>>179360
>This is a great opportunity! See the world, look around...

>>179360
> This is a great opportunity! See the world, look around...
Carnage is second best

>>179360
> You defer to your father.

>>179367
>>179368
>>179375

Well, you know how you feel about this - excited, basically! The chance to be a mercenary! The chance to travel the world... see what the Empire is all about...

After all, now you do remember what the emissary's robes remind you of. Your great-grandfather used to have a robe like that - goes around the shoulders, tightly around the legs. It's crazy clothing. How do you ride a horse - how do you even *run* in that shit? You can't. All you can do is sit there and have servants feed you, maybe.

'I...' you say, but your father glares, and your mother quickly speaks up.

'Kalon, isn't there gear you should be maintaining? No son of mine is becoming a man in a dirty headdress, you hear me?'

'Ah- yes, mother.'

'Go, go. Quit harassing us.'

You bow your head and run out.

you really didn't need to make a new one so soon, when your old one is just barely at the half way point to being bumped off.

>you could have been anything
>you decided to be horse niggers

fags

>>180666
This. I'll probably drop a sage bomb.

>>180666
>>180714

Noted on this next time. Nonetheless, this will be the thread now.

>>180443

On the day of the ritual itself, you are decked in the traditional wear of your people. In the morning ritual, you are given the proper tools of a man.

Of course, the 'tools' you are given are either ritual, or are the tools you are already using. There are the reins, the silver bit, and the whip with gold thread wound around the handle. Then there is the sword, which is the same sword you use, followed by a red, lacquered recurve bow.

'Kneel before the Heaven and Earth!' The shaman cries and leads you out. A cloth is laid on the ground, you kneel on it, then prostrate yourself to the Vast Heavens. Then the final things are laid on your shoulders.

'Receive the cloak to block the wind!'

'You are a man! Your scalp is bare and clean for the heavens!'

Your frontal locks fall on the grass before you. Right then. To bring you to the ritual dance, none but a maiden will do. The maiden - who can be someone you choose, or someone your father chooses - will lead you into the sacred tribal ground, drizzling fermented milk before you, and bless you. Her femininity will balance the fiery masculinity on show in the sacred ground, and keep the gods from clashing.

Who will be your maiden escort?

> You let your father choose.
> Choose your younger sister.
> Choose your older sister.
> Choose this girl you rather fancy, a blacksmith's daughter.
> Choose a girl from one of the Roan clans.
> Other.

>>180771
>Choose this girl you rather fancy, a blacksmith's daughter.

>>180825
I second this.

>>180825
Third this.

>>180825
>>180850
>>180888

You... well, there is someone you have in mind, and your breath catches in your chest when you see her in front of your tent, hands clasped and her back half turned to you.

'Ah... Enik...'

She turns around and looks at you, then breaks into a smile.

'Kalon! You're here...'

'Are you ready?'

'Oh yes.' She shows you her red dress. 'See? I'm ready!'

And so she is. As the sun is setting - the traditional time for the men of the tribe to gather and discuss plans of war - you are led, along with the other twenty-plus people, to the Sacred Ground...

... what is there is not for the likes of those outside the tribe to know, but at the end of it, Kalon is officially a man.

>>180973

The day after the ritual is over, you have the ritual duty of serving a meal to your father and mother - but the emissary is also here. You didn't quite expect that. Why wouldn't he be at the golden tent of the Naycan instead?

The Naycan is the highest chieftain of the tribe. Given that your tribe has three Roan horse clans, the way the Naycan title is appointed is...

> With a fixed term of 8 years, rotating among the heads of the Roan houses.
> By seniority. Whichever of the Roan houses has the oldest or most respected head will take over when the sitting Naycan ascends.
> Monarchy. Your clan is the Left Clan - the Centre Clan always reigns.
> Other.

>>180978
> Monarchy. Your clan is the Left Clan - the Centre Clan always reigns.

>>180978
>Other.
A council of elders. One for each clan.

>>180978
Seniority Succession

>>180983
I like this idea, as well.

>>180978
> By seniority. Whichever of the Roan houses has the oldest or most respected head will take over when the sitting Naycan ascends.

Bump

>>180982
Second.

> Oh wow that's two votes for each option...
> I'll wait a little bit more then...

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>181004

> Okay, since no more votes...

File: boiled-mutton.jpg (74 KB, 1024x768)

74 KB JPG

>>181011

> Seniority.

Well, every time the Naycan dies, the more senior of the two other house heads succeeds. Right now, that would be your father... so perhaps there is a reason for the emissary to be here, after all. And since he's here, in accordance to the rules of hospitality, you must serve him what you serve your parents.

'Sir,' you say, bringing up the plate for him. A clay plate with a large hunk of boiled mutton on it, and a saucer of your greatest delicacy - a sauce of wild chives, onion flowers, walking garlic, pepper roots and rock salt. I mean, the smell is enough to make you hungry...

'Thank you, young man.' The emissary takes the plate and stabs it with the knife provided. 'Very tender, sir.'

'It is the best we can do. I hope it pleases you, sir.' Then the emissary turns to you. 'So you are a man now, Kalon.'

'Yes, sir.'

'And what will you do now that you are a man? Your father has mighty herds - will you take your share?'

This guy really knows a lot about the way your tribes work! Normally, a newly-minted man - especially someone of means like you - has a few choices. And of course, the emissary has another choice waiting for you...

> You will stay at home, of course. You will support your father. Your share is of the house.
> You will take your share, as the emissary says, and leave. You will strike out southwards, towards the Warm Sea.
> You will take your share and strike out westwards, nearer the Empire.
> The mercenary option.
> Other.

>>181026
> You will stay at home, of course. You will support your father. Your share is of the house.

>>181026

Just to remind you that you did seem intrigued by the prospect of becoming a mercenary. Of course, you may have thought better of it, but just saying.

>>181026
>> You will stay at home, of course. You will support your father. Your share is of the house.

