Your interrogation of Shiroshotu, aka Karen Newgate, went very well. You learned several useful bits of information. Kingfisher's HQ is on a boat, he's been using something involving pheromones to control the ettin, and (most importantly) Isen's nickname when he was little was 'Itsy-Bitsy.'

You've also learned the elves' plan to neutralize the human slave army. Every night, their indoctrinated as they sleep by way of a magic Apparatus, that fills their minds with the information within a Slave Codex. This gives them combat knowledge, tactics, and an unquestioning desire to fight and die for the Empire. Mab and Jesse-May Prosper have a plan to swap the Combat Slave Codex for something else.

The issue is that just removing it, or putting a simple worded substitute would cause irreparable harm to the slaves' minds. Not to mention be easily detected and repaired. They want to replace the CSC with something that's equally wordy, and has within it enough mental conditioning that would equal what the Phoenix Empire uses. Their solution, Ryan's Communist Manifesto. Which will hopefully be delivered by Viola Bottom, the newest Robin Goodfellow, and Lysander's cousin.

All they need is a big enough distraction. That's where they want you to come in.

Plus the Paladins are trying to work out a solution regarding the ettin's advances, and how to gain cooperation from the isolationist White Tree.

Rolled 15

Huzzah! Lamia Quest!

First order of business follow up with the paladins and their show of solidarity and ettin plan.

It could be just the distraction we were hoping for, and we won't have to default to plan "steal rice wine"

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You're earlier than I expected, Echo!

Just got done with dinner, and checked for this. HUZZAH!

Now let's do some shenanigans!

Rolled 4

>>26474648
Also, Viola's rhymes are great. She should never let anyone tell her otherwise. Like how Scatman Jon's songs are great.

>>26474882
speaking of shenanigans, what are the chances the new robin is going to get caught? We can't lose such an important rhyming resource.
Maybe we can have her and Lea help us come up with a good song involving Isen's baby name.

>>26474648
Whoa, I thought this was the device they were planning to hook up to Citadel. I didn't realise they were already using it on large groups of people.

>>26475022
different device, but along what I assume is a similar method of research.

This one beams books into their heads. The other one beams god knows what into their souls(?)

Rolled 13

>>26475022
Why would they wait? They are evil enough to make it and use it, why not use it right away?

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>>26475022
It sounds like a passive brainwashing program. Like those tapes that "teach" you languages while you sleep.

The Combine do the same thing in HL2. It's not exactly mind control, just subliminal messages.

>>26475022
>Whoa, I thought this was the device they were planning to hook up to Citadel.

Yeah, they're taking the principle of this machine and using it to develop the other one. This one is far from perfect. There's rejection of the training, and some slaves have strong enough wills to resist, plus the codex is good, but far too many loopholes exist. They're constantly adjusting the Codex. The Soul Shaper solves all those problems.

Rolled 2

>>26475357
The Soul Shaper needs to be destroyed.

>>26475374
>>26475357
well duh it needs to be destroyed, that's our job. We'll get to it in two weeks when the mind control potions are done. Also we should ask mage how big exactly the breaching explosion will be.

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>>26475374
What if we used it for our own purposes?
Not on very many people, mind you, just a few Phoenix Empire noblemen who are... in the way... of progress.

>>26474725
You hand over the manifesto to Robin, and Mab and Jesse-May give their farewells as they go to work.

Mab leaves after giving her 'dear Dagda' a very long and involved kiss and a quick squeeze. She whispers something in his ear that makes him go bright red and then takes off.

Peri laughs as you all head towards the main war council tent where the Paladins are. "Okay, come on. I have to get a few details." She needles Mage.

Mage sighed. "She said...some private things...and then saidIshouldkeepmybootson." He looks at his yellow boots. They're a bit less banana yellow, and closer to ripe banana. "Here I thought they were lucky."

"Sound lucky to me." Tricia says.

Really, my main concern is that once they find out we've made the switch they might step up their soul-controlling schemes.

So my suggestion is to take care of several objectives simultaneously. Ask the elves to wait so that we can coordinate our multi-paladin-morale-victory as the "distraction".

So, distractions

I'm thinking explosives. Like, a lot of explosives.

Rolled 3

>>26475434
No. It's pure evil. Using it means that we give up all pretenses to being a good guy. It represents that we have no way to convince people other than force.

In the words of Jack from Mass Effect "At least let me die as me."

>>26475488
>>26475434
the correct response is, of course, shush dragonbrain go back to hoarding interesting people

>>26475486
Explosion is too obvious a distraction for the Kingfisher. He's seen it before.
Same with what looks like a frontal assault but is really a diversion for a stealth mission. We'd need to be clever to fool the Kingfisher, like we were with the airboat.

Underwater insertion maybe? But he probably knows we have mer allies. So no.

Ideas? Seriously, we have to be original.

>>26475488
We've always been morally grey anyway. We killed paradise based on ethical issues.

I mean, I'm not saying that mind control/indoctrination isn't stepping over the line to a massive extent, because it totally is, and it absolutely collides with the whole "Free will trumps all" thing we have going. Satan didn't give free will to humanity just to indoctrinate them into what he believed was right.

>>26475539
A dragon attack.

>>26475539
But he knows that we know that he knows that an explosion is too obvious.

Thus it's the perfect plan.

>>26475450
"Of course they're lucky. If they weren't, Sophie would be here right now being furious witness to all this. Stylish to boot."

then perhaps chuckle at your own joke a little.

Rolled 7

>>26475539
Go around offering confessions.

Also, there's the chance Kingfisher will let the switch happen, since he's against the mind control thing.

>>26475539
>ideas for distractions
We free the ettins.

Rolled 16

>>26475557
>Satan didn't give free will to humanity just to indoctrinate them into what he believed was right.

“But here steps in Satan, the eternal rebel, the first freethinker and the emancipator of worlds. He makes man ashamed of his bestial ignorance and obedience; he emancipates him, stamps upon his brow the seal of liberty and humanity, in urging him to disobey and eat of the fruit of knowledge.”

>>26475583
From what Echo has said, he is only against it because he isn't in full control over it.

The indoctrination thing is different. He can control what's being put in his soldier's heads. And he won't risk us messing with his soldier's heads.

>>26475615
>two missions
>one go

He'll never see it coming. Add in a swan song for the Orc participation in the conflict (they WILL disengage when the Ettin are freed) and I'm in.
Make it look like we're doing a classic "hit them while they're down" counterattack while freeing the ettins. Then circle around and hit Kingfisher's barge with a prepared mer assault.
Double whammy. Should knock the PE into confusion even more.

>>26475450
"I can scarcely imagine the types of ladies Mage would get if he somehow got even more lucky. Isen'll be so jealous."

So, that paladins haven't left for the white tree solidarity thing yet? Let's ask them while they're still here what that's all about. Ettins too.

>>26475618
I think you're agreeing with me but I can't be sure.

That can be interpreted in a lot of ways.

Rolled 3

>>26475680

I'm not sure if the Orcs will disengage when the Ettin are freed. The deal was that they'd help us fight the Pheonix Empire, the Ettins were just a plus. And some of the Orcs want to free the Ettins, so it's complicated.

Rolled 5

>>26475737

It's a qoute from an anarchist.

Ssen: Be mostly lost in thought

>>26475745
My interpretation of the conversation was that they gave zero fucks until the Ettins were mentioned.

The Ettins being out of the picture would effectively demoralize them, though not in the usual sense of the word. They'd get bored and desert.

Rolled 5

>>26475752
>Ssen: Be mostly lost in thought

Ssen: Be formulating Anarchist Qoutes to throw out at random.

>>26475752
Lamia brain

>>26475775
Nope, they're bound to the contract we created by the chain we carry. Red Wolf, at least, will not desert, and the other tribes look up to Red Wolf as the most cunning tribe.

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>>26475955
I quite respectively disagree. The orcs are not honorable by a longshot and will do whatever they damn well feel like. You had a contract with them? It's over when they say it's over. Got a problem with that? Make them stay.
And while we could bully some to stay (an orc brute squad, perhaps), my general point is that we'll have a desertion problem. And perhaps a banditry problem as a result of that.

