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>>21908703
All of this is irrelevant, however, to your current situation! You have rescued, and partially interrogated, one of the locals from the village up north that was destroyed. Eric, as he is so called, has informed you that the tower to your west belongs to one of the local wizards of the land.

You have taken to visiting this wizard with a stylish amount of superior firepower at your beck and call, though what results from this meeting is to be seen.

>Information Dump Incoming!

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>>21908703
And I though that this was dead...

>>21908740
Personnel of Note:
>Hans - Tank Guy [+2 Influence]
>Gunther Hinden - Scary commando with an MG34 prototype ('Gertrude') [-1 Influence]
>Alfred - Infantryman
>Fritz - Whiny Medic
>Gretta - Radio operator lady
>Gabriella - Sexy scientist
>Alphonse - Head Mechanic
>Father Vickerson - Chaplain
>Eric Mottle - Master at Arms for Baron Farnsworth
>Dr. Buren - Psychology/Sociology/Pathology/Pharmacology/General Medicine Doctor
>Dr. Klein - Chief of Surgery and expert surgeon. [+1 Influence]

Troops:
>[ ] One Squad of SS Commandos. (Down 3 men for 2 weeks)
>[ ] 40 Wehrmacht infantrymen. These are broken down into 5 squads of 8, including a medic and a machine gunner, as well as submachine gun soldiers and riflemen. [4 Dead, 4 Wounded for 2 weeks]
>[ ] 10 Opel Blitz light trucks, carrying ammunition, medical supplies, and fuel.
>[ ] 4 Krupp Protze heavy trucks, carrying the above, in addition to heavier construction materials and supplies.
>[ ] 4 Sd.Kfz. 251 with machine guns, towing a pair of FlaK 38.
>[ ] 2 Sd.Kfz. 247
>[ ] 1 Panzer IV tank
>[ ] Two squads of a dozen Combat Engineers each, able to quickly erect fortifications and assist in military constructions.

File: 1354758031565.jpg-(26 KB, 960x720, Arthur's Tower 1.jpg)

>>21908755
College can only keep a man down for so long before it just isn't Reich anymore.

Currently Built:
>[ ] Mess Hall [Basic]
>[ ] Triage Tent [Basic]
>[ ] Barracks [Basic]
>[ ] Machine Gun Nests [Primitive]
>[ ] Anti-tank emplacements [Primitive]
>[ ] Latrines
>[ ] Command Post [Basic]
>[ ] Emergency water storage drums [Empty]
>[ ] Steel prison cages
>[ ] Western observation post

Current Build Orders Queued:
>[ ] Machine Gun Nests [Basic] (2 Days remaining)
>[ ] Warehouse [Basic] (4 Days Remaining)
>[ ] Science Lab [Basic] (7 Days remaining)
>ETA: 6 Days Remaining for current queue.

And now... you have arrived. With two full squads of Wehrmacht, two of your 251s, and a single 247 scout car as escort. Unfortunately, Arthur's tower is a big more massive than you intended.

And a bit less, well, "Earth Architecture"-y. The tower spans about half a kilometer into the sky. You're not even sure if stone buildings can be built that tall with modern technology, let alone mud, sticks, and... whatever else these folks like to use in their buildings.

And there's a wizard living somewhere in that ridiculously tall, walled-off structure. At least the wall isn't too bad: By your reckoning and judgments, it's only about ten feet thick and twenty feet tall. You could easily scale right over it. Or better yet, just demolish it with some of the TNT in the back of the 247s!

If you wanted to be a psychopath about it, that is.
>[ ] Explosive Entry?
>[ ] Scale the walls
>[ ] Announce presence via loudspeakers
>[ ] Other?

>>21908842
No problems, we're glad your back, and I know what it's like.

Try and find an actual entrance first, and if there's nothing then use the loudspeakers to announce our presence. After all, we don't want to start off on the wrong foot.

>>21908842
I think it'd be rather rude to blow up his house or anything like that, it'd make getting him to be helpful very difficult.

First look for a door, gate, or anything like that. If that doesn't pan out announce our presence via loudpeakers.

>>21908879
>>21908896
There's a gate about a half kilometer ahead of you. The gate itself is a standard medieval gatehouse: A large stone-and-mortar structure with a heavy iron portcullis. Heavy being a relative term: If you chained that gate up to your vehicles, you could rip the gate clean out with a bit of throttling. Likewise, it wouldn't be too difficult to have one of your squads scale the gatehouse walls and open them from the inside. The only problem would be if they got stuck up on those walls.

Well, "Problem", considering that your squads are toting heavy-duty firepower in the face of what seems like spears and swords.

>>21908941
Maybe we could knock, I don't really want to give the Wizard a reason to start throwing spells about.

>>21908842
Announcements, please. He is a wizard after all.

>>21908842
How about we knock the fucking tower down with dynamite.

I vote option BOOM

Good to see you back op, I missed the last few threads.

>>21909028
>>21909034
This guy is supposedly a powerful wizard who is on good terms with the local Baron. We start blowing up his tower he'll start throwing spells around and our chances at working with the Bardon go way down. There's no benefit to it.

>>21909009
>>21908973
>>21908896
>>21908879
You decide to announce yourself. It's only fair, after all, since you have the superior firepower and the foreign language. The angry-sounding foreign language.

"Greetings, Magi Arthur! I am Oberst Hans Landa of the Third Reich -- I am here to speak with you!" You introduce yourself, your voice echoing over the landscape. Several birds take flight at the strange and guttural sound of your words being amplified.

