>>17981473
Wulf seems to have an idea on what kind of forces the nearby towns have so I say go with his plan. Also let Lethiana go with the other force to test her devices. I suppose we should also ask what she wants to test.

>>17981532
Second

>>17981473
Wulfs plan sounds reasonable enough. It shouldn't be any trouble to take a small town with a small force.

Lethiana should go with with Wulfs force to test her devices.

>>17981659
Sounds like a plan

You nod, simply accepting the late workers explanation for why she was in your saddlebag and responding to Wulf "It sounds like a good plan to me." before looking down to Lethiana, who is still mostly yawning and stretching "What sort of things did you want to test?"

The karskyana shrugs "Combat test anti-undead machine. And new wall-breeching devices. Palisade should work for basic functionality test."

Wulf nods at the engineer, doing his best to imitate your nonplussed nature as to her unexpected arrival "Do you want me to gather the command staff to decide on how we will divide the forces then, commander, or will you choose that yourself?" before he turns to Lethiana "Was that even comfortable?" he asks her, as she climbs out of the saddlebag to perch herself on your shoulder.

"No. Didnt fit inside. Better than no sleep though." she replies matter-of-factly theough yet another yawn.

Let's call the others to figure it out. It won't matter much so long as we evenly split this force, so it really comes down to who wants to go where.

>troop list for making choices

>>17981895
Agreed. Plus it'll let Wulf and the others get some practice on how to deal with command stuff if Justinian isn't around for some reason.

I suggest we take command of the same units we used to take the last town along with the House Garlain cavalry and split up the Daimus skywings between the forces.

>>17981949
>>17981895
thirding. More experience as a commander for Wulf is always a plus!

You shrug "Have them meet at the head of the column. We may as well do things properly when it comes to dividing our forces."

Wulf nods, and wheels about to do as you ordered as Lethiana looks down to you to ask "Take it battle went well?"

You nod, a small grin on your face "Indeed it did, my friend. Few losses, and more than enough gained to make up for it."

She does her best to ape your grin, which is, odd, to say the least, but her intent is clear "Once Camilus ready, would like to work with him as well as Kyria. Have ideas for dealing with undead, and other projects that he could help with." she explains.

"Speaking of our maniples demonologist, will he go with Wulf, or you, love?" Jayne asks, Stormcloud falling into step with Spite.

"I'm not certain myself, to be honest Janye." you reply as the rest of the command staff rides up to join you at the columns head.

Gaius interjects "I would think he should stay with you, along with Autronius, Commander. If we divide, everything should be even, Legion troops, mercenaries, and arcanists."
>cont'd

Captain Estreon, clearly uncomfortable on horseback, interjects "Why not simply have it be a split between Legion and mercenary battalions. Nothing breeds excellence like competition. Its how I keep my Chosen as good as they are."

Cornelius sighs, arcane arm reaching around to scratch the spot on his back most cant reach with ease, as he replies "Because, it needs to be a clearly Degnarian action. Lest a new Mercenary City be formed." a hint of ice in the bluntness of his voice.

"Are you saying our battalions arent trustworthy?" the captain asks, matching Cornelius' ice with his own fire.

"I'm sure he isnt. the man is simply going political on us, just like the Commander." Aurelius interjects, clearly looking to defuse a potential argument, and looking to you for a bit of help.

The forces should be legionary/merc mixes. When the campaign winds down, we'll have a competition between the mercs and legion forces. Until then, they'll have to compete with eachother side by side. Surely they won't be shown up when the other team is watching them?

Here is my suggestion

Justinian
190th Centurians
65th Dwarven Rangers
50th Dwarven Scouts
House Garlian Uursan cavalry
Daimus Skywings
RedSteel Elites
The Unshakables
Kestrin Raiders
-Catalina
-Laelith
-Camilus

Wulf
454th Legionary
98th Warlords
76th Deadeyes
House Morlan Griffon Cavalry
Vohzd Lennis Riders
Trilius Defenders
Damians Chosen
Zentas Snipers
Dyrol Mymidons
-Lena
-Colin
-Bellatrix


Have the remaining elementalists and siege weapons divided up evenly between the two groups.

am I missing anything?

>>17982374
"I want the forces to have a mix of legion and mercenary troops. As you've noticed by now, my maniple does not use normal tactics so I need you and the other mercenary units to get used to working alongside us. I rather have you all tightly coordinated and used to each other before we face the lords and dealing with the forces in the towns should help with that."

