>>6376902
It seems no matter what, even as you survive these battles and quests, that even if you live to die of old age, that death will come much sooner.

The king has informed you, you can come on the assault, but you are not required, the eye and the wing will be delivered to you no matter what. His daughter has tried to dissuade you from coming along with her father several times. The decision however is up to you, and what you will do to prepare before the fight with your two weeks should you choose to stay.

>>6376949
start researching ways to reforge the wing for the dragon

>>6376978
this and go with the king to hunt the dragon but just watch unless needed.

>>6376978
Books litter your room, and you have decent plans laid out to assist creating the dragon wing. It will have to do with building a structure around the black Dragon's wing and managing to find a solution to it rotting.

This will be very complicated to speculate on until you have the wing, and advice from other smiths and several other tradesmen.

You have perfect timing. I just got on /tg/.

And we go with >>6376978 and research ways to remake that wing.

>>6377011
From the sounds of rumors and your Dragon-hunting friends, this will not be an army of men vs. One dragon. Or some people keeping the brood busy while the king fights the Queen Beast.

They speak as if this is some sort of battle, and the very fall of their kingdom could come about if they fail this assault. You are unsure why this is and many people seem reluctant to talk about it, as if the speculation is bad luck.

>>6377077
Do not inquire further, bad luck is the last thing we need, deathwish or no deathwish

>>6376949

Hmm...the phrasing of this seems to bode ill for us. However, that never stopped us before. I say we watch our weapon in action, possibly be ready to step in should it be necessary.

Also, now might be a good time to use the archives given that we have access to them. Even if we are just tagging along, it might be a wise choice to make the additions we wanted to our gauntlet.

>>6377077
So I think we should find out why they are atcing all shady. Maybe the Black Flight has found back up?

Have we asked dorf princess yet? If not do so.

>>6377077


Hmm...maybe the queen will launch an assault on the dwarven kingdom if we fail? Given how long these beasts live, I could even see her going so far as to hunt down any survivors/descendants (if any) of said siege.

You've spent some time in the Archives and you now know how to create Black Powder, Several new runes, and a few new Alloy's.

Runes guarding against demons, elements, and many other things. A few you learned are illegal to use, it seems that its almost like most runes are frowned upon when they bend a battle in someone's favor. And some call for such excess or pain to be caused to the forger you are unsure they are worth the risk, you do know you could make tons of new equipment with all you have found however. ( Not going into specifics until we are creating things.)

>>6377150
It takes a couple of hours to get her to break down and tell you why everyone is acting in such a grim manner.

None of the scouts have been returning from the Brood's cave. The one that has rambled on about blood drinkers and mountain beasts. Her father thinks that the Black Mother has called in a favor owed to her
...from Vampires. To fight for her until this assault has passed.

>>6377177
Hmm, are there any runes that would make us faster, or amp up our perception? We almost got blindsided(literally) by that elf assassin, and I'm damn sure mama dragon is gonna be a thousand times worse, even if we aren't gonna fight it directly.

>>6377219
REQUEST INFORMATION: What kind of vampires live in this universe?

>>6377219
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

>>6377219
Wonderful, vampires.

>>6377219
Reforge our crossbow to make it even more powerful so that we can fire "bolts" (read stakes) through things (read hearts)

>>6377219
Time to bust out the runified crosses.

>>6377219
I just got done reading. Marvelous work.

As for the question on hand. Go to the King, see what his plan is.

>>6377252
>>6377240
There are Speed and Agility runes that can be added to boots or armor in general. These are general boosts that don't do anything as shiny or impressive as the elemental ones.

Information: From what you know of Vampires, they do not sparkle or gel their hair. These are immortal monsters who tear open necks with teeth and claws. It has been said groups of Vampires can kill five times their number. You know Silver, Sunshine, and Stakes are detrimental to them, but only from stories, no knowledge is first hand or 100 percent sure.

Well, vampires might not be the worst thing possible. If anything, they should be weak to our Runed arm. Perhaps we should forge another weapon with the goddess' sign to carry into battle. It may prove useful, given how much of a mess this attack sounds to be. Plus, it may be necessary to help adjacent dwarves/ourselves. The more people that come back alive, the better.

Craft a Silver shield with the symbol of Ms. Goddess of ours on it. Use it as a beam to shoot vamps with sunlight.

>>6377314
What would happen if we carved fire and glow runes onto a custom made flashbang? Would that fuck them up, or piss them off? I know WE don't know that much on the subject, but surely one of these guys has fought vampires before, right?

>>6377319


Or possibly crank out a bunch of goddess runed weapons to distribute to those attacking the nest. We might be able to get the other smiths in town to help out in this case.

Hell, it might be a good idea to have a squad assigned the task of being vampire slayers, and equip them primarily for the task.

I vote that we roll out ready for anything against these vampires, they don't sound like fun.

Silver bolts for our crossbow, wooden stake-bolts, hand-held if need be. Holy water, garlic, everything.

Oh yeah, and we'd better be attacking in daylight. A night battle would be a baaaaaad idea.

>>6377314
silver bolts for crossbow, possibly a scope so we can easily heart-shot these assholes?

>>6377370
>>6377353
>>6377319
WOAH WOAH WOAH

the only reason it worked in the first place is because we had no idea what it would do in the first place. Purposely doing it would only ask for trouble

>>6377290
You have plans to add a strong Crossbow using Blacksteel, and special sinew and Alloys from your expanded crafting Knowledge to make a weapon that can spear through armor.

You've managed to learn you can turn your skeleton arm a complete 360 within your gauntlet, since the bones are no longer tied to your elbow. Using this system you've sketched a way to crank the bow string back into place with "no hands".

