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/tg/ - Traditional Games


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You have always wanted to be an emperor. That ambition has burned dimly in the past, tempered by reality. Now the opportunity to realise your ambition has arrived and you are determined not to let it slip. Now is the time to build your empire and become an emperor.

Last Thread: You are the knight, Talon York, and you are the man who will be an emperor. Last thread you successfully pulled off a daring night attack on the Taourans besieging Niorte. You then sortied the next morning, but the strange behaviour of the Taouran forces caused you to prematurely retreat. Salamander then brought you the enemy general, who had been reduced to a vegetative state by being thralled twice and given conflicting orders. A negotiation with a Taouran Captain Darren resulted in him agreeing to surrender in exchange for freedom.

Previous Threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Aspiring%20Emperor%20Quest
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AspirationalQM
Master Pastebin (links to all pastebins for AEQ): http://pastebin.com/6Su7M3fh
>no updates

>some housekeeping
1. Next thread will be 5pm EST, Jan 18th. It will finish off any unfinished business from today’s thread then become a more social thread (unless something big occurs).

NB: The lorebin is pretty large and I’m not expecting everybody to read it all. I’m still up for answering questions ITT so as not to alienate players and I’ll try to make things understandable contextually.

Rolls are d20 and the best of the first three posters. Please quote the post you are voting for or rolling against.

>Now, with further ado
>>
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>>29585338
>You levelled up an ability last battle so I’m doing that here

>Empower Self has increased to II
>You can now improve all physical stats by 2 for 6 hours

You empowerment ability has grown substantially stronger and you feel that you can not only empower yourself with more magic but for much longer. At the same time, the feel of the power flowing through you feels more like what you experienced at the second siege of Harrowmont. Perhaps you should talk to Gnome or Maloric about this?

>A quick note on Gnome’s Empower Self II – I only noticed a mistake in it when upgrading Talon’s ability. Her ESII should last for two hours – I’ll update this in the NPC char sheets next time.

POST-NEGOTIATION

After Captain Darren ends the sending, you consider the possibilities around the surrender of the Taourans – assuming it all goes to plan. Undine meets you as you exit the meeting room.

“So, what happened, Talon?” she asks, slightly impatient.

“He agreed to surrender in exchange for us allowing them freedom,” you say, gesturing to Cormann and your aide to join you as you walk with Undine. “I’m not sure if I can truly offer them that, especially if there are thralls amongst them.”

>continued
>>
>>29585348
She frowns. “It might not be the best idea to accept their surrender in the first place. Can we trust them?”

Cormann snorts, “As much as any peasant in this province. Taour’s a shithole – I doubt they’ll cause much trouble if we let them start farming around here. Plus, they don’t look or speak much different – if they keep their mouths shut about where they’re from, nobody will cause them trouble. The thralls… I don’t know, Imperator. That’s your call.”

You nod. There’s also the possibility of trickery taking place. You…

>1. Position your archers on the walls, but keep most of your melee combatants spread around the keep and gates in case of trickery.
>2. Be ready to sortie at any moment, with most of your elites positioned near the gatehouse where Darren agreed to surrender.
>3. Be more trusting in hopes that’s less likely to set off the Taourans. Position your men as in Option 1 but more subtly – this will delay any military response if one is necessary.
>4. Custom
>>
>>29585362
>1. Position your archers on the walls, but keep most of your melee combatants spread around the keep and gates in case of trickery.
The thralls got to go though, there is no way to "de-thrall" them, right?
>>
>>29585478
>The thralls got to go though, there is no way to "de-thrall" them, right?
None that you know of.
>>
>>29585338
OP, does our armor/sword look even close to the image you're using? Because that is how I'm imagining Talon.

Or is it some end game gear we might aquire?
>>
>>29585497
we could ask our fellow spellcasters if they have any ideas about how the thralldom could be lifted.
maybe if we experiment on them? if our crew don't have faith in their abillity to succeed on this matter, we will just have to cleanse the abominations with fire.
>>
>>29585557
>OP, does our armor/sword look even close to the image you're using? Because that is how I'm imagining Talon.

Not even close. It's just a cool pic, though you could have some armour like it made.

>>29585566
You don't have any experts on vampires. Sala knows the most, but she's not a mage and is of the opinion that thralls can't ever be unthralled.
>>
>>29585362
>>1. Position your archers on the walls, but keep most of your melee combatants spread around the keep and gates in case of trickery.


I don't know what to do with thralls. Maybe after we get substantial amount of mages we can start researching thralldom?
>>
>>29585601
>Not even close.

Dang.
We should get some proper badass looking armor at some time though.
>>
>1.

You don’t trust the Taourans as far as you can throw them – after all, you can throw them pretty far, so you have trust them even less. You place a strong force at the gatehouse in case Darren tries anything but also keep most of your men at the keep and other gatehouses in case of a surprise.

When you arrive atop the gatehouse though, you’re treated to a surprise. Hundreds of unarmoured and unarmed Taourans. You suspect this isn’t all of them, as there can’t be more than a thousand here and you didn’t do that much damage to them last time.

>1. Negotiate from atop the gatehouse
>2. Head out there yourself with Undine, Lynn, Mal and Sala
>3. Head you there with a unit of knights
>4. Custom
>>
>>29585717
>>3. Head you there with a unit of knights
>>
>>29585717

>3 with a hint of 2

go out with a unit of knights and our Personal Guard...
We should make this as formal as possible without panicing them. If we bring Undine or Sala, they may think we are going to slaughter them...
>>
>>29585717
>4. Custom
-make them stop 50 yards from the gate.
-head out with Lynn, Undine and a unit of knights
-create a "checkpoint" where we search for thralls and weapons before we take everyone into custody
-Mal and Sala keep watch from the walls
>>
>>29585846
this
>>
>>29585717
>>29585852
this...
>>
>>29585852
Mal's the only mage you have that can detect thralls. You'd need him to check every single one.

>3. (this includes 2.)

The gates open slowly with great creaking noises, the automated mechanism above doing its job correctly. You march out to meet the Taourans outside the walls, a unit of knights at your back along with Lynn. Undine, Sala and Mal watch from above at the gatehouse where they can unleash their ranged attacks if necessary.

Darren steps out to meet you, palms out to show he’s unarmed.

You meet him halfway, stopping a few metres away, then speak, “I see you’ve kept your word. But I wonder – where are the other few hundred men?”

Darren winces. Obviously he’d hoped you wouldn’t notice so quickly. “Not everybody wanted to surrender – they figured you’d just slaughter us all. All of the thralls left, too. They knew what to expect.”

He’s nervous, but it’s hard to tell if that’s from being unarmed in front of you or because he’s lying. If the others are marching off, they’ve likely got the best equipment remaining.

>1. Mobilise your men to chase after the retreating Taourans
>2. Ignore the retreating Taourans, but have your men scour their camp right away
>3. Ignore the retreating Taourans, but deal with the surrendering Taourans first
>4. Custom
>>
>>29586026
>3
>>
>>29586026

Would Sala be able to burn their asses as they retreat?
>>
>>29586170
She could try. There's several hundred of them, though, and if they've taken mage-knight plate she'd be in a fair bit of danger. Even supported by your own flyers it'd be hard.
>>
>>29586209
Guess its best to go for 3 and then 2.

If we split the prisoners up into groups and resettle them piece meal across the lands we own then they wont be able to do us much harm if a few turn back.

If we recruit any as soldiers then putting them piece meal through our soldiers units would also be a good idea.
>>
>>29586026
>1

No loose ends
>>
>3.

There’s no point chasing those who have left the battlefield, you decide. Now you need to decide how to deal with the Taourans in front of you.

ORIGINAL OFFER

>1. Uphold your offer of freedom and resettlement, with the exception of any thralls (Mal will then check them all using a checkpoint system)
>2. Uphold your offer of freedom and resettlement for all of them
>3. Take them prisoner with the possibility of using them for hard labor
>4. Custom
>>
>>29586394
>1
>>
>>29586394
1.
>>
>>29586394
1
>>
>>29586394
>>4. Custom
> Uphold your offer of freedom and resettlement
The thralls should be granted limited freedom. Others can go do whatever they want but the thralls would be observed more thouroughly meaning they can't just go and take any jobs or go whereever they want.
>>
>>29585601
We should get some armor like that made, then!
And a customized enchanted blade, and a shortsword for close/cramped quarters. And customized enchantments for our shield!

Also, hello, have been following the archives for a week now and had a suggestion to add about the motivations:
Having lived a long life in the employ of others, a great deal of why he wants to rule is simply because he's sick and tired of everyone else doing it incompetently.
Bureaucracies failing, leaders who only hold the role through nepotism, failure to account for reasonable risks.
All the thousand and one troubles in civilian and military life that makes you rage at the sheer IDIOCY of the system you live under.
Everything that makes you think "A fucking halfwit could come up with something better than that!".

Well, now he's up and doing it. Razing the old system, reinstating one that actually fucking does what it is intended to do.

No more nepotism, no more gross negligence, no more people who have absolutely no clue what they're doing in positions of authority, no more laws that work against their stated purpose.
We're doing it Imperator Talon's way now, and if you don't like it you can just sit down, shut up, and weep about how good it was back in the day when an inbred halfwit was telling you to throw your life away or be declared a traitor.
>>
>1.

“It sounds like you’ve already realised this, but I’m going to need to check for and separate any thralls,” you tell Darren, keeping your voice level. “I’ll uphold my offer of freedom and resettlement for all others, but as Harrowmont is at war with Taour, I cannot risk my people’s lives for thralls who may unwillingly betray my offer.”

Darren nods and heads back to his men to let them know of your decision. One of your knights signals above to begin to set-up a checkpoint system that will enable Mal to check each Taouran individually. As Darren tells his men what’s happening, you catch a lot of movement and noise from the group. In response, your knights take up an aggressive formation and your archers nock arrows. The sudden reminder of the power you have quells any thoughts of rebellion the Taourans have and they quietly trek through the checkpoint once it’s set up.

Darren was almost truthful – only two thralls remain in the group. Talking to him afterwards, it seems that only officers are generally thralled – the two remaining were ordinary soldiers who had likely been thralled by a deceased vampire. Or so the claim is.

>1. Take the thralls prisoner for experimentation on their condition
>2. Execute the thralls
>3. Allow the thralls limited freedom so long as they remain in Niorte and report regularly to the castle (like parole)
>4. Custom

I am going to assume you’ll loot the camp after this and move onto the strategy meeting about Vale/Olmm. If there are any other matters you want to raise about the thralls or Niorte, best to do it now.
>>
>>29586637
---->
A.I.Quest is that way!
namefag
>>
>>29586394
Isn't there days or even weeks of travel yet before they're home safe?
Seems like plenty of time to catch up with and deal with them before days' end to me.

>1
>>
>>29586645
4. Give them the option of being studied or show them the door.
>>
>>29586637
Dunno man, I kinda like the idea that one day Talon woke up and decided to be an Emperor. Nothing more nothing less.
>>
>>29586686
I enjoy this one as well, just haven't gotten a chance to participate until now.
>>
>>29586645
>1
>>
>>29586645
>1. Take the thralls prisoner for experimentation on their condition
>>
>>29586645

>3, with a hint of 1.

Offer them the choice of the limited freedom or returning to Taour. Ask if they would be willing to help in the search for a way to de-thrall people. Do not force the issue though, that kettle of fish will be a 'volunteer' thing only. no forceful experimentation... except maybe on the vegetable general...
>>
>>29586645
>>3. Allow the thralls limited freedom so long as they remain in Niorte and report regularly to the castle (like parole)

But also ask them if they would want to help in Thralldom research if we ever start doing it.
>>
>>29586726
Got to admit I agree with this one.
>>
>>29586695
If they're moving quickly and lightly without rest then they could be back in Taouran territory before midnight. Basically, you'd need to chase them hard to catch them - that's what the earlier decision was about.
>>
>>29586744
>>29586746
>>29586695

I doubt experimentation will be pleasant, or even if the thralls survive.
Are you willing to do such inhumane thing?
>>
>>29586645
>1
Let's try to heal them
>>
>>29586806
yes
how else are we going to break the spell?
it is either experiment or kill imo
>>
>>29586775
Ah.
>>29586726
>>29586773
To each their own, I suppose.
Just figured that it seemed like an obvious potential motivation for a guy that worked his way to the top from the very bottom, and it seemed a pity that it was never brought up.
>>
>>29586806
See >>29586828. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. And frightening ignorance.
>>
>>29586645
>1. Take the thralls prisoner for experimentation on their condition
If we can remove the thralldom, it will be easier dealing with Taorian armies later, we might even have thralls coming to us for a cure in the future
>>
>>29586844
Maybe it would be best if each player has their own idea what Talon's motivations are
>>
>>29586867
Honestly if we can heal them great, if we can't well I really don't care what happens to them, they are as good as dead and I prefer sacrifice a few to save many.
>>
>1.

You elect to take the thralls prisoner in an attempt to find out more about their condition. Talking to them with Mal, you’d expected despair or anger from the pair of thralls. Instead…

“You… you’re going to try to fix us?” one asks you in disbelief.

“If it’s possible,” Mal says cautiously. “It might not be possible. The attempts could be painful, too.”

“But if you succeed, that means you could help others?” the thrall asks.

Mal looks at you and you answer, “If it comes up, yes. I have no desire to see any more thralls.”

They nod. You can still see resignation amidst them, but there’s some hope. You wonder how bad it must be for them as thralls to respond like this to being experimented on… Then again, perhaps they simply thought they would be killed.

“Well,” Mal tells you after as you walk to the meeting room, “at least it’ll give some of the journeymen Neir sent us some work to do. Their conditions outside the experiments shouldn’t be too bad, either, as we’ll need to keep them in the keep near the workshops.”

>Big update on Vale/Vitria ahead. This will save some time down the track, I hope.

MEETING

You call your strategy meeting to order, with your cabinet members in Harrowmont and Vale joining in along with Neir from the RSK.

MILITARY UPDATE

Interestingly, it seems the retreating Taourans didn’t grab all the suits of magical plate they could. Or perhaps those that were untrained in it didn’t want to wear it and slow them down. It’s very possible they were wary of retribution. Despite this, it’s obvious many suits were still taken by them.

>You have gained
50 Flying Mage-Knights (Vet.)
100 Medium Mage-Knights (Vet.)

>You have lost
5 Flying Mage-Knights (Vet.) (Casualties)
10 Medium Mage-Knights (Vet.) (Casualties)
110 Men-at-arms (Casualties)
>10 Veterans
>40 Regulars
>60 Green
150 Men-at-arms (Vet) (Swap for MKs)
Your support corps worked at regular efficiency during the sortie

>continued
>>
>>29586996
VITRIAN MUSTERING

“The Vitrians are still mustering poorly, Imperator,” General Felix tells you. “They’re mustering more men than expected in an attempt to compensate. They have two thousand now, and are likely going to try to double that number.”

“In more interesting news,” Sarah interrupts, “neither House Rorek nor Tabeth have joined the muster or any of their vassal houses. This is despite the fact they joined House Oaln in approving the muster under the Vitrian banner.”

“Approved? I thought this was Oaln mustering themselves?” you ask.

“It is, but if they do so under the Vitrian banner rather than their own it makes the situation appear less like civil war,” she tells you. “The problem is that despite getting Rorek and Tabeth to agree, despite my house’s opposition, only Oaln and their vassals have mustered, with a few independent knights and mages.”

You blink at the news that Sarah is still engaging in Vitria’s politics but dismiss it before responding, “So it still looks like civil war, but with Oaln attempting to cover it up. This might make things easier for us. What about their forces? Are Oaln pulling any of their veterans to support the march?”

Felix responds this time, “Some, but not many. The whole point of the muster was so that they could avoid using the standing army and weaken their defences. Most of the veterans present are knights and mages that are otherwise not part of the army.”

