>The war, however, is not the only thing spreading chaos about the land. The gods, and the arcane are returning to the world after nearly 4000 years of having been thought dead. You, are at the forefront of those in the empire re-discovering that which has been lost for four millenia, and your ultimate goal is to become the Praetorian of the Divine.
>
>That office once thought lost to obsolescence with the disappearance of the gods, 1000 some years after the mortal races, humans, dwarves, elves, the cat-like felixsians, and the massive hulking lizard-men known as lacertans, killed the gods immortal servants on the mortal plain, the 6 Dragons, Elemental Patriarchs and Elemental Matrairchs 5000 years ago.
>You are currently going through a much needed period of staff enlargement and tending to your persoinal assets, and most of your plans involve either training the arcanists in the maniples of the other members of the Praetorian Militants fists, and the new order tasked with hunting and killing the vicious, bestial Loukys, an ancient race of intelligent predatory creatures recently returned to the land of the living.

With roughly a week left before you are to return to the Praetor Militants office for your next campaigns briefing, you feel no guilt at waking up early. Not that you have much of anything to do of late. The Temple to the Ten is yours, as are two small forges that were once temples to Raynha and Jogra, as well as a small brothel that was once a temple to Nyetini. Your academy is a beehive of activity, Janos is busy preparing another merchant caravan, Daeseu is absent building his network and hunting your foes. And to top it all off, your own wedding has been taken completely out of your hands, not unexpectedly, by Jayne and Kyria. You did, however, receive a note from Rufus that he would like to meet with you in your newly acquired abandoned Temple, and you suspect that Degrain is ready for another project by now.

>>15290851
I say stop by Degrian and see if he's free for a project. Then let's head to Rufus and then after that, let's finally pick that loukys hunting unit.

>>15290851
Lets give Degrian a break. He's been working damn hard for us with excellent results with zero supervision.

We'll see what Rufus wants. Bring a few guys along too. Meeting at an abandoned place. There may be trouble

>>15290851
Have we asked Degrain about atattching gaint repeaters onto the backs of our carts yet?

>>15290851

Let's give Degrian some time for his own projects and to unwind.

meanwhile we'll meet with Rufus, perhaps bringing Wulf along, since he may have some input into his god's section of the temple.

I only hope that whatever Degrian works on, will either have immediate military applications or give us a revenue stream.

You slowly ease out of bed, careful not to wake Laelith, the only one still asleep this late in the morning, and after cleaning yourself, head to the dining hall to eat. You find degrian, propped up against the wall, looking at the cog that would form the last piece needed for the gnomes to have a functional combat automaton. The inside gears of it interlock, and provide fingerholds. When the engineer twists them in a certain pattern, a few of the teeth will puch their way from an inside gear to the main, outside portion of it. Seeing your approach, he repeats the pattern several times, in reverse, and the item contracts to roughly the size of your fist. Degrian deposits the gear in his pocket, salutes and greets you "Good morning, Commander. All tasks finished best I can. Safe to assume that you have new project for me?"

You shake your head, and take a seat next to the engineer "No, I realize that I have been making you work perhaps too hard of late. I will let you work on something of your choosing." you trail off, thinkging on it for a moment before adding "Though, a device that can project burning oils may be useful against the-"

"NO!!!" Degrian cuts you off "Bad, stupid, kill you. Explode, die, casualties... NO!!!!" his eyes twitching, breathing heavily, clearly frightened by your idea.

You chuckle "It was a joke, idle thought my friend. I may not be as intelligent as you, but I am no fool." the kaskyana settles down, and straightened his now disheveled mustache.

A nervous laugh escapes his beak, or, his approximation of a laugh at least "Thank you for the... choice of project. I will not disappoint." You nod, finish eating, make your reply to Rufus that you would be happy to meet him today, and head off to find Wulf.
>cont'd

You cannot find your protege, but a still mostly asleep Lena informs you from the dark of their room, that he was planning on helping out at the academy today, before dropping back to the bed asleep.

As you make your way to the academy to collect Wulf, you realize that you will have a few hours between arriving there and having to leave to meet Rufus at the Temple to the Ten at the time you agreed upon, and could probably teach a class of earth elementalists while you wait.

>if you wanna help out at the academy, roll to teach.
>as to the flamethrower, it got mentioned in the IRC, and written off. So I used it as a joke.

>>15291198
Hmm. Maybe we should talk to the kid instead? See if he's willing to face reality now.

rolled 92 = 92

>>15291198
>>15291221
Nah, I say let him sweat it out. I'd rather teach the elementalists since we'll need them sooner.

rolled 86 = 86

>>15291264
Why do we always fail at elementalism now? We used to be decent at it at least.

>>15291264
Fair enough although next time we return we should talk to him again. Although I just remembered, we should go necromancer hunting soon with that bell. Or mage hunting. We need more of those.

rolled 78 = 78

>>15291198

Training Montage with teaching a class, GO!

rolling for training elementalists... without a test roll.

rolled 7 = 7

>>15291354
Well since it was called for, let's at least see if a botch is potentially possible.

/tg/ dice are in troll mode, it seems!

