Yes!

Been looking forward to this!!

>>27519382

> Bloody hell, that birthday hat does throw me.

Nienshari Pass and its buildings have yielded up many treasures, but most of all is the security of a camp from which you can raid. Yet the surroundings have been quite disappointing, in terms of pickings. The county of Nienshari is poor, and made poorer still by the mysterious withdrawal of its garrisons; the forts lay empty, potential harbours for criminals of all sorts, and there are only a few villages left, all of which are hastily fortifying themselves any way they can.

And now, at the head of 15 men and with Sentar by your side, you are approaching one such village. Ferho's forces, another 15 men, are just a short distance behind you, ready to spring that old trap of the Talon Formation - one wing rushing forth with a flurry of arrows, luring the enemy to charge before the other wing flanks them and shoots their steeds to the ground.

The village sits on a mound, however, centred around a huge and old elm tree, and the villagers have seen you coming. Before Ferho can even move off into another position, they have sounded the alarm, and the villagers are hastily evacuating towards the southwest, away from your people and towards rougher terrain in the hills.

'Brother, what exactly did we intend to do with these people?' Sentar asks, placing an arrow in his lap. 'Should I loose a whistler?'

> What say? What were your plans in approaching this village?
> You're in no particular hurry - the villagers are mostly on foot, and you will have to sit a long, long while before they are safe from your pursuit.

>>27519463

> Welcome!
> Also, apologies for the Wiki being a bit bare bones. I will flesh it out.

>>27519503

We were not about to attack! Our plan was to talk to them.

We should catch up with them and tell them that.

>>27519671
But try and catch up in a way that doesn't look like we're herding them.

Unless you think a bit of herding might make them feel co-operative.

We should approach with peace, these are near to use and we will rely on these people for food and support

>>27519699
>>27519671

You quickly stop Sentar. 'No, no, we're not here to fight anyone. Loosing an arrow makes it look like we're about to fight.'

Instead, someone is sent off to talk to Ferho and get him to follow you directly, while your men ride on towards the village. As you approach, passing the clouds of dust that the villagers are kicking up, you can see that there are at least 80, maybe 100, people huddled together and trying to leave the village right now. This is the height of stupidity! If they had stayed in, their hovels might protect them; but now, struggling and walking in the open, they are more defenceless than a herd of lambs.

Riding on ahead of your men, you close the distance quickly, and can hear their panic increase as they realise the futility of trying to outrun steppe-sons. 'Hey! Hey! We are here to talk!'

Just as you finish shouting, however, you can see the glint of sharp tools being brought out. What - are they planning to fight or something? A glance to your left shows that Ferho's men are rushing up, ready to reinforce you.

> What do? They seem to be forming up now, out in the open, which is still dumb.
> Your men, meanwhile, have formed up around you, which is perhaps more wise.

>>27519805

> Actually, first roll d20 for perception.

>>27519805
Unless they have bows, which we'd have seen surely(?) they're no threat to us at range, just send someone to get a little closer to try and talk them down? Approaching as a horde is bound to set off nerves.

Rolled 60

>>27519884

Rolled 17

>>27519884

Rolling.

Rolled 14

>>27519884

My bad

>>27519891

This. In fact we should go out ourselves. Shows our bravery to our own men too.

Rolled 9

>>27519805

Rolled 5

>>27519913
Wow, 60/20

Rolled 13

>>27519973
This

I thought the plan was to split up with Ferho and his men, sending him around one way to tell villages they're now under our protection while we go another way.

>>27520017
>>27520023
>>27519922
>>27519891
>>27519973

> 17: Success!

'Men, spread out,' you tell your soldiers quietly, and they do, forming up into a single line. Then, to their surprise, you begin riding forward alone, watching them carefully as you do so.

What you see is quite surprising, actually. While the people before you are no doubt Imperial peasants, their formation is... actually really impressive. Running in an even line, all around the huddle of women and children in the centre, are men with pitchforks and rakes and even sharpened sticks, all lowered to head height and facing outwards.

More impressively, you notice, they have their polearms braced against their feet and their bodies braced against the people behind them. These people have certainly received training against the charges of cavalry, if not quite against the tactics of the steppe-sons; you could simply shoot them down.

Still, you continue to approach them alone, and soon you are just twenty paces from the hedge of polearms. The fear on the peasants' faces is palpable, as is that of the people behind them. Then one of them finally yells out from his place on the line, waving his pitchfork at you.

'What do you want, you damned bandit? What do you want? We have nothing more we can give, you bastards!'

> What say? You can tell the line looks determined to hold. Before wives and children there is no such thing as a coward, after all.

>>27520080
I'm sure someone more verbose than me will type up a better answer, the general sentiment is, we want to be best friends forever.

We want you to live your life in peace. We will protect you and make sure your children grow. We will protect you. What we ask is you to provide food for us and we will protect you and your families.

>>27520080
"I am Esalar, the leader of my band. We have come to put an end to the bandit raids in this area, and return safety to the roads. In exchange, whatever taxes owed to the Empire will now be owed to us."

Hopefully somebody else types up something a bit better.

>>27520080

We will give you security in exchange for your support. We mean your village no harm at all.

>>27520138
I types the one before this, let's put both together:)

>>27520080
"I'm Esalar, leader of the warband that currently garrisons the fortress of Nienshari Pass in service to the empire."
"Your survival is of best interest to us as well and as such I believe I should have a talk with the head of the village."

>>27520182
>>27520190
>>27520114
>>27520119
>>27520138
>>27520168

In reply to the man who yells at you, you simply ride up a few more paces, and hear the audible murmur as the men facing you level their weapons even more. You can even hear what they're saying now; you can hear the children crying, while packed in the centre of the formation.

'I am Esalar,' you say in your rather broken Imperial, 'I am leader of men currently sit in Nienshari Pass.'

To your surprise, the mention of you occupying Nienshari Pass only seems to make them more agitated. You can now hear their conversation going from 'bandit' to 'bloody barbarians'. Thanks, people! But it's nothing to rattle you, so you continue. 'I am here to stop robbing in this place. I make you all safe. I protect you and your woman and childs. In exchange, I want support.'

