>>46564172
>>East

>>46564172
So if we take the capitol the other nations will try to conquer the rest of the land we left behind. I vote to go:

>East

Since we need to secure our conquer from the other nations this will give us a way to shelter our soldiers.

With all the people we capture daily, maybe we should take it slow now, and invest some funds into "insightful" "medical" "research".

>>46564255
Or we can use then as canon fodder. IT will be less mouths to feed and we won't need to invest in all this medical stuff

>>46564269

No one said we had to feed the lab rats.

I'll second this action for going full Imperial Japan.

>>46564255
wasn't the idea to go in quick and swiftly before they could realise that we entered the war?

>>46564326

I guess. It's not like OP wouldn't allow two actions to be made at the same time though.

>>46564253
You decide to head straight into the lion's den, and plan a route to take you east, toward the capitol of Hielon.

The troops pack, and beside a skeleton force you leave behind to cover your tracks, march as one toward the city of Neige. The trek is difficult, as your men are far from accustomed to the snowy ground, the sudden shifts in wind, and of course the native flora and fauna. In their homelands, they must fear coyotes, and serpents. Up north, there are cunning and aggressive wolves, and strange horned beasts which resemble an unholy union between deer and camel. Though docile in appearance, a handful of minions make the mistake of agitating one, leading to terrible injury.

By the time you've reached the first large city, the Hielonites seem at least passingly aware of your presence. The walls are reinforced with new stone, and the gates are barred shut. You suspect they lie in wait, ready to fight for their home.

>Send an emissary to 'speak' to them
>Lay siege, and block movement in and out
>Charge the city
>Other

>>46564416

Bull rush, leaving women and children alive for the mentioned above second action.

>>46564416
Let's make another Teion again. and preapare the superweapon.

>>46564416
>Send an emissary to 'speak' to them

We just got here to help you guys...Then storm then when they open the gates.

>>46564455

Regardless on how we end up attacking, I will vote for this as an "automatic action".

>>46564476
You decide to open negotiations first, for what good it might do. Without Vanessa, you have no access to her charming magics, so you'll have to rely on Duncan and Kyle to get the job done. The two depart in the night, and slip inside the city. You don't hear from them for a few days, making you a bit nervous about potential reinforcements sneaking up on you, but after nearly a week they finally return. Duncan reports in as soon as they arrive.

"My dark lord, I have brokered something of a deal with the people inside. The government powers will never bend for us, but the local cutpurses have formed a guild of sorts. They have agreed to join us, as well as hire the cities chapter of hunters and trappers, if we agree to put their leaders in power after executing the mayor and his cabinet. I agreed, but of course the decision of following through if ultimately yours."

You thank Duncan, and tell the troops to prepare for the attack. You choose the nearest gate for the bulk of your forces, with the other entrances marked to be assaulted while the primary force holds the defenders' attention. Gilbert prepares the weapon, and after two days of forming up, you are ready to attack.

>Fire the weapon to begin the attack
>Wait for the troops to engage the enemy
>Weaken the gates, then attack
>Other

>That feel when I suggested banning pants
This is bad. Can't we create an exception to the rule for soldiers?

Are WE wearing pants?

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>>46564611
>Fire the weapon to begin the attack
We will leave the Thieves Guild in charge of the city... after we burn it to the ground. Along with all of its inhabitants. Dead men tell no tales.

>>46564611
>>Fire the weapon to begin the attack
then murder the guild leaders and put or own leaders. just remember what happened in theon(or however was called that other city).

>>46564611
>Fire the weapon to begin the attack

"Commence primary ignition"

>>46564663
You stand beside the sleek and shining shaft of the weapon, watching as Gilbert and the Hellraisers prepare it. One of the black armored elite troops heaves a massive and heavy ball up and into the thing, and you notice the explosive runes Gilbert mentioned long ago. As it rolls into place, Gilbert orders everyone to clear the area. You are given the honor of christening the beast. Gilbert has shown you how to operate the thing already, so now all that's left is to begin.

You approach it from the side, and find the rune circle at it's base that denotes the position for the operator's hand. You place yours there, and feel the weapon begin to hum. You watch the walls of the city, and channel a bit of your magical power into the circle. The runes covering the weapon begins to burn fiercely, even in the bright sunlight, and suddenly the entire thing is pushed back nearly three feet. There is a loud roar, and the ball inside is propelled forward, arcing beautifully, and heading for the city walls. There is a light whistling sound as it sails, and when it impacts you are shocked by the sudden and enormous explosion. There is a plume of dust and smoke, and screams loud enough to be heard from the large distance between you and the city. As the dust rises, your men sound the horns of attack, and go running forward in tight formation, rallying as they race to glory.

Your advisors, including Marigold, approach, eager for orders.

>"Kill all who oppose us. Leave the women and children."
>"Hold for now. We will step in if need be."
>"Chaos, destruction, that sort of thing."
>"Work quickly and discreetly. There need not be death where it isn't warranted."
>Other

>>46564855
>>"Kill all who oppose us. Leave the women and children."
same deal as with the other cities.

also, can we get artillery support from this thing without compromising our troops?

>>46564855

>"Work quickly and discreetly. There need not be death where it isn't warranted."

>>46564855
>Other
Kill everyone
Literally everone
Kill the enemy
Kill their wives
Kill their children
Kill the friends of their children
Kill the pets of the friends of their children
Kill the extended family of the pets of the friends of their children

>>46564855
>>"Work quickly and discreetly. There need not be death where it isn't warranted."

>>46564855
Hold on, threatening with more fireball if no submission

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>>46564855
>"Kill all who oppose us. Leave the women and children."

>>46564903
I'm tempted, but it seems like we're not so genocidal as much as we are conniving

>>46564996
>>46564455
>>46564255

>>46564914
Your advisors move out, following the troops and weaving through them toward the city. You command Gilbert and the Hellraisers to load the weapon again.

You fire ball after ball at the city, weakening the walls at first, then switching to the careful and calculated demolition of fortifications and strategic holdouts within. The weapon has surprising accuracy, especially with Caitlyn running the calculations on wind and velocity. After only six hours, the din of battle dies down, and the city begins to crumple under the weight of your army. By nightfall, the noise from within has completely died down. At night, battle ceases, and subterfuge takes its place. Throats will no doubt be slit, and buildings set ablaze. Though the night is quiet, is is far from peaceful.