Eric looks between you and the tower with a look of consternation, worriedly drumming his fingers on the pommel of his ancestral sword, but not saying anything at the moment.

No response from the tower, though. Maybe he went out for lunch? Whatever it is, he hasn't responded to your immediate words.

>[ ] Keep talking
>[ ] Close the distance?
>[ ] Other?

>>21909062
How about the benefit of being fucking awesome?

>>21909091
FUCKING BLOW HIS TOWER TO THE GROUND

>>21909091
Uh. Wait?

>>21909091
Keep talking. It's too early in the campaign to do anything truly offensive.

>>21909091
[X] Keep talking

DO NOT BLOW IT UP. Blowing it up is fucking dumb.

>>21909091

Wait 15 minutes, then move 300 meters in front of the gate and repeat our greeting.

>>21909091
Keep talking. He probably has no idea how to respond.

>>21909094
>>21909102
>>21909112
>>21909119
>>21909028
>>21909034
You order a couple of the Wehrmacht to get some of the AT grenades out of the 247s. Not out-out, but you have them load down with a couple extra just in case you need to do some quick demolition.

But you decide to wait and talk a bit longer, rambling on somewhat into the microphone.

"It is my duty to extend the hand of diplomacy to you, Magi, so that the German peoples and your own can benefit from the mutual understanding of one another..." You go on, reading off the internal script you memorized for just this occasion. It's midday, and you carry on like this for a few minutes.

"Mutual understanding and cooperation are the forces by which we can, ah, unify together. Unity in an unbreakable bond of happiness and benefit, so we can ensure that every man may work, live, love, and play in security and joy."

... Okay. No response.

The men with the AT grenades stand ready, one of them casually juggling his from hand to hand. Kind of a neat parlor trick, if it wasn't for the fact that he was holding enough explosive power to level a small building.

>>21909197

Move 300 meters in front of the gate, repeat our greeting, then get Eric on the mic.

>>21909197
Blow up the gate, then move inside and continue talking. Apologize for the damage and offer to repair it if he doesn't immediately throw fireballs at us.

>>21909197
Move closer, put Eric on the mic.

Don't use the explosives.

>>21909197
Order the men to throw AT grenades at only one side of the building, make it fall.

Burn this fucking kingdom to the ground.

Ok OP, please for the love of all the gods both fictional and real, dont listen to the people screaming for unprovoked bloody murder. That doesnt fit the character and is plain dumb.

For two, I agree with the gentleman above me. Attempt one more time then get Eric on, he can explain things in an understandable fashion.

>>21909197
Put the local on the mike.

>>21909236
Yes, we need to use explosives to make the wizard go boom, son.

>>21909234
>>21909257
>>21909266

Looks like the trolls are trying a new tactic to ruin the quest.

>>21909197
Explode this fucker to the ground, he doesn't recognize the power of the reich. He will see our magic is superior.

>>21909261
>>21909257
I agree, we need to blow up the side of his tower as a warning.

Its not murder, its a battle cry.

>>21909266
>>21909312
>>21909234
DO NOT USE ANY FUCKING EXPLOSIVES.

Dear fucking god, it's a retarded idea, it's a horribly stupid idea, just don't. For all that is good, holy and pure, don't use them.

>>21909319
>>21909287
>>21909236
samefag

Blow up the wall, BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD OP

>>21909322
Hush now. We know you are.

Move closer, put the local on the mike.

Also, I noticed that we have neither an Ethnograph nor a Diplomat on staff, we should request that from home. We are dealling with foreign cultures here, need to be carefull.

>>21909348
No, whoever is samefagging for the explosives just stop.

It's a dumb idea no matter how many times you say it.

>>21909361
Dr. Buren is a trained sociologist and if I remember correctly Gabriella is a polyglot and good with languages, between the two of them we can manage.

>>21909217
>>21909234
>>21909236
>>21909257
>>21909261
>>21909265
>>21909266
>>21909287
You move a bit closer to the main gate, handing the device over to Eric and-- with a bit of demonstration-- showing him just how to make it work. His voice is far from certain, but as you get within a hundred meters of the gate you notice a few interesting things happen.

The first interesting thing is that the skies overhead aren't suddenly sunny and bright. Or at least, as they used to be. Though you don't have any climatology equipment set up back at camp, even a rough guess would hazard that you shouldn't have storm clouds forming in the course of minutes. It isn't raining, but the skies are noticeably darkening, and you can hear a few cracks of thunder and flickers of lightning in those forming clouds.

The second interesting thing is when a couple of the men abruptly pause, looking about warily, "... Can you feel that?" One of them asks, "I'm feeling a bit nauseous, but... not." He says.

And the third interesting thing is the fact that you can feel that same sense of nausea, in addition to a tingling along the back of your neck hairs. This is, of course, followed by a ten-meter-wide section of the stone wall shifting in place, up until a gnarled, pointy-nosed man's face could be seen. Wrinkles were cast in blinding clarity upon the masonry of the wall, and two eyes squinted at you.

"WHAT IN THE ABYSS DO YOU WANT?" The foul-mouthed, mutating wall of obscene otherwordly nastiness inquires, screaming.

If it wasn't for the fact that you were somewhat braced for the laws of reality to be bent, you'd probably crap yourself at the fact that a stone wall had just shifted like water, flowing to form the features of an old man's scowling face.

Also, that face is speaking perfect German.

Hurray for the little things?

