>>13321395
I was afraid you weren't running tonight.

Make obvious waking-up noises, to give Jayne a chance to mentally prepare.
I'm sure such a straighforward action will be immediately nullified by the other jokesters that comprise Justinian's subconscious mind.

Test roll for tonight.

Whoops, wrong field.

"You should really try to rest rather than strain yourself, you know. I didn't save you just to have you work yourself to death. Stay here while I go get us some food. Start a fire and crawl back in bed."

>>13321432
>>13321443
I have embarrassed not only myself, but my entire noble house. I should refrain from embarrassing myself any further.

Stick her back in bed (against her protests, most likely) and start a fire. Then go check our Uursan.

You stretch and yawn "Jayne, is it a good idea for you to strain yourself so greatly?" you ask, causing her to jump up in surprise, and you would expect go flush, but the redness in her complexion from the effort she had been putting forth prevents any further reddening. "Now get back to bed while I prepare us a breakfast" you order, dropping your feet to the ground, wincing again as the motion jars your broken ribs.

Jayne walks over to you as you slowly stand up, preparing to force her abed if she wont comply. She lays a hand on your left side "says the man with six broken ribs. Its sweet, truly, but I would feel terribly guilty if you further injured yourself making me breakfast. Now you lie down a while longer, while I recover and make us some food." she orders, kissing your forehead as she pushes your broken ribs, sending you tumbling back to the cot, grimacing.

>>13321566
Not much we can do with our ribs broken.
It might be better to comply and wait for Jayne to recover a bit so she can try mending our ribs some before we get up.

>>13321566
Hmm. Now that I think about it, we should probably make sure those cubs are still safe. If we end up with no gains from this trip, that would be truly disappointing seeing as so far we've only gained injuries.

You sigh, shifting in the cot to be more comfortable "That was hardly fair" you complain jokingly as the pain subsides.

"Such is a soldiers life" Jayne replies "I was the second of us to share a bed with you, but was too injured to capitalize on it." she responds "Do you know how long it will be before I hear the end of that from the others?" she asks as she walks from the tent, her warm cloths still on the ground near the cot.

A few minutes later you hear the slow crackle of a cookfire outside the tent, and shortly afterwords Jayne walks in with the three cubs in her arms, all of them shivering. Jayne sets them in the cot next to you, her now dry skin covered in tiny bumps from the cold. "Do you have any idea how one cooks a bat?" she asks you as she pulls her overcloths on "I took a few from the cave nearby and am at a loss as to what to do with them. And I should be rested enough to heal you by the time we have eaten. You will have to ride back with me however, as Spite will need longer to fully recover."

>>13321703
Was there anything left of the bandits that could of been used or did their elementalist destroy any storage they might of had? They had to of had some kind of supplies to survive up here but knowing out luck it's all gone.

>>13321715
Loot too. An elementalist of that caliber must have something worthwhile.

>>13321732
His body is gone. He made a rather large hole in the area destroying whatever arcana he had. Already sad enough at that so don't remind me, heh.

>>13321715
>most likely, you could have Jayne check for you, or you can wait until she props you back up to look for yourself

>>13321715
Yes, let's see what we can salvage from this.

>>13321703
Skin them, gut the innards, hold at a moderate distance and cook them well due to frequency of disease. Wings are sadly not any good without extensive prep.

>>13321751
We could always raise a long spike with his body on it from the bottom. We have stonesense so can easily pinpoint it even if we can't see it. He blew up the amulet but there's no telling what is in his pockets.

>>13321764
While Jayne is cooking, we should meditate upon the surrounding area. The elementalist seemed to have a powerful arcana fueling his abilities and may have thought to stash other valuables where only he could access them. Underground!

>>13321760
I think she should check now. If they had food, it'll probably be better than just eating the bat Jayne just got. They had to of had something to live up here for awhile and be all bandity. Perhaps we'll be lucky and they hit a caravan recently and have some loot.

