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Your friend and brother-in-arms Savas had the same idea as you, when you heard of the news that the Empire was at war. This is your chance to form a warband and fight for your own names rather than enter Imperial or Rebel service. To grow your strength, and then to seek real power.

To that end you recruited a group of men, many of them your friends, including Ferho, the swift rider, and Sentar, that formidable tiger-catching wrestler. After being wounded saving Mara, your tribal chief's beautiful niece, from some bandits, you had to stay behind while Savas left, so now you are chasing them.

Except you don't know where they've gone. Instead you have gotten your warband, and a group of Imperial folk you were escorting, detained by the Lapwing tribe, where you still are now - first a prisoner, then rather surprisingly a guest.

And that's where you are now, alone while your comrades languish in a cave, in the fort belonging to Dokas. He is the older son of the Lapwing chief; he has some demands to make of his father, and he wants you to help him. And after having been struck, tormented and imprisoned by his younger brother Huvalas, you are only too glad to oblige.

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'There are three things I have that you might choose to do,' Dokas says as you stand before him in his log cabin. It is a well-kept space, arms and armour lined up on one side, cooking equipment on another - much like the rest of the fort, you can tell it is a place prepared for war. To his left stands Hucan, a lieutenant who has already agreed to join your warband - if you still have one - after the coming fight.

'Later in the day, the Lapwing warriors will come to the fort to compete for the privilege of being the envoy's honour guard. After that I shall entertain them and house them here. You, meanwhile, will go to the cave and rescue your comrades.

'Excellent. And after that?'

'This is choice one. We must make sure they do not leave the fort, until I have made my demands and received a satisfactory answer. You can aid in entertaining the Lapwing men, and then keeping them locked in the fort tomorrow until I give the signal.

'The second choice is to lead your men out towards the Hurulun Valley, in search of the envoy himself. You understand that he, and the Imperial approval that comes with him, is crucial for me. He must therefore arrive at the Lapwing camp tomorrow, but only in the afternoon.'

'Why is that?'

'In the morning I shall still be doing my work in the camp. The envoy's presence would be a hindrance, and he might be tempted to give his opinion. If he comes in the afternoon, he need only approve what has been done.'

That makes sense. 'Then what about the third option?'

'Third option?' Dokas pauses to think, and then laughs. 'I did mention three options, did I not? No, I only meant two of course. Or perhaps the third course is a course you could suggest. Between me, Huvalas, our father and the Sparrows, what might you like to do with your men?'

You can't tell, very quickly, if he has really made a slip or is hiding something. But then what could he be hiding?


> State of your warband:

> 12 light archer/swordsmen
> Leaders: Ferho, Sentar
> Current location: in prison cave

> We're going to forsake simple choice lists now. As Sun Zi said, it's both the regular and the irregular that makes for victory; I don't want to foreclose options too randomly. Surprise me, strategists.
> So, What do?

>>27364863
Postan some attempts at tactical genius shit now.

Nah, fuck it. Let's go get the envoy.

>>27364908
That's pretty dumb, he responds to bribery and we don't have a shitload of gold with us.

>>27364927
We just have to detain him.

>>27364927

Maybe he'll respond to force? We're escorting him.

>>27364863
"what i would actually like to do is take my men and go on my way. we are far too delayed as it is already.
i think i'll stay here. i dont want to deal with the convoy."

>>27364863

I'm for the envoy as well.

>>27364943
Yeah, that's also pretty weak tea, it just gives him a potential complaint and takes agency away from us. In no way are we anything but a pawn in this scheme and pawns get sacrificed.

>>27364946
How did use of force work out before? Oh, right, we have no appreciable degree.

Envoy, we may not be able to bribe him, but if we can get to him first we could at least try to get him to see our side of the dispute.

>>27365007
Our side of the dispute is non-existant, we're some tard with no position or rank in his eyes and he only deals with people who matter. We would, at most, be a bargaining chip he could use to his own advantage.

We can just tell the envoy that the tribe is currently torn between loyalists and rebels and that he shouldn't take a direct route if he wants to live.

I'd however like to think an outside the box solution as well.
You know how we need to keep the guys in the fort? We could just lay traps on the path once they've entered the fort so once they'll leave, their horses will sprain their ankles.

Kill the envoy.

>>27365034
Oh, yeah, that's real fuckin' neato. And when we get rounded up by patrols from BOTH tribes looking to avenge themselves on us for murdering their link to a useful ally and the quest is over, you'll still be short-sighted, but if you get to that optometrist that makes glasses in an hour you might see it properly when it happens.

> Considering the envoy

You guess that the envoy would certainly be able to speak your language - otherwise he wouldn't be sent up north, would he?

As for the gold, you ask Dokas about that, and it is not a question he expected, quite clearly. 'Gold? What for?'

'We will have to induce the envoy to accept our point of view, surely?'

He bursts out in a lion-like laugh that seems quite strange coming from his small frame, while rising to his feet. 'Oh, dear friend! There's no need for you to go to that trouble. Bring the envoy to me, and I will make him accept my point of view. Unless by 'our', you had another point of view to espouse?'

> Fair enough, that... did you?
> Dokas does seem quite eager to please. Also, outside, you can really here the drummers working on their instruments now. It'll be a big party here today.

>>27365061
Who will know it was us? Blame the tribe we hate. Let them suffer the wrath.

>>27364890
>>27364863

It doesn't really matter if he's hiding something.

We should ask him if we can speak candidly, if we're not already alone, and simply lay out the particulars - which should be obvious as the rain on one's face.

This tribe needs a future; a future under leaders that are so willing to risk previous help in a time of crisis and harm their own people for the sake of their amusement does not strike us as a very long-lived one. And failure in such a position means dishonor.

So we can say to Dokas that we understand readily enough that he seeks to avoid dishonor here, but it is plain as day that simply dividing the herds won't likely resolve the matter. That his bid for power is not going to be partial unless he wants to split the tribe, and as such if he is not already looking to resolve the conflict within it by removing his brother as well as possibly his father, he himself will not bring them peace - and that if he DOES want to split the tribe, at best he'd be striking out for a distant new home 'cause it's not like his brother seems particularly fair-minded.

Not to mention if the war WITHIN the tribe is ended, the matter of the war OUTSIDE the tribe remains.

Continued below.

>>27365083

Continued.

So we can offer him a third option that he is likely only considering so far, perhaps not even committed to ready thought or speech because of its enormity - to use the war with the Sparrows to his advantage, to send us to them with a message because we do not wear Lapwing colors, we are a neutral party.

The message is essentially this: that in exchange for some gains on their part, Dokas will make peace should they back his attempt - they can have some title or advantage for now, but what his tribe needs is sane leadership, if it is to last the seasons. So if they're honorable, he can offer up his warmaking kin, brother, father, or both, to redress their grievances in the war with noble blood, and if they're dishonorable, he can give them a clear win in the tribal conflict but seek a longer peace with an offer of gifts - though doing both at once is wise. Give them gifts and an honorable way out, give them a clear win, and they should see a good option in front of them and take it.

In the meantime, we'll be able to assure Dokas that we'll speak well of him in our own tribe where we have a good reputation with the chief's own kin - and presumably be listened to if we make it back - because long-term relations are part of his tribe's future too.

This way, we get to give him a new force to work with, and if we can get sparrows to create a show of force during or before the envoy's visit, get his father and brother to meet with them under pretense of a negotiation to end the conflict, etc, it takes neither diplomacy nor force off the table in terms of his own bid for power.

It also makes us more valuable to him. This is good for us, we're less likely to be sacrificed.

In the meantime, the Imperials and our own troops can be taken out of the damn cave and put in the fort; they're a good bargaining chip. We can carry the message ourselves, with a few trusted riders with us. We will need a disguise, perhaps, to get past Lapwing patrols.

>>27365065

If we are interested in signing up with the imperials, we might as well say that to the envoy. Whatever comes, we can leave with him.

>>27365077
We're the only known group in the area that wouldn't be accounted for; neither tribe benefits from his death, and we're the only loose cannon around. Even if there were bandits, we're a useful scapegoat.

It wouldn't end well.

>>27365141
He's not a recruiter, anon. He's a dude that collects tribute and negotiates titles and rewards, and they're angling for his backing on a tribal level. The recruiters have already been by.

>>27365083
>>27365133

this looks like it might work. planning to get sparrows into it because they can get something for their trouble is pretty art of war.

>>27365133

That makes sense. We could suggest it.

>>27365133
I hope Dokas knows someone in the Sparrow leadership who he can either trust or predict the response of, then.

>>27365133
>>27365083
I'll back this.

>>27365219
>>27365200
>>27365189
>>27365188

> Interesting choice.

You bow. 'To be sure, host, I have a third option I would like to explore.'

'Say it. I will value your advice.'

'Have you considered talking to the Sparrows, across the river?'

> Roll d20 first.

Rolled 2

rollan

>>27365083
>>27365133
I'm ok with this.
Seems more reliable plan than the two others.

