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>>5624062

PROLOGUE :

The master was politicking and speaking with the fat count Careless. It was good that the master's liege lord's liege lord was so fat, it meant that he was rich and that Ancel could steal something in his castle. He has already begun to be completely honest, but the master had ordered him to give it back... Silverware, some bread, three gold coins and a fish. Of course since messire Charles had given him the permission to eat the fish he ate the bread too, and now he was thinking about what to do with the rest. Three gold coins, a fortune that he never saw in his lands but a far smaller sum in this strange India, and what to do about the silverware ? Some knifes and spoons... Who needed those anyway ? And why make them from silver ?
Those indians heathens were strange... Ancel thought about hiding his treasure on his person but he feared that messire Charles would see and order him to be whipped... No, and he couldn't spend it all, it would be strange and probably someone would think that it had been stolen, unfortunately those indians did not waged wars often and so he could not pass this as the honest loot of a man who had taken a village, life must be hard for the people in those times of peace. Finally Ancel decided to bury the loot, yes bury it and keep it for his bastards if he had some in India. He was a moral man, he remembered about family.

It was when he was walking in the city, seeing some strange things, some men of blue skin (he tried to trip one on his way there, by principle, but failed) that a red haired bearded man tried to talk to him.

-Never done an honest day's work in your life for all that coin you're carrying, eh lad ?

Ancel turned towards him, the man seemed to be a kind of peddler and answered.

-Mind your business you manant, I am the closest servants of the Seigneur Charles de Villeroi. He will put you on the pillory if you dare to insult one of his men !

But the man answered, laughing.

-You look like you are a beggar, have probably stolen money and tell that you are the servant of a lord. Do not try to threaten me little lad.

It was too much, Ancel unsheathed his cutlass and threatened him.

-I will cut your innards like a sausage you calf head !

But the man unsheathed a dagger and was ready to defend himself and two other persons, one, a Saracen clad in black and the other one a lady dressed in pants like a man with slightly pointed ears unsheathed a dagger too. All of them wore some kind of outfit with a cowl, different than the one of the assassin who tried to murder lord Charles but who didn't mark them as honest people. By saint Antoine, why do they supported this red haired bastard. Nobody should trust red haired people, Judas Iscariot was red haired and Ancel himself was too, and that were enough reasons for the scout to never trust a ginger when he saw one.

>>5624063

Here he was, alone against three enemies, one of them a woman of course but the saracen was tall and the red haired "peddler" was stronger than him. A knight would of course stand his grounds with such odds but Ancel was not a knight. Seeing that the peddler was selling strange vials of coloured water who didn't smell like wine but was still behind his shop Ancel smashed them and ran screaming.

-Taïaut ! Take that calf head ! Hahahaha !

He ran before hearing.

-Get him ! Get that fucker ! I will fucking skin him alive !

Of course running away was hard, he could see that his enemies were accustomed to moving into crowds and knew the town, seeing that the saracen was taller than him and so probably ran faster. He decided to turn a lot to try to lose them, tall men had trouble when they needed to turn in small streets.

Unfortunately the saracen was agile and the lady jumped easily over obstacles and even people ! This was satanic ! Ancel was sure, they were devilish imps sent by the lords of hell ! He made the sign of the cross. He decided to turn into a home and saw that it was a tailor's shop ! He screamed "AAAAAAAAAAH" and pushed one of the customers, and stole a red tunic while running away, if the tailor ran after him he would probably disturb them. He was happy, telling.

-And I am now clothed like a fat merchant ! Tadadada !

It was when he saw the saracen jumping from the roofs before him, and the lady running after him in a busy street that he understood that he was screwed, but he was a witty peasant, one cannot become a scout of Messire Philippe or messire Charles without some quick thinking and he screamed.

-My Christian brothers ! Saracens and women in pants try to murder one of us ! To arms !

The people seemed to not understand, one scratched his head and he understood that he should never have counted on people who were born more than five miles from his native village. He then tried to scream "Fire" but the people only recoiled from him saying that he is mad. The slightly pointy eared lady simply said.

-Oh shut up !

And threw a dagger at him, unfortunately for her it was clearly not meant to be thrown and instead of touching Ancel it wounded a small woman who was buying cucumbers, beetroots and carrots on the market. She screamed from pain while the people tried to scream.

-The thieves guild has attacked ! Help !

He ignored who were those thieves but it was good. And while everyone was running everywhere Ancel decided to riposte by attacking, since the moor was far away and the lady had no more dagger he drew his cutlass and began to run at her, screaming.

-Surrender witch ! I will cut your hand off !

The cowled lady tried to run away from him and dodged his attack, but it was good, he continued to run, fleeing encirclement it was then that he ran towards brother Louis.

-Help brother, help !

-Where are you going maraud ?

>>5624064

-Devilish imps run after me, a lass, a peddler and a saracen, they have daggers as sharp as a barber's razor, tchac tchac and they cut down the wife of a burgher help me messire !

It made the Templar think a bit then laugh and hit him behind the head.

-You flee before saracens and women ! But what to expect from a peasant. Stand back I will take care of this.

Effectively the holy knight saw the three people who had pursued him through some streets. They seemed ready to kill but when they saw that he was protected by a knight in mail armour armed with a sword they stopped. The knight seeing that the saracen was the first one told something in the language of the saracens.

-tahiaati ya shajaeati qul li ma aladhi yajealuk turafiquk amra'at bialsarawil walimadha 'ant khadimat saydi?

The three culprits watched each other and before he could stop the red haired man told.

-He is fucking cursing us in an ancient tongue, it's a paladin ! Run !

And the three bandits were scattered. Ancel was happy, he had managed to ruin their day and steal a well dyed shirt at a tailor. He was trying to hide it when Brother Louis's voice was heard.

-Strange company that you had.. And what do you have in your hands, you haven't stolen it Ancel ?

Well, the day was not so good after all.

================================

Meanwhile in the quarters of Count Careless you were still discussing, ignoring anything about the whereabouts of your servant. You had just learned his verdict and since your sweet lady Rose was taken back into the custody of the Baron you feared for her. Your first question was about this.

-Can you send one of your men with Rose your excellency, I fear for her.

It made the count smile, he raised his finger, like he was some preacher and told.

-Don't you think that some of his people work for me ? I pay them young man, I pay them and they inform me about some of his acts, oh, of course he is very careful to keep some of them secret but they will know about Rose.

-You pay spies ?

-And he pays too, I am sure that at least two of my servants are on his payroll.... It is politics Lord Charles, it is politics. Do not tell me that you never paid spies.

You looked at him and he understood. It was not your fault, your father wasn't a wealthy lord, he was a brave knight yes and a landowner but his intrigues were better regulated by brute force and bribes to the local bailli than by spying. And you were a third son, so you knew nothing about all the subtleties of politics. You will have to learn. The count continued.

-Well, I shall remember to never bring you at court, the politics here will probably kill you like in the stories about this "Lord Starque".

>>5624067

You ignored what he meant but were intrigued, and since it was his previous topic of conversation you explained.

-Maybe it would be better if I knew something about the politics at court your excellency. I am a foreigner and I would not want to embarrass you even from my lordship, especially if they call me to answer in your legal battle.

He nodded slowly, explaining once more.

-Yes, of course, for a stranger all those pro elven parties or pro human parties might be a bit too complicated. To be sincere your politics seemed complicated when you told us about them yesterday at the banquet. Heh... In truth there is not two parties but three here, the main question is the question of succession. The fact is that our queen has reigned for one hundred and eighty years, far longer that we humans can remember, after the woodlands wars the Emperor told our king to marry her, but they had no children, and his heir and nephew, the son of his brother Secundas was a child of four months, so she succeeded him in a regency. The regency changed into a permanent rule after some intrigues of the elves and she rules since, the nephew, Prince Ack, was killed when he was fifteen, in a "hunting accident" officially but many nobles thought that he was murdered. Fortunately before his death he managed to impregnate his wife, a corelander princess and give her a son, and his line continued for some generation, intermixing with Bifurian nobility, but living abroad. The current heir of the Secundas-Ack line is the prince Paulus, who live amongst the Iron Dimons lands in the core of the Empire.

You tried to interject, still having a hard time grasping how could successions work with guelphs who live for millenia.

-So he is the rightful heir ?

-Yes, and many people consider that 180 years were too much. But the elves have reinforced their positions at court, and they have another candidate. You understand the queen married again, with a human lord from Bifuria, the Duke of Yesman who is now dead one hundred years ago. And she had a child, a son, a half elven-son, the prince Unluckias, who was the heir of the realm since 20 years ago when he was poisoned, when he refused to marry his first born daughter to the king of Bofuria.

You began to grasp the idea.

-And this Prince Unluckias was married with whom ?

-He was married twice, the first time with an Elven lady, the countess of Underwood, but she was murdered by agents of B'beg the Terrible thirty years ago. He had a daughter, Notyumanea.

You frowned, trying to understand.

-But how could they pass before the first branch when the queen was only a regent ?

-The elves managed to tell that she is officially our queen and that her line must replace the line of our late king...

>>5624069

You could tell by his tone that he disagreed with it but he continued.

-But after his second marriage, with a human, the daughter of Duke Ing, he had a son, prince Fulrion. And there we have a problem, you see, even according to those who support the queen's line claim there is a divide, some think that according to elven custom daughters should rule if they are first born, but according to human custom, our custom, the son takes precedence ! And all the numerous family of Duke Ing supports the claim of their grandson and nephew.

You finally understood.

-So the elven party wants to enforce elven custom at court... And I suppose that you do not support them ? Do you support prince Paulus or prince Fulrion ?

-No ! I do not support any of them ! But if our queen died, we would be in a bad place, some see Paulus as a kind of saviour, an enlightened monarch with a passion for military deeds but he is mad, I can tell you he is clearly abnormal. And Fulrion.. Heh, he is a fine knight, beautiful, with only a quarter of elven blood so he will die after no more than one hundred years, but he is not very bright in my opinion and manipulated by the old serpent, the Duke of Ing who is not a friend of our Duchess. But well enough about politics. Do you have any other questions about our own little problems. It is not us that shall rule the realm in a foreseeable future after all haha ! Servants, bring me more wine !

He proposed some wine to you too and you asked him.

-Well then, after Baron Crook's exile, who shall rule the barony of Someplace ?

-Hah, you are ambitious I shall give you that, but I will not answer, we will see. It is my decision and I have still not taken it.

-But at least with the condemnation of the baron for slavery and the banishment of his uncle could you give back the Takable's lands to Rose ?

-I shall support this idea but it will have to be negotiated with the new baron, I want my vassals to get along together. Well, now try to give me the book that you have talked about, with the accounting of those slavers. Be quick, before the queen's justiciars will get their hands on it.

You felt the need to justify yourself.

-I am sorry if I told the Guelph sergeants about the book, but they were about to cut down two Bofurian knights invited in your lands, so...

-Well well understood, understood. They were Sir Ren the loud and Sir Vice the kind ? I know them, fine chaps, good knights, but sometimes too reckless. I shall not blame it on you, but it is an unfortunate circumstance. Just like with the tower, even if you should try to not burn the town down next time.

>>5624074

You let a smile escape since you saw that his tone was playful, he was a pleasant man after all and was less angry than this morning. His anger seemed to be terrible but quickly forgotten. It was the mark of a good liege lord. You told him.

-If I may ask, your excellency, what would you have done if you were at my place in this situation ? You are more experienced and wiser than me after all.

He answered, smiling a bit.

-You ask about this tower situation, with the mages ?

-Yes.

-If it was me instead of you ? I would have been dead ! Hah ! No way that I would have, with my mass, at my age, ran quickly enough to catch these knaves in close quarters and break their scrawny mages necks ! Hah ! So carry on when you are still young and profit well of your youth good sir !

He then patted you in the shoulder and made you sign to leave. You obliged of course and were now outside. And you had some things to do.

>Try to find Ancel, and order him to fetch your book to the count.
>Order your men to prepare the horses, you have no time to lose to catch the two criminals that escaped the Mage's tower with you.
>Try to get to Rose, you need to bide her farewell.
>Take a stroll into the castle, maybe to see some other lords before you leave.
>Other (write in)

Choose one choice please. Oh and you gain +30xp because you finally resolved the intrigue of the baron's case against you and defended your rights before the count.

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 4
XP : 460+30 = 490 (next level at 700)

Stats

Combat : 51%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 36%

Piety : 48
Mudcore : 49

With 49 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. You have chosen Blood of Mud and so your mudcore field will become a bit bigger and stronger but could be transmitted to your children.
Next level at 50, your field will become more important.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.
->Basic Literacy : Your lessons with Oldfossil and Lady Takable finally paid off and you can read and write, even if you write with errors and move your lips still when you read it is a great leap forward.

Traits :
Leader : Your magnetism on the masses is glorious and your learning of speech could encourage many men to follow you. You may choose the best of 3 rolls when you try to speak in public to convince an audience, be it the Council of Many or angry peasants.

>>5624077
>Try to find Ancel, and order him to fetch your book to the count.
Book first, then bid Rose farewell and take off after the thieves!

>>5624077
>>Order your men to prepare the horses, you have no time to lose to catch the two criminals that escaped the Mage's tower with you.

>>5624077
>>Take a stroll into the castle, maybe to see some other lords before you leave.

>>5624077
>>Take a stroll into the castle, maybe to see some other lords before you leave.

>>Try to find Ancel, and order him to fetch your book to the count.
Seconding this >>5624338

I want to be real for a minute... over the past few years, Local Lord Quest has been one of the few joys I've looked forward to at the end of the day. I told my Catholic girlfriend about the quest and she said you were based. Your characters' shameless French spirit and the comedy you invoke has always managed to put a smile on my face even in the darkest times (homelessness, my mother got assaulted, etc.). I am a hard man to make smile. Every time you went on hiatus I felt like I was mourning something. Please don't stop until Charles' adventure is complete!

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>>5624338
Good idea. But the vote put the stroll first, since the book is with 2 votes too I decided to modify all of this.

>>5624787
>>5625023
>>5625136

>>5625177
It is really an honor good sir, I had some personal troubles myself these last times and hearing that my quest can brighten the day of someone is hearthwarming. All my best wishes of recovery to your mother and my best wishes to you and your girlfriend (happy to learn that I am based). I hope to continue the adventure even if I sometimes lack time for it. Posts like yours make me want to continue.


=====

You decided to take a stroll in the castle, maybe you could find some lord or lady to talk with, you would not come back here before some time and it was a good place to broker some alliances. You saw Bohémond outside and ordered him.

-My brave Bohémond, try to find Ancel, and tell him to give the book to the count.

-It will be done Monseigneur.

Of course you could have sent him to deliver the book himself but he was a knight and carrying objects was beneath his dignity. Ordering him to find a servant and order this servant to do the thing was far more practical.

You then began to walk around the castle, maybe you would see Lady Rose or maybe other important lords. There was no persons of importance inside but some of them were in the courtyard. You saw the count's heir, Veryon Careless, fighting in a training bout against a powerfully built nobleman who used a mace. Two ladies watched them. In a corner of the courtyard three elder noblemen were in a conversation. The two ladies were at the banquet yesterday but you were far away from them and never had the opportunity to know their names. One was in her early twenties and had long brown hair, she had a blue dress of great quality while the other had a turquoise dress complemented with white furs. She had a blonde braid who began to whiten a bit, she was probably more aged.
You then looked at the lords and recognised the one with the long mustache and the golden pendant in the form of an iron gate, he was speaking with a bearded nobleman with rich clothes, a beautiful white beard and a cane and another, who was bald and beardless but deathly pale and had a face that would frighten children. All three of them carried swords, a proof of their status as noblemen.

Where to go ? Maybe show those two how to handle a sword ? Or amuse the ladies who watch all of this while the two knights beat each other up ? Or profit from the wisdom of the old noblemen ? So many choices...

>>5625834

You tried to look at the crowd outside and saw lady Sue too, she raised her head towards you and had a murderous glare. It was, in your opinion, really complimenting her features, of course, you had an even more beautiful lady, and who did not want to murder you, but if that was not the case you probably would have recited her a poem or some other part of a chanson de geste to make her understand that you could maybe do something better together than kill eachother. She maybe was a bit sad about the fact that the count dismissed her case against you, but heh, he told her to be silent and she continued to speak, it was entirely her fault. Maybe you could remind her that, so she will understand that she is the only one to blame and that you pardon her for her errors. It would maybe mend the bridges between you. But at the other side she spoke ill of your sweet Lady... Well, maybe because she was jealous ? And what woman would not be, you were fair, strong and brave and a knight, any woman would dream to have a husband, or a lover like you. Or they could not get along because women has trouble getting along in general. Who knew.

>Speak with Veryon and the knight who fight here.
>Ask to join the sparring, Veryon seems to be a fine warrior. (Combat roll)
>Introduce yourself to the two ladies.
>Introduce yourself to the three old noblemen.
>Go see Lady Sue, explain her that even if she tried to accuse you of many things you pardon her and do not wish ill upon her.
>Go see Lady Sue and tell her that the weather is agreeable.
>Go see Lady Sue and tell her to not behave indecently towards your bride to be.
>Other (write in)

Choose one choice please

>>5625836
>>Introduce yourself to the three old noblemen.

