Jayne bursts into the tent, drenched through, despite the hooded crimson claok she is garbed in "Justinian, love, it seems that the other commanders are meeting in the central command tent. I realize you just woke up, but..." she trails off as Sansa glares daggers at her.

"Thats MY cloak!!" the raven-haired, sleepy-eyed woman accuses.

Jayne looks to you, to Sansa, then back to you "Kyria nearly incinerated mine working with her runes, and said I should just borrow yours, I had thought..."

"Wasnt my fault..." the shorter of the tow still sleeping figures mumbles, only to be silenced by some sort of blow from the taller.

>>15693306
Alright, while they're arguing, let's get out of here.
Before going to the command tent, let's drop by our air elementalists; is this storm natural, sent by Eago, or is it elementalist-derived?

> huge storm
> enemy has good lightning elementalist
> panic.jpg
Crap crap crap.
Get to the command tent. Lightning rods for everyone.

>>15693346
Agreed but we might as well talk to Lena. If this was unnatural, it'll probably be effecting the mists. She should have an idea then.

>>15693346
Okay:
1. talk to air elementalists, see if they can counter the enemy's lighting elementalist
2. talk to blacksmiths about fashioning lightning rods for each unit
3. attend command meeting

You sigh, grab The Bill from the table it settled back to after you moved Sansa to the cot last night, and glance it over as you carefully edge around the argument, which Kyria is now groggily joining the amusing argument. You take another deep sigh as you look the list over.

Gathering your own cloak, you set out into the camp. Your first stop is Lena, who is sitting, rain-drenched as she stares tot he sky, thoughtful, though not downcast. "I wonder if this is a storm Wulf used." she asks no one in particular as you walk up to the waifish mage.

You toss her a smirk "It is coming from the right direction." you admit.

She sighs "And it is natural, though it has been amplified more than once." for a while the only sound is the rain hammering away at the ground, tents and wagons. "I'm not going to break down again, simply feeling lonely." again she pauses, before smirking and admitting "The last time I saw a storm this big was just before the second time I was able to spend a whole week abed with Wulf, though we did actually sleep that time."

You shake your head "Dont reminisce in the rain for too long, illness is rather deter mental to ones ability to do their duty." and at that, you move on to find your elementalist cadre.

Most of the men in the group are in their shared barracks tent, lounging about, meditating, or practicing their fine controll. "How can we help you, Commander?" asks Crestus, an incredibly un-manly flower sprouting from his right shoulder, a pair of shears in his hand, and a small pile of twigs on the ground.

>>15693525
"Lena commented this storm has been enhanced. I want our air elementalists working to make sure this storm isn't going to be used against us."

Warn them that the enemy has at least one powerful lightning elementalist that we know of. For the next battle, we should group our three lightning elementalists and four enhancing elementalists together. It's the best we can do in terms of a counter.

>>15693525
"Check this storm over; I want to know if it has been amplified, and if it's being used by the Uurlanthi to attempt to sneak raiding parties past our lines.
"Practice with the storm, see if you can control it. Air and Water elementalists both; lightning and wind control for the former, and water manipulation for the latter. You all remember the shield of water that the Uurlanthi used back north; work on doing the same.

>>15693552
Right. Throw in the water and wind elementalists as well.

>well, looks like mspaint decided to clip off half the maniple, fixing that issue

>>15693586
Does the ice-specialized water elementalist throw spears of ice yet?

Also, I'm thinking that anytime we have our elementalists train, like now, we have the enhancement life elementalists there to act as batteries and keep the others going for longer periods.
That way, the life elementalists practice their buffing, and the others get more practice done before they're tired.

You salute the men back, before taking a seat and nodding for them to continue as they were "Lena mentioned that this storm has been enhanced more than one time. I would like for you men to prevent it from being used against us."