You reach the academy, to find it awash in its usual chaos. Wulf is instructing a group of six indignant looking soldiers on the finer points of killing Uurlanthi dogs with the force of their will, and a healthy ammount of lightning. It does not take long to inform him of your plans, to which he simply nods, and returns to his class, buzzing a soldier who had not been listening with a small, yet clearly painful shock.

You meander the training grounds, until you find a group of earth elementalists, all still fairly novice, gathered together, each of them reading aloud from their training manuals, confused. All of them are past the point of meditating and hoping for something to happen, but not yet skilled enough to confidently manifest their powers reliably. You spend a few hours teaching the group, not thinking to divide them off based on their natural leanings to one school or another of earth elementalism. Your own elemental performance is average, though a bit lacking due to your lazy mindset, and confusion at attempting to teach the disparate members of the group. Eventually, your free time is burnt up, and while the budding elementalists all are reliably creating fissures and spikes, or hurling small stones about, none of it is impressive, nor is it anywhere near the growth you had hoped to see with their potential.

As you ride off towards the Temple to the Ten Wulf asks you "What is our business with Rufus, Commander?" polite, but not quite happy to be meeting with the lad again.

>>15291513
"I wanted to ask him about the effects the bell we got from Northmont had on him. Whether it can possibly interfere in him using his abilities. As well, I thought it might be wise to inform him of the cult we've been dealing with. The last person I would like to see involved with the cult is him or his father."

rolled 37 = 37

Well, let's see what I would have gotten with a botch.

>>15291553
Second.

rolled 2 = 2

>>15291553
second

>>15291553

seconding

You shrug, as Spite pushes its way between horse and pedestrian alike while you ride through the city "I was hoping he would be able to tell us more on the uses of the Bell we took from Northmont, as well as informing him porperly on the Cult we have been dealing with. Him and his father are two of the last people I would like to see fall to their influences."

Wulf begrudgingly agrees, before turning to look at the barracks to the Emperors Talon in shock, 12 patches of tattoed skin hang beside the Imperial banner above the entrance to the walled off structure. All of the tattoos are the same, a hammer of blood raised to strike an obsidian anvil. "It would seem your conversation with the Heir bore some fruit, commander." he eventually deadpans.

"I suppose so." you reply, wincing as you hear a scream, and before you round the corner, another patch of skin is hung above the barracks.

-----CQ-----

The Temple to the Tens gate is tarnished, but Mithia does not rust. On the left half of the massive door, is a stylized sun, the icons of Raynha, Jogra, Nyetini, Eago and Danarius forming a half circle to its right. On the opposite half of the gate is a crescent moon, with the elemental opposites of the gods icons orbiting the sun on the opposite half of the door; orbit the left of the moon in a half circle.
>cont'd

Inside, is a great, wide halway, half of it cast in shadow, and if the icons above the five open entryways are any indication, the Moon Pantheons cloisters in the temple. Basking in the sunlight are the entrances to the opposing gods of the sunlight pantheons cloisters. A lone figure stands off in the back of the shadowed half of the temple, massive, rusted steel gears near him, you can only assume that their purpose was to shift the roof to allow the appropriate half of the temple to catch its matching form of light.

"Should we go to greet him, or see how long it takes for him to notice us?" Wulf asks from beside you, idly observing the titanic structure himself.

rolled 63 = 63

>>15291801
Let's go greet him, no reason to keep this waiting.

>>15291801
Go greet him. Might be worth exploring this place as well in the future. See what needs to be fixed up. I assume stonesense isn't sensing anyone else in here Pax?

>>15291809
makes sense

>>15291801

Scan the figure with our detection crystal. With our slum lord friend getting bold... we never know what could be a trap.

Better safe than ambushed...

Scan him to make sure it's Rufus, then go and greet him.

You pull out your arcana detecting crystal, and it reads necromancer, and your stonesense detects noting else in the massive marble structure. "Greetings Rufus, finally able to meet with me away from... prying ears?"

The young man nods "Yes, though I am curious as to what it is you hoped to speak on."

You shrug "I had hoped that you would be able to tell me more about the Arcane Bell I procured in Northmont, talk with you on the approaching undead horde, and, the force behind it."

The budding necromancer nods "The bell is an incredibly rare artefact, its toll can banish the undead, though, only its first sounding is at all effective in battle. After that, its simply annoying. As to the undead, what is your plan?"

"Beat them with blunt objects, and kill the necromancers that made them?" Wulf offers, grinning sheepishly.

>>15291970
"Unfortunately that's the only solid plan we have at the moment. There are other things I'm looking into such as the use of fire, looking into divine aid and other arcane counters that might exist. Unfortunately, that kind of research has been a little slow. Has Neshai said anything else to you on the matter?"

rolled 61 = 61

>>15291995
This sounds good.

>>15291970
"In essence, yes. Of course, there are certain other weapons that I hope will be ready in time. "

You sigh "Unfortunately,that, aside from a few other techniques I have learned of from Neshai is all the more plan we have at the moment."

Rufus smirks, muttering something and turning his hands in a circular motion in the air, when he stops, a candle-flame appears at the tip of his finger, fluttering a sickly, fundamentaly wrong green, before guttering out. Sweating lightly now, the boy replies "And I will be one of those weapons. I have already blessed my blade to Neshai in preparation, and I will renew the blessing, and strengthen it continually until the abominations arrive. Though as it is... I slept for all of last week after channeling the energies needed to even lay my goddess' most basic blessing on it. What of this cult that seeks to raise the dead?"