>>5625834
>Ordering him to find a servant and order this servant to do the thing was far more practical.
Kek.

>>5625836
>Go see Lady Sue, explain her that even if she tried to accuse you of many things you pardon her and do not wish ill upon her.
Simply state this, and leave if when she gets haughty and rude.

>Introduce yourself to the three old noblemen.

>>5625836
>>Go see Lady Sue, explain her that even if she tried to accuse you of many things you pardon her and do not wish ill upon her.

>>5625836
>>Go see Lady Sue and tell her that the weather is agreeable.
Gigachad move

Oh God, I'm late.

>>5625836
>>Introduce yourself to the three old noblemen.

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>>5625852

>>5625869
You are, good sir, a true gentleman.

>>5625889

>>5626111
I agree.

>>5626490
Better late than never !

>>5626718

You decided to go towards the three elder noblemen. You wanted to make amends for not speaking more to the lord that was near lady Scarlet and you at the feast. Walking confidently towards them you told.

-Good lords, I am Charles de Villeroi, at your service. I am sorry to disturb such good company but I had no time yesterday unfortunately to speak with you, even if we were seated nearby and I wanted to excuse myself for my rudeness.

It was a polite way to introduce yourself and the man with the mustache and the pendant smiled kindly.

-Be assured, Lord Charles, that no offense has been taken, you were monopolised by the count. I am Gamergatek Iper, lord of the lands of Eljies and Castellan of the Gates of our town. And I am happy to introduce you to my uncle, Lord Grognargatek Iper, lord of the Gammer Gates and lord Ulrich Notalich, who represents the interests of his liege, Baron Notavant Pyre at court.

Both of the elder men did a short nod in your direction, like you did in theirs. One was the vassal of a Bannerman of the count, others must be direct vassals. The old bearded man, Grognargatek, decided directly to talk before you had time to do it.

-Good sir, know that I was sceptical at first, since you were a stranger and as they say in Poltard, a stranger is just another kind of nigger, but I must say that your words at the banquet have moved me. You spoke well about stopping those damned commoners from trying to rule !

He had a strange pattern of speech that you saw often amongst old people. He spoke very slowly with a pause between each word. At least it helped you understand him well, you had sometimes trouble with the Indian accents, the language being close to French but not exactly the same. But even if he was understandable some of his words remained too complicated for you, he must be a learned man. He then raised his walking cane and before you could interrupt him he continued.

-They always invent new and worse things, always, I say you Bifuria is jumping into an abyss, an abyss of mediocrity ! And even all the empire, since the times of Emperor Retcon it has become worse and worse ! Back in my days, when I was your age, we knew the values of chivalry and order ! Everything was based on tradition ! Yes yes !

You immediately liked the man, not bothering to hear the rest of his rant. Any man who told that everything was better before was automatically a good man. Especially if he was old. You knew that the customs of the time of Saint Louis were the best, but some idiots always told that you could not remember them and that they were bad. When an old man agreed with you it meant that a man who had seen these old customs and the news agreed that they were better. Lord Grognargatek finally told.

-Don't you agree lord Ulrich ?

>>5627137

The bald and beardless old man with a German name, maybe another German after this Schamann that you saw in the woods, nodded. He spoke with a strange accent that you haven't heard, maybe he was from Bohemia.

-It is true that we remember fondly those days. But some would say that we must adapt... That some of the core mechanics of the rules that govern our Empire were outdated.

You did not knew a lot about Bifurian law so you wanted maybe to change the topic of their conversation without appearing rude. Or let them talk, or even excuse yourself and leave them.

>Ask them about the laws of Emperor Retcon, even if you may appear stupid they will maybe understand because you are a stranger who was only here for two months.
>Ask lord Grognargatek about Poltard.
>Ask lord Gamergatek what is his function as Castellan of the Gates of Pleasantville ?
>Ask the Ipers if they have other lordly family members.
>Ask the lords about their lands, you need to get familiar with the county's nobility.
>Ask lord Ulrich where his liege lord lands are situated.
>Ask lord Ulrich if he is from Bohemia.
>Defend tradition and our right and proper old feudal society, and try to appear learned (intrigue roll).
>Ask them what do they think about the succession of the realm.
>Excuse yourself and say that you have bandits to catch and a lady to tell farewell too.
>Other (write in)

>>5627142
>Ask them about the laws of Emperor Retcon, even if you may appear stupid they will maybe understand because you are a stranger who was only here for two months.
>Ask lord Grognargatek about Poltard.
>Ask the lords about their lands, you need to get familiar with the county's nobility.
>Ask lord Ulrich where his liege lord lands are situated.

>>5627142
>Ask lord Grognargatek about Poltard.
>Ask lord Ulrich if he is from Bohemia.

>>5627142
>>Ask them about the laws of Emperor Retcon, even if you may appear stupid they will maybe understand because you are a stranger who was only here for two months.
>>Ask lord Grognargatek about Poltard.

>>5627142
>Ask them about the laws of Emperor Retcon, even if you may appear stupid they will maybe understand because you are a stranger who was only here for two months.
>Ask lord Grognargatek about Poltard.
>Defend tradition and our right and proper old feudal society, and try to appear learned (intrigue roll).

>>5627142
>Ask them about the laws of Emperor Retcon, even if you may appear stupid they will maybe understand because you are a stranger who was only here for two months.
>Ask lord Grognargatek about Poltard.
>Ask lord Gamergatek what is his function as Castellan of the Gates of Pleasantville ?
>Ask lord Ulrich where his liege lord lands are situated.
>Ask them what do they think about the succession of the realm.
I am sorry for treating the vote like a buffet my lord, but this is all incredibly interesting. The murder-rabbit-guelph and the war-loving bandit can wait just a moment longer, surely.

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>>5627160
>>5627428
>>5627494
>>5627631

>>5627722

Hahahaha, it can happen good sir. But unfortunately only two choices were chosen by the masses.

====

You decided to take part in the conversation and decided to talk to the old Grognargatek, he seemed to know India well, having lived there during his long life, so you felt that you could ask him. You waited for him to finish a rant about why every modernism was bad and we lived poorly from the reforms of Emperor Retcon. So you told.

-I am sorry monseigneur, but I am still a stranger and I never heard about the reforms of Emperor Retcon, and if I am sure that your critics are valid, what was the substance of those reforms in the first place ?

The old man seemed a bit lost.

-The reforms... The substance of the reforms ? B... And you do not know it... It is not good young lord, you must know it well to fight it well...

You nodded and waited for him to explain you. He saw you looking at him and acted a bit surprised, then said something in his beard and continued.

-Yes, they changed everything those reforms, it was very bad ! Very bad indeed ! It was when I was a young man.

You looked at him still, waiting for more explanation and he then raised his hands and told in an exasperated tone.

-They changed everything damn it ! The rules for the tournaments and the judicial duels ! The inheritance of males and females ! They even replaced some dukes ! All our laws and customs have been rewritten because it seemed better in the opinion of the Emperor. They reorganised the provincial armies, no, it was a disaster. And they confirmed the rights of the elves to never pay taxes ! Woe the day when it has been done ! They changed the court offices too ! And the kingdoms adopted it, they gave more power to burghers and guilds too in the council of many ! This was a disaster ! Burghers began to rule the empire and everything was gone for the worse.

You tried to nod, understanding that the poor man was maybe a small bit senile, or his righteous indignation was lacking in precision because of the numerous crimes of these reforms. But according to his words these dangerous novelties precipitated the yoke of the commoners over the glorious landowners, they were maybe the cause of the pitiful state of the excellent feudal system in India. It made you want to continue but you saw on the faces of the two other men that they had heard enough, they wanted to talk too. But nevertheless you decided to ask him, since he had told you about a city.

-I understand, it is worse than the reforms of this commoner Marigny... But tell me, you used an expression from Poltard, have you been to this radiant city ?

>>5628272

Grognargatek answered cheerfully.

-In Poltard ? Yes, yes, a strange place yes, I had some deals with their magistrates... They are a strange bunch, always inventing new expressions, "mimatic" "based" "red pillaged" "Kuque" and many other strange words that change every time... City people are crazy. Only nigger stays, nigger remains a well known part of their speech, it is how we recognise them everywhere.

City people were crazy indeed. All of you agreed, it was fortunate that the majority of the world lived in small towns and villages, if it was not the case the world would go mad. You told.

-And what does this nigger means ?

This made the men laugh. The old bearded man explained.

-I do not know exactly, in this case it is a pejorative, I think it is a parasite word. I think that a long time ago it designated some kind of creature from Poltard but it has lost it's original meaning. They use it every time, to insult each other, to greet each other, to designate objects or men or concepts...

His nephew explained.

-Yes it is always used, like in "Hello my fellow niggers" , and is a central part of their local dialects, we have a joke here that one day a scholar from Poltard will write a book composed only of a succession of "nigger" words, and that the only way to understand it is to read it aloud, to know what it means according to the tone of the reader.

The idea of a book composed of only one word amused you, at least it would be simple to read, but books were overrated anyway, who needed them ?

Lord Ulrich decided to intervene.

-I think that in general, when you hear the people of Poltard, or Diver-City speak in their dialects it is better to simply nod and answer with some of their parasite words, they would leave you alone.

It was like trying to speak with the Occitans, haha, their dialects were not understandable, beating them was the best way to make you understood by the peasants. If your tongue was not universal a hit behind the ears and pointing the well made everyone carry water. But if you had to deal with an important magistrate you must remember to tell him that he is a fellow nigger to show your knowledge of his customs. Everyone loves to feel respected, it was one of Oldfossils lessons. The old Grognargatek added.

-Yes yes, nodding always... No ! Of course not ! It is the best way to finish with having to pay thrice the price of what you want !

You then answered.

-Then you can simply punish them and pay nothing, if they are not understandable by their betters they are to blame. As my father always said, when you do not understand the words the thought behind it makes no sense.

>>5628279

It was answered by some laughs and approval. It was when you heard the determined footsteps of a fiery redhead behind you, she looked furious. Of course, lady Sue had to try to confront you and judging by her expression she seemed unhappy with you. She was still not very close to your group so you could try to excuse yourself and go towards her. Or stay there.

>Make her sign to wait until you have finished your conversation.
>Excuse yourself and go towards her to confront her in private.
>Let her come here and do a scandal before these good people.
>Excuse yourself and leave (flee)
>Other (write in)

>>5628281
>Excuse yourself and go towards her to confront her in private.

>>5628281
>Excuse yourself and go towards her to confront her in private.

>>5628281
>>Excuse yourself and go towards her to confront her in private.

>>5628281
>Let her come here and do a scandal before these good people.

Come, femmecel

>>5628281
>>Excuse yourself and go towards her to confront her in private.

>>5628281
>Make her sign to wait until you have finished your conversation.
We're not letting a woman just stop our conversation like this, now are we? That's what a Kuque would do.
I'll support letting her come, if this doesn't get support.

>>5628281
>>Make her sign to wait until you have finished your conversation.

File: Lady Mary Sue.jpg (150 KB, 735x1076)

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>>5628298
>>5628365
>>5628408

>>5628520
It is harsh to call a lady like that but yes, a lady not married at 20 cannot be really honourable (she is probably infertile or not slept with the stable boy).

>>5628857

>>5628882
You are harsh but fair, like her father should be (the one who slept with the milkmaid that was probably her mother) but a knight must be courteous and gallant. Even when it is hard.

>>5629007

Seeing lady Sue walking towards you you excused yourself telling.

-I am sorry messeigneurs but if our conversation was very interesting and pleasant I must unfortunately leave you. Two young ladies await me and I would be a poor knight if I left them waiting.

They all agreed and told you to come back, the old Grognargatek even saying that back in his days courting ladies was simpler and going in another rant.

So... The hard time begun. Lady Sue looked at you with a murderous glare and advanced towards you as menacingly as a woman could. Even if she was quite tall for a lady she remained a quite thin and lithe person and not very scary for anyone but it seemed to work since many people looked at her in fear and quickly passed by her. You decided to walk towards her and tell.

-My good lady, perhaps we should talk somewhere were we would be together ?

She answered in a venomous voice.

-You fear that the consequences of your acts will be known publicly lord Charles ?

You answered with a small smile on your lips.

-No, but as a courteous knight I fear for the reputation of the lady that speaks with me. And since your last temper tantrum led to your loss in your case and your expulsion from the count's appartments I would prefer that we talk in private.

She looked at you and told in a bold way.

-Yes, it was scandalous ! A parody of justice ! I shall tell this to the duchess ! I shall tell it to my father ! You will see then !

But then as you looked at her and raised an astonished eyebrow she told you, more softly.

-Yes yes... Well, let us go.

You walked a bit until you found an empty alcove in this large castle and she finally began to speak.

-Charles... You cannot accept this decision as good ! You killed people ! You... You murdered them in your great hall and you just had no consequences to your acts because I was a bit too loud about it with the count.

She seemed outraged, and ready to explode, you had to calm her down... For someone who was called like the Holy Virgin she had not a lot in common with the serenity of the Mother of God. But.. Should you not try to create a bigger scandal to embarrass her instead ?

>>5629308

You had three tactics in this option, the first one would be to talk louder than her by saying :

>I won, you lost, learn to lose with grace lady Sue.
>How dare you defy the judgment of count Careless ? Are you a disloyal vassal ? A traitor ?
>Tonnerre ! I shall not be judged by a bastard born woman who should be in a convent instead of insulting my loved one and myself ! Begone from my sight if it is for this kind of remarks.

You could try, on the contrary to deescalate the situation by telling :

>My lady, it was not murder, it was justice. We cannot let adventurers disrespect noblemen, it is a question of hierarchy. You should teach it to the adventurers in your guild to avoid consequences.
>Lady Mary, I can understand that the death of those vagrant criminals might upset you but they are commoners, and not even baptised commoners. I am sure that some peasant woman will bring new ones to the world to compensate the losses.
>My lady, even if you disagree with my justice and I disagree with yours the count has decided for both of us. If the reasons of his decision displease you I can understand your sadness, but we cannot change the past. Let us build a friendlier future.

Or of course you could try to completely destabilise the situation by doing an unexpected thing.

>Simply leave the room, letting her here. Her words are not interesting enough to deserve an answer.
>Tell her "Mary... Mary, Mary Mary.... You followed me into this forest, and braved wolf men and witches, then here, even in Pleasantville you came for me for an unimportant affair, and now after the decision... I understand what you feel, and believe me, I even understand why you dislike Lady Rose. In other circumstances I would have been happy to marry a woman with your beauty, your grace, your bravery and your wit. But I have promised to another one, and I would not be a knight if I broke a promise to a lady. I hope that you find another lord like me, maybe not as brave or good looking but as close as possible chuckle, and you live a happy life with him"
>Why are you criticising me for punishing vagrants when other noblemen in the region sell their peasants into slavery to small lizard-rat men ?

Or you could try to choose :
>Other (write in)

Choose ONLY ONE CHOICE please and ROLL an intrigue roll good sirs. I shall take into account the average of the first three rolls.

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>5629310
>My lady, it was not murder, it was justice. We cannot let adventurers disrespect noblemen, it is a question of hierarchy. You should teach it to the adventurers in your guild to avoid consequences.
They had a hearing and everything! Sort of!
It would be very funny to tease her for her crush on us, but not very chivalrous, and she may try to poison or otherwise kill our fair Lady Takable if we stir up her passions too severely.

>>5629310
>How dare you defy the judgment of count Careless ? Are you a disloyal vassal ? A traitor ?

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>5629310
>>My lady, it was not murder, it was justice. We cannot let adventurers disrespect noblemen, it is a question of hierarchy. You should teach it to the adventurers in your guild to avoid consequences.

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>5629310
>Lady Mary, I can understand that the death of those vagrant criminals might upset you but they are commoners, and not even baptised commoners. I am sure that some peasant woman will bring new ones to the world to compensate the losses.
Queck, as Poltards would say.
Please consider putting the "choose one" before the votes are listed, my lord. Some of us have their attention times ruined by blitzkrieg and don't even read the white letters when a glorious green text appears before their eyes.

>>5629321
Somehow, I think that Lady Takeable would smell the poison in the air and stab this broad to death with her very fingernails or shove a fire iron in the only place in her body where the sun doesn't reach if that were to happen.

>>5629310
>>My lady, it was not murder, it was justice. We cannot let adventurers disrespect noblemen, it is a question of hierarchy. You should teach it to the adventurers in your guild to avoid consequences.

File: How lady Sue sees us (pro(...).jpg (1009 KB, 2000x2000)

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>>5629321
Yes, it was just and fair. And about her crush, you are right, a knight should be above such matters.

>>5629419
>>5629539

>>5629900
Your choice was the most "based" one as Poltarders say. And your words about the literacy of some bannermen here are wise. Maybe we should try to give them images or illuminations to make the text more understandable (it will help them even explain it to their peasants).

>>5629903
I agree with this, even if our sweet Rose does not know to wield a sword contrary to lady Sue, she is far more ruthless and dangerous.

>>5629941

You decided to try to calm her down, you were always chivalric and you hoped that she would come to understand you. You needed allies more than pleasure from antagonising her in a childish way. So you explained, slowly, as with a child.

