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>>2152691

7th Kriegstrom Platoon
Comprised of the most well-armed and armoured troops, 7th Platoon offers the meanest, fiercest and, given the mortality rate, dumbest soldiers to be found in the Black Company. A more bizarre collection of fighting men and women has likely never been seen. Down-on-their-luck heroes with a magic swords and brooding pasts like Cairsun; escaped slaves with a penchant for magik like Nissar; disgruntled veterans of the Nuemunster Legions like Corporal ‘Jack’ Marcus; Scarred Wildborn ‘Smiles’ (because fighting is really all a Wildborn knows); aging Skald huscarls like Hirstun of Ligh that should have retired long ago. You even have a mute rotten undead warrior, ‘Mask’, which is one even you haven’t heard before. Nevermind the fekking Dragon.

They’re your men (and women). Mercenaries, that kill for money. Warriors, with the right degree of pride and stubbornness. Soldiers, that fight for the man next to them. You never wanted this position, deciding who dies where. Dark Father knows it’s only a matter of time before you get them all killed.

The Fallen
The annals record those who have died in the line of duty under your command. Those whom you have failed.

‘Auntie’ Goodkind. Throat ripped out by a Grenn wolfman during the storming of Kresden.

Pietre Verdun. Struck down from behind in the storming of Kresden. No one saw where the blow came from.

Unhappy Sam. Mauled to death by the Grenn during the storming of Kresden.

‘Snake’. Summarily executed for disobeying orders. Members of 7th Platoon refused to elaborate further.

‘White Bitch’ Tara. Slain in the defence of the 7th Platoon campsite by Neumunster ambushers during the Northern Offensive.

Twice-in-One-Day. Skewered by Neumunster swordsmen during Day One of the Siege of Kresden.

’Kid’ Hewn in twain by a Neumunster halberdier during Day One of the Siege of Kresden.

Regrets-the-Rain Struck by a holy weapon of the Chevalisse Paladin orders on Day Two of the Siege of Kresden.

Arlen Rivers. Thrown from the walls by a Chevalisse Paladin on Day Two of the Siege of Kresden.

Vendis Durvano Trampled to death in the mad rush to escape the Western Gate slaughter on Day Four of the Siege of Kresden.

Legless Jenny Consumed body and soul in an abominable Cultist experiment, binding her to a corrupted Albani Warmachine.

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>>2152721
Recap

It all comes down to this. Or several days of 'this'. Every choice you’ve made, every success and every failure. It’s all led to you and the Company fighting to stave off the marshalled strength of the entire Free Alliance from the walls of some northern town while you wait for your dread employer, The Necromancer to relieve you with his fell host. Maybe you fekked up somewhere along the line, but for the life of you its impossible to figure out exactly where.

You lost men, brothers. Some you didn’t know too well, it’s the harsh reality of your position as an Officer. A battle is one thing, hours of movement and running around followed by minutes of terror and screaming. One way or another, it's all over soon enough most of the time. Humans weren't meant for sieges, days and days on end of the same pants-shitting terror knowing it will happen all over again tomorrow, if they live that long.

You thrive in this hell, you and people like Bad Hand. You feel better now than you did before the siege started. But your lads... they're only human, you wonder how many will survive this. If any of them will. The butcher's bill grows steeper every day and you still don't know your esteemed employer will bother to keep you among the living. This is a tough time for the Company, the most desperate of measures are being taken to last out another day. Last night you killed a insubordinate officer who defied your Captain, and you still don't know if you did the right thing.

Perhaps half the Company now wouldn’t mourn your death, and those in the 4th Infantry would gladly give you that final, fatal nudge over a line you’ve been dancing on for years. But everything you have done, it's all been for the Black Company… hasn't it? Has it instead all been for Captain Kiranova? You’ve begun to wonder whether you would do anything asked of you by the cold-hearted queen of ice you love so dearly, even against the interests of the Company.

Or maybe none of the above is true. Perhaps you’ve always liked killing, and any moral hand-wringing done after the fact has been to assuage your own dark inclinations. You’re not just an officer, a cynic, a tired veteran of fighting for coin. You are a monster. But perhaps a monster is what the Black Company needs right now.

You have not shirked from any advantage to secure victory, to ensure that the Company survives. Black deeds, dark bargains, harsh choices. Your power quickens. That you will give in to the darkness has long been decided, all that's left to see is how much of Prince will remain once the bloody day is done.

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>>2152742

It’s the closest the Free Alliance has come to breaking through your defence lines so far, nearly overrunning the Western Gate and the Northern Wall. You beat them back, but at a cost your side can ill afford. The Free Alliance smells victory, the second waves marches on the walls even as the remnants of the first wave staggers back to the defence lines.

Captain ‘Cutthroat’ Kiranova is in her element, officers of the Black Company, Ajiyimad Turncoats, Necromancer Cultists and Yellow Dogs crowd around her at a makeshift forward command post at the walls. Or what is left of it really, it looks like debris from the rampaging Jenny sent demolished much of the place. The Captain’s voice rings out calm and collected over the frantic movements of her rushing underlings, you’ve always loved seeing her like this. With Kiranova at the helm, you all might just make it. However, despite her cool demeanor and commanding aura the Captain is not untouched by the violence around her…
----------------------------------------------

>A thick bandage covers her right eye. The cut on her forehead seems superficial but the bloodflow must have temporarily blinded her, or swollen it shut. [Elite]

>She leans heavily on her sheathed sword, using it as a crutch. The damage to her left leg will likely heal, with proper attention. It’s not like running still an option anyway. [Clever]

>The Captain clutches her right side, fatigues made wet with flood. Broken ribs at the very least, probably worse. She keeps a brave face, only you notice she pale. More-so than usual. [Courage]

>Her left arm is wrapped in a sling, broken. Even on your best day Kiranova’s skill with the blade would have given you a run for your money, but not in her current condition. [Experience]

>>2152834
>She leans heavily on her sheathed sword, using it as a crutch. The damage to her left leg will likely heal, with proper attention. It’s not like running still an option anyway. [Clever]

>>2152834
>The Captain clutches her right side, fatigues made wet with flood. Broken ribs at the very least, probably worse. She keeps a brave face, only you notice she pale. More-so than usual. [Courage]

Though making us match sounds real cute

>>2152834
>The Captain clutches her right side, fatigues made wet with flood. Broken ribs at the very least, probably worse. She keeps a brave face, only you notice she pale. More-so than usual. [Courage]

>>2152834
>A thick bandage covers her right eye. The cut on her forehead seems superficial but the bloodflow must have temporarily blinded her, or swollen it shut. [Elite]

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>made wet with flood

Dark Father, no. *blood

>>2152834
>She leans heavily on her sheathed sword, using it as a crutch. The damage to her left leg will likely heal, with proper attention. It’s not like running still an option anyway. [Clever]

>>2152869
Flood of blood tho

>>2152834
>The Captain clutches her right side, fatigues made wet with flood. Broken ribs at the very least, probably worse. She keeps a brave face, only you notice she pale. More-so than usual. [Courage]

Hell yeah! Black Company Quest, and True Lies just started on my TV

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>>2152846
>>2152854
>>2152984

”Lieutenant Prince.” Captain Kiranova nods as you approach, oblivious to the officers hurriedly stepping aside to let you pass. ”Good job on the Western Gate. A few more like you and- Excuse me.“

The Captain of the Black Company turns her attention to the bedraggled looking Yellow Dog commander slumped against a falling stairwell. Captain Clayton may be a certified cunt, the scraping of the most half-rotted-through barrel, but he doesn’t look like he’s been holding back. He’s as nearly covered head to toe in gore as you are.

”Captain, take your Yellow Dogs and relieve the Tassenland detachment.”

The unscrupulous mercenary blinks stupidly before his face scrunches up. ”We can’t- that’s fekking suicide you crazy-“

”Fekking suicide is questioning my orders right now. Hold the damn wall, or I will replace you with someone who can.”

To his credit, or stupidity, the man holds her frosty glare for a moment before redoing his helm and stalking off in the general direction of his post. The Captain continues watching the Yellow Dog walk away with that same cold, discerning look she always wears. Suddenly she winces, her hand going down and clutching at her waist. When she pulls it away, the white glove is stained with red.

”You should get that looked at, Captain.” You nod at the wound. The Blackthorn armour doesn’t carry across concern in your voice very well, but a ghost of a smile crosses Kiranova’s face anyway.

”The Doctor is busy with those far worse off than me. I know you two don’t see eye to eye but, as strange as it sounds, I’m grateful to him. Every one of us he saves…” Maybe it’s the blood loss, maybe the weight of her decisions finally catches up to her. For a moment the impenetrable mask of the Captain cracks, an alien expression you’ve never seen before on her face. ”…is one of us I don’t have to bring back.”

Some time ago seeing weakness in the Captain would have scared you. But you’ve finally come to understand that all humans are weak. It’s in their nature.

Our nature, you remind yourself.

