>>27417248

Can you please put "Quest" in the Subject field when you run these? Just asking politely.

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>>27417248

Chasing after Savas, you entered the Hurulun River valley, hoping to reach the Empire via the great fortress at Nienshari. But one thing led to another, and before you know it the tribal hatreds of the steppe had entangled you and your men.

Having found yourself among the Lapwings, first as a prisoner and then as a guest, you figured you might have found yourself an ally. Going to Dokas, your new host, you gave him a plan for resolving their war with the neighbouring Sparrow tribe.

Dokas nodded; he agreed; he even gave you a letter to give to the Sparrow chief. If only you could read! Then you might have known that Dokas had in fact requested to have you killed.

That did not work; you are still alive. But of the 12 brothers and men who followed you out of the tribe, hoping for glory and fortune in the Empire, only 7 are now left. To avenge yourself on the Sparrows, you had cut your way through their guards, and burned and looted the main tent; now you are riding the chief's own horse, a swift-footed beast called Northwind.

But there is one more thing to avenge. The person who requested your death is still up there, in the hills, in the fort of the Lapwings.

>>27417268

Ah, bollocks, I forgot! Thanks for reminding me.

>>27417289

Now you and your remaining men are seated on your steeds in the gradually lightening sky, just beside the swift, cold waters of the Hurulun river. Looking towards the forests where the Lapwings have set up.

'Something big is happening in the Lapwing camp, brother,' Ferho tells you, but you can see it for yourself - a big fire, perhaps the central tent where the chief was and where you had nearly been whipped a few days ago, is raging.

Esalar, you must think calmly. Five of your brothers died, but you must think calmly. Breathing deep and slow to suppress your rage, you can think of two main courses if you wish to avenge yourself right now. You could find the secret path that leads up to Dokas, and to his fort; or you could head straight for the Lapwing camp, where you might perhaps set up a trap for Dokas.

Or you could choose not to avenge them - only for now, of course, only for now - by leaving. The way south is still clear. The thunder of the Sparrow cavalry, which would no doubt destroy you if they found you, has faded somewhat; you are sure they can be evaded somehow.

> What do, Eagle?

Army status:

> 7 Light Horse Archers
> Leaders: Esalar, Ferho, Sentar
> Special steed: Northwind (swift)

Retreat. We're punching above our belt. We need to go and find some more men - an army - and come back only when annihilation of our foes is the only possible outcome.

Genghis Khan took his time destroying his enemies.

>>27417399

We should go to the camp. If all the men are in the fort, we can at least loot it.

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Include "Quest" in your subject so I can filter you.

>>27417457
Good point.

Steal their shit and abscond.

Gold, women and weapons. Horses if there are any left.

Where'd you go Nomad?

>>27417593

> I'm right here mate. Typing.

>>27417399
>>27417457
>>27417492

'I have to go find Dokas,' you mutter. 'Five brothers died.'

'And the rest of us are going to die if we charge him now, brother,' Sentar says. 'There's just seven men. What are we going to do?'

'We are not going to do nothing!' You turn around towards Sentar and grab his robe by the lapels, and he glowers, hands clutching yours. 'We cannot-'

'Brother!' Ferho rides up, grappling with you as well, and then all your men dismount and rush up around you, tears in their eyes, addressing you as brother. 'The dead are dead. But we must survive. There is no such thing as a blood-debt that is repaid too late, is there? Is there?'

He's right. Ferho's right... you let go of Sentar, and then point towards the camp. But then, even as you consider the order, something strikes you - you already have a lot of loot from the Sparrow camp, actually, almost more than your horses and spares can carry. Is it really worth attacking the Lapwing camp for?

> What do? Press the attack on their camp anyway? Remember there's only so many horses you can have as a warband of nine people.
> If you are pressing the attack, roll d20.

Rolled 15

>>27417668

>mfw they'll probably still have packhorses at their camp
>mfw we can steal more loot, gold, and women, and stick them on the packhorses

We should definitely press the attack, but do it cannily. The eagle watches and waits, but when he strikes, he strikes with savagery and cunning.

Woo! Only a little bit late!

>>27417668
Just ride south, damn it! All our men are telling us to let our revenge sit for now.

>>27417668
I say withdraw. Take our loot and use it to win more men to our band.

>>27417752
>>27417823

>>27417752

> My point is, your men can only control so many packhorses. More would slow you down, and you hate and fear being slowed down in war - it's what you are trained never to do.
> Prisoners can be forced to lead the horses for you, but it's unlikely they will do so willingly, and they will also slow you down.

> 15: Good! Front-line tickets.

'You're right,' you say. 'But then we must make them pay for now.'

Leading your little band, you therefore slip into the woods just as the birds are carrying out their morning chorus. Normally it would be a deafening, beautiful racket; but today even the birds have sensed danger and treachery, and only a few foolhardy ones stay around.

Since you know the Lapwings had fortified their camp previously, and that the mountain path up to Dokas' fort was left open, you plan to ride around the camp and up the hill. But even as you approach the camp, you can hear sounds - people running about in panic, yelling orders to fetch more water; the crackling of flames. The main gate is unguarded, and so you lead your men charging directly into the camp-

>>27417940

- to find only the civilians, surprised by the arrival of yet another enemy. Being stoic steppe people, they do not make a fuss of it; instead they dodge you, allowing you to ride right through the camp to where the central compound stood, all aflame. All the guards, the maids, the servants are hauling water; and then you spot a huddle of people dragging something out.

'You!'

They look at you and stand back, and you look down at it - it's a body. It's the chief! His head is joined to his shoulders only by a flap of skin; deep, horrible gashes line his ribs, as if a group of blindfolded butchers were hacking him like a pig. And then beside him, the concubine, transfixed by a broken spear, eyes wide in horror.

'Who did this?'

'It's- it's the Younger Chief! He's trying to take over!'

Huvalas! He must be on the other side of the camp now, but you can hear their hooves coming. It doesn't sound like many people. Thirty, perhaps? But that will do, with several hundred confused folk here.

> What do?

> Damn, didn't see the new votes! Sorry about this...

>>27417668
Withdraw. We will have vengeance later. And it won't be a fast death for him when we return.

Actually, is Bana or what's her name in sight. She would be very useful when we get south

>>27417668
Just ride south and when our power is great with our band large then we shall crush the worm who sought to kill us.

We shall not forget those who have wronged us.

>>27417989
>>27417980
>>27417860
>>27417850

> Argh. Well met and poorly welcomed, friends. I apologise.

>>27417980
Nah, forget the girl.

>>27417962
Who's the best archer in our band? We should tell him to dismount, hide, and wait. We and the rest of the men will ride for the woods. When he sees his chance, he should shoot the younger chief off of his saddle and then hop on his horse and ride off. We'll meet up to the south.

>>27418057
That sounds like a good way to lose another man.

>>27418077
Not if we serve as a distraction.

>>27417962

We should probably retreat anyway. Things have gone to shit here, it seems.

Escape before the younger chief finds us.

>>27418088
That sounds like a great way to lose a lot of men.

>>27417962
So we have been betrayed by the older son and the younger son is also trying to take power? I say we do nothing and retreat. Let both sides fight it out as they will be weak for when we return for their heads.

>>27417962
Ehhh, I kinda feel like Esalar would want the young guy sniped if possible, but really we should not be here at this time.

>>27418027
She would be very helpful/useful. If I recall, she can read (which we cannot) and she has family/connections in the city we are heading too (potentially if i recall in any case)

>>27418169
Her entire family are enslaved iirc, and its not like she's the only person who can read and write. Just hire someone to do that.

