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Your team
>Teddy the Grotle(Grass)
>Carla the Clauncher(Water)
>Brandt the Shelgon(Dragon)
>Jack the Primeape(Fighting)
>Charlotte the Ariados(Bug/Poison)
>Felix the Fletchinder(Fire/Flying)
Your inventory
>Aggron Steel Grosse Messer Sword
>Bisharp Steel Parrying Dagger
>Aegislash Hoplon
>Empoleon Steel Plate
>Aggron Steel Plate
>Mespirit Runic Bracer
>White Flute
>The Garrulous Grotle
>The Staunch Clauncher
>Unnamed Gunship(Fourth Rate)
>Displacement Magic(6 foot wide portals, 20 foot range)
Jessie's team
>Joltik(Bug/Electric)
>Croagunk(Poison/Fighting)
>Gallade(Psychic/Fighting)
Alyssa's team
>Tyrunt(Rock/Dragon)
>Luxio(Electric)
Emma's Team
>Breloom(Grass/Fighting)
>Female Nidorina(Poison)
James' Team
>Monferno(Fire/Fighting)
>Male Nidoran(Poison)

The man drops to the sand, pulling at the arrow in his chest. He slowly stops moving, thick red blood soaking into the parched earth. More of the deadly shafts streak down, kicking up sand and punching through the wagon coverings. A convex portal forms an umbrella above you, transporting the arrows that would land on you into the sand. A screaming man, dressed in white and green, rushes at the caravan, a scimitar clutched in his hand. Letting down the portal for a moment, you open another inside his chest. His legs continue running for a moment, while his torso falls to the ground. More are visible in the distance, black figures against the setting sun.
>What Do?
>Put on your Aggron Steel
>Use portals to thin out their numbers
>Block the arrows with portals
>Run to meet the bandits
>Write In

>>35894563
>Put on your Aggron Steel
Let's get some protection up in case we miss something. Presumably this involves equipping our weaponry and bracer.

We oughta try and keep any remaining companions from dying though

Alright, I'm afraid I have to go socialise now. Should be done within 6 hours but who knows. Thanks for running, hopefully someone else turns up to continue playing

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Rushing into the shelter of a wagon, you wait for a lull in the arrows. A stop in the shafts gives you time to sprint to your wagon, where Emma is strapping spiked cestuses onto her Breloom's fists. Your armor sits in a metallic heap, the steel helm grinning in the shade. You hurriedly slip the steel over your head, the light blue silk tunic covered by dull steel. A moment, and a small arming cap, and you are encased in sun-warmed steel. You strap on your bracer, the crystal glinting red.

You strap armor onto your party of pokemon, Teddy, Jack and Felix, all sitting still while you dress them in steel and leather. Through all this, arrows fall and pierce the waxed cloth of the wagon. Jumping down from the wagon, you land in the hot sands. Your pokemon follow, Felix flying into the air. The bird pokemon streaks down from above, slamming into a bandit archer.

Your wagon train stretches along in a drawn out line across the hot sand dunes, the bandits rushing into the gaps between wagons. Two lines of archers stand atop a dune, firing down upon the train. Near seventy men form the bandit's attack team, with thirty archers in the back. Your wagon train consists of sixty paid guards, with a hundred traders serving as reenforcements. However, the traders are likely inadequate fighters.
>What do?
>Rush the bandits
>Defend the nearest wagons
>Write In

Bump

>>35895108
>>Defend the nearest wagons
still hungover from halloween, might pass out before next post. sorry Prof

>>35896722
thanks for posting, slow threads seem to be normal for this quest

>>35895108
>>Rush the bandits
have all non combatants get inside, if we have any flyers or pokemon with beam powers have them target the archers. keep the attack team as far from the merchants as possible so they don't take crossfire. once numbers start to dip in our favor have them assist clean up

You form up with your pokemon and Emma, shield flouting in the hot desert air. Emma stands behind and to the right of you, with her Breloom crouching on your right. Your pokemon form up as well, Carla taking potshots at the nearby bandits from atop a wagon.

