hard, thankfully she was at Katrana's estate and based on the pipe of scrolls and papers, she was in the middle of her research.

“Lady Nalice, I hope I am not interrupting you?” You asked when you stepped into her room.

For whatever reasons it was in the cellars. Maybe she just likes dungeons and wanted to recreate that in Dawnholme?

“Prince Alric, this is a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting to see you this soon.” Nalice replied, her regal tone carrying a tint of surprise.

“I have some free time before the House of Nobles starts their session.” You told her and looked around, the walls were covered in bookshelves and the floor had a fine layer of sand spread on it. Just like in her cellar in Dawnholme where you studied magic.

“And you came to see me, so kind.” She replied.

“More to talk with you.”

“What is what you want to talk about?” Nalice asked.


>Katrana and the events of yesterday.
>Your growth as a mage and arcanist
>The Fel within you, failure to burn it away and your theory regarding it
>The dungeons underneath Dawnholme, what exactly is her plan.
>The teacher of Surena Caledon, a warlock in Stormwind City.
>Other, write in

>>6300592
You know and I know we'd take the whole shebang. Each of these could take some doing.

>Katrana and the events of yesterday.
>Your growth as a mage and arcanist
>The Fel within you, failure to burn it away and your theory regarding it
>The dungeons underneath Dawnholme, what exactly is her plan.
>The teacher of Surena Caledon, a warlock in Stormwind City.
>Other, write in
Healing our ribs
More dragonic tattoos
Our evenings have just opened up for the next two weeks so thats plenty of time

>>6300592
>What it's like being a dragon that can soar through the sky in a human form within a building. The contrast is mindboggling.
>Where does the rest of the dragon body go when in human form
>Are there other dragons, what's up with Sir Cyrus as dragonkin?
>>6300685
Support because kitchen sink option.

You sighed as you took off your glasses, chaperon and jacket, before putting them aside.

“Everything, I have time today and I have time in the next two weeks.” You said to Nalice.

Nalice gave you a curious look as you walked to her table where all the old scrolls and papers were. Some were maps, but most were just notes written in different languages. You couldn't really piece it all together, but it did seem that she really was looking for the old artifacts.

“Any success?” You asked.

“Right now? No.” Nalice replied and put some of the papers away. “Nothing leads to anywhere useful.”

“Sorry, I am not sure if I can be of help.” You said to her politely.

“No, you can't. But now that you are here…”

“We can concentrate on other topics.” You replied.

“Precisely.” Nalice replied and gave you a polite smile.

…

The cellar had been lined with anti-magic wards designed to keep everything within. They were of similar design as in Dawnholme, but more potent and so there was no danger in trying magic here.

“Your growth has been faster than I expected.” Nalice replied after you had created a fire on the sand and weaved it around a bit. “A good control over it too. Well done Prince Alric.”

“Thank you Lady Nalice.” You replied and swept a couple beads of sweat off your brow.

She seemed thoughtful as she held her chin and looked at you. Having magically changed into her mage clothes, she looked rather impressive and powerful.

“Either it is the many battles you have fought.” Nalice said to you. You had told her about your usage of magic while she was away. “Or because your family does have a mage in it…”

“It just needed some kindling to start growing in strength.”

“Precisely, or because of the nature of shortcuts you have taken.” Nalice said.

“Your mana, the Dalaran method, Fel within me…”

Nalice walked to you and put her hand on your shoulder. Immediately you felt a surge of power within you as her mana moved into you.

“Prince Alric, you are maybe six to eight months ahead of what I expected you to be right now.” Nalice said to you. “Which really makes me very happy as your teacher, but I can sense the concern within you.”

“Burning the Fel within me away didn't work, it just kept me weak.” You said to her.

“I feared that would be the case. Tell me everything.”

1/2

>>6300908

You told her everything like she wanted. From burning the Fel away slowly as it was agreed on to how you had accidentally taken in more Fel during the campaign. Or how during the fighting before that the amount of naturally forming Fel had given you energy for the duration of the fight. All this had given you a theory that seemed more plausible every time you thought about it. And you didn't like it at all.

“I fear that the Fel you gave me to save my life is also keeping me alive.” You told her and continued. “My heart or my body is weakened, it is not strong enough to survive without something giving it more power. Now I am feeling just like before the Incident, maybe even a bit better. But while I was recovering and burning the Fel away, I wasn't regaining my stamina back.”

“Fel is a very potent thing, power and might distilled into a form.” Nalice said. “I am not surprised how things ended up, yet I hoped your heart and body would be strong enough to endure without it.”

“Hence, I have a theory.”

“Which is?”

“Replace the Fel with something else, something near as potent yet not as dangerous or addicting.” You told her.

“Everything magical is addicting Prince Alric.” Nalice told you.

“I don't want something within me that can change who I am!” You raised your voice. "I don't want my mind occupying my head with someone else…”

“So you want the Fel replaced with something else?” Nalice mused. “Maybe… potentially it could be done.”

“It is not impossible?” You asked.

“With magic everything is possible, that is why you are walking on this road Prince Alric.” Nalice told you.

“Then can you look into it?”

“I can, but right now I sense everything being in balance within you. The increased amount of Fel is within… your control. Whatever you are doing now is working.” Nalice told you and continued. “Take off your shirt.”

You took it off, putting it aside and Nalice touched your chest where the Draconic Glyphs were written in circular pattern over your heart. You had thought about them as you had studied Draconic, maybe more could be added? But that means more Draconic writing on your skin and what would people think when they see that? What would Malevus think? It was one more shortcut you would take if you took that route.

“These are still sufficient.” She said and her touch was warm. “There's no need to change them. But you have been thinking about this a lot, haven't you?”

“It has been either this, taxation or… more of this.” You said to her and she gave you a curious look. You were going to say Malevus. “But you are right, I do feel that things are going well. I am not stressed nor with a muddled mind. Father Hampton in Tarren Mill did tell me that your willpower will be the key.”

“And he would be right, right now I wouldn't change anything. What is the human saying, don't rock the cart?” Nalice said and asked.

2/3

>>6300909

“Don't rock the boat.”

“Thank you Prince Alric.” Nalice said as she put her hand back on your chest. “But it doesn't hurt to ask what did you have on your mind? What were you thinking?”

Nalice looked up from your chest into your eyes. Her rust coloured eyes looking deep within you.

“Tell me and I will see if it is possible.” She said with a quiet voice.


Replacing the Fel potentially with:
>Holy Light
>Distilled Mana
>Pure High Quality Fel
>Draconic Lifespan
>All above

Add more Draconic Glyphs:
>Better control over Fel
>Better control over Fire
>Better control over Arcane
>MYSTERY BOX
>Do not add, things are fine as is and what would Malevus think?

QM: I knew you my lovely anons wanted everything so here is even more options with an early update. Mostly just more info for you. And some anons do like Nalice a lot, I didn't expect her to become this popular.

>>6300910
>All above
>MYSTERY BOX
I'd like to just go with whatever she thinks is the best.
And I can't help but take a mystery box.

Also since Fel gives Alric creepy glowing green eyes, I take it these options would similarly give some physical changes?
Holy Light - glowing golden eyes?
Distilled Mana - glowing blue or purple eyes?
Pure High Quality Fel - even greener eyes or some other effect?
Draconic Lifespan - vertical slit pupils?

>>6300910
Replacing the Fel potentially with:
Ew not the light, get outta here

>Distilled Mana
Burning the fel away with dragon fire, which also takes its place. Atleast thats how I took the vision. Unless this is more elf well or pure mage like.

>Pure High Quality Fel
Isn't that how we started all this, Nalice using her lifespan to create some pure high quality fel she injected straight into him. I mean I'd be cool with it, we've already gotten past the worst so I figure he will just get stronger. FelMalevus a little less stingy.

>Draconic Lifespan
Well its a very romantic idea, quite an ask even for a Red Dragon which is of the aspect of Life. Might need some more bonding. I can just imagine using it in character afterwards. "Well SHE used her own lifespan to help purge me of the Fel! Its only fair she stays." If this is the dragonfire option fair enough. Rust colored slit eyed Alric.

Add more Draconic Glyphs:
I mean we don't use the Fel that often being an emergency resource apart from sensing for warlocks or as a physical boost. Unless Alric gets angy. Arcane isnt much different, mostly sensing. I guess if Arcane helped him use magic items like the Raiments too, or pumping mana into dragon runes like when we tried to diffuse the illusion mine. Unless it was like a balance issue or Alric was gunning for something in particular. The Mana Shield build, we saw the gnoll warlock do it with Fel.

>Better control over Fire
Our go to, our Cindersword variants. The deeper we go into it the more we can try. Fire elementals. Making a sword with just fire magic, or putting our knight's swords on fire. Flaming arrows. Immolation. Wings. Reaching out and making gunpowder explode. Fire Mines. Turning enemies into bombs. Make other peoples weapons and armor heat up so they scramble to drop or get out of them. Carrying spell regeants or oil just to burn harder. Understanding particular bits of biology, alchemy, and chemistry all in support of fancy gloves for burning things better...We aren't even throwing fireballs yet.

>MYSTERY BOX
I can't say no to the BOX. If Nalice has an idea go for it

>>6300972
The Alric Palette Swap, plus maybe a couple other mutations.

>>6300910

>Distilled Mana
>Draconic Lifespan
idk this sounds dangerous...but the fire within us could be happy with either

>Better control over Fire
could be of help, though Fel might be better if we can't get it out

>>6300972
more mutations ? scary for our PR department

>>6300910
This mofo and his mysteryyyy boxxxxx
Dammit QM, my curiosity must know and then learn regret
>MYSTERY BOX

>Draconic Lifespan

-High quality fel is probably like turbo pitlord juice. Imagining wings like Illidan's metamorphosis.
-Distilled Mana leads to crackelves on SunWell Plateau when they don't get their fix. Google it.
-Holy Light gets you lightforged and the attention of X'era maybe. I am imagining Alric being a busta with a 2h mace smiting Blackrock clan bitches which is the only redeeming quality. Maybe there would even be a chance meeting from the Light-turned dreadlord.
I would love to get qualified opinions on this though.

>>6300910
>Distilled Mana
>Draconic Lifespan
holy light is too i dunno its clear alric very much is not a faithful man more than generic cultural/lip service way.
dont like fel
Increased lifespan is interesting consider all our waifus are fucking really long living.

>Better control over Fire
>Better control over Arcane
>MYSTERY BOX
Fire is nice and its something we are going that way but we really are sorta boxing ourselves into a niche.
i fkn love mystery boxes. bust my balls QM!
Also nalice is indeed my favorite so far. Less intense than katrana.

“I theorised that if the Fel can be replaced one to one, it should be something of similar type.” You said and sidestepped Nalice to be able to wave your hands better while explaining the things. “Use mana to push it out, not just your mana, but taking it and distilling it into as pure essence as possible. I have read that Dalaran can do that and if it is possible, using it as the Fel substitute.”

Nalice looked at you and seemed thoughtful.

“That should be doable in theory, but even pure mana is not as strong as Fel. How much you would have to take in would be a much greater amount than what Fel you have.” Nalice pondered. “There would be risks with feedback, mana poisoning and severe addiction to mana itself. But the benefits could outweigh the negatives. If you get used to it, the amount of mana you have within you would grow considerably.”

