>>12388813
Let's see if Uurist has any ideas.

As for me, I believe that since Highpass in on the way, we should stop by there to gather what we can in men, equipment, and food.

>>12388813
Did we send a message back to the capital concerning the fall of this city and the defensive posture of the provincial capital?
Even if we don't ask for more reinforcements (which we wouldn't get), we need to inform them so that they don't depend on this garrison being here to pull troops from, and can plan accordingly.

>>12388813

alright , first , what's left of the salvaged equipment?

can we pimp out the hunters with better melee weapons ?

i was thinking swords and bucklers instead of just long knives.

secondly , is there a library in avensgate , or a temple with useful information about the gods?

Do any of the locals know anything concerning the ruins? What they look like, the architecture, their layout, and if they're connected?

We should inquire if any of the natives of the area/Collin knows more about the ruins and if they're connected or have multiple/unknown entrances to them. If we're lucky they will.

Also, I don't think Highpass was on the way. It was only on the way if we were going to take the goat trails but there is no immediate need to unless we want to get a unit to flank the camp from another direction. The problem with that is who knows what trouble they might get to on their own.

>>12388867
You may be right. Hey Pax, can we see that map again?

>>12388831
you guys will need to agree on the letter. YOu may be able to get Finian to loan you his messenger eagle to speed that up once you argree on letter content.

>>12388840
the peasants are all in chainmail and halfhelms. if you have Sansa train them as bowmen you'll have about 50 combat axes, short/broadswords and about 75 spears. If you have Colin train them as light infantry, 100 less melee weapons plus about 100 bows. There's about 300 pounds worth of steel in broken platemail if you set your smiths to melting it down. a negligible ammount of leathers.

Your hunters have already salvaged the black cloaks and hatchets from the poachers they took down, but there isnt much that would help them in the city.

You havent checked for a library, but nearly the whole government district save the Regents Manor is in tact.

"Any ideas?" Uurist replies to your asking for his opinion on the situation "If ya could get inta their camp and run off with some o'their torches that'd be nice. Otherwise... we should defianately hit their camp at the River bend... make sure no messengers get away from that. If the tunnels are intact we might have a shot at storming on set'o ruins and goin through the tunnels to hit th'other one." he replies, a pensive look on the old soldiers face.

>>12388927
I concur with sending a letter to the Praetorian. Just to let him know not to expect us back for a while.

And I like that "Hit the Camp" idea. If we can surround them and keep any from escaping we can destroy a good portion of their men.

the map.

"We mostly stay awaigh from th'ruins" Collin replies "The cities have planty'a'entrances... but they's'not where'th bastards holed up. The fortresses, well nobdy fixed th'damn things far as I know... but I cannae say fer sure that the bastards didnt... only front doors on'em too. th'tunnels link the things but ya gotta get into'em first. And theire no sayin'th tunnels aint colapsed either."

>>12388927
In regards to the letter, if we do send one there's no point asking for reinforcements. It would take too long for them to get here to matter. Definitely inform them that this is more than a mere rebellion though and inform them they may have access to something more than just the brazier and then refer to how Avensgate fell. Don't mention any gods because we'd be seen as crazy.

I have a thought guys. What if we send Jayne around the pass to go to the rear of the camp and then have her hunt down anyone who tries to escape while the rest of our army marches into the camp from the south? We'd lose Jayne's cavalry for the battle but it'd let us stop them from sending out a message.

Alternatively, I wish we could send a fake message to these guys in the ruins but based on how they had those amulets that made them burn to death, I don't think that'd be possible.

Oh yes, in regards to the volunteers, keep them as bowmen. Our scouts didn't do a great job in the melee work and they're trained over a long time. These random peasants will fall apart in close combat so we need to keep them out of it. Volleys of 100 arrows throughout combat will be more useful than some close combat action on their part and then being wiped out and retreating.

>>12388965
So, where are we in there? Is Highpass between us and the Riverbend Camp?

>>12388994
your at the small open square. The enemies camp is the small grey dot, and they are believed to be situated at the two not crossed out orange X's.

>>12389017
the easternmost small open box to be exact... derp

I think we're all agreed that asking for reinforcements would be pointless. However, informing the Praetor that Avensgate has fallen, that the rebel group will be no simple matter (highlight our new estimates of their forces), and that we will not be able to assist the rest of the Legions in the current war, all seem to be things that would be useful to know for High Command.

Let's check out the historical archives here, and see if we can't come up with maps of the surrounding area and if any records of the ruins are available.

>>12389024
not the one by the lake... I really should just fucking label shouldnt I?

>>12389031
That's a big 10-4 there good buddy.

>>12388969

i like your plan , but the camp is too close to the eastern ruins. if we send jayne unsupported , then we run the risk of her getting intercepted , captured , and our plan to surprise and cut off escape failing. do we really want to meet these guys in their fortified ruins , or on the open field? on the open field we have the advantage of jaynes cav , which proved last battle that the weapons of the raiders was for the most part unable to penetrate her and her riders armour. if we besiege the ruins we lose our cav advantage , and give the enemy a better position with which to bleed us of our strength

we have to choose the battlefield , and not allow the enemy to dictate the tempo

>>12389070
The only problem with meeting them in the open field is if they get all their forces out against us. Then we're outnumbered and potentially surrounded. Based on what we saw with the raiders, they're better than our scouts at close combat and they were using the radiers as cannon fodder. We can't afford to fight them in the open field until we have a better estimate of their numbers and are sure they haven't contacted each other.

In regards to sending Jayne, yeah that's also my worry. I didn't realize they were that close to the ruins when I suggested it but we need to make sure they don't contact the forces in the ruins. If the ruins aren't connected, I would suggest letting one ruin get contacted and then we ambush them in the field if they come out to attack us but there are too many variables for us to consider that as an option...

What way is the river flowing Pax? Is it large enough for ships and if so, are there any docks or anything like that near the city that they might use for transporting things along the river?

>>12389110
In regards to the ruins, if Uurist is right and we can attack them through the tunnel system that may be our best bet to take them out while suffering as few casualties as possible.

>>12389110

i see your reasoning about being surrounded and whatnot and your fears of getting swamped in big melee fights where our scouts would be woefully unprepared for, but that was last battle when we didnt have a dedicated melee infantry unit , this time we'll have the legionnaires and the warlords to hold the line while our ranged units are safe and sound behind them raining down a hellstorm as they try to charge our battle line

>>12389128
it flows south, it takes about two weeks for a barge to push upstream

You enter the archives... which werent that hard to find once you set your mind to it. There is a large room dedicated to 'ancient history' alot of First Age tomes, more than a few look as if they were magically mass-produced. Theres a large alcove devoted to maps, and three that seem to deal with the divine and arcane.

If you want to send a letter, get me something for the tone you want, and any specifics (how deeply do you want to imply that it was magic that beat the walls, ect ect)

>>12389140
I understand that but if their forces are aware of us and bring their full might to bear, our 3 melee units won't be able to hold the line on up to 900 Lacerta and whatever raiders and dorfs they have hired. The big raider unit was around 215 I believe so in theory that's at least 5 units we're going to have to face of just Lacerta if they meet us in strength. Unless we can find some very favorable terrain, they'll be able to flank us.

>>12389140

also voting for exploring the noble district in the city while we decide our next course of action.

we need a patron god to gift us with magic so we dont get steamrolled by the blue tattooed dwarf who is obviously the leader of the rebels and im just guessing also magically adept.

>>12389155
Read that divine book. We need to know which god's symbol that was. And it wouldn't hurt to know who his/her rival was and who those two that noticed us in our first battle were.

>>12389155
I agree on finding out about the sigil we desecrated and who might oppose him but I don't think we should immediately throw in with the gods. Just seems like a huge jump of faith although maybe I'm trying to RP the fact we come from a nation that doesn't believe in gods too much.

Also, do the maps give in formation on generic terrain? Is the region hilly? Things like that? Maybe we can use the terrain to get in close to the camp or ruins...

>>12389189
I'm not saying that we should immediately believe that the gods are returning. Just that the rebels do and knowledge is power.

>>12389155
In regards to the letter - Make it more of an update on what we've found out. It seems the leader of the rebellion has spread the word and numerous villages have fallen. Avensgate has also been gutted with few survivors, and based on how the walls were destroyed, those involved in this rebellion may have other sources of magic. Also the fact that their army may be huge and we may not wipe this out as quick as we had hoped. I think we should also mention these rebels desecrated Avensgate with that sigil and the amulets but not add our own thoughts to those subjects.

>>12389212
I meant more what I said in reference to Pompieus' saying we should get a patron god. I figured Justinian wouldn't so willingly jump into believing in the old gods just like that but at this point would want to learn more about them.

>>12389155

send a letter detailing everything , how the walls were breached , the composition of the enemy forces , and the fact that the rebels seem to be under the influence of some malignant god

>>12389164

so we find a hill were we can easily defend from then defend it.
our rangers are now proficient in making field fortifications , so we can build a low wall or something from whick our missile units can fire down on the enemy as they advance up the hill , bottlenecking their forces allowing our melee to deal with them with out the fear of getting outflanked or surrounded. also , as to 900 lacerta , we have 4 ranged units equalling around 400 arrows/bolts a volley , and so far we have yet to see lacertan warriors wearing any effective armour . so we can feasibly wittle down any lacertan units coming at us before they can reach our melee units

>>12389226
once confirmed this will be the jist of your letter.