Well this is reaching a lot, I know, but are there any runes of sunlight? Probably not, because of course that would be too easy.

But if there is, let's put it into some lanterns. Lanterns that emit true sunlight.

>>6377395
No, the reason it worked on the weapon and arm was because we had no idea what we were doing.

I'm sure she wouldn't mind protecting us from ancient evils.

>>6377401

DRILL-FIST, FUCKYEAR

>>6377401
DOHOHO

>>6377416
I am of course only supporting the shield idea.

Also, I vote that we use some of those black dragon runes we gathered to make some armor for us.

Clarification please: Are these black dragon scales more metallic or leathery? How about just using some of the black dragon skin to make some leather armor out of it. Should be strong enough to hold through a vampire's bite. Hopefully.

No. You cannot spin it fast enough to "Drill" anything. Doing so when it is not needed as well would likely tear apart any crossbow system inside.

>>6377433
Jeeze. Scales, not runes.

Honestly, we might want to go to protect the King, seeing as we are a unintentional crusader for the elven god of the sun.

>>6377440
What is the possibility of reforging the gauntlet to include a black dragon scale? What would a Silver/Black/Gold combination do, if anything?

>>6377480
This man has it right.


Also, I SERIOUSLY think we should make some Shields of the Sun (polished Silver shields with our goddess's rune on it). That's like, two of the three things vampires hate.

>>6377490
Probably ruin the gauntlet, or at least make it weaker.

>>6377433
The scales from the Whelps and weaker dragons are like heavy leather, the largest of them have steel-like breastplates on themselves. You do have enough to create a breastplate if you want to commission one from a leather worker. The Dragon Hunters said they have a Black Dragonflesh cloak for you, as a gift for all the help you've given their people, and sticking around for a battle that is not yours. It is mainly to protect from weaker dragon's Acid, but you have not seen it yet.

Creating a Shield with the Rune you once carved into your arm is totally possible, but you must remember that it does not have any offensive magical properties. It simply gives protection from Hostile spells.

There are runes that give an aura of light etc, but none are true sunbursts. You once created a "Sunburst" of fire and holy power to destroy the Lich, but you've left the path of the paladin and healer a long ways away in your town.

>>6377521
So we CAN get some black dragon leather armor with a breastplate?

I say we get one of those.

Also, could we use those acid sacks we got combined with the black powder bombs to make anything useful?

>>6377490
From what you understand, the Brood Mother's Scales are not used to crafting, as they are wicked twisters of nature, the items forged from their steely scales are as much harm to their master, and the people around them then to any of their enemies.

Dark Creatures sometimes have weapons or armor forged from such scales, but they usually get them by cutting deals with the Dragon much as you did.

Black Leather armour would be bitching, if anyone else thinks we should get it commissioned.

>>6377566
Then what was that whole schtick with the Greatsword?

Oh, and also, we haven't even started on OUR weapon, or at least, our hammer. right?

>>6377566
So it's, in many ways, a similar deal to the Runes where the permission of the Dragon is probably helpful.

>>6377521
This Sunburst, maybe we can't do it, but do we know anyone in the Town who might be capable of such deeds?

>>6377561
You could make a weapon with one or both of them, perhaps something that sprays from your gauntlet, but it sounds dangerous. The thought of acid sitting in your priceless arm sounds bad.

The Acid is best you've found for simply creating intricate etchings or small mechanical bits.

>>6377604
Honestly, put a rune of earth on your fist. Start breaking rocks.

I figure we should attach some silver spikes or small blades to our gauntlet. Removable ones, so that they aren't always there.

But they just clasp onto the knuckles or something, and boom, punched that vampire to death.

>>6377622
>>6377638
Both of these men have good ideas.

>It simply gives protection from Hostile spells.
On the shield it goes then. If we want offense, we can just HIT the enemy with the shield.

Plus, it could come in more handy. A Wizard and he casts "Death Curse" on us? Hahahah, no.

So let's get a list of things we have or could have that would fuck these vampires up.

Out gauntlet + possibly sliver studs/spikes/blades
Crossbow to shoot wooden bolts. Maybe silver too.

How about! OOOOOH! Let's make some black powder bombs, with silver powder in there too. It explodes, and a cloud of silver particles go all over. ANTI VAMPIRE GRENADE!

OP, which runes would be most effective against vampires, according to our reseaarch

Black Steel is just a name for an Obsidian Alloy that is just about the Strongest thing you can make. Black Dragon-steel is almost unheard of, and when it -is- heard of people tend to want to maim the person wielding it and destroy the item in question.


>>6377602
>>6377567
You decide to have the armor ready, and the Dwarf is very excited to both work with the find material you've brought and create something for you. He says it will take about a week to create.

The Elf woman back at your Little Town could possibly know how to cast such a spell, but getting a message to her, or going to fetch her would take too long and the battle would go on without you.

Shall you craft your crossbow addition to your arm? Silver arrows and such?

I think we need to go visit the elven paladins / clerics and get some tips for fighting against undead, or even some aid.

If were fighting vampires, then we need any anti-vampire ideas we get implemented into as much of the attacking force as possible.

Call the king and his military adviser, get the local smiths in on this.

I doubt were fighting the sparkly variety here.

>>6377694
OP already said. We can't without missing the fight, and as bad ass as the King is. Vampires. Fuckin' Vampires man. All sorts of black magic is going to be flung around, and again, we're kinda a shield against that.

>>6377718
posted that before I saw his post

>Shall you craft your crossbow addition to your arm? Silver arrows and such?

