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The morning comes too soon as you are awakened by the horns blasting outside your quarters. You slowly rise from your bed, still tired yet from the journey yesterday. The others don't seem to be faring better from the looks of it. The women of the group have their hair in a mess, Rickon curses as he rubs his eyes.

“Get up raw meat!” you hear as a soldier opens the door to your quarters. “It's drill time, get out!”

All of you get up except for Helena, who's sitting at her bed, eyes dropping and staring off in to some space or another. Looks like the priest still hasn't quite caught up on her mind from the sudden morning awakening?

>tell the priest to hurry it up
>grab her hand and get her up
>she can come out when she's ready, ignore her and head to drill

Last thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/40410848/
Character sheet: http://pastebin.com/rxp6P2iT

>grab her hand and get her up

>>40434661
>grab her hand and get her up

>>40434661
>tell the priest to hurry it up

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The other three begin to move out of the quarters leaving only you and Helena behind. Seeing as how the priest seems to be unmoving, you move toward her and grab her hand.

"Either you've died and become a ghoul, or you want to be get yelled at by out lovable captain. Come on," you say as you get her up.

The priest merely blinks for a few seconds, then slowly grabs her belongings. With a shrug, you turn around to head out only to be bonked on the head by the woman's staff. Not exactly enough to warrant an attack, but the hit hurting enough for you to rub your head.

"No touching," the priest says as she heads out as well.

"...Not a morning person," you mutter as you follow through as well. Outside the sun is barely up and the sky is a dim light blue. A few of the upper-ranked soldiers bark orders for the lessers to hurry up with the training. They shove your group to the track fields where they tell you to run several laps around the place.

"Can't see how I can hate this place any more," Rickon grumbles as he sets off. Despite the complaint the man is going off in a rather quick pace.

The three ladies go off as well, though Rickon far outpaces them and is likely to overlap them soon enough.

How should you go with the morning run?
>give it all you got
>go at a steady pace jog
>go about lazily, screw these drills

>>40435633
>go at a steady pace jog

>>40435633
>go at a steady pace jog

>>40435633
>go at a steady pace jog

>>40435633
>give it all you got

I'm a rebel.

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You take care to remember that you're the most fit person so you decide to just go at a steady jog. With some intake of fresh air, you begin your job around the track in the cold morning.

Around three laps in you find that the lancer has overpassed you by a lap, while Iri has fallen behind you by a lap as she goes about her drills lazily. Only the yell of a gruff sergeant coming at the thief makes her yelp and go slightly faster. Helena seems to be falling behind as well, but any man that tries to force her to run is met by a death glare that frightens even veterans away.

Your steady pace matches you with Annette, the brown-haired noble. A glance at the swordsman sees her taking the drill seriously as she jogs with controlled breaths and not taking a second to slow to a walk as the other grunts around the track are doing. Perhaps it's a good time to speak with the snooty lady?

"Rickon has already outpaced us, you going to allow that?" you say as you come by her side.

"That ruffian can do whatever he wants," Annette replies. "I care not. Steady and going wins in the end."

You wipe some sweat from your brow. Should you ask a few things about the lady? Or maybe talk about current events? Or.. maybe have a little fun?

>ask a few things about Annette and her family
>talk to her about the state of Ivalice and what she thinks
>taunt her in to a race

>>40436177
>ask a few things about Annette and her family

>>40436177
>ask a few things about Annette and her family

>>40436177
>ask a few things about Annette and her family
She can't live in the porcelain tower forever.

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"So," you begin as you try to match your pace with Annette, who is slightly more fit and less fatigued than you. "Tell me of your family. Your parents expect much from their prodigy?"

Annette grimaces a bit. A bit of a strange reaction for a simple request?

"Why do you want to know, and why should I tell you?" she asks in a downtrodden matter.

"Well, I'm from a noble family as well. We're suppose to mingle, get to know each other, and make connections right? That's how the likes of us rise."

"Hah, I would not think you to care for politics."

You likely don't.

"...Well, there's not much to say," she says, but you think the manner in which she speaks says something else. "My family is but a minor house. A fallen one to be exact. I am doing my best to restore the honor and prestige of my family, and put ourselves on the upper echelon. My father thinks to stay out of the realm of politics, but I refuse to let things stand as they are. I will start by proving myself here in this war and than I shall find myself a suitable position within Lesalia. I am certain if I can meet the Queen, I can change things..."

She lets out the smallest of sighs as the two of you continue on. It seems she hasn't explained everything yet, leaving a few details about her house vague. Should you try to find more information?

>press her for more information
>say nothing more

>>40436774
>press her for more information
At least she has a family to speak of. We're the last of our own house.

>>40436774
>press her for more information

>>40436774
>>say nothing more

>say nothing more
Probably not good idea to pry in to her if she seems a little uncomfortable.

>>40436774
>say nothing more

>>40436774
>say nothing more
Don't pry yet. Maybe after a few more battles.

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You think to yourself there is likely a good reason why Annette isn't giving her full story and that she may not feel the most comfortable speaking about personal matters to someone she met only a day past. You decide not to press her for any more information and keep it there.

"Well, I'm not exactly from a known house either, but tell me if you ever need my help," you finish the conversation. As you both finish up your jog, you think you can hear the smallest of a "thanks" escape from the girl's lips.

The running is done, but the drills are not yet. Iri is lying on the grass, out of breath and looking dizzy. You see Rickon sitting beside her drinking a canteen of water.

"G,,,Give me some..." Iri pleads as she stretches her hand for the canteen. Rickon pours some water on the girl's face and the thief angrily tries to smack the lancer who rolls away.

"Stop your lollygaggin," a bearded man says. "Drills ain't over yet. Go grab a sword, or practice some archery and magic," the man says motioning for the lot of you to move.

Perhaps some sword training or other could do you some good. As of now you are relying on your gun with limited ammunition, ammunition that is also hard to come by. If you're going to survive the war and future trouble, you might as well learn some other jobs.