The gods are split into two pantheons, according to a tome youve found to be a sort of index to the divine. The pantheon of Sunlight, and the Pantheon of the Moon. Each pantheon has a god that holds patronage over one of the five 'base elements' Fire, Earth, Life, Air, and Water. Each god also has a group of demeanors and sets of beliefs it holds power over as well as a set of minions they send forth to do their bidding.

>tell me a base element and pantheon to get info on its god... the tome that will make you search bearable has no sigils, or names, its just a huge-ass index

>>12389241
Agreed. Knowledge is useful, but we have no in-character motivation for worshiping a god.

>>12389155
The letter should be dry in tone, an update on our progress and revised enemy force estimates. Report that the damage done to the Avensgate walls lead us to believe that the rebels have access to other magical artifacts. Given that a god's symbol was found upon the desecrated remains of the city, the rebels may be one of the factions believing in the return of the gods.

>>12389291
Pantheon of the Moon and Life. Or Moon and Fire. This god we're dealign with doesn't seem very nice so I will hazard on one of those two.

>>12389291

seconding the that being the letter , also pantheon of the moon element of fire.

>>12389310
Possibly Moon and Earth. The sigil was roughly diamond shaped and that just makes me think earth for some reason.

>>12389287
Good plan, but why would they bother attacking such an obviously heavily defended position? They have no reason to attack us unless they have a clear advantage, if we just dig in somewhere they'll just ignore us and continue ravaging the land.
We need to attack them to wipe them out, or find some way of drawing them into an ambush.
>>12389291
Let's see the Sun pantheon's element of Air.

>>12389338

have jayne lure them in , i like this plan , so ill refine it as we recieve info about the rebels forces and whatnot

>>12389287
Also, re-read the first thread for some info on how bad ass Lacerta can be. At least their berserkers. Even with hunters focusing their fire on them and light infantry holding them back, we were only doing slightly more casualties to them than they were to our light infantry in close combat. Our scouts will do much more poorly I am sure.

Lamynus, The Sucubus Queen. The hot-headed goddes of fire, lust and destruction. known to send forth succubi, incubi and imps to do her bidding. One of the most actively malicious members of the Pantheon of the Moon, her minions know great power and pleasure... her foes often suffer a painful lingering demise

>>12389379
Then I imagine it's either Life or Earth of the Moon...

>>12389379
Nope, that ain't it. I'm sticking with Moon and Earth.

Neshai, the Hag. One of the oldest of The Ten. Neshai holds domain over life, Death and Entropy. One of the most patient of the gods she is fond of sending forth weights and shapelings to instigate the slow wasting demise of her enemies. while her minions live for unnaturally long lives, their bodies do not slow in the aging process... often leading to the body requiring dark and arcane measures to live as long as the mind interred within.

>>12389378

i see you dont get the basic points of my plan

our scouts wont be anywhere near the hand-to-hand fighting and with FOUR ranged units , instead of just hunters , we could easily take them out from afar . our legionnares and warlords will be on the ground tackling the units our missile units dont wipe out or break .

in short , its a gangbang strategy.

also can we just get a lowdown on all of the moon pantheon?

>>12389450
Oh I understand your plan. I'm just trying to say that despite the fact they lack armour, they're still pretty tough mofo's. That and as another person mentioned, they have no reason to meet us in a well defended position and unless their leader is retarded, Jayne won't be able to lure them in to a decisive battle. A better bet might be to fortify an area where we can set up an ambush. Leave less troops in the fortified area and then ambush them with hidden troops as they move in to crush it with their numbers. But that all depends on the terrain in the area on if that is feasible.

Hmm. New idea. What if we attacked the camp but let them send out messengers? If they march out to meet us, we pull back but have a unit take a long path around to hit one of the ruins and try to steal a brazier. If we held one of the braziers, we'd likely be able to make them meet us in a pitched battle on our terms.

Garagush, the Warlord. This fierce and violent god knows little of patience, happily sending forth his mortal minions to do his will, gifting them with great power... so long as they promise bloodshed and violence. He holds domain over War and Spite, and is wont to lash out at anything he deems as too weak to let survive or a worthy challenge to his minions.

>>12389446
Moon and Earth.
>>12389450
The main problem is that they have substantially more dudes than us. And Lacerta probably don't wear armor because their scales are so tough, "Perfect Warrior Race" and all.

>>12389489
Jackpot

>>12389489
That's a bingo. I'm thinking Sunlight and life would be his opposition.

>>12389489
Bingo, now who's his greatest rival?

>>12389450
Why would the rebels attack such a fortified position, when they can simply ignore you?

Karythria, The Maiden of the Seas. This icy aloof goddess knows little of kindness or compassion. She offers rewards, yet gives naught but punishment. Sending forth the frigid spirits of drowned sailors and terrible creatures of cruel intellect from the bottom of the icy seas to do her will, she favors only the Cruel and Duplicitous.

Reading about this god, I'm thinking they actually might attack us now... He has little for patience and something that might be a worthy challenge to his minions. Us in a fortified position might count as that...

>>12389489


i think we have a winner

>>12389487

your ambush plan has merit , so lets see if we can make a hybrid of my plan and yours. as for stealing the brazier , i might consider it if we weren't so outnumbered. we'll need all the men we can get if we're gonna take on the main body of raiders.

>>12389490

thats the beauty of it! we bottleneck their forces so we can smash them one-by-one , and in our trial battle , the hunters longbows were able to penetrate their scales fine enough , and im sure the dwarves crossbows can too

>>12389450
900 HEAVY INFANTRY. You don't seem to understand the magnitude of this. That's on top of potentially thousands of raiders and brigands. Our ranged might be able to put out 400 per volley, but that only means maybe 50-100 actual kills depending on range/position/wind/etc.
And they can only fire a volley every couple minutes. Assuming they charge directly for us, the raiders alone will be able to hit our lines in only 3-4 volleys, and once the enemy closes to melee our ranged cannot fire on them.
Our Legions and Warlords together only have 550 troops, and with no other troops we must maintain at least one unit (prefferably the Warlords) as reserve troops.
Also, who's to say the enemy doesn't have ranged troops of their own? Hell they could have mages for all we know.

We cannot afford to underestimate this enemy. We have no support, no backup, just us. One mistake could kill us.

I don't want to but we might have to make a trip to Highpass... I just realized the rebels didn't take all the food in Avensgate, which means they have food elsewhere. If they have that many troops, more than us, than they have to be getting food from another source. I think we might have a traitor nearby and the only likely source seems to be Highpass.

Or am I wrong Pax? Was food taken but there was stuff still leftover?

Baashek, The Sychophant... least of the Pantheo of Moon; this cowardly god seldom takes any action, for fear of retribution from the other gods. He sends his whispers to the treacherous and self-serving mortals, that they may survive and further their own gains... though the word of a Whisper may not always be delivered with your best intentions...

>Thats the Pantheon of Moon... go straight to Sunlight? any preference for a starting point there?

>>12389547
In fact, we DO know they have at least one powerful mage.
>>12389544
One more thing. A hill is not a bottleneck. A mountain pass is a bottleneck. A hill is a good way to get us surrounded by a sea of fanatical worshippers of a bloodthirsty war god.

>>12389577
Why would they need food from Highpass? Good observation, but if they've been raiding villages all over (as we know they have) that explains their food source. Besides, Highpass is a major city, it would likely need food shipments itself from the surrounding countryside.

>>12389585
Let's start with either Air or Earth.

>>12389547

just because theres 900 of them doesnt mean the're all berserkers.

fuck , we dont even know if they HAVE that many lacerta!

and do you really think Pax would so grossly outnumber us?

i

>>12389585
Life and Earth.

>>12389585
Is there anything else on our earth god of doom like those that oppose him or is that all we're going to get on him from this book?

Otherwise I suggest Sunlight and Life.

>>12389577
food was gone, but not much. Once you get north there are alot of BIG herds of Boarox (Ox with long hair and a boars tusks instead of horns) and Nebbereh (A caribou, but give it a single elks horn in the center of its head, and legs that can articulate forwards or backwards) you could subside off of.

>>12389604
I'm thinking they're getting food for free from someone in the city. Also, I'm assuming the food stocks of the villages aren't particularly bountiful so you may be right in that they're taking it from villages. I guess I'm just being paranoid with the lack of info on if the villages were raided for food/Avensgate was raided for food.

>>12389609
True, but all I'm saying is we shouldn't assume this will be at all easy. We have a single Maniple assigned for the purposes of crushing a budding rebellion, not a major force meant to take out a hostile army. I have no doubt we can do this but we have to be smart and not underestimate our opponent.

>>12389596

then we make our stand in a mountian pass.

if we fight them in pitched battle on the open ground we run the risk of getting outflanked and surrounded.

if we take the fight to them at the ruins , we'll end up fighting a battle for the walls , a fight of attrition we cant win

>>12389652
Let's find out how our battle goes against the camp first before we decide on how to fight their main army. We might find something out at the camp that makes all this planning useless or we might stop them from sending out messengers and give us more options in what to do.

>>12389628
Fine with me, I like people being paranoid in our interests. Didn't even think to check the food supplies myself.

>>12389652
Again, then we run into the problem of making them attack us in the first place. Although since their god we IDed >>12389489
as their god a cavalry raid would likely make good bait after all.