>>27418169
>>27418227
>>27418153
>>27418095
>>27417989
>>27417980
>>27417860
>>27417850

> Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, Retreat is Superior.

The situation in the camp now is so chaotic that, other than the people you rode past, no one even seems to know that you've entered the camp. As you hesitate for a short while more, you can hear the shouts from the other side of the camp, towards the south, rising.

'Huvalas! Hail Huvalas chief! Nava kusuga-tima Huvalas!'

'Nava kusuga-tima?' Sentar frowns at the phrase; it means 'So the bamboo declares,' and it means that for some reason Imperial approval has been given to Huvalas' chieftaincy. 'Brother, we really ought to run now.'

The rage that brought you here has now mostly dissipated, to be honest. Sentar's right. You need to run. Spotting an exit that would bring you to the Hurulun quickest, you signal that way, and again the milling crowds step smartly out of your way, allowing you to slip through to your packhorses and the loot you already have.

> Roll d20. You have a bonus, for getting out quickly. Sunlight is beginning to filter through the leaves, and you feel a rumble in the earth that is not human feet.

Rolled 19

>>27418235

>>27418235

> Also, as you ride, it seems quite obvious to you what's happened. The Lapwings would only dare claim Imperial approval if the envoy had been taken by them somehow, and was forced to give them approval.

> Well, that's not a bad thing; it would mean Dokas' plan to get the envoy has gone to shit. Up his!

Rolled 4

>>27418235
Let's hustle on out of here.

>>27418252
NOBODY ELSE ROLL!

Remember to put quest in the subject line, next time.

>>27418270
I'M SORRY!

>>27418262
Seriously, we're going to wipe out this entire family, root and branch. Fuck em all.

Rolled 20

>>27418235

We should have picked up Bena, but whatevs.

So, to summarize: We've been left behind by Savas, drawn into intrigues by the Sparrows and Lapwings, and it appears that the Imperial edict controlling the Empire is falling.

I say we go BACK to the tribe, and then make war upon our traditional enemies.

>>27418292
Wipe out the entire family? Wipe out the entire tribe is more like it.

>>27418298
Nice roll Brother.

And I agree on that I had hoped to grab Bena before fleeing

>>27418375
>>27418298
> obsessed with a slave girl

I don't get it. She isn't invaluable or even particularly useful. She's just a girl who can read with a sob story.

>>27418375
>>27418298
Just leave her alone, for fuck's sake. It's not like she's the last slave girl we'll see. Or the last person we'll meet capable of reading and writing. All she'd do is slow us down.

>>27418375
Okay I admit that I sorta wanted to look for her too. Maybe we will see her while we make our escape?

>>27418313
Eh, at the end of the day, most of the tribe are common working folk, so it would be rather cold and ruthless to kill all of them.

They can't be our citizens/workers later if they are dead. Nor pay us taxes or what have you

>>27418298
>>27418375
I know the waifuing instinct on /tg/ is strong but just drop it. There's no need to go after the very first girl that shows a hint of wanting the D.

>>27418432
>>27418435
>>27418298

> CRITICAL!
> Reversal mode: Activated.

As you scramble to untie your packhorses, the sound of the rumbling becomes louder and louder, and you think you already know what it is. But Ferho does the admirable job of going out to take a look anyway, and then comes back looking pale.

'Brother,' he says. 'It's the Sparrows. They've ridden back.'

How on earth did they manage to do it so quickly? But then, on second thought, perhaps they have never ridden very far down the Hurulun before turning tail. What exactly are the Sparrows thinking? You saddle up your horses, and the group of you ride out to an outcrop just in time to see the men and horses, all lined up, at the edge of the forest. Row upon row of spears and bows - there must be at least 300, 400 of them even.

Then, under a white banner with a bird on it, you spot someone ride out a few paces and yell. 'Lapwings! Traitors and thieves! How dare you kidnap the envoy, usurp your chief, and kill your own father! Dokas the traitor! You dare send assassins into my camp? I will not live under the same heaven as you!'

You and him both, mate! But then the thought hits you. What assassins? Was he talking about you? As you mull this, you can hear more screaming and then the sounds of fighting and killing coming from within the Lapwing camp itself. Fucking hell, what a mess of a tribe this is.

'We looted and burned their tent in vengeance, brother,' Sentar tells you softly. 'They will not let us go alive.' But then if the Sparrows were also sold out...

Then a trumpet sounds, and the line of Sparrows begin to move towards the camp. And you.

> What do?
> There are parts where the line is thin and you might break out.
> Or you might attempt to sneak out, though they seem to have the forest covered
> Or.... something else, perhaps?

>>27418444
>Or you might attempt to sneak out, though they seem to have the forest covered
Hopefully we can get around one of their flanks and from there into the valley.

>>27418435
Look at the OP image and remember how Genghis built his empire.

>>27418444
Sneak out. Enough of this mess, we need to go home with our loot, clear our head and come back with more men.

>>27418444
>Sneak

>>27418440
Brother, I can tell you right now I ain't waifuing shit this early in a quest. That would be silly. My only reason was for what I saw as useful skills or potential conections.

Why is it always assumed because you want to bring a female along it's only for dickings. Honestly

>>27418623
>>27418478
>>27418521
>>27418484

> To be sure, he didn't do it by slaughtering *everyone*, though!

'Shall we break out through their lines?' Sentar says, hand touching his kishabra. That little announcement was weird. If what it means was that your 'death sentence' was on account of the Sparrows' suspicion, rather than Dokas...

'No,' you say, making up your mind, pointing at the hill on which the Lapwing fort is sited. 'We ride that way, into the forest, and wait. The Sparrows are riding for the camp; they will not find us.'

Ferho nods, and the nine of you ride deeper into the woods, even as the sounds of slaughter - who exactly is killing who now? - are becoming louder and louder. But it is only halfway to your hill and hideout, just as the road towards the Lapwing fort is about to go out of view, that you hear a sudden blast of trumpets, followed by the loud cries of men - hundreds of men - just above you, in the fort itself.

'Dokas! Dokas Chief! Save the camp!'

Quickly scurrying to a hiding spot, you look out and see what's happening - a column of the Lapwings, at least 500 of them, exiting the fort and cantering down towards their home base, swords drawn and lances held high. Right at their head is Dokas himself, with Hucan and several other bodyguards by his side.

> Continue riding away from the battle? If they're riding to save their camp, the coast is certainly clear.
> Change your mind? All your enemies are killing each other. You could watch the stags fight before moving in to finish the winner.
> Do something else.

Rolled 15

>>27418670

We should totally watch the stags gore themselves on each other, and depending on numbers remaining, move in for the kill and proclaim ourself chief of the two tribes put together.

And we won't stand for any of this factional infighting bullshit, either.

>>27418670
>Change your mind? All your enemies are killing each other. You could watch the stags fight before moving in to finish the winner.
We should watch the battle play out, at least. It's a close battle. 300-400 vs 500-ish.

>>27418670
>Change your mind? All your enemies are killing each other. You could watch the stags fight before moving in to finish the winner.
Even if they're still too strong to face and beat after the end of this, we should take it as an opportunity to learn. Watch the battle carefully and think about how it could be better fought in a tactical sense.

>>27418670
Watch the battle from a safe distance. Sparrows and Dokas fighting each other? It's like a dream come true.

>>27418692
Yes, with our five guys. We'll sure look tough and have a legitimate claim.

