>The war, however, is not the only thing spreading chaos about the land. The gods, and the arcane are returning to the world after nearly 4000 years of having been thought dead. You, are at the forefront of those in the empire re-discovering that which has been lost for four millenia, and your ultimate goal is to become the Praetorian of the Divine.
>
>That office once thought lost to obsolescence with the disappearance of the gods, 1000 some years after the mortal races, humans, dwarves, elves, the cat-like felixsians, and the massive hulking lizard-men known as lacertans, killed the gods immortal servants on the mortal plain, the 6 Dragons, Elemental Patriarchs and Elemental Matrairchs 5000 years ago.
>You are currently going through a much needed period of staff enlargement and tending to your persoinal assets, and most of your plans involve either training the arcanists in the maniples of the other members of the Praetorian Militants fists, and the new order tasked with hunting and killing the vicious, bestial Loukys, an ancient race of intelligent predatory creatures recently returned to the land of the living.

Morning comes far too early, considering that you had been awake still in the dead of night seeing Wulf off. You arent to reconvene with the other Commanders you will be deploying with for two more days, so you find yourself at a loss for what to do now that your mercenaries have been hired. In the main yard of the barracks you can here Degrians engineers working at constructing additional Autowagons, as well as the familiar sound of the Kaskyana cursing in his native tongue as he works. You know that Lena, Laelith and Autronius will be leaving for your academy soon, and that Janos will be headed to the Palace to begin looking into a Dragon Keep as well.

>>15397093
It might be time we really look up Justinian's brother. We've been saying that for awhile and it should be done. I can't think of anything that should be done immediately that wouldn't require us meeting with someone important, which we would need to arrange ahead of time I imagine.

>>15397093
Go to our brother, inform him of the attempts on our life, and of our political enemies. Then we should talk with the Governor about the attempt on his son's life.
Finally, if time permits, request a formal Excolo investigation into the organized attempt on our life.

Request a meeting with whoever we are supposed to report assassination attempts to in our chain of command. The preatorian of secret police might not particularly like us, but he or she wouldn't be a preatorian if they didn't do their job. This is a matter of high treason, attacking a decorated commander in a time of war. Failure to investigate such a thing with all ready resources would lead to his or her dismissal from the post.

Also, we should check on Jayne and see how her efforts to rebuild her unit are going. If it can't deploy with us this campaign we should know now, to prepare.

>>15397117

seconding

>>15397117
>>15397122
Yup, get the ball rolling on the political stuff.

Checklist of things to do:
- Get familiar with the merc captains we just hired
- See how the Skywings and the other aircav are doing
- Ask Degrian and the blacksmiths about the Iron Arrow idea from last thread
- Troll Degrian by asking him to make a parachute while you are at it
- Meet with our brother
- If possible, pay to upgrade our captain's personal gear. Out of pocket if necessary.

Anything else?

>>15397186
I was wondering did we buy any supplies for the campaign? If we didn't we should fix that.

After eating and washing, you make your way to the Palace yourself, riding with Jayne and a few of her soldiers, all of them leading Uursan, specifically, the wild Uursan that she caught, as they head to one of the breeding stables near the palace. It takes you the better part of three hours to reach the archives, and find your brothers current battalions posting, and where they are at the moment. You are pleased to learn that he is in the city at the moment, though from the look of it he spent the better part of the war at the Northern front.

-----CQ-----

It is an hour or two past lunch when you finally reach your brothers barracks, where you are immediately greeted by your brothers Commander, a tall man, and lightly scarred. "Commander Trentz, it is so very very good to meet you. To what, might I inquire, do I owe the honor of this visit?"

>>15397218
"News from the norhtern front. I was located around Northmont before my return and I didn't get much news on how things were beyond that. As well, I would ask for the chance to speak to my brother."

Might as well get some news on how bad things are up at that front.

>>15397253
Second.

>>15397253
third

You shrug "Hoping for news from the Northern Front. I defended Northmont from a splinter force, but aside from that..." you trail off walking with the man further into the barracks.

He nods smartly, and replies "We're holding, but the Karrolls are an intelligent family. Its not surprising that they have held the throne for as many generations as they have. I was roatated back after the push from the Ceberath to SteelFort. Since we have them held there again its back to the same bloody mess it has been the whole war." the man shakes his head before pressing "What is your true motive for visiting me, Commander Trentz?"