>>13321760

"Was there nothing to eat amongst the vultures' things? As for bat, I hear bat wings lightly fried is delicious enough, thought I admit to not knowing about the things themselves."

does anyone find it odd that such a powerful elementalist was running around with a group of bandits?

>>13321840
Very odd. With an arcana, no less, which is even more bizarre. Perhaps there will be something in their possessions which will shed light on the matter.

>>13321840

Not really. Outcasts tend to congregate together, and if all he wanted was some cash, getting together some guys who also just wanted some loot and wouldn't snitch would be fairly easy I think.

Second on double checking if the bandits had any food.

As for the bat, go with this: >>13321766

>>13321840
Definitely a curiosity. We ought to see if we find anything of interest among the remains of the bandits. For all we know that could be associated with the group we've been encountering recently.

Begin tactical routine....OK!

Greeting: Hello, meatbags.

Observation: It seems this runtime missed some piss-poor rolls last time. Sorry I wasn't here to roll.

>>13321796
>roll for that then

"Skin them, gut them, and cook them long enough to kill off any disease there may be; I yhave heard that the wings are good when fried, but for that one would need oil. Did the vultures have no food with them?" you ask.

"I beleive that their stores are in the large tent opposite the fissure now splitting this small vale, and I do not trust my leg enough to try that distance, to be honest." Jayne replies, now fully dressed.

Breakfast is good enough, though bat is most certainly not your favorite meat, its fresh and filling enough. Before you can ask about it, Jayne is standing just above the cot, one arm holding her balance and pushing into the cot, the other under your shirt and resting on the broken ribs. The process is slow, though Jaynes having to stop once to cease your fidgeting, and again to remove her warm overcloths again. She has to chide you several more times after that. Hours later, your side is healed, Jayne still braced above you, her breath coming hard and ragged, drops of sweat falling from her face and hair to pepper your face like a gentle sprinkle "Move" Jayne commands, her form trembling from the effort to stay up.

rolled 7 = 7

>>13321887

Activating Roll procedure

>>13321887
Let's let Jayne rest for a bit. I suppose we could go investigate the rest of the camp while she rests anyways.

>>13321840
Not really. He's probably some random guy that managed to get a piece of strong arcana and it either let him use elementalism better or he was naturally talented and he figured he could live a life as a bandit with that kind of power. Maybe I'm just being silly in assuming it's that simple but I don't think it's impossible. Arcana existed for ages and elementalism was around long enough for Khalless and his buddies to get into it pretty well. Sadly, soon I think we'll have to get used to our enemy having elementalism as well and we're going to lose a huge edge in our battles in that sense since we'll be on even ground again.

rolled 71 = 71

>>13321887
Might as well try my hand at rolling.

rolled 60 = 60

>>13321910
Where were you on Sunday? Regardless nice to see someone with good rolls.

>>13321910
Whew, good thing you did that before me.

>>13321916

Statement:This runtime had encountered a wild FLU.VIRUS and needed time out for maintenance.

You shift out of the way in time to not have the noblewoman land on your freshly healed side, one of the cubs she had left with you was not so lucky however, evidenced by a cute growl, and a yelp from Jayne as she rolls away from the little creature, a ring of gum-marks on her stomach where the creature tried to bite her for her transgression. Before you can rise to leave Jayne to rest, she catches your arm "I'm so glad your alright." she tells you, kissing you before letting you go again.

Smiling "And I you." you reply, kissing her once more on the cheek before walking out into the brisk air to search for anything of use these bandits may have attained. The weapons are mostly iron and poor quality steel, after closing more of the fissure near the still hanging body of the elementalist, you search his pockets. You find a small crystalline stone, and not much else on his person. The tent they gave over to loot has a decent pile of gold in it, as well as a few books, trade manifests, a few small jars of spice, and not much else. You would guess that these men were preparing to sell their ill-gotten gains when you came across them. On a hunch you walk into the cave at the back of the small vale, concentrating on your stonesense, you find a hidden chamber. After breaking down the false wall, you are surprised by what you see. A pair of small torches, in the same style as Laeliths light the chamber, on the ground are several sets of clothing, all of it bloodstained enough to tell that the original wearer was killed in them, and all of them bearing the Bloody hammer and obsidian anvil. In the center of the small chamber is a chest bearing the same sigil, quite battered, especially around the lock, after a brief inspection you desperately wish you had taken your breakerstone with you on this campaign.

