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>>1016204
WOO BLACK COMPANY QUEST

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>>1016204
Kresden Main Gate, roughly Mid-Morning

Sergeant ‘Bad Hand’ Hadrien watches the dangling figure with vague sense of satisfaction, doing nothing to cover his own unease. Turning away from the final twitches of the hung Neumunster spy he stares down Corporal ‘Jack’ Marcus. They’d been have something of a disagreement over whether or not to hang the family of wagoners the spy was attempting to sneak out with, currently cowering under the watchful eyes of 1st Squad.

”I don’t like leaving a job half-done, Corporal. Get some more rope and finish up here.”

Corporal ‘Jack’ looks at the family of six. An uncle, husband and wife, a son that looks old enough to carry a blade and two younger boys. Corporal ‘Jack’ was never one to do something as obvious as chew his lip, but it’s clear he’s weighing something up in his head. He turns back to Sergeant ‘Bad Hand’.

”No, Sergeant.”

[1/3]

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>>1016252
[2/3]

”…No?” ‘Bad Hand’s eye twitches dangerously, but ‘Jack’ Marcus holds his gaze. ”Am I correct in understanding that you are disobeying a direct order, Corporal?”

Trooper ‘Joker’ Schuster and Trooper Vendis Durvano glance at each other nervously. Trooper ‘Smiles’ pays the whole debacle no heed, instead towering over the terrified wagoner family like a particularly malicious statute. He would have been terrifying even without his facial reconstruction.

”On the contrary, Sergeant, I am merely awaiting orders from the appropriate authority.” To his credit Corporal ‘Jack’ keeps his calm and professional demeanour even as Sergeant ‘Bad Hand’ goes red in the face with fury. ”Article 33 of the Company Regulations states that the discipline of apprehended non-combatant’s is to be left to the discretion of the appropriate officer in command.”

Corporal ‘Jack’ Marcus doesn’t mention that Article 33(b) allows an appropriate NCO, such as a Sergeant, to make that decision in the absence of an officer. A combination of confidence and a damn good poker face means that thankfully Sergeant ‘Bad Hand’ buys it. The Sergeant was never much for the regulations, and he’d seen Prince pull off this exact kind of barracks-room layering when he could.

”You fekking little… fekker!”

With a frustrated sigh Sergeant ‘Bad Hand’ unclenches his fists. Besides, if the note the spy had on them means what he thinks it means, the Company has much bigger problems on its plate than a bunch of complicit wagoners. The spy had details, too much a day or two of observation would net them. Names, ranks, available provisions, who was stationed where and, worst of all, the location of the Crown-Prince you’re currently keeping hostage. Only the 7th and a few of LT ‘Hawk’s trusted men from the 4th even knew his identity, let alone his whereabouts.

You might have a traitor in the ranks.

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>>1016324
[3/3]

On a wooden bridge at Somewhere Strange. Roughly the same time. You think.

Trooper 'Saint' finally regains her wits, and frowns at you. ”Where are we? What is this place? And what is that noise?”

Despite how much you hate Magik you find yourself grinning. There’s a number of noises, but one carries out to the bridge in particular.

”Where? Fekked if I know. What? Any soldier knows that this right here is a fort. Even if it is funny looking. And the noise? I’d know that sound anywhere, Saint. That right there? That’s the sound of a Father-fekking Erhu.”

”I beg your pardon?” Trooper Saint gives you a quizzical look.

”An Erhu. It’s a… Dark Father does no one appreciate these things?” You understand that a taste for the cultural arts is likely to be rare among the common mercenary but you had hoped ‘Saint’ would at least have an idea.

”Lieutenant, I was part of the bodyguard detail for almost every opera, play and orchestra event for the well-to-do in Sarsburg. I can tell you right now I’ve never even –heard- of an Erhu. It’s clearly not a violin or viola but…” Trooper ‘Saint’ trails off distractedly. ”Hmm. The sky is odd.”

To your side Cairsun is gazing wide-eyed at the pink blossomed tree over the bridge.

”Not since Iskander’s Fields have I seen this. I thought it was the last in all the world…”

You yourself are distracted by Trooper Nissar Belhamun’s babbling and frantic apologies, his poor grasp of the common tongue made all the more incoherent through stress. You haven’t even decided whether to get mad at him, it was his amateurish Magiking that landed you here.

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

>Try to calm Trooper Belhamun down. He’s starting to properly panic and that’s just unprofessional. [Elite]

>Ask Cairsun the Morning-Light what he’s on about. He seems to recognise a few things. [Experience]

>Question ‘Saint’ on the nature of this… illusion or whatever it is. [Clever]

> It’s a dream, isn’t it. What’s there to know? Press on towards the sounds of the Erhu from within the fort. [Courage]

>>1016362
>>Try to calm Trooper Belhamun down. He’s starting to properly panic and that’s just unprofessional. [Elite]
And then we press on to the Erhu

>>1016362
>Ask Cairsun the Morning-Light what he’s on about. He seems to recognise a few things. [Experience]

>>1016204
Your quest inspired me to buy and read the whole Black Company series over the break.

