>"I'll see if I can find more. Keep the fire going."

>>3677053
>"I'll see if I can find more. Keep the fire going."

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71 KB JPG

>>3677068
>>3677070
>"I'll see if I can find more. Keep the fire going."

I did not wait for Sister to stop me. My legs worked fine, and so did my arms. Whatever the effect of temporary corporeal disposession, I'd shaken off the aftereffects completely. Well, not completely. There was Honey. Some nonsense about a girl. It was probably Sister's bastard. "She's yours, Aurelius," Sister had said tiredly. "You know, the girl this tall, blonde hair and auburn eyes like caramel?"

"Blonde hair," I said.

"Yeah."

"Auburn eyes."

"Yes. Do you remember?"

I pointed at Sister's blonde hair and brownish eyes. "I'm not going to play godfather to you and your sister's child, Sister."

"For the last time, she is not my-" he stopped, exasperated that I wouldn't shoulder the burden that was his to bear. "You know what? Forget it. I've wasted enough firewood gathering time as is." Last words we shared before he went off branch-gathering, and I armour-washing.

If he wanted to foist off his progeny on me, that was fine. He could want all he wanted. He would also be disappointed. What had made the boy think I was in any way capable of anything close to being a father? And for an already grown girl! Children eleven to fourteen are at their brattiest stage. I know, because I've been one.

A gust of wind near blew me off my feet. "You sure you can go?" Sister shouted behind me. I gave him a reassuring wave. "Keep the fire going," I repeated confidently.

My feet crunched against the saltlike snow. It was almost spring. Were they ever going to melt?

>Forest Foraging for Firewood DC50
>3d100

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>3677099

>>3677113
I see we're starting early today

>>3677113
Kill me this quest is cursed

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>3677099

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>3677099

>>3677113
>>3677146
>>3677165
>1 Pass
>Critical Fail...

The Forest was quiet. Less oppressive, without any of the directed malevolence I'd felt when we first entered. It was almost pleasant. I stretched my arms as I walked. The movement was helpful against the cold. Monotonous actions gave way to unwanted thoughts. Jocular Jokk. Cheerful Jokk. Irreversibly Husked Jokk.

Damned memories. I wished I could just chuck them all out. His face had been on my mind all day. It is one thing to see a man you know die. Another to see him slip below the clutches of that most terrible of curses. I tried to think of more pleasant matters.

>Hood used to talk about the woods in her home island. Alexandria Eskhata was once renowned for their high quality na'al trees. Not anymore.

>When Theophilos talked about his wife, his eyes gleamed and his voice gained such strength that you almost forgot his ugliness. It warmed my heart.

>Shamaness had recited old tales that she had heard from her grandmother, who had in turn learned of it from her grandmother. I spent hours luxuriating on her lap pillow, watching up as she busied herself with quilting. I remembered the stories.

Is this another memory loss thing? For Fuck sake!

>>3677202
Crit Fails don't mean memory losses, this isn't AmnesiaQuest

>>3677179
>When Theophilos talked about his wife, his eyes gleamed and his voice gained such strength that you almost forgot his ugliness. It warmed my heart.
Pls no more

>>3677179
>>When Theophilos talked about his wife, his eyes gleamed and his voice gained such strength that you almost forgot his ugliness. It warmed my heart.

>>3677179
>>When Theophilos talked about his wife, his eyes gleamed and his voice gained such strength that you almost forgot his ugliness. It warmed my heart.

>>3677179

>When Theophilos talked about his wife, his eyes gleamed and his voice gained such strength that you almost forgot his ugliness. It warmed my heart.

I'm deeply afraid of choosing Hood and something bad happening to her so let's go with ugly our friend

>>3677179
>When Theophilos talked about his wife, his eyes gleamed and his voice gained such strength that you almost forgot his ugliness. It warmed my heart.

>>3677179

>Hood used to talk about the woods in her home island. Alexandria Eskhata was once renowned for their high quality na'al trees. Not anymore.

>>3677213
>>3677215
>>3677227
>>3677236
>>3677244
>When Theophilos talked about his wife, his eyes gleamed and his voice gained such strength that you almost forgot his ugliness. It warmed my heart.

How could I describe Theophilos? He was like any other man, except ugly. Arms strong enough to easily swipe his heavy pike like a bamboo stick. A shock of reddish hair and a beard to match. A friend.

He was the first person to befriend me in the platoon. I suppose being an outcast himself gave him a unique paradigm. Golden eyes such as mine were disliked by Sinaeans in general, but it was not a hatred confined to them. For my part, I didn't discriminate. I had few friends as is. Good looks did not equate to a kindly soul. My life in the Capital had taught me that much.

"She is the most beautiful woman in the world," Theophilos had begun. That was how he always began. Sergeant would groan, then. He'd heard this a thousand times now, ever since that Magal girl and Theophilos got officially together. She was a good archer, and had joined the Company as well to follow her bizarre but wholesome love.

"I love her arms." She was an archer. She had strong arms. "And her hands. They aren't silky and unworked. She has the hands of someone who works for her meal. And that is what I like most of her. Such honest hands."

Love makes poets of us all. His happy smiles almost made him look handsome. Watching his joy was our joy. It brightened the platoon tents.

He didn't see her often. She was billeted with the archers. She had been with the rest of the Black Company when we left. That dampened the warmth from the memory.

"Shadows linger in the dark," I hummed some nonsense verse to distract myself. "When leaves fall..."

>Critical Failure

I stopped. I'd definitely heard something. Clammy fingers nervously clenched sword and shield. A canine sniffle.

Aurelius, old boy, you've gotten yourself in a real pickle now. I turned around, knowing what I would find. It was the she-wolf. And this time, she wasn't carrying gifts.

>"Good girl," I said, pulling my hand away from my weapon. She had treated us well last time. I was willing to hear her out, at least. Wait, could divine wolves talk?

>"I'm a happily married man," I told her. Somehow, I don't think she cared about that.

>>3677301
>"Good girl," I said, pulling my hand away from my weapon. She had treated us well last time. I was willing to hear her out, at least. Wait, could divine wolves talk?

>>3677301
>"Good girl," I said, pulling my hand away from my weapon. She had treated us well last time. I was willing to hear her out, at least. Wait, could divine wolves talk?

>>3677301
>"I'm a happily married man," I told her. Somehow, I don't think she cared about that.

>>3677301

>"I'm a happily married man," I told her. Somehow, I don't think she cared about that.


I was really worried sonething woyld happen to Hood if we chose her

>>3677301
>>"Good girl," I said, pulling my hand away from my weapon. She had treated us well last time. I was willing to hear her out, at least. Wait, could divine wolves talk?

>>3677301
>>"I'm a happily married man," I told her. Somehow, I don't think she cared about that.

>>3677315
Now is not the time to worry, doctor! That comes later.

>>3677332
UUUU

>>3677301
>"Good girl," I said, pulling my hand away from my weapon. She had treated us well last time. I was willing to hear her out, at least. Wait, could divine wolves talk?
We will rebuild Rome and become the next god emperor

>>3677332
Lets hope Sarge was wrong and she doesn't want dick, blood will be bad too, but cheating on the wives is a no no

>>3677338
>>3677316
>>3677309
>>3677308
>"Good girl," I said, pulling my hand away from my weapon. She had treated us well last time. I was willing to hear her out, at least. Wait, could divine wolves talk?

"Can you talk?" I asked. She blinked. That was a no. "Look, I'm flattered at the attention, I really am. But I'm already spoken for. You'll have to find another husband."

If dogs could look insulted, this was the expression they would make. The giant she-wolf looked positively affronted. She made an approximation of a headshake, and then she sighed.

That in turn offended me. "What, you think I would be an unreliable mate?" I was half ready to show her otherwise. I'd never gotten a complaint regarding my sword skill under the sheet.

She sniffed disdainfully. That was just me assigning human traits to an animal. She lifted her nose up in the air, and trotted away. Nope. Too human. Divinity does strange things to animals. She looked back once, pawing the ground impatiently, went forward a bit more, and then stopped to look back again.

>"It's getting dark. And my mother told me not to follow strangers."

>I followed, as you do when giant god-wolves appear in the middle of nowhere to lead you to god knows where. Literally, in this case.

>>3677349
>I followed, as you do when giant god-wolves appear in the middle of nowhere to lead you to god knows where. Literally, in this case.

Lets not piss off the forest spirit/god

>>3677349

>I followed, as you do when giant god-wolves appear in the middle of nowhere to lead you to god knows where. Literally, in this case.

>>3677349
>I followed, as you do when giant god-wolves appear in the middle of nowhere to lead you to god knows where. Literally, in this case.
It's the mother wolf that raised Romulus and Remus, it's symbolism for Aurelius' true Roman heritage from being descended from Caesar

>>3677349
>I followed, as you do when giant god-wolves appear in the middle of nowhere to lead you to god knows where. Literally, in this case.

>>3677349
>>I followed, as you do when giant god-wolves appear in the middle of nowhere to lead you to god knows where. Literally, in this case.

Wanted to get a decent choice-option-thing to leave overnight but my brain is malfunctioning with fatigue, will have to sleep for now

Really should pick more convenient start times

No problem man, see ya next time.

>>3677349
>I followed, as you do when giant god-wolves appear in the middle of nowhere to lead you to god knows where. Literally, in this case.

>>3677349

>I followed, as you do when giant god-wolves appear in the middle of nowhere to lead you to god knows where. Literally, in this case.

>>3677349
>>I followed, as you do when giant god-wolves appear in the middle of nowhere to lead you to god knows where. Literally, in this case.

>>3677053
>"Where should I stack these armour, Sergeant?" I asked. A minute passed. "Oh."