“Everything has negatives and positives clearly.” You said.

“That would be correct. Any other ideas?” Nalice asked you.

“When my heart stopped, you converted some of your own lifespan into Fel. But what if you don't convert it?” You asked her.

“Prince Alric, what do you mean?” Nalice didn't really understand your idea.

“You are an immensely powerful dragon.” You said.

“Thank you.” Nalice said and gave you an approving nod.

“So I presume your lifespan or whatever you would call it, would also be powerful enough to push the Fel away and replace it.” You reasoned. “I know it is a long shot…”

Nalice stared at you in silence.

“Prince Alric, what you are describing would be considered heresy amongst our kin.” Nalice told you. “We are not to dabble with humans or other races for the consequences could be terrible.”

“But dragonspawns?” You asked.

“Those are of our blood. With humans it would be different. Could I do what you are asking? Potentially. But would it work? I am not sure.” Nalice explained and continued. “Prince Alric, to us dragons you humans are so so different. Blink within our lifespan, you turn into an old man. We watch curiously how humans so carelessly throw their lives away in dangerous endeavours without a worry of tomorrow, while for us tomorrow could be considered the next decade.”

“Dragons and humans are very much apart from each other and while you are correct, our lifespans are long and through magic I could take a small portion and push it within you, it would be like oil and water.” Nalice continued. “How would you react, I do not know, but I am sure it would be painful.”

“Heresy, forbidden to dabble with humans. Would you do it if it was me?” You asked her.

“For you? Definitely. But the risks are too high, I cannot take that risk.” Nalice said to you.

You sighed, it was a good idea, but she was right. Like oil and water. But what if it was water and water?

1/2

>>6301088

“Draconic language, the glyphs.” You said to Nalice. “You have taught me that they have power, I have seen it myself. Couldn't you control it and mitigate the risks with them?”

“That…” You could see Nalice thinking. “That could actually work. To control it, to mold it, make it bend under your will… yes, you are right, it could work.”

“Really?” You asked half surprised.

“Yes, it could work, but I need to make preparations. It will take weeks before I will be ready, because we will have only one shot.” Nalice told you.

“Then look into it.” You said and continued. “Sounds like a good opportunity to use the dungeons underneath Dawnholme.”

“Master Pelija showed them to you Prince Alric?” Nalice asked.

“Yes, he doesn't know their purpose, neither do I.” You said.

“A place for you and your mage followers to practice magic without interruptions. And as I hate mage towers, going underground is a good alternative.” Nalice said to you.

“Then I will need you to come back home to Dawnholme.”

Nalice paused as you called Dawnholme home.

“I would love that.” She replied and smiled.

“Though before that, I do have a request. Could you change the glyphs on my chest to help me with the control of fire? It is a bit all eggs in one basket situation, but fire has worked pretty well for me till now.”

“Now that is a reasonable request.” Nalice replied. “And it wouldn't be too difficult of a task.”


>3d10, Best of three
>DC 14, Crit 20

QM: This is for Nalice. Mystery Box gave Alric the idea of using the glyphs.

Rolled 1, 2, 8 = 11 (3d10)

>>6301089
Flame On!

>>6301091
Dice don't like Johnny Blaze

Rolled 5, 2, 3 = 10 (3d10)

>>6301089

terrible

Rolled 9, 2, 1 = 12 (3d10)

>>6301089

It shouldn't be this hard! Give me one more roll please!

Rolled 2, 10, 10 = 22 (3d10)

>>6301089
RAAAAARGH

>>6301125
i was thinking about killing gnolls.

>>6301126
quintessential Alric

Adding more dragonic glyph tattoos is Nalice's most critted roll type I think. More glyphs I say! Ones that will make him stronger, protection, or manifest very particular spells.

>22, Crit Success!


“Now please, stand still.” Nalice ordered and placed her hand on your chest before starting to drag her finger over the previous Draconic glyphs. “Prince Alric, I will go over the previous ones first and then I will add what you asked.”

“Alright.”

“To Contain and Protect.” Nalice started with the first two glyphs. “Block and Secure leading into the glyph Fel within you.”

Her finger dragged on your skin and you felt a burning sensation as she rewrote the old glyphs, making overall tidier work than before.

“You are going to feel immense heat within you shortly.” Nalice warned you.

“Don't worry, I don't even notice the mana within anymore.” You replied.

“Good, because Amplify the Fire.” She said and wrote two new glyphs. “Strengthen the Inferno created by a Dragon.”

Her finger left your chest and as if that activated the glyphs, you slowly started to feel the heat growing within you. Your mana resembling a sea of molten fire rumbled and crashed all around itself, the scorching maelstrom spreading across your body to your toes and fingertips.

You closed your eyes and concentrated within you. Slowly the fires calmed down and you felt to be back in control. Still it will take you some time to get used to the new normal.

“Prince Alric, now give me your right hand.” Nalice said.

She took your hand and placed her finger on top of your index finger.

“Ignition, Sparks, Flash.” Nalice wrote on top of your index, middle and right ring finger.

“Don't people notice these?” You asked as it felt like your hand was burning from within. The glyphs on the back of your fingers mostly resembled thick squiggly lines rather than glyphs.

“They don't understand what they are looking at and if you are concerned, you can always wear gloves.” Nalice told you.

Which was true, people didn't pay mind to your black fingernails either. Just another eccentric Prince Alric thing.

“Now please, try to create a small fire on the sand.” She instructed.

You gave her a nod and concentrated on a spot that you had burned before. Like a rush the Arcane energies spread through your body into your arm and hand and with a simple snap the fire appeared into existence. The flames eagerly licked upward and you watched as the liquid fire dropped down sizzling on the sand.

You let it burn for a moment before concentrating on the fire and closing your fist, extinguishing it.

“It felt so light, so sudden and strong.” You said to Nalice who stood there all proud.

“Words have power.” She said.

“And I have realised that I am going to be late from the House of Nobles session, if I don't get going.” You told her and cursed in your mind. “There are still plenty of things I wanted to talk about.”

“Don't worry Prince Alric, we will have time. And surely not everything will be so urgent.” Nalice replied.

1/2

>>6301161

“You are right.” You said and pulled on your shirt. “Still, you could…”

“I could what Prince Alric?” Nalice asked.


Choose one:
>There is a warlock in Stormwind City, the two of you could seek him out later tonight?
>After the day is over, come see you in your quarters in the Keep to continue the talks there.
>Take up your disguise and join you watching the session. You could use some pointers.
>Other, write in.

QM: Power up! It would have been stupid if Nalice had fumbled that roll.

>>6301163
>>After the day is over, come see you in your quarters in the Keep to continue the talks there.

>>6301172
Being in disguise while watching the session could be fun though

>>6301163
>After the day is over, come see you in your quarters in the Keep to continue the talks there.

>Take up your disguise and join you watching the session. You could use some pointers.
Doing the session together does sound fun.

I wonder when the best time to squeeze that warlock would be? As soon as possible so we can either make him submit and put him to work. Or hunt him down and take his cool stuff, a few extra days for credit of saving Stormwind from a Warlock right under their noses to spread. Warlock Hunter Alric.

Before or after the Dalaran and other delegations gets here. I wonder if we can lose that spy that follows Alric.

>>6301187
Or would it be better to try and give him up to Dalaran for favor since they do like hunting warlocks too. Sell his location to them, work with them. Kael, Jaina, Alric and Gravis all together to take down a warlock could be some crazy PR. The Princes and Princess squad. Arthas might force his way in if hes here. We couldn't use our magic without exposing it but we'd have a whole squad.

“Come see me in my quarters after the day is over. We can continue the talks then.” You said to Nalice. “And give you an update on what the Nobles talked about.”

“That would be useful to me.” Nalice said and seemed to agree. “Prince Alric, I will be there in the evening.”

“Good, I just hope things don't fall apart during the session. I told Lady Katrana that a slower approach might be the key here, but she is only one person.” You told her and threw on your jacket. “See you in the evening Lady Nalice.”

Nalice gave you a polite nod.

More Draconic Glyphs written on your skin and potential avenues to study and explore when it comes to getting rid of the Fel within you. At least the good news was that things seemed stable and in control right now. That was always good to hear.

…

The actual House of Nobles was located near the Stormwind Keep, half dug into the stone on which half of the city stood and having most of the offices on the floor above. And due to the hall where the Nobles gather being underground, it was chill and not a hot place even during the summer.

This and many other facts you learned from an overenthusiastic clerk that got the job to guide you around.

For visitors there were a number of half-private booths to watch the session unfold. The large round room had rows of tables with an impressive amount of very rich looking men and women already gathering down there.

Wine was brought to you as the Speaker called everyone to take their seats. The session would start shortly.

…

And by the Light it was boring as hell. When you become a King, you will do your utmost to prevent creation of a monstrosity like this. Or at minimum avoid the place like a plague.

The Nobles just japped about whatever, every small decision was problematic that in reality could be fixed by some random half-illiterate clerk or wasn't a problem in the first place. This was just an incredible waste of time and coin, but you guessed that the Nobles wanted to feel all important and this gave them that feeling. A containment zone for useless Nobles.

Though slowly the issues started to appear to be more relevant and the answers to them from the more high ranking Nobles, Katrana included, mostly ended up being budgetary in various ways. With every answer the groans started to grow louder.

1/2

>>6301492

“Prince Alric.” You heard a man's voice behind you, but didn't hear him approach you.

“Shaw, Mathias Shaw.” You replied and glanced behind you.

The Spymaster stood there wearing typical clothes for a clerk. Was this a disguise?

“May I join you?” Shaw asked.

“Be my guest.” You replied and listened to him sit down behind you.

“In reality I shouldn't be here. The Nobles for some reason dislike my presence.” Shaw told you to break the ice.

“I can imagine why, people don't like being snooped on.” You said to him. “Then why did you come talk to me.”

“I heard about yesterday.” Shaw told you. “And I want to hear about it from you personally.”

“King Varian broke my nose, I might have probed him a bit too much, but both you and me know that he went too far.” You told him and continued. “He knows it too.”

“Prince Alric, would you say that you did it on purpose?” Shaw asked you.

You turned around on your seat and gave the Spymaster a look.

“I don't plan on getting my nose broken, I like how it looks quite a lot thank you very much.” You said and got a smile out of Shaw.

“Something needs to be done!” A shout was heard amongst the Nobles.

“It is starting now.” Shaw said and continued. “Tell me something Prince Alric, what sort of an end result would you love to see for our issue at hand?”

It was pretty clear that Shaw was doing his own probing and poking this time to gauge your reaction and how deeply involved you were in Katrana's own plans. He might have thought that you were just an outsider when you met him the first time, but now after your meeting with the King? Things could be seen differently.


>Be honest, a King that is unwilling to rule will cause self-harm to himself and the Kingdom. That is not acceptable.
>King Varian has the key to resolve all this, he knows he can end the deadlock.
>The House of Nobles need to find a solution presentable enough for the King. They have the power to do so.
>You hope this will get resolved soon. Too much economic and trade damage could be inflicted on Stormwind.
>Other, write in.