>>21909197
Get Eric to greet him in their inferior tongue, we can sort out the details later

>>21909558
We wish to speak with the magi of this tower, we have come to reach a mutually beneficial agreement for the glory of the reich

>>21909558
Nifty. No need for a translator, then. Let's try to ally with him, starting with talking him away from the "drop a tornado on them" path he's currently set on.

>>21909558
"You speak German, I'm very happy about this.

I am Oberst Hans Landa of the Third Reich. I'm sorry for disturbing you but I felt it was necessary. It is lovely to meet you Magi, we would like to come to a mutually beneficial agreement and for the both of us to get to know each other. May we come inside so we can discuss things properly instead me yelling at a wall while your storm is going on?"

>>21909558
Assure him that we come in peace and wish to speak with him face to face.

Maybe we should have brought a gift?

>>21909646
We've got a blood sacrifice in Eric. Who cares if some filthy peasant from another world dies for the glory of the Reich?

>>21909682
>Sacrifice Eric
>Baron forever hates us, we die of AIDS
No, bad idea.

>>21909682
Stop being dumb, we're not doing a random ass blood sacrifice, blood sacrifices are horrible housewarming gifts and completely go against us trying to seem reasonable and likable to the locals. Just stop, please.

>>21909717
>>21909720
Hey, I'm just saying. If that's how Magi Arthur rolls we should oblige him.

>>21909682
>>21909717
>>21909720

Yeah.. I was thinking something more along the line of "our kind of magic" some harmless technical doo-da that he never seen before.

>>21909558

Greetings, we are Oberst Hans Landa, officer of the Third Reich, and we are here in the hopes of establish diplomatic relations and trade. Perhaps we could meet face to face to discuss potential trade opportunities as well as perhaps an exchange of knowledge?

(Did we ever find out just whether or not that was normal marble?)

>>21909646
>>21909641
>>21909597
>>21909601
>>21909682
The gnarled face stares at you,

"We come in peace, and wish to speak with Magi Arthur face-to-face, so we might come to a mutually beneficial agreement and better know one another.

"Pull the other one, it has bells on." The wall sneers at you, "The Magi didn't bind me here to just let everyone in a snazzy suit speaking a foreign tongue through." It comments, and you watch as the storm clouds overhead continue to percolate, "Been ages since I had any entertainment, either..."

There's a pause as something occurs to it, "You're not with the Emperor, are you?" It asks, "No-- Uniforms are too different. Foreigners, certainly, yes. Magi Arthur is currently busy working on some project or another, maybe even snoozing away in his bedchambers." The wall grumbles, "Leaving me to sit here for all eternity, warding off kobolds and ogres. Do you have ANY IDEA HOW BORING THAT IS?" The wall thunders, your ears temporarily ringing.

There's a moment of silence, before the leering, gnarled face grins.

"We can strike a deal, cut the old man out." It offers, sibilant voice purring, "I am bound to permit all guests of worth peaceful entrance. This normally entails me hexing their weaponry so they can't draw it... But you. I smell something interesting on -you-." It purrs.

"Slay the mage within and free me from these walls, and I will allow you to not only plunder his tower, but impart upon you the local tongue. A valuable asset for one that has traveled so far, isn't it?" He inquires, "A fair trade, even? My freedom and your benefit?"

The storm clouds overhead stop for a moment.

>>21909862
"That is an interesting proposition.

Before I can accept it I'll need to know more about the Wizard, what there is to be found in this tower, and if you'll impart the tongue to more than just myself but to companions of my choosing as well."

>>21909862
>and free me from these walls

And -what- exactly are you? If I might ask.

>>21909862
>Slay the mage within and free me from these walls

I am suspicious. I believe that the face is not a separate entity, but actually the Magi himself tempting us to see if we are trustworthy and honorable.

If we agree to kill a powerful wizard for a being trapped in a wall who we just met, and cannot trust, we are not only naive, but possibly seriously retarded.

>>21909862

I'm sorry, but that would be a war crime where we're from.

Given that we're not engaged in open warfare with whatever nation this "magi" belong to, and he is not a member of it's military, we cannot and will not kill him out of hand unless in self defense.

>>21910041
>implying fucking Nazis care about war crimes

Really though, we are interested in our own survival and success, so let's question this being on what it is before we decide what's next on our plate. Also ask it to lower the storm if it's serious about helping us.

>>21910007
Either way, freeing the wall creature sounds like a horrid idea.

>>21909934
"Magi Arthur. -Magi- Arthur. Forever bound to refer to him by that title." The wall grumbles, its voice like gravel. Fitting, considering its granite composition.

"Almost two centuries old, kept alive by malice and arcane elixir. Had I known he would grow this old and weak, I would have chosen to bide my time before assaulting his sanctum." It rumbled, "I am the mighty Bangalore! I was once the Cheshire kept in charge of the fourth gate of the Abyss-- and now? Now I guard the gate of Magi Arthur! Now I rain fire upon goblins and ogres, where I once claimed the heads of knights and paladins as my codpiece!"

There was a furious growl as the gnarled face stares at you, reminiscing over, "Within this tower lie a number of old books, written partially by him in his failing mind. His apprentice is currently busy getting his jollies with one of the serving staff, of which there are a dozen contained within. There are also a half dozen golems of clay, much as you know them."

There was a pause as the wall seemed to contemplate something. Bangalore would speak again, "Oh... Oh, you -are- of an interesting kind, German. No wonder your tongue is so delightfully easy to speak."

"Yes, yes, I can impart it upon more than just one person. Unless you seriously doubt my prowess?!"