>Try to calm Trooper Belhamun down. He’s starting to properly panic and that’s just unprofessional. [Elite]

Don't make shit worse. I knew we should have just burned the damn place down.

>>1016432
>>1016362

Whoops, linked wrong post.

Also we gotta get our Annalist in to start reading to the company.

And I am going to heavily advocate we get our magic user trained to speak our language, and that he teaches our officers or at least us his language.

Get our own Goblin and One-eye set up.

>>1016362
>Try to calm Trooper Belhamun down. He’s starting to properly panic and that’s just unprofessional. [Elite]

>>1016362
>>Try to calm Trooper Belhamun down. He’s starting to properly panic and that’s just unprofessional. [Elite]
>>Ask Cairsun the Morning-Light what he’s on about. He seems to recognise a few things. [Experience]

>>1016362
>Ask Cairsun the Morning-Light what he’s on about. He seems to recognise a few things. [Experience]

>>1016455
>Also we gotta get our Annalist in to start reading to the company.
I don't think anybody particularly cares about the long history of the Company. Also, what about Belhamun teaching us his language? Not like we can learn magic, and Belhamun has been consistently shit at it.

>>1016510
Well, for one thing it would make Bad Hand happy. Second of all we could try to promote our image as a stern Patriarch as opposed to just a murderous benevolent dictator.

Also the annals usually becomes the next Lieutenant, who usually becomes the next Captain, so it's probably politically worth it to get to know him.

Also we could check and see what had happened to Blackguards in the company in the past, as opposed to revealing to a demon or possibly our commanding officer that we might be getting possessed and losing control.

>>1016631
Does THIS Black Company even have an annalist? Considering this is Black Company in-name-only so far.

>>1016362
>Ask Cairsun the Morning-Light what he’s on about. He seems to recognise a few things. [Experience]

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>>1016432
>>1016455
Damn son, I'm only partially through the Books of the South.

Obviously I haven't been sticking to the books or lore much, I don't think I could pull it off. As far as Goblin and One-Eye go, Page #88 and Page #136 fill in for that.

>>1016377
>>1016384
>>1016432
>>1016467
>>1016479
>>1016491
Seems like a vote to calm Belhamun down and then questioning Cairsun. We'll treat it as an [Elite] choice.

(1)
>DC 80 [Easy]
>3 rolls of 1d100 please
0 = Cairsun is talking nonsense and Belhamun is flipping the fek out.
1 = Cairsun is talking nonsense and Belhamun is nervous, but functional.
2 = Cairsun is talking some sort of sence and Belhamun is getting his act together.
3 = Cairsun gives you some unique insight and Belhamun mans up.
(2) Any roll without this vote included will not be counted (don't have to all be the same)
There's a decent chance of your wounds opening if you use it again this early.
>No Ability
>My Blood For His
>My Blood For His II

>>1016510
You've never had much time for the Annalist other than the ceremonial stuff and swearing in of new recruits. Records from before your Company's arrival on this continent were lost some 300 years ago. It's assumed that you were only a portion of a larger body that wound up here, presumably through fekking magik. At least that's what the Annalist keeps going on about.

>>1016631
Aha, -now- you're on to something.

>>1016642
Yeah. There's a good point there. It would seem to fit with the whole "It's supposed to be a big family" thing though.

Or maybe they have secret records due to the whole Black guard thing and we could be opening a barrel of snakes by looking into it.

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>1016668
No buffs.

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>1016668
>No Ability

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>1016668
>No Ability

>>1016642
>>1016674
There is an annalist, we took Kid to them when we were signing them up. Otherwise we haven't had much interaction with the old coot though.

>>1016682
Oh.
Okay then.

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>>1016682

>>1016682
Saving the daaaaaaaaay motherfucker.

>>1016668
You just avoided a LOT OF spoilers with telling me that.

It keeps getting better.

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>>1016682
This is gonna be one swell thread

Fucking magic

>>1016698
-LCPL 'Jack' Marcus: "Of Mice and Men". Publicly side with Marcus over the rest of the squad in a dispute.

> Play the Erhu for mask (alone and undisturbed).

We have to check the pastebin I think. What would have happened I wonder if we tried to play a musical accompaniment to his performance, given that no sound passed from the stage?

>>1016694
It's roll under.

>>1016717
But we didn't even have an erhu

>>1016642
>>1016684

So can I get you to back me on getting the Annalist to try and raise company morale? Ideally something that deals with battle brothers from defeated groups. Help Whatsiswolf integrate, cheer up Bad Hand that we're taking the family aspect seriously, and we can also get him to helo us look into the Blackguard thing quietly.

>>1016725
Well that I forgot about.

Oops.

Fuck magic.

>>1016734
Like. At all?

Anyways. Imma bounce for bed, but maybe for Jacks we could side with him regarding this whole spy issue?

>>1016682
I finally get back from work, sit down on /qst/ and open up the first Black Company thread in two weeks.

And this is the first thing I fucking see.

It's good to be back.

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>>1016682
>100
>[Disaster!]

