At this point I imagine we should turn to Blackbird. We need an idea on how much time he'd need to set the traps up. Hell, he'd probably know best since he's been sneaking his way past their mystics and crap for awhile now.

I'm still concerned that we might need to move into the camp from the other side, and bypass our own trap field. Tell Blackbird to leave some open lanes in the trap field. Wide enough so that his men can lead the other units through if necessary.

You chuckle and look to Blackbird "You are the one who has been going to and from our foes camp. How long will you need?"

The orc closes ponders for a moment before replying "I will need to leave in the morning to do my work stealthily. The rest of the maniple will need to move by midday."

You nod "And, be sure to leave some paths back to the enemy camp viable for us. We may need to charge into it."

The orc nods, and Gaius again speaks up "What is our plan if this assault falters? How will we recover Blackbird? Short of storming their gates, I cannot think of any ways to achieve that end."

>>15906351
"If the other maniples seem like they're going to falter, our infantry will move forward and take the camp from the rear. Our cavalry and some troops on the wagons can remain behind to chase down any troops that might try to escape. Blackbird, do you think you could use the havoc steel rain would cause to get your team out of the camp? If so, I'll hand you a signal ring to call for it."

>>15906411
seconded.

>ridiculously slow start

You nod "If our comrades seem to be faltering we can send our infantry in to enusre victory, or at the very least extract Blackbird." you turn to the orc "Do you think the havoc cuased by the 'steel rain' tactic would be enough to allow your escape[pe? If so, I can provide you with a signal ring to call for it."

The orc raises an eyebrow at you "And call that down upon myself and my clan as well? I would sooner take my chances organizing a prisoner uprising."

You nod to the orc as Uurist inserts his opinion "I take it that it would be my battalion and one other acting as the rescue assault force then?"

Cornelius nods "You are the logical choice, my friend. And, just to be certain, our plan is a hidden battle-line to catch any fleeing soldiers, With cavalry waiting in the wings to ensure none escape, correct?"

>>15906735

"Correct. This will be a classic Hammer and Anvil setup where we will be the hard place the Urlanthi will smash themselves to pieces."

>>15906735
"Assuming our aid isn't needed in crushing the camp, that is correct."

You guys think we should lend some of our combat elementalists to the maniples assaulting the enemy camp? We know they have those two necromancers so we might want to have some people helping them out.

Right. Make sure we bring the bell this time.

>>15906824
>gonna need a second.nix on this before we can move on
>also, troop list

>>15906824

seconding

You nod "Provided that we are not needed to aid with the assault, then yes. We will form the anvil to our allies hammer."

Gaius grins feraly "And you will find no better anvil than a phalanx of determined Degnarians."

You nod in agreement "Have the Bell of Inevitability readied as well. There are still two necromancers that Uurlanth has in their possession. Additionally, we should only need one elemantalist team added to those of us with arcane talent on the command staff. Have the rest of them loaned to Commanders Renol and Agrenus."

The other commanders nod, but Lena cuts them off "Catalina told me that only one of their necromancers is capable of raising the dead. the other has the same skills, though much weaker, than she does."

You thank Lena for the information, and ask her to pass the thanks along to Catalina as you leave the tent into the sweltering morning sun. Realizing that you have nothing that needs doing untill midday tomorrow you begin wandering your camp in search of a distraction.

>so, anything you want to take care of before the battle? if not thats what we're moving on too.

Where do we have to deploy the bell for it to be effective? Since we don't want to give ourselves away, I think we should lend the bell to the assault force.

>>15907153
Can't think of anything.

>>15907153
Can't think of anything else to do.

>>15907153
Might want to ask the commander leading the charge what signal he'll want to use if he needs us to assist. Otherwise I say let's go.

Looks like we have enough elementalists for four "rainbow" teams of earth, life, fire, water, and air, leaving the weakest earth, fire, and air elementalists with Lena/Laelith.

I just remembered that only necromancers can hear the bell. Still, I think the assault force will need it more than we do, since the necros will probably stand and fight rather than flee immediately.

So, lend the bell to the assault force. Hopefully it will drive them right into Laelith's attack range.

>>15907234
Well we know the bell has a pretty large range and I actually think the necro's would retreat over stand and fight to the death. Plus, I don't want to risk losing the artifact if the other maniples falter.

>>15907263
I agree.