-----------------------------------

>”The dead are the dead, Captain. Look to the living.” [Experience]

>”Never regret. Never look back. You and I don’t get the luxury of weakness.” [Courage]

>”We did what we had to. To hell and back for you, ma’am. All of us.” [Elite]

>”Once we’re all kicking back on a Rakasha Raj beach this will all seem like a bad dream. I promise you.” [Clever]

>>2153069
>”The dead are the dead, Captain. Look to the living.” [Experience]

>>2153069
>The dead are the dead, Captain. Look to the living.” [Experience]

>>2153069
>”The dead are the dead, Captain. Look to the living.” [Experience]

>>2153069
>”We did what we had to. To hell and back for you, ma’am. All of us.” [Elite]

>>2153069
>”The dead are the dead, Captain. Look to the living.” [Experience

>>2153069
>”Once we’re all kicking back on a Rakasha Raj beach this will all seem like a bad dream. I promise you.” [Clever]
Fuck it, I want to keep some small sliver of humanity

>>2153069
>”The dead are the dead, Captain. Look to the living.” [Experience]

>>2153069
>69
>”We did what we had to. To hell and back for you, ma’am. All of us.” [Elite]

>>2153069
>>”The dead are the dead, Captain. Look to the living.” [Experience]

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>>2153079
>>2153103
>>2153110
>>2153118
>>2153191
>>2153308

”The dead are the dead, Captain. Look to the living.” Your voice growls. It comes out harsher than you intend.

”You’re right, of course.” Captain ‘Cutthroat’ Kiranova straightens her posture, lip curling in pain at the wound in her side. ”We can’t help them anymore. It’s the ones who are still breathing that deserve our attention. And wringing our hands about how we do it helps not one bit.”

The Captain looks at the pile of corpses the cultists are busy collecting not twenty-feet away. A mess of limp limbs and slack faces, they all seem so peaceful resting together. As if it was the natural state of a man, the Yellow of the Dogs, the Green of the Ajiyimad and Tassenland, the Grey and Gold of the Neumusnter, the Silver of the Heigelen… and not a little Black of your own Company. Colours that on the living have meaning, a point, some kind of… purpose. Why must the dead always look so peaceful? No concerns or worries, no caring about which colour they wear or whose flag they follow.

The Captain has to repeat her sentence before you snap out of your grim brooding.

[1/2]

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>>2153346

[2/2]

”We’re taking losses everywhere, Prince. I’ve promoted 6 officers today alone, one straight from Lance-Corporal to Lieutenant. Our command circle is unrecognisable from what it was at the start of this. I see faces a I barely recognise leading squads of my men. I’m not used to not recognising my own Below damned subordinates, I don’t like it.”

”I’m sorry, Captain, I don’t understand.”

”When we survive this Siege, and I say when not -if-, we will need to restructure. I need officers that aren’t just in charge because they managed to survive, I need officers that have that leadership quality. Take the 4th Infantry for example, with LT Hawk… gone, they’re lacking a proper officer.”

”Who did you have in mind?” You remember LT Hawk of course. A father to his men, you saved his life during the Sack of Sarsburg. You also had him hung for refusing to follow orders.

”Your little protégé, the Heigelen Guard turncoat.” Captain Kiranova narrows her eyes thoughtfully. ”Do you think she has what it takes?”

-------------------------------------------------------------

>”She has the makings of a leader. That odd combination of guts, hard-earnt cynicism and somehow still managing to give a damn about the men that breeds the best kind of officer. One day she will make a better leader than me. For whatever that's worth.”
If Saint survives the Siege she is promoted to Lieutenant of the 4th Infantry. Captain Kiranova is unaware that LT Saint despises her.

>”I would advise promoting someone else to the 4th. Someone who -doesn’t- want you dead.” That said, the entire 4th Infantry probably wants you and the Captain in the dirt.
If Saint survives the Siege she remains a CPL of the 7th Kriegstrom. Captain Kiranova is aware that CPL Saint despises her.

>”I’d rather you didn’t pinch the cream of my crop to fill up empty slots elsewhere, even if it’s a role like Platoon Leader. The Kreigstrom is only as good as it is because we have those kinds of leaders ourselves.” If Saint survives the Siege she remains a CPL of the 7th Kriegstrom. Captain Kiranova is unaware that CPL Saint despises her.

>”The 4th Infantry hates you. Corporal Saint hates you. Maybe it’s best to put all your detractors in one basket and keep them at arms length.” Or drop them off a cliff, but you don’t think even the Captain would go that far.
If Saint survives the Siege she is promoted to Lieutenant of the 4th Infantry. Captain Kiranova is aware that LT Saint despises her.

>>2153365
>”I’d rather you didn’t pinch the cream of my crop to fill up empty slots elsewhere, even if it’s a role like Platoon Leader. The Kreigstrom is only as good as it is because we have those kinds of leaders ourselves.”

>>2153365
>”The 4th Infantry hates you. Corporal Saint hates you. Maybe it’s best to put all your detractors in one basket and keep them at arms length.” Or drop them off a cliff, but you don’t think even the Captain would go that far.

>>2153365
>>”She has the makings of a leader. That odd combination of guts, hard-earnt cynicism and somehow still managing to give a damn about the men that breeds the best kind of officer. One day she will make a better leader than me. For whatever that's worth.”
Saint deserves her revenge

>>2153365
>”I’d rather you didn’t pinch the cream of my crop to fill up empty slots elsewhere, even if it’s a role like Platoon Leader. The Kreigstrom is only as good as it is because we have those kinds of leaders ourselves.” If Saint survives the Siege she remains a CPL of the 7th Kriegstrom. Captain Kiranova is unaware that CPL Saint despises her.

>>2153365
>”The 4th Infantry hates you. Corporal Saint hates you. Maybe it’s best to put all your detractors in one basket and keep them at arms length.” Or drop them off a cliff, but you don’t think even the Captain would go that far.

>>2153365
>>”She has the makings of a leader. That odd combination of guts, hard-earnt cynicism and somehow still managing to give a damn about the men that breeds the best kind of officer. One day she will make a better leader than me. For whatever that's worth.”

Gonna be a close vote

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black hears, heard men

>>2153365
A Close vote indeed.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>2153365
Fick I can't make up my mind.
On a 1 it's
>”I’d rather you didn’t pinch the cream of my crop to fill up empty slots elsewhere, even if it’s a role like Platoon Leader

On a 2 it's

>”She has the makings of a leader. That odd combination of guts, hard-earnt cynicism and somehow still managing to give a damn about the men that breeds the best kind of officer. One day she will make a better leader than me. For whatever that's worth.”

>>2153365
>”I’d rather you didn’t pinch the cream of my crop to fill up empty slots elsewhere, even if it’s a role like Platoon Leader. The Kreigstrom is only as good as it is because we have those kinds of leaders ourselves.”

>>2153365
>”The 4th Infantry hates you. Corporal Saint hates you. Maybe it’s best to put all your detractors in one basket and keep them at arms length.” Or drop them off a cliff, but you don’t think even the Captain would go that far.

> But she is a damn fine officer, and if you give the 4th to her and somehow reconcile with her, it might solve the whole problem. She might learn what it took to make the decision you made if she has to stare it down some day herself.

>>2153365
>>”The 4th Infantry hates you. Corporal Saint hates you. Maybe it’s best to put all your detractors in one basket and keep them at arms length.” Or drop them off a cliff, but you don’t think even the Captain would go that far.

The captain is now aware of what saint wants and keep abreast of it and saint given the right manuvering can shank her

>>2153365
Kiranova not knowing how Saint feels is a risk to the entire company, not just herself.

That's the sort of thing that could tear the company apart.

>>2153365
>”I’d rather you didn’t pinch the cream of my crop to fill up empty slots elsewhere, even if it’s a role like Platoon Leader. The Kreigstrom is only as good as it is because we have those kinds of leaders ourselves.”

I think it makes sense to be so close, if either Saint or the Captain have a hand up on the other then one of them will die. Best case is just keep them at arm's length from each other

>>2153365
>>”The 4th Infantry hates you. Corporal Saint hates you. Maybe it’s best to put all your detractors in one basket and keep them at arms length.” Or drop them off a cliff, but you don’t think even the Captain would go that far.

>>2153365
>”The 4th Infantry hates you. Corporal Saint hates you. Maybe it’s best to put all your detractors in one basket and keep them at arms length.” Or drop them off a cliff, but you don’t think even the Captain would go that far.

>>2153381
>>2153402
>>2153528
>>2153576
4 Votes
>”I’d rather you didn’t pinch the cream of my crop to fill up empty slots elsewhere, even if it’s a role like Platoon Leader. The Kreigstrom is only as good as it is because we have those kinds of leaders ourselves.”

>>2153393
>>2153451
>>2153479
3 Votes
>”She has the makings of a leader. That odd combination of guts, hard-earnt cynicism and somehow still managing to give a damn about the men that breeds the best kind of officer. One day she will make a better leader than me. For whatever that's worth.”