Crossbow addition: yes. Having range is always good.

Hold off on silver arrows until we learn more. As far as we know, they may actually be vulnerable to bacon.

>>6377684
Is this one of those settings where a dwarfs only magic is runes?

Because if it isn't, we should see if they have anyone who can intercommunicate a send a message to Ms. Elf.

>>6377679
Runes are more of universal usage. The Elven Rune to ward off Darkness is likely the most aimed against anything they could do to you.

To craft a Silver Shield, Get a Earth Rune into your fist, Crossbow, and Arrows, will finish out the week.

A few bombs with Silver shrapnel as well.

There might be a temple or shrine closer to our location than the one at the tower.

>>6377745
Is there any particular reason we are putting an EARTH rune on our fist. I thought we wanted a STRENGTH rune.

Wait a minute, WAIT ONE GODDAMN MINUTE.
How obedient are the whelps to the mother?
If they are as ravenous and unruly as we've seen alone and they stay that way regardless of the mothers presence, then I think we can turn the tide of battle. Would it be at all possible, on the day of the battle, to just start spraying cow guts on the vampires? I can guarantee they won't be much of a threat if the baby dragons are taking chunks out of them.

>>6377745
>>6377708
Can we teach the local smiths how to make those bombs? Sounds like magic grenades arent something the vampires would be expecting.

*Puff of smoke and bats*
"BLAH!"
"Ach! FIRE IN THE HOLE!"
*Blah?*
*BLAM*

>>6377745
Hmm. Sounds good. I'm thinking we're doing too much, and we're going to use a lot less, however, I'm worried about the King, and his daughter (Who might be attacked while we're away)

Vampires don't seem like the stupid sort. Espicially when they can be hired out. Something smells fishy.

>>6377771
Why not both?

>>6377731
Mages and others have crystal balls and Scrying pools to communicate with eachother, but you need to know the person or at least where and what they are trying to reach.

You can't go running for help from the Elves now that you've chosen to put off studying with and decided to stay for this battle it seems.

>>6377786
...because we don't want to end up with our gauntlet permanently and devastatingly cursed?

>>6377812
But I thought runes in pairs were... err safe?

>>6377786
You can put both, but a Strength rune would likely leave you feeling drained for a while after, as would the Earth rune. If you want to craft things, and put runes on your gauntlet ect. Ect. You are not a god, and you have a time frame.

One Rune, One type of Arrows the rest will be stock Arrows. 5 Explosives, and one weapon are pushing it. A Silver shield is doable as long as it is simple, the protection rune is as strong as what is sacrificed to create it so it is a freebe.

Expensive Material it is being carved into= Better rune

We are getting too complicated with the craftan, lets just make what he has listed, pick up our armor and cloak, and get ready to die.

>>6377832
Only if they are similar enough, Earth and Strength seem close, but one can't be too careful.
>>6377791
Request Info: Runes we have discovered in the libraries that may be cooler than earth or strength.

>>6377847
Let's just go with that then. Either rune, arrows/bolts, grenades, shield.

Also, let's attach some removable silver spikes onto our gauntlet. And get some of the other dwarves to make the silver grenades.

>>6377847
Now I know I might be pushing it a little.. But are there any materials stronger than dragonscales and their respective alloys? The better the material, the stronger the rune, right?

>>6377871
Do we want to spread the vampire rumour around the town?

>>6377874
The runes you found in the Archives were mostly like "Strength", applying to other things such as Empowering a spell caster, skill, Agility, Feather-light. Things like that, usually reserved to enchant King's and Nobles armor and weapons, making them Appear far above normal people in their Prowess.

>>6377883
I favor the Strength Rune, it is more versatile, We may decide to put the Earth Rune on it later. 's just my opinion.

>>6377896
You can spread the Rumor if you want, but the Princess asked you to keep it all a Secret, Dwarfs will fight even when their Morale is low, but to find out they have more then Just a horde of Dragons to slay, but vampires as well, could devastate them.

>>6377928
I was talking about getting the other dwarves who know about the vampires, and who are coming along, to make the silver grenades.

>>6377928
Oh. There goes my idea of having the Dwarf smiths curn out anti-vampire stuff.

"Silver crosses, Silver Stakes, Silver shrapnel bombs, Plans for a Garlic Rune....you wouldnt happen to know something we dont, do you?"
"....No?"

>>6377927
I second the Strength Rune, it's versatile and both utilitarian and dangerous in a fight.

>>6377947
Three people know about them, everyone is grim and preparing for something big because they are being told to. Only you, The King and his daughter know, save maybe a few of his aids.

It seems the Army is divided up into factions each held by different nobles and guided by them, it is a fear that if the nobles are too shaken, they could pull their support, or not send their best men into the fight.

Crafting List:
Crossbow arm, Shield, Spike Knuckles for fist, Silver Arrows, Bombs. Strength Rune in Gauntlet, Protection in Shield.

I also vote for Strength rune.

>>6377992
That sounds good.

Also, could we take some sword from an armory, and just put a silver edging to it?

Fire rune for the gauntlet would be cool, that way we could say:

THIS HAND OF MINE BURNS WITH AN AWESOME POWER, ITS BURNING GRIP TELLS ME TO DEFEAT YOU, BURNING FINGER!

>>6378015
Except Charles Bronson isn't a Japanese robot-pilot

>>6378023
How do you know what Charles Bronson does in his spare time?

>>6378023
No, but he could make a pilot a robot if he wanted too. Because thats just who he is.

rolled 10, 9, 1, 9, 2, 2, 8, 8, 6, 9 = 64

Oh god I almost missed Deathwish.
Glad you decided to keep it going First.

