Can't really think of anything to say so just go eat I guess. Collin is the best swordsman we got so I doubt we can teach him any better.

In on ground floor.

"It's best to talk on a full stomach, I suppose."

Also, I'm curious what sort of runes Kyria is putting on Degrian's cleaver, but we can always ask later.

>>17284534
"I suppose you're right. He's in good hands."

You frown "I suppose your right, there isn't a better teacher in the maniple for him." as you move to follow Sansa.

Your wife grins as the two of you sit to eat "He has managed to get most of his supplies without spending much. It woudl seem the otehr Karskyana is a skilled negotiator, and now that he is healed, more than happy to aid his king." her face falls as she continues "I just hope its enough."

You nod, shoveling another spoonful of the breakfast soup the dwarves of the Duchy serve into your mouth "We are doing everything we can, and I doubt we will be able to change his mind." you reply with a sigh.

Before Sansa can reply, a familiar voice cuts through the barracks hall, seeming to shake the ancient runes and arcana that keep the cave lit. "I TOLD YOU TO FUCKING LEAVE!! WE WERE THROUGH WHEN YOU LEFT ME THROUGH POST AFTER I WAITED FOR 100 YEARS!!"

Oh boy. Finian's old flame has come calling.

This could get ugly.

Oh god what just happen I guess the only thing we can do is check out the voice

>>17284688
Guess Finian's past is here to speak to him. Let's go see how it's going to end up and see if we might need to intervene on Finian's behalf. Can't let him get too out of control.

>>17284704
Agreed 100%. Besides, it could be fun to watch.

To the Finian Drama.

>>17284688
Lets make sure this doesn't turn violent.

You sigh, deeply "I do hope this can be peacefully settled." You gripe as you rise to see what the fuss is. Before long, you are at the ornate gate to the barracks complex, and are, shocked, by what you see.

An elderly, male, dwarf, his dreadlocks nearly dragging along the ground, beard just as long, looking, almost pleadingly, at the short, blue-black haired dwarf that commands your Scouts. "Son, please..." the old dwarf implores him.

Finian glares the old dwarf down "It is not love that compels you to return, but lust for fame. The same lust that had you trying to mate me off with every daughter of the skilled, Premier around us."

"It was not my will, I was-"

Finain spits at the elder dwarfs feet "Dont lie to me you bastard. Your letter arrived within days of the love of my life's, my family, and the one I had hoped to become one with, left me. Over POLITICS. I have no use for you, irregardless of what use you may have for me."

The old dwarf steps back, as if physically struck by the viritrol in your captains words "My son, please, I am not the Premier of the Gaurush family, you know that. Just-"

The ice in your captains gaze, along with the chopping motion he makes with his left hand "And by the time I return from Uurlanth, I will be Finian Dracon, of the Empire, not Finian Gaurush, Duchy Exile."

Might be best to step in and just make sure things don't get out of hand. Even if his father has a good cause to speak to him again, Finian is way too emotional. Might be best to end this convo between them now and let Finian cool off before we ask what this is about exactly.

Ask them to keep the shouting to a minimum.
Since this is a personal matter we have no real reason to become directly involved unless it turns violent.

I'm not gonna lie this looks like there noway this is gonna end well but we might want to find out the whole story before we do anything and if that don't work just end the fight for now I guess.

OK... color me surprised. I was expecting Finian's old girl to show up.

We should try to insert ourself into the conversation with a simple "Finian, is there anything I can do to help, friend?"

"Finian, please," The elderly dwarf steps forward again, determined to at least be head.

"Not. One. More. Step." Your captain orders his father, his eyes still full of hatred and murderous intent, his strong hand raised to strike.

You step between the two "Perhaps, cleaner air is required? Cooler heads? This subject will be, raw, to say the least." Sansa and your other guards arrive, ready for the meeting your must soon leave for. "Finian, your quarters, Mr. Gaurush, the room on the opposite end of the corridor is free, if you wish to remain, to talk with your son." You pause, Finian differing to your authority, his father grateful for the respite you provided him. "If you wish, I can... mediate, your discussion upon my return, for it is clear to me that more is occurring here than is being communicated." As you begin to stride past the dwarfs you were speaking with.