>>181026
>You will stay at home, of course. You will support your father. Your share is of the house.

>>181026
>> You will stay at home, of course. You will support your father. Your share is of the house.
Father has made it clear that he doesn't want his son running off.
Therefore we will become a great Khan and see the world burn - and our hordes swell in numbers!

>>181036
>>181058
>>181063

> Interesting. Sudden change of mind, eh.

'Me, sir?' You glance at father, and at your younger sister Nusik sitting next to the pot, stirring it. 'I don't think I shall take my share. There is much that needs to be done here, and I ought to support my father.'

'Mm, mm.' The emissary nods. 'You are a virtuous man.'

Your father gives you a look, though as if doubting your decision. Then the emissary turns to him and heaves a deep sigh.

'Is something wrong, sir?'

'Merely the state of my land, sir,' he says.

'What is with the Empire, sir? Are not the six seas calm, and the mountains echo with your Emperor's commands?'

'Those days are... those days are behind us,' he admits. 'Now the peasants are often restive. The tribes on our borders are often aggressive, and do not bring tribute to us. To be honest, I... I have my doubts about your Naycan.'

'His loyalty to the Emperor is beyond doubt, sir. I can assure that.'

'Then why will he not even give me a single mare with which to ride home, or to ride on to my mission? He knows my horse has died of exhaustion...'

Father frowns. Later, after the meal is done and the emissary has retreated to his own tent, father calls you in to his corner of the tent as well, ordering your sisters to put up the separating curtains. There, you sit on your knees before him.

'Father, is something the matter?'

'Do you mean what you said just now? That you will stay home?'

'I do, father. If there is anything I can help, then-'

'Then of course you will help. Yes, yes. I know. But I saw the spark in your eyes when you heard about mercenary service.' Your father smiles. 'You cannot hide this from me, young man. I'm an old wolf. I know what the cubs think when their tails twitch.'

'Haha, ah...'

'To be honest, our stamping grounds - and our tribe - are not what they used to be. Those days when the trade flowed, and we sent our men to the markets with horses and they came back with all sorts of stuff... hmm. I want our tribe to be great, Kalon.'

'As do I, father!'

'But how will that happen?'

> We should move west, nearer the Empire. There we can raid them.
> We should move south, towards the Southern Seas and their myriad kingdoms.
> We should strike out eastwards, for the kingdoms of the Eastern Lakes.
> We should seek strength by subjugating our neighbouring tribes.
> Other.

>>181040
>thought better of it
Dirty mercenary work is not our fate!
A political marriage is though, no more smith's daughter and such...
And more raiding and fighting against the other tribes! We will build a harem as well!

>>181075

Wow, so right after we wrote about it, we're suddenly going back on all the character development?

Oh well...

>>181074
>> We should move west, nearer the Empire. There we can raid them.
The Empire is weak. Their emissary just said so. Dirtfarmers are weak but rich - we should pillage their lands and grow strong ourselves!

>>181074
>We should seek strength by subjugating our neighbouring tribes.

>>181074
> We should seek strength by subjugating our neighbouring tribes.

>>181081
>going back on all the character development
Protagonist is a teenager, has more opinions than the tribe has horses... many

>>181109

Hah, fair enough! Crushes though, surely that's a bit more permanent?

its sad that everyone changed their mind about becoming a mercenary
lets subjugate other tribes

>>181165
or it has to do with how the choices were presented - the mercenary option was just one of many...

>>181120
>Crushes
surely permanent, but not exclusive: the next semi-pretty woman with boobs is probably the MC's crush too

Subjugate the other tribes. Raiding is one thing, but conquering gives you true power.

>>181083
>>181087
>>181101
>>181165
>>181186
>>181288

> Sigh. I had so much prepared - the grandeur of the Empire... but we'll get there eventually.
> For now, other horse people.

'Father, we could move, but I'd think gaining power by assimilating the tribes around us is a better option now.'

'Hmm? What do you mean?'

'Raiding will give us wealth, but our true power will come from having warriors and men. And the best warriors and men, no doubt, are of our own people. The Left Wing of our tribe has just about 800 men, and the whole tribe has only about 3,000. Because of this, we scrabble for an existence with the small, huddling among the powerful...'

Your father sighs. 'All true. But the best way to entice other tribes is not with war but with wealth and benefits... that, after all, is why we raid. Do you think it's all kept in this tent?'

'No, father, of course not.'

'Gold is nice, but what it buys is nicer. Loyalty. He who has gold has loyalty. When we had gold, we had 10,000 men under arms. Now, as you see...'

Hmm. 'Is this why the emissary is here, father?'

'He was about to pay us to raise the force of mercenaries he wants. I'm sure he will still pay - that is, if he could. I'm honestly unsure he has the means to pay...'

And with that, the meeting ends. You head out, and over the next few days you...

> Organise another raid on a neighbouring tribe.
> Get preparing. You've changed your mind again - you need the money. Mercenaries it is!
> Get preparing. You will take your share and leave - not for yourself, but to find wealth for your tribe!
> Other.

>>181333
> Get preparing. You will take your share and leave - not for yourself, but to find wealth for your tribe!
Also bring the blacksmith's daughter with us

>>181333
>Get preparing. You will take your share and leave - not for yourself, but to find wealth for your tribe!

wealth for our tribe

>>181074
> We should seek strength by subjugating our neighbouring tribes.

We can then always move away, even if we fail, but it is worth a shot.

>>181333
> Organise another raid on a neighbouring tribe.
That tribe we attacked before seems like a weak foe. Could we subjugate them completely?

>unsure he has the means to pay
Take all his money. He will finance our adventure.
Take his head - he never arrived.

>>181551
This

>>181551
The empire is weak, but still much stronger than we are. Send him back, unharmed. We'll be open for negotiations when we have the tribes under control. And perhaps if they help us with that, we will be more inclined to help them

>>181822
>weak, but
Can they run after some horse nomads, though?
And can they even tell, where their emissary died?

