The Blacksmith’s Schemes

The Peasants

This thread follows Michał the blacksmith’s shifting alliances and repeated attempts to profit from land disputes and family weakness.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Family Claim A Family Claim from "The Peasants". A Family Claim The blacksmith’s demand Michał the blacksmith presses Maciej Boryna for a share of land through his marriage to Magda.

A Family Claim from "The Peasants". A Family Claim The blacksmith’s demand Michał the blacksmith presses Maciej Boryna for a share of land through his marriage to Magda.

A Family Claim The blacksmith’s demand Michał the blacksmith presses Maciej Boryna for a share of land through his marriage to Magda. Kinship as leverage He presents the claim as rightful inheritance while Maciej sees him as opportunistic and unwilling to wait.

A Secret Settlement Plan A Secret Settlement Plan from "The Peasants". A Secret Settlement Plan Antek approached The blacksmith advises Antek to placate his father and secure promises, while privately hoping to control the future…

A Secret Settlement Plan from "The Peasants". A Secret Settlement Plan Antek approached The blacksmith advises Antek to placate his father and secure promises, while privately hoping to control the future…

A Secret Settlement Plan Antek approached The blacksmith advises Antek to placate his father and secure promises, while privately hoping to control the future inheritance himself. The scheme fails Antek recognizes the self-interest behind the advice and rejects him, leaving the blacksmith to seek another advantage.

Aligning with the Manor Aligning with the Manor from "The Peasants". Aligning with the Manor A profitable partnership The blacksmith joins a timber arrangement with the manor and helps manage negotiations, even as villagers…

Aligning with the Manor from "The Peasants". Aligning with the Manor A profitable partnership The blacksmith joins a timber arrangement with the manor and helps manage negotiations, even as villagers…

Aligning with the Manor A profitable partnership The blacksmith joins a timber arrangement with the manor and helps manage negotiations, even as villagers accuse him of betraying their interests. Trust deteriorates His public claims of justice fail to overcome suspicion that he benefits from deals the rest of Lipce cannot access.

Searching for Hidden Money Searching for Hidden Money from "The Peasants". Searching for Hidden Money A private approach The blacksmith urges Hanka to find Maciej’s hidden savings and suggests the money could be used to help Antek.

Searching for Hidden Money from "The Peasants". Searching for Hidden Money A private approach The blacksmith urges Hanka to find Maciej’s hidden savings and suggests the money could be used to help Antek.

Searching for Hidden Money A private approach The blacksmith urges Hanka to find Maciej’s hidden savings and suggests the money could be used to help Antek. A concealed motive Hanka recognizes that he also wants access to the estate and keeps the location secret from him.

The Deal with the Squire The Deal with the Squire from "The Peasants". The Deal with the Squire A new land plan The blacksmith supports a proposed agreement over Podlesie while attempting to influence the village’s response.

The Deal with the Squire from "The Peasants". The Deal with the Squire A new land plan The blacksmith supports a proposed agreement over Podlesie while attempting to influence the village’s response.

The Deal with the Squire A new land plan The blacksmith supports a proposed agreement over Podlesie while attempting to influence the village’s response. Ambiguous loyalty His actions keep him close to power, making him useful to negotiators but distrusted by ordinary farmers and hired hands.

autumn

late autumn

winter to spring

after Boryna’s injury

late summer