When the sun rises again, Duncan and Kyle are already back, with news of the city's imminent fall. Legion has slain the people's greatest defenders, and Shen has all but castrated the militia. Caela and Sophia have also done an excellent job convincing the citizens to lay down their arms and surrender peacefully, to end the violence sooner.

With all that taken care of, you enter the city, and make for the seat of power at it's heart. Gathered there are four men, ragged and scarred, who claim to be representatives of the thieves guild, the sellswords, and the hunters. They grin form ear to ear, standing over the corpses of the former city leaders, and await your appointment as it's new heads.

>Execute them
>Complete the deal
>Other

>>46565149

Take them back to base for dark experiments.

>>46565017
Shame, but I respect your decision.

>>46565149
>Execute them
No honor among thieves amirite?

>>46565149
>>make them show loyalty to us
they will come back to bite us hard later on. maybe we can get them under our control via kyle's voice or something like that.

>>46565149
>Complete the deal

BUT

>Other
We will implant the same system that we did in Theon, they won't be nobles, but the greatess guild's in the city. They will have a high authority but not all of it. They will still be subjected to us and so they shall obey OUR demands.

>>46565149
>>46565349
Going with this.

>>46565349
You repeat the new process of government you put into place at Theon. Lacking nobles in the first place, and being more of an oligarchy, Hielon takes to the new system a bit better. The guild leaders are less than pleased to hear they'll be little more than puppets, but they dare not express discontent before you or your men.

You order the city to be repaired and reinforced post haste. The builders and carpenters set to work, begrudgingly. They do not wish to follow any order given by you, but they also do not love the idea of freezing to death or being ransacked by wolves come the winter.

As the city gradually turns over to your control, your advisors set to work enforcing your new laws. All pants are set to the torch, and the policy of orgies is enacted. You also round up a fresh batch of recruits, made up of young men and women who would sooner leave their former home than risk the ire of the guild leaders and their newfound power.

>Send the recruits back to the fortress for training
>Train them here
>Other

>>46565528
>>Send the recruits back to the fortress for training

>>46565528
Train here

>>46565528
>Send the troops back to the fortress for training.

>>46565528
>Send the recruits back to the fortress for training

This not even a choice. Also do we have a secret police? I know we have our elite soldiers the Hellraisers. But i think we will need some kind of work force inside our conquered lands. Specialy if we continued amassing 'allies' like these ones.

>>46565679
i think we don't and now that you mention it, it is a good idea. But we need someone we can trust to be the leader of such group.

>>46565679
You have Two of the Hellraisers and some minions begin transporting the new recruits back home. There, separated from distractions, they will be molded into fine soldiers.

Things settle down considerably as summer encroaches on spring. The snow melts nearly overnight, and the people are soothed by the refreshing green and blue of nature. Even your men seem more relaxed, though you'd prefer them to remain vigilant. You begin organizing a force of police from your own ranks, only about thirty or so, to take charge of the constabulary and carry out justice until such a time as it is no longer necessary to have a trained fighting force enforcing the law.

As you prepare to depart again, you are approached by Sophia. She seems distraught, asking for a private audience before you set out again.

>Agree
>"We can speak on the road, time is of he essence."
>Other

>>46565813
>>Agree

>>46565813
Agree

>>46565813
>Agree

>>46565861
You enter your private room, the former mayor's manse, which you appropriated after his death, and lock the door to his office behind you. Sophia moves to the other end of the room, and takes a deep breath as she peers out the window at the bustling town. When she turns around, you sense a stern determination from her, and she begins to speak.

"I know this ambition of yours is something you've been working toward for a long time. And I respect that. I even agree that the way the nations around us do things is antiquated and in need of reform. Nobles putting down the poor, kings ruling with impunity, and money making way for corruption are all things I'd love to see go. But I'm here to be honest, and that's what I'm going to be. I think you should be a little more lenient with the people you come across. No, not a little. A lot. I understand the cost of war, and I've never seen you lay a hand on someone who didn't resist," you think this must be true, though you've commited more than your share of aggressive acts, Sophia hasn't been witness to one as of yet, "but I think we can win more people over with patience. Caela agrees. I know you're passionate, and powerful, and you want to use that strength to change things. I wouldn't ask you to be someone else. But, could you maybe be someone more open to sympathy? I think, deep down, you don't see yourself as a tyrant. You don't care if that's how people see you though, so long as it works. What I think you really are, is someone who sees something that needs to change, and changes it, come hell or high water. Am I wrong?"

>"Yes."
>"No."
>"Maybe."
>Other

>>46566183
>>Other
"No, but it all depends on how sees me in that particular moment. For some, i'm a liberator, a bringer of a brighter future for others, a demon that must be purged from existence because it threatens their deacadent and hedonistic lifestyle. Now tell me how how could i win more people with patience and less agressive acts? last time that i tried that a stupid noble pitted shen -and up to an extent me- against your shield sister" .

>>46566183
>>46566448
+1

We're going from BEG to benevolent dictator

>>46566183
This
>>46566448

And also
>Patience aside, I can indeed be open to sympathy from those who are worthy. We first met as mortal enemies, yet here you are, standing by my side.

>>46566448
>>46566516
>>46566560
supporting

>>46566516
is basically the same. at least a benevolent dictator doesn't have to recure to fear tactics because the people love him or at least tolerates him. it also gives us more leeway for any kind of mad tactic, evil act we commit because the population won't care.

>>46566448
"I'm not asking you to tolerate the selfish and petty acts of others. I'm asking you to use the power you've been given by fate to make things better for the people who have to suffer under them. The people of Theon actually support you now. You had their brothers and friends killed, but they see you as a hero clad in black, bleeding the infection to save the body. You can be that person. I can help you. I'm not afraid to fight and kill, but if you tell me you'll become a leader who loves his people, then I can swear loyalty to you for the rest of my natural life."