Rolled 17

>>27365276

Rolled 5

>>27365262

Rolled 13

>>27365262

Huh?

Rolled 20

>>27365262
Rolling

Rolled 9

>>27365262

Rolled 10

Big Money!

>>27365262

>>27365305
Damnit, I rolled too late.

>>27365326
You're within the first five. And the 17 up there helps even if it's not the first five counted.

>>27365305

> Gorgeously done!
> Critical success.

You are about to continue speaking, but a single glance at Dokas the moment you mentioned the Sparrows seems indicative. He hides it very quickly indeed, but his eyebrows move, and his hands twitch on his lap.

He's clearly thought about this before. Was this perhaps the third option he was considering? What *is* he considering? All you know now is that he intends to 'secure his inheritance' - a fair enough point in a family. You're not sure you want to back anything more extreme than that.

'Host, I think that there will be little point in securing your inheritance, or securing peace within the tribe, if one does not take into account one's current enemies. While you must avoid dishonour, there is no dishonour in talking to the Sparrows in order to achieve greater aims for the Lapwings.'

'And what do you suggest I should aim for, among the Lapwings?'

'The tribe,' you say after considering if it is prudent, 'this tribe needs sane leadership. You ought to aim for-'

'Are you asking me to consider parricide, Esalar?' The still-surprised look now gives way to a slightly reproachful frown. 'Is this what is on your mind?'

'If you know what the Sparrows' tribal leaders are like, we could make then an offer they would accept. I would gladly do it on your behalf, for my band is neutral. The prize for your tribe, Dokas, would be peace and strength in your time, and under your hand.'

'You haven't answered my question, though,' Dokas frowns. He looks... offended, but there is no disguising what he really showed you earlier. You think you catch a glimpse of his true plans now - his 'inheritance' will not be a part of the tribe, but the whole thing. Perhaps you're thinking the same thing after all. Would you press your point?

> Make your reply, Eagle.

>>27365083
>>27365133
Addendum I forgot because I was hardly even awake:

Dokas should obviously be ready to trade away some wealth to ensure the loyalty of his tribesmen, even those previously serving his father and brother.

Giving away animals or treasures now means reducing his wealth, but if it pays off and he gains control of the tribe he will have all his life to regain that wealth.

Same with all the other losses.

Obvious, but still worth underscoring.

>>27365432
Press our point.

>>27365467

By that do you mean that, yes, you are advocating that he take out his own brother and father?

>>27365432
Include this in the plan:
>>27365446

Response should be something like this:

"You are not an unwise man, nor a dishonorable one, Dokas. You have already considered the risks, and by playing out this game, this wrestling match, you have already considered plans that lead to a chance of your kin dying. Patricide and fratricide are evils, but they need not be unavoidable; there are other ways to remove them permanently, even if the prudent warrior would say that a surrendered enemy need not stay surrendered."

"You must decide that on how long you would trust your brother to yield, if you forced him to yield. You must think of whether he is a simple beast that attacks until slain, or a crafty tiger who stalks his prey and charges when it is vulnerable, and judge your options. But his death is a choice for you alone to make. Certainly imprisonment is not death, unsavory as it may be - but then, this is why nobles have the weighty responsibilities, and it is never easy being an heir."

"I can only speak to the hills and the crags ahead of us as I see them. You must choose where to let fly your arrow, what to aim for. But this tribe's future - if it is to be good, there is much honor in that. If it is to be insecure, great dishonor. And they have risked enough, and thrown away enough of the past friendships, I should think. Whatever you will choose, I will stand behind it - I must, I am already obliged - and trust in your judgement, but I can only counsel what will give your people strength and safety. Does that goal require the flow of kin-blood, or is there a better way out of this? You know better than I."

That should get him to make the fucking decision, we don't have any idea how he's gonna do anything other than murder the fuckers but I suppose exile is possible.

The problem is, the tribe is divided and may not support him. So he'll have to pick kinslaying if he can't bribe/win them over fast enough.

You know, we could offer them up as wards like european kings did with their relatives.
Technically hostages, but they'll still enjoy the benefits of their noble status.

>>27365528
No man made anything without sacrifice.

No man achieved anything without stepping over those in their way.

An emperor that has lost the mandate of heaven should be deposed. Some might say the same is true of a father. What is a brother born from the womb compared to a brother sworn in blood? Nothing, just someone who holds obligation over you for no reason other than a shared birth place.

Blood of the sacrament runs thicker than the water of the womb. A brother of the womb is no true brother at all.

>>27365583
If the other tribe wants to feed them, sure. But of course, they could turn the other tribe against us eventually.

>>27365571
>>27365583
Leaving them alive is like leaving a poisonous snake alive in your garden when you should have killed it with a rock. A dumb move that'll get you bit in the ass.

There is no way these two won't remain a threat.

>>27365571
A bit wordy but this covers everything. Secondan.

>>27365624
>>27365646
>>27365467
>>27365571
>>27365583
>>27365592
>>27365596

'Dokas, there are greater honours and virtues than that which merely preserves one's kin,' you say, lowering your voice and stepping forward as you speak until you are merely two paces from Dokas himself. He does not stir, and when his guards step up he waves them back. 'Even if Huvalas was to yield, you know better than anyone else if he will be willing to yield peacefully.'

'So that is a yes, then,' Dokas nods, still looking evidently troubled. 'I have feared that it would come to this.'

'If you have considered that it would come to this, host, then trust your judgement! There is the preservation of kin, but then there is also the preservation of the entire tribe. Surely, for their security, some sacrifice will be necessary. Though I do not presume to recommend killing - you are the chief.'

A quick gasp echoes when you say 'chief'; there is now no doubt as to what you mean. Dokas, however, is still looking down at his hands, and the more you look the more you are sure he has considered this before. Is he truly troubled now, or is he merely feigning sorrow at the prospect of kinslaying?

> cont'd.

>>27365775

'Esalar,' he finally says.

'Yes, Dokas.'

'Be my envoy,' he says, sombrely, and the few people around the room suddenly remember to breathe again. You listen to the drums rolling outside at the same time as he speaks. 'I will draft a document - they know Imperial - to the Sparrows. And as a neutral party, I want you to bring it to them.'

'What shall you ask? Will you yield Huv-'

'I will do *no* such thing! Giving hostages to the Sparrows? I shall be spat on by the lowliest foot-slogger of the Lapwings, and deservedly so. I will keep my own counsel as to that.'

Even though he says that it seems clear what he means. You can only nod, as Dokas looks up. 'Spend the morning how you will. Go to release your men at noon, as arranged. Then prepare for your mission. I have horses in the fort.'

And with that, you are ushered out of the room, into a yard already transformed for celebrations - banners and pennants hanging from the walls and flagpoles, while some men and women tune their instruments and check their weapons. Hucan follows you out, but then pauses and leaves. 'Arrangements to make,' he says.

Well then. The morning is yet young. You could do anything now, with the incoming revellers, or perhaps with your own men in the cave. Ought you go see them now? That might be risky. Or you could go see someone else in particular, though you really only know Dokas and Hucan here. Oh, and Bena, that slave daughter of a prefectural official.

> What do with the morning? You have some riding to do past noon.

We need to prepare horses and equipment beforehand, is this covered?

>>27365804
Go to the prisoners. Assuming the guards are those that Huvalas posted, reassure the prisoners that they will soon be released, but ask them to make noise and create arguments that are loud but not violent - something pointless among the imperials that will make the guards think they're at the breaking point, rather than becoming suspiciously calm.

Then talk to the daughter of that official we met earlier. Ask her about her father. A fallen official is an interesting resource for whoever restores him, you never know.

>>27365840
>the daughter of that official
Durr. The official's daughter who is now a servant in Dokas' household.

>>27365804
Read up/learn as much about the Sparrows as we can. Find someone who speaks their native tongue so we can have an edge in negotiations if they try to plot something behind our backs..

>>27365840

No, but we can't do that - that would give away that we're trying to release them!

I don't think Dukas told his brother we're letting our people out.

>>27365858
We can tell them to make some noise and bitch and moan, after reassuring them that it'll help them out in the long run if they do. We don't need to announce this LOUDLY, we can whisper it in some ears.

>>27365840
No, we don't want to accidentally tip anyone off.

>>27365882
Then we can at least make sure they're still okay and give them some comfort.

>>27365881
Sees unnecessarily risky since they're going to be out in a couple hours anyway.

>>27365894
They're men, they don't need to be mothered.

>>27365836

> Also, I meant to say this, but keep forgetting. But certainly, since you will need information to make choices, don't hesitate to ask questions.

From what you've seen of the stables, the horses and equipment are kept at a high state of readiness. It shouldn't take you too long to saddle up properly, since you can do that shit with your eyes closed anyway.

>>27365853

They do speak your language, with slight dialect differences at best - if you understood Dokas perfectly, you will have no problem with the Sparrows.

But now that you think of it, that letter will be written in Imperial. Which no one in your party can read...

>>27365914
>>27365899
I mostly meant the imperials. A riot or fight might be a bad thing, right before they got released.