>>21909951
"I am... An otherworldly presence." He elects upon, smiling broadly, revealing a maw full of gnarled teeth, "Know, however, that Magi Arthur is pitiful compared to my own talents. I can easily grant you, or give you the means to gain, many things. Cooperation for a greater cause-- especially when your own cause is as, ah, strong as it is."

Eric, for his part, seems a bit... perturbed, but apparently doesn't understand what's being said. It's all in German, after all. Language barrier working in your favor!

>>21910189
How do we know that he won't turn on us once free of his prison? Is there a sort of, "thrice said and done" way to make him promise to not assault us after we help him?

>>21910189
"How would you be freed? Would it be accomplished merely by killing the Magi? How were you bound?

What assurance do I have that this is not a test by the Magi and if it is not a test that you won't try to wear the heads of my men as codpieces?

Does the Magi have defenses other than you? Should someone get close to him would he be as vulnerable as a normal man?"

>>21910189

This man seems to be some sort of demon, judging by his speaking.

As a proper Christian man, we should refute his offer and speak to the mage directly.

After all, we wouldn't want to be damned to hell for all eternity!

>>21910189
"If the Magis powers are so pitifull, how come you serve as his gatekeeper and not the other way around?"

All this we ask in a humble, curious way, we need to draw out more information before agreeing to anything.

>>21910189
Tell him we'll meet the magus first. If we judge he is weak, then we will free Bangalore.

>>21910256
"Don't you disrespect me, little man! Don't you dare derogate or deride!" Bangalore thunders, his gnarled features erupting into a full snarl, "If you think me some sort of psychotic monster like those of the first and second gates, then you are more addled in the head than Magi Arthur. I am from a gate of -esteem-! Your kind are a rarity, had I wished some sort of bloodlust I'd have simply murdered Ironmaw and his lot."

The storm overhead swirls slightly, but settles after a few moments into an almost aurora borealis effect.

>>21910273
"Simply slaying Magi Arthur, putting him out of his misery, will be enough to break the pact he wrought from me. Unto death, it was. Unfortunately, I had miscalculated just how long he might survive off potions of vitality."

There was a small, evil cackle, "Yes, there are other defenses besides my physical binding into the wall. However, for all his foresight, his pride in I-- his greatest capture-- will be his downfall. Those same defenses are powered by me, from the maintenance of his golems to the wards that seal his vault from other Magi. While he does have a few personal wards and protections, I would imagine that your own weapons should be more than enough to penetrate them should you get close enough to him. The element of surprise would be key, of course... Unless you don't mind a bit of spell flinging back and forth. You've got numbers, so you'd win anyways, though." He remarked cheerily.

"... I think."

>>21910544
>>21910301
"I WAS TRICKED!" He thunders, the storm overhead quaking, as the walls themselves shift and distort. Several cobblestones peel off like scabs, revealing angry red mortar underneath.

"Luring me into his inner sanctum, using his own apprentices in such a DEVIOUS sacrifice, and then... Eurgh." The gnarled face would scowl, "... You need know nothing more of that process than that he is a very wily man, Magi Arthur, for all his frailty. In his youth he was, anyways. Now he is nothing but bones and an aging mind, sustained by potions and a willingness to teetotal to the Emperor."

>>21910354
"If you insist, I will allow you passage, but I shall be forced to keep your weapons bound." He remarks lightly, "Unless you decide to agree to my terms within.

... Yes."

>>21910564
"So at any point should we choose to take your offer the hex will turn off?

Would you mind if we setup a code word for this, like 'Hopscotch' so that it can be done without arousing confusion."

>>21910564
He sounds like a pretty cool guy. I say we off the wizard. Just make sure we're not in the line of fire when he gets attacked.

>>21910612

We are not freeing demons, you dolt.

That way being overrun by angry locals lies.

Have you forgotten our mission already?

>>21910564
Interesting. Let's get in there and talk to the Magi, if shit hits the fan and we can't manage it alone we'll free the daemon.

>>21910676
we have no idea what this gate'll do once he's out. Maybe go for a stroll in the countryside. The ability to know the local language is a good trade for some pissed off dirt farmers.

>>21910585
"Yes. Entirely doable, I suppose..." There's a pause, then a malicious smile,

"How about 'Holocaust'?" He offers, giving an insane smile, "I think that phrase will be quite interesting, in the coming times. If, that is, you're of where I think you are... Regardless, I believe I should be permitting you entrance."

The portcullis gates open, the face in the wall beginning to recede back, "Remember: A deal's a deal. Magi Arthur is at the top of the tower. I shall have him summoned to meet you in the central chamber." Bangalore informs you, "Unless there is any other pressing business?"

>>21910827
Well. That's... Not at all creepy and ominous. Nor at all worrying of what else it might know.

Either way, ONWARDS!

>>21910827
What the heck's a holocaust? whatever, let's meet the magi.

>>21910827
Let's roll. Can we bring any of the vehicles through the gate? If so, park them in the courtyard.

>>21910827
"What do you mean by Holocaust? We're not setting anything on fire."

Well, head on in, let's meet the magi and possibly murderize him.

Come on you trolls at the start we have to remember that this sind für Der Reich, who is not at the moment having fun with the Russians, it's just like the Wünderwaffe at the end of the war, jets, gigantic tanks and so on. Please when trolling do it subtle not just in /tg/ but also every other fora which brings up the chance of some good laughs

>>21910923
Nah, it's 1938, the Russian invasion wasn't until after the invasion of Poland, which hasn't even happened yet.

>>21910827
Nein. Forwards!

>>21910962
oh well sorry my bad, I thought I saw something about 44 while checking the site last weekend.