>>13322064
Well it looks like I was partially right...

Hopefully we can take all of this back to our camp.

>>13322064
I stand corrected then. It seems this guy did have some involvement with the cult we've been seeing in either he killed someone involved in it or he was apart of it. Guess we best find a way to bring this back to camp and keep it well protected until we can get it back to the capital.

The books and trade manifests - do they indicate who they were raiding? Also, I assume there were not letters or anything like that on the bandit leader or in that side chamber?

>>13322064
Compare the size of the small crystal from the elementalist corpse to the battered chest's lock.

Attempt to open chest using small crystal.

>>13322118
>The manifests indicate that he was hitting traders moving goods from the Westreos (the city that handles Degnar/Duchy trade) to Eaostis (the city that handles Uurlanth/Duchy trade).

>The books are mostly entertainment books, though a few are on scholarly subjects (one on First Age history, another attempts to chronicle the march of swordplay technique, and the third is an ancient tome on Draconian and its uses). These were probably kept simply because they are fairly rare books and would fetch a handsome price

>>13322125
I doubt it'll work, but you're welcome to try.

Also, seconding reading the trade manifests, and searching the bloody robes.

We need confirmation, if possible, that the cult has infiltrated the Duchy.

Actually it looks like the bandits jumped some cultists, not that the elementalist was one.

>>13322155
Interesting. I think Laelith might find that book on Draconian very interesting and we should show it to her when we get back. Honestly though both those books could be interesting. What exactly do you mean by the march of swordplay technique? Regardless, it might be something we want to look into if we wanted to improve our combat skill.

Second investigating the robes but if that's all there is here, I guess we should go back and wait for Jayne to recover so we can leave. I assume we can't take all this stuff ourself so we'll have to return with some men to take the chests back. Perhaps hide the items in the hidden room in the cave and hide it again for our return?

>>13322214
>Perhaps hide the items in the hidden room in the cave and hide it again for our return?
Agreed.
Create a thin wall of rock, and mark it somehow so that when our soldiers come they can easily find it and break it open.

>>13322155
Best to give the Draconian book to Lealith and Lena.

>>13322234
Unless of course we can bring them back with us.

>>13322214
>it lists, describes, and analyzes many of the schools and forms of swordplay throughout history... what you would expect if you were to pull a chunk from Collins brain and turn it into a book.

You look over the cloths, all empty, though you find a note under the sole of one of the boots. "We have found one Lordchild amongst the Duchy. Her talents will require we take her away from this land for her training. A presence will be left behind to observe the state of this nation until our plans can come to fruition." it reads, though none of the cloths in the pile are fit for a dwarf, or a female. It takes little effort to move the chest out from the room. You put the crystal you took from the elementalists pocket on the lock once you have gathered all of the loot worth keeping up, to no effect.

"Looting the loot then?" Jayne asks you, exiting the tent, fully dressed again. You turn to face her, and are surprised to see the crystal glowing lightly, and vibrating in your hand.

Statement: I seem to recall Spite having several hooks on his barding for loot and/or trophies. Taking it back with us shouldn't be a problem.

>>13322264
yes but if not then the hide the chamber with a stone wall plan sounds as good as anything so long as we make sure we know where it is so we can retrieve it... do you think I used the word "as" enough? oh well blame it on the energy drink

>>13322300

Recitation: "Now that's odd. Why is it reacting to you?" "Yes, actually. It seems these bandits actually did something good. They have some obviously stolen items bearing the bloody hammer and obsidian anvil."