The initial looks of uncomprehension at your little speech make you curse inwardly. Should have brought Bena with you or something! Looks like you need to get her to talk to you in Imperial as well now, to practice. But then soon they begin tittering, as your sheer lack of skill at their language becomes evident.

'Did he say childs? Childs! Pffft!'

'I want speak to old man! Old head of village!'

It takes a short while before you hear something really unexpected - a voice from among them, but speaking your language. 'Esalar! Get off your horse and we will talk!'

It doesn't sound like an elder of the village either. You glance back. If you got off your horse, Sentar might take it as a threat and rush you. Looking in the huddle, you think you can see the young man who called out to you.

> What do/say?

>>27520257
"A steppe-son does not dismount his horse on the field! Approach me and we will talk."

Rolled 10

>>27520257
Dis mount but have your men keep eye

>>27520257
If they break formation to come lynch us, they'll literally be sitting ducks for the rest of the cavalry.

I'd say dismounting is a safe option.

>>27520288
This

>>27520288

This! Or he comes out first, then we dismount.

>>27520257
Ask him to step out to meet you.

>>27520257
"Who speaks in the tongue of the steppe-sons? Show yourself!"

Best not to be too accommodating to these people, show them that we are the one in charge here.

>>27520257
"I shall not dismount for a man who hides himself, step forward."

>>27520288
>>27520305
>>27520329
>>27520346
>>27520368
>>27520377
>>27520380

Dismount? Right before a bunch of scared men waving their long sticks at you? You concede to leading Northwind back a few steps - this horse really is obedient, and what a beautiful blue roan it is - but stay firmly in your saddle.

'Who dares ask a steppe-son to dismount when facing battle? Come out, and call off your arms, or I will remain in my saddle!'

The voice - yes, it is indeed that young man you saw - quickly changes to Imperial. 'People! Lay up, lay it up! Spears at rest!' Then, as the rather bewildered peasants look at each other and begin to comply, he shoves and pushes his way up front, walking outside the perimeter of his villagers to face you. Oh well.

You sigh and get off your horse. 'I'm here to announce that your men are under my protection now.'

'Under your protection? But you are half a day away in Nienshari, and the bandits are rife and already gathering.' He gestures at the men, then turns around and yells at them to dismiss and go talk to their wives. 'I have been drilling them in the spear formation, fearing the worst. Everyone comes to tell them they are under 'protection', and every time they only find themselves robbed, their women taken for toys. You'll pardon them - and me - if they are rather suspicious of you.'

'Well then, how can I help them to not be suspicious?' You look at the man as he considers his answer. He looks quite unlike all the rest of the peasants; his clothes are old, but definitely of good cloth, and you even see a little ornament tucked into his sash that's made of white jade. He's not from around here, is for sure.

'Well. I think they'd say, if you could clear some bandits around the rocky areas to the east, that'd go some way. But if you ask me, this position is untenable for a village. We may have the high ground, but it is simply too isolated and unsafe...'

He does sound genuinely concerned for these villagers.

> What do/say?

>>27520488
Ask him if he knows Bena, or if he knows a certain Prefect (Was that his title? I forget) who was banished to this area.

>>27520511

Good point. This.

Also, where are the bandits?

>>27520488
Try and find out how many bandits we'd be expecting?

Ideally try and get him to ride with us to kill some bandits, so we can get a better read on him and so, he can see us wrecking the bandits (a demonstration of power, and a way to be nice).

>>27520488
Tell him that if he moved the village closer to our fortress, we would be better able to protect them and they would be able to repay our protection through serving us, surely that would be preferable to being constantly pillaged?

> Okay, actually, I'm going to take a shower and freshen up.

> See you in 15 minutes.

>>27520600
This looks good, plus ask information about bandits

I think our steppes style Will smash all bandits. We could ask for volunteers amongst the locals to take out the bandits, we use the locals as the bait, and we smash the bandits

>>27520780
>>27520511
>>27520551
>>27520558
>>27520600

Seeing an Imperial who is possibly of the literate gentry class, you are immediately reminded of Bena's father, who supposedly has been exiled here. But for the moment you have more urgent concerns.

'Bandits? Where and how many of them are there?'

The young man gestures towards the east. 'They've gathered and taken over a military depot. There must be about 50 of them - nothing compared to the two bands that currently terrorise this county. But if your men can lure them into open country, then they will be so many sheep.'

Here's a man who knows a thing or two about war. You ask him his name - he says it is Podere - and then ask if he wants to follow you in your little bandit-extermination mission. 'We could bring back some heads to show these people,' you say, 'and then we can persuade them to move closer to Nienshari.'

The look of surprise crossing Podere's face gives you some satisfaction; you've managed to guess his intentions correctly. It also brings you memories of Dokas' look when you gave him your plan. Well, now you know these things better. Podere smiles.

'Certainly,' he nods. 'I will come and meet you on the hill. Please allow me to dismiss the villagers.'

You ride back to Sentar and Ferho and tell them what's happened; both of them break into grins. 'Oh, for once we're the ones starting the bloodshed!' Sentar says.

> Cont'd.

>>27520858

Their enthusiasm seems a little more wary when Podere rides up the hill towards you people, on a swaybacked horse that clearly had been used to drag ploughs. The way Imperials treat horses is criminal, really; you look at the poor, tired-looking mare and pat its mane, smiling as she seems to enjoy it.

Even in its miserable state, the mare suffices to carry Podere the relatively short distance to the camp. Meanwhile, you ask him if he knows about a Prefect, a governor of a prefecture, who had been exiled here years ago.

'Oh, this is the northern frontier, Esalar.' Sentar bristles as he addresses you by your name. 'Officials get exiled here all the time. This is what the frontier's *for*.'

'But a prefect... from the southwest?' You rack your brain. Bena must be around 18 or 19, so... 'about ten years ago?'

'If you are talking about Korin the Old Man...' Podere nods. 'Yes. Yes I know he is still alive. But I do not really know where he is now. He is probably not in this county at all, in fact... also, we're almost there.'