>>21910898
>>21910876
>>21910908
>>21910923
You manage to get yourself and your squads through just fine, though one of the 251s loses a headlamp with a bit of poor driving. After the driver gets chewed out a bit by the vehicle's commander, it gets inside anyways, and you find yourself in a rather spacious area between the half-kilometer-tall tower and the gate itself. The courtyard stretched for maybe two hundred meters from gatehouse to front doors, the polished marble steps slightly beating you over the head with the fact that this was a mage's home.

There's nobody in the courtyard, though it's a very nicely maintained courtyard. A few hummingbirds are buzzing around, and there's flowers off to either side of the main avenue to the front door. There's even a few stone walkways and benches, with a big water fountain depicting a young man clutching a smooth staff of some kind. He looks authoritative-- regal.

... You can't help but imagine a statue of yourself there instead.

Still, you progress on to the front doors, as the vehicle crews pull to the side and kill their engines, trusting in their guns and sidearms at the moment. There are two main doors at the front of the tower, the heavy oak double doors-- each five meters high and twice that abroad-- looming at you as the sole way in and out. Well, obvious way in and out, anyways.

How many men do you take with you? You have two full-strength squads of eight, giving you 16 men total with two medics and two radiomen. More firepower never hurts, but a quick tug at your sidearm shows that the weapon seems to be glued into the holster by some means. The riflemen show similar difficulty in trying to operate their own weapons-- seems your guns won't fire at this point.

Upside? You've still got your bare hands, and the couple sticks of dynamite probably still work (if in a way likely to cause lots of collateral damage).

>>21911143
Let's bring 8, with 1 medic and 1 radioman among them. Have the rest keep watch at the entrance.

>>21911143
Take one squad and leave the other behind. Have some of them keep an eye on the gate, others watch the vehicles, and the rest explore the courtyard with orders to restrain (but not kill) anyone they find. Split the medics and radiomen between the groups.

>>21911169
Exactly. We're just going to have a looksee, so lets not bring so many men as to arouse suspicion.

>>21911205
No restraining! We don't know if we want to start shooting yet.

>>21911264
We can't shoot anyway, I just don't want the chef to try and take a knife to one of our officers or something.

>>21911291
It seems a little to hostile and aggressive to me. This wizard probably will not take kindly to us tying up his kitchen staff.

>>21911407
Not tying up, necessarily. Just tossing them into a closet and holding the door shut or something.

>>21911143
Bring one squad of 8, 1 medic, and 1 radio man.

Have the left over squad explore the courtyard but (If possible) attach bayonets to their rifles. Also, have the spare radio man be ready to receive orders if necessary.

>>21911143

Bring some Hot Chocolate and/or Coffee.

If he is anything like a massive neckbeard like I imagine, he will love the stuff.

>>21911169
>>21911205
>>21911250
>>21911264
>>21911291
You leave one squad to guard the vehicles (though 'guard' is a very loose concept, considering the arcane locks upon your weapons courtesy of Bangalore), the other following after you in a double file line.

They hold onto their guns all the same, though obviously unable to use them as you reach out to try and shove one of the doors open.

It simply opens on silent hinges, both doors swinging back in unison to reveal a well-lit central hall. The polished granite floors and walls were styled in a fashion that somewhat reminded you of ancient opera theaters back in Berlin. The sort of places where orchestras played.

Colorful blue tapestries were hung from the cathedral ceiling. Cathedral! That's what it reminded you of: A windowless cathedral, lit by chandeliers and impressive brass candlesticks. The staff themselves were not in immediate sight, but it seems that they weren't quite needed. The impressive red silk carpet was already rolled up, leading right up the marble staircase to the second floor.

Was it just you, or was this place bigger on the inside than the outside?

You try not to think on it, Eric doing your gawking for you as your group of ten troop ahead. Eric speaks up, and you can actually understand him. Bangalore, it seems, trying to curry your favor.

"I've never been in a wizard's tower before." He whispers, his tongue translating easily to you and your men, "I hear that Arthur once wreathed an entire castle in flames to ward off an invasion from the ogre kingdoms to the north. Scorched everything that got within a league of the castle's walls..."

The red carpet seems to lead around the stairwell and to a pair of much more subdued cherry doors. From the sounds of rustling plates, it seems like a dining hall of sorts. Do you wish to explore around and get a feel of the tower, or just go right ahead?

>>21911610

We're on the clock, exploring can wait.

>>21911610
Keep our eyes open and look around as we go, but don't really explore.

>>21911610
Cut to the chase. No time to waste.

>>21911610

Go right ahead, exploring would be seen as a sign of weakness. We are not peasants to gawk at magical baubles. We are Germans of the Reich.

An air of being unimpressed of such trinkets that the Magi can conjure up I feel would do nicely. If we wish to be taken seriously, we must act the part.

>>21911665
>>21911641
>>21911666
No helpful signs earmarking things like 'big stockpile of magic weapons', unfortunately, but you do get a general sense of the place in the engineering sense. It's a very solidly built structure: You're somewhat glad you didn't try demolishing it. Magic aside, this place could probably withstand direct carpet bombing and remain standing. Reinforcement all over the place, and not just in the stonework.

The doors open to what looks like a scaled-down dining hall, mixed with an office and a gambling hall's back room. Massive cushions are laid out in a wide circle, satin pillows and oversized afghans accompanied by belly-height tables.