>>2153385
>>2153446
>>2153533
>>2153538
>>2153583
>>2153593
6 Votes
>”The 4th Infantry hates you. Corporal Saint hates you. Maybe it’s best to put all your detractors in one basket and keep them at arms length.” Or drop them off a cliff, but you don’t think even the Captain would go that far.


Interesting. LT Prince decides to be frank with the Captain.

>>2153603
Just doing what is best for the company.

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”Saint. That’s her name.” You take a moment to think about Captain Kiranova’s question. Saint hasn’t handled the hardships she has been through well. At first she cared too much, then not enough. Now though… ”She has seen the worst of this campaign with me, ma’am. Lost her old family, gained a new one. Watched her brothers in black die. She may have faltered, but never fallen. She’s become strong, stronger than I ever imagined. ”

”You believe she’s fit for the job?” The Captain winces as she takes a seat, hand still held to her side.

”I believe she will become one of the finest officers the Company has ever seen. She’s a perfect fit to lead the 4th Infantry.”

Kiranova glances up at you. ”Why is that?”

You scratch your chin, annoyed at the presence of stubble. When did you get so slack with your daily routine? ”Well, she cares. That’s the first thing that her and the 4th Infantry have in common. The 4th Infantry have always been the bleeding-hearts of the Company.”

”That’s true. Remember when LT Hawk halted a patrol in Albani to help some nuns evacuate their temple?”

”I remember, ma’am. I thought the madman was joking when he left that in his report.”

”…He was a good man. He cared. We saw how that turned out. Why would I want another kind-heart to fill his shoes?”

You’ve never been much good at lying, not to the Captain at least. So you tell the truth. ”Saint has a crueller streak than Hawk ever did, I’ve seen that on occasion. But there is something else she has in common with the 4th. They both hate you.”

”Does she now?” Captain Kiranova rarely appears amused, making her dark chuckle a remarkable occasion. ”I suppose she’s not alone in that regard.”

”The 4th won’t abide any lickspittle you appoint. They won't respect a yes-man. That’s the hard truth. At least they’ll listen to someone who feels as they feel.”

”Keep all my enemies in one place, easier to crush anything they plan.” Kiranova nods, thinking. "Is that what you're getting at?"

[1/2]

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>>2153650

”Maybe.” You pick up your helm, the next wave will be here any minute. ”Or maybe, Kira, you put Saint in your shoes for a while. Who knows? Maybe she’ll see things from your side, the burdens of command. Or maybe she’ll prove the two of us wrong, that there is a better way after all. And maybe the Company will be better off for it.”

You shrug, no mean feat in full-plate armour. ”Or maybe not.”

For a long time your fearless leader, oldtime ex-lover and constant paperwork harasser stares at you with the strangest expression. ”…Don’t die out there today, Prince. That’s an order.”

Northern Section (The North Tower): COLLAPSING
North-Western Section (The North Wall): COLLAPSING
Western Section (The Western Gate): STALWART
South-Western Section (The South Wall): SECURE

-----------------------------------------

(1)
>”Dying was never exactly plan-fekking-A, boss.”[Courage]
>”I’m ugly enough without being brought back as a corpse.” [Clever]
>”Well if it’s an order, I guess it can’t be helped.” [Experience]
>”As you command, my Captain.” [Elite]

(2)
You gather the 7th Kreigstrom Platoon and make your way to:
>The North Tower
>The North Wall
>The Western Gate
>The South Wall

>>2153656
>>”Dying was never exactly plan-fekking-A, boss.”[Courage]

>The North Tower

>>2153656
>>”Dying was never exactly plan-fekking-A, boss.”[Courage]
>The North Wall

>>2153656
(1)
>”Dying was never exactly plan-fekking-A, boss.”[Courage]
(2)
>The North Wall
walls make big openings

>>2153656
>>”Dying was never exactly plan-fekking-A, boss.”[Courage]
>The North Tower

>>2153656
>”As you command, my Captain.” [Elite]
Too cheeky not to pick
>The North Tower
Did we know which forces would be assaulting where? Or is that just the first wave

>>2153656
>>”As you command, my Captain.” [Elite]

>>2153671
You spent your cultist boons on anti-caster measures instead of foresight, so no unfortunately.

Don't worry, that was -definitely- the right choice. Shit's about to get MAGIK up in here.

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>>2153675
I am excite.

>”Well if it’s an order, I guess it can’t be helped.” [Experience]

>The North Wall

With some luck, the skelly hordes will begin to arrive soon enough. I wonder how much money our employer owns us to be worth resisting so much time

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>>2153659
>>2153660
>>2153665
>>2153668
>>2153671
>>2153674
>>2153729

>7th Kreigstrom stand ready at the North Tower

”Dying was never exactly plan-fekking-A, boss.” You manage to get away with a half-arsed salute, more of a cheeky wave than anything. Perhaps it is a wave goodbye.

”It never is.” You don’t hear what Captain Kiranova says after that. Or her sad, worried expression as she says it.

-----------------------------------------

Midday, Day Four of the Siege of Kresden
>[Elven Marksmen Rolls Skipped, this section of the wall is covered by an attempted Caster Bonus]

You never understood what it is with those that practice magic and wearing long flowing robes. Whether it’s the red hoods of the cultists or the white cloaks of the Council of Mages all those who dabble in Magik tend to wear inconveniently ostentatious garbs that add nothing in the way of protection.
If it weren’t for their infuriating magical barrier deflecting your forces arrows and bolts, they would be pincushions by now.

”Fekking magik, fekking shits, fekking FEK.” Sergeant Bad Hand curses, emphasises each cuss with a fist against the battlements. You understand his frustration, those Magi aren’t out there for the fun of it. Something is coming.

”You smell exquisite today, Lieutenant Prince.” Page #137 appears at your side out of the shadows, smelling of blood and rotten eggs. Beside him stands his sister daemonhost Page #89, a demure little girl whose constantly long wet black hair is far less distracting than her lack of eye sockets.

”I don’t have time for your promises of devouring me and whatever other half-arsed threats you have stowed away, #136.” You’re tempted to say so in the Black Tongue, but you’d rather not be distracted right now.

”I meant nothing of the sort, brother. It is simply delightful that you have danced down you darkened path with such a… how do the Chevalisse say it, laisse-faire attitude. Below smells good on you, Lieutenant.” You are very uncomfortable with such a vile creature of darkness referring to you as kin.

”Enough flirting, you little monster. We’ve got Magi to fry, you’re up.” Unlike Page #89, who only ever says one word, you’ve had conversations with #137 before. Creepy, disturbing conversations sure, but other than that the two of you have achieved that rare blend of forced-reliance and mutual contempt that has built a beautiful friendship.

Unfortunately, a daemon’s idea of friendship only means that your terrifying end, should he ever break his bonds, won’t be as drawn out and agonizing as some others.

[1/3]

>>2153656
>”Dying was never exactly plan-fekking-A, boss.”[Courage]

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>>2153742

The Cultist Demagogue Jale is enthusiastically taking down notes, or sketching Page #89 apparently. Trooper Nissar is peeking over the cultist’s shoulder at the amateur sketch and his eyes widen in pleasant surprise. Apparently Jale is something of a natural artist when he’s not committing blasphemy. ”…counter-bonds on the… nullification appears to be, no that’s not right…. Obviously some kind of..” His ramblings are unnerving to your men, so you tell him to shut the fek up. A wave of glowing blue energy sweeps towards the wall from the Circle of Magi and suddenly the cultist’s mutterings are completely forgotten.

”No.” That damn word, moaned by Page #89. It’s all the little freak ever says. The wave of energy falters and dissipates. Your stomach turns. Another one follows it, this time in streaks of green lightning.

Men fear what they don’t understand. Your platoon cowers behind the ramparts as the eldritch energies swarm over the North Tower. For some reason you are reminded of oil and water, Light and Dark of such extremes that it is impossible for them to meld together even as their casters fling them at each other. When they are forced to meet, ground against each other in a contest of wills and talent, the results are not safe or pretty.

It used to be that the sight of Page #137’s dark powers unleashed would terrify you. Now you reckon that you could take him. It would be close, of course. But you could do it. If he wasn’t already bound to the Captain through old shackles and oaths you’d even be tempted to try, distracted as he and his sister daemonhost are at the moment.

You see a cultist, nowhere near the swirling energy, simply explode. Another combusts, the madman continues chanting even as the flames consume his flesh and bone.

”No.” Page #137 and #89 make a perverse pair of siblings, holding hands as they summon the very essence of Below to counter the practiced Magik of the Isle of Mages.

Three Magi falls dead, feedback from their own dissipated casting killing them instantly. At least that’s what you think happened.

Everything is getting blurry as the pure energy, raw and untamed, twists your perception of reality. Too much gods damned magik in the air.

An overwhelming rapturous sensation overtakes you. Everything changes.

[2/3]

>>2153755
I think the best thing about losing our humanity is that we get to be buddy buddy with the Page siblings now if we so please.
It's a shame we went and killed Tara, I wonder how they would react of having a dark nephew to look after.