It's the kind of thing I've come to expect from Echo. What seems like an obvious "what could go wrong" choice carries minor consequences that lead to the next problem which needs fixing. For example, getting the orcs involved. That got Mumei kidnapped. And Mumei being kidnapped resulted in one of Kingfisher's allies being killed.

Unless you're expecting that Echo plans to let us steamroll over the invasion without any bumps in the road of any kind.
Look, I'm not saying we don't free the Ettin. Allowing them and the orcs to rack up casualties day after day isn't exactly right.

Rolled 9

>>26476080
I think the chain is magical. The orcs, at least Red Wolf, are magically incapable of breaking the contract. Or at least, we can force them to keep to the contract.

"Of course they're lucky. If they weren't, Sophie would be here right now being furious witness to all this. Stylish to boot." You say.

"Yeah," Mage says. "Should I be truthful to Sophie? I mean, she knows about the Dagda thing in general, she just thinks that Mab and I are only playing along with it for show."

"Wait wait wait." Lea says. "Mage, tell me that you and Mab aren't..."

Mage just smiles and keeps walking. "Anyway, should I come clean to her about Mab, and the Orcs, and..." He sighs. "My sister?" He shakes his head. "I mean, obviously after she's put AWAY her rifle and nice hat."

"Why the hat?" Tricia asks.

"I dunno, she looks scarier with it." He shrugs. "Sexier too, but that's neither here nor there. Anyway, should I tell her? I mean, it's not like we agreed to be exclusive or anything..." He looks at the girls' faces. "Keep my mouth shut. Got it."

You enter the tent and it's rather crowded. You're not the only Paladin with an Occuli retinue. They're all hanging around the edges of the tent. The Paladins are in the center looking at a table with a map and small figures on it.

"Lady Paladin Ssen Patrick," Julian says. "Welcome, please, come join us." He motions you to come closer. The Dawnchasers take their seats at the sides of the tent. "We understand that your interrogations have gained some fruit? Do you think it's viable, or just another bluff?"

>>26476080
We anticipated their desertion and obtained insurance.

Hence, the chain.

Rolled 8

>>26476147
Mage should totally come clean. No relationship based on a lack of communication can ever be healthy.

We think the information is viable.

>>26476147
(now would be the time to use the proper titles)

>>26476147
"Karen Newgate, or 'Shiroshotu' as she prefers to be called, isn't stupid. Overzealous, yet, but not stupid. I don't think we should disregard the possibility that Kingfisher sent her here on purpose, knowing that she would get captured, in order to feed us false information.

Still, the possibility that she made a mistake should not be disregarded, and the pheromone solution should be looked into."

>>26476147
"Mab and Jessie May seemed to think there was something to it."

>>26476147
"Some of it is solid, nobody would lie about their favorite cake. Most of it though, who knows. Worst case scenario, we waste some time and brains studying ettin pherimones. Worth looking into if that's how the ettins are being controlled, though."

>>26476147
"Not sure, Paladin Graves. I don't trust either of them, but Miss Newgate strikes me as a zealot. Clever, but prone to getting worked up. And when zealots get worked up, they get stupid. There's a good chance the intel has some viability to it. Plus, Queen Mab and Jesse-May seemed to consider it actionable."

"As with anything regarding the Phoenix Empire, caution would be good."

I had a passing thought:
I wonder what happened to our skin when we shed while drunk
Probably nothing interesting.

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>>26476427
What happens to your nail clippings? What happens to your hair after its trimmed or shaved?

>>26476147
Also, I'd like to request that Princess Karen be transported to Stone Hall, preferably under a paladin or heavy guard. She's one of the higher ranking operatives in the Kingfisher's operations and will be a target for him to recover.

>>26476427
A random orc found it and made a nice pair of boots.

They will, in later ages, be regarded as a sacred relic over which wars are fought.

"Karen Newgate, or 'Shiroshotu' as she prefers to be called, isn't stupid. Overzealous, yet, but not stupid. I don't think we should disregard the possibility that Kingfisher sent her here on purpose, knowing that she would get captured, in order to feed us false information.

Still, the possibility that she made a mistake should not be disregarded, and the pheromone solution should be looked into.

"Some of it is solid, nobody would lie about their favorite cake. Most of it though, who knows. Worst case scenario, we waste some time and brains studying ettin pheromones. Worth looking into if that's how the ettins are being controlled, though.

"Mab and Jessie May seemed to think there was something to it." You say.

"Can't believe that a Newgate would turn their back on Citadel." Balles says.

"Fuck her." Toll says. "And the gilded cage she was sucking cocks in that brought her here."

"Yes...well..." Avery shakes his head at Toll's speech. "Pheromones? That's a very unreliable method to control anything."

(cont)

>>26476520
"Alone, yes...but..." Kinkaid points at the map. "They're enough to get attention, and if you couple that with the mid control we know that the Empire relies on so much..."

"The idols!" Julian says. He looks at you. "The ettin regularly drag these strange looking idols with them to their camps, as well as when they make a large push. We thought that they were symbolic, or a way for the ettin to gain favor from whatever god they worshipped."

"But I always found that strange." Balles says. "The ettin are nature worshipers. Female Earth Mother, Male Heavens Figure, they've had rituals and some animal sacrifices, but never idols. I thought that they were for a normally unused War Spirit."

"Pheromones to get them attracted to the icons, then some minor mind control spells." Kincaid nods. "It's a possibility. They'd worship those things, and if they said to go to war, or obey the birds, then after long enough exposure then they'd obey without question, later generations would be so indoctrinated to that behavior that they wouldn't even need the idols."

"Fucking birds." Toll says. "What kind of cunt sucking shit-bag looks at a civilization and comes up with the fucked up idea to weaponized religion? Fire ants inserted directly into his dick and anus is too good for him!"

Rolled 6

>>26476484
I like this. Snakeskin boot's made out of the Paladin Serpent's skin.

Rolled 17

>>26476532
>"Fucking birds." Toll says. "What kind of cunt sucking shit-bag looks at a civilization and comes up with the fucked up idea to weaponized religion? Fire ants inserted directly into his dick and anus is too good for him!"

I concur with Paladin Toll.

>>26476481
In addition: she is never to be allowed to interact with Isen without our direct presence during the meeting.

Do I think Karen will kill Isen while we're not around? No, not really. Am I prepared to take that chance? No.

>>26476532
"Sounds like we've got a priority target for our artillery and spell shooters. Lets blow up a few idols and see what happens."

>>26476532
"Second."

>>26476532
"Fire ants could be arranged. Any of the totems being kept in the camp I'm supposed to cause a distraction in? Could be a good way to double up the mayhem, keep the ettins from killing too many of our revolutionists."

>>26476532
"Toll, I'm never quite sure exactly what or who you're talking about, but I agree we've got to put an end to these practices. Though I'm not asking Tricia to do that, it sounds gross."
"Do you think that simply breaking or taking the idols would work? How much of a production would have to be made of it?"

Rolled 12

>>26476645
No, the less said about the book swap the better.

>>26476609
Let's see and find out what happens if their idols gets blown to bits.

>>26476532
I wonder can we turn the mind controls spells against the Phoenix, or get the etttins to be aware of the spells. A bunch of angry, formerly mind controlled ettins will be a huge thorn in the Phoenix. In fact let's get the orc shamans on this as well, they know the ettins better than us I would think.

Let's plant some explosives inside the idols instead of hitting them with artillery. Or replace the pherimones with stink blossoms.

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>>26476532
>what kind of shit-bag comes up with the fucked up idea to weaponized religion
>Paladin
>talking to someone who is currently fighting a holy war for the Light against the land spirits using holy weapons, holy symbols, prayers for purifying unclean forces, and ancient rituals that are very religious in nature

Well... that's Toll, I guess.

>>26476861
I think what she meant was using a religion to forcibly enslave entire populations.

>>26476861
>>26476901
we're more in the van-hellsing brand of religion weaponization, what with the holy-symbol-spear and abjurative prayers.
Wheras they're of some kind of strange subconscious mind whammy version.