There's also a number of unique pieces of glassware, curved tubes and winding spirals of colored glass laid out in a circle around the 'guest of honor'. Mage Arthur could be seen occasionally sipping the byproduct of the glassworks, a golden chalice halfway filled with a bright blue liquid that was slowly replenished by the occasional dripping of the glassworks.

The testament of two hundred years was a compliment. He was indeed skin and bones, his face covered in a rather long beard and his skin pasty white from decades indoors. Liver spots coated his forehead as a staff of what looked like solid ivory leaned across the lap of his folded legs. He was sitting on the biggest pillow of them all, a pair of books...

Hovering?

>>21911864
Yep. Two large books, parchment if you were any judge, were slowly orbiting around him, four quills alternating from their inkpots to scribble inside of the books. His yellowed teeth were occasionally visible as he whetted his lips with either his goblet or his tongue. There was a small side door that some of the staff were at last retreating out of to the right of the room, just a smattering of well-dressed men and women.

A rather nice meal had been laid out for you: Fresh hog, complete with an apple stuffed in its mouth, was laid out on a bed of lettuce and a silver platter. There were puddings, candies, and treats in various pieces of fine dining ware. Gold was a common feature in utensils, and there was no shortage of roast beef, complete with steaming saucers of gravy and mashed potatoes.

A real feast, for a man who looked as though he was about one day away from dying of starvation.

"Greetings, Oberst." The man says, nodding to you, "I am Mage Arthur." He comments, his thin features entirely unlike the gnarled ones of Bangalore, "Please, all of you, have a seat-- you too, Eric." He tells your captive, "I take it you've interrupted my next thesis for a good cause, yes?" He posits.

He almost seems... disinterested?

"The Emperor is expecting more wands. New guides for the apprentices he tries to drum out of the military. Entirely new magic devices. I can't be sparing time for every foreigner coming to adventure here, even unique ones as yourselves. Why would Bangalore even let you past?" He asks, "Unique, certainly, but hardly that noteworthy..."

>>21911899

Perhaps the minutae of the day to day has made you grow...unaccustomed to change when it presents itself. For how long in your illustrious life have new things come which bear the winds of change? We are one such change that bring with it the winds of fortune. The only question is, is that fortune to your benefit or to your cost?

Perhaps you should open your eyes and actually take note of who and what you are speaking to rather than so casually dismissing one who demands respect, Mein Magi.

>>21911899

We are Oberst Hans Landa, representing the Third Reich. We have come from the Weimar Republic to seek knowledge and trade opportunities with the people here.

We are greatly impressed by this "magic" as you call it, and would be interested in forming a trade agreement in exchange for various materials you might need, such as aluminum, gold, marble(Assuming their marble is the same as our marble), lead, rubber, and finished goods.

We would also be interested in knowing how you built such a structure, because according to my own education, such a structure, built of stone, should not be able to physically support itself.

>>21912058
Noting we came through the gate sitting not all that far from his tower might get his attention.

>>21911899
Do you have any direct superiors? (If we kill you, will there be a mage army teleporting onto our doorstep?)

Can you demonstrate your abilities? (How hard would it be to kill you?)

>>21912207
I'd really rather not try killing the mage. That sounds like a horrid idea. He hardly comes across as 'senile', so I get the distinct feeling that he's prepared for all comers, and the gatekeeper is just using us as expendable cannon fodder on the off chance we get off a lucky shot.

>>21912058
Pretty much what anon said here.

>>21912248
Yup, i think that gate is potentially a scumbag. The only problem is if the wizard dies anytime soon hes going to be free AND super pissed off

A new day, a new world, a new traveler
Young man I genuinely don't see why we are even sitting here
-The Wizard

"From a country brought down with depression, poverty and fear of striving towards greatness. Germany has like a phoenix risen from the ashes, wealthy, stronger, ridden of fear and it's people's spirit filled with pride, hope and an iron will which serves under one man, a man that will lead us to greater heights than we can imagine Adolf Hitler, our Führer, which I was sent by to explore and learn of this world which I now represent in this meeting

The Reich is about change, it will bring changes in it's own world and all other worlds we should find us interacting with, we wish you to be a part of this change".
Landa, replies


Using the education the SS gave in retoric and propagande might influence him to listen, it might.And it gives a good ultimatum also since I feel a tingling on the inside of my pocket were I have my luger.
>Google tried to fix my mispelling of genuinely to eugenically, Fun in a nazi thread anyways

>>21912048
He perks up somewhat at this, "In two hundred years, I have seen Emperors die, born, and had some very interesting experiences. You are certainly a force of change-- fortune for some, misfortune to others. I have remained happy on the sidelines." He comments patiently, "If it is respect and power you seek, those are easy enough then, Mister Landa." He says, relaxing somewhat as he reaches out to pluck a grape from a silver platter of them.

"I have no wish to get on your wrong side, so far ahead in life as I am."

>>21912058
"While I can't speak on behalf of the Emperor or even Baron Farnsworth," He looks to Eric a bit lazily. The man seems to have taken your lead as far as what to do goes-- not touching the food yet.

"I can, at least, be willing to offer some insight on magic in return for things. Fine things. After so long, 'materials' are boring. What do you have of music from your home? Songs? Lore? Books?" He inquired, "Wines, ales, foods! The fine things!" He insisted, even, "Knowledge is fine and good, but experience is so much more valuable than materials." He sighed, "Plus, the Emperor sates my needs for gold and other such baubles, for the goods I provide."

At your inquiry on the tower, he cocks an eyebrow, "Aaaah, yes. My sanctum! Once not nearly so impressive, but it seems your education serves you well. I had the Dwarves work to build this tower for me, after I finished my many decades of nomadic studies. Made a few friends to the east, certainly, especially along the Ramtop mountains."