Podere leads you on a path which gives you an excellent vantage point of the tower. An expanse of flat ground lies between the hill you're on, and the hill the tower is on.

> Roll d20.

Rolled 3

>>27520938

Rolled 20

>>27520938

Rollan

Rolled 11

>>27520938
Rollan

Rolled 13

We should introduce bena to him

Rolled 4

>>27520938
This guy doesn't seem to much respect for us, or at least isn't at all intimidated.

>>27520979
OOOH YEEAH

>>27520979
Nice

>>27520979

> Tengari be thanked! The tactical situation is superbly favourable!

You almost cannot believe what you're seeing with your eyes when Podere first guides you to the edge of the forest to scout out the tower; and when you turn around you can see Ferho and Sentar barely believing their luck either.

The bandits are having some sort of festival right now, on this sunny day! The tower's gates, of solid wood, are wide open; smoke is curling and rising from the tower itself, as if some intense cooking is going on. But most of all, seats have been laid out on the grassy field right in front of the tower, and you can almost hear singing coming from there. Here and there, in the grass, are bandits who have simply lay down and are lying motionless.

'This... this is perfect!' Podere says.

'Brother, let's have at them! Come on, come on!' Sentar cracks his knuckles. Even with your current suspicion, you... you really can't spot a trap. What could they be celebrating?

> What do?
> Arrange your forces accordingly, and then lay out your plan and give instructions.

> About the terrain: there is a rather steep, but ridable, slope down onto the field where the bandits are currently partying and snoozing. Then there is another slope, gentler this time, which leads up into the tower itself.

> The tower is about 9 or 10 metres high, pretty formidable, but it doesn't look guarded at all. Neither is the low wall around it, as far as you can see.

>>27521082
Arrange our archers at the top of the slope, and then let our arrows blot out the sun.

>>27521082
Send ten men down the gentler slope to attack the tower. When we see them reach the bottom (but before they reach the tower) the rest of the men and us will charge the bandits in the field.

>>27521113

This sounds good. Hopefully the men can capture the tower easily.

>>27521113
This. With the condition that if we think the advance group has been spotted, we just charge them anyway.

>>27521165
This

>>27521107

Unfortunately you have only 30 archers, so blotting out the sun isn't quite possible at this stage. You *do* have a shitload of arrows to shoot them down with, though!

>>27521113
>>27521133
>>27521165

You pick ten men with the fastest horses, and let Ferho lead that wing. 'Circle around on the slope and rush the tower! The rest of us will charge when we see you close by.'

'Certainly, brother!' With a rush of hooves, your men ride off, and you watch them while Podere and Sentar keep an eye on the bandits, hoping they will remain unaware. It doesn't quite work that way. Ferho's men are still a good hundred paces from the tower when you can tell that people have seen them. Oh well!

'People!' You draw Mara's kishabra. 'CHARGE!'

It is an impressive sight - twenty steppe-sons and a man on a poor horse brandishing his sword, charging down a steep slope at the bandits. Your appearance, of course, drives all doubt from the bandits' minds; but as they struggle to get up and get organised, you are already on the field, cutting to your left and right. You hack down one bandit, then decapitate another who drunkenly attempts to stab you with a spear.

But then you hear screams from the field, and it quickly becomes clear that there are many mixed among the bandits who are not in fact bandits - men serving drinks, dancing girls. Ferho's men have reached the gate of the tower, where they stand close to the wall, awaiting your movements. It seems he, too, has seen the civilians.

> Spare the innocents! Hold the fighting!
> Continue fighting, but be careful.
> Kill the lot! They are collaborating with the bandits!
> Other.

>>27521317
>Continue fighting, but be careful.
Some civilian casualties are acceptable but lets keep them to a minimum.

>>27521317
Kill anyone holding a weapon, or who tries to fight. Round the rest up.

>>27521317
Spare the innocents, scream that we have the field, If anyone wishes to challenge us we will fley them all, or we
Will challenge their leader..

>>27521341
this

>>27521341
Second, we are a thoughtful warlord, but a warlord all the same.

>>27521317
>> Continue fighting, but be careful.

Continue with our advantage while trying to spare any civilians as we can question them later to determine if they shall be spared.

>>27521341
>>27521358
>>27521375
>>27521379
>>27521381
>>27521395

'People!' You yell, attempting to be heard over the din of battle. 'Watch the unarmed!'

By now you are almost halfway across the field, rolling up and corralling the remaining bandits - and many of the civilians as well. Sentar leads the advance, continuously hollering what you yelled, to be careful and hold the bows. Just as you pause to consider the situation, however, you sense a movement behind you...

... and you turn to see a bandit, crawling from under a woman's body. He is so quick that, by the time you wheel around to show your right side to him, he has run up and is jumping in the air at you, sword posed to strike, his face curled in a grimace.

> Roll d20!!
> The battle seems to be won now, amid more screaming and the whinnying of horses.

Rolled 5

>>27521473
Come on!

Rolled 13

>>27521473

Rolled 20

>>27521473
Dem reflexes

>>27521515
YES

>>27521515
Clearly we are 2fast2furious for him.

Rolled 12

>>27521515
cute

>>27521515
>capture furious great

>>27521515

> 20: It seems Tengari is making you a bandit slayer.

Almost without thinking, you simply act. Your body tenses, leaning forwards to close yourself into the bandit's sweep; then your right hand, holding your kishabra blade-up, simply pulls in, using simply the strength of your arm to draw the blade in an upward arc.

All you can see from that is the glint of your sword, then a spray of blood and the arm detaching cleanly from your assailant's shoulder. The next thing you know, the man has barrelled into you, nearly knocking you off the horse; but you twist aside and let him fly over your pony, spraying blood all over you as he plunges headfirst into the ground.

Then you remember to draw breath, and look. He is still twitching and thrashing, attempting to crawl away, but you reach down and open his jugular with a subtle movement, hearing him gurgle before he slumps in a pool of his own blood.