Fug, my heart

>I followed, as you do when giant god-wolves appear in the middle of nowhere to lead you to god knows where. Literally, in this case.

>>3679170
Not confirming the kill on the powerful sorcerer easily the dumbest thing we've done. Most of our luck is just shit for rolls.

>>3679185
I was voting for it, then people decided to try to help Jokk. I'm not saying that it was a bad choice thematically but tactically, when we're the only one who can sense magic it was pretty dumb

Especially when you remember all the shit the Limper and Soul Catcher went through

>>3677352
>>3677355
>>3677358
>>3677361
>>3677376
>>3677637
>>3677920
>>3678644
>>3679170
>I followed, as you do when giant god-wolves appear in the middle of nowhere to lead you to god knows where. Literally, in this case.

The Wolf stalked forward without a sound, as gracefully as you please, giant paws not even disturbing the thin dust of snow. I stumbled unsteadily after. The trees were growing thicker together now, if such a thing was possible. Brush limbs scratched at my face, drawing blood.

She was leading me to a light. I could see fire between the black trunks. Nothing like the cool blue witchfires that Throne had conjured. These was a real fire, a big fire, built by people who didn't mind being seen. I saw yellow headbands, turned a pinkish orange in the firelight.

It was a Rebel patrol. We were saved.

"Took you long enough," Sister said when I retraced my steps. "Where were you? And where's the firewood?"

I looked down. My hands were empty. In all the wolf-following and forest-traipsing, I'd neglected to collect firewood.

Forest Foraging for Firewood: FAILED

---

"Didn't think Throne could be taken," Henn said sadly. "He kept us safe from the Foresters, that he did. Now that he's gone, I don't know how we'll manage."

She'd told us their names, all five of them. The usual number within a Rebel patrol. I forgot what most of the names the moment I heard them. She was a motherly woman, who probably was a mother. "Three grandchildren," she said happily. I hadn't asked. "So I know how to deal with shocked people. People die all the time on the trail! Oh yes. My fifth son, why, he died of the cold one night. Sneezing as lively as you'd want one evening, dead the next."

"You didn't splash him with ice water-" I began.

"And to think, I even splashed him with a bucket of ice-cold river water. Nothing like poison to kill poison, eh doctor dear?"

I sighed. "I'm not a doctor. I'm a Scrivener." The Rebel are not well known for their advanced medical knowledge.

"Same thing, innit? A man of letters! How grand." She liked to keep herself busy. While we were warming ourselves in their vastly superior fire (of the bon variety), she was warming up some sort of stew they had left over.

Lo and behold, the rank and file of the Rebel. Well-meaning, motivated, and utterly clueless. No wonder the Sixteen were too busy to actually do damage against the Empire, herding this lot. She reminded me of Sister. If those two got their heads together to write down the secrets to eternal cheeriness, it might do some Alexandrians good.

But there was a certain charm here. A homeliness I'd never felt in my home. I could do with a little less of the unintentional infanticide by ice water, but they were such genuine people.

>>3679994

>"It is hardly the same thing. Doctors get their degrees from the scholae. Us Scriveners are just battlefield surgeons." Scriveners quibble. It is in our blood.

>That didn't excuse the casual murder. "Please, never ever dump ice water on sick people again." It didn't take schola education to know that such homeopathic remedies were madness.

>>3680007

>That didn't excuse the casual murder. "Please, never ever dump ice water on sick people again." It didn't take schola education to know that such homeopathic remedies were madness.

We can at least try to do some good.

>>3680047
Before I forget, how's Raven? Still out?

>>3680052
Like the proverbial father who went out for some smokes fifteen years ago

>>3680007

>That didn't excuse the casual murder. "Please, never ever dump ice water on sick people again." It didn't take schola education to know that such homeopathic remedies were madness.

>>3680007
>That didn't excuse the casual murder. "Please, never ever dump ice water on sick people again." It didn't take schola education to know that such homeopathic remedies were madness.

>>3680007
>>That didn't excuse the casual murder. "Please, never ever dump ice water on sick people again." It didn't take schola education to know that such homeopathic remedies were madness.

>>3680047
>>3680080
>>3680092
>>3680100
>That didn't excuse the casual murder. "Please, never ever dump ice water on sick people again." It didn't take schola education to know that such homeopathic remedies were madness.

Madness. Like rising up against the Empire.

The Rebel are a strange bunch. They like to talk about how they will overthrow the Empire. Destroy it unto its foundations, they say, and build it anew. A shining republic of freedom and the will of the people. Hogwash. I've been alive long enough to know that there is no ideal government. Not one that lasts. And the Empire, for all its faults, had maintained its borders for thousands of years. That is the problem with nice people. They can't maintain a nice government.

Looking at the group, I hardly thought them capable of threatening the Capital. If the Empire fell, it was going to be from its inner rot, not some sorcerers and their pets. Criminals didn't join the Rebel. Idealists and pacifists did. I wasn't against pacifism per se, but someone had to hold the sword to stop thieves and murderers. Even Rebel idealism hadn't prevented them from taking up arms against the legions. Just look at Raven.

They didn't know we'd killed our way into the Forest, and destroyed Throne himself. Sister had enough wit not to babble, and Klian was more or less unintelligible, for now. I wondered how Raven would take to losing two of the most important people in her life to our hands.

We reached Rebel camp two days later with minimal fuss, aside from Henn's stubbornness regarding the efficacy of her grandmum's remedies (three parts inane, seven parts homicidal). It took a lot of words to break that. Like all simple folk, she had a distrust for long words, which meant I had to distend sentences with short, bite-sized words.

But no jumping shadowcats or dancing green men. I could live with that.

I didn't feel the kind of heart-flutter I thought I would when I finally arrived. There were many brothers of the black here, conspicuous with their black attire compared to the Rebel brown and green. Most of them were wounded, one way or another. There were many grave markers to the side. Were all of them Husked? Or was Jokk done so badly because he died close to the center? It might even have been the vine he was killed with.

I saw faces that I'd seen but could not name. I saw faces I could name. None of them seemed to recognise me.

>First things first. I had to report in to Captain.

>I looked around to see if I could find Senior Scrivener Xavier. Most of our order would be administering to the dead or treating the wounded. No time for scrivening now.

>>3680208
>>First things first. I had to report in to Captain.

>>3680208

>First things first. I had to report in to Captain.

Get to know how things are and explain what happened to the mage, with luck we can bring our platoon around.

I guess Travian will be the new sarge since he is our corporal and then he can choose someone to help him
He will be sad his Sarge/Aurelius ship will never sail now.

>>3680208
>First things first. I had to report in to Captain.

>>3680208
>>First things first. I had to report in to Captain.

>>3680208
>>First things first. I had to report in to Captain.

>>3680213
>>3680230
>>3680240
>>3680289
>>3680310
We Scriveners have a dark reputation. No Scrivener ever brings good news. I think it was the Captain before Captain who uttered that phrase. We kept it in because it was suitably dramatic. And he wasn't wrong.

Captain was on her bed, lying on her side. She was faced against the tent wall. Her blue hair pooled listlessly, drooping onto the floor.

Halstad announced, "Scrivener Aurelius to see you, Captain." He looked like he was enjoying the authority of being the guy who introduced people to Captain.

She remained motionless, but she spoke. "Thank you, interim Lieutenant." That hurt to hear. Halstad was a brother, but one of the snobbish ones. He was the Sergeant of the 1st Castellans, a named platoon of considerable prestige. Noble education put him ahead in martial prowess, and he and his mates made sure to make the rest of us know that whenever he could.

But more than that, it felt wrong to hear the title Lieutenant on someone else other than Lieutenant.

"Your wish is my command." Smarmy fuck. The ambush that nearly destroyed the Company hadn't robbed him of his beard wax. More's the pity. He looked at me haughtily, his pale-gold eyes almost gleaming in the unlit tent's interior. "Speak your piece, Aurelius. And make it quick. Captain has other things to do." That was patentedly false. Even from her back alone, I could see that she was in no mood for "other things".

"Leave us," Captain said. Voice as thin as a reed. Interim-Lieutenant Halstat pretended as if he hadn't heard her.

>"You heard the boss. Skeddadle." He might be the next Captain after Captain died. I hardly cared.

>I didn't say anything. I knew Halstat was next in line to the black throne of Captaincy. What's more, he was one of the mad men that actually wanted it. I didn't want to piss the guy off.

>>3680347
>"You heard the boss. Skeddadle." He might be the next Captain after Captain died. I hardly cared.

>>3680347
>"You heard the boss. Skeddadle." He might be the next Captain after Captain died. I hardly cared.

>>3680347
>>"You heard the boss. Skeddadle." He might be the next Captain after Captain died. I hardly cared

>>3680347
>>"You heard the boss. Skeddadle." He might be the next Captain after Captain died. I hardly cared.

>>3680347
>>"You heard the boss. Skeddadle." He might be the next Captain after Captain died. I hardly cared.

>>3680366
>>3680377
>>3680389
>>3680476
>>3680480
>"You heard the boss. Skeddadle." He might be the next Captain after Captain died. I hardly cared.

He gave me the stink-eye. "You know, Scriveners are technically Troopers in rank."

"And Captain outranks interim Lieutenants," I replied. Inside, I was shaking with fatigue and fear. That Henn had been a slave-driver to get us this speedily to the Rebel camp. "I guess you didn't hear her properly from all the shouting you boys do in the stromtrooper corps. She said, 'Leave us.'"

"Fucking Capitalists," I muttered after he exited. Even among Alexandrians, there are ranks. Those who were sent down to the provinces were considered the lesser than those who remained in the Capital. I guessed I was technically a Capitalist myself. Nobody had to know. Being Alexandrian was annoying enough.