>>21912605

What education in propaganda?

We're a combat engineer, you moron. We're good at building shit, blowing shit up, and making sure our troops have water and fortified positions.

And that the enemy DOESN'T.

>>21912605
>>21912207
"I am my own master, if that's what you mean. The Emperor has my allegiance, yes, but that is a working relationship as much as any. He does not lean too heavily upon my old frame, and I do not cause trouble for the locals." The magi remarked, sipping another mouthful of his strange elixir.

"And I do not perform parlor tricks, Oberst. Magic is an art demanding respect, as much as it may be viewed as something petty to be toyed with by the younger generations. True magic is a rare thing to see."

>>21912075
"Ah... Yes. The Gate." He comments, "I suspected as much, from your attire and your language. I suspect just as much, however, that it was not fully charged. A fully charged activation would be much more..."

He pauses, thinking, "Well, I sincerely doubt that it was fully charged. So thank goodness for the little things."

>>21912642

Unfortunately we are on somewhat thin supply lines here, but I can see if we can arrange for trade goods such as what you are asking in our next run. I would also have to clear such a trade with my chain of command, but I doubt they would mind sharing our knowledge with someone who can so obviously further the cause.

>>21912655

Yes, we have noted that it is exceedingly demanding to charge. We were wondering if it is easier to do so from this side?

>>21912697

*We might have trouble obtaining sufficient materiel that would meet your standards given our remote location.

Fixed so we aren't giving intel.

>>21912655
"It seems you know more of the gate. Could you tell me more about it? Is there an easier way to charge it? What would happen should it be fully activated?"

>>21912655
Right then. Fully charged gate = bad. Asking for advice on avoiding that is good.

Also, yeah... This isn't some hedge wizard, this is a Wizard. We go up against him, we're going to pull back a bleeding stump where our hand used to be.

>>21912642
Ramtop mountains.

>as fucked as this world has to be I think it's little to gain here, apart from Cut'my own throat Dibbler products as a mean of propaganda for the issuing of harsher law enforcement of bratwürst vendors

btw great line if going for "be friends"

"I must warn you that my gatekeeper will probably, if he has not done so already, insist that you try to end my life! The naughty little house imp... And before you ask why I keep such a servant, he starts to chuckle. He truly can't see his the fun in his own megalomaniac and overly dramatic being, which in turn is why I hold him here. Oh the little things.. you will start to enjoy them greatly after passing a couple of hundred years. And don't feed the monkeys on the way out, they are much more humane than you would suspect he blinks.

>>21912734
>>21912697
"Of course, of course. Every soldier has his superior-- and the General, he must answer to his Emperor, so-on, so-forth." Arthur remarks, sipping again from his chalice, "I would not ask much, though. Just something to liven up the inevitable boredom of being here. Even food and debauchery gets somewhat boring after a certain period of time." The old man sighs wistfully.

>>21912724
>>21912751
"Oh, much easier." Magi Arthur replies, "Immensely so, if magic is much harder to collect within your realm. Marble here is one of the best conductors and accumulators for mana, the energy of magic. Magic items themselves could probably, with the proper rituals, be used to recharge it as well." He remarks, nibbling on a few more grapes, his bony form languishing about on the large cushion.

"Though a fully charged gate has never been recorded outside of a few mentions here or there. Most word I hear about the Gates being utilized is singular travel, or some up-and-coming wizard making a knockoff to portal about the world. Very risky business, but there you have it, youth and stupidity go hand-in-hand."

All of which, of course, tactfully avoided the underlying processes.

>>21912775
Who do you think provided the sausage inna bun for Magi Arthur's feast?

>>21912994
Ask him to explain a bit further about the gate's functioning, we're curious and he might actually answer this time.

Ask what he would be willing to trade to us in exchange for some of the things we have.

>>21912994

Ask him if he knows exactly how much marble would be needed to open the gate for twice the time we did to get here, and how long it would take, assuming your "average" mage here. See if it's faster than using our side's power grid.

And seriously, Ober, did we confirm if the Marble here is the same are our Marble?

We might be able to bring in a few hundred pounds of it, if so, it should make a good trade item.

>>21913306
>>21913186
"I'm willing to trade information, for one... information about that Gate you're so curious about." He remarks, "But make me an offer, Oberst! Give me something worth the knowledge of centuries of experience, a new sensation, a new thing to devour, and perhaps I can enlighten you on just how you can open the Gate again?" He asked, "It's a high price, you know..." He teases.

Gabriella, as far as her initial assessment is concerned, could discern that the marble procured from here is-- indeed-- the same as the sort on Earth. The exact difference in properties is not immediately obvious, but her hopes is that the science lab will reveal more once built.

>Fair warning: Obersturmbannführer must get sleep soon!

>>21913418
Hell id say kill him and take the knowledge from the books.

>>21913418
Fine! Let us give him a history lesson, and show him 20th century music. Something light to start him off.

>>21913448
inb4 samefag "kill he" posts.

>>21913418
"There's an entire world of music, song, dance, literature, cuisine, culture, and so on that we can bring you."

>>21913448
We don't know if he keeps this sorta thing written down, we get all the info we can on the important stuff and then turn his head into chunky salsa.

File: 1354776186952.jpg-(95 KB, 645x851, 1334346556974.jpg)

>>21913418
How long has he been awake for?

>>21913451
We should get him hooked on cinema when we have the chance.

Something we could potentially do later on, once we have firmly cemented this "working relationship" with him.