>>6378029
The only thing Charles Bronson does in his spare time is kill punks and play his harmonica.

>>6378023
>>6378029
>>6378035
>>6378042
I've heard that he shoots fire out of his eyes and lightning out of his arse.

>>6378015
Maybe later, lets just get that strength rune for now and be on our merry way.

Strength would be nice. Imbue the rune first so we have time to recover strength.

>>6378049
Bronson does sound a little Scottish.

>>6378042
Speaking of that, when we get back, we are so crafting a black dragonscale harmonica.

You've finally finished up your equipment, and are all set for the upcoming fight. You've bought Five potions to replace those crushed by the dragons. ( Given. Even tho not mentioned.)

Your arm now houses a crossbow, that can be hidden inside and re-armed auto-maticaly. You simple have to wait for it to crank back up and then place another bolt on the slot.

You have Vampire unfriendly explosives, a silver shield, your hammer, and a pair of spiked Black-Steel Knuckles for your hand that can be removed.

Wearing Black Dragon-Flesh Cloak with hood, Black-Dragon Scale -Leather armor with a hard Breastplate.

Looking in the mirror you no longer see the blacksmith, but a warrior-Adventurer.

>>6378078
Ooooh.

Do we have some neck protection?

>>6378052
Couldn't we carve both earth and strength/endurance, and then spend the next two days crushing rocks?

>>6378078
Ohhhh we'll always a blacksmith, we just take an active role in getting the exotic stuff.
Does >>6378065 sound like a typical adventurer to you?

>>6378078
Make no mistake, we are but a blacksmith at heart, and once this is done, shall be returning to the town we've left.

BUT FOR THE TIME BEING, WE ARE CHARLES FUCKING BRONSON, AND WE HAVE A DEATHWISH!

>>6378078
Time for sleep Charles. You worked so long in the forge tonight, wouldn't a nice rest be a well earned reward?

>>6378107
No, each rune has to be dedicated in its specific manor with the intent to power just that -one- rune, even if their tasks over-lap. Remember you are trying to please Vague Fantasy Gods of various powers, not break a system.

>>6378078
The blacksmith will always be there, and will be visible again shortly. But we must endure for now.

Now rest and trust in the King and his people - we cannot win this battle alone by any means.

Not that I'm advocating this, but do other runes suffer penalties/curses when pretty much just carved/tattooed on the body, or is it just the Elven protection rune that's normally a curse?
And are vampires still capable of infecting other races? Are we against dwarf vampires? ...I have no idea how that'd even look, but I'd expect cursed armor...

>>6378180
IM GONNA DRINK YOU DRY LADDIE

>>6378128
>>6378106
The armor protects your neck, you were very sure to point that out to the Leather worker.

Before you can go to sleep, the King comes to visit you personally, Explaining that tomorrow when you set out for the cave, you must pick where you wish to be within the Army's numbers.

Choices are Up in the front lines with him and his elite guard.( Most Dangerous.) . In the middle with the main force ( 2nd Most Dangerous.). In the Back with the Dragon hunting team you've gotten to know ( Least Dangerous.) Their job being to keep those that are in the air at bay, and cover the entrance once everyone is inside.

>>6378195
Booze casks that have been drained overnight found unopened, save for two small punctures on the side.

>>6378209
Front Fucking Row, if the king goes down its through our very dead fucking body

>>6378209
Is this even a choice at this point? We are already a walking deadman at an early age, live it up while we can. VANGUARD!

>>6378209
Up with the King

1) Wanna see our Axe end the Dragon
2) Our weapons are pretty well aimed at messing with clusters of vampires
3) Charles Brons. Deathwish. C'mon

>>6378209
Decisions, decisions. At the rear is an important role, but at the front is where we want to be.

>>6378209
Him and his elite guard. We do have a deathwish, although I'm not sure we want it anymore.

>>6378209
We stick to the king like glue until it's time for him to claim his dragon-head prize.

>>6378209
Either up front, if we have lots of anti vampire stuff (pass it out on our way there.)

Or with the dragon hunters, they're our buds, and we can protect them from the vampires, just in case CREEEEEEED! is on their side.

>>6378209
Right in the front.

I am not sure that the back row would be the least dangerous. If the dwarven army is ambushed, (and going towards the enemy on their terrain its more likely than not that we will be ambushed) then they would need someone strong to hold the rear of the line. And seeing how we have already fought with the dragon hunting team, I think we could be a pretty damn effective fighting force with them.

>>6378209
Consensus seems to be Vanguard. We should have a (small) boosting effect on morale, seeing as how were prepared to fuck up some vampires.

Also: We can see the axe in action.

Plus: Deathwish

And: Warm the king up to a half-breed heir by being FUCKING MANLY.

>>6378180
Runes carved into flesh are usually frowned upon in large, but it is as if you are literally dedicating your body to that God, something that is usually a terrible idea if you wish to live a decent life with a free will.

We will do what we say when we say - back to the front.

Although make sure we brofist all the dragon hunters on the way in.

>>6378209
Although it probably wouldn't hurt to ask him where he thinks we can be of most use.

>>6378209
I suggest we avoid the elite guard, even if our protection rune has been supercharged from the lightning, the acid might be too much. Also, while we may have forged a weapon that will become a legend passed down for thousands of years, and we're taking lessons from a princess, we're not on the same level as the elite dwarven guards... I'm a fan of the rear guard, but I'm not sure how accurate we'll be with our new crossbow... Any ideas where the vampires are likely to come in?

We'll be at the king's side.