“It also may not just be about avoiding weakening their defences – Oaln would need at least one other house to agree with them to utilise the city of Vitria’s own military. They may not have had the votes.”

“What about Craol’s military?”

“The same, except if the general there agrees that Vitria itself is under threat then he can mobilise his troops as he wishes. That’s the whole point of this game.”

>continued
>>
>>29587015
Game? You suppose from a certain point of view it could be viewed as one… “If Rorek and Tabeth suddenly join the muster, how many more men would they have?”

There’s a long pause, presumably as Sarah and Felix crunch the numbers in their head. Finally, Sarah responds, “If they merely supported the muster, without using many of their own troops, perhaps another two thousand? If they, unlike Oaln, started using their own veterans there could be as many as eight to ten thousand men.”

Felix adds, “Maybe more, as such a move might lend credence to the idea that this is an invasion, not a civil war. If the former becomes believed, many peasants will take up arms and you would find thousands of additional soldiers opposing you, if poorly equipped ones.”

You nod. Vitria has a sizeable number of people. They may be disaffected with the house infighting, but if they feel their nation is threatened they will respond as violently as Darlesia has to Taour’s invasion. You will need to keep this in mind as you advance on Vitria.

VITRIAN COMPOSITION

“What is the composition of the Vitrian force?” you ask.

“Mostly regular soldiers. We did notice a thousand suits of mage-knight plate, however.”

You blink but Cormann beats you to it, “A thousand suits? This is a muster not their actual military – how the hell do they have a thousand suits of magical plate?”

“Because,” Neir cuts in suddenly, “they didn’t produce it or pay for it. The Ferrciffe family has likely provided them with much of their surplus. I’m guessing the suits are quite old?”

“Very,” Felix answers. “They probably date back to before the first mage rebellions. The suits are likely as weak as lighter plate but intended for head-to-head battle. Not as good as proper plate.”

>continued
>>
>>29587044
VALE DEFENCES

“General Felix, what measures have you taken so far to defend Vale?”

“My current plan of defence is two-pronged. Using Madam Gnome’s abilities, I’ve heavily trapped and fortified Castle Gimbon and left a token defence force there along with Madam Gnome. Most of my force is located at the Argyle estate as a central camp to cover the rest of the province should they attempt to avoid the pass. My plan, should they do so, is to repeatedly engage them as they march. I would even use the Gimbon forces to pincer them if they left themselves so open.”

It seems like a sound plan to your ears, if a risky one given how open your forces would be every time they attempt to withdraw from an engagement. The execution would be everything with this plan. Then again, as Felix loves battle itself and is about improving his own abilities, such a plan is not out of the ordinary.

YOUR RESPONSE

Your officers’ estimate of the remaining time to muster is just shy of two weeks. That means you could make it to Vale with your men a few days before the Vitrians begin to march if you moved now.

At the same time, Taour is still a large threat to Olmm, despite their defeat. There are still thousands of troops on your borders. If they were willing to sacrifice the defences of Crece or the occupation of Darlesia then they could easily muster enough soldiers to take Olmm before you could react with soldiers from Harrowmont or Vale.

>Some discussion before I call some votes for where Talon, Undine etc will go (Olmm or Vale) and how you will split your forces currently in Olmm.
>>
>>29587073
I vote for Mal and Sala staying here. Since he is the only one versed in detecting thralls and she is his familiar.
We should take Undine and Lynn and the fastest moving troops and make haste to rendezvous with Felix
>>
Troop distribution wise I guess we keep 2/5 of our troops there with Sala in Olmm, I doubt they have the strength to atack so she will be able to recover a bit and if they try something I assume she is will be still strong enough to help repelling a minor attack. Mal should stay with there since he is her master and can recognize thralls.

The rest of our troops should go to the Vale leaving skeleton garrisons in the rest of our provinces
>>
FORCES IN OLMM (INC GARRISON)

Salamander
Maloric
250 Archers
>50 Veterans
>200 Regulars
600 Men-at-arms
>600 Regulars

All other forces march to Vale (giving you about 3000 troops there, including all your mage-knights).

>Any problems with this? Otherwise I’ll skip to arrival at Castle Gimbon in Vale
>>
>We let hundreds of taurian soldiers escape with enchanted gear
tg, why did you fuck it up so badly? I expected the attempt but I thought I could trust tg to handle something as simple as accepting a surrender tg...

>>29587218
>Troop distribution wise I guess we keep 2/5 of our troops there with Sala in Olmm
2/3rd of what? we already split our army between the two fronts, are you suggesting we remobilize?
>>
>>29587488
We should take mal and sala with us. The core party should stick together. Splitting it up costs us too much.
If more thralls do come we can dislodge them when we swing back later.
>>
>>29587551
>>29587488
Also, we have 2 captured thralls, mal might be able to teach some mages to detect thralls using them.
We should have prospective mages travel with us, get training on the go, then travel back with only light escort.
>>
>>29587592
3 thralls actually considering the enemy captain from before.

Also, you said we would have to ride hard to catch the retreating force of a few hundred taurians with the extra plate...
I think we should do that.
>>
>>29587616
I'm trying not to revisit previous decisions as it'll slow the quest down. By the time you loot the camp, it'll be a few hours and only your flyers would have a chance of catching them.

>>29587488
>>29587592

VOTE

>1. Have the core party (Talon, Undine, Sala, Mal, Lynn) all go to Vale
>2. Leave Sala and Mal behind in Olmm
>3. Leave Mal behind in Olmm
>4. Custom
>>
>>29587702
>2
Mal is important to detect thralls and Sala needs some rest if possible.

Also does being close to your master improve the elemental's regeneration skills?
>>
>>29587702
>2
>>
>>29587702
>2. Leave Sala and Mal behind in Olmm
>>
>>29587702
>By the time you loot the camp
I figured we leave the 1000 trops without mageplate to do that and have only the important ones follow

>>29587702
1

>Mal is important to detect thralls and Sala needs some rest if possible.
why does sala need rest?
mal is important, thats why we can't let him die off doing crazy stuff alone. Remember that he and lynn and sala almost got ganked by a daywalker. You want to come back and find he has been enthralled?
>>
>>29587702
2
>>
>>29587783
>why does sala need rest?

If I recall correctly she got seriously wounded in the last battle
>>
>>29587807
that was a while ago.
She has then been fully healed by undine.
Then a day later participated in another battle where she was uninjured and ended up going off alone to toast the enemies and then flew back with their double enthralled captain, uninjured.
>>
>>29587754
Distance to master doesn't matter unless somebody's trying to disrupt the link between them (Mal thinks such a thing is theoretically possible, though he couldn't do it.)

Also, Sala doesn't need rest. Undine healed most of her earlier injury, and can do the same with the lesser ones she sustained in the last battle. The elementals can regenerate to full health in about 24 hours, unless they've taken a massive injury.
>>
>>29587844
>>29587830
Ah ok I thought she might still been hurt
>>
>2.

So, >>29587488 remains unchanged.

Any last things should be voiced now, so long as they haven't already been voted on. I'll timeskip to the next major event (Vitria beginning its march).
>>
>>29587987
if vitria dallies, will we have time to visit the Craol knights for diplomacy?
>>
>>29588028
Yes, but it's a good three days each way from Vale if you take Sarah (highly advised). It's possible that Vitria may be able to muster and march whilst you are there.

VOTE
>1. Visit Craol for diplomacy, risking Vitria marching whilst you are away
>2. Remain in Vale to defend it and attempt the diplomacy after the battle
>3. Custom
>>
>>29588094
>2
>>
>>29588094
>2. Remain in Vale to defend it and attempt the diplomacy after the battle
>>
>Timeskip until Vitria begins to march

The march to Vale went without much trouble, as did continuing preparations to defend the province. Vitria began to march four days after your arrival in Vale, and they are bound to step foot in the province the day after tomorrow. They are bringing along some siege equipment – rams, towers and catapults and the speed of their movement suggests their travel is being aided by magic. There is no indication of where they are going to strike, but the siege equipment suggests they are prepared to besiege Castle Gimbon. The forces in Craol have given no indication of moving and neither House Rorek nor Tabeth supported the muster in the end.

VITRIAN FORCE
4210 total
1000 Medium Mage Knights (subpar equipment)
60 Medium Mage-Knights (proper equipment)
50 Battlemages
2000 Men-at-arms
1100 Archers

FORCES IN VALE (INC GARRISON AND MARCHING)
85 Flying Mage-Knights
>85 Veterans
50 Heavy Mage-Knights
>50 Green
499 Medium Mage-Knights
>354 Veterans
>145 Regulars
240 Arcane Archers
>240 Veterans
525 Archers
>75 Veterans
>450 Green
1165 Men-at-arms
>5 Veterans
>50 Regulars
>1110 Green
23 Battlemages
>23 Regulars

>Discussion of plans to harass or waylay them. Strike at their siege equipment etc.

Talon's Thoughts: The Vitrian forces lack mobility. It's a very traditional force from a bygone age - a reminder of why armies now tend to be mage-knight heavy. The main danger are the numbers and the mages. Supply lines will be difficult to cut given Gimbon Falls is only two-three days march from Castle Gimbon, but the army may be open in other ways.
>>
>>29588365
Can we use Gnome to shape the land in a way that it becomes hard or pretty much impossible to move the siege freely equipment near the the castle?
>>
>>29588463
You could. If you have ideas for large preparation like that, I'll give you the time (as you had nearly two weeks since you decided to move to Vale). She can make large reinforced earth walls that the foe would need to knock down to move a ram through, potholes across a large field etc.
>>
>>29588463
Wait, isn't Gnome in Harrowmont?
>>
>>29588365
Go for the siege equipment and archers first - hit and run attacks. Just a single volley of arrows, trap (Can dig a pit and reinforce the lid enough for humans, but not siege equipment) or charge and then retreat.

Lay an ambush for any forces that try to follow before the attack is actually attempted. Standard guerilla warfare, really.
>>
>>29588365
The dangerous component is of course the mages.
However, these are mages who were either not good enough to join the army or originally didn't want to. The likelihood they are prepared to fight true and propper under stress is low.

My thoughts are: Allow only one entrance point, and funnel the enemy into it while making the battlefield hell to approach on. Harrowmount tactics will serve us well here, against this vastly green army.
>>
>>29588463
Nice idea... a bit noticeable...

How about combining gnome and undine's power to create quicksand traps? The nicest thing about it is that quicksand doesn't have to be loose golden sand, it can appear like solid ground until stepped on.

>>29588536
we sent her to help at vale.
>>
>>29588536
No, she's at Castle Gimbon in Vale.

>>29588545
>However, these are mages who were either not good enough to join the army or originally didn't want to. The likelihood they are prepared to fight true and propper under stress is low.
These are all likely to be tower mages or mages directly employed by houses so it can be hard to judge their capabilities. It's a reasonable assumption, though.

>>29588559
>How about combining gnome and undine's power to create quicksand traps?
Easily doable, though it depends how much of the land you want to cover. Gimbon's built across a reasonably narrow pass (maybe a half mile at the most) and the enemy must enter the pass to meet the walls but could probably hit them with catapults outside it in the open.
>>
>>29588608
Set the pass up to funnel into one stable suitable path, then put up mound humps that will be a bitch to move the siege engines across. After that its just a case of finding good hiding spots on the walls of the pass for our flying knights to hide in wait in. Once a breach has been formed the enemy will charge, that's when we scrag their catapults with the flyers.

The charge will then cross a horrible terrain into a choke point that they now have no way of widening. The resulting killing field will break the moral and we will win.
>>
>>29588526
Multiple medium potholes around the estate and fortress would be a good way of slowing enemy siege engines.

Could we also make some temporary river-wide ditches along the path the enemy army would take to get to us from Vitria, and then use Undine to flash flood them as the enemy army is passing through them - washing men and supplies away.

In the aftermath of these flash flood events, quick ambush strikes on the rear or vanguard of the enemy column would be good too.
>>
>>29588706
Digging even a kilometre long ditch would take almost an entire working day for Gnome. You could try to set something up like this at the entrance to the pass, however.
>>
>>29588806
Well, our men aren't doing anything now are they? They could dig the pot holes and create dirt walls while she does that at the entrance to the pass.
>>
If their mobility is bad we can try hit and run attacks.
>>
>>29588832
That would tire them and lower morale.

Also, any time spent on it is time not spent on other traps. Making quicksand pothole traps sounds way more efficient then digging a kilometere long ditch
>>
AMBUSH

>1. Have your lighter and fast units (FMKs, mages, Arcane Archers, Undine) attempt hit-and-run attacks on their siege equipment and mages. You will only get two chances at this given how close they are.
>2. Have your mage-knights join the attacks, relying on their better armour to outmanoeuvre the enemy.
>3. No ambushing.
>4. Custom
>>
>>29588868
what do you mean by 2?
do you mean join the ambushes already set up by general felix?
>>
>>29588868
>1
Mage-Knights will probably slow us down
>>
>>29588883
Sorry, have your MKs join in with option 1.
>>
>>29588898
do it!
>>
>>29588868
2
>>
>>29588898
Does our Arcane Archery numbers include Widgetbox equipment produced since the thread started?
>>
>>29588974
>Widgetbox equipment
I'm not sure what this is? You mean what might have been produced in Harrowmont since the start of the thread?
>>
>Ambush decision is 2. I'll do that after this vote.

GIMBON DEFENCES

It is important to note that the more heavily you noticeably fortify Gimbon, the more likely the enemy is to try to go around.

FRONT OF WALLS
>1. Battlefield hell in front of the walls. Make it difficult to approach, requiring the enemy to knock down barriers, full of potholes, traps and hidey-holes.
>2. Physical barriers that try to funnel the enemy through one path, without being as intimidating as those in option 1 (and with less traps etc). Less effective but less likely to scare them away.
>3. Custom

ENTRANCE TO PASS
>1. An enormous ditch (50m wide) at the entrance of the pass rigged with water traps at the ends. Undine can remotely trigger these from atop the nearby bluffs and flash flood enemies in the ditch. They will then need to ford or bridge the ditch to cross.
>2. Quicksand potholes lining the entrance of the pass that are otherwise hidden.
>3. Custom
>>
>>29589061
2. We need to get them to commit to a known destination.

2. Quicksand will work. If we could rig them to only occur after a set number of steps or weight is on it then all the better.
>>
>>29589061
>FRONT OF WALLS
2
>ENTRANCE TO PASS
1
>>
>>29589061
>FRONT OF WALLS
>1
>ENTRANCE TO PASS
>2
>>
>>29589061
FRONT OF WALLS
2

ENTRANCE TO PASS
2

we don't want to scare them into going around.
>>
>>29589019
Yup. Sorry, phone posting.
>>
>>29589061
2
2
>>
>>29589061
>2
>1

A ditch isn't scary, they won't know what hit them.
>>
Did we ever make connections with a supplier for mage plate?
>>
>>29589154
You haven't really had much production recently as Mal made the last batch. The new enchanter and his assistants are split between research and production (as that was the indication I got when it came up last) and has a few sets sitting in Harrowmont (he's slower in general).

>>29589208
If I didn't bring it up during last thread's huge meeting (I'll have to double-check) you can probably assume that Neir's looking about.

>2. and 2. won

>One last set of votes before ambush begins
FORCE SPLIT

You need to decide how to split your men between the rest of Vale and Gimbon pass (and the castle). Extra men at Castle Gimbon will be able to help out in the rest of Vale, but will have to strike from the rear or spend time marching around to meet the other forces.

