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Old 12-10-2015, 07:37 AM   #146
Vanshilar
Abandonia nerd

 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Los Angeles, United States
Posts: 81
Default

I've decoded the text of the plots. Note that this is just the text, not how the plots actually work (that'll come next), since they do additional stuff like check how much gold you have and such in figuring out which plot branch you'll follow.

The plot text is stored in LIB.CLU (it probably stands for "cluster library"). It's split up into 3201 clusters; however, the first 1000 clusters are blank, and in fact, only 359 clusters have data. Within each cluster, there are up to 10 nodes. Each node is then further split into different sub-nodes for things like the different text when you choose different options. Those sub-nodes are then split into lines of text. These lines don't match up with the lines you see in the game, but there seems a max of around 85 characters to a line.

The text is below. Note that "{" and "}" characters get converted into quotation marks when the text is displayed on your screen. I haven't figured out how the branching is done yet, so this shows all the possible branches of the different plots. So you'll see multiple sub-nodes together; for example, if you see 3 sentences after being given choices A, B, C, then each of those sentences correspond to the response for each choice.

This will take about 15 posts because the forum has a limit of 50000 characters per post.

-------------
Cluster: 1000
-------------

_Player is %d
_Main plot manager: %d plots have been run
_Scott's generic manager
_Scott's random event manager
_Katie's resource manager
_Boots St. Bernard's Mother May I? manager
_Secret movie %d

-------------
Cluster: 1001
-------------

_NODE 10010.
_NODE 2.
The mob gathers to greet their hero, the demagogue Arinseault,
as he visits you.

{So, you are the one who would be king. Like so many others.
Like ***** in a barn, pecking at each other, seeing who shall rule
the roost. You amuse me, with your petty struggles for power.
You are no different than any other man who claims a throne.

{Perhaps I am being unfair. Perhaps I am being too generous. Let me
test your royal soul, monarch of the land. Answer my question: where
does a king's power chiefly come from?}

Do you say:
[a] his peasants and serfs.
[b] his knights.
[c] his heart.
[d] God.
{You tell me what you think I wish to hear. No honest king
believes that. Your answer is more politic than truth. I
shall return some other time to test thee again.}
{You have the heart of a soldier, thinking only of his
armor, his weapons. There is more to life than that. I
shall come again, when your heart is a changed thing.}
{Now that is an arrogant answer; in a kingdom of thousands
to think that any man's heart has the power to hold them
together. Yet the heart of a great king has the power to hold
a kingdom together like strings connecting a frail tapestry
in a brisk wind, and when that heart is gone, the kingdom
snaps and falls apart. History is full of such tales.
Unhappy are those who have no memory of a great king. Yet
without followers, a king is a man like any other.

{I cannot grant thee what you ask on a single question. I
shall come again.}
{Ah, God, I had forgotten Him, as I have done too often of
late. It is a danger of those who are wrapped too frequently
in mortal affairs that they forget the sublime. You have
shamed me, with cause. Nonetheless, this is too easy an
answer for so difficult a question. Is God not the answer to
all questions?}
_NODE 1.
_NODE 10011.
One of your knights brings council.

{Majesty, we are now able to send our contacts into Paris. There is
a man there whose favor we should court, the demagogue Arinseault,
a man who is worshipped by the mob. He is a strange man, something
of a philosopher, but having him support your claim to the throne
would give you major political advantages.}

Do you:
[a] summon Arinseault to you.
[b] send your finest knights to Paris to pay homage to him.
[c] send Arinseault a gift of 1000 marks (1 Gold).
{It shall be done, my liege.}
{It shall be done, my liege.}
{You do not have the funds. I shall see that he is
summoned.}
{It shall be done.}

-------------
Cluster: 1002
-------------

_NODE 10020.
_NODE 3.
The demagogue Arinseault returns:

{I have come again, to judge whether you are worth my support,
as I will come to any man who would be king. What I would ask
you of is a matter of trust. Of all mortal things, where should
a man place his greatest trust?}

Do you choose:
[a] in the stars.
[b] in his brother.
[c] in himself.
[d] in the kindness of strangers.
{The stars will betray no trusts, but they cannot help
thee. Hope is the greatest trust of all, and such a trust
shared with another can produce rewards unlooked for.

{I shall come again.}
{Have you no fear of betrayal? For one's brother can
betray a trust as easily as any other. Yet a trust unshared
is a worthless thing. Your answer is as perfect as one can
give in an imperfect world. I shall consider this answer
and return with my decision.}
{That is the least wise place of all, for no one betrays us
more than ourselves. A secret kept inside is a hidden fire,
that burns us at inopportune times.

{Nonetheless, I find these meetings of interest. I shall come
again.}
{This speaks ill of you, for from this answer, I can assume that you
have trusts that you would not share with friends, or that you have
friends that you would not trust. One should make trustworthy
friends, and share one's secrets freely with them.

{Godspeed, my liege. I shall come again.}

-------------
Cluster: 1003
-------------

_NODE 4.
_NODE 10030.
You have been brought word of the demagogue, Arinseault.

{Majesty, we no longer know Arinseault's whereabouts. He was accused
of murdering a tax collector, and eluded those who came to take him
to trial. He is now an outlaw. This has only increased the devotion
of his followers to his cause; if you were to ally yourself with
him, you would become a hero to the people of the cities.}

Do you:
[a] offer 1,000 marks (1 Gold) to anyone who will bring Arinseault
to you.
[b] send a unit of infantry to search for him.
[c] send word to Arinseault's followers that you will help him.
You cannot afford to offer this reward. You send
word to Arinseault's followers instead.
Messengers are sent to the towns and cities,
proclaiming the reward.
You do not have enough infantry. You send
word to Arinseault's followers instead.
A band of soldiers march toward the city, searching
for their quarry.
A message will be sent to them.

