Mylord Justicar,

It's my duty to inform you that the treasury of our beloved city is almost empty. We have to pay for a steadingly growing army while the number of people generating revenues is decreasing. An army might be beneficial in times of war, but keeping one inside the city while our territories are one by one occupied by beastmen or ravaged by pirates doesn't improve our financial situation.

I am afraid that we have to depart from our ideal of a spatious and quiet city. We simply cannot afford the upkeep anymore with the current income from taxes. We also need to give shelter and protection to the people working our fields if we want to have any future. I propose to open the city to our retainers and allow them to live inside the walls. We should extend the harbour as well, Mylord, and invite Churches to build grand temples in Kohlingen. This will bring more people into the city; people that spend money and bring new skills and knowledge.

I hereby ask you to allow me to commission Master-Architect Treborus with the task of making a preliminary design for the housings.

With the highest regards,

Cancellor Laterius Parmunster

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Cancellor.

You have always served me well in the past, and I shall take your advice in this. Even I have seen that our treasury is dwindling, and that our city is not in the glorious shape it used to be in.
Our army is large, perhaps too large, but they are well needed. You say they are of no use in times of peace, but know that war is never far away, not on this island, not anywhere in the world. it is our duty to protect the people of Kohlingen, and we cannot ever put gold ahead of that.

That reason, is also why I see that you are right in that we should expand our fortifications. We must protect our people better, for the walls of Kohlingen should house all those in need. We must bring hope to the people too, and I would gladly support the building of temples to the gods of good and justice. A proper temple to Lord Tyr and the Triad would warm my old heart.

But Cancellor, can we afford all this construction? You know I do not often bother with finances, but you said it yourself that our treasury was dwindling. I suppose you understand these matters better than me however, and I shall trust that you find a way. Just do not mention the money lenders of Cordor again, you know fully well that they cannot be trusted.

I will request a meeting with this Master-Architect, let him know that he is welcome in Kohlingen and we are glad to recieve him. He may make the plans for now, but this is a very important undertaking, and we must be certain this man is the right one to help lead Kohlingen back into the light.


Justicar Marinsbane

Mylord Justicar,

We will have to take small steps at a time, and we should keep an eye on every stone laid down. I assume that none of us wants another Cordor, with it's lack of structure and vision. Please, correct me if I assume too much, Mylord.

We can afford to build a few blocks of housing. I am convinced that we can sell this housing for a good price. We should invest the profit in new buildings. We can allow a select group of wealthy commoners to build their own houses as well.

We can also sell building lots to affluent Churches (as long as they subscribe to our standards, of course) to generate even more income. Temples will attract novices and pilgrims, who will be in need of a place to stay, and a meal to eat.

The same goes for the harbour. We are actually closer to the Northern Islands than Cordor, so I am sure the Trader Federation will be very interested in renting a pier or two.

Finally: we should capitalise our good relations with Brogdenstein. They have the finest builders, and I am sure we will get a handsome discount if we help them to clean out the Ork lairs around their city. It might be a good training ground for the Army as well.

With the highest regards,

Cancellor Laterius Parmunster

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Cancellor,

I have faith in your project after our meeting with the Master Architect, he seems very resourceful, and he is willing to live by the values we uphold. Good job in finding him.

It is a shame we must charge so much gold to the people who wants to live here, or for the temples who merely wishes to help our citizens. Still, I imagine you are acting right in this, as the gold is well needed. Sometimes I do forget that it is a city we are running.

You are indeed right in your assumption that we do not want our fine city to become like Cordor. I trust you will ensure that only the righteous have the chance to buy estate in our city. The greedy Waukeenites does not need any more influence on our island. I know very little of the trading federation you speak of, but if you believe they are good hearted people, we can give them a chance to operate in our city, assuming of course they follow all of Kohlingens laws and regulations. They should know that what goes in Cordor, does not always go here.

With that said, know that I am content with the plans the Master Architect has laid out so far. The buildings are in line with what I want the city to look like, and while the financing needed is high, it is not as huge as I would have thought. I say we go ahead with it, the longer we wait the harder our situation will be.