>practice fencing with Rickon, Iri, or Annette (Choose one)
>try learning some magic from Annette or Helena (Choose one)
>try some archery on your own?
>other, explain

>>40437313
>try learning some magic from Annette or Helena (Choose one)
We can learn some basic blaster magic from Annette to cover our bases.

>>40437313
>try learning some magic from Annette
Get some Black Magic

>>40437313
>practice fencing with Rickon, Iri, or Annette (Choose one) Iri get her better at facing an opponent straight on and practice outselves

>>40437441
Iri would dance circles around us, and we're not the most physically fit here.

>>40437313
>>other, explain
Do we know how to spear?

>>40437662
No, unless you consider swinging wildly using it.

>>40437313
Black Magic with Annette

You decide for now that fencing and front line fighting is out of your league yet, and you would still remain supporting from the middle and rear lines. To keep the ammo consumption of your gun at bay, why not learn some magic? You take a glance over to Annette and Helena and decide to go over to the little noble. Annette usually takes her job seriously so it might prove useful to learn from her.

"Annette," you say coming over to the girl who is prepping her sword. "I've been thinking I should learn some magic if I',m going to be supporting from the back. Might teaching me a thing or two?"

"I'm busy, can you not bother someone else?" she replies with a frown.

"Come now," you say with a small gesture to the air. "My gun isn't going to be last forever and when we're fighting armored foes it might prove even less useful. Teach me some magic and I can provide better service for our squad. Besides, nobles help the needy correct? Noblow obege and all."

"It's noblesse oblige," Annette says with a sigh. "Come."

You both walk to an open field and Annette gestures with her hand.

"The first thing about magic is chanting. Longer chants, the more power. The obvious problem is an enemy will pick you off if they see you chanting some big spell or another. Legendary mages like Kael or Marthos are said to be able to cast huge spells without chants... But I would think it'll be a long way for you to reach them, if you can even reach a suitable position first.

Hold out your hand. Focus your mind on the spell you want to use. Let's start with fire. Chant the words, 'Destruction of nature, gather in flame! Fire.'"

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>>40438489
You do as you are told. You hold your hand outright and you imagine a ball of fire shooting out of your hand. You say the words out loud.

“Destruction of nature, gather in flame! Fire!”

You see a small form begin to come out of your hand. It's red and you can feel your hand beginning to warm. But a few seconds and the magic dissipates.

“Try again,” Annette says.

You try again. And again. And again. Each result is a mix where some spheres last a second, others a few more, some only the size of pebbles, some the size of a child's play ball.

“Again! Form a better imagination on your mind! Focus! Concentrate!”

You keep pushing yourself on and on under the shouts of Annette. You begin to sweat, your breaths grow slightly heavy, and begin to tire. A few more tries and you fall to your knees. Annette comes over to you, arms crossed.

>let me try again
>this is damn hard
>...are you sure you're reaching me correctly?

>>40438518
>let me try again
Where do you find these chants?

>>40438518
>let me try again
>this is damn hard

>>40438518
>let me try again

>>40438518
>Form a better imagination on your mind! Focus! Concentrate!
wut
>...are you sure you're reaching me correctly?

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>>40438518
>This is damn hard
>Let me try again, you got a staff or something I could try this with?

Also,
>>40434639
Please consider making a twitter account for these quests, Shinra. Ajora knows I'd follow that shit in a heartbeat.

>>40438780
my bad with the trip

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"Let me have another go," you say getting up and trying to catch your breath. Trying to cast this fire spell has been the hardest work in your life so far and your clothes are soaked with sweat. Your mind is a little fuzzy as well; likely an after-effect of dwelling in magical forces.

"Don't bother," Annette says with a shake of her head. Your heart sinks for a moment thinking you might not have the skill for this. "...It takes days for a regular cadet to start a simple spell. Months and years to become a professional and cast larger ones."

"...Ugh, so we have to do this every day?" you say with a grimace.

"Not quite," Annette says. "Come with me."

You follow the lady once again, tired as you are you probably shouldn't complain and disobey your teacher for the day. You follow Annette back to the quarters. Annette searches around her bags and brings out a blue liquid vial. She tosses you the thing.

"You know what that is, correct?" Annette asks.

You take a look at the vial. You observe the light blue liquid, slightly bubbling from the bottom. From your knowledge and reading as a chemist, you do know.

"...Forrender's Formula," you say, remembering your readings. "A potion created by Forrender, used to accelerate one's magical ability. Takes a lot of rare ingredients... And expensive too."

"And horribly painful," Annette finishes. Yeah, you remember reading somewhere that the potion messes around with one's spirit and magical mana in the body. Such things creates sharp, burning pain and not many wish it. "Think you can swallow it?"

"This thing is a bit rare and costly. You sure?" you ask with a slight frown.

"I have no need of it. Magic is already second-hand to me and I am in no short need of gil. The question is whether you have the courage to take the phial."

>take the potion
>refuse, you'll learn through training

>>40438780
I'll put one up after the thread finishes.

>>40439014
>refuse, you'll learn through training
Hard work will never betray us.

>>40439014
>refuse, you'll learn through training

>>40439014
>take the potion
As much as I like the idea of getting all of our power through hard work alone, we're on the front line of a war.

>>40439014
Drink that shit, nigga.

>>40439014
>take the potion
It's a shortcut to casting. Plus, as a chemist, we can appreciate rare formulae like this, and it'd be a waste to not see it put to use.

>>40439014
>>take the potion
TIME MAGE GUNSLINGER MODE ENGAGED

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You take a breath of fresh air, attempting to prepare your mind and body for whatever this pain will be. With a flick of your thumb, you open the vial.

"Last chance to take back your offer?" you say to Annette, hoping she won't take losing such an expensive thing personally.

"Drink it already you plebeian."

And with that you take the phial to your mouth. You drink the contents, a terrible taste of what feels like tar and strong wine. You gulp down the contents and look at your body wondering what will happen.