-------------
Cluster: 1004
-------------

_NODE 5.
_NODE 10040.
The rather strange demagogue Arinseault returns.

{Tell me, one who would rule Bretagne, What is the thing that most
separates a commoner from a king?}

Do you say:
[a] a king is a leader, a commoner is a follower.
[b] a king has wealth and power, a commoner has none.
[c] a king bears great burdens, a commoner bears small burdens.
[d] there is no difference.
{Thou hast placed thy finger on the matter's crux; this is
the difference between commoner and king. You have spoken
wisely. I will consider whether you are deserving of my
blessing, and return.
{The difference in wealth and power is great indeed, but if
a king were to be cast out of his kingdom, and shorn of all
his worldly goods, would there not be differences between
a king and commoner still?

{This was a noble failure, but a failure nonetheless. I shall
come again.}
{I can tell you that a peasant, who knows not whence his
next meal shall come, bears burdens great as thee. The love
of child and wife, their health, the respect of neighbors,
the company of friends, the need for love and pride, the
spectre of shame, all these things you share with peasants,
and they can create great burdens.

{I shall come again.}
{You think there is no difference? What an absurd answer.
The evidence of one's eyes makes it obvious that there are
great differences.

{I shall come at least one more time, Majesty.}

-------------
Cluster: 1005
-------------

_NODE 6.
_NODE 10050.
{Majesty, we have learned of three possible hiding places where
Arinseault may be hiding.

{First, there is the forest outside Paris. It is a haven for
hundreds of brigands, bandits, and outlaws, and we would have
to take many of our infantry from our army, purge the forest of
these scum, and hope to find Arinseault, if he is there at all.

{Second, there are the cathedrals within Paris itself. It may be
that Arinseault has requested asylum there. We would not require
to send an army into Paris to retrieve him, but interfering in
the Church's right of asylum could anger the Pope.

{Third, Arinseault has many supporters in the University. While not
a secure hiding place, it offers more comforts than a cathedral or
a forest. The students are not likely to surrender Arinseault, even
to someone who is on friendly terms with him.}

Do you:
[a] send soldiers into the forest of Paris.
[b] send your best diplomat to the Cathedral of Notre Dame.
[c] send soldiers into the university.
_NODE 6a.
_NODE 10051.
You would need to send at least one unit of infantry. You do
not have them. Your only option is to search the cathedrals.
Your soldiers will search the forest.
_NODE 6b.
_NODE 10052.
A messenger is dispatched to the bishop of Paris.
_NODE 6c.
_NODE 10053.
A messenger is sent to the University.

-------------
Cluster: 1006
-------------

_NODE 7.
_NODE 10060.
A messenger comes from the mayor of Paris.

{Majesty, the mayor objects to your soldiers running around the
city without his authority. He wishes you to stop this practice
at once}.

Do you:
[a] order the mayor to pardon Arinseault, or you will find another
mayor to do it for him.
[b] tell the mayor that you will raze the city if he interferes with
you.
[c] tell him that you'll listen carefully to him, then ignore him.
_node 7b.
_NODE 10061.
That may well be, but the mayor will never surrender his legal
authority, save to one who has been crowned as the rightful king
of Bretagne by the Church.
_node 7b.
_NODE 10062.
{I see. I do not forsee any problems, Majesty.}
{There are many others in Bretagne who would defend
us if we were attacked by you. You have powerful
enemies, and that means we have powerful friends.

{If you are discreet, I am certain the situation can
be resolved to our mutual satisfaction. If you are
not, things will not go as either of us wish. Keep
that in mind.}
_NODE 7c.
_NODE 10063.
{That is good.}

-------------
Cluster: 1007
-------------

_NODE 8.
_NODE 10070.
You are called to the great hall suddenly.

A hush fills the hall. Your soldiers seem nervous, intimidated
by the man, as if a prophet of the Lord had walked into the hall.

Arinseault.

{I have come again, one who would rule Bretagne, and I have another
question for thee. Who is thy greatest enemy?}

Do you say:
[a] the strongest of your rivals to the throne.
[b] yourself.
[c] truth.
[d] death.
[e] Arinseault.
{He who would destroy thy hope? A powerful enemy indeed.
Yet, not the greatest. I shall come to thee one final time.
Fare thee well, Majesty.}
{Your greatest enemy? What is so great about thee?}

Arinseault laughs without malice.

{Yet thou art a prince, and a person of quality. Easily can
your ambitions betray thee. It is a sufficient answer. I
shall give you my blessing. You are wise enough to rule this
land.}
{So many lies do we weave, so many sins do we commit, that
truth must become the greatest enemy of even the most
honest of men. You have done very well. You have my blessing.}
{But when death has come, one does not think of it as an
enemy. I would imagine even those unhappy souls confined
to the torments of Hell do not curse death; they would curse
the deeds of life which confined them to such torment.

{It would appear to me, Majesty, that fear is thy enemy, not
death, for without fear, why would you think death to be
thy enemy?

{I shall come one last time. Farewell.}
{Me? Then you must live a blessed life indeed, for I have
done thee no harm, nor have I desired to harm thee. If
I am thy greatest enemy, then I must depart, and never
see thee again. Farewell.}

-------------
Cluster: 1008
-------------

_NODE 10080.
_NODE 9.
A messenger returns from searching the cathedrals of Paris.

{Majesty, we have found Arinseault. However, his recent experiences
have changed him deeply. He no longer wishes to involve himself
in politics, or with the mob, or with anything except the Church. He
intends to become a monk!}

Do you:
[a] ask him to appear before you.
[b] offer to aid the Pope if he aids you.
{Very well, my liege.}
{Very well, my liege.}
_NODE 10081.
_NODE 9a.
A messenger returns from Arinseault.