That amused Captain enough to get her to sit up straight. "You're Alexandrian yourself." A ghost of a smile played on her thin lips. She hadn't been eating well. No sleep either, from the twitching fingers. She was a mess.

"I'm not like him," I said tartly. "It's been a long time since I was in the Capital. The same goes to Halstat. He should stop acting as if he's some hot-shot player in the Great Game." That's who Halstat reminded me of. The players of the Great Game circled around the empty Dragon Throne every year, snapping at each other before anyone could gather enough political capital to be declared the new Emperor. It was the reason that chair had remained empty ever since the first and last Emperor's alleged death. They all implicated each other in this or that petty crimes before anyone got to sit on it.

So eager to be on top. Ambition for the sake of ambition. It was such a waste of the lives of otherwise intelligent people. Every anniversary of the Emperor's disappearance ended with an evening of executions by the censores for failing the Game.

"So rebellious, Aurelius. You should join the Rebel."

"I'm nowhere near enough an idealist for that."

"I wonder..." There was nothing to wonder. I am a practical man with practical wants. Let other men with cleaner conscience take the fight to the Empire and their purge-happy legions. I had a life to live. I wasn't a bloody hero.

I didn't say any of that. Instead, I said: "Lieutenant lives."

Captain looked at me funny. Like she was a puppy opening its eyes for the first time. "Yesugei?"

"Also alive. There were three of us who came here to check for survivors. We left the rest behind in Bath."

"Three."

"Sergeant, myself, and Sister. Sergeant is dead." It hadn't felt real until now. Sergeant was dead.

"Trevain was long overdue for promotion," Captain said calmly. She began straightening her hair. Just as my scolding of Henn was a distraction, the news I brought was hers. "Is Lieutenant fit for command once more?"

>>3680486

>"He was comatose when I left," I said reluctantly. "The worst had passed, but I can't be certain of the state of his mind."

>"You're asking me if a man in a coma might be better than Halstat." Pause. "Fifty-fifty. Don't ask me to choose."

>"Oh yeah, definitely," I lied. "Yes. No problem with Lieutenant. No sirree. Fit as a fiddle, that man."

>>3680486
>"You're asking me if a man in a coma might be better than Halstat." Pause. "Fifty-fifty. Don't ask me to choose."

>>3680486
>>"You're asking me if a man in a coma might be better than Halstat." Pause. "Fifty-fifty. Don't ask me to choose."

>>3680493
>>"You're asking me if a man in a coma might be better than Halstat." Pause. "Fifty-fifty. Don't ask me to choose."

>>3680493

>"You're asking me if a man in a coma might be better than Halstat." Pause. "Fifty-fifty. Don't ask me to choose."

>>3680493
>>"You're asking me if a man in a coma might be better than Halstat." Pause. "Fifty-fifty. Don't ask me to choose."

>>3680493
>"You're asking me if a man in a coma might be better than Halstat." Pause. "Fifty-fifty. Don't ask me to choose."

>>3680493
>>"You're asking me if a man in a coma might be better than Halstat." Pause. "Fifty-fifty. Don't ask me to choose."

>>3680511
>>3680514
>>3680530
>>3680534
>>3680550
>>3680560
>>3680583
>>"You're asking me if a man in a coma might be better than Halstat." Pause. "Fifty-fifty. Don't ask me to choose."

"Such animosity for our hardworking Captain-in-training," she laughed. It was a hollow sound. "Lieutenant Halstat was the reason we had survivors. He led the breaking charge that opened a way to escape."

"That's his job." Stormtroopers like Halstat's 1st Castellans were supposed to break the enemy lines, all plated up as they were.

"And he did it admirably, whereas I failed." Her hand stilled. Her face was ashen. She was more vulnerable than I had seen. "I froze that day, Aurelius. I had no plans on what to do after I sold the Black Company out for a petty revenge. So I couldn't think of any orders when we were ambushed. I am a traitor."

"Don't say that," I snapped. Walls have ears. That was information that should not ever be said, public or private.

"It's true." She insisted. "I led us all to that death trap with the Magal, just to satisfy my own private oath. Sergeant deserved to get his platoon named for what you troopers did. He would have been so happy. And I couldn't grant him even that."

Of course we couldn't get our platoon named for what we did with the Magal. That would draw questions. Inquiries.

>"You've done more than that. You've kept the Company together." Halstat was too contentious a personage to unify what remained of the Black Company. I think. I had to believe that there remained somewhat normal people still, among the survivors.

>"Don't undersell yourself. We wouldn't have followed if we didn't believe in you." Well, I hadn't believed in her. Why did I follow? Maybe I had a death wish.

>"Sergeant wanted you and the Company safe, more than anything." I tried not to feel scummy about using Sergeant's name in this. He would have been happy with keeping Captain safe over getting his platoon named, right?

>>3680603

>"You've done more than that. You've kept the Company together." Halstat was too contentious a personage to unify what remained of the Black Company. I think. I had to believe that there remained somewhat normal people still, among the survivors.

>>3680603
>>"You've done more than that. You've kept the Company together." Halstat was too contentious a personage to unify what remained of the Black Company. I think. I had to believe that there remained somewhat normal people still, among the survivors.

>>3680603
>>"You've done more than that. You've kept the Company together." Halstat was too contentious a personage to unify what remained of the Black Company. I think. I had to believe that there remained somewhat normal people still, among the survivors.

>>3680603
>>"Don't undersell yourself. We wouldn't have followed if we didn't believe in you." Well, I hadn't believed in her. Why did I follow? Maybe I had a death wish.

>>3680603
>"You've done more than that. You've kept the Company together." Halstat was too contentious a personage to unify what remained of the Black Company. I think. I had to believe that there remained somewhat normal people still, among the survivors.

>>3680603
>"Don't undersell yourself. We wouldn't have followed if we didn't believe in you." Well, I hadn't believed in her. Why did I follow? Maybe I had a death wish.

>>3680603
>"You've done more than that. You've kept the Company together." Halstat was too contentious a personage to unify what remained of the Black Company. I think. I had to believe that there remained somewhat normal people still, among the survivors.

Hey guys, I have a feeling that if we try any of these responses, they're just going to be stonewalled due to her thought process just marinating in guilt. We may need to come at this from a different angle.

>>3680742
Its just very fortunate that we decided to put Lt. Under instead of pressing him for answers, that way he can probably recover and keep this power hungry son of a bitch from taking over

>>3680742
Coming up with a custom response is allowed

>>3680603
>"You're still alive Captain, you and three hundred other brothers, yes we're reduced but so what? We're Black Company. Always outnumbered, never outfought. And it's not over Captain, not while any of us black hearted bastards live."

I think this is a good reply??

>"The Compny above all, it wasn't Sarge's last words but he's due some embelishment...right?"

maybe throw this in?

>>3680603
"Sergeant wanted you and the Company safe, more than anything." I tried not to feel scummy about using Sergeant's name in this. He would have been happy with keeping Captain safe over getting his platoon named, right?

>>3680613
>>3680619
>>3680625
>>3680641
>>3680718
>"You've done more than that. You've kept the Company together." Halstat was too contentious a personage to unify what remained of the Black Company. I think. I had to believe that there remained somewhat normal people still, among the survivors.

"For one reason - revenge." She saw the disappointment in my eyes. She smiled sadly. "I no longer have the necessary drive, Aurelius. I never wanted this position in the first place. I suffered it," she said bitterly. Her once vibrant eyes were glass. "I wish to retire with Yesugei."

"Two feet first," I reminded her.

"Dead, if need be."

This woman was depressed. Captain depressed. A scenario as unthinkable as my father being a competent guardian was unfolding before my eyes. She deflated. "Halstat wants the spot. He can take it."

"This is unprecedented." Every single Company Captain had been made one against his will. I did say that ours was a dysfunctional family. But it helped to have someone who hated wielding power to wield said power. Captains negotiated the contracts, oversaw our deployment, and made sure things ran smoothly.

A Captain who wanted to be Captain was like me doing anything brave. A misshapen abomination that leads to nothing good. I said as much. Captain shook her head. "You are plenty brave, golden Scrivener. You just don't know it."

She didn't need to insult me. "Bravery is for idiots. I am a pragmatist who does what he can for survival."

"Yet you joined the Black Company." She had me there. "I have no one else to rely on now. Lieutenant is gone. Yesugei is far away. No one, Aurelius. It is lonely to be me. I need a Lieutenant who is willing to be Captain if something is to happen to me."

This is why I never understood those rabid Alexandrians who wanted to be Emperor. To hold power is to self-segregate. And humans are not meant to be alone.

>"You aren't alone. Three hundred brothers remain, Zhukova. Brothers. We are Black Company, and that means family. Remember our motto?" Always outnumbered, never outfought. I had to bring back some of her spirit. Her mind was made up. So was mine. [Dice for the Dice Gods]

>"Halstat... he will make do for now, as Lieutenant. Dark Mother have mercy upon us all." Mars have mercy upon us all. [Accept]

>"Really? Halstat? Of all the people, you had to pick- fine. Fine, I see where this is going. Fucking fine. I volunteer as a fucking candidate, you miserable woman." Why me? That is what I want to know. WHY ME? "But only as interim-Lieutenant. You are staying as Captain." [Suffering]

>>3680913
>"You aren't alone. Three hundred brothers remain, Zhukova. Brothers. We are Black Company, and that means family. Remember our motto?" Always outnumbered, never outfought. I had to bring back some of her spirit. Her mind was made up. So was mine. [Dice for the Dice Gods]

>>3680913
>"You aren't alone. Three hundred brothers remain, Zhukova. Brothers. We are Black Company, and that means family. Remember our motto?" Always outnumbered, never outfought. I had to bring back some of her spirit. Her mind was made up. So was mine. [Dice for the Dice Gods]

Nuh uh, you don't get to choose how you go Captain

>>3680913
>>"You aren't alone. Three hundred brothers remain, Zhukova. Brothers. We are Black Company, and that means family. Remember our motto?" Always outnumbered, never outfought. I had to bring back some of her spirit. Her mind was made up. So was mine. [Dice for the Dice Gods]

>>3680964
Why in the fuck does my ID keep changing, is it because I'm on mobile?