One of the fire elementalists looks at you confusedly "Commander, how do you expect us soggy cats, and the one thats shaving his chest over there" he inclines his head at Crestus, who glares at the man, but continues to clip excess twigs away from his body "to keep this storm at bay."

You level a rather unamused glare at the man "As much as I enjoy attempts at levity..." you trail off, unable to fathom the mans stupidity "Stay dry." you respond eventually.

One of Wulfs men speaks up "The storm is barely controlled, simply being held in place. I doubt that it will be turned against us, but if you wish we could..." he trails off, nervously glancing at the other soldiers in the tent.

>>15693647
"If it's only being held here than that's fine. If it seems like one of the Uurlanth are trying to take control of it, I want you to resist them so they don't start throwing lightning at us. We've all seen what Wulf can do with a storm."

>>15693665
This. Also, ask our iceman if he could conceivably use this rain to create ice spears or if that would be too energy consuming to be worth doing.

Say, didn't our enemy use rain to create an arrow barrier at one point?

Let's see if we can give that a try.

>>15693665
This. Also give permission to "seize the lightning" if they can.

Have a quick chat with our smiths about lightning rods, then onto the command meeting.

>>15693665
"If it's being held here, then the Uurlanthi are using it for some reason. So make the storm yours, and not the Uurlanthi's.
"I want you to resist them so they don't start throwing lightning at us. We've all seen what Wulf can do with a storm"

Used your bit at the end, Maximus.

You shrug "If it is only being held here, let it rest. However, I would rather it was our storm, as we have all seen what Wulf can do with storms..." Everyone in the tent shudders at the prospect of having that force turned on them, a handful glancing over to the legionary plate they still wear into battle.

Crestus sighs "Maybe this vine will go to seed soon, if I have any luck, this flower is rather... effeminate."

One of the men barks out a laugh "I could freeze it off for you, if you want."

Crestus shudders "I would rather you didnt, it would seem that when this vines flowers have more tactile feel than the bark of it. I would almost prefer to take a boot to my groin over feeling this flower freeze and die."

Another mans eyes widen "You mean, its as sensitive as your cock? And every time a bug landed in it you were..."

An idea hits you, and luckily, gives you an option to head off this conversation before it goes any further "You, ice elementalist. Would it be possible for you to freeze the rain, into spears, or at least sharp spikes?"

The entire tent freezes, before the man in question replies "Actually, I'm rather shocked that that idea hasn't crossed my mind before." He forces a laugh "It certainly is a good thing that our foes dont use the same tactics we do. A night raid turning the rain to spears would be..."

>anything else for these guys, or move on to the other Commanders?

>>15693845
I think we're done with these folks. To the commanders.

>>15693845
Steam elementalist:
1. Since his steam is hot enough to burn, I want to get him training harder, so that he can steam-cook the enemy in their armor. An area-effect use to clear a group of enemy soldiers, or as area-denial, essentially making the enemy run through a wall of burning hot steam.
2. Work with Degrian to be the power/steam source for an up-gunned Steam Heavy Repeater.

>>15693845
Quick chat with the blacksmiths about long metal poles to act as lightning rods, before or after the command meeting.

You nod "Indeed it is." and at that, you leave the tent. As you make your way to the central command tent, you pass Sansa and a small group of soldiers headed from the camp. All of them garbed in crimson cloaks, hoods thrown up over their heads, dry they would have been almost close to the bloodgrass seedpods that are beginning to appear at chest level as summer drags on, but so wet, the cloaks are far too dark. Sansa looks rather unhappy, her cloak already drenched, and dripping, where her mens are just now approaching soaked. Chuckling as you imagine how that argument ended, you enter the central command tent. The commanders are all seated about the main table, their cloaks hanging on armor racks strewn about the large space. You hang yours and join them. "Justinian, how did your battle go?" Malcius greets you, saluting with an apple in hand, clearly still breaking his nights fast. Your stomach growls, reminding you that you have yet to eat anything today.

"Well enough, though more of my goes escaped my grasp than I would have liked."