You smirk, before stopping outside the door to the Dormitory that your brothers unit, the 291st Legionary, is housed "To visit my brother, actually. Though, I would like to know how the morale of the soldiers on the Northern Front is."

The way the commander standing across from yous jaw drops is rather amusing, though the silence is awkward as the man collects himself "I, I I did not know that your brother was serving under me. And, the men are confident, though some of them are starting to go blood-mad, or fall into depression from the constant slaughter I fear." again he pauses before half mumbling "I'll let you go to see your brother than." before saluting and walking off to see to his maniple.
>cont'd

Your younger brother is small for a legionary soldier, but Corin has the scars and armor-tan to prove that he is a good soldier. A group of his peers are sitting around him, most of them at varrying levels of hysterics, as he finishes a story "And after he drank it, I just said to him 'that wasnt your milk.'" the soldiers break into another laughing fit, and even though his back is turned, you know that your brother has that stupid, smug smirk on his face, the one he always had when he got you blamed for something he did, when he would play his pranks on you... the same damn smile he had had on his face when you drank that weeks old milk, water, and for all you know dragon piss he put in your cup.

"Corin my brother, how have you been?" you greet him, and the room falls dead silent, looks of horor and awe on the soldiers faces. You quickly scan the room with your elementalism detection crystal, but it turns up a blank.

Slowly, Corin turns around, horror etched onto his face "Justinian! Ahh... I'm well, and I know that you have been... I, um, I dont only tell the stories you are in..."

>>15397552
Surely we have a story we can tell that'll embarass him a little before taking him aside to talk privately? Heh.

>>15397552
"It's alright Corin, I'm not here about you telling a few stories. Can I speak to you in private for a moment? It won't take long, I would hate to deprive these good men of your prank stories."

>>15397603
Second. Don't want to spook any of his friends.
Play it up in front of the others that we're just here on a family visit, and to invite our brother to our wedding.
Then, in private, we can tell him about the assassination attempts.

>>15397603
seconding

two can play the "listen to what i did to my brother!" stories.

Telling him about our wedding publicly is a great way to make the visit seem normal. +1

>>15397618
This but add on "some of them were pretty inventive and made me wish I had thought of them first!"

You smirk "Do you remember that fish?" Corins face sets even deeper into fear as you begin the story... the story that ended with him naked, screaming, and in front of the girl he had been infatuated with, proudly holding a fish up in the air... until he realized where he was, who he was in front of, and what he had just done for a fish. As the laughter dies down, you continue "and now that we are even, my dear brother, I think it is time we move this conversation to a more private location. You see, it involves my wedding to Lady Jayne Garlian."

Corin shakes his head slowly, still recovering from your story, before replying "Congratulations Justinian, though I am surprised that you wed so quickly. I had expected to stay single much longer."

You smirk as Corin stands "Oh, my concubines will be at the ceremony as well, and I will be signing the documents legally binding them to me the same day."

As the two of you cross into a side room, Corin laughs "I believe it now, though four still seems rather small a number for you." at that, he closes the door, and the levity evaporates from his face "And knowing you, and women, you have no part in the planning of the wedding. What is your real reason for the visit?"

>>15397811
"Saw right through it, did you? Of course that was part of the reason, but as to the other reason I am here. As you probably know, I have enemies in high places, and wanted to let you know to be careful, they've started getting brazen."

Let him know the basic rundown on our enemies, and the attempt on ours and the Governor's son's life.

>>15397811
"Part of it is simply to invite you to my wedding obviously. I am here mainly to warn you to watch your back in the case some of my enemies come for you."

I suppose at this point we should go over Mr. Crime lord and the noble houses that dislike us. As well as this cult he should be careful of. Before we do warn him though, I have a quick question about his personality Pax. Is he the kind of person that will do the opposite of what you warn him about? If that is the case, warning him to be careful with the cult and such might have the opposite effect we want and he might go looking for them.

>>15397811
"I've made enemies, not too powerful, but desperate ones. So far, they've only targeted me, but you should be on the lookout. I don't have any evidence as to the who, but I don't think it will much matter. I plan to lodge a formal investigatory request with the Imperia Excolo; they will find whatever evidence they need."

