>>5789162

The spring had finally won.

The warm spring sun bathed Alterac and Dawnholme with its bright light. Water dripped from the roofs, snow melted and the snowman population of Dawnholme suddenly grew to hundreds as children were all let loose.

There was even one snowman guarding your home after Malevus had politely asked permission to build one there.

Though for you after Lady Jandice left for Southshore, the few days since were a return back to normalcy. The usual paperwork and governance, homework given by Lady Nalice and then the evening magic studies filled your days. Your step was light and for the first time in a long time you felt at ease. Was it because of the pair of nights spent with Jandice or because you had on purpose pushed Calia and her letter aside in your mind? You didn't want to think about it on the eve of your birthday.

Yeah today was your 19th birthday and you didn't really care about it that much. It felt like everyone else cared more about this day than you did, so you decided to just play along.

Now though you stood outside your home with the training longsword held in your right hand. It was early morning and the morning sun rose up slowly, giving more light every passing moment. The plan Malevus and others had was clear as day to see. While the two of you sparred, Tari and Maura would prepare the cake and all. And yes, you had spoiled the fun for yourself as you had sneaked into the kitchen yesterday evening and noticed all the ingredients waiting to be baked into a cake.

"Prince Alric, I won't hold back today. I promised to myself that come spring I would have one win over you." Malevus said to you as she lowered the visor of her shoddy training helmet.

"Then the time is running out for you." You said back and taunted her. She seemed rather serious about wanting to beat you.

Malevus took a typical ready stance for a footman as she placed her shield well ahead of her body and hid the sword behind it. It looked solid.

"Here I come Prince Alric! Happy Birthday!" She shouted at you and advanced rapidly.


>Fight with ease, you are rather sure that you can beat her without that much effort just like you have done previously.
>If she wants to fight seriously, so should you as well. Time has run out for her, finish the fight as soon as possible.
>Taunt her, play with her, fight with flourish and show her that the gap between you and her still exists.
>Other, write in.

QM: Thread 24! As always if you have any questions or comments about the Quest, characters, events or the QM, please go ahead and ask them. I will try to answer them as best as I can.

>>5789166
>Fight with ease, you are rather sure that you can beat her without that much effort just like you have done previously.
Not as much to underestimate her or lose on purpose, but rather to give her a benchmark. We can get more serious if she surpasses it.

>>5789166
>Fight with ease, you are rather sure that you can beat her without that much effort just like you have done previously.
The real birthday present is a happy Malevus

>>5789166
>If she wants to fight seriously, so should you as well. Time has run out for her, finish the fight as soon as possible.

>>5789166
>>Fight with ease, you are rather sure that you can beat her without that much effort just like you have done previously.
Time to beat Malevus
The time of the townhall is near..... more space for Alric activities! Though it does have a certain price.
But I believe it might be necessary, lots of new people incoming too.

>>5789166
>Fight with ease, you are rather sure that you can beat her without that much effort just like you have done previously.
Malevus is made for rough consensual sparring! We can take it bit easier first and if she can hang then we can take this more seriously.

Also nice new thread! Hey Medivh when can we expect the Underbelly and Stonemason migrants?

>>5789166
>Fight with ease, you are rather sure that you can beat her without that much effort just like you have done previously.

>>5789854

Soon! Migrants from Underbelly arrive when the snow has melted enough for them to travel.

And taking it easy with Malevus is the winner.


>3d10, Best of three
>DC 10, Crit 17

Rolled 5, 5, 6 = 16 (3d10)

>>5789903

Rolled 4, 5, 7 = 16 (3d10)

>>5789903

Rolled 4, 3, 1 = 8 (3d10)

>>5789903

>>5789903

Eligius's Magic stat is 3 huh? I think its time he start putting more of theories to the test as far as his own magic power is concerned. Though maybe as a Warlock reliant on Void and Shadow for power the Magic stat of 3 is a tad deceptive. Cool that he learned fear though.

Some sneaky ways to carry around a magic focus, I believe I had already said a wand that doubles as a pen when everyone discussed a present for Nalice. A scroll roller. A scribe carrying around a ledger book, but the incantations written inside were made with invisible ink, pair it with some ordinary looking spectacles. Or invisible ink tattoos, I remember Illidan's fel marking tattoos being a gift from Sargeras in War of the Ancients that helped him channel. A bullseye lamp or some such would be pretty funny and perhaps appropriate for Coven of Dawn, an object people associate with creating light being used for shadow magic. Not that weird to need to carry around something for light when you might have to be reading or looking for scrolls in the dark. A dark iron pocket watch with a little shadowgem hidden inside as something a favored scribe might have. A fancy paperweight statue or seal.

>16, Success


Malevus opened with slashes that you didn't have any difficulties at blocking or redirecting. Between each slash she quickly brought her sword behind the shield to fool your eyes, but she couldn't fool your reflexes.

A stab from her got close, but again you expertly parried it and the riposte slid past her guard and tapped her on her helmet.

You took a couple steps back and allowed her to collect herself, before it was your time to attack.

Swinging the longsword with one hand, you forced Malevus to defend herself. Series of stabs aimed at her abdomen from you made Malevus drop her shield too low and with a feint you fooled her one more time as your swing turned into a stab and her helmet rang again.

"Stop playing with me Prince Alric." Malevus said to you and was annoyed how easily you controlled the fight.

"I am not playing with you, I am just taking this easy." You said back to her.

She took this as a slight as she pressed harder this time, forcing you to use both of your hands to control your longsword.

Yet she couldn't get through your defence and time after time you blocked, parried, dodged and weaved past her swings, until one rather solid swing from her gave you an opening to deliver a strong downward strike on her pauldron.

With a clang the wooden sword hit the steel and then to your and her surprise, with a crack the sword split in half and suddenly you had lost the first half of the blade. The wooden blade had gotten enough from all the training and now was the time it decided to call it a day.

Oh shit was the only thing you could think of as the splinters and pieces of wood flew in the air. This loss of your concentration wouldn't have happened if you had taken this seriously and it was exactly what Malevus needed to take advantage of.

Before you could react, she dropped her shield and grabbed your arms and just like you had done to her multiple times, she spun around and used her body as a leverage, pulling your arms hard. With her scream, your feet left the ground and before you had any chance to react, you flew over her and landed back first in the snow with a thud.

Immediately she floated over and sat on your chest, placing her training sword just inches from your throat.

"I won Prince Alric." She said and you could see her smile through the gaps and holes in her helmet.

Won my ass. She hasn't won yet.


>3d10, Best of four
>DC 12, 16, Crit 20

Rolled 4, 10, 4 = 18 (3d10)

>>5790443

Rolled 5, 8, 6 = 19 (3d10)

>>5790443
Atta girl
Don't get careless though

Rolled 10, 1, 2 = 13 (3d10)

>>5790443
Wrassle in the snow with Malevus time

Rolled 7, 2, 6 = 15 (3d10)

>>5790443

>19, Success


"Well done Malevus, quick thinking." You said to her.

"Thank you Pri…" She started to say, but you rudely interrupted her.

She had left your arms free so you brought them up and grabbed hers. With a quick twist of your hip and push with your arms, you rolled over and found the situation reversed.

Malevus didn't struggle immediately, but as she realised that you were pushing down the training sword closer and closer to her throat, she started to fight back. You were serious about what you were doing.

She tried to push back, but you were both stronger and heavier than her and on top of her. The wooden blade came closer and closer to her throat as she tried to kick around and keep the blade away, until finally she felt the wood on her bare throat.

"You are dead." You said to her and let go of the pressure. Malevus reactively gasped for air.

You pushed yourself up with her sword in your hand.

"You made a mistake, after you had thrown me on the snow, you should have finished me. But you didn't and now you are dead." You told her. "We take it a bit easier during sparring, padded clothing, wooden swords. It hurts when you get hit, but you don't die."

As you still stood on top of her and looked down, Malevus took off her helmet.

"In a real battle or a fight, your opponents are always trying to kill you. They will play dirty, they will cheat, they won't lay down or halt their blades. Mistakes like that will cost lives." You told her. "Do you understand that?"

"I-I do… they play dirty…" She said to you as she tried to prop herself up. "And then you die."

"Correct, let me help yo…" You started to say and offered your hand to her. Though she hadn't let go of her desire to win because suddenly you keeled over in pain.

"Oh Light… my balls…" You succeeded in saying between deep breaths.

Malevus had kicked you in the balls as you had stood on top of her. It was quite painful, but at least she had taken the advice of playing dirty by heart.

"You redheaded sauna crazed vixen…" You muttered to yourself as you started to push yourself up.

She was doing the same. If you could get up faster, you could probably deal with her once and for all. Nearly on your feet, Malevus too was nearly ready to continue this. Now though without a wooden training weapon in your hand, how will you take her down?


>Charge and tackle her into the snow.
>Grab and throw her into the nearby pile of snow.
>Hold her down and get her to submit and give up.
>Other, write in.

>>5790658
>Charge and tackle her into the snow.
Use your fists Alric! The family jewels being hit means all bets are off.

>>5790663
+1
AVENGE OUR CHILDREN!

>>5790658
>Hold her down and go for the elf ears
She ditched the helmet, her ears are defenseless

>>5790658
Ouch. Well, at least she's going to be a practical kind of paladin. Stuff the bloody de Fantailler and all that. I kind of want to see her surprise someone with that move in a fight now.

>Charge and tackle her into the snow.
well our mass advantage should count for something

>>5790658
>>Charge and tackle her into the snow.

>>5790658
>Charge and tackle her into the snow.
the nuts will be avenged

>>5790658
>Charge and tackle her into the snow.
Wash her face with snow and tickle her ears! Elfs are super weak to that! My study material has taught me that.

Tackling her into the snow it is.


>3d10, Best of three
>DC 12, Crit 20

Rolled 5, 9, 3 = 17 (3d10)

>>5791387

Rolled 1, 5, 10 = 16 (3d10)

>>5791387

Rolled 10, 5, 6 = 21 (3d10)

>>5791387

>>5791387
Medivh what are the big churches in Lordaeron? I was thinking if about ideas for Alric to earn support from the Church of Light other then building an abbey, playing nice with more of the Silver Hand and so on. So I thought what if he made a purely political horseback pilgrimage to the biggest or most historied church in the north, that might be worth a trip.

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Random question but are the Stormpikes going to be involved in the future? Actually don't answer that it would be a spoiler.
I know that in the "canon" they first came to Alterac looking for relics of their past and resources which lead to conflict with the Frostwolves

And then there is their base, Dun Baldar. I'm not sure if it was always called that or renamed by the dwarves.

>>5791498
There is Light's Chapel and what is now known as the Scarlet Monastery
I'd assume Capital City would have its own fuckhuge church because they'd obviously build one

>>5791498
There are churches like >>5791519 mentioned, but suddenly becoming pious will get you strange looks. I can imagine Uther giving you the "Kid, I know you are just trying to win points, but that doesn't work on me" look as he knows that you aren’t that religious.

Also Stormpikes might become a thing in far future, but they aren't there now. Closest dwarves are in Dun Garok, but they are fiercely isolationist. I had planned on mentioning them at some point, but basically for people living in Durnholde and Hillsbrad, they don't exist. They are that isolationist.

>>5791632
That's cool.
And I can respect that Uther position.
For dwarfs i think, i have already set my eyes on getting more of those great armors.
But it needs more wealth.
I am considering silently entering in Alterac for a raid of our own, later when the campaign for Strahnbrad Hills is done. Or killing the enemy of Blackmoore for pay, that's good too. A bit mercenary, but honestly helping an ally and killing possible future enemies is something very good to do for the Hillsbrad and Durnholde region.

>21, Crit Success!


You got on your feet faster than she did and before she had any chance to react, you sprinted at her and planted your shoulder and chest into her stomach.

"Uugh!" Was the only thing Malevus could say as air escaped her lungs.

Your tackle had enough momentum behind it to lift her off her feet as you pushed her and sent her flying into a pile of snow. She landed face first and before she had any chance to recover, you were on her back. Just as she got her face off the snow, you smeared a handful on her face and slid the second handful between her neck and collar.

Malevus yelped in surprise as the cold wet snow made its way down her back. Defenceless, you went for the kill as you took her long ears into your hands and rubbed them.

"N-no n-not the ears!" Malevus yelped again as her cheeks turned red from being rubbed with the snow and embarrassment of being handled like this.

"This is the revenge for kicking my balls." You said to her as Malevus laid under you as you continued rubbing her ears. "Imagine threatening my chance to have heirs."

The sudden realisation hit Malevus hard as you let her ears go and stood up. The object horror was clear as day on her face as she pushed herself up to sit on the snow.

"No little Alric's running around. No future for Alterac." You told her and with every word Malevus seemed more and more struck down.

Suddenly she bowed and placed her brow on the snow.

"I am sorry Prince Alric!" She apologised. Her voice was fearful after hearing your words.

You looked at her and then just laughed. It took a moment for Malevus to realise that you had just fooled her and made fun of her.

"That is not fair! Not fair!" Malevus said to you and lifted her head up. "Don't scare me like that!"

You laughed and had to wipe a tear off your eye. She had taken that hook, line and sinker. A complete success!

And then a snowball flew past your head and you noticed Malevus starting to make another to throw at you.