I still say we go and talk to Bela or whatever her name was.

>>27365922
>But now that you think of it, that letter will be written in Imperial. Which no one in your party can read...

Some risks are unavoidable. If he was looking to fuck us over or something, he wouldn't have bothered with the letter, he could have us taken out back and beheaded. The guy's deserving of some privacy and confidence now - he's making a hard choice, after all - unless we just want to say fuck everything and ride off into the sunset like a little bitch.

>>27365922
Then clearly we need a scribe, one who can eventually teach us to read and write in Imperial.

>>27365850

Doesn't make her less of an asset. We should go see her.

Don't know about prisoners, thoug. Should we go around the field recruiting?

>>27365957
Clearly.

>>27365966
We can recruit after this shit sorts itself out, not before a huge battle. Not a good time to divide loyalties.

Rolled 7

>>27365949
Or we could bring along one of the young Imperial men when delivering the message, so that they can read it for us on the way.

>>27366118
You think Dokas is going to allow that? Let's not fuck around.

Rolled 5

>>27366158
He doesn't need to know, and we just met the guy yesterday and suddenly we're helping him take over his tribe, I think it would be prudent to have all of the information we can get.

> Bena, then the (Imperial) prisoners

You think you ought to go and see the prisoners, if only to ensure that they aren't making too much trouble. Your men you aren't too worried about, but those Imperial noisemakers could perhaps disrupt your efforts later, and you will need to calm them down without tipping them off.

Before that, though, you return to your room, where - unsurprisingly - Bena is still there, sweeping the mostly clean floor. Dokas really has high standards, doesn't he? 'Sir! Good morning,' she bows. 'Will you... do you need anything?'

You wonder if you should ask, but then from last night you could see she was quite stoic about the matter of her family. Sitting down, you watch her standing there with the broom. She does have a certain elegance that even a few years in servitude have not wholly removed.

'Your father, Bena, do you know where he is now?'

Her eyebrows rise for a moment before she replies. 'I... I know he was certainly exiled to the northwest. The last I saw him, which was years ago, was along the northern frontier where he was pressed into guard service. As most exiles are.'

That explains the excellently useless resistance you always met when raiding. But come think of it - that means her father might not be very far away from here. 'Where exactly was he in guard service?'

'A fort near the Nienshari Pass,' she says. 'Is anything the matter, sir?'

The Nienshari Pass - that is where you will eventually enter the Empire, if you continue down the Hurulun! But it seems Bena does not know how close she might be to her family... this could be useful.

> What do/say/plan?
> Prefectural officials, as you well know, are very high ranking. And in a rebellion, their prestige will only rise. Even a steppe-son knows that if the chief is ill, the small chiefs grow. It's the way of things.

>>27366201
He or one of his trusted aides is seeing us off at the stables.

And we have a dozen of our friends in his tribe's prison, not to mention hostages we were guarding which could be a useful group not to fuck around with the livelihood of later for their imperial connections.

On top of this there's his trust we're violating, and we have no Imperials we trust that much yet.

We're in a precarious position. Let's not screw around. Mistrust now could mean retribution on the lives of the prisoners. We are in no position to seek more advantage, and we'll know the letter's content soon enough because we'll be there when they read it in the Sparrow camp. We can judge their reaction.

>>27366204
We might as well take Benna on to instruct us on matters of Imperial minutae and teach us how to read and write the language. A useful slave can go a long way.

A bit suspicious of her though, so don't go taking her into our confidence or anything.

>>27366273
>slave
>daughter of an official we could help restore and gain major advantage from
>"How did you treat my daughter?" "As a scullery maid." "No imperial standing for you, then, you paranoid, cruel dipshit. Grow a sense of justice."

I swear, there's a middle ground between deciding everyone is waifu material and deciding everyone is a fucking tool to be used and a potential threat to be suspected. Find it before you start living a life of fear, anon.

>>27366273

I'm for this. We can't go into the Empire blind.

We don't even have letter though, do we?

>>27366204
"We should speak after Lord Dokas resolves some matters, Bena. I...may go that way, if things go well here. I might bring news of him. Let us talk later, if you are not to busied with the Lord's duties."

>>27366306
>daughter of an official we could help restore and gain major advantage from

Operative word is 'could'.

And she is a slave. By definition that makes her a tool to be used. So long as we leave off beating her for no reason we'll be a step up from her last master.

And an educated slave is just a short step away from being a spy. We don't know her loyalty.

>>27366317
I'll second if we treat her like a person, instead of being afraid of every shadow. But she's Dokas' property at this point, first we have to make shit work.

>>27366328
Fuck off, stuttering like a cunt. W're a god damn warrior of the steppes. Be stoic in your maner, not stopping and starting like Colin fucking Firth.

>>27366372
Quit acting like CHET MANLYSTACHE, would you? I swear, everyone who claims /tg/ can't play anything between a little girl and a side of beef spess mehreen aspirant is right because of you.

>>27366372
>Fuck off
>Fuck off, stuttering like a cunt.
>W're

short on attention to detail, are we? try being less antagonistic

>>27366486
Better than playing yet another fucking Anon-kun blushing over every fucking girl that hops into his immediate vision.


Pick up a history book and figure out the way these people used to behave instead of being mister fucking fumbly nice boy all the god damn time.

>>27366346
>And she is a slave. By definition that makes her a tool to be used. So long as we leave off beating her for no reason we'll be a step up from her last master.

I want /pol/ to leave.

>>27366273
>>27366263
>>27366201
>>27366118
>>27366306
>>27366317
>>27366328
>>27366346
>>27366348

As you sit and regard her, your mind is going forward to the cave. A letter from Dokas - you're not sure if you should doubt his goodwill. Often it is doubt, or the sense of doubt, that leads to the worst betrayals.

But then you must safeguard yourself as well, and that's when you come to the matter of the Empire. 'So, Bena?'

'I'm listening, sir.'

'Nienshari Pass is where I am headed. If your father is in the vicinity, maybe I could bring you along with me when I enter the Empire.'

Her eyes grow round. 'I... really, sir? But how would you-'

'I could talk to Dokas, perhaps,' you muse. Certainly Dokas seemed quite enthusiastic about having Bena attend to you - and you had this suspicion all along that foot-washing wasn't the only thing he wanted her to do. To be sure, she is appealing in that sense, though this is certainly not the time. 'Besides, I will need someone in my warband who speaks the language. One cannot wandering around dumb and deaf. Do you know to read and write?'

'Certainly. I was once a poet,' she says. 'And if, sir, Lord Dokas will free me, I am eternally in your debt. Though...'

'Hmm?'

'I must tell you,' she says, coming close and kneeling beside you while lowering her voice to a whisper. 'Lord Dokas is always an affable and sensible lord before other people. And he is... mostly good to his underlings. But he is a lot deeper than his smiles and laughter. Many people forget that.'

> What do/say?
> You could, of course, go off to see the prisoners any time. Just saying.

>>27366526
You cannot into subtlety, I see. But nice job accusing me of turning everything into waifu shit like it's Mau Shonen, shithead. Now get back to trying to have good ideas instead of coming down hard on your fellow players with your threadshitting.

>>27366556
"I will bear your advice in mind."

And go see the prisoners.

>>27366512
>>27366372
>>27366526

> Now, now, people. Let's be civilised, the lot of you.
> The tone and tenor of the character can be a little flexible - count the number of times Three Kingdoms heroes weep their eyes out. That can be talked over and I'll take note.

>>27366533
How is that /pol/? That's the definition of a slave, that's the reason we invented the damn concept.

The whole purpose of the institution is to rob individuals of agency and independent identity and reduces them to tools to be used.

They aren't servants, they aren't assistants or anything to be treated honourably. They're slaves, and that is how a slave is treated in these societies.

Or are we doing that thing again where instead of playing a pre-modern character we're just going to play a sensitive 21st century middle class man in the body of a slave-taking, village raiding steppe warrior?

>>27366612
You know what OP, if people suggested alternative solutions instead of criticizing each other with retard abandon every time they saw something they didn't like this would be a lot more worthwhile.

>>27366556
Wait, when did we say we were going to free her?

>>27366636

She may be a slave, but look, if we are going to use her to gain the support of her father, it might be better to treat her as a free person.

It's not like slave status is forever, anyway. Free her, treat her as advisor, use her for political leverage. That's not weakness that's intelligence.

>>27366684
Her father was stripped of his position and his entire household sold into bondage.

WHY THE FUCK WOULD WE WANT TO GET IN BED WITH SOMEONE -THAT- INCOMPETENT?

Sorry for the caps there, but people are planning shit way too far in advance on a pretty bad deal. This guy is not a golden goose, he's a god damn fuck up that we might/mightn't restore to his position by...fuck I dunno, how are we going to do that again? Why would we even want to?

>>27366636
As if it takes a modern conception of the world to be rankled by class division and decide to overturn it. I bet you think all medievalists were morons who thought the world was flat, too, but a shallow reading of history grants that.