-My lady, it was not murder, it was justice. We cannot let adventurers disrespect noblemen, it is a question of hierarchy. You should teach it to the adventurers in your guild and avoid consequences.

You were happy with your try and were sure that even Oldfossil would compliment your diplomatic skills, you even used "adventurers" instead of "armed vagrants" and not even mocked her for being part of a guild like a baker or a craftsman. Unfortunately your kindness was rewarded with a cold stare.

-And it is MY fault ! That I haven't taught them manners instead of you who have decided to kill them.

You blinked once, then twice, and told.

-Well, Count Careless seems to think so... It was his decision after all.

She became red and angry and approached from you, looking hurt by your words.

-Yes, but I just told him the contrary and he still told that you were right !

You looked at her, dumbfounded.

-You seriously could not expect to simply walk here, talk loudly and brashly even when told to be silent and be rewarded for it !

She spat back at you.

-No ! It was you who instead respected the nobility and insulted every commoner in the room ! And even me and got to win ! It is unfair ! Yes I was brash and yes I was not respecting of conventions but I always were right even if it could annoy some idiots ! But not this time ! This time you were right before the courts and it makes no sense at all !

You looked at lady Mary Sue, and tried to find logic in her words. How could she expect to disrespect conventions, talk loudly and be acclaimed as a heroine ? But then you remembered that she was a woman and that the rib of Adam was not gifted with logic in the first place. You tried to calm her by explaining.

-I can understand that it is hard to lose a case, especially since you seem to give so much importance to those dead commoners but I do not think that disrespecting authority was a solid strategy.

She dismissed you with a wave of the hand.

-"Respecting Authority" , "Solid strategy", you sound like a priest of Gehem, and even they always tell that I am right in the end...

>>5630356

You remembered that this Gehem seemed to be a divinity worshipped by those so called adventurers and you disliked being compared to pagan priests, even if in this case their lessons seemed to be valuable. So you decided to part ways, if Lady Sue refused to come to an understanding you would have to do without her.
You had other matters to attend to after all. And what will be the first one ?

>Telling farewell to Lady Takable
>Chasing the bandits

>>5630359
>>Telling farewell to Lady Takable

>>5630359
>Telling farewell to Lady Takable
Let us cleanse out pallet of Lady Sue by talking with a nice, respectable, only slighty terrifying and bloodthirsty woman instead.

>>5630359
>>Telling farewell to Lady Takable

>>5630359
>Telling farewell to Lady Takeable
Maybe give her a dagger if we can, so she can defend herself if things get bad. You can never be too careful with this Baron Cuck, or whatever was his name.
>>5630356
>based
Based? Based on what?
>(it will help them even explain it to their peasants)
My lord, with all due respect, but teaching peasants how to vote would be pointless, harmful even. They have no say on this matter, or any other and they should never be taught such dangerous ideas as "voting".
>And it is MY fault
Stopped listening there. Trying to reason with a woman, especially one that has never faced consequences of her own actions until just now was a mistake. I knew we were better off treating her like the child she is. Enough slaps on the wrist and she might adjust her behavior and become a productive member of society before her "adventuring" results in her untimely death, or worse.

>>5630359
>>Telling farewell to Lady Takable

>>5630359
>Telling farewell to Lady Takable

File: Your sweet Lady Takable.jpg (69 KB, 564x836)

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>>5630828

>>5630832
Yes, in other words the love of our life.

>>5630869

>>5630875
Your suggestion has been added.

And based on what ? On the unbreakable principles of our right and proper Feudal Order : God, the King and his vassals. On what else could we be based ?
And telling peasants to vote ? No, no, no, it is already scandalous if the peasants have an opinion ! Asking them to actually give it is pure torture. I was talking about explaining it to the peasantry as a tale of bravery and a chanson de geste to raise Charles de Villeroi as an exemple amongst the people.
Your opinion on lady Sue is harsh, but fair. I can recognise a man of experience in your words. And your concern for her death show a chivalric soul, always ready to help the widow and the orphan. But, what to expect, she is a bastard girl that was not put in a convent by her father...

>>5631346

You decided to tell farewell to your sweet lady. Lady Sue's antics had exasperated you and you needed to see a real woman. You had to ask a servant for her quarters since her hold quarters were already emptied and it showed you a room near Baron Crook's. It was guarded by a soldier of the baron and when you tried to enter he told.

-You shall not pass.

Sighting you gave him two gold coins, it was a lot but in India gold seemed to not be worth so much and the man nodded.

-No more than ten minutes mylord. The higher ups will be back before.

You nodded, understanding the man, and entered the room. It was not ready for travel but you supposed that Lady Takable would be leaving today with the baron anyway. She was sitting in an armchair and doing some embroidery with a sad look. When you entered she did not even raise her eyes. It was only when you told.

-My lady, it is me.

That she reacted. Her eyes were full of surprise and happiness. And she practically jumped in your arms. Hugging you kindly. You returned the hug of course and were happy to feel this young and soft body against yours.

-Charles... Oh Charles... I.. I am so happy to see you. After this horrible decision ! How could the count do this to me ! I thought that he liked me ! But letting me one year with this monster ! One entire year ! Can you imagine ?!?

>>5631606

It was more like ten months but you remembered yourself when you were 17 years old. At this age one year was a long period. Today, with your considerable life experience at 27 years old you saw your lady's woe as particularly sweet and cute but understood that the decision was better than what you thought because you had information. Passing a hand into her blonde locks you told.

-My love, do not worry, we have practically the proofs that the baron has been buying and selling slaves from the small lizard rat pig men. Once the book will be traduced he will be finished and we could live together. It will be a matter of weeks or months.

She frowned while hearing this and then nodded.

-So the count... He planned for all of it... It.. He is really a clever man. Thanks Charles, you are a true Paladin. But I will be so afraid ! If cornered Crook is dangerous.. I saw him... He killed my father and...

And... You understood that he might kill her too. But on the other side the count had men here and if he did such folly the baron would be probably quickly accused and beheaded.

>Tell her that some of the baron's men work for the count.
>Tell her that you will be nearby and that she has nothing to fear.
>Give her your dagger if it can make her feel safe.
>Simply kiss her to reassure her now, no need to tell her anything.
>Swear that if anything happens to her you will kill the baron.
>Ask her if she wants to take one of your men with her.
>Ask her if she will feel safer if you sent someone like Ancel to track the baron's party and tell you if something goes wrong.
>Other (write in)

>>5631588
I forgot you good sir since you came ten minutes before the update so I will mention you here !

>>5631612
>Simply kiss her to reassure her now, no need to tell her anything.
>Give her your dagger if it can make her feel safe.
>Ask her if she wants to take one of your men with her.

>>5631612
>Give her your dagger if it can make her feel safe.
>Ask her if she wants to take one of your men with her.
>>5631606
>God, the King and his vassals.
Yes, yes, forgive me my lord. I must've become a little dumber for a moment from just hearing Lady Sue's silly outburst. Maybe that's how she managed to convince all those people that she can fight, by making them lose their minds? Hah.
>But, what to expect, she is a bastard girl that was not put in a convent by her father
Indeed, children these days don't know what it's like to struggle and then they come up with stupid ideas like women being armed vagrants. And then they try to paint you a criminal when you treat their armed, satanic compatriots like a real threat and burn the lot of them for sorcery. It was them who were criminal, and that lying midget who promised he'd keep his mouth shut if we mercifully release him is a venomous snake. If we ever meet him again, only a direct divine intervention will save his hide, so help me God.

>>5631612
>>Simply kiss her to reassure her now, no need to tell her anything.
>Give her your dagger if it can make her feel safe.

>>5631612
>>Give her your dagger if it can make her feel safe.
>>Ask her if she wants to take one of your men with her.

>>5631612
>Give her your dagger if it can make her feel safe.
>Ask her if she wants to take one of your men with her.

>>5631612
>>Simply kiss her to reassure her now, no need to tell her anything.
>>Give her your dagger if it can make her feel safe.
>>Ask her if she wants to take one of your men with her.

File: Courteous Love.jpg (1.23 MB, 971x1434)

1.23 MB JPG

Happy Easter to you all ! Here comes the update.

>>5631629

>>5631651
You are right about everything, only it was not the midget (even if I would not trust him, his treachery is evident by his small size) but the bard, Beau, that we kept in our dungeons, that escaped and talked to other armed vagrants !

>>5631916
>>5632193
>>5632228
>>5632538

You wrapped your hands around her and she put her head against your chest. She was afraid and you needed to reassure her. Kindly caressing her hair you told.

-My lady, do not worry, I will not let anything bad happen to you...

You then took her chin and kissed her, it was a long, sweet and passionate kiss and soon both of you forgot anything besides this. She seemed a bit better after that smiling at you when it ended. And you decided to give her something.

-But if I am not here I need to give you something, I can give you one of my men if you want to feel safe.

She quickly said.

-Sire Bohémond then, Becky is so worried... She will need him...

You would have preferred a slower answer but you could understand, she thought about her servant just like you thought about yours. Then you decided to detach your dagger and it's scabbard from your belt and to give it to her.

-My lady, take this please, if... If I am not here and someone tries to do something, do not hesitate to stab him. Try to always carry it on your person.

You smiled kindly while she looked at you with a thoughtful face. She took the weapon, placed it on her belt, frowned, then took it and unsheathed it and seemed impressed by it.

-Charles... It... Is very kind but... Where do you want me to conceal it ?

-What ?

You then of course understood, a lady was not to carry weapons and if it was visible it was far less probable that she would be able to use it, any person with common sense could disarm her easily. But she continued.

-I could try to conceal it under my robes and strap it to my thigh but no way this thing will not be seen under my robes... And it is too long to be practical for me.... Why is it so huge ? It looks like it can kill a boar.

The thought of her naked thighs, with probably creamy skin and beautiful legs made you dream a bit. Heh, a lot of women showed their corsage but their legs... It was very rare to see them. You remembered to try to watch one of your cousins mounting on her horse to see her ankles for a brief time when you were still a young boy. You quickly answered then.

-It was made for it my lady, a boar or even an armoured man, to hit where his chainmail does not protects him.

She seemed amused.

-Charles, why do you need to walk in a castle with a knife made to kill wild boars ? Do you fear a boar attack in these walls ?

She giggled and you smiled too.


-And what to do if I need something shorter than my sword ? And if I can't get my axe ?

-You have an axe on your person besides your sword and dagger ?

>>5633334

She tried to look for it and it was your time to chuckle.

-No my lady, it is near my bed no knight should sleep without an axe or a mace nearby. To defend himself if the castle is attacked.

She looked at you, seeming to find you amusing.

-Even by wild boars ?

You smiled and answered.

-I think that we have both once, even in our mind compared the baron and his entourage with a herd of pigs. So even if the boars are smaller and walk on their hind legs it can be useful.

It made her laugh sincerely and she hugged you a second time. Some sweet moments passed in the arms of each other and she told.

-No, my dear Charles, I can't carry it. You know they make some smaller daggers for ladies but I never had one. Maybe you saw some ?

You shook your head. Small daggers ? Maybe even poisoned, it was an Italian's weapon. You knew nothing about it.

-No, a dagger is a dagger, it must be of a substential size.

-And the women of your land had those blades on them ?

-No, I never saw my lady mother with it. Nor my sisters or another lady. They had men to protect them, as it should be, but in your situation...

-I have nothing...

She seemed afraid of it, knowing that there will be nothing between her and this perfidious people. You tried to remind of an occasion where it happened to you...

-Once when we travelled in Reims with my lady mother the streets were crowded and there was some distance between her wagon and our horses. There were people everywhere and a beggar tried to open the curtains to her coach. There were several people between her coach and me and my horse was blocked so I feared for her... my lord father was in the same situation, and in a discussion with a city seargent. Fortunately she took the small chest with our jewelry and bashed him on the head with it. It was enough to make him fall. We caught him after this and he was hanged.

Not the best story but she will probably remember to take a heavy object and use it as a club if she is assaulted. Lady Takable then answered with a sly smile.

-Mmmmh, then I suppose that my jewellery chest must be heavier, in case of an attack ?

She coupled her smile with a playful look from her adorable eyes that made her seem like a little kitten. You understood directly and remembering that jewellery was the best friend of ladies you told.

-Do you prefer bracelets or necklaces my love ?

She smiled at this idea and told that she wanted a necklace after some discussions you swore to send her someone with jewellery from the city. You only had to find one now. You wanted to add something but the guardsman at the door opened it and told.

-My master is coming, hurry up !

There were some times for last parting words, kisses and you left the hall full of her strawberry smell and with a bittersweet taste in your mouth. You feared for her. Since the baron was coming you decided to.

>>5633337

>Tell the baron that you want Bohémond to help protecting lady Rose and her entourage.
>You do not want to see him let's catch the bandits
>You do not want to see him let's go buy a necklace

>>5633338
>You do not want to see him let's catch the bandits
Can grab the necklace after we catch the bandits. Speaking of, will there be a reward for catching the bandits? I know it's us who set them free, but bounties never mention anything about the criminal's past, so...

>>5633338
>You do not want to see him let's catch the bandits

>>5633338
>>You do not want to see him let's catch the bandits

>>5633337
>>You do not want to see him let's catch the bandits

>>5633338
>Tell the baron that you want Bohémond to help protecting lady Rose and her entourage.

File: You now.jpg (136 KB, 1192x670)

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>>5633388
Excellent idea, we cannot let the bandits gain time. But you shall not think as a lowly mercenary good sir, a true knight despises gold. Peasants value gold, because they have none, noblemen like us spend generously and do not care if they are indebted. It is natural that those that shed their blood can live with the money of the others.

>>5633559
>>5633696
>>5633773
>>5633896

You decided to not talk with the baron, you took the opposite direction from the one he took and after ten minutes of being lost in the castle you finally managed to come back. You met Bohémond here and he told you that he told Ancel to give the accounting book to the count. Excellent news ! You ordered some servants to saddle your horses after this and one of your soldiers to assemble the men. You had bandits to catch after all.

In the meantime you took Ancel to help you don your chainmail armour. This would be needed if the situation required some violence. You saw Godefroi coming towards you, saying that everything is ready and you happily ordered the men to mount. But where to begin, you remembered that the bandit, Bob Denarius, has told that he would await you in the north east of the city, on the road, but was he true to his words ? Could you trust a bandit ?

Then there was the Guelph witch, Count Careless had ordered to arrest all the black guelphs women of the region, like a florentine burgher would but they failed to catch her. So she was probably out of the city. You remembered that she had a cloak and maybe you could ask if some people saw cloaked guelph women ?

Or... Or she was still in the city... It could be possible, the Count's men could not have looked everywhere in the town and maybe she was still hidden there. You did not knew, it was your first time trying to catch bandits. Well, no, you knew how to track and pursue bands of bandits in the countryside but searching for a lone person ? It was very hard and presented a challenge that you never have taken before. Maybe you could ask Godefroi, Brother Louis and Bohémond about it ? Or some royal sergeant ? Or even Cop ?

>Begin by going to the royal sergeants and ask for advice.
>Ask Cop how you should catch those bandits.
>Ask Godefroi how you should catch those bandits
>Ask Brother Louis how you should catch those bandits
>Ask Bohémond how you should catch those bandits
>Go to the road from the north eastern gate where Bob Denarius has told that he awaited you.
>Try to ask the soldiers at the gates if they saw a cloaked guelph lady.
>Try to ask people in the streets if they saw a cloaked guelph lady.
>Try to come back to the mages tower, everything began there after all.
>Other (write in)

>>5634300
>Begin by going to the royal sergeants and ask for advice.
>Try to ask the soldiers at the gates if they saw a cloaked guelph lady.

>>5634300
>Begin by going to the royal sergeants and ask for advice.
>Try to ask the soldiers at the gates if they saw a cloaked guelph lady.
Gather info and advcie, certainly, but...
>Go to the road from the north eastern gate where Bob Denarius has told that he awaited you.
Snatch up Denarius before he departs, if indeed he's there.

>>5634300
>>Begin by going to the royal sergeants and ask for advice.
>Ask Godefroi how you should catch those bandits
>Try to ask the soldiers at the gates if they saw a cloaked guelph lady.

File: Angry Horses.jpg (2.29 MB, 2000x1264)

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>>5634435

>>5634493
Excellent, we will begin with this.

>>5634544

One thing was sure, you needed to begin by those who knew how to catch criminals, the royal sergeants. But at the same time you needed some information from the men at the gates. You split your group, each one of your knights taking some men and going to one, or more, of the gates of the city to ask about a cloaked Guelph lady. In the meantime you would go to the sergeants and ask them what they knew. With a bit of luck their Bailli will now some tips about catching criminals.

Your ride was short and you quickly entered before a very elegant white tower in the city with some kind of terrasses with small trees on it. It was a very strange architecture but the stonework was superb. You saw two armoured guelphs at the entry and recognised one of them. You saw him at the tavern with sir Ren and Sir Vice. You stopped him from arresting them and he probably remembered you as well. He told.

-So you came with the book ?

How dared he ? He did not even say "Greetings my lord" before speaking.

-What book ?

-The kobold's accounting book that you talked about !