>>15292119
"It might be worth stopping by my academy then. They might be able to help you out with your training or at least your stamina."

Then give him the full run down of the cult, how well infiltrated in the empire they seem to be, how dangerous they are and how they may be the ones that will bring about this wave of undead. I wonder if our mystic found any spies...

>>15292119
"They are strong, and well connected.
"We've started purging them from our own soil, but I know that they are well entrenched in Uurlanth, and have a presence in the Duchy. I don't know how far their reach extends into the Guilds."

Ask Rufus if he is able to identify other necromancers. If he is to be the Head Priest for Neshai, he might as well get started building the Priesthood.

A small army of Neshai worshiping necromancers will be more effective than him alone.

Again you sigh "They are strong and well connected. They have infiltrated deep into uurlanths ruling class, as well as our own... though it would seem that since I warned teh Heir apparent their presence has been, reduced. I also know taht they have a presence in the Duchy, and think it safe to assume that they also have a presence in the Guilds." you continue to regale the youth all the knowledge you have of this cult. You do not attempt to frighten him, but you make every effort to ensure that he grasps the danger the cult poses, and the gravity of the situation.

By the time you finish, and have answered all of his questions, night has fallen, and Wulf has wandered off to a far corner of the temple, and is silently drilling with his blade. Pasty white with fear, Rufus eventually states "We need to stop them. We need to cleanse as many noble houses as we can, we need to-"

"You, need to continue your training. Your necromancy will be a great asset to your house, and on the field of battle one day. And channeling Neshais power may well be one of the few things that will save this world from the coming storm; and I doubt a short-lived candle-flame will be enough to fell even a single undead soldier. If you wish, you can work to train your stamina at my academy, if that would help, if not-" you freeze. You feel at least twelve sets of light feet atop the temple, and a generous portion of heavier feet moving towards its gate.

>>15292323
'Wulf, to me!
"Rufus, is there another way out of this temple, a side entrance?
"At least 12 above us, and a large group of heavy armor at the front gate."

>>15292323
Any places we can hide for an ambush? Hopefully letting us get an idea on who's coming before we attack? Otherwise we should use the entrance to funnel them in rather than taking them on in the open. Assuming the gates aren't wide open...

rolled 30 = 30

>>15292346
seconding.

>>15292323

Get out. Get out of there now. It could be the cult or the slumlord. Both are bad. Head to either the barracks or the acedemy.
Use stonesense so we don't get ambushed.
Hey wait, an idea. The Emperor's Talon's barracks is nearby, can be get some help and an escort back to our barracks?

>>15292323

Are there any bits of stone debris that we could use for cover/throwing/elementalism?

If not, perhaps take up a position in one of the gods' areas and use the entrance as a choke-point?

You whisper to Rufus "A dozen on the roof, and a generous helping of heavy armor at the gate, are there any other exits?" Rufus shakes his head. Fuck. "WULF!!! To me!!!" you bellow. The only response is a disembodied laughter, and the image of Wulf disappearing from the far end of the temple. A flash of blue above you is quickly puntuated by the screach of an owl, a wail of pain from several men, then five corpses dropping to the floor, and at least two more slumping to the temples roof dead.

Rufus pulls his scythe from his back, and you draw your blade, wishing you were wearing more than just your chainmail. "At least they cannot enter until we open the gates." Rufus quips, giving his blade a preparatory swipe.

>>15292535
All I can really think of is head to the gate and see if we can get a look at who is outside. If they try to open it, stick em with the pointy end of our blades. I don't really want to mess up the terrain with earth elementalism since that might cost us more in the long run so perhaps rely on Wulf to fry more people for now and see what the men outside the gates do.

>>15292535
Is the gate the only way in?
We may want to create a concave wall that will funnel anyone coming in through the gate to attack us two across.

>>15292535

We need to capture at least 2 alive. Why 2? because if they don't talk at first, we let Rufus have a crack at one while we slowly sacrifice the other to a god. Perhaps Neshai. Oooo! Do you think we'll get to see her suck out a soul?

>>15292605
No, I say we find out everything about them using Autronius to mind-rip them, then figure out what they hate the most, and bind their souls as part of a runic soul furnace to power an item or something.

rolled 98 = 98

>>15292605
wat

rolled 63 = 63

Maybe we can mess up the entryway just a little?

Get closer to the gate. Try to use elementalism from behind the gate to skewer those outside with earth spikes.

Elementalism roll.

>>15292615

At least we're agreed on "they die a grisly death"?

After they tell us everything, of course.

>>15292535
And if they cant enter until we open the gates, it gives us time to look at the rooftop assassins, and because we have Stonesence, we're able to use stone spike surprise them couldnt we?

And of course, still the potential of calling on the divine for a little add, at least for the shock factor.
Would Garagush be able to possess a fresh corpse in the hollowed ground, while the hate of the kill still as fresh and warm as his blood?

>>15292601

not sure if i can second the wall due to the roll calling for spikes, but limiting how many foes can get us at once is a good plan

>>15292749
"Alright, but I need at least 2 alive. YOU HEAR, WULF?! TAKE PRISONERS!
"On 3 we open the door."