>>26476622
>>26476645
no, no fire ants, poor tricia

"Toll, I'm never quite sure exactly what or who you're talking about, but I agree we've got to put an end to these practices. Though I'm not asking Tricia to do that, it sounds gross.

"Sounds like we've got a priority target for our artillery and spell shooters. Lets blow up a few idols and see what happens." You say. "Do you think that simply breaking or taking the idols would work? How much of a production would have to be made of it?"

"We don't even know if those are the targets." Julian says. "Kincaid is one to jump to speculations...and then explosions."

"Which usually solves our problems." Kincaid says.

"And makes new ones." Balles says.

"Which I then solve!"

"With MORE explosions!"

"It's an all-purpose answer!" Kincaid snaps.

"Enough!" Julian says. "It's a lead, and a target. We can use that. Anything else we can use against the Empire, Paladin Patrick?"

>>26476532
I guess we get to shatter some false idols, then. Not like destroying unholy intrusions into the physical world hasn't become our specialty or anything.

>>26477374
"Just that it seems nobody in the Empire trusts anyone else, that they all have competing agendas, that they're trying to weaponize Citadel's unholy power to reshape souls, and that brillitite bullets are amazing at breaking unholy stuff."

>>26477374
Can we work on weaponizing the gas more often? Get the alchemists and the other lamia in the UFK to make a concoction that doesn't dissolve quickly?

>>26477374
"Well, I didn't get the most out of the talk. I suppose she spent a lot of time on a boat when she was planning. Also got another corroboration on that terrible soul-transforming thing the phoenix are trying to do."

>>26477422
We still need to get our own personal sidearms

>>26477456
Seconded. We need to keep up with the times.

>>26477477
Poor poor twang

>>26477374
I like this man's style. Can we make Kincaid an honorary Dawnchaser pendant? Like a little snake made out of pipe cleaners should do it.

Rolled 5

>>26477374
"To be fair to Kincaid, the number of problems an explosion cannot solve is inversely proportional to it's blast radius."

Rolled 6

>>26477374
"Also, Kingfisher's HQ seems to be at sea."

>>26477518
we're not the SUREST of that in character, though we did hear she spent a long time on boats.

>>26477487
Poor our original bow. Our dad gave that one to us, we shoulda kept it. Either way, I want a brace of pistols at some point.

>>26477676
What? Why not a compound bow somehow enhanced with brillitite? Tech, style, futuristicness and sentimentality.

>>26477749
I actually prefer the idea of explosive-tipped arrows to guns. Because early guns are actually less accurate, louder, take longer to reload, and produce smoke that impairs a second shot.

What I'd really like is armor that can defeat bullets, and the idea of giving some of said armor to everyone in our party.

>>26477749
>>26477831
mostly I want at least one pistol somewhere on our person so we can have a one-hand ranged attack.

Either that, or learning to spit REAL good.

>>26477831
I wonder if we could slightly altered explosive runes woven into a robe, triggered to go off when a munition or spell hits them. Magical reactive armor.

>>26477867
>>26477831
We're pretty much Spitting cobra good for venom

>>26477917
I suggested that possibility with brillitite filigree, pointing out that Beacon uses brillitite without exploding, but with no takers.

>>26477917
>>26477982
I like the idea of tiny little runes or brillitite engravings on scale mail.

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Question:
Could Mari be given a musket? Perhaps with a scope?

>>26478014
well, they already have a magic shooting pistol.

so yes.

>>26478009
Fuck, we can't get away from it, can we? Brillitite is our ADAM. And Citadel is our Rapture, for that matter.

"Well, I didn't get the most out of the talk. I suppose she spent a lot of time on a boat when she was planning, Kingfisher's HQ is at sea, or on a boat.

"Also got another corroboration on that terrible soul-transforming thing the Phoenix are trying to do."

"Horrific." Julian says. "But you've got a plan for that?"

"We're waiting on a few more materials to develop." Mari chimes in. "Once they're ready, we'll be good to go inside."

"I'll have the Mer start to look for Kingfisher's boat then." Avery says.

"Alright, now..." Julian sighs. "Moving on to White Tree."

The other Paladins groan.

"I know, I know...but they are part of our kingdom, and under His Light, which means they are to be protected by us." Julian says. "Doesn't matter if they're..." He points at Toll and she closes her mouth. "A group of twits."

"I wasn't going to say anything bad." Toll says. "I was born there, remember, half-elf, half-twit. So watch your fucking prejudiced mouth Graves."

Julian chuckles. "Alright, well...High Father Billings and Her Illuminated Self would like to hold a sermon, also they wish us to allow missionaries to help convert people, namely the Elves, Mer, Harpies, Lizards, and Dwarves, to His Light. Orcs too." He chuckles.

"I'd pay to see them try to convert orcs." Balles says.

"But, mainly they'd like it if we could provide some defensive support. One of their walls took serious damage in the last push, and they need time to repair it." Julian points at the map. "They're worried that their cannons and White Tree Troopers won't be enough to push back a massive push, since the Empire knows about the weakness, they fear that a push is inevitable. They're promising blackpowder cannons and troopers to help with the offensive. The catch is that we all have to be there, making a show that all the paladins, ALL of them," he looks at Kincaid, Avery, and you. "Support White Tree and their right to freedom of expression within their walls."

"Twits." Balles says.

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>>26478014
>Putting a scope on a smoothbore firearm

Rolled 10

>>26478056
"I'm for it."

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>>26478087
>implying it doesn't give you +2 to accuracy

I bet you don't even put pistol grips on your gatling guns.

>>26478056
"Lea had some luck while we were up north. However helping White Tree may become an issue, not to fault Billings or Her Illuminated Self but having all of us in one place seems a bit stupid even by my scale. "

>>26478056
"Well, I like the idea of showing support for their freedom, but I'm used to being more pro-active in my defense of places. I think this might be the first time I've fought from a wall, in fact, it'll be interesting. How long will it take them to fix the thing? I imagine we're all in major time crunches."

>>26478056
"Only if others are given that same freedom within their walls. If we get a public sermon from Her Illuminated Self, telling her followers that all sentient souls are peers to each other, regardless of the shape of their flesh, then they'll get their show of solidarity."

>>26478176
Look around a bit after saying this
"Damnit we're all in one place aren't we"

>>26478056
"I'll agree to help them with their defense, but when it comes to their evangelism... I won't stop them, but I also won't help them. And if I get one word of any forced conversions, all the walls and cannons in the world won't stop me from setting them straight again."

>>26478176
And then after: >>26478268 chuckle to ourselves, "by my scale. Hehe, scale."

>>26478056
"Just as long as they know that if they start preaching that speciest crap then I'm going to knock some heads together. Misinterpreting the teachings is one thing, but I don't want a large scale repeat of New Stone Hall"

>>26478056
"I've no problems with missionaries, other than the minor concern that they might perhaps run into a lethal danger or two. Don't get me started on the orcish concept of a 'friendly stab'"

>>26478342
we're fine with them being speciest, that's OK.
What's not OK is banditry and robbery of official citadel and now UFK citizens. Protection of law is sweet.

"Helping White Tree may become an issue, not to fault Billings or Her Illuminated Self but having all of us in one place seems a bit stupid even by my scale. " You say.

"No one's crediting White Tree with tactical genius." Avery says. "Although I'd love to meet the engineer they have. They're brilliant."

"I think this might be the first time I've fought from a wall, in fact, it'll be interesting. How long will it take them to fix the thing? I imagine we're all in major time crunches." You say.

"We won't be ON the wall." Toll says. "We'd be in FRONT of it. We're trying to keep them AWAY from the breach...or possible breach."

"They claim that if we can repel this large push and buy them at least two days, then they'll be secure enough." Julian says.

"Alright, I'll protect it, but only if others are given that same freedom within their walls. If we get a public sermon from Her Illuminated Self, telling her followers that all sentient souls are peers to each other, regardless of the shape of their flesh, then they'll get their show of solidarity." You say.

There's a lot of nods, but Julian shakes his head. "That's for HIS and Billings to decide."

"Alright, I'll agree to help them with their defense, but when it comes to their evangelism...I won't stop them, but I also won't help them. And if I get one word of any forced conversions, all the walls and cannons in the world won't stop me from setting them straight again."