You realized that you had promised to give it to him after it was traduced. He wanted a promotion, but judging by his lack of manners he did not deserve it.

-Yes... Yes... I gave it to the count, he will traduce it.

-You had to give it to us before the count ! How could you place your count before your queen ! You are a traitor !

According to feudal law you had to place your baron before your count, and before your monarch, since you were their direct vassal, but since your baron was a bad lord you had to place the count, his lord who gave him his land, above everyone else.

-I gave it to him to traduce it. I promised it to give it to you once it was traduced. Besides, promises are only worthy between gentlemen, a promise made to a serf is worth nothing.

He seemed not to be very convinced and, horror, dared to put his hand on the hilt of his sword.

-Who do you called a serf you ephemeral ?

You were ready to split his skull with your axe. But was it the wisest idea ?

>Back down, killing king's sergeants has the tendency to give you a case of headache that ends with your head not attached to your body.
>Even royal sergeants are commoners, and commoners should respect their betters (combat roll)
>I shall mention you to your leader if I talk with him (intrigue roll)
>I have no business with mere infantrymen, go fetch your leader, I need to talk to him (leadership roll)
>Back down, then wait for your men to attack.
>Other (write in)

Do not forget to roll a d100 if you choose to roll, I shall take the average of the first three rolls. Choose only one choice please.

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>5635068
>>I have no business with mere infantrymen, go fetch your leader, I need to talk to him (leadership roll)

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>5635068
>I have no business with mere infantrymen, go fetch your leader, I need to talk to him (leadership roll)

>>5635068
>>I have no business with mere infantrymen, go fetch your leader, I need to talk to him (leadership roll)

The gall of this pointy eared swine

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>5635068
>I have no business with mere infantrymen, go fetch your leader, I need to talk to him (leadership roll)

The image is hilarious, love it

>>5635282
heh nice one

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>5635270

>>5635282
Fuck

>>5635068
>>Back down, killing king's sergeants has the tendency to give you a case of headache that ends with your head not attached to your body.

>>5635305
No, I fear >>5635327 has the right of it. This is a "roll low to win" quest.

>>5635068
>>Back down, killing king's sergeants has the tendency to give you a case of headache that ends with your head not attached to your body.

>>5635068
>Back down, killing king's sergeants has the tendency to give you a case of headache that ends with your head not attached to your body.

Find people in seedy places who will give information for a few pieces of silver

Rolled 55 (1d100)

>>5635068
>I have no business with mere infantrymen, go fetch your leader, I need to talk to him (leadership roll)
Fucking guelphs.

>>5635068
>Back down, killing king's sergeants has the tendency to give you a case of headache that ends with your head not attached to your body.

File: you vs guelph.png (122 KB, 285x177)

122 KB PNG

>>5635085
>>5635163

>>5635270
I agree, he is even worse than a sergeant from this Nogaret fellow.

>>5635282
Animals too deserve a bit of fun.

>>5635305

>>5635317
Sad... That it was a 100 instead of a 2.

>>5635327
>>5635337

>>5635418
You are right good sir.

>>5635483

>>5635515
This is a good idea too.

>>5635519
Said a lot of imperial knights.

>>5635792

You decided to assert your authority over this guelph and told him clearly and simply in a language that even a commoner like him could understand.

-I have no business with mere infantrymen, go fetch your leader, I need to talk to him.

You did not understand why but he seemed to be furious. You wondered if his ears will rise according to his mood but before you could study guelph anatomy he answered.

-Mere infantrymen ! I am of pure elven blood and you are an ephemeral creature ! I shall teach you manners you filth ! You are not...

You answered simply.

-You talk a lot and move your hands even more like in your city states, Guelph. But in France we resolve conflicts with our sword. Unfortunately, since you are a commoner, I shall probably have to simply beat you with a stick since you are not worthy of it.

He seemed ready to explode, like he was not accustomed to be talked to like this... It was fortunate that you were here, if the commoners want to be respected and are accustomed to it they can begin to believe in their own self importance and lack respect. It was maybe the case of these guelphs, they needed to be properly disciplined. Unfortunately they were queen's sergeants and you could not beat them. The nervous guelph, not hearing your words, decided to continue moving his hands and speak in a foreign tongue that you failed to recognize. But... After his speech he seemed to be lost, he told more or less the same words a second time, moving his hands still so you told him.

-I will not understand your peasant dialect more than the first time, now go fetch your leader before I beat you to do it.

The guelph paled, just like his comrade. He tried to unsheathe his sword but he saw that you and your men were more numerous. And they fled inside. You hoped that they would come back but you waited and waited, and only saw a quite pretty blonde guelph lady trying to say the same thing in this language and moving her hands from a window. They must be really thick... Before you could do anything she closed her window and you stayed here.
You tried to knock on the door of the tower but they threw some used water on your head, that you fortunately dodged, and you understood that they did not want to help. A strange kind this guelph sergeants... Heh.

>>5635827

Fortunately you found the rest of your men who came back with information, fortunately one of them had something. Five hours earlier a cloaked woman who had an elvish silhouette had passed the southern gate of the town and continued on foot on the southern road. With a bit of luck you could catch her but none of your men have seen her before, of a dark Guelph... Of course you could describe a very beautiful and quite tall woman with black hair and pointed ears but maybe there is more of them. On the other side the bandit, if he was truthful, awaited you at the north and would not meet other people. You thanked Godefroi about the informations and he told you.

-Yes, they all seemed afraid of those black Guelphs !

It made you think.

-It is the same here, those guelphs have become insolent and arrogant. I can only say one thing.

The old knight asked.

-And what would it be ?

-We must not make a cult of those guelphs !

You now had to decide where to ride.

>Ride towards the north, to try to catch Bob Denarius.
>Ride towards the south to try to catch the Guelph lady Amather of Principle.
>Send some of your men on the other way with a knight (choose him) to try to catch the other one.
>Other (write in)

By the way you loose 3 piety for resisting 3 times to a binding spell.

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 4
XP : 460+30 = 490 (next level at 700)

Stats

Combat : 51%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 36%

Piety : 48-3 = 45
Mudcore : 49

With 49 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. You have chosen Blood of Mud and so your mudcore field will become a bit bigger and stronger but could be transmitted to your children.
Next level at 50, your field will become more important.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.
->Basic Literacy : Your lessons with Oldfossil and Lady Takable finally paid off and you can read and write, even if you write with errors and move your lips still when you read it is a great leap forward.

Traits :
Leader : Your magnetism on the masses is glorious and your learning of speech could encourage many men to follow you. You may choose the best of 3 rolls when you try to speak in public to convince an audience, be it the Council of Many or angry peasants.

>>5635829
>Ride towards the north, to try to catch Bob Denarius
>Send some of your men on the other way with a knight (the fat priest, for he is good with women) to try to catch the dark guelph
Say we have a job for her. It's very nearly true, and anyway, it's fine to lie to common criminals, even beautiful ones.

>>5635829
>>Ride towards the north, to try to catch Bob Denarius

I'll be honest, I really would rather recruit him than turn him in. Perhaps we could link up with him and then run down the harlot.

>>5635829
>>Ride towards the north, to try to catch Bob Denarius.

>>5635827
>You wondered if his ears will rise according to his mood
Queck, kwek even.
>>5635829
>Ride towards the south to try to catch the Guelph lady Amather of Principle.
It's only a matter of time before she escapes!
>resisting 3 times to a binding spell
Enemy sorcerors? Here?! WHERE ARE THEY. On a meta level this makes me want to cut down those deceitful, knife-eared subhumans for trying their particularly nasty tricks in the light of day like that and with no shame. Lowly narcissistic scum, the lot of them. Somehow even the armed vagrants had more respect and honor in their hostile actions against us.

>>5635829
>Ride towards the south to try to catch the Guelph lady Amather of Principle.
>Send some of your men the other way to try to catch Bob Denarius

>>5635829
Supporting >>5636123

It looks like it is a tie between North and South, I will still wait a bit for a tie breaker before writing.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>5636349

Ok so alea jacta est , 1 is the north, 2 is the south.

>>5636515
I see our lord is guided by his loins, hon hon hon.

But in actuality, maybe we can make her convert to Christianity and become a proper chaste woman on threat of imprisonment or death? Maybe, if not a convent for her, these two dangerous felons can be made to perform service in lieu of their sentence? Redemption is always possible in Jesus Christ.

File: Riding happily.jpg (164 KB, 645x900)

164 KB JPG

>>5635936
Wise words, there are no rules in love.

>>5635954
He seems to be a jolly good fellow indeed.

>>5636010

>>5636110
Isse, and yes you will have occasions to break some lances against these knaves.

>>5636123
>>5636334

>>5636752
Wise words, we will see if we catch them.

========

You thought, after all the bandit was waiting you far later in the afternoon, after a hunt, or even tommorow, while you had to leave at the morning. So you had some time to act. Nevertheless you sent some men with Brother Louis, your templar, towards the north. It was time to ride after this guelph, even if she could jump far away you doubted that she will be unable to outrun a horse. So you rode, watching, with your men, only Ancel ran and you saw that India has made him soft, he seemed all winded after running some miles and you told.

-Hahaha, this new land has made you weak my brave Ancel, it is the lack of hunting, do you remember our days of riding and running throughouth Champagne ? Once we will hunt each week as I did before you will be as good as new hah !

He simply tried to say.

-Y... Yes messire...

And continued to breathe heavily. Unfortunately, even if you asked some peasants on the road not many of them had seen a cloaked woman. You frowned and saw that the big road came into a crossroads. She could have gone anywhere... And you knew nothing about her whereabouts. You could still try to press the matter and try to find something but she could have gone in any barn on the road and be hidden here.

You could of course go back and look into the barns, or continue on one of the directions of the crossroads. Or in the fields. You had no means to track her... You feared that she was definitely lost. Maybe if you hadn't taken so much time to leave the castle you would have managed to get to her but now... You damned everything and swore a bit before deciding to.

>Try to go back to the city.
>Try to go back to the city searching every barn or hiding place on your way back.
>Continue on the crossroads to the south.
>Continue on the crossroads to the east
>Continue on the crossroads to the west.
>Other (write)

>>5636760
>>Try to go back to the city searching every barn or hiding place on your way back.
Damn it Ancel, do your job

>>5636760
>Trust in Ancel's tracking ability

>>5636798
>Damn it Ancel, do your job
Indeed! It IS his special skill.

>>5636812
+1

>>5636760
>Trust in Ancel's tracking ability
Remind him it's a scantily clad woman we're after and give him a motivational boot on the arse, there is no time to lose!
>Maybe if you hadn't taken so much time to leave the castle you would have managed to get to her but now.
I blame the city guards for their incompetence.

>>5636760
>Trust in Ancel's tracking ability
Describe her clothing to encourage him

File: Strange woods.jpg (102 KB, 850x478)

102 KB JPG

>>5636798
It is hard, and he probably is, as any frenchman now, protesting against the pension reform instead of working. Serfs deserve to rest and be cared for by their families when they are too old to work for their masters.

>>5636812
>>5636823

>>5636940
This motivation was taken into account. And you are right, as a natural ruler you instinctively understand that 99,9% of the world's problems are caused by incompetent underlings or upjumped commoners. The rest are the work of their bad councils who might misguide our wise king.

>>5637154
Wise move.

I rolled and the roll was good, you are really good lords, trusting your brave Ancel.

=====

You decided to trust Ancel, after all he was your scout and you could track people. You explained him.

-Ancel ! It is your thing, track, smell, find her ! She is a half naked woman and very beautiful, with a firm but voluptuous ass ! I can give you two hours with her before we give her to the count.

He seemed to be interested, as any man would. But he tried, like the commoner that he was, to find excuses instead of acting.

-Messire, I could track people in a forest easily, see where there is traces or broken branches, but on this road there were several dozen travelers. I know that these guelphs leave lighter traces than well fed Frenchmen but messire, there was more than one Guelph here. How can I recognise ours ? It is a road...

Fortunately the brave Godefroi helped you, his experience was always helpful during these moments and he told.

-Monseigneur, if I may suggest a course of action... If the count was wise, at the same time that he closed the gates of the city he would have sent messengers on his lands to tell to stop the fugitive. So it is more than probable that since they were galloping on horses they would have arrived to the first watchtowers or small forts on this plains before her. If she hasn't stolen a horse, if she has of course all is lost... But if they managed to arrive first she would have been stopped there.

You nodded and added.

-Even if she was there first they would have seen a cloaked Guelph lady... Let us split, Bohémond take two men and go to the East, Godefroi take two men and go to the south I shall take the west with Ancel and another lad... Let us go.

Once this was decided you all rode forward, with Ancel running behind and you found some houses. You asked the peasants, some of them half goat men, if they saw a cloaked Guelph but they told that no. You finally managed to get to a small watchtower situated on a hill where three soldiers of the count were eating. When you told them about a cloaked Guelph they told that they saw nothing of the sort. You needed to get back.

>>5637933

You rode like a madman back to the crossroads and finally, with the help of God, you managed to get there at the same time as Godefroid group, they two had came to a fort and saw nothing. So only the eastern path remained. You decided to go there when you saw one of Bohemond's men riding in your direction. He told you.

-We saw a hamlet my lord, and they said that they saw a cloaked elven lady passing by. Then we came to a bridge with a tower, and the soldiers there told that they received orders to stop any dark elf but they saw nothing. It is near a forest and she must have hidden here.

Hah ! Interesting ! It was time for you to send Ancel there. After an hour you managed to find the road and only your scout managed to see.

-Here, someone left the road for the forest... There is a broken branch... And a bit of blood. Someone cut itself lightly here and it is too high to be an animal... And this blood smells weird....

The forest that surrounded the road was dark and seemed to be dangerous... Should you continue on horse or on foot ? On one side being on a horse could give you the advantage of mobility and not mobilise men to guard the horses but on the other side if it came to a fight being on foot would be better in this environment.

>Continue on horse
>Continue on foot

Whatever, you decided to continue, a knight should never falter on his quest and maybe you could finally hunt something. Heh, hunting a half naked Guelph in the woods was exciting in many ways. It was when you saw Ancel stop, he seemed to be disturbed by something. You of course asked.

-What is it ?

-I never saw such trace my lord... It seems to belong to a new kind of beast... It.. is very deep and it's feet, it has two but it doesn't look like that they are feet...

You looked at the traces... They seemed to match the size of a humans feet, or be a bit smaller even and... Kind of round.. strange.. You wondered what to do...

Your scout continued.

-The Guelph lady was there... Maybe two hours ago... We have gained three hours on her... But something followed her... And.. these traces, they are numerous... It is something heavy but it seems to move stealthily...

>>5637934

You remembered the count's words about shadowbeasts but they seemed to, acccording to the trophies that you saw, look like big cats. Here it was not big cats, it was strange. You needed to continue in this strange forest. You wondered if you could cover more ground by spreading but the place seemed... Strange. Very strange, it seemed far darker than when you entered and... No, something was not normal, you were not sure but the light of the sun seemed to become... Green... And you saw small green lights somewhere... Were they fireflies ? You had walked for only half and hour and it seemed strange. Very strange. But you saw no reason not to press forward. You walked through moss, branches and very old elm and oak trees. It was when you heard a kind of childish laughter amongst the woods. You did immediately the sign of the cross and your men assembled near you. Cop, who was far from a coward, began to tell.

-It is cursed my lord ! It is cursed ! These woods do not want humans here... We must go back !

You remembered the count's words about shadowbeasts but they seemed to, acccording to the trophies that you saw, look like big cats. Here it was not big cats, it was strange. You needed to continue in this strange forest. You wondered if you could cover more ground by spreading but the place seemed... Strange. Very strange, it seemed far darker than when you entered and... No, something was not normal, you were not sure but the light of the sun seemed to become... Green... And you saw small green lights somewhere... Were they fireflies ? You had walked for only half and hour and it seemed strange. Very strange. But you saw no reason not to press forward. You walked through moss, branches and very old elm and oak trees. It was when you heard a kind of childish laughter amongst the woods. You did immediately the sign of the cross and your men assembled near you. Cop, who was far from a coward, began to tell.

-It is cursed my lord ! It is cursed ! These woods do not want humans here... We must go back !

Ancel seemed to agree.

-It is like in these Breton legends... There are Feys here ! I can ear them ! It is diabolical !

Godefroi was silent, and looked around him while Brother Louis, taking his cross began to tell "vade retro satana" and other protective charms. You were of course not a man to take breton superstitions seriously but when you heard the laughter a second time the theory that you were attacked by fairies and evil spirits was sounding more than probable. Fortunately the young Bohémond, always eager, laughed with contempt !

-How could we, brave French knight and their retainers flee before some childish laughter ? Would we recoil before some children in a wood no darker than the Ardennes when we have faced true men ? Would Roland have recoiled in fear ? Would have Gauvain and Lancelot ? No good sirs ! We must press forward and deliver this lady of legendary beauty even if she was a criminal.

>>5637937

Of course, the young man talked well, and he wanted to see the half naked Guelph with his own eyes. But even if his words were brave you could understand that there was some worry in them. What to say ?

