>>45161327
>Tell them what Veles told us
The Nitor can be trusted.

>>45161327
I am here, just in class for like 30 more min lol

>>45161327
>Mention what Veles saw

Yay

>>45161327
>Mention what Veles saw

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"That's what Veles saw yeah. Said a bunch of folks with Phoenix features working underground."

Keel looks over to the old snake who, still looking taxed from his ordeal, simply nods. "And the blood?"

"Blood and bodies, they are using 'roc magic' as Veles says, talismins and sigils and the like, using blood as a catalyst."

"We've not had any disappearances since they've arrived. Even when they hit settlements the dead stayed there. Where are they getting the bodies?"

"Remember early Summer?" You say, thinking back to the time on the coast. "The dead drained of blood we found before they invaded? The big ship? Maybe their using their own."

"But you said there were others. Some of ours maybe."

"Not like you." Veles says, "Close to humans, but different. Different ears and hands and features. I can't say more. It was sensed, not seen. Divination takes what you know, not what you see. Things have changed... much I do not know these people."

"But they are for sure trying to break through, here? How much time?" Keel says, turning Veles.

"Cannot say, we could have a week, or we could have a month or they could run out of blood and give up." Veles responds with a shrug. "I do not think they will run out of blood."

Keel turns to the assembled group, "Anyone got any ideas?"

>Try to find them.
>Wait for them to try and break through.
>Try and force the gate on your end.
>Other?

>>45162790
"I want to try and find where they are. If possible, it should look like they were found by accident so they don't figure out that there actually is something on this side. Some need to keep guarding the gate while we search. We can probably handle most of that, but it might be better to have more men on-hand to help. Veles? How do you feel about letting them stay up here for securities sake?"

>>45162790
> Try and force the gate on your end
Initiative and violence of action might carry us through even if we don't have full information.

>>45162967
But then they would know that we were here. From what I understand, they can try to hack in from anywhere because this isn't the original other side they're doing this from.
If we let them know, then they'll only redouble their efforts somewhere else.
At the very least, we need to find their layer FIRST, so we can preform a pincer maneuver and leave no survivors.

>>45163050
My concern is finding them prior to their finishing their dicking with the portals. It would suck if the either find the thing they are looking for. I'm hoping if we can blast through quick enough that we either whack the lot of them or make ourselves their biggest problem

>>45163733
What they're looking for is on our side of the portal. If we keep them out, they won't get it. If we open the portal on our own, then they will KNOW that there's something good on our side instead of just thinking that there is.
If we wait and find their layer first, it will be better. We risk loosing our men more if we bust through for them.

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>>45163850
>>45163733
>>45163050
>>45162967
>>45162904
Normally I'd combine votes, but these are a bit hard to smush together. I'll let you guys hash it out a bit more before I run with what's here.

>>45164221
Ok, let's get an idea of how quickly we can get through the portal and how good of an idea do we have of where they are?

>>45164290
Probably longer for us to get through than for them to. (They HAVE been at it longer.) Either that or we'd help each-other brake through and we'd have both sides be ready to go through at the same time.
That's what I'm guessing, at least.

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>>45164290
both would take time, though it would likely be faster to bridge the connection than divine their location.

Only thing you know about where they are is that they are on the southern continent, and their gateway is closest to the link created between here and what used to be the far northern wastes of the UFK wherever it was. It puts their hideout in the swamp you fought the false McCain or on the islets off the coast .

>>45164328
We are still guessing and assuming. I am trying to see if we are entitled to any further information or if Veles can give us some more info.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>45164386
My bet is the swamp.
They were taking slaves down there for a reason, and mining Diamonds was probably not it.
>>45164412
We'd have to ask him for that. We'd have to roll a knowledge check to see if we ourselves know.

I'm going to go ahead and do that.

>>45164386
Ok, looks like a bunch of land to cover. Let's see if Keel and his boys are ready for a fight, then drop in on top of the bastards if our compatriots are game.

>>45164718
>>45164478
>>45164412
Mind you the hideout was underground, so they'd be looking for holes leading into bigger holes in the middle of a swamp. If you want to brute force it. That said, everything I've revealed is what you know. To throw in that roll, you wager they are either really deep or not in the swamp given then nature of how waterlogged it is.
Welcome to the tunnels of Vietnam.

>>45164883
To solve this, you COULD have someone else ask about forcing through instead of us.

