Description.

Kesten has just founded his new kingdom in the southern Wild Lands, but he isn't cut out for city and kingdom management, and he knows it. Instead of fudging his way through it, he turns to his new and well trusted friend Zee. Zee isn't the perfect person for the job, he's not really the people type, and most people don't respect a Tiefling, and he doesn't particularly like the way most civilized countries function, but it's Kesten or Zee and there's know way this fleginling kingdom is going to make it through the winter if it's Kesten. Zee isn't particularly thrilled. It sounds like a great game, but this isn't a game. Putting a person who is consistently frustrated by people in near absolute power shouldn't backfire at all… Probably.

Chapter 1

"You want me to do WHAT!?" Zee practically yelled.

Kesten knew the Ranger wasn't going to be receptive to the idea. He was hoping their friendship was going to work in his favor, then again, he might still be pushing it too far. "I want you to manage the territory." He said simply, again.

"No. No, I went through all your shit to help you get your stupid noble title bullshit, you promised me my own farm." Zee jabbed his finger toward Kesten to emphasize his points. 

The Tiefling was pacing, which wasn't a wholly bad sign. Kira, Zee's large dog, was laying in the corner of the large tent. Her eyes flicked back and forth between the two men, eyebrows for lack of a better word, twitching in the way only a dog could manage. She wasn't agitated, which meant Zee himself was more frustrated than angry.

"You still get a farm." Kesten said. "I just want you to zone it, and everything else."

"Surely you can find somebody else who is qualified to manage zoning."

"And the economy, and the military, and foreign policy, etcetera."

"You're not helping your argument."

"I can find people who can do it, I just can't find people who I can trust."

Zee stopped pacing long enough to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"You can use the treasury to fund the preparation of your land." Kesten offered, trying to give Zee something for the trouble that he might actually care about.

"No one will listen to me." Zee countered. It wasn't a particularly good excuse, but he had a bit of a point.

"I'll make you a noble." Kesten countered.

Zee snorted in reply. "Oh, you're king now? Thanks for letting me in on that one."

Kesten grimaced, sucking in air through his teeth. "About that."

Zee glared at him. "About, what?"

"Garone has fallen into a civil war. We're now a separate entity. So technically, I guess."

"Oh fuck you. I'm not bowing to you." Zee started pacing again.

Kesten knew Zee didn't give a rats ass about Garone, but he was clearly considering the implications.

"There's going to be refugees." Zee stated.

"Yes." Kesten agreed.

The Tiefling continued pacing, Kesten was starting to feel dizzy, but didn't stop him.

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"Fuck you, this is supposed to be your job."

"But you get the system." Kesten countered. "And the best person for a position of power is someone who doesn't seek power."

Zee grit his teeth and continued pacing. Kesten was winning this battle. The Tiefling pointed a finger at him. "No slaves."

Kesten made a show of consideration. He didn't know why Zee was so dead set against slavery, it was very likely something personal. Either way he'd known he'd have to concede this point, no reason to let Zee know he'd agreed to the concession before they even started talking. "Fine, but you'll need to manage the problems that will create."

"No dynasties."

"What?"

"The Throne will not be inherited."

That made no damn sense. "Who will rule when I'm dead?"

"Don't know, don't care. All governments crumble and are replaced. It won't be your problem."

"But my children…"

"Since when do you have children?"

Kesten chewed it over. "For now, I'll agree, but I don't if I can promise that down the road."

Zee brushed it off to put his last demand. "If I do this, it's going to be completely different than anyone would expect. The moment you change one little thing without my approval, it's your responsibility. The whole thing."

Kesten had to seriously consider that. Zee was basically promising to do things he wouldn't like and would drop the whole project on his shoulders if he went behind the Tiefling's back for just an instant. That said, if he was paying enough attention to what was being done to notice something he didn't like, perhaps that would be the time to take control. Zee also wasn't saying he would accept input, just that he would accept being overruled.

"You don't like monarchies do you?" Kesten asked, realizing that he may very well be the first and last king if Zee had his way.

"All governments turn into Oligarchies. I don't think there has ever been an exception."

"Like what governments?" It had been a stupid statement for someone that lived as a hermit in the middle of fucking nowhere.

Zee shook his head. "Deal or not?"

"Fine."

Zee stopped pacing and glared at Kesten. It was possible he had expected Kesten not to agree. The Tiefling snorted and stormed out of the pavilion, Kira jumping up and raced off after her master. Kesten wondered if he had made the right decision. It was certainly the best decision, but was it the right one?

Zee marched down the narrow dirt street. A canvas tent city sprawled around him complete with the stench of unwashed bodies and stupid half attempts at sanitation. A trio of Dwarves spit on the ground as he passed. A young girl hurriedly pulled a younger boy out of his path. A large man glared at Zee only to switch to an expression of confusion as his friend bowed. Zee liked the whole place a lot better when the hill was devoid of all the damnable people. That was the worst part of what Kesten wanted him to do, the people. Playing a city builder game honestly sounded like fun, but beyond a few quirks, this world acted normally. Which meant people.

Zee stopped his walk next to a tall oak and looked out over the large lake just down the hill. Kira paused by his side, sitting once she determined they wouldn't be moving anymore. He scratched her fuzzy head and frowned as a familiar glow in the corner of his vision daned to bother him. It sat in an annoying space somewhere between reality and in his mind. As always he tried to turn his head only for the damnable glow to move with his vision. He concentrated on it. A mostly opaque sheet of parchment filled his vision.

Name: Xavier Bergen

Race: Tiefling*

Zee ignored the character sheet. He had learned rather quickly that he alone had one that could be brought up at any time. Everyone else was forced to use an extraordinarily expensive tablet that displayed pretty much the same information in pretty much the same format. What everyone lacked was a quest log. A worthless quest log to be sure, but that's what was glowing for the first time since he closed it when he had first arrived on this world. 

Quests: Conquer the World

Times achieved: 0

This is a multi-stage quest and can be complete anyway you see fit. Rewards will be given based on achievements toward your goal.

Zee snorted at the stupidly impossible quest. Even if it wasn't impossible, what kind of Relentless asshole would even try.

King Kesten Sorenson has requested you be in charge of building the seat of his kingdom. This functions as a seat of power and the perfect starting point to build your forces. +1000 xp. Build, Conquer, Rule.

"Well that's bullshit." Zee said to no one in particular, but Kira pushed against him as if he were talking to her. Zee dismissed the stupid notification and turned to look back at the sea of tents. This whole thing so far has just been a subpar ripoff of Paizo's Kingmaker campaign, which likely meant it was only going to get worse. "I'm going to regret this."