>>2153755
I wonder what happens if we say "YES" in the black tongue. Counter-attack?

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>>2153755
”Oh Gods!” The earth, is it earth?, comes crashing up to meet you. You want to vomit.

The walls, the tower, the town. All gone. Your men, they’re just shadows now. You can see the outline of who you think SGT Bad Hand roaring, pulling another Trooper you can’t identify down into cover. It should be daytime. It -should- be. This place is something else. You remember this, with Asgorga. But this isn’t quite the same, it never felt so real.

”#137 what have you done?!? You roar in the Black Tongue, clambering to your knees. You can sense him, but he and his witch sister are nowhere to be seen.

”I have done nothing, Lieutenant Prince! The Compact forbids me from harming you, remember?” The child-daemon laughs in delight. It is not a pleasant laugh. ”All that excess magik had to cause something. How was I to know it would be your quickening? How wonderful!”

Like a twig caught in a storm. Gristle on a chewed bone. Soft stone under the weight of a mountain. That’s what you feel like right now.

”NO.” Page #89 screams petulantly again. But you don’t think she’s speaking to you.

You can feel something coming. Another wave of Magik? No. It’s something else. Massive. Once during the Northern Coast Campaign you saw a Wingshark leak up and pluck a Sealdove from the sky. A shadow appeared below the Wingshark and mess of feathers, a leviathan of the deep. You feel as insignificant in the face of that ancient sea monster then as you feel in the face of whatever this is now. Moreso. You cannot even comprehend the size of the rushing POWER, like a tidal wave that causes your very soul to shake.

”Oh Gods” You try to groan, but it comes out as a frightened whisper.

”Not Gods, Lieutenant. God.”

[3/4]

>>2153755
Also what happened to Jenny? Did I miss that?

> Legless Jenny Consumed body and soul in an abominable Cultist experiment, binding her to a corrupted Albani Warmachine.

Is that in the last thread?

>>2153773
I hadn't actually thought of that.

>>2153785
Yes, sorry for the spoiler.

>>2153786
I mean you posted that.

Fine. We have been ablessing to live through others bodies as shown with Asgorga right?

We're going to help Jenny "save" children broken by the war so she can muffle their minds in catatonic shells and live through them.

>>2153765
Now we can be the pages adopted dad. Brigging page #89 lots of orphans for her to play. Maybe we can give her Jennys old set of eyes. She ain't usi g then anyway

>>2153786
>>2153788
While also making her the youngest Blackguard and the first Mecha-Blackguard. Her old body betrayed her, this new one will serve her well.

>>2153798
>>2153796
Glad to see we're fully embracing this, lads. It is time.

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>>2153784
Yes! YES!YESSS!

>>2153799
Hey the path is made just enjoying the ride. Only think that makes me sad is kids death. I think that was the final straw that made me think well now i won't get mad if prince becomes his avatar

>Legless Jenny Consumed body and soul in an abominable Cultist experiment, binding her to a corrupted Albani Warmachine.

Well at least she got her legs back

Still hoping we go the route of the black prince.

>>2153786
Well let's take this power overwhelming us and DO something with it. If it's over filling us, let's spit some of it out.

Come out with some curses to send to the opponents. Speak of our hatred for them, their pretentious hypocrisy hating us for killing children out of necessity while they do it out of disregard. Fighting not for their people but for their own pride and privilege. Throwing away lives in vengeance and spite while claiming that we are the ones that don't value them. We're willing to do whatever it takes to save our brothers, while they just want to kill us for a town that has no strategic value and an emperor that's already dead.

Their Emperor went out to war because they treat it like it's an adventure, a political game instead of a horror. We don't turn away from that fact because we're honest pieces of shit.

They take and take in equal measure what they can and we hate them for pretending they're better than us.

And mages. Fekking mages. For all their magic is "light" and "holy" it kills men just the same. From a distance, without risk to themselves so they can go home and pretend they aren't just murderers on a grand scale. Our hands might be stained with blood, but they bath in the stuff and pretend it isn't even there.

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>>2153784
[4/4]

> “Service to a Crippled God holds no interest to me. I will walk this path alone, damnation or no.” [Black Prince]

>”If that is what it takes. I will serve. WE will serve. The Father protects.” [His Champion]

>”I am ready. For the men. For the Company… For the Dark Father.” [His Avatar]


Take your time, I’m having a lunch break so this vote will be open for a while.
Consider the pros and cons carefully, I also encourage discussion and how these boons complement your current styles. Let me know if anything is too retarded-tier broken, I want a thematic choice to influence you guys rather than a mechanical one.

>>2153819
>> “Service to a Crippled God holds no interest to me. I will walk this path alone, damnation or no.” [Black Prince]

>>2153819
>>”I am ready. For the men. For the Company… For the Dark Father.” [His Avatar]

>>2153819
>>”I am ready. For the men. For the Company… For the Dark Father.” [His Avatar]
Easy choice mechanics wise. Black Prince requires sacrifice from our men and I can't see Prince agreeing to that

>>2153819
>”I am ready. For the men. For the Company… For the Dark Father.” [His Avatar]

let's see that necro shit his pants when he comes. I really doubt he will even be near us so i guess this is a sure way to save our men

>>2153819
>”If that is what it takes. I will serve. WE will serve. The Father protects.” [His Champion]

>>2153799
Eh, I've been clamoring for Black Prince since forever but let's try to keep a sliver of Prince's humanity alive.

>>2153819
...FEEEEEEEEK, I can't decide between Black Prince and His Champion.

>>2153827
>>2153828
At least consider His Champion before His Avatar. Carnotaur III sounds fekking sexy as Below.

Personally, I Think The Black Prince is better. His Champion is basically has a fate worse than death (which The Black Prince has as well) while his avatar basically if he fights at 40DC his personality is erased and we would technically not be playing as Prince anymore.

>>2153819
> “Service to a Crippled God holds no interest to me. I will walk this path alone, damnation or no.” [Black Prince]

>>2153828
yeah but would Prince be ok with not being himself any more and just a puppet for the Dark Father

>>2153803
It was the final straw for a lot of people. Myself included.

>>2153819
>"I am ready. For the men. For the Company... For the Dark Father." [His Avatar]

>>2153819
I feel like Champion or Avatar fit Prince the most right now on the path he's been heading down.

The flavor text for His Champion: that's a spicy meatball.

>>2153819
>”If that is what it takes. I will serve. WE will serve. The Father protects.” [His Champion]
Seems okay, but damn, Prince is fucked regardless of what he picks.


Also, QM, question- can we get a list of abilities/perks that the NPCs had? Like, the people we fought and whatnot. Some of those seemed interesting, and I think I'd like them for reference in my own future quests.

>>2153819
Well, this is a difficult choice. I mean, do we really have the guts to call the Dark Father a cripple after his power has sustain us this campaign. We probably wouldn´t have survived without his help, and it seems obvious that Prince, while not being a very faithful man, respects him from his sacrifice.

You know, I don´t know if this is cowardly, but I really don´t want to choose. This path we tread will end up badly, no matter what will choose. But we must. We cannot remain a simple man when our men require far more from us.

Black Prince is not my cup of tea. Sure we will become sort of a Necromancer, but at the cost of enraging a god against the company (and probably the one most respected by the emn in it). So that leaves us the ultimate sacrifice for our men: Becoming his Avatar or pledging our allegiance and Becoming his Champion.

What do you think is the best course of action and why?

>>2153819
>>”If that is what it takes. I will serve. WE will serve. The Father protects.” [His Champion]

>>2153845
I feel like, character wise, Prince would recognize the Dark Father's hand in his men's survival, and would be feeling like... Like he would want to serve the Company for as long as he could, and then continue to serve the Father afterwards. I think I've got to lean towards Champion.

>>2153844
A lot of it was just tweaking Prince's shit and renaming it, but I'm happy to provide full-disclosure at the conclusion of this quest (please remind me!).

At the very least it will serve as an inspiration for a skill-tree in a future Black Company quest in this setting. A non-Below related option would be interesting to set out in full.

>>2153845
His Avatar. The last sliver of humanity that Prince has left is genuine care and concern for his men. He definitely would make the sacrifice.

>>2153845
>>2153851

Also, something irks me about the flavor text of his Champion. It seems like Prince is making pledging the whole Company to the Dark Father. This seems out of character to me.

I mean, Prince can do a bargain with a demon if that means gaining the power to protect his men, but to say that his men would fight for him, while some might not even pray to him, seems like selling their soul along with ours.

His Avatar is supposed to be the most powerful, because Prince is giving up the most. However if I have gone way overboard and anons are making this choice just on the power offered don't hesitate to speak up.

I'm loving that anons are considering all points and offering valid arguments for why Prince would or would not lean towards a particular choice.

>>2153859
Yeah that does seem a bit weird. But maybe at this point, Prince has opened the spigot so large that it's impossible to stop the flow. The Dark Father lives through the Company now.