{Arinseault has asked for a favor before he agrees to appear before
you. Sir Richard de Peorot, a pious knight, went to the Crusades and
was mistakenly thought to be dead. When he returned to Bretagne, his
lands had been sold, and he was penniless. Arinseault wishes you
to restore his lands. However, the man who bought them, Count
Alodinac, is quite powerful, and not someone who should be offended
if you wish to be King of Bretagne.}

Do you:
[a] ignore Arinseault's request.
[b] compensate Alodinac (2 Gold) and restore Sir Richard.
[c] offer Richard some poorer lands (1 Resource) as compensation.
{Very well, my liege.}

Arinseault does not come.
You cannot afford this. However, Count Alodinac is
not without pity, and agrees to restore the knight
to his lands, in return for certain indulgences from
the Church. The Church is pleased by your efforts.
Count Alodinac is satisfied, and the Pope is
especially impressed with your efforts.
_NODE 10082.
_NODE 9b.
A messenger returns from Arinseault.

{Arinseault wishes to know what you intend to do to help the Pope.

Do you:
[a] publicly denounce the Anti-Pope and imprison anyone who would
openly support him.
[b] offer to send one unit of Knights to the Crusades.
[c] offer one unit of Timber to build ships for the Crusades.
{This answer shall be taken back to Arinseault.}
You do not have one unit of Knights to spare. You
doubt that Arinseault will come now.
The Church is quite surprised by your offer. They
give you 5,000 marks in compensation. Arinseault
is also reportedly quite pleased.
You do not have one unit of Timber to spare. You
doubt that Arinseault will come now.
The Church is quite surprised by your offer. They
give you 1,000 marks in compensation. Arinseault
is also reportedly quite pleased.
_NODE 10083.
_NODE 9ac.
{What do you wish to pay? Gold and grain are the only commodities
desired by those who sell land.}

Do you:
[a] pay 1 Grain.
[b] pay 1 Timber.
[c] pay 1 Iron.
[d] pay 1 Gold.
[e] force someone from their land and give it to Sir Richard.
You do not have enough grain.
Sir Richard is pleased by your gift, as is the
Church, and Arinseault.
You do not have enough timber.
It is not a particularly good piece of land, but Sir
Richard is not an ingrate. The Church is pleased with
your act of Christian charity.
You do not have enough iron.
It is not a particularly good piece of land, but Sir
Richard is not an ingrate. The Church is pleased with
your act of Christian charity.
You do not have enough gold.
Sir Richard is pleased by your gift, as is the
Church, and Arinseault.
When Sir Richard learns how the land was obtained, he
wants nothing to do with it. No one is particularly happy
with your handling of the situation. Needless to say,
Arinseault ignores your request, and you do not receive
his blessing.

-------------
Cluster: 1009
-------------

_NODE 10090.
_NODE 10.
A messenger comes to you, bearing news from the Forest of Paris.

{Your force of men has not found Arinseault. Questioning the outlaws,
it would appear that he was never in the forest, although by
destroying the outlaws, we have inadvertently done much to aid
our cause. Even the mayor of Paris is saying kind things about us,
in public, at least.

{Where do you wish us to search next?}
[a] the cathedrals of Paris.
[b] the University of Paris.
{Very good, Majesty.}
{Very good, Majesty.}

-------------
Cluster: 1010
-------------

_node 11.
_NODE 10100.
A messenger comes from the University of Paris, where you have been
searching for the demagogue, Arinseault.

{Majesty, he is not in the University, but one of the students said
that he is taking refuge in one of the cathedrals. We are searching
there now.}

-------------
Cluster: 1011
-------------

_NODE 12.
_NODE 10110.
Arinseault the demagogue -- or is it prophet? -- has come.

{This is the final time I will come, Majesty. This is the final
question. What is a king's greatest responsibility?}

Do you answer:
[a] making wise decisions and laws.
[b] the happiness of his subjects.
[c] the defense of the realm and its interests.
[d] peace and order.
{That is true. For that is all that a people can expect
of a king, to do his best when the tides of a world turn
against them. You have my blessing, ruler of Bretagne.}
{That is too great a burden for a king. A king can make his
subjects unhappy, but they alone create their own happiness.
Farewell, one who would be ruler of Bretagne.}

You never see Arinseault again.
{That is important, but what does a secure realm matter if
a ruler is unwise, and his people oppressed and miserable?
Farewell, one who would be ruler of Bretagne.}

You never see Arinseault again.
{There is much to be said about peace and order, but there
can also be times when peace means slavery, and order means
corruption. There are times when war is preferable to peace,
and chaos is preferable to order. Farewell, one who would
rule Bretagne.}

You never see Arinseault again.

-------------
Cluster: 1012
-------------

_NODE 13.
_NODE 10120.
{Majesty, Arinseault will not come. He will not see
someone who is excommunicated.}
The monk Arinseault appears.