And we need some capital to start our venture.

>>182155
I'm sure they would pay far more for furs and warhorses than they would send on a simple emissary trying to hire backwater mercenaries

>>182172
That could very well be true.
We could sell furs.
Horses are our life blood, so... not?

>>182216
Not our horses. Those we take, perhaps.

>>181333
> Get preparing. You will take your share and leave - not for yourself, but to find wealth for your tribe!

> Good morning, folks.
> Looks like taking your share is the main choice, but I'll do a bit on the emissary since you've pointed him out.

>>183533

You spend the next few days preparing, in a choice that surprises your mother but not exactly your father. After that talk, where he's put the importance of gold in your head, you do see his point. Men - well, you can have men. And horses, good horses, are plentiful on the plains. Gold, though - the steppes don't produce gold.

In other words, it's not the quality or usefulness of the stuff that matters - it's how easily that thing is obtained. And you have no trouble finding the useful things...

You try to plan and take what is most useful to you. Your share of the families would probably come up to about 120 warriors and their families, perhaps some 400 people in all. Herds of horses, sheep, goats... some llamas...

But meanwhile, something odd is happening. The news of your plan to take your share, it turns out, has not been taken very well by the rest of the tribe. Two days after you start planning and telling the Left Wing of your plans, your father is summon to the Golden Tent for a meeting with the Naycan. You try to eavesdrop and hear voices being raised.

'What are you planning, Dusac! Don't think I don't know!'

'Naycan, I know not what you are talking about-'

'Haha! Get out of my sight! If your son is taking his share, why don't you take your share and get out of here too!'

... what's going on? Taking your share upon adulthood is hardly abnormal - one of the current Naycan's sons has already done that, about 3 years back. Is this about the emissary...?

Because in the meantime, the emissary - who also has a staff of three soldiers with him - seems to have withdrawn from the public affairs of the tribe. He stays in his tent all day and sometimes people visit, but you don't know what they're doing...

The day after the Naycan's outburst, your father summons you again and sighs. 'The emissary is proving to be quite a bit of trouble, actually. The Naycan suspects I'm taking Imperial money and trying to weaken his wing of the tribe to strengthen mine.'

'Why would he think that?'

'Good question, Kalon. I don't know. But one thing is clear - you should leave.'

'Shouldn't I *not* leave, to prove your loyalty?'

'No. You should leave, to keep us safe. If you leave, it weakens the Left Wing - which is what the Naycan wants...'

> Let's plan to kill the emissary and take his belongings. That will also assure the Naycan of our father's loyalty.
> Let's just leave quietly and quickly.
> Let's approach the emissary. We can help him leave and escort him - solving problems without shedding blood.
> Other.

>>183777
Let's approach the emissary. We can help him leave and escort him - solving problems without shedding blood.

>>183777
> Let's approach the emissary. We can help him leave and escort him - solving problems without shedding blood.

>>183777
> Let's approach the emissary. We can help him leave and escort him - solving problems without shedding blood.

>>183842
>>183986
>>184010

The idea to perhaps... deal with the emissary permanently comes to mind, but you quickly think better of it. There's no need to do that, surely. Once you take your share, you'll have a herd of several hundred horses - then you could easily spare a few for the emissary and his entourage.

It would put them in your debt, too, so why not? You approach the emissary's tent with the offer, and he narrows his eyes.

'You are leaving the tribe, young Kalon? Striking out on your own?'

'Yes, sir, but not permanently. I will not abandon my father. But if leaving can give me opportunities to strengthen my tribe and my clan, then I will gladly leave. We have never feared wandering - it's what we do, after all.'

'True! Spoken as a brave man,' he says and gets up. 'In my Empire, we value a son's duty towards his father to be the sign of the finest of men. I think you easily pass this test.'

'Thank you, sir.'

'How many men will you bring with you then? I know that to take your share is to balance between herds and men...'

So it is. You have been thinking about that...

> We'll take more men. We can have around 150 fighting men - but we'll have to forage constantly, or raid, to scrabble up our food.
> We'll take more herds. We have just around 100 fighting men - but we can focus on going somewhere before we set up and raid.

>>184191
We'll take more herds. We have just around 100 fighting men - but we can focus on going somewhere before we set up and raid.

>>184191
> We'll take more herds. We have just around 100 fighting men - but we can focus on going somewhere before we set up and raid.

>>184191
Let's do the 100. Leave the rest for dad in case fuccboi over in the nice tent gets any ideas about running him off. We don't need that kind of entourage for the hit-and-run stuff we'll be doing anyway.

>>184321

Leave the rest as in the fighting men? Just to be sure we know you're making the right choice...

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300 KB JPG

>>184321
>>184208
>>184207

'I will be taking about 100 fighting men, sir.'

'So few?'

'I will leave the able-bodied men here. I'd rather be able to travel without having to cause trouble and offence by foraging or raiding everywhere.' You think this over for a moment. 'It is best to raid when you choose, not when you have to.'

'I understand your thinking. Now, Kalon-' he comes up to you and puts his hand on your shoulder. 'We've been dancing around this topic for the last few days, and you have said both yes and no to me. I think it is time I made you a proper offer.'

... oh boy. You take a deep breath. 'Yes, sir.'

'I have enough treasure here - and I don't think it will do to carry it all in one piece. Lucius.'

'Yes, sir.' Lucius is the tall bodyguard behind him, of course. You watch as one box of that... treasure is poured on the table. You... wow. Just, wow.

'If you have a hundred men,' the emissary says, 'I should be able to pay each of them two of these for joining you. And for you... how about this.'

You stand, watching the emissary put his hand down on the table. With a sweep some of the coins move to the right, sliding on the wood and clinking on each other. He points to the pile on the right.

'How about this?'

'I... will escort you to the border,' you say. 'Sir. I will ensure you return to your homeland safely.'