Or

>Choose not to answer, instead deflect against Shaw and ask him the same question.

QM: Choose either to answer or to deflect. Not both.

>>6301493
>Be honest, a King that is unwilling to rule will cause self-harm to himself and the Kingdom. That is not acceptable.

The king should act like a king. He has the opportunity to mourn and be angry in private, but his duty to his people are paramount. We told him as much, and he broke our nose.He talked a whole bunch of shit and let his anger control him, which would be par for the course of he wasn't so hypocritical.

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>>6301493
“Shaw, Mathias Shaw.” You replied and glanced behind you.
>Alric's and Shaw's face when

>Be honest, a King that is unwilling to rule will cause self-harm to himself and the Kingdom. That is not acceptable.
>King Varian has the key to resolve all this, he knows he can end the deadlock.
"The good King could be a king if he chose, he could delegate with a viceroy or regent, he could abdicate. He instead vacillates and wastes Shaw's time, the Nobles' time and everyone elses' while he is absent from responsibility.
"That is not proper, that is not responsible use of royal privilege. I hope he will recognise and correct this, even if it takes a broken nose"

>>6301493
>>Choose not to answer, instead deflect against Shaw and ask him the same question.
He is a spymaster, he wants answers to use against us. We dont need to answer to him but play the same game against him.

>>6301493
>You hope this will get resolved soon. Too much economic and trade damage could be inflicted on Stormwind.

>>6301493
>>Be honest, a King that is unwilling to rule will cause self-harm to himself and the Kingdom. That is not acceptable.
>>King Varian has the key to resolve all this, he knows he can end the deadlock.
Shaw really needs to ask himself does he serve the kingdom or the king. As none of this would be happening if varian did anything other than brood.

>>6301493
>>Be honest, a King that is unwilling to rule will cause self-harm to himself and the Kingdom. That is not acceptable.

“There needs to be a solution!” Another shout was heard and the murmur grew louder.

“The good King could be a King if he chooses to, he could delegate through a Viceroy or a Regent, he could abdicate if that is his will.” You started to speak and watched as the Nobles below started to shout at each other. “He instead vacillates and wastes your time, the Nobles' time and everyone else's time while he is absent from the responsibility.”

The Speaker used his gavel to bring the order back into the hall.

"That is not proper, that is not a responsible use of royal privilege. I hope he will recognise and correct this, even if it took a broken nose for him to realise it.” You said.

The loud Noble was given a turn to speak.

“King Varian hasn't been doing his duties, that needs to change!”

“He is a firebrand, one of Lady Katrana's supporters.” Shaw told you and continued as you watched the Firebrand to speak. “She has about a hundred and fifteen of this hall behind her.”

The House of Nobles had two hundred members in it, most of them having inherited the position.

“Our budget is late, our projects are not finished, the City looks like a dump and we have all the Kings and Lords coming to visit us!” The Firebrand spoke.

“That would be a clear majority.” You said.

“Without the King, what use is the majority?” Shaw asked you.

“Yesterday Lady Prestor was joined by a friend of the House of Nobles, Prince Alric Perenolde of Alterac, and together they went to talk with the King. You all now know what happened!” The Firebrand said and continued. “King Varian in his anger had punched the Prince and broken his nose!”

The hall erupted back into shouting and arguments and the Speaker really had to work to get order back amongst the Nobles.

“It is true! He is our friend!” Another man shouted. You recognised him as the Nobleman whom you had saved last year from a Stonemason mugging. “You all know how he defended me!”

“The silver from his mines helped to stabilise our coinage.”

“A known merchant, part of Lady Katrana's many businesses.” Shaw told you.

“Without that, we would have faced a serious lack of transferable coinage. Further damaging our already weak trade under King Varian.” The Merchant spoke. “Is this how the King shows his gratitude?”

“The Prince is a good man for he gave his tournament winnings last year to the Stonemasons!” The Firebrand continued. “Instead of building an army to help him to subjugate the marauding gnolls, of which whom we are more than familiar with, he chose to help people here across the sea!”

“He voted against paying the Stonemasons.” Shaw told you. “And now he is making you to be the greatest man ever.”

1/3

>>6301618

“If I remember correctly, you put me in the good person category.” You replied to him as the Firebrand continued to speak, making a case of how good of a friend you have been to them.

“That I did.” Shaw replied.

“He returned the body of my husband!” A woman spoke next. “The orcs killed him and used his body for vile sorceries, making him one of the death knights! But the Prince fought and destroyed the vile creature! And we could finally put him to rest within our hallowed grounds.”

Hold on, she must have been talking about Umo Shadowheart. Yes you had fought the death knight, but in the ‘official story’ his corpse had been just found by you. That was what you wrote in the letter sent alongside whatever remained of Umo and the body he had occupied.

“After all that, Prince Alric Perenolde chose to clear the air between him and King Varian. He chose diplomacy and friendship, but King Varian only chose anger and wrath!” The Firebrand spoke again and continued. “That is unacceptable!”

The hall again erupted into shouting.

“What is your point?” The Speaker asked the Firebrand after regaining the order once again.

“I will call a vote! The House of Nobles sees the actions of King Varian an offense against a foreign royalty! Against a friend and ally of Stormwind!” The Firebrand replied. “An action unfit to a King!”

“With Lady Katrana's majority that should pass.” Shaw noted.

“And due to King Varian being unable to perform his actions as a King, the House of Nobles calls for his abdication!" The Firebrand shouted.

The hall below your booth erupted and for a moment it looked like the Varian loyalists and Katrana loyalists were close to coming to blows. The Speaker was wildly hammering down with the gavel as Katrana had just through all this kept her silence and watched the events. This was her doing, you told her to tell the Nobles what had happened and now she had orchestrated this play. The Firebrand played his part as did the Merchant and others too.

“The House of Nobles can't vote to abdicate the King, what is she even trying?” Shaw mentioned.

The Speaker walked to talk with some men who looked positively very ancient before shuffling back between them and a group of Nobles, Katrana included, who were the most powerful. You had no idea what they were talking about and as this continued for a while, it looked like no solution was reached, until.

2/3

>>6301619

“No way…” Shaw muttered behind you. “They will vote, it is legal.”

“The House of Nobles will vote on declaring King Varian's actions an offense and will call him to abdicate.” The Speaker ordered and continued. “I have consulted with our elders and they see it being within the powers of the House of Nobles to vote on such matters. If the vote passes, the House of Nobles demands the King to abdicate and won't see his authority over them binding anymore. The severity of the vote demands it to pass with a supermajority which is one hundred and thirty four of you with all present.”

“Lady Katrana doesn't have the votes.” Shaw pointed out. About twenty were lacking.

“It was also decided that the vote will be held as a secret ballot.” The Speaker finished.

And that is how she might have the votes. Those uncertain now don't have to worry what others will think about them when they go voting. All the speeches made you to be their friend wronged by Varian, before that it was just all about economy and budgetary issues. This session has been just one big attempt to put the blame of everything on Varian's shoulders. And now they are voting him to abdicate, just like you had told Shaw one of Varian's actions could be.

“Prince Alric, did you know about this?” Shaw asked. You could feel his stare at the back of your head as the clerks were preparing the curtains around the voting boxes.

You looked at Katrana who hadn't even spared a glance at you, what was her plan? To force an abdication of King Varian? But that goes against what you and her had talked about. She had been against a coup, found that going a bit too far and agreed that time was on your side. Was this just an attempt to put pressure on King Varian, to end up a couple votes short, but what if this succeeds?

What then?


>Tell him the truth, you weren't aware of this plan at all.
>Lie to Shaw, of course you were aware. Why else did you say what you said to him?
>Stay silent and just watch. You are watching a scheme unfold, it won't end with just a vote. You wouldn't do it that way.
>You need to stop this, demand an opportunity to speak with the Nobles and make a case of this being the wrong way to solve the issue.
>Other, write in.

>>6301621
>You need to stop this, demand an opportunity to speak with the Nobles and make a case of this being the wrong way to solve the issue.

>>6301621
>>Stay silent and just watch. You are watching a scheme unfold, it won't end with just a vote. You wouldn't do it that way.

>>6301621
>Tell him the truth, you weren't aware of this plan at all.
I dont know shit dog. Perhaps this will convince the king to act.

>>6301621
>>Stay silent and just watch. You are watching a scheme unfold, it won't end with just a vote. You wouldn't do it that way.

>>6301493
>Stay silent and just watch. You are watching a scheme unfold, it won't end with just a vote. You wouldn't do it that way.

If I was Shaw and I heard the punch and fallout I'd probably think it was on purpose too lol. Gotta try not to get too into shadowrunning it. Now do I think Katrana is actually trying to force the vote now to have the Nobles demand the abdication? I'm gonna say no.

Doing it without telling Alric, despite what we discussed yesterday, and after he told her about Shaw's warning? It would rather feel like a confirmation that Alric was used. It would be an insult and a waste. She was pretty happy all in all I doubt she'd do that, even just to test Alric or rush the grab for power.

So I'm pretty sure the vote won't reach supermajority, Katrana may speak out herself to slow things down, or she arranged for someone or something else to show up.

Did our warning help her suspect that Shaw himself would show up and she thinks he would interrupt it publicly so she'll use that? If I indulge that kind of thinking just a bit, maybe. Surely Katrana and Nalice would have some reaction moves to knowing Shaw was approaching Alric.


Other than that theres considering Shaw's reactions here and later, but that feels a bit much. Honest would be nice but I think Alric can think or feel through these points.

>>6301621
>Stay silent and just watch. You are watching a scheme unfold, it won't end with just a vote. You wouldn't do it that way.

Katrana is doing something more here, the additional information we have given her and our opinion on the matter of the problems of Stormwind, would have her think on it again. This must be a smoke screen for a bigger thing, or a bait for her political enemies. Something she can use for gain more political support, or perhaps being even more well-liked among the nobles.

Perhaps after this vote is done, or before it starts she will say something. If she is the one that mediates for something less that abdication, it could be a excellent way for have everyone agree on something that she decided. Even the nobles loyalists or the neutral ones. Start high but then go a level lower, appearing reasonable, wise and the one that counciles the realm nobles together on agreeing on such a difficult decision.

>>6301621
Say "This is very concerning, as it is not the King's will or a more delicate convincing like our own chat. They will force the decision in a way that I could not and would not. "

>>6301621
>Tell him the truth, you weren't aware of this plan at all.

Last thread we had two back-to-back encounters say "don't trust Katrana by the way she's going too hard too fast" and now we're seeing her go too hard too fast. Pump the brakes!

Staying silent seems like the wrong move to make here. We're burning Shaw's personal goodwill for what seems like very tenuous gain with the Stormwind nobility faction, who Medivh's already emphasized the fickleness of.

Let's remember what we're actually in Stormwind for - the Alliance meeting. Getting the military (represented by Shaw) onside is going to help far more with that than having the Nobles. Letting that advantage go to accelerate the Varian abdication, which doesn't really have any clear immediate term benefits for us, is foolish.

>>6301898
Backing

>>6301898
Yeah I'd support that it's a nice way to put it. Maintains Shaws goodwill, and truthfully at that.