Your preconception of how this guy acts is just as shortsighted as the guys who demand gratuitous racism between fantasy races because MUH REALISM. Drop it, it just drags the quest down into lame shit and we're supposed to have some degree of choice here. You think nomads, of all people - free nomads, who think Imperial class systems are a perversion of the natural order - can't decide to say FUCK YOU to slavery and slaving? You think, what, they have no empathy because their worldview is more intense and more given to lethal forms of conflict-resolution? You're just believing what you want to be true.

I don't want to play in your slave-taking power fantasy and be dickass, chief of the dickass clan. Tell me if that ruins it for you, or go back to /pol/.

>>27366726
You really think a lack of competence is what results in people being burned in corrupt, overfed, Imperial china in the seventh century?

You really think he couldn't have been an unfortunate victim?

What other conclusions have you jumped to so far, have any of them been as good as the awesome plan above that elevated us from pawn status or do you just have paranoia to contribute?

>>27366726

There's this thing where restoring honorable officials down on their luck is in a few chinese stories of the hero's journey. So let's see what this is before we decide we're cutting our own throat.

>>27366636
>>27366665
>>27366669
>>27366684
>>27366726
>>27366736

> People, plans aside. Can we please focus on what to do right now, on the eve of a POSSIBLY LARGE BATTLE?
> Would you like to continue talking to Bena about something, or leave it at that and go to see the prisoners in their cave? Or perhaps do something else within/around the fort?

To be sure, you can see this is a major problem - while you are quite familiar with steppe ways, you don't really know much about Imperial ways. What exactly had happened to Bena's father - or indeed, whatever else might happen to a commander in the Empire - you don't know.

They certainly are a political bunch, you know that. But you can't be sure how it affects you. In any case, you will cross that bridge when you get to it - *if* you get to it...

> So. What do/say?

>>27366603
this.

>>27366808

> This doesn't mean I'm against planning, but the squabbling is beginning to get personal, so let's not have that.

>>27366808
Say goodbye and check on prisoners.

>>27366808
Hmm, clearly there is more to Dokas than what we have seen, that hesitation in her voice worries me. Unfortunately, she would probably be unwilling to elaborate, so it's probably best to leave it at that for now and go check on our brothers and the Imperials.

We take we with us as she is useful, she reads and writes and speaks imperial. We just leave it at that for the moment. Let's get ready to free the boys as ride out. Maybe get some rest.

How is our arm now op?

>>27366932
She's saying he's not a moron or a simpleton. That's a good thing.

>>27366850
>>27366828
>>27366603

You are a little surprised when Bena posits that Dokas might *free* her. That... might not be what you had in mind, after all.

Perhaps she is just careless? Or perhaps she has a rather straighter and stiffer back than you can see now, what with the foot massage and the sweeping. You're not sure what to make of her little warning about Dokas, so you simply nod.

'I'll keep that in mind, Bena. I will attend to other things now...'

'Make sure you have a certain usefulness to Lord Dokas before you trust in his plans, sir,' she says, a little more urgently, perhaps out of concern now that you have offered her an opportunity. 'He is a good lord and man to those people who are of use to him.'

'I will keep that in mind.'

You get a sturdy horse and ride down towards the cave; going around the corner, even before seeing the cave, you can hear arguments rising from where your men are. Strangely enough, you don't hear any weeping or any complaining - just your men yelling at the guards, and they yelling back. Certainly, given the last day's events, that's quite atypical.

Huh. You peek around and see that the men are indeed Huvalas' men. Is this a good thing to show yourself to them just before you are about to attack them? Or perhaps there is no harm in that? You do manage to hide yourself from the view of the many men - there must be at least 200, even 300 in the fort by now, and more still are streaming up in a brook of talk and laughter and boasting.

> What do?

>>27366946

> Your left arm, after those days of rest and despite Huvalas' best motherfucking efforts, seems to be healing up nicely. You can move it about now with just a little more pain than usual, though drawing a bow still hurts, as does hauling on things. No surprise - those flexing muscles are what took the brunt of the arrow.

> It will take a few more days before you're back to completely normal, probably.

>>27367021
Listen to the arguments. We don't have a lot to go on here, OP.

>>27367021
How long until noon?

>>27366967
No she didn't, she said that while he appears nice and reasonable to most people at most times he has another side to him, that worries me.

>>27367021
And this worries me even more, "good to those who are of use to him" usually implies "will fucking stab you in the back the moment that you aren't".

>>27367162
>>27367084
>>27367080

> As mentioned - if you'd like more to go on (and why shouldn't you), please feel free to ask.
> The sun is pretty high up in the sky now, actually. Perhaps you could even stay here until it is time to beat on the guards.

You listen to the argument, and it does not take too long before you get the gist of things. But... what?

'If even they are let out, where is our brother?' A roar from Sentar confirms your growing suspicions. There are no Imperial voices in the cave because there are no Imperials. If they've been let out, then it could only be towards the camp itself. Or so you think - you can't be sure...

It's almost noon now; as you sit, the stream of people is already beginning to die down. The guards laugh.

'Who knows where he is? He could be dead. It's pretty slippery climbing up and down the hills, and he's only got one good arm, hasn't he?'

'Don't you *dare* say that of Brother! You son of a jackal!'

'Call me that again and I'll-'

BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHH! You jump and look up; it's the horns of the Lapwing Fort, blowing to signal that things are getting started. Or you take it to be that. Of course, when all the warriors are in the fort, it is also your cue. But since Dokas' instructions to you are vague, you wonder if you should strike them to kill, or preserve his men - since they will be Dokas' men anyway. You glance around the rock... there are three of them.

'What the hell was that?'

'It's the envoy's preparation coming, so he can take over the load of you and send you in to be executed. You know how they kill people in the Empire who are joining the rebels? Hot boiling oil, I heard...'

Seriously. The three of them are distracted, but standing quite some distance from each other.

> What do? You have your sword with you. Also a bow, but your arm hurts, and archery will be impaired. And a rope to pull your loyal little bastards out, of course.
> Are you striking to kill, maim, or just knock out?

>>27367162
Or it means indifferent to those that aren't of use. Would you take things as they are instead of making assumptions?

>>27367323
Go in there and knock them out with the flat of your blade, murdering Dokas' soldiers might be a bad thing and these guys might follow him later.

>>27367323

Strike to kill. They have been insulting us too long.

>>27367387
We barely know this guy and yet we're getting involved in his dynastic machinations, I think that warrants more than a little vigilance with regards to our erstwhile benefactor.

>>27367162
>>27367387
His hesitation when he was considering killing his brother either means he's pretty honorable or smart enough to not want to appear a vicious fratricidal fuck. In either case, he's not stupid enough to throw away useless people.

>>27367414
This.

>>27367441
Why is this quest full of short-sighted players who think it's in-character to be stupid? Nomads have an understanding of hospitality and blood-debt.

>>27367414
>>27367470
>>27367474
>>27367387

Taking a deep breath to steel yourself, you sneak up closer, up to a rock just two or three paces from the nearest guard. They're looking away from you, up at the fort where the rolling of drums is clearly audible now.

Your sword is ready. To be honest Mara's sword is a little too designed to kill - it's rather light and very, very sharp - but it will have to do. Three paces - you should be able to surprise him.

> Roll d20 for surprise.
> Alternatively, you can reveal yourself before attacking, to both the guards and the prisoners. Up to you.

>>27367441
Sounds good to me.

Rolled 13

>>27367630

Surprise!

Rolled 15

>>27367630

Rolled 3

>>27367630
Rollan for surprise.

Rolled 6

surprise

Rolled 15

>>27367630
Surprise.

Rolled 18

>>27367630

>>27367711
>>27367771

> 15 vs. 13 - 2 = 11: success!

You manoeuvre yourself so the man's back is to you, and decide to leave your sword in its sheath; even with the extra weight, it is almost as quick as you normally are. You sneak out from behind the rock and, after a large step, lunge at the guard.

Just as you lunge, you can see the most distant guard catch your movement with a sidelong glance. He jerks his head, alarmed by this, but even as he says 'Look out!' you are bringing the sheathed sword onto the guard's head.

THWACK!

The man was just turning around when your swipe smacks his head back towards the left, and he sprawls to the floor. You quickly realise he's not knocked out, though it is a hard hit and all he can do is groan. Both the guards, however, have turned to you; the nearer one lowers his spear, and the distant one is reaching for his bow.

'Brother!!' You hear someone yelling from the cave. They've seen you! But they're an eight-foot climb away from you. The distant guard fumbles with his bow, while the spearman seems so shocked he is rooted to the ground. Perhaps you can resolve this without more smacking...

> What do?

>>27367917
Try and shove the spearman into the pit.

>>27367955

Second this. Then yell at the archer to surrender.

Then we shove them all into the pit, serves them right.

Strike the bow out of the guy's hands if you can't go for immediate knockout, then do the same to the spearman. Then go for knockout hits.

Tell the guys in the pit to stay where they are.

>>27367955
>>27368000
No. The archer's the bigger threat right now.