A bandit slams into your shield, his own shield pushing against yours. Emma stabs forward with her spear, the polished metal reflecting the red light of the sun. You open a portal above him, then slash into it's sister portal. The blade cuts into the back of his neck, grating against bone. His shield drops, then a blade pierces his ribcage. Another bandit rushes to his friend's aid. An armored fist shoots out from your right, slamming into the bandit. The Breloom retracts his fist, then launches a barrage of bullet seeds into the man's face. Each golf ball sized seed slams into his skull, ricocheting to strike the sand.

Your group rushes forward, slowing only to stab the fallen man. Five men and women follow you, striking out from small enclaves of guards. You form into a wedge, an Aggron and it's rider taking point. You sweep down the line of wagons, cutting down bandits from behind. You cut the legs out from behind, leaving the crippled men to be finished off.

You reach the middle of the caravan, having killed nearly fifteen people. Down near the end of the caravan, a large knot of guards and traders are embroiled in battle with a small group of bandits. The rest of the bandits are spread out evenly across the caravan, with the archers still raining down arrows on the wagons. One wagon seems to have been captured, as it is being driven away from the column towards the archers
>What Do?
>Head to the large group
>Head to the archers
>Go back to the front of the column
>Write In

>>35897163
Also, roll 1d100 for your action

bump

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>35897163
>>Head to the archers
Let's finish the archers off quickly. They shouldn't be much of a match for us, then we can get bogged down in melee

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>35899394
Second samefagged roll

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>35899394
Third samefagged roll

"To the archers!" You call out, raising your sword. The wedge turns, heading straight at the leftmost bank of archers. The massive Aggron roars as it charges, running on all fours. The massive pokemon slams into the wall of archers, the pokemon's steel horns stabbing through flesh. What archers don't get run through, are knock to the ground and trampled.

Your wedge follows behind the pokemon, stabbing at the lightly armored bandits. They swat at you with their bows, the horn and yew stinging with their impacts. One slaps against your leg, the wood cutting a small slice in the front of the calf. A small portal cuts the string, which whips back at the archer. He cries out, the taunt bowstring gouging a line across his sunscarred face. You punch out with the metal shield, feeling bone give way.

The archers try to run, or pull out knives. Your heavy armor blocks the blows, but a few of the men escape away from the battle. They run to a wagon, captured by their fellows. The wagon is being pulled away by a pair of Rapidash, while another is being pulled to meet it by another group of bandits. Included over at that end, one of the man is shining in the setting sun. The red light seems to glint off his skin, his fists stained with blood.
>What do?
>Retrieve the wagons
>Go to the metal man
>Kill the remaining archers
>Write In

Rolled 79 (1d100)

>>35899875
>Keep the front of the wedge, primarily that Aggron, on archer stomping duty. It will keep them too disrupted to fire on the rest of the force
>The rest of the wedge should busy themselves with reclaiming the wagons
>Focus yourself on that metal man

>>35899980
I'll wait a few minutes before samefagging the next two rolls

Rolled 34 (1d100)

>>35899980
Second samefagged roll

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>35899980
Third samefagged roll

>>35899980
Just want to know how to write this, diplomacy or violence? Write out any lines or battle tactics for your choice

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>35900348
Erm, alrighty
>As we near the man of metal call out to him, "They tell me you cannot be cut! Such a feat I have not seen in my time, would you indulge me in a display?"
>Start fighting, depending on how it goes ask him why he contents himself with the slaughter of lesser men
>depending on his replies potentially ask if he's interested in fighting wars

Not sure how far ahead of ourselves we're getting with that, but that ought to be enough to work with for now?

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You give your orders, then rush off to the end of the caravan. The Aggron and it's rider rampage among the archers, breaking their formation. Screams go up from their mass, along with the occasional twang of bowstrings. The rest of your wedge heads toward the nearest wagon, shields blocking the arrows sent by the bandits on the wagons.

You run along the sands, portals lengthening each stride to twenty feet. You pass masses of bandits and their dead bodies, armored in only leather and cloth. You ignore the masses of guards, intent on your destination. The metal bandit is visible in the mass of men, bathed in blood, with spots of steel visible through the liquid. His arms have changed, one arm extending into a short blade. His other hand has shifted into a cruel mace, where each knuckle should be, is a spike. Steel spines line his arms and back, giving him the look of Nidoking.