>>45164883
Or you could have someone else, like Liama, suggest what I want, and have us ask about forcing through.

>>45164221
One possible combination would have us say what I wanted us to, then think outloud at Veles, which would elicit a response from him.
(Of course I'm trying to get my idea through first.)

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"The way I see it there's two things we can do." You say, breaking the awkward silence as the folks present mull over Keels question. "We can either brute force our way in, take care of them and be done with it, they wouldn't know what hit them."

"Or?" McCain says, spurring you on.

"Or we try and divine their location, we know roughly where they are, its just a matter of pinpointing it, yeah?"

Veles hisses "It'd take some time, more than some I'd imagine to do it alone."

"We could get some Schola Nitor magi up here to help." Keel says, not pressing the issue when he sees the grimace on Veles' face.

"Possible. I am not thrilled at the idea of those I am not able to judge if sensible looking at my things. Having these people in here is... well." He says, gesturing to Liama, the shadows, and the Nitor.

If Liama took offense, none showed as she beamed. "Could go through and see if we can pop them from both sides, here and there."

"That'd mean finding their access point, which we've been through the swamp several times already hunting them, if its mundane means we'd have found them by now." Keel says with a sigh, "If they were funnelling bodies in by ship they need a supply chain, but other than you we've not caught sight of that monstrosity of a ship."

"So its either divine it out or hit them soon, yeah?"

"Could always try and spy on them more, if Veles is up to it." Liama suggests. "Might not be like tracing the location, but I dunno if he's willing we might find out a clue we can use."

>Well?

>>45165285
Break through and hit em soon. Go right through the portal they're trying to open.

>>45165285
I say we get some of the Schola Nitor up here. They should be under watch, however. I want to take as few risks as possible, and I believe the Nitor, all of their branches, should be trustworthy.

>>45165401
Fuck no Veles just said he doens;'t want that. And we know that the military has been breached before. The nitor aren't invulnerable

>>45165285
Ehh, probably best to hit them soon and hard on our terms. I wouldn't want them breaking through or getting tipped off while we divine or search for them. Just open it up and blow that Calvary horn.

>>45165454
The military isn't blessed by His Light. The Nitor were created by His Light's last paladin. Surely He protects them.

>>45165548
No they're a military organization who happened to have one member who was blessed found them. HE doesn't micromanage. No one is invulnerable to infiltration.

>>45165597
They're a holy organization and HE is a "GOD"! He can micromanage all he wants!

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>>45165454
>>45165597
The UFK standing military, including the reserves, and the Nitor are separate entities. Nitor are far more selective and rigorous in recruitment and training, more than a few people sign up only to wash out.

McCain's apparent betrayal back during the First Wood incident was unheard of at the time. His men losing themselves in the fighting while he was injured was the only ACTUAL time a Nitor 'fell' something he blames himself for heavily. Since then standards have gotten even more rigid.

Spies are probably the least of your worries, there are OTHER worries though.

>>45165804
>>45165597
As I said, they can be trusted. Also, Veles is old and paranoid.

>>45165956
(Not without good reason, but still.)

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"Ehn, probably best if we go through hard and fast. Hit them when they don't expect it."

Keel nods, "We don't know if this is an outpost or their main hideout. I'd like at least a dozen of my men, split in two groups at the very least."

"Sasha will have to go as well." Veles says aloud, causing all eyes to turn to him. "I can open the link, faster with her help, but returning will be harder. These are two different breeds of magic and I will be working to bridge the gap. Opening the gateway from the other side is not something will likely be able to do from here. It will likely be the same as the gateway between your domain and mine, but the gateway will not stay open as easily like those of similar magic."

"I want in on this Miss." McCain says

"Me too, no damn way I'm missing out on this." Liama says as well.

Artyom's eyes are set and he seems eager as well, but you don't know how useful the hussar would be in tighter quarters.

"Could set up a staging area in here, get folks in in waves, have Veles open the gates and let the next batch in."

The old snake grimaces again. He really seems out of his comfort zone here.

>Help Veles? Y/N (Requires a 1d20+1 casting roll on troll rune magic)
>Who's coming into the other side?
>Plan of attack?
>Other?