>>15907153
Well I was thinking that since the other maniples will be starting the battle, we should give them our bomber valkyries as they can use them better than us. I mean we'll have our hands full trying to contain the retreating Uurlanthi.

Didn't we need to talk to Catalina about the nice chat we had with Neshai?

Actually seeing a portion of her soul was kind of a big deal...

I'm also worried that it would give away our position. The necros would be able to tell their comrades that at least someone is ringing a bell on the other side of the camp.

>>15907397

Oh yea, we totally forgot about that.

If we have time, lets do it.

>>15907417
Well, we're probably not going to be ringing it until the attack starts. And us being the Anvil, they're going to know where we are.

>>15907397
>kind of a big deal

Agreed. We should have enough time to talk with her at least.

You wander the camp for a while, until you find Catalina at the outside edge of the camp, half of a large, excellently cut topaz in either hand. Clearly, she does not notice you as you approach. You can tell that she is not meditating, simply thinking, not knowing her particularly well, you decide to approach her directly, and gently. "Considering the technique Lena found I presume?"

The small girl jumps, as she turns to look at you, her dull green eyes wide in surprise and fear "I, well... it was my choice, right?"

You nod, smiling warmly "Of course it is."

She looks down and away, as if expecting a blow to the exposed cheek, for some unknown wrong on her part. After a few seconds of awkward silence, she looks back up at you "This is about my choice on whether to stay as one of yours, or be ransomed home, isnt it?"

>>15907597
"Not exactly. You're obviously aware of the arcane returning, but tell me, do you know anything about the return of the divine?"

>>15907597
"No. As I said, I'd let you think about it and you still have time. I'll only force the issue if you haven't decided and we're back in the capital. This conversation is more about your talents and what you can and cannot do... Tell me, does your family believe in the old gods?"

>>15907597
No, not really. But if you wish more time to think about the subject, it is no bother.

However, have you heard about Neshai or anything on the old gods?

>>15907616
Seconding.

"No, it's not, actually. though, you may wish it was. Something you should know about the ritual you went through. It was based off of a similar ritual Neshai's priests used to undergo, at the end of which, the practitioner would have given up a portion of their soul to their goddess in exchange for power.

The modified version you went through was supposed to turn you into a lich by sending your soul elsewhere, however, you know that is not what happened.

The being holding the missing part of your soul has informed me that you are actually my age. As well, she has intimated that she wishes to speak with you."

Don't really have anything to add.

>>15907616
Third.

You hold your warm smile, and suppress a weary sigh "No, so long as you have made your decision by the time we reach DragonsReach. I intended to speak with you about your powers, and which ones you cannot use. Tell me, does your family believe in the old gods?"

The girl shakes her head "No... why does it matter. I heard the rumors that you were religious, but..."

Now you do sigh "Well, one of the gods, Neshai, is very much interested in you."

The girl look petrified with fear, and uncertainty "Is, is that a good thing?"

>>15907854
"Not so much. She does want to talk to you, however. If you like, I can help you visit her."

>>15907854
"She watches over the souls of the dead, and tend to... dislike necromancers who raise the dead. Since you have not done so since your original mentor perished, I believe you are in no danger from her. If you wish, I can take you to see her, after the next battle."

>>15907854
"I can't say it's entirely good but she has no malicious intentions towards you as long as you don't raise the dead. Flesh golems made from numerous beings should suffice but I the main things your father wanted out of you is something you cannot do. When we have more time, I'll teach you to commune with the gods as Neshai will want to speak to you and make sure you understand what you can and cannot do. I've introduced another necromancer to her before and I spoke to her recently on your behalf - she won't harm you when you speak to her."

>>15907854
"That ritual you were a part of? The one you hardly remember? There are other consequences for having failed it."

Describe to her in detail what the portion of her soul we saw looked like.

"And I'm afraid Neshai holds it now. I know you won't believe me until you see for yourself. I'd like to teach you how to meditate so you can touch the realm of the gods for yourself."

You pause, choosing your words gently "It... it can be. She is the Hag goddess, keeper of the dead and damned, most souls she allows to exist peacefully after collecting them as the due owed her by every mortal. Necromancers who raise the dead, who take those sould from her, however..."

You had not thought it possible, but the girl goes even paler "I... I didnt want to. I hate dead men, skeletons, walking corpses." she shudders, closing in on herself.