No, we should run. People are being really dumb. We barely have enogh people to make a decent bandit group, let alone make any kind of impact on a battle involving hundreds.

Play it safe and book.

>>27418670
Go into the fort, steal stuff, grab Bena, set fort on fire as we leave to weaken them for later

>>27418787
See now "that" I can get behind.

>>27418787
>>27418838
No Bena. Non. Nein. Nyet.

>>27418692
>>27418699
>>27418711
>>27418737
>>27418740
>>27418787

You do consider going up to attack the fort while it is being emptied, but then as you ride upwards, it doesn't take you long to see in the morning light that it is still manned. Sure, it's manned by little boys with light-looking bows - but then they're on top of a wooden wall shooting down on you.

Instead, you tell everyone to dismount and walk up to watch the battle. If there is something you might learn from how to fight a battle well, you might as well gain it; and besides, you are still within easy riding distance of them, so if you spotted an opening...

The first thing you notice is that the Lapwings have imitated the hunting style, very effectively. While the main body is charging down at the camp to engage the Sparrows in close combat, another body of 60 or so men is peeling off and descending the hill slope, spreading out along the Hurulun valley where they are readying their bows. In the forests, bows would be restricted in combat; if the Sparrows were forced to retreat, they would emerge straight into a flurry of arrows.

But even more striking is how... how *organised* the men are under Dokas. The gaunt, rather feeble-looking man in his cabin has changed into a bright eyed man, his sword flashing here and there. He does not seem to be signalling, but you can nonetheless watch his army separate to cut off all the Sparrows' escape routes, so that by the time the sun has risen above the hills to your east, the Lapwings have the Sparrows trapped within their camp and are assailing them on all sides.

'They're good, brother,' Ferho says. You have to agree. 'They are hunting them like deer.'

>>27418953

The battle wears on, but you are so transfixed by the killing that you don't register the time. And then you spot something - the Sparrows sound the retreat, and instead of closing in, the Lapwings leave a single route downslope where they charge out, disorganised.

But another party of the Sparrows has other ideas. About 50 men are charging in another direction, namely towards you and the forest; you watch as they cut through the line of the Lapwings, fuelled with desperate fury, and then fall upon another small party of men who stand their ground and draw their swords, and are quickly surrounded.

... Hucan! It's Hucan's men, and he's among them! You remember his promise to come to your side after this battle is over. Even if his master is a treacherous beast, surely he has proven himself a man of honour and a stalwart?

> Men! Ride to his aid!
> Watch.
> Other.

>>27418976
Tough call. How small exactly is Hican's party of men?

>>27419108

There are about 20 of them against the 40 or 50 Sparrows. Hucan has seen it coming though, so at least he's formed them up properly to receive the assault.

With your men, attacking by surprise, you could well force them to flee downslope, which would be enough. Anyway, it's not like you haven't been killing Sparrows all morning.

>>27419127
In that case I wouldn't mind cracking a few more Sparrow skulls.

Rolled 19

>>27418976
>Men! Ride to his aid!
Even the odds a little

>>27419127
In that case help, but we are not charging. We have advantageous ground being hire up, so have our men fire down a few volley of arrows into the Sparrows to start. The surprise should throw them off, making it easier for Hucan's group to get some more kills in.

I don't want to get close incase after all that he takes us as captives for the Lapwings AGAIN. Can't trust any of these fucks

>>27419240
>>27419165
>>27419158

> 19: good success!

You get Sentar and three men to come along with you, but tell Ferho and the better archers to stay on top and loose arrows upon the attackers. Of course, you don't have to tell him to stop once you're close in.

With that, you ride down the slope, hearing the arrows whizz overhead as you do. The first two or three miss, but then you soon see a Sparrow caught in mid swordstroke with an arrow through his right shoulder. As you close in more, another Sparrow is shot off his horse, and a third takes an arrow through his throat, dropping his weapons before sagging in the saddle.

'ON TO THEM!' You yell, and your sword quickly finds one Sparrow's hand, severing it neatly. Sentar skewers one man with a lance, and then hacks at someone's abdomen from below, spraying blood.

Just then, someone tries to lance you, and you lean back, the lance flying between your arms and body. The man, instead of withdrawing, presses the lance down on your chest, pinning you on Northwind's rump as he reaches for his sword. 'Sentar!' You yell, pushing against the lance and attempting to rise; Sentar, however, is fighting two men now.

The lancer finally draws his sword, and yells as he raises it-

-and then as the arm flies off, in a red mist, he stares before his head is taken clean from the shoulders. You sit up to see Hucan riding at you, just as Ferho arrive and the Sparrows flee.

'Brother!' Hucan says. 'You're alive!'

No, fucking, shit, you, are, Hucan.

'Come! We must go and see Lord Dokas in victory!'

You stare at him. Is he acting? Or does he really not know?

> What say, Esalar? Tell him to fuck off? Or go and see the man who might have sold you out?

>>27419361
I say we join Hucan, but only to try and hunt down the sparrow chief as he might have that letter on him which if it says to kill us would incriminate Dokas to have set this whole thing up.

>>27419361
Tell him about the betrayal in detail, really stress what we heard those men whisper before trying to set us alight. Tell him we must ride away and he is free to join us.

>>27419447
>>27419448

'Hucan, do you know what your Lord Dokas did to us? Do you know what was in the letter you gave me, Hucan?' You only just remember to sheath your sword before you move on him, if only out of common courtesy.

'What? What happened?'

'Dokas treated me as a host, and used the letter to order that my band be killed!' You gesture to your men, standing by, some of whom are still watching the battle. It is clear what's happening - the Sparrows are being completely routed now. There is no doubt about Dokas' ability as a tactician, it seems. 'Because of that, five of my men were burned to death as they slept!'

'That is impossible, Esalar!' Hucan sits straight. 'Lord Dokas would not do such a thing. Never. If you will not trust a man I do, then how can I expect to trust you?'

'You-' you ride up, but refrain from moving on him. His own men are watching you, hands at kishabras.

'There is one way we can clear this up. There are Imperials in the tent now. We will go see Lord Dokas. I must pay him my farewell; if you will not go with me, then I will not go with you.'

'Dokas! Dokas chief! Nava kusuga-tima Dokas!'

'We've won,' Hucan says, smiling, but the smile quickly fades. 'Now. What say you, Esalar?'

> So be it! Damn Hucan and his lot to hell!
> Wait. Hucan is an asset, from the way he fights. Perhaps...

> What do?

>>27419448
This

>>27419447
Thats a big if on the scroll. One I don't feel is likely.

At this point, why risk ourselves and our men going to see this bastard.

Let me say this:
Dokas may have shown great strategy out there, but he made one mistake in this coup. He sent us and our men to death. He failed, but got 5 of our brothers dead, pissing us off. And that has sealed his fate

>>27419593
Go with Hucan, but don't take our men with us. Have them wait a distance away from everyone.

>>27419593
In my opinion?

Say nothing. He ain't worth it. I don't care how good in a fight he is. No one man is worth throwing ourselves into this vipers nest.

Just turn, leave with our men

>>27419690
this

>>27419690

Let's hear what he has to say. this.

Rolled 20

>>27419593

I have to start getting ready for work, but goddamn do I enjoy this quest.

I say we skedaddle on out of here, and try to get out of Sparrow and Lapwing territory before someone accidentally our skulls from our necks, or turns us into a pincushion. We've already figured on leaving Bena behind, but she can read and write and speak Imperial; that's an asset we shouldn't be so quick to abandon, but the river of Fate moves on.