>>13322300
"Interestingly, these bandits seem to have come across the cult we came across. And I think this might be useful for you or our doctor..." Let's hand her the crystal. I'm hoping this will help boost her abilities and it makes me sad we won't get that earth one.

I'm also very interested in that book on swordsmanship. We might want to put some time into studying it.

"It seems that these bandits took a group from the cult we have been running across. Take this." you inform her, tossing her the crystal. As it leaves your hand, it reverts to its innate form, a clear unmoving crystal, and as Jayne catches it, it lights up brown instead of green, and vibrates at a different rate, judging by the waver it adds to Jaynes hand.

"Strange." she announces, looking at the crystal. "If that is all we are taking, I think Spite will be hale enough to carry it, unless the chest is considerably heavier than it looks." she adds, walking over to you, her hand now clearly straining to keep the stone in check.

>>13322387
"Feel any different holding the crystal? When I fought the elementalist, he had some kind of crystal around his neck. I'm wondering if that might improve your abilities."

Other than that I guess we move on back to our camp after we gather up whatever we can take. Did we have to leave anything behind or could we manage to take all the valuable stuff?

.>>13322387
Hmm... perhaps the stone allows the wielder to know if someone is an elementalist, and to see what type they are.

>>13322387

Statement: This runtime votes we take the gold, books, and spice (that shit was well worth it's weight in gold before mass transit, and even today some spices are ridiculously expensive. Ever tried shopping for saffron?) Assuming we can get it all to fit without overloading Spite.

>>13322387
I suspect that it's an elementalist detector. Brown is signalling to Jayne that we're an earth user; green signalled to us that she was a life user. We'll be able to confirm this when we return to our maniple and have more elementalists (and an arcanist) to check on.

I'm inclined to load everything up and see if we can snag a couple more bear cubs on the way back. Maybe we'll even take enough time on the trip to feel healed all the way and get to spend a little extra time with Jayne so that her story for the others has a happier ending.

>>13322429
I don't think it's a detector. It didn't make any movement in our hands until we got close to Jayne. If it did detect elementalists, it would of made movement before we picked it up. And it's shaking a lot more after Jayne took it.

"I believe so." you reply, lifting up the chest and calling Spite over. Jayne slides the crystal into one of her pockets, where its size makes it quite conspicuous, with how well fitted the pants are on Jayne. Within an hour you have spite loaded up, Jayne asks you "Do you want to try to return the way we came, or loop around and take a different route?" as she climbs onto Stormcloud, before offering you her hand.

>ride in front of, or behind her?
>roll for finding shit as well.

rolled 36 = 36

>>13322478

Statement: let's take front.

Initialising Rolling procedure.

>>13322447
I think it only works if you are looking at someone. Since we were in a cave by ourselves it wasn't working. When we looked at Jayne, however, it started to vibrate and change color.

If I'm right, it might be an extremely useful tool.

rolled 77 = 77

>>13322478
I say take a different route if our stonesense tells us there aren;'t other bandits or troops incoming.

>>13322492

Observation: It looks like this unit will be tonight's designated roller until further notice.

Recitation: "No need to make this trip any harder than it already has been. Let's go back the way we came."

I think we should go back the way we came; we don't want to put undue stress on Spite with his injuries.

rolled 18 = 18

>>13322556
>>13322528
Hmm. Good point. Same route it is.

Realization: Were we able to load up the arcana torches, as well? We could at least keep them with us untill we get a chance to go back to dragon's reach. I'm sure the Department of Arcana Materials would pay us good money to add to their dwindling stores.

>>13322478

In front, different route.

You swing up in front of Jayne before replying "Lets double back, it would be unfortunate if Spite were to be further injured due to us overworking him."

Jayne jostles you "Fair enough, but how am I to steer us if I cant see past you?" she asks, chuckling slightly.

>>13322597

Recitation: "Just take this chance to rest yourself. I'll steer. I promise not to break Stormcloud."

>>13322597
"well allow me to rectify the problem( swing ourselves behind her suavely), Better?"