I have had good experience with Brogendenstein builders in the past, and I agree that they would be the best for the job. See to it that you contact them, and I shall get the soldiers ready to aid the dwarves.



Justicar Marinsbane

Mylord Justicar,

I have ordered to start building affordable housing first.

With the highest regards,

Cancellor Laterius Parmunster

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Honored Milord Justicar Manisbane,

I have heared rumors, that you plan to sent troops to the aid of the dwarfs of Brogenstein. May I inform you that the ranks of the Defenders have been growing steadily over the last months. The knights of the Defenders are to your disposal, if our troops need leadership and support in the frozen mountains of Brogenstein. Some knights under my command are able to fight the giants of the mountains in single combat. Please sent me message, if you require their services.

Grand Master Hector Tormigan

*the letters show the emblem of the defenders, a golden dragon on a dark blue background*

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Playing atm Eowariel (Elven archer) / Gwendolyn (Monk)
Inactive: Hector (Triadic knight)

Your Righteousness,

The cloaks you ordered will be delivered within a few days. We'd like to thank you for this order.

d'Attentourt Tailors.

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Mylord,

Constructing new houses near the West Gate goes according to plans. We are also laying the foundations for a second pier and harbour fortifications.

May the Havenlight burn within you,

Master-Architect Treborus.

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Master Treborus

I trust your stay in our fine city has been pleasant. I must say I am pleased with your work so far. The plans you have made have been effective, and I am impressed with how fast the dwarves have been building the new houses. I look forward to see what you can do with the rest of the city.

Because we will now take more people to our city, we will also need to protect them. While our fortifications are sturdy, they need improvement. Our largest breach is the northern gate. It has long been in poor condition, since it is rarely used, and it gives Kohlingen's enemies a chance to land their forces on the northern peninsula and attack the city from there. Instead of fortifying the gate, I would have you tear it down and extending the wall in it's place. It will be very difficult to land large siege weapons on the north coast, so this should remove the threat of an attack from the north.

This construction is of high priority, since the city would be more vurnerable when the gate is being torn down. We may not be at war, but our enemies have been known to be oppurtunistic. However, since you have good discipline on the workers, I don't beleive it should be a problem to have the wall done soon. You have permission to hire more workers for the project as needed. Speak with Cancellor Parmunster concerning this.

May Tyr bless you.

Justicar Marinsbane

Honored Mylord Justicar Manisbane,

my gratitude for the new cloaks. Please sent the tailor my deepest respect, he really may call himself a master of his profession.

Milord, we will carry the emblem of the defenders with pride and shall bring glory to it. The divine enchantments of these cloaks will surly aid us in our fight against the darkness on this island.

May the golden dragon of the defenders become a symbol of hope for those, who are in need.

In deepest gratitude,

Grand Master Hector Tormigan

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Playing atm Eowariel (Elven archer) / Gwendolyn (Monk)
Inactive: Hector (Triadic knight)

Mylord,

We Dwarves are the best builders in Faerun, but the title "most effective demolishers" is claimed by us as well. Consider that Gate gone before you can deliver us another barrel of Bilgren's Best Bitter.

Which reminds me: Can you bring my workers another barrel of Bilgren's Best Bitter? They complain about commoners stealing their ale at night, and the amount of ale left is indeed not what I would expect from previous experiences with this group of builders.

May the Havenlight burn within you,

Master-Architect Treborus.

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Cancellor Parmunster,

I have good news. The recent construction in our city has reached the ears of a Tyrran high priest and his following. They are interested in building a temple to the Triad in Kohlingen, and the church is even prepared to fund this project themselves. I would imagine that part pleases you cancellor. I suggest you speak with the priest as well as the Master Architect to work something out. But do so soon, I do not wish to waste this oppurtunity, as our city direly needs a sacred place to the Triad.

Another thing Cancellor... While the dwarves have been doing a very good job, their exessive drinking and rowdiness on their free time, is not very proper in Kohlingen. You know our laws on the matter, and you should inform the dwarves that they should take such behavior outside the walls. Try not to anger them though. Perhaps you could ask Mayfeld to bring in some barrels of their favorite ale, I believe it was called Bilgren's Best Lager. That might help to keep the streets calm.