Gabriel nods, rubbing at his temples "Ours was much the same. These bastards are learning our strategies too quickly. And with this storm, our new-found aerial advantage is nullified."

>>15694053
"That begs the question then - are they going to use this time to try something tricky or use this storm to let their men recover? Regardless, I've had Blackbird and my aerial forces prepare some surprises for the enemy for a night raid attack, and while the rain stops us from using our aerial elements, Blackbird and the rain may still let a night raid on their camp be possible. I may have even come up with an idea to use the rain to cause more havoc."

>>15694074
second

>>15694074
Second, though we really need Blackbird to also give us some recon on what the enemy is doing.

>>15694104
No reason he can't do both. Although part of me is tempted to suggest we try to end this tonight. Perform the raid and then assault the camp.

>>15694128

if we go for the killing blow with this storm...

the nobles won't be able to escape by air.
(until pax says they escape regardless)

>>15694128
I agree, that if we can suddenly and unexpectedly turn the storm against the enemy, we might be able to end this tonight. But I'm worried about what they're using the storm to cover.

You sigh "Which leads me to wonder what it is our foes are planning to accomplish with this storm."

Vibius shakes his head, for once, his turban unwrapped and off his head, revealing his complete lack of hair on the top of his head "Nothing good no doubt. We need more intelligence."

Gabriel nods "Indeed. ALthough Justinians nearly complete annihilation of the force sent to bypass us is a boon, they could still overwhelm us if we attacked them."

Malcius shakes his head "No, their light infantry would be wiped out. We would crush them if we struck now."

"Into a thousand small forces, many of which would reach Degnar to regroup and wreak havoc on the countryside." Vibius counters, taking a drink from his cup.

You sigh, and agree "That is how roughly a hundred and a half uurlanthi soldiers evaded me for four days. My men always caught or killed some when they caught a group, but the others scattered into smaller groups, and continued to flee on their own. By the end of it, some of them were laying in wait for us, trying to imitate Blackbirds tactics as their friends continued east."

Gabriel sighs "And with the grass growing taller every day as this summer balances on its center..."

>>15694302
"If we need intelligence, I can always send Blackbird out. He has yet to fail me in that regard. As well, we could also turn it into a raid at the same time. He has been preparing some surprises and I might have an idea on how to use this rain to our advantage in that regard."

>>15694302
"I have to agree with Vibius. We need more intelligence before we can strike.
"Once we know what they're doing, or at least, the disposition of their forces, then we can come up with a plan.
"I shall have my scouts range out and see what the Uurlanthi are doing."

You know, I think the rain is really there to keep us from burning the grass down again.

>>15694353
>>15694369
second

You lean against the table, resting your head in your hands "Perhaps this rain is to keep us from burning the grass down, or shortening it again. I agree with Vibius that we need more intelligence. I shall continue to send out scouts, and have Blackbird try to get closer to the Uurlanthi camp, and hopefully launch a raid. We cannot allow these dogs any rest."

Gabriel nods, stretches and yawns all in one motion "Indeed we cannot. If they send messengers to call more of House Vistyeks forces, they could easily overwhelm us."

Malcius perks up "So, if our scouts find that our foes have sent for reinforcements..."

"Our hand may be forced." Vibius finishes, tossing his cup from the table, frustrated. "Do you think Blackbird would be able to tutor some of my men in his tactics, Justinian? If our foes are beginning to emulate the orc..."

>anything else you need to discuss here? If not, where to?

>>15694492
"His methods are brutal, but effective. I'll agree to letting them learn from him."


Ask them if they've had any luck with interrogation of prisoners.

>>15694492

"Of course. I shall have Blackbird detail some of his clan to help school some of yours in his methods."

We need to find Vhodz Lennis. Such conditions are probably not new to him. He should have some idea of what we might be able to do or some way of dectecting and sneaking by those hiding in the grass.