"He is false, commander." Finian warns as you pass him.

"Thank you, Degnarian." adds his father as you pass through the gate.

-----CQ-----

The walk to the meeting room is uneventful, but grim. The meeting starts much as the last, salutes, formalities, and seating yourselves. "I trust the... issues, one of your captains has encountered have not distracted you overly much?" the Elder asks, breaking the brief silence that followed your sitting down.

You sigh "I always worry about the extended family that is my Maniple, but it will not detract from these discussions."

The Elder nods, slowly and approvingly "To care yet remain above... is a difficult feat." he observes, before taking a sip of water from the cup before him "Now, the Precursor and Warhost that will join you. Would you rather I describe the ones I thought suitable from those who are available, or describe the sort of aid you would like, hoping for a match?"

>>17285155
Let's hear his suggestions. I'm not even sure if we're only supposed to describe what kind of person we want with us or if we're picking between armies they might have.

>>17285155
Lets hear the suggestions he has first. We can describe what we are looking for ff we don't find one that fits.

>>17285245
>>17285214

seconding/thirding seeing what he has come up with.

do we even know what we are looking for?

You chuckle "I am not certain if me describing what my idea of an acceptable would accomplish. You may proceed."

The Elder nods again. "Very good. I have five seperate forces that should work. The first Warhost uses mostly infiltrators and terror tactics to break a city. In an open battle, they will be of little use however." he pushes a sheet of parchment towards you. "The second, has mostly heavy infantry, and several siege engines and ladders ready made, very little in the way of cavalry solutions though." Another sheet of parchment "The third has plenty of anti-cavalry forces, and are excellent scavengers, easily outstarving cities, though assaulting them is difficult." He pushes the last two sheets of parchment towards you "The last two use infiltrators with either assault once the targets will is weak, or simply traps them within while the infiltrators slay all the resistance within the walls. They are more rounded warhosts, but will likely need support to fully siege a city on their own."

>>17285312
We know that we are going to be fighting those knightly orders in (http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/16595937) and I would assume we will be laying siege to a few towns and cities.

I say go with the second.

I kinda want the third but anything is better then the first so why not might as well go with the second

wait does the third have anti-air at all for pegasi and whatnot

>>17285394
The third sounds good to me. They can be useful for both open battles and sieges.

I say second force if they have proper siege weapons. We only have portable ones that aren't going to be extremely useful for breaking down a heavily fortified city.

If their siege weapons are similar to ours or they have too few to make it worthwhile, go with the third.

so are we gonna go with the third? I hate enemy cavalry with the passion it's like the purpose in life is to shit on our plans all day everyday

>>17285394
So i guess it's up between the second and the Third hmm I guess we should ask for more details a.k.a units for those two

>BAttlehosts 2 and 3 in that order. (Siege gear of host 2 can be provided as well if you like)

Darius Semaratha
-Personal Guard: 60/60
Plate Armor, GreatKriss'
-Crashers 150/150
Adamant Splintmail & GreatKriss
-Crashers 150/150
Adamant Splintmail & GreatKriss
-Crashers 150/150
Meteorite Platemail & Warhammer
-Crashers 150/150
Meteorite Platemail & Warhammer
-Raiders 250/250
Scailmail, dual Kris
-Raiders 250/250
Scailmail, dual Kris
-Raiders 250/250
Scailmail, scythe
-Raiders 250/250
Scailmail, scythe
-Executioners 150/150
Chainmail, crossbow, pavise shield, baradiche
-Executioners 150/150
Chainmail, crossbow, pavise shield, baradiche

Jarin Bertum
-Personal Guard: 75/75
Kextraetia Plate armor, baradiches, and crescent shields
-Armorguards 200/200
adamant platemail, baradiche, and crescent shield
-Armorguards 200/200
adamant platemail, baradiche, and crescent shield
-Armorguards 200/200
adamant platemail, baradiche, and crescent shield
-Armorguards 200/200
adamant platemail, baradiche, and crescent shield
-Steadfast 300/300
Chainmail, polehammer and crescent shield
-Steadfast 300/300
Chainmail, polehammer and crescent shield
-Longwalkers 100/100
cloth, shortbow, kris and circleshield
-Longwalkers 100/100
cloth, shortbow, kris and circleshield
-Longwalkers 100/100
cloth, shortbow, kris and circleshield
-Longwalkers 100/100
cloth, shortbow, kris and circleshield