Where to skedaddle, though, is now the question. We're supposed to be after Savas, but if he let the other nobles sway him so, what's really going on in that skull of his?

I think we need to organize our objectives, gentlemen. I propose:

1) Getting out of Dodge, and FAST.
2)Find more men.
a; be they survivors from the Sparrows willing to accept us as their new band-leader, or discontent Lapwings making their way from the camp at night
3) Find Savas, be it to link up, or find out what's going on.
4) ???
5) Become EMPERORS.

>>27419791
>>27419722
>>27419707
>>27419702
>>27419690

You grit your teeth. Is Dokas worth bidding farewell to? Is he even worth looking at? Even a cur knows not to bite people who mean them well, and a cur that does that is rabid and must be put down. And yet, Hucan...

'I will risk none of my men,' you say, softly. Ferho and Sentar look at you.

'Brother, what-'

'Take the rest of the brothers, and meet me by the Hurulun at a safe spot. Go.'

'But, brother-'

'GO. Hucan, lead the way!'

Hucan does, but not before saluting both your deputies. It isn't long before you are back in the camp, but you would not have recognised it. The whole place is now a ruin, filled with flames, smoke and the bodies of the dead. The only good thing is that there is no stench yet; Tengari's vulture has passed by, but only just.

Since the main tent is a burned wreck, you eventually make your way to a small tent where Dokas is on his knees, crying over his father's corpse. He looks up at you, however, and quickly wipes his tears away.

'Esalar? My guest, I was certain you were dead! How has Tengari delivered you?' He gets to his feet, walking around the corpse and up to you, but you step away before he can embrace you. At the same time you notice, in one corner of the tent, the envoy - a slight man, pale and obviously terrified. 'What's wrong?'

'You ask me what's wrong, Dokas? Are you surprised at my being alive because I was lucky to escape the Sparrows, or because you were unlucky in ordering me killed?'

'What?' He folded his arms. 'I have done nothing of the sort, Esalar. How dare you allege this to me!'

> What say? How do you push your point?
> Or maybe you don't want to push your point?

>>27419949
I heard it from the mouth of the sparrows, they intended to kill me by your orders. I saw all the signs in their camp you had already been in converse with them. How can you possibly explain this away

>>27419949
See, this is why I didn't want to come meet him. We can't prove shit. We don't have the scroll to show, to which he obviously set it up prior to writing the scroll. It's our word vs his and seeing where we are, who's voice has more power here?

Again, this was a terrible plan.

Rolled 16

>>27419949

We should have skedaddled when we had the chance. Rolling for an escape attempt. Maybe cutting his head off while we're at it.

Here's hoping my string of success with the dice continue. Hear my plea, O dice gods of /tg/, mighty art thou in thy gilded basement-cave of roll-playing....

Just in case, "Straight from the mouths of the Sparrows themselves, is how I heard it, Dokas."

>>27419949
we should say that the sparrows named us assassins and tried to kill us

>>27419949
After giving the sparrows your letter they treated us well with food, wine, and women, but when we slept they tried to burn us while be slept and they partially succeeded! Before they torched the tented I heard them say they did this on your request.

You can see how I can jump to the conclusion after they burned some of my men alive.

>>27420164
>>27420139
>>27420093
>>27420007

'How dare I, indeed. Except that I heard it with my own ears, from the mouths of the Sparrows.' You gesture in the direction of their tribe. 'They said they were following your request to have me killed, in the scroll itself.'

'And you would trust my enemies to not malign me, before a neutral party?' Dokas looks down, then he turns around to his group of men. 'We have a copy of the scroll written to the Sparrows, do we not? Fetch it.'

'But, lord, it's up in the fort-'

'Fetch it! My name is at stake! Damn you!'

It doesn't take long before the scroll is fetched, whereupon he turns and, kneeling, gives it to the envoy. 'Your Excellency. I am being suspected for something I have not done. Will you kindly read this letter, which is in every word identical to that written for those Sparrows, and read it out loud?'

The envoy nods, wipes some sweat off his brow, and then takes the scroll, which quivers like a leaf in the breeze as he holds it.

'M... my future friend and ally, Bedilas, I send my envoy h-here to you with an off-offer. I have determined to take over the running of the tribe, for my father is aged and w-wishes to retire, and with the Empire's blessing I shall do so. Let not my tenure begin in blood. If we may, in three days' time from this message, m-meet on the waters of the Hurulun itself, kill lambs and goats, hide our swords away, and speak as friends again, then shall Tengari favour us both.'

'See?' Dokas bows again, then looks at you. 'Will you not believe my innocence and accept my friendship, Esalar? I knew Hucan was about to join you; I was prepared to let his entire band go with him. I knew Bena had caught your eye, and a slave like her is nothing compared to your friendship. You may have these and more. I will even hand over the envoy to you as escort, the better to your credit when you enter the Empire.

'And will you not have them in exchange for being my friend?'

> Tengari damn it. What say?

>>27420342
Also, ask if the chief made it out alive because if not he might have the letter on his corpse.

Rolled 9

>>27420346
"How will my men be compensated?, Death on the field of battle is one thing but to be burned in their sleep is another, my anger has not subsided."

>>27420346
He'd planned for this eventuality, I have a feeling we'll have to deal with him later. We can't really just kill him as I'd like to do, and obviously we don't believe him, but we'll accept his bribe. He can keep Bena.

>>27420438

I don't understand the resistance to keeping Bena. I can get not snatching her, but if he's giving her, then why not?

>>27420417
Might be pushing it, I'm not at all convinced he's not bullshitting us with a fake copy, but now isn't the time to argue with him. We bide our time, and keep our eye on him, and prepare to fuck him back doubly hard next time he tries to screw us over.

Genghis Khan wasn't just about slaughter, after all, he had a pretty serious intelligence network to keep him ahead of the game.

>>27420346
I say we calm down and think about this. We know he is not telling the truth, but we should remember our friends words: The blood debt does not have to be paid right away.

I say we accept and ask him to "forgive" this outburst as he can understand how we could jump to such a conclusion. How we hope that this incident will not cloud any future relation between us.

Of course we will bare this grudge, but for now we wait and plot.

>>27420392
>>27420417
>>27420438
>>27420457
>>27420475
>>27420522

> Writing.

>>27420346
*sigh* Take the deal, the entire thing. But make sure to tell our men to not trust a single one of them for the forcible future.

This isn't the end of this Dokas. You will one day be dead at Esulars hands

Rolled 13

>>27420475
True, but we do care deeply with our men and even if he's being framed his name is on the line, I'm not extorting him but this incident has shaken us a bit

>>27420589
>>27420593

You look at the envoy again. Then at Hucan. Then at Dokas himself, who returns the gaze calmly. Is there a different way now? You could leave with the same men you rode in with. Or...

You could do what you do, and clasp your right hand to your heart and bow. 'I... will accept your friendship, Lord Dokas.'

'Lord? Please! Dokas will do!' He steps around, laughing loudly, and you stiffen as he embraces you.

'Why are you laughing before your father's corpse?' You say, after he releases you.

'The dead are lost forever, and cannot be regained. But a friend lost and regained is worth many, many times that. Is it not? Hucan!'

'My lord.'

'You are Esalar's to command. And your 20 horsemen.'

'Yes sir.'

The other arrangements are made, and before long, you are finally let out to the banks of the Hurulun, where Ferho and Sentar shoot to their feet the moment they see you. But when they see that you are with three times the number of men - not to mention an Imperial envoy, and Bena the slave - they seem shocked.