And just like that, your first battle in the Empire has been won. You ride up to join your brothers, who are shocked at your blood-drenched appearance, and then tell them to clean up - kill the mortally wounded, and capture everyone properly, dragging them up to the tower.

Before long, you are within the tower, where Ferho has been doing a little searching of his own for the bandits' loot. Prisoners are being brought in all the while, some bandits, some probably normal folk. The place still smells like cooking; Ferho tells you there's a hog being roasted inside. 'Someone's tending to it,' he smiles. 'We'll have lunch here.'

> Marvellous victory! 2 men are wounded, but not seriously; no one is dead.
> You count 14 bandits killed, and their heads are taken.

> Roll 3d20 for your gains.
> What do with the prisoners?

>>27521658

Also, unbidden, Podere offers his opinion on the prisoners.

'By law, they ought to be sent over to the County Magistrate,' he says. 'To do so would be to admit his authority, naturally.'

>>27521658
Take them back with us, we use slaves because we are a warlord.

Rolled 9, 20, 8 = 37

>>27521658

Rolled 10, 6, 1 = 17

>>27521658
>>27521688
If the Magistrate is the law in these parts, then he would be the one removing the bandit. It would seem that currently, we are the only ones with respect enough for order to try and restore it, so justice will be delt out by me.

That said I dunno, anyone obviously a bandit should probably be enslaved, i'm pretty content with freeing anyone who seemed to be enslaved/coerced into serving the bandits into the care of or reintegration with the village.

>>27521658

Separate the men from the women, send the men to the county magistrate, keep the women for ourselves.

Rolled 3, 13, 20 = 36

>>27521658
Take the non-combatants to the village and ask if they need the extra manpower.
Surviving bandits become slaves and will be sold to the Empire.

Rolled 11, 2, 20 = 33

>>27521658
Looting, my fav part
>>27521688
In the times of war, their sentence is death, no magistrate needed.

>>27521705
I forgot to roll

>>27521792

To much wine..

> I really want to comment on the dice. But that would be jinxing it.

> NOTHING IS WRONG OR UNUSUAL!

Rolled 7, 20, 7 = 34

Far to much wine :\

File: 1380661639068.jpg-(119 KB, 442x439, Oh god yes.jpg)

119 KB JPG

>>27521832
>>27521785
>>27521782
>>27521714

Rolled 17, 11, 17 = 45

>>27521820
if im correct theres 4 of nothing unusual for the loot, what will we find, no one knows

>tfw we use up all our luck now and roll <10 for the rest of the campaign

It's been known to happen.

Rolled 18, 10, 9 = 37

>>27521658
Civilians should be interrogated to determine if they are from the village we visited and if not where they are from.

Bandits should get one of two choices. 1) They can serve us in some capasity for a number of years (lets say ten) and if in that time they prove usefull they made be considered free men and women again. If they don't accept those therms then they get choice 2) Execution.

File: 1380661851246.jpg-(6 KB, 300x168, daft.jpg)

6 KB JPG

Rolled 6, 11, 15 = 32

>>27521886
NO, the luck is here to stay !

>>27521919
>>27521909
>>27521886
Guys! Shhhh, don't jinx it! And take your dice off! Lets not tempt fate.

>>27521785
>>27521782
>>27521714
>>27521832

> Four crits within 5 rolls.
> Well, let's see why the bandits are partying...

You look over the bandits, or at least the people caught bearing arms. You've managed to capture about thirty of them, which is more than half the band. Podere's words ring in your ears as you consider them.

'If the Magistrate wants authority,' you say, 'why is he not here doing the fighting himself?'

Podere looks down and says nothing, but just as you're about to consider either enslaving or killing the lot of them, you hear Sentar and Ferho both yelling for you from inside the tower. Everyone looks up, and you quickly hurry over, going up the steps to find both of them gawping at an opened trapdoor.

> cont'd.

Rolled 1, 3, 8 = 12

>>27521951
GOOODIES !!!

>>27522001
See! Take your dice off! You've gone and used up all the luck!

>>27521951

'Brother!' Sentar says, then nods inside.

'What, what's this-' you stop at the edge of the hole and reach out to grip Sentar so as not to fall in. Not that falling in would have caused you much injury, seeing as the normally deep cellar is stuffed up to two feet from the trapdoor with-

'Is this seriously silver?' You reach down and grab the cold ingots. YES. 'Silver!'

'A lot of it is also gold!' The whole pit! Is filled, with gold, silver, and jewellery!

Trying to keep your calm as you go out to get more men and help with the unloading, you then notice that the bandits have been dragged away, and that you are now faced with some forty men and women, many of whom are sobbing as your men surround them. The men, about ten of them, look pretty strong and muscular. As for the girls, you have not seen so many pretty girls in one place outside of a great tribal Kurundai.

'Please, sir, don't harm us...' a few of them say, looking down and shivering on their knees as you descend the steps.

'Where... did all of you come from? And that-' you suddenly remember why you're here, and tell some of your men to go shift the loot. 'The stuff in the cellar?'

'It's from Master's caravan,' a girl with a particularly elaborate headdress says, forcing herself to be calm. Is that a real pearl hanging from her hair? 'We were in a caravan, with Master's riches, when the bandits came upon us. The guards... the guards disappeared.'

'Master?'

'Master Komu,' she says, and Podere gasps.

'Komu are a great clan of the northeast,' he murmurs. 'Must be spiriting away some of their wealth ahead of the rebels...'

> It is afternoon when they shift all the loot. You estimate it to be worth about 5,500 taels.
> *Now*, what do with the prisoners? Forty civilians, including thirty very pretty dancing girls, and twenty bandits.

it's ok cause it wasn't linked to an action thankfully

>>27522087
Kill the bandits.
Fuck the girls.
Set the civilians free, letting them know their best chance of survival is to join the village under your protection.

I don't know what to do with the money.

>>27522087
Bandits either killed or enslaved, civilians come with us, we'll give them the same protection for service terms as the villagers.

>>27522087

> Also, let's not forget the considerable quantity of drink you have obtained. The earthen jars are enormous, and the liquor feels like getting punched in the head by Sentar. Unexpectedly.