Siege gear of host 2 please

>and the siege weapons they would have

>Battlehost 2:
2 trebuchets (set up in two days)
4 mangonels (set up in a few hours)
2 covered rams (set up in a few hours)
Ladders, many of them

>Battlehost 3
6 mangonels (set up in a few hours)
3 Trebuchets (set up in two days)

Ill go with the second then

I'm all for host 3

>>17285775
I'm thinking group 2 still. Those trebuchets will be useful. While I am concerned with their inability to deal with cavalry, they'd provide us with more firepower to take out fortified cities. Which the first lord we'll come across specializes in I believe.

>>17285737
I am sticking with the third for now. We have plenty of conventional siege weapons and men trained in conventional siege tactics but we lack any infiltrators besides some of Blackbirds squad. Disruptions inside a city when we press the siege will help the keep the defenders unccordinated and may allow us to get through more easily.

Think if they could manage to open one of the gates!

>>17285807
I guess I relent and go with the third

You slowly nod "The Third Battlehost you presented me with should work, I believe."

The Elder nods "So, Precursor Betoms host, of the Fire Warhost then?" you nod in agreement, and the Elder withdraws the other sheets. "Next will be command, does your force have an overall commander? If not, how are decisions to be reached?"

You shrug "The other commanders and myself discuss matters until a conclusion is reached. And we have no appointed leader."

The Elder nods "How soon do you wish to leave, when do you wish to meet with your counterpart from the Duchy, and how will looting, and pillaging be dealt with and treated?"

We do need as much siege equipment as we can get. But most of the enemy power (apart from magic) will be cavalry. Anti-cavalry support sounds like just what we need. We already have plenty of shooty and skull smashy power between our forces.

I guess how we always do it leave civilians alone and pillage and destroy anything of military use. Oh yeah and take nobles valuables left and right.

>>17286074
By leaving them alone I mean Tell them to leave and take anything not nail down to the ground i guess

>>17285996
A day or two sounds like enough time to finish up what we have left. Degrian still needs training and some of those magic stones that Degrian was looking at could be useful for our elementalists.

>>17285996
As for when to leave I'm not sure, I think we should meet the leader of the host after we deal with finian, as for pillaging let's say something to the effect of "we're cool with it if he is"

>>17285996
"Meeting as soon as possible would be best. We can get an idea on if we need anything else for our campaign before leaving and assuming there is nothing holding us up, a day or two would be sufficient time for us to leave. In regards to pillaging and looting, we avoid undue harm on civilians and taking things from them to the point where their survival is at risk. Military targets are open game for loot and destroying though."

For loot, I'd like to say we should split evenly among forces who participated in it's capture, except for Arcana and Captured Nobles.
Arcana found should go in order of who it would be most useful for, who wants it, down to who hasn't gotten something neat yet.
Captured nobles go solely to the Commander whom catches them first.

>>17286205
I like this

You nod "Noncombatants are to be left be, and given a chance to flee, once the city falls, save that, I am agreeable to most anything."

The Elder nods "That is not unexpected. As to your departure and meeting with your new comrade..."

You sigh, eyes tired from reading through the troop dispositions most of the day, and discussing the equipment and merits of the units therein. "Tomorrow, I must keep my house straight, after all. And I will be ready to depart within two days if need be."

The Elder chuckles "Eager to fill your coffers, are we? The Duchy forces will need three, so you will have that many. As to breaking the siege, I give you permission to have the Estrok Guards lead the initial wave of the sally, to preserve your own numbers."

You nod "Thank you, Elder. With the information trading, and military treaties set forth, I believe our work in this room is done."

The Elder rises, shaking his head to adjust the lay of his ropey locks "Yes, we are, Commander Trentz. I wish you glory in battle and luck in life." he finishes, offering you his hand.