”Sadiq-Lootenant! Me fissmebrek, so so very a sorry!” Trooper Nissar babbles and waves his hand frantically. He moans up at the sky hands gripping his cowl. ”Allem-du-hellem sorry sorry sorry Allem-is-arkem oh very sorry.”

”Trooper. Calm down, we can- Trooper. Trooper!” You turn to ask Saint or Cairsun to give you a hand with the panicking amatuer-practitioner.

You belatedly realise that Nissar’s hands grew brighter with a bluish hue the more panicked he became. A flash of white-blue shot past your ear in a burst of warmth and hit the pink-blossomed tree in front of Cairsun.

”Holy FEK!” Your jaw drops at the self-immolating tree, gone from perfection to inferno in a moment. You whip around to an anguished, shocked and panicked Trooper Nissar Belhamun looking at his hand. ”Stow that fekking weapon, Trooper! Haven’t you ever heard of Father-fekking weapons safety! Father fek me!”

Brush with death due to a subordinate’s incompetence aside, you check after your Knight-Taskmaster. Cairsun’s robes look a little singed, but he doesn’t look hurt. He stares at the distance in puzzled, shell-shocked dismay.

”I thought they only grew on Iskander’s Fields…”

Well, the both of them are just fekking useless right now.

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

> “Looks like it’s just you and me. Saint. You two, stay here. And try not to touch anything, alright?” You are certain the last thing you need is an accidental arsonist and a dazed swordsman wandering around a fort made of predominantly wood. [Experience]

>”Can’t take my eyes off you for a fekking minute, can I? Just… shut up and follow my lead.” The two of them might be safer outside here where its calm, but you don’t know what’s waiting for you inside. [Elite]

>>1016432
Same desu, halfway through the 8th book now and I was surprised how different it was from the quest though an addicting read nonetheless

>>1016853
>>”Can’t take my eyes off you for a fekking minute, can I? Just… shut up and follow my lead.” The two of them might be safer outside here where its calm, but you don’t know what’s waiting for you inside. [Elite]
Always bring meatshields

>>1016735
Certainly I'll put that in as an option when you're reunited with the rest of the Company.

>>1016853
>> “Looks like it’s just you and me. Saint. You two, stay here. And try not to touch anything, alright?” You are certain the last thing you need is an accidental arsonist and a dazed swordsman wandering around a fort made of predominantly wood. [Experience]

>>1016853
> “Looks like it’s just you and me. Saint. You two, stay here. And try not to touch anything, alright?” You are certain the last thing you need is an accidental arsonist and a dazed swordsman wandering around a fort made of predominantly wood. [Experience]

> “Looks like it’s just you and me. Saint. You two, stay here. And try not to touch anything, alright?” You are certain the last thing you need is an accidental arsonist and a dazed swordsman wandering around a fort made of predominantly wood. [Experience]

>>1016853
>>”Can’t take my eyes off you for a fekking minute, can I? Just… shut up and follow my lead.” The two of them might be safer outside here where its calm, but you don’t know what’s waiting for you inside. [Elite]


As much as I'm sure they'll be useless inside, I like the idea of leaving them alone without supervision much less.

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>>1016938
>>1016966
>>1016973
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOTozbhQPn0

You rub your sinuses to stave off an imminent headache. At least out here they can’t be hurt or damage much more than the countryside. If any of this is even real.

” Looks like it’s just you and me. Saint. You two, stay here. And try not to touch anything, alright.”

Trooper Saint pauses to regard the flaming tree with a critical eye.

”As you say, sir.”

The gates to the fort are wide open, already a tick in your suspicions box. Though it looks like this place was built more with aesthetics in mind than practical defence. The main courtyard is beautiful, arranged as a garden where a dozen servants and soldiers alike stand at attention while a child sits on the lap of a man and sings as he plays the Erhu.
He’s a good player, but the toddler isn’t much in the singing department. It's obvious he's enjoying himself though, their laughter together as they stumble across some lines leaves Trooper Saint grinning in delight. He stops playing as you and Saint approach.

Fine features, handsome even if you like that sort of thing. A genuine smile, the kind that makes you want to be his friend out of principle. He’s too tall to be Mask, or the man Mask used to be. Unless they shortened him during their experiments.

”Ah, our guests have arrived. Such fine steel, you must Skarling Kingbreaker’s men.” He lifts the child off his lap. ”Run along to your mother, Tomo-kun.”

”You must be tired after your longer journey.” The man, clearly a noble or lord of some sort, bows slightly. The dozen servants and warriors bow much lower. ”Please, my brother shall show you to the audience chamber and we shall take tea. Our other guest shall be in attendance soon.”

A man in brilliant red armour steps out and bows, first to his Lord and then to you. The scarlet armour is breathtakingly beautiful, enamelled in gold and intricate markings inlaid skilfully all over. Whether they are prayers or victory marks you can’t tell. The difference between it and the battered, torn and faded suit you are used to is so stark you almost don’t recognise it at first.