>>6378285
Brofists are required, yes. Be sure to fist with the gauntlet.

>>6378301
If this is a daylight assault, which it SHOULD be, then they're probably in the cave. Which is to say, the thick of it.

I am placing bets the vampires will ambush us from the rear, while the dragon queen will confront the dwarf's elite guard from the front or from the air.

>>6378288
He wants you in the back with the Dragon Hunters, he says their job is most important. His elite will spearhead through any defenses and engage the queen and whatever buggers she deems her personal guard, while the army keeps other creatures at bay and works into the cave entrance for cover.

He says he would not argue to have you by his side however, as he feels you both trustworthy and a kindred spirit.

>>6378309
And what if there is cloud cover that day?

Or what if there is magical shenanigans from the vampires?

I wouldn't count on them being in the cave.

>>6378318
Then I'm putting money down on our moral dilemma after the BBEB dies will put us at odds with the King and the dwarven kingdom.

>>6378330
BESIDE THE KING WE MARCH, TO END THE MATRIARCH! BY THE DAWN OF COMING DAY, THE BLOODSUKERS WE WILL SLAY! BY THE TURNING OF THE NIGHT, THE DEATHWISH SHALL IGNITE!

How about we take the middle? Help the rear if we need to, but also have range to get to the king.

>Be sure to fist with the gauntlet.
>My mental image of that.
DO NOT WANT

>>6378330

Well if the king wants us there, its a different story then. Plus we've worked with the dragon hunters before, and if their job is the most important then their gonna need all the back up they can get.

Guys, we really have too much shit to take care of to get killed by a dragon... Remember, this elder black dragon was powerful enough to maim the golden one, who completely outclassed us in every conceivable way. I won't deny that we might end up facing it anyway, but we shouldn't seek it out, we need to know our limits.

I'd prefer to guard the rear, we need to deal with the whelps and possible vampire raid if this is to be a success.

>>6378330
We shall become even more of a dwarven legend if in the vanguard. We bust up in here, deal with dragons, craft the greatest axe ever made, boink the princess, and fight alongside the dwarf king to slay a great dark wyrm.

I must admit though, my first thought was to go with the rearguard. Vampires attacking from the back just feels like something that will happen, to me.

>>6378330
king should be fine with the axe, lets keep our dragon hunter buds alive

rolled 1 = 1

Rolling for back or front.
1=front
2=back
Acceptable?

>>6378351
Where'd Jack Black go?

MANY WHELPS

HANDLE THEM... NOW

>>6378382
I agree. Rearguard.

>>6378330
I say we ride out with the Dragon Hunters, but the moment it sounds like there's major trouble with the King we go fight by his side.

>>6378373
>too much shit to take care of to get killed

You mean we will even give a damn about that when dead? Pfft. Fuckers can take care of themselves. We should take the phrase "Sleep when I'm dead." very seriously.

>>6378391
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK

>>6378384
He's busy.

>>6378380
But we're not a legend though. We're a blacksmith. We do not act as legends - we make them. I say we take the rear. We've made the axe - it's time to let it shine.

Alright then,
>>6378359
>>6378373
>>6378375
>>6378382
Seems like we want the rearguard.

>>6378416
busy being 3 games at once

none of them any good

FIGHT AND DIE IN THE FORE YOU DOGS

>>6378420
>>6378421
Yep. We do not have a deathwish anymore.

Look, listen to the king, has the silver dragon taught us nothing? We don't need to become a legend, we don't care what they think of us, and we've already surpassed what we thought was possible by so much, just participating in the battle is enough. Besides, if we're up front the elite guards and the king might waste energy trying to protect us, which could end up getting one of them killed.

back sounds good

>>6378431
We stopped being deathwish we choose to not fight evil all day long as a paladin of the elven sun god.

You tell him you will decide for sure tomorrow, but you think you would rather be by his side. He understand, and leaves you to rest.

You sleep well, but wake early, and frown deeply, still thinking it is night as you crawl out of bed. You can tell it is morning only by the feel of the air. You dress and open the door to the balcony and step outside.

Something is not right. The sky is dark and cloudy, but this was meant to be the day of battle. It was picked when it should be sunny and grand. Lightning leaps across the sky, but there is no rain.

The air feels charged as if the sky its self was waiting for the bloodshed to come. You make your way down checking your gear. Saying goodbye to the Princess in an un-specific way. You have a bad feeling about all of this.

Meeting up with the army, you stand talking with your dragon hunter friends. Hoping even if you do not spend the battle with them, that you give them courage.

>>6378434
Right. So, we brofist the king instead on HIS way in. Be sure to use the gauntlet.

>>6378434
Yes. Let fate dictate our legend. We are truly dead. The blacksmith died long ago, to a tragic turn of events. His deathwish fufilled, we are now free to do as we please. Why join the battle at all? Go home, the village waits for us. The children have replaced the dead, and we can continue on...

...as what?

>>6378412
...Since when has that been what we'd stood for? The only reason we're this awesome is we were stubborn enough to try to rescue those children no matter the cost. It was never about ego, and we never even had a deathwish... we just like to say we do because it's cool.

>>6378458
I thought the general consensus was now to fight in the rear with the dragon hunters?

Fine. We'll hang out in the back. But the second I see that black bitch getting the slightest bit of an upper hand on the king, WE ARE MARCHING UP TO THE FRONT LINES AND BOPPING THAT FUCKER ON THE HEAD WITH SHIT DESTRUCTOR.

(....character development in MY quest?! its more likely then you'd think.)

>>6378451
That's not yet assured. The offer is still open, and we've only gotten better.

It could be Charles "Deathwish" Bronson will ride again, with time.