NUMBERS
>1. 50/50 Split
>2. 1/3 to Vale, 2/3 to Castle Gimbon
>3. 2/3 to Vale, 1/3 to Castle Gimbon
>4. Custom

COMPOSITION
Elites are mage-knights, arcane archers etc
>1. Elite heavy at Castle Gimbon, regular heavy in Vale
>2. Regular heavy at Castle Gimbon, elite heavy in Vale
>3. Even split
>4. Custom

TALON IN AMBUSH
>1. Talon joins ambushers
>2. Talon doesn't join ambushers
>>
>>29589116
>If we could rig them to only occur after a set number of steps or weight is on it then all the better.
ideas for that
1. gnome could cover the traps with a thin layer of rock that can support the weight of maybe 2 soldiers... when something heavy goes on top of it, like more soldiers or a seige item, the cover breaks and they fall into quicksand
2. gnome could make covers out of triangles with 1' sides and glue them together with manifested earth which is temporary (unlike shaping real earth). If we time it right, or just if she can manually dismiss it at range, then the manifested material will fade away after they partially marched over it and at that point the real material falls into and sinks into the quicksand... with anything on top of it.
>>
I don't know if it's been mentioned or not but we need to get our hands on a suit of armour that they're using. We send it back to Nier and then bam, there's our evidence that that RSK family is illegally helping Vitria.
>>
>>29589271
>NUMBERS
>3. 2/3 to Vale, 1/3 to Castle Gimbon
>COMPOSITION
>2. Regular heavy at Castle Gimbon, elite heavy in Vale
>TALON IN AMBUSH
>1. Talon joins ambushers
>>
>>29589271
>3. 2/3 to Vale, 1/3 to Castle Gimbon

>3. Even split

>2. Talon doesn't join ambushers
>>
>>29589271
>3. 2/3 to Vale, 1/3 to Castle Gimbon
>3. Even split
>2. Talon doesn't join ambushers

Just got home from work. Aw yeah son Yuengling and Emperoring.
>>
NUMBERS
>3. 2/3 to Vale, 1/3 to Castle Gimbon

COMPOSITION
>>2. Regular heavy at Castle Gimbon, elite heavy in Vale

>>29589271
>TALON IN AMBUSH
>>1. Talon joins ambushers
>>
>>29589271
3
3
2
>>
>>29589061
>2. Physical barriers that try to funnel the enemy through one path, without being as intimidating as those in option 1 (and with less traps etc). Less effective but less likely to scare them away.

Wait, can we have the path lead to an illusion of an open path or the gates of the castle, but is either the surrounding mountain wall or simply castle wall?
>>
>>29589275
The first one is easily doable. The second one would need Gnome close in the nearby bluffs to dismiss it as it's too hard to time it right (you'd need to place them hours in advance). I'll probably go with the first one.

>>29589391
You could try, they might notice of course.
>>
>>29589391
we want them to attack the castle, the fact we have flying knights and a choke point position there means it would be ideal to break the green horn army in.
>>
>>29589391

I assume since they are Vitrians, at least a few will call shenanigans if the gate is in a different spot with the illusion and it might end up deterring them more.

Plus at some point we do want them to attack.
>>
>3., 3. and 2. won

AMBUSH

You send Glynn, Moss and Undine off once the Vitrians begin to march in an attempt to ambush them and do damage to their siege equipment and mages. If they’re successful, it will make it harder for them to besiege Castle Gimbon successfully. You’re hoping that sending the mage-knights along means that they’ll be better placed to do more damage and even sustain brief engagements rather than having to completely peel off once spotted.

[DC12 Army Ambush]
>>
Rolled 13

>>29589498
>>
Rolled 3

>>29589498
>>
Rolled 14

>>29589498
>>
>>29589514
>>29589519
>>29589525

Aw shit son we ambush this time.
>>
>>29589514
>>29589519
>>29589525
Maybe Talon is finally learning how to engage the enemy without committing...
>>
>>29589571
talon isn't there, we decided he should sit out the ambush (I am curious for the reason behind doing so, btw)
>>
Unlike the attempts against the Taourans, the ambush triggers successfully this time. Your men staged an ambush from a forested area near the highway the Vitrians were marching along. When the siege equipment or mages came into the open, the archers and mages would launch targeted volleys whilst the mage-knights charged.

The initial volleys went off well, according to the report, striking their mages (the siege equipment had yet to come into sight) and the enemy had not been properly scouting. As a result, the enemy mages were caught unprepared. The MKs attempted their charge, but were met by a unit of knights bearing the banner of the Order of the Golden Bear.

[DC15 MK Combat]
>>
Rolled 1

>>29589643
>>
Rolled 2

>>29589643
>>
Rolled 10

>>29589643
Not a fan of bears...
>>
>>29589643
Next post will be slightly delayed.
>>
File: 1390007432830.jpg-(124 KB, 900x754, Dice - Chocolate.jpg)
124 KB
124 KB JPG
Rolled 8

>>29589643
delicious dice
>>
Rolled 10

>>29589643

>>29589631

Most times when it comes to such things people vote to leave Talon at home. I think it's more of a playing the character at this point then anything else.
>>
Rolled 19

>>29589665
>>29589673
Goddammit guys
>>
>>29589673
Fuck
>>29589665
FUCK
>>
Rolled 13

>>29589665
Hmm, do you need that plus sign on this board?
>>
>>29589665

God damn it. Now Talon's going to have to push their shit in(again) later himself.
>>
>>29589693
so, we are choosing to let our troops die without proper leadership or support from key power players for the sake of roleplaying?

Isn't that exactly the opposite of his character though?
>>
>>29589733

Usually Captain Moss, Undine, and Salamander are there. They can all lead such things. I assume in this case it would have been better to have Talon with proper Knights around. But sneak in, attack, sneak out isn't really Talon's style. And given the nature of the attacks usually our men don't die, much, usually. Just how the character is played.
>>
>>29589775
Usuaully? this is our second time doing it and last time salamander got injured and we weren't there to help her.

and talon rose up through the ranks so he had to have had plenty of experience doing this. (plus he literally has mechanical bonuses to doing this in the form of tactics skills which gives bonuses to the DC of such actions)

Or are you considering the failed hit and run at the fort in olmm where we left moss in charge of it while fighting the general and he stood his ground (while we wouldn't have)?
>>
Are there any actions/precautions we can take to lessen the impact of poor fortune?

As in, instead of lowering the DC, these actions would reduce the impact of a low roll (like setting up arcane archers to cover a potential retreat, for example)?
>>
>>29589855

Fella I'm not really going to argue it. I see what you're saying, but that's just how people vote for it.
>>
>>29589665
Whelp!

Time to sound the retreat.
>>
>>29589861
Not QM, but I'd guess if there were options to mitigate dramatic failure, they'd also lessen our overall successes even if we roll high or crit.
>>
>>29589775
>>29589855
also this time we DIDN'T send in salamander, undine, or any other power player, we sent in only normal troops

>>29589894
And I am asking people to explain why they voted this way
>>
>>29589861

Aspiritional mentioned he was working on a system for it. However, it is still as big a deal as burning a Fate Point(which we also have, but he presents those options if we fuck up big time). It isn't introduced yet, so we have to deal for now. Shit happens I suppose.
>>
>>29589905
I voted that way because I figured that it would be the best way to kill the most number of enemies.
>>
>>29589905
Not very many people playing right now, so odd votes?

I mean, I was expecting this quest to start up about 2 hours ago, but it started 4 hours ago instead (2 hours early), so it might be the other players are still filtering in.
>>
>>29589905
>You send Glynn, Moss and Undine off once the Vitrians

Yeah we did.

I already did. Seems like people were playing the character, that and it was a close vote.
>>
>>29589861
>Are there any actions/precautions we can take to lessen the impact of poor fortune?

That's why you're offered choices about how to do things. Remember you rolled two 1s in Olmm for ambushing, but took relatively few losses? That was because you chose the cautious ambush option. Big risk, big return etc (or good tactics, better successes, not as bad failures).

>>29589938
I'm pretty sure I started at the right time?

>Dramatic failure

Despite the numerical advantage Glynn and his knights have, they’re no match for the veteran noble knights. The two sides meet with a crash, and the report indicates a number of casualties and lost suits of plate. Luckily, Glynn knew to pull out and the losses were limited. The archers and mages covered their retreat, taking a few enemy knights down, but the main target – the mages – escaped with only a handful of casualties from the raid.

Your men retreated and this time, they’re asking via sending for some guidance on how to approach the next ambush.

Glynn figures to try the last ambush quickly, so your men can return to castle and rest – he wants to strike at them using the same tactic but against the siege engines. Moss wants to attempt a different type of attack by using some hills and raining arrows and magic on the enemy mages, with the knights simply acting as cover in case the enemy engages. Undine figures to try a trap at a brook nearby Gimbon Pass – this means your men wouldn’t have any time to rest if the enemy tries to lay siege immediately.

>1. Side with Glynn. Try the forest ambush again with a different target.
>2. Side with Moss. Similar but different ambush against the mages.
>3. Side with Undine. More powerful ambush but your men won’t be rested in defending Castle Gimbon.
>4. Custom
>>
Rolled 7

>>29589905
Nobody owes you an explanation for anything
you fucking idiot

Rolling for you to get cancer
>>
>>29589942
>You send Glynn, Moss and Undine off once the Vitrians
ah, so we did

>I already did. Seems like people were playing the character, that and it was a close vote.
We are allowed to discuss things are we not? I am trying to engage the people who were "playing the character" in a discussion. Maybe they could convince me of their view, maybe the other way around
>>
Rolled 5

>>29590018
>2
>>
>>29590018
>1. Side with Glynn.

Our archers are our biggest players bar none. It is best they are rested.
>>
>>29590018
>4.

Retarget the golden bears.

The enemy already knows we're trying to hurt them.

So pretend to create yet another ambush aimed at siege engines OR mages, doesn't matter which.

Golden bear knights charge to counterattack.

Now we swarm them instead, because THEY are the actual target.
>>
>>29590021
>Nobody owes you an explanation for anything
they don't OWE me one, I am ASKING for one politely and I am willing to listen and keep an open mind and be convinced myself. It is relevant because this scenario will come up again and again in future threads.

>you fucking idiot
>Rolling for you to get cancer
the sperg is strong with this one
>>
>>29590018
3 or just forget about the second ambush and have them rejoin the defenders.
>>
>>29590059
>>29590092
>>29590103
>>29590129
4-way tie?

Maybe we need a few more minutes for voting?
>>
Rolled 2

>>29590111
your reckless use of CAPSLOCK, is not asking politely
If you are not the fluff nigger, you must be his twin. i wish you both the worst
>>
>>29590018
>>3. Side with Undine. More powerful ambush but your men won’t be rested in defending Castle Gimbon.
After two ambushes and a lack of scouting, I doubt the Virtian force would commit to a siege straight away.
>>
>>29590018
>2. Side with Moss. Similar but different ambush against the mages.
>>
>>29590026

Didn't say we weren't. I don't know what else to tell you man, no one else really seems to be responding barring the few up above. I just always feel like Talon is best suited being at home for these ones. He has had a few run ins with not wanting to pull out during quick strikes. With the Order of the Golden Bear there he might not have wanted to and it could have been detrimental to the overall ambush. And if he didn't then the enemies might get a morale boost from seeing Talon run. I think it's a mix of not being in the position to have to save face, and not risking further engagement.
>>
>>29590103
I like the idea of making the golden bears the main target but I am not sure swarming them is an effective tactic. Especially because neither talon nor lynn is there to match them properly
>>
Rolled 1

>>29590018
Tie-breaker roll.

1 = Option 2
2 = Option 3
>>
>>29590214

Agreed with this sentiment. Trained knights are best dealt with by Talon ramming his sword through their face.
>>
>2.

You decide to side with Moss and he organises the ambush on some hilly terrain nearby the highway and targets the mages again. The report indicates that the Golden Bear knights are more obviously in position to defend the target.

[DC13 Ambush]
>>
>>29590229
>>29590214
The problem is that, no matter what we do for the second ambush, the Golden Bears will be ramming themselves in our face during the attack.

So we could use the old fall-back trap tactic to destroy them as they respond.
>>
Rolled 18

>>29590248
>>
Rolled 6

>>29590248

I can't wait for the Griffon to slaughter some more Bears.
>>
>>29590208
Talon should be organizing the main defence, not leading minor ambushes against an enemy force. Realistically speaking, Talon is the glue which holds our proto-Empire together - if he were to be killed or captrued in one of these minor raids, its game over for his ambitions and he knows it, it simply isn't worth the risk.

This, in addition to the fact that he knows he has a tendency to overcommit to assaults, means that he consciously places himself back at the fortress in these situations.
>>
Rolled 20

>>29590263

Also explained well thank you.
>>
Rolled 5

>>29590248
rolling

>>29590263
The other advantage is that by letting someone else command the ambushes, they get the experience at leading and commanding an armed force.

We will sooner or later need independant commands for our forces. Might as well give our subordinates the chance to prove themselves
>>
Rolled 19

>>29590248
rollin'
>>
>>29590263
ok, this is some fairly good arguments.
in particular the "organizing the main defense" part considering troop positionings ARE taken into account by aspirational and we explicitly have such a skill on our character sheet.
>>
>>29590276
Woohoo!
>>
>>29590276

I totally meant to quote the other post QM, pls count this.
>>
Rolled 6

>>29590276
It's getting close to winter. Those grizzlies must be getting hibernation drowsies.
>>
>>29590276
>>29590259
>>29590261
the dice god taketh, the dice god giveth
>>
>>29590276
No problem; thank you for that excellent roll!
>>
>>29590276

Our Archers are GOAT. FUCK MAGES. FUCK BEARS. ELITE TROOPS HERE WE COME.
>>
>>29590333
>GOAT
I don't get it
>>
>>29590477

>Greatest Of All Time
>GOAT
Sorry /sp/ lingo.
>>
>Exceptional success

Despite the increased number of scouts and the extra reinforcements, Moss successfully pulled off an extraordinary ambush. In order to make it harder to be ambushed, the Vitrian column spread out more. This would work against ordinary volleys, but in this case it placed their soldiers and mages closer to the hills and still left them open to the pinpoint accuracy of your arcane archers.

Moss went into great detail in his report about how he lined up his archers and they chose mages as their targets. Undine and the mages targeted the knights in hopes to confuse them and make it harder for them to react. The initial volley appears to have felled a number of mages, again caught off-guard, and the attempted counterattack by the Golden Bear knights foundered as they charged up the hill only to find themselves sliding down icy embankments lined and bombarding with spells.

As more troops began to react and the Vitrian mages responded, Moss called a retreat. The enemy knight never managed to engage with yours. Moss suspects that as many as half the enemy mages are dead, along with several enemy knights.

>Estimated enemy losses
25 battlemages
10 Medium Mage Knights (proper equipment)

>Your losses
10 Medium Mage Knights

Your men return to Castle Gimbon, followed more slowly by the Vitrians. The Vitrians make camp in the early afternoon rather than lay siege. Whether they plan a night attack or are waiting a full day is unknown. As they are setting up their siege equipment properly, you’re quite certain that they intend to lay siege at some point.

>Force composition at Gimbon coming shortly
>>
>>29590501

Looks like Moss is learning how to set up proper ambushes now, after those 3 exceptional failures during them. This should give him some solid confidence, and make him more useful in the long run.

Good job Captain Moss, I'm glad I brought up promoting you all those threads ago. Haha
>>
>>29590501

FORCES AT GIMBON
50 Flying Mage-Knights
>50 Veterans
50 Heavy Mage-Knights
>50 Green
200 Medium Mage-Knights
>150 Veterans
>50 Regulars
150 Arcane Archers
>150 Veterans
400 Men-at-arms
>400 Green
13 Battlemages
>13 Regulars

VITRIANS
1000 Medium Mage Knights (subpar equipment)
50 Medium Mage-Knights (proper equipment)
25 Battlemages
2000 Men-at-arms
1100 Archers
3 Battering Rams
5 catapults
2 siege towers

>Any special plans now they are here?

Currently you have quicksand (that triggers when many enemies walk on it) at the entrance of the pass) and some physical barriers that intend to funnel the enemy through one path with their siege equipment.
>>
>>29590556
>Good job Captain Moss
that should be said in character
>>
>>29590501
>>29590556
>>29590596

Hey Aspirational, how's the weather looking in the region in the past couple days and for the next couple days?