'I'm afraid that's not an acceptable return for this,' the emissary says. 'You know what it is I'm here to find. And now I have found a fine warrior, one who will stand up to many alone, a man with the strength of three and the heart of six.'

... oh, so that's what he's been asking! Many of the visitors to his tent have been the same people on your raiding party - he was asking about *you*! You take a deep breath.

'What say you, Kalon? I know it is not an offer deserving too much of your time. But this gold here?' The emissary grins, picks his nose in front of you and flicks the little white lump on the floor to his side. 'That's what it is to the Empire. Even less, in fact. If you seek wealth, why wait?'

> ... fine. Do it.
> Other.

>>184562
"what are the conditions?"
we got to know what can happen to us.

>>184562
...fine do it

>>184562
>What will be expected of me?
>Is it true that women in the Empire don't have hair down there?
>... fine. Do it.

>>184589
>>185286

> Finally, a man who asks the *important* questions!

'That is a good offer, sir.'

'I'm glad you think so.'

'But if escorting you is not enough, sir...' you fidget a little, 'then what are your conditions? What do you intend to buy with these coins?'

'I'll put it simply, then. Three years' service. You may be on the Imperial border, defending us. But if necessary, we may move you elsewhere around the Empire, as needs be...'

Three years? Hmm... you don't know. Well, it sounds like a long time, but... 'if there is a campaign...'

'I assure you there will be, for someone like you.'

'Do we get a share of the booty?'

'Of course. Would you fight for nothing? We don't expect anyone to.'

... tsk tsk.

> Ask more questions. (Write-in)
> Let's go then. Gimme that gold now.

>>185313
>Let's go then. Gimme that gold now.

>>185315

> Should we really ask about Imperial women? I don't even know if Kalon has *had* a woman...

>>185360

Wait, can I post here?

>>185313
> Ask more questions.
"I will command my men. Noone else does. You tell me what you want done and I do that - or if I find out that you want to send me to a suicide mission, I stick a knife in your throat. And you will provide good Imperial supplies in addition to the gold. Is that acceptable?"

So, we take 150 men with us. The Empire will provide us with food.

>>185360
We don't ask stupid questions. We will find out about Imperial women soon enough.

OOC: 4chan sure doesn't want me to post - connection errors left and right...

>>185313
> Let's go then. Gimme that gold now.

>>185463
>>185315
>>185535

You think about it. 'I have one condition, though, sir.'

'Yes?'

'Actually two. First, supplies and equipment from the Empire.'

'That can be arranged.'

'And second, I will remain in command of my men.'

'That can also be arranged. We would also like to keep the warbands together. Brothers fight harder, don't they?'

'Precisely. If those can be done, sir, I... will gladly take the gold.'

'Then take it,' he says, and puts a handful of surprisingly weighty gold coins in your hand. W-wow. That's... that's a lot of money!

The news that you have accepted the emissary's offer spreads like a grass fire through the camp. Your father is generally approving; your mother is worried, but also thinks it's for the best. But it has the most effect on the other young men, including from other wings, who have heard about the two gold per person thing.

Gathering together your circles of friends and companions - the people you've known growing up - you can get about 70 men, which still leaves space for quite a few more. But while you're leaving, you also hear grumbles from the other wings about how you are 'taking their men'...

> Hmm. You should be mindful - if not for you, then for your father. Take only men from the Left Wing.
> Oh, for the sake of Heaven and Earth! We can't do this, we can't do that... no! The strongest from any Wing is welcome!
> Other.

>>185673
> Hmm. You should be mindful - if not for you, then for your father. Take only men from the Left Wing.

>>185673
>Men are allowed to make their own decisions. If the other wings want to keep their men, they should make them a better offer. We're not forcing anyone to come with.

>>185673
> Oh, for the sake of Heaven and Earth! We can't do this, we can't do that... no! The strongest from any Wing is welcome!
We will forge the men of different Wings into One Great Wing. When we're done with them, they will be loyal to us and not some addled tribal elders. And then: We will remember who stood in our way.

>>185673
>Oh, for the sake of Heaven and Earth! We can't do this, we can't do that... no! The strongest from any Wing is welcome!

With

>Men are allowed to make their own decisions. If the other wings want to keep their men, they should make them a better offer. We're not forcing anyone to come with.

Thrown in for good measure

>>186336
>better offer
nice - as we know for sure that they can't offer anything better :).

>>186356

Exactly, it puts them on the back-foot in the argument

>>186376
Yup. Almost literally forces them to say that their men are better off coming with us

>>185673

Still around QM?

>>185780
>>185806
>>186336
>>186356
>>186376
>>186418
>>185765

They take this seriously enough, the other Roan clan, to ask you over to explain yourself; so you do, going to the Golden Tent. It's actually the first time you've been to the Golden Tent alone, so you *are* nervous, but...

'We have heard that you are recruiting among the Right and Centre Wings of the tribe as well as your own, Kalon. What answer do you have to that?'

'Naycan,' you bow to one, 'my lord,' to the other. 'I have not been recruiting. The emissary is recruiting; I took up his offer, and so did some of the men, as you said, from your wings.'

'You're taking our men as your share! You deliberately move to take our strongest men. What are you driving at, you whelp?'

You look at the Right Wing's chieftain. 'My lord, once again. I did not take them. The emissary offered two gold coins to each man who joined him. I cannot possibly deny the coins to someone just because he's not from the Left Wing.'

'You-' the chieftain points at you, but then sighs and sits down. The Naycan shakes his head. He knows you're right, of course.

'How many men is the emissary recruiting?'

'Up to a hundred, Naycan. We are almost there.'

'And who will ride at their head?'

... damn. You wonder what to say.

> I will, of course, Naycan.
> The Imperial officers will. I will lead them, up to the border.
> Other.

>>187803
>I will, of course, Naycan.

I negotiated for control of the group with the Emissary. Better for one loyal to our lands to lead them than any other.

They don't need to know that we didn't exactly have to argue for this

>>187803
>>187814
I'm seconding this.