>>12389615

can either of these be domesticated , for riding or in the very least pulling carts?

also , on to the pantheon of the sun

>>12389611
a list of greater minions, mostly dead in the Great War that ended the First Age. a few references to common gifts he doles out, who his wife was. most of that is just a reference to more expansive books.

Nyetini, the Fey Princess. The beautiful goddess of life and love. This Goddess loaths war since her once husband eternally set himself down that path... abusing her greatly in the process. Known for annimating Nyads and dryads, to lighten dark moods. Most commonly medling in the affairs of mortals to attempt to foster love, though her grasp on mortal mating rituals can at times be... oblique.

We could hit the enemy camp as a night raid, and let them get messengers off before massacring the rest of them. We then fall back to a defensible position when their forces move out of their fortifications.

A mountain pass is the classic bottleneck position for a numerically inferior force to fight a superior one. But I think you're all forgetting what happened to the defensive walls of Avensgate; what's to keep them from using the same magic against us, and catching us in a landslide?

>>12389690
What kinds of gifts does our evil god give out? That would be nice to know. I guess minions too since I'm paranoid enough to think he might be strong enough to send out minions into the world again.

Also, I assume the book doesn't state if our evil earth god and Nyetini were married?

>>12389701

thats why we need a patron god of our own to counter the blue tattooed dorf

>>12389690
So Nyetini was once Garagush's wife? Interesting...
>>12389701
Hopefully they need time to prepare a ritual, but if they have that kind of power, what the hell can we currently do about it other than wipe them out as quickly as possible?

we already crucified a rebel leader when he offered his services to us , so i think we can get cruel enough to garner this>>12389529
gods attention

>>12389682
boarox are a bit stubborn for domestication compared to the more common "southern" ox. Nebbereh, if you could catch one, dont have the stamina for pulling carts, and when they need leg strength they prefer to reverse their articulation and bound forward, as opposed to pulling.

Jogra, Keeper of the Campfire and Lord of the Forge. This great bear of a god, is the patron of friendship and retribution. When Garagush instigated the splintering of the 10 as one pantheon, it was Jogra and his wife that fought against them the most fervently. He is known among mortals to favor those who stand fast for their friends and strike out to avvenge wrongs.

>>12389738
That wasn't cruel though. It was justice for his crimes and the fact we bloody well would be silly to trust in the words of a raider the second he's lost to us. If he had surrendered at the beginning of the battle, MAYBE, but he only said that because he was at our mercy. He would of betrayed us the second he had the chance.

>>12389740
Calling it right now, that was one of the gods that noticed us in thread V.

>>12389738
You're seriously suggesting we go evil and try getting an evil Moon Pantheon goddess of cruelty to help fight the apparent leader of the Moon Pantheon?

Please tell me you're kidding.

>>12389783
You left out the fact that three of the Sun Gods/Goddesses already seem to have taken a shine to us.

>>12389755

it was cruel in the fact that we CRUCIFIED him instead of taking him prisoner or just executing him normally. maybe i just want an evil god as our patron , she just sounds cool too

Raynha, Lady of the Estate. this goddes loined her husband in taking up arms against the Pantheon of the Moon during the schism, defending the battered Nyeteri and Sunrise Hall from the ravaging forces of the Pantheon of Moon. she holds domain over earth, loyalty and stability. Sending forth the spirits of fallen warriors to aid those who fight to maintain a righteous cause, or defending the lives and livelihoods of the innocent and defenseless.

>>12389813
Dude, YOU were the biggest proponent of crucifying him.

>>12389813
Crucifixition is a standard Romanesque punishment for crimes like that. It would have been cruel to torture him slowly then hang him by his entrails. What we did essentially WAS a standard execution.

>>12389740
I like this guy, but he doesn't seem very martial. Might want a different patron if we need to choose one.

>>12389829
And she was the other one.

>>12389845
I don't know, she might not be. She seems more martial and the first 2 gods who noticed us were confused that we 'called' upon them in battle.

>>12389813
Crucifixion was a standard execution method by the Romans. What the Hell, you didn't know that?

>>12389851
>>12389829
I'm liking her. My vote is currently for her as our patron deity.

>>12389783

no one said he was the LEADER of the moon pantheon , just that he was particularly strong.

i bet our sea goddess could go toe to toe with him

>>12389800

the sun pantheon sounds............just unsuited for justinian.
he's a warrior born and raised , and an up and coming commander in the emperors legions. he sounds like he needs to have a fair amount of cruelty and ruthlessness in him if he's going to be successful

Danarius, King of the Ocean. This jolly god is the patron of sailors, merchants and all the freedom-loving mortals of the world. Patron over jovility and freedom, he frequently blesses the most splendid of feasts with endless horns of fine wine, and food more delicious than it should be, as well as multiplying the bounty of those good folk who are in need of happieness. Danarius is know to send forth great Sea beasts to defend the sailors his sister Karythria would have die at sea, as well as his Griffons and Valkierys (giant fucking eagles) to defent those on the land whose freedom is threatened.

>>12389851
Yeah, I'm really just guessing based on our HOT-BLOODED RIGHTEOUS RALLYING CRY. But, that confusion could just mean that there is a far more capable War God/Goddess on the Sun Pantheon.

>>12389831

I know

I enjoyed it

and crucification wasn't exactly standard , it was used for more extreme situations like the spartacus' slave rebellion , and when jerusalem rebelled against the romans

>>12389853

and the romans were pretty fuckin' cruel

Eago, the Traveller. Also one of the oldest of the 10. He holds dominion over travel and peity, as well as the open skies. Known to favor those truly faithful to him, as well as travelers born. Some claim he fathered the Felixsians as spirits kindred to his own, (the wandering cat-folk still revere him as "the great Tomcat to the current day, you think to yourself) he often sends songbirds to lift trravelers moods and changes the winds to ease long journeys.

>hint the old gods you attracted have it mentioned in their descriptions, and Degnar is never the aggressor in its wars with Uurlanth

>>12389885
>Crucifixion was used for slaves, pirates, and enemies of the state. It was considered a most shameful and disgraceful way to die. Condemned Roman citizens were usually exempt from crucifixion (like feudal nobles from hanging, dying more honorably by decapitation) except for major crimes against the state, such as high treason.
Crucifixions were standard for traitors and rebels, which that particular bandit was.
So your assertion that the punishment was particularly cruel is not valid, since it was a standard punishment for the crime that the bandit had committed.

>>12389865
See here:>>12389740
>When Garagush instigated the splintering of the 10 as one pantheon

He might not be leader, but he's the one who caused the God's war. The sides were the Sun gods against the Moon gods, so we'd be asking
Karythria to betray her own side for no good reason.

>>12389829
Read that again. Actually, here:
>She holds domain over earth, loyalty and stability
Earth means she's the same element as our opponent, meaning she could likely counter our opponent's magic.
>loyalty and stability
Guess what we're here for? Putting down a rebellion to ensure stability.
And we're trying to ensure the loyalty of our commanders (stretching I know, but still...)
>to aid those who fight to maintain a righteous cause, or defending the lives and livelihoods of the innocent and defenseless.
Remember how we protected those villagers?

On the other hand, Karthria is a goddess of cruelty, so if we go with her we'd better go back and start torturing the villagers we saved to get on her good side. You want to give the order personally or tell Sansa to do it? How about Jayne? Think she'd happily go and murder villagers to try and gain an evil goddesses favor?

>>12389919
Jogra and Danarius?

>>12389919
>>12389878
Yep, looks like either Raynha or Jogra would be the best fit if we do decide to start worshiping someone.

>>12389939
Neshai and Eago. One is depicted as a "Hag", the other as a wisened old traveler. only two with "old" in their blurb.

>>12389952
Damn, I figured that to be a false clue what with them all being old comparative to us.

>>12389952
Ahhhh. When I thought old gods, I considered them all old gods but I see what you did there. Now I hope we didn't attract their permanent attention...

Any idea on what kinds of gifts the moon earth god gave to his followers? Otherwise, examine the maps in the library. Maybe we can find something on the map to help us out whether it be terrain or something we've not been told about by others or just missed.

After your reasearch into the gods you decide to delve into the old maps. it takes hours to compile all of them down into something useful, but you think it may help with your strategizing.

>green splotches are where the forests are currently, brown lines the topography, grey lines the connecting tunnels. The brown triangles are places where the men who forged the Degnarian Empire met with Orc clans to trade for information, and try to convince them to join their cause/empire. Pentagons were dagonian cities (mostly flatened now) Enemy camp is marked the same, your location in Avensgate is the red circle

>>12389998
derp, forgot map

>>12389947

if you wanna be a goody two shoes about your religion.

which NO roman commander ever was

>>12389973
He frequently gave his followers the ability to motivate loose stone and earth to move of its own volition and to motivate the ground to rise up into rock formations and the like (terakinesis, loose stone is easy, big mounds of earth being re-formed was DAMN hard to pull off, only his greatest champions could pull that off)

Interesting. Tzoreath looks like a potential avenue of attack if the tunnels are clear. I think we might want to send some people to scout out those ruins while we take on the enemy camp and see how badly the tunnels are collapsed because I don't see why the rebels aren't using it if they're clear.

Also, there's a forest behind the camp. That's going to be problematic and I bet we'll be facing some poachers. Also going to make it hard to stop messengers if they get into it.

>>12390023
Well too bad this is the Glorious Dengar Empire and not Rome, aye?