Surrounding the mage, is a pile of bodies. Bandits swarm around him, killing the incapable traders and whipping the draft pokemon. As you near, you call to the man.

"They tell me you cannot be cut! Such a feat I have not seen in my time, would you indulge me in a display?"
The metal man looks up from his slaughter, his face morphed into a simile of an Aggron's face. His face morphs back, horns and massive jaw pulling back into his face. A steel face grins back at you, shining wire threads making up his hair. A cleft chin and high cheekbones mark his face, the skin strangely flexible.
1/2

"It is easy, much like your gates. I'll show you mine, if you will give me a display as well. How did one so strong become a lowly guard?"
Opening a portal below the metallic man, you drop him in front of you. Close up, a shadow of wire covers the lower half of his face. "I am passing through this area, and though it best to travel in a group. It is obvious that you follow the same philosophy. But how can you be content to slaughter lesser men?"
"It's easy, when they can do nothing to harm you. And when they kill your friends and family, it tends to remove your sympathy."
>What Say?

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>35900977
>"So it is revenge that you kill in the name of? Or have you exhausted that and continue for naught but habit?"
>Teleport up close to him, assuming a fighting stance
>"Either way, a display you shall have. I've been travelling too much of late and I will not pass up the opportunity of an opponent worthy of a duel"

>>35901326
Ooh eck that 1. Does this action require a roll? If so I'll wait a few mins again incase other anons turn up before samefagging the other two

>>35901353
sorry, internet cut out for a moment. Writing. You can reroll if you want

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>35901657
No worries, in that case

>>35901326
Second samefagged roll

Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>35901326
And third samefagged roll

"So it is revenge that you kill in the name of? Or have you exhausted that and continue for naught but habit?"
"Habit can be good, when it is built on righteous cause. Be that as it may, this is profitable even without a cause."

Stepping forward, you raise the round shield up. Resting the blade of your sword on the rim, you watch as the man's hands lengthen. His fingers lose their definition, formijng into flipper-like paddles. The hand grows more, forming two short blades attached to his wrists. His face remains the same, the metal still somewhat imposing.

The man slides his left foot back, settling into a standard fighting stance. You open with a shield bash, rushing into the man. A resounding crash goes up, as you collide with a large column of steel. You bounce off, then feel the handblade slam into your shield. The man drops down, slicing at your legs. You open a portal below him, and hear him cry out as he is deposited atop a wagon.

Bounding into the wagon, you stab at the man. The blade slides along his skin, sparks lighting up the dim wagon. He swipes out at your legs once more, him handblade having transformed into a heavy hammer. You dive out of the wagon, feeling the hammerhead clip your foot. Hopping on one foot, you stab at an interfering bandit. The man climbs from the wagon, which rocks as he jumps to the sand.
>Barry's HP 247/ 268
>Metal Man's HP 296/302
>What Do/Say?

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>35902301
>"You desire simple riches? Even as someone from a merchant background I find that a lacklustre reason to fight"
>Activate berserk bracer
>Let's see if our aggron steel messer can penetrate his defenses, powerful slashes are a go! I'd say aim for weakspots but with his entirety being made of metal it's probably just easier to chop down onto the shoulders

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>35902522
Second samefagged roll because I don't see much point in waiting for other anons to join any more, they can influence the next vote if they do

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>35902522
Third samefagged roll

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"You desire simple riches? Even as someone from a merchant background I find that a lacklustre reason to fight"
"You say that, yet you still are here. All men fight for riches, but they fight in different ways. Who are you to say my way in lacking in cause."

The metal man runs at you, both his hands now shaped into cruel sickles. He spins, the blades on his body whistling as they cut the air. One slams into your thigh, grating against the steel and leather armor. You feel the blade cut into you pants, before you spin away. You turn the dodge into a strike, swinging the shield into the man. The shield rings like a gong, vibrating against your arm. Even as you reel from the impact, the man falls to one knee. He shakes like a Herdier, metal spines clicking against each other.