{Hear me, servant of the Darkness, enemy of all that is holy
and chaste! I have come not to give you the blessing of
the Lord, but his righteous damnation! Repent, sinner!
Fall to thy knees and reject the ways of evil! Only God and
his Holy Saints can save thee! Pray for God's eternal love and
the forgiveness of thy sins!}

Do you:
[a] fall to your knees immediately and pray.
[b] offer to make restitution for thy sins to the poor and
destitute.
[c] have Arinseault removed from your throne chamber.
_NODE 13a.
_NODE 10121.
{Bless you, my son. Thou art a true devout follower of Christ. I
gladly help thee, for you will be a right Christian king of
Bretagne.}
_NODE 13b.
_NODE 10122.
{My son, though God loves good deeds, they cannot save thy
soul. This is not the way to obtain the blessing of God.}

Do you:
[a] fall to your knees immediately and pray.
[b] beg him to forgive your sins.
[c] have Arinseault removed from your throne chamber.
_NODE 13c.
_NODE 10123.
{Unbeliever! No blessing shall thou receive, and thy greatest
works shall crumble in thy fingers.}
_NODE 13bb.
_NODE 10124.
{My son, though God has given me great blessings, no mortal
may forgive sins. That is the province of God and his Saints; I
have no power to forgive your transgressions.}

Do you:
[a] fall to your knees immediately and pray.
[b] have Arinseault removed from your throne chamber.
_NODE Additional.
_NODE 10125.
Arinseault has come.

{I have considered the answer to your last question, and doubts to
your worthiness remain. I have but one more question for you, my
liege. How many angels can stand on the head of a pin?}

Do you answer:
[a] None. Angels are too glorious to fit on any pin.
[b] The answer is without number, for angels are limited only by the
will of God.
[c] The answer is meaningless, for angels would have no cause to
perform this action.
{You think highly of angels. Man is also God's servant, and
has been gifted with glorious capabilities. You have my
blessing, and my hope that you will serve God, and His
people, well.}
{You think highly of angels. Man is also God's servant, and
has been gifted with glorious capabilities. You have my
blessing, and my hope that you will serve God, and His
people, well.}
{Such a practical response. May your practicality serve you
well as King of Bretagne, for you have my blessing.}
_NODE Additional.
_NODE 10126.
Arinseault has come.

{I have considered the answer to your last question, and I find
myself with more questions. Perhaps you can answer this one, my
liege. What is the most desirable quality in a friend?}

Do you answer:
[a] Honesty.
[b] Steadfastness.
[c] Honor.
[d] Valor.
{A worthy answer. The truth is that I had decided to give
you my blessing weeks ago, but I did not wish these
discussions to end so quickly. I know you will serve the
people well. You have my blessing.}
{May our friendship have that quality, even after you have
become King of Bretagne. You have my blessing.}
{You have demonstrated that quality, Majesty, as well as
patience. I hope you will honor me with an invitation to
your coronation as King of Bretagne, for you have my blessing.}
{That is a quality to be desired in friends as well as kings.
You have my blessing.}

-------------
Cluster: 1013
-------------

_NODE 14.
_NODE 10130.
{Majesty!}

{Majesty!}

You awaken to the sound of mourning bells in the crisp dawn air.

{Majesty, Arinseault is dead. How, I do not know; Arinseault is as
mysterious in death as he was in life. He is already being considered
for beatification, perhaps even canonization, by the Pope. However,
he had his share of enemies.}

Do you:
[a] declare a day of mourning and make a pilgrimage to his tomb.
[b] ignore his death.
{Very good Majesty.}

Arinseault is immediately beatified by the Pope. Your
public display of grief endears you to the public.
{Certainly, my liege.}

Arinseault is immediately beatified by the Pope. Some
wonder why you didn't show your friend more respect.
_NODE 10131 End Of Current Plot.
_Start new plot - retsub.

-------------
Cluster: 1020
-------------

_NODE 1.
_NODE n10200
One of your councillors bears a message from one of your subjects.

{Majesty, the lord mayor of the town of Mortain wishes to celebrate
your arrival. He wishes to know what kind of celebration you
prefer.

{A tournament would please the nobles, and would test the skills of
the local knights. It is quite expensive.

{A fair is less pleasing to the nobles, but would give the peasantry
a chance to display their wares and talents, and is less expensive.

{A festival of song and plays would allow the presentation of Mystery
plays, which will please the Church, and might even save some of
their souls. It is also less expensive.}

Do you prefer:
[a] a tournament.
[b] a fair.
[c] a festival.
_NODE 1a.
_NODE n10201
{Very good, Majesty.}
_NODE 1b.
_NODE n10202
{I am certain it will be enjoyable, Majesty.}
_NODE 1c.
_NODE n10203
{I shall make the preparations, Majesty.}

-------------
Cluster: 1021
-------------

_NODE 2.
_NODE n10210
One of your advisors brings news.

{Majesty, there is an argument between the lord mayors of Mortain
and Rennes. Each wishes to be the host of your Majesty's fair; they
also wish to be the sole host of the fair.

{Mortain is a town where many of the nobility retire; they find the
sea air refreshing. As you know, many of your most steadfast
supporters reside there; you would never have been able to stake a
claim on the throne of Bretagne without their backing.

{Rennes, on the other hand, is a town belonging to peasants who have
never travelled further than a league from their homes. They have
little love for any king, and care not who claims the throne of
Bretagne, as long as they are left in peace. There are far more
people in Rennes than in Mortain, which is their closest rival in
goods and trade.}

Do you:
[a] hold the fair in Mortain.
[b] hold the fair in Rennes.
{Your friends will be glad to see you.}
{The peasants should rejoice to see their king.}

-------------
Cluster: 1022
-------------

_NODE 3.
_NODE n10220
You receive a visit from Bishop Winslow the dour, regarding the
forthcoming festival.

{Majesty, I must protest certain of the performers that have been
hired to perform at your festival. Several are involved in that
most sinful of activities, dancing.