>>6301898
>>6301621
In support to Nalice prior reasoning, i will change my vote i am not sure if Katrana understood our talk. I will support this vote here. Is probably best if we can manage to get to talk alone with Katrana on our own again later, preferably not on a short notice or little time. Maybe we should have locked the door yesterday or abused more being shirtless, we need a better plan to go through her head.

>>6301882
my vote here

>>6301920
I am not sure how the military of Stormwind would help us there, Varian would still vote with anyone against us in the Alliance Meeting. He hates a lot. It could help Katrana to have some of the military support in the future.

>>6302022
I think we made a fair point with Varian and he will think about it. Shaw talks to Varian too, so maintaining his goodwill could influence things.

By the time of the Meeting he might hopefully will not support Stromgarde getting Alterac. Though that doesn't mean he would support us. From hostile to neutral is good enough given the circumstances.

>>6302031
hmmm thinking about could be just that.
We will see if he can see reason then

You watched as the clerks finished their tasks, hiding the voting box successfully behind the curtains. In cases like this the House of Nobles used an archaic method of placing a piece of wood into the box that would be counted after all votes had been put in.

"This is very concerning, as it is not the King's will or a more delicate convincing like our own chat.” You said to Shaw after a pause before continuing. “They will force the decision in a way that I could not and would not do.”

Shaw did not reply as the Nobles lined up to vote. You stared at Katrana who for the first time today raised her head and looked at you. She gave you a slight smile across the hall.

The Nobles voted and with Katrana herself having put one of the last votes, the Speaker called the voting to be over and they would start counting the votes.

Ten aye votes, three nays. Twenty aye votes seven nays. The numbers increased and it started to become an ever increasingly tight race. Hundred aye votes, forty four nays.

The Nobles murmurred, hundred and ten ayes. Hundred and twenty ayes. The lines of Varian loyalists had slipped and Katrana had gained more support. Five nays came out in a row, hundred twenty five ayes. Twenty seven, couple more nays.

Thirty.

Thirty one.

A nay vote.

Thirty two.

Nay and another.

Thirty three.

Three nay votes in a row. Everyone was counting the total number of votes, all the Nobles were voting except the Speaker to break ties. Just four votes remaining.

“Aye!” The clerk counted. “One hundred thirty four Aye votes!”

Nobles erupted in shouts, some in cheers while some cried shouts of anger and anguish. The Speaker broke his gavel trying to regain control.

“So it passed…” You said and looked behind you. Shaw was gone.

The clerk counted the last votes. All three had voted aye.

“The vote and the motion passes! One hundred thirty seven supporting, sixty two against!” The Speaker announced. “The House of Nobles has declared King Varian's actions an offense, demands his abdication and won't see his authority over the House of Nobles. Maybe the Holy Light protect us all!”

The Nobles erupted into shouts again and it looked like some were close to start minor scuffles, requiring the guards carrying wooden staffs to pull them apart before someone did something incredibly stupid. You watched as Katrana along with the more powerful Nobles had gathered around the Speaker to finalise the papers before they were handed to Katrana and she motioned her want to speak. The Speaker had to pull out a spare gavel to get the attention of the Nobles.

“Silence! Lady Prestor has the stand!” The Speaker ordered and watched as the Nobles fell in line.

1/2

File: Lady Katrana Prestor.jpg (315 KB, 1080x1417)

315 KB JPG

>>6302130

“Thank you Mr. Speaker. Today is a historic day, a day when the House of Nobles expressed their dissatisfaction towards the King after a long period of inactivity and our calls to end it.” Katrana spoke and you listened. There must be a ploy in this, there must be. “Today we upholded the ancient agreement of sharing the duties of the Kingdom on our part by exercising our right to vote on our matters. We have done everything according to our laws, while the King has not!”

Seeing her talk like this made it apparent how good of a public talker Katrana was. She was confident, she was charismatic and she got the point across.

“Today we voted to declare King Varian's actions an offense. We voted for him to abdicate and we threw his shackles off our shoulders!” Katrana spoke and her supporters cheered and applauded her. “These papers in my hand are the most important papers of Kingdom of Stormwind's history since the founding papers of our great House of Nobles! These papers affirm our responsibilities to our people and to our nation. They affirm our position to guard our people and to ensure their prosperity. Our standing is clear, we the Nobility of Stormwind are the ones to decide our destiny!”

You watched this in silence. Was this it? No ploy, no rug getting pulled out under your feet?

“We will have a meeting after this session is over between the Great Nobles and we will decide how to move forward when it comes to our day to day matters.” Katrana told the Nobles. “But rest assured, we will call the next session as soon as possible and inform you of what is to come.”

Her supporters clapped as she finished. The Speaker hit his gavel on wood one more time and called the session to end.

That's it. That was it. She had done it. The House of Nobles don't recognise the power of King Varian anymore. And you had no idea what this would mean in practice. Too many questions and not enough answers.

Some of the Nobles rushed out of the hall, they were probably Varian loyalists who were seeing the signs in the air. Everyone would be on their toes from now on. The risk of someone doing something really stupid was apparent. One mistake and people would be drawing their swords. You didn't want to think of that as a possibility, but it was a real one.

Katrana looked at you and smiled. What was she thinking?


>Go immediately to King Varian and demand to see him. He needs to know what has happened, he needs to find his spirit.
>Lady Nalice needs to be informed. What she feared has happened. She is your strongest ally for now.
>You need to talk with Katrana right now and demand answers. What is she doing? Are you being used?
>No, you are an outsider. Keep your distance and wait for them to come to you. That will show you who actually values you.
>Other, write in.

>>6302131
>Go immediately to King Varian and demand to see him. He needs to know what has happened, he needs to find his spirit.

>>6302134
Actually I'm changing my vote to
>Lady Nalice needs to be informed. What she feared has happened. She is your strongest ally for now.

Mathias has probably already informed Varian and they may or may not think it was part of our plan.

>>6302131
>>Lady Nalice needs to be informed. What she feared has happened. She is your strongest ally for now.

>>6302131
>Lady Nalice needs to be informed. What she feared has happened. She is your strongest ally for now

Dang. She really forced the vote in spite of everything we said. Man that's really annoying. I wanna throw the ring onto the stage. She's probably thinking "Oh I couldn't have done this without you Alric teehee"

>>6302131
>>Lady Nalice needs to be informed. What she feared has happened. She is your strongest ally for now.

Lady Nalice seems to be the preliminary winner, your favourite teacher scholar should know what to do next. I will allow this vote to continue till today evening as there won't be a day update today either.

But I would like to have write ins for both Alric and Katrana. What are they thinking about each other? For Alric it will be his actual thoughts and will guide him forward, for Katrana it is more speculative.


Alric’s thoughts about Katrana and everything related to her:
>Write in

Katrana's speculative thoughts on Alric:
>Write in

>>6302131
>You need to talk with Katrana right now
Not to ask answers, but that explain publicly that the offence was in private and should be kept private. That we publicly disavow a conspiracy against a fellow country's head-of-state.
Then maybe see Nalice.

>>6302360
offence of Alric's prince being punched in the nose I mean.

>>6302336
>Alric’s thoughts about Katrana and everything related to her:
Katrana gets what she wants, and boy, do things need be done carefully around her. Alric proposing a coup before was idle thoughts said loudly, and she called his bluff.

>Katrana's speculative thoughts on Alric:
Alric is a useful pawn and strategist that can become a convenient distraction and scapegoat or evem potentially a strong ally. Plans within plans within plans.
The location of his realm Alterac being closer to Grim Batol where Alexstrasza of the Red Dragonflight remains and another objective of the dragons.
Kingdom of Strom is the obstacle to Alterac's expansion toward Grim Batol, and that may be her next target in addition to whatever is being done at Blackrock Spire with brother Nefarian.

>>6302336
What a bomb. I can hardly believe it. We told her Shaw approached Alric so how does holding information back from Alric and going counter to what we talked about make any sense?! How could she possibly think it would help foster any long term affection or wanting to work together? In order to prevent this Alric would have to act on a belief that almost everything we tried to convey after the warning was essentially meaningless in the face of forcing this one fucking vote. I feel less mad considering it a set up to have good reason to be mad at Katrana and having to consider damage control options, but being invested I'm pretty mad.

>Alric’s thoughts about Katrana and everything related to her:
The punch, the deathknight, the silver for the economy, giving the stonemasons my tournament winnings...She made almost the entire push to punish Varian about me! A day after he punched me Katrana has more than half his nobles demand he abdicate!

She didn't tell me about the abdication vote. Shes disregarded everything about slowly increasing the pressure, or even the tax crisis idea. She has the city on a knife's edge. What is she even thinking?

She took every good intention we ever had towards Stormwind so she could cram in a few more votes her way. She heard what she wanted and nothing else. She planned what she wanted and nothing else.


>Katrana's speculative thoughts on Alric:
Goodness Alric looks handsome today, we should celebrate later in my study. Yesterday proved hes such a good schemer with all those plans he had, and offering to push for a coup from the get go. Hes so smart. He must be sooo impressed right now that we don't have to waste time, its like a surprise gift. I knew he was exactly what was needed to shake up the Varian loyalists.

>>6302336
>Alric’s thoughts about Katrana and everything related to her:
>>Write in
"I am never ever ever accepting anything similar to the House of Nobles when I will restore Alterac ! Now what i do. I can talk with Nalice and then ? This.... is this another scheme ? Did she use me ? Did she us me all this time ? Did she listen to what i said yesterday ?! No it doesn't make sense this alliance cant be a mistake, it was beneficial for both of us ! She helped me and Dawnholme, and I helped her and Stormwind. It worked perfectly. But this is insane ! Why Katrana ? Why not tell me of this ?! No this alliance between us cannot just risk to fall because of her desire for power ! I refuse such fate ! I must intervene even if my reputation gets hurt further, Dawnholme future hangs in the balance, damn it ! This alliance is too important for me i cannot risk it to end, with me being seen as a conspirator, rogue prince and schemer ! They would see no difference between me and father, or my brother ! And yet..... i feel a sense of dread. What if its too late ? That Shaw left at the end, what if he told i am a conspirator of Katrana to Varian ? I have seen some of the nobles faces, so hateful between eachother. This could end badly, and the Alliance Meeting is coming here. It could start with blood in the streets... then an hunt for my head. I must do something. And if i cant.... best i prepare to leave with the ones i hold dear. I cannot fail."


>Katrana's speculative thoughts on Alric:
>Write in
"Another piece of my plan complete, and ahead of schedule too :) ! I knew i could count on him, and now i truly hold the majority in the House of Nobles ! Stormwind will be soon mine...... I am still angry at Varian for what he dared to do, but the King is out of his mind, and now soon to be out of his throne. Ah Alric, you keep surpassing my expectations and fantasies ! My conquering prince, i should have visited him instead of waiting for him to arrive ! He looked at that squire of his with such intensity and care, i cant help but be a bit jealous........ but we have time now, and if he is staying here for the Alliance Meeting m-maybe i can invite him for celebrate.."