>>6378458
WE SHOULD STICK WITH OUR BUDDYS OR THEY WILL DIE :O

Let's just go fuck some shit up.

>>6378458
Oh ho ho. The silver has something to say? Oh clever dragon. Making us choose yet again.

>>6378486
This. Best of both. Vampire ambush? Were right there, and we can back up our dragon hunter buddies. King starts getting pressured a bit? We get the fuck over there, save the king, and look MANLY in the process.

>>6378516
I think the king would rather die then need to aided in his moment of triumph.

>>6378458
Well now the axe can finally live up to both of it's prophecies at once.

You decide to take the King's Words to heart, and know that this job might not bring the most glory and pain, but you could be the best back here. You walk up and take the King's hand shaking it firmly with your steel gauntlet, as you tell him of your choice to have his back with the Hunters. He smiles at you and nods as he heads to the front and you get with your squad.

They seem more then bolstered by your presence despite the nasty weather, your matching cloaks and your previous work together makes you feel like one of them.

>>6378529
How is coming in as backup if the dragon starts getting a slight upper hand stealing his *GLOREH*?

>>6378529
Our job in the fore is keeping the king alive long enough so he CAN bring his axe to bear on that motherfucking wyrm-matriarch.

>>6378520
Dear god you've doomed us all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avRuZ4QLWek

Time to kick some dragon ass.

>>6378569
Countering Weaaboooo bullshit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqu30NXgUcI

>>6378547
Time to march on to battle with our brothers.

>>6378547
See the ends of fate. The thread that is cut and the knife that cut it. Choose soon oh metalworker, Are you Charles the Blacksmith, or Charles the Famed. Do you have a deathwish or not?

>>6378589
Eh, I've never been a fan of grunge.

>>6378547
Alrighty.

WERE ROLLING OUT. IF YOU HAVE AWESOME FANTASY WAR MUSIC, THIS IS THE TIME.

>>6378547
Your large army moves on the huge cavern, and stands in the clearing in the valley lined with skeletons of both dragons and the things they have feasted upon.

Standing outside of the cave, is about twenty males and females in long black robes. They talk out of earshot from the army, but their presence seems to make everyone talk and stir as if confused to see humanoids standing between them and the monsters they intend to destroy.

One of the hunters asks you if you know anything about this. Shall you tell just them what is up? Tell all who will listen or keep it secret?

>>6378634
We have no idea how big the vampire force is. We need to tell them, if we see action from a rear ambush they need to know whats up.

>>6378634
Tell them NOW, they need to know

>>6378421
I agree with this

>>6378606
I'd much rather be remembered as a blacksmith, especially the best (human) one in a thousand years, and I thought the whole point of Sorrow's End was about surpassing our Deathwish... Which it's debatable if we ever had, or were just ridiculously determined/stubborn.

>>6378634
Tell them what they need to know. They stand between the King and his enemy. Does it matter who they are?

>>6378634
Tell them in a way that bolsters confidence, mention rending their accursed flesh from their bones and then sticking a stake in them and leaving them to burn in the sun.

Let them in on it, but make sure they know to keep it down. We will be the rearguard, so we all have to be prepared for anything.

I repeat: Buddy dwarves, don't shoot off your mouth, keep it low key.

>>6378634
If they're grouped together, WE THROW A FUCKING SILVER GRENADE!

>>6378672
This, plus we ready our crossbow.

>>6378696
Make sure to pop in a silver arrow and ready the shield too.

>>6378661
...If they're as strong as five of whatever race they are, and likely just as fast, as well as probably being able to have some kind of regeneration... Then... yes. Yes they do need to know what they're up against.
Pity we never added any runes... Is the crossbow armed at least?

>>6378652
>>6378654
You bring your voice low and tell them to stay clam. You don't say how you know as not to betray the king, but instead say

"I think those are vampires."

The Hunters seem to freeze up for a moment, and look at each other, they whisper roughly to each other, and then look back at you.

"Our Stakes 'kin take care o' them if we kin hit their heart, not much good any'place else. This is bad."

You have enough silver Arrows to hand some out if you wish, or keep them to yourself. You have 5 of the silver frags as well.

The king turns to face the army and climbs with ease onto one of the large boulders to gain everyone's attention. It seems he is about to give the hype up before the charge.

>>6378660
To wish for death is not something you can surpass. It is the end, and with it, your destiny. To wish for death is not to acheive in life, but rather, to seek the end with all your power, be it potential or otherwise, and never stop. To stop, is to cherish life, and live once more. While you've long since made your wish for death, you've come to appreciate what you DO have, and with it, life beckons once more.

Do you really have a deathwish?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH0y3_-jX3o&feature=related

>>6378672
JESUS CHRIST we just decided to be the fucking rearguard. Le the van deal with it. We watch their backs.

>>6378672
Do you wish to throw a gernade before the king has given the attack orders etc?

>>6378722
split out half the stack of arrows and 3 grenades we dont need all of them

Its not a matter of wishing for death, its our acceptance that it will very likely be a result of our actions, and our unwillingness to back down from the path we've chosen.

>>6378745
NO
WE WAIT

>>6378750
Keep the frags, hand out some arrows. Crossbow is slow and they can use the arrows, but we can throw tons of frags easily.

>>6378756
Which is why I asked. Who are we?

>>6378745
No.

I would keep an eye on the back. Vampires are crafty fucks, I wouldn't put it past them that their main force is flanking around to our rear.

