>>38249628
>Busy at the moment, I've got an injured person coming.
Our thing is more urgent.

>>38249628
>>Busy at the moment, I've got an injured person coming.
Wars are cool and all, but we're ranchers with a wounded guy on our hands. That takes priority for now.

>>38249831
This. If it cannot wait, invite him to talk as we get the injured centuar care.

>>38249628
>Busy at the moment, I've got an injured person coming.
If this guy doesn't get fixed soon he will be VERY screwed, he is likely extremely dehydrated, undernourished, and probably facing early stage infection.

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"Whatever it is, it can wait." You say, forestalling Keel's hand to wave you over. "I've got a severely injured person coming and that's my focus right now. If you've got a doctor on hand, I could use that more. Bonesetter. Heavily burned."

Keel, quick on the uptake, makes has a muted conversation with one of his men, before the man rides off towards South Fork. He then dismounts and follows you inside. "Who got hurt, McCain?"

"Centaur, one we found at a sacked town. Broken jaw, heavily burned, stab wounds, been like that for a while." You say, slipping into clipped, terse sentences as you look for Tai and Veles. The latter of which you spot through the window near the barn. Calling to him, you tell him to fetch Tai and get into the house. For lack of anything else to do, you put a pot of water on the stove, you remember reading something about sterilizing.

"What is the matter?" Veles asks as he comes in, Tai in tow.

After explaining what happened, once again, you put Tai to work on cooking something soft and mild before heading back outside, flanked by the captain and the old snake.

Its some time before McCain and the rest of the group make it back, following the cleared area where the future road is being built. The injured centaur catches some looks from the crew working on the bridge, but they quickly make way as the three horse wide litter bearing the casualty makes its ponderous trek across the temporary bridge planks.

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>>38250744
Hurrying him into the bunkhouse, Marie and Tai, take over from Tatiana. The female centaur, clearly exhausted, going to put the horses away. You're looking on when you hear someone clear their throat.

"Was this the only person at Purobka?" Veles asks.

"Only one we found, the place was sacked some time ago, miracle he was still alive."

"Centaurs are durable, it is due to the troll heritage. Still, there was no one else?"

"Just a group of trolls that were sitting in the biggest house near where we found this guy."

>Wait for the doctor
>Talk to Keel.
>Veles, can you do anything for him?
>Were you expecting someone else?

>>38250771
>>Veles, can you do anything for him?
Any option we choose is also waiting for a doctor, as time is passing.

Once the immediate medical emergency is done though, for sure go talk to keel, he's got important shit.

>>38250771
>>Veles, can you do anything for him?

>>38250771
>Were you expecting someone else?

>>38250771
>>Veles, can you do anything for him?
First things first, if he dies on us we've wasted that entire trip
>>Were you expecting someone else?
Veles clearly knows more than hes letting on, which isn't surprising as he is fucking ancient. Still, it would be good to know what he knows.

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"Is there anything you can do for him?" You ask.

Veles grimaces, "Maybe, I do not know. Healing magic is... complicated when you are outside of your own ancestral tree. Trollspawn are exceptionally hardy, and the Naga back in Dragon who was Dragon's days could regenerate limbs given time and food. But my exposure to such things is dated to say the least. There are factors that I'd have to take into account. There is a venom that can be rendered into a potent restorative, but again, its reaction with those of trollspawn is not something I know. Last time I did anything with venom and centaurs it involved melting one." He looks over to Tatiana, who just came back into the bunkhouse. "Was a long time ago, before the Sigismund line came to power."

After watching the centaur's awkward shuffle between the two highly venomous snakefolk, you turn and to Veles again. "You seemed sure there would be someone else at purobka. Do you know something I don't?"

"Just that their advisor, one of the south court fae. Should have been there. Small things. Maybe half the height of one of your humans. Never saw them much but that one was known for being reticent and hard to find. They are... ancient, eternal even. Moreso than I. Their favour is what brings boons to the noble houses. Their nigh on universal backing of Sigismund is what brought his line to power. Partly because he refused to accept their boons. A lot of them are contrary to a fault. It is strange it isn't there."