{I realize I may be old fashioned, and there are some even among
my peers who would allow this sort of thing, but I must protest it,
protest it most vigorously, Sire. If you would allow me to take
control of this frivolity, I promise you that the festival will be
one worth attending.}

Do you:
[a] assure him that all of the performers will be moral.
[b] ignore him.
[c] allow him to take control.
_NODE 3a.
_NODE n10221
{Hmph! Moral indeed. We'll see, we'll see!}
_NODE 3b.
_NODE n10222
{Well, I never!}
_NODE 3c.
_NODE n10223
{It shall be a thing of beauty, worthy of great praise!}

-------------
Cluster: 1023
-------------

_NODE 4.
_NODE n10230
One of your advisors comes to you to discuss problems regarding
the forthcoming tournament.

{Majesty, your seneschal has been arguing about the size of the
proposed tournament. Many of your knights wish to have a huge
tournament, where every great knight in Bretagne will be invited;
they hope to impress you by defeating numerous opponents.
{Your seneschal had in mind a much smaller and less costly affair.
He estimates that his tournament will cost 1,000 marks, and that a
larger one would cost 2,000 marks.}

Do you:
[a] choose the larger tournament.
[b] choose the smaller tournament.
[c] choose a different event.
_NODE 4a.
_NODE n10231
{The treasury cannot afford a large tournament, Majesty.}
{It shall be a grand tournament, my liege.}
_NODE 4b.
_NODE n10232
{The treasury cannot afford even a small tournament, Majesty.}
{I am certain it will be a great success.}
_NODE 4c.
_NODE n10233
{Would you prefer:}
[a] a fair.
[b] a festival.
_NODE 4c.
_NODE n10234
{Would you prefer:}
[a] a small tournament (costs 1 Gold).
[b] a fair.
[c] a festival.

-------------
Cluster: 1024
-------------

_NODE 5.
_NODE n10240
You are on your way to attend the Mortain fair, when a rider comes
up to you, bearing news.

{Majesty, a large brawl has broken out at the fair. It would
appear that the younger and more impulsive nobles decided to offer
some comparisons between the peasants and the breeding stock that
were being sold, and for some reason, the peasants took great offense.
Several people have been killed, and some peasants were killed too.
If you ask me, you should hang the swine.}

Do you:
[a] hang peasants indiscriminately.
[b] appoint justices to investigate.
[c] ignore the incident.
_NODE 5a.
_NODE n10241
{Good choice, Majesty. There's nothing more enjoyable than the sight
of peasants dangling from a rope.}
_NODE 5b.
_NODE n10242
{But why? Those judges never do anything useful? Hang the lot of them
and be done with it.}

Fortunately, wiser heads prevail.
_NODE 5c.
_NODE n10243
{Does that mean we aren't going to have any hangings? But Majesty!}

The incident is quickly forgotten.

-------------
Cluster: 1025
-------------

_NODE 6.
_NODE n10250
As you approach the fair in Rennes...

{Majesty, a dozen rogue knights have come to the fair, and are
causing problems, maligning the people, and saying ill things
of you. Yet, if we were to attack them, many people might be
hurt or killed. What shall we do?}

Do you:
[a] offer them free wine, and get them away from the others.
[b] insult them and try to lure them away from the gathering.
[c] have your best knight challenge their champion to single
combat.
_NODE 6a.
_NODE n10251
Your plan almost works; but, once drunk, the knights return to
the fair, more obnoxious than before. Carts are overturned, and
wagons set ablaze. Your knights eventually subdue them, but not
before many people are killed or wounded.
_NODE 6b.
_NODE n10252
As expected, a fight breaks out. There is some damage, but your
knights have moved them away from the center of the fair, and
the rogue knights are easily subdued.
_NODE 6c.
_NODE n10253
These knights are not the flower of chivalry. Seeing that they have
a choice between dishonor or death, the leader of the rogues
abruptly mounts his steed and leads his people away.

-------------
Cluster: 1026
-------------

_NODE 7.
_NODE n10260
A man who is clearly not a noble comes before you and falls to one
knee.

{Majesty, I am a member of an acting troupe, one of many coming
to the festival. However, the local magistrate has been arresting
every player and performer who comes near the town. If this continues,
it is likely that there will be few performers for the festival.

{I do not know why this man is doing this. We have broken no law,
but are coming on your explicit instructions. Who would want to
have us arrested?}

Do you:
[a] order their immediate release.
[b] release them and replace the magistrate.
[c] release them and summon Bishop Winslow.
Your seneschal says, {This shall be done, though
I fear this will delay the festivities by a fortnight
or so.}
Your seneschal says, {This shall be done, though
I fear this will delay the festivities by a fortnight
or so.}
A messenger soon returns from the bishop. {The
bishop is quite ill, my liege, or so he says, and
cannot come to see you. Let us hope this is a
grievous illness.}

-------------
Cluster: 1027
-------------

_NODE 8.
_NODE n10270
A man who is clearly not a noble comes before you and falls to one
knee.

{Majesty, I am a member of an acting troupe, one of many coming
to the festival. However, I have been informed by the bishop that
there will be no plays, that the festival will be composed entirely
of six hours of good wholesome Gregorian chants. It appears he does
not realize that we live in the 14th Century.}

Do you:
[a] tell the bishop that his services are not required.
[b] tell the bishop that six hours of Gregorian chants are excessive.
[c] allow the bishop to run the festival.
The bishop is not happy.
The bishop replies:

{If they were good enough for Saint Augustine, they are good
enough for the people of Bretagne.}

Do you:
[a] remove the bishop from the festival.
[b] allow him to present his chants.
The bishop is not happy.
The preparations continue...
The preparations continue...

-------------
Cluster: 1028
-------------

_NODE 9.
_NODE n10280
Several knights come to see you.

{Majesty, I believe that I should be your champion at the
tournament! This baseborn soldier who calls himself a knight says...}

{Baseborn! My family has sworn to uphold the code of chivalry for
generations!}

{And my family has distinguished itself in the Crusades, unlike
these cowards...}

Guards come into the throne room to separate the combatants...
Three knights wish to represent you as your champion at the big
tournament.