>>6378764
CHARLES MOTHERFUCKING BRONSON

again, EPIC FUCKIN MUSIC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH0y3_-jX3o&feature=related

>>6378765
Your right, however, I don't think we're in the right place for us to even attack that maneuvering force. Again I think fate made us choose once more what to lose.

>>6378779
WYRM TRADER. LIGHTNING RIDER. WYRM SLAYER. MASTER BLACKSMITH AND GENERAL RUINER OF PEOPLE'S SHIT.

>>6378763
this

I think we have made our legend. Everything after making that axe will reek of anti-climax. Once we fulfill our oaths, it's time to go home. I think it's time for Charles to retire.

>>6378750
>>6378763
You split out the crossbows, leaving yourself with 3 silver ones and plenty of regular bolts. They also have your heavy crossbow Stake/chain launcher if you want it. You hand one of your 5 explosives to the one who is usually their leader, but it seems they naturally are following behind you right now.

They seem to grin as you hand out these things. What seemed to be fear as they realized they might not be ready has changed into eagerness to shock their new foe.

The king begins to speak.
"As long as we've lived in these Mountains we have had to fight creatures large and small. Our ancestors tamed the streams and slew mighty fish who could kill hundreds. Our fathers carved a city from the heart of the earth that has risen to cut the sky line. Our last foe rests here in this cave. Gaining power to reclaim these lands. Feeding our kin to her children, co-horting with dark creatures. It is time my brothers to claim our home. Claim our revenge for those fallen, and witness Despair's End!"

As he shouts this the army roars and he holds up the flaming, lightning charged artwork others call a weapon into the sky. He then points it at the enemy, who seems to spread out and get ready for the charge.

( cont.)

>>6378745
Does the king know we made the grenade? In any case he's been fighting stuff since our great-grandfather was a lad at least... Let's see what he has up his sleeve first, but still look around in trepidation, don't forget to scan the skies, the last thing we need are a horde of dragons darkening the sky allowing the vampires to charge or something...

>>6378858
HAVE YOU PEOPLE FORGOTTEN WHAT THE ELF BITCH TOLD US BEFORE WE SET OUT? THERE IS AN INCREASE IN EVIL MYTHOLOGICAL MONSTERS AS OF LATE, AND IT ISN'T GETTING ANY BETTER ANY TIME SOON. THAT'S WHY SHE CAME TO SEE US IN THE FIRST PLACE. WE STILL HAVE SHIT TO DEAL WITH AFTER THIS.

>>6378869
>Our ancestors tamed the streams and slew mighty fish who could kill hundreds.

Those damnable CARP.

>>6378858
Retire from what? We've always been a blacksmith. We just went the extra mile for a crafting gig, is all. We'll go home and keep being a blacksmith, and if some shit comes up that requires this blacksmith to step up again, we will.

As John Ma-fuckin-Clane himself said: "Do you know what you get for being a hero? Nothin'. You get shot at. Pat on the back, blah blah blah. 'Attaboy.' You get divorced... Your wife can't remember your last name, kids don't want to talk to you... You get to eat a lot of meals by yourself. Trust me kid, nobody wants to be that guy. I do this because there is nobody else to do it right now. Believe me if there was somebody else to do it, I would let them do it. There's not, so I'm doing it. That's what makes you that guy."

>>6378880
There's also that giant city that has a problem with us.

>>6378880
Not to mention we'll probably have to deal with the town guard or something...

>Our ancestors tamed the streams and slew mighty fish who could kill hundreds.
I lol'd.

>>6378887
I chuckled too. Nice, Firstquest.

Prepare to act as fire support, wherever. (We should have made a sling/wristrocket type thing to launch grenades with)

>>6378869
He leaps in the middle of his vanguard and charges forward with them. The main army charging just behind. You ready your shield and your crossbow arm. The hunters around you are ready as well, and seem to be willing to charge when you are ready, not right behind the army.

You can see as the Elite reach the Vampires they knock them over and push past them, but the undead don't seem to fight back. The king planned to make getting inside to his revenge his vanguard's plan, not stay to engange anything.

The Vampires are letting them pass even as they are knocked down. You hear screams as you see dwarfs begin to fall down, thinking the robed men dead and trampled they are being dragged to the ground.

A shriek rings out and you can see a few shapes above the save, more robed vampires leaping off the top into the army to leave cut off reinforcements to the vanguard.

The Army is being slaughtered by them. Chances are the Elite cannot take on the Brood mother and all of her children without help from the infantry, it is a well laid trap.

>>6378947
OH SHIT.

We gotta get in there! TIME TO BE BIG DAMN HEROES.

Lob some grenades into clusters of vampires.

>>6378947
GIVE THEM A VOLLEY!

Also, in close range, use our MASSIVE FUCK YEAH GAUNTLET with the silver spikes to fucking pulverize vampire faces.

>>6378947
SUPPORT.

DUH.

>>6378972
And tell those hunters to start aiming at the cieling

>>6378972
The vampires are in the middle of the army at the moment, tearing them apart, and generally creating a "SQUAD BROKEN" situation.

The king likely had the only weapon that could really bring the Vampires to bay aside from you and your small squad. Blowing the vampires up is possible, if you kill a lot of soldiers with them.

>>6378996
GET IN THERE AND FUCK SHIT UP. NOW!

>>6378996
Get us an ETA on those dragons, the best we can do now is to kill as many vampires as possible.

>>6378996
Ready the hunters to fire, and tell em to aim for the heart. Prepare to get swarmed in retaliation though.

lob a grenade for a high airburst, high enough so the shrapnel won't hurt the dwarves too much but small pieces of silver will still embed in and hamper some vamps. Then rush with the gauntlet for a,little RIP AND TEAR!