He starts to stand, before you attack the kneeling figure. Raining down heavy blows to his shoulders, the steel mage starts shaking. He starts laughing, shoulders rocking up and down. As you watch, the dings and scratches buff themselves out of his skin. His shoulders grow, plates of steel forming on his skin. He grins, metal skin stretched taut. He pushes off the ground, diving into you. His weight slams into your midsection, feeling like an Aggron's Take Down. You shoot back, the man on top of you. His hands form into hooked claws,which he starts slashing into your chest piece and helmet. The metal takes the beating, but long scratches are visible on the chest.
>what do?

Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>35903182
>Put some distance between you and him, using a portal to move if necessary
>Stash the messer, it's clearly not up to the task, and draw out the Bisharp dagger
(which I believe was meant to be the sharpest of out blades?)
>Bait him into charging you, last minute portal him to the side of you and take advantage of his inevitable stumble to get an overhead dagger stab into him
With a bit of luck this will actually penetrate his skin.
>"I cannot fault what you say but let it be known that riches are not all I hold dear."

Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>35903678
Second samefagged roll

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>35903678
Third samefagged roll

>>35903722
Ooh, shanking him might actually work! I was expecting to need to use portals to severs bits of him but that seems likely to leave permanent damage and thus should be used only after we determine him unrecruitable

You open a portal below yourself, feeling the ground slip away. The exit portal, set vertically, allows you to roll away from the steel mage. Sliding the Aggron steel messer into it's scabbard, you rip the Bisharp dagger from your hip. The metal man stands, waving away a pair of bandits. He grows twin blades along his forarms, half circles of steel shining as the sun glints off the mirror-like surface. On the ends of his wrists, dagger like blades form. He charges, his neck growing thicker with steel reinforcements.

As the hulking steel man barrels down at you, twenty, ten, then five feet away, you open a portal. He charges through it, unable to stop. He comes out five feet back and to the right. As he stumbles, the portal being an inch off the ground, he passes you. A downward strike slams into his shoulder, the blade flexing an alarming amount. Finally, the metal skin parts, giving way to the blade. He continues on his bullrush, his speed pulling your knife along. It sticks in the shoulder bone, bending as he passes. A crack reverberates in your hand, then the handle breaks from the blade. The man pulls past, slamming into the wooden wagon. Crawling from the splintered wreckage of the wagon, the metal man grins with his metal teeth. Thick reddish brown blood flows from the wound, with the silver blade still in his shoulder.

"I cannot fault what you say but let it be known that riches are not all I hold dear."
"And what, pray tell, is it that you hold dear?"
>Write in

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>35904175
>"My comrades and my strength."
>Stand up straight, leaving fighting stance
>"You fight well. It wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination to think that one blessed with impenetrable skin would have sloppy form but that's certainly not the case here."
>"I would have like to fight further but you've backed me into a corner when my dagger broke. The only avenue of attack open to me now is likely to cause you permanent harm and I wish to avoid that."
>"That is because I wish to offer you the chance to join me in this newfound war against the Ryttereans. If you truly only have interest in gold then I can see to it that you earn more on that battlefield than this desert."
>"How about it?"
>Extend open palm

ALL OF THE SPEAKING. Rolling in case it's necessary

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>35904468
Second samefagged roll

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>35904468
Third samefagged roll
>>35904493
Another high roll, bodes well.

"My comrades and my strength."
"As do I. I just tacked wealth on the end of that

You drop out of your boxing stance, hands falling to your sides. "You fight well. It wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination to think that one blessed with impenetrable skin would have sloppy form but that's certainly not the case here."
"When one does not need to worry about defense, your offense becomes much better."
You open a portal around his head, the glowing sphere splicing his head away from his neck. "I would have like to fight further but you've backed me into a corner when my dagger broke. Ah, please stand still. I'd rather not see if your bones are metal as well. Now, the only avenue of attack open to me now is likely to cause you permanent harm and I wish to avoid that."
And why is that, my portal-happy friend
"Because I wish to offer you the chance to join me in this newfound war against the Ryttereans. If you truly only have interest in gold then I can see to it that you earn more on that battlefield than this desert."
"The desert has had much profit for me and my friends. What can you offer us, except the death of us and the possibility of plunder?" The floating head asks, something odd happening to his face. As you realize the problem, his head disappears. Looking back at the body, you can see that his head has receded into his chest. Two eyes stare out from his chest, one the sides of his pectorals. A smile splits his ribcage, then disappears into the steel. His head forms again, starting as a lump of metal, finishing as his normal head.
"Gold. More gold than in all of this land. A world of sand, heat, and scant water. You can see the world with me, a world where oasis's are the rule, not the exception. A world were you will be seen as great, not as scum. Where you can grow rich and fat off your powers. So, I ask you once more. Will you join me?
1/2