>>12390040

seconding this

>>12390040
We need more information before we can properly plan an attack on the camp. Those bandits we interrogated mentioned marching through the riverbed, do they have some way of crossing the river quickly? How is the camp set up? How many troops are there? etc.

We need to get moving soon, before the camp clears out. Seconding having someone scout the tunnel as well.

>>12390072
I don't think we have any prisoners left since they died due to the amulets. Perhaps a few of our scouts can get close enough to investigate the camp while we march towards it.

>>12390052

well ,despite your differing views , I nonetheless
praise your photoshooping skills(if you didnt find that somewhere else)

If we want to take a risk, maybe we should ignore the frontal approach and hit Bhorash. It'll take longer but I doubt our foe would think we'd march that far to hit them through the tunnels.

>>12390036
Would what happened to the walls be considered loose stones due to the fact it was artificially made rather than being an artificial wall or are we dealing with one badass sorceror?

>>12390079

didn't the dwarven prisoner just piss his pants and faint?

>>12390079
only the leaders had amulets, you still have about 75 scrub prisoners, since your orders were to take them back to DragonsReach to either bolster the ranks or become examples.

>If you want to use Finians messenger Eagle to send the letter to the second praetorian your gonna need a d100 roll to do the convincing (it should be pretty easy as he doesnt like the bird that much anyways)

rolled 16 = 16

>>12390111
Well, here goes nothing.

rolled 19 = 19

>>12390111
Oh excellent. Then we can pump them for information. Of course, we don't inform them that they're being sent back to the capital yet so they're more cooperative.

>>12390097
somewhere in between. its solid like the ground, but it isnt natural. on the precipice of well above average and low end powerhouse

>>12390127
Ok, so every time I listen to Godhand music I roll well? Dicebot must be a Clover fan.

>>12390091
Found it on /tg/, actually. Surprised it hasn't been posted in here yet.
Also, GET BACK IN FORMATION YOU DAFT WOMAN!

>>12390079
Actually I did mean that we need scouts to check out the camp, since prisoners would have outdated information anyway. Who knows if it's even still there? It could have moved after sending out the raiding force we intercepted.

>>12390127
Awesome roll!

>>12390133
We're dealing with a painful opponent then... I'm starting to think the tunnels might be risky idea that we want only a single unit to do while we meet them on the field in a non-fortified position. That or we hope that whatever god wants to see him fail gives us some assistance against these spells when we meet him in battle...

rolled 96 = 96

>>12390111

rollling for the letter

i think we should interview the prisoners and see what they think about garagush.

im getting the feeling that they dont really care , they just wanted a chance to get money through pillaging and whtnot

>>12390176
Well the main opposing god would probably be Jogra, but his wife is more martial and is the Sun Pantheon's earth element goddess. If we start asking gods for help my vote is for Raynha since she'd likely be able to nullify/counter whatever magics Garagush granted his followers, or at least give us similar powers.

>>12390127
"Keep it." Finian answers, his eyes red, but dry. "Its a damned painful reminder of a happier time, and the fucking thing hates me" After about an hour you are familiar with how to order the bird, and pleased to know that it not only knows the loacation of all the major cities in the Empire, including the Imperial Castle specificly; and more than a few of the smaller cities. It take about a day to train the bird to learn you as its return point. The eagle really is a beatiful creature, its earth-brown feathers flowing naturally into a jet black at the tips of its wings and its head, and it stands out against the ice-blue morning sky as it flys off to DragonsReach

>>12390232
Sweet, messenger eagle is very useful. Now we need to form up and start marching. Send scouts to check the previously mentioned tunnels and try to get a visual on the camp.

>>12390259
Wait - question the prisoners first. How many troops were left at the camp at the time and things like that. It might of changed since then but some expectations would be good.

most of the prisoners you interrogate are under the impression that the camp at the riverbend is there as both as a lookout/warning encampment, and as it can see both sets of ruins it serves to warn one should the other fall. They claim that their leader casued great boulders to roll ahead of them so that they could walk along the surface of the riverbed, and that one of his "wives" compelled the displaced water to flow over them instead of flooding the countryside. And they know for a fact that a detachment was sent to Tzoreath to "deal with something" but thats all you are able to drag out of them... and thats only extrapolating from rumors they heard.

>>12390282
Oh, look at that. Two sorcerers, possibly more. Awesome.

rolled 41 = 41

>>12390282

i think we should send scouts tzoreath and see if the rebels are still there before we do anything

Let's be bolder and send our forces to Tzoreath. Find out how long ago they were sent and how large a detachment. I'm thinking they're trying to clear the tunnel so they can hit Highpass. The camp can wait if it's a lookout point.

>>12390282
If they needed to 'deal with something', that could either mean an ally for us, or preparations they needed to make and that we can then disrupt.

We could begin marching while sending a scouting detachment to Tzoreath.

>>12390282
>'wives'
>Water powers

Well so much for asking for help from Karythria, aye?

>>12390307
Seconding scouts to Tzoreath.

Anyone else think we should try contacting a god before we walk into the enemy camp? We might not have a chance once the enemy knows we're coming.

rolled 59 = 59

>>12390307

in fact we need to secure the tunnels so we dont go attacking the camp only to have the main body of raiders coming in from behind to pincer us.

>>12390333
marching towards?

>>12390335

damn , i guess so...........


then my next vote for a patron god is Neshai!!!

we will have an evil god

>>12390338
Tzoreath. The scout elements go ahead and bring back recon data for us to plan an attack.

>>12390333
Wow, I guess I'm more tired than i thought. Marching towards Tzoreath. I think we should mess up their plans there. A) It lets us kill some of their forces that are isolated and B) We either have first dibs to opened tunnels or we can lay a trap for them if they did open up the tunnels. I just figured the scouts could get there ahead of us earlier as we march towards it with our army.

>>12390350
I vote for Raynha.

I'm still against the whole being all pious towards the gods but if you guys are adamant about it, at least make it more along the lines of Justinian quietly asking one of the gods for help against this foe. No huge spectacle to make our men/captains think we've lost it. As far as we know, only one of our captains may believe in the old gods if I remember correctly.

>>12390333

if we attack the camp then some raiders could flee into the forest right next the camp and alert the main army of raiders to come and surround us in the open .

we should be sneaky gits and secure the tunnels then take gyademach and then decide what to do from there

>>12390351
Seconding.

>>12390350
Actually, since we have confirmation that Garagush is involved and probable cause to suspect Karythria, I wouldn't be surprised if we find more evil gods involved. What if we just stumbled onto the Moon Pantheon's evil take-over-the-world plan and they're all involved?

If it is possible to acquire an evil god however, I would support Neshai.

>>12390375
Just Cornelius. And I don't condone Justinian just all of a sudden having faith either, I can just see that we *will* eventually end up worshipping a god and I vote for Raynha.

>>12390355
I can start moving the story ahaead agai if this is agreed on, or some other action gets double/trippled up on. I got multiple battles in store for you guys and I'm eager to hit you with'em.

as far as getting a gods attention, they do things very much on a merit basis, so get ones attention then prove your worth that attention

>>12390375
True, no real reason to start openly worshipping any gods. I would be happy if we could just try "summoning a god's presence" like when we called out to the Old Gods back in the battle. Just as an experiment.

>>12390390

we have no evidence to assume that ALL of the evil gods are in bed with Garagush , just Karythria

if we find out its just them , then Neshai seems like a powerful god to have on our side

>>12390406
Seconding his orders.

>>12390410
That kind of thing sounds like it would piss them off more than anything. If we are going to try to call on them, it should be due to actual need rather than being curious. I'm assuming the normal rule applies: Gods are arrogant and don't like their time being wasted.

>>12390431
not Neshai
she has all the time in the world

>>12390406

to tzoreath!

>>12390437
I admit I lol'ed.

>>12390431
Actually, that's a good point. I was thinking like Hretmar from Frost Giantess Quest, but these do sound more like the Greek pantheon all up in yo' grill over wasting their time.

Unsure of how to go about such things, you carve Neshais icon into one rock, and Raynha's into another the night before your Maniple marches to Tzoreath. "I have never been religious, but I feel I may be about to go to war against a foe who has the favor of Garagush... and I may need aid. Would you offer that aid, you would have... my thanks... and possibly my belief." (but not necesarily faith, you think to yourself). You feel two great presences once again plunge into your mind. One, slow in its penetration of your consciousness that feels older than time; is confused once again by your request for aid in battle. In fact, the fact that a soldier wants its aid at all perturbs it, leaving it curious as to how you intend to fight this campaign, and how you carry yourself in war in general. The other, much warmer and younger in its feel seems eager to oppose Garagush in battle... but the message it clearly has burnt into your mind is "PROVE YOUR WORTH", though it feels secure with your intentions and the ideals you were raised with.

>which unit so you want to range ahead?
>how this battle goes will determine what god you attract the potential aid of (Moon and Sun are more or less mutually exclusive, and it would be damn hard to bridge the two together... but not impossible
>they may have been like that, but things have changed since the first age, and obstinacy can sometimes lead to death...

>>12390572

hunters with sansa

in fact from now on , just put sansa with the hunters since she seems to compliment them so well.

also , endorsing Neshai as our patron

WE SHALL BECOME EVERLASTING

>>12390572
Sorry guys but I forsee no way to get Neshais' favor with this. We are not performing a siege in this case. Unless we later find a way to do it, I foresee us getting the favor of the Sunlight pantheon.

Send Sansa's unit ahead. Aurelis can rest a little more after his recent wound.