Sophia takes a step closer to you, and looks you dead in the eye. You actually feel a bit of pressure coming from that glare, just like your ex use to exert, before you lost all respect for her.

"So, will you?"

>"I will do as I please."
>"I can try."
>"Love has no place in a ruler's heart."
>Other

We batman now?

dammit. this is a hard question. there is only enough love for one person and that is our daughter. but making the life of people better so they can be more loyal to us? we can do that

>>46566802
>>"Love has no place in a ruler's heart. but i can make their lives better."

>>46566802
>"I can try."
Also
>And you will tell me if I'll ever start slipping from that path. As you said, you are here to be honest.

>>46566895
Second

>>46566802
>>46566895
>"Love has no place in a ruler's heart. but i can make their lives better."
I like this, it makes us a benevolent ruler but we still have that edge about us.

>>46566835
We are the villain this world needs but not the one it deserves.

>>46566895
+1

>>46566895
You tell Sophia that you have no desire to give the people your devotion beyond what is needed of you, but that you can and will work to help them despite that lack of care. She looks a bit surprised. She watches your face for a moment, then looks away at the window. You see her rub her place a finger to her mouth, and rub her stomach is if trying to quell her unease. As if the confusion makes her nauseous. You wait for her to collect herself.

Eventually she turns back to you and bows slightly, avoiding your gaze.

"I understand. You're right. I'm sorry to have pestered you, but I had to speak my mind."

>"I'm not bothered. Better to have it out of the way."
>"Remember my position well, I don't want to repeat this conversation."
>"Think hard before you take up my time again."
>Other

>>46567192
>>"I'm not bothered. Better to have it out of the way."

>>46567192
B


Pregnant flag raised

>>46567245
at last vanessa's wish will come true.

>>46567192
>>46567245
Shit, ask her if she's alright. Ask her if she's had her period recently.

>>46567192
>"I'm not bothered. Better to have it out of the way."

>>46567333
i vote we ask her if she's alright. I think asking her about her period would be kinda meta.

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>>46567376
>I think asking her about her period would be kinda meta
We've boned her before, we presumably bone her on a regular basis, some time has passed, she's feeling ill and we've already experienced our ex-wife's experience. Having basic knowledge about pregnancy isn't exactly meta for a father.

>>46567334
Sophia leaves you, quietly heading to help prepare the troops to march. Things seem relatively quiet for the rest of the day, up until nightfall. There is a bit of a scuffle in town, quickly settled by the new police, over a baby born to one of the old city heads, in an affair with a lowly baker. You don't catch the minor details, only that two are dead, and the matter is settled.

The next morning, you set out for the capitol once more. There are two towns between you and your destination, and according to Duncan's spies the Hielonite forces still located in the country are amassing to oppose you before the final push. The bulk of them are still abroad however, trapped in skirmishes with the Solari, who have thrown all of their strength at the invaders while they are torn between home and the field.

Weeks go by, and the new recruits make it home, or so the messengers report. Not long after, you take another town, turning it over to you side. The people are less resistant here, as most have given up hope of opposing you solely based on the number of your men. Things seem to go smoothly, until you notice some of the locals taking advantage of the confusion of combat to act on their baser urges.

Several people come to you reporting murder, theft, and other atrocities done by men masquerading as your own troops. They demand justice by your hand.

>Weed out the criminals, taking up a few weeks
>Ignore their pleas for the time being
>Set secret police in place and be done with it
>Other

>>46567613
>Set secret police in place and be done with it

>>46567613
Ignore

>>46567613
>Set secret police in place and be done with it
Make sure they "interrogate" some of these crooks. We need to figure out whether they're just degenerates acting on their own or working for a potential enemy.

>>46567613
>>Weed out the criminals, taking up a few weeks
Crucifixion

>>46567646
You employ another team of police, with the authority to enforce the law without trial. In just a few days, they catch and put to death a few of the pretenders, sometimes brutally, but always quickly. Though they are put off by your methods, the people thank you for your swift action. One woman is even kind enough to bring you a gift basket of sweet buns and butter.

>Accept
>Decline
>Accept, but do not eat
>Other

>>46567761
Decline

>>46567761
>keep the food for you need you strength to take care of your family and yourself

>>46567761
>Decline
This is how Muhammad died after all

>>46567805
+1

>>46567811
The boxer?

>>46567805
this

>>46567761
>Accept
What poison is some peasant going to have that's gonna do worse than give us a bellyache? We probably eat glass and shit minatures

>>46567881
The prophet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Khaybar#Aftermath
Some people suggest that the effects of the poison weakened him so much it led to his eventual death

>>46567918
Impotent drug

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DADDY'S HOME!

>>46567805
You accept the gift. The buns are fair to middling, but fresh butter is always nice.

You leave the town in the care of your men and continue east, for the final push. From that point, none oppose you, until you near the sea and the capitol built on it. Some eighty kilometers away from the walls of the city, the enemy forces are gathered and dug into the cold and muddy ground. They number nearly forty thousand, against your sixty, but they wield magic and know the land well. You stop a good few hours away from them, and set up camp.

You call your advisors to order, and begin planning the attack. Legion and Shen are prepared to face any threat, but the shield sisters are less than synchronized today. Sophia is sure they are massing their footmen in the center of their formation, to set their mages on the flank, but Caela insists they will put the mages at the center, to soften your charging forces. They get so heated, you have to call them to order before they come to blows.

>"Both of you leave the meeting until you've cooled."
>"This isn't like you. Is something the matter?"
>"I won't have tacticians with such ill tempers. Legion, you are in charge of the plan."
>Other

>>46568180
>Be the BEG: the sitcom

>>46568262
B

>>46568262
>this isn't like you. is something the matter?

>>46568262
>"This isn't like you. Is something the matter?"

>>46568262
>"This isn't like you. Is something the matter?"

Yo op, is Sophia mad at us now because of earlier? Isn't honesty better then false lies?

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>>46568448
>Isn't honesty better then false lies?
I think she'd prefer true lies

>>46568484
Your a mad man anon. MAD!

I just don't want to see sisters be ripped apart due to loyalty's or some other weird bullshit.

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>>46568262
>"This isn't like you. Is something the matter?"

