Let's play King of Dragon Pass, just as our ancestors did

I don't think that making peace with the trolls sounds like a great idea, both for the reasons you've already mentioned, and because it's a pretty safe bet that at least one of the other local clans has a beef with the trolls. There's no great benefit to this, so why risk antagonizing other potential tribe members?

Building the tribal hall on Rangdani land is a bit trickier. I think I would say yes to this. It would be a big prestige boost for them, and it probably sets them up as strong candidates when it comes time to elect a tribal king or queen, but it doesn't really cost us much. Plus, while it might give them an advantage in intratribal conflict, as long as we stay on their good side, that shouldn't be a problem for us.

Holding the confederation moot on Rangdani land is also kind of weird, because I'm not sure what the advantage is for them, and it seems to have no cost for us. For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure the confederation moot is the meeting where the final disputes are ironed out and the tribe is created, so it's a one-time thing; I believe that the regular moots to resolve disputes between tribe members are held at the tribal hall. I suppose if the confederation moot is held on Rangdani land, that allows them to throw a big feast for everyone and boost their popularity in case they want to make a play at ruling the tribe. I'm not sure, but it may also make it easier for them to use their magic to influence the outcome of the moot one way or another. I'd say maybe make this concession if giving them the tribal hall won't do the trick; otherwise, I wouldn't do this if I didn't have to.

Let the Rangdani build taverns on other clans' tulas: I'm inclined to say no to this. I'm pretty sure when they say "build taverns" what they really mean is "establish economic outposts that allow us to easily exchange cheap beer for other clans' valuable goods." Other clans aren't going to like this; they can brew their own beer perfectly well, and they're not going to like their members spending their wealth on Rangdani beer instead. I'm pretty sure that's why Iskalli seems to dislike the idea, at least, and I think that when neither your main diplomat or your lawspeaker support the idea, that should be sort of a red flag.

It's worth noting that most of the other concessions they ask for are things which give them some visible claim to leadership of the tribe; they're clearly angling to take control from the beginning. What we don't want is for the Rangdani to have both the tribal hall (which would seem to make them a natural choice to be the first rulers) and the taverns (which will give them extra income with which they can buy support from other clans.) I would recommend giving them one of these concessions at most, and certainly not both.

My final recommendation is to give the Rangdani the tribal hall as the first (and ideally only) concession. I'm not sure if we have enough goods that we can afford to be bribing other clans at this point, but maybe 30 goods would be acceptable as well. If those two aren't enough, I'd say offer them the confederation moot as a final concession.

Let them have their tavern franchise and make peace with the trolls. If that's still not good enough think about giving them the moot I guess.

They can have the moot and maybe the taverns. Otherwise they can go pound sand.

Taverns and moots! And maybe some goods. But that's it! I don't want to accidentally piss the trolls off by trying to negotiate with them, we already have an agreement.

Year 1343, part 6



Most everyone was amenable to allowing the taverns. I think it's a splendid idea.



We also voted to let them host the confederation moot. If they're the ones providing the food, all the better for us.



Gerad was the only one who mentioned a bribe, but this is going to be necessary in any case where we don't want to give in to the majority of their demands. This is a rather modest amount; if we were really invested in getting them to join, I'd raise the stakes.



In this case, though, they gave us identical gifts in return. Rats, foiled again!



So we're back to the drawing board. Are we willing to concede on any more points, or do we call it quits for now? (The ring's advice is unchanged, of course.)

I'm not okay with the troll thing, and I don't like the sound of giving them control of the tribal hall. If the latter is less of a big deal than it sounds like, then maybe I could be convinced.

Quit with them. Enough conceding.

Quit for now. It's not really clear whether peace with the trolls will come at the cost of breaking our promise to stay out of their lands (it could go either way with this game,) and the tribal hall is too large of a concession to give to another tribe, especially at this point in the negotiations.

Seconded.

Man... Rangdani, we thought you were cool. What's the deal!?

Year 1343, part 7



We didn't quite hit it off with the Rangdani. No big deal, I guess.



We're sure to have better luck with our other allies, the Orlundi.

Earth 1



I sacrifice to Orlanth, earning us the details of Orlanth and Aroka. Were we an Orlanth clan, we'd have this already, and drought wouldn't be a big deal. Yerestia makes a good point, and we should look into the Rain blessing for future years.

Also

Your emissaries approach Clan Orlundi with an offer of membership in the new tribe. They are well-known for their aggressive trading practices, and have many demands. The Orlundi want the Issaries seat on the tribal council in perpituity. They want better terms when their trade goods are bartered for cows or food. They want each clan in the tribe to supply guards for their trade missions. Finally, they demand that each new king take an oath to fight bandits as part of the rites of kingship.