>>12390572
I'd go with Finian's, but I'm not entirely sure what the hell I'm talking about so feel free to ignore this.

Now, Raynha is my favored choice, but Neshai is a crafty old bitch and I like her style. So, I'd really be fine with either.

>>12390613
We kick as in battle and be good, we get Raynha's attention. Neshai isn't even interested. My vote for Neshai is withdrawn.

Seconding Sansa with the Hunters scouting ahead.

Sansa is currently leading the dorf scouts, remember guys?

If we got into the politics game, I could see us getting Neshais' favor but if we're campaigning? She won't be useful for us. She prefers long term plans and we're not in any situation to do things long term.

>>12390642

and havent we already proven that the dice hate us?

if we cock up in battle Raynha spurns us

if we fuck up then Neshai will be chill about it and help us out

>>12390613
>>12390629
>>12390634
>>12390642
>>12390657
I said hard to get both, not impossible. And Neshai is open to this... if she likes your style. She could be watching you for a VERY long time without your knowing. Stay crafty and keep trying to weaken your opponents before the fight/keep the long-term in mind and you could get her as well.

>also, Justinian has to damn many voices in his head, more than the three he bargained for, most of them his own... MAKE UP YOUR MINDS, lol

>>12390687
NEVER!

>>12390687
When I said Aurelis can get some rest, I meant in the sense that his unit can remain with us. Sansa is leading the dorf scouts so they can go ahead and scout it out.

>>12390687
SANITY IS FOR THE WEAK!
>>12390717
Seconding this.

>>12390687
See if Finian is ready for duty, and send his unit to scout ahead; Sansa will lead if Finian still needs a bit more time.

>>12390748
I suggest leaving him alone for now. Let him come to us when he is ready, unless we REALLY need him for a big battle. Just seems like it's more of a bro thing to do.

>>12390770

seconding this

sansa should lead the dorf scouts before we come up with the rest of the maniple and secure the entrance to the tunnel.

im starting to not want Neshai as a patron.
i mean , in her description she seemed more.......evil. now that we're actually communicating with her she doesnt seem so cool anymore. I HENCE FORTH CHANGE MY VOTE TO THE SUCCUBUS QUEEN.

As you approach Finians tent a massive golden eagle, easily twice the size of yours ( which is the size of a Bald Eagle) swoops through the tents flap, message in talon, and flys back out almost as quickly. You hear the sound of the canister opening... then laughter, and not the kind stemming from good humor and misunderstandings. Since Finian is already on a sort of leave, you quietly back away from the tent and tell Sansa to lead his unit ahead of the column to scout out the enemy position at Tzoreath. By the time you arrive Sansa is already waiting for you, a sketched map of the entrance to the ruins ready. She notes that there is a higher outcropping in the fortress between the two she drew on her map, but it seemed abandoned, and you lack the tools to reach it either way.

>blue lines are where battalions stand guard. Sansa only noted 5 distinct units while watching the entrances.

>>12390830
First thing we do is make sure the forest is free of *unpleasant surprises*.Then, we place the cav and hunters in there for amushan goodness.

>>12390830
I assume we deploy in the south part of the map? What's the green on the map and what kind of units did Sansa see? Have they been moving in and out of the ruins with anything or have they been doing anything odd from what she can see?

>>12390862
Indeed. Send Sansa in to confirm it's clear, then have her and Jayne stay there while the rest of us form up.

>>12390830

have jayne charge the battalion on the right

have all ranged units fire on the regiment to the left.

lead the warlords and legionnares close behind

yup, deploy south. Sansa counted 3 light infantry battalions, mail, swords and shields all, they looked like mercenaries. she also saw a unit of Lacertan Skirmishers and some dwarven archers, they had longbows.

As you prepare to order Sansa check the forest, Finian walks up to you, his armor all re-colored to black and crimson, not a trace of his house colors remain. A dead look is in his eyes, one that is but a hair from madness "I have noting to live for..." the pause here seem slonger than it should be "save the legion. I will check the woods, and take only volunteers to go with me." this causes all of your captains and advisors heads to spin in his direction, as he has been dead to the camp for the last few weeks.

>>12390926
Is this a documented phenomenon among dwarves? 'Cause I am confused.

>>12390926
Take Finian aside and talk to the man. With the way he's acting, he's going to be suicidal. Try to talk some sense into him - The woman said she wanted to be with someone from a more important house? Prover her wrong. Become one of the most famous people in the Legion and see how she likes that. Something along those lines I guess.

>>12390926

well fuck , now finian worships Garagush

have him stick vlose to us , aurelius and his hunters can take care of the forest

reiterating this>>12390888
except for the hunters who will clear the forest

>>12390944
he was part of a noble house in the duchy. was exiled, his woman left him after he put everything on hold for 40 years, then a huge messenger eagle with a message canister in his house's colors brought him a letter... which made him laugh (the kind of last a crazy or broken person makes). He usually had some house colors on his armor, now he looks broken, has no house colors, and says the legion is all he has left

>>12390981

well , so his house took the final step and disowned him

shit, the way he is now , he is in no condition to lead anyone

sansa will lead the scouts until he comes to his senses.

for now he can just stay with us

>>12390960
You take Finian aside "what was in that letter?" you ask him, point blank.

his wxpression doesnt change a bit "When they re-evaluated the blade my father forged, the pinacle of craftsmanship that earned our family a place as a noble house... they found a flaw... and stripped the family of half of its holdings. Father; the man who was my father... he disowned me... and... my exile is now indefinite. I have nothing to live for now, save the Legion"

>>12390926
Hmhmhmhmhm. Rejoice fellow voices in Justinian's head. We may have an amusing advantage here. If we can somehow get in contact with them during battle or before, maybe we can hire us some mercenaries. So glad I suggested we bring money.

>>12390981
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Great, now one of our commanders is looking to suicide gloriously in battle.

>>12390960
The Legion is all you have left, and the Legion needs you now. We can't afford to have you looking for a way to die in battle, your men need you to command them.

>>12391016
Give the man our deepest sympathies but he has to realize that he isn't trying to live for the Legion right now. He's trying to die for it for no reason and it'll cost the Legion a valuable captain. Tell him to snap out of it and that if he wants to live for the Legion, live to become one of the most famous dorfs in it.

>>12391024
March up to the entrance WITHOUT attacking and tell the mercs they can join us and be paid well, run, or die here? Anyone who attacks we fight, anyone who runs we let go, anyone who wants to join up we welcome.

>>12391042

fuck that , hes gonna go charging in commanding a SCOUT battalion.

sansa can lead the scouts for now , he just needs to vent his suicidal feelings in the heat of battle by our side , no thought given to leading other men , only the destruction of the foe

just as the succubus queen would have it

>>12391065
Depends who is guarding the entrance. If it's the dorfs or Lacertans, that's a no go. Only do that if it is the mercenaries guarding the entrance/the mercenaries leave to patrol or something.

>>12391065

seconding this though.

if they fight though , we shall offer them up as a sacrifice in the name of the Succubus Queen , our Dark Lady Lamynus

>>12391016
"Finian, the Legion needs you now, and will need you in the coming years ahead. Your men need you, to lead them into battle and out the other side alive. And I need you in the here and now, because a man who has nothing to lose is a man who has all the reasons to fail."

How much money do we have? If there are mercenaries, we definitely need to consider buying their contract out.

>>12391079
March up in full battle formation to just out of archery range, shout to the whole battlefield. Then we kill whoever chooses to fight. Anyone who doesn't join the battle we can negotiate with after.

Three units of mercenary light infantry watch two Legions, a unit of Warlords and a mass of ranged troops march up in full formation, then watch as the Lacertans and anyone who tries fighting get fucked up. I'd say that's pretty convincing.

"Sansa will lead your unit to clear the forest Finian. Your right, the Legion is all you have left now. We are a nobility all our own, and you can truly be one of our greatest Lords, you have the potential for greatness, if you LIVE for it. Leading a unit of scouts in a suicidal charge will earn you nothing but my ire and an inglorious death. You are free to fight at my side until your mind has returned to you friend. Sansa, take volunteers from the 50th and check that forest, I want a report in an hour."

An hour later Sansa returns, her crimson sash a few shades darker than it was when she left... but the forest is clear. Using one of the scouts magnifying tubes you see the Lacertan Skirmishers at the east entrance, and a unit of mercenary swordsmem at the west

rolled 8 = 8

>>12391145

this
rolling for persuasion

also promise them the favour of the Succubus Queen

>>12391152
Would it be possible to sneak in some scouts towards the mercenaries with a white flag (I assume there's some universal parley sign or something in this universe) to talk to them with us? If we can get them to join our side without the rest of the troops knowing, we'll take very few losses in this fight.

>>12391168
Dude, we're not going to go around talking to other people about the old gods or just start worshipping them like that. It's going to make us look crazy in a setting where most people don't believe in them. Even if the gods we've communicated with so far help us, we still might not even worship them.

>>12391177
Mwahahaha, the enemy has arrived and the gates are left open.

>>12391206
Do they even have gates on the tunnels?

>>12391177
Have the main force march into view, have a few scouts slip around while everyone's staring at the infantry column coming out of nowhere and covertly get the attention of whoever looks to be in charge?

>>12391241
The problem with that is they enemy might come out to meet us if we reveal ourselves. That'll make contacting the mercs, at least each unit, a lot more difficult.