Julian sighs. "Ssen...you know that being able to move those cannons to the front lines would help save lives. We shouldn't make this difficult for everyone."

"I'd like to see that equipment the troopers have." Avery says. "It might be nice to have some knowledge, if White Tree ever gets some bad ideas."

"Let's NOT make more enemies than we already have." Kincaid says. "Can we talk to those two at least?"

Julian nods. "I was going to go to them with our answer...any are free to follow me. I take it we are in agreement that we'll aide them?"

>>26478515
"Politics. Fine. Let's talk to them."

>>26478515
"Of course we'll help the small town in desperate straits frantically trying to fix their wall. Couldn't do much else."

>>26478515
"If it's a trap, it's not like we haven't walked into bigger ones. Citadel comes to mind, and every single piece of glass and gravel hated us there."

>>26478515
"Can't see why not.

I'll be coming along. Haven't spoken to Billings since the New Stone Hall shenanigans. Misguided as he is, or was, I think he's a good guy at heart."

>>26478515
"Sure, I'll help. My gold's on them knowing we know they know and attacking elsewhere though."

>>26478515
"Yes. And don't worry. Even if there is a display of bigotry, I'll wait till maritime to spank the city."

>>26478658
wait, maritime? what?

>>26478515
"The easiest way isn't necessarily the right way, Uncle. The hard part is realizing that things never get any easier."

"I'll help them defend themselves, but I won't ignore any moral concerns that may come up. I'd expect nothing less from you, and I'd expect nothing less from HIS or Billings."

>>26478862
ignore me. meant peacetime.

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>>26478056
>>26478515
"Wait, white tree is part of the UFK? Or do you mean kingdom figuratively? I thought they were some kind of semi-autonomous city state.

Man I'm out of the loop"

>>26479141
White Tree declared independence shortly after HIS arrived and started being a superbitch. They're technically their own kingdom now.

>>26479179
but julian said we were the same kingdom.

Unless he means like, kingdom of the light or something, then that means politics happened while we weren't looking.

>>26479141
It seceded, but as is often the case, the reformed government considers it to be a wayward province.
Think what the Chinese mainland considers Taiwan. That's basically what WT is to the UFK.
And besides, nobody has officially recognized WT as independent. It's legitimacy is questionable.

>>26479237
He could still be in a mindset where Citadel Kingdom is a thing. After all, his first thought when we arrested Sideways was to take her to Citadel.

>>26479179
Well in THAT case, we milk this for all it's worth. Fuck those racist bastards. They're literally all the worst people in the entire kingdom in one place. After we nuke Citadel's walls and the Phoenix Military, let's nuke them too!
--Signed, the Crater Paladin

>>26479272
dude, chill.

>>26478515

Having all the paladins in one place is a decidedly bad idea.

It smacks of a kingfisher ploy to kill all the paladins in one fell swoop.

Additionally, the Kingfisher's speciesist inclinations are probably very in-line with the White-Tree purists.

>>26479614
It more smacks of a HIS ploy to excommunicate us and arrest us for crimes against the light at cannon-point. At least, that's what I'm expecting.

>>26479614
>>26479638
walking into traps is our primary job, I believe. Well, slithering into traps.

>>26479614

Also, before I forget, spreading evangelisers around our army to help 'convert' the various non-humans seems very out of character for the people of White-Tree.

I'd think that those missionaries are probably instead saboteurs meant to destroy food/water supplies and assassinate key personnel.

>>26479663

Yeah I'm fine with Ssen going, just don't bring the other paladins.Well, maybe Toll <3

>>26479663
Yep. Only trick is coming prepared.

>>26479663
The word, "walking" is now racially insensitive. The correct term shall forever more be, "locomoting."

>>26479667
>>26479638
"I have an idea. Let's go to war with a much larger nation while we're already in a defensive war with an empire on another continent."

They're religious extremists and idiots, but I seriously doubt they're going Full Hitler.

>>26479614
Then we spring the trap, destroy whatever Kingfisher sends our way, and snake-moonwalk away.
>>26479638
She's a racist bitch, but she's not an idiot. She owes us her life, and we've been key to keeping everyone on our side from killing each other.

Not to mention that if she tries to cooperate with the Empire, we arrest her and drag her back to First Wood or Stone hall, and she knows it. Either that or the orcs raid White Tree and get us back, because they owe us for helping free our people from slavery, and they can't make good on their promises if we're dead or captured.

>>26479725
If they worked out something with ideologically-similar elements of the Empire, they could very well be preparing a purge. And I wouldn't put it past them.

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>>26479725
No, just full Pope.
Much like the Kingfisher, the HIS figures that we're the key to the whole menagerie kingdom. Isen is manageable and the army will fall in line; after all, what choice do they have? Fight against HIS for making a ruling that's well within her power?

I once put some amount of trust in HIS, but now I feel she's just a Citadel corrupted hag. Put Lea in charge and let the Light sort out the rest.

What part of the Teachings says that it's okay for the leader of the Church to assume temporal powers, again? Because I get the distinct impression that HIS is doing it wrong.

>>26479844
Sorry for the long wait, was called away, and now I'm back. So, please wait while I put stuff together. I apologize for the inconvenience.

>>26479844
Lets not get all indignant yet. We'll defend them in good faith.

>>26479913
as long as you put up PSAs like that to tell us what's going on, we cool man.

>>26479916
I somehow doubt "good faith" is what we're going to get in return. And if she turns on us, we should have a response prepared.

>>26479916
yeah, right now they're just misguided jerks with different opinions than us.
Can't stab a racist for being a racist morally unless they started stabbing you first.

>>26479913
Don't sweat it, Echo. We all love you unconditionally, bronuts.

>>26479969
Actions should be acted upon, not thoughts. But when actions my be predicted, a planned response can be coordinated and effected at a moment's notice.

>>26479916
Oh, of course. I was thinking something along the lines of being incredibly unimpressed and calm when they point the cannons at us.

Say something flippant like "Really? That predictable?"
Because let's face it, something is gonna happen in WT and it's going to involve the unique political situation in WT. They split off for a reason and I doubt they are coming back to us having completely repented.

I don't think we should plan to kill HIS, just expect her to be a bitch. Because that's what she's been so far and I really am disappointed in her for that.

I honestly think HIS is more likely to say "Paladins come save me oh good job please leave now" than fucking denounce and/or attack us.

>>26480098
yeah, that's basically what I expect. She's spoilt, not evil.

>>26479725

Naw she gets an offer from Kingfisher for a way out of the war and a place in the new empire.

HIS is only thinking of ways to maintain a life of luxury and decadence. Siding with the enemy whose views are much closer to your own to pull a decapitating move on the command structure of the UFK. Its smart, you'll be sandwitched in between White-Tree's walls and an attacking Pheonix empire army.

You'll probably have to use the other of Mari's brillite bullets to bust down White-Tree's walls and retreat into the city while awaiting reinforcements.

Anyways if you guys want to go ahead with bringing all the paladins, don't say I didn't tell you so!

>>26480109
That just means she's far more susceptible to temptation.

>>26480027
I suppose we're going to have to dismantle the current WT system. Because this sort of seizure of temporal authority by religious fanatics, this sort of racial superiority narrative, the whole thing - it looks a lot like the same process that's led to the destruction or enslavement of every polity that's come before UFK.

They'll make corpses or slaves of us all, eventually.

>>26480227
But the populace will never side with her if she kills the paladins.

So anyone got any puns to spout while causing mayhem?

Also what are we gonna say when the whole WT thing turns out to be a major pain in the ass?

>>26480364
don't worry, want some spoilers from my PROPHETIC VISION?

There isn't a trap in WT. What'll happen is we have to do some incredibly embarrassing thing for very good reasons.

>>26480350

Doesn't most of the populace hate the paladins for allowing monsters to roam around, and letting the elves take back first wood, etc?

So, the Defenestration of White Tree leads to decades of religious war?

Well, unless both sides unite to fight the Empire that same as Protestants and Catholics united to fight the Turks. This could be our Siege of Vienna.