>We shall press forward brave men, Bohémond is right ! Battle, glory and riches await ! Would some strange trees stop us from our quest ? The count ordered and we will obey ! Ready your spears and axes, we will kill anything that dares to defy us !
>If there are beasts in these woods they would have probably eaten the Guelph, there is nothing to see here.
>Show yourself, creature of the forest ! I am sure that you are too weak to make true Christians afraid so you hide like a coward in these trees.
>We are less than ten men, and I do not know if it will be enough against these Indian beasts. We need to ask for some reinforcements at the watchtower near the bridge.
>Other (write in)

>>5637940
>>We shall press forward brave men, Bohémond is right ! Battle, glory and riches await ! Would some strange trees stop us from our quest ? The count ordered and we will obey ! Ready your spears and axes, we will kill anything that dares to defy us !
I wonder if burning down strange trees is illegal here

>>5637934
>>5637940
>Continue on foot
I think mobility is the most important part in the forest and horse would get in the way. That and stealth.
>We shall press forward brave men, Bohémond is right ! Battle, glory and riches await ! Would some strange trees stop us from our quest ? The count ordered and we will obey ! Ready your spears and axes, we will kill anything that dares to defy us !
*checks piety* God protects even in this strange land where sky seems to have turned into a goblin. Let us go!
>>5637933
>99,9% of the world's problems are caused by incompetent underlings or upjumped commoners.
And it's mostly guelphs, my lord. Despite making up only 15% of the population, guelphs commit 50% of crimes. Must have something to do with low intelligence which we saw at full display when those idiots waved their hands at us, probably thinking it looks threatening. With such primitivity, no wonder they join cults of death, too shortsighted to realize death is bad for them. Come to think of it, maybe there is a way to explain to the one we're chasing what being in this silly cult means and even make her repent for her crimes?

>>5637934
>>Continue on foot

>>5637940
>>We shall press forward brave men, Bohémond is right ! Battle, glory and riches await ! Would some strange trees stop us from our quest ? The count ordered and we will obey ! Ready your spears and axes, we will kill anything that dares to defy us !

>>5637934
>Continue on foot
>Show yourself, creature of the forest ! I am sure that you are too weak to make true Christians afraid so you hide like a coward in these trees.

>>5637940
>Continue on foot
>Show yourself, creature of the forest ! I am sure that you are too weak to make true Christians afraid so you hide like a coward in these trees.

>>5637934
>>Continue on horse
>>5637940
>>Show yourself, creature of the forest ! I am sure that you are too weak to make true Christians afraid so you hide like a coward in these trees.

>>5637940
>Continue on foot

>We shall press forward brave men, Bohémond is right ! Battle, glory and riches await ! Would some strange trees stop us from our quest ? The count ordered and we will obey ! Ready your spears and axes, we will kill anything that dares to defy us !

File: Druids and Brigands.jpg (439 KB, 1920x1080)

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>>5637944
Who cares, we are far away from civilisation, we can tell that the Black Guelph did it all.

>>5637990
Your statistics amaze me, are they the same that shows us the power of the gnomes amongst the bankers and the town criers ? And goblins ? What is it ? I know of Ghibellines (that in India are strangely small and green but Italians were never very tall), the Guelph's ennemies but goblins I never saw them.

>>5638069
>>5638253
>>5638278
>>5638525
>>5638726

You decided to press forward on foot, there was no time for weakness and treachery. You had left two men with your horses so you had only ten with you, counting your knights and Ancel. Rallying them you told.

-We shall press forward brave men, Bohémond is right ! Battle, glory and riches await ! Would some strange trees stop us from our quest ! The count ordered and we will obey ! Ready your spears and axes, we will kill anything that dares to defy us !

And if some remained fearful you advanced right where Ancel showed you. Following these strange round traces and hearing sometimes strange childish laughter you followed the green light. This wood seemed to be as full of pagan magic as the forest of Brocéliande in Britanny but it could not make a knight back down, you were not a celt who saw fairies and strange magic everywhere, you were a knight of Frankish blood and you knew that nothing could stand in front of a man with a good axe who believed in God and prayed him.

There were no paths in the forest and it was strange, it seemed as if it closed on yourself. But it was probably a kind of illusion made by those eerie green lights, and even if it was sorcery you had a duty to put it down. Trying to frighten peasants was easy, they were superstitious and fled like chicken when not in huge numbers but trying to make a knight afraid was futile, a knight must crave danger to triumph against it.

It was when you were thinking this that you fell on a root... Ouch... Maybe a knight must look at his feet too. Your men helped you to rise and when you heard more childish laughter from the trees it was enough.

-Who dares to mock me, scum ? Are you afraid ? Are you cowards ?

It only laughed more and when you pursued the voices you came, finally, into a glade. It was a strange place, completely green and without any fallen leaves like it would be in autumn. You even frowned, it was as if the trees, this deep in the forest, were in an eternal summer. How ? How can it be ? You now understood that there was something not natural here. But what followed was what disturbed you more.

>>5639893

A woman entered the grove, but it was made of wood while it moved like someone normal. It's feet were roots and at the end of it's arms it had wooden claws. You frowned seeing this, you wondered if it was a woman in wooden armour, maybe even the half naked Guelph who had made herself a costume from some bark. But it was less than probable, this woman of the woods was far less gifted in the manner of corsage and ass than her. She looked at you with her wooden face and fixed her eerie green eyes on you, telling.

-Trespassers, strangers, intruders ! How dare you defile this sacred glade with your dirty presence !

Your men, especially those from local, seemed afraid, one of them told.

-A forest spirit... We are already goners... We must implore it's pardon...

Another one, standing at your left, told.

-It is a spirit of the divinities of the earth... Maybe we should offer her someone.

Ancel told.

-It smells weird here messire... We need to flee.

Your blood boiled in your veins ! How dared they ! To fear paganism and a woman dressed in some bark ! What will they do after this, these "soldiers" ? Mmmh ? Flee before a jester on a carnaval's day because he was dressed strangely ? You answered the woman.

-A nobleman can go where it pleases him ! And who are you, forest dweller to dare stop me ? An ogre ? A witch ? A child boiler ?

She answered while your men tapped on your back, twenty other things with wooden armour, some males some females, began to encircle your group. It was strange, none of them had gaps in it's armour, like it was tailored for them, or they were really made of wood. She then told.

-We are dryads and spriggans, guardians of this sacred forest !

You looked at brother Louis and you saw in his eyes that you understood the same thing as you ! Druids and brigands ! Pagans all of them ! You then pointed towards her with your finger and told.

-So you tell me that you are a witch, a pagan druidess and a murderer ! How can someone like you call a glade sacred ?

She watched you and spat back, with venom in her voice.

-You are fools ! It is the glade before the way of the Old Oak where we came from ! Our father the Old Oak channels power for the forces of nature and cleanses this forest of evil !

Ancel approved telling :

-One more proof that witches are made of wood ! As Sire Bedevere said ?

>>5639896

You wondered what drunken knight told him this in a tavern but Brother Louis approved.

-It is the will of God to crush the heathens who worship trees ! Already in Caesar's texts we learned that druids sacrifice humans in their barbaric sabbats ! We must stand strong like the warriors of Charlemagne when they fought the pagan Saxons and burned their world tree ! We must burn the walking trees too ! They are a blasphemy against our Lord ! They are less than three against one and I have sworn to always accept a fight in such conditions monseigneur. We must crush them !

Even if he was brave you saw that your soldiers clutched their axes but were afraid. Surely this "self preservation" that was one more mark of the inferiority of the commoners.

So these druids witches were made of wood.. or looked like it. And worshipped a huge Oak... What to do ? One one side they had wooden armor and weapons that was laughable but on the other side they were numerous...

>Montjoie ! Mort à l'ennemi ! Forward men let us cut down these walking piles of firewood ! (Combat roll)
>Tell authoritatively "I only want to see the black Guelph criminal that we were after, you can stay in your glade but bring it to us if you do not want to finish in my chimney" (Rulership roll)
>The... Great Apple tree of Myard calls us on a quest to bring a criminal to justice... And even Count Careless supports him. So will you tell us where we can see a cloaked black Guelph lady ? (intrigue roll)
>Try to retreat.
>Other (write in)

And sorry for my lateness to reply good sirs but the birthday of a friend called me to carouse and drink and that tends to reflect on the speed of updates.

>>5639898
>Montjoie ! Mort à l'ennemi ! Forward men let us cut down these walking piles of firewood ! (Combat roll)
>Use a torch if we have one
kek at firewood We can't let this naturist sorcery go unpunished. Who knows what sort of debauched rituals these tree-loving freaks perform here at night!
>>5639893
>even if it was sorcery you had a duty to put it down
Based. On the God, the King and his vassals.
>>5639896
>witches are made of wood
Makes sense that paganism would produce something this nonsensical. Next time we're gonna hear the earth is shaped like banana and they intend to peel it!

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>5639898
>>Tell authoritatively "I only want to see the black Guelph criminal that we were after, you can stay in your glade but bring it to us if you do not want to finish in my chimney" (Rulership roll)

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>5639898
>>Tell authoritatively "I only want to see the black Guelph criminal that we were after, you can stay in your glade but bring it to us if you do not want to finish in my chimney" (Rulership roll)
We're only after the black Guelph not these tree huggers

>>5639898
>Tell authoritatively "I only want to see the black Guelph criminal that we were after, you can stay in your glade but bring it to us if you do not want to finish in my chimney" (Rulership roll)
Promises made to demonic spirits or the silly commoners who worship them are worthless and need not be kept. We're on a mission, though. e can burn them after we catch our wanted woman.

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>5639898
>>Montjoie ! Mort à l'ennemi ! Forward men let us cut down these walking piles of firewood ! (Combat roll)

>>5639898
>>Tell authoritatively "I only want to see the black Guelph criminal that we were after, you can stay in your glade but bring it to us if you do not want to finish in my chimney" (Rulership roll)

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>5639898
Rolling for my >>5639939 vote.

File: Bright Future.jpg (445 KB, 1300x1130)

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>>5639939
Well said, you are a "preux" as we say. And yes, it is drunken ramblings, they will tell that witches weight as much as a duck after all of this...

>>5640215

>>5640342
Yes but they are strange so they should be killed on principle.

>>5640372
Well said, promises given to serfs are worth nothing, even in the far away XXIst century any powerful man knows this.

>>5640409
>>5640482
>>5640514

Your rolls won ! Well played !

====

You decided to avoid conflict, you were not sure of your men and did not knew if they would be able to beat the druids and brigands in a pitched battle. Frowning you ordered the lady made of firewood.

-I only want to see the black Guelph criminal that we were after, you can stay in your glade but bring it to us if you do not want to finish in my chimney !

It seemed to make the witch angry but, grudgingly, she answered.

-You... You insolent mortal ! The servant of evil is with us and she will be sacrificed to the Great Oak but even if you are uneducated and a barbarian I understand that your motive was pure... Go back and we will take care of her. Do not dare to face our wrath !

So they had captured the Guelph ! Hah ! To kill her ! What was that ? Bandits bringing justice instead of the count ? Some would argue that in both cases she would be dead but still..

>The bandit will be brought to the count, druids and brigands have no rights of high and low justice, only a feudal lord has right of life and death on his lands ! Let us pass or you will be put to the sword... Or the axe.... Or even the campfire !
>Well, your punishment seems reasonable, let us retreat, men, let us retreat.
>Why should I trust a wood witch ? What tells me that you will execute this lady, or that you even have her here ! Maybe she is a good friend of yours and is hiding here !
>Other (write in)

>>5640577
>Why should I trust a wood witch ? What tells me that you will execute this lady, or that you even have her here ! Maybe she is a good friend of yours and is hiding here !
>Besides, only a feudal lord has right of life and death on his lands !
>And I am on a quest! I am given to understand that, even in India, you people understand the importance of a quest given by one's liege lord? I must bring her back as evidence of my honor!

>>5640582
+1
We must decide her fate with the count other wise we lose face.

>>5640577
>The bandit will be brought to the count, druids and brigands have no rights of high and low justice, only a feudal lord has right of life and death on his lands ! Let us pass or you will be put to the sword... Or the axe.... Or even the campfire !
Imagine claiming to be a lord and trying to reason with >fire logs<.

>>5640577
>The bandit will be brought to the count, druids and brigands have no rights of high and low justice, only a feudal lord has right of life and death on his lands ! Let us pass or you will be put to the sword... Or the axe.... Or even the campfire !
>Why should I trust a wood witch ? What tells me that you will execute this lady, or that you even have her here ! Maybe she is a good friend of yours and is hiding here !
>Besides, only a feudal lord has right of life and death on his lands !
>And I am on a quest! I am given to understand that, even in India, you people understand the importance of a quest given by one's liege lord? I must bring her back as evidence of my honor!

>>5640577
>>The bandit will be brought to the count, druids and brigands have no rights of high and low justice, only a feudal lord has right of life and death on his lands ! Let us pass or you will be put to the sword... Or the axe.... Or even the campfire !

>>5640577
>The bandit will be brought to the count, druids and brigands have no rights of high and low justice, only a feudal lord has right of life and death on his lands ! Let us pass or you will be put to the sword... Or the axe.... Or even the campfire !
>Why should I trust a wood witch ? What tells me that you will execute this lady, or that you even have her here ! Maybe she is a good friend of yours and is hiding here !

>>5640582
>>5640661

>>5640687
Well said good sir, well said.

>>5640721
>>5640920
>>5641183

You decided to not be intimidated by a bunch of walking, talking firelogs, and you explained them clearly.

-The bandit will be brought to the count, druids and brigands have no rights of high and low justice, only a feudal lord has right of life and death on his lands ! Let us pass or you will be put to the sword... Or the axe.... Or even the campfire !

It seemed to scandalise the wooden witches but you added.

-And I am on a quest! I am given to understand that, even in India, you people understand the importance of a quest given by one's liege lord? I must bring her back as evidence of my honor !

The tree seemed to be unhappy, pointing you with a wooden claw and saying.

-A quest ! Liar ! You are no knight errant who wanders alone and you are no band of adventurers ! You are a Local Lord and it's retenue ! We do not follow the laws of local lord.

You sighed, well she has decided to put an end to her existence.

-Then do not complain when I chop your wooden head and transform it into a chopping block.

You readied your axe while the forest witch cried.

-Then die ! Kill these mortals in the name of the Great Oak !

Brother Louis, who had enough, screamed :

-GOD WILLS IT ! Do not suffer the witch to live ! Smite the pagans ! In the name of God smite them !

And thus the battle began, you decided to charge the main wooden witch while her forces attacked you by the sides but a wall of vines and roots seemed to pop from the ground before all of you, higher than all of your men, you were soon encircled and you understood that you will be crushed ! What was this satanry ! Your men screamed in fear or prayed their weak pagan gods. Only those who were converted did the sign of the cross but they never saw such sorcery... You saw vines animated by the priests of Monsanto that you had vainquished but this... it was very powerful... You called for the help of the Lord and of Saint Hubert, protector of the woodsmen, hunters and lumberjacks. And... And the Lord manifested itself, like a miracle the vines fell back upon your enemies, not harming any of you, and you fell on the unexpecting witches. Brother Louis screamed, raising his sword :

-See ! See the Might of the Lord ! He allowed these vines to fall before us like the giant Goliath before David ! Forward ! Death to the ennemy !

File: Saint Hubert seeing the c(...).jpg (34 KB, 250x368)

34 KB JPG

>>5641701

You hit the first witch with your axe splitting one of it's wooden horns and hitting the bark... You wondered if it would be like hitting wood but... But it was stranger, if their exterior was made of bark inside they seemed to have green skin and green blood. So you knew how they could be killed. You struck a new great blow and your axe split the brigand's head in two while it's claws hit your shield without any effect. It fell on the ground, your axe full of green blood. You proclaimed :

-Hit hard Frenchmen ! We are in our good right and these félons are wrong !

But the knaves were numerous and you soon found that your men were surrounded behind their shields, you cut with a powerful blow of your axe, the claws of one of the witches and she could do nothing but try to club you with her wooden forearm, a pathetic attempt to defend herself against an axe, but even with the better equipment of your men you had still many problems. Your not armored Ancel was lightly wounded and your partially armoured guards often had bruises and cuts, these wooden claws and "clubs" could be dangerous. And if your men at arms and Bohémond managed to kill many enemies with their axes (you had given an axe to each men after all you didn't regret it) the poor Godefroi and Brother Louis struggled with their mace and sword while Ancel and his cutlass were absolutely useless.
You needed to find a solution, unfortunately all your torches were with the horses.

>Maintain the shieldwall and let the ennemy wear themselves on it.
>Try to kill their commander to scatter them
>Order your men to hit the claws of the druids and brigands, without them they are powerless.
>Order your men to go for the heads of your enemies, they shall die quicker.
>Other (write in)

And roll for combat of course, 1d100 please

>>5641704
>Try to kill their commander to scatter them
>Order your men to hit the claws of the druids and brigands, without them they are powerless.

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>5641704
Ah, tabernac, I forgot my roll!

>>5641704
>Try to kill their commander to scatter them
>Order your men to hit the claws of the druids and brigands, without them they are powerless.

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>5641767
>>5641704
I also forgot my roll, it's something in the water.