Yerestia: We have little to lose by demanding concessions. They are so calculating that they cannot properly hold a grudge. Recommends #1 and #4.
Harvar: Give them the oath, the seat, and six warriors per clan. Demand that they turn one twentieth of their proceeds over to the king. Recommends #2, #3, #4, and #5.
Insterid: Our proud warriors will not take kindly to being treated as mere servants. Recommends #1.
Iskalli: An oath taken by the king during his royal rites is no trivial matter. Recommends #3, #4, and #5.
Valensta: They want their baubles and gewgaws to be more valuable than food. Do not trust them. Recommends #1.
Arene: They forget that Orlanth was generous as well as cunning. No recommendation.
Heortarl: The Orlundi are so admired that the other clans will be happy to take them on, no matter the price. Recommends #2, #3, and #5.
Mogri: We occasionally get the chance to make demands, as here. Naturally, this will not improve their disposition, but perhaps we can get away with it anyway.

Half the ring is willing to abandon negotiations outright. Why are we allied with these guys again?

Anti-banditry and guards for trading caravans seem like the kind of solid infrastructure that a true king would put into place, so I'm OK with offering those. But it'll cost them - have them fork over part of their profits for all this protection.

2, 3, 4, 5.

3 & 4 for sure, 2 if we need to, and maybe try a bribe of goods if they're so into material wealth.

4.

They want services? Welcome to TAXING TIME!

2 and 3 for sure, and of course they'll want a bribe.

On hiatus

Don't blame me. Blame yourself or Windows Update.

Year 1343, part 8

And we're back! Nothing kills my momentum like Windows Update. Seriously.



Does this sound familiar? In trying to remember what was going on, I manage to stumble upon the same action I took before losing progress.



And, of course, this event was predestined. Most of you were willing to concede on the guards, so let's give it a try.



I hate coming up with numbers, so I'll defer to Harvar here, even though 6 seems huge on a scale from 1 to 10. (In hindsight, Harvar is probably biased towards overprotecting our traders.)



And... that was apparently enough for them to give in. Hey, wait! I didn't even get a chance to strongarm some goods out of you.

Oh well. That's one clan under our belts!



And so it's time to decide on our next prey.

Yerestia: We have only 2 clans in our tribe so far. A bigger tribe would be better for us all.
Harvar: We must choose clans who value the written word.
Insterid: In a tribe, every marriage and every child can help cement an alliance.
Iskalli: Most of those clans think they're better than us.
Valensta: It doesn't matter who we choose. We are either fated to be a tribe, or not.
Arene: Clans who respect the Earth Mother, that's who we need.
Heortarl: I've visited these clans. They all have good points and bad points.
Mogri: Silly Arene, the Earth Mother is from Desktop Dungeons, not King of Dragon Pass.

As a refresher, Yerestia is including our own clan in her count. We have one other clan and we need at least two more to begin our clan.

Valensta is right, though: this really doesn't matter. Pick one.

Uh, Peluski or Blue Spruces? I guess... They all seems like crappy options based on past interactions.

Peluski! That boulder sounds fun.

Karandoli? I like good reform.

Year 1343, part 9



Peluski it is.

Earth 2



I have no idea how long it's been since we explored, and going back and checking the LP is a far higher degree of professionalism than you should expect from me at this point. Anyway, staring at the map in the previous screenshot reminded me that we should probably do some exploring.

Nature finds a way

Yerestia: The carls are upset with the havoc the beasts are causing. Recommends #3.
Harvar: No point in trying to trade them now, when we don't know what to do with them. No recommendation.
Insterid: I think I can train them as battle mounts. Imagine the effect on our foes as our Earthshakers thunder into sight! Recommends #4.
Iskalli: Don't forget that there's probably some kind of dragon connection to all of this. No recommendation.
Valensta: I don't know whether we can train these things or not. No recommendation.
Arene: If our resident herder won't mention it, I will; these things are each eating as much as 3 cows. And they haven't stopped growing! No recommendation.
Heortarl: I'll have them rolling over and begging for scraps in no time. Recommends #4 or #5.
Mogri: It's all been leading up to this! I trust you all to make the right decision here.

BATTLE

MOUNTS

I don't feel the need to vote here. I think we all know what must be done.

Does Insterid need a good animal score to pull this off?

I don't think so, but worst case, we just have Heortarl pick up the slack.

WAR TRICERATOPS!

How is this even a question? We must ride these dinosaurs to victory!