>>26480378
True, but we've always got Whatshisface the Obliterator and Paladin Toll. Surely they're not gonna fire on Toll, who is their greatest defender. Or that wizard, who can level mountains with his thoughts.

"Politics. Fine. Let's talk to them. If it's a trap, it's not like we haven't walked into bigger ones. Citadel comes to mind, and every single piece of glass and gravel hated us there.

"I'll be coming along. Haven't spoken to Billings since the New Stone Hall shenanigans. Misguided as he is, or was, I think he's a good guy at heart." You say.

"Your fucking funeral." Toll says. "Have fun with the shit-heads. I've got real stuff to handle, stuff that we fucking need right fucking now."

"I have to make sure the spell-shooters are ready to watch the other fronts." Balles says.

"I'm coming. I want to check out the walls and the cannons." Avery says.

"I know the area." Kincaid sighs.

"Then I suppose it's the four of us." Julian says.

The others leave, but Peri/Mari clears her throat. "Ssen...can I have a word? Real quick."

Julian nods. "Make it quick." He leaves.

"Umm, damn, wish they had stayed." Mari sighs. "Anyway..." She looks at the map. "I think...I think we can hit three targets with one arrow."

"Oh no." Mage winces. "I smell Dawnchaser plan."

"Oh, it is." Mari says. "Lea, remember what the orcs told us about the ettin?"

"Oh!" Lea nods. "Yes...yes that could work but..." She looks at the map and tilts her head. "Ow. That would hurt...and White Tree would be under far more dan-"

"Explanations. NOW." Tricia says.

(cont)

>>26480435
Mari sighs. "While you and Ssen were out cold drunk, I was learning things about the orcs and ettin. How they would ritualistically fight and so on. Now, the orcs are mostly concentrated in the wasteland and having fun with the raptors, so we can't quite count on them. However, what the orcs used to do to the ettin, way back in the days of the Crafters, was they'd light up some dried Fell Weed and fan the smoke."

"So?" Tricia and Mage ask.

Ugh, you loathe the smell of that stuff. Humans think it's nice, you just want to puke.

"Ettin smell that, they go into a rage. They hate that smell, orcs too, but it grows in the tundra. heavily." Mari takes a deep breath. "Anyway, orcs light up a bunch of it, fan the smoke, ettin charge in, and a grand combat time is held by all."

"So, you want us to do that." Mage asks.

"Yes. The reason being, is that..." She gestures to the map. "By what I'm seeing here this 'big push' isn't that big, but if we use the fell weed, then this force, and this force..." She pushes little blocks around on the map. "Will join in the assault. The ettin won't resist, and with a force THIS big..." She waits for a moment.

"They'll bring one of their mind control idols." Lea says.

"Right the first time!" Mari says. "We can secure it."

"And then I'll be able to see what makes it tick." Mage says. "If it's a blanket mind control spell...I might be able to hack it like my Rosetta Apparatuses."

(cont)

>>26480435
I don't know what's coming, but I'm going to both hate and love it.

>>26480463
"Best case scenario. At the very least we figure out if these idols are the trick to the ettin, and reduce the effectiveness of the ettin forces." Mari says. "Second benefit, with these ettin forces breaking formation and coming here..these elven fronts open up instantly. The Empire cannot allow this to be so vulnerable or the elves will be hitting their own civilian camps, not to mention some stockpiles of food and weapons. Which includes the new tech they stole."

"They'll have to respond and..." Tricia snaps her fingers. "The distraction that Robin needs."

"Yup." Mari nods. "No better distraction than an ACTUAL threat. Robin will be able to sneak in while the reserve raptors here respond."

"And the down side to this?" Lea asks.

"There's no way in all of His Light that we'll be able to defend all of White Tree and their walls." She says. "We'll be able to hold, and rpulse them...maybe...provided that the orcs here, and here, and the elves here respond...eventually, once they've secured their own fronts...but White Tree will get hammered. They'll be even worse off defensively than they are now. A second push, even just a middling one, would be enough to sack the city."

"That is, unless we can knock out the ettins, or the slaves, by the time they can regroup after they've been repelled." Tricia says. "If we can do that...then..." She topples a few pieces. "Then we can force them back to Purple Sands, and that small enclave that's at the south tip of the Citadel Dome."

"Right." Mari says. "It's a big big gamble, and that's all counting on the idea that we survive this initial attack. And no, we can't just use a little of the Fell Weed. This is an all or nothing deal, and with the troop movements..." She shakes her head. "We may get another chance later...but not for a while. Sorry."

"Don't be." Mage says. "As far as Dawnchaser plans go, this one isn't too bad."

"Okay," Mari says. "That's what I see, your opinion Ssen?"

Rolled 8

>>26480479
"We've done stupider things before. Let's do it."

>>26480479
"I better be able to taste other things after all this, Fell Weed is awful."

>>26480479
>>26480463
>>26480435
"My opinion is that you really, really should have raised this when all the paladins were here. Can we get them back? At the very least Uncle Julian must know of this since he's the main general of the UFK forces."

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>>26480479
...How much force can we bring to bear here? If we can force an attack to go where we want it to go, I want it hitting as hard a line as we can muster. We'll need force magnifiers. Trenchworks, palisades, pit traps, the works. Can we turn the area into a deathtrap?

>>26480479
"A lot of variables, and the best case scenario is that we weaken an ally, even a nominal one, and one that already hates us. Not to mention it could cost a lot of lives."

"If we could use that smoke to draw the ettins in to attack the Phoenix attackers, maybe. But I don't think we can do this. I'd be open to any other suggestions for a distraction."

>>26480479
"You know how I love to gamble. Just, you know, give someone else that fell weed job. For reasons. We need to go tell the other paladins about this, get them prepared for a real big push."

I really don't see any way this plan can end well as-is.

>>26480342
Between you and me, I feel that we might have to dismantle the entire Paladin system. It's been corrupted by Citadel. In fact, it was created to serve Citadel to begin with.

Why try to continue traditions and ranks of office which have been made irrelevant? It's best that we establish a Paladin equivalent, fill up the ranks with trainees, and then reform the new system when it's broken.
There's only one of each paladin right now, right? That's made us vulnerable, against both Kingfisher and WT. If one of the paladins were to get a bad cold, there'd be chaos.

>>26480635
We're only vulnerable because everyone was in the bloody citadel

Man. If we weren't Paladins I would suggest telling HIS and Billings that we expect a massive fucking attack and have them give the go-ahead for fortifying the fuck out of whatever they can, and then burning the weed as a 'smoke screen so they can't see as well'

>>26480635
>There's only one of each paladin right now
That pretty much goes without saying unless one of them can clone themself.

>>26480521
No, we really haven't. This isn't much of a risk for US, but it's a huge risk for our allies. And although it gets the slaves 'freed' if it works, the repercussions are huge.

>>26480479
It also gives us great PR for White Tree.

I mean, the paladins holding against an attack that would have utterly crushed their city? Gotta be worth some bonus points with the populace.

>>26480635
The Paladin equivalent of Kimblee is a red.

>>26480694
Yeah, but if it ever gets out that we basically CAUSED that threat, it's a big deal.

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>>26480653
And do you really want Paladins, most of which were sympathetic to Citadel, to be still a valid organization when we let them out? That'd be like saying Isen's dad should sit on the throne again. It'd undo all the progress we've made.

As far as I'm concerned, anyone who thought Citadel was a good idea until it trapped them in a giant egg has proven themselves to be gullible and corruptible. They might be grandfathered into the new Paladin-equivalent and the new UFK government, but not in the same positions of authority that they once had.

The last thing we need is for a bunch of assholes who were plotting against us way back when to say "Thanks for the rescue, I'll take control from here." To hell you will.

>>26480680
Yeah, so we should start training people to do their job.

>>26480708
So let's make sure it never gets out. Peace and freedom based on a beautiful lie is better than hatred and war based on an ugly truth.

>>26480694
>>26480708
can't we just tell the other paladins, suggest we can knock out three birds with one stone, and allow it to go from there?

I mean white tree IS way fortified.

>>26480680
Wait, no, we misunderstood each other.