>Bonus thoughts Malevus (completely ingnorant of what happened today)
"This is such a great opportunity to learn and pray in this holy place ! I know i will not have time for see Alric, or for see anything that will happen in Stormwind but this will be worthed. I hope everything is alright for my Alric :) !"

>>6302336
>Alric’s thoughts about Katrana and everything related to her:
Alric would feel used and maybe even betrayed. The things they talked and the actual friendship pushed aside to blow this vote through with Alric as the battering ram. No consideration over Alric at all. Katrana most likely has other things in motion that we dont know yet.

Next thoughts would be where he stands. Varian and Katrana are the two sides and no way they should be approached. Nalice is with Katrana but she is more neutral and warned Alric of her. We should work with her and see where things go to push it then towards proper path or just wait for others to arrive. Who even is in Stormwind who is local and could be approached?

And Nalice is a good choice because I find her nice. Nanice. She has lapped Katrana though Katrana has her tracts of land and I find her scarousing.

>Katrana's speculative thoughts on Alric:
She is happy that the vote went through and whatever she has planned next will happen. She maybe thinks that Alric appreciates such shrewdness but she is not stupid to know that Alric would find getting involved like this rather annoying. Just how annoying she probably underestimates.

She is probably planning a candlelit dinner with Alric after this success.

>>6302446
Lol

You stared back at her and didn't react to her smile. You felt used, felt like past few days of your genuine help ended up being just a tool for Katrana to swing around. You tried to help her and she didn't even warn you what she was going to do.

Finishing your glass of wine, you fixed the glasses on your nose while standing up and walking away.

Hands in your pockets you made your way through the House of Nobles. Clerks and servants scurried left and right to do their jobs or pretend to know what they were doing. No one seemed to know what this all meant and no one paid you a mind as you walked out. You were just one body amongst many.

But the word had spread fast, guards marched past you to occupy or guard important locations. Citizens had gathered in groups to discuss what was going on. How much of this was planned and how much just training or standing orders kicking in, but when you reached the Stormwind Keep, you would see the place in full lockdown.

“Halt, no one is allowed in or out.” A Captain at the gate said to you.

“On whose orders?” You asked him.

“The King's.”

“Good.” You said back and continued. “You know who I am and I wish you no more burdens or troubles to bear. Let me in and we will avoid a scene.”

The Captain looked at you and stepped aside.

“Then quickly, we will lock the gate soon.” He replied.

You thanked the man as you found yourself in the main courtyard and near the barracks where your knights had gathered with the Royal Foot Guards.

“Prince Alric! What is going on? We tried to ask and only got partial answers.” Gravis asked you after a salute.

“The House of Nobles voted that they won't recognise the power of King Varian over them and demanded him to abdicate.” You told him.

“By the Light, a coup?” He asked.

“Hell if I know, but if I ask you to jump and you don't jump, have you jumped? By the looks of this, King Varian hasn't jumped.” You told him and looked around. “But we have to be ready for all situations, two guards by my room and five men ready to act on moments notice.”

“Understood, we will be ready.” Gravis said.

“And try not to be in their way, they have all the reasons to dislike me.” You said.

“Of course.”

1/3

>>6302637

You nodded to them and started to march back to your room. You couldn't meet with Katrana or Varian as that would be taking sides. Mathias Shaw must have already met with the King and going to see Katrana would paint you with her colours. It was better to return here and stay put for now. And you had a hunch that you weren't the only one thinking like this, you couldn't go and find Lady Nalice without stepping into Katrana's home, but she knows how to find you.

So you would be waiting for her.

…

You had made preparations just in case. A backpack packed with everything important that needed to be saved from your travel chest. Your shoulder pack was similarly prepared. You had even switched on to wearing the Raiments of Dawn, your mage clothes stylised after the old Alteraci fashion.

With your sword and dagger by your side, if needed you were ready to fight or to flee. Aurvan'kal would be a bit too much now.

There was a knock on the door and you went to open it. The exact person you were waiting for stood there in her maid disguise.

“Lady Nalice.” You greeted her. “Get in.”

She glanced at you and stepped in as you gave your men the orders to allow her to go as she wishes. Closing the door behind your back, you crossed your arms as you watched her to put down a tray with a jug of wine and some bread next to it. Nalice straightened her back and in a puff of violet smoke and electricity, the maid's uniform changed into her usual mage's clothes of black and red.

“Prince Alric, what we feared has happened. My Mistress… Lady Katrana was too hasty.” Nalice said, her tone more serious which made her sound more regal than usually.

“What do you know about it?” Did you know about it?” You demanded an answer.

“No, I wish I knew that she would try this now. A vote was always a possibility, but a vote for what? To express them being unhappy? Deep concern? Declaring the King to have performed poorly?” Nalice said to you. “Words have power, but those words are meaningless.”

“But now?”

“Lady Katrana got what she wanted, a casus belli to call a vote with power behind it.” Nalice told you. “Sadly you were the main ingredient that had been missing Prince Alric.”

You walked past her and stared out through the balcony before turning to face Nalice.

“I feel used like a tool.” You said to her. “Was I a tool to have trusted her?”

“You aren't a tool Prince Alric. Lady Katrana can be an incredible ally, but she is also her own worst enemy.” Nalice said.

“Then what now? What will she do next? What will we do next?” You asked her and continued. “Can I even trust you with her as your Mistress?”

Nalice stared at you for a second before conjuring a dagger into her hand and slicing her palm open. Droplets of blood dripped down on the stone floor below.

2/3

>>6302638

“I swear by my ancestors and Dragonflight that I am not going to use you nor shall I take you as a fool. I swear to not bring dishonour or to break your trust, for my name is Nalicatrasza.” Nalice said and looked into your eyes.

You walked to her, picking up a handkerchief from the table and taking her hands. Pressing the cloth on the cut you spoke to her.

“A tad too dramatic. Less would have sufficed.” You said.

“I am not going to repeat my mistakes with Lady Katrana with you Prince Alric.” Nalice said as you wrapped her hand.

“Good, but any ideas what comes next?” You asked her and checked if there were better bandages somewhere else.

“Lady Katrana and the Nobles will decide how they will rule, but the House of Nobles will keep its power, they have to. King Varian will be just bypassed in the decision process. Tomorrow they will have a government, the day after the budget is done. On the third day, who knows.” Nalice told you.

“All while the Kings and Lords of the Alliance are on their ships not knowing anything that had happened here.” You said.

“If I was her, I would get as much done as soon as possible to gain a more legitimate position with the Alliance.” Nalice said as you started putting a proper bandage on her hand. “Prince Alric, you really don't need to.”

“Humbug, your hand was bleeding.”

“I could have healed it with magic.” Nalice replied.

“You could have said that sooner.” You said and continued. “Where does King Varian stand in this then?”

“I did enjoy the thought.” She said about the handkerchief and continued. “King Varian? In his Keep as a hermit, unless he does something drastic.”

“Takes up his sword…” You mused. “What of us then?”

“You made the right choice to not approach either of them. Our position is on the outside, yet closer to both of them than any other ruler.” She said to you.

You finished the bandaging work and let go of her hands. She was right that your position was at best to be on the outside. You knew most of the heirs and were friends with them. The Kings at minimum had begrudging respect towards you. You knew Katrana and Varian personally hated you. But you were only one man.


>Does Lady Nalice have any allies or servants that could prove useful?
>Is there anyone respected enough in the City to try to act as a negotiator between King Varian and Lady Katrana?
>You knew Lord Ebonlocke from last year, where does he stand in all this or is he too minor of a nobleman?
>King Varian could take his sword, should that be stopped?
>Should you just wait till the Kings arrive and force the issue through them? Three days or so from tomorrow.
>Other, write in

Can Alric trust Nalice:
>Write in

QM: Yeah Malevus has no idea what is going on nor will she have for a couple of days. And good thinking on Katrana, a couple points got close.

>>6302639
>>Does Lady Nalice have any allies or servants that could prove useful?
>>Is there anyone respected enough in the City to try to act as a negotiator between King Varian and Lady Katrana?
>>You knew Lord Ebonlocke from last year, where does he stand in all this or is he too minor of a nobleman?

>>6302639
>Does Lady Nalice have any allies or servants that could prove useful?
>Is there anyone respected enough in the City to try to act as a negotiator between King Varian and Lady Katrana?
>You knew Lord Ebonlocke from last year, where does he stand in all this or is he too minor of a nobleman?

Power went out after a lightning strike for a bit lol. Ain't that sweet to see Nalice make an oath and Alric to bring out the handkerchief.

What kind of servant or ally I wonder. Someone sneaky I suppose since we have combat covered, or local politic savy. A gangster of the people who replaced the Stonemasons as the street toughs. A Dragonkin with magic specialized into being sneaky or utility. I suppose if Nalice had mortal allies through her cover they would be scholars, noble archeologists, etc. Merchants or mercenaries get around a lot to hear rumors from afar.

Alric as the negotiator would be funny but I dont think that will fly unless Shaw was behind it. War hero, but most of the military favors Varian. Someone from the Church probably. Khadgar.

Can Alric trust Nalice:
>Write in
I can trust her with my back and my life. Nalice is the one who might get hurt by having another oath on her word.

>>6302720
Hmmm actually he should say 'With my heart and my life' considering she already did fix that heart.

>>6302639
>Can Alric trust Nalice:
>>Write in
Alric can trust Nalice, her service to us and what she did for us are worthy enough for such trust. He does like her, but thats unknown territory that we will speak about another time. Her plans are also much more aligned with how he thinks too.

>>6302720
>Ain't that sweet to see Nalice make an oath and Alric to bring out the handkerchief.
it is

>>6302639
>Does Lady Nalice have any allies or servants that could prove useful?
>Is there anyone respected enough in the City to try to act as a negotiator between King Varian and Lady Katrana?
>You knew Lord Ebonlocke from last year, where does he stand in all this or is he too minor of a nobleman?

As the slight against Alterac is the is the rally call for the Nobles, an official 'peacemaking deal' is now possible. Perhaps this could be the trigger required to open the way for the Nobles to support reopening the case of Alterac reclaiming the kingdom.
>Ask Nalice her thoughts on this
Leads into
>Should you just wait till the Kings arrive and force the issue through them? Three days or so from tomorrow.

>Can Alric trust Nalice:
Well yeah, she's literally given her lifespan to help Alric. Now she's committed a blood pact too.
Feels bad that we can't help her with her own objectives.

“Do you have servants or people that could prove useful to us?” You asked and tapped the side of your eye. “Especially ones with rust coloured eyes.”

Nalice checked her palm and gave you a pleasant smile before speaking.

“Most of my servants serve Lady Katrana as well, they might not be exactly fighters, but through them we should have a good idea of what is going on in the city and elsewhere.” Nalice told you and continued. “Lady Katrana of course has her supporters and the Nobles following her have theirs, but with the Stonemasons gone she lost a spiderweb of informants and spies. Rebuilding said network was part of my job while here, but they answer to me and not to her.”

“I wouldn't expect less from a spymaster.” You said. “So we should know what will happen in the city relatively well.”

“Yes, even here in the Keep. There are several ways in and out that aren't watched. Information will flow here as well.” Nalice told you.

That was good, you wouldn't be blind.