>>3680913
>>"You aren't alone. Three hundred brothers remain, Zhukova. Brothers. We are Black Company, and that means family. Remember our motto?" Always outnumbered, never outfought. I had to bring back some of her spirit. Her mind was made up. So was mine. [Dice for the Dice Gods]

>>3680968
Probably
>>3680913
>Bitch slap her
>"You aren't alone. Three hundred brothers remain, Zhukova. Brothers. We are Black Company, and that means family. Remember our motto?" Always outnumbered, never outfought. I had to bring back some of her spirit. Her mind was made up. So was mine. [Dice for the Dice Gods]

>>3680991
>>3680913
Might lose our life, but if it's for the company then so be it. Prince Halp
Supporting

>>3680913

>"Really? Halstat? Of all the people, you had to pick- fine. Fine, I see where this is going. Fucking fine. I volunteer as a fucking candidate, you miserable woman." Why me? That is what I want to know. WHY ME? "But only as interim-Lieutenant. You are staying as Captain." [Suffering]

I'm outvoted but just to be contrarian and go full Croaker

File: Your daily reminder.png (757 KB, 1111x645)

757 KB PNG

>>3681033
Gotta stick with the classics Anon.

>>3680968
Moble dose that also if your changeing areas as well.

>>3680913

>"Really? Halstat? Of all the people, you had to pick- fine. Fine, I see where this is going. Fucking fine. I volunteer as a fucking candidate, you miserable woman." Why me? That is what I want to know. WHY ME? "But only as interim-Lieutenant. You are staying as Captain." [Suffering]

>>3680958
>>3680964
>>3680965
>>3680979
>>3680991
>>3681011

A Contest of Wills!

Scrivener Aurelius, in the mind of Captain Zhukova

Brave +5DC - [No I'm not!]
Strong Willpower +10DC - [Stop it!]
Conviction +10DC - [There was no one else that could replace Captain.]
Oration +10DC - [Mentioning the motto probably helped.]
Alexandrian -10DC - [Our accursed eyes, marking us as the descendants of the Great Liar.]
Earnest +5DC - [I wasn't lying this time.]
War Hero +10DC - [This is ridiculous. The Magal War never even happened.]
Polygamist -15DC - [...things spiralled out of control.]
Responsible +10DC - [Any other men would have done the same.]
Caretaker of Honey +20DC - [Who the hell is Honey?]
LOCKED

+55DC

VS

Captain Zhukova's Determination to Quit

Guilt +15DC
GUILT +30DC
Memories of the Dead +10DC
Traumatised +10DC
Responsible -10DC
Tired +10DC
Sense of Duty -15DC
Captain -20DC
Zhukova +10DC
Brotherhood of the Black Company -20DC
Apathy +20DC

+40DC

>Persuasion DC65
>3d100

Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>3681201

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>3681201

Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>3681201
wew

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>3681201

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>3681201
DICE

>>3681201
Well holy shit, guess Captain does get to choose how she goes

Rolled 99 (1d100)

I told you guys this quest is cursed.

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>3681201

>>3681240
>>Suffer

>>3681208
>>3681212
>>3681225
E for Effort

So the choice continues. Do you [Accept], or [Suffer]?

>>3681249
Course it is

We're Black Company

Rolled 48, 43, 27, 99, 90, 60, 11, 36, 44, 98, 25, 66, 36, 71, 28 = 782 (15d100)

>>3681249
Clearly we just need to toss out the rolls.

>>3681240
Suffer route boys just accept it.

> Suffer

>>3681256
>[Suffer]

We go full Croaker, now to comission some scary armor

>>3681256
>[Suffer]

>>3681256
>[Suffer]

>>3681256
>[Suffer]
Being Aurelius is suffering

>>3681240
Suffer

>>3681262
>>3681303
>>3681277
>>3681272
>>3681263
>[Suffering]

Halstat. Of all the people in the Company, she was going to rely on that blueblooded megalomaniac. I had no quarrel with the man as a soldier. He was fantastic in the battlefield, lopping off heads left and right. That man and his elite stormtroopers formed the armoured fist that smashed through the toughest, meanest sons of bitches that the Enemy had to throw at us, whoever they happened to be at the time.

Good warrior, Halstat. Not so much as a leader.

He thought too highly of himself. Often were the nights we Scriveners would have to burn lamp oils in to care for the wounded whenever he started fights. What's more, the demented man had a thing for ritualised duels. He belonged to one of the warrior lodges within the Black Company, one that worshipped our tutelary deity with far more zeal than the average brothers in black. The Black Company had been originally a religious force that swept out of mysterious Khatovar, under the banner of an equally mysterious Dark Mother.

The Black Company had its origins in myths and superstitions. So what? That didn't mean he could go around beating up brothers that offended his sight nearly to the death.

"You just had to pick Halstat. Halstat the Heavy-Handed. Halstat the-" I choked. Incredulity overwhelmed me. The words that came next came from a place of madness in my head. "Fine. FINE. I see where this is going. So you need someone to throw their hat in the ring against Halstat? You'll have it. I volunteer as a candidate, you miserable woman."

Why me? A question that frequently occurred in my mind. Why me?

Captain straightened up. "We will have to prepare for the duel, of course. Halstat will demand satisfaction once he learns of your candidacy. What armour do you use? Do you still have that old sword of yours?"

>"This was a trap." In that moment, I hated Captain with all my being.

>"It's an old family heirloom," I said defensively.

>I was going to die. "I'm going to die."

>>3681333
>"It's an old family heirloom," I said defensively.

We knew this was a trap, no need to dumbly mumble it.

>>3681333
>"This was a trap." In that moment, I hated Captain with all my being.

>>3681333
>"It's an old family heirloom," I said defensively.
First, presumably out of shock/reflex
Then Wait a damn minute

>"This was a trap." In that moment, I hated Captain with all my being.

>>3681333
>"It's an old family heirloom," In that moment, I hated Captain with all my being.
Best of both worlds.

>>3681333
>"This was a trap." In that moment, I hated Captain with all my being.
Survived two times almost getting Husked just to die from hands of this shithead great

>>3681375

+1

>>3681333
>"It's an old family heirloom," I said defensively.

>>3681333
>>"This was a trap." In that moment, I hated Captain with all my being.

>>3681333
>>"This was a trap." In that moment, I hated Captain with all my being.

>>3681371
>>3681427
>>3681662
>>3681903
>>"This was a trap." In that moment, I hated Captain with all my being.

"Welcome to the road of officership, Aurelius." She grinned mischievously, shedding any pretense of apathy. Her glassy eyes burned their trademark ice-blue once more. No, that wasn't quite right. She had been apathetic. Now, she was returning to the role given to her. Maybe that little speech did have an effect. I just didn't expect it would blow up in my face so hard.

There had to be limits to my destruction. "I'm only applying for the interim Lieutenancy. Lieutenant is alive, and I expect he will make a full recovery in time." I could give myself that much credit. Putting him under had been the right choice, medically speaking. It just wasn't the right command decision. But I was not a commander. I was a Scrivener. Healing took precedent.

Or did it? My decision to give him some much needed rest had resulted in complications. Decisions bring consequences. I was not ready for consequences. I didn't even want to decide things. That was the reason I joined the Black Company in the first place. It is the common grunt's unique privilege to be able to mutter vindictives toward their commander without having to think about alternatives. A simple life. A decisionless life.

Challenging Halstat had been a decision. I cursed myself silently all the while Captain busied herself, pulling out various suits of armour from her considerable war-drobe. "Too heavy," she murmured, putting back a wicked looking set of black spikes and horns which reminded me of Lieutenant's terror armour. She traced her hands over a silvery-white suit of complete plate that looked suspiciously like a genuine Stradon, a famous blacksmith who had been in the employ of Ethnarch Shiu during the Emperor's Unification Campaign way back when. The Emperor had won. Ethnarch Shiu preferred to play dress-up more than dependable armour. "Too angelic. Do you have preferences as to your armour?"

>"Simple is best. I want to actually be able to fight in the armour I'm wearing."

>"If I am to die, I shall die fabulously. Do your worst."

>>3681249
>Joins a once-murdercult spawned by a dark goddess to bring murder and mayhem into the world
>called BLACK COMPANY
I have a feeling the gods aren't exactly happy about its continued existence

>>3683066
>>"Simple is best. I want to actually be able to fight in the armour I'm wearing."

>>3683066
>>"Simple is best. I want to actually be able to fight in the armour I'm wearing."

>>3683066

>"Simple is best. I want to actually be able to fight in the armour I'm wearing."

>>3683066

>"Simple is best. I want to actually be able to fight in the armour I'm wearing."

Current setup (updated):

Black Company Chainmail shirt [Damaged] (+5DC) (+7AV) - Standard issue for members of the Black Company, who can afford to give their recruits decent armour unlike some disreputable mercenary companies. Chainmail is versatile, allowing for size adjustment for different users unlike plate, and easier to maintain than other metal armours. This covers the torso and the upper arms. This particular chainmail has suffered much damage.

Iron buckler (+5DC) (+5AV) - Expensive and long-lasting, bucklers compensate their smaller coverage with their hardy material, often being made entirely of metal unlike larger shields. Aurelius' personal equipment.