>>46568552
Wow that's cute I'm saving that. Anyway, back to the thing I'm supposed to be doing

>>46568308
Sophia takes a slight step back from Caela, eyes still locked with hers.

"Caela refuses to see that the enemy we face now isn't like the one we faced before. They have a different mindset, and different ways to approach their foes. Her heart is still in Theon, among the people who would brand her a traitor for seeking peace."

Caela rears back, surprised. Shen grins, elbowing Legion in the side as if to point at two cats tangled in the street.

"I'm not stuck anywhere. I'm just the only one here who can see past my own nose, at the larger picture. They may be different, but deep down we are all the same. I know I'm right, sister. You know I'm right. You're being contradictory to spite me."

"Ladies, this is a meeting, please-" Duncan begins, but he is silenced by the both of them at once. The two shield-sisters begin bickering, this time in full swing, and you sense that if you do not step in one of them might take things too far.

>Have Sophia step out
>Have Caela step out
>Have them both step out
>Bring them to order
>Other

>>46568745
>>Have them both step out

>>46568782
+1

>>46568745
>Have them both step out, and that they should be reminded they are advisors to us. We make the final plan, not them.

Fucking kids.

>>46568745
>>Have them both step out

>>46568816
supporting

>>46568745
>>46568816
This. Put on our Daddy voice, the kind we used when little Vanessa didn't play nice with the other kids in elementary school.

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>>46568745
>Bring them to order

Then

>Ask for the rest to leave and talk with BOTH of then in private, and tell then that this kind of behaviour isn't like then, so they should tell us what this is all about.


Also i think Sophia is having her head confused because of her supposed pregnancy.

>>46568816
You ask them both to leave, as you do not want such hot headed advisors to oversee a plan this delicate. Sophia storms out without a word, and Caela gives a half bow before following. You turn to the others, including Duncan, Kyle, Shen, and Legion. They say nothing about what they just saw, and you hope it stays that way.

You look back down at the terrain map of the area you must get through before taking the city. The enemy has blocked the land routes through the walls, so cutting through them is the only way in. They have also rooted themselves behind the nearby river, meaning you need to cross deep and rapid water just to reach them. Gilbert can have the weapon ready to fire by morning, as well two more if you give him a day or two to prepare. Caitlyn advises caution, as the magic of Hielon is not her strong suit, but she does know they are fans of cold and wind elements.

Shen has little to say about tactics, being more of a hands on fighter, but Legion advises using the Hellraisers as well as himself to draw the mages attention, once you find them. Their armor is made from cold forged iron, and therefore resilient to magic.

Before any of that is decided though, you have to decide on your approach.

>Cross the river as swiftly as you can
>Dam the river, taking up a few days and risking counterattacks
>Wait until the cold returns, freezing the river
>Other

>>46569067
>Dam the river, taking up a few days and risking counterattacks

Perfect draw them into our own ambushes. They are forced to act aggressively while we are not.

>>46569067
>Dam the river, taking up a few days and risking counterattacks

if they try to counterattack they still have to cross the river, which they'll probably freeze to cross, too bad we have tested Gilbert's weapon earlier and it's perfect for this scenario.

>>46569122
+1

>>46569067
>>46569122
>>46569204
Supporting.

>>46569229
You send a few men in secret to begin piling mud, stone, and wood along points in the river to cause it to overflow. The result will be a mire, but muck is better for you than wading through water which will leave your men open to being shot with arrows and whatever else the Hielonites might throw at them.

They get right to work, and in three days you can already see results. The Hielonites realize it too, and send a force up river to find the cause. Duncan spots them on the move, and acts quickly along with Kyle to silence them before they can return with information on the dam.

Desperate and uncertain, the Hielonites begin preparing for an attack. Your own men form up, and ready themselves for what may come.

>Retreat, and drag them through the mud before fighting
>Press forward, and use the advantage of your cavalry to counteract the rough terrain
>Dig in, and tire them out while you flank with the Hellraisers
>Other

>>46569432
>Retreat, and drag them through the mud before fighting.
Make them come to us, not the other way around.

>>46569432
>retreat and make them come through the muk. When they clear the dam. They'll be trapped on this side of the river with us

>>46569432
>press forward and use the advantage of your cavalry to counteract the rough terrain

>>46569432
>Retreat, and drag them through the mud before fighting

>>46569576
You order your men to fall back. The sudden order combined with the impending attack sends the troops into relative chaos as they hurry to pack and form up. The enemy takes full advantage of this, and launches an assault while you are still disorganized. They come at you with all of their strength, hitting you before you're quite out of the mud. Your men do their best to fight off the enemy and retreat at the same time, but it's not easy, and you lose a sizable number of troops before the retreat is finished, and you can turn your full attention toward your foes.

The mire is littered with corpses, both man and mount alike, as well as spikes and patches of ice. It serves as something of a barrier to keep the Hielonites from turning tail, along with the mud. Thanks to this, you can at least attack without worrying about them falling back very quickly.

You order the troops to enter formation.

>Put the Hellraisers at the front of the charge
>Put the Hellraisers at the flank
>Reserve them for an opportune moment

>>46569695
>Put the Hellraisers at the flank

>>46569696
Reserves we got this even though for some odd ass reason our army already broke. Worthless cunts.

>>46569759
+1

>>46569695
>Reserve them for an opportune moment
They're our elite units. We won't waste their lives over some petty skirmish. Use them as a last resort, to close gaps in the line or smash the enemy when they're on the verge of breaking.

>>46569695
>>46569886
Supporting.

>>46569926
You send in your first wave of troops, who meet the Hielonite mercenaries and sellswords head on. Your strict training helps them to do well against the seasoned fighters, but in the end organization wins out over experience, and the mecenaries begin to waver. Behind them, the Hielonite mages set up a line of fire, from which they begin casting magic to scramble and confuse your men. They summon not just spikes of ice, but obfuscating mist and cold winds that make formations difficult to hold.

The battle rages on for an hour before either side shows signs of routing. Your men are first to drop their weapons and run for the safety of the rear, many likely hoping to regroup, but some undoubtedly making for the hills.

