“Don’t mention it,” Rowland said. “And I mean that. I’d hate for my dad to find out I gave away an heirloom just because someone saved my life. He tends to find his things more worthwhile than his children, and this should normally have been counted among said things.”

“Honey, we’ve talked enough. Say ‘thank you,’ and let’s get going before another one of those dirty villagers comes trying to start trouble,” Dennings said, pulling on Rowland’s sleeve.

“Keep that ring safe,” Rowland said as he followed Dennings out of the building. “I’ll get in big trouble if it falls into the hands of one of those”—he paused, looking over at Katie, Viola and Bonnie—“people.”

Yup, at least he has some social awareness. Lucas wished that he could punch Rowland in the face for demeaning his friends like that, but he knew that he’d be that same guy when it was his turn to play the villain again. It was what he signed on for when he first joined the Imperium: to be the dreaded, hated champion of species purism. Well, never mind. It’s just a game, Lucas thought as he watched Rowland and Dennings leave.

New Territory Acquired: Fulda.
New Title Acquired: Ritter [Knight who owns more than one territory]

Title Benefits: +10 Charisma when dealing with Imperium below the Ritter rank.
Territorial Acquisition Options: As a Knight with two territories, a choice has to be made.

The first option is that you may grant the new land to another member of the Imperium such that they may manage it. In conferring the land, you would create the contract to which the new noble must adhere. By doing this, you will have the legal authority to give orders to that noble, but should the new noble fail to adhere to your contract, you will also have the legal authority to reclaim the territory and appoint another individual to manage it.

The second option is that you may manage it by proxy, sending orders from your own land. While this will allow you to collect the new Territorial Income, it will foster rebellious sentiments and will leave the territory vulnerable to outside invasions.

The final option is that you may allow the people of the town a level of self-rule. This option will cause you to lose 50% of the land’s Territorial Income, as the remaining 50% will go toward the people’s self-management. However, the prosperity and population of the town will grow faster under self-management than direct rule. Switching from this system back to one of the previous two options will cause a penalty, the nature and severity of which depends on the ruler’s reputation.