> You'll sort out the more prominent items when you get to look at the loot more closely.

>>27522087
we could always use strong hands in our new stronghold, and am sure we can find the use for the girls aswell

>>27522087
I think we should take the bandits as slaves back to the fort. Give the civilian men the option of joining our warband, but don't force them to join. Tell the women they are free to join us in the fort as free women, although they'll be expected to cook and entertain and et cetera.

>>27522165
Oh, and tell Sentar to get together a few strong, loyal men to guard and shift the loot.

>>27522087
The bandits will serve us until they have earned their freedom and tell the civilians that they are under our protection and if they would like to help us in our mission in clearing out bandits all are welcome.

Also, we should see if there is a leader figure among the bandits.

We don't have enough men to guard the bandits, trusting them is stupid. Kill them.

;_;

>>27522176
>>27522175
>>27522165
>>27522150
>>27521909
>>27521785
>>27521782
>>27521739
>>27521737

All right. From what I see, the general consensus appears to be:

> Enslave the bandits.
> Offer the civilians the opportunity to stay, under your protection. (40 of them would make a village in itself, even without the people in Podere's village.)

Is this acceptable to most people? Any vehement objections?

>>27522261
Maybe kill a few of the bandits, the strongest and most defiant looking ones, to cow the rest into submission.

>>27522261
Works for me.

>>27522261
yer, we roll wiv that

>>27522259

He has a point.

>>27522296

This one sounds like an idea. Kill five to show we won't hesitate to kill the rest. Then take them back and use as slaves.

>>27522261
Works for me.

>>27522296
I wouldn't be opposed to killing any bandit that looked like a leader.

>>27522261
Works for me
But let the bandits join us if they wish, we make them prove their loyalty somehow..

>>27522324
You could offer them slavery or death and kill any who make a fuss.

>>27522353
>join us
I wouldn't waste a good horse on a common bandit.

>>27522356
>>27522353
>>27522335
>>27522329
>>27522324
>>27522323
>>27522301
>>27522296
>>27522261

You walk up to the bandits and pick out a rather burly man who immediately begins hurling insults at you. When you are close enough, he attempts to headbutt you, jumping with his knees; you simply grab his head, keeping well clear of his hollering mouth, and run your dagger along the side of his throat.

His hollering stops, replaced by the screams of many of the girls, and you hold him as his struggles weaken before he falls, splashing in his blood. You look at the bandits. 'If any of you dares fight me, look at him.'

They don't object as they are dragged to their feet and tied to each other. You tell Ferho to lead half your men, along with the horses loaded with loot, to ride back for Nienshari before it gets too dark. Wouldn't want to get caught out with 19 dangerous new slaves, and 15 horses loaded with gold...

'Certainly, Brother.' You watch the convoy move slowly out the tower gate.

> Cont'd.

>>27522261
I think we should first take them to the village and offer them the choice between slavery or swift death.

Those who choose slavery shall be sold to the empire.
The money goes to the fort until we can figure out if it's owners are massive douchebags.

>>27522434

The business of the money done, you go over to the civilians, who begin screaming and huddling. Even the men look ashen. Only two girls, the apparent leader and another girl with long, dark red hair, remain in place.

'You cowards!' The redhead turns to her colleagues. 'We have done nothing wrong! We have nothing to fear! Shut up and sit up straight! You are Imperials!'

'Be quiet, you,' the leader says softly to the redhead.

You take the chance and step up as the girls, still sniffling, return to their positions. 'She's right. You've done nothing wrong, and have nothing to fear. I mean you no harm.'

'Then release our bonds, good sir,' the leader says, looking up at you with large, dark eyes. Are those eyelashes real? Dear Tengari... 'if we are not prisoners with a crime, let us walk free.'

'If you promise to join me. We are based at Nienshari Pass. You will be safe there with us.'

'Will we be safe from your men?' The redhead asks. But it seems that the general consensus is clear; all the civilians are nodding among each other, saying it'd be better to be in Nienshari than out here...

'Sir,' Podere suddenly addresses you respectfully, 'ought I go gather my villagers?'

> What do/say to the redhead?
> What do afterwards? They seem quite willing, depending on promises, to join you. You could head back to base, or go elsewhere with a smaller body to do... whatever.

>>27522518
I'd like to take stock of our increased manpower, and try establish a permanent settlement somewhere for the commoners, and make sure our hoard is properly secured before moving out.

Tell the chick whatever.

>>27522518
we may as well head back to base this was a good first strike on the over all bandit issue

>>27522518

Let Poder go.

We promise the girl, sure, then take them back.

>>27522553

This is a good point. We need to build the village.

>>27522518
My men's loyalty to his brothers is far greater than his carnal passions, you will not be taken advantage of while under our protection, but we will expect service from you in return.

>>27522518
I say we promise her safety and mean it
Afterwards go back to the stronghold and send few men wiv horses to help the villagers move.

I think we should keep our slaves and the civilians seperate for future reference.

There needs to be a very clear off-limits area where our slaves are kept.

>>27522679
>>27522633
>>27522613
>>27522583
>>27522564
>>27522553

You simply nod to let Podere go, only to see him walk out into the battlefield to gather heads with which to impress the villagers. Well, at least he has foresight...

'I will ensure your safety. My men will not touch you, and if they do, I will deal with them properly.' You turn back to your men. 'And I *mean* that.'

'Yes, brother! Of course, brother!' They seem a little amused that you needed to add the clarification.

You haven't any more spare horses with which to let so many civilians ride, so they have no choice but to march instead. This slows down the entire column, but at least you have sent scouts forward, who soon come back to tell you that the coast is clear.

'Almost too clear actually, sir. The whole area is desolate.'

This is quite sad. Podere's people would probably take a long time to come over, as well. You ride on slowly in the gradually darkening day, and then look to your right to see the redhead stubbornly attempting to keep pace with you, walking briskly.

> What do/say? You're almost halfway to the fort; it will be evening by the time you get there, probably.
> Roll d20.