>?

>>38251982
Think they were involved somehow in that place burning down?
Well, there was a battle beforehand. And if these guys are as important as you say, it's possible the representative was kidnapped during it? Or just, you know, eaten whole by a troll.

>>38251982
Gnomish 4channers, eh?

Okay, I want to know what these boons generally are. Specifically, if the advisor could've prevented the razing if he was there.

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"Think they were involved somehow in that place burning down?"

"Doubtful. They hold on to their domains as fiercely as dragons would. Every one I've heard about put the sanctity of their land well above all else."

"And the boons? Could they have stopped it if they were there?"

"If it was an action taken by someone, no, they could not of stopped it. They have influence rather than control, over the conditions of crops, weather, and prosperity in general. It is always subtle changes though, to the point where the the kozaks disbelieve in their influence."

Keel, holding a muted conversation with McCain, chimes in. "This sounds an awful lot like the Land Spirits that gave UFK trouble five hundred years ago."

Veles pauses, "Similar, yes, remarkably so, but if that were the case, then your elven court appears to be of similar magic. Their overt displays are largely show. Powerful, but focused. If what I read about the land spirits is to be believed, their changes would be much more significant and sweeping. Besides, the troll Casimir was the one who shattered the land spirit here, according to Casimiran lore."

"What if this South Court person got killed? Its possible right?"

"They reform after a few days. They say their existence is one of force of will, and that if they all would work together, they would be a lot more fearsome. They hate each other too much for that to happen though."

>Sounds like elven politics.
>Keel, what's going on on this side?
>Other.

>>38253969
>>Sounds like elven politics.
>Keel, what's going on on this side?

>>38253969
>>Keel, what's going on on this side?
I'm curious about the war. And why it necessitates all those folk coming to the ranch.

>>38254028
>>38253969
oh, and
>Other.
Is that doctor working yet?

>>38253969
>Keel, what's going on on this side?
We'll get info when it becomes relevant, right now the advisor's absence is just another question to sort out later.

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"Captain Keel, what's all this about war now?" you say, looking out the window for the doctor.

"Put it quite frankly, the Phoenix hit us with our pants down." Keel starts, stopping as Marie scampers in and out of the bunkroom with fresh bandages.

"Proper regiments came, and through a few choice words their colonel had to say, we ended up ceding our barracks to them for the time being. Mid transfer this massive ship, like the one you saw, appeared and hit one of the regimental convoys outside of Riverport. We took the LSID in an attempt to engage, but we were holed badly and its currently beached just shy of Snake's landing."

"Did they take the city?" McCain asks, probably more for your benefit than anything.

"For all of five hours before our cav pushed them out. One of the airships we had set as a prisoner convoy was downed as well. Had 'Two Hands' aboard. It might be related."

"You think? That's a bit of a stretch." You say hesitantly.

"I thought so too until their forces retreated out of riverport. Not back to their ship, which vanished, but into the swamp. Killed the boys we had stationed at the slaver camp."

"Still seems like a coincidence."

"Yeah, except they've been hitting farms along the way, keeping inside the swamp where our cavalry can't get a line on them, and sending infantry into there against them is a disaster waiting. Anyway, if their targets are anything to go by, they are making a beeline here. Figured you might know why."


>?

>>38254697
They already had based out the swamp and might have more resources there, or dug out some kind of freaky system in the diamond mine, or maybe just really like diamonds, who the fuck knows.

>>38254697
They want to get into the pass? Or to Vells, He's the only male lamia after all and he is rather old. The really hate my kind for obvious reasons.

>>38254697
Aw shit. Well, thanks for guardin' this place, ol two hands really doesn't like us. Should we be evacuating or something?
Weird that they'd do all that after the diamond mine and two hands fiasco though. I didn't think he was a big enough player to be that important. Think there's something more than diamonds in those mines?

One of a few reasons why they could be here.
A. they're upset about silk competition. Understandable.
B. personal vendetta against us. Understandable.
C. we're missing something. Something about those diamonds, or two hands, is way more important than we thought.