Maybe if the mercs realize they don't HAVE to die, they'll be more willing to surrender.

You erect a pair of stone pilars just behind the gate, and rush ahead alongside Rufus. As you get closer to the now barred gates, you see Wulf leap across the open gap, a blurred image trailing him. Eago may not directly kill, but that does not mean that his favor does not make his foes deadly combatants. The proof of that is in the leather-clad man Wulf just tackled from across the roof, in a single bound, flying back, blood spraying from his chest, your proteges blade clearly slick, even in the nighttime gloom. You send a few earthen spikes into the men outside the gate, even as they try, without any results, to push it open. You peer through the small open gap, and see men in chianmail, with at the very best old steel swords. "Mercenary scum." you spit out as Rufus centers himself beside you, his normally docile green eyes now glowing slightly, and filled with a terrifying intensity.

The young man begins working his scythe through slow loops, clearly limbering up more "Let them in, and I will break their spirits. Cultists or political foes lackeys, my father already told me what to do i a situation like this."

rolled 25 = 25

>>15292749
I say open the gate enough so they have difficulty getting in. We can keep up the elementalism spikes while they start to come in. Rolling elementalism I guess.

rolled 24 = 24

Fuck this. Combat roll.

Just remember, the Governor will be very cross with us if we let Rufus get killed. Make sure the mercs don't get a lucky hit on him.

>I derped, twice. my last post is supposed to read *Eago may not directly kill, but that does not mean that his favor does not make his followers deadly combatants.*

"WE NEED PRISONERS WULF!!!" you shout to the young man on the roof, before more quietly telling Rufus "On three, and you heard what I said." Rufus simply nods, the glow from his eyes intensifying. You count to three, and lower the columns. The doors explode inwards, and you rush to meet them, wulf twirling beside you, his first sweeping strike taking two heads, and his scythe burying itself in another mans chest. the glow dissapates, and the rearward group of mercenaries begin to back off. However, a fork of lightning catches and kills most of them as well. The few remaining mercenaries quickly fall to your blade, one devoid an arm and on the ground in pain, the others all sprawled out, dead. To your left, Rufus is mercilessly pummeling a prone mercenary with his fists, the poor bastard is alive, but thats about all that could be said for him.

Rufus stops his assault, and begins taking deep breaths as Wulf drops down, sweating, and holding a lightly twitching, leather-clad mercenary. "They paid their toll, and I collected." Rufus finally says, visibly shaking now.

"I'm almost insulted that whoever did this sent such poor fighters to take us." you quip, lifting your own captive.

Wulf shrugs, before breathlily replying "Tactically, it was a sound operation. They simply, underestimated our arcane talent..." he smirks "or divine favor. Dragonshit is it hard to channel the divine though."

Rufus finally collects himself "You have your own interrogator, right? If not, my father would likely offer you his, after he finishes with my captive."

>>15292993
"Try not to make it a habit Wulf. We can't get too reliant on that. Indeed, we have our own means of interrogating. Once you're done with your prisoner, I suppose we can meet up again and see what we've learnt."

Now do we use a mystic or just have our assassin go to work? Guess whoever we find first, heh. Right - search them to see if they were stupid enough to have any letters on them. Or their pay. I'm curious on how much this job might have cost them.

>>15292993
"I have two. They are fortunate enough that I am in a merciful mood, and shall only have their minds rifled and pillaged of information, rather than permanently scarred."
Slap our captive awake.
"Do you hear that, scum? Consider yourself lucky that you won't be begging for a death that will never come."

>>15293034
Oh, right, Definitely agree with you on warning Wulf about becoming too reliant on the divine.

Also seconding searching them for incriminating evidence and see how much we're worth dead.

>>15292993

I love the brainpower behind some of our foes.

picture very much related.

>>15293034

seconding, but wondering if we should signal ring for an escort or send Wulf to grab a few men.

>>15293101
Probably better to send Wulf; using a signal ring within city limits would probably not be well received.

You sigh "We have two interrogators, but, as I'm feeling magnanimous, I will go with the less... cruel, of the two. And yes Wulf, they did underestimate us. But we CANNOT become too dependent on the divine, that blade has two sides."

Both young men nod, and at that, you make your way back to your barracks, informing the first group of city guards you pass of the fight, and they happily give you an escort to your barracks, though a few break off to guard Rufus, and a few more to police up the scene.

When you arrive at your barracks, Daeseu runs up beside you "My apologies Commander, I was waylaid from the moment I learned of the plot." he pauses and looks at the pair of captives you have "Is is safe to assume that you have work in mind for me?"

>so, after you give the interrogation orders, what else do you want to do before you get to your briefing?

>>15293181
We still need to select people for the loukys hunting unit right? We best get on that before the briefing otherwise the First might be displeased.

I say send our mystic to one and Dasesu to the other captive. Then we can match up what they know and get an idea on how effective our mystic is.

>>15293181
"While I know that your abilities to extract information are reliable, I need Autronius trained to be able to do the same.
"These will suffice; if they are damaged during the process, then there is little lost."

Make sure that no one goes out alone, and that everyone of our retinue is either with at least 2 other members, or has a guard detail.
Also inform our Academy to be on heightened alert, just in case.

