[5] Lived amongst the dead in the French catacombs. You slept and worked by candlelight, studying the front and each inch that it moved. As one of the poor children you were expected to fight with vigor, and hold to the ideals France had stood for. They Shall Not Pass became your very purpose, and though the dead served to remind you the cost of such a promise it was your only choice.

>>2142928
>[1] Were raised in the German Empire. Growing up in a Fume Town miles behind the Somme line the only light of day you saw was from the thin shafts seeping around the enormous shape of the siege cannon the town was built around. You grew up in the state child house, spending your days training for your fifteenth birthday and first taste of warfare. Living close to the front you’ve seen your share of wounded and suffering. Though the guards kept the trench ghouls away you’ve seen what horrors lurk in the dark corners of the earth and are not blind to what hell the war has drummed up.

>>2142928
>[1] Were raised in the German Empire. Growing up in a Fume Town miles behind the Somme line the only light of day you saw was from the thin shafts seeping around the enormous shape of the siege cannon the town was built around. You grew up in the state child house, spending your days training for your fifteenth birthday and first taste of warfare. Living close to the front you’ve seen your share of wounded and suffering. Though the guards kept the trench ghouls away you’ve seen what horrors lurk in the dark corners of the earth and are not blind to what hell the war has drummed up.
No Austrian choice?

Going to give it 10 more minutes before I begin writing

>>2142928
>[3] Lived a life in the Italian mountains. The tunnels built into the rock face sheltered you from the constant barrage of artillery, though more than once you had to dig yourself from a cave in. The dark whispers of the cave merrows from the deep caverns licked at your mind, calling you ever deeper below ground though you were forbidden to do so. It wasn’t uncommon for boys to go missing and not return. So close to the front, you’re no stranger to firing a rifle and taking life in the event the enemy broke through.
A crafty killer.

>>2142941
>>2142955
German empire it is. Thanks for the votes. Update soon
>>2142958

File: Siege.jpg (21 KB, 700x260)

21 KB JPG

>>2142941
>>2142955
The shockwave of the siege cannon hit you before the head splitting report. The shack walls swayed inwards, threatening to collapse. It wasn’t uncommon for whole blocks to be buried under their makeshift homes. Your thoughts drifted back to the last time it had happened, the frantic feeling as you dug through the rubble looking for Einhardt. The stones cut into your hands, twisted chunks of metal slicing against your palms. Was such pain and helplessness worth it when the only reward was finding out what fate you knew had already befallen him?

You shook your head, clearing the thoughts from your mind as you climbed from the cot. The grimy lantern on the desk threatened to go out, the light flickering through the muddied glass. You refilled it and dressed with a purpose, the weight of today not lost on you. It was the final day of class before your fifteenth birthday. The last sense of normality before you were sent to a two week training and then to the front.

You shuttered the shack door behind you, the makeshift lock screeching in protest as the rust fought to hold it open. Where you not leaving tomorrow you’d head to the scrapyard to see if it was replaceable, though you doubt such a rare item would be easy to come by or cheap if you did. The smog was thick today, the thin piping from each shack belching a dirty black that mixed with the evacuated fumes from the gun. Your eyes stung, and your lungs burned as they did each day.

Pulling the cloth mask over your face you looked to the massive shape of the artillery piece at the other end of the cavern. Judging by the dim light coming from the opening above it you believe you have some time before your graduation class.

You:

[1] Head to the outer homes and speak to the guards. Perhaps more trench ghouls had attacked in the night or some other event of interest.

[2] Head right to the school building, best not to chance it on a day such as this.

[3] Go talk to the gunnery crew at the siege cannon, ask what the target was today.

>>2143036
>[1] Head to the outer homes and speak to the guards. Perhaps more trench ghouls had attacked in the night or some other event of interest.
Be friends with the guy's who save your bacon every night.

Going to give it another 5 before I start the update

>>2143047
Will support.