Rolled 1 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>45166238
>>Help Veles? Y/N (Requires a 1d20+1 casting roll on troll rune magic)

Rolled 11 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>45166325
>>45166238
I am so sorry

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>>45166325
That's a multi part thing mind you, apologies if its unclear.
Gotta hash out what you're doing as well.

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Rolled 20 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>45166238
I say we help if we're going through with this lunacy.
Does Artyom have a spear? If no, get him one. If these are tunnels tall enough for him, a spear and inch-thick steel shield will make him a deadly thing indeed. (Also, spears are better at linear combat than swards.) If we need to get him one, make sure it's not much longer than 5' long.
Fire goes in first. Anyone who can use fire magic should launch it in as soon as the gate opens. If no one other than us can do that, we'll need to do it.
After the fire goes the mooks. If they have bayonets, they'll need to mount them.
After them go important people.

>>45166325
I told you this was a bad idea. The Random Number Gods agree.
>mfw i'm right

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>>45166394
And I rolled a nat 20. . .

Rolled 19 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>45166238
how many do we need?

>>45166563
Everyone should roll as far as I care to say.
(You're 4/6)

Rolled 7 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>45166238

>>45166563
Best of three, you'd be the third because I'm pretty sure the 11 is an accidental reroll. Crit success and crit fails cancel each other out

You guys set on the plan in place here >45166394 ?

And yes Artyom has a lance.

>>45166617
yea that works Roll this shit.

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>>45166563
>the RNG's faces right now in relation to me
>"he thought we were on his side"
>"look at him, look at him and laugh"
I still feel smug though. Nothing will cause me to stop being smug tonight.

>>45166617
What about the Nitor and bayonets?

>>45166675
They do. Though Keel's outfit is cavalry, so they also have sabers handy.

>>45166714
Spears are more useful, but sabers are also good due to them being draw-cut weapons.
The order of named characters will be decided after the mooks and Keel go in.
(Mooks need their commander, after all.)

>>45166752
So you're sending everyone here in then?

>>45166860
As I said, Fire first. If we have the energy, we should close the gate for a bit and then open it to send in the Nitor and Keel for make sure it's safe for the "civilians." (They also have better training than us.) They get a few minutes to secure the landing point then we'll go.
Artyom will probably be going in ahead of the rest of us, followed by Liama and her men that are up here, then McCain, then us last. Veles will probably be super tired, and if we fail, he needs to be able to destroy the portals.

Everyone else agree? (I'm asking the characters too.)

>>45166940
Also, make sure they have as few touches or something. (Something not reliant on flame would be preferable, though,)

>>45166940
If we can't keep closing and re-opening the portal after we open it the first time, everyone should follow the flames after a few seconds. (It won't be as effective, but still.)
Also, make sure they hold their breaths if we can't close and re-open the portal. The oxygen will go quickly. Any time someone uses fire magic in the tunnels they should hold their breaths then too.

>>45166860
Let's have Artyom play rearguard. We need to make sure somebody doesn't try bushwhacking Veles

>>45167187
Okay, fine. Artyom goes in after us. He'd be more effective in the front, but whatever. Your reasoning is sound enough.

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Wish we had some dorfs. . . They're good at cave fighting, and they love fire. They would be PERFECT for this.
That or guardsmen with Flashlights.

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>19
"Keel, you'll take the lead, once we get the portal through. We'll slip on in once that rooms secured."

"Good to see we're on the same page." He says, readying his men.

You move over to where Veles is, and begin helping him cast. He's frontloaded a lot of the work onto him, but you ease the burden as best you can. From what the two of you can tell from the link, that the people on the other side are not present at the moment. You're momentarily disheartened having hoped to fireball them into oblivion, but at the same time it'll probably make things easier.

Finally you manage to bridge the gap, the portal winking into life as Keel and his men move in. Just as quickly as it opens is closes as Veles catches his breath. Going at it once again you and yours head through the gap and into the unknown.

You're greeted to pitch blackness, as you adjust for the light, you see Keel's dozen lined up on either sides of the cavern, looking at a tunnel. Taking stock of your surroundings, you see the rough hewn and hastily dug room that makes up the gateway, script you can barely make out along the walls as the scent of dried blood assaults you. Quietly, you motion for Artyom to take up the rearguard, last thing you want is someone slipping by and hitting Veles.

Keel moves up to you once your group settles in. "Nothing in here yet, lots of markings but I think they were working on this away from their main area. Tunnel leads one way. I wager we'll have to press on."