>>12391241
Figure of speech. I was just thinking how awesome it'd be if we were able to sneak around the non-merc forces and have the mercenaries just let us in.

>>12391206
>>12391177
>>12391168
You lead a group of robed hunters, who have began referring to themselves as your "shades" to the west entrance. You appear suddenly from the shadow of the mountain "You there, mercenary captian. I have a full maniple waiting just outside of charging distance... but I want to offer you a deal. If you can guarantee at least one other unit will join you in joining me."

A middle aged man with a horribly scarred face approaches you "what kind of deal, messenger boy?"

"I'm the commander, and whats your price?"

"That depends intirely on how much you have to offer..." the mercenary replies, grinning
>you have just under 10000 gold dragoons left in this campaigns purse

>>12391279
How much are you being paid to fight with them?

>>12391279
Hard to give a price when I have no clue what's a reasonable wage for the army... Say 4000 with an additional 1000 if they have valuable information for us? If that's obviously too low, please don't take that as our offer, heh.

>>12391279
If I remember right, Jayne cost a third of our starting funds and we've spent some since, so call that 20,000 gold ragoons for the total purse and around 60,000-70,000 for hiring a mercenary unit of Jayne's caliber.

>>12391321
*6,000-7,000 that is.

>>12391279
What's the usual going price for mercenaries? It looks like this is possibly a veteran unit, so, 2500? 3000?

If we do get them to sign on, I think it would be best to send them down south and link up with the rest of the Legions fighting against Uurlanth.
This keep this mercenary unit from turning against us in a triple-cross.

>>12391321
Yes but that's to fight with us for the campaign. If they're only joining us for one fight, we can offer less. I say offer less and then negotiate something more long-term after we wipe the other forces out.

Also, only give half now and half after the battle.

>>12391321
noble house units are normally satarting at 20000 for an unmarked or untrusted house, and you charmed Jayne into giving you one hell of a deal. most merc units go for 3.5 to 4, 6-8 if their exceptional. this lot seems about average, maybe a bit above... but you dont know about the other units

>>12391360
I'll agree with 6000 then with a cash bonus if they can get us any valuable intel before we attack.

>>12391344
Oh I know, I ws just trying to establish a baseline for what mercenaries cost. I figure since we had a major discount from Jayne the current price is more like what you'd pay for a light infantry company.

Also consider we're bribing them away from whoever they're currently working for, so well need to pay some extra.

Maybe they'll accept a lower price if they don't have to fight? Just stay on the sidelines and not interfere?

>>12391387
Not necessarily. Mercenaries have to be smart to survive so now they'll be asking themselves "Who is likely to win? This rebellion or armies of the empire?" If the guy is stupid enough to think the rebellion will win and tries to gouge us on price, we might not want to keep him around anyways.

To be fair though, the whole rebellion having magic might change that dynamic...

"My pockets arent horribly deep... I did recruit some house cavalry before I came out this way. 6000 plus a bonus if you have more useful information." you reply, all business.

"that split two ways? HAH!!! 8.5 for a two way split and I'll talk to Aurthurius... he should bite your worm."

rolled 61 = 61

>>12391407

but we will have the might of the Succubus Queen on our side!

6000 sounds reasonable enough , but what are we getting out of this?

just one unit of light infantry ?

or all three merc units?

>>12391407
Don't mention magic unless he does, he might not know about it. He could just have been hired to guard this cave and know nothing about what else is going on.

Are we trying for just him or do we want to bribe away all the mercs?

>>12391426

good enough

>>12391426
4250 for just sitting out a fight?
We have an entire maniple with uursan heavy cavalry, and this mercenary thinks two light infantry battalion can survive against those odds?

>>12391426
7500 if you can convince your friend, a bonus if you have some useful information.

>>12391426
If that's 8.5 for all of the merc units that sounds about fair.

>>12391450
hire for the battle, maybe the campaigns remainder if you impress them

>>12391426
That's a good point - are they assisting in this or sitting out? If they're assisting, I'll bite 8k. Also, is this an actual contract with them or just for this battle?

>>12391450
DO NOT tell him anything about our forces besides that we have a Maniple. We don't want him doublecrossing us when we're paying so well.

>>12391462
Then I say 8k with a bonus for anything juicy. They'll also be allowed to take the pay of the other mercenary company if they still have it. How does that sound guys?

>>12391462
In that case, I'd actually agree with 8500.

>>12391455
Sounds like it's for him and one other, we'll still have one hostile.

>>12391477
By other merc company, I meant the one that won't join us. As well, pay half now and the rest after the battle just to be sure. Unless they accept being paid after the battle, which would be peachy.

>>12391477
Sounds good. Seconding this.

"You have a deal. I'll provide a bonus if you have any good information, and you and your friend can split the third companies purse if they still have it."

The mercenary captain nods and runs into the ruins. About 20 minuites later he returns "Aurthurius is in. We expect full payment after the fight. we'll stay on station here, shifts dont shange until midday and I'd rather do this before the whole camp wakes up. When do we strike?"

>>12391528
When we approach. Everyone will be looking our way, you'll have the advantage of surprise.

>>12391528
What time of day is it?
Can we move our maniple into position in an hour?

>>12391528
However long it'll take us to set up the ambush and draw out the guards at the east entrance.

>>12391528
Is the camp asleep now? If not, find a way to send out an unfriendly unit from the ruins and then we'll march to take em on while isolated. If they're asleep now, then it might be best if we march now. The mercs can take care of the sleeping units and join us after while we move in and take on the others.

>>12391554
about an hour from sunrise, you could be ready to strike (and very visible from the gates) by then

Why not sneak the scouts and light infantry in to kill the third mercenary battalion in their sleep while the rest of the maniple forms up in front of the gates and takes on the Lacerta battalion?

>>12391573
Then I suggest we prepare to strike within the hour while they're off guard. The mercs can deal with their archers and we'll deal with the melee units is what I think is best.

Oh yes, tell the mercs to keep any important people alive if they can.

"We strike at dawn. Try to keep anyone important alive, there's a bonus for that." you reply curtly before departing.

>how do you want to charge?

>>12391666
Legionary units marching in the center with the hunters in the woods. Have the rangers and scouts back up the legionary units with ranged support with our scouts and rangers. Bear cav... In the woods as well I suppose to respond to the situation as necessary. Keep the warlords in reserve to fill in any holes/stop any flanking actions.

>>12391666
I still like the "Draw them out and hit 'em with cavalry" idea.

>>12391682
This. Cavalry to charge at Jayne's discretion when the enemy is committed, she's shown she can handle her own targets.

>>12391682

seconding

It may be a good idea to arrange for the mercs to disappear into the base when the attack is due to start so the east garrison doesn't get suspicious..

>>12391666

once this battle is over can we build a boarox chariot?

come dawn your men are set in position on the field, the sun rising at your backs. Within minuites of your advance you hear an enemy warhorn bellow out, followed by the laughter of some 300 men. The upper fortress entrance begins sending arrows your way.

>your gear, what unit you lead, (or run solo with Collin and Finian)

>>12391802
Spear and Light Armor. Let's stick with our retinue so we can go where we're needed most.

>>12391802
When you mean run solo, do you literally mean it would just be us three or do we have a mini-bodyguard type thing? If not, we really need to invest in a unit for ourselves in the future...

I say join the warlords. We can always split off a portion of them to lead assaults if we need to and we should leave the front lines as a solid shield wall. Go equipped in our heavier armour with our large shield and sword if we join the warlords.

>>12391802

i say since warlords are in reserve we stay with them so we can decide when to commit are shock troops

>>12391802

full plate sword n' board , lets be in cornelius' unit.

where are the mercs?
are they attacking or just chilling?
im assuming our mercs are the blue and the enemy is red?

"SHIELDS UP YOU HELLHOUNDS , THE SUCCUBUS QUEEN IS WATCHING!!!"

>>12391824
your spear broke bro, but I'll assume you grabbed one of the salvaged ones

>>12391855
Oh. In that case, I'll agree with the lighter armour and spear then. We'll look a little out of place with the warlords but I imagine that's what our character is most accustomed to being formerly from a light spears unit.

>>12391843
mercs hold the west gate, second unit is most likely keeping it that way. orange on the map

>>12391866

this is pitched battle sucka'

FULL PLATE ALL THE WAY

>>12391882

kay then , full advance on the eastern gate

in addition to this>>12391843

>>12391933
Or, how about we don't invoke evil godesses whose allies we may or may or may not be attacking right now?

arrows begin to pepper the 454th Legionary, but nothing gets through the armor and shields. you will be in range of the skirmishers javelins soon...

>>12391958
Agreed... I rather not have our men think we're insane by talking about old gods in public.

>>12391933
Or the non-crazy option "Shields up boys and girls, I'd rather we avoid gaining any new holes."

>>12391974
Those damn mercs better do something soon to the archers or the skirmishers. Focus our ranged attacks on the skirmishers.

>>12391958

the only thing we know right now is that the rebels fight for Garagush and is allied with Karythria , as of now we dont know if any of the other evil gods are in on it

>>12391993
Second.

>>12391974
Oh right. Stop our advance then. It seems like they're eager to march to us so we'll hold our ground where their archers can only hit our legionary units at this distance.

>>12391993

seconding

why would they think we're crazy?
the common grunt may not be religious , but he knows the gods did exist at some point , and once we encounter the enemy sorcerer in battle ,the cat'll be outta the bag and the entire maniple will know the gods are back.

why not start worshipping now?