...A few seconds you let out a yell and fall to your floor. Your body feels like you're on fire. You can actually feel the blood in your body running through your veins. And it feels damn hot, like lava flowing through. And your skins feel like small needles are trying to poke out f your body.

"Ughhhh... Ahhh!" you groan on the floor. You begin to sweat and breathe hard.

"Come on, take it like a man," you hear. You feel something on your head and you can see for a few seconds Annette kneeling over with a rag.

The next twenty minutes feel like an hour. An hour of pain and feel like melting. Annette helps you out on the floor, wiping sweat from your brows and arms. "Come on, keep it together!" she keeps telling you and pushing you.

And then the pain ends. Almost in an instant your body calms down and you begin to cool. You lie on the floor for a minute trying to reorganize your thoughts and composure. Annette helps you up.

"Bloody hell," you mutter with an arm around Annette's shoulder.

"You asked for it," Annette simply replies as she leads out. A few more walking and she lets go of your arm.

"Go ahead, try it. Cast the magic once more."

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You breath more air again. After that incident this had better damn work. You get in to stance once more and swallow some saliva.

“...Destruction of nature, gather in flame! Fire!” you shout out as you imagine the power of flames on your mind.

A fireball forms. Bigger and more intense than before. Your eyes open in surprise at the spell before you. And before you know it, you accidentally launch the fireball and with a screech in the air the spell flies off and hits a patch of grass. A small explosion and the patch of land is aflame.

“Ahhh! Fire, fire!” screams a few soldiers as they come around to put it out.

>put the fire out along with the soldiers
>...cheer aloud and jump in success at having casted a spell

(Magic +1)

>>40439541
>put the fire out along with the soldiers

>>40439541
>put the fire out along with the soldiers

>>40439541
>put the fire out along with the soldiers

>>40438578
It's from FFT. Removed from the PSP version, unfortunately.

"Shit! Shit!" you say running to the fire. Some of the soldiers are hitting it with blankets and others stomping away with their feet. You join in their stomping and after some struggles it goes out.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!?" one of the soldiers shout.

"Idiot!" a female archer says.

...You apologize to the soldiers and after a bit of appeasing they go away with curses. You scratch the back of your head and sigh a breath of relief. As you turn around...

"..Snrk... Ahahahahahaha!" you see the noble lady pointing and laughing at you. For the first time since you've met the damned missy, she's actually laughing without a serious expression. Though it is at your expense.

"I don't see what's so hilarious," you say with a frown.

"Nice boots, ahaahaha!" Annette says pointing down. You look at your feet and see that a part of your boots have been charred and black. It does look somewhat stupid for one booth to be clean and brown and the other black and ugly.

"Well, congratulations anyhow," Annette says wiping a tear from an eye. "Looks like you've gotten the handle of magic."

"Ahh..." Amidst all the commotion of putting away the fire, you forgot you just succeeded in the task you've been attempting for the past hour.

"Do not get full of yourself yet," Annette says with a smile and a hand on her hip. "I am still far better than you and you can not yet challenge experienced wizards."

You scratch your chin. Annette is probably right. You should start experimenting with other spells and practicing if you want to be a proper mage. But at the end of the day you feel more confident in yourself and you certainly have gotten better along with the snooty little noble.

(Black Mage, noobie, level 1)


---------------------------

Going out to eat with friends, likely back in 2+ hours.

mfw we're pussy chemist and black mage rather than a motherfucking monk using earth slash on enemies.

/tg/ please, do you even Monk Ramza?

>>40440226
Our character is a bookworm and arguably the least physically fit of the team. Asking to turn him into a monk is asking a bit much of him.

>>40440226
I saw guns and Chemist, then immediately though of being a gunmage. Sorry mate

>>40440226
Considering Rickon the lancer is our only true frontliner, I wouldn't be surprised to see another melee class join our squad soon as dedicated frontline. Maybe you'll get your monk then.

>>40440428
Guns are rare as it is. Iri the rogue salivated at seeing a gun for the first time. There's no way we wouldn't have played into that a little bit.

>>40440498
So there won't be Engineering any time soon

>>40441054
Hard to say.

Any plans for the future?

>>40441750
Beyond surviving the war and bringing prestige to our house as its last survivor? None currently.

>>40441750
I'd like to dip into Knight and Lancer, getting most Jobs just to Level 2.
Also, get bullets for our gun somehow (maybe upping Chemist to Lvl4?), and finding that noble girl that we were told was sent to this front as a Squire.

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The rest of the morning is more drills and formation training. You notice a few more groups of recruits coming in the barracks; the rest of the reinforcements from the capital likely. With the veteran soldiers stationed here along with the new recruits, you note there's a few thousand soldiers are present. How hectic and chaotic would a full on war battle be compared to the skirmish battles you've been doing?

Around noon time you're given the task of patrolling the streets of Yardow. As you've noted when you entered through the gates, parts of the city have been deserted by the townsfolk who seem not intent on staying near the city with the Romandans coming. You still see life among the city; women washing clothes, a few people gossiping, and some merchant stall bustle. Compared to Lesalia of course Yardow pales.

After some boring rounds you are given free time off duty and a chance to explore the city. What do you plan to do?

>Review some Ivalice history at a library
>listen to the gossip around town and discuss a bit
>enjoy your free time by sightseeing and buying things

>>40442354
>Review some Ivalice history at a library

>>40442354
>enjoy your free time by sightseeing and buying things
LET'S GET OUR MONEY ON
Rather, can Zaren look for magic shops with which to learn more incantations or chemical formulae to use?

>>40442354
>Review some Ivalice history at a library

>>40442354
>>Review some Ivalice history at a library
How does house rise?

>>40442354
>listen to the gossip around town and discuss a bit
See if we can find that daughter noble that was conscripted, let her know that her dad is worried about her.