>Let them leave
>Execute cowards
>Other

>>46570075
>excute them
We did not give the order to surrender and you will fucking not

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>>46570075
>Let them leave
We will appropriately punish them. For now, send in the Old Guard! Or Hellraisers, whatever.

>>46570135
You have some of your forces round up and shoot any fleeing troops. This draws valuable attention from the fighting, but convinces those still in the midst of combat to fight harder.

Soon the enemy troops begin to route as well. The sellswords are the first to turn tail, followed my the mages when the melee fighters break rank and allow your own troops to reach them. You still lose many to magic, but their spells are not unlimited, and soon the skill your men possess with shield and bow prove a suitable counter to the Hielonite tactics. The skirmish continues for another hour, until the enemy begins to retreat back through the ice and mud.

>Ride them down
>Regroup
>Send the Hellraisers after them
>Other

>>46570075
>>Let them leave
We'll serve punishments later

>>46570587
>>Regroup

>>46570587
>send the hellrider

>>46570587
>Ride them down

>>46570657
You call for the troops to gather up and regroup.

Legion returns first, mounted on a tired horse with a spear drenched in blood in hand. He dismounts, and reports that his personal troops dispatched well over three thousand, all safely taken within himself. Shen reports a meager thirty dead by his hand, but all of them were commanding officers.

Duncan and Kyle spent more time watching than fighting, but Sophia has lead her troops well enough to have routed three battalions of mages, losing only forty men in the process.

>Encourage one of them
>Encourage the lot
>Have them get right back to it
>Other

>>46570943
>Encourage the lot
They all did good, in their own way.

>>46570943
>>Encourage the lot
Group hug, everybody

>>46570943
>Encourage the lot

That...is actually a fucking lot of dead enemies.

>>46571012
You give them all kudos, which affects some more than others. You notice that Caela has not reported, but since her position is that of tactician, you doubt she has time to spend begging for accolades at your feet like the others.

You do in fact find her in the war tent, pouring over the map once more. When you approach and ask what she's hard at work over, she points to the city itself.

"Something caught my eye today. We obtained this map within Hielonite borders. I trust it to be fairly accurate. So why would they mark the chart with a moat here, around the outside of the walls, when there is no moat to speak of."

You bend over and look closely. There really is an area denoting a body of water. But the land around the city is dry, even in the summer warmth.

"It might be nothing, and Sophia agrees to as much, but it concerns me. It's possible there's something waiting for us there."

>"We'll deal with it when we arrive. For now, just get the men ready to move."
>"Perhaps we should send someone to investigate before marching."
>"Go there with as many men as you need and see what's what."
>Other

>>46571367
>>"Perhaps we should send someone to investigate before marching."
It's a magic city, they definitely have a magic moat

>>46571367
>"Perhaps we should send someone to investigate before marching."

This sounds super sketchy, Maybe they used magic to cover it up?

>>46571367
>"Perhaps we should send someone to investigate before marching."
Let Duncan lead a small scouting party. Or Kyle. Or both.

>>46571526
You agree to hold you position a while and let Duncan take some men to investigate. He rides out as soon as he is told, with a handful of troops to act as spotters and backup. Together, the small force is able to sneak by the enemy, who are now regrouping as well, just outside the city.

By the time Duncan returns the men are rested and fed. Some of the troops who ran have even returned, slipping back into the ranks to hide themselves among the others. Upon arriving Duncan reports no signs of any body of water. The ground is dry, and there seems to be no system to flood it. Caela overhears, and assure the both of you that something must be waiting there, unless the map is simply inaccurate, in which case trusting it further is a risk.

>"We'll just proceed carefully."
>"Send Caitlyn and Gilbert to be doubly sure."
>"We don't have time to ponder tricks, we need to march."
>Other

>>46571686
>"Send Caitlyn and Gilbert to be doubly sure with Duncan to be doubly sure, but using a different route if possible this time. "

>>46571686
>"We don't have time to ponder tricks, we need to march."
Also rip the map in half. If it's either inaccuraet or a way to set us up, it's better to proceed as if we never had that map in the first place. Use scouts and rely on what we can observe rather than the potentially false data of the map.

>>46571722
You send Duncan out again, this time with your mages in tow.

Waiting while so close to the city begins to make your troops restless. The enemy forces are back against the wall, quivering as they await your attack, but you hold your men at bay like hounds. Some of them begin roughhousing just to blow off steam.

>Forbid this
>Permit this, within reason

>>46572009
>>Permit this, within reason

>>46572009
>Permit this, within reason but limit it to X-amount per day.

So we don't let the enemy think we're not paying attention.

>>46572040
But don't we want the enemy to think we're not paying attention when we really are?

>>46572063
No because we want them nervosa and twitchy as fuck, More likely to make mistakes. Its called Psy-ops if I remember correctly.

>>46572022
The men relax a little with simple games and footraces, making them easier to command when the time comes.

Eventually the group returns, and with more to day. Caitlyn reports in, unfolding the map and pointing out the body of water marked there.

"There is water, it's just too deep underground to see, or even detect. Probably a channel dug beneath the city a long time ago. What for, I can't be sure. It'd be full of seawater, so it's no good for drinking or farming. And there's not even a way to bring it up to the surface. Gilbert and I checked, it's so deep you'd need to dig for days just to tap it. My best guess is that whoever made this map did it for surveying purposes. Just to make sure nobody made the mistake of flooding the area around the city."

Imagining all this trouble caused simply by your choice of map style is beginning to give you a migrain. You've used up the better part of a week, allowing the enemy to rest and regain their composure, and you've gained nothing.

>March first thing in the morning
>Set up a siege, keeping out of range of the enemy
>Hold position here
>Other

>>46572286
>Set up a siege, keeping out of range of the enemy

>>46572286
>Set up a siege, keeping out of range of the enemy
Let's put the fear of us in them

>>46572349
You surround the city by land, and prepare to starve them out. The people within hold fast, but the troops pressed against the walls begin to chip away one by one, until at last, on the thirteenth day, the rest simply lay down their arms and surrender.