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

>”Skarling Kingbreaker?” He’s been dead for at least four centuries now. [Experience]

>“You play that instrument very well, my Lord.” Finally, someone who appreciates the good stuff. [Clever]

>”A magnificent set of armour. Your brother is a great warrior, yes?” [Elite]

>”Other guest?” There’s more at play than ancient history and music here. [Courage]

>>1017124
>“You play that instrument very well, my Lord.” Finally, someone who appreciates the good stuff. [Clever]

The only real option. Erhu 4 lyfe

>>1017124
>“You play that instrument very well, my Lord.” Finally, someone who appreciates the good stuff. [Clever]

Fuck sleep. We should find a way to jack this instrument. New mission.

>>1017124
>“You play that instrument very well, my Lord.” Finally, someone who appreciates the good stuff. [Clever]

>>1017124
>>“You play that instrument very well, my Lord.” Finally, someone who appreciates the good stuff. [Clever]

>>1016853
>>”Can’t take my eyes off you for a fekking minute, can I? Just… shut up and follow my lead.” The two of them might be safer outside here where its calm, but you don’t know what’s waiting for you inside. [Elite]

>>1017124
>>“You play that instrument very well, my Lord.” Finally, someone who appreciates the good stuff. [Clever]

Maybe I am in time for this one

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>>1017133
>>1017136
>>1017143
>>1017149
>>1017193

You know the last time you were able to discuss the Erhu with someone and received something other than a blank expression? That’s right, a very fekking long time.

“You play that instrument very well, my Lord.”

He smiles politely, properly introducing himself as Daiyamo Hizama Ren. ”Your words are kind, we call this instrument the-“.

Erhu, I know. Indeed I play.”

Hizama Ren’s face lights up at this. ”A barbarian who plays our instruments? Fascinating!

You try not to take offence at the word ‘barbarian’, the way he said it held no malice. And he seems authentic in his eagerness to discuss it with you. You are unfamiliar with any of ‘The Greats’ as he calls them. Lu Xian-Chi, Horoto Kasi and other names escape you. You do however spend plenty of time talking about technique and, of course, the under-appreciation the typical ‘barbarian’ has of such a refined instrument.

”Oh, but you must play for me before we begin our audience! I’m sure Etraxis shall be most pleased to have such a cultured companion in our presence.

--------------------------
Two votes.

(1)
>”Of course, I would be delighted.” [Courage]

>“Oh, uh. It’s been quite a while.” [Experience]

(2)
>”Etraxis? I’m sure I’ve heard of him…” Ask Hizama about your fellow guest. [Clever]

>"And your brother will be joining us? Tell me about him." Ask Hizama Ren about his brother in red. [Clever]

>>1017313
>“Oh, uh. It’s been quite a while.” [Experience]

>"And your brother will be joining us? Tell me about him." Ask Hizama Ren about his brother in red. [Clever]

>>1017313
>”Of course, I would be delighted.” [Courage]
>"And your brother will be joining us? Tell me about him." Ask Hizama Ren about his brother in red. [Clever]

>>1017313
>”Of course, I would be delighted.” [Courage]
>"And your brother will be joining us? Tell me about him." Ask Hizama Ren about his brother in red. [Clever]

>>1017313
Remember to wink and grin victoriously at saint before we begin to play.

>>1017313
>>”Of course, I would be delighted.” [Courage]
>"And your brother will be joining us? Tell me about him." Ask Hizama Ren about his brother in red. [Clever]

>>1017313
>”Of course, I would be delighted.” [Courage]
>"And your brother will be joining us? Tell me about him." Ask Hizama Ren about his brother in red. [Clever]

>>1017313
>>>”Of course, I would be delighted.” [Courage]
>>"And your brother will be joining us? Tell me about him." Ask Hizama Ren about his brother in red. [Clever]

>>1017313
>>”Of course, I would be delighted.” [Courage]

Mention that it's been forever since we had the chance to play on one, and we only hope we can do such a beautiful instrument justice with our playing. Hopefully if we do well we can ask him were we might be able to get one, or impress him enough he gives us one.

>"And your brother will be joining us? Tell me about him." Ask Hizama Ren about his brother in red. [Clever]

>>1017313
>”Of course, I would be delighted.” [Courage]
>”Etraxis? I’m sure I’ve heard of him…” Ask Hizama about your fellow guest. [Clever]

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>>1017326
>>1017328
>>1017347
>>1017378
>>1017386
>>1017412
>>1017493
>>1017501
Damn right you'll play. Anything to feel the dance of those sweet, sweet strings.

”Of course, I would be delighted to. Hopefully I can do it justice, my own instrument was damaged a while ago.” You say, trying not to appear desperately keen.
"And your brother will be joining us? Tell me about him."

“Hizama Haki. My beloved younger brother, commander of the Hizama-Clan forces, and the finest swordsman this side of the continent.It is because of him that our lands enjoy such piece now.” Lord Hizama smiles at you good-naturedly. ”Fear not, Prince of Black, you shall be in safe hands with him around. The younger brother of the Hizama line has ever been this castle’s sacred defender.”

The scene blurs, as dreams do, and soon you and Saint are seated in the audience chamber with Hizama Haki standing guard by the doorway. You think it odd that he is in his full battle regalia, but that might be explained as this is some sort of formal occasion. Or, he just really hates being out of armour.