'Brother, what is this?'

You turn to Hucan, who looks down at his reins.

> What do you tell your brothers? What you tell them will influence their attitude towards Hucan, and the new men. You are the chief of the whole band; take care.
> Either way, I take it you will head towards Nienshari Pass after this. FINALLY!

>>27420724
These are the only honorable men to hatch from a nest of vipers.

>>27420798
We don't really know that though, we should probably stick with something neutral-sounding for now, and talk to our brothers later in private.

I mean, I think Hucan is probably on the level, but he also worships Dokas somewhat, and we can't say that all Hucan's men are equally honorable, we don't even know them.

>>27420724
it seems like the sparrow turned on both me and dokas at least that is what he told me but Hucan is a good man and shall be like a brother with his men joined with us we have the start of a real warband

>>27420724
These are men of honor who have chosen to join us in our journey along with the imperial envoy who will be joining us along the way. This is what we tell everyone.

But we should ride close to Ferho and repeat his words about the blood debt not having to be paid right away and how the written word seems to be a tool these imperials use and this Bena will teach "us" how to use this tool.

>>27420972
>>27420798
>>27420900
>>27420913

'These,' you pause a long while before deciding the words, 'these are going to be our men as well. Hucan is a good man. His joining us will be a good thing.'

It takes a long while for your two old brothers to absorb that, but eventually they salute Hucan, who returns the salute in kind.

> Warband update!

> 27 Light Horse Archers
> Leaders: Ferho, Sentar, Hucan
> Retinue: Imperial Envoy, Bena
> Provisions: 2 months' worth (courtesy of Dokas)

Later on that day you do ride along Ferho and tell him that the blood debt is unpaid. To your surprise, though, Ferho points to Sentar and you turn around to see him talking and laughing with Hucan. 'They're both very much into wrestling,' he says.

'Some things are incurable.'

'Brother, you did well,' Ferho says softly. 'You have already gone some way towards paying the blood debt. Taking someone like Hucan from that man is like cutting off a man's right hand. The next you meet, Dokas will rue the day he let Hucan go.'

You can't help smiling at that. Let Tengari make that so.

> cont'd.

>>27421062

It is two days' ride before you get to Nienshari Pass, and along the way you get to learn quite a few things, of which many are alarming, from the Imperial envoy. It turns out his fear was not just from the little battle he just encountered.

Also, it turns out he's a military officer. You can hardly think of a military officer who looks less like one than this Envoy, but the Empire sure is a weird place.

'Just eight days before I set off, we received terrible news in the capital about the Rebellion,' he says to you one evening around a fire, as you listen to people playing near the Hurulun by firelight and moonlight. 'One of our generals was ordered by His Majesty the Emperor-' he turns briefly to the south and nods- 'to lead an expedition against the rebels, and to attack them head on in the Odus Valley.'

'What happened then?' But you can hazard a good guess... which turns out to be more right than you ever expected.

'It was... it was a devastating defeat. The army collapsed like a landslide. Of 85,000 men who set off, less than 4,000 have returned to their cantonments, and the rebels have swept towards the Central Plains and crossed the Northern River. Now they are poised to add some of the richest and most populated regions of the Empire, in the east, to their lands. And that's not counting all the other, smaller and unconnected revolts, and all the banditry, that is occurring right now throughout the Empire...'

'I see.'

'I was actually going to your tribe to levy soldiers, Esalar.' He takes from his sleeve a gold-plated tablet, and you ask Bena, who confirms quickly that it's genuine. 'But if I go back empty handed...'

Wait a second. If this is the levy agent, then who did your fellow tribesmen just follow?

> What say to the Envoy?

>>27421184

Ask him about the levy thing.

Also, ask what it's like in the empire's army.

>>27421184
"You're the envoy to levy troops from my tribe? But our tribe was already levied!"

>>27421184
Ask him if he is sure they haven't already sent someone because people had already been recruited from someone claiming to be form the empire.

Also do this >>27421256 and ask about the army.

>>27421184
"Wait...didn't the Empire already come through here? Our village had already received an envoy not long ago.

>>27421256
>>27421259
>>27421288
>>27421295

'Wait, you are the envoy to levy my tribe?' You blink. 'But my tribe was already levied. About eighty men joined the recruiter and- who was that recruiter, then?'

'What? Do you recall what the recruiter looks like?'

Unfortunately you don't, not really. Too busy eating ROAST MUTTON and talking to Mara, not to mention getting shot. 'Could it be the rebels? But the man came in telling us that the rebels were evil and that we were to defend the Empire.'

This makes the envoy sigh and nod. 'I gathered as much. It must be one of the generals along the northern or northwestern fronts, then. They have been sending unauthorised recruiters to gather levies that are rightfully the Court's. But there is little we can do about that...'

'What's the army like now?'

'The Empire doesn't have *an* army, Esalar! The Empire's given away three quarters of its powers to local generals to fight the rebellion. The Court can muster a force of 30,000 or so, but that is barely adequate to guard the approaches to the Capital. And yet I am recruiting for them...'

'Do they pay well?'

'If they tax their peasants heavily enough, certainly. Or if there are enough peasants to tax. The northwest does not; the north, east and southeast do. The northeast is rebels, of course...'

> Ask any more questions of the Envoy?
> If not, do anything in particular before timeskip to vicinity of Nienshari?

>>27421495
Ask him how the empire would view our plan of killing off bandits.

>>27421495

Ask Bena about teaching us to read.

>>27421608
This

>>27421703
>>27421541
>>27421608

You explain your plan to the Envoy, who nods. 'Well, you will never be out of business certainly. But beware that if you overdo it, you will become one of the bandits yourself. It might be best to gain the protection of some Imperial officials, or the officers in the field, if you want to help them and clear bandits.'

That makes sense, actually. If the Empire is now divided, and no one listens to the Emperor anymore, then perhaps you have gone from one world of tribes to another? People holding their fortified cities and fighting the rebels as they can?

This is a world you know you'll thrive in, for sure. And Savas too. If only you could find him and tell him what's happened to you!

Later that evening, Bena comes in offering to massage your feet again. You've been... enjoying that service last evening as well, and she's right - it gets a lot better now that you've done it a few times. 'Bena.'

'Yes, master?'

'I need to learn how to read and write. Will you teach me?'

'Once we get pen and paper, then certainly, master. But will you get pen and paper?' She flashes you a mischievous smile. 'You'll never settle in a town, would you?'

> You don't know that I wouldn't.
> Of course not. I'm a steppe-son.
> I'm learning, either way, so shut up and teach me.
> Other.

>>27421728
>Of course not. I'm a steppe-son.

>>27421728
"Whether I do or don't is a matter that will be left up to what the future holds. In any case, I still must learn what I must to move forward to that day, should it come."

>>27421728
>> Of course not. I'm a steppe-son.

>>27421883
>>27421807
>>27421745

'Of course I won't,' you say. 'I'm a steppe-son.'

'You know, that's what every single steppe-son says when they cross the border.' She giggles. 'The histories are full of tribe after tribe of people from the steppes who enter the Empire. They either attack, or they move in peacefully, or they surrender and move in. But whatever happens, once they're in, they end up settling.'

'I don't see why I would settle, is all,' you say. 'What is there to settle for?'

'You haven't been in a city before, that's why!' Bena washes your feet in the warm water. Her face is slightly sweaty, and strands of dark hair are stuck to her forehead. 'Though, of course, we might not have any cities left in a few years...'