>>187814
+1

>>187814
>>187828
>>187859

'I will, Naycan,' you say, deciding to be honest. 'I had to ask the emissary, or it would be Imperial officers in charge.'

'You? You just finished your adult rite.'

'I will consult my older fellows for their advice,' you say. 'I know I am a young colt, my lord, but I will listen to the old steeds.'

'Well, you...' another exasperated sigh. The Naycan nods, though.

'Leave us, Kalon...'

... well fine, you're not staying around for trouble. Within two days, more than 50 people have signed up, swelling your entourage to 120. You line them up on a field outside the tribal camp and inspect their gear... well, it's the usual, isn't it. Almost everyone has a bow, many also have swords of some sort. A few have spears modified from hunting pikes.

Looks good! You think you can go this very evening! Well, you have to inspect your own gear as well, with help from your younger brothers.

'Brother, we'll come join you once we're adults!'

'You'll have to find me first,' you say. 'But sure.'

You pick up your most prized piece of gear...

> Your bow, of course.
> Your double-bent sword.
> Your helmet. Not many tribesmen have helmets.
> You can't pick Windspite up. He's still your most prized piece of gear.
> Other.

>>187921
>You can't pick Windspite up. He's still your most prized piece of gear.

No sword or bow can match the care a steppe-man places in his horses

Helmet, we will become a symbol to our men that only one of thir own has the authority to lead; and what says special more than a fancy hat?

>>187921
> You can't pick Windspite up. He's still your most prized piece of gear.

>>187921
You can't pick Windspite up. He's still your most prized piece of gear.

>>187921
> You can't pick Windspite up. He's still your most prized piece of gear.

>>187959
The steppe horses that we and only we will be on?

>>187953
>>187959
>>187971
>>187973
>>188052

Well, of course it's Windspite. You head out to look at him.

Generally, the horses of your people are work animals - and therefore they are bred for strength and sheer, bloody-minded endurance. And as for Windspite...

> He is bred just like them - ugly, but enduring.
> He is different - he's bred for speed with southern stock. Which also makes him look slenderer and lovelier.
> He is different - he's bred for strength with eastern stock. This makes him bulkier and taller.

>>188514
>He is different - he's bred for strength with eastern stock. This makes him bulkier and taller.

>>188514
> He is different - he's bred for speed with southern stock. Which also makes him look slenderer and lovelier.

>>188514

> Just to clarify:

The horses you guys normally use is basically like a Mongolian pony.

A horse that's bred for speed is a little like an Akhal-Teke, or an Arabian.

A horse that's bred for power and strength is a bit like those European warmblood breeds.

>>188514
He is different - he's bred for strength with eastern stock.

>>188514
Bred for strength with Eastern stock

>>188514
>> He is bred just like them - ugly, but enduring.
We mainly use bows to fuck our enemies, right?
And we're traveling super-long distances... don't want a speedster or giant horse for that.

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>>189020
>enduring
He could just be more enduring and a bit quicker than other horses.

File: Cleveland-Bay-horse.jpg (212 KB, 1024x822)

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>>188545
>>188546
>>188614
>>188798
>>189020

'Hello, Windspite old boy,' you go up to your bay horse, who looks up from his water bowl and nuzzles you. 'Heh. How are you? Had your fill to eat and drink? Because we're going to be doing quite a lot of running.'

He looks at you and bumps you in the face, and you laugh. You know what Windspite means when he does this. It means he's eager. He does it again.

'You want to go, don't you? You want to head west and look for adventure?'

Let's go, Windspite signals, nudging. Let's go!

That afternoon, after you pay your respects to your parents, siblings, and Heaven and Earth, you lead your men to the banner. The emissary's man, Lucius, is there, and he hands out two gold coins to each man as promised, while their womenfolk stand back with the herds and the tents. When that is done, you ride out to the banner, then dismount and kneel before it.

'Have a first taste of blood, war banner!' You cut the back of your lower arm, trying not to wince. Ngh... blood wells out and streams down your wrist, and you hold it, walking in a circle around the banner so your blood drips into the earth around it. This war banner is one of your family's, of course - as a Roan clan, it is your task to bear these standards in war. When you took your share, you decided to take...

> Your father's war banner - blue silk, with yak tassels gathered from a raid.
> A war banner captured by your grandfather - a ring of white horse tails.
> A war banner granted to your great-grandfather by the Imperials - red silk, with black horse tails.
> Other.

>>189154
>> A war banner captured by your grandfather - a ring of white horse tails.
Reminding the different Wings of more glorious times.

>>189154
> A war banner granted to your great-grandfather by the Imperials - red silk, with black horse tails.

>>189252
>granted [...] by the Imperials
indentured quest start?

>>189154
> A war banner granted to your great-grandfather by the Imperials - red silk, with black horse tails.

>>189197
I pick this, potentially offers the greatest benefit.

>>189197

Hmm, so it's a tie.

I'd say that your father's banner is most morale-raising for the men of your wing. Your grandfather's captured war banner is quite motivating for everyone.

The Imperial banner is a bit meh with your own people, but your employers - seeing a sign that you once were within the fold of their 'civilisation' - would look on it favourably.

>>189382
I count three for Imperial and two for grandfather
>>189267
unless this guy isn't serious.

>>189407
Actually no, misread.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Okay, in the absence of a tiebreaker:

> 1 is grandpa
> 2 is imperial

>>189512
>grandpa
Nice! Gran'Pa was the best anyway.

>>189512

Excellent, thank you dice for helping me when I was too late to vote

>>189512

Well, of your family's past generations, you'd say your grandfather was the fiercest warrior, and so you decided to take his banner. It's a simple one, without even the silk pennant on top; there's simply a spearhead and, below that, a ring of white horse tails.

It's said that your grandfather captured this from another tribe personally - he slew two bodyguards, hacked the hands off the standard bearer, and spent a whole day prising off the man's fingers.