>>15397811
Are we going to mention the cult as well or just the nobles and the crime lord? And hopefully Pax answers that question on his personality.

Oh and I hope you brought the crystal to scan him.

>>15397867
This, pretty much.

>>15397886
I think if we mention them at all, we should only mention that folks with a particular tattoo should be reported for being a member of a seditious group.

>>15397930
we already scanned the entire room when we walked in.

You sigh "I never could fool you for long. Yes part of my reason for visiting you was to catch up, and to invite you to my wedding. However, I also felt that I need to warn you about some of the political enemies I have made... I wouldn't be surprised if they made an attempt on your life, the scum that they are." and at that, you tell your brother everything you can about your political foes, and the cult, excluding of course why they are your enemies, and what they are. But, the fact that they are a fanatical, and highly talented group is more than enough for your brother to be careful should he encounter them.

Corin chuckles "At least the worst of your enemies are enemies of the Empire as well. I had wondered why those flayed skins were being dried out on top of the Talons barracks wall." he sighs, and stands from the chair he had been standing in "I will be sure to watch myself, and do my best to inform you of any news I hear of the larger group your fighting. Do you plan to stay much longer, or is duty going to call you away?"

>>15398123
"I'll be off in another two days. The First decided it's time for me to expand my collection of Uurlanth banners once again. Any idea how long you'll be remaining in the city for?"

>>15398123
"I won't deploy for another couple days. If you feel the need, come on by to see how my maniple drinks. I've acquired quite the collection of good alcohol."

>>15398172
>>15398149
Combine these two.

You shrug, and stand up yourself "I will deploy again in two days to add some banners to my growing collection. If you wish you can visit me at my barracks."

Corin nods "I dont think I will be deployed for at least a week, so I just may. It would be a shame for your soldiers to not know about your childhood, after all." he chuckles dryly. At that, you shake his hand, pull him into a quick brotherly embrace, and leave from his barracks.

It is late afternoon, and the city is alive with activity. You think you spot Janos walking to one of the exterior archives down on the far end of the street, and you know that there are other things you need to see to in the palace, you simply cannot decide immediately which one you will see too first.

>>15398268
I think we should take this opportunity to go to the offices of the Excolo and report the organized attempt on our life.

>>15398294
Second. Can't think of anything to say to Janos at this point anyways.

>>15398294

seconding.

Uurlanthi assassins are bad enough, but to be openly attacked by mercs in dragonsreach?

You decide to deal with the assassins sent to deal with you, and begin the ride towards the Palace. It is nearly evening by the time you are able to speak with an Excolo officer with enough rank to deal with your particular issue. "Name, rank, and how can I help you?" he asks tiredly, not looking up from the parchments on his desk.

"Justinian Trentz, Thrid Finger of the First Praetorians Left Fist. And a criminal element, funded by a noble house made an attempt on my life, as well as that of my protege, and Rufus Ovidius, the governor of DragonsReachs son."

The mans head jerks up, but he quickly collects himself "Tell me as much as you know, and I will make certain that you are able to speak with my praetor as soon as it can be arranged."

>>15398426
Infodump time.
Give him everything we know, everything about the criminals involved.
I assume we still have the merc prisoners in custody; can we get confirmation, Pax?

>>15398439
Confirmation from Pax in IRC; we still have them prisoner.
So tell the agent here that we have 2 of the mercenaries that made the attempt on our lives in custody, and we'd be glad to turn them over to the Excolo for safekeeping.
Also, if they mysteriously die (slumlord has them assassinated to prevent them from testifying), it won't be our fault.

>>15398439
>>15398462

seconding

>>15398462
Second.

You take a deep breath, and recount the events of the night you were ambushed, as plainly as humanly possible. "So, I had my men interrogate them, verified by switching interrogators and prisoners, and put the prisoners in my cells, and went back to managing my maniple."

The Agent sighs "I wish you had come to us sooner. The entire Reshkai family has gone into hiding. The governor only reported this three days ago. We will do our best to find the bastards, but the Imperius Excolo has been in decline of late." he pauses and looks from about, as if worried that someone could be hiding in his sparse office "My Praetorian is even a bought bitch. She's been cutting our pay, interfering with some of the investigations. She does her job well enough most of the time, but her... side projects, well, I cant really talk about them in the office." he looks out the window, a weary look on his face.