Sir Thomas is an old friend, and an able knight who has fought in
many tournaments. However, he is not a local knight, and the people
might be offended that he represents you.

Sir Miles is the favorite of the locals, and considers himself to be
the pearl of chivalry. However, you have doubts whether he can
prevail against the best of Bretagne.

Sir Robert is young, a fearsome competitor, and an excellent
soldier. However, he has little tournament experience, and initially
opposed your claim to the throne of Bretagne. You are not entirely
certain of his loyalty.

Do you choose:
[a] Sir Thomas.
[b] Sir Miles.
[c] Sir Robert.
Sir Thomas says, {I am honored, Majesty. I shall do my
best to represent thee.}

Sir Robert offers Thomas half-hearted praise. Sir Miles
says nothing, and scowling, leaves.
Sir Miles says, {I am the greatest knight in the realm, and
shall prove it! Even these two fools will acknowledge it!}

The two {fools}, Sir Robert and Sir Thomas, look at each
other, look back at you, and beg your leave to be excused.
Sir Robert says, {I am honored by your confidence in my
ability. I am a soldier, not a courtier, and am confident
that I shall best these men who pretend to be knights and
do honor to your choice.}

Sir Thomas politely wishes Sir Robert well, while Sir Miles
scowls and leaves.

-------------
Cluster: 1029
-------------

_NODE 10.
_NODE n10290

Sir Thomas, one of your oldest friends, killed Sir Gerald of
Beleux, one of the local knights, in the joust. It was clearly an
accident.

Sir Gerald's brother, Francis, demands a trial by combat with Sir
Thomas, to avenge his brother's death. Thomas says that he is not
responsible for the accident, but will fight Francis if that is
what is required to avenge his honor.

Do you:
[a] allow the trial by combat, but tell them to wait sixty days to
give them time to calm down.
[b] refuse to allow the trial by combat.
The combatants agree.
Francis does not particularly care for this command, and
does not hide his feelings.

-------------
Cluster: 1030
-------------

_NODE 11.
_NODE n10300
A rather odd incident has occurred.

{Majesty, we found several wagonloads of flour, near the Montain road.
It seems to belong to a merchant that was coming to the fair.
It appears that he was ambushed and killed by robbers.
We have placed it in a secure shelter.}

Do you:
[a] confiscate the grain.
[b] try to find the owner's heir and give it to him.
The flour is added to your grain supply.
The owner had no children or heirs. You confiscate the grain.

-------------
Cluster: 1031
-------------

_NODE 12.
_NODE n10310
Word comes to you of a disturbing incident.

{Majesty, the rogue knights that afflicted the fair in Rennes have
returned in force. We need to send some infantry against them and
get rid of them once and for all.}

Do you:
[a] assign one Infantry unit.
[b] assign two Infantry units.
[c] assign three Infantry units.
_NODE 12a.
_NODE n10311
{We do not have enough infantry. We should recruit them
quickly, before the problem gets worse.}
{They shall be sent.}
Your infantry drives away the rogue knights in a grim,
bloody battle.
_NODE 12b.
_NODE n10312
{We do not have enough infantry. We should recruit them
quickly, before the problem gets worse.}
{They shall be sent.}
Your infantry drive away the rogue knights in a grim,
bloody battle.
_NODE 12c.
_NODE n10313
{We do not have enough infantry. We should recruit them
quickly, before the problem gets worse.}
{They shall be sent.}
Your infantry drive away the rogue knights in a brutal,
bloody battle.

-------------
Cluster: 1032
-------------

_NODE 13.
_NODE n10320
{And as we say in our homeland, conquest is just another form of
pilgrimage; a pilgrimage for our treasury. Everyone who tries
to conquer Bretagne must make a vow of poverty, for certainly
their treasury soon vanishes.}

Your face is red as you find yourself surrounded by laughter.
Laughter that is aimed at you.

One of the companies that is performing has changed its scheduled
play. Instead of a mystery play, they are performing a satire
describing the misadventures of a vain and inadequate lord
who began a misguided campaign to conquer Bretagne. The play is
obviously about you.

Do you:
[a] stop the production and imprison the players.
[b] leave the production and have them imprisoned later.
[c] chide them for satirizing one of the other claimants to the
throne, making it clear that satire will only be tolerated
if it concerns someone other than you.
_NODE 13a.
_NODE n10321
This act casts a long shadow over the rest of the festival, but no
further incidents occur.
_NODE 13b.
_NODE n10322
No one openly satirizes you for a long time.
_NODE 13c.
_NODE n10323
The satire becomes rather popular, although the company has the
discretion to turn it into a satire about someone else.

-------------
Cluster: 1033
-------------

_NODE 14.
_NODE n10330
As the Gregorian chants go into their seventh hour, the crowd
grows restless indeed. You cannot entirely blame them.

{Majesty,} one of your advisors says, {unless something is done
to put a stop to this unpleasantness, this crowd will turn into
an angry mob.}

Do you:
[a] thank the singers and end the festival.
[b] allow some actors to come on stage and make fun of the singers.
[c] allow the festival to continue.
Too late. You are forced to flee for your life as the angered
mob goes into a frenzy. Eventually, things settle down, but
many homes and shops are burned to the ground by the mob.
The crowd breaks out into riotous laughter, and the festival
ends peacefully. Bishop Winslow, however, is mortified by
the event. He protests your conduct to the Pope, but more
understanding bishops intercede on your behalf, and it is
said that the Pope himself mentioned that he would not be able
to stand more than five hours of Gregorian chants.
A bad decision. You are forced to flee for your life as the
mob goes into a frenzy. Eventually, things settle down, but
many homes and shops are burned to the ground by the mob.