>>40442354
>Review some Ivalice history at a library

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With the current state of affairs in Ivalice and how it has become so unpopular, you decide to review the history of Ivalice and catch up on current events. You find the local library, a dusty large place without much people. The only person present is the librarian sitting behind a counter who only passes you a glance.

You go over the bookshelves and sections. The Hero Hensel... Wildlife of Northern Ivalice... Smithing and Hammers... King Delita's Rule.

You pull out the book of King Delita and study the contents. A part of is a sort of fairytail story while the other half contains hard facts and observations. The story tells of a young man adopted in to the great fallen house of Beoulve. A man who faithfully served the family and defended House Beoulve's honor, only to be cast aside. After the death of his sister on the hands of Death Corpses brigands, he served Duke Goltana rising to the rank of Holy Knight. As the Lion War dragged on and the popularity of the dukes waned, Delita killed his tyrant lord. Leading a new army, he fought and won many victories against the Order of the Northern Sky and eventually unified back the land.

King Delita's rule was firm and just. Criminals were eliminated, reforms on tax were implemented, the power of nobles were reduced. The royal troops were sent eastward to keep check on Ordalia and the country dared not invade again. Despite peasant-born, King Delita took away weapons from peasants and made certain they would be kept to their serf lands.

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...You wonder how after such a man Ivalice could become so weak. You find another book on the son King Delita. The next in line was a man named Ralta Heiral. While he was kind, he did not have the hard justice and military prowess of his father. After King Delita passed away, the powers of the nobles were restored. The armies of Ivalice were not kept to date promoting raids and further dissolution with Ordalia that had been previously afraid. The lineage further down fared no better, the kings falling to pleasure and laziness.

The current King Desmond married Selene Menthal of a noble house. It seems Queen Selene is the one in charge of court while King Desmond is weak and does little. The Queen is quick to anger, gives rank to sycophants, and apparently rumors of having affairs. The other regions of Ivalice have risen to power and apparently are hard to control.

...You close the books and stretch. You've spent a while reading and learning about the past hundred years. You feel like your knowledge has improved and you have a better view on Ivalice.

(+1 intelligence)

You head out of library, slightly tired and weary. As you make your way back to the barracks you spot familiar figures heading over a tavern. Rickon and Iri seem intent on relaxing. Should you join your companions?

>head to the tavern with Rickon and Iri
>head back to the barracks

>>40443044
>head back to the barracks

>>40443044
>head to the tavern with Rickon and Iri
If only to keep them out of trouble.

>head to the tavern
Drink beer.

>>40443044
Head to the tavern.

>>40443044
>head to the tavern with Rickon and Iri
Rumor time!

>>40443044
head to the tavern

At the very least we must make sure they aren't doing something stupid or getting into a bar fight.

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You sneak up behind the two and once behind them you made a light tackle in between the lancer and thief, placing your arms around their shoulders. Iri yelps in surprise while Rickon glances over at you. You laugh and greet your companions as Iri begins to lightly punch you at the sides and calling you an “Idiot” for surprising her. The three of you head inside and easily find a table, as not many patrons are around in the city. Over on one corner you see a few fellow veteran gruff soldiers drinking.

Rickon is the first to sit, rather crudely placing his legs on the table and sighing.

“Fucking long day, gimme a stout barkeep,” he calls out. “And some grilled chicken too.”

Iri orders a malt and collapses on the table. “Ahhhhhh, this job is too hard for lil ol'd me,” she complains like a child. “I can't wait for my service to be over.”

"And what, go back to your stealing days?" Rickon snorts.

"Yeah look who's talking," Iri replies. "You're more of a thug than me Mr. 'I kicked the ass of all the other boys in my village.' And you took you stole your armor."

"Stole? I fucking took it from a dead body. What's the dead bastard going to do with armor?"

Sitting along with your companions you might as well order something as well.
>order a strong beer and some food
>order a light beer
>drink nothing and just keep your companions company

>>40443267
>order some milk

>>40443267
>order a light beer
>and some food
Let's see how well our protagonist holds his liquor.

>>40443267
I'd say no beer and some food. Got to keep our head leveled, and a ear out for anything interesting. Both companion and rumor wise.

>>40443267
>order some food, no beer

>order a strong beer and some food
Mates don't be that guy. That guy at the bar who just sits around wanting to go home.

>>40443420
Except we aren't? This is a tavern, so they serve both food and drinks. As is we are still the leader of the unit and thus must make sure that our unit makes make it back safely without destroying the bar because someone makes a joke about the lancer having a lance in hand to make up for the one missing down below.

We are the designated driver. We can still chat and have fun, but we have to be the responsible one and make sure we take them back to the barracks before our front liner tries to prove himself. Besides.. we could get some BBQ chocobo wings.

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(Compromise will be drinking only a little beer)

The wonders of alcohol bring enjoyment and merriment but it also serves as a poison. You decide to order a small light beer for the sake of companionship but drink no further than one mug. You order some lamb chops along with the food to keep the alcohol down. The food and drinks quickly come and the part digs in.

The manner in which your companions eat shows their class. Unlike you who was brought up with manners and etiquette, Rickon and Iri spill food around the table and drop some of their liquor around.

“Our fat captain was giving me a hard time around noon,” Rickon grumbles. “What a lousy fat lard like him doing commanding us? I don't even think he can lift a sword.”

“It's all about rank and nobility,” Iri says with a shrug. “I'm sure each us could nick ol' Cap easily. But us commoners don't get any advancement in this society.”

“Speaking of which, our noble here Zaren has been getting along kindly with the Miss Red,” Rickson states looking over to you. “You two separating yourself from us common folk?”

“And would I be here with you two if that was the case?” you say with a dismissal wave. “Although I would rather be in better company than you both.”

Iri sticks out her tongue at you while Rickon laughs. Their comments are to poke fun rather than serious insults. You take a sip of beer and eat a bite of your lamb.