"Oh it is on!" You said and laughed.

It had been years since the last time you had a snowball fight. So long that the last time it had happened was in Alterac City. You laughed as you dodged her throws and as your own snowballs hit her. Malevus laughed as well and for a moment you just forgot how to be a Prince and you just were that little Alric in Alterac City without any worries in his life.

"Alric! Lady Malevus!" Normand shouted at the two of you as he stepped outside.

The two of you stopped throwing the snowballs like two naughty children having been caught by their father.

"Lady Malevus, with Alric I somewhat expected this, but with you?" Normand said to her.

"I am sorry Captain Garside, this will never happen again." Malevus said and bowed to him. She was terribly embarrassed.

1/2

>>5791945

Now it was Normand's turn to chuckle.

"I wasn't serious about that. I just came to tell you two that the food is nearly ready." Normand told the two of you to the relief of Malevus. She wasn't in trouble anymore.

"Alright Normand, we'll be there soon." You said to him.

He left back inside and you turned towards Malevus who was standing next to you. Your elven squire was covered in snow from all of this.

"Prince Alric, do you really think that I will surpass you?" She asked and looked at you while shaking the snow away.

"Yeah, you will with time and work put in. And you are putting in the work." You told her the truth. "I haven't really trained that much outside our sparring after all."

Malevus nodded to you and weighted your words in her mind.

"Prince Alric, I know that it is your birthday and it should be me who gives you something and doesn't ask for anything." Malevus said to you and continued. "I have a request Prince Alric."

"What is it Malevus?" You asked.

"Come campaigning season, I would like to join the men in the first ranks to prove myself. I know I can handle myself, as do they." Malevus asked you. "Prince Alric, I want a chance to gain my own honour and not do it under your shadow."

That was a dangerous request. You knew she had improved and during sparring with the footmen, she beat them regularly, but was she ready? Could she fight against men, gnolls or trolls and not have you by her side? Or were you just too worried, was it just you caring too much about her? You would have your knights with you and you weren't planning on getting wounded.


>Allow her request. Malevus will join the fighting men and not be by your side.
>Give her the request, but have her be with Lieutenant Cromwell or someone else who can protect her.
>Decline the request. She is your bodyguard and a squire. Her place and her duty is by your side.
>Other, write in.

>>5791946
Hmm...
If that's something she truly wants we could acquiesce. But first ask her if it is what she truly wants because as our squire she's going to more likely than not be in the thick of it regardless, especially now that we have the fine armour. Additionally when we're not in the front we'd be looking where our intervention is needed and that implies her healing could save lives.
Besides she saved our life not that long ago, does that not count enough?
Is her desire to prove herself as a footman more important than fulfilling the role only she can fill?

>>5791519
Yeah thats about what I thought, which might be fun to visit the pre-Scarlet Monastery. Or the Capital one.

>>5791632
I was more thinking Archbishop Faol, if hes still alive, but he would probably ask Uther about Alric anyways lol. Nor would I want Alric getting religion, atleast not Light worship. Shamanism could be neat. Theres also the dwarven Creators obsession, which I do enjoy for all the archaeology. Alterac being the site of the ancient Fort in the Troll wars would be a fun dig site to offer to some Exploration League Dwarves in return for scouting or specialist support or some such.

Shame people decided against getting an orc, but understandable. I'd have said grab the old orc, maybe hes just a veteran warrior or maybe hes the route to Shaman Alric asking the Spirit of the Mountains for an avalanche to bury his enemies.

>>5791946
>Allow her request. Malevus will join the fighting men and not be by your side.
>Other, write in.
"As long as you promise by the Light to return to me."

>>5791955
I imagine she does really want it. As a High Elf shes very individualistic. Leaving Quel'thalas, worshipping the light when I think they usually sort of worship the Sunwell. Not as a God, but as a source of their civilization. And of course as an Elf she wants to spill troll blood. If she feels her accomplishments are shadowed somewhat, I'd say it would be healthy to let her join the frontline before she feels she could gain more personal glory elsewhere someday.

>>5791963
Meh, she’s hardly ever mentioned trolls so I doubt some ancestral bloodlust is a factor here, at least a major one.

And I guess trolls are going to be a topic yet anyway, I reckon they were estimated a formidable threat to our forces while not being aggressive just yet.

Also if Alric gets injured while shes gone we can get Nurse Malevus who spends every day getting Alric back to health. Think of all the Malevus teasing that could be accomplished.

>>5791946
>Allow her request. Malevus will join the fighting men and not be by your side.

Let her do what she wants.
Isn't the whole point of us learning magic being able to hadle problems on our own?
She's older than us anyways

>>5791946
>>Allow her request. Malevus will join the fighting men and not be by your side.
Shes growing up so fast.

>>5791946
>>Decline the request. She is your bodyguard and a squire. Her place and her duty is by your side.
No. Months is not enough for be ready to fight what we will fight, her training needs more time. The first line is a guaranteed wound, concussion or death for the unexperienced or experienced alike. In addition her role is clear and she accepted to do it, be our squire and bodyguard. For the future is a request we will consider, but not now. Especially when we count currently on three healers for the campaign, two with the army.

>>5791974
No, magic is for becoming stronger in something else. Is for gain an additional weapon in our personal arsenal. Its not for handle things alone thats just courting death.

>>5791963
Sometimes is also healthy to stop people
we care for, before they do something that could be stupid or fatal.
This is personal glory and ambition, it can wait, because its healthier to be alive and capable of learning. We are going to reconquer all of Alterac, what’s the matter if she isn’t in the firstline of this battle ? Ahead of us there are many battles.
The training she has done so far is not enough, hell we need Alric to start more combat training honestly because magic training will not finish any time soon (thats why i want so much the townhall, gives Alric more free time if he isn't drowning in papers). Fighting and battles instead are just around the corner, and there is plenty of strong enemies.

>>5791968
Sound depressing and a poor decision. Being able to do less and forced to bed, is not worthy of any celebration. Unless we don't care about our role anymore.

>>5791946
>>Decline the request. She is your bodyguard and a squire. Her place and her duty is by your side.
As much as she wants to prove herself, remind her that she has saved your life once already. Even if she was ready, I don't think I would allow it.

Malevus does need a new armour. If she had something better, we could risk her more often

>>5792018
Shes seen battles and shes spilled blood. Shes more trained better than the footmen and shes prepared to kick some balls. Her dream is to be a Paladin and nows as good a time as any to see if shes got the stuff for it.

That said, we could certainly get her a masterwork plate from southshore for 5 and maybe get it fit in time. Let her have the holy water bottle, that might pair really well with Healing Hands if it would counter the exhaustion of healing herself or others. Discreetly tell the Rovers to keep an eye out from afar if she or her area gets overwhelmed. On the other hand if we offered pairing her off with Raleigh so she can see how a real Paladin fights, I doubt she would consider that as lessening her honor.

Politically it wouldn't be bad to have Raleigh on the front lines either, to be seen fighting and working with a Silver Hand Paladin gives a bit more spotlight than in the back healing. Arthas and whoever he can convince is probably the core of the Silver Hand Anti-Alterac faction Uther mentioned, so letting Raleigh fight might be risky but worth the good press.

You sighed and shook your head.

"I appreciate your want to prove yourself and the ambition, the drive to push yourself forward, but you aren't ready yet." You told her and saw the disappointment hit in. "Beating the footmen in sparring is not a good enough reason for me to allow you to join them."

"I understand…" Malevus said and was clearly disappointed.

"Look Malevus, you will have your chance to gain your own honour in the future, but I can't risk having my squire get wounded or worse." You said. "What I am saying might sound harsh, but I am only thinking of your own good."

Malevus listened and then nodded.

"And besides, what would I do if I didn't have you following me? Who would do all the small tasks, help me to put on my armour or save my life when I inevitably get wounded." You told her and smiled. "It would be a hopeless situation."

"Maybe I was too eager…" Malevus said.

"Maybe, but it doesn't hurt to ask." You said. "Now let's go inside, let's not keep the others waiting."

…

Your birthday was lovely. There was the small cake, later on a full dinner, more delicacies than you could ever eat. Spending time with your family and closest friends was something you really enjoyed and even though you didn't really care about your birthday, they made you care.

At least they hadn't gotten you any presents. That would have been a bit too much. Being with them was enough for you. And the fact that you didn't have to do any paperwork.

Later in the evening even Lady Nalice congratulated you. Thankfully she left it at that and so you could concentrate on your studies.

This is the way you wanted your birthday to go. No need for a big fuzz.

…

You knew during your birthday that come the next day, you would have a difficult task ahead so you had asked Malevus and Tari to tell others that you shouldn't be interrupted for a couple of hours.

You would have to write the reply to Calia's letter you had received from her. The letter where she told you that she was uncertain about the relationship and lacked the willpower to end it.

And by the Light it was a hard task. You had everything ready, quills, paper, ink and the envelope. Yet after finishing the usual well wishes and telling her what you have been doing, you hit the proverbial wall. You had no idea how you would continue.

1/2

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>>5793051

Should you tell Calia about you and Jandice? About what happened in the cabin and how she is now your lover? Would you do that due to Calia telling you to be happy and not let her drag you down? Or should you keep that as a secret from Calia as well to not hurt her? It was difficult and due to this you had pushed writing this letter forward and forward past your birthday.

You had a good feeling, your step was light. The time spent with Jandice, even if it was brief, made you feel better, like this heavy stone had fallen off your back. You had fun with Jandice, simple as that. Maybe it was better for you to call it quits, or at least have a pause with Calia and see where things go first? If she lacked the willpower to end the relationship, did she want to do it? Would you have the willpower to do it for her? You weren't sure as the uncertainty creeped into you as well. You loved Calia, at least it felt like it, but maybe it was just your mind convincing yourself that being the case. Your mind trying to keep a hopeless long distance relationship alive? What should you tell her if you loved her? Would avoiding hurting her be the best course of action and not tell her anything?

You had no idea what to write, you had no idea how you should feel, but there should be a reply of some sort. If not just to acknowledge her words and wish for everything to become better and for her to heal.


>Tell Calia everything. What happened in the cabin and that Jandice is now your lover.
>Give her the truth that Jandice has entered your life, but don't give her the details.
>Calia should know that you have found someone, someone that makes you happy. Leave it at that.
>She shouldn't learn about Jandice. This relationship is supposed to be a secret and you don't want to give Calia any extra concern. Just acknowledge what she wrote to you.

>Tell Calia that if she lacks the willpower to end the relationship and break-up with you, then you will make the decision for her. Break-up with Calia Menethil.
>Have Calia know that if she is uncertain about all this, then she should concentrate on getting healthy first. Put your relationship with her on hold and reevaluate it when you two can meet the next time.
>Even if she is uncertain, you aren't. Have the relationship be on hold as long as it will take for her to get healthy. Then you can continue this.
>You love Calia, those feelings are true. You have no intention to break-up with her and you know she will get healthy sooner than later.

Tone of the letter in bullet point form:
>Write in

QM: Relationship vote, let's get this out of the way. Please vote on both, let's see if there is a change. And if you have write in ideas on what to tell her, give them to me in bullet points. I am not going to write the full letter here, but with bullet points I can get the gist of what Alric wants to tell her out.

>>5793053
>She shouldn't learn about Jandice. This relationship is supposed to be a secret and you don't want to give Calia any extra concern. Just acknowledge what she wrote to you.
I think the focus should be on what the new status quo between Alric and Calia will be rather than getting side tracked on the who and the what and the where Alric is finding his simple joys.

Im thinking of something between these two:
>Have Calia know that if she is uncertain about all this, then she should concentrate on getting healthy first. Put your relationship with her on hold and reevaluate it when you two can meet the next time.
>Even if she is uncertain, you aren't. Have the relationship be on hold as long as it will take for her to get healthy. Then you can continue this.
The bullet points are basically:
- Acknowledge that the present circumstances have made the relationship very hollow due to the lack of personal contact.
- Acknowledge that the moments they did meet were of incredible value to him and that she, as a woman, still reserves a place in his heart and that he is unwilling to give up completely on her just yet by using her words. She said something along the lines of "We're still young." and "We have time." did she not?
- Ask that she focus on herself and her health and that she will not allow herself to fall into despair. Give her some advice from Alric's own perspective on how he deals with the problems she's facing.

>>5793068
I think the reason Im undecided is because this prompt just says continue this.
>Even if she is uncertain, you aren't. Have the relationship be on hold as long as it will take for her to get healthy. Then you can continue this.
It can continue but not as it has been. There needs to be physical contact at least every once in a while so I think this edit works more:
> Even if she is uncertain, you still aren't ready to give up completely. Put your relationship with her on hold and reassess your options together when you two can meet the next time.

>>5793053
>She shouldn't learn about Jandice. This relationship is supposed to be a secret and you don't want to give Calia any extra concern. Just acknowledge what she wrote to you.
>Even if she is uncertain, you aren't. Have the relationship be on hold as long as it will take for her to get healthy. Then you can continue this.

>Tell Calia that if she lacks the willpower to end the relationship and break-up with you, then you will make the decision for her. Break-up with Calia Menethil.
This is the only honest option. We made commitment to Jandice in no uncertain terms. Trying to two time here is just accruing additional misery.