>>35905361
"Fine. For a hundred and fifty pounds of gold."
"Okay"
"Wait, you really have that? I mean...very well, you have a deal." You open a small portal, then stick your hand through. The man shakes it, and then forms a large and thin
gong.He hits it with a hammer-shaped hand, drawing the attention of the bandits. He roars out an order, much to the surprise of the guards and traders, then the men run to him. He converses with them for a moment, then they sheath their weapons. The men walk, looking both confused and slightly dejected, to the two wagons that their captured.

"I was called Anthony by my mother. My men call me Steelheart. Unimaginative lot." The metal man introduces himself, the metal creeping away from his skin. As you watch, he becomes a normal man, with a chipped front tooth and brown hair. All that remains of the metal is a scab-like structure of metal threads on his shoulder.
"And I am Barry (No last name), captain of the ship (insert ship name, a few of the suggestions are in the last thread)."
>What Do?

>>35905389
Welp, first and foremost tend to the wounded on both sides. Then if we have the gold to hand we should pay him as soon as possible. Nothing shows sincerity better than a pile of gold.

Other than that, I forget but wasn't our sole task in the deserts to put an end to the supply raids caused by Anthony? Since that's done we may as well head back to the general and introduce his newest recruits.

Presumably Anthony is to be given a position of leadership over his men?

>>35905549
While your duty to the general was to recruit some legions in the capital city, if you pay Steelheart, you will only be able to pay for two legions at most.

The hot chick at the town asked you to stop the raids, however

>>35905648
Ah, well we definitely need to return to that hot chick for our boot- I mean bounty. As for paying Steelheart, that's a definite. Dude's practically invincible since it'll take a very special skillset to actually damage him, highly useful for the upcoming conflict.

If we're strapped for legion cash can't we dip into our own? I kinda assumed we were paying Steelheart from our own pocket anyway.

Anyway, once back in town we should probably try to find information about further potential recruiting. Maybe talking to Steelheart on the way will prove useful to this endeavour.

>>35905733
I was planning to have you pay with the legion money, but if you want to pay out of pocket, you can.

So, head to the capital or back to the port?

>>35905800
We'll pay with legion money first but if we're short and find more worthy recruits then we can spend the extra from our pockets.

Destination is wherever that hot chick resides, that's the capital right?

>>35905904
no, that was the port town. The capital has the most legions, but with your current funds, you can hire two legions. Vici is expecting four or five.

>>35905964
Port it is then. Anyway, quality > quantity, metalman comes with us.

The traders and guards slowly lower their weapons, spurred on by you shaking hands with the bandit lord. They watch, dumbfound, as the bandits pull the two captured wagons back to the caravan. There is a brief standoff while the wagons are traded off. The traders tend to their dead and wounded, and the bandits follow suit. With the people who can be saved bandaged up, and the dead buried in shallow sandy graves, you bid adieu to the traders.

The bandits lead you to their oasis, the tops of the trees only visible when you're right on top of them. Inside the basin, Steelheart treats you to a small feast. Dining on roast Skorupi covered in honey and Maractus rum, the bandits beg for stories of battles you've fought. Starting with your pirate slaying as a boy, you regale the warriors with the battles you fought. They get into it quickly, demanding that you act out some of the battles with a wooden sword one of them whittled. They seem to delight in your portals, laughing as you trip one of their drunken comrades.

You spend a week with the bandits and their families, drinking with the men and entertaining their children. Their adobe houses, providing great protection from the sun, are lit up through the night. The week comes to the end, and tribe of bandits pack up all of their possessions. Wagons, no doubt stolen, are piled high with goods. The children race around the bandit caravan, playing tag and hide-and-seek. You travel through the sands for days, stopping at noon to rest in circular tents. The families vie for your presence, all wanting to spend time with the man who could wound Steelheart.