Gladius hispaniensis (+10DC) (2 Success = Bleed) (+1 Reroll) - "Hispanic Sword". Supposedly the very sword the Emperor once used during his Wars of Unification. It is the one heirloom Aurelius kept that was given to him by his father. The hilt shows indentation from an unnaturally strong grip from a past user which strangely fits snugly with your hands. It is clearly a very old sword, but careful maintainance and good quality materials as well as solid craftsmanship and the simplicity of the sword (no bells and whistles here) has kept it in an excellent condition.

Roundhelm (+10AV) - A simple round helmet. It protects your noggin'.

>>3683154
Lets change that chainmail then?

>>3683085
>>3683102
>>3683119
>>3683151
>>"Simple is best. I want to actually be able to fight in the armour I'm wearing."

"I wasn't talking about how you would look. Then again, most of these are parade armours..."

I rather liked my current getup. Sure, my standard-issue chainmail was busted with the multiple attacks I'd experienced, and the buckler could use re-hammering. But they were simple, comfortable, and I had gotten used to them. I wasn't going to wear some ridiculous muscle cuirass that showcased abdominal muscles I didn't even have.

"Just give me a replacement for my chainshirt," I said. "This one's seen too many stabbings." I thought back to the stomach wound that a nameless Rebel had inflicted.

Captain raised an eyebrow. "No plate?"

"They wouldn't fit." Anything as fancy as plate armour was usually customised to the wearer.

"If you're certain." She looked uncertain. "Are you sure you want to go against Halstat with that shortsword of yours?"

>"I prefer shortswords." More mobile. Not having so much reach had its advantages, especially when stabbing.

>"I guess I could swap out for a pike," I said reluctantly. Duels like these usually required the combatants to have only one main weapon. The gladius didn't fall under the category of a dagger, and would not be allowed as a sidearm.

>>3683159
which one has a bigger bonus and which one we can use better?

>>3683175
I'm split on whether I'm being too limited in letting anons pick equipment they might like to use...

Would you guys like to choose equipment after I write them out, or just continue with the narrative? I'm not very knowledgeable about armours, mind, so it won't be as detailed as ForgottenQM's. I'll probably port things over from his equipment list.

>>3683159
>>"I prefer shortswords." More mobile. Not having so much reach had its advantages, especially when stabbing.

>>3683175
Black Company Pike (+15DC) (+2 Rerolls at start of battle) - Standard-issue among Black Company Pikemen. Long reach at the expense of a shield and difficulty in close-quarter combat. But if they never reach you in the first place...

>>3683159

>"I prefer shortswords." More mobile. Not having so much reach had its advantages, especially when stabbing.

Keep the sword

>>3683159
>>"I prefer shortswords." More mobile. Not having so much reach had its advantages, especially when stabbing.

>>3683159

>"I prefer shortswords." More mobile. Not having so much reach had its advantages, especially when stabbing.

>>3683236
>>3683226
>>3683204
>>3683185
>>"I prefer shortswords." More mobile. Not having so much reach had its advantages, especially when stabbing.

So there I was, maneuvered into fighting for a position I would never have wanted in a hundred years, the very morning after meeting with Captain. I took solace in the fact that it was a temporary arrangement. Lee was a capable healer. He could take care of Lieutenant.

"So the Scrivener dreams of becoming a Captain." Halstat spat on the ground. "I don't normally go for bookies. But I'm willing to make an exception." He was fully dressed in his panoply of steel. Stormtroopers got the best, and Halstat was the best of the best. Scars crisscrossing his stony visage spoke to his skill in surviving battles. And he had been trained even before coming to the Company. His greatsword looked like it could cut the head off an elephant. I gulped.

"First blood?" I asked feebly. Laughter rang from the stormtroopers of Halstat's platoon, who were watching around the ring.

He grinned, feral. "Oh, there will be blood. I've been wondering just how well you regenerated compared to purebloods." He meant inbreds. I was technically half-Alexandrian. My mother was a princess from the Peninsular Kingdoms. It is where I got my lying tongue from. Wedged between the Empire and the gods-protected islands of Wae, you learn to nudge the truth a little to continue surviving.

Raven-black hair set me apart from the usual Alexandrians, who were in reality one giant family fucking with each other since the days of the Emperor. Keeping things in the blood, you see. My father couldn't even manage to do that. What a failure he had been.

"My mother was actually a princess from the Peninsular Kingdoms," I told Halstat. I hoped it might stop him from killing me outright. He had a thing for nobility.

The stormtrooper sergeant and interim-Lieutenant hacked out a derisive cough. "You said your mother was a chambermaid."

"Oh." Weeks of honesty had rusted my ability to lie. "Wait, maybe I'd been lying then!" Halstat's reply was to charge forward in all his metallic glory.

>I kicked the earth to slow his charge, hoping some of the dirt would get through his eye slits. [Dirty Fighting]

>I stood silently to meet his charge. Let the bigger man waste his breath to come to me. [Legionarius]

>>3683263
>I stood silently to meet his charge. Let the bigger man waste his breath to come to me. [Legionarius]

>>3683263

>I kicked the earth to slow his charge, hoping some of the dirt would get through his eye slits. [Dirty Fighting]

Hes the better man, so lets do what we do best

>I stood silently to meet his charge. Let the bigger man waste his breath to come to me. [Legionarius]

>>3683263
>I stood silently to meet his charge. Let the bigger man waste his breath to come to me. [Legionarius]

>>3683266
>>3683270
>>3683272
>I stood silently to meet his charge. Let the bigger man waste his breath to come to me. [Legionarius]

The first lesson you learn in the Imperial legions is how to march until you drop dead with exhaustion. The second lesson is standing very still without making a single sound as barbarians charge toward your shield walls.

I had no shield walls. I didn't even have a proper shield. The buckler I used was convenient because I didn't have to replace it every battle, and was small enough that I could carry it around with ease. But it was nowhere near the kind of scutum I wanted right now.

What I did have was the necessary training to stare at one hundred fifty kilograms of angry man and metal without flinching. And I stood the hell out of my ground. It kept me from panicking. Routine took over and silenced the animal part of the brain that screamed at me to run away.

Scrivener Aurelius: Healthy
>Combat = +125DC [Healthy +5DC, Skilled II +10DC, Unnatural Strength +5DC, Unnatural Endurance +5DC, Unnatural Will +5DC, Divine Bloodline: Imperial Scion (major) +20DC, Elite II +20DC, Dirty Fighting +15DC, Legionarius II +20DC, Chainmail shirt +5DC, Iron buckler +5DC, Gladius hispaniensis +10DC]
>Armour Value = 25AV [Chainmail shirt +10AV, Iron buckler +5AV, Roundhelm +10AV]
>Special = Gladius hispaniensis (+1 Reroll per battle) (2 Success = Bleed), Divine Constitution (+1 Wound regeneration on DC33)
VS
Sergeant Halstat of the 1st Castellans, Interim-Lieutenant: Healthy
>Combat = +135DC [Healthy +5DC, Skilled I +5DC, Prodigious Strength +10DC, Unnatural Endurance +5DC, Divine Bloodline: Imperial Scion (minor) +10DC, Elite V +50DC, Stormtrooper training +20DC, Castellan panoply +15, Ancestral runed greatsword +10DC, Full helm +5DC]
>Armour Value = 35AV [Castellan panoply +20AV, Full helm +15AV]
>Special = Prodigious strength (-10AV to Foe), Divine Constitution (+1 Wound regen on DC20), Ancestral runed greatsword (1 Success = +1 Damage)

Personal Combat DC40
>3d100

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>3683285

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>3683285
We are very fucked, we need to change tactics or we will lose this

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>3683292
>>3683293
>>3683295
Use reroll this round for the 96?

>>3683297
yes
that is acrit fail right?

>>3683304
Nope, current result is 2 Success so that's very good. 96 isn't a doubles like 99 or 66, after all.

>>3683305
oh,then don't use it let's keep it for a crit

>>3683308
This lets save it

Rolled 94, 59, 35 = 188 (3d100)

AV

>>3683313
Ignore the third roll, accidentally did 3d100 instead of 2d100

>>3683315
that is very good for us then

>>3683292
>>3683293
>>3683295
>2 Success
>Foe is Bleeding

I ducked, evading the loping cut of his greatsword. Damned thing was almost burning blue with the runes inscribed against the fuller. Halstat trusted his armour to stop him. That was a mistake. Unlike a proper legionary, I was without a proper shield and comrades-in-arms to protect my flanks. But I'd lived alone for a long time on the road and developed little tricks along the way.

Keeping my head low, I crashed headlong against his legs. My shoulder ached from the impact, but it had the intended effect. Halstat fell. He tried to stand up quickly, but I was quicker, unencumbered by all that metal. Needling out the chinks in the armour, I made short, vicious stabs, scrambling away before his gauntleted hand struck me. One swipe of that could have crumpled my skull.

My sword glistened with his ichor. For once, I was doing well in a fight. When was the last time I'd done so well? The battle against James and the other extras. And that morning with the Magal. But most of the time, I'd been a mediocre combatant. "Surrender?" I asked, warily eyeing his greatsword. I was hoping to end this without a death.

Snorting furiously under his helm, the stormtrooper stood up. He was very obviously in pain. Wordlessly, he hefted his greatsword up.

"Guess that's a no," I said. He limped forward. Stormtroopers and their dogged determination. That's what made them so great in the battlefield. If only he wasn't so bloody ambitious.