>>15293244
second

I think it's probably time we formed a bodyguard unit of around ten elite fighters.so that both we and our retinue will never go out unescorted.

>>15293244
Third. Autronius could use the experience gain.

Take care of building the Louky hunting unit if it still needs actions on our part.

Anyone has anything left to do? I think everything on my list has been hit.

On, and Pax, I realize that the anti-mage ammunition is not ready yet, but can we have Blackbird and Aurelius start training snipers anyway? I envision some sort of small skirmish unit that can snipe enemy commanders and captains, as well as mages, and can scatter and fade away if attacked.

You shrug "it is of no consequence now. As to these captives... we will let Autronius try them first, as I know your information extraction techniques to be incredibly effective, but it would be best to have a backup, or an alternative, especially when the subject cannot be harmed."

The elf grins evilly "I can do my work without leaving scars."

You suppress a shudder, and reply "That's good to hear."

-----CQ-----

Most of the next day you spend helping at the academy, and seeing to its safety while the rest of your maniple acclimates to your most recent set of orders. It is early evening by the time Autronius strides from the depths of the academy to meet you out in the training field, leaning heavily on a cane. "They were hired by a slumlord, but he paid far beyond his means. Their employer remained masked, and did not share his name. The one I had did not have any thoughts as to who it was, he was simply doing his job."

Daeseu strides out from behind him "Mine said the same, but he suspected that it was our very own Timius McClanson. Which means our friend, Reshkai, just may be angry at the good governor as well."

You shake your head "At least we know who it is now. Daeseu, how close are you to finding this scum? I want to be certain he is punished this time."

Daeseu shrugs "Much closer, though, if I am to do this right, it will be some time yet." you sigh, and nod in way of a response.

>so, who do you want to take with you to select the Loukys hunting unit?

>>15293437
Gaius, Uurist and Vi?

>>15293399
Now that I think about it ten men would be insufficient seeing as we often have multiple people out at once.

Perhaps fifty men. Fifty elite legion vets we mentally screen to make sure they are reliable should do it. After all, what would have happened if all those mercs caught Janos alone? Bad things, that's what. He doesn't have elemental powers and is merely an okay fighter.

>>15293437
Wulf, Laelith and Gaius I'd say.

>>15293437
Bring along Gaius and Uurist.

Also, before I forget, we should check in with Finian to see how he's holding up. See if he wants a crack at an elite unit like this.

I keep forgetting: Let's talk to Jayne about the wonders of diamond formation for cavalry units.

>>15293437
Vi, Laelith, Gaius

Let's see if we can at least have Laelith and Vi in the same room and work together without her freaking out. Baby steps. She needs to be able to work with Laelith since their roles will coincide so much.

>>15293500
this

Gaius, Uurist, Laelith, Vi.

Heck, Cornelius can come along too if he wants.

>>15293550

seconding Gaius, Uurist, Vi, and Cornelius.

I don't see any reason for Lealith to be part of the selection for the hunting group. If anything, we should bring Janos' girl to help select archers.

I do not understand why people are requesting Laelith and Vi when we're picking out the grunt soldiers of this task force.
If this were about training them, or developing tactics, I would agree.
But this is just selecting good soldiers and experienced veterans for this Loukys hunting taskforce, not training it or developing tactics.

>>15293610
>>15293550
either one of these are fine with me

>>15293621

It seems the only reason to bring Lealith is to get Vi as a harem addition, really. Her time would be better spent helping train elementalists, really.

>>15293621
Because she is our loremistress and this is a specialized arcane and Loukys hunting taskforce. You never know what kind of knowledge she will add, and if nothing else she has an eye for picking out combat elementalsts and is one of our better fighters.

>>15293621
Good point.

Gaius, Uurist, Cornelius for troop screening.

Laelith for elementalism screening. The Louky hunting unit badly needs fire elementalists, especially now that Degrain poo-poo-ed our flamethrower idea.

Kaitlyn (Jano's girlfriend) can come help us screen for good archers, since she was kind enough to offer.

>>15293653
I do not believe that she would have any relevant input as to the selection of soldiers, and we would be screening for elementalists to be sent to our academy regardless.

What knowledge about the Loukys, exactly is going to help Laelith select a soldier for this taskforce? What mindset beyond one that is highly disciplined and won't break under the strain of fighting against an abomination, that could be vetted just as well by Gaius and Uurist, would a grunt soldier of this taskforce require?

>>15293670

If we're screening the group already, why do we need to bring Lealith to do a second screening? Just crystal the men as we screen them.

Surely her skills are better applied to either doing more research or helping train elementalists?

>>15293690
No idea, that's why you bring along a lorekeeper in case. They might know something you don't.

I was trying to refrain from pointing this out, but you guys are morons. "Oh hey she will be more useful training elementalists!" No she won't. They train at the speed of plot, you dimwits. We only /lose/ possibilities by not bringing her and gain nothing.

>>15293718
So your entire position is predicated on the off-chance that bringing her along will trigger a hidden flag or easter egg event, and call us morons because we are trying to go about this in a reasonable in-character manner rather than treating this as a JRPG.

Your argument is unconvincing to me. Perhaps you will have luck with the others.

>>15293697
I operate on the general principle that Justinian should delegate tasks to others, unless doing said tasks personally will train skills that he needs.