I meant there's one of each type of Paladin. That's correct, right? Point is, they could use some help, so why not make a new system that trains people to do the old jobs filled by the various colors of Paladins.

>>26480730
They shouldn't be blamed for falling under the influence of Citadel. 99.9% of the population was being mindjacked by it.

For all you know, most of the paladins trapped inside Citadel are good people.

>>26480732
>peace and freedom based on a beautiful lie
Hello, Peace. I missed you while you were busy being dead.

>>26480758
I like the position of "trust, but verify" in situations like this.

>>26480732
This plan is sounding more dragon-brain by the minute.

This is like causing a car crash so that you can be on the scene to save lives, and thus become a hero.

Still, I think it's better than the alternative.

What does kimblee look like? I forgot and can't remember the thread where he was first described.

>>26480764
That's not the same thing at all and you know it. The people of Citadel had absolutely no freedom, and it was based on mind control, not lying. There were lies in there, yes, but behind the mind control it was kind of a small deal.

>>26480758
Actually we do know they aren't. Remember the list of people we could trust and people we couldn't? Most paladins were on the wrong side of that list.

Now I'm not saying we force them to be unemployed or waste their skills on menial positions. Rather, it's like that guy in your party who is vulnerable to sanity loss or fits of immorality. That guy's not going to be put in a leadership position, even if he's a good guy.

I think we should talk to Lea about this plan.

You know, have her cast detect evil on the plan and make sure we aren't being baaaad.

>>26480838
Definitely bring Lea with us. This is a religious matter and you're right about her sensing if something is off.

>>26480804
It's the same principle. Playing god with people's lives, manipulating events while hiding our responsibility, sacrificing others, all in the name of a "greater good" that's been unilaterally decided without their consent.

It's exactly the thing we've fought for the previous 83 threads.

>>26480838
well, we ARE putting innocents at risk for the chance of a quick end to the war.

basically which do we save more of, the brave volunteers fighting and dying or the citizenry who are just trying to live their lives, farm, and be happy?

>>26480809
Okay, so we send them back to paladin school. Give 'em a chance to redeem themselves before telling them "Sorry, but paladining clearly isn't for you please go and never return."

Actually that would be dumb. Just give them a position in the regular military or something.

guys look this argument is pointless

We'll be able to tell the paladins who can still be paladins real easy by the fact that they won't have CHUNKS OF CITADEL IMBEDDED IN THEIR FACES

Remember the borg?

>>26480870
>Just give them a position in the regular military or something.
Or whatever job they used to do. That's what I'm saying. If they were in a leadership position, they ain't in one anymore. No "good job, I'll take it from here and change everything back to how we did things when Citadel was around." Because that's what these people are, lingering influences of Citadel. And you have to say "No, Julian or Toll or whomever is now in charge and Isen is the king, not his father."
The UFK is the fresh start we all needed and anything which might undo it must be preempted.

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>>26480780
In my headcanon he looks like this.

No seriously. It's a good fit.

>>26480864
As much as I don't like it, you're right.

To an extent. How sure are we that we can stop White Tree being sacked? Because if it's a sure thing, then I say we go ahead because there are no losers. The people of White Tree and the UFK make up with each other, creating a peace that could last pretty much forever. The Phoenix empire gets it's shit ruined. The Paladins are seen as a cohesive and powerful force.

But, when you get right down to it, this plan is evil. This is an evil plan with the absolute best of intentions. Gaining consent to use it from all affected parties is impossible, but not using it throws away several public relation, strategic and tactical advantages.

What to do, what to do..?

>>26480933
what to do is we TELL them about the plan, ASK them if they want to take the risk for a quick end to the war, and then do it depending on what THE PEOPLE IN QUESTION want.

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>>26480924
That's what I was thinking. But he's an elf so add elf ears. I can't get it out of my head that he just points his hands to something and they explode.

>>26480933
>>26480867
>>26480864
Being a paladin is haaaaard

When do we get a vacatiooooonnn

Rolled 17

>>26480958
I like this, let's do this.

>>26480933
You take the option that wins the war. Easy.

>>26480958
They'll dismiss it, because it puts their shit at more risk.

The plan is best for the overall collective interests of everyone involved, but it doesn't favour them nearly as much.

>>26480985
And that's how a paladin falls.

>>26480958
Simply put, this.

>>26480985
The easy way is rarely the right way.

>>26481017
A paladin falls when he ceases to rise.

I say we go ahead with the plan. The future is unknowable and we may fail, but theire's always that chance. We just do our best and seek forgiveness for our failings when they happen.

>>26481000
then we'll just defend the wall for two days normally and keep fighting the good fight. We don't need this SPECIFIC distraction.

I'm all for the plan, as long as we ask first. They deserve to know.

>>26481062
It's like I was saying.

We ask, and throw away significant strategic advantages, or we do, and proceed with an action that is morally questionable at best, evil (But entirely justifiable) at worst.

I mean, a lawful good paladin would take the first option, but we could really use those strategic advantages.

>>26481053
It's fundamentally wrong to enact such a plan without consent from WT, and it puts our alliance at risk.

It's a bad choice and it's the wrong choice.

>>26481053
A paladin falls the second he or she utters the phrase "it's for the greater good" or "The ends justify the means" or any variation thereof.

>>26481049
This isn't about the easy way or the hard way, this is about strategy. We end the war now by causing massive civil riots across their empire and force their withdrawal at the cost of slightly more casualties at a well defended city, or we prolong it for however long while more of our soldiers and citizens are dying on the front.

>>26481104
It's a good choice, but it's still the evil choice, so we won't take it.

We could do a "I'm glad you agree to it, we did it 30 minutes ago."

>>26481118
And we become a symbol of loathing and begin our new role as living justification for endless racial hate crimes.

>>26481120
By putting thousands of innocents at risk in a plan we don't know will actually work or not.

It's a solid strategic plan, but enacting it in secret is not only wrong but damned close to the kind of bullshit we've been fighting to put an end to.

>>26481104
>>26481111
You're right, disregard >>26481053. I just realized I was blinded by the prospect of a "sure thing." We can fight this war the old-fashioned way and win without gambling the lives of a city of innocents.

>>26480809
Toll was on the wrong side of that list and she's alright.

>>26481166
Who says we're doing it in secret? And no, we're not "asking," we're telling them to majorly up their defenses in preparation.

>>26480809
The list is not reliable. It's based mostly off the correspondence Balles had access to. I mean, Toll was on the shitlist and COMEDY was on the friend list!

>>26481215
Mari's plan as written makes no mention of informing White Tree, and even if we take independent action but inform them they still don't really have a choice.

That's what the moral concern comes down to: self-determination.

>>26481166
Agreed. Absolutely no way can we enact a plan like this without the knowledge and consent of the people it puts at risk. I think we need to bring this to the other paladins, and then to White Tree. If we have to make some acceptable concessions to them to get them to agree that's fine. Otherwise, we find a new plan.

>>26481236
I thought Tragedy was on the friend list?

>>26480479
"This isn't a Dawnchaser plan because the citizens of White Tree are not Dawnchasers. We have no right to use their lives as bait. We've already ruffled the Phoenix's feathers terribly; we can win this war without this gambit."

>>26481247
Just because it's not explicitly in the plan doesn't mean it can't happen. Should we also make sure to order our troops to breathe?

>>26481236
>>26481287
I might have gotten to the two confused.

Which goes to show how memorable they were.

>>26481292
That's not the same, and you fucking know it.

If it's not explicitly in the plan, we can't assume it's going to happen without mentioning it. If we want to enact the plan as-written, we're going to get it as-written. Anything else is something we have to specify.

>>26481359
Admittedly they've both been dead a rather long time at this point.

>>26480479
"A plan that compromises White Tree's defenses like that is going to be a hard sell. Great from a strategic point of view, but the politics are going to be a bitch. If we can get White Tree to agree to this without us having to make any unacceptable concessions then I'm all for it. But I think we'd best start figuring out plan B in case that doesn't happen."

