And of course I forgot the title this time. Goddammit, apologies ahead of time to those who have quests filtered and this slipped through.

>>41204180
>Veles. He'd be interested in getting to the bottom of this as well.
>Artyom. He needs to get word of what happened at Purobka.
>Marie. Flight is useful and she's been over before.

>>41204180
Agreeing with:
>>41204473

>>41204180
Also, we forgot to go through Liama's questioning of Tai, I think.
Did we do that?

>>41205469
Not yet, Liama is still puzzling out more of the message. She wanted to know more before she got around questioning Tai. Something about avoiding confirmation bias or something.

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"I'm thinking this time we need Veles on hand, he'll probably come, and he's undeniably effective at dealing with the degenerate trolls." You start off with. No opposition there, so that's good. "Marie, flight is useful, but you'll probably be on hand to run messages back and forth if something should happen. That fine by you?"

"No problems here." The red harpy chirps. You mentally chide yourself at that.

"And, McCain, I know you want to come with, but we've promised Artyom we'd get word about what happened to another Szlachta hold as soon as we could, so he'll be the fourth."

McCain grimaces, "Yeah I figured. Not happy about it mind you, but I ain't gonna leave the ranch unattended when we've got Phoenix soldiers skulking about. No offence Tai."

Tai just shrugs.

The next morning, you let Tatiana and Artyom know your intentions, sparking a fervour in the burned hussar. The darker centaur rolling her eyes as he industriously tries to polish off the remaining soot from his armor. Leaving him to his business, you slide through the gateway and into Veles lair once again. You catch him in the midst of feeding the falcons. He didn't show it, but you think he's eager to go as well, he says he'll bring Dahz this time. Declining an offer to see his latest exploit into tinkering, you head back home and get packed. Its early the next morning when you meet up with him once again, and the sun has just risen over the horizon when you're on the other side of the mountain, showing Marie how to work the tunnel openings in the chance she has to fly home for help. The load this time is light, at least for your and Marie as Artyom insisted on carrying the packs. You're worried he might be overexerting himself, but his mannerisms seem that of someone who's been cooped up for far too long.

>Make for the Szlachta hold of Bralin
>Make for the Kozak tent city of Ursus' last known location
>Other?

In any case, make a 1d20 travel roll, lower is better.

>>41205556
Okay then. Seems reasonable.

If we're leaving before she's ready, tell her to have McCain with her so she doesn't have to wait to get us passably useful information.

>>41205609
Consider it said.

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>41205599
>Make for the Szlachta hold of Bralin

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>41205599
>Make for Bralin

Wish we had more people.
>>41205668
Shit.

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>17

Exiting out of the valley itself, you proceed into the badlands proper. Letting Veles lead the way, you give Marie free reign to get up in the sky and look for trouble. Its not a half hour later that she comes diving out of the sky.

"Trolls, lots of them. Feeding on something."

Alerted, you and Veles get low to the ground, following the curves of the terrain until you hear the familiar rasping of the fallen.

Just barely cresting the hill, you catch wind of a significant number of trolls crowded around prone masses at the base of a gully. You can't make out what the forms are, but it is clear that the trolls are feasting.

Veles is the first to speak, in the low hiss of Snake Cant, [The Fallen are cannibals. So these could be corpses of their own. It is not unheard of to use the fallen as bait for more of their brethren, but it is not a tactic often used by the Kozaks. This is worrying, given we are still well within what should be their domain.]

>What do?

>>41206297
>get Artyom's opinion

>>41206374
I'll second that

>>41206297
Bypass the fallen. It isn't worth the fight.

>>41206880
I thought as much as well, but I believe that the opinion of a local would be useful none-the-less.

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<Lets get Artyom's opinion. He's Slazchta, he'd ought to know.> You respond.

Worming your way back through the underbrush, you find yourself thankful that you brought hard wearing travel clothes. You've not found the time to mend them in such a way that they won't get destroyed should you extend your spines, but nonetheless not getting caught on the brambles is worth the hazard. In any case you make it back to Marie and Artyom without trouble.

[Several of the fallen are in the next gulley over. Feasting on something, we are not sure what.] You explain to Artyom, who has produced a hefty looking hardwood staff, or a small tree trunk you're not sure which. [What's your take on it?]

[We only used the corpses to draw out the Fallen when in infestation has grown untenable. Or for training. That was always close to the hold . This far out, I would imagine that they got hit by something they could not afford the time to burn.] The centaur hefts the staff. [I would like nothing more than to see the vermin destroyed.]

"Miss Masterson? We could prolly sneak around them, if they're so engaged. Or try and take the long way around. Would take some time, and get us off the old trail, but we'd be avoiding this pack at least." Marie suggests.

>Engage (Initiates combat, 1d20 roll with modifiers depending on plan of attack)
>Try to sneak past (1d20+1 stealth roll.)
>Long way around (Two 1d20 travel rolls, lower is better in this case.)

Rolled 14 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>41207031
>Try to sneak past (1d20+1 stealth roll.)