>ask about more background info of the two
>discuss with them what they think of Ivalice
>ask their plans once their service is over

>>40443664
>ask about more background info of the two

>>40443664
>ask about more background info of the two
>discuss with them what they think of Ivalice

>>40443664
>ask about more background info
>ask what their plans are once their service is over.
These two things tend to be linked after all and it's always good to know the motivation of our friends.

>>40443664
>ask about more background info of the two

>plans after Ivalice
Guys probably don"t care for politics.

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Considering you've already found out about Annette and improved your relationship with her based on that, you think it best to get to know your other two companions. Sharing the past and forming bonds is always a key to teamwork.

“What are your stories?” you ask the two as you take another swill of beer. The two look at each other and then turn their attention back to you.

“You first nobleman,” Rickon says.

“Nothing much to say,” you reply with a shrug. “I'm from a village in Gallione called Whitemoon, just south of the Magic City Gariland. Village is named for the view of the night sky during some weeks. During some of the cold dark you can see the skies illuminated by stars and the moon. I studied and was privately taught about various things, though my interests always lay in alchemy. My mother passed away on childbirth, my father passed away a year past. Should have kept to my small manor but I was conscripted here instead. The Aphelion line ends with me should I die.”

“A damn shame that would be huh?” Rickon says. “Here's to the health of your House,” he says raising his glass for a toast. The three of you touch mugs before Rickon tells his part. “I'm from Scale Hills, near Barius,” Rickon begins. “Grew up the son of a pig farmer. My father was some hedge knight who spilled his seed in my mother before departing somewhere. Wasn't around my life much after that. Maybe that's why I never cared for pigs, cause I spent by days picking fights and hanging with the gang. And now at the age of three and twenty, the royal scum want me fighting their wars.” Rickon takes a huge swig of his beer after finishing.

File: Iri2.png (119 KB, 355x399)

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>>40444056
“Me, I'm an orphan from Dorter Trade City,” Iri says her tale. “Grew up with other poor orphans adopted by a kindly old lady. Only ever got to eat a small loaf of bread and some cold soup for diner. So I decided to take some from the nobles who stuffed themselves with cockatrice every night. I got pretty good at it, teehhee,” Iri says as she brings out a familiar looking mechanism. It's your gun.

“You... What, how?” you say searching your body and then frowning when your gun is gun.

“Trade secret,” Iri says with a wink as she tosses you the gun. “But I don't steal from friends.” You scowl at the thief girl and put your weapon back.

“And your plans after the war?” you ask.

“Eh... Dunno. I don't feel like going home,” Rickon says with a shrug. “Think I'll travel around. Get some fights in my belt. Explore the vast lands of Ivalice? Wouldn't that be nice.”

“Ooohhh... I have no clue,” Iri says downtrodden. “I might go back to Dorter, but maybe I can find some better pickpocket around the capital.

“And better guards that are gonna put a loose around your neck,” Rickon states.

The chat of the night continues for a while longer. Nightfall comes and the sound of crickets fill the air. You take a glance at the other soldiers on the corner getting up form their seats and leaving. Without pay.

The tavernmaster, an old man comes to your table to bow and ask how you've enjoyed your food. When you take out your pouch to pay, he shakes his hands in a frightened manner.

“N-No my good sirs. Soldiers of his highness do not need to pay,” the old man says sweating a bit. It seems soldiers of Yardow have demanded free food and lodging around the city...

>pay up for the food and drinks
>leave without pay, you're defending these louts

>>40444064
>pay up for the food and drinks

>>40444064
>pay up for the food and drinks

>>40444064
Pay. Chances are the lard bucket of a commander isn't well liked and they should get some money for their hard work.

>>40444064
>pay up for the food and drinks

>>40444088
>>40444091
>>40444095
>>40444109
Maybe we should have Iri slip the guy the money?
Seems like he's afraid the other soldiers will see and report him to the captain.

>>40444136
No one else is here. Besides, why would they report us for NOT abusing the locals' hospitality?

>>40444064
>pay up for the food and drinks we have some class.

>>40444153
Because any break from how the other soldiers act could be used by the citizenry as a sign that they don't have to take this abuse.

File: old man.jpg (29 KB, 306x365)

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"I'll have none of that," you say with a shake of your head. "You are running an inn, not a free soup kitchen." You take coins from your pouch and give them to the tavernmaster. He only grasps the coins weakly and in a frightened manner.

"Hey hey, your food was good. Damn good. And the drinks too. Lemme give you a huge old man," Rickon says as he stands up, wobbles, and puts his arm around the tavern master. Seems the man is drunk. "Here, my coin too," the brute says giving some gil after he lets go of the embrace. Seems the lancer can have a soft spot.

"I only take from the wealthy and those that have enough!" Iri declares as she too gives coin to the man. The old man can only take them feebly and awkwardly.

"I-I thank you," the tavernmaster says bowing. "Please do come again, and God bless," he says, nearly in tears. It seems that the other soldiers have been making a habit of not paying and your simple act of doing business has touched the folk. What a terrible time it is when doing regular gestures is seen as kindness.

You and Iri carry Rickon who stumbles around and remains too drunk to walk. The man begins singing out loud in the night and you two fail to shut him up. All the way until the barracks Rickon sings in his lousy voice and the barking of a local dog critiques he's terrible at it.

When you get to your rooms you and Iri toss Rickon on his bed who immediately fall asleep. Annette who has been reading shakes her head at the sight. You see Helena praying by her bed. Exchanging smiles with Iri, you both head off to bed.

File: Borris Barck.jpg (91 KB, 459x536)

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The next few days are the same. Drilling on the morn till noon, heading off to patrol the town. You find a routine within the week and you feel your body grow stronger and more endured to all the labor. If anything service within the Ivalice army has helped you learn a few things and has helped your rather fragile body. During training time you also practice your spells, and even delve in to using ice and lightning magic. You feel you need to gain more experience before becoming a more hardened wizard.

