"I want to rape you."

And so I did.

>bump, and once again apologies for not showing up yesterday

rolled 93 = 93

Woot, gonna be playing both Dragon and Commander Quest tonight, that is until I get my hands on Deadspace Two, sup Pax.

First things first.
Ask him if he can identify the arrows that killed Lord Stant and his bodyguards.

"A general chat to be honest. If you're going to be working for me, I'd like an idea on who I'm working with beyond the fact you're an assassin."

>>13647028
That's a good point. That escaped my mind.

>>13646885
It's cool Pax. We just plotted in a general CQ thread last night while waiting. On a side note, our earth sense - do we need to focus on using it to sense where people may be or does it work all the time?

>>13647056
>works passively to the extent where you know when shit is coming at you, takes a smidge of focus to get numbers and such

"A bit of work, and the urge to have a genuine conversation with my newest recruit." you reply, shakily rising to your feet to retrieve the arrow, and toss it to the assassin "Do you happen to know what group fletches their arrows as this one is?".

"Sadly, this is the mark of a free-blade I am not familiar with, and since I am no longer a memeber of the Bleak Ravens, I cannot speak with my informants, nor use our Manor Archives to find such information out." the elf plucks the arrow from the sky as he speaks "Though, with a proper disguise I would be able to see if my... man, in Dyrons Ford knows the colors."

>>13647136
"You have a man within Dyron's Ford? What kind of disguise exactly would you need and what would you be able to do with this man if you had the chance?"

>>13647192
>confirmation?

>>13647258
Yes, seconding.

Hmm. I wonder where everyone is tonight.

>>13647351
If they're checking tg, they should eventually find it.

rolled 6 = 6

I'm here, and thirding. Was catching up to DQ a second ago.

"This man in Dyrons Ford" you ask, dropping onto your stool, and wondering why Daeseu hasn't claimed your other stool yet "How good of a disguise would you need to get to him?"

"You see, he is in the Lords court, both he, Lord Dyron, and several others hired me enough times that they know all of my quiet entrances, due to their dilligance, not my fault, mind you. In addition to that, they know my gait, my face, my voice." the elf chuckles "Like any wise man who even sporadically works with an assassin would do, truly. As sure as one who does employ a blade would always hire the same, so that such traits only need to be learned once. So, to answer your question, e very, very damned good disguise." the elf finally moves to your second stool, his motions fluid and effortless, "That said, I am rather curious as to just what you would like to converse with an assassin about."

rolled 75 = 75

>>13647413
First off, I'd like to know why you were actually put in disfavor with your order and how likely is it that they might actually come for you or me for hiring you.

>>13647413
"I'm curious about you in general. Where you're from exactly, how long you've been in your profession, perhaps some tales of your previous exploits if you can talk about them at some point."

Pax, does the Empire have assassin's guilds like Uurlanth? Obviously they wouldn't be advertised but I'm wondering if they exist as an organized group or not.

>>13647480
This but ask him how he came to become an assassin

rolled 67 = 67

Also, I'd like for him to start drilling our guards. If that would be possible without making it TOO public. If we could get a set of soldiers that were loyal to us to almost a fault.

>>13647651
I rather wait until we can trust the man more. That and either have him train some guards or train our shades on being even more stealthy.

>>13647480
>no assassin guild in Degnar

"I was curious as to your history, aside from that at some point you were inducted into one of the most prestigious assassin guilds in Uurlanth. Though I am curious as to what put you in such disfavor that you fear for your life." you reply, your hand finding a jug of water on the table, recently melted, judging by the relatively small amount of ice crystals in the vessel.

"I do not remember my parents, I was a street urchin in BleakGate during my youth. By the time I was of age, I was well on my way to becoming some criminal lords knife, but a chance encounter with a member of the Ravens during what would have proved my worth to said crime lord. The woman took me back to the Orders Manor after she slew my mark."