>Calia should know that you have found someone, someone that makes you happy. Leave it at that.
Going into details would just be rubbing it in.

>Tone of the letter in bullet point form:
-She's a precious person and we will always treasure what we had together
-But this relationship has no future and it's time we both moved on
-Get well soon

>>5793098
>>5793053

>>5793098
> We made commitment to Jandice in no uncertain terms.
What do you mean? Jandice herself said she wanted no commitment.

>>5793112
No, she said she didn't feel like making a commitment at the time.
We picked the option to pursue relationship with her and agree on being fuckbuddies. That is also a commitment.

>>5793115
Her statements seemed pretty final to me and I call apples to oranges on the latter point. Yes they're both fruits but they are not the same.

I would agree with your assessment of two timing if Jandice desired the same type of proto marriage relationship Calia wants.

>>5793128
You are of course welcome to think whatever you want, but the fact is that Alric chose to pursue intimate relationship with Jandice which is in obvious conflict with whatever relationship he would want with Calia and unless we resolve the conflict now when it should be relatively painless, it is going to come up in a much more annoying form when the confrontation comes up later.

Besides it's pretty obvious that Alric doesn't love Calia anymore, otherwise he'd feel guilty about his affair. Keeping the fake relationship alive just for political gains is something Calia does not deserve.

>>5793132
> affair
> after the relationship with Calia as they knew it was over
Think you and I have had this exact discussion in the previous thread so I think it best we do hug each other and agree to disagree.

>>5793137
It's possible. You were wrong then and you are wrong now. At best what you're advocating is delusionally selfish, at worst it's cruel abuse of a girl in love for potential political gain.

>>5793132
Agreed

>>5793151
I can say the same about you being a bleeding heart or dogmatically idealistic, the name calling doesn't do anything anon.

>>5793160
I’ll take both of those as compliments, thank you very much. I just hope the story won’t suffer for this particular development.

>>5793053
>>Calia should know that you have found someone, someone that makes you happy. Leave it at that
This is good. Doesn't say which girl it is in letter (can be said in private if needed). Its also the truth, and Calia needs to learn and go in a new part of her life.
>Tell Calia that if she lacks the willpower to end the relationship and break-up with you, then you will make the decision for her. Break-up with Calia Menethil.
Going around this in circles is not good morally and for the hearts of both of this two young people. Let them live their lives, and find people they like. They can still be friends.
>Tone of the letter in bullet point form:
-She's a precious person and we will always treasure what we had together
-But this relationship has no future and it's time we both moved on
-Get well soon
>>5793098
Bullet points of this anon. Good job.
Also
- Tell Arthas to chill out if he explodes on us again

>>5793166
So do I to yours but may this be the end of our verbal spar? I thank you for it, I mean that sincerely.

>>5793053
>She shouldn't learn about Jandice. This relationship is supposed to be a secret and you don't want to give Calia any extra concern. Just acknowledge what she wrote to you.
>You love Calia, those feelings are true. You have no intention to break-up with her and you know she will get healthy sooner than later.

>>5793053
>Tell Calia everything. What happened in the cabin and that Jandice is now your lover.
>Tell Calia you made a retarded mistake so the relationship has to end. It's the fault of the dumber parts of your mind, not hers.

>>5793053
>She shouldn't learn about Jandice. This relationship is supposed to be a secret and you don't want to give Calia any extra concern. Just acknowledge what she wrote to you.
I want to tell her about it but not in a letter and not in detail.
>Have Calia know that if she is uncertain about all this, then she should concentrate on getting healthy first. Put your relationship with her on hold and reevaluate it when you two can meet the next time.
The most sensible option I think.

Lol, you guys are a piece of work keep the poor girl hoping will fucking another girl behind his back this shit is going to end bad

I must wonder will the Jandice lover relationship continue into Tarren Mill and beyond? Will Monica sniff Alric's sheets and find out he had SEX? Will she confront him in the act which leads to ??? Or will Alric try to end the professional sexfriends relationship on friendly terms before either gets too attached as he goes into battle.

>>5793053
>She shouldn't learn about Jandice. This relationship is supposed to be a secret and you don't want to give Calia any extra concern. Just acknowledge what she wrote to you.
> Even if she is uncertain, you still aren't ready to give up completely. Put your relationship with her on hold and reassess your options together when you two can meet the next time.
With >>5793068 bullet points. I knew this vote would come and it isn't easy one. I don't want to break up with her with a letter. Ending relationships like that don't sit well with me. Calia should focus on getting healthy and when we finally meet her, we can then discuss this. But before that the sexfriendship with Jandice should be kept a secret.

>>5793557
We haven't told Monica about Calia, just that we have the someone. So even if she somehow puts Jandice and Alric together, she has no reason to be suspicious.

And I missed the previous couple votes. Good that anons didn't agree with Malevus.

Looks like not telling Calia about Jandice and putting the relationship on hold for now until she is healthy and the two of you can meet is the winner. The update will come later today, but before it could I have an event roll.


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>5793723

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>5793723

>>5793513
You know it, i voted against this for not starting some very bad things but at the very least we know that consequences for this behavior will arrive if that wins. Hahaha i still find funny that i said, we were just some steps away from becoming slowly like Blackmoore, and someone said "no no" and they prove me right with this.
Playing with hearts is never a good thing, and it cannot be justified. It doesn't matter for them if we aren't going to have a chance to see her anytime soon lol "Calia hold down for .... i don't know how much" hahaha.

>>5793557
I am fine for continue a relationship with jandice, but not on wounding people we care for. Hahaha what, i think she can understand it on her own. It will lead in "why are you fucking around if you said you had a relationship and didn't like this kind of rep ?" If we do it in Tarren Mill in her inn that is. We have refused Monica, we are friends.

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>5793723
rolling

A drop of ink fell from the quill on the letter. You cursed to yourself for making a small mess as you carefully tried to wipe it away, just instead creating a smear on the paper. You had been lost in your thoughts and forgot to put the quill away.

Sighing deeply you started writing, just thinking wouldn't get you far and you needed to respond in some way to her. You couldn't keep pushing this away more and more.

Yet you kinda ended up doing that, by not making a real hard decision. You knew that you couldn't break-up with Calia with a letter, that would be just uncouth and not the way to handle relationships. But you also knew that throwing away the sweet moments, the few they were, and your feelings towards her, would be a mistake. This relationship that was, yet wasn't at the same time due to distance between the two of you, you didn't want it to end as neither you or her have no idea where it could lead into if given time and if you could see her.

The letter started to form. You wrote how the present circumstances have made the relationship very hollow due to the lack of personal contact, due to not being able to see her, talk with her, touch her. You wrote how the moments you had with her were of an incredible value to you and that she, as a woman, still reserves a place in your heart and that you are unwilling to give up completely on her just by using her words. She after all said to you something along the lines of 'We're still young' and 'We have time'.

You wrote and asked her to focus on herself and her health. To not be uncertain of the future or think about you and this relationship. You wrote that she should not allow herself to fall into despair over this and instead just concentrate on her daily tasks and to listen to her doctor so that she can get healthy and not be bedridden.

And because of that it would be better to put this relationship on hold. It is better that way for the both of you. Less she worries about you the better, because you will be fine. You are strong, but you know that she is strong too. One day in the future when fate allows you to meet again, you can then catch up and see where the world moves the two of you.

But you didn't tell her about Jandice, you couldn't. It was supposed to be a secret and having her learn about Jandice so quickly after the letter she sent, you knew it would cause her more concern, give her more things to think about when she doesn't need them. This should have felt wrong, at least you thought that it should, but it didn't really. The thing between you and Jandice didn't feel dirty or as uncouth, it was something else.

You didn't understand everything and mistakes or not, this would be the path you would choose. One thing in this uncertainty was certain, this knot of issues wouldn't get resolved without Calia getting healthy first.

And that was what you emphasised in your letter to her. Calia needs to get healthy and then the two of you can see what happens next.

1/2

>>5793912

>9
>2


Malevus suspected something about you and Calia after you had given the written letter for her to send. She didn't ask you anything, but you knew she would notice something weighing you again, especially after being locked in your study for hours while writing the letter. She didn't need to know the details, at least not yet.

Several days had passed since without any issues or events. The snow melted fast and more and more roofs started to clear. And just as the snow started to loosen its grip to the region, the work to prepare everything for the campaigning season started. It would still take a few weeks for everything to be ready and for things to dry up a bit.

During these days the hunters returned with more sightings of the mountain lion tracks. They now had a good idea where its territory was, but there was still too much snow around for it to be hunted. Maybe an opportunity would present itself in a week or two.

Though on one day your patrols spotted a small caravan of several ox carts approaching Dawnholme. What made this peculiar was that amongst the caravan guards were several dwarven, dwarven with dark skin.

It was the Dark Irons, they must be bringing you the armour you had ordered from them.


>Ride out and escort them to Dawnholme personally. This allows you to talk with them briefly before too many eyes are upon you.
>Wait till they have arrived and then go see them. Keep things low and don't give them too much attention.
>Prepare a small welcoming committee. The armours you ordered will be worth presenting to everyone.
>Other, write in.

>>5793913
I hope Calia finds someone else poor girl.
Anyway
>Ride out and escort them to Dawnholme personally. This allows you to talk with them briefly before too many eyes are upon you.
>Prepare a small welcoming committee. The armours you ordered will be worth presenting to everyone.
We can have someone prepare the commitee, meanwhile we can go and have a chat with this fine people.

>>5793913
>Ride out and escort them to Dawnholme personally. This allows you to talk with them briefly before too many eyes are upon you.
>Prepare a small welcoming committee. The armours you ordered will be worth presenting to everyone.

Seems like we get someone to help set things up and go out there and greet them while we see how their mood is. If they don't want the welcome we can gag it before we get back, but I think it would be a nice showing. Garrick Blacksteel is a neat dude, once he gets back from this hopefully rousing success having been welcomed and showing off the armours maybe his status will increase and help unlock that sweet sweet black iron gunpowder.

>>5793941
I had an awful, dramatic, simply devious thought. Theres not many eligible Princes around her age out there. But if Terenas offered to marry her to the recently single King Varian imagine the potential shit show of crashing the wedding. The archbishop asks for people to speak up or hold their peace as Alric busts in through the door while Jaina helps get him in. Alric challenges him to a duel if he won't give her up. Calia runs from the altar into Alric's arms. If Alric doesn't stop the wedding then Calia is forced into the most political marriage possible.

I don't consider that scenario likely at all, but its so sensationally over the top dramaslop the likes of which could not be equaled outside of getting caught in bed with Jaina by Arthas.

>>5793913
>Wait till they have arrived and then go see them. Keep things low and don't give them too much attention.

>>5793913
>>Wait till they have arrived and then go see them. Keep things low and don't give them too much attention.
I would imagine Dark Irons preferring a low profile approach with this.

>>5793963
Yeah that is just no. No way that to happen, but maybe Varian does need a new wife.

>>5793913
>Ride out and escort them to Dawnholme personally. This allows you to talk with them briefly before too many eyes are upon you.

>>5793912
>Ride out and escort them to Dawnholme personally. This allows you to talk with them briefly before too many eyes are upon you.
>Prepare a small welcoming committee. The armours you ordered will be worth presenting to everyone.
I think they will enjoy the difference in reception because being welcomed warmly into a new place always feels nice but don't make it a big thing.

Ride out and small welcoming committee are the winners. Could I have a roll please.


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5794868

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>5794868

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>5794868

Nice

Only Empleton and Joe of the knights were ready as you stepped outside your home in your winter clothes. Sir Gravis and Thomas were probably at the barracks so you sent a guard nearby to go alert them and to see if any of your officers were there as well. As you, Malevus and the two knights would ride out and escort the ox carts to Dawnholme, the rest would prepare a small welcoming committee outside the barracks.

Which most likely was just anyone who was off duty and the crossbowmen who were finishing their training.

It had been a while since you had taken Epona out for a longer ride. Winter really penned the horses into the stable and outside of short rides through the town and around it, your horse had stayed cooped up inside. Though she probably didn't care too much to go out as it was decently warm inside the stable.

Mounting Epona after one of the stablehands threw the saddle on, you took the knights and Malevus and rode out to catch the Dark Irons before they reached the town.

…

>9


The patrol that had spotted the caravan had continued their patrol as you didn't see them escorting the caravan. There were five carts in total, three carrying what looked like the cargo and two carts with walls and roofs. The Dark Irons probably lived in those two carts. Several caravan guards, humans on horseback, rode ahead and behind the carts on the trail cleared from the snow.

The guards and the Dark Iron driving the first ox cart leered at you. The caravan guards from their clothes, moustaches and bit darker complexion weren't locals and they didn't seem to be from Stromgarde either. They were probably humans native to the lands near Blackrock Reach.

"Hail, this is Prince Alric Perenolde! The rightful heir of Alterac." Joe announced from horseback as the caravan stopped in front of you. Is that what they are calling you now?

The caravan guards looked at each other and then the Dark Iron for a moment, before the dwarf wearing dark leathers nodded once. One of the riders then turned around and rode to the first of the two covered carts.

You waited in silence as the rider jumped off his horse, went inside the cart and then quickly returned back to you. The moustached rider bowed to you and spoke.