Can I get some background info on Corin? I don't remember much of anything being said about him previously. From the dialogue and his rank though I'd assume he's a younger brother.

>>15398569
I wonder if we could begin supplementing the Excolo agent's pay. Not asking anything for it for now, just telling them that we think they should be able to do their job. Maybe when we get our huge dragonkeep we can tell them they are always welcome and safe there. Building up their loyalty to us, you know.

Slowly we will subsume the imperial spy network. For the good of the Empire, of course, can't have the cult taking it over.

>>15398569
"Perhaps you could speak about them more later outside the office?"

Hmm. The first mentioned she might be working with the cult. We might want to find out about these side projects if we can... Any better ideas on how we might get this guy to talk?

>>15398608
Have him meet us somewhere secret off the books so we can talk. We're a pretty high ranking dude, he might think that it's worth taking the chance on us and telling us what's going down on the chance we could help.

Then I suggest we try funding the disillusioned Excolo agents who are still loyal to the empire as I said >>15398607

>>15398608
We could try meeting him in a neutral, secure location. But he would need a plausible reason to go there, otherwise he would fall under suspicion from the Praetor.
Also, funding dissatisfied members of the Excolo would have to be handled discretely, because it could be construed as attempting to bribe and subvert the Excolo if the Praetor ever got wind of it.

>>15398648
Well of course. We actually are trying to get them on our payroll here, so it would even be true. But secrecy goes without saying.

>>15398627
So how are we going to put money into the hands of these agents, who may not even want to accept what could be construed as bribes, while hiding it all from the very organization that is designed to root out these kinds of things?
What's your plan?

>>15398607
>>15398627

Something about funding the empire's spy network with the hopes that we slowly gain their loyalty seems to scream "overstepping boundaries of power" and "possibly treason" to me.

If anything, we should have this agent spirited to the emperor's son. He called down the hammer on the cult in the talon, i don't see why he wouldn't do the same for a corrupt praetorian that might be under cult influence.

>>15398672
Uh, standard dead drop locations handled by unknowing patsies is a tried and true method. Not only that, Deasau has a network set up and Janos is old hand at this sort of thing.

We have the resources. We can rebuild them. Better, stronger, more secretive.

>>15398681
We already told him the third was corrupt/cult.

And it seems more to me like "standard politics and powerbase building" actually. Yes, that kind of shit goes on constantly in real life governments.

If we can get this guy one on one and find out more about the side projects his boss is doing and his reaction to it, we can consider this bribing thing then. We need to see how receptive this guy is to us period first before deciding to try to get him to work for us.

I'll have to agree with Ngodom and Generic here. Paying off members of your own country's spy/ internal security service just looks bad and can be so easily miscontrued. If we are going to do this, then I suggest doing it while there is not a war on, cause it looks like the enemy is trying to suborn Degnar. Let the Emperor and his son handle this. We've already got too much on our plate.

.>>15398725
>implying they can handle this if they haven't already
>implying an Excolo agent who tells this to random commanders who walk through the door hasn't already passed the message along
>implying that letting the empire's internal secret police slowly be corrupted and die off and say 'someone else's problem!' is a good move

>>15398745
What I'm saying is that we are leaving within a few days to a campaign. This problem needs our personal touch, as it goes way over our head. Therefore, we will delegate this problem, so when we come back we can deal with it.

Hell, you know what? If we are going to the emperor's son why not just ASK him if we can start funding the Excolo ourselves? What can it hurt?

You pause to think for a while, before replying "You have been in the Excolo for quite a while, right?" warrily, the late middle aged man across from you nods "So you know some of the... seedier taverns and inns in the city, correct?" again the man nods, already seeming to understand your intentions.

"The... ahh, the Moist Lip is easily my favorite tavern. Just on this side of the Market slums... I normally go there to drink when my work is done for the day." the white haired man replies casually.

You smirk "I cant say that I have ever drank there. I will have to visit it some time." you look out the window, and realize that the day is nearly ended, so you make your way from the mans office.