>>17982615
Just switch out Colin and Camilus. We should also switch 76th Deadeyes and the 65th Dwarven Rangers. Then I think the list will be fine

>>17982615
Switch Colin for Camilus and the 65th Dwarven Rangers for the 76th Deadeyes. Lethiana is going with Wulf and needed them for her experiment.

>>17982842
second

You shake you head "We can hold a proper competition after the campaign is over, until then, we must work together. I will lead the 190th Centurions, 76th Deadeyes and 50th scouts for legionary battalions. As for mercenaries I will take the RedSteel Elites, Kestrin Raiders and The Unshakeables. From my retinue, Catalina, Laelith and Collin will accompany me, as well as Jayne and her cavalry wing." you pause to look about for any dissenters, and, finding none, you finish "The rest will strike the other town with Wulf."

After a few nods, Wulf asks "So, you will continue down the road then, or would you rather cross along the edge of the forest to strike the other logging village?"

Sansa shrugs "I would think that your force should take the town at the far side of the forest Wulf, as you will have Lethiana and Kyria with you to keep the autowagons in repair."

Uurist nods, as he adds "I agree, though ultimately that choice is the Commanders."

>>17983013
They make a pretty good point so down the road it is

>>17983038
second

>>17983013
Their plan sounds reasonable enough to me.

Can we see the local map again, Pax?

You nod in agreement "A logical way to look at things. The road it is for me then, I suppose. Wulf, I will see you and your detachment at the mining town."

Wulf throws a lazy salute "A half a weeks time to get through the woods then, commander?"

You chuckle as Gaius grumbles "There, you mercenary bastards have your competition now."

Captain Trillius holds a hand to his heart, as if wounded "Ah, but my contract is my honor, why would my men, or my esteemed self, need competition to do well?"

Damian chuckles "At least you know your role in all this."

"Your Skywings are with me, Captain Corinth." you sigh, as the short command staff meeting breaks up.

-----

The next day, at roughly noon, the next village comes into view, Wulf and his force having left to skirt the edge of the forest a few hours earlier. What greets you confuses you, to some extent. It is a white flag, and what look to be a handful of merchants, waiting for you outside the town. You can see no weapons on them, and feel no feet on the ground in any good hiding places nearby, but with the massive forest looming so nearby...

>>17983262
Let's go cautiously, have everyone approach as though the town were hostile

>>17983279
Agreed. Tempted to say we should even send some scouts through the forest to sneak their way around and see if there is anything hiding there. Might also be wise to not approach the merchants but stop a distance away and have them come to us.

Should Sansa go with the Deadeyes?

>>17983294
sounds good

Good thing we brought Deadeyes and Scouts with us. Have Sansa lead them, and the Kestrin Raiders, into the Forest to scout. The heavy infantry stays outside with us.

>>17983325
second this

Lets set up a tent near us for negotiations. Send a runner and tell them if they want to talk they can come to us.

>>17983411
Might as well do both

Still suspecting a trap, you sigh, and order "Sansa, take the 76th and loop around to make sure that the forest is clear." before turning to shout "Set up a tent half way between us and their village. If they truly want a parley, they can come to us."

Sansa nods, and motions for the deadeyes to follow her. Aurelius sighs, as he sarcastically remarks "Whenever its important I'm never in charge. Next Bellatrix will get her own tent again." clearly making sure that you heard him as the poor humor drips from his voice.

Gaius chuckles "Sometimes it amazes me how much you let him get away with Commander."

You shake your head "Then i would have to reprimand you for your conduct at parlays with Uurlanth, my bald friend."

The big man shrugs, a devious grin flashing on his face as the tent is erected, your own flag of truce flying above it "I take it that means I should hold my tongue until we know their demeanor?"

Jayne sighs "Yes, captain, we would very much appreciate that." as she steps up beside you to await the approaching merchant nobility.

-----CQ-----

There are three of them, clearly brothers by their features. Each of them has a single guard, full beard, and long black hair tied back into a ponytail. "Commander Trentz, I take it?" the oldest of the three asks you after they all enter the tent, each shadowed by their bodyguard.

You nod "You are correct. I take it you wish to surrender?"

"Take our militia as prisoners, our cut lumber, slaves even, simply leave us our tools and gold." the middle of the three brothers asks, cutting straight to the chase. Clearly not afraid, but clearly having no desire to fight either.