(+1 Constitution)

On one of the days you are called in to the captain's office along with the rest of your squad. Captain Borris looks over your team with disdain and you wonder if the man will even tell you why he's summoned Strident squad. After what seems like a few minutes of standing around doing nothing, Captain Borris barks some orders.

“I'm assigning you kids to scouting duty. Reports have arrived that the Romandans are on their way and I want a detailed report on what's ahead. I assume even you useless bags of meat can manage that, yes?”

>affirm his order and salute
>make a snide remark at the lousy git

>>40444287
>Lemme give you a huge old man

Rickon really is drunk

>>40444296
>>affirm his order and salute

>>40444296
>affirm his order and salute snarky remarks are for patrol

>>40444296
>affirm his order and salute

File: woods.jpg (102 KB, 300x400)

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"Aye, leave it to us Captain," you say with a fist place on your chest and back upright. The rest of the group follow as well, though begrudgingly from the looks of their poor salute.

"Good, be back by sundown," Borris says pleased and with a slight smile. The lousy fat man thinks we respect him, you think to yourself. A typical noble that would likely be appeased with some brownnosing, and likely never to make it far up the chain of command. There was only so much being born noble could cover up.

Your squad leaves through the northern gate, complaining once again about the captain. A few trips through the dirt road and you find yourself in the woods.

"We should not stray too far," you state. "Deep past the woods and we come to Yugue that is said to be haunted by ghastly spirits and ghouls," you warn remembering the books you have read.

"Leave it to be if we find such," Helena states. "The dead fear the power of light and God."

The squad searches the woods and patrols around. The trees are yellow and thin, but tall. The woods around here boast the tallest trees and some are said to be thousand of years old. Not much can be seen an hour traveling. At one point the team encounters a large bull walking around, to which the squad avoids.

"Minotaur," Rickon murmurs. "Brutish strength and can rip a man in half. We ain't hired to hunt down beasts. Best stay away."

The scouting continues and not much can be found. You think maybe you should take the time to gather some herbs.

>gather some ingredients for your alchemy
>continue the scouting thoroughly

>>40444434
>gather some ingredients for your alchemy
Mention that we are gathering ingredients so that they don't freak out when they don't see us.

>>40444434
>gather some ingredients for your alchemy
Never pass up an opportunity to gather resources.

>>40444434
>gather some ingredients for your alchemy
While we do that everyone else
>continue the scouting thoroughly

Roll 1d100, 3 rolls to see what you can scrounge up.

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>40444483
Herbology, don't fail me now!

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>40444483

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>40444483

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>40444483

File: shrooms.jpg (9 KB, 282x160)

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You kneel know and begin searching the ground for any useful materials. As you touch the ground and observe, you are met by a bossy voice.

"What do you think you are doing?" Annette demands to know, unable to see why you have stopped moving.

"Ingredients. Seeing if I can find something useful," you reply.

"We're here on scouting duty, not foraging duty," Annette says. "Come on, get on up," she orders as she gives you a small light kick in the rear.

"Leave him be," Rickon says looking around past a bush and in to a small field. "Doesn't hurt for our chemist to stock his supplies does it? Or would you rather have a useless supportman on our ranks?"

Annette sighs but relents. "Do not get lost or fall behind," she says looking around the other direction.

You take some time along your patrols to find something useful. Unfortunately you mostly find dead leaves and weeds amongst these woods. Just as you are about to give up on the search, you spot several red-spotted mushroom growing along the trees. Red is the color of poison as you remember.

On close inspection you find yourself correct. The mushrooms are Yugue Fever; any foolish man who attempts to eat these will get a strong fever for days. Weak men would perish. You pick the mushrooms up and spend a few minutes grinding them up, gathering the spores, mixing them with dryroots, and then putting them in a phial over a fire. Soon enough a yellow gas forms on your phial.

(Yugue Fever Gas 2x)

You can likely use these on a group of enemies to poison them in battle. It won't kill them on the spot, but it could weaken them. Or if anyone comes to be your enemy, you could always give them a fever as well. A certain captain comes to mind.

File: scout.jpg (16 KB, 236x354)

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Your scouting continues and your squad finds itself about the head back without anything much to report. As the squad turns around, you hear the howl of a beast. The group looks at each other, and with nods of confirmation go out to check the source of the noise.

Past some bushes and trees and minutes of walking, you encounter some broken equipment on a small patch of grass. Your squad investigates the area. While searching the ground you find some of the grass has been flattened showing sings of struggle.

“Look here,” Rickon says coming over and holding up a red cape. The cape has claw marks and other spots of red on it. Blood. A picture of a griffin is on it.

“...Damn it,” Annette says biting a nail. “Griffins are beasts native to Romandan lands. That is an enemy cape.”

“Judging from the marks and signs of struggle...” Rickon says. “Looks like our poor fellows ran in to a coeurl. I see spots of different blood on the cape and ground but no bodies. Seems the group injured each other.”

“I found this!” Iri says coming over, holding a broken shaft of arrow. An archer amidst the enemy it seems. “What should we do?”

“Is it not obvious?” Annette says. “Track them down. There are not much of them but if they are here it means they are scouting us as well. Let us be rid of them and report back then.”

What do you say?

>agree with Annette, track the enemy downtrodden
>disagree and return back to the city

>>40444666
>>agree with Annette, track the enemy downtrodden

>>40444666
>agree with Annette, track the enemy downtrodden
We're probably circling around each other as we speak.

>>40444666
>>agree with Annette, track the enemy downtrodden

>>40444666
>disagree and return back to the city Nope report back about enemies being close to the city

File: romandans.jpg (20 KB, 600x214)

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"A wounded enemy, a timely opportunity to rob our enemies of information, and a chance to impress our dear Captain," you say hands mid-air in a sarcastic manner at the last bit. "Yes, I think we best track the enemy down."

"Aye," Rickon says. "Besides the drills and patrols have been boring the fuck out of me. Let's get ourselves a skirmish with real soldiers."