Rolled 19

>>27522724

>>27522679
Well presumably our vassals will be living in settlements close to, but not actually in, our fortress while our slaves will be in secure quarters inside the fortress.

Rolled 14

>>27522724
Slow down and find out what she needs

Rolled 3

>>27522724
I guess ask her who she/why she's so sassy to a man who just slaughtered her captors/employers/probably rapists.

Rolled 4

>>27522724

Rolled 12

>>27522724

>>27522749
Yea, that's what I was going at basically.
Having unaccounted personnel hanging about in the fortress is a security risk, not to mention it'll actually hamper the effectiveness of the troops if an emergency happens.

>>27522842
>>27522747

> 19: Safe and smooth passage.

>>27522750
>>27522755

The redhead's presence is interrupting your thoughts on how to organise Nienshari. A little arithmetic shows that your herds... no, sorry, your new governed population will come up to around 120 or 130 people. This will require a pretty large village, possibly near the Hurulun, certainly near Nienshari.

And the slaves? Nienshari fort itself certainly has no lack of cellars and store-rooms. But do you really want to keep that many dangerous men at hand? Just assigning people to ensure they do not fight or escape would be a drain. You like moving fast; slaves would weigh you down.

'What do you want?' You look at the redhead, who looks directly at you. She really is an aggressive girl.

'What will you do with us?'

'I told you. You are under protection.'

'So you are conquering us? Settling us?'

'Yes.'

'Are you a rebel? Do you intend to overthrow the Empire? They would never tolerate a barbarian like you occupying a fortress.'

'You really have little fear of death, girl.'

'I've seen death,' she says. 'I've seen worse.'

It's almost sunset now.

> Do/say anything to this girl?
> Or we shall timeskip to Nienshari. Your passage is safe and unhampered.

Rolled 4

>>27522895
"What have you've seen girl?"

>>27522895

Tell her she hopefully won't be seeing death or worst now. Her hardest work would be building houses for herself.

Then we timeskip. We should sell those slaves, actually. Then throw a party.

Rolled 18

>>27522895
Timeskip, and tell the bitch to shut it

>>27523007
this sounds good

Rolled 4

>>27523071
But I kind of want to see what she knows or experience to give us better insught

>>27523111
>>27523071
>>27523063
>>27522984
>>27523007

You glance down at the girl, then back at the bunch of people. Hmm. You might as well take the bait. 'What have you seen?'

'We ran from the northeast. When the rebels took the city, they herded the men into warehouses, and set them on fire. We could smell the burning flesh from two miles away. The women were dragged elsewhere and used. Thousands jumped into the canals so that wouldn't happen. And they drifted past us as well, all bloated in the water.' She shrugs. 'You don't frighten me, barbarian.'

Was she attempting to scare you? Certainly your chuckle and nod was not what she was expecting from you, not that you care. 'Well, Tengari willing, you will see none of that now. You will have to work and build a village, though.'

> Timeskip

When you're almost at Nienshari, you run into Ferho and the loot, and so everyone enters the fortress together. Hucan has posted guards, and comes out to greet you - and to gawp at what you've brought back.

'Sir, this...'

'Bandit loot,' you reply. 'Ours now.'

You quickly execute your plan. Five guards are posted for now to watch the nineteen men, who are bundled into a cellar, with the only access being a narrow staircase. The gold and silver is brought in; the civilians are also brought in for the time being, but kept in a group of separate apartments.

Podere and his people are clearly not here yet. It's late at night now, but you are too excited to sleep.

> What do for the evening?
> Also, any plans for the three days until the next ten-day turn?
> Manpower summary incoming.

>>27523174

> Manpower summary:

> 42 soldiers (Steppe Horse Archers)
> 160 civilians (120 villagers from Podere's village, 40 captives)
> 19 slaves (former bandits)

> Commanders: Ferho, Sentar, Hucan
> Retinue: Bena, Podere
> Supply levels: Plentiful (While grain supplies can last about half a month more, there's no shortage of game and hunting in the north, now that the Sparrows and Lapwings have both disappeared.)

> You can get to know people by going to talk to them personally.

Rolled 18

>>27523174
Consult our brothers on what to do with the bandits and brainstorm on where and how to set up a village

>>27523174

Let's have a party!

Get the girls to dance, and break out those drinks.

>>27523174
Too excited to sleep? Sounds like time we could use to study more.

Well that or we can visit our new slaves and pick out a leader amongst them. If we can work out an understanding "maybe" we won't have to worry about them.

>>27523314

Let's go with this. We almost have level 1 literacy.

>>27523314
I third this.
The faster we learn this the faster we can read those books and the more we can learn.

>>27523174
As for plans for the next three days we should plan out how the village will be built with the villagers.

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>>27519382
>tfw when OP's quest is eerily similar to one you've been working on, right down to the army system.
God damnit it, now I'm going to be "that quest that's like Warlord only worse".

Well what the hell.
>Study
We is educated gentleman.

>>27523388
>>27523207
>>27523287
>>27523314
>>27523335

You gather your commanders, and also Bena, and tell them about the need to build a village for all those people you are now gathering under your banner. Since all of you have scouted the Hurulun quite closely over the last few days, you quickly manage to narrow down the choices to a few sites, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Looks like it will come down to what you want in that village, when it comes to where you build it. The meeting breaks up, and you see most of the men head off to sleep in preparation for their watches (Hucan's worked out a whole system), but you mull the question more. The decision's yours, in the end.

> Choose 1 primary and 1 secondary consideration from the following:

> Proximity to Nienshari
> Water
> Defensive advantage
> Access to farmland
> Offensive advantage

After mulling a while, you go off to look for Bena, who is upstairs in an observation deck. 'Master! I didn't expect to see you.'

'I'm here to learn how to read,' you say, sitting down.

'This late at night? Aren't you tired?'

'If I say I feel like learning, then I do. So teach me.'

'Certainly, master,' Bena says, and fetches the materials. 'I see you've brought back a bunch of captives. Will you be using any of them in the household? After all, given your intelligence, I doubt I'll be a slave much longer.'

> What say to that?
> Roll d20 for learning.