Justicar Marinsbane

Mylord Justicar,

This is indeed excellent news. Allow me to muse about this for a while, mylord. There are a few points that spring to mind:

* The interior of the Purity's Refuge never really suited its task, as we discussed earlier.
* It would be good to combine all our military offices in one building.
* A Triad Temple needs a lot of room, I believe.
* Our finances are improving lately, from trade and retainers.

I'd like to propose the following: We start building a keep on that little island east of the harbour. Once it's more or less ready we move the Refuge to the keep and strip the interiors of the current building. We offer this building to the Clergy of the Triad. They can decorate it as they see fit. We also move the Defenders to this keep. The city officials are begging me for room lately, so they can move in to the current Defender's Hall.

This solution saves a lot of money for the City Hall, and we get money from selling the Refuge to the Triad. This sum, combined with our improved revenues and reserves, will be sufficient to build a well-defended keep.

I feel we really need a stronghold, mylord, considering the threat coming from that blasted risen city Tarkuul.

With the highest regards,

Cancellor Laterius Parmunster

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Cancellor

I have been thinking through your proposal carefully. I believe it is for the best that we add a keep to the city. If we are to grow, we must be able to protect our people in case of war. As you have said, the threat of that risen city is ever looming, it is only a matter of time before those necromancers will send their hordes on the island, and by that time we must be ready. That, along with the many other threats Kohlingen faces, makes me ashamed that I had not thought of constructing a keep myself.

It is fitting to offer the sacred halls of the refuge to the Triad clergy, because they do indeed need a lot of room. Many of our citizens will come there to pray, and even more in times of need. I believe it is also wise to let the Defenders, and our soldiers to train under one roof. A keep will be able to house many more men, and will be a strong defensive point. I shall inform the Defenders of this, when I speak to their Grand Master, I believe they will be positive to the idea.

As for the current Defenders hall, it does not suprise me that the city officials are begging for more room, and I imagine you Cancellor, to be the loudest among them. Nontheless, if the Keep will be built, I don't think the Defenders will have any need of their old hall. Consider the hall yours, at that point, but the Defenders will keep it for now, for the construction of the keep will likely take a very long time. Although I have been very impressed by the fast pace the dwarves have been working.

Speaking of the dwarves, they are still having trouble with giants and other evil creatures in Brogendenstein, and I will be sending a few more patrols there to help them. The Grand Master of the Defenders have also agreed to help with this. The dwarves have done a lot for us, and we must repay that favor.

Lastly, it is good to hear that your efforts have been succesful and the finances are improving again. I am no expert on the subject as you know, but I imagine a keep will not come cheaply. Do we have the means to acquire the resources necessary for it's construction, or does it need a lot of financial planning? I would like to know how long it will be until they can start working on it. The necromancers are not wasting any time, and neither should we.

Justicar Marinsbane

Mylord,

We have finished the Keep and the new Temple building as scheduled.

May the Havenlight burn within you,

Master-Architect Treborus.

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Master-Architect, Cancellor.

I send this letter to the both of you. I have very good news! I was approached a few days ago, by a kind half elven man by the name of Aelthas, who was accompaned by a human woman and several knights. Aelthas is a priest of Kelemvor, and he says that his patron wanted him to come to Amia, as the island needed the guidance of the Lord of the Dead. He has lived in Cordor for a short while, but he finds the city very distasteful. He heard about the reconstruction of Kohlingen, and decided to come here to offer his services.

I of course, was very happy to let him take over the smaller temple building for a generous price. He says his church does not have a lot of gold, but there is much they can do for the city. They will pay what they can in taxes, and help Kohlingen both by taking care of the deceased, and by battling the undead in the countryside.

Aelthas seems like a honorable man, and his church will be an asset to the city. I must say I found his associates a bit unsettling however, they are grim, and seem completly devoted to their battles. But since we all know how much trouble the undead have been to us, there is no denying they will be good to have on our side.

I trust the both of you will make the necessary arrangments so they can move in soon. I sent Aelthas to speak with you, Treborus, so he can decide what decorations are needed in the temple.

Justicar Marinsbane