”It must make his love-life difficult.” You say out loud to Saint’s confusion.

”Sir?”

”Nothing. Keep drinking your tea, Trooper.” You say absentmindedly as you regard the warrior by the door. So far he’s said as much as he has as a corpse. You begin to wonder whether he actually -can- speak as a corpse, he just doesn’t.

The toddler from earlier sleepily waddles in at some point, and the red warrior gently guides him into the arms of a nursemaid with a grunt. But you see him smile.

Human after all.

[1/2]

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>>1017566
[2/2]

Lord Hizama enters the scene, followed by a figure swathed in black rags. You feel a vague sense of unease. The kind a sailor might feel after noticing a disturbing number of fins in the water.

The shadowy figure is followed by two others. A young paling man in plate and a young slip of a girl with dark hair to match her dark robes. They glance around furtively before taking their seats.

Lord Hizama makes some noises about hospitality and such and tea is served before he and the shadow start to talk, clearly business. This leaves the rest of you at the table sitting awkwardly across from one another in silence.

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

>Keep to yourself and Saint. Try to figure this whole thing out. [Clever]

>Talk to pale white haired young man. He seems friendly enough, if slightly sickly. [Elite]

>Talk to the brunette. She’s not half-bad looking. Looks moody though. [Experience]

>Talk to ‘Mask’. Or at least try to. [Courage]

>>1017586
>>Talk to pale white haired young man. He seems friendly enough, if slightly sickly. [Elite]

>>1017586
>Talk to the brunette. She’s not half-bad looking. Looks moody though. [Experience]
Let's have a chat with superior syka

>>1017586
>Talk to pale white haired young man. He seems friendly enough, if slightly sickly. [Elite]
It's not everyday you get to talk to a man you killed. Not that we killed him. It was an accident.

>>1017586
>>Talk to pale white haired young man. He seems friendly enough, if slightly sickly. [Elite]

I'll change my vote to this to seal the deal.

But we should maybe quickly get Saint to try to talk to the Brunette? Since they're both women, you know?

>>1017586
Oh shit. It's our boss and his brother and sister!

... Oh shit! This isn't the first time Etraxis hired the Black Company!

>Talk to ‘Mask’. Or at least try to. [Courage]

>>1017601
Patience, anon.

>>1017586
>>Talk to the brunette. She’s not half-bad looking. Looks moody though. [Experience]

>>1017624
Nothing on getting Saint to talk to the Brunette, woman to woman?

>>1017586
>Talk to pale white haired young man. He seems friendly enough, if slightly sickly. [Elite]

>>1017652
I will second this, but I fear that they wouldn't get along very well.

>>1017724
All Saint has to do is get her talking. Besides, she might be very different now than she is later.

>>1017724
Forgot to add. We can get Saint to find out what kind of guys she likes and trick Bad Hand into actually dating her now that he's slept with her.

>>1017748
Not even Bad-hand is that crazy

>>1017755
We are honestly in no position to be judging that.

Also that's why I said "tricked". Do you think he will be the one making the choice there? If she wants to date him, she is going to.

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>>1017592
>>1017608
>>1017613
>>1017652
>>1017689
>>1017724

You decide to make small-talk with the white haired younger. Not every day you talk to someone you killed, albeit a complete accident.

”Brother do we really have to talk to these… people?” The younger girl looks at you with clear disdain. Her brother seems unconcerned with her rude behaviour.

”Now, now, Sister. Our brother has bidden us to behave ourselves. Besides, we sit among old employees of ours.” His smile is friendly, even if his teeth are a little sharp. ”Captain! What a pleasant surprise! Terrible shame what happened to the Sabari peninsular, eh? I’m glad to hear you and your men got out in time. My brother can get…carried away. I wouldn't worry about it, a few decades will see it populated again. I hear they're already calling it the Sabari Isles. Hah! How about that? Anyhow, I don’t think you’ll have to worry repercussions, the mages will be licking their wounds for some time now, eh?”

”Yes, quite.” Odd that he should call you Captain, but he clearly knows he’s talking to Company men. You’ll have to check with the Archivist later, but you’re almost certain the Company hasn’t worked under the Necromancer before. Perhaps under another name? ”I trust you got what you wanted out of that?”

”Indeed, indeed! My brother’s research has never held so much promise. There are costs of course, but I provide. Both material and personnel. The kiss of the sun hurts more every day and I have… needs.”

The white-haired man eyes Trooper Saint hungrily, who is busying glaring hatefully at moody young girl having gleaned her true identity. Clearly Trooper Saint has neither forgiven nor forgotten the tender mercies of Sister Syka during her stay in the Sarsburg dungeons. The girl sticks her tongue out in response.

[1/3]

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>>1017782

”Absolutely not!” Your attention is drawn by Lord Hizama’s rising voice, you see him standing over the seated figure. ”To even ask this of me, of my people, is a grave insult!”