Am I the only one thinking of using a fire attack - spearheaded by arcane archer flaming arrows - to destroy the siege equipment and maybe wreck the siege camp?
>>
>>29590596
>Any special plans now they are here?
we made a lot of plans, no need for last minute changes
>>
>>29590596
Oh, and assume that Lynn, Undine and Gnome are with you. Felix is at the Argyle Estate.

>>29590607
>Hey Aspirational, how's the weather looking in the region in the past couple days and for the next couple days?
I am dying from the heat. Oh wait, you mean in-quest. It's early June, so it's getting chillier. The coldest it gets is late July, and it barely goes negative (Celsius - I can use miles, but I will never understand fahrenheit properly). Otherwise the skies are clear, if a bit overcast.
>>
>>29590607

God damn you and your fire arrows. Every thread until we do it huh? Haha

However, I assume the traps we set up are more or less meant to deal with the siege equipment, getting it into range now with less magical means will be much more difficult so we don't really need to put ourselves out there. Plus the quicksand might be detrimental to our own strike.
>>
>>29590642

>using southern hemisphere seasons

Had a good chuckle. I guess that makes the world more unique. Can we assume that our continent is in the southern hemisphere then?
>>
>>29590680
Aye.

>Looks like no new plans. I'll go ahead with the first storm.
>>
>>29590642
Um more detail?

-Which way is the predominant wind blowing? (or is it not blowing at all?)

-Has there been any precipitation in the past? Is there any rainfall expected soon?

-Any warm spells incoming, or will it stay near zero for all that time?

-How much flammable equipment did our opponents bring with them?
>>
>>29590646
ah, I apologize!

I'm not the flame arrow fag, I'm the Sun Tzu fag. I just finished reading the chapter on using fire in battle.
>>
>>29590596
>1000 Medium Mage Knights (subpar equipment)
why aren't those referred to as light mage knights?
especially considering the lore states that almost nobody manufacture light mage plate (although in theory they could do so cheaper now) and that most of it is outdated medium plate?
>>
Man I can't wait for the social thread now. This back to back warfare, while exciting, is nerve wracking.
>>
>>29590607
>Am I the only one thinking of using a fire attack - spearheaded by arcane archer flaming arrows - to destroy the siege equipment and maybe wreck the siege camp?
You bring up the flame arrows every thread.
Last time I mentioned how what you actually want to happen will probably require FIREBALL arrows instead of flaming arrows.
And IIRC aspirational said that those are possible, but we don't have any.
>>
>>29590744
because true light mage knights use the lessened weight and greater available enchantment capacity to increase their firepower - extra strengthening enchantment, extra bolt-magic enchantments, etc.

These are more Men at Arms Mk. II than true Light Mage Knights. Dangerous en masse, but will still lose in a head-on fight against true mage knights.
>>
>>29590744

I assume it is a matter of the enchantments placed on them, not the physical plate themselves. That was just my view of it.
>>
>>29590703
>-Which way is the predominant wind blowing? (or is it not blowing at all?)
Light westerly. You don't get any wind in the pass itself. The pass itself faces out north-north-east.

>-Has there been any precipitation in the past? Is there any rainfall expected soon?

It rained about a week ago. Mages reckon it'll be another week or so before you get some more.

>-Any warm spells incoming, or will it stay near zero for all that time?
It's warmer than usual at this time and sits around 15-20C

>-How much flammable equipment did our opponents bring with them?
All their siege equipment. Supplies. Tents.

>>29590744
>why aren't those referred to as light mage knights?
LMKs are glass cannons nowadays. They hit hard and fast, but have weak defensive enchantments. THese guys are designed to be like MMKs but simply have weaker defensive enchantments and don't move as fast. Also, people do still make it but it's very specialised, like flying plate.
>>
>>29590775
See>>29590738
>>
Speaking of that plate, I really hope that provides enough evidence of that RSK house involvement in supplying Vitria.

If not, we'll have at least some sort of use for them.
>>
>>29590800
Sorry about that
I only saw that reply after I had already posted mine (I wasn't reading ahead while writing)(
>>
>>29590021
>>29590155

Dude, what's with the vitriol?
Would rather have a poor fanfic writer than a hyperaggressive twelve year old.
Please leave the quest to those who enjoy it if you can't offer anything but hate.
>>
>>29590821
I think we would have to capture a noble or the shippers for that... we might want to do a stealth mission in port temby for that.
Or we might grab paper evidence in vitria, or even get oaln to testify if we capture him alive and make some deal with him (exile instead of beheading)
Although considering how damn unpopular he is I am not sure if it is worth it.
>>
>>29590863
>or even get oaln to testify if we capture him alive
actually... might want to make it one of his direct underlings
>>
>>29590825
No problem.

>>29590793
So not exactly exceptional circumstances to use fire, but not bad ones either.

>no precipitation to hinder attack by fire

>no wind in pass means fires set there will burn and smoulder in place until they burn out.

>light wind outside pass means fires set there will gradually migrate westwards.

>positioning of pass means if we set the fire at the east of the pass entrance, the fire will migrate accross the pass, effectively becoming a bushfire wall that will hinder attacks through the pass.
>>
I'm actually kind of okay with fire arrows this time. But only for targetting those in the quicksand. I assume we won't be recovering much from those pits anyway, so why not burn the fuckers while they try to get through it. Also if they attack at night, the fires will help light up where they are, and since it is obvious where we are and they'll be distracted with arrow barrages and navigating a maze it won't matter about giving away our positions as much as it usually would.

Once they get in an open field, we'll want to stop, just because we always recover stuff to use.
>>
>>29590863

Well I only say that because the sooner we cut off their supplies, the easier they will be to beat. So it's worth a shot at least, if the makers mark is still on the plate and we provide some 200 sets, that seems like a good justification to me. But I see your point.
>>
>>29590889
>I'm actually kind of okay with fire arrows this time. But only for targetting those in the quicksand.
seems like a waste of arrow since they are practically dead already

>I assume we won't be recovering much from those pits anyway
sure we will, undine waterbends away the water making it into regular sand, and gnome pulls out the metal.
heck we could just wait a few days for the water to evaporate since its artificial quicksand it will not last, then have our troops dig.
>>
>No new plans

You keep the men on alert but most are resting. You’ve laid out the plans to your officers and they’ve briefed the men so you can get a quick reaction should the enemy attack. Even with the barriers, it’s only several hundred metres between the walls and the entrance to the pass.

The Vitrians strike two hours after sunset. They attempted to move silently, with no torches and dulled armour. As it is, your arcane archers have night-vision and spot them despite their best efforts and raise the alarm silently. No need to let them know their attempted sneak attack has failed. You were playing chess with Gnome in full kit and quickly respond to the news.

You join your men on the walls, along with Gnome, Undine and Lynn and watch as the foe marches forwards into your traps. They won’t be in range of your archers, even the magically boosted ones, until they’re well over the quicksand traps. They appear to be bringing their rams forward first, with the catapults lazing around at the back. Do they intend on using the catapults to destroy your barriers? Or were they hoping to sneak the rams through your barriers stealthily. You also note some of their men carrying mundane ladders – obviously they collected some wood while you were busy ambushing them. Castle Gimbon doesn’t have strongly warded walls, but Gnome assures you she’s reinforced the walls to a frightening degree.

[DC11 Quicksand Traps]
>>
Rolled 1

>>29590947

>>29590940
Valid points.
>>
Rolled 1

>>29590947

To arms!
>>
Rolled 4

>>29590947
>>
>>29590953
>>29590954
>>29590979

OH GOD WHY.
>>
>>29590929
why just 200? there are 1000 of those sets here and we can present damaged sets as evidence.

The real problem is that its mass produced from a magitech factory. I seriously doubt that minor house produced it themselves so no emblem tying them to that... probably. Also its an outdated model meaning it has been on the market for a long time.
It could be used to prove to RSK that SOMEONE was smuggling magical plate to vitria, but I don't think it will prove a specific house did it.

However, we might get lucky, maybe the RSK does provide a noble house emblem on such mass produced plate, requiring a min order of 1000 plates from the factory per run. who knows.
>>
Rolled 15

>>29590953
>>29590954
>>29590979
The horror!!
>>
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>>29590953
>>29590954
>>29590979

"Lord preserve us!"

"We have lost half our sand traps!"
>>
>>29590947
>Double crit on a quicksand trap.
how does this even work?...
they detect it, go around it, and ... our own troops fall into it later?
>>
>>29591006

Just a rough guess of the pieces we'll be able to send back split between what we keep. No real basis to the number

Well the QM has mentioned that NO house should be supplying Vitria, so proving it is from the RSK at all would likely do the trick. Either scare the house into stopping or they'll figure it out and stop them. I don't know, we'll see, we have two nat 1s to deal with now.
>>
>>29590953
>>29590954
>>29590979

I think we should just stop with the traps, they never work. Maybe we can build some artillery or something next time.
>>
>>29591052
>Either scare the house into stopping
Ah, so that is what you wanted. Yea if we scare them into stopping then vitria will have fewer supplies later on.

I was thinking about the best result we could get, where we prove it was them. This would result in punitive action against them which will give our allies in the RSK a leg up over enemy houses
>>
>>29591044
They probably get reinforcements.
>>
>>29591066

QM has mentioned Undine can magic up ballistas. That would be neat.

Also, the traps worked once, during the second siege of Harrowmont. But yeah, we have some sort of bad luck with them, fantastic ideas, less then fantastic rolls, luckily the QM stated above better plans lead to less failure on bad rolls. I'm just not sure how two nat 1s would work out, that and with that nat 20 taking out a sizable amount of mages it is a confusing situation.
>>
>>29591091
>>29591044
Some idiot starts firing early from our side, which causes the whole enemy army to realize we know they're here
>>
>>29591066
Traps worked for us quite well on occasion. Remember the icewater flood traps during the first few threads?

also, ambushes worked poorly for us in the past and then we got the really good successful ambush recently
>>
>>29591107
They're marching on a fixed position and we ran two ambushes against them yesterday. They know we know where they are.
>>
>>29591125
I meant we currently had the element of surprise because they were approaching by stealth, but our archers could see them with their night vision.

But once our guys started firing, we lose the element of surprise.
>>
>>29591087

Yeah kind of, giving them the inkling we're onto them, and have informed the RSK that someone is breaking their laws might do the trick for a short run solution.

Of course I want to prove it indefinitely with some papers or a confession, and give Nier a huge boost. Because, smart decisions.
>>
>>29590947

The enemy approaches! Battle is joined!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCfg_MDWcoc&list=PL66CE33E605130A1D
>>
>>29591149

I really hope they don't, they can't even reach them as the QM stated. That guy would be a real dumbass.
>>
>dramatic failure

The enemy is on-guard unfortunately, and this means the traps don’t work very well. One of them triggers, catching a handful of soldiers but this is noticed by the enemy officers and they call a halt to the advance. Only one trap triggered and the enemy has stopped their entire attack. You wait impatiently for them to do something, wishing you had some more range. After a while, you spot their remaining mages come forth and a pair of magisters spend some time casting in an unobtrusive manner. Eventually, their men start marching again… and your traps don’t trigger at all. So, they lost maybe five men and a lot of effort goes down the drain.

Gnome looks a little annoyed. “I guess I can still use them later, but I’ll need some time to undo what the mages did to them. It’s rather frustrating that they appear to have a few summoners there.”

To make matters worse, they appear to have abandoned their attempt to approach stealthily – they must be assuming that by using so much magic and shouting orders they’ve given themselves away. The enemy is marching at a brisk pace towards the tight entry of the barriers, right into range.

You respond by…

>1. Opening fire as soon as they’re in range of your arcane archers.
>2. Waiting until they’re closer so all your forces can volley at once.
>3. Hold fire and have Undine and Gnome try to set some impromptu traps as they get close to the walls.
>4. Custom
>>
>>29591206
2
>>
>>29591206
gnome should focus on disrupting the enemy mages. she is best at it and we don't have mal with us.
>>
>>29591206
>2. Waiting until they’re closer so all your forces can volley at once.

We don't want to give our AAs away in case they retreat, just like last time. Plus they might stop again if they get scared with our initial range, cast some barriers, and march so we can't do shit to them.
>>
>>29591206
>1., a bit of 2.
Open fire once they're in range of our normal archers instead.

That way we hide the true maximum range of our arcane archers. Make them not realize they've overcommitted.
>>
>>29591206
2. But have Undine and Gnome work on some sort of defense against their siege engines. Artillery or opa moat or something.
>>
>>29591242
Gnome has to be in CQC or directly in the path of magic to disrupt it. She's not like Mal who can do this from a distance.
>>
>>29591206
They seem to be acting really cautiously.

Almost too cautiously for an escalade/assault.

[spoilier]My money is on the enemy commander being Melancholic.[/spoiler]
>>
>>29591280
oh, damn...
I am really wishing we had him and sala here...
for their safety too, I will cry if we lose them to some daywalker
>>
>>29591291
How do you figure the enemy commander is suffering from depression?
>>
>>29591298

With Mal being able to detect them and Sala having a thing for burninating? I'd hope not. But yeah that would be mad upsetting.

>>29591269

If they can set up a quick artillery weapon I'd be game. But I know those require some magic to work, and we don't want to commit two of our heavies to it, and take off the few Battlemages we have trying to hold the less then powerful wards together just so we can spear some guys.
>>
>>29591327
temperaments, man, temperaments

>Sanguine vs Choleric vs Melancholic vs Phlegmatic
>>
>>29591348
I have no idea what any of this means
>>
>2.

You give the orders to hold fire until they’re in range of your regular archers. You want them firmly in your trap and dedicated to the assault before hammering them with ranged attacks. You and your mages will target the rams whilst your archers try to bring down their knights, with any Golden Bears the prime targets. They stand out like a sore thumb against the old-style plate. Undine can help you with the ranged attack, but you’re not sure what to do with Gnome.

>1. Have her dart off and attempt a sneak attack against the enemy mages, who are hanging back.
>2. Keep her by your side. In the meantime, have her try to lay traps around the bottom of the walls.
>3. Keep her by your side. In the meantime, have her try to set up traps atop the walls against ladders.
>4. Custom

NB: It’ll take a while to build an artillery piece, so I’m excluding that. A moat would also take a while, though she could try to dig a small one around the gate in a minute or so.
>>
>>29591394
2

undine can make ladders slip or sink like last time.
>>
>>29591394
>4. Let Gnome decide

Trust time, gentlemen!
>>
>>29591394
>>3. Keep her by your side. In the meantime, have her try to set up traps atop the walls against ladders.

A big rock here, a big rock there. Our men can topple them over if a ladder suddenly pops up, it's just mundane wood, easy to crush with a small boulder.
>>
>>29591394
Also, I'll probably be running until 2am. I don't plan on running as late as last session until there's loads of player interest and I'm still good to go.
>>
>>29591394
1. Mobile attract against a slow enemy. Plus she's known as a Mage killer.
>>
>>29591433
>>29591425
>>29591437
>>29591489
>another 4 way tie.

I'll just pop a little total war music for atmosphere while we wait for decisions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MbJdL8PAXA&list=PL66CE33E605130A1D
>>
>>29591394
>2. Keep her by your side. In the meantime, have her try to lay traps around the bottom of the walls.
>>
>2.

“Gnome, can you trap the bottom of the walls? Make it difficult for them to bring their rams to the gates and place their ladders.”

Undine looks at you, opening her mouth and you tell her to do the same. She nods, a slightly smug smile on her face. You then turn your attention back to the battle, unsling your own bow to join your first volley once the enemy is in range. A dozen knights are screening for the lead ram, but you’re not too worried about them.

They come into what you think to be range for everybody and you tell your aide to give the order, preparing to loose your own arrow.