>>27368000
>serves them right.
for following their boss' orders. yeeeeeeah, no.

you guys can't let go of pointlessly vicious shit, can you.

>>27367955
>>27368000
>>27368107
Compromise.
Take the spearman hostage and tell the archer to drop his weapons or we kill his friend.

>>27368107
>>27367955

You charge up to the spearman, who belatedly makes a move, but his thrust is feeble and predictable. Why would you make for someone's head when he is coming for you so quickly? You sidestep the thrust with ease, then bend over and barrel into him, lifting him off his feet before hurling him down into the pit where you hear him connect with someone.

'Ow!'

Oops. But quickly, Sentar yells 'get him!' And you hear the satisfying sound of them swearing as they pummel the little bastard. The bowman has given up his bow, and you close the distance as he backs off.

'Surrender!' you suddenly yell, and he gives a whimper and falls to his knees. It's only then that you realise he is looking *past* you; turning around you see Hucan, with five or six of Dokas' men, backing you up. 'Oh. Well met then, Hucan! Will you be coming with me...?'

'What's going on up there, Brother? Can we come up now?'

Hucan motions for his men to help yours up, as he comes up to you with a scroll case. You know what's inside, naturally - the letter. It's even got a wax seal on it! These people really have adapted to the norms of the Empire. 'You should head up to the fort right now,' he says. 'I'll tell you where to go.'

> cont'd...

>>27368107
>>27368123
>>27368133

> argh, didn't see your posts. I beg your pardon.

>>27368165

Before long, all 12 of your men are hauled out of the pit with ropes and Hucan's men, who then shove the guards back in. Look at the way the wind turns! But you only allow your men a few moments of gloating before calling their attention.

'Brother, what's going on?' Ferho says after a quick embrace. He nods when you explain, roughly, what's going on to him; and then you gather everyone to follow Hucan up.

Entering the keep through a small side gate, you nonetheless get to witness the chaos and revelry of the party from a distance as you follow the ramparts towards the stables. The highlight now appears to be the wrestling match, while the archers are mostly checking their bows and loosing their first, raw shots before the bow is fully awoken. Sentar can't help glancing round while he's saddling up.

Hucan and Ferho come up to you together, from opposite sides, and they glance at each other with some hostility. 'What is this man here to do, Brother?'

'I'm here to protect your brother, and give him instructions,' Hucan snaps back. Wait, do they know each other already? Hucan turns to you. 'You should sneak around to the west gate, and take the small forest path down to the Hurulen, after which you should be able to find a Sparrow patrol quickly. But be careful.'

'A Sparrow patrol?'

'The Imperial envoy's arrival means they will be on guard too,' he explains. Well, damn.

> Ask Hucan something else if you'd like.
> Or, alternatively, set off on the ride.

>>27368271
Ferho was with us when we gave ourselves up to Hucan and his group, and natural suspicion is what it is.

Thank Hucan and tell Ferho that Hucan's proven honorable in this twisting matter thus far, and then ask the both of them for any thoughts they have on how to greet the sparrows, where to find them, etc. Obviously Hucan knows plenty.

After that, set off and get this shit done.

>>27368271

Does Hucan know about the imperials leaving?

>>27368271
>> argh, didn't see your posts. I beg your pardon.
No worries, OP. You've got the quest to run, things get missed, ain't nobody's fault.

>>27368343
>>27368359
I second these.

>>27368359
I bet it's because they didn't want the imperials locked up when the envoy arrived, bit of a liability there. Otherwise they may be getting handed over as potential rebel conspirators, which we need to have stopped. Get that request to Dokas, those people are useful to us.

>>27368343
>>27368359
>>27368379
>>27368396

'And how do we ensure we don't get shot to pieces the moment they spot us? We did arrive from the Lapwing's direction, after all.' You're not going to throw away your boys over a minor diplomatic mission.

'Raise a black cloth. We use those when asking for negotiations, so you will be fine.'

'Also, Hucan, did you know about the Imperials? How were they released?'

'There's nothing to know about that, brother!' Oh right, Ferho would know too, so you turn around as he cuts in and advances. 'They decided to pay a bribe. Turned over a large amount of gold we didn't even see they had, and refused to put in a word for us. Can you imagine? They hid the gold away from us, after we hunted for their meals.'

Hucan shakes his head. 'Huvalas would do it for gold; I would not be surprised. Were they released, Ferho, or were they taken to the camp?'

'How would I know? I was in the pit while they sauntered off.' Ferho growls, then walks off. 'I'm off to find some black cloth.'

Before long, with a black cloth on a branch high above Sentar's saddle, you ride out in a single line from the narrow west gate and file down the dense forest, horses walking slowly and gingerly down the slope. This is a very well concealed path, actually.

Ferho turns to you. 'Brother, come think of it - we're on our own now, and free of the Lapwings, so why are we helping them with their work? Why don't we just piss off down the Hurulun?'

What he says meets with a chorus of quiet approval. Actually... he's got quite a good point... you refuse to answer, though, until you are at the edge of the woods, even though some others press the point harder still as they see the Hurulun flowing. Sparrows to the west, and the Empire to the south...

> Roll d20 for perception.
> What do now?

Rolled 11

>>27368564

Oh man. We could go south, can't we? No one's watching now.

Maybe if we went to meet the envoy...

Rolled 11

>>27368564

>>27368564
We are a man of honour,
Did that girl come with us?

Rolled 15

>>27368724
Meh wrong field!

Also what I meant is we should continue on our mission

>>27368564
"Because the Lapwing were allies before this bout of madness, and can be allies again after it subsides. Our tribe could use them, in the coming tumult."

Rolled 15

>>27368564
rollan

>>27368564
I say continue the mission as we might benefit quite well from this.

>>27368799
>>27368789
>>27368777
>>27368739
>>27368724
>>27368698
>>27368644

Ah, you forgot to get Bena along! No matter though - you doubt you'd be able to obtain her services, given there's a party going on in the fort and her master is presiding over the proceedings...

While you are still hesitating, however, you look to your left and see one of the men - Balun, his name is, one of the young runners - looking down on the ground. Ferho and you quickly go to investigate what appears to be a small shoulder brooch, Ferho dismounting to pick it up.

It's quite unmistakeable; you've seen this before as a kid - it's the emblem of the Sparrows. Right next to the path up to the Lapwing fort entrance.

Not far from here, you stumble upon other signs - relatively fresh horse droppings when there are no horses around. They don't run while grazing, so someone had ridden here.

'A visitor to the fort, you reckon?' Ferho shakes his head and remounts. 'So, do we head on?'

'We ought to. Let's see what profit derives from this.'

The rest of that afternoon goes quite according to plan. You manage to find a patrol which spots your black flag and comes to salute you. Indeed, it almost seems to go *too* smoothly; they give you a welcome that seems to suggest they've prepared for your arrival already. That suspicion is confirmed when you are brought to a large tent, where there's a table of food before you - snacks, then a proper meal, including freshly steamed Imperial rice. Oh that smells good. It smells like... luxury.

'Please, sirs and lords, take your seats and help yourself to the food. The chief will be coming shortly; he is delayed, and gives you leave to eat.' It's a servant, and you wonder if you should give him your scroll.

'Damn, we should have just come here straightaway,' Sentar whispers in your other ear.

> Give/don't give the scroll
> Will you begin eating? You've been given leave. And everyone looks famished.
> What else do/say?

>>27368945

Scroll should go to chief only. No eating.

Sit down, talk to Ferho.

>>27369073
Gonna go with this. And ask the servant where the rice is from, do they usually keep a large stockpile? If it's new they might've set us up. Fun times.

Rolled 12 + 3

>>27368945
We need to feed our troops

>>27369115
Eating creates obligation - no food for the men at this time unfortunately.

>>27369073
>>27369094
>>27369115

You decide to keep the scroll to yourself and sit down, watching that servant go out. Within moments another one has come in.

'Sirs, would you like liquor?'

Everyone's ears perk up at that, and yours probably did too. But you control yourself. 'We will be fine. Is this rice from your stockpiles? You are... very plentifully provisioned.'

'Oh, this rice was just traded, sir! It's finest-grade Jeyangan white rice. The Imperials gave this in return for horses.' You note the way he pronounces the Imperial word, a very... Imperial way. But before you can ask more, he scoots.

'Ferho, what do you think?' You turn to your sharper leader. The scout can always be depended on to spot dispositions.

'Something's amiss, certainly,' he says. 'There were lots of horses around the camp when we passed, but very few sheep or other livestock. They must have driven them elsewhere.'

You blink. That's one of the preparations tribes would do when on a war footing - you want your valuable herds stashed elsewhere, and the war animals right at hand. But if you haven't even given the letter...

'Also,' Ferho continues, 'there's not many men outside just now, were there?'

That seems also to be true...

> Leave the tent to check. If you're free to enter, you must be free to go.
> Wait for the chief.
> Other.

>>27369288
>Leave the tent to check. If you're free to enter, you must be free to go.
Only briefly.

>>27369340
Sounds good to me.