As you feed this banner with your blood, your men cheer, then eventually a bandage is brought up for you. You wrap yourself up, then take the standard and parade it before the men.

'Recognise this! Gallop after it! Recognise this! Gallop after it!'

After the rite - which is conspicuously not attended by the leaders of the Right Wing, or the Naycan himself - you make the decision to set off at midnight. It's going to be a full moon night, so this is by custom - your people are raiders, and you are adept at using darkness. But there's, uh, there's another reason...

... in fact the reason is standing before you now, slender and pretty. 'Um... Kalon?'

You take a deep breath. She is so pretty. 'H-hey, Enik.'

'So, um... you'll be gone a long time, huh?'

'I suppose so. Three years at least. But I expect I'll be back laden with gold.' You chuckle. 'Alternatively, I'll come back in a pot. But hopefully the pot is-'

'Shh! Don't say stupid things like that!' Enik puts two fingers on your lips, frowning. Then she realises what she does and blushes like a berry. 'Don't come back in a pot.'

'Yeah, I'll do my best about that.' You take her hand, and Enik gasps slightly. Then she bites her lip and makes the move, leaning in to wrap her arms around your shoulders. Woah- you... you do so too.

'Stay safe, Kalon...'

... your right hand slowly slides down her back, but she doesn't resist...

> Th-this isn't right. We should not burden someone before we go off to war. Hold her and then let her go.
> Start tasting her... you can smell her and she smells alluring...
> Other.

>>189590
> Th-this isn't right. We should not burden someone before we go off to war. Hold her and then let her go.

>>189590
>Start tasting her... you can smell her and she smells alluring...

We're a man now heading off to an unknown fate in war, and she seems down and consensual. Go for it.

>>189590
>> Start tasting her... you can smell her and she smells alluring...
We're starting our big adventure and have 100+ warriors under our command...
Refraining? No way!

>>189599
>>189613
Doesn't really matter what we do here anyway, right? She can be our concubine though...
Marriage will be for a tribal leader's daughter giving us lots of warriors and horses as dowry.

>>189599
>>189613
>>189615

> Just asking - so how do others handle this? This being... an SFW board?

>>189625
Either fade to black or link out of site to a pastebin or such.

>>189638

This one is your best bet. Leaves it up to the player discretion to read

>>189625
Pastebin! Pastebin!

>>189599
>>189613
>>189615

You hesitate for a while, nuzzling the juncture of Enik's neck and shoulder. You really shouldn't... you... but eventually you give in. Enik gasps when you lick her. She tastes so sweet... and her skin is so tender...

'Ahh,' she stops you so she can look at you, eyes wide, face red. Those red, dainty lips slightly parted. Feeling brave, you kiss them and she responds with unexpected passion, moaning softly for a moment before you part again. 'Do you... want me, Kalon?'

'I... yeah. Yes. Yes, I want you. May I...'

Enik moves your hand around and rests it on her breast, where you can feel her heart, louder than war drums. Then she nods.

>>189697

http://pastebin.com/aFN6CHh9

At midnight, as arranged, you set off without ceremony under the moon, and head out. Around here, the landmarks are still known to you, and you need to consider your route... right now you need to go to Crow Hills, to the west.

If you go directly west, it's a short route, but it takes you past the tribe you raided just days ago. However, you can follow the stream and take a northwards detour, which wouldn't bring you past known hostile tribes.

Unknown hostile tribes, on the other hand...

> Roll d100.
> Go west straight.
> Take the northern route.

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>189748
> Take the northern route.

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>189748
>Take the northern route.

It would be very embarrassing if we lost the emissary the day we rode out

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>189748
> Go west straight.
That raided tribe can't do anything to us, weak as they are.

>>189748
>http://pastebin.com/aFN6CHh9
Nicely told erotic scene!
And now we have a backup character in case we die...

>>189765
We already have his money. And additional emissaries can be found I hope.
He won't die any time soon though: We have 120(?) men with us.

>>189760
>>189765
>>189828
>>189850

> Oh boy, those rolls, oh boy.

Your initial instinct is to go west anyway - that tribe is weak, therefore your raid - but eventually you think better of it. If you take the stream and follow it instead, while it's a much longer route, it should be safer.

'How far is it from the Crow Hills to the Imperial Border, sir?'

'Oh, I'd say... from the Crow Hills, we will be riding southwest towards the Golden Crane Ridge.'

'I've... never heard of that.'

'It's about 360 miles away.'

Hmm. 'So about ten days?'

'Yes. Then from the Golden Crane Ridge, it is around another 130 miles west before we reach the border outposts.'

You make a quick calculation. If you take this detour, you'd say it was about... 5 days' ride to the Crow Hills. Then 10 days to Golden Crane Ridge, then 4 more days... hmm. It shouldn't take very long.

However, by the very next morning, you realise there's been a bit of a mistake. You make pretty good progress - but you lose touch with your camp train behind. Damn! Forgot all about them - that's going to half your speed, or even worse...!

Maybe you shouldn't have taken so many herds after all. But oh well...

Something else surprises you, though. As you move northwards, you spend a day passing through the territory of one neighbouring tribe, which turns out to be friendly. But then as you move north, over your second and third days, you only run into a few herdsmen watering their small flocks and herds.

And the moment they see you, they run off. Has... has something happened? The grass is long and rich along the river - it seems really weird that no one's grazing round here. Your herds love it, but you're... hmm...

> We should leave half of the men with the herds and have them move at their own speed. The rest of us go ahead and scout out.
> All the more we shouldn't split up. Advance slowly and cautiously. Might have been a war here.
> Other.

>>189914
Does anyone else get the feeling we're waltzing straight into an ambush?

>>189930
I think we are.

>>189914
>Other
Prepare for any possible ambushes.

>>189914
>> We should leave half of the men with the herds and have them move at their own speed. The rest of us go ahead and scout out.