>>17983636
"I'm curious on how word of my arrival has spread here that quick. Are you the ones in charge of this town? How exactly is your lord going to respond if he finds out you surrendered this town and its forces in exchange for your own protection. And while I appreciate taking a town this easily, you've seen the forces I've brought with me. Why should I spare you three when I could take everything?"

>>17983636
See if we can exchange some of the lumber for its fair price in gold in the deal.

>>17983698
Yeah we are gonna need some answers for this

You sigh "First, I want some answers, because, as you can see, I could easily crush you and all of your forces before dusk arrives."

The youngest, or at least the one who looks to be the youngest, if the amount of wrinkles on his face and grey in his hair are any indicator, replies "Commander, you area celebrity at home, and a villain in Uurlanth. Truly, you dont believe that your presence in any theater stay a secret fro very long, do you? Rumors spread quickly, and with an order of battle as unique as yours..."

"Of course, you wont simply crush us because of that same reputation. You are known to be merciful to those who surrender to you, and on your last foray into our nation, you were merciful with the smallfolk." the eldest replies, face straight and professional.

You sigh, as Gaius interjects "However, the dead can do nothing to tarnish such a, desireable, reputation."

You purse you lips, and reply "And what of the nobles I have killed for crimes that would bear the same punishment in Degnar?" eluding to Janos "execution" years ago.

The middle one shrugs "We keep no slaves, and find the idea of such things detestable. And we have no issue with you punishing our debtors and indirect servants for breaking those same laws you slew the youngest Morlan for."

>>17983874
"Very well. I shall not destroy your non-military equipment and take your gold, however, I expect you to not provide aid to the knight orders if they request it. Furthermore, I expect you to make sure the smallfolk in this village are cared for in the worst case scenario. Do be aware though that if you do have slaves despite your claims or breach these terms, you had best hope I don't find you."

I see no reason to refuse. If we're known to be merciful, more people are likely to surrender. And while gold is nice, we won't take any losses even if they are minor. Plus we can spend more time taking lumber and such.

>>17983974
I still say we should see if we can trade some of the wood they have for their gold. They have too much wood for us to carry it all and we will need the wagon space for the things we take from other towns as well.

>>17983974
this is fine but we need to make sure they have no weapons, farm tools that can double as weapons are fine but no armor/shields/swords/other objects that have no civillian uses are to be allowed

>>17983974
>>17983995
>>17984008
Nice ideas let's combine them

Come on guys. Don't accept the initial offer. Play hard-ball for a while at least.

And I thought they said they had slaves?

"All that you've offered, plus half of your gold, plus I get to take any slave owners in your town as my prisoners."

>>17983995
... So we loot their lumber and then sell it back to them?

Let's just take half of their gold and all the lumber we can carry. We'll need the lumber for building siege equipment. The mercs will get pissy at us if we just let people surrender without paying tribute. They would want their share.

>>17984074
Denying help to the knight orders and them taking care of the smallfolk was the price I didn't mind paying for letting them keep their gold. I assumed they'd just run off and let them die on their own and their lord would give them new peasants once the war was done.

>>17984074
a little hardball can't hurt, as long as we get at least what we'd agreed on and don't impoverish the village too much

>>17984100
How do you make them follow through on that promise? Eventually the Knightly Orders will be here, demanding help. Do you obey your promise to the far-away Midnight Dragon, or do you obey the knight holding a sword to your throat?

>>17984160
The knight orders are honourable so I doubt they'd force them to give them aid. Besides, they could always tell the order they can't help them since we stole it. And we can't force them to do it but we are in the area still and can check up on them if the knight order does come after us.

>>17984173
What about the local Lords and the Duke? They are certainly not honorable, not in the way Justinian understands the word.

And in the end I believe it would be the local Lord's men coming over to demand lumber and taxes.

Holding them to that promise is simply not reasonable. We're forcing them to choose between breaking their word or getting thrown in jail by their liege. Let's just negotiate for a tribute, and make sure that any slavers are held and the slaves freed.

You nod "I wont destroy your non-military equipment, but any lumber I can take is mine, any men who keep slaves are my prisoners, and half of your gold is mine. If given the choice you are not to grant any support to any Knightly Orders, and if I find you deceived me in any way here..." you trail off ominously.

The younger two swallow hard, but the eldest simply replies "A quarter of our gold. We will have to pay more smallfolk with all of the slavers and slaves gone, or freed and in need of pay."