> Roll d20 for learning to read on the way to Nienshari.
> Proceeding with timeskip after roll.

Rolled 11

>>27421986
DICE GODS ROLL WITH ME!

Rolled 20

>>27421986
Rollin thunder!

Rolled 2

>>27422019
Nice

>>27422019

> Critical Success!
> You move 2 steps towards learning how to read basic Imperial.

If you were humble, you might say you had a good teacher. Over the two days, using nothing more than the envoy's writing materials and some strips of cloth, Bena has written out many scripts from memory so she can teach you to recognise the symbols of Imperial. And since there are 122 of them, it's a fucking lot for you to remember.

But you're also a good student, because by the time you reach the vicinity of Nienshari Pass, you can remember a good seventy of them. 'This is wood,' you say, as Bena sits beside you and shows you the cloth strips, 'this is the hand, this is for beasts, and this is for steam, which means fire.'

'Fantastic, master!' She giggles, a sound like a gurgling spring, but then Ferho and the envoy come in and she quickly shrinks to a corner.

'Brother.' Neither of them look at ease.

'What's the matter?'

'I've scouted the approach to Nienshari Pass. It's clear.'

'That's not all.'

'Nienshari Pass itself appears to be empty as well. The gate is simply open; the fort is unkempt. The envoy says that once we cross the border, he will take his leave.'

The envoy bows, and you let him retreat. But... what? Nienshari? Certainly of all passes, that would not be left unmanned? What kind of a disaster would entail that? Or perhaps it is a ruse?

'Are there ways around Nienshari, Ferho?'

'Well, since there aren't any guards in the posts around either, plenty. The door is basically open, brother, that's what I'm saying.'

Huh. No harm passing through, then. But the area south of the border, which is densely farmed, should also be rife with bandits. Maybe you need a base?

> What do then? Nienshari is a very strong fort, you know that much...

>>27422202
What's that? The choice to take over a large fort as our base of operations? Sounds like a dream come true to me.

>>27422251
and if the empire comes a knocking we can just be like we were just keeping the seat warm

>>27422251
This id how Esalar's rise to glory begins! Now we really will need more men, amongst other things.

>>27422251
>>27422273
>>27422341

But won't we be very close to the sparrows and to dokas then? They are just up the river.

>>27422202

> Also people, if you will please, roll 2d100.

>>27422377
they as far as we have seen don't have any seige engines so they can't do shit to a real fort

Rolled 24, 50 = 74

>>27422406

Rolled 83, 93 = 176

>>27422406

Rolled 30, 53 = 83

>>27422406

File: 1380152496778.jpg-(72 KB, 470x352, 924c4040afaba34b6b59348d4(...).jpg)

72 KB JPG

>>27422251
>>27422273
>>27422341
>>27422377
>>27422414
>>27422421
>>27422438

> I'll soon be off, so thanks all for playing!
> I'll announce the next quest session on Twitter, @Stratocumulus1, so please take note.

An idea suddenly strikes you, and you get to your feet. 'Let's go. We will head straight for Nienshari Fort.'

Ferho, while slightly surprised, does not hesitate, and soon you and your thirty men are before the gates of the fort. It is everything you expected, and everything you remembered from your occasional glimpses of this fort. A wall is wedged between two hills, and the gatehouse mounted atop the wall still looks to be in good repair. The gates are also there still, wooden reinforced with iron beams; to the right, there is a low and grated culvert through which the Hurulun flows.

Quickly, you mount the wall and look out over the landscape before you. The hills gradually give way to a flatter landscape, yellows and greens shading into the distant, limitless blue sky. The gatehouse appears to have been stripped of most operational materials, such as tools and weapons, but the furniture is there, and you have got your own to use after all.

'Esalar,' the envoy says, already a little surprised that you're mounting the pass. 'So should we carry on with our journey?'

'You may, since you wish. I believe I shall stay here.' You look at him as his eyes widen. 'This is a crucial position for protecting the Empire, after all.'

'This is usurpation, Esalar. This is insubordination, even sedition. The Court, or the generals, will not look kindly upon it!'

> How respond?
> Also, give any orders for the next few days? It seems you can finally do a bit of planning. Your men have pitched camp just on the steppe side of the pass, but you know there are apartments here.

>>27422621
"Nonsense! I'd be doing the Empire a service."
Order our men to get all moved into the fort, and start scouting the surrounding area for signs of bandits and raiders. Set up patrols on the walls to make sure we can exempt a tax from anyone walking through and have plenty of forewarning.

Rolled 18

>>27422621
It is unmanned and if the Empire wishes their fort then we shall do so.

Envoy think of it this way since this is a critical pass for the empire would you rather have the rebels occupying the fort?

>>27422621
Would you rather this fort fall into hands of rebels or bandits who could freely use this pass to strike at the empire? The very fact it was abandoned in the first place does not bode well and if things are not doing well in the country side out of this fort we would be in a position to lend immediate help.

>>27422855
>>27422685
>>27422721

> Last post for today. Good night everyone, and thanks for playing.

You nod for a long while before answering.

'Would the envoy prefer a loyal subject of the Empire seated in Nienshari, or the rebels? Did you not say the rebels are on the rise now? And now this fort is already abandoned - that is a serious sign, no?'

The envoy sputters. 'You- they- this is not something you can do! I shall report it for the crime that it is, to the Court. Unless...'

You think you know what's coming next. 'Unless?'

'I could perhaps be enticed with some gifts,' the envoy admits, smiling. Bull's eye. Thankfully, you have some loot you could give to him, and before long there is a small box filled with gold right before his eyes. 'That... that would certainly do. That is at least 600 taels!'

You have no idea, really, what a tael is. But if 600 will buy his silence, then 600 'taels' it is then. That very day, later in the afternoon, the envoy takes two horses of yours - you've got plenty to spare - and takes his leave, going southwards into the distance.

Meanwhile, you get the people to start scouting around the local area, out to about 15 miles, to get the feel of the land. Unfortunately, the reports are not encouraging. This area appears to have been heavily populated before the rebellion (as expected), but now that the military has pulled out, many of the villages are abandoned or very sparsely populated and poor.

'There are also bandits,' Hucan and Sentar both say, 'they are rife in the hills, and often extort the few remaining villages. We've basically inherited a bit of a desert.'

>>27423012

Up north, more interesting news has come from Ferho, who comes back after five days of riding. 'Brother. Dokas is gone.'

'Gone? What do you mean?'

'I've asked some shepherds. The Lapwings have left the Hurulun Valley. They're headed north, or northwest, apparently.'

That's where your people are, of course. Hmm.

> Thanks again!
> Suggestions for what to do next are welcome and will be noted in the next thread.
> It seems you will need to rebuild the area heavily, given how deserted it is now.
> Militarily, there are plenty of bandits preying on the surviving population, but they mostly roam in small bands. There might be more formidable forces to the southeast, though.

>>27423035

We should search and destroy the bandits, and gather the population near the pass. That would allow us to control them better.

Who is that in the southeast? We should scout those more. Also, where is the nearest other fortified town? The pass has no economy.

> Bena's back

The waifu-fags one. Quest dropped.

>>27425791
That makes no sense.

>>27425791
>>27429158
Indeed, I think we're still trying to scrounge a reward from getting Bena to her daddy.

>>27425791

> Is teaching reading
> Has given like three foot massages because she is a slave
> Asked us about settling in the Empire

> WAIFU WAIFU

That's just idiotic.