[DC12/18 Archery]
>>
Rolled 5

>>29591646

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpw1JB9n7UU&list=PL66CE33E605130A1D
>>
Rolled 9

>>29591646

Always a big fan of Talon getting in on the barrages
.
>>
Rolled 7

>>29591646
>>
Rolled 16

>>29591646
Crap
>>
>>29591668
>>29591684
>>29591695

Man we're sucking in this fight.
>>
>>29591668
awesome music

>>29591695
>>29591699
I am so sorry for rolling that 7 just before you :(
>>
>>29591668
>>29591684
>>29591695

Well this is getting painful today. Looks like we'll be doing more hand to hand this go around then usual.
>>
>>29591725
Yeah, we need an inspirational speech to buck up the morale of our men.
>>
>>29591732
Happens.
>>
>>29591737

Might be a good idea. At least we still hold the high ground, but damn it if it isn't looking like we'll be actually having a real siege on our hands for once.
>>
>>29591737
Little late for that.
>>
>These fucking rolls.
Maybe we should wait a little longer between each one?
>>
>>29591812

Well Talon can use Empowerment to empower his voice, so he can boom out one.

Also if he ends up among a mass of troops to hold the line, he can give one as they wait for them to try to bash down the door.
>>
You know, I just realised that you don’t have any regular archers defending Gimbon. Replace previous mentions of regular archers with battlemages, as they have similar ranges if not shorter ones. Blargh.

>Target not met

The volley is of mixed success. Although your archers find their mark as usual, the old armour holds up better than expected against the high draw bows. A couple of the lead knights go down, but the Vitrians are largely unharmed. You give the order to continue volleys as the Vitrians begin pushing forward as fast as possible.

Luckily for you, their fastest isn’t tremendously fast as the ram takes up most of the space in the narrow path they’re choosing to follow. So far they haven’t attempted to destroy any barriers. With that said, you notice some of their men filing into the ranks of the barriers – archers, you see. They have a lot of them, but they’re only moving into position a few at a time and are probably barely able to strike your men atop the walls.

It’s one thing to keep volleying against them but you suspect you need to seize the initiative if you want to avoid this becoming a bloody brawl atop the walls or behind the gates.

>1. Have your flyers begin bombardment now, before too many of their archers are in a position to fend them off.
>2. Try an inspiring speech to boost morale and frighten the foe.
>3. Pull Gnome from building her traps to try to do something grandiose to halt their advance.
>4. Continue as usual
>5. Custom
>>
>>29591856
>2. Try an inspiring speech to boost morale and frighten the foe.
>>
>>29591856
>3. Pull Gnome from building her traps to try to do something grandiose to halt their advance.

FUCK IT. Talon has been too conservative lately, and while it usually works. Sometimes more drastic measures are needed.
>>
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>>29591856
>2. and 1.

Do an inspiring speech to the backdrop of our flying mage knights blowing stuff up.

time to milk our charisma and battle command for all it's worth
>>
>>29591916
Oh yes! This has my support.

"Men of Vitria hear me, you have come here to die! The gods are with us and we are invincible! My knights will strike you down, my elementals will sweep you from the field, my archers will bring the very sky crashing down upon you. You cannot win!”
>>
>>29591916
>>29591881

"Let it be known that I am surrounded by men of great virtue and valour. I could not ask for better comrades to die beside!"

"But bretheren! Harken to me!"

"Tonight is not a night for dying! No!"

"Tonight is a night for drawing breath and watching the sun rise yet again!"

"Tonight is a night not for the terror of death, but for the hope of the morning - the Sun that flies on the wings of griffons and eagles!"

"Tonight is a night - FOR VICTORY!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G0Vy8C_sNg&list=PL66CE33E605130A1D
>>
>>29592005
>The gods

Just cut that bit out, otherwise solid. The term means something a bit different in the setting.
>>
>>29591856
Personally fire a boosted arrow at their ram. Trying to consciously draw on astral power when doing so

Also, have undine and gnome just start blasting with AoE elemental attacks
>>
>>29592037
We really need a bard to join our retinue

Just to record our deeds and history, if not to give inspiring music alongside us.

Also, dawn? victory?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wlMorH9pAQ
>>
>>29592107

I assumed that was what the split DC was for. Usually Talon only taps that with good rolls.
>>
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>2 plus 1

“Lieutenant Illon, sweep the advancing enemy with explosive spells,” you order via sending. “If you can sweep the rams, that’s nice, but I want to see Vitrian corpses against the night sky.”

With your orders given, you wait for Illon’s flying knights to soar above you and strike a pose atop the gatehouse, sword out. You flash some sorcery in such a way to light yourself up and draw attention to your coming words.

“Men of Vitria!” you bellow, empowering your voice to reach across the battlefield with the sound of thunder. “This field will be your grave. These walls will stand strong against your feeble caress. My men will stand strong against your weakness. My knights will strike you down, my elementals will sweep you from the field, my archers will bring the very sky crashing down upon you. Tonight is the night of death! And the morning will be for the sun that flies on the wings of griffons!”

[DC12 Inspiration/Last Burst]
>>
>>29592135

Funny you mention that, I was actually working on a few songs that bards might sing. Turns out using The Griffon and Undine's water makes for some good song writing material.

However, the use of battledrums and the like would be sweet as fuck.
>>
OP, can we please just critfail this speech and move on? Please?
>>
Rolled 16

>>29592173
>>
Rolled 6

>>29592173
>>
Rolled 9

>>29592173
>>
>>29592200
we so charismatic!
>>
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>>29592197
>>
>>29592200
That was disturbingly close, thanks Anon.
>>
>>29592236
>>29592241
Stahp it, you're making me feel warm and fuzzy.
>>
We really should use the Griffon imagery more often, it has a certain edge to that just seems to fit.

I hope someday we get a griffon mount. That would be the hypest shit.

>>29592200

YEAH SON. USE THAT CHARISMA.
>>
>>29592237
I feel ya bro.
>>
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Pic of Talon and perhaps Undine which I found, thoughts?
>>
>Target met

Your voice echoes through the pass, reverberating off the bluffs. Then the night itself shakes and screams pierce the silence the Vitrians left after your speech. Explosions rapidly appear along the lines of the Vitrian advance and your archers take advantage of the sudden disarray in the previously organised foe. Their knights show their greenness and take shelter behind the barriers and their enchanted shields, leaving many of their less well-armoured comrades open to assault. If your arrows can’t easily penetrate the heavier armour then they’ll just have to do for the regular soldiers. Panick begins to set in for the Vitrians before the Golden Bear knights begin to rally them, arrows snapping off their armour as they begin to help push the rams and screen for them against your mages.

The enemy will be at the walls shortly, despite your efforts. It’s time to see how well Gnome and Undine’s traps work out.

[DC11/16 Traps]
>>
>>29592350

>Talon even has a beard

Oh shit son it's perfect. For formal wear that seems just about right to me.
>>
Rolled 12

>>29592372
>>
>>29592350
I like
not quite how i imagined them though
>>
Rolled 16

>>29592372
Traps don't fail me now!
>>
Rolled 7

>>29592372
rollin'
>>
Rolled 10

>>29592372
>>
>>29592350
It feels very Russian, I like it.
>>
Rolled 12

>>29592372
it's a trap!!!
>>
>>29592388
Gonna be honest here, I would have been less surprised to roll a 1 than anything over 15.
>>
>>29592372
>>29592379
>>29592388
>>29592395

Tense. Looks like it's the Golden Bear knights that are holding this whole army together.

Looks like we've found our priority target.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIApGqrrxeE&list=PL66CE33E605130A1D
>>
>>29592420

We smashed the shit out of them once at the second siege. WE'LL DO IT AGAIN. GO TALON GO. But seriously fuck bears, Griffons4lyfe.
>>
>>29592350
I imagine Talon being more armored up and not doing an impression of Kratos, and Undine dressing a more conservatively, but other than that, spot on.
>>
>>29592445

That was my impression and why I mentioned formal wear. For armored wear that would likely be way different. Undine has been mentioned to wear a skin tight dress I believe, so that feels about right to me though. Though I always pictured her in black, not sure why. Wish we had a drawfag to doodle for us.
>>
>>29592350
Nailed it!
>>
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>>29592445
>doing an impression of Kratos
>>
>>29592483
>Though I always pictured her in black, not sure why
The very first description of her has her in black fabric clothes. I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned her wearing a dress - I believe I'm always ambiguous about it except in the FTB.
>>
Rolled 10

>>29585338
I like this picture the best as a representative of talon's appearance, its just so freaking awesome.
>>
>>29592519

And that's where it came from. Thought I was going crazy. I thought a dress came up at some point though, so potentially still crazy. Though I'd imagine she'd have it in her wardrobe at least, for impressing Talon, and things. Yeah things.
>>
So, what are your thoughtsn getting Gnome to fix her traps before we (hopefully) force the enemy to retreat?
>>
>>29592737

That would require her to run out there wouldn't it? Doesn't sound like the best of plans if that's the case.
>>
>>29592737
My guess would be not going to be happening so long as the enemy rear remains relatively vigilante, and the enemy's rear battle mages are still around..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppuM_iX5zXA&list=PL98ADC68DD7DF3240
>>
Rolled 7

>>29592737
it sounds like a good way for our familiar to die.
because there is an army between her and the traps
>>
>Upper target met

The knights charge towards the gate, arrows and magic rippling off their armor like rain. The ram itself follows, the noise of its wheels rumbling against the earth resounding atop the walls. Bellows tear through the battlefield, trying to pierce the constant screams of death and injury, as the Vitrian knights do their best to keep morale from breaking.

Then, suddenly, the lead knights are at the walls and they scream to a stop. A great ditch, more than two metres wide and so deep the darkness of the night makes its depth unknowable, surrounds the gate. The knights pause at the gap, suddenly at a loss as to what they can do. They glance back at the ram swiftly approaching.

“Archers!” you shout. “Take the knights at the gate.”

You lean across the battlements, arrow strung and ready to loose, and your soldiers follow suit. Arrows snap against the indecisive knights, and one takes an arrow through the visor as he looks up in response to your voice. His scream echoes through the raucous noise of the battle, drowining out the rallying shouts of the knights further away and his comrades make their decision.

With great shouts, they charge towards the gap, the ram hurtling behind them. What they hope to achieve is beyond you, but they do so anyway. The ground gives way as they charge, however, and three of the knights tumble before their leaps, falling into the abyss. A fourth manages a startled leap, but lacks the required momentum. His head smashes against solid earth and he too tumbles down. The ram is showing no signs of slowing and you wonder if they’ve even noticed the gap. A number of other soldiers stream up behind it, and another ram behind them, as they charge the gate. If the ladders can be placed, they can turn this around.

>continued
>>
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Talon Riddick is my ship.
>>
Rolled 17

>>29592403
Yeah, I always thought Talon would be Russian if he came from our world. A progressive, European-ward noble from the 17th/18th century or so.
>>
>>29592774
The first ram bravely tries to cross the ditch, only to crash against the opposing wall and twist with a deafening roar. Screams and shouts reach your ears as the pushers fall out its bottom and as it turns from the momentum of the crash, you spot terrified soldiers holding on for dear life so as not to fall to their deaths. The men with the ladders continue to charge, trying to ignore their comrades falling to magic and arrows, but the second ram comes to a shuddering halt as they realise their way is blocked. Many other soldiers take refuge underneath the covered top of the ram.

The ladders have no more success, however, as the land directly beneath the walls is ice and the ground before that crumbles at the slightest weight. Many men trip and crack their heads open against the wall in their rush to raise the ladders, their wooden saviours snapping uselessly against the stone wall from the fall. Those that manage to place their ladders despite poor footing find them sliding uselessly against the ice.

Even so, this only buys you some time. The ladders can still reach from further away, and they may work out how to cross the ditch. Their morale is falling, but as their archers line up and prepare to launch volleys of arrows against the walls, you know they’re not broken yet.

>1. Continue to pound them with volleys of arrows and magic to try to break them.
>2. Have Gnome and Undine try to pull off something grandiose to break them.
>3. Sortie with your heaviest knights and best fighters over the walls and break them in melee.
>4. Custom
>>
>>29592792
I'd let Vin portray Talon. Especially if he's willing to grow a sweet beard for the part.
>>
>>29592822
>3. Sortie with your heaviest knights and best fighters over the walls and break them in melee.

I mean, come on, we need to get those HMKs out there to fucking wallop them and get them some training on green scared men.
>>
>>29592822

>3. Sortie with your heaviest knights and best fighters over the walls and break them in melee.
>>
>>29592822
>3. with a bit of 2.
Get Gnome and Undine working on something good, and meanwhile buy some time by cracking some skulls with the heavies.
>>
>>29592822
>3. Sortie with your heaviest knights and best fighters over the walls and break them in melee.
These green troops will be no match for our HMKs, and a charge by these huge beasts is exactly what we need to break their wavering morale!
>>
>>29592822
>>29592872
>>29592891

Whatever we do, DON'T do 3. We'll end up walking right into our own traps and pits.
>>
>>29592904
agreed
lets to do 1
>>
>>29592822
>4. Alternate of 3.

We need a sally port that does not force us to use the same channel the enemy used. something that gives us a flank.

If need be, use our flying knights to fly us into position. Otherwise, slog it out with a run around to hit them from the side with our mage knights.
>>
>>29592904
this would make for a hilarious nat1 opportunity btw.
>>
>>29592904

I said 3 with the assumption they'd conjure up a good landing spot for us that we could scatter from.
>>
>>29592904
I assume we know where our own traps are, if not then just stay on the walls. They have no chance of taking them from us, but if we can't even chase them through our own traps they'll just retreat.
>>
>>29592904
Yeah let's not do 3 if it's obviously not feasible due to our own traps. I only voted 1 with the assumption that Aspirational would make it a valid choice.
>>
>>29592822
1+2.
We distract them with arrows while the Sister cook up something fun.
>>
>>29592961
Yeah same here, I was assuming we would know not to jump into our own traps.
>>
>>29592822
>1.

But focus fire on the Golden Bear Knights, if any remains.

Cut of their leaders, let them rout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgnVEU2ZzTI&list=PL98ADC68DD7DF3240
>>
>>29593003

But it is though..? If they can still set up long distance ladders that means there are open spots to fight on, and we know where to avoid our own traps, I'd assume we wouldn't be chasing them down either so the other ones would be a non issue, just breaking what there is here.
>>
>>29592904
>>29592934
>>29592961
>>29593000
>>29593003
Your elementals can give you a landing spot, the same as they set the traps in the first place.
>>
>>29593065
Thought so.

>3
>>
>>29593065
The problem is what happens when we step off the landing pad...
>>
>>29593065
So would sallying prevent the sisters from working on something good? I wanted a mix of 3. and 2. but if it'd tie up the elementals, I'd rather just go 1.
>>
>>29593065
ah, well this makes it less catastrophically bad. That being said, I see no reason why we need to actually leave the walls yet... I say we keep on pounding them and only go into melee when they break to minimize our own casualties.
>>
>>29593096
just to clarify, i was voting for 1 in that post

>>29593094
or get forced off of it by a successful push from enemy knights
>>
>>29592822
>>29593065
Regardless of whether we go 1. or 3.,
>>29593036
is right, maximize our damage against the Golden Bear Knights and wipe them out.
>>
>>29593095
If you want them with you. 3. appears to have won, with 6 to 4.

ELEMENTAL VOTE
>1. Leave Gnome and Undine atop the walls to continue working their magic
>2. Have Gnome join you in your sortie.
>3. Have Undine join you in your sortie.
>4. Have Gnome and Undine join you in your sortie.
>>
>>29593131

But arrows and spells were literally falling off them, they don't give a fuck about that, they're knights like Talon, and probably need a knight to deal with them, an enemy commander isn't going to be frontlining it more than likely, nor go down from an arrow even from our AAs.
>>
>>29593149
>2. Have Gnome join you in your sortie.