You take a sip of the icy water, its chill soothing your parched throat as you swallow "Untrained you nearly matched a member of the Bleak Ravens?" you ask more steadily with a moistened throat.

The assassin chuckles "No, she was on her Proving, and though a beauty, was slain before my education finished. I spent the next ten years of my life climbing the ranks of the Bleak Ravens, learning things neither books nor the alleys of the city that birthed me could." Daeseu sighs "Then I had the misfortune of supporting a man for the orders new Master who lost his bid. I was assigned several doomed marks, and was forced to cut my way out of more than a few disadvantageous situations. Such superfluous killing is very much frowned upon, due to how it effects the orders reputation, from there..." the elf trails off, pouring himself a drink from the jug as well.

>>13647694
"Despite the fact you succeeded in fulfilling those contracts meant to kill you I assume? How far up in your order were you anyways?"

>>13647694

"Is there any possibility for you to rejoin the Order?"

>>13647771
>>13647736
>kind of mutually exclusive lines of conversation here...

>>13647736
I'm seconding Maximus.

>>13647771
I second this anon.

>>13647771
As this anon, i change my vote to Max's question

>>13647905
>>13647771
3rd

>>13647736
second

>>13647854
ditto

>>13647736

>>13647953
Err, and by ditto I mean Maximus's question that is.

"Even though those were jobs I would assume were meant to be the death of you?" you ask, setting the now empty cup down on the table.

"To admit to such a blatant attempt to murder one of your fellow Ravens would loose you your Mastery over the order faster than one could blink, and your head would most likely travel with it." Daeseus follows your example, draining his cup and retunring it to the table.

"Ah." you acknowledge the response, before replying "How near the top were you?"

"I had risen to the point where it was friends both inside _and_ outside the order were required to rise another seat in less than tow decades, where skill was a given not something in need of proof. Still far from the head seat, though well past the center of the table at the feasting hall." the assassin stretches "I expect Sansa to be along shortly, would you like me to take my leave now?"

>>13647998
"for now, I would like to continue this conversation later if you'd like."

>>13648017
Part of me wants to keep him around. If we actually want him to stick around, we're going to need him to actually associate with our retinue and other members of our maniple. We can't have him constantly isolating himself.

>>13648017
Yep.
Probably better that Sansa doesn't see him here.
Which also brings into mind: are we able to detect Sansa's approach through our Stonesense? Did he detect her approach before us?

>>13647998
Go ahead, if you need anything such as special considerations regarding housing, food preparation, or anything of that sort both here in the field and back in Dragonsreach, I would like you to consider them and have a list next time we speak.

>>13648050
>the ground is too busy for you to discern one set of footsteps from another. Its hard to tell what is even intent on your tent with only the footfalls to go by. (if you were better some of that would go away)

"For now, yes. I will introduce you to my command staff in the future." you reply, stretching, and rising to shake the black-haired elfs tattooed hand. No sooner than you release your grip, he is more than halfway out of your tent.

In enough time for you to pry your sweaty garments from your body and wash some of the top layer of it from your face and forearms, Sansa enters your tent "Justinian, we have collected and prepared everything of value from this city, and will be ready to light it ablaze and depart when you are prepared for us to do so." she informs you, dropping into your cot as you splash more water across your face before beginning to dress.

>>13648053
>>13648041
Both of these are very good responses, combine the two

>>13648127
Any word from our scouts, or from Blackbird?

>>13648127
Excellent. Let's get moving then.
We have an invasion to prepare fore.

>>13648127
What's the condition of the men at the moment? They might need more time to rest. Otherwise it might be wise to march out and head back across river, burying our loot to make us more mobile again and to hit more towers.

I suggest that we consult Laelith on the information we obtained from our recent chat, as well as the dirt writing. While we march, of course. She can ride with us or something.

>>13648204
>not from Blackbird, scouts report nothing within sight of their patrol range yet.
>>13648263
>confirmation on this plan?

>>13648263
You make a good point about the state of our troops.

I second your plan.