”I understand. I thought it polite of me to offer surrender as an alternative to annihilation.” Your skin crawls as the shadowy figure speaks the black tongue. Lord Hizama looks on in confusion, clearing not understanding. ”Know that your lives, and the lives of your people, will serve a great purpose.”

The shadowy thing does not rise, but his palm opens up to reveal a glowing blood-red crystal. It starts to hover slowly and Lord Hizama pales as realisation dawns.

”I hope you haven’t taken up a contract with the Hizama Clan, captain.” Vermillio’s ravenous smile is ever wider now. ”You might be out of a job very soon.”

Syka laughs maniacally as Hizama Haki charges the Necromancer and runs him clean through. There is no blood. The crimson crystal pulses and things begin to die.

[2/3]

>>1017782
Well I see they've always been like this.

Let's teach Bad Hand to play the Erhu.

>>1017816
Nah mate. Nah. Bad Hand is either the bass or the lead. Kid's got drums, we've got the erhu, and we know sure as fek that Bad Hand aint singing. So now we just have to find 1 or more singers, and get Bad Hand some training on his instrument of choice.

>>1017833
I just want to see Sykas reaction when she sees him play.

>>1017840
Either bored as fek, turned on as the Dark Father when White Bitch is in the room, or pissed off as hell because of memories.

>>1017844
So FUN regardless!

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>>1017796
The whole scene blurs even as Trooper Saint draws her own blade with a yell. She’s left hollering at an empty hallway.

”For the Emp…ire?”

”For the Empire? Really?” ‘Saint’ has the good grace to at least look bashful.

”Sorry, sir. Force of habit.” Saint sheathes her blade sheepishly. ”What was that, sir?”

”Ancient history, Trooper. Something we weren’t meant to see, I imagine.”

Before you lie two doorways. From the left comes the light, the smell of flowers and the sound of a child’s laughter. Next to the door lies an Erhu. Happy memories wait there. A memory of better days and a time when Mask was a man, not a thing.

The right door leads to darkness, pain and the Necromancer’s voice. Beside the door lies a pair of bloody gauntlets, virtually glowing with power. You can tell that nothing good lies behind that door, a memory of Mask’s darkest deed. But if it reveals any sort of weakness or clue on the Necromancer…

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

>Take the Erhu, enter the left door. Mask has suffered enough. Let there be joy and song for a while. [Heart-of-Gold +1]

>Take the Gauntlets, enter the right door. There are questions that remain as yet unanswered.[Black Heart +1]

And no, you can’t grab both items and then walk through whatever door you feel like. You little shits. ^_^

I’m going to grab a bite so discuss away.

>>1017748
Look, there a difference between "mercenary work for a necromancer" evil and "set up your friend with a bitch" evil. There are some lines that even we won't cross.

>>1017863
>Take the Erhu, enter the left door. Mask has suffered enough. Let there be joy and song for a while. [Heart-of-Gold +1]

More like heart of a thief IMO

>>1017855
Ye. What else did you think would happen? Although, Im still gonna put my vote for Bad Hand learning either the acoustic guitar or the clarinet. Depending on the availability of instruments in the Company's armory.

>>1017863
>>Take the Erhu, enter the left door. Mask has suffered enough. Let there be joy and song for a while. [Heart-of-Gold +1]
Erhu for life

>>1017864
Well. Let's see what he has to say about us and White Bitch first.

Besides. It's just a prank. Bro.

>>1017863
>Take the Erhu, enter the left door. Mask has suffered enough. Let there be joy and song for a while. [Heart-of-Gold +1]

I want to see what happens when we fulfill the conditions of a personal mission.

>>1017863
>Take the Erhu, enter the left door. Mask has suffered enough. Let there be joy and song for a while. [Heart-of-Gold +1]

Lets help out our brother. He stood by us when literally no one else would earlier. Time to do the same for him.

>>1017874
I think we should make him our Bannerman.

>>1017863
>Take the Erhu, enter the left door. Mask has suffered enough. Let there be joy and song for a while. [Heart-of-Gold +1]

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>>1017872
>Besides. It's just a prank. Bro.

>>1017863
>>Take the Erhu, enter the left door. Mask has suffered enough. Let there be joy and song for a while. [Heart-of-Gold +1]

>>1017863
>Erhu

>>1017863

>Take the Erhu, enter the left door. Mask has suffered enough. Let there be joy and song for a while. [Heart-of-Gold +1]

Is there even a question?

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>>1017866
>>1017869
>>1017873
>>1017874
>>1017890
>>1017897
>>1017923
>>1017915
>>1017923
Ya'll players hivemind here. Bromance, diggin it. The other option was opening some pretty grim (if valuable) shit so I'm glad.
>[+1 Heart of Gold]

(1)
>DC [Medium] 80
>Been a long time -10
>DC 70
3 rolls of 1d100, please.
0 = Amateur hour. The Erhu fades.
1 = You’re a little rusty.
2 = Your fingers remember.
3 = A one, a two, a one-two-three-four. Mask speaks.

(2)
Any roll without this vote included will not be counted (don't have to all be the same vote)
There's an even chance of your wounds opening if you use it again this early.
>No Ability
>My Blood For His
>My Blood For His II

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>1017941
>My Blood For His

A true musician bleeds for his art.