We do love waving that detector stone around though. I think it's our most frequently used arcana.

>>15293780

delegation is nice, but if we're going to delegate a simple crystal scan when we're already at the screening... why even be at the screening?

We're command. Sometimes command will show up just to let everyone know that they take the matter very seriously.

You quickly collect Laelith, then head back to your barracks to get Uurist and Gaius. Outside the barracks where the 'orphan' soldiers are waiting, Laelith briefs Gaius on the Loukys more thoroughly, and then the four of you head inside the place to select soldiers.

Gaius takes charge immediately "AT ATTENTION YOU DOGS!!!!" he bellows loud enough for soldiers from inside the dormitories of the barracks complex to start flowing into the main courtyard. "FORM BY TRAINING!!!" he adds, his voice bearing more weight than yours when you are doing the same thing. The men are mumbling, as they fallinto neat blocks of soldiers, the few that had been training near the front of each group, making their equipment and specialty easy to denote. "SHUT UP!!!!" he adds, as Laelith and Uurist begin working through the ranks. One sizing up discipline and physicality, the other their arcane potential. "Now, Im certain all of you have heard the rumors, that the loukys are back, that the arcane is back, that the gods are back." he pauses, and lets the muttering die down. It was expected, especially considering that the man behind those rumors, you, is standing right next to him. "I can guarantee that one of those is true, and I certainly do fucking wish that it was the arcane or the divine. Some idiot of an Uurlanthi found a way to bring back the monsters from the stories your mothers told you to keep you from getting out of bed at night. You men, are the pool we have to choose from to form a unit to hunt down, and kill the damn things." More murmuring, this time Gaius silences it with a chop of his hand, before launching into a detailed, brutal description of the Loukys, first from the books, and then from his experience. By the time he is done, Uurist has sent half of the assembled men back to their dormitories, most of them during Gaius' personal tale of fighting the loukys.
>cont'd

After the first day, you have it down to about double the number you had agreed on was appropriate. All of the line troops are set in stone, as is a generous chunk of the command element. However, none of you are terribly skilled as trackers, or archers, which meant that alot of chaff remains in that area. Laelith found a rather generous helping of elementalists, keeping a full ten fire elementalists for this units specific use, and sending a healthy amount of the rest of the arcane spectrum back to the academy. Even a single Arcane Smith, and a small handful of nobles non-inheriting children hiding sight arcana under longer hair for Lena to train for magic. You move your rough selection to another empty barracks structure to finish their screening, and start their specialized training.

>so, anything else before you skip ahead to your briefing?

>>15293913

An overstrength Louky-hunting force is a good thing... can we keep them all? :D

>Arcane Smith
MEET THIS GUY, SHAKE HIS HAND

HE WILL BECOME INVALUABLE TO HIS FATHERLAND!

>>15293913
See if Blackbird will be able to train a larger than normal group of his Raiders; a portion of whom will be seconded to the Loukys hunters as trackers and trap-layers.
Also get Kaitlyn to begin drilling the recruits in archery and identifying those that will be the archery element of the task force.

>>15293950
>>15293963s
seconding these

>>15293955
I'd at least like to get the guy's name. This is the first friendly Arcane Smith we've come across.

>>15293963
Blackbird can screen and train the trackers.
Sansa and Kaitlyn can screen and train the ranged troops.

>>15293955
Maybe this guy can make our flamethrower? :D

Oh god, I can see it now. Most of the populace thinks Arcana are super valuable and rare right, worth a fortune?

Buy a forge for Kyria, Degrian, and Arcana-smith.
Trentz.jpg
Begin swimming in Scrooge McDuck piles of money.

And double-maniple-strength is fine. Split them into two separate units if we have to.

"You wanted one Louky hunting unit, Praetor? I got you two. Enjoy!"

>>15294096

Better to have overwhelming force when the target can rebuild with only a handful of survivors.

Form our Retinue Bodyguard from the best of the force here, and pull some out for academy guards too.

>>15294116
That's true. Especially since it will be so important to create a secure cordon around the hive to prevent any escapees.
Also, if they haven't created a hive yet, then we'll need the large numbers simply to sweep suspected areas in a timely fashion.

The next day you send Balckbird, and Kaitlyn to screen the remainder of the soldiers in the Loukys hunting unit. You spend the day at your arcana academy, training more earth elementalists, and having a healthy laugh with Wulf at the expense of the mages in training as Lena systematically, politely, and sweetly enough to rot your teeth out, destroys their self confiedence, and shows them how all of their trianing up to this point ammounts to naught compared to what she is going to teach them. Not anywhere hear in so many words, they figure all of that out for themselves. And at the end of the day, when one of them works up the courage to make a pass at the Kharynchek mage, Wulf puts the last nail into the coffin Lena had been easing them into all day, by pulling her into an abnormally passionate kiss for the two, in public at least. As you rid eback to your barracks, Lena looks incredibly guilty, sad, and unhappy with herself. It doesn't take a genius to realize that she feels bad at just how deeply reality cut into her new charges minds, Nervously, she turns the sight giving arcana they once had, which she confiscated for the purposes of training, over in her hand. Laelith, Kaitlyn and Blackbird return from the Loukys hunters barracks at the same time you return home, the latter from giving the fire elementalists in the unit an accelerated course on elementalism, the others having successfully trimmed down the ranged members of the unit. It is now only a third larger than you had planned for, and all of the soldiers are the best that what you were given to work with had to offer.