>>38254956
Or they are looking for something, something that is far more valuable than diamonds to the point where the diamonds are just acting as either a front or a distraction.

>>38255036
Well, yeah. That's sort of what I meant by C.

>>38255054
Wait... what if they are looking for some kind of immensely powerful evil ring that would allow them control over many of the other races currently in existence?

>>38255102
Well, that's a bit too specific of a guess, but I totally wouldn't rule out artifact searching.

>>38255138
What, who says nobody has created some ring in the flames of mount doom that will allow them to defeat the armies of the elves and men?

>>38255202
While possible, it is equally likely that it's just an ancient mech atom bomb or some kind of enchanted emperor sword.

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"Well, off the top of my head, they could want the pass because of Veles and that hatred they had for lamias, they could just want to stop us from getting silks, or just for the sake of having control over it. Or well, we might be missing something and they are after something far bigger than all of that."

"So no idea then." Keel deadpans.

"Not the foggiest, but thanks for keeping watch on the ranch for us, but... well if they are coming after us, shouldn't we be evacuating?"

"Normally, yes. However its only one ship, as large as it is. And we have intelligence that suggests this isn't the full nation gearing up to attack us, and more likely that it is a leader acting on their own. Phoenix would rather declare ware then truce later than admit one of their own is out of line. There's been no move to reinforce either."

"So this is a line in the sand then?" You ask?

"Not here specifically no. We've got the nitor stationed outside the office of south fork. Last thing we want to do is leave them to the birds. No offense." He says to Marie and Tai, as the two of them exit the room, letting Tatiana take over for now, the sound of riders returning pulling the two outside, presumably to get the doctor. "In the meantime, it seems there is just as big of a problem on the other side of the mountain. What all do you know?

>?

>>38255656
Sparingly little. Apparently there's been some kind of assault on the main silk-producing city. Looks like they might have been attacked by rival centaurs, and then by trolls after the battle finished.

Might have something to do with their version of the elves, but who knows how or on what side. If this guy we've brought back lives, we might learn more.

>>38255656
>>38255766 summed it up well. Stress that the one living guy we had is the most important and only significant lead we have. Also that this activity is apparently quite unusual for centaurs. Although you suspect this was not a spur of the moment decision by whoever made it. (No need to mention that the reason for this is those Kozaks who delivered Tatiana to you)

>>38256076
>>38255766
yeah, there's been some regular uneasiness between the factions last time we checked.
This may have been something building up for quite a while.

>>38256102
In all respect, we probably were the straw that broke the centaurs back, killing everybody in that enclave.

>>38256139
I wouldn't jump to that just yet.
Though, outsiders appearing may have instigated it some.

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"Preciously little, we went right to where they said the town was, and found this guy. Changed plans and headed back with him. If he lives," You say, as the doctor passes through the discussion with his black back in hand before disappearing into the makeshift burn ward, "We'll know more. Its likely that another house attacked this one. Some of the dead looked to have been killed by hussars."

"So we've got two wars going on instead of one? Wonderful." Keel sighs. "Keep us posted, there are beginning to be too many coincidences."

Tai hands you a paper "Courier came by along with the doctor Miss Sasha, letter is from your orc friend."

"More good news." You say, opening the envelope.

"Greetings Miss Masterson,

I was informed of the unfortunate happenings on your shores a few days ago, and my contacts have led me to believe that our business venture may be in direct jeopardy due to, if not the cause of, these turn of events. I do not wish to put my investment in jeopardy, and as such I have hired a private security company to protect our assets. As much as I hold the nitor in high regard, one must always make assurances. I believe that Miss Patrick's organization can provide much needed security, if you feel this is not the case, feel free to dismiss them they should arrive within the week.

Regards,

Serrak

P.S. Miss Robinson might be of use when talking to these individuals."

>Action?

>>38256585
Wow, orc bro is a boss.

>>38256585
Huh.
He's going to be peeved when he finds out the silk making village got destroyed.

Well, first thing's first. Tell keel about this so his men don't shoot at them as they arrive. Wars going on and such. Then consider the most polite possible way of saying that our fortune most likely burned to the ground to him.