"Success in politics and good health to you." You reply, clasping the dwarfs wrist briefly, before releasing, and the two of you turn to leave.
>cont'd

-----CQ-----

As you reach your barracks, you see a rather lost looking young dwarf ambling towards the door, none of his garb the gaudy fashion of the Duchy. You are about to inquire as to what he is doing, and if he is lost, when an ecstatic Uurist bursts through the smaller side door next to the massive gate of the barracks "Augustus!! MY BOY!!" He exclaims, wrapping the younger dwarf up in a quick hug, before releasing him and patting him on the back. "How have you been?" he asks as you approach the pair, finally free of the honor guard formation your friends and wife had been obligated to maintain until you reached this point.

"Well, father." the younger dwarf replies, grinning sheepishly "Can we go into the barracks? And is it true that you are in the service of..." the boy trails off as you approach the pair in the armor gifted to you by the Heir, awestruck.

"Well, invite the boy in, my good man."

>>17286312
"Is this your son that you've talked so much about Uurist? It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Your father has spoken about you being quite the craftsman. I am Justinian Trentz."

>>17286343
This sounds good to me.

>>17286367
thirded

You grin "Of course you can, Augustus, was it? Your father speaks very highly of you." leading the way back into the compound. Augustus freezes again upon entry. In one corner of the training area, Catalina is adding some tusks from dead boarox to the fists of her two most recently acquired battle golems. As the boy backs away from the walking constructs of dead flesh, he sees Degrians cleaver strike a wooden pole, only for it to burst into flame, leaving a solid three feet of tail before the fires vanish. "Home." you announce, suppressing a grin in a content sigh.

Uurist sighs "Commander? you could have at least let me warn the poor boy." as he helps his son over to a bench.

"Just for now though. Our real home will be the keep you own now, right love?" Sansa prompts, grinning "The size of the alcohol cellar I'll be able to have." she grins, causing Augustus to inch even further back, another rumor about your maniple being confirmed to the boy.

Shaking his head slowly, Uurist cuts off whatever coment Blackbird and Gaius had been concocting by asking his son "How go your studies?"

Augustus smiles weakly "Quite well. I should be finished by the end of the year, and able to return home. Though, I dont know if I will be able to craft my own kextraitia ingot, I still havent been able to properly create one."

Uurist snaps his head away from the approaching Lena and Laelith to his son "Another halfformed ingot didnt..."

The younger dwarf laughs "No father, I didnt explode another ingot."

"Justinian... Finian and his father were asking for you." Lena cuts in quietly, Wulf clearly on her mind again.

"I suppose I made the bed I'm about to sleep in. Uurist, feel free to show Augustus around to whatever the two of you wish."

>>17286476
Quick! to Family Counseling!

>>17286476
and after that more Lena Counseling

>>17286476
"I'll be over in a moment. Don't worry about Wulf. I'm sure you've told him what we're up to through his owl. Perhaps we'll see Wulf soon enough. Uurist, feel free to show Augustus around. Perhaps we'll have the chance to talk again later."

>>17286531
seconding

>>17286514
>>17286529
agreeing with both of these

You heave a sigh "I suppose I did walk into this one. Uurist, feel free to show your son around, we can speak more later if you like." you turn to Lena "He's fine, dont worry about it. In fact, he'll be back with us very soon no doubt." before walking over to a small room in the barracks complex.

Inside, Finian and his father sit, staring at each other. Part of you wants to liken them to a pair of sabercat toms circling each other before a dominance battle. The other sees two grown men trying to peer into the others soul in search of the truth. they both glance to you, nod, then turn back to each other, the mental game going on.

You sigh "Fianian, your fathers name?"

"Radaran" your captain replies.

You nod "Radran, your half of the story, as we ALL know Finains side of it." leaning back in your seat.

The old dwarf sighs, running his hand down his face "Shortly after Finians... exile, my brother completed a work, and submitted it to the Elders. They said that it surpassed mine, and, within Decades I lost control of our house. I did not know why your uncle had cast the final vote for exile for a long time, in fact, I did not find out until his final scheme had me making your exile permanent." the dwarf pauses "He had found an arcane item, one that would only work once, and he needed you out of the way for it to work... and time."
>cont'd

Finian looks to his father "Which Uncle?"