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>1017941

Rolled 52 (1d100)

>>1017941

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>1017941
>>My Blood For His

>>1017945
Pretty good, anon

>>1017947
>>1017945
>>1017946

Thank fuck.

>>1017945
Guess we play pretty damn good

>>1017945
Good show!

>>1017946
>>1017947
Lads.

>>1017941
Any roll without this vote included will not be counted

Sorry, but this is to avoid the earlier shenanigans of post-roll voting. Cast them again please.

>>1017941
Also forgot to choose.

>No My Blood For His

>>1017952
Rerolled it here >>1017949

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>1017941
>No My Blood For His

>>1017952
You should just change it to any rolls without votes are assumed no ability.

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>1017941
>No Ability

>>1017941
my blood for his 2

>>1017952
Nah

>>1017941
Can I just vote and not roll?
>No Ability

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>1017941
my blood for his 2 except i didn't forget how to roll

>>1017974

>>1017977
and this will be the first and last time i roll in this quest

>>1017984
I can't roll shit

>>1017941
https://youtu.be/7fdFGEg-9R8?t=50s

>>1017990
/dice+1d100 in the email bar with no capitals.

>>1017941
>Bromance, diggin it.
How long until this lack of information bites us in the ass?

>>1018008
Probably two posts.

But forget it, Prince, it's Black Company Quest.

Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>1018005

>>1018047
Shit fuck

>>1018047
Does it still count forgotten?

>>1018054
No, since it ain't in first three

>>1018047
Impressive kid. With rolls like that, we're sure to be fucked in the ass by karma later on in the quest. You make this fekking disgrace of a man weep a single tear, which then burns in the eternal hell pit I call my shitty room.

Strangest part is, ive been burning so long, I dunno where I could get the water for that tear.

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Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>1017996
Exactly so, mon ami
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_K54nEqfSo

>>1018008
Probably the moment you consider making a play against the Necromancer without knowing his weaknesses.

>My Blood For His [-2 HP] [19/25]
1 = Wound Opens
2 = Stitches Hold

>>1017977
Technically with My Blood For His II you would only fail on a Nat 100, so that still would have been a pass.

>>1017958
Probably will in the future actually. But for this one, now that I've said it, unfortunately not.

>>1017945
>>1017949
>>1017957
>2 Success!
[Been A Long Time -10 DC] when playing Erhu in the future Removed

Mask is playing with his nephew in the garden. It’s odd to hear him laugh, to see him stooped over comically chasing a shrieking toddler.

A pretty young woman dressed in silk chuckles from the side patio and both you and Mask turn to look at her. She’s more than pretty, she’s beautiful. Dressed in silk, with cascading pitch black hair. She smiles as Mask palms the tired nephew off to a nursemaid and he grins back like a lovestruck loon. The woman beckons you over as she takes a seat next her man.

You understand your role here, some servant or other filling in to play for the happy couple. You cough nervously, tuning the finicky little thing. It’s been too damn long since you had your hands on a genuine Erhu. But your worries prove unfounded, the bow swims gracefully across the string as your fingers dance on the cords like a timid heron. It’s not too fekking bad if you do say so yourself.

You’re so lost in the music you only look up when you hear Hizama Haki, ‘Mask’, humming contentedly along with you. His woman has her head nestled against his chest and for a moment, all seems right in the world.
But nothing this good ever lasts.

[1/2]

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>>1018054
Unfortunately not, mate. Good first roll though.

>>1018059
>pic related

>>1018074
Can't argue with you there. Hope is a long forgotten commodity around here, along with food, water, and actual women.

Seriously though that reaction image made me laugh so hard I fekking snorted. I have never done that before.

>>1018067
Well, I suppose the one upside to this little mishap is at least doc isn't going to berate us for bleeding all over his planet again.

>>1018074
I think the first roll I ever made was either a 98 or a 99 in a quest that took crits.

My dick has never been harder than at the exact moment my browser updated with that crit.

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>>1018067

[2/2]

You can still hear Mask humming when you wake up. A cross between a rasp and a cat’s purr. You look around, seeing the others snap out of it on the Actor’s Stage. Trooper Saint, Trooper Nissar and Knight-Taskmaster Cairsun all look none the worse for wear. It’s only then that you realise you’re still playing a real, physical Erhu at that moment.

>GAINED Enchancted Erhu.
>A beautifully crafted instrument of wood, string and ivory. It has the same unique properties as your Cloak of Command and is perhaps the one thing in the world that can bring a small measure of peace to the troubled Mask.

You’re so shocked that you stop playing.

”Hrrrrrrk. Krk. Krk. Krk.”

Mask groans in pain as he wakes, his tired scream turning into choking sounds. So that’s what it sounds like when a dead man sobs. You can guess why. Like waking from a nightmare to a beautiful home, only to wake again and find that the nightmare always real.

”Would you like me to play again sometime?” You try to keep the pity out of your eyes.

”Hrrngh.” Despite lacking any sort of face, the ancient red warrior manages to look plaintive.