>>38256694
There are more villages than just the one, we still have the gateway into the centaurlands, its just a setback.

>>38256767
yeah, but that was the one with the silk secrets.
They were very defensive of them.
I can only hope that whoever burned the shit out of them stole, instead of destroyed, the silk production methodologies.

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"Well, Captain, if you are planning on staying around. It looks like we'll have company." You say, tucking the letter back into the envelope.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, my benefactor has hired a group to take care of protecting my investments. Says they should be here within the week."

"Sounds good enough, did they say who it was?"

"Other than it was run my a Miss Patrick? Not particularly."

His face pales for a moment, "Oh... good."

"Something wrong?"

McCain starts to laugh as Keel, and his men hurriedly bid their goodbyes. It's a hearty one too, to the point where he's nearly crying.

"What's so funny, was it something I said?" You ask to the now vacated room.

McCain wipes his eyes. "Oh light, if'n its the daughter of that last paladin. You've got a disaster slithering towards us. And it is going to be hilarious. I heard she got into mercenary work, but.. oh this is going to be hilarious."

"Could you be more specific?" You ask, getting frustrated.

"I had the good fortune of going through the nitor academy around the same time she did. She was hurried out, but I never found out why. Something about a slew of diplomatic incidents."

"Who are you talking about?" You demand.

"Paladin Ssen Patrick's daughter."

>Calling the thread here. I'll be around for a bit for some Q&A but I figured this is too good a place to stop.

>>38257913
Thanks for running man.
Though I don't know how I feel about developments. We'll see.

>>38257913
haha so the prophecy begins! Thanks for running!

>>38257913
This can only end well.

>>38257913
Anyway, originally you were quite apprehensive about treading on the toes of the original lamia quest, it appears your opinion on this has changed recently, I assume you've planned this out quite a bit haven't you?

>>38258048
Regardless of the answer I trust you QM, you haven't blown it yet and I trust you not to blow it now.

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>>38258048
Using patrickspawn has been in the works since the beginning. I only wanted to introduce her well into the quest so as to allow participants to make their character their own as opposed to aping the previous quests shenanigans.

Had you folks decided to adventure through UFK proper, you'd probably have run into her a lot sooner though. That said, I'm fine with the way comfy capitalism quest is going so far.

That and I'm making damn well sure I'm not going to contradict anything that Echo did despite how much I may disagree with how he handled some things. There was a bit of a communique towards the tail end of lamia daughter between him and I, and a couple plot points he suggested might just be making themselves known soon.

>>38258205
I appreciate the trust, and just so its clear, if you have any questions on things that would be considered "Common Knowledge" to the character, feel free to ask. Even if its a bit loaded, I'll do my best to answer without saying anything particularly spoilerific.

>>38258340
I've got a rather hard time thinking up questions at the moment, as I've had none prepared.
That one keep was the only one with silkmaking, right? I'm not just crazy in remembering that, yeah?

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>>38258389
Not exclusive in the silkmaking no, they were the ones that created the waterproofing treatment that made the silk clothing wick water away from the body.

Silk itself is produced largely by the southernmost cities, including the largest of which that belongs to the Sigismund royal line.

Also, just as an aside, if you do have any questions as to what MIGHT have happened or anything you didn't particularly understand so far. That's something I'll try to explain as well.

There's a few plot things that I've tried to be subtle about but I think I went to far in that respect.

>>38258497
Well, I'm pretty sure I've come to the conclusion that there was some shit involved with those slaves, diamonds, and two hands that was way more important than any of the individual parts. Probably artifact hunting or doing some big evil spell, given the number of bodies.

That anywhere close?

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>38258552
Not quite but you've got the right idea, there are a multitude of converging plotlines. How quickly those are resolved depends on how you handle them.

In unrelated news, here's a freebie on something I think I failed to convey.
The dream sequences you had were a little look into people close to you's past. There is a specific trigger for it though that hasn't been hit in some time. You might want to look into that whole situation more.

>>38258732
Well, I'm not gonna find the trigger. Probably.

Anyways, thanks for running. I'll chime in if I have any more questions, but I can't think of any at the moment.