“What of Lord Ebonlocke? We met last year and he seemed like a reasonable person.” You asked next.

“Of Duskwood? He is a Varian loyalist, the King had always been good for those living in the periphery.” Nalice said. “But that said Lord Ebonlocke is from the periphery, he doesn't have much pull.”

“But if we had someone who is respected by the people and Nobles, they could act as a third party around which the Nobles could gather.” You replied.

Nalice poured a glass of wine for herself and you.

“There is one, Sir Bolvar Fordragon. A highly respected Paladin and a knight. Fought in both wars before settling here. “Nalice said and handed the glass to you.

“Could he be approached?” You asked and sipped the wine.

“He is a friend of the King, but he hasn't gotten involved with politics or the military. Chooses to be with his family instead.” Nalice said to you. “Sir Fordragon could be our key.”

“Shall we go meet him tomorrow?” You asked.

“Yes, it is worth a shot.” Nalice said.

“Then what shall you do then?”

“If Prince Alric allows it, I would like to stay here. Where I am is a message to Lady Katrana.” She said.

“Of course of course. I can get you some pillows and a blanket…” You started to say.

“Pillow is enough. I don’t need to sleep much.” She replied.

“Right… the bathing room is there, if you need a bath.”

“Thank you, but the pillow is enough.” Nalice found your attempt to make her comfortable funny as she smiled a bit.

“Well then… let's finish the wine and start resting. I have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be a long day.” You said to her.

“A fine decision Prince Alric.” Nalice said.

“Good night Lady Nalice.”

…

You couldn't sleep as you just kept rolling in the bed while thinking about Katrana and events of the day. The new Draconic Glyphs on your skin kept the fire within you burning and you couldn't fully shake that feeling away either.

1/2

File: Lady Nalice.png (776 KB, 449x813)

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>>6302974

Thinking that you needed some fresh air and maybe a need of washing your face, you pushed yourself up from the bed and threw a silken morning robe on you. Carefully pushing the bedroom door open to not wake up Nalice, you found that unnecessary.

“Prince Alric.” Nalice greeted you. “Can't sleep?”

“I need some fresh air… I need something stiff too.” You replied.

Nalice was reading a book she had taken off the bookshelf to pass time and she watched you walk past her to the alcohol cabin from where you found a bottle of whiskey.

“Want some?”

“I won't say no.”

You poured two glasses, making your a double that didn't stay unnoticed by Nalice. Giving her the glass, you walked to the balcony and opened the doors.

A warm sea breeze hit you, making your hair flutter in the wind as Nalice joined next to you.

“Thinking about Katrana?” Nalice asked.

“Her and everything yesterday.” You replied and sipped the whiskey. It was good stuff and it burned nicely within you. “I thought that we were genuine friends.”

“Lady Katrana doesn't have many friends. Just business acquaintances or political partners.” Nalice said to you. “You aren't the first one she has managed to push away.”

“Really?”

“And then she complains how busy she is to not be able to keep her relationships intact.” Nalice lamented. “But we all know that is just an excuse.”

That did sound like Katrana.

“She will realise soon enough her own mistakes, but will she be too proud to apologise?” Nalice said and continued. “I do not know.”

“We can hope.”

“Hope is the first step on a road to disappointment.” Nalice replied. “If you want her to apologise, you need to make her apologise. Lady Katrana enjoys getting pushed back, even if she doesn't say it. Makes the mountain bigger and harder to conquer.”

That definitely sounded like Katrana. But was Nalice giving you some lady advice on how to deal with her?

“Thank you Nalice.” You said.

“Lady Nalice, I enjoy the honourifics.” Nalice replied.

“Of course.” You said back and sipped the whiskey.

Silence followed the two of you as the breeze tickled your skin. The whiskey calmed your nerves and you felt a moment of calm. You felt like Nalice expected you to continue talking.


>What it's like being a dragon that can soar through the sky in a human form within a building. The contrast is mindboggling.
>How does a dragon choose what form to take? Like where does all the weight go?
>Why is she amongst humans? You feel like she enjoys this.
>What is with the other dragonkin, like Sir Cyrus for example?
>You don't remember Nalice telling you much about the Second War, did she participate in it?
>What sort of things does Nalice enjoy? Not flirting.
>What sort of things does Nalice enjoy? Definitely flirting.
>Other, write in.

>>6302975
>What it's like being a dragon that can soar through the sky in a human form within a building. The contrast is mindboggling.
>What sort of things does Nalice enjoy? Definitely flirting.

I imagine it must be a bit constraining, so its good to find things she enjoys. Release the stress.

Wouldn't mind hearing the other options cause thats a lot nice lore too. If theres a good way to fit those in I'd say do more. Not Second War that would be rather a heavy topic tho lol.

>>6302975
>How does a dragon choose what form to take? Like where does all the weight go?
>Why is she amongst humans? You feel like she enjoys this.
>What is with the other dragonkin, like Sir Cyrus for example?
>You don't remember Nalice telling you much about the Second War, did she participate in it?

>>6302975
>What it's like being a dragon that can soar through the sky in a human form within a building. The contrast is mindboggling.
>Why is she amongst humans? You feel like she enjoys this.
>What is with the other dragonkin, like Sir Cyrus for example?
>What sort of things does Nalice enjoy? Definitely flirting.
>Other, write in.
>Do you even sleep? seems odd for you to be up so late and completely content with just a pillow.
>Katrana is your mistress but have you. Do you consider her a friend?

>>6302975
>What it's like being a dragon that can soar through the sky in a human form within a building. The contrast is mindboggling.
>Why is she amongst humans? You feel like she enjoys this.
>What sort of things does Nalice enjoy? Definitely flirting.
>Do you even sleep? seems odd for you to be up so late and completely content with just a pillow.
>Katrana is your mistress but have you. Do you consider her a friend?
Sleep and Katrana friend questions are good additions. Tie why she likes humans to the things she enjoys.

I think we have two scenarios. Katrana couped the kingdom and this is just very aggressive negotiation tactic. If this is a proper coup we should just wash our hands off her but if this is negotiations then maybe we can salvage the relationship.

“Is Katrana your friend?” You asked Nalice.

“No, we are in an agreement.” Nalice told you and continued. “Mutually beneficial as you know.”

“I understand.” You replied back and sipped the whiskey. “You really don't need to sleep much? I mean just a pillow?”

“No, but there’s very little to do during the night. And after a while, you start to pick up human habits.” Nalice explained.

“I can just imagine, one moment you are soaring in the skies as a magnificent dragon and in the second you need to avoid hitting your head on doorframes.” You told Nalice and continued. “The contrast to me is mindboggling. To go from something so huge to just a human.”

Nalice gave you a curious look.

“It is a change Prince Alric, but some of us do enjoy this.” Nalice said and meant her human form. “I told you how we are so different and it is what makes you such interesting creatures to watch.”

“Hence taking a human form?”

“Not all of us bother, why would a mighty dragon want to be something lesser? But some of us choose forms more suitable for interactions. Elven are popular for their grace and longevity, humans for just blending with the masses. There is one dragon who chose a gnome for their form.” Nalice told you.

“A gnome? Who chooses a gnome? That dragon sounds like a big geek.” You replied and laughed. That was just a silly idea.

Nalice laughed, she normally didn't show much emotions, but seemed to have loosened up with you around.

“You like your human form?” You asked her. “I mean we are rather conveniently sized and shaped. Definitely better than a troll or a gnoll.”

“You are right about being conveniently shaped, but being a human is just…” Nalice said and stopped to think.

1/3

>>6303198

“Refreshing? Free?”

“Normal.” Nalice replied. “It is normal.”

“Normal? Hmmm… I can somewhat see that, maybe.” You said to her and continued. “I hope I have managed to provide you with some normalcy then.”

“Vice versa Prince Alric, you are far from normal.” She said and continued. “But that is good too as you don't become boring to follow.”

“Some would like me to be more normal and boring. I guess it is their loss if they don't enjoy following me as much as you do Lady Nalice.” You said. “But what do you enjoy, I mean if you plan on returning to Dawnholme, you can't just read books, teach me and Eligius and search for artifacts? There must be something else to enjoy?”

“I like riding.” Nalice replied and looked at you, her eyes looking deep within yours. “Not a warhorse or a fast horse, a smaller one with a sidesaddle.”

“Proper Lady like then.” You said. “I can arrange that for you Lady Nalice.”

“That would be kind of you Prince Alric.” She said. “But why are you smiling?”

“I just find the idea, dragon liking to ride horses a bit funny. Aren't fairy tales usually about gallant knights riding on the back of a dragon?” You asked her.

“Could be, but I like riding a lot.” Nalice replied and her tone changed a bit. “I also like music, the musical hall here is superb.”

“I guess I am nothing compared to them in skills, but I could play for you some day if you want.” You offered and sipped more of the whiskey. The glass was nearly empty.

“I would love to hear it and to see how you use your flute.” She replied.

“Lady Nalice, if you want you could join me and Malevus. Miss Foxton chose to skip music unfortunately, so we could use a third member.” You offered.

“I enjoy watching and listening, thank you for the offer.” Nalice said and continued. “But I will join Miss Foxton in her decision.”

“Shame shame, your loss then.” You said and laughed, getting Nalice to laugh as well. As you had spoken with her, she had been smiling more and more. You recognised that look in her eyes. “Is there anything else you enjoy?”

“I enjoy you Prince Alric.” Nalice replied and turned to face you while finishing her drink. “You are a very dutiful student, driven to accomplish more and more. Brave, shrewd and intelligent. You are my favourite student in a long time.”

“I enjoy your presence Lady Nalice, you are my favourite teacher as well.” You replied and finished your whiskey.

“But like I already told you, you are not boring. You break conventions, you break expectations, you deny people and do whatever you want with your own agenda and will.” Nalice told you. “I find those qualities enjoyable in men, you don't listen to others, but do what you want and bend others to your will one way or another. Besides it doesn't hurt to have seen you just in your underwear that often. I might be a dragon, but my form is that of a human.”

2/3

>>6303201

Nalice stepped closer putting her hand on your chest and the other on your shoulder.

“My teacher is quite an enjoyable person herself. Mage with a shade of warlock, spymaster with knowledge on many things. It doesn't hurt that my teacher is quite beautiful too, you chose your form well Lady Nalice.” You told her and felt her warm touch on your skin.

“It has its benefits.” She laughed and stared into your eyes. “Let's stop pretending and avoiding what is between us and let me be direct.”

“What do you have on your mind?” You asked and gave her your smile.

“What if tonight we deny Lady Katrana what she wants from you and spoil her fun in not being the first one.” Nalice said, her regal tone returning with a hint of mischievousness. “I did tell you to deny her in some way, didn't I?”

Oh she was direct and left very little for imagination as her hand slowly moved to push the morning robe off your shoulder. But she was right, there was something between the two of you and this could stay as your little protest against Katrana in some strange way. Your mind skipped to Malevus briefly and with her permission, she wouldn't mind either.

“So how is it Prince Alric, will this night be ours?” Nalice asked.