>>2143047
>>2143155
The walk through the narrow muddy paths is quiet for the most part, other than the occasional sounds of a fight or chattering of the rats. With each step the mud sunk up to your calves, the smell of blood, human excrement, and rotting animals having ceased to bother you years ago. You passed by Ivara’s house, the lack of light from behind the shutters meaning she was either asleep or heading to class early. The latter was far more likely, though with the recent shock of finding out she was a Barren you would be unsurprised if she was struggling to find a reason to awake.

As you continued walking towards the outer perimeter you remembered your times as a child with Ivara. The children homes were lonely and violent places, and without another person to share the pain with it was night unbearable. She had always spoke of her wish to be one of the Mutter des Landes, to give birth to the next generation of soldiers that would finally win the war. No more than a week ago she had pulled you aside in class, asking if you’d come see her on your first leave to help her with this dream.

That hope was gone however, her only choice now to join one of the Barren Divisions or become a midwife. The cruelty of the latter choice decided it easily for her. Your thoughts are interrupted by the sound of gruff laughter and song. It seems the guards had a good night, the sweet smell of roasting ghoul meat making your mouth water. Anything was better than the rations handed down every other day.

Ritter walked towards you, his uniform dirty and unkempt though it did nothing to dissuade him from smiling as much he could.

“Here Dietrich, have a taste of an alpha ghoul.”

He tossed a greasy chunk of meat your way, the oils that seeped from it burning your hand and nearly slipping from your grasp. You ignored the heat and bit deep into the flesh, a tangy warmth flooding your mouth as the meat dissolved on your tongue. Through chewing, you:

Through chewing, you:

[1] Asked Ritter how the night was, and if everyone from the outer guard was fine.

[2] Asked Ritter if he remembered his graduation and what to expect from it

[3] Asked Ritter if he’d ever seen a Barren Unit in combat

[4] Combination of previous options

[5] Write-in

>>2143166
>[1] Asked Ritter how the night was, and if everyone from the outer guard was fine.
>[3] Asked Ritter if he’d ever seen a Barren Unit in combat

>>2143166
>[1] Asked Ritter how the night was, and if everyone from the outer guard was fine.
[2] Asked Ritter if he remembered his graduation and what to expect from it

[4] Combination of previous options

>>2143166
[4] Combination of previous options

Grim world, I like it.

>>2143171
>>2143173
Since it's 1 and 1 on the combination options I'll include both of them. Writing

>>2143192
Nice.

>>2143171
>>2143173
>>2143191

“Slow down Dietrich, that’s a lot of questions and all you’re accomplishing is spitting half your food down the front of my uniform.”
Ritter chuckles at his own joke, leaning back against the wooden breastworks.

“To answer your first, the night was an eventful one. I’m surprised Bernon didn’t call for any of you Warless to assist. Maybe if he had some of the men would still be with us…” Ritter trails off, staring at the black mud around his boots before looking back up at you.

“We lost three to the Ghul’s before we broke them. I guess killing an Alpha is as important as they say, though I’m not as much a fan of the rumor the pack seeks revenge for their death. Only time will tell if such a thing is true.”

You chew your food thoughtfully, Ritter looking back towards the corpse currently roasting over the fire. You followed his gaze, settling on the dwarfish creature. It could have stood only five feet high had they not slouched everywhere. Where once two black eyes had been set into the elongated skull only one remained, the other and surrounding portion of the head having been blown to chunks somewhere further into the cavern. Though blackened from the cooking it’s skin was still taught, the mottled white showing in places that hadn’t been so exposed to the heat.

“To answer further, the graduation isn’t as big as they make it to be. You’ll do your final marksmanship test, and your performance on the written assignments will determine what you’ll do in the war. If you’re lucky they’ll send you to the Breeding District as a send off.” Ritter smiles at the end of his statement, clearly remembering how lucky he had been during graduation.