"Greetings Prince Perenolde. Master Blacksteel wishes to talk with you." The moustached rider said to you.

"I would be glad to talk with him as well." You said and gave the orders around. The knights would escort the caravan to the barracks and Malevus would hold your horse while you were inside.

The moustached rider bowed to you again before you followed him. Handing Epona's reins to Malevus, you dismounted directly on the cart and opened the door.

1/2

File: Garrick_Blacksteel.jpg (84 KB, 641x846)

84 KB JPG

>>5795049

The ox carts were all black from outside, but from inside this one was covered in colourful tapestries. There wasn't that much space inside, enough for what looked like a couple of sleeping rolls and bags that held something inside them. At the back of the cart under an oil lamps light sat a familiar Dark Iron dwarf.

"Prince Alric." Garrick Blacksteel greeted you with a bow while sitting cross-legged in front of a brazier. "Apologies, it can be a bit cramped in here."

"Master Blacksteel, and no slight taken." You said as you had to bend over to walk to him. There was a pillow opposite of the brazier and the Dark Iron. He pointed at it and you sat down, mimicking his pose.

"Thank you for coming to see me before we reach Dawnholme." Garrick said and inhaled through a water pipe. At least it looked like a water pipe.

"A bit of privacy before the armours are presented." You said back to him.

"Indeed." Garrick said back. He seemed rather thoughtful yet he didn't seem to be the one wanting to start the conversation, even if he invited you here.

Blacksteel wiped the nose of the water pipes tube and offered it to you while waiting for you to speak first.

"Don't worry it is not poisonous or bad for you." Garrick said while holding the tube.


>Have pleasant small talk, how has his journey gone, where there any difficulties and so on?
>Ask him what he is thinking and what is in his mind.
>Last time you saw him he was alone with his cart and now there is all this, what has changed since? Or is it just the cargo?
>Have him tell you about the moustached riders. Who are they? Where are they from?
>Other, write in.


Use the hookah:
>Yes, out of courtesy
>No, you don't smoke

QM: The roll was how receptive of you the caravan guards and other Dark Irons were. I might get another update out later today if there is enough votes.

>>5795052
>Have pleasant small talk, how has his journey gone, where there any difficulties and so on?
>Last time you saw him he was alone with his cart and now there is all this, what has changed since? Or is it just the cargo?
>Have him tell you about the moustached riders. Who are they? Where are they from?
>Ask him what he is thinking and what is in his mind.
I think this order presents a natural flow of conversation.

>Yes, out of courtesy
Get ready to cough Alric.

>>5795052
>>Have pleasant small talk, how has his journey gone, where there any difficulties and so on?
>>Last time you saw him he was alone with his cart and now there is all this, what has changed since? Or is it just the cargo?
>>Have him tell you about the moustached riders. Who are they? Where are they from?
Mercenaries? Good idea, i imagine there is more equipment to sell for him with all this people. Strike a bigger deal for equipment before anyone else does it, Alterac is doing well and has a growing population and military.
I imagine it ain't just armors either this time around. Weapons be swords and axes, to crossbows, darts and arrows. Perhaps even a war machine and armors for horses.

>>5795052
Also
>>Yes, out of courtesy
Might has well. We aren't a smoker, but doing this doesn't cost us anything and he will appreciate the small gesture.

>>5795052
Supporting >>5795057
Alric reveals that he has iron lungs. No coughs!

>>5795052
This all looks good.
>Other write in
"I was thinking of a welcome, a chance to show off what you've brought. If you like?"

>Yes, out of courtesy

>>5795052
>Last time you saw him he was alone with his cart and now there is all this, what has changed since? Or is it just the cargo?
>Have him tell you about the moustached riders. Who are they? Where are they from?
Not going to ask him what's going on inside his head since I'd not sure if that would be disrespectful in his culture
Note that the Dark Irons are a very distrustful people

>No, you don't smoke
we don't need more vices in our lives

>>5795052
>Ask him what he is thinking and what is in his mind.
>Yes, out of courtesy

You took the tube and took a short steady breath in. Immediately you felt the scorching hot feeling warm you up from inside, but outside of it being a scorching hot feeling, it didn't really bother you that much. Exhaling the smoke, you passed the tube back to Garrick.

"Impressive, normally humans cough their lungs out when trying this for the first time." Garrick told you and inhaled through the hookah again before passing it back to you.

You inhaled again and then exhaled. It just felt scorching hot inside you, but it wasn't an uncomfortable feeling. The mana given to you by Lady Nalice felt a dozen times more uncomfortable than this at first and then you got used to it. So this hookah, it didn't really hit you that hard. Just a warm fuzzy feeling inside you.

"I am built differently." You said and chuckled. "What are the leaves? Not your normal tobacco?"

"No, shimmerweed which has been stored amongst crushed thorium. And then mixed with a bit of Dark Iron powder." Garrick explained as he took the hookah and put it away for a moment. "That explains the heat it gives. And don't worry, it doesn't harm you."

Shimmerweed… well you know what that herb does from your magic studies. It's always the first time for everything.

"Master Garrick, please warn me the next time before offering me something like this." You chuckled to him and sighed. Oh you are going to feel warm and fuzzy alright. "Either way, how did your trip here go? Winter cause any issues?"

"Only when we reached Stromgarde and Arathi Highlands. Outside of that, no real issues." Garrick told you and you knew he wasn't telling you everything.

"That is good to hear." You said back. "But last time I saw you, it was just you and the ox cart. What has changed since? It can't be just the cargo?"

Garrick paused for a moment before taking the hookah and inhaling the smoke again. As he exhaled, he gave it to you.

"No Prince Alric, it is not the only reason. The real reason is that us Blacksteels want this armour delivery to succeed. The coin we received wasn't high in numbers, but foreign currency is a matter of pride. Not often we Dark Irons get a chance to sell our wares to you humans." Garrick explained to you.

"A matter of honour then?" You asked.

"A matter of power." Garrick told you and as you listened, you used the hookah again. "Ten suits is not much, but maybe if it was a hundred suits or maybe…"

Garrick caught himself as you passed the hookah back to him. He was going to say something before stopping himself.

"Then those riders, who are they? They definitely aren't locals." You asked him.

"Steppe people from Burning Steppes. They sell their swords and bows to us and in return we produce what they might need." Garrick told you and inhaled again. "Alternative would be to be enslaved by the orcs or the ogres."

"So they act as your caravan guards for journeys like this." You said.

1/2

>>5795638

"Or hunt game we can't grow in the depths." Garrick said as it was your turn to inhale. "Hardy, tough folk. Distrustful of outsiders and see no value in coin. Only bartering for them."

Interesting, rather unique sounding people who have found living in those blasted lands. Yet this discussion was just a detour for you and Garrick. There was something he wanted to say, but didn't.

"What is on your mind Master Blacksteel? You wanted to see me and speak with me, yet when asked about the ox carts and all this, you silenced yourself." You said to him and challenged him with words. Inhaling once more, you passed the hookah back to him and watched his reaction.

Garrick Blacksteel seemed irritated by your question, but even the Dark Iron was being softened by the repeated inhaling of the shimmerweed. The relaxation and euphoria was settling in him and you as well. Garrick closed his eyes that were like charcoals and spoke.

"Clan Blacksteel has lost several furnaces and smitheries to other clans, we have lost our favours with the larger more powerful clans. For us to prosper and not be demoted down into the labour castes, we need to grow more powerful." Garrick explained. "Because the alternative to this is to be slowly snuffed out."

Cutthroat politics at play, it must be that.

"Clan elders want to be sure that the cargo is delivered safely and they have given me the task to negotiate more sales with you or with your neighbours." Garrick told you and passed the hookah to you.

That explained the increased security and the number of carts. Sounds like Blacksteels are growing more desperate if they feel like shipping armour halfway across the world is profitable for them. Yet Garrick wasn't telling you everything, you weren't in Dawnholme yet so you could poke around and see what you could learn.

You inhaled once more and let the scorching feeling wash over you again. Oh Fel this did feel relaxing and good.


>Ask him about the sales, how much would he need to achieve for the elders to be happy.
>He was going to mention something else, but stopped himself. Poke and probe to see if you can get an answer out of him.
>Have him tell you how exactly the Blacksteels are losing their favours? Cutthroat politics at play?
>Demand him to tell you what happens to his clan when they lose their power and end up demoted into labour castes?
>Other, write in.

>>5795640
>Ask him about the sales, how much would he need to achieve for the elders to be happy.
>Have him tell you how exactly the Blacksteels are losing their favours? Cutthroat politics at play?
These two first then gently do this one, we're in similar situatuions so Alric would empathise.
>He was going to mention something else, but stopped himself. Poke and probe to see if you can get an answer out of him.

>>5795640
>Write-in
"Well i am interested in your armors and i ..... could put a good word about you, with my allies and neighbours. A favor if you are interested. What you have sold me is solid equipment and if it can help my men, it can help even the men of my allies. I wonder did you bring more than your armors ?"
>Write-in
"Those mercenaries of the steepes, whats their cost for a small band of them ?"
>Ask him about the sales, how much would he need to achieve for the elders to be happy.
>Have him tell you how exactly the Blacksteels are losing their favours? Cutthroat politics at play?

>>5795655
+1

>>5795640
>Ask him about the sales, how much would he need to achieve for the elders to be happy.
>He was going to mention something else, but stopped himself. Poke and probe to see if you can get an answer out of him.
>Have him tell you how exactly the Blacksteels are losing their favours? Cutthroat politics at play?

>Other, write in.
"So foreign coin is power. What about the promise of coin? Does a hundred suits over ten seasons have more power than another small order now?"

Garrick sure is an honest dude for a merchant. I guess his clan is basically about to get enslaved into labour caste if he doesnt bring in some dosh and deals. He needs this, his Clan needs this. A savy merchant might push for a bulk discount on this long term deal, say 4 or 5 wealth for 20 suits a season for 5 seasons.

>>5795640
>>Ask him about the sales, how much would he need to achieve for the elders to be happy.
>>He was going to mention something else, but stopped himself. Poke and probe to see if you can get an answer out of him.
I wouldn't poke too much.

>>5796224
He is either honest or very desperate to trust us this much.

>>5796332
I would guess both. We have buy from him, and our army is growing. He must take the opportunity likely

Beside we could convince our allies to buy from him. Even our vassal if we want. Thats a big help he or his clan wouldn't forget

"How many sales would you need to achieve for your elders to be content?" You asked him and passed the hookah back to him. "I mean Master Blacksteel, you did say that the set of armours I bought wasn't that much in the end."

Garrick stared at you and inhaled again.

"Ten sets, hundred armours would ensure that our status wouldn't be threatened." Garrick told you. "That would be the minimum."

"That is expensive." You said back as he exhaled the smoke.

"Hundred armours annually." He continued. "Tides of fortune change suddenly and our clan requires stability."

"There might be possibilities amongst my neighbours, though do not hold your breath." You said back to him.

Ten sets annually. That was a lot, with a quick maths you made it to be around one third of your current annual profits, just way too much for you to pay right now.

You took the hookah and inhaled again.

"How is your clan actually losing their favours and position? I mean how did you end up in a position like this?" You asked him.

Garrick opted not to answer immediately as he mulled your words in his mind.

"Backing wrong parties. We live long and have good memories and now that we have shown weakness, our enemies of old see a chance to chip us down piece by piece." Garrick explained to you. "And when you lose the favours, suddenly you have no one protecting you. Then it is either a slow death or trying to find a solution to our problems."

"I can relate to that. Alterac doesn't exactly have that many friends or allies either." You said back to him and continued. "You were going to mention something else as well, but you didn't. What were you going to say?"

Garrick looked at you and took the hookah. He closed his eyes again as he inhaled.

"I have nothing to lose by telling you this." He said and exhaled. "Clan Blacksteel has no future in Shadowforge City."

"What do you mean? You just told me that a hundred suits would make the elders happy?" You asked him.

"And the elders believe that they could turn our fortunes around. Prince Alric, that would be like wrapping a wound, but not closing it beforehand." He told you.

"A temporary fix then."

Garrick nodded and passed the hookah to you.

"It will take years till our position is fully untenable so now there is no threat to any armour ordered, but in ten years? Twenty years? Someone else gets to produce them after we lose the smitheries." Garrick told you and looked down.

"Now look at me, a merchant spreading doom and gloom." He told you.

"Then what do you have in mind?" You asked him and inhaled again. The warm wash of relaxation and euphoria hit you again.

"That doesn't concern you Prince Alric." Garrick said back to you. His pride fought back, you weren't sure how much more you should probe.

1/1

>>5796359


>As potential trade partners it does. You are young and you plan on staying alive for the next ten to twenty years.
>He had told you before that he always kept his eyes open for new mines and business potentials. Is he looking for one seriously in Alterac?
>Opt not to pry further. He doesn't seem to want to discuss this any further.
>Other, write in.

Neighbours whom you recommend Garrick Blacksteel to visit and try to sell armour to:
>Tarren Mill
>House Barov
>Alliance Naval Base
>Regional Defenders
>Hillsbrad Fields
>Durnholde Keep
>Other, write in

QM: Not all neighbours are equal in seeing and agreeing to talk with a Dark Iron. Choose as many as you want.