We've got a super mobile force - scout the surroundings, when we find anything worthwhile, we get our other forces together and smash anything in our way.
It could also be that the herdsmen are just careful - we're a big group of armed men...
Anyone who wants to ambush us, is pretty stupid though.

>>189940
>Prepare
How though?

>>189961
We can hunker down and keep a lookout for any suspicious movement or activity.

>>189930
>>189940
>>189961

> Going to sleep after this post. Thanks for playing, everyone.
> This time I'll keep the thread open so we'll keep playing here until it just about drops out.

Funny thing this is - Besuc is one of the people who's decided to follow you. And he's from the Right Wing. 'Brother Kalon.'

'Yeah?'

'Do you reckon... someone's waiting for us? So few herdsmen... this grass, see, no one's touched it for weeks.'

'There could have been a fight. But then we'd have heard about it, wouldn't we?'

'Yeah. Well, out here there's meant to be two tribes - one on the south bank, and the other out here on the north bank. Neither's come out to say anything though.'

'How about this. We'll take half the men and guard the herds,' you say. 'They should stop for now, just find a good spot and circle up.'

'Right. And the other half?'

'We'll do a little scouting, why don't we.' You look around you, at the flat expanse of the grass-sea. 'They have to keep the emissary safe too, of course. We'll see if there's an ambush waiting for us anywhere...'

>>189997

You get Besuc to handle the camp and guard, while you personally lead your men out, moving first towards the north, inland from the river. It isn't long before you start finding evidence of battle - bodkin arrowheads, whistle heads. And then, before long, you come upon something grisly.

'Six of them,' Gemesuc, one of your old friends, says, pointing. Lying where they've been cut down too - a woman among them. 'Damn.'

'How come we didn't know if there was a war going on? We're right next to these guys,' you say. 'Unless it's not the two of them fighting. A raid from elsewhere, perhaps?'

Later that afternoon you find the answer - or at least someone who can give you an answer. A cart lies on its side, and when you approach it you immediately hear the frightened cries and pleading.

'P-please don't! Please don't kill us, please, have mercy... we've never done anything...'

You look at them - a young boy, a young girl, and a woman who is hugging both of them. Mother, perhaps? Also, just over there, a hastily mounded grave. You get off your horse and they cry harder still.

'No, please, please don't...'

'I won't hurt you. I won't hurt you,' you say. You unclip your sword and put it on the grass, and the woman sees that. 'I have no quarrel with you and your family. But why are you in such a state?'

'It's... they've gone mad, mad... they are killing their own cousins and their own in-laws...'

'What... is there an inside war going on, ma'am?' Also, wait. You turn to Gemesuc. 'You still got some of that boiled lamb?'

'Oh yes.'

'Yeah, and some arishi too.' You take your own wineskin and offer them a drink.

'Thank you, sir, thank you,' the woman prostrates herself as the kids drink. Then they each get a chunk of lamb. 'What's happened here was, the Naycan's daughter did not want to marry the other Roan clan's son. So they abducted her and brought her east instead. And now the Naycan is fighting his subjects - the four Roan houses all turned on each other. My husband was killed while herding and all our herds taken...'

Hmm. You sigh. Well, you have some to spare so you give them all another chunk of the boiled lamb, and then head back to camp where you tell them what happened.

'We ought to leave quickly, then,' the emissary says. You have no objections...

To your surprise, with your contingent scouting ahead for dangers and the herds following, you make excellent - and mostly peaceful - progress. 23 days after you set off - which is quicker than you thought you'd need - you reach the Golden Crane Ridge. Or rather the Golden Crane hills, for the whole area is actually a forested expanse of hills.

And to your surprise, you see a tower of stone in the distance. W-what's that? The emissary laughs when you ask.

'That, Kalon, is the sort of place you will get familiar with very quickly. Twice every year a horse market is held here at the south end of the Golden Crane Ridge, and those towers are to mark the spot.'

>>190053

Right now the towers - three of them - are without guard of garrison, though there is still a market of sorts here. Which reminds you - you've been happily eating meat and fermented milk, but you're running a little low on supplies. The problem with a peaceful ride is that you have plenty of time to eat your rations...

... what should you do, you wonder.

> Well, let's organise a hunt!
> Let's organise a raid.
> Let's use our money! We can buy plenty of these sheep. Mmm, lamb.
> Other.

>>190068
>Well, let's organise a hunt!

We are technically employed right now, should probably wait until we get a suitable target for the raiding, unless the other warriors have something to suggest

>>190068
> Well, let's organise a hunt!

Cannibalize the week.

>>190174
weak*
Remember kids: don't stay up all night watching Daredevil.

>>190068
>> Other.
Didn't the emissary promise to supply us?
He surely has some more money left that he can use to get food.
Or we can just take food from the market people - that's the alternative.

>>190109
>hunt
Should we really let our 100+ men roam freely... incidents are sure to happen then.

>>190174
>Cannibalize
We still have our herds... but those are for hard times only, right?

>>190211
We've got men to spare, and I'm sure there's at least one fat guy that can't keep up.

>>190211

No we said organize a hunt, inherently precludes them just roaming freely

>>189997
>> Going to sleep after this post. Thanks for playing, everyone.
Night! Greatly enjoying your quest!

>>190220
>fat guy
We only took musled manly men.

>>190229
Do they keep together during a hunt though? But true: They probably won't keep together either way - not if we're going into the market town...

>>190068
Organize a hunt.

Money is for pretty things.

Well, hunting by Steppe people can either be individual, or it can be a group hunt where you round up large numbers of game.

I think I'm talking about a group hunt in this case.

>>190109
>>190162
>>190174
>>190203
>>190211
>>190220
>>190229
>>190318

Your idea was originally to go to the market, but then a better idea comes to you. You should organise a hunt, of course! One of the best ways for military units to practice manoeuvring in cohesion, and also you get something to eat out of it.

Or... looking at the forest, you may well get wolves or tigers. You don't know. You spend a day planning the hunt - Besuc and Gemesuc are to lead the east and west wings on the plains, while you lead the beaters who will ride into the forest and drive the game out.