>Yes, spend the night with Nalice. Both of you want it to happen.
>Give her a single kiss, but deny her for now. If she wants you, she needs to work harder to get you.
>Deny Nalice as well. Not tonight, not today. But be playful about it.
>You wish to be loyal to Malevus, say no to Nalice and her advances.
>Other, write in

QM: Nalice lover route?

>>6303202
>You wish to be loyal to Malevus, say no to Nalice and her advances.
Why did you anons even choose the flirting options?
I'm not even interested in the romance side of the story but straight up flirting behind Malevus' back after all those events we had with her is just wrong.

>>6303202
>Yes, spend the night with Nalice. Both of you want it to happen.

Nalice lover route. How I've waited...The situationship angle of denying Katrana is a nice cherry on top lol. Good energy like the blizzard cabin.

>>6303226
Idk about the fellow anons but I've been pitching for a Nalice route for idk how many threads my man. Malevus and her elf noble ways being brought up several times in reference to him taking on another lover, I'll take the opening and work it out. Though the single kiss would be fine too, a bit of delay to add weight to when it happens.

>>6303202
>Yes, spend the night with Nalice. Both of you want it to happen.

God damn it. I guess I'll wait for the count down to vote and stop lurking.

Still waiting for Sylvanas. QM will probably remember me since I have brought her up for like 6 or so threads. (Tbf it was back a few threads)

We need a Harem. We're going to be a King and Malevus is fine with us having other's. She was fine with Jandice.

At least it's not 900 seconds wait anymore.

We should try to rekindle stuff with arthas sister... that's our easiest route to becoming a king again. We also need to talk to our cousin in gilneas.

>>6303235
Yeah, I remember ya pushed it. I was against the people pushing for ony. I do not want to get tangled up with her at all. Im glad there's even more of a reason to get outside her sphere of influence. Tbh I almost hopped back in to say something before the vote. I think we should of backed varian. Since ony going to fuck us if she becomes regent. Wasn't anyway that vote was going to win tho...

Still waiting for us to go to silvermoon so we can meet the Ranger General BAE.

>>6303202
>>Yes, spend the night with Nalice. Both of you want it to happen.
Alric the scalie.
i didnt like calia. And i am 100% meh about malevus.

>>6303202
>Not Alexstrasza best girl
Well.. Ok...
>Yes, spend the night with Nalice. Both of you want it to happen.
>ride the dragon

>>6303202
>Deny Nalice as well. Not tonight, not today. But be playful about it.

I think it's one thing for Malevus being willing to step aside for the good of Alteric vs us having a booty call the moment she leaves us... I don't think we can potentially compromise our relationship with a trusted subordinate that casually...

>>6303202
>Give her a single kiss, but deny her for now. If she wants you, she needs to work harder to get you.

We need to have a talk with malevus

Right now I am counting 4-3 on Yes and No votes. I am giving a heads up that I might miss today's update due to IRL stuff. Emphasis on might, not sure yet. So voting time is still plentiful, at minimum to today evening.

>>6303248
I do remember you, welcome back. More players is always merrier. Yeah the 900 seconds was real annoying, but 120 is rather doable wait. Just slap the counter on and write the message.

You started to smile, at this point you didn’t need to say anything as expressions told both of you enough. Nalice took that as an invite as she slowly brushed the robe off your shoulder and her hand on your chest moved down to loosen up the sash keeping it on.

The morning robe fell off, revealing you fully to her. The nightly sea air caressed you and she didn’t need to look down as her hand found you already half eager.

Nalice smiled a smile that did very little to betray her intentions as she slowly started to push you back through your quarters towards the bedroom. You walked slowly, keeping your eyes on hers as her hand did its work. She shoved you, making you fall on the bed and you carefully propped yourself slightly up to look at her.

She smiled and in an instant of purple smoke and lighting her mage clothes disappeared, leaving her fully naked.

You backed further into the bed and Nalice followed, straddling your legs and then waist. You could feel her eagerness as she straightened her back and looked you down her nose. Nalice gave you a faint smile and spoke.

“I told you, I like to ride.”

For a second you forgot to breathe as she…

…

…

…

The sun entered the room through the window as you laid on your back and stared at the ceiling. Someone had the bright idea of painting the southern star map on the ceiling and you studied the stars as your mind entered last night.

Nalice had taken everything slowly, savouring every second of the interaction. She avoided showing it, but it was easy to see how much she got out of it. Sweat glistened on her skin and her form rocked back and forth as you filled her. Not a word was said between the two of you as her body melted into yours as things progressed, finalising into a wordless scream of pleasure as her nails took a hold of your back while you found release for the third time.

“Good morning Prince Alric.” Nalice quietly said to you. She was laying next to you, staring at the stars just like you.

You found her hand and took it.

“Good morning Lady Nalice.” You replied. “Did you sleep well?”

“I had the most pleasant dreams one could imagine.” She said and didn’t look at you. “How about you?”

“I slept less than I wanted, but I didn't mind as I had the best company available.” You said to her and gave her a look. Her body lay there motionless with just her chest heaving up and down as she breathed. Nalice turned to look at you and found your eyes.

The two of you stayed like that for a moment before she spoke.

“And I thought you were some brat with blueblood in you, but you were so much more.” She said.

“And I thought you were a strange stuck up scholar.” You replied and got a smile out of her. “First impressions aren’t always what decide things.”

1/3

>>6303626

“They don’t.” She said and continued. “Prince Alric… of us…”

“What of us?”

“I cannot be more than this to you, I am a…” She started to say.

“A dragon, you have shown yourself to me and I can’t force you to be anything more than you want or can be.” You replied. “Lady Nalice, whatever you want, we can be and not a thing more.”

She stopped looking at you and turned to look at the stars. Silence filled the room outside of her breathing until she moved closer to you and wrapped her arms and legs around you, her skin finding your skin to rub against..

“I am a dragon, a creature of power and might and yet I can’t get what I dream of.” Nalice whispered. “I will outlive your elf, I will outlive all these kingdoms unless I will fall in some battle and be forgotten.”

“Lady Nalice, what do you dream of then?” You asked.

“I dream of growing old and dying surrounded by my family, grandchildren and friends around my bed.” Nalice said to you. “Believe me, I have tried. This form of mine won’t bring me any of that.”

“You are wrong, you are my friend.” You said to her.

“Yet if I blink…” She started to say.

“Then don’t blink, concentrate on the moment, our moments we create and don’t think about the future if you feel the present fleeting.” You told her and took hold of her. For a dragon she felt quite vulnerable. “I’ll be there for you, my teacher.”

Nalice looked up and found your eyes again. You could see her fighting against her emotions before she buried her head against your shoulder. The two of you stayed like this for a moment that lasted longer than usual before she let go of you and rolled out of the bed.

“Prince Alric, we have things to do today.” Nalice said to you.

“Like that?” You had to ask her.

“Like what?” Nalice asked back.

“At least take a bath before conjuring your clothes on.” You said to her.

“Good point, shall you join me? I think you enjoy brushing your elf’s hair.” Nalice replied. “You can brush mine.”

That was an invitation if nothing else. Boy are you good at combing and brushing hair.

“One thing though, next time please don’t use magic to remove your clothes, that is part of the fun.” You said to her as you jumped off the bed.

“I will keep that in mind.” Nalice said and smiled.

…

Her hair basically glistened in the sun after you were done with it. Having taken one of the secret routes out of the Stormwind Keep, you had entered the city without anyone interrupting the two of you. Walking the streets that were half empty, you found a flier nailed on a wooden lightpole.

2/3

>>6303629

“The House of Nobles doesn’t recognise the rule of King Varian over the Kingdom of Stormwind. Therefore all official institutes are now under the direct rule of the House of Nobles.” You read it aloud for Nalice. “The House of Nobles asks for cooperation to prevent anarchy in the streets while we seek a resolution to the current situation.”

Nalice didn’t say anything as she seemed to think about what had been written down.

“Seems like they don’t want violence in the streets.” You said to her.

“No and that is a good thing for us.” Nalice said and continued. “Shall we do something before we go see Sir Fordragon?”

That wasn’t a bad suggestion, maybe to hear from the citizens or from the others what they were thinking about this. A place for breakfast sounded quite lovely.


Choose one:
>A nearby quality restaurant frequented by merchants.
>Food stalls visited by manual labour and workers.
>Seedy and sketchy bar filled with shady and smelly individuals.
>Other, write in.

QM: Nalice as lover acquired.

>>6303630
>write in
>We need to go gank seruena master warlock. Let's go kick some ass before Fordragon.

It'd be nice to have a new master warlock in our employment. Or another skull for the skull throne.

Also I suggest we don't tell malevus and have Nalice keep this as a secret.

@anon I don't like arthas sister either. But political marriages be for political reasons. Will give us casus belli for saving lorderon during scourge fun times. And when Arthas disappears we'd inherit lorderon also. Greater Alterac empire time!

Question anons when does the scarlet monastery guys show up? It'd be nice if we had priests and paladins.

>>6303712
Also does anyone know why captcha isn't working for shit? I had to wait 3 times to finally get one. The timer kept resetting. I ended up having to use my wifi instead of phone service.

< Sylvanas enjoyer

>>6303630
>Seedy and sketchy bar filled with shady and smelly individuals
The gang run bar but it also makes a great breakfast. The underworld Intel.

Nice lover Nalice. Vulnerable Nalice. Has pinned herself in the lover box at least from her perspective. Wants that family dream mortal life. I think I could imagine a couple ideas.

>>6303630
>A nearby quality restaurant frequented by merchants.
Potential rumours from movers and shakers

I wonder what the red dragon lads are up to - if Vaelan/Vaelastrasz is getting mind controlled in Blackrock Spire, or Caelastrasz in Silithus.. both are too far.
>Broach the subject of dragon mates

>>6303630
>>A nearby quality restaurant frequented by merchants.

>>6303803
And again.. I forgot to say that I am proposing to ask Nalice about other dragons who could be her partner to raise a family

>>6303630
>A nearby quality restaurant frequented by merchants.
hmm

Quality restaurant looks like the winner, but no update will come out today. I am way too tired to do creative writing today. Apologies for that.

>>6304032
np we will be ready for your culinary post then lol


>>6303712
>Also I suggest we don't tell malevus and have Nalice keep this as a secret.
We regularly talk with her about everything at this point, Alric and her are quite in love. I see no reason to not tell her. She might have her differences with Nalice, but Malevus doesn't mind other lovers.

>Question anons when does the scarlet monastery guys show up? It'd be nice if we had priests and paladins.
Not sure with the changes we are making in the story, everything might not go as it should be in canon. For Calia idk. Need to see her. The relationship is difficult for the secrecy and distance of it. Its also dangerous, since we are playing with fire there. Arthas was quite inquisitive with his sister about us, didn't trust us near her one bit. And there are other people on the lookout for Alric doing a misstep (a secret relation between royals is kind of a big deal). There are a lot of reasons why we didn't continue it.

There was a restaurant nearby that you chose for the place to go, but to your annoyance the place seemed to be closed. There were people inside that you saw through the window and you knocked on the glass to get their attention. It didn’t take long for a well dressed man to come open the door for you.

“Apologies, but we are closed.” The man replied as he studied you wearing the Raiments and Nalice in her scholar’s dress and robes. The two of you clearly looked wealthy. “The news you see.”