>>5796361
>>As potential trade partners it does. You are young and you plan on staying alive for the next ten to twenty years.
>>He had told you before that he always kept his eyes open for new mines and business potentials. Is he looking for one seriously in Alterac?
Keep prying and probing. Maybe we should mention the oil to him as well.

>House Barov
>Alliance Naval Base
>Durnholde Keep
Garithos would probably buy armours, but I wouldn't armour the troops of our rival.

>>5796361
>>Opt not to pry further. He doesn't seem to want to discuss this any further.
We probed a bit, lets gain more of their trust otherwise we bite too much.

>Tarren Mill
Our first friends, allies and a member of the Darrowmer League. They fully trust us. Done.
>House Barov
The young brothers dont dislike us and have interesting trade goods, Jandice is our lover and we are going to sign their deal with some modifications at best. Done.
>Durnholde Keep
Another of our allies and friends. We have work together, we have covered eachothers, we have made deals and Blackmoore has given us the claim on his castle and region for become our vassal. If the situation happens for it. Done.
>Write-in
>Ragis, the Chief of Stonedon and our vassal
Our vassal, we have made him chief, we have equip his men, we have brought trade and security to his region, and we are going to fully cut down anyone else that isn't under us. If he has some money, he might buy one or five armors. Which is better than nothing. Done.

I am considering Hillsbrad because we have acceptable relations and we are trying to improve them, and also put them
inside the Darrowmer League. So it would make sense really.
Southshore no, because Garithos is going to hear of that even if the dwarfs sell it just to the Commodore Troubridge in the
Alliance naval base.

Also both Garithos and Troubridge probably dislike dark iron dwarfs. So an additional reason for not sell to them, beside the fact they are both Alliance.
Hillsbrad might not like them too, thats one additional reason, and i am not sure we can convince them. It would be good though.
But i am fairly sure we can convince Tarren Mill, House Barov, Durnholde and Chief Ragis of buying them. Beside telling them that this armors are of good quality and saved our men, we can tell them its worthed and that Garrick didn't try to play games. Quality was put on the table. House Barov is a bit iffy because we are warming up relations, but they should be okay with it. They want the deal and some good armors before sending their soldiers with our army, aint a bad idea.

>>5796361
>Tarren Mill
>House Barov
>Hillsbrad Fields
>Durnholde Keep
>Write-in
>Ragis, the Chief of Stonedon and our vassal

Hillsbrad has chosen to run itself very pragmatically for the most part, even to the past detriment of itself and its own peasants. Baron Hart cost them quite a bit of money, arms and armor. Some of their blacksmiths were atleast complicit in how things went down there. Just from the quality and pretty darn good prices I imagine they would buy, but when they might also be wary of their own blacksmiths I think they would be willing.

>Write-in
Local knights and minor nobility. Minor nobility have their own properties to mind and help defend. Perhaps not very consistent buyers, but knights do care for their own wellbeing and should have the funds. Every time a minor noble or a knight with some land comes up it does seem like they are rather out of the way though. It would be an organizational challenge for these types or their merchant middlemen to be in the right place at the right time to see the dark iron goods and buy them, perhaps if the dark iron goods were in the Barov Trade Outpost or one like it.

>Write-in
Dalaran Underbelly? Dalaran keeps its own designated shady trades area and it is rather populated by dangerous types. I doubt I would see thugs in dark iron armor lol, but weapons I could see. Maybe they even eventually break into proper Dalaran since they do have a market for high quality goods. Some rather open minded leadership if Antonidas is cautiously optimistic about orcs and alteraci being able to recover in a positive way.

Tarren Mill
House Barov
Hillsbrad Fields
Durnholde Keep
Ragis, the Chief of Stonedon and our vassal

Lets say each of them buys the minimum 10 sets of armor. Thats 50 right there. Barov, Hillsbrad, and Durnholde are each pretty wealthy and recently troubled by local problems, so lets say they each buy 20 instead. Thats 80 sets sold. If while caravanning across pretty much the whole region they pick up some local interest lets call it another 10, hitting 90. We could buy the last 10, maybe the Underbelly buys the equivalent of 10, or one of the bigger neighbors buys 30.

Another thought is once we are able to reach Strahnbrad by river boat that could be another buyer. Not too shabby I'd say. We could certainly afford to buy another 10 if need be.

>>5796378
Actually after considering it a bit more
I think I will change from my vote to support this vote
>>5796442
Here
>>5796361

It could be done honestly. And we saved/impressed many minor nobles and knights at the feast in Durnholde Keep. Is a decent amount of people that could buy their armors and other equipment, so we might have just saved his clan. A big favor, and if they want to repay with some armors/weapons i wouldn't be against it..........

>>5796361
>As potential trade partners and friends it does. You are young and you plan on staying alive for the next ten to twenty years.
Say it but don't pry further, just segue into the list of recommendations. As for what those are then refer to: >>5796442

Exhaling the smoke, you savoured the warmth and breathed deeply.

"As trade partners it does. I plan on staying alive for the next ten to twenty years." You said to the Dark Iron with a serious tone in your voice.

Garrick didn't reply to you as you inhaled the smoke again and calmly exhaled.

"Though, it would be unwise of me to pry more. If you want to talk to me, I am willing to listen." You said to him. "Alterac can be your friend."

"I will keep that in mind Prince Alric." Garrick said as you passed the hookah to him.

"But speaking of my neighbours, there are some who could be interested in your armour and equipment." You said to him.

You started going through potential sales partners. Tarren Mill, your closest neighbour and trade partner was still in progress of rebuilding its military and could find Dark Iron armour to be a fine way of building the quality up. Though you weren't that sure if Mayor Fowley as a merchant would agree to such a purchase. The cost of the armour would be enough to train and equip thirty men after all. For this reason you didn't mention Chief Ragis as he just lacks the coin to buy the armour and you would prefer as his direct superior that Stonedon would use their meagre wealth in something that benefits them more than just a few suits of armour.

You mentioned House Barov, well Jandice Barov especially. While her father and brothers were a bit unknown when it comes to their opinion regarding Dark Irons, you had a hunch that if Garrick was to mention your name to Jandice, maybe she would be a bit more receptive and interested in purchasing armour?

Hillsbrad Fields under Magistrate Burnside could be a potential customer as well. He was a pragmatic man who could see the value in armours like these. But he could also decline and prefer to use the local blacksmiths. While Baron Haart had caused issues, you were rather sure that Burnside would have already fixed said issues.

Finally you brought up Durnholde Keep and Lord Blackmoore. While he hadn't purchased anything from Garrick the last time he had visited Durnholde, you mentioned the potential campaign against the gnolls and maybe using it would help Garrick in getting Blackmoore to agree to purchase armour. You also mentioned that there are plenty of knights and petty nobles in Durnholde and Hillsbrad. While they couldn't purchase full sets, single armour here and there does add up.

Musing the numbers in your mind as the hookah was passed back and forth, your neighbours could maybe end up purchasing fifty suits of armour. Nothing was sure and the number could be higher or lower. It wouldn't be an easy task for Garrick at all.

1/2

File: Alliance Footman.jpg (269 KB, 1638x2048)

269 KB JPG

>>5796739

A while later you felt the cart stopping. You had continued talking with Garrick about the armours and your neighbours. But now you had reached Dawnholme and it was time to get out and back into the fresh air.

You opened the door and jumped out. Your legs feel a bit stiff from sitting cross-legged so you stretched them and your back a bit, even though you felt rather relaxed otherwise. Having smoked the shimmerweed, you really felt its effects. You felt relaxed and light, muscle ache from this morning's sparring was gone, the warmth spread around your body and mixed with the scorching hot feeling of Lady Nalice's mana. Oh this was a good feeling.

"Prince Alric, is everything alright?" Malevus asked you as you continued to stretch.

"I have never felt better." You said back to her, that wasn't a lie, you did feel very good right now. "Just a bit cramped in there."

"Your eyes are a bit red too Prince Alric." Malevus asked you.

"The brazier smoked and didn't burn cleanly." You lied to her. She seemed to accept that as an answer.

Garrick Blacksteel followed right behind you as he climbed out of the cart.

The knights and others had organised the troops to be ready to welcome you. There were the Royal Foot Guards with Lieutenant Cromwell, flanked by Sir Gravis and the knights, a group of normal footmen and then the crossbowmen. Even some of the City Guards had taken up their arms and joined them. The soldiers stood at attention while the flag of Alterac fluttered in the wind.

The riders were a bit nervous at the sight of this many armed men, but the Dark Irons and Garrick just looked at them calmly.

"Shall we?" You asked him and Garrick nodded to you.


>Full inspection of the troops present. Make it a bit of a show and present the men to Garrick Blacksteel.
>Have the troops present them to you. A quicker ceremony, yet fitting to the situation. Don't make this into a bigger thing.
>Skip the inspection after brief reception and have the cargo moved inside the barracks quickly.
>Other, write in.

>>5796741
>Skip the inspection after brief reception and have the cargo moved inside the barracks quickly.
I was hoping for something more accomodating rather than martial. Also why is Alric lying about something so insignificant?

>>5796741
>Full inspection of the troops present. Make it a bit of a show and present the men to Garrick Blacksteel.
The men are there, why not to have a full inspection. Dark Irons are warlike, they might appreciate a small look into your military.

>>5796770
Maybe he doesn't want to cause concern for smoking? He hasn't picked up that vice yet and now he smoked shinmerweed which iirc is the cannabis equivalent in Warcraft. Though waterpipe could be a cool addition to Alric's habits and ways to loosen up a bit.

>>5796827
Lying to avoid concern is not a good enough reason. She has already seen him get shitfaced multiple times so smoking doesn't really seem all that concerning.

>>5796741
>Have the troops present them to you. A quicker ceremony, yet fitting to the situation. Don't make this into a bigger thing.

>>5796741
>>5796770
Actually, ask Master Blacksteel for his opinion on the matter. What would he prefer?

>>5796741
>>Full inspection of the troops present. Make it a bit of a show and present the men to Garrick Blacksteel.

>>5796741
>Full inspection of the troops present. Make it a bit of a show and present the men to Garrick Blacksteel.

>>5796741
>Full inspection of the troops present. Make it a bit of a show and present the men to Garrick Blacksteel.

I'd suppose Its important to see what kind of armor these units wear. Good ol Footmen. The armor of a knight who might be expected at some point to ride a horse, the crossbowmen with a bit less on his forearm and shoulders. The Pikemen.

Had a pretty funny idea while thinking on that. Dark Iron Cleats for everyone, which then let me learn about Hobnails, formerly common for the alterac kind of terrain which date back a ways.

I guess Dalaran was a no go. I was kind of on the fence about the Alliance Naval Base. Troubridge, he is reasonable and thoughtful, but he is an Alliance man. Nearby Southshore would surely hear about it, which means Garithos hears about it. Bit more trouble then its worth was my conclusion.

Full Inspection it is. Could I have a roll.


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>5797682

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>5797682

>>5797701
Nice

>>5797701
great excellent inspection

>>5797707
There's still another roll left anon.

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>5797682
great inspection!

Update is half finished and will come tomorrow. Though I do need a vote.

Will you attempt to get Garrick to tell you about gunpowder weapons. He said previously that the secrets are guarded really well by those who hold them and his clan lacks the information.


>Yes, pry as much as possible
>Yes, but more as a passing and having interest on them
>No, he probably doesn't know
>Other, write in.

>>5797978
>Yes, but more as a passing and having interest on them
Does he know someone who would be capable and willing to sell us one? Getting Krix to reverse engineer the stuff sounds way more plausible than getting the design plans.

>>5797978
>>Yes, but more as a passing and having interest on them

>>5797978
>>Yes, but more as a passing and having interest on them

>>5797978
>Yes, but more as a passing and having interest on them

>>5797978
>Yes, but more as a passing and having interest on them

>>5797978
>Yes, but more as a passing and having interest on them

I honestly don't know much about the Dark Irons other then they seem to be a bit more warlike dabbling in some dark magic, have a sort of clan caste system, and were generally antagonistic.

I suppose if his clan's status is atleast maintained maybe theres the chance to make a deal so we could buy one or two gunpowder weapons and give one to Krix.

Maybe some very dramatic options to help his chances. If Garrick himself gain an inordinate amount of status as opposed to his clan maybe he can get adopted or marry someone of a higher clan who does have the knowledge, but still look out for Darksteel. Maybe some kind of Dark Iron Colony leadership position, discovering ruins of interest to dwarven culture. Winning a tournament or competition of some kind. Arranging an incident that lets him challenge some guy to a duel and take his stuff; possessions, estate, wife, etc. Power Plays.

Alric puts out the word for a competition. He wants a hot new design for a flagship of the reborn Alterac Navy. Or a Keep, cathedral, or some other big thing with design flair. He invites any engineer interested to arrive and submit schematics, the winner gets like 10 wealth or something and bragging rights.

>9


You led Garrick Blacksteel to the front of your men, this bunch of ragtag soldiers in mismatched armours.