>Ssen comes up with batshit insane plan.
"Fuckyeahguysletsdoit!"
>Ssen considering someone else's Dawnchaser plan.
*uncomfortable internal debate intensifies*

>>26481451
For the most part, we vet our plans for ethical considerations. Also, most other Dawnchaser plans don't have this problem because they usually put US at risk, not other people.

>>26481377
Where exactly in the plan does it state it's vital that White Tree doesn't know they're going up against berserkers? What possible downside is there to tell them to dig some pits and put up a few more pallisades? If we're doing this, and we damn well better, then we need to make sure our allies know what's going on.

>>26480780
You mean Kincaid?
Bald elf, glasses, mantle, tan, a lot of robes with arcane writing on them, expensive looking inlaid gloves, occasionally he wears a light blue turban.

>>26481451
actually we were "fuckyeah let's do it" until we realized it would be putting non-dawnchasers into the dawnchaser plan

Which brought up a conflict with our guard-routines.

>>26481500
so SwagGhandi?

No wonder he's so bloodthirsty.

Agreeing on at least talking to the leaders of White Tree about this plan. They'll probably refuse but its the Right Thing To Do.

>>26481540
Yeah honestly this debate shouldn't even be happening because it's not our decision. We propose the plan, and if they don't like it, it doesn't happen. Even without this plan, we'll win the war, but the annals of history will show that White Tree failed to put itself on the line for the realm.

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>>26481500

I would LOVE to see drawfaggotry of the UFK High Paladins.

>Balles and Kincaid arguing as Balles methodical exactitude runs headlong into Kincaid's explosive pragmatism
>Julian and Toll arguing over Toll's foul mouth and Julian's excessive methods
>Avery being dwarfish
>Ssen, right in the middle, being the only one actually posing for the painting

>>26481540
I don't think we should tell the leaders of White Tree, just our fellow paladins. We can insinuate to them that the presence of all the paladins plus the weakened walls made the city a tempting target which the Phoenix moved to take.

"A plan that compromises White Tree's defenses like that is going to be a hard sell." You say. "Especially since we're tying to get them to come around on their viewpoints. It's great from a strategic point of view, but the politics are going to be a bitch." You say.

"That's why I told Mari to wait until it was just us." Peri says. "The other Paladins might have okayed this plan from the get go. I know that the moment we start talking about 'greater good' that's when Lea starts to hit us in the face."

"Heh, and here I was thinking you were an unrepentant scoundrel." Lea says.

Peri flips her off.

Lea laughs.

"If we can get White Tree to agree to this without us having to make any unacceptable concessions then I'm all for it. But I think we'd best start figuring out plan B in case that doesn't happen." You say.

"How are we going to spin it? Do we WANT to spin it?" Tricia says.

"White Tree will look out for White Tree." Lea says. "They'll want to protect the most people possible, but..." Lea sighs. "Ssen...I don't think you should talk about this plan to anyone else."

"Why?" Mari asks.

"Because if someone else hears it, all it takes is some fire and some weeds." Lea says. "We're not the only players in the game. Someone might take the decision out of our hands, once the idea is in play."

>>26481236
The list was on people who were receptive to change. And yeah, it's not foolproof.

But that doesn't mean the other Paladins didn't have a major conspiracy against us. That was Peace's plan.

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>>26481620
>Ssen's pose

>>26481624
>Blindfolding the leaders of a city we intend to use as bait and then deceiving our own comrades as to the nature of said plan.
No.

>>26481484
You're clearly missing the point. I'm not saying that it specifies White Tree CAN'T know that we're putting them in danger, but that it's ethically wrong not to specify that they SHOULD know.

Telling them to expect the worst doesn't absolve us of the fact that we're BRINGING that on them. In order to do this in a morally-justifiable way, they have to be informed of the details of our plan.

>>26481500

A magical Blue Raja? Minus the silverware?

>>26481661

>>26481652
Oops.

So about those defenses

>>26481652
>"Because if someone else hears it, all it takes is some fire and some weeds." Lea says. "We're not the only players in the game. Someone might take the decision out of our hands, once the idea is in play."
"Oh. Oh my."

>>26481652
"Well isn't that a big tangled ball of thorns. I don't suppose we could draw the ettins somewhere else and give up the idol thing while maintaining the distraction value?"

>>26481652
"You're thinking Kincaid, aren't you? Toll would find it too underhanded, Balles and Avery wouldn't approve of the way the math works risk-wise, and Julian wouldn't put me at extra risk without telling me. As far as he's concerned I'm an agent of the Light on earth."

"As for spinning it, we could always tell them the truth: that while it's a risk to them, it'll help free the Empire's human slaves and put us on a path to ending the war quicker so they can go back on their way to rebuilding."

>>26481652
"Nothing is ever the hardest part is it?"

>>26481652
"Don't the scriptures say a thing or two about it never hurting to know more, Lea? I'm leery to just keep a lid on dangerous information in most circumstances."

>>26481773
This is the best response. You are a good person.

Rolled 20

>>26481773
Seconding.

>>26481784
the hard part is when we use the grand seal on citadel to show its true form and it turns out to be a misguided child.

We will adopt it.

>>26482099
No, then we kick it upstairs where hopefully it "does its job" like the New Guy said.

Rolled 12

>>26482099
Carrying on the tradition. I like it.

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>>26482099
>>26482183
>Old Snake Moment: "GET OFF MY LAWN YOU LIGHT-DAMNED GODS!"

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>>26482296
When hasn't this been an adequate description of this quest?

Well, I forsee a heart to heart with the explody wizard in the future.

>>26481652
Echo what happen? Did somebody set you up the coyote?

>>26482777
Should we be making our time?

>>26482777
> Implying it wasn't phoenix empsire SS

>>26482777
echo's been slow recently. I can only assume it's because we've been bickering so much.

Also I want to find the right way to complain about fell weed smelling awful, but it might not come up if we don't do the fell weed plan.

>>26482777
>>26482791
hahaha

>>26481739
"Oh. Oh my. You're thinking Kincaid, aren't you? Toll would find it too underhanded, Balles and Avery wouldn't approve of the way the math works risk-wise, and Julian wouldn't put me at extra risk without telling me. As far as he's concerned I'm an agent of the Light on earth."

"But all of them want the war to end," Lea says. "And none of them like White Tree that much."

"I'm actually more worried about some lone nutty soldier. All it takes is one lunatic with enough will and focus and they can do...well..." Peri gestures to you. "A whole damn lot of damage. Easier to apologize than ask permission and that."

"Alright, point made. Nothing is ever the hardest part, is it?" You sigh. "As for spinning it, we could always tell them the truth: that while it's a risk to them, it'll help free the Empire's human slaves and put us on a path to ending the war quicker so they can go back on their way to rebuilding."

"Alright." Mari says. "Whatever your plan is, we'll back it."

You leave the tent, and get into Wagon so you can head to the Western Font and the White Tree staging area.

There's a bunch of white/black tents and White Tree troopers standing guard. They're all very young. You're no surprise to young soldiers, but if any of these boys or girls are past puberty you'll stick your head in a bag of apples.

(cont)

>>26482817
The White Tree troopers are a strange looking bunch. They've got these large backpacks on them, and they're large rigid looking squares and they have cranks sticking out of them. They've got tubes and little metal rods sticking out as well.

Every backpack has a longer, thicker tube, looks like something covered in leather, and it attaches to the hilt of a sword. The sword is bizarre looking, it's as long as a standard blade is, but you can see that the balance is all wrong. The metal's strangely smithed too.

Still they're polite kids. They bow their heads and touch their Medallions as a sign of respect to you and your status as a Paladin.

One walks up to you. "Lady Paladin Ssen Patrick?" She asks. "I am Blessed Denice of His Light's Guard. It is my privelage to be before yourself. If you would follow me, High Father Billings and Her Illuminated Self would wish to have a meal and prayer with you before the discussion." She looks at your tail and then a bit too long at your teeth, but she takes a deep breath. "I...um...do...do you require...live..food?" She asks, both embarrassed and curious.

"Oy." Tricia mutters behind you.

Lea and Peri/Mari are giving Mage some last minute grooming.

Sooo... what other things are we waiting for, folks? Personally I can't wait to see how gorgons are gonna turn out in Theros block. They've got snake bodies based on the spoiled images from SDCC, so it's even vaguely relevant.