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>41207031
>>Long way around (Two 1d20 travel rolls, lower is better in this case.)

Rolled 6, 14 = 20 (2d20)

>>41207031
>Long way around
[Sorry, Artyom. We shouldn't take the time to fight them, even if their destruction would be better for everyone.]

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>Long way, 6 14

[Sorry, Artyom. We shouldn't take the time to fight them, even if their destruction would be better for everyone.]

He takes that without argument as you go break east, taking a long way into more uneven terrain. You make camp for the night in a small divot at the top of a hill, making a fire out of the scrub and peat nearby. Artyom and Marie pull watch for the night, as you bed down.

The next morning finds you back in the scrub, searching for the trail. What's more disconcerting is that you've come across a few more gulleys with the degenerate trolls in them, feasting on what appears to be their own. You find yourself circling around at least five smaller feasting grounds. This seems to agitate Artyom.

[Something the matter?]

[We do not leave them like this for long. They multiply if left with food too long. It is always better to burn them lest they dig a hive.]

>Action?

>>41208352
A hive?

>>41208352
This will be a big problem later. I wish we had firebombs, but we don't.
How much grass is where they are?

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[A hive?]

Veles chimes in here. [They burrow. Winding tunnels. Too small for any Casimiran to get into. Burning them out does not work, they do not seem to need air like we do.] He notes the confusion on your face, [Oh they breathe rightly enough, but they seem to be resilient. Can't keep the fire down there burning long enough to actually kill them. Best way is usually to collapse the hive on them, but even then the ones not crushed dig their way out eventually.]

[The Kozaks are the ones to tend to this.] Artyom continues. [They use runes to collapse the earth, or pour boiling water into them, if close enough to a stream.]

You look at the surroundings. There's significant shrubbery in the badlands, but as for something to provoke a proper wildfire, you'd be hard pressed to get it to spread. If they do dig in, it'd be heavy work to uproot them you'd think.

<Got something in mind?> Veles asks.

>>41208956
[Well, I was thinking setting the plane on fire, perhaps with the two of you containing it to the gullies using runes might work, but there isn't quite enough, and if something went wrong, I don't know if we'd be able to get away.]

>>41209009
*-enough underbrush,-

>>41208956
Doubt Artyom got some of the explosive bolts they use for their crossbow?
Maybe use that and Veles magic to make some kind of big fire?

>>41209295
No. All he has is his armour and a stick. I'm sure he can use the rune magic too, but I'm not sure as to the extent of his capability.

Speaking of magic:
>>41208956
What is the most advanced bit of magical bullshit we've done so far?

>>41209356
Probably freezing the water for those corpses, and having what amounts to a lighter on hand at all times. Veles is onhand though if magic bullshit is what you're looking for.

>>41209502
I know, but still. It's always good to be able to do things on your own.
Actually, inform him of the original plan, but also nonchalantly ask how to keep the fire together so that you might be able to throw it.

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[Well, I was thinking setting the place on fire, perhaps with the two of you containing it to the gullies using runes might work, but there isn't quite enough underbrush, and if something went wrong, I don't know if we'd be able to get away. If you could show me how to do that blaze you did...]

Artyom interjects, [Runes I can use but do not have. Their creation is a secret held by Kozaks, and the Royal line of Sigismund. That would have been something to ask of Tatiana.]

[I can keep a sustained blaze going, the cover is sparse enough that the badlands should not go up, but...] Veles says, pausing until you motion for him to continue. [There are six of these things. Are we just going to clear this one, or are we doubling back? Also, I can show you how to sustain such fire, but it will be taxing for a beginner such as yourself.]

Marie, barely hanging on to the flow of the conversation, chimes in. "He's got a point, how many of these are we going to fight? Are we going back to that big group?"

>Well?

>>41210137
How long does it takes for a group to start burrowing? Maybe we can scatter them?

>>41210137
[If we start, we'll probably need to get them all, or they'll either follow us or charge in when/if they notice fighting. If we could manage to take them all at once that would be best.]
Hmm. . .
[Show me how to sustain a blaze. I'm sure that I can handle it, at least for a second or two. We already spent the time to go around the larger group, so it would be a wast to go back and deal with them now. We'll figure out what to do with them later. First we immolate the ones in front of us. Any objections, or suggestions to this plane of action?]

>>41210308
This is also a good question.
>>41210137

>>41210308
Estimates put at from 3-5 days for the start of hives to appear. If you were to say, go to bralin, and come back, they would definitely have at least started to burrow.

>>41210333
Sustaining the blaze will require a roll. 1d20-2

Question is if you want to engage.

>>41210536
I still asked the rest of them on opinions or suggestions on the plan I proposed. I'm waiting for them to respond.

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[If we start, we'll probably need to get them all, or they'll either follow us or charge in when/if they notice fighting. If we could manage to take them all at once that would be best.] You suggest.

[They are naturally averse to fire. If anything it would drive them away than attract them. They do not focus on much when feasting though. We mostly used this to make live lancing targets.] Artyom responds.