Split them this time, Undine is our only long range artillery this go around. Plus if Gnome is anything like her Sala in a real fight she'll be knocking some serious skulls in.
>>
>>29593149
>2.
Time to show us what you've got, Gnomey.
>>
>>29593149
2. She's supposed to be decent at CQC right?
>>
>>29593149
>2.
>>29593217
see pastebin:
http://pastebin.com/FjNRvWjh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzKFWz-tDD4&list=PL98ADC68DD7DF3240
>>
>>29593217
She's as good as you at it, if not a bit better.

>3.

“Gnome, I’m going over the top with the heavies. Make sure we don’t break out necks. You’re with me, too.”

She gives you a sharp nod, heavy in concentration. Magic has been pulsing through her much of the battle, a steady thrum of activity and power. You clap Lynn on the shoulder as you shout to your heavy knights below.

“Lieutenant Phrace, up the walls! There’s work to be done,” you shout, gesturing with your arm to where they should meet you.

You walk briskly over to where you feel Gnome’s power concentrating – she’s giving you a landing spot, but you’ll need to be careful of the rest of the terrain close to the walls. The clatter of your knights joins you and you look to Phrace. He greets you with a loud salute.

“We go over the walls to straight below. Just like the Taourans did to us at Fort Locke. Keep away from the walls elsewhere and away from the gate. We shatter them here and now.”

He nods and bellows the orders back to his men as you wait for Gnome to finish. A few seconds after she finishes and turns to you, you nod back to Phrace and leap over the walls. You hear roars and the clatter of many men following you.

[DC12 Sortie]
>>
>>29593149
2

gnome is more CQC, undine can be very effective in stopping the enemy from scaling the walls, and undine is also the only one who can heals gnome or undine
>>
Side note, when we jump, plant a girffon banner in the middle of the sortie, challenge the men to defend it to the end of their lives.
>>
Rolled 2

>>29593263
Here we go. I guess.
>>
Rolled 15

>>29593263
>>
Rolled 19

>>29593263

Shields up, swords out for blood!
>>
Rolled 10

>>29593263
>>
>>29593282
no, this sends the wrong message.

Also, worth noting that since we are claiming this is a civil war in vitria and we have a legitimate stake we might want to fly 3 flags when we win, ours, vitria's, and hawkins flag.

The enemy was flying vitria's flag as a PR stunt. And there are more than 10,000 vitrian troops currently neutral that we want to remain neutral, even if we could kill them it would weaken the defenses against taour.
>>
>>29593282
You realize we're still doing hit and run tactics right?
>>
>>29593355

Well yeah but it leaves a good idea of where the safe area is and I assume we'll peel out from there or if need be fall back to. But fine, sure, disregard.
>>
Rolled 8

>>29593286
>>29593292
>>29593295

Looks like ranged firepower can go fuck itself, we've come home to melee, now and forever.

>>29593282
>>29593334

Well, looks like our required retinue continues to grow.

>bard
>bannerman
>squire

At least we have a spymaster now. What's next? Diplomat? Priests for last rites? Doctor to manage our empire's hygenie and health?

I will laugh if we have to deal with an epidemic in our expanding empire. That would make War, Disease, and Death - and leave just Famine of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse to deal with.
>>
>>29593397
>squire

I'm really hype about that occurring some day. Talon teaching someone, especially if it's a commoner like he was, just feels right.
>>
>>29593397
Well, we have mages trying to cure the thrall situation, I guess that counts as a disease.
>>
>>29593428
So long as its someone that cam up through our ranks.
>>
>>29593397
>At least we have a spymaster now
We don't, actually. Mal's girlfriend is a loyal RSK noble, she is a spymaster but she isn't ours... she does feed us info which doesn't threaten the RSK
Which we could corroborate with help from the hawking's girl subordinate house of spies
And with info mal gets from the mage towers (which have their own spy networks)
>>
>Target met

You land on the ground with a crash, sorcery flooding out from your point of impact to keep your legs intact. Several Vitrians are attempting to raise a ladder in front of you. You snap forward with your shield, your attack shattering the wood and sending the enemy flying backwards with sickening crunches and screams. You hear roars and thuds from behind you as your knights land, and a lot of sorcerous power being emitted. You charge forward, sword lashing out to cut apart the poor bloody Vitrians in your path, your knights right behind you. Magical bolts lash out, armoured behemoths crash through lightly armoured peasants with shields almost as big as them, Lynn whirls through the chaos like a flagellant with a flail told his God will love him more with every man he slaughters.

A set of roars nearly cancels out those of your men and you spot a half-dozen Golden Bears bearing down on you, their ostentatious armour standing out against their comrades. Many of the other mage-knights follow behind them, carrying ladders. It seems they’re going to crash through or crash.

>1. Meet them with a solid wall of knights. This means you won’t be able to do as much damage to the rest of their military.
>2. Leave your knights to their work whilst you, Gnome and Lynn crack open the bears.
>3. Take on the Golden Bears by yourself whilst your subordinates shatter the rest of their army and the other knights trailing in their wake.
>4. Custom
>>
>>29593397

Talon hasn't had a good taste of straight up melee in a long time, not with people his powerlevel-ish at least.

>>29593438
QM mentioned possibly doing a little tourney in peaceful times, or he had the idea stored away or something. I assume some of our younger guys will fight in it. I actually wonder what the age of "manhood" is in this setting. 16? 18?
>>
>>29593397
Cavalry fag here.

Horsemen of the Apocalypse sounds like a totally rad name to give to our first heavy mage cavalier unit
>>
>>29593512
>Lynn whirls through the chaos like a flagellant with a flail told his God will love him more with every man he slaughters.

I lol'd at this.
>>
>>29593527
>I actually wonder what the age of "manhood" is in this setting
17, typically. Though it can vary.
>>
>>29593512
>3. Take on the Golden Bears by yourself whilst your subordinates shatter the rest of their army and the other knights trailing in their wake.
RULES OF NATUUUUUUUUURE
>>
>>29593512
>2. Leave your knights to their work whilst you, Gnome and Lynn crack open the bears.

God damn it I wish I had that picture saved. Someone has to.
>>
>>29593428
I am having a hard time imagining an emperor taking on a squire.

Lynn is sorta in that position but is already full fledged knight. Heck, most full fledged knights cannot keep up with us, it will have to be someone with potential that vastly eclipses our own, or someone who is already an advanced knight, in which case making them a squire is a demotion.

We should just focus on our training sessions with lynn (and see where that leads, TaLynn ship ftw)
>>
>>29593512
>3. Take on the Golden Bears by yourself whilst your subordinates shatter the rest of their army and the other knights trailing in their wake.
Throw caution into the wind!
>>
>>29593512
>2.
The right tool for the right job.

Us > Golden Bears > Heavy knights > rookie mage knights

We hammer the bears, our knights hammer their rookies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxj7Gw9lgOs&list=PL98ADC68DD7DF3240
>>
>>29593512
>3. Take on the Golden Bears by yourself whilst your subordinates shatter the rest of their army and the other knights trailing in their wake.
>>
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>>29593570
>>
>>29593620
funny thing, talon actually can do this
>>
>>29593512
>2. I want them bears dead.
>>
>>29593571

I assume it comes with nobility, squiring is a pretty practice, and can help build political relations. If Talon brought someone on he'd probably have to have "potential", or have something bottled up he can't control and is too young to really manage it, so Talon tries to teach him.

Mostly I just want another dude for Talon to hang with, because while I enjoy our Harem, and Mal, a younger man might do Talon some good, give him perspective into his armies feelings, and the feelings of the whole, from a younger mans eyes.
>>
>>29593512
2
as cool as 3 would be, we should pratice working together with people on our level, and we should aim to finish off the knights quickly
>>
>>29593512

>2

Want to see Gnome literally punch a man in half.
>>
>>29593512
>3. Take on the Golden Bears by yourself whilst your subordinates shatter the rest of their army and the other knights trailing in their wake.
>>
>>29593649
>Thinks our squire will be male
heh, fat chance of that.

Also, if we need more males friends to hang out with, we could get some. they don't have to be squires.
>>
>>29593594
you have been posting awesome music the entire thread.
thank you.
>>
So, How loud can Talon shout? I'm curious because if he can empower his lungs enough to bust a guys eardrums at close range, that'd be awesome.
>>
>>29593620
He even has a beard.

>2.

You ready yourself to countercharge the bear knights and sense Gnome and Lynn join you. You don’t dismiss them, instead gesturing slightly to indicate you want them to join you in your countercharge.

[DC11/16 Combat]
>>
Rolled 8

>>29593729
CHARGE!
>>
Rolled 19

>>29593729
>>
Rolled 12

>>29593729
Formed charge. Plow them aside.
>>
>>29593715
how would he make it not hurt our allies?
>>
>>29593689

>heh, fat chance of that.
I always say this, and then remember, oh yeah bitches everywhere.

No it doesn't have to be, but building a relationship and teaching someone younger would give the best perspective in my eyes, we can ask any of our own solders over for a cup of ale, but would they give him the same response as someone who knows Talon personally?

I don't know, it just sounds like a bit of fun on the side, master/teacher scenarios, awkward "why are you looking at Sala like that lad?", and finding out he'd a stud of studs like Podrick from TV GoT. Just amusing stuff.
>>
>>29593710
Thank you. I aim to please, bretheren.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUhT1_0bnmk&list=PL98ADC68DD7DF3240
>>
>>29593751
Nicely done.
>>
>>29593751

If we don't get Talon literally ripping a man in half like that picture I will be so upset.
>>
>>29593779
if we have a timeskip, talon could be raising his kids...

oooor, maybe talon has a bastard somewhere he wasn't aware of?
>>
>>29593775
It wouldn't hurt them as much if he's leading the charge, shouting away from everyone, and if it was planned out some minor enchantments on their helms would protect them.
>>
>>29593811
>maybe
That's a funny one
>>
>>29593833
I don't think we have anyone with us that can make such an enchantment. Mal could probably but we left him far away.
>>
>>29593811
>>29593844

Well kind of, he has been regularly taking a potion/serum/brew that prevents pregnancies for many years, stated in some random thread a bit ago. So yeah, THAT would be interesting.
>>
>>29593873
Do I smell...a pretender?
>>
>>29593811
If by "maybe" you mean "clearly" and by "a bastard" you mean "half a dozen" (remember, he used the potion) then yeah that sounds about right.


In other news, I hat captcha...
>>
>>29593917
>>29593918

And then suddenly Talon is on Murray.
>>
>>29593873
yea but is the potion 100% effective? maybe that one time he drank a bad batch?

then again, i would prefer not to do this kind of thing.

>>29593917
eh, we are going to be immortal soon-ish.
>>
>Upper target met

Lynn has been in fine form so far, so as you charge you drift closer to Gnome. You crash into the opposing knight shield to shield and knock him backwards. As he stumbles, you hurtle forward with your other arm. Sorcery meets sorcery, and his armour gives way to your pommel. It dents and cracks from the force and he manages a broken scream as you shatter his rib cage. You ram forward some more and blood gushes out of your foe as he finds himself impaled on a spear of earth. You spin to the side so as not to lose your momentum to Gnome’s help and your sword collides with the halberd of another knight.

Suddenly, Gnome’s hand snaps out and snaps the Bear’s arm. You catch a flow of… something and follow it instinctively, spinning around Gnome’s back to catch an axe to the shield. You reflexively pull in to deflect the blow and respond with an upwards slash. You catch an expression of surprise through his visor from up close as your sword slices through his plate and nearly bisects him. You step around him as he crashes to the ground, dead. A third bear roars at you and you barely catch the wild strike of his mace against your shield. He winds up to strike again, but finds himself short of breath as Gnome is suddenly there with her fist through his chest. With a wild surge of momentum unlike what you’ve felt from her before, she rips her arm out of him and hurls him overhead with all of her strength. He crashes down into another armoured knight and the two of them find the ground beneath them to be a shallow put of rock spikes.

>continued
>>
"CRUSH THE INFIDEL!"

"But sir, this world doesn't have crusades in it's backgrou-"

"I'M THE EMPEROR HERE. DO IT, FAGGIT."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJkVujOWuuc&list=PL59753D3FBD3800D8
>>
>>29594038
Gnome diverts her attention to the other enemies that your knights have just begun to engage and you tie up her loose ends. The knight she’d hurled was still moving, his armour pumping sorcery through him in an attempt to keep him alive, but you cut him off with a swift downward thrust through the back of his neck. Withdrawing your sword, you catch up with Gnome, Lynn and your other knights, sparing a brief thought to the cruel efficiency of Gnome’s fighting style. It possessed none of Undine’s grace or Salamander’s expertise – it was the fighting style of somebody who knew how to kill people quickly and efficiently and has no problems with doing so, no matter how horrific or painful such methods might be.

The Vitrians are breaking, though there’s still enugh of them left that you suspect they could still mount another assault, especially with their catapults, siege towers and mages mostly intact. Their main assault force is bloodied though, so how they’ll recover will be hard. They might even pull out and try to go around.

>1. Have Gnome cover the ditch quickly and sortie with your knights to crush them in their retreat.
>2. Have your flying knights, Gnome and arcane archers try to move along the bluffs and take out as many of their mages and siege equipment as possible whilst they are in retreat.
>3. Pull back into the fortress and wait for the Vitrians.
>4. Custom
>>
>>29593947
>Next up on Murray, this would-be Emperor is dating THREE sisters! But which one is carrying the child he says can't possibly be his?
>And what terrible secret is his bodyguard hiding? The steamy secret revealed, only on Murray!
>>
>>29594068
1
4. Augment voice and bellow at them "surrender and live"
>>
>>29594068
>2. Have your flying knights, Gnome and arcane archers try to move along the bluffs and take out as many of their mages and siege equipment as possible whilst they are in retreat.

I don't think we have the man power to run through the main body of the host to get to those. Remember we also haven't revealed the upper limit of our AAs.

>>29594075
Laughed hard, thanks anon.
>>
>>29594121
Seconding.
>>
>>29594068
2.
>>
>>29594121

I uh, actually yeah. That could work, given most are commoners, we don't want to look like some cruel invader, they might rather leave the fighting to the nobles, as opposed to fight their wars. Show them mercy now, to have a happier and more easily swayed populace later.
>>
>>29594121
Sounds like a decent enough plan
>>
>1. Plus attempted intimidation

“Gnome, level the ditch,” you tell her as you have one of your knights message Glynn to begin a sortie.

As they do so, you empower your voice again and yell out across the valley to the retreating Vitrians, “Surrender and live. For this battle is not yet over.”

You then march forward, happy to see that Phrace moves his knights in behind you, locking shields as they move forward. The gates behind you open with a great creak and shouts echo from within. The remaining Golden Bear knights and other officers bellow to the Vitrians warning them of the consequences of treason.

[DC15 Intimidation]
>>
Rolled 17

>>29594322
>>
Rolled 18

>>29594322
>>
Rolled 11

>>29594322

Helm's deep has got nothing on us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6EIv9GULJU&list=PL60EA75B9FA0CD1F8
>>
>>29594121

A, "Go home to your families, trades, livelihoods! Spread word of the might of Imperator Talon York, but also give word to his mercy! He does not wish to slay men and women who are pressed to battle by noble houses who hole up in their castles! Nay, he would rather seem them live! And prosper under better rule, kinder rule!"

Might give way to some open rebellion in the next province over. Plus a lot less people to fight.
>>
Rolled 20

>>29594322
"There is no treason in refusing this battle, for I march with the authority of House Harrowmont! I seek the deliverance of Vitria's glory! Not its defeat!"
>>
>>29594322
Quick question, did we auto activate "Empower Self I" in this fight or do we have to request that?
>>
>>29594398
Damn, one roll too late.
>>
>>29594398
If you didn't write that speech you would have been able to use that 20.
>>
>>29594420

QM auto activates all skills we need to use on the regular. We just like to specifically use them to do tasks occasionally. Also that's Empower Self II now, we leveling son.
>>
>>29594420
It is a quick activation and lasts 3 hours so we automatically use it in every battle. If we improve the duration on it enough we will have it on 24/7 which means it will help us shrug off surprise assassination attempts.
>>
>>29594322
btw, if enemies surrender we sweep by them and leave them unharmed while finishing off those who wouldn't.
>>
>>29594521

Speaking of that hole of the abyss. We'll need to ask her sometime just how deep that crazy thing was, because god damn Gnome you scary.
>>
>>29594446
But then it wouldn't have been a 20, because the RNG is based on the post time.
>>
>>29594553
speaking of gnome... I can't wait to make a "did you feel the earth move too" joke.
>>
>Target met

“If you wish to live, lay down your arms and step aside,” you continue to bellow as you advance, your knights banging their shields and weapons together to add to the thunder of your voice. “Surrender here and be treated mercifully or go home and live your lives free of this house warfare. All others shall be treated as enemies!”