"Let me check ahead," Iri says moving forward. "I'm quicker that you logheads."

"And I shall remain in the back as support," Helena says.

With the plan set the squad moves. Heavy tracks on the ground makes it easy to follow. You take care not to make too much noise and get ambushed yourself as Iri swiftly rushes on ahead. Your search in the wood goes for some twenty minutes before you are stopped by Iri with a finger on her mouth.

"Found them," she whispers as she gestures for you all to follow. The squad kneels and moves to position.

Just as Iri says you find the enemy a distant off. You see a man with a sword lying down by a tree being tended to by a woman in leather armor. Surrounding them three other men in horned helmets, hard-boiled leather, and axes.

"Accosted by a damned cat, fuck this place!" the wounded man mutters.

"Calm down, you won't die. We can get back to the rest of the army in a few minutes," the woman treating him replies.

"Fucking weak southerns," one of the axeman says. "Outta leave you to die."

"Fuck you Erland. Go back to raiding villages you filthy northern savage."

"You realize I can put an axe in your head and be done with your shit hole of a mouth, eh?"

"Just try it and see yourself hanged you bastard."

Your enemy lies before you, and certainly vulnerable. How does your squad move to attack?

>discuss and agree on a plan of action

>>40444880
Iri sneaks around to cut off their escape. Annette focuses on the woman. Rickon charges at one of the three focusing on defense. While we throw a Yugue Fever Gas phial at the injured and support Rickon with magic.

>>40444880
Move Iri to a flanking position, while Zaren and Annette set to bombard and Rickard sets to charge. Annette lights up one of the barbarians with an attack spell while Zaren hucks one of his new poison flasks at the trio of barbarians (they're the most dangerous here). Once that attack lands, Rickard charges head-on while Iri sneak attacks one of the other barbarians at the same time. With the enemy startled, Annete joins the fray, and Zaren and Helena provide backline support.

Once the barbarians are down, we accost the wounded and the woman and work from there.

>>40444880
>>40444951
Sounds good to me.

Toss a vial of flu at them having Rickon Annate and Iri block any escaping while Helena and U.S. Range the fuck outta them

You should probably be aware that a malicious misarchiver that's been at work over the last few days has gotten to your thread.

>>40445181
In that case, maintain a pastebin with links to previous threads.

File: archer.png (501 KB, 394x768)

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"Let's try this new phial out," you whisper to the group. "I'll toss it at the injured one and the woman. Female seems to be the archer and it would be nice to see her arrows down first."

"Aye, and guess I'll be the one taking down the axemen at the front," Rickon says as he shifts his weight to gain a better view of the men.

"Think you can get them from behind, Iri?" you ask the theif.

"Roger dodger," she replies as she vanishes in to the bushes.

"I shall be at the forefront as well. Even our brute of a spearman cannot take on three men at once. And let us see if your magic training has come to fruition," she says looking at you.

"You wound me Missus" Rickon says. "I could take on five of the whoresons."

"I will heal and cast spells as necessary," Helena says. "Do be careful."

The squad sets in motion. You see a confirmation at the other end that Iri is ready. Letting out a small breath of air, you rise and toss your phial of poison.

The bottle comes crashing on the floor near the wounded man and woman, releasing a yellow gas of air.

"What the!?"

Rickon lunges in with his spear at one of the axeman, Caught in surprise, the axeman is wounded on the chest but Rickon's spear does not pierce through his armor.

"Ambush! To arms!" an axeman shouts as they move forward. Annette goes in to engage him and they clash.

The third axeman attempts to flank Annette but is caught in the head by a rock thrown from the rear. Iri emerges and makes a swift attempt at the axeman's throat, but the warrior manages to raise his axe and stave her away. Helena prepares a spell from behind.

Experienced soldiers differ from mere bandits as expect. You begin to chat your spell and prepare a fire spell, but your eyes catch the woman who has readier her bow and arrow.

"Cowards!" she yells. "To poison a wounded man down, you Ivalician are scum!" She's notching an arrow and aiming for you.

>attempt to fire a spell at her
>move to dodge

>>40445304
>>move to dodge

>>40445304
>attempt to fire a spell at her
And here I asked to poison the barbarians so we could capture the wounded.

>>40445304
>attempt to fire a spell at her

>>40445324
If we did that there would be a chance that the gas might effect Rickon depending on the wind.

>>40445304
>move to dodge Grab pistol

4 voters, and seeing as how the fire spell was voted first, going with that.

Roll 1d100, first three rolls.

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>40445447

Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>40445447

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>40445447

File: lame movie.jpg (92 KB, 800x500)

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You charge up your spell and attempt to finish your incantation, intending to finish off the archer. Your plan go awry however as her arrow is loosed. You quickly realize attempting to charge a spell against a trained archer who can loose an arrow was a poor decision. Charging and chanting spells require some time; a bow and arrow need only a quick few seconds.

You are hit in the arm and cringe at the pain. Helena was unfortunately casting her shields on Rickon and could not protect you like last time. You endure the pain however and loose your spell as it finally charges. The spell hits the archer and puts her on her knee.

(Small wound)

"Damned it all," she says with a struggle, the poison and your spell getting to her. But with great spirit and motivation she tries to notch another arrow as the other melee fighters clash.

>use your pistol and fire
>move aside and doge

>>40445181 here, forgot to mention that if Shinra wants the suptg archive fixed he'll need to contact the owner, can't get my IRC working at the moment so I don't know if he's online.

>>40445566
>move aside and doge
Note to self: don't stand out in the open against trained ranged units.

>>40445566
>>move aside and doge

>>40445577
No worries, it'll be removed eventually and there's always archives.moe Thanks for the info.

>>40445566
>move aside and doge

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Learning from the past mistake, you quickly sidestep to the threes as the archer looses another arrow. Weak and poisoned, the archer misses you by a mile before she collapses.