You travel back to the port town, now with a much different group of people. They set up can at the base of the city walls, their circular tents blocking the day's heat.
>What do?
>Head to the ships
>Try to find some legions
>Go see the lordling
>Write In

>>35906511
>>Go see the lordling
That's the aforementioned chick right?

>>35906639
Yes

Bring Steelheat? Y/N

>>35906720
Well, we'll need proof that he's no longer troubling them. I imagine they probably expect his corpse in that regard but a living Steelheart will have to do

>Y

Heading into the city, you walk up the sandstone streets to the richer, walled district. Stopped by a guard the the castle, a simple flash of the king's seal opens the gate(not that they were stopping you). As you walk into the marble castle, an orderly rushes up to you.

"Hello, good sir. I take it, that you are the warrior Barry?" You nod to bald man, who then continues. "Good, very good. My Lady will be out soon, as I sent a runner to her rooms. She had me be on the look out for a blond man with a blue cape. She was expecting you to take longer, but I am sure she will be happy to see you again. Please, come with me. Your servant," Anthony bristles at the comment, his eyes suddenly turning into steely orbs. A look from you and he returns to normal, before the man can notice. "can come along, mi'lady will be happy to meet one of you subordinates."

The orderly leads you to the feast hall, an interment courtyard with flowers and a pair of pools, is set with three couches. On the table, sits a bounty of fruit and nuts, alongside a small wine barrel. Glasses sit in a basin of ice-water, packed with snow. The two of you lie in the on separate couches, Anthony forming a claw to break the nuts.

The notEgyption lady sweeps into the hall, dressed in a few wisps of black silk. She lays on the remaining couch, next to you. She dangles a bunch of grapes above her mouth, pulling each fruit off at a time. You greet her, and her to you.
>What Say?

>>35907244
>"My lady I return with good news. I can safely say that the bandit will no longer prey upon travellers."

"My lady, I return with good news. I can safely say that the bandit will no longer prey upon travellers." You say, much to the enjoyment of the women, who smiles greatly at the news.
"Really? That is very good, my captain. With no more wretched bandits to prey upon travelers, trade will be much livelier. The warehouses have been piling up with jade, and few caravans have been profitable, with the number of guards required to go across the desert, Tell me, my good seaman, how might I be able to repay you? The bounty, of course, but such quickness should be rewarded. Was this man," The dark skinned woman gestures over to Anthony, "part of the posse? A centurion of a mercenary legion, or a rank and filer who proved himself on the field of battle?"
>What Say

>>35907691
>"He is in fact Steelheart himself. These are dark times with the Rhytterean invasion and a man such as he is invaluable to the cause."
>"I hope you bear him no lasting ill will. A bandit is just a mercenary without a war, after all."

"He is in fact Steelheart himself. These are dark times with the Rhytterean invasion and a man such as he is invaluable to the cause."

"Steelheart? The murderous bandit lord, who killed so many of this town? He has been a plague upon this town, killing dozens of men. My captain of the guard was killed by this man, and now you expect me to give him away to you?"

"If you put it that way, it sounds bad. However, he is needed to defend the realm. I hope you bear him no lasting ill will. A bandit is just a mercenary without a war, after all."

"This man is a criminal! The punishment for his crimes are to be hanged until death. I have a duty to my people, to punish killers and thieves."

The mercenary chimes in, no doubt tired of being ignored. "You are free to try, though I believe the rope will break before me. I can tell that I am unwanted here, and will take my leave." The metal man lifts himself off the couch, then exits the room. As he leaves, a pair of black haired serving girls carry out a large pot with thick gloves.
>What say/do

>>35908275
>"Men like him, men like me, we're of the same ilk. If my story had been different I could easily have been the same as he."
>"Anyway, for the bonus you offer I ask simply that you leave this matter at rest. I am probably the only man in this town with the ability to harm Steelheart and I have no such intention."
>"I thank you again for your hospitality but I must make haste to gather more troops for the this war. If you have any information about mercenaries in the area, please let me know."