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>5641704
>>Try to kill their commander to scatter them
>>Order your men to hit the claws of the druids and brigands, without them they are powerless.

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>5641704
>>Try to kill their commander to scatter them

>>5641704
>Try to kill their commander to scatter them
>Order your men to hit the claws of the druids and brigands, without them they are powerless.
Merely agreeing to what our grand tacticians have determined to be the most optimal way of battlefield deforestation. Fighting and thinking like one will lead us to victory!
>>5641701
>GOD WILLS IT ! Do not suffer the witch to live ! Smite the pagans ! In the name of God smite them !
I love this holy man. His battle cries are so loud and profound that even the exclamation marks seem to run awy in fear.

File: The Great Oak.jpg (57 KB, 680x356)

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>>5641760
>>5641762
>>5641767
>>5641770

I understand, excellent rolls by the way.

>>5641775
>>5641846

>>5642072
Of course, you are wise tacticians like Gaucher de Châtillon. And yes, having a Templar with us is a blessing.

===========

You struck a blow to the first enemy, he tried to protect himself with it's wooden arm. He then scratched you with his wooden claws but your chainmail protected you completely, they were powerless against you. You remembered then a battle that your father told you about, the accursed germans had the upper hand because of their better armor until one of the frenchmen told the men to hit them under the armpit where there was a gap, and it was a slaughter. Here you saw a weakness and screamed.

-Those without axes, hit the claws ! The claws ! They are easy to cut with swords.

And it was done, still screaming prayers and extracts from the holy scripture the templar Louis struck true, cutting the claws of his opponents that snapped before his sword. Godefroi dropped his mace and unsheathed his sword and did the same, the rest hit with axes, only Ancel fell back to the center of the formation. You pushed your ennemy with your shield and then got him between the eyes with your axe that became full of glowing green blood. You let loose a mighty battlecry.

-Montjoie ! Passavant li meillor !

It was the old "cri d'armes" of the bannermen of Champagne, they rallied to their counts under this cry, it meant "Let the best enemy come before me" it was a challenge, a challenge to the enemy leader, but she was a coward, what else to expect from a tree log who took the form of a woman ? No, druids and brigands had no honor, you will have to get her first. You struck at the neck of an ennemy, piercing her bark and covering your axe with more green blood and you finally saw the witch that talked to you before you. But before you could do anything a druit without claws tried to rush you and tackle you with his heavy weight. Fortunately a knight was always trained in wrestling and when he gripped you (and it was hard to do without his claws that served as fingers) you had no trouble redirecting his strength and making him fall, even if when you tried to trip him you probably got a bruise on your leg, tripping something half made of wood was harder than with men. The claws of the main druid hit you but your chainmail and gambeson protected you and she screamed.

-Barbarian, vermin, profanator ! All the forest will turn against you !

Your answer was radical.

-Forests do not think, they cannot turn against someone, and one day this place will be domesticated, changed into fields where baptized children will play and help their parents work for their feudal lord ! And at the place of your oak where you commit sacrifices we will build a church ! Hah !

>>5642648

She tried to grab your head but you hit her hand, your axe piercing the bark and spilling it after one blow, and when she screamed in pain you hit her neck, once, twice, thrice and when she was dead you continued hitting until she was beheaded ! It was strange, you had beheaded men and they had bones and veins in their necks, not her, she had only some green substance looking like what you would see by cutting down a plank, it was maybe even made of wood, but the wood of a very young tree that just emerged from the soil. Something very green. While you held her head over your head you saw her companions despair and be pursued by your men who felled many of them ! Your own losses were minimal, your men were all bruised and battered but nobody was lost, only the voice of Brother Louis who had screamed too much and now could not say anything. Sad. So when he fell silently in prayer, kissing his sword, you did the same but spoke the most loudly, directing them instead of him. You then decided to give a speech.

But before you could speak you saw that even your pagan men were impressed. One of them, Fodder, told you.

-My lord... They... They were envoys of the Gods of Nature... They were invincible and we killed them ! It was impossible to even imagine. These forests my lord, they were forbidden to men, and all those who entered died.. and we... We won !

Hah, nobody could stand before the wrath of the Lord ! You answered to him, and to all of them, raising the cut head of the druid high in the air.

-The world is changing. Who now has the strenght to stand against the armies of the Lord and of your feudal lord ? To stand against the might of the church and the nobility. The union of the two orders. Together, my dear man, they shall rule all of India.

You then turned towards your men and continued.

-The old world will burn in the fires of industry ! The forests will fall ! A new order arise. We will drive the machine of war with the axe and the spear and the iron fist of our levies ! We will only have to remove those who are against us, too long those druids have stood against the Lord, but no more. Forward men, we still have a huge pagan oak to burn !

>>5642652

The look in the eyes of your men, even if their faces were often bruised or scratched told you everything that you needed to know, they were ready to fight for you, and to die for you. You advanced, deciding to show your piety by destroying the old Oak where some of the druidic survivors fled. And after five minutes you came in front of it, a huge oak near a glade, bigger than any tree around, an oak with a face carved on it that sat near a kind of cavern. When you approached, wanting to hit him with a first blow with your axe you recoiled... Because he opened his eyes. And what appeared to be a carved face seemed to be a true face. You did the sign of the cross before this unnatural thing and all your men began to retreat, only your knights staying here. Of course, they would be afraid of the angry god of the forest. You hoped that at least he did not move... Because if fighting men sized tree druids was easy this huge three could probably just crush all of you under it's weight. You hesitated, but before you could tell something the Great Oak looked at you and spoke, his voice was powerful as a tempest moving all the branches and leaves of a forest with incredible noise. But he spoke very slowly with a gap between each word and what he told was complete nonsense.

-If you are under 25 and own a chessboard this game is a must have.

You were more than taken aback, you awaited threats... You decided to ask the wise mystical tree.

-What ?

-Checkers, you should try it.

-I am sorry ?

-What age are you ?

-I am 27 but why is it important, and besides I have not came here to talk to trees !

-27 is too old... But it is sad, why have you come here ?

-I came here to free the Black Guelph that some of your druids have captured, she is a criminal that must be brought before our good Count Careless. And to punish the arrogant Great Oak who dares to call himself a God.

-I called myself a God ? Oh... Interesting... I do not remember this.

-Your druids called you a god. I heard them, do not try to play tricks with me, I am not dumb as a log.

Your answer using the old french expression "con comme une bûche" seemed to make the Oak chuckle. He had a disturbing laughter.

-Interesting, they did not tell me exactly this, they told me that I was blessing this forest and that I was a child of the gods of nature. And that was why this forest was sacred and they must sacrifice the trespassers here. I always found it strange... But well, if it brings meaning in their life they can try I guess.

>>5642653

You understood what he wanted to do, try to confuse you with tricks. You advanced and pointed at him with your axe.

-So you do not deny to pretend that you are divine ! Only the Lord is divine, and His Son.

-The Lord ? Only divine ? Are you one of those who serve a ruler with delusions of godhood like this B'beg the Terrible, we had some of his cultists in the last millenia, this dark elf that you talk about, she was screaming too, threats, menaces and telling that B'beg will burn this forest. A pretty unpleasant woman, very nasty.

-No, I talk about God, not a king, the king's are his lieutenant's on earth. But stop tricking me ! You told that you are divine, you will be cut down for this.

-I never told that, people told that for me. They told that I was born of the gods, but who knows what I was born from ?

-Huh ? So you deny that you are divine ?

-I am a tree. I am probably born from a seed, but who planted it ? Or was it brought here ? I do not know, do you remember the day of your birth ? Or your early years ?

-No. Of course not, I was a baby.

-Just like me, when I was a sapling I had no consciousness, it came only after a millenium... With the face and all. According to what these dryads and spriggans said to me. And most of them were only one or two centuries old, they live two or three hundred years, I learned it, so they told only what those that were before them saw, not any of them saw me being planted by a god, or not. But they believed in it, I do not deny it.

You were at a loss. This tree had maybe tricked you, but maybe he told the truth and what it said made sense. What to do ? You looked at your men and they seemed at a loss. Chopping down trees was not bad, but when they were speaking it seemed to be strange. Your brave crusade seemed to be compromised. Maybe you should talk to it instead.

>Ask the tree "Why did you let some people be sacrificed here ? Could you not have spoken against such paganism ?"
>Ask the tree "And so, what do we do now ?"
>Ask the tree "Do you know if there are riches nearby ? Maybe the druids and brigands looted those that they sacrificed ?
>Ask the tree "And you did not believe that you were a god ?"
>Ask the tree "It is the first time that I meet a tree that talks."
>Ask the tree "Do you accept our Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and proclaim the faith of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and submit to the authority of our pope Boniface VIII ?"
>Ask the tree "What is checkers ?"
>Pray for a sign, maybe the Lord will give you an advice.
>Ask Brother Louis for an advice.
>Go free the Guelph, let the tree here.
>Other (write in)

>>5642655

By the way you gain 2 Mudcore and 7 piety for your heroic victory against Druids and Brigands and conversion of some of your men. You gain 20 xp too for this flawless triumph.

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 4
XP : 490+20 = 510 (next level at 700)

Stats

Combat : 51%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 36%

Piety : 45+7 = 52
Mudcore : 49+2 = 51

With 51 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. You have chosen Blood of Mud and so your mudcore field will become a bit bigger and stronger but could be transmitted to your children.
Magic, even restorative, will become considerably weaker near you.
Next level at 60, your field will become more important and most magic will be impossible to cast near you by the weaker practitioners.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.
->Basic Literacy : Your lessons with Oldfossil and Lady Takable finally paid off and you can read and write, even if you write with errors and move your lips still when you read it is a great leap forward.

Traits :
Leader : Your magnetism on the masses is glorious and your learning of speech could encourage many men to follow you. You may choose the best of 3 rolls when you try to speak in public to convince an audience, be it the Council of Many or angry peasants.

>>5642655
>>Ask the tree "It is the first time that I meet a tree that talks."
>>Ask the tree "What is checkers ?"
>>Go free the Guelph, let the tree here.
>Ask the tree "Do you accept our Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and proclaim the faith of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and submit to the authority of our pope Boniface VIII ?"

I mean, seems like a reasonable enough tree, and since he does not claim divinity it is reasonable to assume he is one of gods creations.

>>5642655
>Ask the tree "Do you accept our Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and proclaim the faith of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and submit to the authority of our pope Boniface VIII ?"
If he accepts, eh is a Christian with a soul, and can live. If not, burn him down on the way out as a pagan idol. Either way...
>Get the Guelph before we go

>>5642780
+1
Tis a plain talking tree I guess. Maybe we could Make it into a Sacred tree if he accepts god. Or if not, we could cut it down and see if it continues to talk and we could affix it somewhere to give advice.

>>5642655
>Keep the head druid's(?) head to present to the Count.
>Ask the tree "What is checkers ?"
>Pray for a sign, maybe the Lord will give you an advice.
>Ask the tree "Do you accept our Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and proclaim the faith of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and submit to the authority of our pope Boniface VIII ?"
Maybe the tree was planted by god but misled by those insane dendrophiles? He sounds chill, maybe he won't mind a church next to him.
>Go free the Guelph, let the tree here.
Let's see the state of her clothes after she's been handled by those sappy weirdos.
>>5642648
I now have the completely inaccurate mental image of de Villeroi tripping that heavy-ass fucking treant and throwing him over the shoulder in front of the wood witch and it's fucking epic.
>>5642652
Not sure how brutalizing a woman will shape our hero, but I can say is that it's not domestic violence if it's outdoors and she's asking for it.

>>5642655
>Ask the tree "Do you know if there are riches nearby ? Maybe the druids and brigands looted those that they sacrificed ?
>Ask the tree "Do you accept our Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and proclaim the faith of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and submit to the authority of our pope Boniface VIII ?"
>Ask the tree "What is checkers ?"
>Go free the Guelph, let the tree here.

>>5643056
A woman? What woman? This was a witch-demon in the form of a topiary. Real women are made of flesh and blood, born of Eve who was in turn made from Adam's rib. This creature didn't even HAVE ribs, or any other bones to speak of!

File: Chapel in an Oak in Allou(...).jpg (1.16 MB, 1536x2048)

1.16 MB JPG

>>5642780
Everything is God's creation. But some of them try to reject him.

>>5642938
Of course, if he is baptised he is our brother, even if he is the strangest one.

>>5643016
It is a good idea.

>>5643056
Well the Guelph did not wear a lot of clothing already... And about the martial prowess of Charles I must say that he has an art of throwing himself into danger against anything, be it mages, druids and brigands or even a turtle and triumph by sheer willpower and love of brutality. This is the mark of a great knight.
About women I agree with >>5643388 these witches were like the hags, more animal than human, would you not kill a wolf or a bear in a hunt because it is female ? It is not the same thing as a woman. A woman has soft skin, an entrancing perfume and even a peasant woman has a backside that is soft to the touch when grabbed in a tavern. Here it is a green plant surronded by bark, it must be killed.

>>5643089

Before all of the rest you decided to ask the tree.

-What is checkers ? You talked about that.

-Checkers is a strategy game played on a chessboard with small round pawns that you move, a druid in contact with nature told me one day to recommend checkers to everyone, in exchange for books, I love reading books, his brother owns a workshop at Pleasantville that produces chessboards and checker pieces. By the way the pieces move diagonally and...

-Your game sounds like the Fierges that we play in France.

-Oh, you have another name for this... very interesting, buy a chessboard at Publicitas's workshop once you will be in Pleasantville.

You nodded, but you were not here to talk about a game of fierges. You were here to talk about important questions like the salvation of the soul of this tree. But did trees have souls ? Animals and humans had souls of course, it was why we judged them but trees ? No, they did not talk... But this one talked, he must have a soul to animate him, you were not a scholar or an expert about the human or animal body but it must have a soul somewhere to be able to talk no ? You decided to save him by asking in a solemn voice.

-Do you accept our Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and proclaim the faith of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. And do you submit to the authority of our pope Boniface VIII ?

The tree let up one of his wooden eyebrows. And explained.

-Well, it seems you speak common and your words make sense for you but I understand half of it, I suppose that Jesus Christ is a kind of ruler, and the Catholic, what does it means and Apostolic, another term that I hear for the first time, Church is a kind of religious organisation, but what is a Pope ?

Ah, yes, of course, he was a pagan, a true pagan that had never heard of the holy scriptures. You tried to explain to him.

-Jesus Christ is God.

-Ah, so he is a god, he is a god of what ?

>>5643469

You had to explain, of course you were a pious man but you were illiterate and you needed a clergyman, but with Brother Louis's broken voice only you could do the missionary work.

-Of everything, there is only one God, he is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit at the same time. It is complicated.... But he sent his son, Jesus Christ who died on the cross to save our souls.

The tree took his time to answer.

-It is very nice of him I suppose. And what was the problem with our souls ?

-Sin, we all sin, even a tree can sin, but His sacrifice brought us redemption. And the Catholic Church means that it is universal, it is the only Church, all those who reject it are heretics and they will burn for eternity in the fires of hell...

You saw that the tree seemed to look fearful at the mention of eternal fires. Good, you continued.

-And apostolic means that it was founded by the apostles, well one of them Peter, a pupil, a student of the Christ who was the first Bishop of Rome the city were there are popes, who rule the church. The current Pope is Boniface VIII.

The tree seemed to think and told.

-So you tell me that I have to recognise that your God, who seems to be a very good deity because it gave it's sons life for us, is the only true one and that your religious leaders are the only ones to be obeyed if I do not want to burn in fire for eternity.

You happily answered.

-Exactly, you nailed it !

The tree answered quicklier.

-Well, I mean, it is very interesting. I was just thinking that all my life I have been told to accept gods that wanted human sacrifices to protect nature by well armed fanatics. But now I am told to accept a new god by even better armed fanatics. Since you are obviously, as your victory shows, the better armed and the most fanatical group of the two I will happily agree with you. I accept indeed your, well now, our, Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and the pope and apostolic thing too.

He seemed to be satisfied and you were too, his soul was saved, it was a great day, you still did not knew how to baptise a tree though, you could not move him into a river or a church. But you needed a priest for this and Father François was not here. You simply told.

-Excellent, we will maybe build a church nearby once this place will be secured, but first we need to get the black guelph criminal.

-Good luck with this, the prisoners are habitually kept in a wooden cage in the cavern on the right.

>>5643473

You nodded after the answer of the tree and ordered your men towards the place. It was a quite huge but not very deep natural cavern with a water source. You saw that some fleeing druids and brigands had already tried to flee there but your men caught them and exterminated them quickly, good, they were clearly devilish flora and should be dealt with. You ordered two men to burn their remains, just in case while you began to look for the Black Guelph Amather of Principle. She was there, in a cage, and clearly unhappy. When she saw you she seemed really taken aback and proclaimed loudly.

-Lord Charles ? You ? Here ? And I thought that I would be killed by those disgusting dryads... Release me would you ?

Before you could answer you saw that all your men, even the Templar knight who had taken a chastity vow look at her. She was as beautiful as ever and as always lightly dressed even if she had some scratches and bruises probably due to her capture. Her almost hypnotic eyes were fixated into you and only a small bit of cloth contained her voluptuous cleavage. You felt Ancel tug on your sleeve and you turned towards him, irritated.

