[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by JennyHallu

Marenil may also suggest that the form of the taxes should be changed. His suggestion: if Eodwine allowed his vassals (those that farm) to choose between taxes all in coin and taxes that are a portion of their produce (and makes it slightly more profitable to pay in produce...) he could use his contacts in Dol Amroth to sell his goods down there, far from where they are grown. My take on Dol Amroth has been to compare that land to Italy, with its poor quality, rocky soil. (Come on, obvious comparison...it's a principality) Great for sheep, and maybe some fruit plants...not so much for always-oh-so-necessary grain production. Selling down there could allow Eodwine to make a profit on his taxes, without having an ill-effect on his vassals.

Transport is either through rugged mountains or all the way around them, whichever direction. Is there a way through the White Mountains ... besides the Paths of the Dead, which, though now cleared by Aragron, surely are still not used with any regularity. Eodwine would wonder if the cost of transport wouldn't completely eat up any profits and then some.

Also, a portion of these agricultural 'tithes' could be kept for the consumption of the household, and lower the grocery bill a bit. A supply of grain could allow a hearty porridge to be made for free-guests, that could be always on the stove, and therefore readily available, and more expensive, elaborate meals prepared in smaller quantities, solely for the consumption of the household, without as large a drain on Eodwine's purse.

If I had been thinking a bit more clearly on court day, I would have had a line or two about the various gifts brought by his many guests, and his returns thereof. I'll have to cover that in a post when I get a chance, after the fact. Minor niggle: "the stove"? Were there such things?

Also, oughtn't Eodwine be keeping chickens, a dairy cow, and a pig somewhere? Chickens are a constant supply of food, if managed correctly, a cow would provide milk, butter, and cheese (perhaps two cows would be needed, considering the size of the household...), and the expense of keeping one pig is balanced by quite a significant amount of easily preserved meats (A smoked ham or slab of bacon keeps quite well in a cool cellar), not to mention the lard necessary for a lot of medieval cooking, candle-making, soap-making, and any number of crafts to make both life more comfortable, and perhaps line Eodwine's pockets.

This is something Eodwine would be quite eager to pursue.

Ooh! Another idea! and another way for Eodwine to supplement his income: he could board horses for the wealthy in the city who don't have Eodwine's room to expand.

Excellent idea.

If we have a large lot to work with, then, here are Marenil's suggestions:

Build a barracks, a bower and stillroom, a smoke-shed, a chicken-coop, an animal shed with a pen, and convert the attic space for residential space.

Well, the lot isn't that big. That's one of the key problems with the mead hall idea and its "implementation". Eodwine may have to beg of the king for more land adjacent to his current mead hall holding. I've addressed the barracks issue already.

In Marenil's view, the only people who should be living in the present residential wing (Not including attic space) are noble and paying guests, vassals with dependents, Eodwine, Saeryn, and himself (Because as steward, he needs an area both private and secure). Womenfolk and children he would relegate to the attic space, (except perhaps Frodides due to age) which if insulated and planned properly wouldn't be uncomfortable. Menfolk would be relegated to the barracks. I think that would put Leofric and Trys (and Lys when he's better, depending on how old he is) out there.

Eodwine will be hard to convince about this.... at least, at first.

Feanor, the maids in the White Horse moved on. The only exception I was willing to make was Frodides, who has happily been picked up by Kath. I'd like to keep the mead hall populated by characters that actually have committed writers.

Watch for Eodwine to put his foot down if his steward begins to tell himself or the Lady of the hall how to behave as proper nobility. (this is getting fun!)

The only way I'm willing to have NPCs is if a given writer commits to being that character's regular writer. This may be just a quirk of mine, but I dislike characters hanging around with no writer; this is partly why Gudryn and Æðelhild have been discreetly sent to other places. And, by the way, Lalwendë's characters are considered to have gone to the Fair and then home, to visit again should they wish to.

I'm with Formy on coniferous forests at the feet of the White Mountains ... which are not that far off; but it has yet to be determined if that's Middle Emnet land, or King's land. I'll think about that.

Next post to read: 6:43 p.m. yesterday..... la dee dah dee dah ....