>>27369340

You get up, telling everyone not to eat anything. 'I'm going to take a look outside.'

With that, you head out of the tent, closing the tent flap carefully behind you. The camp, given that it is early evening and the cooking hour, is... is very quiet, actually. Taking advantage of there being nobody in the immediate vicinity, you go around the tent towards its back, facing north, and as you are walking round the smell of smoke, faint at the south-facing tent flap, comes to you strongly.

On the other side of the tent, you quickly see why it is. Merry fires are burning, some distance from the main camp, at the edge of a wooded area, and the smoke is drifting towards you. You look around at the nearer tents; there is relatively little smoke emerging from them, even though it is dinner time.

Well, you trust you know a war-camp when you see one. How had the Sparrows managed to somehow pre-empt your letter? And does this mean your whole mission is rather pointless? Just then, from the warcamp, you spot a clutch of horses stirring and then beginning to canter towards your camp. They probably are headed for you.

It seems you might be able to leave, if you want to, just in time. Alternatively you could stay in and make Dokas' case. Surely Dokas' case would be welcome, and maybe, if it is a hunting camp rather than a war camp, it would be even easier for you to persuade a chief in a good mood...

> Leave. This situation is too strange.
> Stay. This is an advantageous situation.
> Other.

>>27369551
It seems like Dokas obviously had some kind of agreement already hashed out before we even got here. Lets stay, if only to see this to conclusion and so we can wrap up all our affairs here, but then lets get out of here as quickly as possible.

>>27369593
Might as well see this all they way through.

>>27369626
Second.

>>27369593
>>27369626

Just as you thought while sneaking back into the tent, the group of cantering horses was for your entourage. You sit down as a servant cries out that the chief of the Sparrows is here, and then all of you stand up as he enters.

The old chief, it turns out, must have died; for now there is a young man walking in, about Dokas' age actually, but much more sturdily built and finely dressed. Behind him trail his two consorts, and then two more advisors, one of whom is dressed in Imperial scholarly garb. You've never understood how people managed to ride horses comfortably while wearing that long robe-like garment; it must be a nightmare.

'Well, well, what is this then?'

'I have visited the Lapwings, and have come to bring you a message,' you say, handing the scroll case over. As it is unsealed, the chief looks at you.

'Say, I think I recognise you. You're from up north, aren't you? Mara's tribe?'

Oh- this is why you think he might look somewhat familiar! He had come to woo, and if wooing failed to snatch, Mara once before. That had not ended very well; Mara apparently bit two chunks of his arm off while fighting, as she would, and a lot of livestock had to change hands for relations to be repaired. 'Yes, I am,' you say, slightly embarrassed.

'Well well. While the Imperial reads the letter, tell me why you're here then. What is the Lapwing's offer for me?'

> What do/say/ask? His disposition is strange, but he seems in a jolly mood. Also possibly drunk...

Rolled 16 + 3

>>27369752
Thirded

>>27369836

Shit, we don't actually know what's in the letter.

Maybe just say the Lapwings want peace, and the letter says it all? Or do we give our own spin?

>>27369836
"I believe Dokas petitions you for aid in the coming crisis, but he did not reveal the contents of the letter to me."

>>27369948

Probably shouldn't say we don't know.

Just say the letter says everything.

>>27369925
>>27369948
>>27370083

You bow. 'Lord Dokas of the Lapwings is... requesting your aid and support. He knows that your tribes are in conflict, but he is willing to make a move to end that conflict.'

'It would be for the best, indeed, if we can turn our arrows to game instead of each other,' the chief says, though quite half-heartedly. His attention, much like your attention, is focused on the Imperial advisor to his left, who is reading the letter closely. After a while, he glances up at you, but then looks back down again at the parchment.

Finally, he begins reading aloud. 'Dokas of the Lapwings says he is willing to make concessions towards peace, and that negotiations can continue once he has taken power. So, visitor, is it true that Dokas is planning an usurpation?'

'Yes, sir.' And you are certain of it, given Dokas' plans.

'And he wishes for us, not to mention the Empire and its envoy, to support this decision then, I take it.' The chief strokes his moustache. 'Well. When did he say he wanted our help?'

'Time is of the essence,' the advisors says. 'Tomorrow.'

> cont'd.

>>27370284

The chief seems... almost too unperturbed by this, to be honest, as he nods. 'Then we must return to the warcamp, but let the guests stay in the guest area. You must have this food, guests, I cannot believe you have not touched it!'

'Will you grace us by presiding over the feast then, sir?'

The reply makes you even more suspicious. 'If your friend needs us, then we must ready ourselves through the night. Let's return to the warcamp. But entertain them properly, Li Yanta!'

Yanta, the Imperial advisor, nods and claps his hands. Then, as they leave, a group of girls - dressed rather more scantily than usual, with translucent sleeves on their silk robes - enter; a few of them file towards your obviously admiring boys, bearing flasks of liquor, while others prepare to play music and dance. 'We are to ensure your enjoyment, this evening and tonight,' the leader, a beautiful, tall girl with a ruby hanging between her eyes, says while bowing.

Huh. Well, you don't see any particular reason not to enjoy if they're providing it...

> What do? The party will start by default.

>>27370302
I guess enjoy the party, but make sure to keep our wits about us. Don't get too drunk and don't let them separate us from our weapons.

>>27370302
don't drink or eat anything that they will not drink or eat themselves

Rolled 19, 5 = 24

>>27370340
This and keep an eye on your boys and for them not to get too touchy

>>27370302
Stay only long enough to ensure you do them no insult by observing hospitality, then head back to the Lapwing camp and carry news of this to them.

It's likely enough Dokas' kin have made their own offers.

>>27370302
Let the lads enjoy themselves, but ensure that nobody gets too drunk.

>>27370459
>>27370426
>>27370380
>>27370340

You try to enjoy the party while remaining sober, and wink at Ferho and Sentar to ensure they hold the line on your behalf as well. Sentar's tactic is to indulge in the food, which at least doesn't make anyone sleepy.

Or maybe it does? One of the liquor girls comes up to you, and pretending to be flirty, you take a piece of poached lamb liver and feed her with it. She takes it without hesitation, licking your finger while she's at it. Well, suppose it's dinnertime then.

If you and your leaders are controlled, though, the other boys are soon playing drinking games with the girls. Then the music starts - ooh, that *is* a nice song! - and in order to be heard about the music people start yelling, which turns the whole affair into a proper party.

'Five! Ten! No! I haven't got fingers! Ahhhh!' Someone takes a long swig straight from the flask, and it's too late for you to stop them. But you spot another man pulling a girl into her arms as she squeals with laughter, and smack him upside the head.

'What?! Oh.' He sobers up when he sees you. 'Sorry.'

'Watch it, you.' You pull the girl away from him. But then the dancing starts, and so does more cheering. To your slight alarm, Ferho is now lifting a flask to his lips...

> Roll 3d20 for sobriety. Your determination to remain sober will give you a bonus.

Meanwhile, that same tall girl with the ruby has pinpointed you and is now sitting beside you. She's actually pretty engaging in conversation; turns out she knows a lot about horses, even the kinds of grass they're into.

'Alfalfa!'

'Sorrel!'

You laugh, and feel her pressing against your side. That's quite nice.

> What do/say?

Rolled 9, 6, 17 = 32

>>27370657
"How did things between your tribe and the Lapwings get so bad? You both seem like such friendly people?"

Rolled 6, 4, 1 = 11

>>27370657
Come on sobriety!

Rolled 17, 8, 2 = 27

>>27370824

You're lucky the first roll happened

Ask where she's from, and what the tribe's doing. What's with the camp?

Rolled 17, 2, 4 = 23

>>27370657
come on being somber!

>>27370917
>>27370723
>>27370824
>>27370856

> 17 + 3: you are very sober indeed
> 9 + 2: Ferho and Sentar are reasonably sober
> 6: men are quite pissed

You smile, aware of what she's trying to do as she leans her body into yours, arms wrapping around your shoulder. Well, there's no real need to fight it unless you feel a knife or something. Given how much you had seen her drink, she may well be more tipsy than you.

You've been accidentally 'spilling' most of your drinks all this while.

'So, where are you from?'

'Mm? Oh, I'm from the Sparrows,' she purrs. 'Born and raised. My parents died early so the chief took me in. So I became a dancer.'

You touch her hands. Well, her fingers certainly are string-callused - from playing the lutes and fiddles. 'I see. I'm an orphan too.'

'Ah, I'm so sorry, sir,' she nuzzles you. You can tell from her movement she's consciously doing it; she's put away most of her drink. 'So you became a hero instead, have you?'

'Perhaps. What's the deal with the warcamp? Is it a big hunt they're going to?'

'Oh yes, sir, a big hunt indeed... I think so, anyway!'

She's trying to kiss you. You hold her off gently, but you can see that elsewhere your lads are already succumbing. Nothing very serious yet, but hands are certainly where they might not very safely be, as the music tails off.

A look at the window shows it's very late now.