You keep your face calm as you drape an arm across her shoulder "I spoke with Neshai on your behalf. She knows that you were not willing, and are willing to... repent. There are however, several conditions, and one catch." the girl look up at you, her eyes terrified, looking ready to break from your arm and flee as quickly as she can, though her shoulders relax. "Neshai wants you to be a priest to her, to speak with you... and holds a portion of your soul."

The girl breaks free, and draws back, her hands holding up her body, legs poised to launch her backwards "My... soul?" she looks at you, looking for answers or commands. After a brief silence, she asks you "How do I even speak with a god...dess?"

>>15908059
"That ritual that you were forced to go through took apart of your soul and normally would have made you into a lich. Something went wrong, however, and Neshai was able to get apart of your soul. In order to speak to the gods, it will require meditation. Once we've dealt with this next battle, I will teach you how to commune with her."

>>15908059
"She already has the portion of your soul that she wanted, a byproduct of the failed ritual. As for speaking to her, I can teach you. It takes time though, so I will do so after the battle. Also, you're not the first necromancer I've introduced to her, if you come with me to Dragonsreach, I can introduce you to him."

"I can show you. It's actually fairly simple. I must warn you, though, the goddess of death is more than a little frightening. You'll want to calm yourself before attempting."

>>15908091
Second.

"Your soul, was intended to be shorn from your body, transforming you into a lich, and making you immortal in this world." you pause as the girl looks at you, confused "Or, thats what the man who taught you had wanted. However, the ritual failed, you now look Lenas age instead of our age, and Neshai has a portion of your soul, as she did, and intends to do, for all of her priests and priestesses."

The girl eases slightly "So, the goddess of death, who hates necromancy, keeps necromancers as priests?"

You shrug "It allows her to keep them from raising the dead, and since necromancers already have an affinity for the dead..."

She nods, seeming to grasp the logic "And, how will I... commune, with this goddess?"

You smile comfortingly, noticing the tremors in the girls hands as she is finally trying to hide her fear "I can show you. And, if you wish, I can introduce you to the other necromancer I introduced to the goddess of death once we reach the capitol."

The girl sits normally "When will you show me?" she asks, her voice leveling off.

"After the battle tomorrow." you reply easily "You seem to have relxed quite a bit..." you observe as you wipe the sweat from the heat from your brow.

The girl looks at you "I... I can tell that you dont mean to harm me. My father taught me to read body language. when I can focus, I'm rather good at it, I suppose." she blushes slightly "You want to protect me... and arent sure if it is for the same reason that you protect Lena... or your concubines." she closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and after a brief silence adds "I apologize, I, just... after..." she pauses to collect herself again, and you patiently wait for her to do so. "I dont know why I almost said what I did, you have enough to worry about with the coming battle, you dont need to worry about the trials of a potential traitors life. I wont burden you."

>>15908352
"From where I am standing, it seems like you were the one who was betrayed. A Degnarian chooses to be a soldier and obey the orders that come with it. You were not given a choice. Now that you have the option, I'd like to make sure your choices are informed ones. We'll talk more later."

>>15908352
"Just try to relax for now. We can speak more when there are less immediate threats to my men in the future. I imagine there will be a celebration soon enough so you may want to prepare yourself to face that. It's been awhile since my men have been able to let loose."

>>15908352
DAWWWWW

>>15908453
Seriously. Based on what she said, guess we're going to have to decide what to do with her, heh.

I say let's skip ahead at this point to battle unless Pax rather wait until another day where we have more time.

>>15908497
I agree. Can't really think of other business that needs to be attended to right now.

>>15908404
Second. To battle then.

>>15908352
why have I not read this quest yet?
damn it /tg/, you're producing too much daaww

You shake your head "From my side of the Halrian, you are the one who was betrayed. A soldier serves willingly, not at the behest of his parents, nor at the tip of a lords sword. But, from henceforth, you have the information to make your own decisions intelligently." you pause, and rest a hand on the womans shoulder. between her demeanor, and appearance, it is so easy to forget that she is your age. Either way, she needs rest "But for now, rest, and think. So long as you are in my care, I guarantee your safety." you remind her, and at that you rise and leave. You spend the rest of the night relaxing with your ladies.