“Though if I were in your shoes Dietrich, I’d see if you could make any moves on your class’s discipline officer Ms. Katchen. I’d repeat my first day in the trenches as many times as necessary for a chance to make her a mother of the land.” Ritter looks you in the eyes, a devilish grin across his sharp face.

“I can tell where your heart is set though eh? Want to know if Barren’s are still allowed a chance to feel a man? Wondering if you’ll get to bed Ivara now that she’s useless as a woman?”

You:

[1] Let him continue, you know Ritter is just poking fun

[2] Punch him in the shoulder, hard. No one talks about your closest friend in such a manner.

>>2143253
>[2] Punch him in the shoulder, hard. No one talks about your closest friend in such a manner.

>>2143267
Update coming

>>2143267
“Dietrich I was just kidding! I didn’t mean anything by it, honest! I am only trying to lighten your mood before the test. Though I guess that may have been a touchy subject eh?” Ritter rubs his shoulder tenderly, rotating it a few times before looking at you.

“I’ve been in combat with a Barren unit only twice, and each time they fought fiercer than hounds of hell. Faceless, remorseless, and full of nothing but rage they march into incoming fire without a care. I remember watching their blackened greatcoats dance in the wind, wondering what expression was behind their gas masks. You know they never take them off right? They’re forbidden to do so. They leave their identity as a woman behind for failing their purpose. So they repent in the flames of war until death claims them.” Ritter goes silent, staring at you with a seriousness that is rare from his blue eyes.

“The Ivara you knew will be gone, replaced by a killing machine that will only burn and maim. They fight with flammenwerfer and bayonet, nothing more. I’ve seen them takes wounds that would kill any of the men beside me and keep stabbing. Barrens are not women, and I sometimes doubt they are human Dietrich. Best to forget her while you can.”

You finish the meat given to you, your mood soured both by the cruel jokes and the reality your friend faces. Ritter coughs, looking to the ground and then to you.

“I’m sorry Dietrich, I know nothing I said was what you wanted to hear. But hey!” Ritter forces a smile, stepping forward and placing a hand on your left shoulder.

“Your graduation is today, and after that you’ll be on the frontlines before you know it. No time to think out there Dietrich, your only hope of survival is fighting with everything you have eh? Don’t want to end up like me, thinking of a nice pair of tits and letting the enemy slip by. How else do you think I got relegated to Ghul duty?” Ritter laughs heartily, before turning and walking back to the campfire, still chuckling under his breath.

You:

[1] Look around a bit, see if there’s anything inside or outside the perimeter worth seeing

[2] Head to your final class, you’ve wasted enough time

>>2143342
>[2] Head to your final class, you’ve wasted enough time

>>2143342
>[2] Head to your final class, you’ve wasted enough time

>>2143349
>>2143357
You turn and throw a wave behind you towards Ritter, uncaring whether he sees it or not. The end of the conversation has soured your mood, and you spend most of the walk back looking at the mud. Images of flames and gas masks flit behind your eyes, scorching whatever hope you had for Ivara and her happiness.

The structure ahead of you is built of spare wood and sheets of bullet riddled metal. Ms. Katchen stands by the barbed wire fence, a clipboard in hand. The strict braid of blonde hair is almost a sash across the right side of her chest, a medal of her time as a mother. For each child birthed women were allowed to keep their hair longer and longer, a testament of their value to the nation and their beauty as well. Katchen looked at you, the grim look she was so known for softening slightly.

“Dietrich, I expect very much of you today. Lead the pack like I know you can and you’ll do fine.”

You bow to Ms. Katchen, walking past the rusted wire and taking your place inside the building. The floor is barren today, the hundreds of desks removed for the physical testing ahead. Each wall is lined with boys your age, shoulder to shoulder staring straight ahead in both fear and anticipation.

After some time spent waiting you pick out Koen across the hall, twin brother of Einhardt. He nods towards you slowly, before slamming his fist against the left of his chest. If all goes well you can at least be sent to the front with someone you know.