>anything else before the briefing? Training rolls, or any more social calls with harem/maniple members would go here.

rolled 45 = 45

>>15294165
Talk with Lena.
"Don't worry yourself that ego's of your charges were deflated. It is a far better thing for them to realize the realities of what they are learning now, in the safety of an Academy, rather than on the battlefield like you did. What you teach them now, will likely save their lives and the lives of their comrades, in the future."

Also, elementalism training roll.

>>15294165
Check with Janos to find out how the temple renovations are going on the smaller temples. Maybe ask him about when he thinks we'll have the funds to buy a proper estate for House Trentz.

Check with Jayne and/or Kyria to find out when our wedding is going to be.

See what Degrian decided to work on.

Finally, make sure to brief our whole retinue on being targeted for assassination by some well-financed slumlord and that they should take appropriate measures. Moving in groups, taking bodyguards, basically the same precautions as when we were under siege and afraid of Uurlanthi assassins.

>>15294165
Also, check in with Finian, see how he's doing. He's done good work as our decrypter, but I want to know if he wants a shot at this hunter taskforce.
He seems to have recovered somewhat from getting that "Dear John" letter, as well as his family's fortunes, but I want to be sure.

>>15294232
>>15294223
>>15294207

seconding all 3...

And another thing: remember to have the Skywings Captain look through the taskforce for any potential valkyrie riders.
If this unit is going to be hunting down Loukys, they're going to need aerial scouts.

Also, we should really try to contact our brother and warn him about the enemies we've created. He might get targeted by assassins as well.

Finally, check in Janos and see if our funds will allow us to upgrade Gaius' and Cornellius' units into Centurions, and maybe some upgrades for Uurist and Finian.

rolled 79 = 79

Sword training roll with Collin and our other infantry captains.

If we are going to be fighting the best that the elven Guilds has to offer (and you know we will), we must be ready.

Pride is a terrible vice Lena, and the most likely to destroy a man. And those around him.

Everyone needs deflating now and again, lest they grow complacent.

One last thing: Make sure that Kyria's new apprentices are churning out anti-mage siege ammunition.

rolled 67 = 67

Rolling for more anti-mystic training.

Though I'd like to know if Autronius is just that good, or if mind shielding is really just this difficult.

Checking up no if we have any spies in the maniple is worth looking at too.

rolled 24 = 24

>>15294314
Well to be fair we rolled like a natural six or something when we found him. He's probably at the top end.

rolled 23 = 23

>>15294330
One more to see if maybe we should use our botch on mystic training this thread.

We should talk with Vi about what she can use her powers to do. If she can, for instance, give an entire enemy unit heart attacks....

rolled 99 = 99

Since we didn't use a botch yet, might as well us it now.
>>15294275
>>15294314
I'm voting to put the botch towards mystic training; better chance of a good result that way since it has a naturally lower roll.

Ask Kyria to look into that "Rune of Transference" that the Heir mentioned. So that we can hide our runes from Uurlanthi spies.

You look over to Lena "Dont wory about your students egos. They will have to come to grips with reality eventually, and it is better here, in the safety of an academy than on the battlefield as you had to. And most, most are not as careful as you, and a huge ego behind that much power could cause their deaths, or the deaths of their comrades."

Lena nods, slowly "I tried to be nice, but..."

Wulf chuckles, pulling Lena in closer to his lap with the arm not holding the reins to his horse "You dont need to be nice to everyone, dear. And when your training and teaching, sometimes its necessary to be downright cruel."

Lena pouts "I... I just cant do that. They didnt do anything to deserve being hurt like that." Wulfs smile warms, and he kisses her, effectively ending the conversation.
>cont'd

>>15294485
>was me

Over the next week, you try to make time to train with your sword, but what time you do find proves to be incredibly ineffective. You are able to improve your own elementalism to some extent, and while you dont learn any new techniques, you nail down your own combat accuracy and control very noticeably. Most of the rest of your free time is spent training with Autronius, who, by the time you meet him as you prepare to go to your briefing for your next campaign, shares with you that you are by now thrice as skillful at resisting mental intrusion than any tomes said any mortal should be with how much training you have had. It is a grueling process, and for that much improvement, it takes most of your free time. You are pleased to find that your entire command staff is adjusting well, and willingly to the measures you ordered to ensure none of them are assassinated by your political foes.

Jayne is only able to give you "defianately after our next campaign" for the time of your wedding. Degrians project, has him locked in his room, stealing out at strange hours to get food and relieve himself. You do not know what it is, but he is clearly excited about it.
>cont'd

The morning before you are to attend your briefing, you encounter Finian, quietly and happily working away at a stack of coded missives. After saluting he asks "How can I help you."

You shrug "Simply checking in on a friend. Is anything eating away at you, troubling your mind."

Finian shakes his head "Happily at work, and proud of my contributions to aid my home."

You nod, seeing no deception or buried emotions in the dwarfs body language. "I was curious," you begin "if you would be interested in commanding the Loukys hunting unit once it is formed."