-Messire, you promised me two hours with her if I tracked her and...

Now you had to answer to Ancel and the Guelph.

>Let Ancel take his due.
>Let the men share their due, as in a city taken by storm.
>The lady shall not be molested.
>Other (write in)

>We finally found you, you barbaric criminal, you will follow us towards the count's court ! You shall be judged for your crimes !
>I am sorry that we have to see each other again in such circumstances but now that I learned that you were in league with the terrible B'beg I cannot set you free. You need to be judged by count Careless.
>I learned that you work for B'beg, do you know another Guelph, a blond man, that is called Abovyurlevel ?
>You really thought that trying to hide amongst druids and brigands, who betrayed you, could save you from the wrath of Count Careless ?
>You are free to go my lady, I will tell that you were dead and buried when we found you.
>Other (write in)

Before the end of your conversation one of your men told you that there was a kind of strange chest made of bark in the cavern.

>>5643475

By the way you gain 1 piety for converting the tree, he maybe weights more than a man but his soul is not more important.

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 4
XP : 510 (next level at 700)

Stats

Combat : 51%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 36%

Piety : 52+1 = 53
Mudcore : 51

With 51 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. You have chosen Blood of Mud and so your mudcore field will become a bit bigger and stronger but could be transmitted to your children.
Magic, even restorative, will become considerably weaker near you.
Next level at 60, your field will become more important and most magic will be impossible to cast near you by the weaker practitioners.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.
->Basic Literacy : Your lessons with Oldfossil and Lady Takable finally paid off and you can read and write, even if you write with errors and move your lips still when you read it is a great leap forward.

Traits :
Leader : Your magnetism on the masses is glorious and your learning of speech could encourage many men to follow you. You may choose the best of 3 rolls when you try to speak in public to convince an audience, be it the Council of Many or angry peasants.

>>5643475
>Let Ancel take his due.
I would suggest we taking her, but we might get her pregnant, and she might escape, and We are promised to the Lady, so eh.

>I learned that you work for B'beg, do you know another Guelph, a blond man, that is called Abovyurlevel ?
>I am sorry that we have to see each other again in such circumstances but now that I learned that you were in league with the terrible B'beg I cannot set you free. You need to be judged by count Careless.

>>5643516
Support

>>5643475
>Take the guelph, then let ancel have his due
If I learned anything from this intriguing story it's that we can fuck this guelph into the ground and be find both legally and morally.
>I am sorry that we have to see each other again in such circumstances but now that I learned that you were in league with the terrible B'beg I cannot set you free. You need to be judged by count Careless.
And I'd love we say this when the brigand is finished, forgive my cruel sense of humor, I will see myself out to a CHURCH.
>>5643388
Fair point, you are wise my lord.

>>5643475
>I am sorry that we have to see each other again in such circumstances but now that I learned that you were in league with the terrible B'beg I cannot set you free. You need to be judged by count Careless.
>However, if you were to accept the Lord Jesus Christ, I could perhaps be persuaded to recommend clemency in my... Service
>And such service, hon hon hon (seduction, take OUR due)

If she refuses...
>Let the men share their due, as in a city taken by storm
>Knock her out and drag her back to Count Careless

>>5643475
>Take our due
>Let the men share their due, as in a city taken by storm.
Hon hon hon hon hon

>I am sorry that we have to see each other again in such circumstances but now that I learned that you were in league with the terrible B'beg I cannot set you free. You need to be judged by count Careless.
>I learned that you work for B'beg, do you know another Guelph, a blond man, that is called Abovyurlevel ?

>>5644036
Supporting

>>5643516
>>5643537
You are virtuous knights.

>>5643984
You are terrifying good sir, but your choice was by far the most amusing.

>>5644036
>>5644077
>>5644369
The rape ~~train~~ caravan has no brakes.

I am writing. I began to write but the last choice changed the majority and forced me to rewrite everything !

>>5644382
My apologies troubling you good messire

File: Pillaging is good.jpg (69 KB, 512x351)

69 KB JPG

>>5643516
>>5643537
>>5643984
>>5644036
>>5644077
>>5644369

>>5644418
No problem at all good sir.

====

You looked at the imprisoned Guelph lady and told with a smile.

-I am sorry that we have to see each other again in such circumstances but now that I learned that you were in league with the terrible B'beg I cannot set you free. You need to be judged by count Careless.

She spat back from her cage.

-Hah, this fat fool ? He will fall like all the weakling rulers of this world when B'beg will burn it !

You raised an eyebrow at this lack of respect and told.

-Since you work for B'beg do you know another Guelph, a blond man, that is called Abovyurlevel ?

-Abovyurlevel is a powerful servant of my lord... But why should I answer you, ephemeral. Release me now or my master will make you all crawl and beg for mercy.

You had heard enough from her "master" and answered.

-Well, then it is sad for you that he is not here. And he will not help you, Christ has given you freedom, thank Him and accept Him, and thank me to, personnaly or face punishment.

You used your most wicked smile at this moment, hoping to seduce the beautiful guelph but unlike the kind eyes of the merchant's daughter her eyes stayed cold and looked at you like at an insect.

-You pathetic mayfly, why should I be interested in a virgin boy ?

-I am not...

-You are at least ten times younger than me and know nothing. You got lucky, I tell you one last time, release me or face the wrath of my master.

You smiled at this insolence and told simply.

-Well, take her boys, you have two hours, let Ancel have the best time, I gave him.

Ancel thanked you a lot and tried to kiss your hand in gratitude, you joked telling him that it is the guelph that he should be kissing and you left towards the entrance of the cave to let them do their deed. Of course Bohémond was in love and did not want to take part in the rape, Brother Louis was a monk-soldier, and Godefroi told that he was "too old for this". You decided to share some beer instead, looking at how the peasantry was dealing with the girl. You never liked rapes, generally the girls jumped at you but here, she was probably mad.
Two lads took her by the arms from her cage, despite her resistance and brought here outside. But before they could do anything she bite the hand of one, Fed if your memory was good, and kicked the other one in the kneecap before freeing herself. It made you laugh and the brave Bohémond told.

-She is feisty...

You answered while she somersaulted and landed on the top of her old cage. She was really moving frighteningly fast. Ancel tried to mount on the cage but she kicked him in the face and he fell on the floor, grunting.

-Indeed, she was quite terrifying when I escape these sorcerer's guild...

>>5644428

Before you could tell something more she jumped from her cage, fell on your brave Cop, made him fall and she punched him before rolling off him and to run. But Fodder grabbed her. He almost managed to overpower her and turn her towards the rest of the group who was rising for a second time but she headbutted him and managed to escape, fortunately he still stayed and tried to block the way towards you. Bohémond remarked.

-Oh, come on ! There are five of them and she is only a lass.

You agreed while she kicked the nearest one between the legs and grabbed his dagger.

-No, seriously, they will not need our help to overpower a lady.

Godefroi remarked.

-They are peasants monseigneur, what did you expected.

She dodged under the punch of one of them and gutted him with the dagger, fortunately he had his chainmail, it was his first error and Fed grabbed her hair and put her down, he punched her and she felt pain but she slashed at him, fortunately not to deep and he recoiled. She probably had some experience in battle, probably during her very long life. You told Godefroi in indignation.

-But you trained those peasants !

Your knight answered while Ancel who had came behind her managed to grab her hand that held her dagger and twist her arm but she scratched at his eyes and kicked him where it hurt.

-A peasant with two months of good training will remain a peasant with two months of training monseigneur, there is a reason why we don't count the losses of the infantry in battles.

He passed you his beer flask and you could only see how she somersaulted over Cannon and tried to run towards the exit when Cop, who finally had the good idea to use the handle of his spear, hit her in the back and made her fall. Then his son jumped on him and you remarked that guelphs, even female ones were weaker than men. While you were drinking and beginning to watch how they tore off the little clothes that she had the brave brother Louis, always thinking about your soul, whispered in his broken voice.

-Let us go good sirs, do not fill your heads with such lustful images. There is loot to share.

Well, you already saw a lot of mass rapes when a city was sacked, even if your disapproved of such activities for your part. The exotic part when she was beating up your five men was finished and you decided to see the chest that your men had indicated.

>>5644430

Your knights opened it and you saw that there was a small fortune inside ! Gold coins, a lot of them, after counting them you saw that there was 707 of them ! Great !
There were ten precious gemstones to, some seemed to not be worth a lot but be enough to feed a peasant each day, others seemed to be more precious. You felt generous and decided to give a gemstone to each man, and one that looked more precious to each knight. You took the last one and... And it changed itself into mud, by the Lord ! You remembered, it was a magical crystal like the Guelph Merchant's daughter gave you, it transformed into mud when you touched it.

You then washed your hands in the small source that was in the cavern, and saw that your men and the Guelph seemed to have come to an understanding, and then you decided to look at the rest with your men. There was a golden locket with a portrait inside, a silk handkerchief, two strange vials full of liquids, you learned that it could be sold for a good price, and a parchment in a language that you did not recognize, but you knew that it was precious. There was a scaled mail shirt too and a very beautiful hunting crossbow who seemed to be made of ivory, clearly the weapon of a nobleman.

You came back and saw that your men were continuing their job, the guelph seemed to have enough energy for them all. You imagined that if she was in a heretical witch cult that practiced sabbaths for hundred of years she must have a tremendous experience in matters of love, it was maybe why you were called a virgin boy... Yes compared to this... Your cheeks reddened and you decided to drink outside while the peasantry had their fun. You had your lovely Lady Rose and it was enough, or you could go to the brothel this afternoon with Bohémond, it would satisfy your urges. Since you were outside you heard the tree ask.

-Is all well down there ?

-Yes, yes...

You then talked about theology with the tree and your knights while your men finished to have their fun. After an hour and half, seeing that it would be late, you ordered them to pack their things up, and knock the guelph out.

>Go back to Pleasantville and go to the count
>Try to go directly to the North East by another road to catch Bob Denarius by a shortcut
>Go back to Pleasantville and continue towards the North East to catch Bob Denarius
>Other (write in)

>>5644431

You gain 3 mudcore for this mass rape.

Your new stats :

Charles de Villeroi

Class : Local Lord
Level : 4
XP : 510 (next level at 700)

Stats

Combat : 51%
Intrigue : 25%
Rulership: 36%

Piety : 53
Mudcore : 51+3 = 54

With 54 Mudcore you have a bigger field of gritty realism around you, in this field the most heavy magic will not work and supernatural abilities will not work, oh, and women will lose 4 pounds of strength of course, plus in the field the people that obey you will act more like they would be in a dark fantasy setting. You have chosen Blood of Mud and so your mudcore field will become a bit bigger and stronger but could be transmitted to your children.
Magic, even restorative, will become considerably weaker near you.
Next level at 60, your field will become more important and most magic will be impossible to cast near you by the weaker practitioners.

Talents
-Cavalry Commander : +20 to martial when you have to lead a cavalry charge or a cavalry attack. Works only when commanding shock or melee cavalry mounted on horses.
-Foreign Etiquette : You focus on learning Indian etiquette with Oldfossil, you gain a +10 bonus in intrigue in your interactions with the nobility of your duchy.
->Basic Literacy : Your lessons with Oldfossil and Lady Takable finally paid off and you can read and write, even if you write with errors and move your lips still when you read it is a great leap forward.

Traits :
Leader : Your magnetism on the masses is glorious and your learning of speech could encourage many men to follow you. You may choose the best of 3 rolls when you try to speak in public to convince an audience, be it the Council of Many or angry peasants.

>>5644431
>Go back to Pleasantville and continue towards the North East to catch Bob Denarius
Drop off the Guelph along the way.

A shame she did not convert, but so it goes. At least our men know we are generous.

>>5644431
>>Go back to Pleasantville and continue towards the North East to catch Bob Denarius

>>5644431
>>Try to go directly to the North East by another road to catch Bob Denarius by a shortcut

>>5644431
>>Go back to Pleasantville and continue towards the North East to catch Bob Denarius

>>5644431
>>Go back to Pleasantville and continue towards the North East to catch Bob Denarius

>>5644431
>Try to go directly to the North East by another road to catch Bob Denarius by a shortcut
I am wondering if he'll try to ambush us. Wouldn't be surprised if a bandit leader who's obsessed with combat tried to stress test the one he deems "master of warfare".
>You imagined that if she was in a heretical witch cult that practiced sabbaths for hundred of years she must have a tremendous experience in matters of love, it was maybe why you were called a virgin boy... Yes compared to this... Your cheeks reddened and you decided to drink outside while the peasantry had their fun.
I knew it. By the end it wasn't even a rape! Quite frankly it looked like she was the one doing the rape. We missed out on a lot of fun.

>>5644431
>>Go back to Pleasantville and go to the count
we should drop her off before we do anything else

File: Small Inn.png (166 KB, 650x542)

166 KB PNG

>>5644435
She is fanaticised into paganism by a cult. It happens.

>>5644439
>>5644473
>>5644479
>>5644820

>>5644899
It is indeed a possibility. And yes, the morality of these Guelphs make me fear that our men will suffer from smallpox after this.

>>5645010
Of course.

====

You decided to ride back towards the city and drop the Guelph on the way. You rode fast and there were only one and half hour until the sunset when you came back in Pleasantville, once you gave the Guelph criminal was given to the count's men at arms you learned that Count Careless was visiting one of his hunting lodges in the afternoon and decided to sleep there to hunt tomorrow. You then decided to ride to the north east to catch Bob Denarius.

Your men were joking about the Guelph who seemed to be able and even willing to take five men in one night to the two other men who were watching your horses during your forested expedition. They talked about their triumph over the druids and brigands too and the rest seemed impressed. You knew that you had two soldiers at two hours from the city where Bob Denarius must be waiting.

It was already night when you came there, in a small inn by the road situated in a hamlet near the river Queste. You decided to enter and the innkeeper, a buxom middle aged woman, quickly gave you wine and beer for the men.
You found your two men there, Swat amongst them, they were quite drunk and you let Cop discipline them, after all what better than a father to beat up his son when he misbehaved.

You saw that there were two quite beautiful serving girls at the inn and thought about asking the innkeeper to have one, or two warm your bed. You could spend a bit of your well earned money, plundered on the bodies of pagans. One of the girls seemed to have slightly pointed ears, but less than a Guelph, and was blonde and very gracious in her movements the other one had brown hair, dove like eyes and seemed to have a more voluptuous cleavage.

>Take the blonde
>Take the brunette
>Take both.
>Do not take any of them, you have better to do.

>>5645142

You decided to ask some questions about Denarius, was he even here. When asking it to the innkeeper she told.

-Yes, yes, a young man with brown hair and built like an ox, we saw him, he sat there near your two men and drank, he waited for three hours before leaving.

You nodded and thanked her kindly. Of course the two idiots had lost him... Well it was hard to blame them they never saw him before but when they told that they asked questions about Bob Denarius to the people of the inn and the hamlet you understood that he must have overheard them, understood that he risked to be arrested and fled. And both of them did not recognise him. One more proof, if you needed one, that commoners not supervised by a nobleman had the organisational skill of headless chicken.

You only had to ask where did he fled, since the Innkeeper saw him leave the room but not the hamlet. You hesitated on what to do next, running after him at night would not be useful but knowing the general direction where he went would be good.

>Send your men to ask questions to the hamlet's peasants and drink with your knights.
>Send your men and your knights to ask questions to the hamlet's peasants while you spend agreeable moments in your chambers with a lady.
>Go interrogate the peasants yourself.
>Other (write in)

>>5645142
>Take both.
We've earned it. We were even very good and did not rape an elf, despite being adjacent to the river of /tg/ and this being local tradition with captives of such heritage.

>>5645145
>Send your men and your knights to ask questions to the hamlet's peasants while you spend agreeable moments in your chambers with a lady.

>>5645142
>>Take both.

>>5645145
>>Send your men and your knights to ask questions to the hamlet's peasants while you spend agreeable moments in your chambers with a lady.

>>5645142
>Take both.

>>5645145
>Send your men to ask questions to the hamlet's peasants and drink with your knights.

>>5645142
>Take the blonde
I've seen this story play out once, although it was redheaded and black-haired witches. The ending was rather disappointing and without magic.
>>5645145
>Send your men to ask questions to the hamlet's peasants and drink with your knights.
>>5645289
It was not by goodness, it was by foolishness.

>>5645142
>Take both.
>>5645145
>Send your men and your knights to ask questions to the hamlet's peasants while you spend agreeable moments in your chambers with a lady.

Some part of me thinks that our lady will learn of this somehow.

>>5645289
Support

>>5645142
>>Do not take any of them, you have better to do.

For shame anons, for shame.

>>5645145
>>Go interrogate the peasants yourself.

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>>5645289
Of course, but we are very chivalric, not a soudard (and I do not want problems because this is a blue board).

>>5645485
>>5645588

>>5645789
I shall not comment on it.

>>5645790
And ? How could she blame you ? You are a healthy man.

>>5645803

>>5646036
We found the clergyman amongst us.

====

You decided to take both girls and the Innkeeper agreed, watching your gold coins greedily. You ordered your knight to :

-Search all the village messires, ask questions about this Bob Denarius, then go back here and rest, we will continue our good deeds tomorrow.