-----CQ-----

It is several hours past dark when you walk into the Moist Lip, Sansa on your arm. It does not take long to find the Excolo agent you had been speaking with earlier today. He is sitting at a back table, a tankard of ale and some chicken bones in front of him. When you and Sansa approach, he lets out a bitter laugh "Heh, the Midnight _fucking_ Dragon... of course it'd be you to get me to admit that the Excolo need outside help for anything." he sighs, loose, but clearly in perfect control of himself still "I know that this business with the cult, and yes, I know that its a fucking cult. I was leading that case until Protus started pulling all the agents that wouldnt take bribes, or were loyal to her and not the Empire on that case." he rambles on, flipping a dragoon to the barmaid as she passes by with your drinks "I know that there is more happening than we're allowed to know, and I know that your in the center of it. What we're about to start talking about could easily be taken as treason, so I'll know all of it. I wont insist that you tell first, but... no information is free."

>>15398841
I think for now we should start talking about what we know about the cult but things that COULD have come from someone else. Our messages have been intercepted and rumors might have spread from our soldiers based on the campaign. Start small and see what he reveals in exchange before we go bigger.

>>15398841
"The cult plans to use the war between Uurlanth and the Empire to create vast fields of dead and then employ the returning magical art of Necromancy to raise an invincible undead legion to conquer the world."

"Your turn."

>>15398841
"I'll go first then. From missives I've retrieved from two of their now cold sources, I've determined at least how many countries they have their claws in, what their ultimate goal may be, and how they plan to achieve that goal. It's the stuff of nightmares."

>>15398841
"Information for information, then? Of course, given your occupation, I doubt that I have anything new to offer.
"I know that the cult had agents in the Praetor of the Legion's office, and in the Praetor of the Excolo. I don't know how much further they are in Degnar, but I know they're in the Duchy, and they have a House or two in Uurlanth. Nothing on the Guilds.
"I put the Princep on their tail, but he's like an uursan rampaging through a vase shop. I suspect you have a better grasp on the situation than he does."

>>15398898
>I put the Princep on their tail
Let's not reveal this particular part yet.

For all we know this guy is a cult member.

>>15398841
Talk about the first campaign, how did so many people join up with Khaless so quickly (or not so quickly, as the case may be) and how did they hide such numbers? Surely someone noticed the exodus or the fact that someone is supplying an army in the wilds.

We need to have Daeseu check up on this guy, to see if he's legit.

This is going way too fast for my liking, we shouldn't trust him blindly. What if he's one of them and this is a ploy to find out what we know about their activites?

Proceed with caution

You chuckle "Information for information? I doubt that I have anything that will be new for you, but I will do my best." you take a drink from your tankard, after a silent toast with Sansa you continue "My first campaign, the Dwarf, Khalless, was a major player in the cult. He drew divine symbols in a slaughtered town, and after my man translated his missives, I learned that this cult believes the gods and arcane to have returned, and all of their actions are based on that assumption."

The agent nods, and takes a drink from his tankard "Knew that they believed in the divine, didnt know that Wet Box was with them though. Thats about the time Protus took me off of that case. She had me hamstrung during his buildup as well. Odd reaction they had to that bit of... rumor though. We know that they have agents in all the nations of the world, but aside from that... all of the different cyphers they use make it slow going, and with the Bitches patsies censoring what is translated..." he takes another drink, nodding to a dwarf in the crowd.

"We trust'em Romul?" the dwarf asks in an accent almost as heavy as Collins.

The agent nods "Yea Shaemus." he turns to look at you "had to be sure, and since you have your aid with you, I figure its only fair that I have mine. Now, the meeting you were at with my Praetor" he spits the word "I heard certain rumors about that meeting, rumors that tie back to this cult, following the information you willingly gave me and I verified on them... how much credence do they have?"

>>15398955
Unfortunately he's off on a mission.

>>15398978
"Yes, they are. Moreover, the cult plans to use the war between Uurlanth and the Empire to create vast fields of dead and then employ the returning magical art of Necromancy to raise an invincible undead legion to conquer the world."

>>15399025
At this point, mention that the Uurlanthi opponent we fought in our second campaign was heavily infiltrated and actually asassinated by said cult.

>>15398978
"Normally, due to Praetorian orders, I can neither confirm or deny the return of the divine and of the arcane.
"But...yes. They're coming back, and already are back to a certain extent."

>>15399025
I hope we don't regret this but I'll second this.

You sigh "Treason indeed. Those rumors are true, and yes, a good number of the ones about my feats most likely are as well. That fact makes the cults endgame all the more terrifying. They intend to fuel the fires of war as long as they can, until they have enough necromancers strong enough to raise our fallen armies to serve as their own." At that, you take another - long, drink from your tankard.