In the end, you simply walk through the gates, demolished by Gilbert's weapon, and secure the city by force. The locals fight back, but without an army, they break as easily as rice crackers, and the leaders hand over power to you rather than suffer your wrath.

Soon after setting up in town, you find out what the moat was meant to imply. Had you attacked the city head on, a powerful spell could have been used to freeze the water deep below ground, creating a wall of ice that would have killed many, and made entry nearly impossible. But when the mages began turning tail, there was simply too few men to activate it, making their last line of defense worthless. That is, until you hand the plans to GIlbert and have him research possible applications.

Now with three major cities under your power, as well as the trade and military connected to them, your lands are resembling a true nation. You even enlist a large number of mages to be used as artillery from the Hielonite colleges.

The towns and villages you did not personally see to conquering are still resisting, and refusing to supply tax funds or goods to you. Without these tributes, the economy may fall out from beneath you, so you really should send someone to deal with the small folk.

>Legion
>Sophia
>Caela
>Kyle

>>46572912
>Send Kyle and Sophia

>>46572912
>large number of mages to be used as artillery
This is my fetish.

>>46573008
>Send the horny bugger and the potential mother of our son
Surely this can't go wrong.

>>46572912
>>Sophia
Send out Vanessa too
....wait..

>>46573231
He won't betray us, And if he does shes more then capable to off him.

>>46572912
>Caela
>Legion

>>46573008
You ask Kyle and Sophia to head out on a tour to announce your rule, and convince as many of the people as possible to cease resistance and accept the new order, spreading word of the benefits of new rulership. They agree, and prepare to leave.

Meanwhile, across the continent, the Hielonite forces sent to attack Solaris have dissipated like so much steam. Those who still wish to fight become sellswords, and those who do not simply assimilate into farming or ranching. The mages are, of course, rounded up whenever found, and put to the sword.

Sometime after taking Neige, the capitol of Hielon, Caitlyn brings to your attention some texts she dug out along with the notes for the ice wall that might have once trapped you. It mentions an ancient relic of Hielon known as the North Star, hidden somewhere in the city. It is said to hold a power worthy of a nation like Solaris attacking, and so your curiosity is naturally piqued.

>Send Shen to find it
>Send Legion
>Send Duncan
>Send Caitlyn

>>46573383
>>Send Caitlyn

>>46573383
>Send Duncan
He's our stealth bro.

>>46573383
>Send Duncan

We need a third spy master.

>>46573383
>Send Caitlyn
she knows magic but tell her to take at least two or three hellraisers with her.

>>46573383
>>Send Duncan
>>Send Caitlyn

Is it a fist

>>46573582
You send both Duncan and Caitlyn to sort things out. With Duncan putting his hear to the ground, and Caitlyn with her nose in a book, you suspect they an turn something up.

In fact, it take them just about a month of hard work to determine that the North Star is a stone, which has been hidden away in the local cathedral. You send a few men to fetch it, only to have them disappear. It doesn't take an evil genius to know what happened. But if something is valuable enough for someone to have the courage to defy someone like you, it must be worth having.

>Send Legion and Shen
>Send Caitlyn and Duncan
>Go in person
>Other

>>46573733
>Go in person

Tiss ours fools.

>>46573733
>Go in person

>>46573733
>>Go in person
Make sure we make a very big and flashy evil entrance too

>>46573850
You mount up, along with a few Hellraisers, and ride to the cathedral. It is a large edifice, painstakingly hewn and chiseled from the finest stone, in dedication to the deity of Hielonites, known as the Wise Sage of Winter. You know little about him, but it won't matter by the end of the day.

You arrive at the heavy wooden doors, barred with iron, and dismount, allowing the minions to see your horses away as you approach the entrance. For most, these doors would be a deterrent, but it takes you only three heavy kicks to destroy the hinges and bring them falling down to the stone floor within.

Inside, clerics are lined up down the center aisle and in the pews, with crossbows aimed directly at you. Their leader, a man in fancy white robes and a tall hat, holds a longsword to signify his command. At once, he orders them to fire.

>Take the bolts on the chest, to show them the futility of resistance
>Draw your sword and deflect the bolts
>Order the Hellraisers to attack
>Other

>>46573850
>Seconding this

FLASHIEST ENTRANCE.

>>46574026
>Draw your sword and deflect the bolts, then ask them to sit down and talk.

We need to know more about this object we dick with anything.

>>46574026
>Take the bolts on the chest, to show them the futility of resistance
I assume we're wearing our armor.

>>46574026
>>46574082
I second this, we show we are not to be trifled with, but we are not above talking

>>46574082
Thirding.

>>46574163
>>46574026
Chory bout dat.

>>46574026
>>Draw your sword and deflect the bolts
Make sure it's extra flashy and fiery
"YOU DAAAAARE CHALLENGE MEEEEE!!?"

File: tumblr_m4garzFFDv1qihbjro(...).jpg (36 KB, 608x448)

36 KB JPG

>>46574207
Flashy entrances require flashy character songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5hqE_R_cvM

>>46574207
You summon your weapon, and with a quick and mighty swing, a wave of flames washes over the pews, incinerating the bolts in midair, reducing them to cinders along with the rugs and seats. The clerics, stunned, drop their weapons as you take a few steps forward. Their leader grits his teeth and watches you with a look of utter hatred, the likes of which you only see in vengeful sons and fathers bereft of their children.

>"I didn't come to kill anyone, but I will."
>"Stand down old man, or burn for your god."
>Strike him down
>"Hey pal, let's put these pointy things away and chat, man to man."
>Other

>>46574337
>Strike him down
Perhaps we'll follow Sophia's advice and be "patient" with his followers. The leader has to go though.

>>46574392
yeah, this

>>46574279
PERFECT

>>46574337
>>"Hey pal, let's put these pointy things away and chat, man to man."

Now that we've stunned them with our flashy display, we surprise them even more by suddenly acting really nice. Besides, he might know something important about the thing.

"Blah blah resistance is futile you know the deal.

>>46574337
>"Hey pal, let's put these pointy things away and chat, man to man."

>>46574279
we need to make gilbert create a boombox for our flashy entrances.

>>46574337
>>"Hey pal, let's put these pointy things away and chat, man to man."