Scrivener Aurelius: Healthy
>Combat = +125DC [Healthy +5DC, Skilled II +10DC, Unnatural Strength +5DC, Unnatural Endurance +5DC, Unnatural Will +5DC, Divine Bloodline: Imperial Scion (major) +20DC, Elite II +20DC, Dirty Fighting +15DC, Legionarius II +20DC, Chainmail shirt +5DC, Iron buckler +5DC, Gladius hispaniensis +10DC]
>Armour Value = 25AV [Chainmail shirt +10AV, Iron buckler +5AV, Roundhelm +10AV]
>Special = Gladius hispaniensis (+1 Reroll per battle) (2 Success = Bleed), Divine Constitution (+1 Wound regeneration on DC33)
VS
Sergeant Halstat of the 1st Castellans, Interim-Lieutenant: Healthy
>Combat = +125DC [Injured -5DC, Skilled I +5DC, Prodigious Strength +10DC, Unnatural Endurance +5DC, Divine Bloodline: Imperial Scion (minor) +10DC, Elite V +50DC, Stormtrooper training +20DC, Castellan panoply +15, Ancestral runed greatsword +10DC, Full helm +5DC]
>Armour Value = 35AV [Castellan panoply +20AV, Full helm +15AV]
>Special = Prodigious strength (-10AV to Foe), Divine Constitution (+1 Wound regen on DC20), Ancestral runed greatsword (1 Success = +1 Damage)

Personal Combat DC50
>3d100

File: 1560980113915.png (12 KB, 156x104)

12 KB PNG

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>3683331
Wew

Rolled 32 (1d100)

File: 1560523765832.png (100 KB, 661x458)

100 KB PNG

>>3683337
Nimya pls

Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>3683331
he is still healthy?

Not a single crit fail in an important duel? I must be in the wrong quest.


>>3683343
Oh no, I forgot to edit that bit. Shite...

>>3683343
>>3683337
>>3683335
damn we fucked him up

and with the answer to the ultimate question of life, universe and everything else too

Rolled 16, 34, 9 = 59 (3d100)

>>3683335
>>3683337
>>3683343
>3 Success
AV

File: 1559693156149.png (138 KB, 511x247)

138 KB PNG

>>3683345
It's truly apt for a Scion of the Emperor.
Can't into Human Feelings.
Can into Ass Kickings.

>>3683349
And Halstat's Armor can into tanking hits.

>>3683349
Holy fuck

>>3683349
There is our luck, he still takes bleeding damage tho I suppose right?

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>3683355
Yes, now to see if he manages to heal

>>3683355
>>3683354
Regardless that's some damn fine armor. If we survive/murder Halstat, we're making sure it gets repaired to good condition for the next LT.

>>3683349
3d100?

>3 Success
>1 damage (Bleed)

Even the greatest suit of plate cannot block the damage from inside the body. My gladius had found its marks well. Ichor audibly sloshed within the confines of the metal suit, flowing liberally from the gaps and hinges.

That was the reason for the focus on piercing attacks in the Imperial legions. They considered slashing attacks wasteful, opening yourself too much against counterattacks. The legionary style didn't look pretty like some fencing masters I could name. But it got the job done.

"I surrender," he said suddenly. He was so quiet that I doubted anyone else heard. And then he crumpled on to the ground.

>I rushed to help him in my capacity as Scrivener. We'd lost enough brothers. [Idealist]

>I hesitated. It could be a trap. He hadn't made it clear that he had surrendered.

>>3683372
>>I rushed to help him in my capacity as Scrivener. We'd lost enough brothers. [Idealist]

let's get stabbed for our good heart

we did lost too many brothers

>>3683371
Three Wounds, three AV rolls. He has a full panoply of plate armour. Stormtroopers are intended to get into the thick of things.

>I hesitated. It could be a trap. He hadn't made it clear that he had surrendered.

Ask out loud are you OK. And scream for a medic. But stay still.

>>3683372
>I hesitated. It could be a trap. He hadn't made it clear that he had surrendered.
>Call for a medic

>>3683372

>I rushed to help him in my capacity as Scrivener. We'd lost enough brothers. [Idealist]

Come on guys, we need to do the right one here, we heard him and he is a brother

>>3683385
But Anon I've seen the future. It ends with the GM taking the opposite reaction that fucks us over.

>>3683385
Probably a cousin of yours as well, somewhere within the convoluted family lines of Alexandrians

>>3683388
I know that anon, but sometimes we have to fuck ourselves for the right reasons, this is a brother and he needs help, if he aatacks us he is in the wrong, his choice to make

>>3683372
>I rushed to help him in my capacity as Scrivener. We'd lost enough brothers. [Idealist]

>>3683372
>I hesitated. It could be a trap. He hadn't made it clear that he had surrendered.

I’d rather stay well back from that greatsword.

>>3683372
> I rushed to help him

Comon weve fallen for this before. Its not becuase we are stupid its becuase we are idealistic.

>>3683372
>I hesitated. It could be a trap. He hadn't made it clear that he had surrendered.

Guys, he just like us have regenerative powers. He shouldn't die from this

>>3683422
His regenerative powers should be more powerful than ours no? Seeing as he is ostensibly “purer” than us.

>>3683426
Aurelius: Divine Constitution (+1 Wound regeneration on DC33)
Halstat: Divine Constitution (+1 Wound regen on DC20)

>>3683445
hmm, so it's safe to say that his wounds are not immediately fatal based on his regen and what we know of imperial blood?

>>3683460
Oh no, he can definitely die. And he failed the regen DC so he's Wounded (one Wound away from Dead)

>>3683468
then I'm not betting on a dc20 test for the guy to survive, even if he attacks us he will keep bleeding to death, we have to try

>>3683372

>I hesitated. It could be a trap. He hadn't made it clear that he had surrendered.

>>3683372
>>I rushed to help him in my capacity as Scrivener. We'd lost enough brothers. [Idealist]

I think if we don't help him we will lose the stormtroopers, but at the same time he can just try to kill us, and if he kills us, there's no one to stop his bloodloss

>>3683372

>I hesitated. It could be a trap. He hadn't made it clear that he had surrendered.
We should tell him to repeat his surrender louder.

>>3683378
>>3683380
>>3683400
>>3683422
>>3683491
>>3683537
>I hesitated. It could be a trap. He hadn't made it clear that he had surrendered.

It is an incorrigible streak of sarcasm that prompts me to describe myself as a romantic. People seemed to think I was a bleeding heart who would put first the lives of others instead of that of my own. A development that came about because of my alleged rescue of a girl named Honey.

I'd never heard of her before I woke up that afternoon, after the fight against Throne. She was the anomaly. The odd detail in my life. Everything checked out except the inclusion of a highly improbable story of my rescue of an orphan amidst the Sinaeans back in Luoyang. It was all wrong. The details. The sheer impossibility of such an act from my part.

The more I thought about it, the more certain I became. This was an Ensorcelled ploy to weaken me, to turn me into the very thing I despised. I was Aurelius, coward. Passivist. I did not just decide to shield a random girl in the street from mob violence. All very sad, yes - but what concern is it to me? This Honey was an apparition of sorts, perhaps conjured up by Throne in his dying breaths.

Cowards live. That is something I'd learned from decades of life experience. Cowards survive to write the Annals down the road to suit his needs. Either way, idealism was not my thing. I leave such matters of conscience to the selfless Rebel and the naive Legates who think they can afford to be such. The world has puttered on with or without them. It will continue on again.

"What are you waiting for?" I said harshly. The stormtroopers flinched. "Call a Scrivener! Do you want your sergeant to die?"

---

"You could have checked him yourself." Senior Scrivener Xavier's voice was mild, yet reproving. He had been an actual doctor before losing his wife to the pox. He'd closed down his practice afterwards and joined the Black Company on a whim. Whims are the true deciders in our mortal lives. "We are all stretched thin, Aurelius," he continued after a pause. I hadn't said anything. "The dead may outnumber the wounded, but our numbers, too, have shrunk."

"The Annals are safe," I said. "That is what matters in the end. Sergeant Halstat's name will be placed upon them, if only for his leadership during the Ambush."

He looked at me over his spectacles. "You were one of my finest students."

"Thank you."

"You should know, then, that the first three minutes is the most precious time for a gut wound like his."

>"...I was afraid. I thought he was going to get me with a dagger while I inspected him." A sprinkle of honesty. The allspice of all lies.

>"I've fought duels before, Senior Scrivener." That should remind him of my temporary high rank. "Whispered surrenders often end up in the death of the apparent victor."

>>3683804

>"...I was afraid. I thought he was going to get me with a dagger while I inspected him." A sprinkle of honesty. The allspice of all lies.

I hope you are happy you cowards, that was a chance to remember Honey

>>3683804

>"...I was afraid. I thought he was going to get me with a dagger while I inspected him." A sprinkle of honesty. The allspice of all lies.

>>3683804
>"...I was afraid. I thought he was going to get me with a dagger while I inspected him." A sprinkle of honesty. The allspice of all lies.

>>3683804
>"...I was afraid. I thought he was going to get me with a dagger while I inspected him." A sprinkle of honesty. The allspice of all lies.

>>3683813
Cowards get to live longer.

>>3683823
They do, but what life is that eh? The guy was obviously bleeding to death and you fuckers decided to let him die, even if he attacked us, with our body it would hardly be fatal, but I'm just venting right now, the salt will fade with time

>>3683804
>>"...I was afraid. I thought he was going to get me with a dagger while I inspected him." A sprinkle of honesty. The allspice of all lies.

>>3683813
>>3683817
>>3683821
>>3683823
>>3683842
>"...I was afraid. I thought he was going to get me with a dagger while I inspected him." A sprinkle of honesty. The allspice of all lies.