"How are the men faring?" you ask, dropping a dry tunic over your chest.

"Better than you." Sansa replies, stretching out on your cot "Most were able to rest through the night. What were you doing all night, I know that the other girls were alone in their own tents..." gher voice carries no accusation, just trust and curiosity.

>>13648469
"Hmm. Good to know that such a thing takes the entire night. Remember how we spoke earlier about the gods returning Sansa? Suffice to say, I've learnt how to be a little more direct when it comes to dealing with the gods."

We gotta start breaking the news to our maniple at some point and might as well start now. She took the presence of the gods well enough after we calmed her down so maybe she's ready. I hope so at least.

>>13648469
"Trying to get some information on threats ahead. Liches and summoners abound, apparently. It won't be fun."

Give the order to burn the town, and move out. Catch some sleep on the way to the next tower; make sure that our cavalry are scouting far enough out to give us plenty of time to react to any incoming enemy forces.

>>13648469
Talking to the gods. I've arranged for some anti-undead arcana, and been told that we'll be facing three liches and two necromancers in the future. Possibly more.

>>13648525
>>13648514
Whoa whoa whoa. No mentioning of liches or undead to Sansa yet. She has no clue about it. Let's just mention we're talking to the gods for now.

>>13648332
I support this plan. We need to get information from and to our lovely librarian soon.

>>13648559
Uh, then wouldn't it be a good idea to inform her? She's our main adjutant when it comes to dealing with the maniple.

Blast, we should've taken the chance with our assassin to ask for more info about the kings royal assassins. His order would've been much more learned of them than Janos.
Do you think we should place him under one of the captains to at least gain the trust of the the common soldiers? The Shadow's would seem to be the best fit, and he could give them some extra tricks.

>>13648570
Oh we will inform her. Slowly. Let's let her process the fact we're actually talking to the gods first. I just think it's throwing too much at her at once.

>>13648498
I like your subtlety best.

As for breaking the news to the maniple, we should make sure that everyone accepts the return of magic and elementalism first. Probably a foregone conclusion, but we should make sure.

You take a deep breath, and turn to face your aid "Do you remember when I mentioned that the gods were returning?"

Sansa pales, but holds your gaze "So, they are finally returned?" she asks, worried, reaching out to slide her arm around you.

"Not fully, but, I have found a way to communicate more precisely." you assure the girl.

"And, what did they have to say?" she asks, her voice trembling ever so slightly.

>>13648593
"All sorts of things. There are those that dislike me for our actions in the north and with Laelith. There are those that are pleased with our actions and then there have been those that have warned us about upcoming trials. Remember when Lord Stant's son attacked our fort with the slaves? One of the gods warned me of that challenge and thought we'd fail it."

>>13648614
Second.

I just can't find anything else to say that you haven't.

>>13648593
"Those i've conversed with more eye to eye are pleased with my actions, going so far as to give me certain tactical details which will prove incredibly useful, or gifts. I am blessed, not by the gods but by fortune itself, because they were not the ones to send my heart a flutter."
Wrap an arm back, "Calm yourself Sansa, you've nothing to fear. Anything before us, i've already prepared."

>>13648614
"And that is why we take everything the gods say with a grain of salt. They are not only infallible, but often severely underestimate us."

>>13648679
Err, fallible not infallible.

"Some were unhappy with us for things done in the north, or for how I freed Laelith from their grasp, others approving of what we have done, and a few with no real stake in our actions. though the ones I have spoken to in a directly were pleased enough to grant me boons or warn me of what is to come." you gently assure her, pulling the black-haired woman closer to you.

"Is it, safe? what dangers have they warned you of?" she presses, verbally and physically, as she curls up into your body.

"It is safe, love; be calm. there is nothing approaching so nearly that I cannot plan and prepare for it properly." you continue to soothe her, smiling calmly

>so, head out to cross the river, stash loot then ???