Radran shakes his head slowly, his locks beating against both chair and body "It is of no consequence. What matters is that he manipulated, schemed, and cheated our family to one of the most prestigious places in the city. However, as the head of a powerful family, he had only one weakness... no heir. Your love, she was part of his goal, and the Arcana, it wrested bodily control from her. My son, she left you because she had been defiled by the monster controlling our family. She cannot disobey him, nor can she show kindness to any other men, save him."

"And marriage is as binding as a permanent exile. Only death can..." Finain trails off "My exile? you said our family had become mighty."

Radran hangs his head "I was played a fool, my son, by my own brother. He had me exile you, to be certain that nothing could stop his plan, I did not learn until our house had moved that, that..." the old dwarf trails off, unable to speak any further.

"Mother of twelve bastards. Do you have any proof about this arcana, or is a marriage contract all we'll really need to see in this case?"

>>17286709
"How did you find out about your brothers deceptions and that arcana of his? Why did you wait so long to tell Finian?"

>>17286709
"Have you seen this arcana? Can you please describe it?

Has your brother been associating with anyone strange or who wears this mark" (show him the cult symbol)

>>17286797
Second

You frown "Did you see the arcana? How did you find out about the deception, and why did you wait so long to tell your son?"

The elder dwarf shakes his head "I saw him use the arcana, saw it disintegrate in his hand from the stress its age put on it upon activation." he pauses, head dropping into his hands "As to the deception, it took me this long to figure it out, or I would have told my son sooner. I had to speak with many different dwarves in order to see the full scope of my brothers web. And now, my hands are bound."

"What makes you say that?" you press "You can always fight back, there is always a solution if you know how to look for it."

Radran shakes his head weakly "If we step out of line, we will suffer the same fate as my son, perhaps even worse."

Ask him if his brother has affiliations with the cult.

>>17286924
from IRC:TRO Autronius. We need our mystic to do a cursory scan to make sure he's not being false about this. this is heavy shit.

>>17286924
"If your hands are bound, have you come seeking forgiveness from Finian? Or are you hoping he can do something about your brother?"

Not sure if we should ask about the cult. Getting Aurelius in here might not be a bad idea though. Perhaps do so by saying we need booze to deal with this crap and get him to come in that way.

>>17286939
A good idea. Bring Autronius in.

>>17286974
This also sounds good.

And we should ask about the cult symbol or anyone suspicius he has been associating with.

>>17286974
I did not mean DIRECTLY ask him about the cult, but yeah, if he'd seen his brother hanging around people with the mark.

You motion to a passing guard, a well used, well known one by now in your maniple. Finian looks to his father "And how do I know that you speak the truth, father?" he asks "The arcana self destructed, you wont tell me which of your several brothers did this?" He asks, a bit of an edge to his voice.

"What do I gain from lying to you in this?" the elder dwarf asks, the fire beginning to fade from his eyes even further.

Finain leans back and crosses his arm, as you motion to Aurelius, now outside the room, and then to Radran. "And what does this have to do with me? I am still exiled for life whether or not your tale is true. Why tell me?"

Aurelius shrugs, and signals to you 'no lies for several hours', before his eyes half-close again as he continues to monitor the conversation.

"Because you deserve to know, because, we are still your family, and we need help, help only an outside can provide." Radran pleads.

Finian stands "And I am exactly that, an outside, I have no place here anymore, these dwarves are not my countrymen, and beofe the week is out I will leave with my countrymen to wage war on Uurlanth. Thank you for the truth, father of Finain Gaurush, but that dwarf was killed years ago, by blades of paper and ignorance. I was born from his corpse, and knowing the weapons that did that old, pathetic thing in is only of passing interest too me. You are free to leave this barracks immediately." and walks from the room, not turning back to see the heartbroken devastation in his fathers eyes. Though, after the pain you saw Finian go through because of this dwarf, you doubt that your Captain would so much as slow his stride for his fathers pain.

>Damn I'm tired, callin it here for the night
>Someone archive please
>I'll be back thursday at 9pm server time

For archival's sake: Yeah, Pax meant Autronicus, not Aurelius.

Autronius* even.

Archived. Remember to vote!