Romul drains his own tankard, slamming it loudly on the table. One of the barmaids look sup, then runs off to fetch the maid that served you your first round "Well call me a fucking Dragons father."

Shaemus punches Romul on hisarm "Theres a lady here'ya pig. Show some damned respect." Sansa looks at the dwarf, cocks an eyebrow, and downs her ale in one swig, slams the tankard down, and belches loudly. The dwarf has no response.

Romul clears his throat "At least I know why Protus has been taking drifters and beggars off the street and housing them in that new wing of the Excolo apartments now. Explains all the books she's been sneaking from the archives as well. Wuvern shit would taste better than this crap." he laments, before looking for you to continue the exchange.

>>15399145
"Are any of those that Protus takes in, seen to leave? Or better yet, how much food goes into those apartments?
"Since you're still here, and Protus isn't having her mind ripped apart for a confession, I take it that you don't have the evidence to go to another Praetorian, or the Princeps, with this information yet."

>>15399145
"That makes things difficult then... If she's actively working for the cult, the second she has an idea you're poking into her business I imagine she'll have you removed. I imagine the only way we can touch her at this point is if we have solid proof or we can convince another praetorian or someone higher up of her involvement."

>>15399145
"The first is also aware of these things, and I know his office was scourged of cult infiltrators during my second campaign. It may not be safe to go to him in person without being watched by them, but you can always send a messenger 'to your wife' or 'cousin.' "

>>15399180
Let's not mention any of our allies.

Compartmentalize our assets. There is no reason we need to tell this agent about the first or the heir.

>>15399235
Dude, they know we work for the first.

You sigh again, surreptitiously squeezing Sansas hand under the table as you finish your own drink. "That makes things incredibly difficult, as she is either feeding the cult directly, or building her own corps of arcanists. It may not be safe to go directly there, but the First has purges his office, though, less tactlessly as the Heir, of cult influences. However a messenger is always a safe option, if he is reliable."

Romul nods and tosses the barmaid another coin as the fresh round of drinks is set out "You have done some work to piss the bitch off at least. Your academy... which has attrocious security, and that you are re-furbishing the Temple to the Ten left her very, very angry."

Shaemus takes a drink, before cutting in "If'she wasn't already pissed at'ye, that temple's enough to ensure that she wont'ave any real effort put int'your case. An with the clean agents retirin'er dyin more and more every week, I don'think we've the manpower to push the case through anyways." Romul sighs, and nods.

>>15399264
"Then don't. It's far more important that you get the evidence needed to bring Protus down and restore the Excolo. I'll talk with the First to have security at my Academy increased, however."

>>15399246
But they don't know how much he knows or how much we have told him.

>>15399264
I say offer the retiring agents jobs with us. After all, all your objections at recruiting Excolo agents are voided if they aren't agents anymore. We're just amassing talent by recruiting retired agents.

"How would you and the retired agents like to work for the Empire again, free of people trying to cause its downfall? I can't promise to make you rich, but you won't go hungry, and I won't pull funds on critical missions."

>>15399264
"Really? The temple, huh? Did you hear any reason why with that one? I've got an idea, but, if you've got a take on it."

what I think the reason to be: The majority of the gods are totally against or antagonistic to the idea of necromancy, and having so visible a symbol of theirs close by could hinder their plans. Many fantasy settings, afterall, feature gods capable of clearly seeing events occurring near their temples.

>>15399313
Oh, and their first missions will be to gather information on the Third and make our security around the barracks and academy airtight.

>>15399264
If clean agents are retiring, can we get them hired as academy security? They'll know what to look out for against infiltrators, and its a way we can get back at the Third.

>>15399333
Security consultants? GENIUS! If their pay is too low, their pensions can't be much better.

If we hire the retirees we are no longer bribing active agents. So our hands are clean!

You lazily drape an arm over Sansas shoulders, and take a drink from your fresh tankard of ale before asking "Did you manage to glean any information as to why the Third was so furious with me for having bought the Temple to the Ten?"

Romul shakes his head "Only that she had plans for that plot of land, unfortunately. And with her indoctrinated drifters guarding her office all day..."