Finian shakes his head idly, then pauses for a while, before replying "No, I intend to go to the officers academy eventually, and command my own maniple. But for now, I am happy here." He pauses, and looks up from his work "They say that dwarves and elves write history, but its the humans with the best memory. And regardless of what history says, I know that you will be remembered as an excellent commander. I am young, only 147, and I dont intend to pass on this opportunity to learn at the feet of one of the great strategists of this New Age." The bluntness of his compliment robs you of words.

>>15294496
"I don't know what to say, Finian, so thank you. I couldn't have done any of these things, any of the victories, without everyone's help. Including you, Finian.

So any progress in decoding the messages yet?"

>>15294535
Second

>>15294496
"I'm honored you feel that way Finian. I'm glad you said something, I will make it a point to try and include you more in the tactical and strategic planning if that is what you wish. Though it must be said, as a unit commander you're already aware of most of it."

Eventually you stammer out "I, I am honored that you feel that way, though I couldn't have done it without my staff." You pause to shake his hand, buying yourself time to collect your thoughts. "How goes the translation?" you ask him.

"It is continuing apace. I should have a report ready for you before we next deploy." he relies amiably. At that, you salute, and head off to your briefing.

-----CQ-----

The Praetorian Militants office is crowded, all four portions of both palms, eight fingers, and one thumb. The Praetorian sits behind a table, the current military dispositions set out on the map dominating the table. "With the Northern front a bloody stalemate at Steel Fort, the center awash in skirmishes and attempted infiltrations all throughout the Halrian, and the South still quiet so long as High Commander Lucretius can hold King Garius IIIs attention, the Guild Lands declaring for Uurlanth threatens to collapse our lines, which would be the end of Degnar." he pauses to point out the Duchy on the map "We had hoped that by now our politicians and diplomats would have been able to coax an alliance out of the Duchy by now, evening the balance. If it comes the peaceful way, it will not come soon enough." the man pauses, and takes a sip from his cup "What I am about to tell you all will be treason to ever speak of. Your men will be sworn to secrecy, and the Emperors own corps of Mystics are screening each and every one of your soldiers as we speak, every spy, or possible talker will be transfered from you units before you deploy in four days."

"Praetor, what is our objective?" Comander Salvius asks.
>Cont'd

The praetorian takes another drink "You will delve into your looted armories, garb your maniples as Uurlanthi soldiers, and strike at the city of Estrok, the Duchies trading center with Uurlanth. The military buildup in the area, and uurlanths well known expansionist policies, combined with your only allowing a handful of frightened peasants, or low ranking soldiers to escape will be enough to ensure that we have our alliance. At that point Commander Lucretius will return to Degnar, some of you will travel with him, the rest will scatter into the centeral front. Within a month of that, you will all have proper deployments again." The room is deathly silent, as the plan sinks into the minds of every commander present.

>welp, thats it for tonight!!
>someone archive please
>I'll be back Sunday, after GoT
>If you have any setting/CQ questions just email me at paxcomquest@yahoo.com
>This is a good point to jump in if you've been lurking but not posting for lack of knowledge or something like that, dont be a stranger!

>>15294737
Aww man. We have to dress up all Magey with the rest of our professional soldier elementals.

I think that we should tell the preatorian that this plan doesn't sit well with us and suggest a "tactical blunder" on the part of the "uurlanthi invaders" so that the force is spotted with time enough for the city's citizenry to flee but not enough time for reinforcements to reach it.

I just don't think Justinian would go in for slaughtering civvies at all. Especially neutral ones.

>>15294860
And to him probably mention that such a devious action would ruin the fragile relationships that you'd built up with with the divine.
Even Garagush might get pissed over the dishonor of the action.

The Low risk high yield tactical blunder is the best bet, even though the deception will leave a foul taste in our mouths.

>>15294860
agreed. We need not actually burn the city to the ground (and give them a lot of chances for the mask to come off), instead we could have uurlanthi get just a little to close and let paranoia do the rest. Remember the Zimmermann Telegram.

Alternate Ideas:
Attacking trading going to Degnar (to help remove blame from us)
Letters and missinformation
Tactical maneuvers on the border

>>15294886
>even though the deception will leave a foul taste in our mouths
Don't be silly, deception is our bread and butter.

No, attacking a neutral party and ESPECIALLY a non-military target is what would leave a foul taste. If we can somehow get the entire city to flee before we get there then raze it then that would be best.

Killing civvies would piss off both Raynha and Nyetini, but that's secondary to the fact it's just not something Justinian Motherfucking Trentz does. I mean hell, we let the Uurlanthi civs we raided take things from their homes and evacuate before we torched their villages on raids. The letting of innocent blood for expediency is not something The Trentz does.

>>15294940
You know, I hadn't thought about that. But a mere border incursion and raids would probably do it with tensions like they are already. No need to put an entire city to the sword... even if the preator wants to go through with the city attack we could just do it as a feint and pull back when the duchy "notices" our "tactical blunder".

That alone would probably get them into the war and we wouldn't have to attack a city filled with people.

>>15294940
>Zimmermann Telegram
Thinking on it even more, I wonder if we could arrange an intercepted message between Uurlanth and the Guilds. "Why did the Guilds join the war? Why, see, because they were assured of Uurlanthi help in taking over your lands after the war with us..."