>>2153819
Metagaming wise His Avatar is perfect choice but Captain told us not to die so I`ll have to go with
> “Service to a Crippled God holds no interest to me. I will walk this path alone, damnation or no.” [Black Prince]

>>2153864
Did we misunderstand? Would his Champion imply pledging the whole Company to him?

Hey Forgotten, is Prince still swole as hell and eight feet tall?

I think Prince is a pragmatic man. IIRC Black Prince basically makes him a demi-god. I'm gonna say his avatar is the worse of the options due to his personality ceasing to exist. The other one basically makes him fight forever for the dark father and the other one sacrifices his men (which could be good for a mercy kill if they have mortal wounds)

>>2153828
Actually mechanic wise combined with Call of the Night it will protect our men far more than Avatar. First battle roll is an auto-success and the second roll has +10dc

Meanwhile we just have to not go into negative HP, with an increased regen from His Blood for Mine and the Fear effect from Gruesome is doubled. Plus that +5hp.

So we could blender dudes still using Face Me! The loss of MBFH hurts but honestly we're getting low on HP for using it in the first place. Pretty bad IF we die though.

His Champion is the best for winning battles, but the auto-wound is rough. What happens if the same person is selected twice? Not much of a concern though since we're in endgame territory. Good MBFH buff and the upgraded sword stance is nice.

His Avatar let's us murderlize Champions and combined with Face Me! we could tip battles as well. MBFH buff is pretty sweet too. It helps our troops in a less direct fashion.

Avatar is probably the best thematic choice.

Though partially because of the Necromancer, but also because Prince believes in loyalty and we owe him a son. Locks out Waifus probably.

We also deserve it for letting Kid die.

>>2153819


So I pick

> ”I am ready. For the men. For the Company… For the Dark Father.” [His Avatar]

>>2153873
Swoler than hell. What appeared as a trick of the Blackthorn armour has become more real the more you have called upon the darker powers.

>>2153843
>The flavor text for His Champion: that's a spicy meatball.
I'm not sure what you mean?

>>2153859
>>2153865


No matter what you choose Prince will influence the Company, most of all the Kreigstrom. It won't be anything like mind-control or compelling them to do so, anymore than any open opportunity to convert is.

>>2153876
>>2153819
Wait I thought we only stop being Prince as the Avatar if we went into negative HP.

That changes my opinion.

Please clarify.

>>2153819
>>”If that is what it takes. I will serve. WE will serve. The Father protects.” [His Champion]

>>2153864
>His Avatar is supposed to be the most powerful, because Prince is giving up the most.
I think that Black Prince and His Avatar should have been equally powerful considering the stakes they put on us while His Champion seems more like the most tame, human and safe option.

>>2153845
I think others have talked about His Champion and His Avatar already, so I'll try to see the good in the Black Prince choice.

Black Prince is the path of broken faith - Prince has used the powers granted by the Dark Father, true, but the Chief also tried to have a demon baby behind his back. Despite the powers given, He couldn't save Prince's men...what's the worth in such a God? And so Prince tries to steal some of His power and become one himself. Sure, his technically eternal life comes with a sacrifice, but he would choose a wounded man - someone that might be dead anyway.
With this power, he could protect the Company forever. Perhaps no price is great enough for such a goal.

>>2153819
>> “Service to a Crippled God holds no interest to me. I will walk this path alone, damnation or no.” [Black Prince]
Fight for no one but our brother, strive for nothing but the contract.

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>>2153880
>Flavor text
I mean it's Fucking Fire.

>>2153885
>His Champion seems more like the most tame, human and safe option.
This results in death, followed by eternal warfare in hell. Shit is pretty rough dude.

>>2153819
>>”I am ready. For the men. For the Company… For the Dark Father.” [His Avatar]
All endings are bad, but for Avatar as long as we don't go into negative HP (which will be very difficult since we have 40 HP), Prince will basically be an immortal demi God. Much better than sacrificing our men or fighting for the Dark Father forever.

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>>2153891
Shit is pretty fuckin' metal

>>2153886
That sweet bonus to the Black Tongue and Call of the Night becomes OP.

How would the other Blackguards see us though?

And really, are we breaking the contract - or the Black God? We didn't agree to be overwhelmed with power like this. It's not a fair exchange.

>>2153882
Going into Neg HP will strip your vessel of Prince almost entirely, only fragments of him will be left.

Before that happens, it will be an almost constant struggle to let Prince (as others know him) take the wheel.

>>2153890
'Book of Judas' was a little on the nose, was it?

>>2153864
I'm picking his avatar over his champion, because i think the champion will make the Necromancer see prince as a enemy or a rival to be beaten

The same can be said by his avatar but at least we will have more power to protect our men in the end i don't trust the necromancer to not fuck us over

>>2153819
>>”If that is what it takes. I will serve. WE will serve. The Father protects.” [His Champion]
I LIVE I DIE I LIVE AGAIN

>>2153819
> “Service to a Crippled God holds no interest to me. I will walk this path alone, damnation or no.” [Black Prince]

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>>2153899
Everything about that flavor text is perfect.

>>2153899
At -40 that's a pretty brutal penalty.

Hey Forgotten, can you tell us what the other Tier 4s we missed out on would have been like?

>>2153902
Then again we already sold the Emperor to be able to walk away from this. We don't really have to face the Necromancer.


There are also the other warlords still.

Whereas with Black Prince and the Dark Tongue bonus, we might even be able to usurp the Necromancer.

Changing >>2153879

To Black Prince. But not "I will not serve a crippled God". Instead

> If he is forcing this power upon me, then I will use it. But a gift unasked for carries no obligation, and a price demanded by force is not agreed to. I will use this power as I CHOOSE. I will not be trapped by him to take his place in bondage.

>>2153891
Eternal war in hell does not seems that much diffrent from Black Prince death effect if you imagine how long will it last. I`d say even if we get sucked into Below escaping from it as Black Prince seems more likely than Dark Father`s escape along with his champs. Necromancer is a "living" example of it, is he not?
And His Avatar is basically identity death and merging with Dark Father in a way I guess?

>>2153897
I was arguing from a purely flavor POV. Every choice is powerful in its right, and don't forget we also have Saint's Nightblade buffing Black Prince's abilities.

>>2153911
>>2153880
Playing off the Black Company's history of rules lawyering shitty contracts.

>>2153819
...wow that is not an easy choice.

>>2153899
>Before that happens, it will be an almost constant struggle to let Prince (as others know him) take the wheel.

seems to go against the spirit of our orders to not die, though. And since His Champion would likely be similar, in order to remain the most Prince-like I support

> “Service to a Crippled God holds no interest to me. I will walk this path alone, damnation or no.” [Black Prince]

Not to mention I want to see what those sexy Black Speech and Call of the Night upgrades look like...

Also just want to take a moment to call out your production value Forgotten, like holy shit the images, flavour text, everything is so well put together. Not just for this but this is an especially good example I think

>>2153906
>>2153909
Cheers!
I never wrote up the Manifest Destiny option since that was cut-off fairly early on. I have tweaked Kreigstrom Never Die, and but didn't have flavour text for Company of Heroes.

I'll happily finish up all through though, that might make a cool 'alternative timeline' Christmas special or something. No promises that I can't be sure I'll be able to keep, but I like the idea.

>>2153907
Did you read the paragraph before that number? Negative 40DC is small beans.

>>2153911
Also I want to end this by using our new command of the Black Tongue to seize the Pages power while they are busy harnessing it and to bind them to us while using them to cast back the magic.

Then we are gonna go talk to some Vampires.

I wonder if we can convince the Archmage into a devils bargain to retreat from the Necromancer and then aid us later in usurping him by taking away his control over the creatures of darkness.

>>2153919
-40 means our men fight and die while we faff around with the champion.

Sure, we win EVENTUALLY.

>>2153819
> “Service to a Crippled God holds no interest to me. I will walk this path alone, damnation or no.” [Black Prince]

Kudos to you, Forgotten. All these choices are pretty awesome.

>>2153911
Might want to quote Forgotten's post AND your previous vote, dude. It will be easier for him to count votes.

>>2153911
>>2153879
>>2153819
Changing my vote. AND THE FLAVOUR TEXT!

This apotheosis wasn't in the contract nor was it agreed to.

Maybe we can make it up to him by knocking up Saint with a DOUBLE BLACK GUARD BABY! Get her to go all MBFH during some hate sex afterwards.

> This is how you convince Anons

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I'm going to duck off for a bit as things look far from decided and the doggos need a walk. Great discussion all around!

>>2153929
>>2153917
I appreciate it, fellas. In one of the previous threads an anon mentioned that they liked my thread because all the choices generally scare the shit out of them. Personally I think these difficult choices are probably the whole difference between a proper Quest and a quasi-fanfiction.

I'll have to get a proper tally going, can't have any of my previous miscounts pop up here.

>>2153927
>>2153938
Ah, you picked up on that! Well done.

It's on the Below-damned quest tag! SAINT IS FOR PURE NOT FOR LEWD.