"Rest Jayne, I promise not to break Stormcloud" you reply, spurring the great beast into motion and calling for Spite to follow. Sighing, Jayne passes the reins up to you. after you take the reins, she does not shift back, or move her arms, instead leaving them low around your waist, and resting against you. By the time you clear the ravine you expect that she has fallen asleep.

After a few more hours ride, something catches your eye, a pair of small, mottled brown and black forms huddled against the gray stone. The young Uursan clearly scared, and have been alone for some time, judging by how thin the cubs are. You halt Spite and Stormcloud, though Jayne does not wake.

>wake her, or try to collect the cubs without waking her?

>>13322713
I say wake Jayne. She's the expert here, and we'd probably just make training them harder for her.

Besides, our luck is with women and strategems, not bear cubs.

>>13322713

Statement: Wake her, gently, then help her grab them.

>>13322713
Wake her, this is her expertise.

>>13322713
Wake Jayne. She trained us on how to tame a wild one but not deal with cubs. For all we know, we might scare them and have them run off into the wild. She's had a few hours of rest so we should let the expert do it.

>>13322713
Collect without waking, let our lady sleep. She's had a hard day.

Also guys, it probably just detects other elementalists when an elementalist is holding it. It lit up green showing Jayne was a life elementalist when we were holding it, and brown showing we were earth when Jayne was. It was vibrating more strongly for Jayne because we are stronger than her.

I suggest we give the books to Laelith as a gift. She loves books, and these are all rare and expensive ones. Except maybe the swordsmanship one, we could give that to Collin if he doesn't already know it all. If he does, well, we can give it to Laelith too.

I wonder if Lena can open the chest?

>>13322761
Based on what Pax was saying, I don't think that book would be super useful for Collin. More for us if anything but I suppose it's worth doing. He's already a master swordsman from what I remember and if anyone has anything to learn, it's us.

You lightly jostle the noble sleeping against your back, and call her name. "Again, but we've already..." she mumbles grogilly, somewhere between dream and sleep for a moment "OH!! Justinian, what is it?" she asks, snapping fully awake, you gesture to the cubs, the larger of the two standing in front of the smaller as they back into a small gap in the mountainside. Jayne hops down and slowly advances towards the cubs, softly reassuring them as she does so. "Their excellent specimens" she comments as she lefts the first, looking him over before sliding him into a seperate saddlebag from the three you already have. "Its a good thing we found them too." she adds, looking over the smaller of the two, a female, by the looks of it "I doubt they would have- AHH!!!!" she screams, as a golden-yellow stream from the cub splashes into her top, the onrush mostly finished by the time she changes the cubs facing, her entire front now wet from bust to crotch, Jayne frowning deeply as she slides the cub into the same saddlebag as its sibling.

Better wake Jayne. She IS the expert after all.

>>13322807
"I assume if I ever try to get wild cubs, I should avoid that happening to me?" With a small smirk. Also, stonesense the area. Paranoid part of my mind thinks her scream might attract unwanted attention.

>>13322807
Hold back the urge to laugh.

Let's take the cub from her and deposit it in a saddlebag, shall we?

We're gonna have to get Jayne cleaned up, unless we want that smell rubbing off on us.

>>13322807
Do we have any spare clothing for Jayne?
Perhaps give her our shirt?

>>13322834

Agreement: this.

>>13322832
Oh wait, didn't see that whole paragraph through.

(Does anyone else have problems with the Chrome add-on giving incomplete updates on threads?)

Thirding giving her some of our clothes.

Well, it's cold enough that she can't stay in the wet clothes. I suggest having her take them off and getting out a blanket from the bags, we can wrap it around both of us. Lending her our shirt is optional. But yeah, not only would it stink but it would be icy cold to wear pee-soaked clothes.

You smirk, sniffle, and contain yourself "I would assume that is something I should attempt to avoid if I ever have cubs to look after?" you ask dryly, as Jayne begins to peel off her cloths, when down to her undergarments, her frown deepens, as her top is soaked through.