>>15694492
"I shall ask him about the possibility."

I think that's about it for this meeting.
As for other things to do, if lightning rods are understood at our current tech level, we should talk with our blacksmiths to see if some can be made.
Though I'm not sure about the effectiveness of lightning rods against magically controlled lightning.

>>15694492
"I'll speak to him about it. If not himself, perhaps he can at least spare some of the men who have been under him for a few campaigns."

First thing is go to Blackbird and send them out. After, I suggest we speak to Vi and see if we can get her to work on trying to improve our night vision paste. We've seen she can manipulate plants to a degree so perhaps she might have some success there.

>>15694530
seconding also we need to talk to gaius sometime about his prebattle prayer with his men

>>15694607
What are we going to say to him, though? It's really not our business.

>>15694492
Send out Blackbird.
Talk to Vhodz Lennis about ways of spotting the enemy through this tall grass.
Lightning rods.

I guess all air cavalry are grounded due to the lightning storm?

if trips, aliens have nuked you all.

it's game over.

>>15694628
I dunno It just seems like an important turn of events and it might make for an interesting conversation

>>15694669
I suppose. It's kind of skirting the line of the old "Don't Ask, Don't Evangelize" policy, perhaps, but if his unit just happens to have a large number of Garagush worshipers, nothing we can do about that.

>>15694684
I was going for more of a "welcome to the fold" conversation than anything else but it's cool if y'all don't think we should

>>15694722
Just don't think it's proper, since which gods a person worships and follows is supposed to be a personal, and private, matter in the Legion.

You shrug "His methods are brutal, but effective. I am certain that he will have no qualms detailing some of his best to train some of yours." there is a brief pause, as Vibius nods his head to you in thanks. You continue by asking "Have any of you managed to extract any useful information from captured foes?"

Gabriel frowns, before grumbling out "None of my captives are important enough to know anything of use."

"Likewise" Malcius adds, begining to toss his apple-core up and down in his hand. After another long silence the man adds "It would seem that we are done here, my friends."

Vibius nods "I will send for the rest of you should my scouts learn anything useful." The rest of you reply in kind, and the meeting quickly disintegrates.

Again, you set out into the rain-soaked camp, to find Blackbird and his men training. By now, not a single one of them is similarly armed, or armored. Most of the ones still in heavier armor have had custom sets forged, images of terrible beast of the first age, demons, and slaughter inlaid into the armor. Many of their helmets have terrifying masks that can be slid down to all but cover their faces, to match the horns, many of them now more closely matching the orcs spiraling horns, protruding from the helms. Their leathers are all shades of earth, grass and trees, or blood and flesh, or again, dyed images and scenes all terrifying to behold. They are the only battalion drilling in the storm, their wide range of weapons dancing about the storm-induced darkness as they train. Others collect mud, mix concoctions, or, judging by the smaller number than you know are alive and well, stalk the grasses, practicing their stealthy craft. "Justinian, my friend, how can I help you?" Blackbird asks, looking up from the earthen bowl he is holding under a cloth cover, some strange liquid being brewed inside it.
>cont'd

You smile "By training a selection of Commander Salvius' men in your craft, and discerning what our foes are plotting in their camp."

Blackbird smiles "I do hope you mean to turn me loose on them as well."

You do your best to emulate his feral grin, amusing the orc, and causing his own unnerving display of mirth to deepen, and become all the more unsettling "But of course, my friend."

The orc laughs happily, though his timbre, intent, mood, and the source of his joy make his joviality quite unnerving "BlackClaw, Taker, SwampWalker!!" the or bellows, and three of his longest surviving men come to him.

BlackClaw is clearly the one who slew the SwampShadow, his prize spear with the beasts black claw resting proudly across his shoulders, the others you can only assume are some of his best. "You will train Commander Salvius' men in our ways, go to him now. Commander, have you any more tasks for me at the moment? If not, I must see that my men are ready to move by nightfall."