>>2153911
> If he is forcing this power upon me, then I will use it. But a gift unasked for carries no obligation, and a price demanded by force is not agreed to. I will use this power as I CHOOSE. I will not be trapped by him to take his place in bondage.


sounds pretty sweet

>>2153819
> “Service to a Crippled God holds no interest to me. I will walk this path alone, damnation or no.” [Black Prince]

>>2153943
Man I live on the west coast of the US. I barely ever get to be involved in this quest and I love being in this discussion tonight.

Reading through the quest updates once I get to work was a highlight of my day. Was involved more back in the first thread; glad to be around near the end here. But I've got to sleep. Excited to see what I wake up to.

>>2153943
> It's on the Below-damned quest tag! SAINT IS FOR PURE NOT FOR LEWD.

Not seeing it.

Besides what's impure about love blooming on the battlefield?

>>2153943
I must say I enjoy the ending no matter what option was chosen. Prince does not deserve happiness and you really fleshed out our character development really well. Just give me a hate lewd scene with Saint or Kiranova after all of this is done and it'll be perfect.

>>2153819
Amazing quest, I can't decide at all.. guess i'll just go with

>”I am ready. For the men. For the Company… For the Dark Father.” [His Avatar]

>>2153819
hey guys talk it out and discuss it.

> Avatarfags vote right away

>> “Service to a Crippled God holds no interest to me. I will walk this path alone, damnation or no.” [Black Prince]

We never asked for this Jensen.png

>>2153943
So I was rechecking pastebin and it hit me
>Nightblade [Saint]: +10DC to Black tongue if near Saint. Double 'Call of the Night' and 'Black Prince' effects.
>Double 'Call of the Night' and 'Black Prince' effects.
Does it double all the Black Prince bonuses listed and other possibly power gain later on?

>>2153819
> If he is forcing this power upon me, then I will use it. But a gift unasked for carries no obligation, and a price demanded by force is not agreed to. I will use this power as I CHOOSE. I will not be trapped by him to take his place in bondage. [Black Prince]

This write-in is cool. However, I still thing that it might be more On-Character and in the spirit of the quest to sacrifice himself for the men. Even if just to add a little idealistic tone at the end of the wild ride that this quest has been. Even in the face of ultimate power, our men come first.

I propose the following write in:

>I accept my fate. I will serve you. But I implore you, be merciful. No more sacrifices, no more death. Give me the power to protect them and I will give myself over to you. [Avatar]

>>2153943
Combat scares the crap out of me. It's impossible to keep people from dying.

Stay Back, Kid!

>Ah, you picked up on that! Well done.

HEY AVATAR VOTERS. THIS IS RELEVANT.

A) He's trying to screw us

B) If we die it's super bad for our men.

>>2153987
>No more sacrifices, no more death

We aren't bargaining with him. That also is contradictory to his nature. That's asking the snake not to bite you.

>>2153988
>>2153987
>>2153973
>>2153895
>>2153841
>>2153831
>>2153828
>>2153827

Read that spoiler text. I got issues with Avatar after doing so.

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>>2153966
>pic

>>2153982
Not all, just those directly connected with Call of the Night.

Prince would not, for example, get +10HP instead of +5HP whenever Saint was around. But the stack of +5DC per turn would be doubled, for example.

1) I don't want to talk up the mechanics of any single option two much, but I hope there is some semblance of balance.

2) You pretty much just guaranteed her promotion, so in future quests should wouldn't be by Prince's side most of the time.

>>2153998
>>2153943
ER this spoiler text in response to me changing my vote

>>2153999
> Posts lewd Saint

Saint is no longer pure though

>>2153988
To address your points:

A- I honestly don´t have a fuck and I guess Prince doesn´t as well. If we had the power, Kid would still be with us today. Either we go all out and try to save as much people as we can or we wouldn´t have started walking this path.

Black Prince seems like an option that focuses more on our well-being than the Company´s. We would be a leech on our men, draining them to stay alive. That is not the Prince I know.

B- if we die, our men are doomed. This way we have extra 10hp and a few trump cards, which will make dying extremely difficult. Also, if we die and keep fighting we may be able to hold the enemy for a bot while our men retreat.

>>2153988
You owe the Dark Father our life and probably more after all the MBFH abuse and bringing us back from the dead. Making a chained God angry is stupid

>>2153365
>”I’d rather you didn’t pinch the cream of my crop to fill up empty slots elsewhere, even if it’s a role like Platoon Leader. The Kreigstrom is only as good as it is because we have those kinds of leaders ourselves.

>>2154013
You sir, have managed to end up second in a one-man race.

>>2154007
>If we had the power, Kid would still be with us today.

If we didn't short sightedly sacrifice his safety for +5dc Kid would be alive. It wasn't a lack of power but an abuse of it.

Black Company only harms our men if we die, and the Avatar -40 would do MORE harm by drawing out combat. Call of the night outright prevents any casualties the first round used, and buffs them more the longer it goes. As well we have the ability to regain more health after fighting and farm health using Face Me!

Avatar doesn't do shit for them in comparison. Good for one fight but it's a guarantee death by attrition through multiple fights. Especially with the use of MBFH being so attractive. We also can't retreat until discipline is broken at which point they break through and slaughter us. There's nowhere to run in a siege boyo

It's a trap option.

>>2154012
We didn't agree to this, we don't owe him this. We've paid for everything we got up front.

Like Forgotten pointed out >>2153943

>>2153819
Voting for Black Prince. Can't quote for shit because on Ipad. Also guys. We can't be His lacky forever. We need to break the bonds of servitude, ascend into Damnation with our own powers. Only then will we truly have the comapny's best interest at heart.

>>2154022
Wait, Where does it say that we will keep fighting until Discipline is broken?

The text says that Prince will continue fighting even if he dies.

>>2153819
> “Service to a Crippled God holds no interest to me. I will walk this path alone, damnation or no.” [Black Prince]

But replace with >>2153911

Regarding paying our dues, has that really stopped the company before? We're a bunch of rat bastard gutter fighters who will cheat everything if it means we can see our brothers in arms live too see another day

>>2154012
Jensen.png

>>2154007
First off, Prince drains people only when he dies and again, it targets wounded people (people that might die anyway, but that's beside the point). Just don't die - which is also the point of His Avatar, or you're fekked.

Speaking of power however, there are different kinds of power. His Avatar makes Prince an absolute beast in combat, true. His men...less so. Only if rolls go well and the fight doesn't go on they're safe.

Black Prince's powers actually help his men the longer they fight and make us less relying on dice rolls, which has always been our bane.

>>2154031
Canonical in the books the Black Company has never broken a contract. In quest it came up when we sacrificed the Emperor and when we talked to the men about raising the dead.

However this shit? Not in our agreement with the God. We bleed immediately when we use his power. Souls go directly to him. There's no credit, we don't run tabs.

So him doing this is a technical violation and that's all the Company has needed in the past to break a shit contract.

>>2154022
Dying with 40 HP isnt easy task though anon. We only died once so far

>>2154036
also helps non-combat rolls due to the boost to black tongue and gruesome.

as well as helping personal combat through call of the night and gruesome.

>>2154044
And we've usually fought with reduced HP at that so 30 should help. Especially with the buffed regen from BP. We'll actually be fighting with more health more often than with just the straight buff.

>>2153819
>>>”If that is what it takes. I will serve. WE will serve. The Father protects.” [His Champion]

>>2154045
> Kill Champion while protecting troops

> Oh no troops take longer to kill people

> Face Me! And regen more health to be full up for next fight

> Don't have to risk losing health and becoming an abomination by using MBFH

>>2154046
But having HBFM be stronger will let us heal even more of our men in a fight.

>>2154049
Not having to heal them in the first place is better. With the first free round and the buff, we'll be at +10 by the time we are at risk.

>>2154049
It's a trap to make us lose health so the Dark Father can take over.

>>2154050
Crit fails can always happen anon. And without hbfm our squaddie is kill.

>>2154053
It didn't save Kid. Like you said Critfails can happen.

>>2154053
But Black Prince can use HBFM. Hell, his HP regen even doubles.

What he can't use is MBFH.

>>2154053
Lol

>>2154060

You gonna switch then?

>>2154025

this guy >>2153819 didn't

> greentext his vote

>>2154007
we can roll willpower to not have our men die at least also.

if we die with Avatar it's game over.

and maybe we can black tongue Syka.

>>2154061
Already voted for it, Anon.

>>2154070
> we can black tongue Syka
TOO LEWD.

>>2154074
I switched.

>>2154074
You voted for Avatar. Switch to Black Prince since it supports your argument.

>>2154081
What.
>>2153929
That's my vote.

>>2154074
> Take your time, I’m having a lunch break so this vote will be open for a while.
Consider the pros and cons carefully, I also encourage discussion and how these boons complement your current styles. Let me know if anything is too retarded-tier broken, I want a thematic choice to influence you guys rather than a mechanical one.

and we have a thematic reason here >>2153911 and it was validated by Forgotten here >>2153943.

You would sell our men for a debt we don't owe?