You nod, understanding "These retiring agents, would it be safe to assume that they are more being forced out by their morals or pressure from their superiors than just old and tired?" Shaemus nods, and spits off to the side, looking quite angry. "As you said, my academies security is attrocious, and even after I move it to a Dragon Keep, I will still need experienced men to work security. I cannot promise that the pay will be very large, but it would be a stable job for a man who has no ill designs on Degnars future. If these men-"

"I'll send'em yer way." Shaemus cuts you off, chuckling. The four of you finish your drinks more or less in silence, and after leaving a few more coins on the table you all get up and leave for your homes.

-----CQ-----

Sansa shivers against the night air in your arms as you guide Spite back to the barracks "I trust the agents, but this business with the Third..."

You shush her, stroking her hair as Spite rounds the corner onto the Nobles Causeway "It is not an unpassable obstacle love."

She sighs, leaning back into you "And with the slumlord and his benefactor gone, Wulf and Daeseus mission..."

>>15399333
They would be wasted as JUST academy guards. No, they would be our shadow hand and secret force working in the darkness. Making sure the academy is secure would only be one of their jobs.

But yes, we can just take the loyal agents that have been retiring to make our Shadow Hand.

>>15399426
"Now now, love. I've done everything I can to ensure their success, including a couple things only I can do for them. Favors from on high and all that. All we can do now is believe in those two."

>>15399426
"They are smart, resourceful, and I've given them as much help as I can... both on this plane and others. All we can do now is trust in them."

I wonder if now would be a smart time to find out how she would feel about the possibility of a goddess being part of our wedding. I'm not sure if we'll have made enough progress to be at that point in only one more campaign, but it can't hurt to see what she thinks. The harem seems to have become a fairly tight-knit group after all, and I'd rather have their approval first rather than going "Surprise, I'm marrying Nyetini too!"

>>15399481
Definitely seconding at least a mention of how we're also trying to jump Nyetini's metaphorical bones at some point. Justinian is a man of some class, at least.

>>15399481
I second letting them know about Nyetini. There will likely be consequences. But surprising them will be rather worse for our health.

>>15399481
>>15399545
We're not marrying Nyetini yet though are we? I feel we shouldn't be even close to that level in our relationship yet, and even after another campaign. Also, would we be marrying some avatar of hers, like say Vi acting as her high priestess?

I think we should do some more research on Nyetini. For all we know, she considers us a follower, and is lovey-dovey to all her followers. We could have the wrong idea about the whole relationship.

>>15399629
Vi and Nyetini are two entirely separate entities, so no. And I am still very against making an attempt on Vi.

You smile, and plant a kiss on the raven-haired warriors cheek before replying "They are capable, and intelligent. and I doubt that a treacherous Degnarian noble would be overly willing to flee straight to Uurlanth without making friends there first."

Sansa sighs, and you can feel her let some of the tension drain from her body "Of course your right. I just worry about my friends, you know that." she laughs "Though I suppose I will be able to call Wulf son soon enough. I know it wont be until you have some with us, so that inheritance doesnt get confused, but I also know you love." You snicker, kiss your woman again, and the two of you fall into a comfortable silence as you ride through the streets. Sansa breaks the silence "So, which gods did you manage to recruit to keep our dear Wulf safe? And why were you meditating so much longer than normal?"

You sigh... now is as good a time as any "Eago will keep him alive, and Garagush ensure his success." you sigh again before continuing "As to why I was in the divine realm for so long... you noticed that I wasnt, _roused_ during this meditation, where you have see that happen before. Well, it just so happens that some of the goddesses-"

Sansa barks out a laugh, and twists around to face you without sliding from your lap "I dont know if I should be angry at you for already trying to add to our family, laugh at you for being so bold-"

You rest your hands on her shoulders "Its the goddess of life and love, Nyetini. Shes nice, you'll like her, and shes, you know how Kyria can be..."
>cont'd

Sansa sighs, and falls into the embrace as the gates to the barracks open for you to enter "That same dwarf is having too great an effect on me, love. I'm getting more and more distracted thinking about what it would be like to lay with a goddess." she looks up to pout at you "And I didn't even like women before you trapped me in a bed with that dwarf. So, how is she? How worried do I need to be?"

You feel yourself blush, and you suppress a sigh before responding "Truthfully, I still dont know."