Many of the Vitrians begin to falter, especially as you pick up the pace of your advance when Glynn joins you. Hundreds of mage-knights, led by the terrifying behemoths that are the heavy mage-knights, charge down the narrow path you lay. Most of those that spot you drop their weapons and dive into the barriers. You leave them be, but note that some sendings are being fired off to your regular troops to collect them and keep them from attacking your rear. Some of them futilely try to fight back, including some noble knights, but they fall to your onslaught. You spot those far ahead of you in full retreat and see their camp. The remaining Golden Bears and many other knights are trying to form a defensive formation where you will leave the path you’ve created.

The chokepoint you made to stop them is now against you. It’s crash or crash through.

[DC14 Combat]
>>
>>29594553
Actually, we need to see if we can recover any of the equipment (armor) that went down that hole.
>>
Rolled 1

>>29594610
>>
Rolled 12

>>29594610
>>
Rolled 18

>>29594610
>>
File: 1390022185691.jpg-(42 KB, 700x394, Roman-Soldiers-in-a-Shiel(...).jpg)
42 KB
42 KB JPG
Rolled 15

>>29594322
>locking shields

Shield wall? Shield wall.

We Romans now, bitches.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkWQedOnszU&list=PL60EA75B9FA0CD1F8
>>
>>29594636

Every damn time we do something cool. EVERY. DAMN. TIME.
>>
Rolled 11

>>29594636
oh dice gods...

You know what, fine, don't be afraid to fall back from the checkpoint and let them regroup there. they will have to leave eventually, or we can collapse it on them at night with gnome
>>
>>29594636
Of course...
>>
>>29594636
d20 are wayyy to fickle.
>>
>>29594636
So they rally the deserters?
>>
well, knowing Aspirant, it won't be a loss. We will take some casualties and decides whether to try again, try something else, or what not.
>>
>>29594610
Just caught up to this, damn dice ruin all our fun.
>>
>>29594601

The social thread is going to be a real amusing time. We have all sorts of ammo on Gnome now.

>>29594611
Well yeah I assumed we would do this regardless.
>>
>>29594698
>>29594686
>>29594684
Be thankful that it's our heavy mage knights and us at the front at least. We're going to be bruised, but at least we won't be dead or repulsed entirely.

And the fact still remains: the siege is effectively broken at this point. Even if those rearguard survive, their chances of taking the pass are now nil. They may still have their equipment, but there just isn't enough motivated manpower to make the threat stick.
>>
>>29594743

Truth, plus Talon hasn't had his typical mid-battle "somehow I got a fucking axe lodged in my armour please fix this Undine" battle wound. It must happen, always.
>>
>>29594743
its also worth noting that we repulsed them with 1/3rd of our force only. Felix is leading 2/3rd of our force to hit them from the rear in a pincer maneuver.

While we are it, we should fire off a sending to him to warn him about the various traps we placed.
>>
>>29594767
You know what, i bet thats what this crit is, turns out the bear leader was sitting in the rear and he is awesome, and he just got the drop on talon with a big honking axe
>>
>>29594767
Fun fact, we don't have a healer standing next to us right now.
>>
File: 1390022662226.jpg-(184 KB, 764x796, 10000hours.jpg)
184 KB
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10000 hours in paint
>>
>>29594792

Talon's weakness if guys with axes. Every time we fight a boss enemy with one it manages to hit home at least once, and hard. It's actually kind of funny now.
>>
>>29594824
lol'd
>>
>>29594817

That's not the point, Talon has had major wounds in most of the boss battles from nat 1s, and usually it's an axe to the chest, or dent in the armour, or stab to the gut. It's more of a running joke anymore that after every battle Undine has to repair our armour.
>>
>>29594824
cracked my sides

Have another battle ambience track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmM_rlnYnmw&list=PL60EA75B9FA0CD1F8
>>
>>29594824
the funny thing is, he looks like I imagine talon would without the armor.
>>
>dramatic failure

As you are about to close on the knights ahead of you, explosions ripple forth from the ground. Blasts of sorcery from the mages behind the enemy knights tear apart the ground. Fire, ice, magic and earth tear forth and shatter against the shield wall of your knights. You hear some screams as some lucky evocation catches some of your men. The ground beneath you suddenly swirls with sorcery, a complex circle forming around you that portends a great deal of pain.

Then it fizzles out as Gnome strikes the ground, a strange feeling of her own sorcery restoring a form of peace to the area around you. So unlike Mal’s unnatural method of disrupting magic. As she’s busy though, a series of magical bolts shatter against your frontline. One collides with your helmet, partially penetrating it and giving you a nasty burn, as several more collide with your torso. You quell the pain, as do most of your men, but realise that your charge is completely broken now. The Golden Bear knights stand ready still.

>1. Try to rally your men and continue the charge.
>2. Respond defensively, positioning your men at the chokepoint and bringing your archers and mages forward to counterattack them. This will enable you to take the surrendered Vitrians prisoner.
>3. Retreat to the castle. If the Vitrians are broken, they may retreat, but otherwise they may attempt another storm or invade the rest of Vale.
>4. Custom
>>
>>29594884
2
>>
>>29594884
>partially penetrating it and giving you a nasty burn

NOT OUR BEARD. NOT OUR GLORIOUS BEARD.

>2. Respond defensively, positioning your men at the chokepoint and bringing your archers and mages forward to counterattack them. This will enable you to take the surrendered Vitrians prisoner.

No one is going anywhere now. Gnome can stop their magic, and if we let them go now it'll only cause another attack with more big guns at the front.
>>
>>29594884
2
>>
>>29594884
isn't the checkpoint next to some bluffs?
any chance of gnome collapsing some of the hill on them?
>>
>>29594884
>1. Try to rally your men and continue the charge.
We can still make this work!
>>
>>29594884
>1.
Continue the push. We've already taken out at least 23 bears - 10 from our ambush, 12 at our sally from the walls, and 1 from when we shot at them when they charged our gate.

That leaves 28 of them...and we have almost all our magic knights with us. Even counting their remaining rallying troops, it's a thin line waiting to be broken.

If we really have to,
>4.
just have the barriers we put up to channel them in dispelled. Then we can use our now localized numerical superiority to flank and spank.
>>
>>29594884
>2.

Thy will be done.
>>
>>29594950
You're a few hundred metres away from the bluffs.
>>
>>29594958
argh, can't count.

27 bears left, not 28.
>>
>>29594958
That depends on whether gnome manifested those barriers (can dispell them at will with no effort), or if she shaped the real earth into those barriers (will require her to demolish them the old fashioned way)
>>
>>29594958

I have a feeling Gnome is holding the magic line for us right now, with no small amount of effort as well.
>>
>>29594984
There were 60 GBs originally. The ambush killed 10, 5 died at the gates, 6 in your sally forth plus several more as they charged and retreated. There's probably about 30 or so left.

Also, Gnome would need to reshape the physical barriers which would prevent her from doing anything else for a a little bit.

>Looks like a 2.
>>
>>29595032
>Looks like a 2.

You say that like its a bad thing?
>>
>>29595032

We don't need to necessarily call our archers forward right? Are they still within range of our AAs? That might play big time if they think they have holed up in a spot outside of their range. Catch them off guard and all that.
>>
>2.

“Men, rally around me,” you bellow. “Hold this line. Let them know our strength and zeal.”

Your heavy knights, under Phrace’s command, pull back into formation, several of them limping from injuries, and take on a defensive formation. One of them fires off a sending telling Moss to pull everybody down to support you. You catch Illon doubling back with his flying knights, ready to provide support.

You catch the enemy mages drawing on their sorcery again, preparing evocation to break you no doubt. In response, you feel Gnome pull even more strength from the ground around her. Your own knights level their weapons, ready to fire magical bolts.

[DC15 Hold the Line]
>>
Rolled 10

>>29595101
HOLD THE LINE!
>>
Rolled 4

>>29595101
>>
Rolled 5

>>29595101
>>
Rolled 20

>>29595101
>>
>>29595139
God damn it
>>
>>29595139
goddammit! why oh why did I roll before you?
>>
>>29595139
Son of a bitch.
>>
>>29595139
Well that just hurts.
>>
>>29595129
>>29595131
>>29595132

Damn it!

>>29595139
Oh come on with that.
>>
>>29595132
>>29595131
>>29595129
This is oversized-weapon quest tier.
>>
where is felix with the other 2/3rds of our army btw?
>>
>>29595176
Covering the other 95% of the province. Vale's pretty big and you're defending the shortcut to Harrowmont (which is pretty close to Vitria - it's why it only takes two days to march from Vitria to Harrowmont).
>>
>>29595084

This is a good point!
>>
>>29595084
>>29595207
They need to be in the barrier maze for your AAs to hit them. They're outside of it, facing in.
>>
>>29595229

Darn it. Well alright.
>>
>>29595229
Can we roll for intimidation?
>>
>Target not met

Your men, veterans that they are even if they’re unused to their new armour, hold against the enemy onslaught. Gnome keeps the magic right around you at bay, but evocation still ripples around you and your men are dying. The attempt to trade magical bolts with the enemy knights isn’t working as their mages break your own. Arrows hail down on you from afar. You weather a few blows yourself and receive a sending from Moss that they’re getting into position now.

You face a bleak choice here – hold the line despite the barrage of missiles and magic in hopes that your archers and mages can do enough damage to break them, or accept the losses and pull back, taking your wounded with you.

>1. Hold the line. Heavy losses expected. You may lose numerous suits of heavy mage-knight plate. This can still fail if your archers and mages can’t beat theirs.
>2. Pull back, taking your wounded with you. You’ll be able to salvage equipment but will be vulnerable to a charge into your rear.
>3. Full retreat. You may be able to save some wounded, but you’ll lose any dead with equipment. The plus side is it’ll be difficult for the enemy to charge you successfully.
>4. Custom
>>
>>29595287
its hard to be intimidating when you are getting your ass kicked.
>>
>>29595302
1

This is why we don't fucking do stand up fights!
>>
>>29595302
>4. Use astral magic to turn the tide.
>>
>>29595302
>1. Hold the line. Heavy losses expected. You may lose numerous suits of heavy mage-knight plate. This can still fail if your archers and mages can’t beat theirs.

Man that nat 1 hurt us. But I feel like we're in to deep now. Those green boys in HMK are going to be tough bastards after this shit.
>>
>>29595302
1
In for a penny in for a pound

Cant retreat or we lose the effects of our previous taunts and give them moral boost
>>
>>29595370
No, they're going to be dead, but we can probably salvage enough of their equipment to form a new unit at about half strength.
>>
>>29595302
HMK is not designed to hold a line against heavy barrage, its designed to hit enemy mages and KILL them.

Perhaps if we personally spearhead the attack to break through their lines and get into a furious melee our heavy armor could shine.

Then again, it might be suicide
>>
>>29595302
>1. Hold the line. Heavy losses expected. You may lose numerous suits of heavy mage-knight plate. This can still fail if your archers and mages can’t beat theirs.
Rolls are thoroughly plowing us today, if we don't hold we might as well just slit our own soldier's throats.

>>29595357
Talon can't call upon the magic himself I don't think, and even if we could, that's probably a limited ability and would require a high roll. Today is not the day for a high stakes roll.
>>
>>29595428
>Talon can't call upon the magic himself I don't think
He is referring to
>Unknown Astral Power ? - somehow you are able to channel astral power. Although it has come unbidden previously, you believe you may be able to use it consciously
from Talon's char sheet.
>>
>>29595427

Shock troops they are, they still manage well in defensive positions, see us dealing with them at Fort Locke. We're just getting rode hard by dem rolls tonight.
>>
>>29595302
What if we do 1 but Charge in our selves to disrupt their attacks a bit to make them flinch to give us some time/lessen their attack while the archers fire to the sides of us so we aren't hit.
>>
>>29595454
defensive position against enemy soldiers, not overwhelming magical bombardment.
This is what we get for leaving mal and sala behind btw...

It is also worth noting that if we break through and get into a furious melee they cannot bombard us without bombarding their own troops as well
>>
>>29595302
Guys, I leave to take a shower, and I come back to this mess?

Unacceptable! Get back in the line, you cowards!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo84RJsHgQQ&list=PL60EA75B9FA0CD1F8
>>
>>29595488
>This is what we get for leaving mal and sala behind btw...

I don't really see what either one of them could be doing in this particular situation. Other then Sala flaming them up. We have Gnome and Undine, should be fine.

>>29595449

Yeah what he said still applies, Talon can't consciously tap that, he does so on d20s usually, and tries to when he's firing off arrows.
>>
>>29595427
>HMK is not designed to hold a line against heavy barrage
Actually, that's exactly what they're intended to withstand. If you'd lead with regular MKs, you'd be surrounded by corpses. HMKs just exhaust themselves quickly and aren't very good at fast movement or long battles.

>>29595449
This is used in conjunction with other abilites. Archery, for example, has two DCs to represent the fact the upper one lets you blow stuff up with your astral power. It's also a bigger hint.

>1.

You close off your emotions and make the choice you think will help in the long run.

Slapping up a weak barrier with your shield, you shout, “Men, form up on me. We hold until they break.”

Phrace bellows out orders and his men lurch into a defensive formation, locking shields. You’re surprised at the number still standing, though it’s clear that their wounds are heavy and they’re all exhausted. The fact their morale hasn’t broken or wavered is both reassuring and disturbing – normal men can’t withstand this sort of punishment so easily.

A wave of explosions ripples through the enemy ranks and arrows fly overhead from Moss’ ranks. Your reinforcements have joined you.

[DC10/19 Hold the Line Take 2]
>>
Rolled 4

>>29595551
Broken
>>
>>29595551
>>
Rolled 20

>>29595551
Not over till the fat lady sings
>>
>>29595541
>I don't really see what either one of them could be doing in this particular situation
Male is epic tier specialist in disrupting large groups of enemy spellcasters, and he now has a channel staff, he could completely shut down enemy mages while gnome smashs down the walls they use as a choke point. As it is, gnome is struggling to block their mages and enough of their magic bombardments is getting through to kill our men.
Sala is a specialist in AoE vs army and can create a fire tsunami to break enemy lines
>>
>>29595582
Praise be!
>>
Rolled 19

>>29595551
It has to be done.
>>
>>29595551
> normal men can’t withstand this sort of punishment so easily

Even without HMK these are not normal men! These bastards have seen some serious shit, and damn it do they fight hard for us.
>>
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>>29595582
>>
>>29595602

I was mainly referring to the specific situation we are in right now. We wouldn't have brought Mal with us in a sortie, and yeah Sala would have been useful, but it is what it is.

I know their uses, ain't my first rodeo.

>>29595582
>>29595617

FUCK YEAH WE ASTRAL NOW.
>>
>>29595570
>>29595582
>>29595617

Promotions for everyone!

And I was gonna save this for the cavalry fag earlier, for when he/she finally gets his/her cavalry charge, but this will do for celebrations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soxMn4pb07A
>>
For all the dice hate, it does keep things exciting.
There a slightly over 1 in 4 chance of any roll being a crit (fail or success) and it keeps things swinging.
The dice gods punish, the dice god reward.
>>
>>29595665
Will you tone it down with the astral shit? We're trying not to attract the interest of any real power players yet.
>>
OOC question
Is the astral power we weild the same we would have had we chosen a monk?
Because I get the feeling it is not, and that it is a tier above it. (although I bet a monk would have had an easier time of it)
>>
>>29595551
>It's also a bigger hint.