>>46574525
You grab hold of his sword, feeling the decently sharp edge struggle to scratch the leather of your glove. He tries to fight your raw strength, but it's no use, and you tug the weapon from his hand, throwing it over your shoulder. One of the Hellraisers catches it deftly and stows it away.

You turn your attention back to the leader of the clerics, and offer him a seat in the pews. He takes it, nervously watching you. The others follow.

You ask him for the location of the North Star, as well as any information on it he may have.

"The stone is not for mortals to behold. It is the soul of the Sage, imbued with his power. I cannot allow you to take it."

>"I think you're misunderstanding the situation. You don't allow me to do anything, you either help me or get brushed aside."
>"You will help me, or I will kill you. It's a simple choice."
>"I can burn this church to the ground, and dig it out of the ashes if you like."
>Other

>>46574337
>>"Hey pal, let's put these pointy things away and chat, man to man."

>>46574628
>"I think you're misunderstanding the situation. You don't allow me to do anything, you either help me or get brushed aside."

>>46574628
>"I think you're misunderstanding the situation. You don't allow me to do anything, you either help me or get brushed aside. But you need to explain more first about this sage."

>>46574628
>>"I think you're misunderstanding the situation. You don't allow me to do anything, you either help me or get brushed aside."

>>46574628
>>Other
"very well, we'll make this place a military installation where no one but me and you will have acess to it. we'll also bring soldiers, experimental weapons and what not"

>>46574734
this, very much this.

>>46574734
I'd go with this as well.

>>46574685
He shivers a bit as you take up a position behind the pulpit. From here, you can look out over the entire audience. You also have a nice view of the stained glass, which glows as the light of morning hits it. It really makes the room sing.

"I am afraid, as sure as I am you will simply kill us and take the stone, I cannot bear to aid your search. If I die, I will be glad to know I gave my life for good."

>"You say that, but I don't have to kill you. I can just make things very uncomfortable."
>"I've seen heaven and hell, friend. They're overrated."
>"And your friends here? They're willing to die too? How about their families? Who delivers the milk to this cathedral? Make a list, and I'll go down it."
>Other

>>46574943
>"I've seen heaven and hell, friend. They're overrated."
>"And your friends here? They're willing to die too? How about their families? Who delivers the milk to this cathedral? Make a list, and I'll go down it."

>>46574943
choosing again the military instalation idea.
>>Other
"very well, we'll make this place a military installation where no one but me and you will have acess to it. we'll also bring soldiers, experimental weapons and what not"

>>46574943
>"I've seen heaven and hell, friend. They're overrated."
>"Tell my ex I said hi"
Then plane shift him to hell.

>>46574943
>>"I've seen heaven and hell, friend. They're overrated."
>>"And your friends here? They're willing to die too? How about their families? Who delivers the milk to this cathedral? Make a list, and I'll go down it."

>>46574943
>"I have seen heaven and hell, friend. They're overrated."
"There is only what you make of this life, you will get no gilded throne because you chose to defy me."

>>46574943
>>46575049
this

>>46574943
>>"And your friends here? They're willing to die too? How about their families? Who delivers the milk to this cathedral? Make a list, and I'll go down it."

>>46575154
The clerics suddenly seem less keen on their oaths. Their leader is a bit more stubborn though. He continues to insist on dying, to the point where he seems like he's asking for it. Some people just want to be a martyr.

You give up, and decide to ignore him. Right about then, you hear a ruckus from somewhere in the building. You have the Hellraisers fan out and search for the source. One of them finds a door leading to a cellar.

>"Go down and find out who made that noise."
>"Keep looking, I'll check."
>"Everyone, with me."
>Other

>>46575483
>"Keep looking, I'll check."

>>46575483
>>"Keep looking, I'll check."

>>46575505
You head through the door and peer at the dark set of stone steps leading down. The Hellraisers get back to turning over the cathedral as you descend.

At the bottom, you see shadows shifting. You raise your sword and use the flames to shed light, illuminating the cellar and revealing casks upon casks of wine. The light also reveals two imps holding a chest, gazing at you in shock and awe.

>"What's that then?"
>"Set it down, and walk away."
>Kill them
>Other

>>46575686
Draw your sword
"Who sent you?"

>>46575686
>>"What's that then?"

>>46575686
>"What's that then?"
>Kill them if they run

>>46575686
>"What's that then?"

>>46575768
The imps begin shivering in fear, but one of them does manage to croak out a rehearsed speech.

"W-we're under the employ of an acquisitions firm. We're here to retrieve this relic for our overlord."

If it's not the north star, it's still worth summoning minor demons just to steal.

>"Hand it over."
>"How much are they paying you? I can pay more."
>Kill them and take it
>Other

>>46575898
>>Other
what is it?

>>46575898
>"How much are they paying you? Are they paying you at all?"

>>46575898
>>"How much are they paying you? I can pay more."
also >>46575939

>>46575898
>Other
"Is that acquisitions firm by any chance Davison, Goldberg and Dagon the Undying?" My daughter works for them, you know

>>46575898
>Other
What is it and what do you mean retrieving?

>>46575997
"We are not at liberty to discuss the terms of our employment, nor divulge the specifics of the assets we are sent to retrieve. Please direct all inquiries to our help line."

You were never a fan of bureaucracy, and this is just hammering that home. You ask once more what is contained within the chest, and the imps glance at one another. Suddenly they grin, and their faces are filled with confidence.

"If you must know, it's the relic known as the North Star. These stupid mortals don't know, but it has the power to awaken the ice dragon Jotun. Our overlord wants it for his private collection, so if you don't mind you can just turn right back around and head up those stairs, big man."

>"I don't like your tone."
>"Fine, I don't need a stone to do my job."
>"Hand it over or I'll send you back to hell in a handbag."
>Other

>>46576222
kill them on the spot. they want our property. we can't allow that.

>>46576222
>Kill them

Its rather simple, They wanna be cheeky fuck them.

>>46576222
>Other
Let them go. It's not worth getting into trouble with demonic authorities over. At least we now have confirmation that no human force has access to it, that's good enough.