>>2154083

I meant for >>2154053 to switch. i was lolling because you made his argument support the black prince.

>>2154074
Syka is for lewds though according to Black Hand.

That makes me wonder, does the Black Tongue buff mean we can do or affect magic?

>>2154090
>Black Hand

Oh shit

>>2153819
>> “Service to a Crippled God holds no interest to me. I will walk this path alone, damnation or no.” [Black Prince]
FOR THE BLACK PRINCE!

>>2154103
Bad Hand I mean. He would not be happy with the Avatar choice either.

>>2154103
we will . . . impregnate Bad Hand to make the dark avatar Black Hand?

Fuck I have to sleep.

Great quest. I can't wait to see what we do for Jenny. Probably best if we're the Black Prince for us to teach her the dark tongue / deal with her possession thingy.

>>2153987
>>2153819

Changing. Strong reasoning from both sides, but I will choose Black Prince in the end. Caring for the Company for all eternity is a go.

>>2154107
Black Hand must be the Black Prince equivalent tier 4 choice for Bad Hand

reaping souls and shit with his hand of darkness

>>2154074
ust wait until we Black Tongue Jenny

>>2154114
I'm surprised he hasn't fucked a Vampire.

Let's hook him up with Squishy. Or double team her.

>>2154111
>>2154115
I thought she exploded?

>>2154117
That's not the same as dying. Also wouldn't be the first time we fucked a hot mess.

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>>2154117
no she's now the black companies pic related

well now moreso

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I'm back. I figure I will answer a few more questions before calling the vote.

>1) We don't owe any debt to the Dark Father, we've been paying in blood and souls.
False. The blood and sacrifices have been deposits of a sort. Prince knows that he's been racking up a tab of some sorts, that's been a constant reminder throughout the quest (and several anons have even expressed approval of this choice, since so many quests shy away from doing this).

It is, of course, a perfectly mortal oathbreaker choice to go "Fek you, I don't see this written down in a contract." But there will be consequences.

>2) His Avatar is a trap choice.
False. I don't need to trick you, the pros and cons are fairly obvious. As several anons pointed out, Prince will be an absolute beast in combat, but beyond the morale effects of killing a champion, his platoon really needs a couple of decent rolls at first to gain that juicy Hellion edge. It has the highest potential boost to Platoon DC, it just needs to get the ball rolling first.

>3) Sister Superior Syka is for LEWDS
True. Your Sergeant won't shut up about it.

>4) Saint is no longer pure.
False. Saint is always pure. Always.

>5) Tier 4 choices can crush the Necromancer
False. Before you handed over the last of Skarling Kingbreaker's bloodline? Sure. You could probably even take the Wild King to town. If anons are still set on taking on the Necromancer, or trying to guard against him breaking his word, it's going to be a lot closer now after his power boost.

>6) His Avatar locks out waifus.
If you hit negative HP, yes. But all Tier 4 options make human connection a difficult and frankly sinister endeavor.

Any other questions anons? I looks like this will be the last vote before I head off to bed, but I will update throughout the week after work where I can.

>>2154122
>Any other questions anons?

You know, we didn't really interact with the Wild King's or the Warlord's minions (except that time we stormed a keep full of barbarians IIRC). Did you have some plans for them, but butterflied away by Anon's choices?

Also, Hell Baby. What would have happened to him/her if we didn't kill Tara?

>>2154122
How powerful would Black Hand be

>>2154122
> It is, of course, a perfectly mortal oathbreaker choice to go "Fek you, I don't see this written down in a contract." But there will be consequences.

In finest tradition of rules lawyering. Of course there's consequences. But we don't have to feel bad about them. If we pay with our afterlife then fine. But he can't make us pay with our men's lives and our current life.

>2) His Avatar is a trap choice.

In the context of protecting our men it is. We get fucked gently but still fucked by those rolls in the first place.

What about Bad Hands opinion on Avatar?

> When you anger the QM by pointng out that we've corrupted the purest

We chose this path.

>>2154122
At the begining of his career was Necromancer in the right?

>>2154122
When does the vote end?

Also the first point is mostly flavour to justify it. A more reasonable IC choice than just "Fek You". Our goal has never been personal power but the power to protect our men.

>>2154121
Robophobe

>>2153819

I'm gonna go with Black Prince but with better flavor text posted.

> “Service to a Crippled God holds no interest to me. I will walk this path alone, damnation or no.” [Black Prince]

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>>2154125
Bad Hand doesn't give two shits about your Below or Dark Father. He likes hitting things, killing things and fekking things. Preferably different things but he's not incredibly picky.

>>2154124
I did have some plans for them, but I figured this was increasingly unlikely after the choice to send Prince's mission into northern Neumunster was made.

As for the child, that would have been a problem for another quest. Aside from the awkward explanation to both Saint and the Captain (and maybe White Bitch too, she didn't know the true nature of what she was carrying).

>>2154127
He didn't have his sights set on world domination or anything at first. He was basically a nobility version of the Cultist Demagogue Jale. Which is certainly still pretty bad and amoral when you think about it, but for 'science'.

>>2154128
I'm still tallying it up.

>>2154132
>Bad Hand doesn't give two shits about your Below

Not compared to Syka's. He has seemed concerned with where we put our below in the past though.

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All three received a healthy amount of votes, but in the end it came down to His Avatar and the Black Prince.

My Count is:
His Champion - 7
His Avatar - 8
Black Prince - 14
I will go back and link each vote, I may have missed a changed vote so I am doublechecking that. Black Prince certainly pushed ahead though with the swaps.

For a moment there it looked like Prince would walk down the Father's Path, but ultimately he turned away. Oathbreaker, yes. Faithless turncoat. Prince is despised by both man and daemon now. But despite all that, how much this raw unshackled power that he has stolen from the Dark Father has and will change him... there is still something that ties him to this mortal coil. Prince may now be cold, callous and unfeeling. Far too devoid of emotion and empathy to truly connect with his lads anymore... but he is at least still Prince. He is still -him-, not some warrior zealot or celestial daemonhost. He is the Black Prince.


Anons have also raised the stakes here, because BAD END is now truly the worst possible ending imaginable.


As I cannot guarantee a locked in update time, I'm going to archive the thread now.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Black%20Company%20Quest
But, that does not mean I'm calling the thread here. I'll pop down the Free Alliance assault rolls and will update every now and then throughout the week. Unfortunately that's all I can manage.

Also, Bloody Below Batman, more than half the thread is Tier 4 discussion. I am sincerely grateful and proud to all anons that care enough about this quest to vote, and especially those to discuss, argue and wrangle their position. You lot caring about the questing is what keeps me QMing.

Hopefully I can acheive the same affect in the Black Company 2230AD one-shots and A Knight is Sworn to Valour quest when we get those started. When work stops fekking me in the arse.

>>2154147
>there is still something that ties him to this mortal coil

We're a family man, as wretched as our family it is OUR family and no man, no daemon or even a god fucks with our family

>>2154148
Damn Straight.

>>2153821

>>2153839
>>2153938
>>2153886
>>2153905
>>2153917
>>2153929
>>2153953
>>2153975
>>2154112
>>2154025
>>2154031
>>2154105
>>2154131
Black Prince
>>2153827
>>2153828
>>2153831
>>2153841
>>2153855
>>2153895
>>2153973
His Avatar
>>2153833
>>2153844
>>2153848
>>2153851
>>2153884
>>2153903
>>2154047
His Champion

I think I got that right

>>2154147
> Hype Level: Over 9000

So Forgotten, is there any interesting bit about His Champion and His Avatar that you can reveal now?

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>>2154147
Saint Quest NEVER

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>>2154173
His Champion would have been interesting, because suddenly the Platoon has to deal with Prince proselytizing constantly. Mostly in the middle of battle (your temple) but also outside of it.

"Before we tuck into our rations, men, let us say grace." *Prince holds out his hands*
"..." uncomfortable silence as the entire platoon holds hands and the non-Blackguards mumble along with the Dark Father thanks-for-supper prayers.

If handled incorrectly, dividing lines between true believers and the agnostic types would appear.


His Avatar would have required frequent Will Checks to not veer off and keep mentioning your PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWAH. It would also have freaked the absolute fek out of anyone with a more intimate understanding of the greater powers of the world. Asgorga, Jale, Saint, Page and all Paladin-types would be having their world turned upside down just by your very existence. Even Sister Syka would be giving you 'shit nigga' looks.


>>2154175
I mentioned before that a new BC quest in this setting might be best served from the POV of a new recruit. The 4th Infantry under LT Saint would certainly give me a huge pool of potential squaddies and characters to write up. And seeing The Dark Prince from a terrified outsiders perspective (and thanks the Gods that this thing is on your side) would always be fun.

Do you reckon a Blackguard path should be open in a new quest in this setting, or is something else entirely a better option?

>>2154197
A different option would be appreciated.

>>2154197
Those two sound fun I hope Black Prince would be just as potentially entertaining for shenanigans.
>or is something else entirely a better option?
Personally I would love to see Black Company from company wizard perspective.
In books One-Eye and Goblin antics were always quite fun.