God damn it Aspirational you know we aren't good with that, took us you spelling it out for us that Sarah wanted the D. We're doomed.
>>
>>29595707
That was spiritual power which, yes, is a tier below (kind of). Each PC would have their special storyline - the knight's one with astral power would not have been replicated with any other PC.
>>
>>29595705

You chill out yourself fella. That was mostly in referral to Talon tapping Astral powers every time he specifically gets a nat 20. Those small things happen at least once a thread. This isn't on the level of claiming a PoP for ourselves.
>>
>>29595742
>Each PC would have their special storyline
interesting...
Now I am really REALLY curious. Especially as to what a mage emperor would have gotten.
>>
>exceptional success

You grit your teeth as the battle seems to drag on. Magical bolts tear into your men, the ground roars against you, lances of raw power collide against your shields, arrows clatter against your armour. Screams and shouts echo in your ears as you feel your very self drain away into this chaos. Death itself surrounds you and you wonder if it’s possible to make something from such destruction? If it can have any true purpose? Can life be brought forth after this? Or does this slice of pandemonium serve its own purpose?

You snap out of it as you hear a scream – Phrace goes down as a particularly nasty magical bolt pierces his shield. Your men pull him within their ranks and close over him with their shields to protect him, several shouts of despair coming from them. You feel a fury overtake your earlier melancholy. This was your man. He pledged himself to you. He was yours to protect and he fought for you with that knowledge. For these Vitrians to try to take him like this…

Your fury swells and breaks forth. Power, just like before but more powerful, surges through you. Your sword gleams with you fury, so very unlike what you felt against the dragon – both in terms of magnitude and emotion. Your fury takes the form of…

>1. Fire
>2. Power
>3. Death
>>
>>29595705
while we want to not get noticed (its why we aren't claiming a pop for ourselves), we also need to master this power ASAP before we are eventually noticed. Fights where there is nobody around who would detect it are the perfect time to do so.

Also, a huge reason why we don't want to be noticed with POP binding is that the POP binding only empowers us for a single mile around the source and will not help us at all (in theory) when fighting further out. And if we are defending the source from an attack we probably lost already.

Although I bet a pop binding to source will empower us outside of it in some manner despite theory.

Heck, I would like to try visiting the source again... maybe practice astral archery near it.
>>
>>29595827
POWER!
>>
>>29595827
>2. Power

Oh shit plot event?
>>
>>29595827
2
>>
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>>29595827
>2. Power
>>
>>29595827
>3. Death
>>
Rolled 9

>>29595827
>>2. Power
>>
>>29595876
Not quite the same as the dragon one, but yes, a plot event. There was one written up for when you roll a 20 in a shit situation with the chips down and the lives of your men at risk.
>>
>>29595840
>2.
>The acension is nigh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDPPtnY_gpM&list=PL66CE33E605130A1D
>>
Why is it Talon always manages to do plot level astral shit at crazy times? The dragon, in an almost losing battle. Our poor man. I hope he lives.
>>
>>29595953
See >>29595924
>>
>>29595953
1. Drama
2. Talon is a natural caster, his method of casting is such that trying to learn structured casting like mal uses would actually INHIBIT his growth. It is natural that stressful highly emotional moments to trigger such breakthroughs in such a caster. This is evidenced by how he first acquired sorcery, as well as first acquiring astral power

also see>>29595924
>>
>>29595827
Death
>>
>>29595953
>roll nat 20 for baking bread
>we see the bread in our mind, every atom, every subatomic particle, we have become attuned with the soul of this loaf
>>
>>29595984
>>29596012

I was talking about us getting lucky and rolling nat20s at those specific times. It just happens at such appropriate times.
>>
>>29595902
>>29596017
Seriously? You two aren't going to pick the mystery box?
>>
>>29596017
>>29595902
I bet death will be the most effective here, but it probably will be less effective against vampires, certain monsters, and in maintaining our emotional balance.
>>
>>29596039
This quest really is like a rollercoaster of emotions. I like it even if I woulda rolled a 1 and ruined the 20 then had to commit Sudoku.
>>
>>29596068
>Power is mystery box
I hope it isn't just lightening...
I mean, if it is lightening would still be my number one choice, but I hope its something cooler
>>
>>29596072

I felt like it didn't really side with Talon as a character, but yes those points as well. Raw power is just as scary as well, and there are still bears to be cracked.
>>
>>29596103
oh yes, that too. I was implying this with the "emotional balance" thing but its better to clearly state it.
>>
>>29596072
Death is going to be like with the dragon except on a large scale. We reach out and grab the threads that constitute their lives then cut them away. Just this time it'd be an army's worth of lives we'd end in an instant.
>>
>>29596130

Damn Talon you potentially scary. If we were playing evil Emperor quest, I'd be so down for that. Talon as it stands right now seems to be on the fence of Lawful Neutral. If you want to call it by such things.
>>
>>29596130
That is exactly what I thought death will be when I made that post you quoted.

Also, worth mentioning is that its not as cool. I am HOPING power manifests in extreme buffing of self and maybe allies to lay waste to our enemies in an extremely flashy and cool manner.
>>
If our man lives we owe him all sorts of alcoholic beverages.A lot of our men at this point actually. I bet they'll be happy to be home if we can manage.
>>
>>29596164
We'll see. Power really is a mystery box to my mind since I wouldn't be to surprised if it effectively turned us and our remaining men into invulnerable berserkers (oh the atrocities those commit) for the duration of this scene, or it could be mass mental domination or a number of other "evil" things. Or "good" things, though it'll probably not really fall on that spectrum. Just saying we don't know yet.
>>
>>29595953
This one was written in. The dragon was actually completely coincidental, which is funny. I fully expected that particular event (which required a certain number of special points) to trigger with something as silly as >>29596027

>2.

Power. Raw, unyielding power floods you. Your sword glows with a golden light. Your shield, your armour, your body – your very essence even, exudes power. Power to achieve whatever you want. Not just to create. Not just to destroy.

Yes, you think, it is very possible to create life anew from such destruction. Just as nature grows even greater after a fire so too can you create greater things from such a wanton waste of life and potential.

With those thoughts, your power surges out of you and the ground groans under the weight of your strength. The oncoming magic is enveloped and negated by it. You feel your wounds heal, your face mends itself and the hairs of your beard regrow.

“Men of Harrowmont!” you bellow, so loudly that even Heaven, a place said to exist so high in the sky as to be unreachable, must surely hear you. “I have offered these Vitrians my mercy and they have refused it. Let us show them our torment!”

You feel your power sink into the men around you. It pushes and crackles against the targets of your ire. Somehow, you don’t feel angry now. This feels natural. Those of your knights who had been incapacitated from their injuries stand up, joining the formation of men behind you. You look to your side and see Phrace form them up with a bellow. He gives you a proud nod.

You turn towards the Vitrians opposite you, who are slowly backing away as they realise they know not what they face. You raise your sword and lower it in their direction. For you to bring life to this land after all this, you must still crush those who oppose you first.

>continued
>>
>>29596283
After the battle, you stand amidst the Vitrian camp. Many of the Vitrians are fleeing and you are wary of chasing them over the border. They broke with little urging. Few surrendered, so terrified of you they were. After all, it must have appeared as if you raised the dead. Unfortunately, it was not so – several of your knights are still dead. Those who were merely wounded are perfectly fine, however.

Gnome steps up next to you, but before you can deal with her you need to decide what to do with the fleeing Vitrians. They’ve left most of their supplies but taken their equipment with them. You’d guess at least two and a half thousand of them are fleeing.

>1. Have your fastest soldiers chase them and harry them.
>2. Have your fastest soldiers chase them and deliver a message that they are free to return and join you to retake Vitria from House Oaln.
>3. Leave the fleeing Vitrians be
>4. Custom
>>
>>29596314
>2. Have your fastest soldiers chase them and deliver a message that they are free to return and join you to retake Vitria from House Oaln.

Why not?

Also the golden griffon feels so appropriate now.
>>
We're on page 10.
>>
>>29596314

>2.

"All of Christendom will know of the glorious victory we have won here today!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-MINfVtYik&list=PL66CE33E605130A1D
>>
>>29596362
Next post is the last for the thread. We resume at 5pm EST today (Jan 18th). There'll be a bit of wrap-up but most of the thread will be a light social thread.
>>
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>>29596314
>he hairs of your beard regrow.
My sides...

>2.
>>
>>29596314
3. Let them spread the word. Talon comes.
>>
>>29596314
2.
>>
>>29596283
>and the hairs of your beard regrow.

I was so upset about our beard getting burned. This more than makes up for it. 10/10 Chuckled heartily.
>>
So wait we got the buffing power?
I wonder what the other two would have given us.
>>
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>>29596283
>>29596314
10/10
This was beutiful
>>
>>29596426
>I wonder what the other two would have given us
Fire and Death seem to be pretty self explanatory.
>>
>>29596426
We'd have killed more of them but taken heavier losses.
>>
>>29596314
>retake Vitria from House Oaln.
You mean, "from Oaln the pretender"
>>
I remember some people talking about turning Talon into a psuedo Paladin, looks like we just took a solid step towards that.
>>
>2.

“Lieutenant Illon, see if you can’t catch up to those retreating and let them know we’ll accept them into your ranks if they’ll return here. Vitria still needs to be retaken from House Oaln,” you tell him, speaking quietly.

Illon nods in return and flies off into the air. You’re not certain how your men feel about you after what happened earlier. Many of your best soldiers were there to see it happen – see their comrades stand back up from injuries that should have left them as corpses.

Gnome speaks, “Now is probably the best time to speak a little more about what happened. Or more particularly, what we each think happened. That was very different to what occurred earlier – it was still astral power but it felt so different. Is there anything you can think to tell me?”

You think on your response…

>That’s another thread folks

We’ll open with the Gnome discussion. If there’s no particular write-in responses, I’ll probably do a brief bit of discussion at the start of the next thread followed by some voting on how Talon feels.

Next thread is 5pm EST today (Jan 18th). Hope to see you there. It will, after some wrap up of this thread’s events, be a light-hearted social thread.
>>
>>29596472
Well the QM could have given us a twist.
like death could mean we could bring our soldeirs back or our sword was a 1 hit kill/cut
As for fire i can't think of many.
>>
>>29596508
temporarily summon a small army of minor fire elementals
>>
>>29596500
Thanks for the thread, was fun.
>>
I say we let men speculate about what we did.
We can't come up with an explanation that will be better than rumors
>>
The Sarah/Undine smut is still being worked on. I'll probably be posting it at the end of tomorrow's thread.
>>
>>29596472
>>29596508
Fire isn't necessarily fire, just as power wasn't truly power. There's some context in the posts to let you work out what it represents.
>>
>>29596500
>"I'd rather hear what you have to say first. Every time I bring up Astral power I get this look like I'm insane."
>>
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>>29596491
Oh, I like this.

Quick, crank up the printing presses!
>>
>>29596573
So wait death actually brought our soldiers back as zombies?
>>
>>29596500
"Well, I could tell you what it felt like, and the epiphany that led to it. But I couldn't tell you how I did it, and I'm not sure that I could do it again if I tried."
>>
So OOC, what did you expect us to pick Aspirational?

Anything particularly surprise you this thread?
>>
>>29596573
Quick question, did Gnome get wrapped up in whatever we disorder was she unaffected by our magic?
>>
>>29596639
The main surprise was the return of incautious Talon - the guy that does crazy shit. He's been on the backburner for a little while.

As for the three ambiguous 'fury' choices - I was surprised that fire got no votes, but then it seems nobody caught the subtext to it.
>>
>>29596736
That'll come up next thread.
>>
>>29596772
>>29596742
Care to explain the subtext then?
Also will there be a chance to get a second power like death or fire?
>>
>>29596819
Think mythically. What is fire representative of?

Also, you're not really locked into a power. It's still early days.
>>
>>29596742
yea, we really didn't get the subtext.
Now that I think about it though, those were our emotions
we felt three things
1. Burning fury at the death of our comarades - fire
2. Introspective philosophy of whether or not life can come from all this destruction - power
3. Wallowing in all the deaths around us

so, fire might have been a buff to self of pure destruction

or it might be that the only question was for our source of power
>>
>>29596742
>incautious Talon

It has been a good bit, especially the whole let's jump down into an army 4 or 5 some old times thing. It ended up being fun, definitely different from what he has been doing. Felt like more of Talon taking the "grandiose" action into his own hands. Definitely could have gone better though. Haha

Fire seemed like another death to me. But it also can do the life or rebirth angle as well. They all came with subtexts, I felt like power was just right though.
>>
>>29596844
The phoenix, but i thought it would be a bit too much of a bullshit power to get.
>>
>>29596877
oh snap... bringing our dead soldiers back to life in a burst of flames WOULD have been freaking awesome crazy.
>>
>>29596863
>2. Introspective philosophy of whether or not life can come from all this destruction - power
or maybe... this was self doubt on whether we are justified, power represented confidence that we are, that this is for the greater good, that we NEED to do these things.
>>
>>29596889
Which is why i figured i was wrong.
>>
>>29596844
I felt like Fires been done a lot, and power seems to fit with what Talon told Gnome earlier about what he wanted to do and how.
>>
>>29596889
>>29596877
1.Bring soldiers back to life
2.Empower soldiers
3.Bring them back, but as undead.
>>
>>29596935
I would have totally changed my vote from 2 to 1 then.

But seriously, I didn't read this level of subtext into it.
>>
I think the subtext might have been a bit mismanaged with the word "fire" to represent it. Fire and Death can be one in the same, but Power doesn't fit as well. I suppose it was an in the moment type of thing, giving our allies strength and power along with ourselves felt like the Talon thing to do after risking them in such a way.
>>
>>29596927
mmm, that is true, regardless of what the mechanics might have meant, power is still the ideal choice for talon personality wise.

>>29596963
Should probably have been slightly less subtle
>>
>>29596963

Also that's not a knock on your QMing skills, I really enjoy how deep your writing can get and the little hints and subtexts we get towards things. Just we tend to be hard headed about certain things, like Sarah. Haha
>>
>>29596963
Hmm, perhaps the problem was using 'Death' - perhaps instead I should have used 'Ruin.' I might do that where it comes up in the future. None of the three are clear cut, and there's always the possibility of a fourth option.

I don't want to make the consequences of choices obvious yet, though.
>>
Was Lynn in the range to feel that as well? I'd imagine so, would be interesting to get her feelings on it.
>>
>>29596027
Nah anon... it would be during a FTB
>>
>>29597019

Yeah that seems a bit better. Though regardless most seem happy with how Power played out, seeing Phrace Get that bastard a drink. stand up with us again was heart warming. Just a good moment.

I do suspect that we might play the other options now knowing that's a thing, the true mystery box option of potential fourth or further sounds like fun.
>>
>>29597115
if we get a mystery box, everyone will choose it just out of curiosity...

actually this might have been partially what happened this time, where power was the mystery box.
>>
>>29597115
>Congrat phrace
while we are at it, didn't moss execute an outstanding ambush?
Plus all our other troops... lots of congrats to go around
>>
>>29597162

I think a night of celebrating with our actual men is in order. I'd enjoy hearing Talon cut it up with the people he use to be like.
>>
>>29597162
We haven't seen our total losses yet...
>>
>>29597190
Well, 0 wounded, right? At least there's that.
>>
>>29597304
That's a lot funnier than it should be.
>>
So...
>Talon made gnome upset
>Made it up to her by hand feeding a relaxing gnome sliced fruit
>Acts a bit tsun tsun about it
anyone else thinks that's rather dawww for so many reasons and would love for this to continue? (but not in a making it up to her kinda way... but while cuddling)


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