"Men like him, men like me, we're of the same ilk. If my story had been different I could easily have been the same as he. Anyway, for the bonus you offer I ask simply that you leave this matter at rest. I am probably the only man in this town with the ability to harm Steelheart and I have no such intention."

You stand, straightening your wrinkled tunic. "I thank you again for your hospitality but I must make haste to gather more troops for the this war. If you have any information about mercenaries in the area, please let me know."

You leave the castle, gating through the doors to hasten your trip. Outside the castle, you stroll through the swept streets. A gate separates the walled section of the town, crossed quietly with a pair of portals. Once out of the walls, you head to the bandit's camp. A family beckon you over, but you wave the people off, claiming a need for water. The ploy backfires, instead of leaving you alone, the family forces you into their tent to drink. After, you walk to your tent and strip out of the silk tunic. You lie in the night air, accompanied by your pokemon. Felix and Brandt lay on your sides, while Jack sleeps in a heap at your feet. Teddy sticks his head through the flaps of the tent, laying head to head with you.

You wake in the morning, as the sun heats the sands. After dressing, you...
>Ready the ships for leaving
>Look for more mercenary companies
>Go to the castle
>Go to the market
>Write In

>>35908807
>Look for more mercenary companies
We should ask around for rumours of fierce fighters or the like. Maybe head back to that scryer for leads.

>>35908807
>>Look for more mercenary companies
>>Go to the market

>>35908899
Holy shit, a fellow anon!

>>35908907
Thank Arceus

>>35909287
Just in time too, because I need to get some sleep before the sun comes up

Having paid a great sum of coin to the bandit tribe and Anthony, you still need troops. A trip to a nearby bar provides directions to the nearest mercenary camp. You fill your coin pouch, then head to the legion's barracks. With only one wrong turn, you reach the mercenary's plaza. You walk to the largest building, a whitewashed abode building with two marble Bastiodons flanking the doorway.

Entering between the two statues, you see the interior of the building. Men, dressed in red cotton tunics, are training in a sunken court. Training dummies and wooden swords are scattered along the edges, in lines and shelves. Ten men are inside the court, heavy towershields covering most of their bodies. They are being assaulted by ten others, dresses in little armor and with wooden swords wrapped with cloth. The skirmishers are using hit and run attacks on the shield wall of the legionaries, each sword swipe leaving a trail of blue paint. The paint covers much of the shields, coating much of the design. Visible on the skirmishers, are a multitude of red dots.

"See anything you like?" A man, dressed in a red tunic with golden edging, asks you from behind.

"Perhaps. Why are these men training with paintbrushes? Seems like the wash-maids will make a fortune off you."
1/2

"That is true, the laundry would be a large expense, if the men didn't wash the clothes themselves. As for the training, I'll show you. ATTENTION!" The fighters all snap upright, stopping their blows instantly. "Come, down into the pit," you follow the man down a small flight of stairs, landing in earth pressed hard by years of stomping. "Look here, at our legionaries. Their shields are covered in paint. However, if you examine the men, they have very few 'wounds'. Now, if you look at the skirmishers, you'll notice the many dots. These come from the stabbing swords each man is given, as long as a man's arm. With discipline and large shields, we can cut out over sixty percent of causalities. In drawn out battles, this can be the deciding factor. As for maneuvering, we have that taken care of as well, though it is not possible indoors.

"Impressive. But how do they hold up against calvary?"

Very well, good sir. Normally, the men would be equipped with two throwing spears. They can use these spears with deadly efficiency, stabbing at the eyes of the pokemon. As a safeguard, the shields are coated in a non-flamable material, though it does less for electricity. We have counters to that as well, though I would need to take you to the range.
>State a price
>See the range
>Ask to fight the men
>Write in

>>35909527
>>See the range
so are these guys spartans, cause they sound like spartans

>>35909527
>Ask to fight the men
Sounds good

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"I believe it would be best to see this range, before I commit to anything. If you wouldn't mind, of course."