Xavier smiled sadly. "Now that, that I know to be a lie." I was startled. Old men with too much insight is not my favourite thing to deal with. He knew me well. We'd spent too much time together. Come to think of it - why had I been so chummy with these people? I was usually so withdrawn. Insular. I was perfectly fine with having two acquaintances at the most. He didn't say anything else as we cleaned Halstat's body.

I often call the Black Company a brotherhood, but such disagreements that led to deaths weren't unheard of. After all, we were a collection of psychopaths and murderers. It would be strange to get along like a convent of nuns. The only thing he said on the matter was after we'd bagged his body, ready to be buried by one of the less medically inclined brothers. "You may have become the first Scrivener to be feared, Lieutenant."

>"I'm not Lieutenant. Call me Aurelius." It felt strange to hear him call me by a title, one that I barely deserved. Something felt blocked in my heart.

>"Good. That means less duels, thus less bodies we need to wrap up. You should cheer up a little, Senior Scrivener." Smaller workload ought to make the old man happy.

>>3683843
>"I'm not Lieutenant. Call me Aurelius." It felt strange to hear him call me by a title, one that I barely deserved. Something felt blocked in my heart.
It's such a adorable sight to see the humanity loss in Aurelius. Like a kid riding their bike for the first time.

>>3683843


>"I'm not Lieutenant. Call me Aurelius." It felt strange to hear him call me by a title, one that I barely deserved. Something felt blocked in my heart.

>>3683843


>"I'm not Lieutenant. Call me Aurelius." It felt strange to hear him call me by a title, one that I barely deserved. Something felt blocked in my heart.

Does Aurelius remeber his live for his wives at least? He is talking about aquaintances. He did love at least one of them

>>3683843
>"I'm not Lieutenant. Call me Aurelius." It felt strange to hear him call me by a title, one that I barely deserved. Something felt blocked in my heart.

>>3683843


>"I'm not Lieutenant. Call me Aurelius." It felt strange to hear him call me by a title, one that I barely deserved. Something felt blocked in my heart.

>>3683843
>"I'm not Lieutenant. Call me Aurelius." It felt strange to hear him call me by a title, one that I barely deserved. Something felt blocked in my heart.

>>3683843
>"I'm not Lieutenant. Call me Aurelius." It felt strange to hear him call me by a title, one that I barely deserved. Something felt blocked in my heart.

>>3683843
>>"I'm not Lieutenant. Call me Aurelius." It felt strange to hear him call me by a title, one that I barely deserved. Something felt blocked in my heart.

>>3683848
>>3683849
>>3683852
>>3683865
>>3683866
>>3683868
>>3683878
>>"I'm not Lieutenant. Call me Aurelius." It felt strange to hear him call me by a title, one that I barely deserved. Something felt blocked in my heart.

"Of course, Lieutenant Aurelius."

Anger flared. Petty old git. He should have died in the Forest with the rest of them. Did he think I enjoyed the death of Halstat? The Company was at a precipice, where losing such a skilled individual was hardly permissible. I knew that. But what about me? Wasn't I important in the welfare of the Company? Why should I run around saving everyone, as if I were a bloody hero?

I never should have befriended the old man. I uttered a curse upon the Honey that raised the bar of expectation on the man named Aurelius. If Throne was in an afterlife somehow instead of being Husked like the rest of the dead men of the Forest, he was probably grinning with how well his last sorcery had affected me.

Good Aurelius. Kind Aurelius. Caring Aurelius. the presuppositions of an Aurelius past and distant haunted me - choked me, from every side. Sister's disappointed eyes. Xavier's reproving looks. The fearful whispers of line troopers and the cold gaze those stormtroopers. Did they think I was some kind of a saint? Goddamned Jokk, if only he had died without saying anything. Well he was god-damned now. Worse than. He was Husked. Probably was feeling the chill right about now. Worms would wake with warmth, as snow melted. Then the unheard screams would start-

"Lieutenant Aurelius, are you alright?"

I blinked. Captain looked concerned. We were supposed to be talking about moving the camp, taking advantage of the advent of spring to finally get ourselves prepared for the move south to Bath by foraging and preserving what foodstuff we could. Throne's death had destroyed whatever it was that kept the Rebel enclave here functioning, and Captain had taken to the job. I supposed she felt indebted. They did take the survivors in, after all.

>"Everything is alright," I assured her. She did not need to know. This Forest was death. We had to get out. [Everything is Alright]

>"I just don't think we should keep the Rebel tagging along," I said. "They're already slowing us down, and we haven't even started moving." [Ditch Rebel]

>A lump on my throat. That was a sign that I was about to say something I would regret. "Captain," I began... [Dice roll required]

>>3683902
>A lump on my throat. That was a sign that I was about to say something I would regret. "Captain," I began... [Dice roll required]
My loins can't deny a stupid sexy dice roll.

>>3683902
>>A lump on my throat. That was a sign that I was about to say something I would regret. "Captain," I began... [Dice roll required]

>>3683902

>A lump on my throat. That was a sign that I was about to say something I would regret. "Captain," I began... [Dice roll required]

>>3683902
>"I just don't think we should keep the Rebel tagging along," I said. "They're already slowing us down, and we haven't even started moving." [Ditch Rebel]

How many of them are there anyway?

>>3683902
>A lump on my throat. That was a sign that I was about to say something I would regret. "Captain," I began... [Dice roll required]
Who the hell is Honey?

>>3683950
>Who the hell is Honey?
It's that stuff you put on bread.
Bees make it. Bears love it.

>>3683954
We are a bee after all

>>3683956
Does this make the Captain a Hornet?

>>3683909
>>3683910
>>3683914
>>3683950
>A lump on my throat. That was a sign that I was about to say something I would regret. "Captain," I began...

Cowards get to live longer.

Did I really want to do this? Talk about a problem we couldn't even solve? The more people knew about the Husking problem, the worse it would be. There would be panics. Massed despair. The idea of thousands dead trapped in their bodies with the full range of their senses...

No. It would be better if no one else but Sister and I knew.

They couldn't handle the truth.

>Broaching the topic of the Husked DC50
> - 1d100 Cowardice
> - 1d100 Despair
>1d100

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>3683982

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>3683982

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>3683982
This is the worse, I'm starting to really get angry at what happened to his character

I can't hate you enough anons, the salt is taking too long to dissipate, I may die of dehydration.

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>3683982
Lol these fucking roll oh your just the the frist bc how i love thee

>>3683987
>96

"...nothing," I said. "Nothing at all." And in doing so, I prevented the death of more brothers in trying the unattainable. I was Aurelius, former Trooper, Scrivener, Lieutenant. Not Aurelius, Miracle Maker.

Captain was relieved. "I thought you would object to the Rebel joining us. They're only with us for the trip out of the Forest. They won't be able to survive another year without an Ensorcelled protecting them."

"Oh, that," I said lamely. I tried to shake the thought of Husked in my mind. It was surprisingly easy, when you really focused. I might even sleep easily tonight. "I think it's a terrible idea to let them join in." Civilians couldn't march half as fast as brothers of the black could, even when half of us were injured or worse.

>"And I think it is my place to remind you to focus on the well-being of the Company, first and foremost." A pointed remark, digging at her past attempt at using our mercenary band for her adolescent oath. Certain to guilt her into leaving the Rebel rabble behind.

>"The situation in Bath is not stable. We entered the city a war hero, but we simply don't know how situation developed in there. We have to be able to march without worrying about stragglers." No Company Ensorcelled had survived the Ambush. That was why Dumpling and Shamaness hadn't been able to receive any message.

>>3684020

>"The situation in Bath is not stable. We entered the city a war hero, but we simply don't know how situation developed in there. We have to be able to march without worrying about stragglers." No Company Ensorcelled had survived the Ambush. That was why Dumpling and Shamaness hadn't been able to receive any message.

Don't the rebel have anyone from the sixteen left to send a message to the girls?

>>3684020
>>"The situation in Bath is not stable. We entered the city a war hero, but we simply don't know how situation developed in there. We have to be able to march without worrying about stragglers." No Company Ensorcelled had survived the Ambush. That was why Dumpling and Shamaness hadn't been able to receive any message.

>>3684020
>>"The situation in Bath is not stable. We entered the city a war hero, but we simply don't know how situation developed in there. We have to be able to march without worrying about stragglers." No Company Ensorcelled had survived the Ambush. That was why Dumpling and Shamaness hadn't been able to receive any message.

>>3684043
Nope, Ensorcelled are rare. Throne could have sent a message if he knew about Dumpling/Shamaess.

>>3684020
>"The situation in Bath is not stable. We entered the city a war hero, but we simply don't know how situation developed in there. We have to be able to march without worrying about stragglers." No Company Ensorcelled had survived the Ambush. That was why Dumpling and Shamaness hadn't been able to receive any message.
Did we want to go grave robing?
Also cant wait till we end up becomeing the next emperor

Let's hope we can tell her someday about the husked so we can try to do something

>>3684054
I hope that never happens

>>3684020
>"The situation in Bath is not stable. We entered the city a war hero, but we simply don't know how situation developed in there. We have to be able to march without worrying about stragglers." No Company Ensorcelled had survived the Ambush. That was why Dumpling and Shamaness hadn't been able to receive any message.

>>3684059
>I hope that never happens
>inb4 the QM forces us into that position via implication of everyone we care about as players dying if we turn it down
>inb4 the Dice strongarm us into that role to begin with

>>3684043
>>3684045
>>3684046
>>3684054
>>3684077
>>"The situation in Bath is not stable. We entered the city a war hero, but we simply don't know how situation developed in there. We have to be able to march without worrying about stragglers." No Company Ensorcelled had survived the Ambush. That was why Dumpling and Shamaness hadn't been able to receive any message.