>>6378996
Use SHIT STAKER on VAMPIRES

Tell DRAGON SLAYERS to KILL VAMPIRES

>>6378996
Have the dragon hunters cover you, rush in there and bash some heads. See if you can get to one of the dwarven commanders and have them try to get the ranks formed back up.

>>6378996
No good, gotta get in to mid/close range.

We need to work as a unit.
Move in.
Identify target.
Kill with numbers.
Repeat.

>>6378947
Fffffffff.... Look's like it's up to us to slay a vampire army... Ready the grenades?

>>6379016
Goddess keep our pimp hand strong!

>>6379028
This. The broodlings still haven't shown, so get the hunters to watch it. Have some with silver arrows help you fight, and in general be a HEROIC FORCE to rally the army and charge in to rescue the king. Have your dwarf buddies hold the hatchlings.

Retards, we are not gonna throw grenades into our soldiers, knock it off with the grenade crap.

>>6379037
No! that will kill our guys as well.
Its "SQUAD BROKEN"ing enough as it is already, dont need friendly fire in there too.

>>6378983
>>6379016
>>6378978
>>6378975
>>6378977
You charge forward, and they all follow in line behind you. You hear a shot from one of your men ring out, and look up, a vampire was rushing down to murder you specific from the air, you see it howling in pain and it's robes twisting around its self as steam pours form the silver bolt in it's neck. lands in front of you and starts to sit up trying to tear out the bolt.

You smash it in the face with your gauntlet and hear a nasty snapping noise as its face crushes. It seems as long as the wounds given are from blessed or "pure" Steels like your gauntlet and silver, they are as mortal as anyone else.

You lift your arm up and fire a bolt as a vampire feeding on a Dwarfs neck, it smacks him right between the eyes with such force it tears all the way through its skull.

Your group tears into the melee aiming for the vampires and taking them out. They did not expect this it seems and the morale pushes the other direction.

>>6379078
YES!
CONTINUE TO FUCK THEIR SHIT UP.

>>6379078
FOR THE KING AND THE SWORD (er hammer) IN MY HAND

>>6379078
Dear Firstquest,
Right a book. I don't care if it takes years.

>>6379078
Morale is gonna be a big factor here. Keep up what were doing, look out for more vampires that target us specifically, and be a general banner waver, just without a banner.

IE: Yell "COME, SHOW ME WHAT PASSES FOR FURY AMONG YOUR MISBEGOTTEN KIND."

>>6379016
PUNCH THEIR FUCKING FACES IN!

ALL OF THEM!

WE WILL BE KNOWN AS CHARLES "FACE FUCKER" BRONSON! BECAUSE WE FUCK FACES UP!

Look for a leader. These things seem too bestial to be this organized.

Are we getting close to autosaging?

>>6379163
>>6379131
You continue to tear into the vampires, keeping an eye out for their leader. You realize if you had followed the elite guard inside you would have left all these men outside to die, and this trap would of worked much better. There is little time to praise your correct choice as you hear your squad mumbling even as you help the army reach inside the cave that they are running out of silver bolts...

RIP THE TEETH FROM THEIR SKULLS, AND MAKE THEM DRINK DEEP OF THEIR OWN TAINTED BLOOD.

>>6379163
Wait, aren't you contradicting yourself?

>>6379207
Decapitate the ones they've shot, and reuse the bolts. THEN JUST START FUCKING THEM UP WITH WHATEVER YOU'VE GOT

How's our 'Hand that rejects Evil' doing? It burning or anything or are vampires a different type of evil?

>>6379207
You make sure to shout things that would bolster the troops and soon the main army is inside, and the Vampires are outside of the cave, blocked off and intimidated by your little squad of hunters. Effectively guarding the rear.

One of the vampires has wild almost floating white hair and she screams loudly at times, that seems to be her communicating orders to the others, because they move after said commands. You have one silver bolt left, but you doubt you could nail her shifting fast form at this distance as her eyes train on you.

>>6379217
No, he's saying that they seem to dumb to have thought this out on their own. Theres someone directing them.

>>6379243
Toss two grenades at her. One directly at her, and one to land a few feet in front.

>>6379243
This could be risky... But, detach our arm and have it ready to fire on her, and get ready to hurl our shield at her.

>>6379243
Lean over to the leader of the Dragon Hunters, offering him the bolt.

Point to the leader, "want to take the shot?"

>>6379243
Don't fire, wait until she invariably charges us. When she does grab her fucking head and fire the bolt directly into her noggin.

Autosaging now.

>>6379281
Agreed, let someone that has used a crossbow more take the shot.
Also charge her to distract from the dwarf.

>>6379243
If all the living soldiers are in the cave, let's toss the hell our of those grenades, if that's the extent of the vampire force.

>>6379258
You pull out two explosives, one in each hand, and almost laughably quick two of the hunters have each one lit. You are shocked, but remember that they are used to using fireworks to scare off smaller whelps, and these boys are smart as they are quick.

A couple of them have died at this point, it is unavoidable. Tossing the two bombs you see the vampires scatter. It seems they are savage but retain enough mortal memories to know what it is. Explosions ring out and fire and shrapnel goes flying. You see two of the undead murdered in the blast, torn to bits by the steel.

The leader is hovering above. She points at you, and the vampires seem to converge, rushing forward into your group.

( will begin a new thread soon due to auto sage.)

>>6379321
For some reason I'm imaging this as our enemy.

>>6379321
Throw another grenade, then ready the shield and the awesome fist.

>>6379321
Tell the boys to ready the large crossbow behind you, DISCREETLY.

>>6379452 newthread.