>>13648805
I'm thinking head out across the river and stash our loot but if the towers haven't had more troops added to then, we send a detachment to hit some a tower at the same time as burying loot. If not, after we bury loot we should hit more towers since we're next to them anyways. Without our loot, we should be able to escape any chasing force easily enough unless they're all cavalry.

>>13648805
After more 'Soothing', yeah.

And maybe the officer meeting segwaying to intro the newest guest. What were we supposed to do anyway? just kick him out? try to kill him? We are a gentleman and would never reject such a kind and well mannered guest

>>13648805
>head out to cross the river, stash loot then ???
??? = Fuck up Uurlanthi defensive towers like a boss

Specifically, I believe we were going to target the most northern currently surviving Dyron's Ford tower.

Seconding the stash loot option

You stay curled up with Sansa for a while longer until eventually it is too late in the morning for you to still be sleeping. After an hour the maniple is on the move, two more and you are across the river. An hour after that you can see three towers, and have a report from your scout riders that the towers are still at their normal garrison.

>so, how far from the river do you want your cache and who will head out to topple the next tower?

>>13648982
As far as is reasonable. The farther the better.

>>13648982
I think this might be a time where we let someone else lead the attack on the towers. We'll be needed to speed the digging of our cache and I doubt we can stop the towers from sending out their signal. Pax, how many units would we need to hide our cache in a reasonable amount of time if we went with the group digging?

>>13648982
Warlords, Both legionnaires, Shadows and their merc counterparts (who will move from the sides and fire/scale the walls.)

Send our Elementalists minus Lealith, though Giaus commands, Wulf will assist.
Lena isnt allowed.

>>13649056
>huh? I wasnt here for your plotting

>>13649082
OR
release some of the infantry with the Mercenary units, As none shall know the location of our Stash.
Ensure that merc cav are at ready in surrounded area of tower to stop any routed troops.

>>13649083
I assume if we split up, the group that will go to create our cache will have to dig manually. To do that within a decent amount of time, that would require a lot of units. If we went with the group creating the cache, would we need less units and how many if so?

Alternatively, perhaps we should just crush the towers first and then go across the river to bury our cache. That'll let our men rest at the same time as hiding our loot.

>>13649099
>I had assumed that you would go with making yourself a stable cave if you split your forces for cache/assault...

>>13649141
That's what I assumed as well. I was just wondering how many units we'd need to bring along to carry the loot and all so we can settle that in a reasonable time frame. For instance, would ourselves and one unit be enough or would we need three? Just wanted to get a ball park estimate on that so we had an idea on how much we could split our force.

Unless people rather we just smash the towers before crossing and hiding loot.

Look, on the while cache idea: We're not going to acquire enough loot in the next couple days that we'll run out of transport space, nor will we need the mobility so badly that we can't afford to have it with us. When the main Legion gets here we might well be able to start cashing things in through the supply train. The whole thing might be unnecessary. Let's just smash some more towers and keep the stuff with us for now.

>>13649158
Before we hit the last town, Pax said space on our wagons was already getting tight. I'm not sure if it's happened yet but we might be at the point where our men will have to march and not be able to ride on the auto-wagons. Confirmation on the Pax?

>>13649157
>depends on how wide you make the mouth, say 100 to load reasonably fast
>>13649168
>correct

>>13649158
We actually ARE rapidly running out of space.

We need to offload the stuff now so that we can keep the stuff we'll loot later.

Let's split our forces, with most of them going to siege the next tower.
We only need a few troops to help offload the loot from the wagons and into our cave.

>>13649183
Around 100 men you say? Not tooo bad. You guys sort out the details - I have snow to shovel. How I hate snow.

>>13649183
100 roughly one of our Legionary groups, the repeaters. we're set.

Make sure Kyria looks through the loot of the weapons and such First, picking out what she wants to use to work on and practice with.

>>13649183
If we need about a 100, why not split Cornelius' unit?
Gaius and Uurist can handle storming a tower well enough (probably can't fit any more than that anyway).
We'll want to have as much ranged firepower as we have available concentrated on each tower as we take it down.