You feel something, strange, in Sansas motions, for a mad second you think that she is trying yo play Laeliths game and have you sneakily outside, because she cant make herself wait the few minutes it takes to stable Spite, and walk to your room. Then, you realize that shes laughing... hard "The great Justinian Trentz has been seeing a woman he is interested in for over two years, and has yet to share a bed with her? It was months between your sparing Laelith and your first spearing her, but this goddess..." she cant finish the sentence, as another fit of laughter takes her.

Do these before we leave DragonsReach:

- Ask Degrian and the blacksmiths about the Iron Arrow idea from last thread
- Troll Degrian by asking him to make a parachute while you are at it
- If possible, pay to upgrade our captain's personal gear. Out of pocket if necessary.

These can be done while traveling to the front:

- Get familiar with the merc captains we just hired
- See how the Skywings and the other aircav are doing

Let Janos handle increasing security in all of our facilities in DragonsReach.

The ex-Excolo agents can be our security consultants, agents, and "fixers". If the Third Praetorian tries to deny us justice, we'll just do all the investigative work for her and force her hand. Ultimately we'll dig up evidence of her treasonous activities, and expose her to the Heir.

I'm sure Janos knows where to hire reliable muscle for day-to-day guard duty.

>>15399667
"I'm not so lucky as to have her at my side always. Though, So lucky to have you."
Then go for touching handhold moment with moment of silence.

>>15399667
"For a while, I was worried I was far too heavily outclassed. The first time I met her... I was like a school boy trying to court his best friend's mother. Totally petrified."

>>15399693
And then a sneak tickle attack for mocking us. This will not stand! :P

>>15399688
Sounds like a fairly reasonable outline to me.

>>15399719
Hah! That's about right, really. The only time any woman made Justinian motherfucking Trentz freeze. Say this.

As well, I'm good with GP's action plan.

>>15399688
Sounds good. Meet with Degrian tomorrow, wrap up loose ends. Then the day after we march, and we can use the time to chat with the mercs and skywings.

>>15399786
Also, in our defense, we should probably mention that what they saw and left them petrified in awe after the city siege is only a fraction of what we experience.

That will give her something to think about.

You chuckle "For a while, I thought I was outclassed, freezing like a youth courting his best friends mother at Nyetinis every word and action. Petrified."

Sansa calms enough for you to easily help her off spite, and the two of you enjoy each others company in silence, until you are nearly back to your room. "I'm surprised, you dont normally let us get away with making light of you so easily."

You smirk, the poor girl doesn't even realize that shes trapped in your doorway "Oh?" you ask her, before moving in for the kill. She is in histarics the whole way from the door to the bed, though, by the time she actually lands, the laughs are already beginning to give way to moans...

-----xXx-----CQ-----xXx-----

The next morning, you find Degrian out in the courtyard, humming a strange tune as he works away at his personal project. Its roughly man-sized, metal, and you havent the slightest idea what it will do. "So, what is your project, Degrian?" you ask him amiably.

The engineer shrugs "different pieces of armor, different uses. Not practical to wear all as one suit, but exchanging single pieces for mine would be good. Also ways to hide sheathes, scabbards and weapons, and get them without digging."
>cont'd

You twist an ornate looking piece on a gauntlet, which proceeds to clank loudly, and extend a short, yet sharp looking blade from the wrist. You whistle appreciatively "Impressive, though, I do have a question for you."

Degrian freezes, before replying "And what is that?" he asks from behind a stone box, which is clearly _not_ part of these armor plates.

Still smiling at the look on the blacksmiths face when you had him begin forging the mostly steel arrows for your valkeries to drop, as it dawned on him what those weapons would be capable of you let the silence hang, just to better fluster Degrian. Then you let your grin widen and reply "Do you think it possible to slow a riders fall from the sky, most likely a stricken and dying valkerie, so that they would not die upon reaching the ground.

Degrian drops his tool, looks at his prject, you, his project again and scatches at his head. A confused "Huh" is all that escapes his mouth before he drops to the ground, twitching slightly, and clearly passed out.

>this seems to be a good point to stop at, so I will.
>someone archive please
>I'll be back tuesday at 9pm server time
>if you have any CQ/setting questions just email me at paxcomquest@

Wow. Whoever archived this thread must have been drunk or super tired.