> End the party? Accommodation has been arranged, it seems...
> If not, what do?

>>27371005
If we're relatively sober we might as well bed the girl, we don't want our men to think we had an aversion to women after all, it might strain our relationship with them.

In a stately pleasure dome, decree,
Where Alph the sacred river ran,
Through caverns measurless to man
Down to a sunless sea

>>27371114

Not sure we should bed her. We should end the party though. Our men sleep in a few tents, spread out, so some sober ones sleep with the more drunk ones.

>>27371005
Lets end the party and take sure our men make it to their accommodations. Also, try to resist the urge to sleep with the woman.

>>27371319
This

>>27371319
>>27371181
>>27371114

As the party ends, many of the boys are accompanied by women; Ferho and Sentar, still with their wits about them, support each other. They are about to share a tent, but you - with the tall woman leaning against you - tell them to split up instead.

'Take separate tents. Keep those in your tents under control.'

They wince, but agree with your assessment. The tall girl guides you to a smaller tent, where you are alone with her, and falls onto the sleeping mats, laughing. Again she reaches up for a kiss, arms wrapped around your neck, but you hold her away before collapsing beside her. Well, cuddling's fine.

'You are a very stern man,' she mutters, and then giggles. 'So harsh, and yet so wise.'

That might be true. Maybe too stern? Ah, even without the liquor, the food and excitement are getting to you, and your eyelids feel quite heavy...

> You could sleep. It's pretty comfy here, woman or no woman. Woman is bonus.
> Or you could attempt to resist sleep. Roll d20 if that. You haven't rested properly for a whole day, though, so there will be a penalty.

Rolled 18

>>27371393
Resist the urge! Just long enough to ensure that nothing fishy is going on.

Rolled 13

>>27371393

Resist. This is weird!

Rolled 10

>>27371393
Must...resist...sleep

Rolled 14

>>27371393
Stay up for a while just to make sure nobody tries to kill our men.

>>27371535
>>27371534
>>27371502
>>27371512

> Penalty of picking the second-highest roll.
> 14: quite successful.

You feel too strange about this whole affair, running it through in your mind over and over, to want to fall asleep. Has there been some other arrangement with the Lapwings? Is that why the Sparrows are out in force? Why the strange hospitality, a bit too lavish and prepared? Did they know you were coming in advance? How?

So, despite your eyelids being an immense weight, you hold them up - or you think you do. Every now and then you nod off, but you are awake enough to feel the woman in your arms slip out and creep out of the tent.

Sitting up soon after that, you suddenly realise you can hear something. Outside, in the bone chillingly still and cold air, people are shuffling. Not one. Not even three or five. There must be at least ten of them, whispering orders to each other, no doubt spreading out all around your tents.

You reach out and feel, at least, that woman's gift that remains with you. The hilt of your kishabra feels nice in your hand. Outside the shuffle stops.

'Esalar,' the voice is normal, but simply feels loud due to the silence it penetrates, 'you are hereby sentenced to death, by the request of Dokas of the Lapwings.'

... Wait, you WHAT? In the farther distance, you can hear and feel a deeper rumble yet. The cavalry! The Sparrows are riding out in the dead of night!

What the *fuck* is going on?

> What do? You are probably surrounded!

>>27371638
Draw sword, charge out of tent attacking whoever is there. Shout as loud as we can for our men to wake up.

>>27371638
Draw weapon, run out of the tent to surprise them and raise the alarm.

>>27371666
>>27371691

There is only one thing to do. Standing in your tent, you yell 'MEN! TO ARMS!'

The response to that, however, is not noise but light; you begin seeing flashes, and then realise they are going to execute you by burning. Drawing your sword, you slash aside the tent flap, which flutters to your feet...

> Roll d20.

Rolled 13

>>27371805

Rolled 3

>>27371805

Rolled 12

>>27371805

Rolled 6

>>27371805

Rolled 18

>>27371805

Come on!

>>27371875

> 18: A blood-soaked success.

Before the tent flap has even fluttered past your waist, you have already charged out into an unsuspecting crowd, sword dancing in your hand. With a downward stroke, you hack the arm off the man who is setting light to your tent, and his scream as he falls back, blood spraying from his shoulder, alerts several others to your presence.

There are quite a lot more of them than you thought, and already three of the tents are on fire!

One man rushes you, sword cutting high, but you duck it and thrust upwards, following the junction of neck and shoulder so your blade slices a vast gap through his arteries. He stumbles back, unaware he is already killed, and then someone else kicks you on the side, but before he can follow it up with a spear thrust into your flank, you grab the spear with your left hand and hack his upper arm off. The spear suddenly falls dead.

The tents are now truly aflame, and you can spot a few shapes charging out here and there from them. Certainly not all of your people are out. But some are - you see Ferho, pulling his kishabra through an attacker's guts; and you see Sentar, his left sleeve on fire, as he snaps someone's neck with his bare hands.

'FUCK! FUCK!' He hollers, and slaps the flames out as a few men approach him. You, soaked in blood with three dead men around you, are clear for the moment. You could go to Sentar's assistance, or attempt to rouse those too drunk to leave the burning tents before they succumb to their fate.

'Quick! Kill them!'

Damnit.

> What do? Sentar and Ferho need help; you are fighting scattered, as are your assailants.

Rolled 4

>>27372028
Try to rouse more of our men.

>>27372028
Better yet, run to Sentar and Ferho and tell them to rouse the men and get them up to fight.

We will buy enough time for everyone to gather up.

Rolled 5

>>27372183
I like this one better.

>>27372028
Aid Sentar, then the men.

We need fully capable warriors at this moment, not half-druken sods.

>>27372183
This

>>27372362
>>27372364
>>27372368
>>27372183
>>27372103

'Sentar! Ferho!' Your orders are interrupted as a man barrels into you from your right, sending both of you to the ground. You struggle to get up but he pushes you back down, and as one hand presses against your throat he lunges for the kishabra you dropped.

Well, that would be pretty ironic, if you were killed by Mara's sword.

As you look up from your predicament, you see Sentar and Ferho running instead for you, even as the fire consumes their tents. 'No! Rouse the sleeping ones!'

Ferho runs off, and Sentar gives a running kick to your assailant which sends him flying, before someone slashes his back, eliciting a roar of pain. You scramble to your feet and see Ferho manage to drag just one person out, while all your remaining men gather. One of them plunges his dagger into Sentar's attacker from behind, and he twists as he falls to his knees.

Damn! There are just seven of you. The tents are collapsing; it is very unlikely anyone in them would still be alive. Better still, you can see that you are surrounded, in the fire-lit darkness. There must be about fifteen or twenty of them, and your people cram into a circle, back to back. You could break out towards the nearest camp exit, which is to the west. Or, since you don't see anyone reinforcing these attackers and the majority of the Sparrows are audibly riding away, you could break out the other way towards the east, and the Lapwings.

Or you could stand your ground until you've cut every single fucker down for killing five of your men treacherously. You glance at the flames of the collapsed tents. This is not what you led them out into.

> What do?

>>27372416
Where are our horses?

>>27372416
Stand our ground!

For too long have we been dictate to by these two tribes, now they shall feel the steel of our blade!!

After they are dead, we will take all that we can from this camp and leae these bastards behind, they have no honour anymore and we shall remember this.

>>27372416
Try to break away towards the Sparrow camps. Since all the men have apparently marched off to war or revelry, why don't we set their camp ablaze? Burn the women, rape the fields, and salt the houses!

>>27372469

If they haven't been untethered, which they might well be (the people would try to cut your escape), they would be near the main tent where you were. That's to the east, nearer the main entrance.

>>27372525
Then where are their horses?

>>27372472

This sounds about right! We will kill them, and loot their camp.

We seriously need to get Sentar at least a metal breastplate at some point.

>>27372416
Stand our ground and fight.

>>27372629
>>27372616
>>27372591
>>27372545
>>27372510
>>27372472

As you face the circling wolves, the cold night only adds to your rage. Dokas! It must have been the letter - why did he write the letter to have you killed?

'Sir,' one of your surviving lads pipes up, 'we should go out the back exit-'

'We go nowhere,' you growl in response. 'Form up.'

Neither your soldiers nor the attackers seem to have expected this, but you are a bit quicker. Within seconds, there are two lines of you, and you raise your kishabra and plunge towards the thickest part of the line. If you can draw more of them to you - and you are confident of your skills - then it will save your lads, and Ferho and Sentar as well...

> Roll d20.

Their horses are probably all being ridden elsewhere now - the cavalry is all out, after all. But since they must have spares in camp, they could be scattered everywhere in small groups, sleeping as horses do.

Also, you realise that the camp's population is beginning to be roused by both the cavalry moving off, and your brutal fight.

>>27372767

Actually, sorry: roll 2d20 instead.

Rolled 4

>>27372767

Rolled 20

>>27372767
Come on lucky number 20!

Rolled 1, 12 = 13

>>27372767
Death to all these bastards

Rolled 13, 4 = 17

>>27372803
>>27372767
I dislike this new post timer.