"I dont suppose you have any spare cloths?" she asks sheepishly.

"Sadly, no." you reply "Though my cloak could easily warm both of us." you add, hopefully.

She climbs onto Stormcloud in front of you, peeling off the last garment she has above her waist, tossing it onto Spite, where it lands next to her other cloths, and stays. "Hurry up." she urges you, sighing and leaning back as you wrap the oversize riding cloak around your shoulders around the both of you. "Today must be a lucky one for you." she quips, spurring Stormcloud into motion again "you have seen me in my undergarments or less thrice now, and have your arms around me while I'm less than half-naked. I suppose I should be glad you are such a gentleman." she adds, leaning her head against your shoulder.

>one more roll to find shit

rolled 84 = 84

>>13322921

rolled 55 = 55

>>13322943
Dammit.

rolled 27 = 27

>>13322921

Begin rolling procedure

Recitation: "I promise to make it up to you once we get back to camp."

>>13322921
"While I may be a gentleman, nobody ever said I would pass up such an excellent opportunity to harass you."

Commence tickling.

>>13322956
You are on fire tonight good sir. Too bad you were slow this time.

>>13322834
sounds good to me
>important ustage
guys, I think Captcha is trying to tell us something

>>13322943
>>13322956

Expletive: MOTHER OF TWELVE BASTARDS

>>13322973
Sorry.

We could use the botch right now, if you guys want.

It doesn't seem like we'll get into any combat soon.

But then I may just jinx it.

Alright, now that we won't be finding anything, let's get back to base before we get ambushed by another group of bandits.

Also Pax, could you answer whether our medical staff will be able to find the herbs and materials needed to create more of the NV paste while we're in Uurlanth territory?
The doctors wanted to stock up on regular medicines since we're going the swamp route; I want to know if we should stock up on the paste instead, or if we can make more later and should let the doctors get what medicines they can.

rolled 98 = 98

>>13322921
STATEMENT:
IF: PROCREATION WITH HUMAN=POSSIBLE
THEN: PROCREATE WITH HUMAN

Statement: We may as well use the botch. I don't think the thread will go on for too terribly much longer.

>>13323024
Eh, we're injured and hauling starving cubs in the middle of freezing cold mountains inside enemy territory.

>>13323027
I suppose botch can be used based on what time it is. Although it might be too late if Pax has already something written up.

>>13323053
SPEECH:
CLARIFYING STATEMENT:
Then all the better to have humans to procreate. If: life span short due to situation|Then: Procreate

>>13323024

Statement: You may wish to get your behavioral core checked soon, program. Meatbag procreation is generally not the first thing that comes to this runtime's thought processes unless presented.


Addendum: This runtime feels we had something of a windfall with this outing: 5 healthy ursan cubs, a chest full of secret goodies, spares of laelith's torch, an elementalist detecting crystal, some rare and more importantly useful books, and the knowledge much of these were gained with the blood of the lordfathers' group without us having to personally fight them.

>>13323083
>>13323109
I can't be the only one who finds this shit annoying.

>>13323021
>they should be able too, it will just be a matter of tracking down enough of the ingredients while burning and raiding through the countryside.

"I promise I'll make it up to you soon enough" you reply, laying a kiss on the woman curled up in your lap. While you are distracted, however, the noblewoman manages to steal the tunic from your body, and before you can puzzle out how, she flings it in Spites direction, and hitting him in the face. The uursan shakes his head, flinging the shirt over the cliff to his left "Hey, I liked that shirt." is all you can manage, more than a little distracted by the smooth flesh now resting against yours.

"We're closer to even now." Jayne informs you "I would even the scales completely, but I would have to turn around for that, which would ruin my ladylike demeanor." she explains innocently.

"Just because I'm a gentleman doesnt put me above taking advantage of a golden opportunity" you remind the noblewoman, letting the reins fall and tangle in the horn of the saddle as you begin dancing your fingers across Jaynes exposed midriff. Eventually she manages to twist enough to retaliate, only stopping when the two of you nearly spill from the saddle.