>so Gaius, Uurist, Aurelius, the Ghosts Laelith Wulf and scout cav to crash the tower?

>>13649358
Siege engines, of course.
Have the Swiftriders go along, and the two scout cav companies.
Have the nomads and Jayne stay with Justinian, just in case.

>>13649358
No Lealith.
Fire Bad.

>one last check: Uurist, Gauis, Swiftriders, House Garlian cav, Aurelius, Ghosts, siege weapoins.

>>13649484
House Garlian cav stay with Justinian, as well as the nomads.
The other cav units go with the force to take out the tower.

Also, as to Lena and Bellatrix: keep them with Justinian or have them go with the assault force?
I am voting to keep them with Justinian and Wulf goes with the assault force.

>>13649523
I agree, Bellatrix still needs more latrine digging practice, so she will help with the stash digging.

>>13649358
No Laelith, she needs to come with us so we can fill her in on the necromancers and liches and stuff. She won't make much of a difference anyway.

As much as we want Lena off the line, I think she might be needed for taking the towers. Without us there, they will need all the artillery they can get to open those towers and take them down.

You ride up to the wagon Wulf and Lena are riding "Wulf, you will be leading the 196th Legionary, 98th Warlords, 99th Hunters, Clarish Ghosts, the siege weaponry, and the two mercenary cavalry units I have removed from the combat roster to topple the next tower to the south."

"Same tactics used for the other towers?" the boy asks, saluting.

>also, roll for elementalism to see how efficient your cave-making is

rolled 31 = 31

>>13649648
Elementalism roll.

"Yes. We're not especially pressed for time right now, so take your time to crack the defenses open. Taking out the signal room is the first priority, though. And be careful of flanking attacks; I have a suspicion that Lord Dyron will likely have mobilized a fast reaction force to hunt us down."

>>13649648
"If you can think of any way to take the tower quicker without making it bloody for us, run it by my captains but make sure you have men out on patrol for the enemy. They've had more time to respond and I don't want you all to be caught from behind by incoming forces."

"There is no rush, if a superior strategy presents itself you are free to utilize it." you answer. The boy salutes, and rolls from the wagon, calmly striding towards the back of the column, bellowing orders to the units you left to his command. You continue to push the column ahead for another hour before stopping to establish your cache. You fall into a trance, pushing at the earth, compacting it, strengthening bands of earth and stone to ensure your cache holds until you return to collect your goods.

-----CQ-----

As you rise, you feel Jaynes touch on your shoulder "Its been hours." she greets you "What news do you want to have first?" she asks.

>>13649814
Attacks on the towers and the butcher's bill. Let's see if they were prepared this time or not.

>>13649814
"Any word from Wulf and our assault force?"

"Any word of the assault?" you ask, realizing that if it weren't for Jaynes help you would have trouble standing.

"That and more. Blackbird has returned, along with Wulfs detachment, free of losses, happily. In addition to that, we have word that the IV Legion has broken the Uurlanthi fort barring their way." your noblewoman replies.

>>13649952
Hmm. Might be worth meeting up with them if they've broken the fort already then. First we should meet with Blackbird and see what he has to say and if he took losses.

>>13649952
Good.
Let's get Wulf's report, then Blackbird's.
Then we'll need to pen a report to the commander of the IV Legion, telling him of which towers we've destroyed and where the Legion can cross into Uurlanth.

>>13649999
Think we should go meet the guy personally ourselves? We're already on the other side of the river and then we can get his confirmation that we're allowed to continue raiding.

>where'd everyone go?

You thank Jayne, and make your way to Wulfs detachment "How did the assault go?" you ask, intercepting the boy before he reaches the maniple as a whole.

"Excellently" he replies "I was able to keep the Uurlanthi archers pinned for long enough to send a force up the rear of the tower. It went quickly enough after we took the signal tower. What happened in my absence?"