"We might be able to recruit some of them."

"They're Rebel, Captain. Idealists." Captain startled at the amount of venom I injected in that word. I tried again. "They've been stubbornly living in the Forest for five years, going to six. You think they might join the Black Company whose number one customer is the Empire?"

"Prefects. It's not as if the Empire itself hires us."

"How many Rebel strongholds were destroyed by the Company?" I demanded. "Sympathisers uprooted. Rounded up and given over to whoever happened to be the prefect in charge." Captain was getting mellow in her marriage bliss.

Marriage. Wasn't I supposed to get married after this? With three women, no less.

Children. I felt ill.

"Take a day off, Lieutenant." Captain's blue eyes gazed keenly into my gold. She suspected something to be wrong. Nothing was wrong. I was more myself than I'd ever been. I protested. She insisted. The outcome was good as foretold. Like every argument between the two sexes since the dawn of the universe, the male gave up.

>I stayed in my officer's tent - one of the privileges of rank - and suppressed traitorous thoughts about that Ice Bitch- Captain.

>I wandered in the Forest. As I wandered, I thought. Thinking was not something I'd had much time for in the past few weeks.

>I decided to join the warrior's lodge that Halstat had been in. It was one of those secret club things that granted an extra layer of kinship among its members, a fight club in all but name. It would be a good place to expel my frustration against the Captain.

>>3684106
>>I wandered in the Forest. As I wandered, I thought. Thinking was not something I'd had much time for in the past few weeks.

time for some reflection

>>3684084
I'm very big on player-driven characterisation, but also consequences for past actions. If players decide to turn Aurelius into Caesar, that is their road to walk.

>>3684114
that would be the most tragic and terrible thing to happen to him, he would probably have to shed everything of good in him and let go of everyone he loves, damn, pls no

>>3684106
>I wandered in the Forest. As I wandered, I thought. Thinking was not something I'd had much time for in the past few weeks.
And then we get kidnapped or lost.

>>3684119
It takes a certain kind of madness to maintain an idealistic view despite everything. The loss of the selfless act he committed for Honey was probably the biggest reason for this shift in attitude.

The hesitation in the fighting ring was merely the needle that broke the camel's back! This has been a fun update session.

>>3684106

>I wandered in the Forest. As I wandered, I thought. Thinking was not something I'd had much time for in the past few weeks.

>>3684128
for you, for me it was nothing but pain, but here will I be tomorrow to try and bring joy back into Aurelius

>>3684135
>>3684128
and please don't get me wrong, I love the writing, that's probably why I care so much

I often read back to previous entries to compare the tone and shift in character. I came across this bit.

---

But I am ever a romantic. There was the barest chance of survivors waiting to be rescued. Captain reprising her role as a damsel once more in distress. We couldn't bring everyone. It would slow us all down. Speed was of the essence.

So it was just us. Sergeant, Sister, and myself, if we ignored the squirming form of Runesinger. Just like a certain spring day in Jian'an, when a foolish farmboy and an old-souled Alexandrian joined up to a newly formed platoon of the greatest mercenary company in the world.

I exhaled with the nervous excitement of returning to action. I turned around from my saddle and saw Honey waving at me, still not sure why everyone else had been crying yesterday. And I smiled.

>"I'll be back."

Honey smiled back. "Be back before dinner!" she said.

"Of course I will," I lied. The sun was rising now. It made the teardrops in Hood's eyes glisten like a fiery gem of the south.

"Love you," Dumpling mouthed. I didn't need to hear her to know what she was saying. I nodded. I knew.

"Hey, wait a minute," Sister said. "Why aren't we bringing Hood? She's our best tracker, isn't she?"

"She is," I agreed. "She is also pregnant." I had a nose for these things. Call it a father's intuition. Also I'd seen her experience morning sickness. You might remember that I am the resident healer.

"Oh, shit." Sister went ashen. "Now you really gotta come back, Aurelius. Else Hood is going to skin me."

"That's the plan." That was ever the plan. I never planned on dying, unlike a silly Captain I could remember. Life was too glorious to die. The memories, good and bad, formed a tapestry worthy of decorating the yurt of any Magal chieftain. And I had so much to live for. "Wish us luck?" I asked Hood.

"Fuck luck," Hood grinned. There was the homicidal madwoman I fell in love with. "Go give them hell, Aurelius. Show them how tenacious you can be."

"Your wish is my command, dear lady," I flourished my winter hat. "And now, we really must be going."

And so we went.

---

How the turn tables.

>>3684135
>>3684143
Hey, thanks! I'm always self-conscious about my prose since they can sometimes get meandering. Not being a native speaker, some phrases and such stumps me occasionally. Good to hear it's somewhat consumable to the Anglosphere.

>>3684148
>>>3684148
>>There was the homicidal madwoman I fell in love with.
>I'm really looking forward to see if we remember our love for Hood, it was not born from our idealism but we slowly fell in love for her, not reciprocated some feelings or felt responsible for her.
>Maybe if we still have that rope we can bring some things back

Why didnt we pick the daddy issues
We could have lived without the daddy issues

>>3684106
>I wandered in the Forest. As I wandered, I thought. Thinking was not something I'd had much time for in the past few weeks.

>>3684164
I wanted to pick the daddy issues, but if we had we probably would end up being a terrible dad like our father was, Honey is alive we can try to fix this shitstain that Aurelius became

>>3684112
>>3684126
>>3684130
>>3684167
>I wandered in the Forest. As I wandered, I thought. Thinking was not something I'd had much time for in the past few weeks.

Spring was coming to the Forest. I spotted greens and yellows beneath the crumbling snow. Tyrannical snow. Relentless snow. Receding against the unfelt heat. At last, the long winter was signalling its defeat.

I drifted aimlessly around the arboreal giants that populated the deep woods. The Forest was younger here. They didn't remember the Pacification. That brutal war against the once massive Forest that spanned half a continent. Now merely confined to this spot in the inhospitable north. And the man who had achieved it was my detested ancestor.

Oh Emperor. Were you a man, once? Did you ever feel frustrated from the ones closest to you for not doing the right thing, the rational thing? Was this how you felt, great-grandfather, when you slaughtered the rebellious Eskhatans, the most beloved of your peoples?

I blushed. I thought I was beyond composing purple prose to a dead man in my mind. Why the navel-gazing, Aurelius? You were right. I was right. It was folly to take the Rebel along in our journey. Folly to marry three women at once. Folly to imagine I loved a woman who had been trying to kill me in her every waking moment.

Folly of follies, I said half-loud.

>"There is, after all, no reason to hasten my death. Life is everything." I must cling to it. Obsess over it. Threat to the continuation of my life was a threat to my very being itself.

>"And it is that folly," said a quiet part of me, a Rebel part of me, "that makes life all the more worth living."

>>3684178
>>"And it is that folly," said a quiet part of me, a Rebel part of me, "that makes life all the more worth living."

>>3684178

>>"And it is that folly," said a quiet part of me, a Rebel part of me, "that makes life all the more worth living."

>>3684178

>"And it is that folly," said a quiet part of me, a Rebel part of me, "that makes life all the more worth living."

That's the one A-really, hold on to that arrow filled folly

>>3684178
>>"And it is that folly," said a quiet part of me, a Rebel part of me, "that makes life all the more worth living."

>>3684178
>"And it is that folly," said a quiet part of me, a Rebel part of me, "that makes life all the more worth living."

>>3684178
>"And it is that folly," said a quiet part of me, a Rebel part of me, "that makes life all the more worth living."
I'm still waiting for that other boot to drop.

>>3684178
>"There is, after all, no reason to hasten my death. Life is everything." I must cling to it. Obsess over it. Threat to the continuation of my life was a threat to my very being itself.

And then he walks away from everything, lives another hundred years in a cave, eating shrooms and pinecones.

>>3684190
>>3684199
>>3684207
>>3684212
>>3684237
>>3684263
>"And it is that folly," said a quiet part of me, a Rebel part of me, "that makes life all the more worth living."

It was the kind of one-off thought that needled everyone. Like "I could totally push this guy in front of the oncoming horse cart right now". Or "My hands are strong enough to bash a baby's head in." Mumblings of a stressed mind. Do you heed every one of such thoughts with care and attention? Of course not. I quashed the sentiment away where it belonged. Out of mind.

The sound of padded feet against soft-strewn earth alerted me to her appearance.

I sighed. "Hello, Wolf." She flicked an ear in greeting. This was the first time I saw her in the light of day. Jove, she was massive. As large as an ox. She must depopulate entire sections of the Forest just to keep up her muscle mass. "Here to lead me to something crazy again?" I asked.

She huffed. Not with indignance, but acknowledgement. I was coming along well in the road of becoming an animal whisperer. "Well, go find someone else. I'm not in the mood for your huffs and snorts."

She whined, the kind of keening, canine cry that irritates the ear. It was odd, to see this absolute beast of a predator make the sound of a dog cornered. Were those tears in her eyes? It was. She was crying. I didn't know wolves did that.

>"See, this is precisely the kind of thing I'm talking about. Oversized wolves crying. Mad wizard sending shadowcats." How many times had I almost died since entering the Forest? "Find another hero for your bloody quest," I said, no longer afraid of the Wolf. I was too angry at her for fear.

>And I remembered an Aurelius whose greatest weakness was that of feminine tears.

>>3684290
>And I remembered an Aurelius whose greatest weakness was that of feminine tears.
HOOD HALP, PLS SHOOT US WITH A BOW FROM BATH TO SNAP US OUT OF IT!

>>3684290
>And I remembered an Aurelius whose greatest weakness was that of feminine tears.

>>3684290
>And I remembered an Aurelius whose greatest weakness was that of feminine tears.