>>27429618
> trying to run a serious quest with an interesting setting
> get shat on and dropped
What do we learn from this? Write what comes easiest to you cause /tg/'s "serious" crowd will stab you in the face and leave at the first opportunity. Not even mad, just slightly exasperated.

>>27429925
Yea and she's a slave damn it.
Even if we would share an intimate moment with her, it's not we're entering in a relationship.

>>27423345

> Any other plans for the crew, then?

Status Update
> If you go farther south, you will reach the northernmost loop of the Northern River. The mighty, muddy waters there make the steppes arable, so there are agricultural settlements all along the river. But that's like, 7 or 8 days' ride at least.
> Roll d100 for discovering things that haven't been removed from the fort.

Rolled 29

>>27430194

Rolled 57

>>27430194

Rolled 55

>>27430194

Rolled 54

>>27430194

Rolled 56

>>27430194

Rolled 52

>>27430194

Rolled 32

>>27430194

>>27434781
>>27432765
>>27433218
>>27433503
>>27433563

> Given there's five near *consecutive* rolls, this is a lot more statistically unlikely than even rolling a 100.

There is one place you haven't searched over the first few days of your stay in Nienshari - it's the uppermost floor of the tower, above even the watch point, which must be a storeroom of some sort but has been locked and sealed.

It took Sentar and a few men half the day to hack off the chains, whereupon you open the door and clamber up a set of rickety steps on the ladder, to reach... wait, *what*?

> cont'd.
> also, hello back you people! Let's continue the party since the thread's still up.

>>27434871

'It looks like a... what, a map?' Sentar says from the ladder. You go up to the vast sheet of parchment and touch it gingerly, and then quickly take it off the wall and roll it up, wrapping it in your cloaks. Downstairs, you show the map to Bena, who gasps and then coughs.

'What's it say?' The markings are densely lined with Imperial script, and you can recognise the letters, but whole sentences are still beyond you.

'It's... this is great! This is a prefectural map! Dad had one of these in his office.' Bena points to a little triangular-shaped thing on top, wedged between some wavy lines with strokes branching off them. 'This is Nienshari Pass, where we are now. The square bits are the walled towns, the round things are the unwalled villages and hamlets. This is the Northern River,' she points to a thick, black line snaking near the bottom of the map, 'which is of course the border of the Elmwood Prefecture.'

You are quick to appreciate the value of this. A steppe-son who knows every hill is their master; the same must be true for territories in the Empire. Certainly Ferho and Hucan are both excited, though Sentar is still a little confused. 'Bena, you had better teach me to read this map properly then,' you say.

'Certainly, sir!'

> Gained: Invaluable Map of Elmwood Prefecture, your current location.
> You have the choice of another gift, given the peculiarly opportune arrangement of rolls. Choose one of the following aspects to improve:

> Learning
> Administration
> Strategy
> Combat
> Other (Write in; choose an aspect)

>>27434887
> Administration

>>27434887

> Other

Something to charm people with.

Rolled 19

>>27434887
>Learning

in the long run this may be more beneficial

>>27434963
>>27435029
>>27435045

> Still awaiting consensus.

It turns out Elmwood Prefecture is a *large* place. Nienshari Pass is merely in the top centre, despite its immense strategic importance.

Bena is quick to point out that, large as it is and dense by steppe standards, it is a poor place by Imperial standards. 'There's not much farmland around here, so that's to be expected. Normally there would be eight or ten thousand men stationed here, with all their families, and the caravans of grain would come up here to supply them. This area can't support a garrison that size.'

'That's rubbish. Of course it can. There's a river, and there's grass all around, isn't it?'

She giggles. 'Master! I'm afraid it's a little more complicated than grass and a river in the Empire.'

You sigh, and you can't help worrying about Savas. How is it your generation knows so little about the workings of the greatest nation in the world? And if Savas doesn't know, then...

In any case, you don't even know where he is now.

> Little rule change incoming.

>>27435205

> Little rule change:

Now that you're here in the Empire, it's time to begin building your forces for real, and to track time more effectively, each month will be divided into three sections of ten days.

During the start of each ten day section, there will be a scheduled meeting of your officers, where progress reports will be given and policies can be determined. This will not stop you, of course, from meeting up with smaller groups of officers whenever you want.

Most decisions will lead to events, and story events will also pop up all the time; these will be played out in normal, and then if nothing else major has happened, we can timeskip to the next event. I'm instituting this because of experience in having quests that took 8 threads to finish 3 days - enjoyable, but a bit too slow.

> Is everyone all right with this?
> Suggestions/opinions are welcome.

Does learning encompass only scholarly pursuits or will it apply to all skills?
Because if it applies to everything, then my vote is for learning.

If it's only scholarly pursuits, I say combat or strategy as tutelage in this period isn't accessible nor abundant.

>>27435384

It will be for scholarly pursuits, yes.

As for accessibility, I must note that this is a military fortification and therefore an official institution; the possibility of finding good educational materials (or combat, etc. materials) is pretty high anyway. If that addresses your concerns.

>>27435291
sounds good

>>27435045

Going with learning.

>>27435623
>>27435384
>>27435045

> Going with learning, then.
> And actually, the point is a valid one - it's not just scholarly pursuits, but has been widened.

You take another trip up into what looks increasingly to be a library. The wall next to where the map once was, is occupied completely by a shelf which is half filled with scrolls of all sorts; you order them taken down again.

It is, admittedly, a little strange to have to defer to the servant girl for all this, but once again Bena takes up the task of explaining what things are. She picks out a group of scrolls, and sets them aside before you.

'What are these ones?' You attempt to read the titles. Uh... something about words... something about writing, you think.

'It's a primer for learning to read and write! With words and rhyme tables as well. Also, this is a guide to military training, and this one is a copy of the Strategies and Technique of War.'

'That sounds interesting.'

'It's not just interesting! That is one of the greatest books on the art of war that the Empire has ever written. Well, at least people have told me that.' Suddenly Bena stops, and turns to face you. 'Sir?'

'Mm?'

She hesitates a moment, but then gathers her courage with a deep breath. 'May I ask to be freed from slavery? Dokas gave me to you as a slave, and I technically still am. But now that we are back home, I really wish you would have the kindness to proclaim my freedom.'

Huh. You put down one of the primers (it's not like you understand much anyway). Other than the matter of status, you're not sure there's any value in keeping Bena as a slave. But then again, what is life as a lord if not status? You are a brother to your men an a master to your slaves. Normally that would be changed with good and excellent service, so it's up to your judgement...

> Emancipate Bena?
> Also, anything else you would like to do while settling in? Your men are continuing their scouting missions.

>>27435418
Well, if we've got a good chance of finding educational materials, then sure I'll vote for learning.

Was just afraid that it'd be useless if we didn't visit a library, booksalesman or an university.

>>27435773
may as well emancipate her

>>27435773
"After I've learned to read and write, I promise you freedom."
"For such skills, I could offer no lesser payment and still call myself and honest man."

>>27435911
This sounds fair

As soon as we can put that on paper, she's free to go.

>>27435773
I say go ahead and free her, as long as she stays on as a camp follower. Not like well treat her much different

>>27435773
Free her. She's more like a teacher anyway to us than a slave with all tje help she has provided. Those who show worth should be treated properly

>>27436026
>>27435991
As long as she doesn't leave before teaching us to read and write.

>>27435859
>>27435911
>>27435946
>>27435986
>>27435991
>>27436026

> Ooh, tie. I shall await.

> Any other specific actions, or perhaps instructions to your scouts as to what to look out for?