You walked to the troops with Garrick following you, first to the City Guard. These citizen soldiers wore mismatched armour covered in winter cloaks and jackets. They wouldn’t be a serious threat to your enemies, but they would uphold the peace. Their sergeant saluted you and you saluted them back. Halberds were held firmly in their hands as you passed the soldiers. In time of peace here in Dawnholme, those halberds carried a lot of weight and you hoped that during peace they wouldn’t need to be held against your enemies.

The footmen next to them saluted you and brought their arms to bear, Their plate mail was again done by matching close enough types and styles, with the only unifying aspect being the orange cloak with the raven of Alterac on them. From the footmen you moved to the crossbowmen who were finishing their training. Glad in leather and mail, these men would be a good addition to your footmen core. You noticed Garrick looking at their lighter set of armour. Maybe your footmen and crossbowmen should all be armoured in Dark Iron plate.

Next there was Sir Gravis and his three knights. All four had drawn their swords as they held their position horseback. Just like you needed everyone else, you had an awfully little amount of cavalry within your forces. The ability to pursue and chase your enemies was lacking.

Finally the Royal Foot Guard with Lieutenant Cromwell stood in front of you. The soldiers had managed to build mostly matching armours and Cromwell himself was wearing an Alteraci armour. These elite soldiers stood at attention as you passed them, most of them having served you from the beginning and since then having trained and fought towards their status.

“Prince Alric.” Lieutenant Cromwell said as he held his sword in front of him.

“The troops are ready?” You asked.

“They are. They will follow your command.” Cromwell said back to you.

“Good, and soon they will have mighty armour on them.” You said back to him.

You hoped that this inspection would have impressed Garrick. This small show of force had gathered a small crowd of locals who watched you and Garrick. Thankfully there were no hecklers or others who didn’t like the presence of Dark Irons in Alterac.

1/2

>>5799894

>9


“Prince Alric.” Krix Wiklish said to you.

“Master Wiklish, what brings you here?” You asked back.

The crowd and the foreign soldiers had brought him here. The interest to see what was going on was too much for him to bear.

“Just the crowd.” The goblin said back to him.

The soldiers and labourers carried the boxes with the armour in them into the barracks. When the first set was being put on an armour rack, you approached it.

The armour was fluted, heat treated to have a black to grey colour. The pieces of plate that were familiar to you felt heavier than usual. The pauldrons had harder angular angles while the cuirass was shaped to direct the strikes away from the wearer. Garrick Blacksteel walked past the armour proudly as you inspected the dent on the breastplate. The armour had been bulletproofed.

“You know, having firearms would be a great boon to us.” You said to him.

Garrick nodded to you and spoke.

“We do bulletproof the armours we sell.” Garrick Blacksteel said as he watched the soldiers and servants carrying the remaining armours inside. “Even if we lack the knowledge to make our own firearms.”

“Shame, they could have helped is a lot.” You said back.

You watched as the boxes were carried inside. As they were carried inside, Krix Wiklish joined the two of you.

“Master Wiklish.” You greeted the goblin.

“Prince Perenolde.” He said back. “I heard that you had a visitor, a peculiar one.”

“This is Krix Wiklish, my mechanic.” You said to Garrick Blacksteel.

“A goblin mechanic?” Garrick said back to you. “You keep surprising me Prince Alric.”

“I try to.” You said back.

“First an elven squire, then a goblin mechanic. What next? Warlocks hidden within your town and a dragon in your attic?” Garrick asked you with a jest.

You laughed, his jest was awfully too close to reality.

“I came to see what was going in here.” Wiklish said. “And then I saw a Dark Iron.”

“Master Blacksteel brought me the armour I had ordered from him.” You said to Wiklish.

Wiklish nodded deeply.

This was a rather intriguing situation, a goblin mechanic and a Dark Iron dwarf in the same place. Maybe you could take advantage of this?


>Speak with them in private about the oil found in Strahnbrad Hills.
>Talk to them about the invention Wiklish had made. What can Dark Irons make with the Geared Speed Regulator?
>Ask them two if they would be willing to cooperate in some way? Maybe work together somehow?
>Other, write in.

QM: The rolls were how well the inspection goes and who arrives to see what is going on.

>>5799895
>Speak with them in private about the oil found in Strahnbrad Hills.
>Talk to them about the invention Wiklish had made. What can Dark Irons make with the Geared Speed Regulator?

>>5799895
>Talk to them about the invention Wiklish had made. What can Dark Irons make with the Geared Speed Regulator?

>>5799895
>>Speak with them in private about the oil found in Strahnbrad Hills.

>>5799895
>Talk to them about the invention Wiklish had made. What can Dark Irons make with the Geared Speed Regulator?
>Ask them two if they would be willing to cooperate in some way? Maybe work together somehow?

>>5799895
>Speak with them in private about the oil found in Strahnbrad Hills.
>Talk to them about the invention Wiklish had made. What can Dark Irons make with the Geared Speed Regulator?
>Ask them two if they would be willing to cooperate in some way? Maybe work together somehow?
>Write In
"Any progress on your latest weapon idea Master Wiklish?"


Exactly who I wanted around. A workshop with a Goblin mechanic AND dark iron dwarves? The dalaran underbelly crafters and dropout mages won't be long either. A nice mix of sturdy people who could survive an exploding experiment, and people who were probably used to dealing with that sort of thing. If it works out.

File: Warcraft 2 Peon.jpg (7 KB, 247x204)

7 KB JPG

I will try to get the update out tomorrow. Work and life have been extra busy in the past few days.

>>5801413
Goodluck Medivh

>>5801413
Np

"My men can inspect the armour without us having to be around, shall we go to somewhere more private to talk then?" You asked the two.

Wiklish gave you a curious look, while Garrick nodded to you.

You led them to upstairs where the offices were and chose the one used by Lieutenant Cromwell. Stepping in you found a room in a near perfect order, something you expected from him. You had your leather shoulder bag with you and from there you took out the black noise device. Both the Dark Iron and the goblin recognised it.

"Here, now we can talk in peace." You said as Garrick closed the door.

"Prince Alric, what do you have in mind?" Garrick asked you.

"Master Wiklish, if you don't mind, could I tell Master Blacksteel about your invention?" You asked the goblin politely. "Or do you want to tell him?"

Wiklish seemed a bit unsure at first.

"Think from the point of view of potential cooperation." You continued.

"Alright, after all you financed it Prince Perenolde." Wiklish said.

Wiklish explained what he had invented to Garrick. You could recognise the moment he realised what the machine did and that surprise turned into hard thinking as he scratched his beard thoughtfully.

"An invention like that could be of use…" He mused aloud, probably trying to think how the machine worked. Wiklish smartly hadn't told him the exact operating mechanisms.

"Applying it and putting it to use here in Dawnholme requires coin and unsurprisingly we aren't exactly loaded." You said back.

"Speaking of coin, when do I get my investments? I have ideas ready to be experimented with." Wiklish said.

"Hopefully soon, we should have our budget meeting soonish." You said back to him. "Master Blacksteel, do Dark Irons have use for the invention?"

"Yes, plenty." He said.

Maybe there was a business opportunity here?

"We can talk about that a bit later, because that wasn't the reason I wanted to talk with you two." You told them.

"What is it?" Garrick asked.

"Oil." You said.

"Oil?" Wiklish asked. "Where?"

"Strahnbrad Hills." You told them. "Rightful Alteraci territory and soon reclaimed by me."

"Prince Alric, you are planning on pumping it?" Garrick asked you.

You nodded and explained what you had learned to the two of them. You left details like the proposed deal with the Barovs out, though you mentioned outside interest existing, but things like the size and potential profits were things you mentioned.

Wiklish wiped sweat off his bald head and fixed his monocle. You could cut his excitement with a sword.

"Oil, to get a chance to drill it." The goblin said nervously.

"Liquid gold… Prince Alric, I presume you want to know if we could drill it for you?" Garrick asked you.

"I want to know my alternatives." You said back to him.

"Then you need the people who can operate it, the tools and equipment needed to drill and pump the oil and the coin to pay for it all."

"I know a few colleagues who drilled oil for the Horde." Wiklish said excitedly.

1/3

>>5804512

"Dark Irons do have the technology." Garrick said, he kept his cool compared to the goblin.

"Coin then?" You asked.

Garrick stayed silent as he made the math in his mind before giving you the number.

"Two hundred suits of armour, at minimum. Then to transport the oil and sell it." Garrick explained to you.

That was a lot… your own math puts that at around three fourths of your whole annual income. But then the profits you could make, the Barovs offer was one fifth of maximum calculated profits, you could cover the expenses fast if you could get the oil rig operating at full efficiency immediately.

There we have it. Either you give the operation to Barovs who handle everything, while you take the steady rent and strengthen trade and personal relationships with them. Or you pay a large initial sum and then rake the profits all for yourself.

"I don't have the coin." You said bluntly to Garrick and Wiklish.

"But banks have." Garrick said.

"Stormwind City or maybe Capital City, or maybe one of the cartels." Wiklish said to you.

That reminded you. You knew someone who was filthy rich and with whom you were already cooperating with, maybe Lady Katrana Prestor could help you?

But that would be all three. The people, technology and coin. It was doable, but it wouldn't be easy.

"Just like I don't have the coin, I cannot make the decision right now. Especially without giving my other potential partner an opportunity to raise their offer. Nor without talking with my trader." You told them. "I don't want to make a decision like this lightly."

Garrick nodded deeply.

"When would you need to make that decision?" Garrick asked and Wiklish looked at you curiously as well.

"In a couple of weeks, just before the campaigning season starts." You told them.

"Fast schedule then, but maybe doable." Garrick said to you. "It is better if all of us take our time with this."

He is right, you need to rush some messages out and get replies as fast as possible. You want to know where the things stand. You thought more about this. Strengthening your ties with Dark Irons and goblins through this could give you unexpected benefits, but politically it would make you officially associate with people who exactly aren't that well liked. Especially Dark Irons could make Wildhammers and Bronzebeards somewhat nervous, but at the same time this could be what Blacksteels need to reclaim their previous glory and power.

2/2

>>5804513

Dark Irons and Goblins Oil Rig Plan:
-60 Wealth initial investment at minimum
-Krix Wiklish acquires the workforce
-Garrick Blacksteel gets the technology and specialists
-You need to handle logistics and the sale of the oil
-You need to loan the funds from banks or from Lady Katrana Prestor or from someone else
-Potential maximum profits of 25 Wealth per season


>Invite Garrick Blacksteel and Krix Wiklish to the negotiation table. They will present their offer alongside Lady Jandice Barov to you in Tarren Mill in a couple of weeks.
>You need to hear from potential investors and from Beric first. You want to be sure that you have access to funds in the first place.
>You have to curb their enthusiasm and prepare them for disappointment. They might not know, but your deal with Barovs is practically nearly done deal.
>You have to decline, this is way too risky of a plan in the first place from investments and from a political point of view.
>Other, write in.

QM: Another oil option presented to you. Awfully busy past few days and weekend for me, but I think we are back on schedule now.

>>5804515
>You need to hear from potential investors and from Beric first. You want to be sure that you have access to funds in the first place.

>>5804515
>>You need to hear from potential investors and from Beric first. You want to be sure that you have access to funds in the first place.

>>5804515
>You need to hear from potential investors and from Beric first. You want to be sure that you have access to funds in the first place.

>>5804515
>>You need to hear from potential investors and from Beric first. You want to be sure that you have access to funds in the first place

shit i am torned by what to choose now, between Barovs and Garrick

>>5804951

Thankfully you don't need to make the decision right now.

Now could I have a roll please for the next update.


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>5805111

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>5805111

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5805111

"I will need to discuss this with my trader and send the feelers out to the bankers." You told them. "I need to be sure that I have the necessary funding before I will make the next move."

"Then I will visit your neighbours while waiting for your answer." Garrick said to you. "Prince Alric, I will prepare the calculations on our part."

"This is a great opportunity!" Wiklish said to the both of you. The enthusiastic attitude of his started to get to you.

It was definitely an opportunity, but not an easy opportunity to pull through.

…

>8


You had returned back into the hall where the Royal Foot Guard were going through putting on their new Dark Iron armour with the help of the few Dark Iron dwarves who had accompanied Garrick.

Watching the progress and talking with your soldiers and Garrick, you went through the armour with them. Getting a better look and weighing, inspecting, seeing how they fit, you got a pretty solid idea how good the armour was.

Aurvan'kal was still the Best there is, Best there was, Best there ever will be, but these get close. No apparent weak spots, even groin and ass were covered in mail. A closed helmet protected the head. These were really good pieces of armour, the Royal Foot Guards would be the best armoured infantry in Hillsbrad and Durnholde now.

As you continued to inspect the armour and men, one of the clerks who worked at the barracks came to you.

"My Prince, your presence is needed outside." The clerk said somewhat sheepishly and nervously.

"Has something happened?" You asked back.

"Few of the steppe men nearly ended up fighting with the City Guards." The clerk said.

You pinched the bridge of your nose. You really didn’t need anything like this today. On top of the news, the relaxation and the good feeling from the hookah was slowly disappearing.

You sighed, better to go deal with this right now.

…

The steppe men had gathered around the ox carts while the City Guard stood a small distance away from them. Several of your footmen stood around and between them, maintaining a perimeter and preventing them from approaching each other.