>>12392000

Hence "May or may not".

At the very least, it's safest to let sleeping gods lie.

"Shileds up lads!! Lets not earn any new holes today!!" you shout as the units pass into javelin range. Collin laughs, drawing his sword. He makes a show of slashing the first javelin headed his war in half, then his face becomes more serious as the heavy wooden rain intensifies, and men start falling, the weight of the javelins punching through shield, mail and flesh alike, the sounds of battle on the inside of the fortress intensify...

>>12392000
We are not declaring allegiance to any god at the moment. We are definitely not saying anything to anyone about any gods until further notice. All requests to incorporate gods into any public activity will be ignored until a consensus of players agrees to it.

>>12392045

*We* know. The men don't. And we've seen previous examples of how gods-worshippers are considered a bit looney. We don't need them worrying about whether their Commander has all his marbles or not right in the middle of a battle.

>>12392045
Religion is dead in our empire from what I can tell. When we come across their sorceror's, most of the men are likely to believe the enemy has some kind of magical artifact rather than it being due to the gods. You can't go from not believing in gods period to being super pious at the turn of the hat and expect it to be problem free in an empire like that.

>>12392070
*way, not war... cant type, lol

>>12392045
Oh, I don't know. Maybe because there is a grand total of one religious guy in the entire maniple. Oh, and you're suggesting that we give praise to the evil goddess of destruction after we asked the goddesses of decay and righteous combat for aid.

>>12392070
March faster if possible, we need to close the distance.

>>12392070
Geh. Keep marching then. Didn't think the javelins would be that powerful against our shields. Does our empires armies match the pre-reformation Roman armies or post?

I think it also might be a good time for bear cav to charge out... Are their archers on an area we cannot reach?

>>12392070
Well, it appears the archers on the wall have encountered an unexpected enemy. Mayhaps it is time for *our* archers to make an appearance?

i'll agree to this>>12392072 for the moment , but when the time comes you know who i'll vote for

>>12392070

can jayne and sansa move into the gates in the west and get a pincer going?

as you close the distance on the skirmishers, you hear a series of loud curses from your new mercenaries, and the swordsmen begin forming a hasty wedge facing the inside of the fortress

>>12392092

see>>12390810

how would they see him as using an artifact?
moving his hands and chanting generally doesnt seem as using a magical object to me.

>>12392157
Hmm. Maybe we should send Jayne and Sansa in to help that flank with the mercs. Hopefully they're smart enough to open up space for the bear cav to maul whatever they're fighting.

>>12392157

warlords go to support the mercs as well as sansa and jayne

>>12392176
It might be. Maybe you need to do some fancy stuff to use the artifact. You never know. The point is, not every person is instantly going to go "He cast a spell! The old gods are back! We must worship them!" I'm wondering if a lot of them might oppose the idea of worshiping old gods actually.

>>12392184
Second. The quicker we get into the base the better.

>>12392200
Our nation did undergo a giant religious war at some point in history. Worshiping the old gods could be a good way to get executed for treason for all we know.
>>12392193
Warlords lead, we don't want Jayne trying to charge something in a thin tunnel with no way to flank. CAVALRY DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY!

The mercenaries begin backpeddling as a rather large swarm of Aurachnaspecus (4 foot tall arachnid beasts, chitin skin that holds up like a few inches of tough wood, scorpionlike claws for the front two arms, and a very bad attitude) swarm at them, managing to break through and out into the field, ravenously hungry.

>>12392257
Normal cavalry doesn't work that way. Cavalry that could rip your face off the second it stop charging might do just fine in a situation like that. Plus the surprise factor of bear cavalry running through the unit you are fighting would also help them. I never intended them to remain in the fortress, that's for sure.

Honestly, I rather have them hit the skirmishers as they're busy advancing on us.

>>12392257
>Cave
>Bear
I don't see the problem.

>>12392257

this is true for most cavalry , but we're talking MOTHERFUCKIN' BEAR CAVALRY

with all that momentum and armour , even pikemen would be hard pressed to stop them

>>12392268
Warlords wheel and charge them Now, all ranged units concentrate fire on the troops hitting us with ranged, 196th to charge while 454 holds in place in case the Spidews charge us. (that's what I'm calling them. DEAL WITH IT)

>>12392268
Bloody hell. Don't someone dare say we should capture one of them for a mount. I don't know if we want our cavalry rushing into those... But I don't see what else we can do. Send the cav to help out the merc while Sansa's unit follows.

>>12392268

alright , we can handle this , jayne charges the spidies and the warlords follow , legionnares charge the lacertans and have our scouts and rangers trade shots with the archers on the walls

>>12392287
To clarify, I wanted the 196th to charge the troops we were advancing towards. Also have the 50th pull back behind the 454th if the Spidews so much as glance menacingly at them.

>>12392295

i was thinking that BUT YOU BETTER FUCKING BELIEVE I AM NOW.

PAX CAN WE KEEP ONE PLEASE?
WE'LL FEED IT AND TAKE IT FOR A WALK EVERYDAY , WE PROMISE!

>>12392329
Feed it what, prisoners?
No. I know you're going to say it.
Just no.

>>12392329
They're only 4 feet tall. Not nearly intimidating enough for a person of our stature.

>>12392340
You know, if we could tame a couple I'd be perfectly happy having one as a pet. Or several. And training them to attack on command.

Who's a good little scorpion-like arachnid beast? That's right, you are! Yes you are!

We shall name it Fluffy.

>>12392338

i also wasn't thinking that BUT YOU BETTER FUCKING BELIEVE I AM NOW

HOW BIG DO YOU THINK IT WOULD GROW IF WE FED IT 2 LACERTANS A DAY?

WE'LL NAME HIM/HER SCALY!

>>12392329
>>12392355
This voice in Justinian's head hates spiders. We will be having problems from now on, heh.

>>12392338
>>12392355
Wait a minute. That Centurion's a spy!

>>12392361
We can get two. Scaly and Fluffy.

Dammit, now I'm liking this idea. Would this be possible Pax? Come on, we need a pet!

>>12392329
Annd who's going to clean up after it when it breaks loose and gets into Mrs. Caeser's chicken coops? You?

>theyre a common creature in caves actually, move in hatching groups... like piranhas on land really.

As the Aurachnaspecus pass through the mercenaries, the mercs re-form and charge something... probably the handlers you think, preparing to shield the scouts and rangers with your unit. Off to the east you hwear a loud battlecry, followed by your second new hire charging the lacertans rear. The shock of the betrayal causes one of the units torchbearers to drop his torch, extinguishing it, the whole unit is forced to stop to re-form. The storm of arrows and bolts flying over your head intensifies...

>>12392371
We have the eagle as a pet. The army limits us to one per per commander. <_<

>>12392369
Nope, it was me. I don't want one as a mount, but I didn't notice the 4 foot tall part.

>>12392371
No, no, no, absolutely not. We are on a battlefield, not a petshop.

>>12392376
I can't tell what the enemy archers are on top of. Can we charge them? If not, the only thing I can think of is focusing our fire on them now. Also, have the warlords move up now. They're way too far back.

>>12392390
Yes, the Warlords should be charging the Spidews right now.

>>12392397
The 98th are the warlords right? I keep forgetting what's what other than the scouts and rangers.

>>12392376
Wait, Land Piranha? Awesome. Not now, later. When we aren't fighting for our lives.
Charge! This place'll be ours by midday! Better use some more units to take out the arachno-scorpions though.

rolled 8 = 8

>>12392376

wheel left and charge the spidies while our ranged keeps up the fire on the walls , have the 196th keep doin' what the're doin , warlords to come up and start smashing arachnids

>Pax , can we knock one out and keep it please?

rolling for scaly get

>>12392410
Here.

>>12392417
We could probably wait and have the hunters capture one later, assuming we venture into the caves after this. Pax said they're pretty common in caves.

rolled 24 = 24

use this>>12392417 roll for combat too kay?kay

As the Aurachnaspecus break into the Legionary battalions lines, you step forward, shield-punching a younger looking beast, knocking it out cold, along with the beast it flys into. You proceed to merilly hack away at the chitinous horde before you, loudly singing a childrens melody about buying a puppy fro the pet shop. most of the men seem to find this hilarius, some even start singing along. the moralle of all of your men (save the mercenaries) seems to be spectacularly high with how well the battle is going.

>>12392447
>>12392417
Supporting these as troop orders. When the hell did you get so lucky?

>>12392439
Gonna have to update that with whatever mercenaries survive the battle, along with current troop counts after casualties, but otherwise should be correct.

>>12392458
Assuming bear cav is fine in caves, send Jayne in to help out the mercs. Otherwise send Sansa in to help them out. Otherwise we need to deal with those damn archers once we're done with the spidews.

>>12392458
Awesome. Continue kicking ass and taking names.

rolled 36 = 36

>>12392458

we can handle the spidews , every one else save for the scouts and rangers INTO THE BREACH

>>12392458
Warlords move in to support us. Scouts and Rangers follow Jayne and Sansa into the breach.

HEY PAX

the thread is auto saging , so start a new one?

>>12392458

also , what happened to our scratch company of archers?

>>12392523
What happened is everyone, including Pax, forgot about them until now I would assume. Heh.

>>12392439
Thanks btw.

