Heirs to the Valley

Kingstown Weekly Press:

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A Business Agreement:

Alaina Tibalt declares a rousing success as most of the business leaders in Kingstown agree to cooperate in order to ensure the stability of the economy and the nation. In a statement to the press, she remarked “I am pleased that my fellow guild leaders and merchants could come together like this. I’m sure we can achieve great things if we keep this spirit of cooperation moving forward.”

Knights arrive in the capital:

A stir at the gates today as Captain Gwyn Arvain arrives with an escort of thirty soldiers and five Knights of the Eagle. They have taken up lodgings among the noble estates, though it is rumored that Captain Arvain himself has been invited to the palace.

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Another Claimant?:

Duke Albrecht of Everdale has done extensive genealogical research and has uncovered old documents proving that his family is descended in uninterrupted line from King Janus’s great-great-grandfather. He has declared himself the rightful heir of the throne and styles himself Prince Albrecht. He has not yet made any moves towards the capital, but says he will petition the church to be crowned shortly.
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Show Content

SpoilerSince the question has come up, here is a very rough guide to the Valley's economy (and the worth of a thaler and a pfennig):

Valley economy: ~20,000 thaler a week or 1M thaler a year
Rough estimates: 60% agriculture, 25% Mining and manufacturing, 15% Finance, commerce, and misc.
Valley population: ~200k

Typical weekly expenses for a comfortable lifestyle:

Noble:
2-10 thaler

City:
1 thaler

Town:
20-50 pfennig (0.2-0.5 thaler)

Village:
1-10 pfennig (.01 - .1 thaler)

Typical weekly pay by profession:

10 thaler: Expected pay for a major noble (Duke)
5 thaler: Expected pay for a significant noble (Earl)
2 Thaler: Expected pay for a minor noble (Baron)
1 Thaler: Expected pay for a petty noble (Knight)
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1 Thaler: Hiring a burgher (merchant, spy, etc)
50 pfennig: Hiring a skilled craft worker, mercenary, or professional soldier
10 pfennig: hiring a common worker or levy soldier
5 pfennig: hiring a peasant
1 pfennig: hiring a beggar or other outcast

Typical rents on an estate:
2-20 thaler, depending on size and wealth