>>2154197
Can't believe we would just sell out our nigga Dark Father like this. shame

>>2154197
>>2154210
I'd like to start out as a charlatan who over-exaggerated their magical skill and was actually reliant on slight of hand and daggers in the dark.

Less "commanding troops" at first and maybe starting off with being a sort of behind the lines asymmetrical fighter whose actions helped dictate the war. Maybe have the risk of getting too close with the enemy, or using allies of convenience and testing our loyalty to the Company and what risks we would accept for them as a newer recruit as opposed to Princes established role.

Have the options of getting better at tricky combat, magical asissted combat, or utility/support magic for infiltrating and such.

Play a ranger or something so we don't end up with Prince 2.0.

>>2154219
We gave him a demon child with White Bitch and then forced an abortion. We could never be real homies again.

>>2154219
Fuck him. He tried to put his god stuff in us without consent. Did he violate the spirit of the deal? No. But hey he gets our soul to torture for all eternity when we die so there's that.

We should look into obliterating our soul when we die.

>>2154225
Killing her was the wrong choice. But it set us on this path.

>>2154227
Or we could just face it like a man and go down to Below just to spit in his face before the inevitable eternity of unspeakable agony begins.

>>2154225
>>2154227
Ay he kept up with our shit, even when we aborted the baby. Always backing us up. Real niggas don't betray their crew

>>2154227
>Not making Nightblade a phylactery
>>2154224
Well, if magic would be an option I think it would be handeled similar how it was in books: most of enemy mages are heavy weight hard hitters so direct fight with them is not an option most of time. Illusions, tricks, curses and creativity were more reliable weapom of choice.

>>2154235
Real Niggas still Nigga.

We're getting out.

>>2154237
Exactly. But I would like to start with talent in that so we're free to develop how to work it in. Do we keep up the pretense using slight of hand, poison, gas, etc? Do we learn magic to harm our enemies directly? To defend and counter enemy magics?

Do we work with a core group of people that we bond with? Develop as a lone wolf specialist who doesn't really fit with any squad but bounces around as needed? Do we work with outsiders and shield them even at the Companies expense? Do we seek shortcuts through shady deals?

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Last roll of the night, I'm off to bed. Well done to you lads, but I would heavily advise against praying to the Dark Father when making these rolls.

Northern Section (The North Tower): COLLAPSING
North-Western Section (The North Wall): COLLAPSING
Western Section (The Western Gate): STALWART
South-Western Section (The South Wall): SECURE
Reminder, if more than one section reaches Untenable levels the battle is not instantly lost. You still have Asgorga (collateral damage ho!) and the Kreigstrom can redeploy if they win at their current post, but it will mean the battle is heavily skewed against them. Fighting spills into the streets as the Free Alliance presses its numbers advantage.

Northern Section (The North Tower): COLLAPSING
>DC 70
>Grisly Display +5DC
>Dead Heroes +5DC
>Attrition -10DC
A Neumunster Cohort from the I Legion assaults the North Tower!

North-Western Section (The North Wall): COLLAPSING
>DC 70
>Attrition -10DC
>DC 60
A Neumunster combined-Cohort from the V and III Legions assaults the North Wall!

Western Section (The Western Gate): STALWART
>DC 70
>Corpse Gate +5DC
>Attrition -10DC
>65 DC
A ragtag band of Chevalisse Paladins from various orders assail the Western Gate, desperate to avenge the indignity of past defeats!
>[Elite] 1 Auto-success

South-Western Section (The South Wall): SECURE
>DC 70
>Attrition -10DC
>60 DC
A Neumunster Cohort from the rest of the V Legion assaults the South Wall!

>I need 4 sets of rolls from anons. 3 sets of 3d100 and 1 set of 2d100. No need to link them, first in best dressed etc. Since you’re rolling for the results of the Free Alliance, for once in this quest you will probably hope to roll high.

YOUR COMPANY LADS BATTLE FOR THEIR LIVES AS YOU BATTLE FOR YOUR SOUL

>>2154248
Itsa me.

Rolled 49, 26, 8 = 83 (3d100)

>>2154248

Rolled 41, 24, 98 = 163 (3d100)

>>2154248

Rolled 48, 38, 73 = 159 (3d100)

>>2154248
oh like this

Rolled 5, 97 = 102 (2d100)

>>2154248
Ere we go

>>2154254
>>2154255
>>2154257
garbage fucking rolls, as usual

>>2154263
I'm pretty sure those are very good rolls, actually. The Free Alliance gets successes by rolling over the DC.

With the "Black Prince" option chosen it REALLY feels like Prince has become Arthas, only with Night instead of Ice. We even have the dragon

>>2154267
>Since you’re rolling for the results of the Free Alliance, for once in this quest you will probably hope to roll high.

>>2154273yeah and each roll failed the dc i think.

Rolled 55, 17, 19 = 91 (3d100)

>>2154248

>>2154273
Nvm

Well we just used up all of our good rolls rolling on the ENEMY, so way to go us

>>2154273
>>2154289
Yeah but if that was the case then why would "Grisly Display", "Dead Heroes" and "Corpse Gate" make it easier for the enemy to win by raising the DC? Same thing for "Attrition" in our case.

>>2154197
> Even Sister Syka would be giving you 'shit nigga' looks.

Come on, Black Prince can whisper all kind of kinky things in Black Tongue! That must mean something for her!

> Do you reckon a Blackguard path should be open in a new quest in this setting, or is something else entirely a better option?

Two words, Forgotten: Wildborn Quest.

>>2154293
you got a point there

Guess OP fekked up eh? Gotta be consequences for this, like turning the whole thing around and making our bad rolls good rolls. swell

>>2154293
>>2154298
I'm a fucking idiot.

This means I fucked up the results of last thread as well. The Free Alliance have been trying to roll OVER.

Now you can probably blame the QM for Jenny's not-death. Dark Father damn it, damn you, damn Prince, damn me.

>>2154311
Sooo just how much leeway does this mean we get.

Divine intervention gives auto crits for this assault's rolls? hm hm hmmm

>>2154311
I'm actually fine with Jenny's fate-worse-than-death and everything that happened up until now.
But you know...
This calls for a lil' something something special.

>>2154311
Topkek.

I'm sure you'll find some way to compensate for that. Like a sane warmachine Jenny. Or adding nice shinies to Black Prince. *wink wink*

>>2154311
A new level of Carnotaur wouldn't hurt

>>2154311
Something something jenny wants to protect hwr family now she became a not!eva01 warmachine

>>2154311
Jenny died from the Nat 100... I don't think the DC changing would affect that

>>2154311
>>2154479
Also Jenny died from hers roll, not Free Alliance roll.

>>2154197
>I mentioned before that a new BC quest in this setting might be best served from the POV of a new recruit. The 4th Infantry under LT Saint would certainly give me a huge pool of potential squaddies and characters to write up. And seeing The Dark Prince from a terrified outsiders perspective (and thanks the Gods that this thing is on your side) would always be fun.
Late to the party here but seeing things from an external perspective sounds great, pretty sure after Prince comes back from his jaunt in the shadow realm literally everyone will be afraid of him (well maybe not Bad Hand)
>Do you reckon a Blackguard path should be open in a new quest in this setting, or is something else entirely a better option?
Personally I think either would be fine, even if the options there we don't have to take it. Something completely different might be good though

>>2154487
>>2154479

We never would have made that roll in the first place though if Forgotten hadn't fekked up.

Dude. Just make her melding with the Albani War Machine NOT a hellish experience.

Because clearly if the rolling was reversed that nat 100 was effectively a nat 1.

>>2154311
>>2154991
Whoops should have linked this.

Seriously though that nat 100 on Jenny affected how I saw prince A LOT.

>>2154311
REEEEEEEE

>>2154991
Maybe she fought her way back to sanity?

>>2155475
Therapy through murder and she's a killbot that still serves in death?

I men jesus fuck our squad needs to calm down with the happy go lucky abominations and Saint.

I mean we have Mask, Pelt, Asgorga, Jenny, and Us.

It's kind of excessive.

>>2155730
Its only thr 7th its where the monsters go to play

>>2154311
Hey these things happen.

When playing music, one of the things is that if you fuck up a note you just keep playing on. You can't go back and undo it so you just keep going.

So just work out making it up into the story as it progresses. Please no retcons. The events were well written and despite the "failure" it was enjoyable.

So don't worry about it too much.

>>2155730

Nah, for that fuck up,

The machine melded with her, their consciousness has become one.

She still has her original body, can enter/exit the body at will and still be considered normal, has cybernetic eyes and Machine legs like Edward from FMA.

>tfw wanted dark Prince
>tfw didn't want to dick over the father
Why would you do this to me?

>>2153819
>mfw not champion
That was our chance to be free of paperwork after death.
Now we're guaranteed to be the dark fathers secretary if we die.

Almost as bad as the rip and tear faggots that got us there.