>>15694776
"That's all friend. Good hunting. I'm sure some of the men we were chasing have made it to their camp by now. The ones that tried to mimic you. Show them the difference."

>>15694776
"None friend. Good hunting to you men."

>>15694776

"Is there any way to improve the NV paste, like to prevent blindness when bright lights are shined into the eyes? I'm thinking of having Vi look into it since shes the resident plant expert."

>>15694799
Second.

>>15694808
Get Vi's opinion on it first. If she thinks she can improve on it, get feedback on her ideas from Blackbird, Crestus, and our surgeons.

They can probably work together to make something safe and more effective. It's also important that we are still able to mass produce any new and improved versions of the NV paste.

>>15694870

Well, the original recipe did come from blackbird. Hence getting his opinion first.

You shake your head "That will be all my friend... those Uurlanthi that were attempting to mimic you as we fled; show them the difference between yourself and them."

The orc smiles wickedly "Of course, commander."

-----CQ-----

By the time you finish eating, and conversing with the blacksmiths it is past midday, though with the storm you cannot tell as much. The smiths are able to craft poles, but your elementalists express uncertainty that such a device would be anything but a hindrance to an elementalist, or elementalist choir with the power to command this storm. Nervously, you set out into the camp again. Eventually, you find Vi, though not where you had expected to find her. The woman is lounging about in the makeshift bathhouse your ladies erect whenever you are on campaign. Both her and Kyria are lounging in what is either a blast crater lined with steel, or a tub sunk into the earth. The water is throwing off quite a bit of steam, despite the chill brought on by the driving rain. Neither of them seem to notice you, as the reclaimed Loukys hive listens raptly... to Kyrias rather graphic descriptions of how she won over Sansa and Jayne while you were otherwise occupied.

>>15694914
... This is really Kyria's harem isn't it.

Make feeble attempt to discuss official business.

>>15694939

Then fail utterly and join them in the bath.

>>15694939
I guess this, heh.

>>15694951
>>15694939
HAH! But, yeah, that sounds about right.

>>15694914

>>15695111
There should be a praetorian spot for that.

You smirk "Kyria, thats hardly a fair topic for you to prattle on about."

The dwarf in question turns to face you "Oh, but I'm not the one who began the conversation, love."

Vi blushes slightly "I realize that it is not normal conversation, but I was curious as to what the others do when you are not with them."

You chuckle "Sometimes I think it is the dwarf across form you that created this family, not my own ambitions."

The dwarf smirks "I was private enough before you made your advances, Justinian, it was you that let me out of my cage, so to speak."

For a moment you think that you can embrace the chill, and resist the siren call of the tub... then succumb. Whoever said work has to be done uncomfortably. "As enjoyable as our love lives can be to discuss, I do have a matter I need to discuss with Vi of a more serious manner."

The two women shift in the tub to accomadate you as you enter, it could fit a few more, but it would be rather crowded then. "And what would that be, Justinian?" the woman pauses "Is it, acceptable, for me to call you by your first name, as we are bathing together?"

You sigh "So long as I am not giving orders, it is always acceptable for you to call me by my name, isnt it Kyria?"

The dwarf laughs "Sometimes I do even when he gives me orders. But that is one of the advantages of being in a relationship with your superior. That and not having to hide my displeasure when he does something stupid."

"You dont even bother with his rank when you are briefing your Battalion" Laeliths voice quips from behind you, more than a little annoyance in it. "The moisture is bad for my books and scrolls, I had to close them away, and I need a soak. Move." she quips, sliding in almost directly on top of you.
>cont'd

Staying put, you continue your business conversation, deciding to leave the rest for later "Vi, do you think you would be able to alter how the ingredients to Moonseye paste grow, or the plants themselves, so that the substance is easier to obtain, or superior to its current state?"

The woman pauses, clearly trying to thread out the conversation in her mind. eventually she replies "Is it bad to not use titles when relaying orders? And I may be able to, how are you looking to improve the paste?"