The fight is over before the sun reaches the middle of the sky. Jayne and Uurists Warlords slaughter their way through the halls of the ruined mountain fortress, your legionary battalions rush to the tunnels, and report it to be a massive underground causeway, wide enough for both of their units to advance abreast in full and proper ranks. By the end of the day you have a camp set, and your wounded seen to. As it turned out none of the rebels assigned to this holdout knew anything other than that they were to hold at all costs.

current unit breakdown:

196th Legionary
Gaius Rex
192/200
High

454th Legionary
Cornelius Hoursch
186/200
(+10 on guard duty at Collins village)
High

98th Warlords
Uurist Titius
150/150
High

99th Hunters
Aurelius Caspius
-Injured calf
50/75
Very Good

50th Dwarven Scouts
Finian Gaurush
-mentaly unstable
--part of retinue until further notice
88/100
Below Average


65th Dwarven Rangers
Kyria Esfelda
-lame left arm
-torn midriff
--out of combat for the nex week at best, amt may never recover
49/75
Above average

House Garlian Uursan Cavalry
Lady Jayne Garlian
50/50
Good

Peasant Archers
?
100/100
Average

Blackmoore Freeblades
Arthurius Tezrah
95/150
Average

Neshtifeld Myrmydons
Aaryn Wayde
87/135
Below Average

Sansa Kyrosh - aide
Collin McManerhan - swordmaster

>>12392497
I got work in like 7 hours so ask me any questions you may have now, and I'll see you guys at 8ish on sunday&monday once I know this has been archived (I'm gone to get wasted all next weekend so I'ma try ta make it up to you guys during the week)

>>12392572
That only went so smoothly because we hired the mercs, huh?

>>12392588
yea, notice the hit they took? (they started at full strength)

>>12392572
Offer the services of our surgeons to the injured mercs. Make it look like we're not just using them as cannon fodder. Did it look like they were doing any work on the inside of the ruins or was anyone carrying any messages?

Also, any supplies we can salvage from the rebels stationed in here? Those magical torches/food/equipment?

>>12392572
I assume we learned that by talking with those two mercenary captains? We should rest up an get ready to move in the morning, we need to explore these ruins. What the hell were they doing in there?

>>12392572

new thread please?

also , morale is a bit low , so hows about we break out the ale and celebrate our victory in the tunnels

also go see to fluffy and scaly

how big can they get?

also my request for a boarox chariot still stands

>>12392600
What about that Aurthurius guy?
And, just out of curiosity, an update on our Raynha/Neshai favorometer.

>>12392605
Oh yeah, make sure to collect all the magic torches the Lacertans were using. Primary mission objective and all that.

Thread archived.

>>12392626
All we did was win a minor battle. Admittedly we used good planning, but no major moral decisions to attract godly attention.

>>12392586
I'm tempted to say we should give a bonus to the merc units for their hard work, despite the fact they didn't get us any intel. Might make them stick around too if we're lucky. Some light infantry would be nice.

Also, damn you Pax. You're going to hold multiple threads this weekend? You really don't like me getting to sleep at normal times do you? Heh.

What the hell did we just capture anyway? Was that the Riverbend Camp?

>>12392626
The presence you have come to recognize as Neshai was ammused by the foresight of you ploy... or a joke some other god told her (not enough done that would interest her, still curiously keeping tabs). Raynha still feels unimpressed but open (needs bigger battle).

As you finish the cage for your newest pets, Sansa walks up to you and asks "Just what do you plan on doing with those... beasts?" her face looking almost afraid of the answer.

"Tame them, of course. practice for when I catch an Uursan." you reply seriously. Sansas jaw drops, its a grin, but a shocked one nonetheless.

She shakes her head walking away "Whatever you say commander, whatever you say."

The mercenary captains are grateful for your services, as are their men (round up their numbers to the nearest number evenly divisible by 10)

>>12392672
Nope. It was the ruins closest to Highpass. We found out the rebels sent troops there and we went assuming they might be trying to unblock the tunnels and beacuse we'd be able to take out apart of their army that was isolated from the rest.

Right. Another thing to ask the mercs - How many troops do the rebels have? Who the hell is their leader? What are they planning? Do they have any info on the other ruins? Also, what time is 8 for you relative to 4chan's clock?

>>12392678

and what does Lamynus think?

>>12392672
southernmost ruins. riverbed is unmolested, as are their main holdouts. you will be able to advance on the main bases unnoticed by the riverbed camp due to use of tunnels now.

>>12392664
how much of a bonus? and yea, well I have a 10 hour shift starting at 10am and I'm still here, and I plan on starting another one of these as soon as my shift ends, lol. this is what happens when my DH group cant meet for over a month lol. I got ideas and damnit I'm gonna use'em, lol

>>12392693
We are not adding another evil goddess to the list, you already got Neshai on there.

Ahem:
>Lamynus, The Succubus Queen. The hot-headed goddess of fire, lust and destruction. known to send forth succubi, incubi and imps to do her bidding. One of the most actively malicious members of the Pantheon of the Moon, her minions know great power and pleasure... her foes often suffer a painful lingering demise

>One of the most actively malicious members of the Pantheon of the Moon
SHE IS EVIL. EVIL BAD BADNESS.WE ARE NOT WORSHIPPING AN EVIL GODDESS OF DESTRUCTION.
Not on my watch anyway.

>>12392703
>Has totally abandoned capitalization
>3 lols in 2 lines
You really need to sleep.

>>12392703
We only have 1.5k left right? Give em the rest of it I guess. Not sure how much we'd be able to do with what little is left. Thoughts on that guys?

>>12392684
9 by 4chans clock.

The mercs only know that this was the emergency for the rebels, the leader was a dwarf, didnt wear more than his pants, vivdly bright blue scars covering his apparently hairless body. They saw some 800 Lacerta, about 10 other units of mercs, a few hundred dwarves, and a shit-ton of criminals... but they didnt know about the attack on Avensgat until you asked them how many men the rebels lost in the attack.

>>12392693
you didnt get her attention through your actions, and didnt get her attention before the battle either.

>>12392724
Keep some, you never know when we need cash. Besides we'll probably need to resupply on the way back after our inevitable victory, and at the rate we're going we're gonna have twice the force we started with.

>>12392724
Actually give it to them while mentioning that there would be more in it for them if they stuck with us in the long-term after this campaign. Perhaps that'll help us secure their services.

>>12392713

can i have lamynus instead ?
pwetty pwease?

>>12392724

sounds in order

reiterating this>>12392616

>>12392729
We totally need to ask one of our dorfs what crime would cause someone to have their entire body shaven, that sounds like important plot info. Can wait til next time though.

>>12392729
Holy fuck in the morning that's a lot of dudes.
>>12392724
Yeah, go for it, they deserve it for taking the vast majority of the casualties.

>>12392729
Holy hell... Even assuming only 100 men a unit, they have at least 2000 troops and that's not counting the criminals.

Alright give the mercs 1000 then. Save 500 for an emergency or something...? I don't know. Maybe we can get spare money off the dead rebels and other merc units we come across.

I assume none of the gear on the dead troops can be used? Are the tunnels clear? If they are, I am alarmed on why they wanted to station troops here so badly...

>>12392737
Youre outvoted man, sorry. Aurachnaspecus have seen to get as alrge as 5ft at the shoulders (yours are about 3 right now) and 8 feet from head to the back of their abdomen, and 4 wide (yours are about 4 long and 2 wide).

Boarox dont take well to any sort of training, think donkey, triple the stubborn then add the memory and temperment of dorf fortress elefents circa boatmurdered

>>12392758
Agreed on the money. Pax said they were clearing the tunnels as an emergency exit, now we have unrestricted tunnel access.

We only need 6-7 more battles to go this well to win at this rate! Except I doubt we can count on hiring away more mercs when we've spent all our money...

>>12392758
yea, all weapons and shite lootable. I gotta crash or I'll end up ripping my overly-high-strung managers pompus self righteos skull of his stunted body tomorrow... err today. see you guys later.

>>12392767
well if they get out of control we can just kill them with magma

>>12392767
We want to train the Aurachnaspecus (bleh, back to calling them Spidews for simplicity) to be like our dogs. Following us around, acting all cute and loyal, then RIP&TEAR at our order.

>>12392789
But we don't have any magma!

>>12392789
aaand you just gave me my zunes new background pic

>>12392758
If they are clear then it's likely that the troops were stationed here to guard against just the thing we're about to do.
Anyway, I must sleep. Auf Wiedersehen.

>>12392781
Get some sleep man. Hopefully I can be here on time for it.

>>12392777
Oh, that's what he meant by the emergency for the rebels. Thought he meant there was an emergency and they needed to be here.

That now begs the question - do we strike at both ruins or only one? If we hit only one, they can send out messengers from the ruins to the camp or directly to the other ruins. It sounds like at best, we're going to be able to surprise attack one ruin and that's all. Or we split our forces and try to hit both, maybe taking the braziers and leaving.

>>12392805
I'd prefer not to slit our forces when we're outnumbered this badly. They probably don't know we can access the tunnels-maybe hit the river camp, then catch one of the ruins by surprise through the tunnels when they dig in against a frontal assault? That'll leave just one ruin left to clear.

>>12392819
*Split. Gah. Good time for sleep here as well.

>>12392802
then i say we should grab a god with magma powers!

>>12392819
Only problem is if they use the emergency tunnel to try and flank us. Then they'll be aware that we've found out about it. Hmmm. Something we will have to think on and debate tomorrow clearly.