"No, no trouble at all. Follow me." The man climbs from the pit, and the men resume their drill. The grey haired man leads you off to the side of the room, then turns down a corridor. You follow, then turn into another doorway. Inside, is a long room, easily fife hundred yards of vaulted ceiling and packed earth. Nearest to you, stands a raised platform. Atop it, rest fifteen wooden contraptions. Three of the machines are being manned at the moment, with teams of two men and a Machoke on each one. They move quickly, with a smoothness only possible by years of training.

"As you can see, our artillery is some of the best in the world. Able to fire twice a minute, while a cannon can fire every two. These weapons work best for masses of people, but are accurate enough to hit a man sized target at three hundred yards. No cannon can boast that feat, I can tell you that. They are also more cost effective, needing only a small bit of wood and iron for each bolt. Cannon are so wasteful, taking ten pounds of iron per shot! And thats not even counting the cost of gunpowder. Here, we can have a demonstration for you." The man clicks his tongue, and the men go to attention. The ballista are eased down from their loaded position but the Machoke, who then go to attention as well. "lets show our friend here some good shooting. Anti-electric loads. At your ready."
1/2

The men hurry to follow his orders, opening small chests at the foot of their machines. Bolts are lowered into place, but with large tube shaped heads in place of the iron head. A nod from the man sends the bolts flying, arching across the range. The bolts slam into the ground, more than three hundred yards away. The ammunition disappears in a cloud of brown dust, the sound of marbles hitting stone audible in the empty room.

"Now, while the gas obscures much of the effects, it can be quite deadly. A tube is filled with ground Geodudes, iron balls, and a small charge of gunpowder. When it hits a hard surface, the powder ignites. This launches the balls and dust, which coats the lungs. Due to the properties of the Geodude, it forms into a cement inside the body. This chokes anyone unlucky enough to breath it in. It can also be attached to pilum, but is less likely to go off."
>What do
>Options the same as above minus "go see the range

>>35910147
>>What do
>Ask to fight the men or at least the ones he'd call elite
>Ask how many mercenaries he has available
>Ask how long they have all trained for
>Finally start negotiations for pay

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"That is very nice, but how good are your men. Are your best good warriors, or do they have to relay on gadgets and support from others?" You ask, surveying the field. Now that you know what to look for, small craters are visible from the dust bolts.

"Now, sir, you wound me. Our men are great fighters, when they are in rank. We train them for that, not to run into the midst of an enemy and die flamboyantly. It would be a waste of our investment. However, I can tell you that no fine footmen can be hired."

"I'll see about that. Bring out your best, the elite men. I wish to gauge their skill. However many you think is needed to defeat me. We can fight in the pit, where those men were training."

"Sir, this is most abnormal. Surely our demonstrations have been enough to show their worth."

"Yes, they were fine entertainment. But this is important, as I will not be hiring bad fighters. How many men do you have on hand, if I decide to hire them?"

"We have a hundred and twenty of men on hand, with fifty artillery teams. We can have more, if we send word to our sister schools. Ten legions and five more of artillery in three, maybe four months."

The man leads you back to the main room, where he sends a man to assemble ten of the best men. They trickle in, wearing red tunics with silver edges. They hop down into the pit, strapping the paint splattered shields to their left arms. A young bow in yellow hands them each a wooden sword, red paint dripping from the cloth. You strip off your tunic, exchanging it for a red tunic from one of the men.

The men form into a solid wall of wooden shields and wooden blades, with you standing ten yards back, alone. The blue paint drips from wooden sword in your hand, staining the ground.

Thread Over
Sorry, its late here and I have to sleep. I'll stay for comments, for a little while.
Follow me on twitter @ProfSequoia

>>35910504
I left when a third of every thread devolved into TRAIN AURA, GET POWER. I don't see that happening now. How much of that would I have to get through in the archives to be updated?

>>35910932
You're thinking of the other medievalmon, the MC for this one isn't an aura user. He's a regular hack and slash seaman for a large part, recently aquiring portal powers after we crited the power type roll

I definitely recommend reading through the archives
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=medieval+pokemon

>>35910504
Just woke, thanks for runnning

>>35913410
oh, thanks. But seriously? Similar name, same pic? My fault, I suppose.

>>35913508
If I remember rightly this quest came in the gap after the original medievalmon went quiet for a month and a bit

But yeah, it's prompted confusion before