>>27372808
Well.....that just happened.

Rolled 3

>>27372808
My other Roll!

Rolled 20, 17 = 37

>>27372803

Fight!

>>27372873
Is this technically the best of the first 3?

>>27372889

we take 5 i think

>>27372873

> 20, 17: Well. This will be brutal.

Your charge proves to be unstoppable. Not expecting you to rush them, the cluster of people find themselves disadvantaged by being pressed close, and within a moment you are on them, hacking and swiping. The tip of your sword finds a jugular; you feel someone nick your right arm near the elbow, but before you turn round to him his shoulder has been cleft by Ferho's kishabra.

'VENGEANCE! VENGEANCE!' You holler, and your men following your desperate fight take up the yell as they spread out and fight like tigers. One, then another, then another are cut down before you, several even before they manage to raise their blades; Sentar gets a spear and a kishabra, laying about the survivors.

Pace by pace, you are leading the charge towards the main camp of the tent. The chief, you're pretty sure, is not in; but then his horses and valuables must be around there as well. Eventually the last two of your attackers are dispatched, one with a spear in the gut and the other nearly beheaded by your downward stroke, flopping lifelessly on the ground, and you push on, hearing the crowds as they realise who is among them.

'It's the intruders! They're fighting!'

The two bodyguards before the main tent compound are cut down mercilessly, hacked and hewn as they fall; and then you are within the temporary safety of the palisade. Amazingly, beside some small wounds, no one is seriously hurt. Tengari has given all your warband's luck to half of its members, it seems.

> What do? You're within the palisade. You can loot and ravage, or you can just grab horses and go...
> Or you could head elsewhere, like an exit or a store. But the camp is quite unfamiliar to you.

>>27373054
PHAT LEWT!

>>27373054
Loot and ravage, followed by horses and leaving

>>27373054
Oh we certainly are looting. Fuckers killed 5 of our brothers after all. Granted, we just annihilated a shit load of them, but its the principle of the thing.

Loot anything worthwhile and as much as we can carry. Burn the rest

>>27373054
Loot and ravage! Time to grad some horses, but I have the urge to make sure a certain noble pays for this.

>>27373140
I especially agree on the "burn the rest" part.

>>27373074
>>27373101
>>27373140
>>27373165

'Sir, out the exit?'

'No,' you growl. 'We take something for ourselves.' With that you turn and run up towards the main tent, where you can already hear the servants and dancers and musicians screaming as they realise who is coming towards them.

> Are you taking gold, women, horses? Any preferences?
> Roll 2d20 for looting.

Rolled 14, 1 = 15

>>27373224
Preference for gold and horses.

Rolled 15, 20 = 35

>>27373224
mainly horses and gold but if some of the men want to grab some women well then more power to them

>>27373224
Gold and horses would be the most useful.

As much as I feel to do something to the Dancers, they were most likely only doing as they were ordered to do. Plus I think we have enough honor to not mess with the women folk or servants.

Perhaps give warning to them though to not try to impede what we are doing. We have no intention of harming unarmed civilians, but we are in no mood for heroics

Rolled 13, 20 = 33

>>27373224
Gold? Yes. Women? maybe. Horses? Sure.

If we can find anything like weapons or armor that would also be nice.

Also since these might be the same women who were sent to lull us to sleep i'm almost thinking a little payback is in order. I hear the slave trade is still quite a thing.

Rolled 6, 13 = 19

>>27373302
forgot my rolls

>>27373302
>>27373260
>>27373290
>>27373319
>>27373323

> Gold, then Horses, then Women
> Also weapons and armour
> 20, 15: highly successful!

You barge into the main tent, where many of the dancers who entertained you and then disappeared - now wearing rather more frumpy and easy clothing - are huddled together, and they screech as you point your sword at them.

'The vaults and gold. Where are they? And where are the stables?'

Amid incessant sobbing, they point you to the store and the stables, and you lead the way to find horses. As the others scramble to find enough horses and spares to carry their loot, you come across a single specimen of a horse whose quality you immediately recognise. It is unremarkable in colour, roan with some black spots, but highly spirited. 'What's he called?' You say to a huddling servant boy.

'N... N-Northwind! Northwind, my lord, please don't hurt me!'

'Get out of here,' you mutter, and he scampers.

> Gained: Fine horse, Northwind! (crit success)

You take Northwind, and the horses, out into the open, and then find that Sentar and Ferho have fetched along with them several boxes of gold and silver, along with some fine-looking spears, bows and armour. Sentar has actually put on a breastplate now, with a round iron lens.

Also, you're quick to notice, the men have grabbed several of the prettier girls, who are now sobbing and panicked as they bind them and seat them on the horses. Right. The gate to the Lapwings is to the east; and to the southeast, you can see the trails of torches of the Sparrow main body. Better avoid that.

> What do now? The camp is mostly awake, but no one's really going to come and stop you now unless you attack them.

Rolled 3

>>27373524
Leave, I feel rather conflicted that we took their women but they used to to kill our men, it's not an even exchange but it will have to do

>>27373524

Should we torch the main tent? I think maybe yes.

>>27373524
let's gtfo and go towards that imperial fort

>>27373524
Let's go. Not thrilled we took the women, but i guess it was bound to happen.

Don't forget the burning. They were going to torch us so I suspect the smoke won't mean anything to the main body at this time.

Say a prayer for our dead brothers as we go too

>>27373524
Time to get out of here, but i'm conflicted on whether to head toward the fort and go for the snake that orchestrated this whole event.

>>27373730
I don't know if we have the manpower to take him now

>>27373524
Shout out and tell them to tell their chief to go fuck himself with a cactus.

>>27373698
>>27373704
>>27373593
>>27373662

> Last post for today. Need sleep now.
> Thanks for playing, everyone! Suggestions/questions/etc welcome, and will be noted in the next thread.

Having loaded up, you turn around and only then notice the crowd that has gathered around the palisade, silent and horrified. Most of them are young, or women; they could fight, but they have no intention of doing so. Your caravan of loot is ready.

'Torch the place, Sentar,' you say, and he complies gladly. Soon the main tent, and several of the tents around it, are all up in flames, and you ride through the crowd while they part for you. You know they fear you; you also know that they hate you, and that now you have done something that will not be reconcilable with the Sparrows for a long, long time yet.

But you don't care. As you get out the exit, the chill suddenly makes all your wounds seem to hurt a little more. You mutter a little prayer for your brothers, apologetic that this should be the fate you led them too.

'Please, please just let us go,' the dancing girls behind cry and plead, tied to their saddles. Never mind let them go. Where will *you* go, with your 7 men?

> Heading south will take you to Nienshari Fort. But the Sparrow cavalry stand in your way.
> Heading east will take you closer to the Lapwings. You notice, to your surprise, that there are flames licking the sky on their side as well. Something has happened, certainly.
> Or you can head elsewhere, though it's a valley and mostly you'll be crossing hills...

>>27373794

> Or would you like to make the decision on where to go now, before I end the thread? It's one more post, I could do it...

> Fucking 60 second limit!

>>27373794
fuck it let's go east and get some payback and maybe some recruits

>>27373794
What's to the North? Back the way we came?

>>27373794
Time to head east!

>>27373837

North is the way you came, yes. You travelled along the Hurulun southwards to get here.

>>27373866
Wasn't there a way that we passed up that avoided passing through the Sparrow/Lapwing lands? That's the way that Savas would've had to have gone.

>>27373794
I say head east, but keep enough distance to see what's up but stay easily hidden.

I still don't like bringing these dancers along. Mainly cause it seems wrong, but also cause now we got extra mouths to feed and watch.

>>27373876

Yeah but that is many days off.

>>27373896
>>27373845
>>27373834

Staring at the burning tent on the Lapwing camp, you wonder what might have happened exactly. Perhaps it was Dokas, that treacherous man, who had made his move early? Or perhaps it was an accident?

Well, either way. After being sent on a suicide mission by him, you know what you want. Killing your Sparrow assailants is one thing; but Dokas, having instigated it, is the true culprit. After a while more of musing, you turn around.

'For Tengari's sake, let those bloody dancers go.'

'What, sir?'

'LET THEM GO. We are heading for battle. They will be a burden.'

As the desperate thanks and gratitude pour from them and fade into the background, you turn to look at your two wounded comrades. Ferho had said nothing about the gash in his thigh, but there it is, slowly leaking blood even after being bound. 'Will we head east, sir? I'm guessing taht is your intention?'

'Yes.'

'We haven't the men to avenge ourselves properly now.'

'We'll just have to think of a way then,' you say, and ride, motioning for them to follow.

> What do when you get across the river? It's late, late at night now; the sky is beginning to turn blue with the incoming sun.

> Right. Done for real now. Suggestions/Questions/etc. welcome!

>>27374010
I'm glad to see you questing again man. I really enjoyed Nobleman and Psychic Hobo.

>>27374010
Thanks for running. Can't wait till next time.

Thinking ahead, yeah, there isn't much we can do to them with 7 men. Well, head on, in any case.