>>26482827
Follow them. And remember not to drink any Glass Scorpion Venom or Dragon Bile.

>>26482827
"Ah, I missed these awkward questions. No, I don't need live food, just a big ol' pile of steaks, if it's not too much trouble."
Take a look around
"So, how've things been here? I didn't get a chance to ask around last time I was here. I see you have... strange backpack swords now. That's new."

>>26482817
>>26482827
Man, they got some young-ass soldiers. They must've been taking some casualties.

>>26482827
"... no. No I don't. Though I do like my meat a little undercooked by other people's standards."

"That's a strange looking weapon you've got there. What's in the backpack, Denice?"

>>26482827
"Thank you but no. Please inform the chefs that I would prefer my steak rare."

Let's not be mean to those who are too stupid to know better.

>>26482827
"Ah, a meal, wonderful. All the best talks start with meals. Some of the worst too, now that I think about it. How's that famine been going anyway, I hope it's been solved handily?"

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>>26482827
> They've got these large backpacks on them, and they're large rigid looking squares and they have cranks sticking out of them. They've got tubes and little metal rods sticking out as well.
>Every backpack has a longer, thicker tube, looks like something covered in leather, and it attaches to the hilt of a sword. The sword is bizarre looking, it's as long as a standard blade is, but you can see that the balance is all wrong. The metal's strangely smithed too.

"So when did they start issuing that equiptment? And what does it do?"

>>26482827
"Yes. Bring thirty geese, ten pigs, a dozen live fish, and let's say... six cows.

Of course I don't require live food, silly. I eat pretty much what you eat, except with fewer greens. My brother pulls double vegetable duty in my place."

Messin' with the new recruits, lamia style.

>>26482915
Or have started mandatory service within a certain age group.

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>>26482956
I am suddenly more interested in white tree

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>>26482972
Wrong energy weapon, comrade.

>>26482965
This one's pretty good.

Worst case scenario we have to eat thirty geese, ten pigs, a dozen fish, and six cows.

I can think of worse ways to spend an evening.

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>>26482972
>>26482994
For some reason I was picturing this.

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I guess we don't have a monopoly on inventors in this continent.
I wonder who the competitors of the inventor's guild are.

>>26483072
Now that I think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Walled, isolationist city protected by high walls and cannons?

>>26482965
I like this. but at the end, be sure to actually smile kindly and say, "Really though, I'm glad you asked. Never let that curiosity be stifled, kiddo."

>>26483099
exactly how big are ettins?

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>>26483072
....Okay, let's combine the three.

>>26483139
we're doomed.

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Okay, let me try to guess.
>They've got these large backpacks on them, and they're large rigid looking squares and they have cranks sticking out of them
Anti-terracotta golem mines? Gatling gun bullshit? Wait... brillite? Generator to produce electricity that energizes brillite?

>longer, thicker tube, looks like something covered in leather, and it attaches to the hilt of a sword. The sword is bizarre looking, it's as long as a standard blade is, but you can see that the balance is all wrong. The metal's strangely smithed too.
Definitely a brillite alloy blade. The leather covering is probably where your hands go. Any exposed metal is probably not safe to touch.

I'm thinking less tesla coil and more of a pike attached to a car battery. Can probably pull off a minor version of Enlightenment or some other brillite beam. Light's Guard, indeed.

>>26483072
I actually thought the same for a second.

>>26483135
Eotens, you mean.

"Ah, I missed these awkward questions. No, I don't need live food, just a big ol' pile of steaks, if it's not too much trouble." You say.

Denice exhales in relief. "Of course. That's no problem."

You follow her as she leads you though the camp. There's a square of troopers going through sword drills.

"So, how've things been here? I didn't get a chance to ask around last time I was here. That's a strange looking weapon you've got there. What's in the backpack, Denice?"

"His Light's blessing." She says with a smile. Then she frowns. "I...umm...don't think I should tell you. It's supposed to be a holy secret, but...you're a Paladin so...okay." She reaches behind her and cranks the crank a few times. The she holds out her blade.

"Touch it, lightly. I have it on a low charge, so it won't do anything, but it may startle you." You say.

You shrug and reach out and touch the blade. You pull your arm back instant. For a second, you're sure the damn thing bit you! Then you realize that it...it shocked you!

"Now watch this." Blessed Denise says with a smile. She starts saying a prayer as she cranks her backpack, a lot and quickly, you can hear the thing humming. Then she points her sword at a tree. There's a CRACK sound and a bit of the bark blows off.

"Did...did you just shoot a lighting bolt?" Mari asks.

Mage looks around. "Nothing! Not so much as a single spark of magic!"

It's the same with your eyes. The girl is as plain as water. Even the weakest spell-shooter needs a shred of the talent to be able to use the Magi-rifles.

"It is His Blessing given upon us, thanks to the hard work and ingenuity within our walls." Denise says. "It's how we've been repelling the heathens and the monsters...ummm...the bad ones." Denise says. "Father Billings said that all the UFK monsters are nice...and the Paladins are holy without question, of course."

"Of course." Tricia looks at you, wide-eyed. Okay, so now there's a bit more explanation as to how White Tree's been holding.

>>26483072
Okay, I came up with this a week ago and my proofer asked if I had seen that Titan anime. I've heard of it, never seen it. All I know is about the giants attacking the walls and Pacific Rim comparisons. Am I getting too close, or is this just on of those weird coincidences?

>>26483228
Its a coincidence. I was more imagining something like >>26483073
but with a much larger wooden box instead of a gas tank

>>26483182
Those are game changers. no special talent needed. Just point and click. Though I bet Kingfisher has his spies working over time to get them.

I wonder if Barney could get his hands on one. I wonder how they are powered?

>>26483182
They have portable electrical generators and the means to produce enough for every soldier. Hot damn, when scientific suppression breaks, it breaks hard.

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>>26483228
Eh, not really.
As you can see, the rectangular sword sheaths are on the thigh and the backpack is more like a cylinder. No crank, either.

If you had a picture of it, you would never confuse the two.

>>26483182
How Admech of White Tree! We need to meet the inventor.

>>26483182
Clap and laugh, this is just fucking marvelous
"Oh, wonderful, and here I thought we'd already scouted all the current inventors of note. I really should congratulate someone on that.
I'm glad billings is trying to steer you folk right, as well. UFK folk are generally pretty nice I find, and it would be a shame for more of them to get killed over species concerns. Ask him about new stone hall, if you're ever feeling curious and don't mind hurting his mood."

>>26483228
Actually not really.

Looked that way, but those guys don't shoot lightning and their backpacks are just grappling hooks and climbing equipment.

>>26483228
no, we were just WILDLY GUESSING what it was.

I am claiming victory because I guessed tesla trooper.

>>26483182
"So first it's gunpowder, now it's mechanical devices that generate electricity. It's heavy, and it compromises the balance of the blade for use as a weapon, but it's a real technical feat. War is truly the mother of invention."

"Thank you for showing me this, Denice... but have you used this weapon to kill? How well could you handle a real, focused assault?"

>>26483182
"Well, contrary to certain scripture, it seems there ARE new things under His Light. Lightning without Magic, astounding."

>>26483182
"Impressive! It's amazing what people can do when they don't have Citadel taking an axe to their free will and creativity.

I mean, it's been less than two years, and already we're seeing more innovation than we had in decades, maybe centuries! Lightning swords, magic guns, hot tubs, it's all absolutely brilliant."

>>26483182
"Never be afraid to question a paladin Denise, I'm just full of bad ideas. That goes double if I've been drinking."

>>26483182
"Yeah, you gotta understand that the UFK monsters weren't themselves until Citadel sealed itself up. When everyone else got their mojo back, the monsters all got their minds back as well.

Just one of those things, I guess. That lightning rod is certainly impressive.

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>>26483288
Shiiiit if they can hook up a giant version of one of those.

>Pic VERY related

Hmmmm. Black powder allows us to generate thunder without magic, and now it seems you have mastered lighting as well. I wonder what other forces we will find, and whether we will have the wisdom to use them for something other than war when this is all done.