{People have no appreciation for good music,} Bishop Winslow
is heard to say.

-------------
Cluster: 1034
-------------

_NODE 15.
_NODE n10340
The day of the tournament arrives. All eyes are upon you as the
finest knights in Bretagne compete.

Sir Thomas, your champion, is triumphant! Yet the happiness
of the crowd is muted; he is clearly not their favorite.

At this point, Sir Miles, the local favorite who was not
chosen, steps forward and asks your permission to challenge
Sir Thomas.

Do you:
[a] refuse to allow your knights to fight each other.
[b] allow the combat.
[c] allow Sir Thomas to decide.
Sir Thomas fights valiantly, but is beaten by a knight from
Lombardy.
_NODE 14a.
_NODE n10341
Sir Miles protests longer than he should, and you are tempted to
imprison him. Eventually, he storms away, without your leave.
_NODE 14b.
_NODE n10342
Sir Miles' anger brings about a surprising result to this
contest. He bests Sir Thomas.

Sir Thomas is uninjured, save for his pride.
Miles becomes, of course, more insufferable than
before. But the locals love a triumphant hero.
Sir Thomas is badly wounded in the combat, but
Miles does not seem to care, nor do the locals
that idolize him.
Sir Miles badly wounds Sir Thomas, and, without
giving him a chance to surrender, slays your old
friend. Callously, he exalts in his victory while
the crowd cheers the death of one of your most
faithful servants.

Do you:
[a] imprison Sir Miles.
[b] allow him to go unpunished.
The people are outraged that their hero
is imprisoned.
Sir Thomas is buried with honors in a
graveyard near his home. His friends are
quite saddened, and not at all happy with
you.
As expected, Sir Thomas bests Sir Miles. The crowd is
not happy to see their hero go down to defeat.

-------------
Cluster: 1035
-------------

_NODE 15.
_NODE n10350
The day of the tournament arrives. All eyes are upon you as the
finest knights in Bretagne compete.
Sir Miles, your champion, is triumphant! The crowd is filled
with happiness and joy.
Sir Miles fights hard, but is beaten by a stout knight from
Lombardy.

Later, after the tournament, Miles comes to you:
{Majesty, that Lombard swine clearly fouled me. You should
go to the judges and tell them to award the tournament to
me.}

You politely inform him that it is too late. The knight,
unsatisfied, departs angrily.

-------------
Cluster: 1036
-------------

_NODE 17.
_NODE n10360
The day of the tournament arrives. All eyes are upon you as the
finest knights in Bretagne compete.
Sir Robert, your champion, is triumphant! Yet the happiness
of the crowd is muted; he is clearly not their favorite.

At this point, Sir Miles, the local favorite who was not
chosen, steps forward and asks your permission to challenge
Sir Robert.

Do you:
[a] refuse to allow your knights to fight each other.
[b] allow the combat.
[c] allow Sir Robert to decide.
Sir Robert fights valiantly, but is beaten by a knight from
Lombardy.
_NODE 17a.
_NODE n10361
Sir Miles protests longer than he should, and you are tempted to
imprison him. Eventually, he storms away, without your leave.
_NODE 17b.
_NODE n10362
You have seen warfare that was less vicious and brutal than
this fight. It is obvious that both men despise each other,
and would like nothing better than to see each other beaten
and humiliated. Both are badly wounded, but in the end, to
your surprise, Miles is the victor.
As expected, Sir Robert bests Sir Miles. The crowd is
not happy to see their hero go down to defeat. Sir Robert,
unimpressed by Miles' challenge, makes a special effort to
humiliate his rival, smiting him with his fists as well as
with shield and sword, until Miles lies beaten and
unconscious on the ground. It was not a pleasant contest,
nor was it appreciated by the crowd. But it serves as a
useful lesson in humility.

-------------
Cluster: 1037
-------------

_NODE 18.
_NODE n10370
You receive a visit from your friend, Sir Thomas, who will soon
fight for his honor in a trial by combat.

{It would please me greatly to know your wishes in this matter.
The whelp, Francis, has made many foolish boasts about what he
will do to me in our contest. He dishonors me explicitly, and by
boasting that the locals can defeat anyone, dishonors you implicitly.
Yet youth will be brash, and inclined to rash decisions.

{I know that I will triumph. He is barely more than a child, and
knows little of the way of the sword. I wish to know what you want
me to do to him.}

Do you:
[a] tell Sir Thomas to kill him.
[b] tell Sir Thomas to try to spare his life.
Sir Thomas goes beyond his orders. The fight is long and
bloody, and Thomas openly mocks Francis' boasts. In the
end, the youth begs for mercy, mercy which is not shown
to him.
Sir Thomas quickly bests Francis. He forces him to yield,
rather than killing him. There is a reconciliation between
your knights and the local nobility.

-------------
Cluster: 1038
-------------

_NODE 19.
_NODE n10380

{Majesty, there has been a problem. Francis, brother of the slain
Sir Gerald, contrary to thy wishes, challenged Sir Thomas to a
trial by combat.