Then you mounted in your chambers and profited from a warrior's rest. The two ladies were already naked and giggling when you undid your swordbelt. Both were young and had the naughty smiles and healthy bodies that you liked amongst commoner girls when you passed by them. They helped you undo your chainmail and the brunette with dove like eyes told.

-My lord... You must be so tired. I will massage you.

It was true, you were trained to wear chainmail all day long but it was never pleasant. The lady came behind you and helped you undo it, mounting on the bed and kissing some sensitive parts of your neck from behind. You removed your chainmail and your gambeson quickly, these two ladies knowing their work clearly better than at a provincial brothel. Of course they were not as skilled as the prostitutes near the Saint Nicolas des Champs cemetery at Paris but it was a good beginning. The brunette helped you remove your clothing and stroked your hair while the blonde with slightly pointed ears and deep, green eyes that made you think about the lights that you saw in the forest explained.

-You are far more appealing than our usual customers my lord, you are so strong...

If they were fat merchants it was true. And if you were not the strongest man that existed you were in good condition. You answered kindly while she caressed your chest with her thin hand.

-Some would say that you flatter me, but saying that it isn't true would be dishonest. But the female beauty that fills this room is enough to content painters and artists.

They blushed, and it was true, the blonde with small round breasts, a delicate neck, and her deep green eyes was stunning. You began to take her to the bed but both the girls told.

-No, no, no, no, no, my lord, your pleasure first.

You were about to protest when the blonde unbuttoned your pants and put her mouth to good use and the brunette continued to massage your sore shoulders. Definitely, it was a worthy rest. And a far more pleasant experience than taking by force a mad Guelph who would try to scratch your face and bite you. No, you were happy and understood why you were not a clergyman but a knight, even if you saw some holy men roll up their cassocks not only to hit people with warmaces.

>>5646564

After pleasant activities that common decency forbids your narrator to describe you took the blonde, then the brunette and you sent one of the girls to fill you a cup of wine when you saw a man enter through the half open window. You quickly jumped towards your sword, that, unlike your axe that served during the day and your other sword that served during this lovely evening, was clean and ready. But man told you with a voice that you recognised.

-No need to attack me, master of warfare !

-Bob ? You here ?

-Yes, yes, I was hiding and waiting for you to finish with the girls, I gave you a bit more time since I overheard that you took two of them.

You told him in a quite blunt tone.

-But... Did you hear...

-Yes, that you wanted to capture me and send me to Count Careless ? Yes I heard this, and I find it sad, but seriously, what could I do ? Return to Bomburia where I was a brigand ? All my friends there are dead. Better to go in a blaze of glory. And I do not think that you are perfidious enough to arrest me before we have a conversation.

You raised your eyebrows, it was very honourable from a brigand but, well, why not. You kindly slapped the voluptuous behind of the brunette who was coming back and ordered her to serve you two cups of wine. And you asked Denarius.

-So you want to get captured ?

He shook his head.

-No, dear master of warfare, I do not want it of course, I simply want to talk and not have you tracking me. Or at least find an arrangement.

You nodded, and decided to ask this man.

>Tell me, good sir, tell me, why were you arrested and in a jail here if you commited crimes in another kingdom
>How did you manage to escape my men ? And escape those that the count had sent at your pursuit ?
>Tell me about your brigands life ?
>What kind of arrangement do you want ?
>Why are you such an enemy of the Mage's Guild ?
>The Mage's Guild told me that you burned villages and cities, and the count agreed, you will not tell me that you are innocent or some other nonsense ?
>What about a game of fierges, or checkers as they call them in India.
>Other (write in)

>>5646567
>Tell me, good sir, tell me, why were you arrested and in a jail here if you commited crimes in another kingdom
>Tell me about your brigands life ?
>What kind of arrangement do you want ?
>Why are you such an enemy of the Mage's Guild ?
>The Mage's Guild told me that you burned villages and cities, and the count agreed, you will not tell me that you are innocent or some other nonsense ?

>>5646567
>Tell me, good sir, tell me, why were you arrested and in a jail here if you commited crimes in another kingdom
>How did you manage to escape my men ? And escape those that the count had sent at your pursuit ?
>What kind of arrangement do you want ?
>Why are you such an enemy of the Mage's Guild ?
>The Mage's Guild told me that you burned villages and cities, and the count agreed, you will not tell me that you are innocent or some other nonsense ?

>>5646567
>Tell me, good sir, tell me, why were you arrested and in a jail here if you commited crimes in another kingdom
>The Mage's Guild told me that you burned villages and cities, and the count agreed, you will not tell me that you are innocent or some other nonsense ?
>Why are you such an enemy of the Mage's Guild ?
If he makes a compelling argument...
>What about a game of fierges, or checkers as they call them in India.
>Convert to Christianity and you may find clemency
If we can convert a tree, we can convert this whole land and BECOME Prester John!

>>5646567

Supporting >>5646757

>>5646567
>Tell me, good sir, tell me, why were you arrested and in a jail here if you commited crimes in another kingdom
>The Mage's Guild told me that you burned villages and cities, and the count agreed, you will not tell me that you are innocent or some other nonsense ?
>Why are you such an enemy of the Mage's Guild ?
Let us see.

>>5646567
>>5646757
+1

>>5646757
I'll support that. Our religion being the source of our power should be a compelling argument in converting him.

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>>5646622
>>5646720

>>5646757
Wise move, your choice was taken. I have stopped at the argument though to give you a choice.

>>5646972
>>5647045
>>5647134
>>5647259

You decided to begin with a simple question, and told.

-Tell me good sir, tell me, why were you arrested and jailed here if you commited crimes in another kingdom ?

The young man lifted his finger as a prophet would do and passed his other hand on his short hair. He explained you in an enthusiastic tone.

-Well, because the extant of my crimes, dear master of warfare, made the Mage's Guild so angry at me that they requested an imperial arrest warrant against myself and the right to capture me and use me as a test subject. They were very very angry.

You frowned at him.

-The extent of your crimes ? Tell me what was that dear Bob.

-I was, how to say it, a simple bard or musician before I began my career of high banditry, even if my objective was no mere plunder, I wanted to create a war, a war worthy of songs, how could musicians sing about battle without seeing it ? It is nonsense, a war was good for everyone, imagine, knights in Bomburia, like here, never saw war in their lives, nobles lived lives of pleasure without battle becoming no better than burghers, women, not fearing to be raped and killed by armed men on the road behaved without respect to their husbands and protectors and children and young men became old dreaming about battles without any occasion to prove themselves. No my lord, a country without war is no country at all, we cannot be soft, we must always be in forever wars as the brave sir Jon Makkain said.

You ignored who was this Jon Makkain but he seemed to have common sense. Without wars to make the chivalry live, there were not many interesting things to do for warriors and boredom was dangerous. But then, he has not declared war on the Mage's Guild ? And why would the Mage's Guild would be against war... Well they were burghers and burghers hated wars for their petty deals, and shortsighted commercial reasons but they could not hate him more than the king of the country that he waged war upon ? Isn't it ? His answer made you ask more questions and you told him quickly.

-The Mage's Guild told me that you burned villages and cities, and the count agreed, you will not tell me that you are innocent or some other nonsense ? Tell me more about your bandit life ?

The young man seemed to be pleased and he laughed a bit.

-I joined the banditry when I saw bandits passing by my town and I was buying my meat at the butcher. An old friend of mine told that they needed a bard in the group and I agreed. I climbed the ranks until I began to lead a small group. But all our band was called "the awful ones", we did only small things before my leader died killed in a skirmish by adventurers and I decided to see bigger. We raided vilages, caravans and merchants, we kept some people for ransoms, it was glorious.

>>5648472

You smiled at this and asked.

-The "awful ones" really ?

-Yes, the awful ones... You know there were some funny kind of men amongst us. With their swords on the right hip, on the left hip, behind their backs, doing demonstrations of swordplay and swinging them. Some had even long hair... Really stupid dresses, no military discipline... Those were really awful ones.

When he saw that you had quite long hair too he added.

-I... I was not talking about you master of warfare.

-Of course, I hope that you do not compare me to common bandits, but tell me everything. Were you like them ?

-No, I was always in an old legionary uniform, even if I never served, we took it in a supply caravan that we looted, well dressed and I washed. It is very important. Always short hair, I was not a friend of fantasies.

You nodded, at least he knew discipline, he was like the count Louis d'Évreux, the youngest brother of the king. Or Gaucher de Châtillon, your constable of Champagne that was a very serious soldier that always insisted to keep the camp clean and the men ready. So you told.

-And it was those lootings that made you an enemy of all the empire ?

He the looked at the ground and shook his head, then looking at you seriously and telling.

-I have been accused by the Empire, I have had a bounty put on my head by the Empire for genocide, but I think that what I did was absolutely normal. I liquidated a village ! But this village pissed us off, he killed all the guys who passed ! So one day I had my ass full of it ! I took the group, we split in two, I closed off the woods with some horsemen and I came from the road and began to fuck everything up ! The houses, the people ! We liquidated everything !

He then, remembering gleefully the facts, clapped his hands on his thighs and told.

-And damn, the Empire flinched ! Hah !

You did not know what the word "genocide" meant but hearing him you understood that it seemed to be some small scale banditry directed at the peasants of a land. No big deal... So why did the Empire was so furious ? Maybe he was minimising what he did. You asked.

-And how may victims there were ?

-Heh ?

-How many victims, dead people, in the village ?

He answered quite happily.

-Ah I do not know my lord, we never managed to count them all, but I can guarantee you that at least eight tenths of the village population died there ! Because when they fled by the forest, I had my lads in the forest who waited them... Ah yes, there was a beautiful slaughter !

>>5648474

It made you smile, a chevauchée, with it's murders, rapes and lootings was always an interesting and relaxing part of a good war. It made people richer and distracted you between the battles. And Denarius was funny, thinking he was some kind of Caesar or Charlemagne because he had the idea to send men to surround the enemy, the art of war in India must not be very developed. Seeing you smile he thought that you judged him severely and tried to defend himself.

-I think we were at war with the authorities, those villagers fired arrows, bolts and lightning bolts, they killed all the guys who passed by. So fuck, it could not continue !

He then marked a pause and told.

-Oh no I have not any regret you see, they pissed me enough those fucking Bofurian, those Agnatakians, the Blue Genies...

You nodded at him and asked after this.

-Well, tell me good sir then. Why are you such an enemy of the Mage's Guild, they never appeared in your story ! And why this village ?

-Why ? Because, it is the funniest part of our story, master of warfare. You see, this village was entirely populated by Blue Genies, the most numerous of Genies...

-The people with blue skin ?

-Yes, but even if they were the most numerous they are rare, there is maybe one thousand of them in a kingdom. And we killed more than two thirds of them in Bomburia. But the village when we killed them, Lovanium on Agnatak, and those genies, they have huge magical abilities but they have one that is important. They are made partly of magic and they shit concentrated magicka. Well, their shit must be treated for it, but it is a great source of Magicka when you do not have a fountain of magic in your kingdom, you could of course harvest magicka in some plants of course but it is costlier. Some alchemical procedures are needed for this. And concentrated magicka is needed for mana potions, the main option to recover mana quickly for a mage.
Of course the Mage's Guild has a quasi monopoly on the utilisation of mana potions. And to have the quantities of it that they need they need cheap ingredients... So they try to deal with some lords... But in the case of Lovanium it was even better, the lands were given to a Mage who saved the King's Daughter from a dragon, he obtained the monopoly on the culture of main magical plants and invited all the blue genies of the lands here. When we burned down all their crops and I killed them the prices of ingredients for Mana Potions went up by 300% in Bomburia, 75% in Bofuria and 60% in Bifuria. The guild lost hundreds of thousands of gold coins.

The fact that the wizards literally drank shit, even if you failed to understand all the words of his tirade, made you smile. God existed and he mocked His enemies.

>>5648477

It made you laugh, a small skirmish transformed Bob Denarius into a Public enemy. He continued.

-They sent a lot of men after me my lord, the Bomburian royal army, Imperial legionaries, adventurers, mages... So... I decided to attack the town of Fatcow, to go away in a huge battle, in a blaze of glory that will be sung by everyone. To give a battle to inspire the bards, and tell them about the greatness of war !

It was, an honourable end for a bandit, but now you had to decide, should you let him leave or bring him back to the Count to be executed by mages and criminals. Of course, to offer him pardon he would need to convert to Christianity but did he deserve it ?

>He has not sinned any more than some knights who had to make chevauchées into ennemy lands, and he killed heathens, it is no big deal. He can be offered conversion.
>Denarius has killed too much, and rebelled against our right and proper feudal society. He deserves to be punished by the Count.
>Other (write in)

>>5648479
>>He has not sinned any more than some knights who had to make chevauchées into ennemy lands, and he killed heathens, it is no big deal. He can be offered conversion.
pffffft Genocide? Nah, just a fellow who wishes to make a name of himself.
Let us have him and we gain us a great friend and man who knows these lands.

>>5648479
>>He has not sinned any more than some knights who had to make chevauchées into ennemy lands, and he killed heathens, it is no big deal. He can be offered conversion.

>>5648479
>He has not sinned any more than some knights who had to make chevauchées into ennemy lands, and he killed heathens, it is no big deal. He can be offered conversion.
The Count obviously gets final say, but we can at least save his soul and put in a good word for him.

>>5648479
>>He has not sinned any more than some knights who had to make chevauchées into ennemy lands, and he killed heathens, it is no big deal. He can be offered conversion.

>>5648479
>Denarius has killed too much, and rebelled against our right and proper feudal society. He deserves to be punished by the Count.

File: Call of Clermont.jpg (132 KB, 800x531)

132 KB JPG

>>5648525
Based Renaud de Châtillon/La Hire enjoyer.

>>5648532

>>5648560
True, it is true, I shall add it as an option.

>>5648577
>>5649031

=====

Having heard the man you told him.

-This Genocide, you had emperors named like this and yet they call this a crime... Shame.. I think that you did nothing wrong, apart disobeying your noblemen of course but burning the village of a trickster and street magician who received "nobility" is not attacking the nobility, it is attacking knaves and burghers who receive titles by injustice. In general, any burgher who receives a title, even for fighting a dragon, is suspicious. I do not even think that he fought the dragon like Saint Georges, I think that he bought the daughter off by conjuring gold like the sneaky wizard he his to pay the ransom for the fair maiden, it was a moneylender and a speculator just like all this Mage's Guild.

The man seemed gleeful hearing your words until you told him.

-But...

Now his face was somber when you continued.

-The count still wants you so to save your soul and have a chance of clemency I suggest you to reny your pagan gods and pray our One True Lord Jesus Christ and accept his authority, and the authority of our Church and our Pope Boniface VIII. What do you think about it ?

The man looked at you, a bit dumbfounded.

-I... I mean you were religious, I understood that but... Really... Clemency if I change religion... Where is the trick ? You want to sell my soul... No... You look too honourable for this master of warfare... Or is it a kind of game ? Yes maybe we are all pawns of superior beings in a great game... No... I...

-There is no trick Bob Denarius, convert, or be punished according to the law.

The man then answered.

-Well, if you do not even ask money or something I would gladly join your Church. How is the god called ? Jesu Kriest ? Is it a god of war ?

-He is the Only God, god of everything. And it is Jesus Christ, he died on the cross for us... But Brother Louis, a great monk-knight, shall explain you all better than me.

He seemed happy, answering joyfully.

-Hah ! A religion with warriors monks, a paladin order cannot be bad ! Do you wage holy wars too ?

Your answer was quick.

-The crusades... Yes... Unfortunately it has been more than thirty years that we have not done something as great in Europe for the glory of Christ...

And, as the new converts are always the more zealous the young, even not baptised man, told.

-Do not worry, Crusade seems to be a good name for a war, if you need men to correct this delay of inaction I could enthusiastically compose songs and kill people to sell the idea to the masses.

>>5649105

You disliked the idea to sell it to the masses, you remembered the children crusades and it was not very successfull but the man, once he was told that he could be more than a common killer but someone who fights for the faith seemed to be in high spirits. Still, he had a bounty on it's head... You needed to think what to do with him ?

>Bring him back to the count, he will probably be executed.
>Bring him back to the count but tell him a story how to escape or give him help to escape.
>Let him leave and tell that you did not manage to catch him.
>Keep him here, return to Pleasantville to say that he disappeared and then come back for him and bring him back to Local with you.
>Other (write in)

>>5649106
>Bring him back to Count Careless, but discuss with the count the usefulness of this man in warfare and in opposing the hated (by Careless at least) Guelphs if he can fake the execution and smuggle him out to us to be our agent
Please, liege lord, can I keept his bandit? I will feed him, and walk him, and clean up after him, and I'll be really good!

>>5649106
>>Bring him back to the count but tell him a story how to escape or give him help to escape.

>>5649106
>>Keep him here, return to Pleasantville to say that he disappeared and then come back for him and bring him back to Local with you.

>>5646564
>Bring him back to Count Careless, but discuss with the count the usefulness of this man in warfare and in opposing the hated Guelphs if he can fake the execution and smuggle him out to us to be our agent