Rolled 15

>>27523439
We be steppe sons now

Rolled 1

>>27523522

Well-read steppe son.

Maybe we can get a few servants. Ask the girls later on.

What to do with all that money we got?

Rolled 14

>>27523491
"Well let's see how much we can get done before thinking on what to do with them"

>>27523491
Can somebody bring me up to speed? Where is this in relation to our other holdings? That fort sounds like a good defensive point. We may just want to make access to Nienshari a priority and farmland a secondary. That way in the event of an indefensible attack the residents can evacuate to the fort.

Rolled 16

>>27523491
bena do you have any skill in running a household once your free you will need a job unless you want to leave

Rolled 14

>>27523491
> Access to farmland
> Defensive advantage

Ask her if she really is in that much of a hurry to leave? ALso tell her about the old man we heared.

>>27523576

We have no other holdings, nienshari is a fort we occupied. We're steppe sons.

Does the village farm? If they farm, then Nienshari first, farmland second. If they herd, then Nienshari first and water second. I think maybe we can make them herd.

>>27523616
heared about.

Also Op when will you be runnin' the unemplyment quest?

Rolled 20

>>27523491
>Defensive advantage: Primary

>Access to farmland Secondary

>>27523638
shit I cant into engrish today

>>27523491
proximity to Nienshari
access to farmland

>>27523491
> Access to farmland
>Proximity to Nienshari

>>27523638
>>27523538

> 1: D'oh. Our luck *has* run out.
> And with so many good rolls, too! But crits take precedence, for good or bad.

You don't know if it's because of the excitement of battle, or perhaps exhaustion, but despite trying your best, the bloody words just don't seem to come together in your head. Bena tries to go through the last 40 symbols, once, and then another three or four times, before you finally give up.

'I can't remember anything,' you say, sighing. The symbols on the paper seem to be moving of their own accord, dancing before your eyes. Bloody hell! 'No, this isn't working. Anyway, why are you so eager to leave?'

Bena blinks in surprise. 'Leave, master?'

'Yes. You've been talking about being freed all this time.' You sound a little irate now, actually, but only because the symbols are beginning to give you a pounding headache. 'Is it that loathsome being here?'

You don't expect Bena's reaction, which is to thump the table with her fist. When she has your attention, she speaks. 'I have no intention of leaving your household, master. It is not loathsome at all to be here, or to teach you to read, or to massage your feet, or to make food for you and your commanders.'

'Then?'

'It is loathsome to do those things as a slave!' She says, raising her voice a little, and despite your headache you notice her eyes are brimming with tears. 'I would do those things willingly! You have been kind, much kinder than the Lapwings, and I am not ungrateful! But I am an Imperial, born with a straight back, taught propriety and virtue, and I loathe being a slave! I wish to call you sir and not Master!'

It is a deep silence that follows, and Bena's tears begin flooding out, even as she tries to wipe them. 'I apologise, master, I...'

> What do/say?
> If you still wish to force yourself to study, go and roll d20. Or, you can do something else.
> Next 3 days' plans: plan the village with the locals.
> Your considerations are being considered.

>>27523638

Considering running it tomorrow, though that means I will be sleeping relatively early today. Maybe two or three more posts.

Rolled 5

>>27523761
Say nothing and go back to studying.

Rolled 13

>>27523761
We shall not be defeated by this!

Rolled 13

>>27523761

Tell Bena our promise will hold. She can stay if she wants. Once we can read, she's free. But not before.

Rolling.

>>27523761
Free the poor soul, she deserves it.
Kiss her on the forehead and go to bed.

>>27523802
I'll be there

Rolled 19

>>27523761
Apologize, a little. Being annoyed by our inablity to read is fine but let's not take it out on her

>>27523761

>Reading Wiki
So this is essentially Jurchen Quest: The Horsening?

> What do/say?
Say nothing, nod, direct her back to the studying.
> If you still wish to force yourself to study, go and roll d20. Or, you can do something else.
Damnit if we ever want to be more than some back country hick we need to get this down.

>>27523977
this is a good one we were not mad at her just angry that we did not learn anything

>>27524012

> Given time period, more like Uighur Quest: the Mercenarying. But yeah sure, Jurchen/Manchus also work.

>>27523977
>>27523938
>>27523953
>>27523879
>>27523838

> 19: ALMOST THERE!

You look at Bena as she tries frantically to not cry. You suspect you know why she does this; the last time you saw her crying, Huvalas rewarded her with a hard boot in the stomach. For a long while you don't really know what to say. Certainly apologising to a slave is not acceptable, but...

'That is not my intention,' you mutter, the words coming out thick and dull. 'To keep you as a slave always.'

'I... I know... I just...' she sobs.

'But a promise is a promise. Once I can read properly, you are free.' Then you are reminded of what Podere told you. 'Is your surname Korin, by any chance?'

The mention of the surname makes Bena shudder violently, as if she had just been slapped. She looks up at you, eyes still red and swollen. 'What... how did you know? I mean, yes, master, yes!'

'I asked a learned-looking man today, if he knew someone like your father. And he said he knew an old man Korin who was once a prefect...' but that's when she starts bursting into tears again, apologising for doubting your sincerity in letting her go. Women, seriously! You pat her head. 'Let's get back to reading.'

This time round things go a lot better, oddly enough. Bena does not speak much, but you make good progress anyway, and even manage to write the symbols down on paper. Your handwriting is hideous, though, the words four times the size of those neatly inscribed symbols. Tengari has not made you for the quill...

It is very late at night now, or perhaps early in the morning. You hear a sudden burst of laughter downstairs.

> What do?
> Okay. One last push. Roll 2d20 for the next two days of learning. You have just 2 steps to go before level 1 literacy.

Rolled 10, 5 = 15

>>27524124

Rolled 14, 14 = 28

>>27524124
Hell yea they work.

>Be Nurhaci
>Ming empire isn't acting right.
>Beat the shit out of them.
>Emperor sees your army coming and hangs himself form a peach tree.
>Roll into the capital.
>First thing you do is command the secretary of state to start funeral preparation because the proper rites need to be observed before anything else can be done.
We too could be this classy, if we could just learn to read.