You open your mouth to reply "I-"

"-And how much of it would I be allowed to test with. That is how you improve things, right Kyria, comparing the old and new next to each other?"

Laelith shakes her head "Perfection is only found in the epitome of what nature provides. YOu may find better ingredients, or a superior specemin but-"

Kyria laughs "Nature is the start, the base. What creates itself cannot be perfect, as nature is chaotic and unpredictable. Perfection goes beyond the sum of a things contributing materials, and into workmanship and craft knowledge."

"Workmanship only matters to the point where one can use a perfect specimen to its fullest extent, the rest is just decoration and ego-stroking." Laelith replies, leaning towards Kyria aggressively. As the Dwarf collects herself for her reply and begins to lean forwards herself, You find yourself feeling just as confused as Vi, as the two humans in the tub glance back and forth from elf to dwarf.

>>15695209
let's wait and see how this plays out

>>15695204
Let's ignore those two for a second.

"You can call me Justinian whenever we're together like this but in front of the rest of my soldiers I should be called by my rank. In regards to how much paste you can use, for now I'll have to limit what you have access to a little since we still might need it. Once we have dealt with the Uurlanth, I'll be able to give you more."

>>15695209
elf-philosophy and dwarf-philosophy. nature vs. artifice.

Lets use human-philosophy. aka 'lets try it and see what happens!'

>>15695306
Second.

>>15695312
Third.

You sigh "When we are not in a formal setting, you may call me Justinain, otherwise it is proper to call someone by their rank or honorary. As to paste to work with, you with have to consult with me for now, as it is a resource we are in great need of yet."

Vi nods, as Kyria and Laeliths argument becomes more heated, Laelith now looming over Kyria, giving you a rather pleasant view, though you do have to move your head to properly talk with Vi. "Should, should we not interfere?" the young woman asks, confused and worried.

You slide past, and through Laeliths legs to sit next to Vi "No, we can just watch. They wont hurt each other, and I am certain it will be an entertaining experience."

In the end, the argument ends in the same place every prior philosophical debate between elves and dwarves, fruitless. Not that you and Vi did not enjoy watching the two go back and forth, and learn quite a bit in the process. Though, by the time the bath is calm again, it was very crowded, the tub for five not able to properly accommodate six.
>cont'd

The days stretch on, and while the intensity of the storm varies from day to day, as does its beligerence between the two camps. The scouts continue to leave, always probing and seeking, never able to break through. As the scouts continue to bloody each other by inches, Vohzd Lennis continues drilling the riders on how to properly use the grasses outside the short, burnt area where most of the fighting has take place during the war thus far. Nearly every day Blackbird and his clan sets out, and most nights, they return reporting that between the lighting arcana, mystics and heavy watch they were only able to accomplish minimal damage. though, that is more than can be said for the enemies parties of imitators to Blackbirds tactics.

What does shock you, is when you are awoken a week and a half after first starting Blackbirds raids, to the sound of men screaming, and... something, shattering. Knowing that you may well have been snuck up on, as your own experts on stealth are both away, either from the camp for the night, or the maniple altogether. Nervously, you stir from your cot.

>>15695484
Throw on our armor, grab our weapons, and get out there to see what's going on.

>>15695496
Second. Not much else we can do. Maybe a quick stonesense to see if we sense anything odd.

>>15695496
Armor up! Prepare for a beatdown!

You quickly don your armor, grab your sword and head from your tent. Outside, the rain is still driving, though at the eastern end of the camp, it looks to be more, ice, than rain. As you reach that area of the camp, it quickly becomes obvious that the enemy is hiding using either arcana or mystics, and that they have decided to use water elementalists to rain ice down on your camp. You signal for your elementalists to come to stop the ice, and reach out with your stonesense in hopes of finding your targets. After a minute of searching you find five sets of feet, almost directly east of your camp. Several other soldiers are already standing near you under the hastily constructed earthen overhang you made to shield yourself as you search. "Do you have any idea where they are?" you hear Commander Gabriel ask from beside you.