>>13650152
"Got all our riches squared away and hidden.did you think it was a coincidence that i sent all the mercenaries with you?"

>>13650152
No clue. Looks like it's gotten late and I myself am probably going to disappear in a few minutes.

"Our loot has been hidden for the moment and Blackbird has arrived from his scouting mission although I have yet to hear his report. As well, it seems the IV Legion is ready to advance into Uurlanth territory"

Was going to add we're considering going to meet the commander of the incoming forces but that's up to the majority, which means two people at this point I guess. Heh. Anyways I am on the verge of collapse so I am off for the night. See you Wednesday I assume.

I'm good with meeting up with the IV's commander

>>13650152
"Our spoils have been hidden away, Blackbird has returned from his mission, and the IV Legion is ready to march on Uurlanthi soil."

If the IVth isn't too far away, then I'm also okay with joining up with them.

But first, we need to get Blackbird's report.

>>13650293
We shouldn't join up with them, we should continue to raid for PHAT LEWTS as long as possible.

>>13650311
Nah, we've got a nice nest egg. we'll hit those other two towers and then head to link up with the main force, we have a lot of vital info, as well as some light elementalist training.among his own men to show off the power, as the enemy is likely to have a few of their own (good lie against the less believable Necromancy and liches)

"The IV Legion has broken through, I plan to meet with the Lord Commander as soon as possible." you inform the boy, motioning for him to follow you away from the maniple as a whole.

Before you can gather the other members of your retinue you plan to bring with you to meet with the IV legion Blackbird catches you and Wulf "I have your intelligence, commander. I thought it best you hear what I found before you move ahead." he informs you, saluting.

>>13650346
Or just say that we have intelligence suggesting that the Uurlanthi might have necromantic arcana.
Everyone knows that arcana exists, so saying 'it's arcana' is more likely to be believed.

>>13650381
Alright, let's get his report.

>>13650346
But dude, our orders were NOT to join up with them. Our deployment is done after we finish looting and we go home. They are the ones that will be fighting.

>>13650381
"If it is in regards to the dead rising from the grave or thousands more elven archer's then speak quickly, if it is a more personal matter of the cult we've clashed with, all the better. I care of your Counsel Blackbird, please, continue."

Let's hear the news.

"Speak quickly, I will be meeting with the Lord Commander of the legion we have been preparing the way for soon, so any intelligence would be best had quickly." you reply, clasping the big orcs hand, and pulling him into stride with you.

"A vast host of warriors approaches from the Northeast. They fly banners of deep blue, emblazoned with a silver city at the side of a great crater, a silver starburst captivating a golden star over the crater." -the kings banner- "at least 70000 warriors, and a van of felixsians, tens of thousands strong. The enemy cheiftan has roused the unrousable to fight in his war. I poisoned every source of water between them and us, and set as many farms and forests as possible to the torch. They will be upon us withing two weeks, by my estimate." and with the full power of the RiversEnd Lords to the south, along with Lord Dyron ready to receive this blow, the Lords of Degris and Kerlis still at the mans beck and call.

>so, who do you want to ride out with you to meet with the commander of the IV Legion?

>>13650486
Blackbird definitely needs to come with us. It's his information.

>>13650486
I think this intelligence needs to be given in person.
I don't think we should mention necromancy yet; imply that we believe the undead hosts to be the work of arcana.

Given those numbers though, the Legion may be outnumbered.

>>13650486
Lena, Bellatrix, Lealith, Sansa, Jayne and her cav, Blackbird and his men, Wulf, Degrian and one on his autowagons with a balistae atop it. Kyria with some of her repeaters and crack shots. Probably wise to leave the Assassin behind and ask him to hang around our shadows.
The Elemental seeking stone (we'll leave the gloves) and whichever translated books we have with proof of necromancy should the need require it.

>>13650486
You did go Blackbird.
We need to send an eagle to the master of the armys dude.
And now let's tell IV legion that shit just got real.