”Very well.” You nod. ”We’ll do this whenever time permits, for 10 minutes, starting tomorrow morning. After I have my shave and alone time.”

You don’t mind really, when you had your old Erhu you played all the time.

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

Mask has Developed!
Choose:

>True Son of Hizama [Order Action]
Mask leaps to the defence of his Lord in the melee, selflessly brave even for a dead man. Prince suffers -10DC (in addition to any order penalties) and gains +1 Roll for that combat action.

>I Shall Not Rest [Passive]
There shall be no peace until vengeance is his. In battle Mask will always roll a 1 (or ‘Just a Scratch’) on the casualty table. If this occurs, the enemy (if mortal) will automatically suffer -5DC on the next battle result.

>>1018148
>I Shall Not Rest [Passive]
There shall be no peace until vengeance is his. In battle Mask will always roll a 1 (or ‘Just a Scratch’) on the casualty table. If this occurs, the enemy (if mortal) will automatically suffer -5DC on the next battle result.

We can't have best dead Japanese blackguard bro dying on us, now can we?

>>1018148
>>I Shall Not Rest [Passive]
Jesus this sounds overpowered

>>1018148
>I Shall Not Rest [Passive]
There shall be no peace until vengeance is his. In battle Mask will always roll a 1 (or ‘Just a Scratch’) on the casualty table. If this occurs, the enemy (if mortal) will automatically suffer -5DC on the next battle result.

Lets set up the trap card.

>>1018148
>>I Shall Not Rest [Passive]

>>1018148
>I Shall Not Rest [Passive]
Unkillable bodyguard is a go.

>>1018148
>>I Shall Not Rest [Passive]
Not even a contest

>>1018148
>I Shall Not Rest [Passive]

>>1018148
>I Shall Not Rest [Passive]

I'm going to call it here, lads. I'm know this isn't as long as the usual are but it seems a good place to finish up and leave the Spy and Reinforcement issues for next thread.

>>1018153
>Japanese blackguard bro
What in Below are you talking about? Hazami Haki and his culture of origin are a completely original homebrew donut steal.

>>1018154
>>1018155
>>1018160
>>1018162
>>1018164
>>1018165
>>1018168
Is it really that overpowered? I mean, YOU can still die. And so can everyone else. Mask being alive at the end of it doesn't really change whether your lot rout or otherwise suffer defeat.

>>1018176
Thanks for running.

>>1018176
We can assign him to be our bodyguard/meatshield in battle, and he can take a killing blow meant for us. Besides being an accomplished swordsman, not dying essentially makes him a near-unstoppable juggernaut.

Thread is archived. Thanks for playing gents.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Black%20Company%20Quest

We can finally scratch off our first Companion quest.

>Companion Quest Completed!
>"The Song of My People". Alone and undisturbed, play the Erhu for Mask.

>>1018213
But Saint was there too?

>>1018216
I'm kind of referring to the regular playing in the morning you'll be doing for Mask, but touche.

If I want to get really lawyering though I could point out I never said Saint walked through the dream door with you.

>>1018187
Nah. Make Mask our Bannerman. Start the legend of the standard that never will fall.

Also

>>1017947
>>1017946

I am super dissapointed. Like, we've always had to say whether or not we're going to use MBFH.

I know people make mistakes, I'm just sad.

>>1016734
We had, you dipshits threw it away a couple of threads ago.

>>1018176
Thinking about it, the skill isnt really overpowered. First, we have to roll and get Mask. So its only got about a 1 in 20 chance of activation. With that in mind, it actually is a bit more of a rounded skill.

The only overpowered part might be that Mask cant die or get maimed, but he's undead already, so that was basically out of the picture.

>>1018392
After using MBFH to help a mad god get some pussy, i think we should lay low for a while with that thing.

>>1018499
>threw it away a couple of threads ago
When was that? Went through the archives, and it mentions we HAD an erhu but lost it and need to find another one, but I can't find any mention of actually having an erhu already. If we already had one, we would've already completed Mask's sidequest, wouldn't we?

>>1018562
Isn't there a skill that allows us to choose who gets injured plus if we just drop only him into a combat zone he can fuck everyone and thing

>>1018612
Oh yeah, we should definitely hold back on that.

Ironically, it seems like we're more eager to use it for "storyline" events like getting Mask to talk, and banging White Bitch thoroughly, than we are . . . . actually we've been spamming that in combat too.

Yeah. We should hold back.

Rolled 1, 2 = 3 (2d6)

>>1016204

>>1018148
I think you should have let the first three successes stand.

>>1022651
Nah man, the rules were clearly posted.

I would request in the future that he flairs with text colour or greentext things like that to make sure they aren't missed.

>>1025032
Just taking no choice replies as a vote for not using anything is fine.

>>1026844
Normally yes. But he explicitly stated before that only rolls with votes would be counted.

I'm in favour of counting posts without votes as nonä-affirmative vote, but in that specific case there's no real room to bitch about.

Also, supporting >>1025032

>>1026872
Oh yeah not in this case I mean from now on. Especially since there might be new people who only read the QM updates and missed this little talk.