"The market price of what lumber I dont take, plus that of whatever slaves I free will be my tax for your town being spared." you shoot back.

"The lumber only, while we do not keep slaves, we do not prevent our smallfolk from doing so. It is not our fault that they have no morals." the youngest bites back.

You grin "Very well. Then these talks are concluded." before turning to Gaius, and adding "Make it believable." you order, as you shake each mans hand.

Your oldest human captain sprouts a grin that would not be out of place on Blackbird, and cracks his knuckles "Stupid dogs." he chides, before drawing his blade, and moving to chase the suddenly terrified self-styled lords from the tent, making sure to plant a few shallow cuts on their equally terrified guards. his insane laughter most certainly does not help their demeanor, nor do his bellowed insults as he chases them back to their town.

-----CQ----
>cont'd

It takes all of a two hours for your maniple to enact the agreement, and make it believable that you simply sacked another town. The palisade is damaged, but not ruined, many shops are scorched, or have ruined doors from forcible tax collection. Roughly three dozen slaveholders are hog-tied on the prisoner autowagon, and a decent sized stack of decently forged iron weapons are on the loot wagon. A few more wagons are laden with what will most likely be the raw materiel for the construction of siege towers and the other necessary engines for taking Rivers End.

The people are terrified, and confused, the town guards and militia embarrassed at their unpreparedness and disarmed state, and the town is frozen in silent shock. For the former slaves it is a happy shock, though the smallfolk are clearly unsure how to deal with what just happened, and their lords apparent failure to protect them as they no doubt promised. As you approach the forest, you notice the Deadeyes approaching, Sansa at their head. Though, before you can ride out to them, you hear Autronius groan in discomfort, and when you turn to the man, see him rubbing at his temples, as if he had a crushing headache

>>17984369
Might as well ask Autronius whats wrong

>>17984369
Lets see how Autronius is doing.

"What's wrong, buddy?"

Please tell me that's really Sansa. :(

You glance over to Autronius "Something the matter, my friend?"

He groans "Imagine floating on your back in a tidal area, and having the tide drop out in the space of a few seconds." he replies sorely, as some of the captured militiamen look over at you, thoroughly confused though the cages on the prisoner wagons. "The entire own just went from fear and confusion to relief and joy over the last few minutes. The switch was jarring enough to hurt my head, Commander."

Sansa meets you as the head of the convoy goes around the first corner on the forests road, the cleared area now gone from your sight "No traps were set that we could find, love." your aide and wife reports, lithely hopping up to ride Spite in your lap "And no ambushers to be found. Though we may want to find a good clearing to camp in for the night, while mostly straight in direction, a forest this deep cannot accommodate a truly straight road."

"And it will be nearly pitch deeper in the forest well before nightfall." Aurelius adds as he passes, popping open a flask to drink from.

"The commander already know that Aurelius" Gaius adds from the wagon he is helping his fellow captain up onto as it moves, accepting the flask as a payment for the favor, as he finishes "He is smarter than both of us, after all, and a forest this large couldn't possibly be new or all that thin."

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/17877280/images/1328839802913.png

Map of the local area.

>>17984597
I suggest we don't camp too deeply in the woods. A site a few hours down the road would work well enough.

>>17984730
second

We can use our earth elementalism to construct some make-shift fortifications for the camp.

>>17984892
I don't see why not

You nod "We'll set camp at the first decent sized clearing we come across then." you order as Sansa leans back into your chest, smiling.

"I take it you plan to set up some sort of fortification with your elementalism then?" captain Nerin of The Unshakeables ask offhandedly from the same wagon Aurelius and Gaius are riding on.

You nod "The extra security is a nice thing to have, I will admit."

-----CQ-----

It is dark by the time you find a clearing, and well past then by the time your camp is set and fortified. You look up through the mixed evergreens and the bones of those trees that had been stripped by the now long faded fall. The clouds are thick, and the first snow will come soon, no doubt, you think to yourself. The clouds part, and for a while, you see the moons perfect brown half-circle, before the thick cloud-cover resumes. Sighing, still more than content with how the last few days went, you begin to head back to your tent, where your wives are waiting for you.
>cont'd

When a panicked braying pierces through the camp, you muse to yourself that these last few days good fortune was naturally far too much to believe true. You are about to set off through the camp to see what the commotion was, when it streaks past you, still clad in the tatters of one of the slaver prisoners. The things feet are more like hands, though the palms are twice as long as they sjhould be, and the "fingers" are clawed at the end. Despite the thick brown hair covering the thing from the waist down, it is clear that it is quite male and _very_ aroused. The tatters of his shirt do little to hide its overly-muscled torso, though its mass of chest hair nearly does so anyways.