Nodding, you turn to Veles. [Show me how to sustain a blaze. I'm sure that I can handle it, at least for a second or two. We already spent the time to go around the larger group, so it would be a waste to go back and deal with them now. We'll figure out what to do with them later. First we immolate the ones in front of us. Any objections, or suggestions to this plan of action?]

[I see no problems with this, save the strain of casting.]

"Just wondering what I should be doing Miss Masterson." Marie says.


>Engage? (If so issue orders and roll 1d20)
>Avoid? (1d20 travel roll)

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>41210766
>Engage? (If so issue orders and roll 1d20)
Marie can keep an eye for the groups close to that one

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>>41210810
Well, ain't that some shit.

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Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>41210766
>Engage
Veles and we will incinerate the trolls.
Artyom will keep them off of us.
Marie will provide us with information on movements, and so long as it wouldn't endanger her too greatly, she should also help to keep them off of us.
>>41210810
YES!

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>41210766

>Engage? (If so issue orders and roll 1d20)

>>41210890
Thank the dice-gods we aren't you.

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>41210886
This

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>20

<It is still a matter of visualization and concentration.> Veles says, moving your arms out in front of you. <You have to see the gout of flame, then when you truly feel it, you give it a spark. This is hard to do when both hands are occupied and lacking a catalyst, but a simple flame can ignite the plume.> he says, moving in front with a small flame held in one hand.

<You mean like this?> You say, flicking one hand like you were striking a lighter.

A veritable deluge of flame erupts from in front of you, and you see Veles holding up his blade, just the hint of an nearly invisible shield deflecting the flames away from him and into the air. Shocked, you drop your hands and the eruption ceases. Marie stands wide eyed as Veles brushes himself off, looking slightly singed.

<Yes, exactly like that.>

The trolls didn't even know what hit them. With Veles channeling his flame through his blade, and you eschewing your rifle to rain fiery death upon them, it didn't leave much for Artyom or Marie to even do.

Plowing your way through the gullies, you have to catch yourself not to take too much enjoyment out of this. You are burning things alive after all. Granted the things are abominations of nature, feel no real pain, and can only be fully destroyed by fire in the first place you're still careful not to get too into it.

In any case, your rampage takes you and Veles through these smaller feeding grounds, him focusing on the their feast (which indeed appear to be troll corpses) and you practicing your aim by immolating the stragglers.

It takes the better part of the day, but at the very least these trolls won't be burrowing.

>What now? Also give me a 1d20 roll.

[Draconic and Elemental Aptitude both increased by 1] I've been tallying skills under the hood, but this one deserves a mention. You guys and your dice I swear.

>>41211587
Could we, burn the corpse they're feeding off, to maybe make them scatter if it proves too much work hitting most of the groups? Or will they, in their feeding frenzy attack each others?

>>41211587
[By His Light, that was fun! A lot more fun than it probably should have been. . .
ANYWAY!
We should move on until a bit before sundown and then make camp.]

>>41211635
We, KINDA incinerated everything already.

>>41211635
Veles has already set those corpses alight. Only one left is the larger area behind you. You managed to clear the smaller encampments using most of the day. All thats left is the massive frenzy spent a day bypassing.

>>41211687
*<By His Light, that was fun! A lot more fun than it probably should have been. . .>
>erase: ANYWAY!
>[We should move on until a bit before sundown and then make camp.]

Mind giving me a 1d20 roll real fast?

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>41212137

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>41212137

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>18

<By His Light, that was fun! A lot more fun than it probably should have been. . .>

You sag a little, as the toll from the sustained spell begins to make itself known. Shaking yourself out of it, you turn to the group.

[We should move on until a bit before sundown and then make camp.]

You end up finding something approaching familiar surroundings as you make camp. The edge of the badlands and into the wide sloping valley that leads to Bralin proper.

Pulling first watch, you see nothing of note during your watch and leave Veles the second.

You wake to the smell of Marie cooking, and after a light breakfast, you continue south seeing the fields surrounding Bralin approach before the walled city itself comes into view.

You're not sure how exactly you'll be able to get audience with the nobility, but its at least worth a shot.

>Calling the thread here for the night, I know folks gotta get some sleep. As always, thanks for reading, and if you've got questions on setting, mechanics, characters, or anything you're unclear on I'll be about for a while. Hope you enjoyed tonight's thread.

>>41204281
Thank you for this. Most don't bother when they forget to do this, and some don't even try to begin with.
Thank you for trying, and for caring.

>>41212600
Dammit. I wanted to ask Veles and Marie something.
Those questions were:
>Could Marie learn magic too
>Does she want to too

>>41212665
^As this one said.
We all appreciate it greatly.
>>41212600

>>41212600
'Till next time.

Oh yeah, don't forget to archive.

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>>41212665
I try to be as considerate to folks as I can when I run this. Just have a habit of fucking up the OP in at least one way when I post. Normally its roman numeral fuckups. I once posted the OP in another guys thread on accident. 4chanX is magnets sometimes.


>>41212755
Already taken care of.