>>15695587
"Five men, almost directly east of here, 50 yards."

Pax, using just our stonesense, can we drop them into a pit?

I'm thinking CONCENTRATE, THEN drop them in pits.

None survive this.

>>15695614
Second. Let's drop these fucks.

rolled 19 = 19

>>15695625

well then, concentration roll!

rolled 83 = 83

Elementalism roll.

Drop the fuckers into a pit!

rolled 75 = 75

>>15695646

botch?

I'd rather not let these fuckers live.

rolled 17 = 17

ROLLING FOR BOTCH
HOLDING SHIFT FOR THE DICE GODS

Also, not just a pit, a pit that skewers them from the sides of it once they have fallen.

rolled 54 = 54

Rolling for possible botch.

>>15695641
This is why concentration rolls are dumb. You waste good rolls on something that gives a small bonus.

And they must have a mystic in our camp or close enough to read our minds... They knew to use light as a counter to our paste, they're starting to copy Blackbird's tactics and now they're using the ice like we thought of. If they had planned to do this in the beginning, they would have, which means the idea likely came up recently.

rolled 60 = 60

Oh come on! Fucking dice!

rolled 83, 20, 25, 96, 56, 82, 25, 5, 2, 63, 86, 90, 25, 64, 83, 38, 37, 6, 85, 4 = 975

time for an experiment...

rolled 23 = 23

>>15695646

Botch!

rolled 21, 95, 41, 16, 92, 59, 65, 27, 51, 44, 47, 73, 10, 71, 53, 78, 15, 11, 90, 57 = 1016

test

rolled 16, 93, 86, 70, 69, 97, 16, 4, 2, 52, 20, 66, 67, 94, 2, 21, 55, 1, 3, 61 = 895

One more time, 20d100. the sum should be approx 1000

"Five of them, roughly 50 yards ahead. Using arcana, not mystics to hide." you inform your peer, before pausing to focus. You wait for the torrent of ice to slow mementarily, allowing you to maximise your focus then add "I have them." and at that, you drop a pit in the earth, and sprint forwards.

Within seconds, you and the dwarf are at the edge of the pit, five clearly stunned Uurlanthi lay inside it. Scattered about them are the ornate remains of what must have been a frame of some sort. Already a few of them are stirring "How many do we want alive?" Gabriel asks casually flourishing his axe, now that the torrent of ice has stopped.

"Two or three ought to do... They won't need their limbs to talk."

>>15695729
Second.
They technically don't need jaws, either, since we can just rip the information from their minds.

everythingwentbetterthanexpected.jpg

Preferably all of them.

>>15695723

"None, water elementalists are too dangerous to take prisoners. Too difficult to separate them from water when their bodies are filled with it..."

>>15695729

Seconded. Have our life elementalist go and check up on our men.

Loss of water elementalist is gonna be a big blow to them.

>>15695723
Get them back to the camp, mind-rape them, and have Blackbird send their hands and feet back in a sack.

>>15695758
I like the cut of your jib. Seconding.

You smile wickedly "Two, maybe three. Enough that our... extraction experts, can do their work. Blackbird will return their heads and feet once we are through with them."

Gabriels eyes widen "I had thought you the more merciful type, my friend." he observes, as he leaps into the pit to sever two of the elementalists heads, and knock the others unconscious.

You shrug "I do not know of any ways to seperate a water elementalist from water. If one were depserate enough, they could even use their own blood... though, less effectively than a more pure water."

The dwarf shrugs "Fair enough. Though the damage from this attack may be greater than we could easily afford."

You sigh, as you raise the pit, allowing the dwarf to shoulder one of the unconscious men, and you take another, leaving the third to Malcius as he jogs out to meet you. After looking over the scene he quips "It truly is a shame that the arcana escaped us. I've seen these used before, incredibly useful." as he lifts the third captive.