Rolled 16, 19 = 35

>>27524124
Time to get some sleep

Rolled 11, 10 = 21

it seems the tg dice has been depleted

Rolled 15, 15 = 30

>>27524124

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436 KB JPG

>>27524189
This pleases my crotch

Rolled 2, 6 = 8

>>27524124

>>27524124
Check what's going on.

>>27524218
>>27524258
>>27524189
>>27524171

> 16, 19: success!
> YOU CAN READ! Very slowly. But STILL!
> Timeskippy last post. Thank you all for playing!
> If you enjoyed this quest, why not follow Unemployment Quest? You are a lot less driven there, but what the fuck, right?

It is not until next morning that Podere and his men finally straggle into Nienshari, and at first glance you can already see that something's gone wrong. Quickly, you lead a party out to escort them in, and see the many minor wounds on the survivors.

Podere, who has been wounded himself in the thigh, says that during the night they were attacked by bandits, and it was only by forming the spear-wall position just in time that they managed to survive. But they've counted 11 dead, which is a lot for their numbers.

Still, the survivors are willing to hear you out when you talk about building a new village. Given that they are farmers, access to farmlands and proximity to Nienshari Pass are both important; as a result you settle on a spot about 300 paces away from the Pass, along the Hurulun. They will continue to tend their old lands, but next season they will settle on and open the lands around Nienshari to work them.

> cont'd.

>>27524441

>>27524343

> Thankfully it's nothing. You thought someone was pilfering your looted liquor, but it's mare's milk brew they're drinking. Still, you rush the boys to bed. 'Keep it down!'

You also release the liberated servants to help build that village, but it quickly becomes clear that the girls are not quite of farmer stock. Brought up to dance, entertain and to be pretty, it seems hopeless to expect them to become rough and tough farmers. The men take to their work quite well though.

> What do with the dancing girls?

Meanwhile, Bena redoubles her efforts to teach you reading, and finally her efforts bear fruit. After two more days of slogging, you memorise all 122 symbols and can piece words together easily. You turn to Bena, who looks at you apprehensively, looking a little pale in the morning light.

'I suppose this means you're free,' you say, and she gives you a long hug, crying into your shoulder, her body shuddering. You can smell the faint perfume she's somehow still using.

> What do with Bena now?
> Actually, do you want to give ranks or appointments to your officers?

If it's good to learn to read, though, the joy does not last very long. That afternoon, just as you are about to celebrate and to prepare for the ten-day meeting tomorrow, you hear a long blast of a horn from the southeast, and your blood runs cold. By the time you get to the gatehouse, the road to Nienshari is a hive of activity - horsemen rushing around, Podere on a new pony yelling and brandishing his sword, and all your peasants rushing for the open gate.

'What is this?' You ask one of the men on the ramparts. But just then a scout comes up with a report.

'Sir! We spotted some bandits, heading in from the west towards the new village! Horse and foot together, they number about 200.'

Two *hundred*!

> What do?
> Suggestions, Questions, etc. all welcome, and will be considered next thread.

Rolled 8

>>27524528
Get all the peasants inside. Hide the men behind the ramparts with bows and plenty of arrows each. Anyone who isnt an archer hidden on our side of of the gate. When the bandits get close shut the gates (if it can just be dropped closed all the better). Archers pop up and start raining arrows. Our men below keep anyone from getting past.

>>27524528

Damn! Everyone on ramparts with bows and arrows!

We keep Bena if she wants, on staff. Also, go through the dancing girls. See if they want to join our staff as entertainers.

We should use money to recruit soldiers. Need more soldiers.

>>27524528
> Actually, do you want to give ranks or appointments to your officers?
Give ranks to those who have distinguished themselves. Start organizing our troops into self sufficient banner armies in preparation for larger scale military.

>Bandit stomp incoming.
We could retreat to the fort, but I'm guessing that neutralizes pretty much any tactical advantage our cavalry has. Maybe have the peasants hold the fort and engage in skirmish tactics, retreating under the fort's field of fire if we're pressed?

Rolled 1, 7 = 8

>>27524528
Have our best Archers as sharpshooters on the ramparts to whither the number, any men not proficient with the bow be prepared on horseback to round up any who route.

Also for the dancing girls, have them try other professions maybe making clothes or something, ask what they can do in which they think could be an benefit to the village

Rolled 14

>>27524696
I was thinking chefs for the dancing girls.

>>27524696
>>27524714
Couldn't we put them on something a little more military centric? We -are- a roving mercenary/freedom fighter/liberator band. Maybe... fletching or something?

Rolled 9

>>27524792
An army marches on its stomach!

>>27524528
>What to do with the dancing girls
Have them do light duty work and have them increase the morale of the troops.
>What to do with Bena
Offer her a job in the fort to basically do the same shit as before
>Ranks or appointments?
Idk

>suddenly bandits, what do?
Turtle up
The town is so fresh that it's an encampent at best, not much value can be destroyed.
If they want loot, they'll need to attack the fort, if they won't attack, they'll have to move on to get food from somewhere else.
If they move out, we can raid them while they move out, they probably aren't military, so I doubt they have a very organized plans for moving about.

Rolled 6

>>27524632
>>27524528
Forgot to roll for hammer/anvil tactics.

Rolled 6

Why not let them through the gate, and then shoot them from above as they pass through?

Rolled 10

>>27524964
Probably not enough bowman to make that a decisive fight, or to stop them from entering. We could lure them through the gates into a pike wall, then have the cavalry into the exposed flank.

21st century white guy posing as a mongol warlord: the quest.

>>27524528
We need to be cautious with the 19 bandits prisoner-slaves, they may try to escape in the midst of the chaos.

>>27528954
Pretty much.

So this is the hardcore waifu pusher quest people have been sperging about?
> Wow it's fucking nothing.jpg

>>27528954
>>27533091

Agreed. Keep them locked inside.

Should we try to expand our army to have more infantry? In the empire it looks like we should get a bigger force. If even bandits can gather 200 men, our men simply aren't enough.