The next morning, you are not awoken by the call to arms horn for the camp, but by a gently shaking. You open your eyes to see a typically scantily clad Vi leaning over you, an elongated object wrapped in some cloth. "I, I have something for you, Justinian. I just wanted to be certain that you have it before the battle begins." she offers you the package as you pick your way over Jayne and Kyria, as you leave the cot. You catch your robe from a hook, and slide into it as you exit the cot, and accept the package with your other hand.

You open the cloth, and are not surprised to find the blade that you had seen the former Loukys hive working on. It is the same length as your meteorite blade, though it weighs barely as much as a stick. It is a thing of beauty, mottled in green, blue, black and reds, and glistening with some transparent liquid. Its blade, you realize, is sharper than a razor, as the shards of the cloth you had thought you had carefully removed from the blade flow from the hand not holding the sword on the almost nonexistent breeze.
>cont'd

You turn the blade to see what must be thousands of tiny serrations in the sharp end of the blade. You turn it again to see what must be a vein going up the flat side of it, purple and lightly pulsing. "It feeds the teeth." Laelith explains, running her finger up the back of the blade, smoke rising in a n acrid stench from where her finger runs. "Do not touch the blade, you cannot purge your system of the toxins and acids as I can." She shifts around as you continue to admire the slightly curved blade in its beauty. "It should be as strong as, perhaps stronger than any steel Uurlanth has, so you need not use it any different than your other sword."

You look up to see Vis robe pulled almost completely away from her forward leg. "Free show?" Kyrias groggy voice asks.

You chuckle "Hush love, I can entertain you later."

Bi pouts "I had to hide the scabbard somewhere..." she defends herself, as she finishes undoing the last leather strap that had been holding the scabbard to your new blade from her exposed leg, and offers it to you as well.

>>15908802
... Best not to remind her that technically she's Uurlanthi as well.

"Thank you for the new weapon, Vi. I look forward to trying it out in battle."

>>15908802
"Thank you for this gift Vi. I'll be sure to treasure it."

I'm tempted to say kiss the girl at this point.

>>15908896

Seconded. Nothing much else.

>>15908802
> Bi pouts
"By the gods, Kyria! Are there any women in the maniple you haven't converted to your side?"

real response:
"Toxins and acids? Would you care to elaborate? I'd hate to not know what this fine sword is capable of, Vi."

>>15908915
I GUESS we could ask about the toxins.

>>15908915
>>15908802
>B and V are right next to each other on the keyboard and work has been kicking my ass lately. It was a typo man.

You slowly slide the weapon into its scabbard, which seals itself around the blade, and pricks your hand "Toxins, acids? I would hate to not know what this beautiful gift of a blade is capable of." you prompt the woman, kissing her on the cheek as your other ladies awaken, causing the one standing before you to blush slightly.

Smiling, she replies "Its a toxin I made myself, wholly different from the loukys toxins. A single drop is enough to kill any flesh it touches. Inside the body, it greatly increases the flow of blood, to the point where the heart will tear itself apart. At the same time, it causes the lungs to be wholly insufficient for the body they rest in. the pain is excutiating, so bad that the victim would be unnable to move, let alone scream. But a scrape is all that it would take to kill any without arcane protection... and kill them quickly." she informs you sweetly.

And, when the scabbard pricked my finger?" you ask, curious.

She smiles, and returns your kiss "It is my gift to you, why would I allow anyone but you to draw the blade?" and at that, she happily trots from the tent into the sunrise.
>cont'd

After a brief silence, Kyria ponders aloud "I wonder what she would sound like moaning."

You dont need to turn around to see Sansa, Laelith and Jayne share a glance behind the dwarfs back. Nor to know that they are arcing their backs in mock sensuality. their joint imitation of the woman in questions voice is far from perfect, but intriguing nonetheless. What makes you laugh more than Kyrias indignant retaliation as you turn around is how Jayne had tried to time her using her elementalism to wake all of you up with the mock moan.

>as much as I want to do the battle tonight, its waaay too late to start it, so I'm gonna have to call it here.
>someone archive please
>I'll be back sunday at 9:30 10:00ish (work)
>If you have any setting/CQ questions just email me at paxcomquest@yahoo.com

I'd like to officially announce the Commander Quest wiki project. We need people to dig through the suptg archives and sift through all of the shit we've done in order to have a handy guide ready for people new to the quest.

http://thugaim.pbworks.com/w/page/22231052/FrontPage

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