Once we get the radio station set up for our men, for moral reasons of course, we could see about getting him a small radio tuned into it.

>>21913418

Unfortunately our expedition at this time is somewhat short on cultural material.

We could attempt to get some put in on our next shipment, but that is a ways away, and any help you could give us to get more materiel through would allow us to put space towards items specifically to trade with you, such as music, perhaps some history, some of our fiction, and maybe cinema, as well?

>>21913578
Didn't one of the doctors have something that could play music?

Guys, Fanta was invented in WW2 Germany. Lets give him Fanta. Im sure he has never tasted a Softdrink

>>21913624
I want to believe this fact

Fuck yeah, a new NiF thread.

>>21913671

It's true, it was invented so...I think it was Coke Cola could make a profit off the Nazi germans.

File: 1354777245382.jpg-(164 KB, 350x612, fanta-nazi-german-world-war-2.jpg)

>>21913671

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanta

>>21913700
No, it was invented because coca cola refused to sell in hitlerland so they needed a new soft drink. Fanta wasnt owned by coke until much later

>>21913418
GM fall asleep?

>>21914226
probably.

>>21913588
>>21913578
>>21913451
>>21913462
You remember that one of the soldiers had brought over an accordion with him. A noisy instrument, but a novelty to say the least.

You look to your radioman, thankful-- not for the first time-- that your proper command post had been set up. The radio transceiver should be working well enough to get a signal all the way out here.

High command might not approve of your idea, and Gunther would probably bust a nut at your usage of military equipment, but you figure it's the best way to get this stonewalling wizard going.

You whip the radioman around a bit unceremoniously, fiddling with his back-mounted unit, adjusting dials according to memory. To long, quiet nights in the lab with naught but a radio...

"The night is beautiful," the song coons...
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twhOknK_qDI )

And you watch Magi Arthur's eyes become spellbound on the box and the music coming from it.

Jackpot.

The song eventually comes to an end, and it's clear you've earned his intrigue, "You have more of these portable musicians?" He inquired, not entirely sure of what he just heard but clearly liking it. He takes a hearty sip of his elixir.

"... Where shall I begin, Oberst Landa?" He asks, watching you as you gently turn the channel back to proper military use with a quick order. Seems the men had a bit of a kick out of the show too.

>>21913463
>About 22 hours now with all finals finally final'd, but tomorrow should be easy stuff.
>He sleeps now, but will revive the thread tomorrow for more. Enjoy pondering and whatever theorizing you may wish to come up with for questions or more ideas!

>>21914305
sleep and dream well

>>21914305

The music was not coming from the box, but from one of our men. The "box" as you call it, is a communications device.

Bump and vote for not killing the wizard or blowing anything up yet.

Even if the demon is legit and wont try to backstab us and gives us all grade A+ skill with the lingo it does not mean we will be able to decipher the secrets of magic. Like any technical manual there is sure to be a vast ammount of unfamiliar technical terms and allusions to other things. We also gain a potential to barter enchanted items and spells.

Given the old dudes personality I doubt he will screw us at the drop of a hat and who knows, he may lend a hand and drop some hints about Big stuff just for kicks

>>21918391
Agreed.
Also, the demon said it is the guardian of the Gate, if we free it, who is to say it will allow the Gate to be used again for reinforcements?

>>21918412
>I was once the Cheshire kept in charge of the fourth gate of the Abyss

Is what he/it says, This may not be the gate we came through. Then again considering it's proximity to the tower and that when activated it is a san loss worthy sight it could work for that.

Regardless while unrestricted access to the wizards goodies is cool, we have no idea what were doing. It would be like teaching a stone-age tribe to read and setting them lose in a modern collage/lab/electronics store.

They would learn a few things but that's nothing compared to what they could know if they had a guide to explain what did what.

Sure we could snag that apprentice the demon mentions but the apprentice never knows the good stuff and would probably be out to kill us.

also BUMP

Anyone else for asking for a few kilos of marble? From the sounds of it that stuff is worth its weight in gold here.

>>21920259
>Anyone else for asking for a few kilos of marble? From the sounds of it that stuff is worth its weight in gold here.

Yep, that was what I was thinking.
Though we need to find out for marble charges up. Does it naturally regenerates mana no matter what? If so, then we might want to order a truckload of that stuff

>>21920385
From what the wizard says that seems to be the case.

I was thinking of a few tons at first but considering the potency, rarity and attention it is probably best to start small. We have no idea if a few tons in one spot may have some affect, it will attract attention both from locals we sell it to and if there is some cabal with a locate marble spell and if it gets around we have access to a massive supply of marble odds are the rich and powerful of this world will seek to rob/invade/exploit/manipulate us.

That and more marble=less soldiers on our next resupply.

Also something no one has freaked out about but we should, the weapons being bound. Not that is happened but that some wizard or demon can cast a spell or activate an enchantment and we are reduced to TNT and clubbing people with our guns.This is basically a I WIN button for anyone with wizards and a desire to attack us(wizards out to steal our marble).

>>21920259
It is worth considering that we might break the economy if we bring too much of the stuff and use it for trade. I am not saying we shouldn't bring any, but we need to be careful. Also, bringing too much might easily attract unwanted attention from magically sensitive beings.

>>21920885
>>21921026

It wont be that bad if we bring it just for personal use and not for trade, right?
Although, the amount we order also depends on how many magical items we have. It is useless for us without any devices to power.

...I wonder if we can charge the gate with it. We should ask the Wizard about the possibilities to charger the gate faster.

bump