>>27436054
Tell them to pay careful attention to where they find bandit camps, so we can mark them on the map.

>>27436054
Free her!

>>27436046
>>27436054

> Oh, right.

You consider the question for a long while, glancing at Bena once, twice. There is a little of her that reminds you of Mara, actually, though of course the major details are different - Mara's hair is a rich chestnut, and Bena's the colour of night. Hmm. Wonder how Mara is doing, actually.

'Let me put it this way,' you say after a long while, and she snaps to attention.

'Yes, sir?'

'Once I can write down that you're not a slave, and once I can read it out to the brothers, then it will be so.' You allow yourself to smile a little. 'Just so you don't run away before finishing the job.'

'Then we should start learning now!' Bena takes over the scrolls you were trying to read and spreads them out on the table, an intimidating array of words words words words.

> Roll d20 for progress. (You already have 2 points of progress from previously.)
> cont'd.

Rolled 5

>>27436159
Rollan dicks

Rolled 10

>>27436176
Fucking auto correct. ..

Rolled 9

>>27436159

Rolled 13

>>27436159
Come on stop rolling bad guys

Rolled 8

>>27436159

>>27436215
>>27436139
>>27436159

> Instruction received and acted upon.

By the tenth day of your stay, the map and much of the furniture has been set up again in the headquarters, turning it into a rather more presentable room for you to hold meetings. You refuse to sit the way Imperials do, with the commander at the head and everyone else facing him, below the platform. Instead you sit with the other leaders in a circle.

As the men gather to give their scouting reports, you can hear the sounds of play emanate from below the pass on the steppe side. It's funny how you are sitting right on a border you've never really recognised anyway, but there it is. They're clearly wrestling or something, judging by the occasional, chant-like calls for someone to 'Throw him! Throw him!' and 'Shoulder! Use shoulder! Shoulder come on!!'

'Something strange has happened to our north since the battle between Sparrow and Lapwing,' Ferho begins. 'It turns out *both* the tribes have moved to the north, up the Hurulun - indeed, perhaps even *away* from the Hurulun.'

'I can understand the Sparrows doing that. But Dokas?'

'They are afraid of you, brother, that's what it bloody well is! He's got a guilty conscience because that Dokas is a jackal-like, dishonest, murdering little-'

'Oi.' You turn to Sentar. 'Mind your language.' While you agree with his assessment, mostly, Hucan's feelings must be considered. But this is an interesting situation. It could mean that the Hurulun valley would be open to you! That's a lot of pasture and hunting ground you could use, not to mention the forests and hills...

> cont'd.

>>27436319

Sentar and Hucan, responsible for scouting the south, bring you poor news. 'We've managed to locate 8 villages within a day's ride of here, and 3 walled camps. But the camps are deserted, and only 3 villages have inhabitants. They're clustered close to each other, along the Hurulun to the southwest, and they say they've been harassed by bandits since the garrison left.'

'When *did* the garrison leave?'

'Apparently last month. News of the crushing defeat must have reached them or something.' Hucan strokes his moustache. 'Villages aside, though, there are many scattered settlements, far too small to be called villages, in the hills and forests. Many people have retreated into hiding where they can tend their vegetables and not worry about it. And some of them have in turn become bandits. Indeed, the very hills around Nienshari Pass host many bandit groups, living off the army stores left behind in the forts.'

'We should probably prioritise clearing those out, brother, or we'll never hear the end of them.'

'But then the villages under attack could well dissolve, and then...' Hucan shakes his head. 'Organising the population will be necessary. Right now we can survive easily on our own strength because there are only 30 of us. But we will need the locals, and many of them, to survive and grow.'

You understand that, of course. Bena comes in bringing warm liquor, which provides a good common ground. Ferho looks up after downing his shot. 'Oh yes, brother, let's not forget. I've counted the loot we gathered from the Sparrows, and it's a goodly amount. What should we do with it? The brothers ought to get a share, but there's gold and silver we could use for bribes as well...'

> Hmm. What policy to decide for now?
> Of course, more specific questions are also welcome, to help you consider policy.

Rolled 19

>>27436344
Distribute the loot evenly, except the loot that would go to our officers and us is instead kept for bribes and such.

lets get some men to start patrolling the hurulan and hunting, invite anyone we meet in the valley to live under our protection.

send out 20ish men to start cleaning out bandits and to tell the villages from now on they live under the Eagle Tribe's protection.

>>27436344
A portion should be set aside for things such as bribes and other things. The rest is evenly distributed among the men with the officers getting a slightly bigger cut.

>>27436344

We should scour the river valley for any straggling nomads. And recruit them.

Set aside a portion for bribes, distribute the rest. Our original men should get more than Hucun's men.

>>27436401
>>27436446
>>27436493

> Tip: assign officers to go with the men as well. Of course, you're an officer yourself, so the important jobs should be undertaken personally. You want to get something done properly these days...

You decide to split the loot, giving more on your first surviving brothers since they had followed you through terrible slaughter. Some of them are grumbling that Hucan's men get a share at all, since they weren't even at the fight where you looted the stuff; but it's not too serious grumbling.

> 19 for recruitment: Success!

Over the first few days, Ferho's travels into the lands where you just passed bring back quite a few returns. There are some stragglers from the Sparrows, as well as a group of horse herders, all of which they bring back. All said, if you recruit the men into your levy, that would be another 15 soldiers; but even more valuable is the fact that you now have a crew of steppe-daughters who know very well how to care for horses. Takes a lot of work off your shoulders!

It soon occurs to you, though, that the stables are very decrepit. You don't even know why people bother with stables; the place could be repaired if you want, or somehow repurposed...

> Warband Update:
> 42 Light Horse Archers
> Loot distributed: 350 taels in the main coffer

> Also, I forgot the 13 roll: You are now 3 steps on the way to learning how to read basic Imperial. 2 Steps more to go!

> Who should go to the villages? Will you go yourself?
> Plan your expedition to the villages.

Rolled 17

>>27436684
Im on my phone and too lazy to take dice off

have a group of men start using materials from the stables to build a nice little horse paddock instead.

How about we go out with 15 men, while Ferho goes out with another 15 men, leaving Hucan in charge of the fort.

Ferho and Us will loop around to hit as many villages as possible and then meet up at the last one.

>>27436749

The very next day after Ferho comes back, you split 30 men between the two of you and set off in your first foray to the south. Sentar is assigned to oversee the world of building a paddock, which is the only proper way to keep horses as you know very well; Hucan busies himself with drilling the troops meanwhile.

You and your 15 men ride to the west first, striking out for the Hurulun again, following a piece of cloth on which you drew the location of some of those small hamlets Ferho has seen. It is hardly noon when you reach the first village, at the edge of the woods - a cluster of about 10 or 12 little hovels, along with a slightly larger house in the centre, probably for their chief. Or elder.

There's no need to rush this; you can see them from a way off, and the reverse is also true. Even as you close in towards the village, you can see signs of its poverty - no wood piles, no farm animals, a few fields with ripened grain being the sum of their labours. Their response to you, however, is a little more drastic; about 100 paces away, you hear someone beating a drum.

Before long you can see people leaving the village, running for the woods. 'They're hiding!'

They could be hiding. Or perhaps this is a trap? You can hardly see anything in the forests, and you wouldn't be surprised if a village might be in league with bandits.

> What do, Eagle?

>>27436993

> Actually, I'm off now, so let this be the last post for today. Thanks everyone who came in for playing!

> Will of course still accept plans or suggestions or questions.

> Follow Twitter for announcements on the next session.