-----CQ-----

The next morning, the screams of the captured elementalists are finally silenced, along with most of the men in the medicae tent. AS you rouse, groggily, for a second time and head out into the camp, you are glad to see the rains dying down. Blackbird is striding triumphantly towards your tent, and Autronius is making his own measured, stately half-limp towards you. However, you can easily dictate which you speak with first by walking out to meet him.

>>15695867
Blackbird first, then Autronius.

rolled 13, 20, 6, 1, 4, 13, 1, 15, 17, 4, 8, 4, 19, 20, 17, 5, 10, 7, 5, 17, 18, 16, 8, 20, 18 = 286

test

>>15695867
Bad news first, always

Autronius first, the bad news. Given our track record of interrogation... Then Blackbird.

>>15695892
Panda says second.

Apple in hand, you make your way to Blackbird "I assume you have good news, friend?" you ask him hopefully, despite the continued rain... though the fact that your elementalist choir has pushed the worst of the storm back towards the enemy camp heartens you more than enough.

The ork grins "Success, finally. Enemy riders, presumably the ones our foes fought so diligently to prevent me from harrying last week returned last night. The receiving Lordlings did not look overly pleased. I believe that it is safe to assume that no aid will be coming for our foes." the orc chuckles "They were even less pleased when we released some of our pets inside their camp. Between the mystics feeling our minds, and the arcana, it took me longer than usual to achieve my goals... but now that I know our foes patrols, and arcana, it will be much easier to wreak havoc within their camp."

You smile "That is good to hear my friend. How are circumventing their mystics?"

the orc shurgs "Now that I know when the life elementalists are present to point us out to the mystics, it is child's-play. Would you like me to continue my raids, or should I cease them and conserve my strength, now that our message has been sent?"

>>15696101
"Continue them. A change in our behavior will tell them that we know that their reinforcements won't be arriving. They will invariably attempt one last desperate attack, or they will try to fade away in the night. Either way, I want them to be weak of mind and body when it happens."

>>15696117
Agreed, any change now will tip them off.

>>15696139
Consider this a third. Run them ragged before the decisive strike.

>>15696101
(Fuu here)

"Continue your raids, in moderation. I want you at strength with we finally meet in the field. Your raids will still keep them on their toes and deny them rest.

We might also detail you a few water elementalist to give them a taste of further hell..."

>>15696157
Ice elementalists. Payback is a bitch.

Talk to Autronius then.

You smile "Continue, but pace yourself, I will need you fully rested when the next battle reaches us..."

Blackbird returns the smile, and salutes you "We will be ready."

As he turns to leave, you catch his attention "There should be some, gifts, for our foes in the central command tent. Last night was rather eventful. And, at some point in the future I will want you to take our ice elementalist with you. Retribution is a most cruel mistress." The orc smiles feraly, nodding, and turns to go to his tent.

You next go to speak with Autronius, who also looks rather pleased to be speaking with you. "I have excellent news, Commander. their elementalists were faltering in their efforts to detect and stop Blackbird. Last nights attack was not an attempt to strike back at us, it was a desperate attempt to prevent us from seeing their riders return, and to catch Blackbird where they can strike him and his men."

You smile "I do love the scent of victory in the morning."

Autronius shakes his head "That would be the scent of corpses burning, commander... well, the parts of corpse that we arent returning to our foes."

"As I said, victory." you reply, lazily tossing your apples core towards the fire. It almost makes it to the burn-pile, much to your surprise.

>eh, this seems to be a pretty good place to call it, so I will
>I'll be back tuesday at 9pm server time
>someone archive please
>If you have any CQ/setting questions just e-mail me at paxcomquest@yahoo.com

>>15696271

I see the apple and keep thinking of that 'toss the apple' from A Feast For Crows'