But wait a minute. Should you be telling the nearby tribe what you're doing? There's people at the market from several tribes - if you inform them, they may watch the hunt, which by custom entitles them to a share of the game. But if you don't, then you're not sure if people may be offended by your hunting...

> Tell them. It's better to make friends than to have more meat.
> Don't tell them. If they want to dispute, come dispute!
> Other.

>>193007
> Tell them. It's better to make friends than to have more meat.

tell them
whats the benefit of keeping the secret? if they sey no, then we'll buy the provisions

>>193007
Tell them. We don't need them thinking we're trying to sneak up on them or something

>>193077
>>193425
>>193500

Well, of course you should tell them. These forests look rich - you don't think you'd starve by being generous.

And anyway, it isn't worth the trouble if you run into any hunters in there...

> Allrighty. Let's have a d100 roll then!

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>193620
A reputation as a generous leader is surely very nice to have - helps with recruiting too, I guess.

Rolled 40 (1d100)

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>193620

>>193988
>>194696
>>194829

> Oh boy.

You announce to the tribes that you are hunting in the forest, and they don't have any issue with that it appears - in fact, they seem quite glad for you to be doing it. Buoyed by this, you tell them that you will definitely open the feast for them as well.

And boy, is the hunt successful when you launch it. You ride through the forest, alert for any ambush, and then start making noise with drums and horns and yelling, spooking herds of deer and antelope - and rousing them into the open jaws of the formation set up outside.

'Ya! Ya! Go on!' You toot on the horn as you go, and eventually your group rides out to the... hang on a minute. You eventually reach this vantage point as planned, but when you look out, you don't see your formation at the edge of the forest.

Instead, you see that the horsemen are rushing south, towards the camp. And there's black smoke rising from the camp! Oh, FUCK! Are you fucking kidding me? Did they take your announcement as an opportunity to loot you!?

>>194990
Sneaky bastards!
>opportunity to loot you
Right back at them?
Cut off their retreat and start getting your men blooded hunting humans. Good thing, your men are all up and about. Those raiders will be integrated in your Wing.

Then you take apart that market - they surely collaborated with the raiders. Noone will go hungry tonight.

OOC: Didn't expect that twist...

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>>194990
>>195007

> I wouldn't recommend taking apart that market, what with it being under the protection of Imperial law. The marketeers, on the other hand, are probably one and the same with the raiders!

'Is that...'

'Fuck, FUCK!' You turn. 'Come on, lads, quick!'

You ride through the forest and burst into a full gallop once you cross the stream at the forest's edge. Besuc and Gemesuc, bless their sharp eyes, have long since gone back to defend their camp, and by the time you come close enough, you can see three separate streams of men riding away from the camp.

You see that Besuc's men are chasing one string of men, and Gemesuc another, but you think you know where they will be headed - towards the market towers. You could gallop there and cut them off but you only have about 15 men and there must be about 50 or 60 in each of the three parties running away...

> No, securing the camp is of prime importance! Call off the pursuit - gather the men and assess the damage!
> Gallop to the market and wait for the bastards!
> Give chase to the third party, the smallest, heading southwest!
> Other.

>>195007

> It came from the roll, actually...

>>195020
> Give chase to the third party, the smallest, heading southwest!

>>195020
>> Gallop to the market and wait for the bastards!
Ha, they're already retreating, cowards! We only have to stop them for a short time. Then our men smash them from behind and give us a quick victory!

Maybe they're "mercenaries" too - and have gold in their pockets or their camp has stuff of value. After travelling for a month we're giddy for some action.

Our camp is tents and herds. They won't run far.

OOC: Maybe you can wait for one or two more players to answer. The quest is worth to be seen by more people.

>>195039
The safe option.
But where's the glory, the tale for our grandchildren?

>>195046
We won't have any grandchildren if we die here.

>>195041

> True, true! I ought to put this in the archive just to be safe - am about to go to bed. Thanks for playing!

>>195063
Good night!
Thank you for the quest!

>>195059
Yes, but we're young and hot-blooded!

>>195115
They still greatly outnumber us, and our youth won't be very helpful against that.

>>195039
>>195041

> We're still at a tie now...

>>195020
>> Give chase to the third party, the smallest, heading southwest!
Well, less glory but safer - slightly. Protagonist is responsible for more than just himself now. We can find the other raiders later, can't be that many places to hide around the market towers.

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>>199140
KILL THEM ALL!

>>195041
dis

>>199844
>>> Gallop to the market and wait for the bastards!
Changing again to this. Majority?

Wait for them at the market

You could give chase, but now that you think of it - best to move instead to the market. So you and your 15 men ride towards the towers.

Between the three towers, a sort of fence, made of interlocking tree branches, proves a formidable barrier to horses, but you ride in through the gate and are immediately met with surprise by the hundreds of people within, who come out of their tents.

'What is this?'

'What's happening?!'

'You looters and robbers! How dare you!' You yell. 'You won't let us within the fence, and now you decide to rob us?'

'Wh-what are you talking about?!' One of the old men steps forward, and the others come up too. They're not armed, but... then again, you don't hear the raiding parties coming back. You're just a short ride from your camp - it doesn't seem likely they will take so long...

> Grab a few hostages. These dishonest bastards!
> Ride out to see what's happening.
> Other.

>>204003
ride out

>>204278

> I think we're near the end. I'll set up a new thread tomorrow morning (my time).

> Meanwhile I'm questing over at Anonkun. Come take a look if you like.

>>204282
>Anonkun
Will look for you there.

>>204003
>> Ride out to see what's happening.
Maybe the market people are not responsible? Damn.
Call to them "Raiders are attacking us. If they're not with you lot, then I advise you to collect your wares before they come for this place."
Then ride to the camp. Where are the raiders now? And where are they riding to?
You will have your revenge. On the raiders or the market people, either will do.

>>204003
> Ride out to see what's happening.