Tell them to say hi to Vanessa, if they work for the same company that is

>>46576222
>>"I don't like your tone."

>>46576270
>>46576296

It's not our property
Do you retards want to go to demon court again

>>46576572
Can't go to court if we get rid of the bodies and blame it on somebody else.

Guys.
They're stealing it.
It's not their property either.

>>46576572
...sigh, good point.
changing my vote from this
>>46576270
to this

>>46576384
>>46576222
let them go

>>46576222
kill them

>>46576296
You take a few steps forward and raise your sword. The imps shriek, drop the chest, and cower as you bring down the blade. Suddenly you feel something soft wrap around your waist, as well as a warm sensation on your back. You turn your head and spot a familiar length of raven black hair.

"I missed you daddy," mumbles Vanessa, holding you at bay with the softest of hugs. You ask her what the meaning of this is. "Sorry, these guys work for me, so you can't kill them. Go on guys, get back to base."

You turn back as the imps lift the chest and open a small rift, which they sidle through all the way back to hell.

"It was nice to see you again, and I'm sorry we had to take the thing you wanted, but I have to do what's best for the firm. That includes this." You feel something sharp pierce both of your sides, and suddenly you go limp, hitting the ground in a heap. You can't even turn your head, but luckily Vanessa lays down beside you to finish your conversation.

"It's just a sedative on my nails. It kills most people, but you'll be fine. I wish I could stay longer, but I'm not even supposed to talk to you. Goodbye, daddy. I hope I see you again soon." Vanessa plants a kiss on your cheek before standing, opening another rift, and walking through it. For a moment, you think she looks back.

cont

>>46576782
I can't say we weren't warned

>>46576782
When you are able to stand again, you do, and rush back upstairs. You tell the Hellraisers the plan has changed, and you're heading back to your quarters to rest. They agree, and you ride back.

Upon arrival, you are approached by one of the men, heaving and panting as he sprints to catch up to your horse.

"My dark lord! There's been a terrible scuffle! Lady Sophia is badly injured! She was attacked by Lady Caela, and now the white general has gone missing! We've dispatched search parties, but we've had no luck."

You can tell he is sincere by his wide eyes. This is indeed more bad news.

>"Take me to Sophia."
>"Tell all the men to aid in the search! I want her found! Hellraisers, to me!"
>Other

>>46576883
>"Take me to Sophia."
>Send the Hellraisers to search as well, while we check in on Sophia before moving out.

>>46576883
>>"Take me to Sophia."
this is marigold 2.0 right?

>>46576985
The slime queen better not had gotten the fuck out.

>>46564416
did you name a snowy city "snow" in French, OP?

>>46576883
>>46576912
I second this, though I fear if the Hellraisers find her we'll find ourselves short a few elite troops

>>46577088
I'd rather lose a few elite troops then half our god damn army of mooks.

>>46577077
Yes, because half of things in real life are named that way so why shouldn't I?

>>46576883
>>"Take me to Sophia."
>>"Tell all the men to aid in the search! I want her found! Hellraisers, to me!"
Why not both? We look for Sophia while a searching party looks for Caela?

>>46577114
Oh, don't get me wrong, you should. I'm just enjoying the use of French.

>>46577088
You tell the men with you to put every available soldier on search duty. They ride off, and you follow the minion who informed you of Sophia's condition to the nearby hospital, where she has been afforded a private room and the attention of a handful of local healers. They surround her, still working to undo the damage caused by Caela. When you approach, one of them holds you back, afraid as she might be.

"She was pierce by a spear, at least three times. Whoever did this knew where to aim to do the most damage. Even with magic, her recovery will be difficult."

>"Will she be able to fight?"
>"How long until she can be back on her feet?"
>"I expect to see a miracle."
>Other

>>46577264
>"How long until she can be back on her feet?"
>"I expect to see a miracle."
>Other " Did she say anything about why this happened? "

>>46577264
Voting for salt mind's vote
>>46577313

I never expected it'd come to this

Voting for Salt Mind, i mean.

>>46577385
Nobody does until the fire has risen.

>>46577114
>because half of things in real life are named that way
Kek, I just remembered that Mount Disappointment is an actual thing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Disappointment_(Australia)

>>46577313
"It's hard to say. They found her lying in an alley, probably some time after the attack. It's unclear how long she was bleeding, or how much blood was lost. If I was being pessimistic, I'd say it might take as much as a year before she returned to full strength. However, that depends on a great deal of variables. If the gods are with her, it might be as a little as a month. As for the attack itself, she hasn't been able to speak. As soon as we seal her wounds, and she replenishes her blood, she should regain consciousness."

The healers inform you that they are in the middle of a delicate part of the process, and that you must step out. You begrudgingly agree and leave the room.

>Wait outside
>Join the search
>Other

>>46577706
>Wait outside

We don't actually know if Sophia WAS attacked by her shield sister, sense they said she was found in an ally and we must make sure she is alive.

>>46577706
>Wait outside

>>46577773
You take up a position outside the door of the room, leaning against the wall and waiting for the moment you can speak to Sophia again.

It seems like all good things come with bad, especially in your life. A nation conquered, allies lost, a daughter led astray, and who knows what else. As you watch the first snow of winter fall outside the window of the hospital, you sense something strange. You feel as though you lost something today, something valuable that will never return.

>>46577891
Wrapping here, but I'll be back tomorrow morning so be sure to come around!

Things have been slowing down lately, but I'm still glad to entertain, and I'll be here as long as people seem to want me back

>>46577891
You feel as though you lost something today, something valuable that will never return.

What the fuck is that supposed to mean OP? Did she get an aborton via spear?

>>46577946
Salt, stahp.
If that's the case we will be forced to take drastic measures.

>>46578136
goddamit. that was the purpose of the hanger store, not the spear.

>>46577946
She told Caela she was pregnant and got speared for it feelsbadman

>>46578285
>>46578136
First our daughter betrays us, THEN the Heir to our kingdom was ripped out from us.

>>46578343
vanessa didn't betray us. it was her job. i'm pretty sure that in the end we're pretty prod as evil overlords that our daughter betrayed us.

>>46578545
Fair enough.