The ride back continues on like that for hours, until Jayne finally states, the mountains well behind you, and the sun setting "I suppose I should dress myself before we get any closer to Fort Skywatch... though I admit that I rather enjoyed the trip."

>>13323118
You aren't. They are obnoxious kids and/or attention whores who think it makes them look cool and unique. Ignore them.

>>13323118

The tactical routine is attempting to earn RP exp for justinian!

>>13323139

Statement: I liked it when I was the only one doing it. Now it's annoying me and he hasn't posted more than twice.

>>13323134
That reminds me. If we can get the supplies ahead of time, if we do have to camp out in the swamp, we'll only have to worry about wild life at least. As long as we're prepared, we have no reason to take any food or water from it or anything near it so we have to hope we're not hit too hard with wild life if we do camp near there. Still hoping we can make it past in one night though.

"Hopefully the next time we have a little trip, it doesn't result in the two of us receiving broken bones."

>>13323134
"Yes, there's nothing like near death experiences to liven up one's day. If you were in the mood for another one you could always ride into the fort like you are, letting Laelith and Sansa see you."

>>13323191

Going with this.

>>13323161
A good point. Travel estimates are that we should be able to clear the swamp in 2 days. We should carry 4 days worth of water and rations just to be sure.

>>13323226
It's unfortunate we didn't find this information out before we sent our letters to the city. We could of requested they bring in supplies. I'm kicking myself for not remembering earlier to be honest. I've always been the one pushing for spending our money on us being well supplied before we march.

>>13323191
lol

thirded

"Hopefully our next outing will be light a few broken bones and near-death experiences." you reply lazily "Though if you wish to have another, we could just ride into the fort like this." you add, grinning.

Jayne looks up at you smirking "Laelith wouldn't try anything for fear of burning you, and Sansa to frightened by my breasts to remember to act." she replies, stretching out of your robe, only making a ghost of an effort to cover herself as she walks over to spite to collect her now dry cloths.

"I suppose so" you reply, as Jayne pauses to sniff the garments in question, balking at the scent.

"Though I still have my image to maintain I suppose" she replies, her voice dropping slightly as she dresses. Before long she is riding behind you as you lead Stormcloud into the fort, well past sunset.

You make it to the stables before Sansa finds you "Justinian!" she shouts, half angry, half worried "Where were you? Are you well? What happened?" she asks, her questions slowing as sshe takes in you and the sight of you and Jayne, she steps closer, and her face scrunches up, the uursan piss _is_ rather pungent "What happened to your shirt?" she asks you, looking at Jayne out of the corner of her eye.

>>13323271
"We picked up 5 new mouths to feed and ran into some bandits. Bandits who had some interesting things to take and seemed to have run into our friendly cult."

Man, I really wish we could find out who these guys were targetting in the Duchy. Anything we could do to hamper their plans would be so nice. Especially if we can do it without them knowing about it at the time.

>>13323271

Recitation: "One of the cubs we found didn't like the way she got picked up. And I have good news, good news, and more good news. We killed some bandits, whom had some very useful loot, and found out they had waylaid some of Khaless groups' men previously."

>>13323271
"Oh, the usual. Unforeseen bandit attacks, elementalist duels, and the dangers of taking care of incontinent bear cubs."

>>13323271
"that depends, does our being okay make it more or less likely to be attacked in retribution for certain actions that we may or may not have been involved in?"

>>13323322
Heh. I like that.

"the answers to those questions are entirely dependent on which answers will make it less likely that I end up with a knife in my stomach" you reply, cryptically.

Sansa's eye's widen as Jayne starts pulling the cubs from their saddlebags "I wont kill you, Justinian, I promise" she answers, clearly torn between fleeing the scent, and getting a better look at the cubs.