>Wait for someone to come in here
>Proceed onwards

>>45167341
How wide is the tunnel? How high? Are we on stone or dirt? Is it muddy?

>>45167398
Tunnel seems to be 10x10 and cut square into solid earth. Soil seems slightly damp to the touch, but not more than you'd expect. Seems to be a high amount of clay in it.

>>45167559
>>Proceed onwards
Ok, do we have any cover?

>>45167578
Not that you can see at the moment.

>>45167559
We advance three by three excluding the front row (possibly). Snakes are better at seeing in the dark, yes?
If so, then Liama and we will be taking up the front row. Inform them that if they see anyone doing fire magic to hold their breaths and count to ten before breathing again.
The Nitor will follow in rows of three with Keel in the middle somewhere. McCain and Artyom will be the rear guard for now.
We won't use any lights yet.
(Do we see any light down the passage way, and is the room we're in have any lights? If not, how did we or any of the humans see the inscriptions?)

>>45167341
FORWARD!!!!

>>45167691
>>45167341
Liama's men will be right behind us. The mook must always be near their commander.

Rolled 3 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>45167705
>>45167578
>>45167705
Gimme a stealth roll, 1d20+2

Rolled 8 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>45167819
ROLLIN'

WE NEED MOAR ROLLS!

Rolled 14 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>45167819

>>45167819
How many mooks do we have again?
What was it, 5 from Keel and two from Liama?

>>45168539
Keel brought 12 men with him, McCain, Liama and her two, and Artyom is back at the entrance of the tunnel.

All told you're sitting on roughly a score of people, including yourself.

>>45168668
Okay. Just wanted to make sure.
(Liama's two men are on either side of the one Nitor soldier who would be pushed out of formation by Keel being in the middle.)

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Nodding, you and Liama take the lead as you both slither close to the ground, keeping lookout for the veritable mob following you. Creeping along the tunnel, you find it begin to incline, continuing its straight path before it opens to a gargantuan area. The people behind you stop as the pair of Lamia survey the scene. Its a cove, or a cavern of sorts, on one side you can see light, and if the faint scent of salt hidden beneath the blood is any indication you're on the coast. Along the walls more of these tunnels, sunk into ground and looking downards.

Centered among cove is the ship. That massive square ship that you saw dumping bodies into the water months ago. It is at rest now, with figures moving up and down a loading ramp.

All throughout the cavern you can see people, dressed in drab plain robes moving and bustling with activity. Thankfully the activity is on the far end of the cavern, and a sinking feeling slices through your gut as you see the long bundles being loaded onto the ship. Same as before.

All told you see anywhere from sixty to eighty figures roaming around the shores, and if Liama's muttered counting is any indication that's on the low side.

You're gonna need more men.

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>>45168826
And that's it for tonight since I see it going two ways, and both might end up a little involved, don't want to drag folks into that on a weekday. In any case, thanks for reading, as always.

>>45168826
Slither back down and inform Keel and McCain once we get back to the entry poi-
Okay. 'Night.

>>45168859
As always, thanks for running.
DAMN YOU! I HAD A PLAN! WE COULD HAVE SLAUGHTERED THEM AND KILLED THEIR STEALTH SHIP IN THE SPAN OF HALF AN HOUR!

>>45168943
MY BODY WAS READY! *sobs*

>>45168943
It's only 80 people you can see. That said combat tends to drag-on a bit and even if you did get stuck in (Which you can still do.) It'd prolly run for a good while.
That said I'm gonna try and shoot for another thread soon. Not gonna let my momentum get stopped.

>>45169028
What I meant was, we have six rows rows men, there was no way to get around is, and they would have to funnel into our tunnel. We shoot a fireball(or three) into the ship, the ship will burn and be ruined. That will distract many of them. Especially the mages who will be busy killing the flames. Those who come after us would need to follow us all the way back down, and we'd use Us, McCain and Liama as the third row. The Nitor and Liama's men will be the first two rows. There are only three in a row. They retreat and reload while the men behind them move up and fire, this repeats with five sets of three (including Keel). They have their bayonets mounted. The blood of those that die in each volley will moisten the ground further and cause it to be unbearably slippery. They will slide into our fire and bayonets. Their bodies will be as sand-bags. It would have been GLORIOUS!

(That was MY plan, anyway.)