>>13650501
>>13650524
>tiebreaker?
>(hint hint, you were told by a god that there is no way a plan as long as the cults could be at fruition quite yet)

we don't need to tell them about necromancy just yet, then. Just need to make sure the missive about the blood hammer/obsidian anvil folks got out.

>>13650571
Doesnt seem much of a tie.
I said the necromancy tomes would be brought, in the case they are Required and needed post haste.

While we head out in front of our Manple, which will make at a steady pass to the legion rather then our hurried one.

Bring Blackbird to tell the Legion commander, and send our eagle to the Second as well.

>>13650617
Ah, yes. I forgot about that.
If Aquila is ready to fly again, he needs to take a message to the Second Praetorian concerning the Uurlanthi counter-counter-attack.

>>13650645
And to make sure we get credit for discovering it.

Justinian Trentz: The commander who outmaneuvered the king of Uurlanth and saved the Emperor's Legions. We'll be the toast of the empire.

>>13650599
>Ah, misunderstood, sorry.

Within half an hour, you have Laelith, Lena, Bellatrix, Sansa, Degrian, and Kyria gathered together with the two already with you. with Jaynes wing and some of Kyrias best shots as your escorts, you set off to meet the commander of the IV Legion. You can see the silver bannerpole the Lord Commander had been awarded with before the unit, though another standard distracts you from the shining series of numerals. a jet black gauntleted right fist, the thumb in crimson, and fingers outlined in gold - the second praetorians right fist, his finest commanders, and the best soldiers in the Empire, save the Emperors Chosen. A neatly ordered group of gryphons circles above the unit at the center of the columns tip, the unit from whence the fist protrudes, to either side of the gryphons a unit of pegasi, all of them in coated in black fur, though the gold-enameled armor of all three units brightly offsets the deep shade of their mounts.

A lone figure rides out from the head of the column, his plate armor a deep crimson, the traced form of a dragon covering the entirety of the suit, on e of the highest honors the empeoror can bestow upon a man. "Commander Trentz, your reputation proceeds you." the man greets you, saluting and extending a hand "Though I am curious as to what you are doing so far from your objective, when your words had the 2nd order me to re-direct his entire Right Fist to this front."

>>13650728

Salute, shake his hand. "Sir. My advance scouts just came back with disturbing news. I had to ride out to meet you, sir, given the upcoming situation. In two weeks time, the bloody King himself will be in the area, heading a front 70 thousand strong. The leader of my scout squad has all of the details ready."

>>13650728
Salute back, and shake the mans hand. Must be a sight riding along on Spite. "After taking my objective I'd gotten a little bored, and decided to start spreading out a bit, make it easier. As it turned out i've seemed to destroy two noble houses so far in this campaign.

I come here because i continue to gain alarming intel, as well as other information..." Go ahead and scan this commander with the stone, she if he's a lucky fellow. "My forward scouts probed deeper in enemy territory to gather info and disrupt enemy lines. Though this is better from his mouth than mine, I introduce Blackbird, orc of the last age and master of special operations..."

>>13650781
Seconding this.
He needs to know what we're going to be facing, and the expected timetable.

>>13650781
Sounds good.

You return the salute the Commander before you, and shake his proffered hand "I had finished my objective and was preparing to strike from another angle." you explain yourself, surreptitiously sliding your hand into your pocket to collect the crystal that detects arcane power. "Additionally, one of my scouts, Blackbird, an orc of the old clans, encountered an enemy force approaching, I have already dispatched my messenger eagle to DragonsReach to inform the second, but I thought it best to inform you as quickly as possible."

"I'll have your scouts report then." the man replies, motioning for you and your retinue to ride alongside him. As blackbird repeats what he told you, and answered a few questions you had not asked, you slide the crystal from your pocket, you direct it at the High Commander before you, and are shocked at the intensity and shade it shifts to, not any of the elemental colors, nor the radiant white of a mage, sickly green-yellow pall of a necromancer or deep purple of a mystic, rather, this mans pressence causes the stone to absorb light, casting the space between the two of you into deep shaddows. He looks over to you "I do beleive I have forgotten my manners, commander, I am High Commander Servius Lucretius, Commander of all seven maniples of the 2nd Praetorians Right Fist." he looks down at your arcana "A fine bit of arcana, that, though I would have told you what it is telling you but for the asking, in private of course."