You wait until Jayne pulls out the scents creator "That one likes to piss on things, I would suggest being careful around it." you inform Sansa as you set about unloading the loot from spite. "In addition to them, we ran across some bandits, killed them, had some bones broken, and took all of their goods." you reply, matter of factly.

Sansa looks relieved, though she also seems to have become suddenly attached to your side. "Are you allright?" she asks you, worridly "what did you break?"

"Well, we both almost died, found out about another Lordfather (who happens to be female), found a treasure chest, and spent the night in each other's arms. Don't worry, we were far too injured to do anything too serious."

Lean in.

"Though you might want to hurry along if you are still planning to win the bet, you were one deadly encounter away from being third."

Then let's head over to Laelith's tent and give her a loving kiss, the books, and torches. Also ask about how Lena's studies are progressing and if she could open the chest.

>>13323400
"Just some ribs, a bit of my pride. They had an elementalist, or at least someone with an arcana that let him act like one.
"I wanted him alive, but it wasn't possible."

>>13323400
"Numerous ribs although Jayne had it worse I'd say. Thanks to her new talents, we were able to head back here after enough time though. A few days of rest and I imagine we'll be fine. Has anything gone on during my absence?"

>>13323400
Jayne lost use of her leg and I had a few broken ribs. All fixed now, but neither of use should be engaging in hand to hand combat for a day or two.

>>13323400

Recitation: "Oh, about six ribs and a bandit elementalist. He was especially painful to break."

Hmm. I think we should get that crystal back from Jayne and test out the theory on if it's a detector. Let's hold on to it while we go check on our known elementalists and see what happens.

Also Pax, you said we were able to tell who had elementalism talents and such now correct? I think after this campaign, we should start separating people and train a group of elementalists. In fact, we might want to start seeing who in our retinue has the talent since I'm unsure how confident we were in determining who did or did not have talent until now.

>>13323457
Seconding both of these courses of action.
We should see if this really is a detector, or if it's some kind of elementalism amplifier, like the gloves.
And I very much like the idea of a combat elementalist unit.

You make your way over to Jayne while responding "Oh, some ribs, my pride, a bandit elementalist... though I'm truly not sure which was the hardest to break." you reply, before sliding your hand into Jaynes pocket, causing her to jump "This lovely lady had it worse I suspect." you add, handing Sansa the crystal before she can see it react.

"I only had a broken leg" she counters, playfully slapping your hand "your the one who was too injured to build a fire or cook breakfast." she adds.

"What does it do?" Sansa asks, looking at the crystal.

>>13323492
I think we all agree, and have agreed for some time, that we need more elementalists.

That said, it seems like elementalists have highly individualized powersets. I'm not sure that they'd be best placed in a unit instead of spread out wherever their skills are most suited.

>>13323496
"That's only because you could heal your leg. Cheater. In regards to that crystal... Still trying to figure it out myself but I think it's involved in detecting elementalists or those with the talent for it."

I assume the crystal isn't reacting at all in Sansa's hands?

>>13323506
Yes, given the way that elementalists develop their powers, it wouldn't be prudent to put them all in one unit.
However, once we have enough elementalists training, we could take those most suited for front-line combat and put them into a combat unit.
Perhaps embedded within a heavy infantry company, like how Wulf was aiding the frontline troops with his lightning.

>>13323528
>correct

"Only because you were able to heal your leg, cheater." you shoot back to Jayne, who makes a face at you.

"And what you did on the ride back?" Jayne counters, much to your dismay.

"I do believe it helps elementalists detect other elementalists, or something to that effect." you inform Sansa "I'll see what Laelith thinks of it." you add, before kissing both ladies and heading for Laeliths tent, wishing you had less questions and more answers.

>gah, I got work at 7am tomorrow, so I should probably call it now.
>I'll be back wednesday at 9pm server time (I promise this time), and will have enough time for a proper session, I promise
>someone archive please
>if you have any setting/other random questions just e-mail me at: paxcomquest@yahoo.com

Thread be archived. See you guys tomorrow.