“We know, that is why I am interested in eating in your restaurant.” You replied to him.

“I don’t understand?” The man politely said to you.

“I am Prince Alric Perenolde.”

“Oh, apologies for not recognising you, your highness.” The man bowed. “Please come in.”

Following the man to inside, you were guided to a free table. You were vague in what you wanted and just told them breakfast and that you wanted to talk with them. It didn’t take long for the Chef to personally bring you fresh bread, butter and croissants which were then followed by two perfectly breakfast sized lamp pies.

“We hope that the food is to your standards your highness.” The Chef said to you.

“It is, the pie is tremendously good.” You replied and smiled. “Is that right Lady Nalice?”

“It is Prince Alric.” She replied and the Chef seemed to be rather pleased.

“Your highness, you wished to talk to us?” The Chef asked.

“Yes, I do want to talk. As I am not from here, I lack the feeling on the ground so to speak.” You replied and wiped your lips with a handkerchief. This was a quality establishment so you had to behave like a quality customer.

“I am not sure how much we can be of help.” The Chef lamented.

“You own this place?”

“For the past two decades, we had to rebuild, but who didn’t?” He replied and loosened up a bit.

What should you ask from the Chef?


>What does he know or think about you? What is your reputation in Stormwind City?
>Stonemasons, where does he stand when it comes to them?
>You presume his customers are wealthy, has the political deadlock caused issues to them?
>The flier, what is his thinking of the events from yesterday?
>Other, write in

QM: Quick update, asshittery at work so no ability to procrastinate and write.

>>6304342
>>You presume his customers are wealthy, has the political deadlock caused issues to them?
>>The flier, what is his thinking of the events from yesterday?

>>6304342
>What does he know or think about you? What is your reputation in Stormwind City?
>Stonemasons, where does he stand when it comes to them?
"Alterac has taken many as refugees, tragic circumstances that forced this issue."
>You presume his customers are wealthy, has the political deadlock caused issues to them?
>The flier, what is his thinking of the events from yesterday?

Kitchen sink option.

I could use a roll for tomorrow, d20 for granularity.


>1d20
>Best of three

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>6304550

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>6304550
gnoll death

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>6304550

>16


You spoke with the Chef while you ate, asking some simple questions and probing more information, you had gotten a solid idea how the business is going in Stormwind City.

The merchants that visit the restaurant have been complaining about the deadlock for months, exactly what Katrana had told you and you had learned earlier. But it also had started to affect the restaurant itself, not just with rarer foods that the Chef needs to trade from abroad, but also in shortages in some common goods such as high quality flour. The Chef lamented about the situation, but now with yesterday’s events having happened, he was quite hopeful that things would get better.

It was clear that the Chef and the merchants were for the most part behind Katrana and the House of Nobles and had very little love for King Varian right now. Sure he was still their King, but the merchants are a pragmatic folk. And greedy folk, they like their coin.

You thanked the Chef for the talk and the breakfast, it was really good and not just you saying it.

“Prince Alric, I didn’t expect the food to become an issue.” Nalice replied to you outside the restaurant.

“It is still the higher quality stuff, but when will normal farmers end up getting issues?” You asked and shrugged.

A crowd had gathered in the square as the Newsreader struggled to get up his stairs on his pedestal. The fat man in way too posh clothes had to take a breather for a second as people gathered around him.

“Hear me! Hear me!” The Newsreader shouted to the crowd and read from his scroll. “The House of Nobles have decreed the following! Lady Katrana Prestor will be named the First Minister!”

“First Minister?” You asked Nalice.

“Lady Katrana got what she wanted.” Nalice replied.

The Newsreader continued speaking. Different Nobles were named into other positions, Second, Third and so on Ministers. Malice gave short descriptions of them and most of them were the Great Nobles, but a couple merchants were in the mix too.

“The Council of Nobles led by the First Minister has decreed the budget signed!” The Newsreader shouted. “Those who have claims for budgetary money can approach appropriate officials starting tomorrow!”

“Really not wasting any time.” You said.

The crowd seemed happy and murmur spread through it. It wasn’t a bad murmur with a negative tone, but a good spirited murmur.

As the people scattered away and back to their jobs and homes, everything seemed quite peaceful. The guards had been joined by soldiers and they kept watch. Stormwind City was peaceful with no signs of protests or demonstrations. Had the citizens just had enough of the deadlock that they just went and accepted what had happened?

“Prince Alric?” Nalice asked you, having noticed you just thinking.

1/1

>>6304860


>Did Katrana just outright win? Everything seems so normal?
>She isn’t wasting any time, the budget was already accepted today.
>The military seems to have stayed put and are just keeping watch, are they to oppose her?
>Longer this goes, less leverage King Varian will end up having.
>Other, write in

>>6304861
>>She isn’t wasting any time, the budget was already accepted today.
>>The military seems to have stayed put and are just keeping watch, are they to oppose her?
>>Longer this goes, less leverage King Varian will end up having.

>>6304861
>She isn’t wasting any time, the budget was already accepted today.
>The military seems to have stayed put and are just keeping watch, are they to oppose her?
>Longer this goes, less leverage King Varian will end up having

So no treating those nobles like rebels. Hasn't tried to dissolve the house of nobles, or as Lord of Stormwind throw them out of his land. Yet. Still about a third of nobles were Varian loyalists.

>>6304861
>She isn’t wasting any time, the budget was already accepted today.
>The military seems to have stayed put and are just keeping watch, are they to oppose her?
>Longer this goes, less leverage King Varian will end up having

>>6304861
>She isn’t wasting any time, the budget was already accepted today.
>The military seems to have stayed put and are just keeping watch, are they to oppose her?

I can work with this, could I have some rolls for tomorrow please. Next update we will get to meet with Sir Fordragon.


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll.

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>6305009
katrana clears ....?

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>6305009

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>6305009
by fire be purged, gnolls

>9
>9


“Katrana is not wasting any time if the budget has already been accepted. If they can start applying the budget starting tomorrow, the most urgent projects can start.” You told Nalice and continued. “And how will everyone see it? The military seems to have stayed put and haven’t acted beyond sending patrol and men to stand around street corners. They are going to benefit from the budget as well.”

Nalice looked at you as the two of you started to walk towards where Fordragon was living.

“When will the officers decide that the new governance is actually better than what they had before? Would they oppose Katrana then?” You asked her.

“If the King loses the military…” Nalice mused.

“The longer this goes, the less leverage he will have.” You said to her.

Allowing Nalice to guide you through the streets, the sights continued to be the same. People continued their normal lives as they discussed the events and looked at the fliers spread around the city. Things seemed normal as people gave the two of you room as you looked like two nobles walking across the city.

“Here Prince Alric, Sir Fordragon’s home.” Nalice said and nodded towards a two-story house that looked just like all the other houses on the street.

“There? Doesn’t look like the home of a renowned warhero.” You said and shrugged.

“Says the Prince living in a homestead.” Nalice replied.

You gave her a look and went for the door knocking on it several times. You had to wait for some time for someone to come to the door when it was finally opened. A tall broad man wearing rather plain clothes with a sword by his side looked first at you and then at Nalice.

“I would like to know what the Alteraci Prince and the right hand woman of Lady Prestor are doing here?” Fordragon asked you as he rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“We would like to talk with you.” You said and gave him a polite nod.

“Me?” He asked. “I have no interest in talking with you Prince Perenolde.”

“But I have in talking with you Sir Bolvar Fordragon.” You replied.

He looked at you for a moment and sighed.

“Alright, come inside because I don’t think you are going to take no for an answer.” He said to you.

He led you in and you looked around. His home was perfectly normal, nothing really that would betray his wealth or status, outside of a couple items with links to the Church. Fordragon guided you to the kitchen where a fair looking woman was doing the dishes.

“My love, can you leave us for a moment?” Fordragon asked the woman who seemed to be his wife, who did as he asked.

Taking a seat around the kitchen table, Fordragon kept studying you.

“Why are you here?” He asked.

1/1

File: Bolvar Fordragon.jpg (84 KB, 800x1067)

84 KB JPG

>>6305308


>You want to ask for his help in reaching King Varian and getting this crisis solved.
>Sir Fordragon is a respected veteran and a Paladin. He could get the nobles behind him and assert pressure on Lady Katrana to solve this crisis.
>He is a renowned Paladin, you wish to create a third position to balance both King Varian and Lady Katrana. The status quo needs to be restored.
>Other, write in.

QM: Asshittery continues, please bear with me with these short updates.

>>6305310
>>You want to ask for his help in reaching King Varian and getting this crisis solved.

>>6305310
>>6305310
Im ambivalent about the last few choices.

I dont mind backing varian or Fordragon as a third-party.

But I do think we should be quite about our involvement.

>write in
I think we should have Varian publicly apologize for punching us. Then we can forgive him publicly as well. Basically squash a bunch of the support katrana got from using the situation. We can then help him fix some of his shit going on in stormwind in return for backing our play for Alterac. See if we can negotiate a better oil and silver deal with him instead of katrana and cut her out. Giving us a bigger slice of the money pie.

That way we get a better deal, he gets to look like he's doing king shit, and katrana gets a slap in the face.

>>6305310
>>You want to ask for his help in reaching King Varian and getting this crisis solved.

>>6305546
So you want us to basically burn the bridge with katrana? Also the oil rig was financed by katrana with the idea we sell the oil later to her.

>>6305310
>You want to ask for his help in reaching King Varian and getting this crisis solved.
>He is a renowned Paladin, you wish to create a third position to balance both King Varian and Lady Katrana. The status quo needs to be restored.

To maintain the Katrana Alliance, with enough pushback to make our displeasure apparent. Hes a warhero paladin he can pull the military and church support easy. The varian loyalists must be desperate for someone they can get behind.

At the end of the day the house of nobles still can't order the military to go out and counter the movements of the gnolls and trolls if the military won't follow their orders (for now), and legally that power is still with the Throne or the military itself even if the house of nobles have the 'purse'.

Get Varian's support, march in with signatures from the top commanders? Give Bolvar a big promotion? A church rep if theres time. Maybe a quick rite to make Bolvar into Anduin's Godfather lol. Demand Regency which they can share so its more palatable to Katrana.

If Katrana refuses to share power with the military? Obviously she doesn't trust them in a time of crisis and so why should they trust her.

She'll threaten to pull their pay? Bolvar announces the military is halting all projects. Its the military that rewards contracts to the merchants which should have some pull, so in theory they should have a decent bit in the bank or the King does. The military pulls back from various projects and acquisitions like towers, navy, and buying new equipment etc. which they can use to fund themselves for a while even if Katrana cuts them off. The military blames Katrana, who will the merchants blame as they lose money because Katrana wouldn't share power? Power which is supposed to be temporary until Varian abdicates or the crisis resolves. The merchants get the raw materials and goods from the Noble lands, so not even the Nobles will be getting money they were expecting.

It would be a tough choice to deny the military, fuck over the merchants which fucks over nobles as well.

To reach King Varian. I could use some rolls for tomorrow, I don't have the time to write today. Apologies for that.


>1d10
>Best of three.