Rickon manages to take his foe down with much effort. He wounded the enemy once more in the leg, but the fierce enemy warrior managed to get a axehead on his side. Helena's protect spell prevented damage and Rickon barely gets a scratch.

Annette finds herself on equal fighting grounds on her duel with the enemy, and you see Iri struggling slightly on her enemy. The theif has managed to get a few strikes in but could not penetrate through the man's armor.

>attempt to charge another fire spell, and aid [insert character]
>fire your gun to aid [insert character]
>attempt to heal yourself

>>40445693
>>fire your gun to aid Iri

>>40445693
>attempt to charge another fire spell, and aid [insert character]
Annette. She should have the leeway make an opening for our spell and she can help Iri afterwards.

>>40445693
>attempt to charge another fire spell, and aid Annette

>>40445712
This

>>40445693
>attempt to charge another fire spell, and aid Iri

>>40445693
Would our gun even pierce the armor of these guys? Because if Iri's dagger can't so much against them I doubt our weapon can either.

>attempt to charge another fire spell, and aid Iri

File: Helena Grant.png (66 KB, 220x366)

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Iri is contending with the enemy in the rear, while Annette is fighting alongside the front with Rickon. It is clear to you to aid Iri while Rickon can easily get in to help Annette fight the other soldier. You move in to position, flanking around and begin charging another spell.

Come on Iri, just hold it together for a bit, you think in your head as your charge your spell. You begin to concentrate and chant while Iri still confronts the axeman. With a strong yell, the axeman brings down his axe to cut down the thief but she quickly steps aside and the axe finds itself planted on the ground.

Just in time as your spell finishes charging and you fire your vulnerable foe. He is in the back and lets out a yell and his back is charred. The opportunity is all Iri needs as she charges and knocks the man down with a swift side kick to the legs. Jumping on top the downed man, she plants her dagger in the man's throat. As the axeman falls you hear another yell back at the front. With the help of Rickon, Annette takes down the last remaining axeman.

The group regathers. Rickon has a small cut, Annette managed to get a hard slam on her shoulder breaking a bone, and you yourself have an arrow on your arm.

"I am afraid I do not have all the powers to tend to everyone," Helena says. "I will tend to Lady Annette and Sir Rickon. Please patch yourself up, Sir Zaren."

As Helena begins to heal the group with her spells, you are forced to use a potion to heal up. Magic can be draining, especially when attempting to fully heal someone. Helena's time will be spent on the others. Iri comes over and helps you remove the arrow from your arm.

"Looks like you got the short end of the stick this time," Iri comments as you both carefully remove the arrow. You begin to pour the potion on your wound to heal.

"Tough than I expected," grumbles Rickon. "I take back what I said about taking the five of them. I can at best take on two."

>>40445951
“Trained soldiers,” Annette reminds everyone as she winces in pain of her arm. Helena requests the little noble to stay still as she casts her cure spell, a white light coming over Annette's shoulder.

It takes some time for everyone to fully heal up. Your wound is better, Annette's shoulder is passable, and Rickon is fully healed. You take heed to remember magic and potions can only do much. A severed limb for example cannot ever be mended by herbals and curative magic.

You take a look over at the dead bodies. All cut down, the archer blasted and poisoned to death, and the poor soldier who had been wounded by the couerl could barely attempt to hobble away before your poison got to him. The grim fate of those who lose battle. And the spoils of war to the victors as the bodies are searched. You scrounge up 30 gil after the money is split amongst the group and a damaged boiled leather armor. Better than nothing.

(Gain 30 gil, gain Boiled Leather Armor [damaged])
(Lose potion, Yugue Fever Gas)

“They said the enemy army is near,” Annette says rising as she finally is healed up. “We should scout the army in the cover of the woods and then retreat. No more battles.”

>agree with Annette, continue the mission
>disagree, retreat back now

>>40445967
>agree with Annette, continue the mission

>>40445967
>agree with Annette, continue the mission
Some harder intelligence would be nice.

>>40445967
>agree with Annette, continue the mission
Change into the boiled leather armor and slab on blood and dirt onto us. If the enemy finds us we could possibly act as an injured solider and divert their attention.

>>40446028
That'll take too much time. It's suspicious enough their scout party isn't returning on time.

>>40445967
>>agree with Annette, continue the mission

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"A quick scout wouldn't hurt, I would think," you say agreeing with Annette.

"Aye, and I'm sure that bald bastard wouldn't give us a minute of peace if we returned without intelligence on the enemy," Rickon says.

"No battles, agreed," Helena says. "Now what direction were they headed?"

The tracks previously made by the enemy point northwest, and so the squad heads in the direction. About a quarter an hour past, your team hears soldiers talking and something rumbling. Hiding in the bushes and and trees, you come across a field.

...There are hundreds of them. No, thousands. Tugging along battering rams, catapults siege towers. It seems they aim to take Yardow. You see the lines of enemy soldiers, many of them on boiled leather and axes like the soldiers previously encountered. Strangely, other lines of soldiers look quite different than the axed men. The others have swords, rich colors on their garments, steel, plumed hats. Some of them carry guns, even the newly developed muskets. Others are clearly mages dressed in robes and holding wooden staves."

"Interesting," Annette says observing. "Their entire battalions are getting ready for a siege. Catapults will be bombing us, magic is going to be shot, those muskets will be pelting us before they attempt to pass the city walls. Might be trouble."

"A-Are we suppose to fight this?" Iri whimpers.

"Seen enough, let's head back," Rickon grunts. "Damn it all, I was hoping to survive this war too."

You and the rest of Strident team quickly turn back before the enemy notices anything, especially with the scouting party you demolished not coming back. You prepare to take the ill news back to Yardow.

-----------------------------------

Chapter 2 end. Thanks for playing.

twitter: https://twitter.com/PoiTimes
Might run tomorrow afternoon (PST) depending on how busy I am. If not, likely Friday afternoon since full-time work. Will note on twitter beforehand.

>>40446129
Thanks for running