It didn't take long for you to learn what had happened. One of the City Guards had a broken nose after a steppe man had punched him for having approached the carts too closely. The punch had come after a warning, but not after a shove or push. This then evolved into a scuffle where a couple more men had gotten bruises from errant punches and shoves before the footmen had intervened.

You really didn’t need anything like this right now.

1/2

>>5805320

"Prince Alric, my sincere apologies." Garrick said to you and bowed. "The mistake was on our part, my escort shouldn't have punched your man. Let me handle the punishment."

"Which would be what?" You asked and crossed your arms.

"Harming their fellow soldier without a permission, twenty… no fifty lashes." Garrick told you. "Our honour demands that the punishment is delivered by me."

"Honour?"

"Yes, the man is my servant so it is my task to deliver the punishment." Garrick told you.

That was a harsh punishment from Alteraci point of view. You knew the law well enough that attacking a servant of law, like a guard, and causing bodily harm was enough for fines and time in jail, but not for lashes. There was the matter of honour with the Dark Irons and their escorts, but upholding local laws was important as well, they need to be enforced over foreign laws and traditions. Though you aren't sure if Garrick and the steppe men would take that as a slight.

The question was now would you allow Garrick to handle this incident internally or would you demand that Alteraci law will take precedent? Or would just the two men shaking their hands be enough?


>Garrick Blacksteel administers the punishment, fifty lashes for the man who punched your guard.
>You are in Alterac. Local laws apply over Dark Iron traditions. Fines and jail time.
>There is absolutely no need for either. It was a punch, let them shake their hands and be done with it.
>Other, write in.

QM: The roll was severity of the incident.

>>5805325
Fines would be rather funny if these guard guys only use a barter system, they start taking off rings and armbands of precious metals, exotic loot from the Dark Iron homeland and abroad. 50 lashes sounds pretty rough, I wonder if he would even be able to ride out the season with his back like that, plus the expense of medical treatment. Though maybe they would let him smoke some shimmerweed for the pain. That said this is a whipping from a dark iron dwarf, and dwarves in general are quite strong.

Whipping a man atleast half to death might come across poorly for their image in these parts, and the morale of his guards after the last ones abandoned him for whatever reason. Maybe a diplomatic view, consider it a chance to familiarize himself with the local customs and laws while abroad.

>Other, write in.
"Would Honour be met if you personally threw him in jail and declared his fine?"

>>5805325
>You are in Alterac. Local laws apply over Dark Iron traditions. Fines
just fines
I don't really want to have more men spend time in our jail, nevermind foreign ones

If that's not applicable then I'll go with the leashes, maybe question Garrick if fifty may be too much

>>5805325
>>Garrick Blacksteel administers the punishment, fifty lashes for the man who punched your guard.

>>5805325
>Garrick Blacksteel administers the punishment, fifty lashes for the man who punched your guard.
I think 50 is a bit much but just a fine is way too lenient and jail time too burdensome, let him deal with it I say.

>>5805325
>Garrick Blacksteel administers the punishment, fifty lashes for the man who punched your guard.

>>5805325
>>Garrick Blacksteel administers the punishment, fifty lashes for the man who punched your guard.
Let him do it. Their culture is different to ours.

Lashes win. Can I have a roll for how the bystanders and the City Guards take this.


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>5806052

>>5805812
this is still our lands though......

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>5806052

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>5806052
sheesh not looking good folks

>6


"He is your man." You said to the Dark Iron.

"Thank you Prince Alric." Garrick said back and gave you a deep nod. "The punishment will be administered immediately."

Speaking in their harsh sounding language, he gave orders around and the man who had punched one of your guards was quickly seized by the others and his upper body. The man didn't resist as he was quickly tied to one of the carts. Garrick was then brought a lash and he spoke something to the man.

Your soldiers, guards and bystanders gathered to watch as the steppe men and the Dark Irons all watched closely as Garrick brought the lash up and with a crack lashed at the man's back.

The steppe man grunted in pain as the first strike was enough to cut through skin and shed blood. Now there would be forty-nine of them remaining.

With each strike Garrick counted aloud in their language. Each strike echoing from the walls of the barrack's as the lash cracked through the air. Garrick didn't hold back at all. The man took the first ten lashes well, but started to struggle afterwards. At around twenty-five his legs started to buckle until finally after thirty-fourth the man went limp.

It didn't matter to Garrick as he continued to deliver a lash after lash at the back of the unconscious man. At this point it started to become somewhat uncomfortable to watch and a round of concerning murmur could be heard between the lash strikes.

When all fifty lashes had been administered, the man's back was in ruin. Blood covered it fully and it trickled down his legs into the snow. Barking something to his men, Garrick supervised as the steppe men cut the poor man down before carrying him away.

As they walked past you, they alongside the few Dark Irons accompanying Garrick gave you respectful nods.

"The man will live. They are Hardy folk." Garrick said and continued. "And the men will remember as will my kin."

"Bloody business." You said back.

"Such are our people and our traditions." He said back.

The bystanders and others had started to scatter.

"We will make our leave now. We delivered the armour and now we will visit your neighbours." Garrick said. "Finding us shouldn't be that hard so contact us when you are ready to go to war and we will travel to Tarren Mill."

"I will do that Master Blacksteel." You said to him. "Is there anything else in your mind before you leave?"

Garrick paused for a moment before speaking again.

"In fact there is Prince Alric." He said to you. "Please, wait here for a moment."

Garrick walked back to the cart and soon came back carrying the hookah and the small box which probably had the shimmerweed in it.

"Prince Alric, you can have this. Consider it a gift." Garrick said and gave the hookah to you.

"I don't think I can refuse." You said with a smile.

"No, it would tarnish my honour Prince Alric." He said as you took the hookah. "Then I will be on my way."

"See you in a couple of weeks then." You said back.

1/2

>>5806434

The Dark Iron bowed to you and barked orders. Nearly immediately after he had climbed back on board, the carts nudged ahead and started their slow travel out of Dawnholme.

You stood there as you passed the hookah to Malevus who had been watching all of this in silence.

"Prince Alric… a water pipe?" She asked you.

"Dark Iron tradition of some sort." You answered.

"Huh… maybe I could try it one day." Malevus said to you. "After all, you did look rather relaxed coming out of the cart."

It was now rather easy to make the connection. Oh well, it was pointless to try to keep the thing under wraps. Why did you even try it?

"Maybe, maybe. Carry it to my study. I need to talk with Normand now."

…

You had told him everything about the proposed alternative. He didn't say much, just asked a couple of small questions from you.

"I am not sure about this. With Barovs we wouldn't have to deal with the details, but if we do things ourselves…" Normand mused aloud.

"Won't be easy, but potentially the profits would be worth the effort." You said and continued. "Besides, we need the coin, we need a lot of it."

"We need the coin to get this started, where do you think we could even get a loan that big?" Normand asked and continued. "And I don't like the implications of working with Dark Irons or the goblins. I can stand having Mr. Wiklish around, but more of those small green buggers… you know how it looks."

He was right, the political implications did exist if you were to cooperate with Dark Irons and goblins over this. To many all goblins were the same and all of them worked for the Horde during the Second War. Greenskin is a greenskin. Dark Irons meanwhile could be an issue with the dwarfs. There is plenty of bad blood between them, but at least Dark Irons stayed out of the First and Second Wars.

Then the matter of funding, to whom should you send feelers and see what their reaction would be? Should you even send the feelers to everyone? Do they need to know about the oil?


>Political issues do exist, but they won't cause major issues to you.
>No one has outright a reason to be against you working with Dark Irons and goblins. Alterac is a sovereign nation after all.
>Dark Irons are distrusted, but they never joined the war.
>Not all goblins joined the Horde. Everyone does business with them after all.
>Normand is right, the politics might prevent this deal from happening. You can't really take the risk.
>Other, write in.

Loans and investors:
>Banks in Capital City, though they might be sceptical at lending funds to you.
>Banks in Stormwind City, less likely to care as much, but the distance is long.
>Lady Katrana Prestor, your ally and a trade partner. She is extremely wealthy and has helped you a lot already.
>Goblin cartels, ask Krix Wiklish to send a couple of feelers. The cartels are very wealthy.
>Other, write in.

>>5806437
>>No one has outright a reason to be against you working with Dark Irons and goblins. Alterac is a sovereign nation after all.
>>5806437
>>Banks in Stormwind City, less likely to care as much, but the distance is long.
>>Lady Katrana Prestor, your ally and a trade partner. She is extremely wealthy and has helped you a lot already.
>>Goblin cartels, ask Krix Wiklish to send a couple of feelers. The cartels are very wealthy.

>>5806437
>>No one has outright a reason to be against you working with Dark Irons and goblins. Alterac is a sovereign nation after all
>Banks in Stormwind City, less likely to care as much, but the distance is long.
>Lady Katrana Prestor, your ally and a trade partner. She is extremely wealthy and has helped you a lot already.
>>Goblin cartels, ask Krix Wiklish to send a couple of feelers. The cartels are very wealthy.

This will be big to deal with. The cash though....

>>5806437
>No one has outright a reason to be against you working with Dark Irons and goblins. Alterac is a sovereign nation after all.

>Banks in Stormwind City, less likely to care as much, but the distance is long.
>Lady Katrana Prestor, your ally and a trade partner. She is extremely wealthy and has helped you a lot already.
>Goblin cartels, ask Krix Wiklish to send a couple of feelers. The cartels are very wealthy.

>>5806437
>>No one has outright a reason to be against you working with Dark Irons and goblins. Alterac is a sovereign nation after all.
>>Dark Irons are distrusted, but they never joined the war.
Only thing I am sceptical is how the Bronzebeards see this. They might not like it.

>>Lady Katrana Prestor, your ally and a trade partner. She is extremely wealthy and has helped you a lot already.
I also don't think that others outside of Katrana are willing to help. Goblins sure, but a full Cartel is too sketchy.

>>5807077
>Only thing I am sceptical is how the Bronzebeards see this.
Who cares about the opinions of some dwarves from another continent?
I don't see them giving us goodies

>>5806437
>No one has outright a reason to be against you working with Dark Irons and goblins. Alterac is a sovereign nation after all.

>Lady Katrana Prestor, your ally and a trade partner. She is extremely wealthy and has helped you a lot already.

"Outrightly no one has a reason to be against me for working with Dark Irons and goblins. If complaints are raised, we have the arguments against them. "You said back to Normand. "Besides those who would be against this would find some other excuse to be pissed one way or another."

"You are right Alric, but I still feel that working with them is ill-advised business." Normand told you. "Buying armour, employing a mechanic, but having them around? But the loan, do you have any ideas?"

"Banks in Capital City most likely would decline, so that leaves us Stormwind City and Lady Katrana Prestor." You said to him.

"I find her helpfulness suspicious, but I can't argue against relying on her again. After all, most of our most lucrative trade goes through her." Normand said.

"And Lady Nalice serves her as well." You said back. "Lady Katrana is a powerful friend, I don't think that asking for her help would be a mistake."

"You are probably right, anything else in your mind?" Normand asked.

"I will have Mr. Wiklish to send careful feelers to his colleagues. Cartels have the coin, but…"

"They are greedy and seedy as hell." Normand replied.

"I agree, but having them in the play could be advantageous." You said to him and stood up. "I will be writing the letters, so I will be in my study if you or anyone else needs me."

"I will have Tari to send you some tea." Normand said.

"Thanks Normand." You said and smiled before going up the stairs.

…

The letter to Beric was short and simple. It was just an order to bring his ass to Dawnholme as fast as possible with his papers. Next you wrote the letter to the Bank of Stormwind City, explaining your needs and the haste required in receiving the answer. The one you wrote to Katrana was meanwhile a more personal one with of course all the necessary details written down. Then it was just a matter of sending the letters.

A messenger would carry the letters to Southshore tomorrow morning, so now you could only do but wait for the replies. Returning back to the normal daily rhythm, you continued on working on the homework given by Lady Nalice until it was time to continue the actual magic lessons.

…

"A letter to my Mistress?" Lady Nalice asked you. "A ship is too slow, bring it to me tomorrow and I will have it delivered to Lady Katrana post-haste."

"I will have someone to bring it to you then." You said back.

Nalice was in the middle of doing some notes in the cellar. For some reason she had dropped her scholar's disguise and Eligius was nowhere to be seen.

1/2

File: Lady Nalice.png (776 KB, 449x813)

776 KB PNG

>>5807235

"Where is Eligius?" You asked her.

"In Tarren Mill with our spies. He won't be joining us today." Nalice said and put the quill away. "Part of the training, I sent him there to potentially find someone willing to send information to us."

It felt bad to spy on your closest neighbour and ally, but… Eligius needs this training as does the spies.

"Hmmm… hoping that everything goes well." You said to her. "Lady Nalice, what are we going to study today then? Continue with the theory?"

"No, we will spend this time concentrating and focusing on the mana inside you. This will take time, so better for us to get started immediately." Nalice said and stood up from behind her desk. "Take off your clothes and get inside the circle, I have everything prepared."

The tone of her voice was impatient, but rather eager sounding. You had a hunch that she was going to test you somehow today.