The beasts head is that of a goat, its horns protruding from just ahead and above its ears, and completing a full rotation with a little bit of growth to spare. You hear a resounding crack as the beast smashes its horns into the stone wall you erected, sending a mad spiderweb of deep cracks through it, before the beast turns around, unharmed, and begins moving to charge through camp in a different direction, clearly terrified, moving far faster than any man could ever hope to run.

rolled 73 = 73

>>17985061
Rolling for elementalism. Lets drop this thing into a hole that is too deep for him to escape.

rolled 71 = 71

>>17985061
Elementalism. Time for a pit.

rolled 91 = 91

Combat roll. Defend ourselves if the pit didn't work. Don't try anything flashy.

>>17985138
>>17985145
>>17985174
We're gonna get ourselves infected at this rate.

Someone roll botch, please.

rolled 61 = 61

>>17985174
>>17985209
Jeez. Guess I'll botch roll.

rolled 95 = 95

We should also alert the guards on duty if they haven't noticed.

Rolling for combat botch

>>17985174
>>17985245
>>17985247
Fuck this gay earth.

You heave a sigh, it wasn't a hard fight, but riding all day isn't exactly the sort of thing that leaves you feeling invigorated either. Hoping to catch the poor infected bastard before he does something that forces you to kill him, you grab one of the swords sitting on a rack set up outside some centurions bunk tent, and set off after the thing.

The first thing you do, after shouting out orders to detain the damn thing, which left the mercenaries on guard duty looking confused, and the Legionary guards faces clearly asking the question of "why me?" as they set to grabbing nets and rousing the camp, is to drop a hole beneath the were-goat. The beast nearly falls into it, but thanks to its hand-like feet, is able to dig into the dirt, and launch itself clear of the pit.

Thinking yourself lucky, you use the time the maneuver gained you to close the distance between yourself and the beast, and move to non-lethally stop the thing. Unfortuanately, the things thick skull is more than hard enough to bend the pomel of the blade you grabbed, and the force you struck it with was only enough to piss it off. The were-goat spins around, frothing at the mouth, eyes now filled with rage rather than fear and confusion, as it smashes its big, meaty hand into the side of your skull, sending you flying to the ground, knocking the sword from your hand, and nearly knocking you out. You manage to roll to your side, evading the vicious stomp it had aimed at your gut, and managing to push yourself back to your feet before it can strike again. "At least its focused on me, not getting out, or slaking its lusts now, I suppose" you muse to yourself as you weigh your options.

rolled 49 = 49

>>17985333
Punch it in the dick with a boulder.

rolled 11 = 11

Oh gods. Earthen spike kill it kill it kill it.

Elementalism roll.

You have your blade, but that would kill it, so you do the next best thing you can think of. It doesn't take much to quickly form yourself a set of knuckle dusters as you put a spike through either of the charging beasts legs, halting its momentum as you charge it yourself, fist cocked back and ready to strike.

So, it comes as something of a surprise to you when your foot catches a root, and sends you flying off course. You still connect, though, instead of hitting the beasts protruding jaw, your now lowered center of gravity sends the powerful punch straight into the beasts manhood. It howls in pain, even louder and longer than it did when you punctured the poor things legs with stone spikes. The were-beasts slumps over, still held aloft by the spikes, passed out from the intense pain. As you push yourself up, in-between more bestial howls from outside of the elementalism-made stone wall protecting your camp, Gaius chuckles "That was truly poor form commander, to strike him in the manhood like that."

You shake your head, and, dropp[ing your knuckle-dusters, reply "I wont hear of it, Captain. i take it there are no more of these beasts in the camp?"

Gaius shakes his head "No, but from the sound of it there are plenty more in the forest yet. Feel free to return to your tent, Commander, I will make sure none get inside, and that we dont loose any men tonight." You simply nod in thanks, and move to head back to your tent, and bed.

>well, we seem to be dead now, so I'm gonna call it.
>someone archive please
>I'll be back Sunday at 9pm server time (I dont have a closing shift taht day, so, barring the apocalypse, thats a guarantee for CQ)

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