{The fight was interrupted before Thomas could slay Francis, but
the whelp has disobeyed your commands, and I have brought him to
you for punishment.}

Do you:
[a] have Francis executed.
[b] have Francis imprisoned.
[c] let him go free if he will apologize to you and swear an oath
never to disobey you.
_NODE 19a.
_NODE n10381
Suddenly, Sir Thomas intervenes. {Majesty, I can hardly
blame him for wishing to avenge his brother's death, though it was
an accident. But I am convinced he is a man who will be a great
knight one day, and enough blood has been shed already. I intercede
on his behalf and ask you to spare his life and grant him liberty.}

Do you:
[a] free him if he swears an oath never to attack Sir Thomas.
[b] refuse to free him.
[c] give him a choice of freedom or a trial by combat against Sir
Thomas.
_NODE 19b.
_NODE n10382
Suddenly, Sir Thomas intervenes. {Majesty, I can hardly
blame him for wishing to avenge his brother's death, though it was
an accident. But I am convinced he is a man who will be a great
knight one day, and it is not in this kingdom's best interest for
him to be imprisoned. I intervene on his behalf and I ask you to
grant him liberty.}

Do you:
[a] free him if he swears an oath never to attack Sir Thomas.
[b] refuse to free him.
[c] give him a choice of freedom or a trial by combat against Sir
Thomas.
_NODE 19c.
_NODE n10383
Francis speaks:

{I have disobeyed your Majesty, and deserve a far more grievous
punishment. My pride has been laid low, and may God keep it so.
Never again shall I gainsay your commands, nor attack anyone who
upholds the law of the land. May I be worthy of your forgiveness.}
_NODE 19ab.
_NODE n10384
Francis speaks:

{I have disobeyed your Majesty, and deserve this punishment. I
have been a proud, disobedient fool. God bless your Majesty and
keep thy counsels wise.}
_NODE 19ac.
_NODE n10385
Francis speaks:

{I am unworthy of such mercy, either from my opponent, or from thee.
Even if I thought I could prevail in combat against Sir Thomas, I
do not wish now to do injury against a knight of such generous
spirit and puissance. I shall take my freedom, and use it as best
I can, in the honourable service of the liegelord that my brother
loved.}

-------------
Cluster: 1039
-------------

_NODE 20.
_NODE n10390
Word comes to you of a disturbing incident.

{Majesty, the rogue knights continue to afflict Rennes. They need
our immediate aid!}

Do you:
[a] send one Infantry unit.
[b] send two Infantry units.
[c] send three Infantry units.
_NODE 20a.
_NODE n10391
You do not have enough infantry.
{They shall be sent.}
_NODE 20b.
_NODE n10392
You do not have enough infantry.
{They shall be sent.}
Your infantry drive away the rogue knights in a grim,
bloody battle.
_NODE 20c.
_NODE n10393
You do not have enough infantry.
{They shall be sent.}
Your infantry drive away the rogue knights in a brutal,
bloody battle.

-------------
Cluster: 1040
-------------

_NODE 21.
_NODE 10400
More news of the rogue knights in Rennes.

{Majesty, the knights have regrouped from their losses in the
last battle and are once again attacking Rennes. Something must be
done!}

Do you:
[a] send one Infantry unit.
[b] send two Infantry units.
[c] send three Infantry units.
_NODE 21a.
_NODE 10401
You do not have enough infantry.
{They will leave at once.}
Your infantry battle a band of renegade knights near
Rennes.

{Good news, m'lord! Our infantry have easily routed those
brigands. Rennes is once again safe!}
_NODE 21b.
_NODE 10402
You do not have enough infantry.
{They will leave at once.}
Your infantry battle a band of renegade knights near
Rennes.

{Good news, m'lord! Our infantry have easily routed those
brigands. Rennes is once again safe!}
_NODE 21c.
_NODE 10403
{We do not have enough infantry.}
{They will leave at once.}
Your infantry battle a band of renegade knights near
Rennes.

{Good news, m'lord! Our infantry have easily routed those
brigands. Rennes is once again safe!}

-------------
Cluster: 1041
-------------

_NODE 22.
_NODE 10410.
A delegation comes from the city of Rennes.

{In gratitude for your decisive action in a time of crisis, we present
you with gifts of grain and gold, and our deepest appreciation.}

-------------
Cluster: 1042
-------------

_NODE 23.
_NODE 10420
One of your knights comes to you, bearing a concern.

{Majesty, that clown, Sir Miles has been openly attacking the
selection of your champion in the recent tournament. He has
been making no secret of his disdain for you, or for those in whom
you place your trust. Something should be done about this.}

[a] reprimand Sir Miles.
[b] demand an apology from Sir Miles.
[c] ignore Sir Miles.
Miles is formally rebuked, but it does not seem to humble
him. Humility is not a virtue among many of the chivalrous.
Miles offers one, but you can tell his heart is not in it.
Eventually, Miles decides to complain about something else,
and you never hear another word about the tournament.

-------------
Cluster: 1043
-------------

_NODE 24.
_NODE 10430
Following the tournament, the victorious Sir Miles comes to you.

{Majesty, as victor in your great tournament, I believe that it
is customary to choose a reward. I ask for the hand in marriage
of your cousin and ward, Lady Anne.}

[a] Grant his request.
[b] Make him a count instead.
[c] Tell him that no reward was ever offered.
{Thank you Majesty.}

You are slightly worried about having him as a relation, but he
is probably too stupid to pose any real threat.
Miles is glad to accept any advancement in rank. Throwing a
few crumbs is the best way to handle ambitious fools, as long
as they don't bite your hand.
Miles sulks for a long time.

-------------
Cluster: 1044
-------------

_NODE 25.
_NODE 10440
You receive some disturbing news.

{Majesty, without anyone's approval or counsel, Sir Miles travelled
to Lombardy, to challenge the knight who bested him in the
tournament. The Lombard slew Sir Miles.}

-------------
Cluster: 1045
-------------

_NODE 26.
_NODE 10450
News comes to you of a terrible tragedy.

{Majesty, the town of Rennes has been destroyed by the rogue knights.
All of the buildings have been razed, and the people have either
been slain or scattered.}
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