As you took off everything except the braies, Nalice prodded you with her fingers and traced them over the blue sigils painted on your skin. Her touch was warm and to your surprise where she touched, it felt like it amplified the effect of the sigils. They felt more powerful than before, like if someone was prodding your skin with a hot metal while the tingling spread on your skin. Yet it didn't burn you, but it did get the mana she had given to you churn and cascade hard inside you. The scorching whirlwind spread everywhere from your toes to the top of your head.

This forced you to take a couple of deep breaths. You had gotten used to the feeling inside you and it didn't require that much concentration to keep it in check, but now it was actually somewhat difficult.

"Good, today your task is to calm the mana inside you, while lighting up this candle." Nalice said and placed a small pedestal in front of you. The candle on it seemed rather ordinary. "You must concentrate on both at the same time for added difficulty."

You went to grab the candle, but Nalice swatted your hand away.

"You will light the candle while not touching it." Nalice said. "You have read the theory, you know what you must do."

Nalice was right, you know what you must do. All you had to do was to concentrate the inherent nature of the fire contained in the surrounding area into one location, which was the candle. You need to wrestle the mana inside you into control and then will the fire into a reality.

Everything you had studied till this point led to this. You are going to get that candle lit up or end up exhausted like there is no tomorrow.

You will succeed!


>3d10, Best of four
>DC 15, 20, Crit 25

QM: I am planning on writing another update later today.

Rolled 2, 6, 1 = 9 (3d10)

>>5807236

Rolled 10, 6, 7 = 23 (3d10)

>>5807236
Big money

Rolled 6, 7, 7 = 20 (3d10)

>>5807236

Rolled 9, 1, 7 = 17 (3d10)

>>5807236

>23, Success!


First to concentrate on the mana inside you. Just like you had done before, you were going to wrestle it into control and wrangle it back to calmness. Just concentrate on it and get it to settle down.

The gnoll necklace that you had dutifully worn all these times around your neck, felt like it was reacting to this. It felt like it sent this calming pulse into you, helping you to concentrate and keep things under control. It was finally doing something, it was helping you to channel magic.

Beads of sweat started to appear on your brow as you closed your eyes and imagined the raging waves and maelstrom settling. Your goal was to have a steady sea of boiling fire, that was what you imagined.

Yet as the whirlwinds and cascades slowed down, they didn't calm down. In fact the sigils on your skin burned brighter and emitted this faint blue light.

Ahh, now you get it. This was Nalice's doing, she made this harder on purpose. It was to be nigh impossible for you to get the raging fire inside you to calm down. You just had to control it and concentrate on the candle instead. Concentrate on the inherent nature of fire.

You willed the scorching hot feeling to move into your hands as you opened your eyes and started to concentrate on the wick.

You could feel the mana inside you, you had a purpose for it. There needed to be a fire, the wick needed to be on fire. Fire is burning, fire is powerful, it spreads fast, it burns things down, scorching, cindering, it leaves ashes, charcoal and soot behind.

Fire is burning, fire is powerful, it spreads fast, it burns things down, scorching, cindering, it leaves ashes, charcoal and soot behind.

Fire is burning, fire is powerful, it spreads fast, it burns things down, scorching, cindering, it leaves ashes, charcoal and soot behind.

Fire is burning…

The wick started to smoulder, a faint trickle of smoke appeared. Yet it didn't light up. Something was missing. Some trick. Some technique.


>Snap your fingers like they are flint and steel. Create sparks in your mind and will the fire into existence.
>Blow air at the candle like you were blowing embers at a fireplace. Give the wick more air to fuel the fire.
>Pick up and draw the Cinder Sword, use it as a conduit. It won't be easy to keep your concentration while doing it.
>Imagine devastation, dragon fire, flames blasting flesh off the bones, set the scorching maelstrom inside you free.
>Other, write in.

QM: Depending on the votes, I might get third update out later today.

>>5807292
>Snap your fingers like they are flint and steel. Create sparks in your mind and will the fire into existence.

>>5807292
>>Snap your fingers like they are flint and steel. Create sparks in your mind and will the fire into existence.
Or
>>Pick up and draw the Cinder Sword, use it as a conduit. It won't be easy to keep your concentration while doing it.
It would be cool as hell either way.

>>5807084
They might sit at the same negotiation tables

File: colonel mustang snap fma.gif (858 KB, 500x280)

858 KB GIF

>>5807292
>Snap your fingers like they are flint and steel. Create sparks in your mind and will the fire into existence.
>Pick up and draw the Cinder Sword, use it as a conduit. It won't be easy to keep your concentration while doing it.

Easy there Colonel Alric

>>5807313
>>5807315
support
I can't pick between these two either

>>5807292
>>Pick up and draw the Cinder Sword, use it as a conduit. It won't be easy to keep your concentration while doing it.
Damn
I like the snap your fingers

>>5807315
+1

>>5807292
>Snap your fingers like they are flint and steel. Create sparks in your mind and will the fire into existence.

Snapping your fingers is the winner. Can I have a roll of how many times does it take for you to succeed?


>3d10, Best of four
>DC 10, 15, 20, 25

Rolled 4, 8, 7 = 19 (3d10)

>>5807904

Rolled 9, 4, 1 = 14 (3d10)

>>5807904
the fire rises.

Rolled 3, 10, 4 = 17 (3d10)

>>5807904
big money

Rolled 10, 2, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>5807904

>19, Success!


You had an idea. Reaching towards the candle, with a right hand you snapped your fingers. Nalice looked at you curiously as nothing happened.

Then you snapped the second time and the candle wick just continued to smoulder.

Third try, you concentrated really hard on creating the fire and when you snapped your fingers, suddenly the candle lit up.

Immediately you dropped your arms and took a deep breath as the flame flickered on the wick before steadying itself. Your hair had started to stick on your sweaty brow and head and your breaths were deep, like you wanted to draw all the air into your lungs.

You had done it, as little as this was, this was magic.

"Well done Prince Alric." Nalice said to you. If you had looked up you would have seen her smiling. There was a tint of being proud in her voice. "Your first spell. How are you feeling?"

"My hands are shaking and I feel like my fingers want to peel themselves open." You told her, it wasn't exactly a comfortable feeling, in fact it hurt a lot.

"Feedback, you tried to apply too much mana into the spell." Nalice explained. "Stand up."

You pushed yourself up as your body ached, your muscles were all tense. Nalice then took hold of your hands and studied them. Her hands were unnaturally warm, but you guessed that was because she was a dragon.

"There won't be lasting damage, we can repeat this." She said and let your hands go as she went to make her notes. "Prince Alric, why did you snap your fingers?"

"It helped me to imagine the fire appearing… like flint and steel." You told her as she turned away from you and any concern she had on your well-being disappeared immediately after realising that you were fine.

"Sparks… smart thinking and could be the crutch you need…" Nalice mused aloud as she scribbled her notes.

As your breathing had gotten more steady, you concentrated on keeping the scorching whirlwind in you in check while thinking about this. That was your first spell, sure it was just to will a fire into being and get a candle wick to lit up, but you have to start from somewhere. It was difficult to explain even to yourself how it felt, but if you were to use a word, then maybe satisfying would be the right one.

It was really satisfying to succeed like this.

"We shall continue, please blow the candle and we shall start again." Nalice said as she finished her notes.

Alright, back to work then. Repetition makes you better after all.


>3d10, Best of four
>DC 12, 17, 22, Crit 27

Rolled 2, 7, 7 = 16 (3d10)

>>5808040

Rolled 2, 5, 2 = 9 (3d10)

>>5808040

Rolled 2, 1, 10 = 13 (3d10)

>>5808040
You see its all about equivalent exchange Young Master Alric, but its also about will. For instance if the will behind your flame spell was to remove a certain dragon woman's garments.

Awful rolls. Terrible. Gotta go for the cinder sword conduit but I couldn't resist the crisp snap.

Rolled 5, 10, 7 = 22 (3d10)

>>5808040

>>5808097
Clutch! These fucking rolls man...

>22, Success!


The trick was to not brute force the spell. Your first attempt had been brutal as you had tried to channel as much mana as possible and so when you tried again, you tried to be more careful.

Nalice gave you some advice this time as she told you what you had already realised. You could do with less and this time you had more grace in your attempt to get the candle wick to lit up.

The first snap didn't work, but the second one did. You extinguished the wick and tried again. Again the first attempt failed, but the second worked.

"Well done." Nalice said as she watched your progress. "You are getting the hang of this."

You extinguished the candle again and rubbed your hands. They ached and burned from inside. At least that is what they felt like.

"I might have an idea how this works, but it isn't any less exhausting." You told Nalice between deep breaths as you had to rest a bit.

"Again, repeat it." Nalice ordered and you did as told.

Few more deep breaths and you first concentrated on getting the scorching turmoil inside you in check and then extending your hand you concentrated on the wick.

Snap and the flame appeared.

"Again." Nalice ordered.

You blew the flame away and prepared yourself again.

Snap and again the wick was lit on fire.

"Good, again."

You did everything again and again. Fine tuning your mind and concentration after each snap. You probably lit the candle two dozen times until finally your right hand and arm was shaking too much for you to continue.

"Lady Nalice… I think I am at my limit…" You said while panting. Sweat dripping down your nose into the sand floor of the basement.

"Very good, you have impressed me Prince Alric. You have shown that a mundane human can learn the simplest magicks if they apply enough work and will to learn." Lady Nalice told you. You could hear that she was happy with your progress. "Though there is one more test for today if you are willing to push yourself further."

You looked up and found Nalice smiling slyly.

"It would be a shame to end such a streak of successes without at least trying." Nalice said back.

Was she tempting you to continue? Yes, yes she was.

"Tell me at least what would be the test?" You asked back.

"Light a fire in that hearth. The firewood is already there waiting." Nalice said to you.

The hearth in the cellar did have several small pieces of firewood waiting to be lit, but it wasn't a candle with a small flame. She wanted you to light proper wood on fire.

Carefully you pushed yourself up and ran your fingers through your hair.

1/2

>>5808321

"I am not sure about that Lady Nalice. My hands are still shaking." You said to her.

"You will succeed, I am sure of it Prince Alric." Nalice said to you with a confident tone in her voice. "Besides, if you fail there is no harm done. Then we just know your current limits."

She was right, but you weren't sure about the harm. You were exhausted and aching. The feedback from earlier was still there, maybe you shouldn't risk getting hit by it again.


>You are too tired, your hands hurt and pushing yourself too hard today could cost you tomorrow. Decline for today.
>Sure, you can try it. Like she said there is no harm done if you fail.
>First she needs to undo whatever she did with the sigils, they are messing with your concentration too much.
>Only if she helps you. You are going to need her close guidance.
>Other, write in.

QM: Alric has learned how to light up a candle within Nalice's basement in a training environment.

>>5808323
>Sure, you can try it. Like she said there is no harm done if you fail.

>>5808323
>Sure, you can try it. Like she said there is no harm done if you fail.
Warm up these dice.

>>5808323
>Other, write in.
"What you did with the sigils, make it stronger."
Give me your hardest training.

>>5808323
>>Sure, you can try it. Like she said there is no harm done if you fail.

>>5808323
>Sure, you can try it. Like she said there is no harm done if you fail.
clearly alric aint no bitch.

>>5808323
>>Sure, you can try it. Like she said there is no harm done if you fail.
Well, there is always harm done when you are a Prince. Many things to do, talking and so on and on. And documents (townhall reminder) piling on our table.
This said we shouldn't be wounded with this is just try and burn the wood, its likely we will be exhausted with any results though.

Trying without any outside help. Alric clearly ain't no bitch. First DC is to avoid the feedback in this case.


>3d10, Best three of four
>DC 20, 23, Crit 28

Rolled 9, 2, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>5808692

there is always the next lesson

Rolled 4, 2, 9 = 15 (3d10)

>>5808692
HHHHHNNNNGGGG

>>5808692
Why did I write "Best three of four"? Not enough caffeine in the system. The roll required is just your standard best of four so two more rolls please.

>>5808798
waiting for other anons

Rolled 6, 3, 1 = 10 (3d10)

>>5808692

Rolled 3, 3, 9 = 15 (3d10)

>>5808692
Clutch!

Feedback! Alric flew a bit too close to the sun. Give me a second set of rolls. Severity and what type of a feedback hits you.


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll.

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5808866

Feedback central.

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5808866
alric dies the end!

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5808866

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5808866

My God we've done it. Four 1s in a row on a d10. I was thinking about using the ol Makegood gift from last thread, but this is clearly divine will.

ah months of planning destroyed by temporeal and impatient ambitions. Or was it a year, probably a year.

1 in 10,000 chance by the way

>>5808877
actually far more than one year. Damn i have been playing this quest for quite a while

>>5808876
Well we do have 1 faith point.

>>5808871
Nah but definitely in part burned and he needs to take a step back about rushing magic, for a few days or a week or two. We don't have death breathing on our neck, Malevus will definitely have something to say once she learns of this.

File: e07.jpg (37 KB, 480x542)

37 KB JPG

For a moment there is a panicking dragon in Dawnholme.

Oh boy, 1 in 10,000 chance with all four rolls. Now that is unlucky, could I have a roll please.


>3d10, Best of three
>DC 12, Crit 20

Rolled 6, 2, 5 = 13 (3d10)

>>5808885
Mouth to mouth resuscitation. Or maybe soul to soul since its like a magic attack.