>>13650937
Apologize, and inform him that we simply have had troubles with Mystics impersonating others already as well as... infiltrators. Therefore we thought it best not to take any chances.

>>13650937
Apologize, and say that we've had trouble with mystic impersonators when fighting against Lord Stant's force.

>>13650937

"Ah forgive my rudeness sir. I always prefer to know who and what I'm speaking to, now that I'm in the loop, though I've never seen it react in such a manner. And I do believe we'll have much to discuss privately."

>>13650937
Pause.

"Seems my mentors trusted are kept privy to information beyond those knows to the public and below their pay grade."

"My apologies, High Commander, i have had problems with mystic infiltrators on this campaign, and wanted to be sure." you excuse yourself, replacing the stone to your pocket.

Again, Commander Lucretius chuckles "Do not worry, I would have been disappointed if I found later that you simply trusted me by my presence. Now, what preparation have you done for my crossings?" he asks, snapping straight back to business. You reply promptly, outlining your exploits thus far. "Excellent. I have been given leave to command you until I have established myself in Uurlanthi territory, and report on your performance to the 2nd. To that end, I will need you to be my northern flank, as I have no doubt that Lord Dyron has his remaining retainers riding south in an attempt to trap me. I would like for you to prevent their reaching my lines, so that I can deal with these southern Lords before the King forces me to evade to the north. So you have any questions on your newest mission? Any further reports past your recent dealings here in Uurlanth?"

>>13651046
The High Commander seems aware of elementalism, so I guess we should report that we've begun the training of combat elementalists.
Also inform him about the cult and how it has most likely usurped Stant's holdings and has access to elementalists and mystics which may be rarely found in Uurlanth combat units.

Oh! Is lord fatass already dead, or are we still holding him prisoner?

Ask about the cult and the symbol, but don't sound lake you know to much (I still don't trust him).

"Indeed I do." you reply, but before you can ask your question, the High Commanders aid rides up to him and whispers something into his ear.

"I appologize, Commander Trentz, but an altercation has broken out at the rear of my column, I will be needed to settle things down. Your force will camp with ours tonight, and we will converse further then." at that, the man salutes and rides off to deal with whatever issue it is that arose.

>gah, I'm tired as shit, and we've kinda petered out it seems, so I'm calling it.
>yea I accelerated the timeline on you, sorry, but it was starting to get kinda repetitive...
>someone archive please
>I'll be back Wednesday at 9pm server time
>if you have any questions just e-mail me at paxcomquest@yahoo.com

Archived. Don't forget to vote!

>>13651154
>... he doesnt have undead hordes with him, just soldiers. Blackbird told you he had warriors, and Neshai told you that it was highly unlikely that whomever was planning on raising the dead was very likely not ready to act yet.
>however, thanks for archiving, and I apologize iuf I worded things in such a way that you though the King did in fact have the undead with him

For the last fucking time, people, it's the LORDFATHERS, the fucking cult infiltrating everyone, that has the necromancers, not the Urlanthi army.

>>13651174
Yeah...that's what it sounded like, with Blackbird's 'roused the unrousable' line.

>>13651192
But the Lordfathers are known to have designs on the Uurlanthi nobility, and appear to have usurped the Stant House.
Wouldn't it make sense for them to offer the king their services just as an Imperial Legion is about to invade the Uurlanthi homeland?

>>13651209

No. Unless I missed my guess, they're going to try and simultaneously spring that shit on everyone and take over everything.

>>13651220
That's just one possible scenario.
Until they're ready with a full undead army, there's no way to know if they won't provide support to other factions in other ways.