Koen’s eyes shift from you to Ms. Katchen, her stride long and purposeful. Behind her, General Von Emmerich of the 11th Army follows in parade uniform, eyeing up each potential soldier. Katchen stops in the middle of the atrium, glancing in all directions before clearing her throat. The complete silence means she need do little more than speak loudly, her voice carrying easily.

“Boys of the Somme District Block K, today you have the chance to become men. For the last 11 years you have trained in the art of battle and the skills required to bring your country victory. Each of you will have a part to play in the grand machinations of our empire, whether it be killing in the name of victory, or making children in the name of the future. By your hands you will build this empire higher, to a new front, to a new golden age. From the streets of Paris, to Washington. From London to Tokyo, the world will know the might of our empire and the strength of the men who fight for it. Ready yourselves boys, today you become men.”

A single shout of affirmation, well disciplined and drilled is her response.

“We will split you into four groups, and rotate each of you through the various tests. You will complete all of them by the end of the day and your unit will be given to you by the morning.”

Do you start with:

[1] Marksmanship

[2] Leadership

[3] Tactics

[4] Morality

>>2143425
>[1] Marksmanship

>>2143425
[3] Tactics

>>2143439
[1]

You’re divided into the group sent to the range near the back perimeter of the city. You catch a glance at Ritter further down the trenchline, a stein in hand as he converses with the other guards. He locks eyes with you, still rather unhappy from the punch early if his expression is anything to judge by. As you start to mouth a sentence, a shot rings out from your right, cutting you off.

Looking over, General Von Emmerich stands with his sidearm pointed to the sky.

“Divide yourselves into groups of three to each rifle and stand ready upon the breastworks.”

Not a word is shared among the boys as they jostle between one another, trying to pick out a familiar face in the crowd. To your dismay, Koen is nowhere to be seen. You briefly wonder what test he is taking before stepping beside two others.

“Well done, you know how to count and move. Let’s see if you can shoot now. The rifle beside you is the standard issue rifle of the Empire. If you’re an infantry role, which most of you will be, this will become your wife. You will sleep with it, eat with it, fight with it, kill with it, and if you’re lucky enough die with it.” Emmerich chuckles at his own joke, stroking his salt and pepper beard.

“And it’ll be a damn honor to do so. The Pattern 37 EGewehr is, or 37EG for short is the finest rifle ever fielded on the face of the earth. Holding 9 rounds of 9.8mm Siegfried it is one hell of a man stopper. As this is both a marksmanship and mechanical test that’s all the information you get. Now who from each group is first?”

You:

>[1] Show the others how it’s done. You’ve read the weapon manuals back and forward

>[2] Wait to see how those around you operate the rifle, keep an eye out for any hidden catch

This choice will help shape how the character reacts to situations around him that are not voted upon.

>>2143468
Apologies anon, I didn't want to wait much more than 15 minutes as few people have been voting.

>>2143482
>>[1] Show the others how it’s done. You’ve read the weapon manuals back and forward

>>2143482
>>[1] Show the others how it’s done. You’ve read the weapon manuals back and forward

As an aside, from now on voting will be open to 15 minutes after the post. Thank you all for following along so far

>>2143482
>>[2] Wait to see how those around you operate the rifle, keep an eye out for any hidden catch
its all good

>>2143486
>>2143487
>Dietrich will now lead by example<
You settle yourself behind the rifle, lifting it onto the breastworks and clearing the chamber thrice to make sure it’s empty. The other boys around you are either struggling or just barely fumbling through, the one to your left is mimicking your exact movements. You pull open the bolt, the toggle mechanism locking in place at the rear. The en-bloc slips smoothly inside the magazine well, making a satisfying snap as the lock engages. You pull back on the toggle-lock bolt again, letting it lift one of the massive rounds and slam it into battery.

The wood and metal construction is a familiar weight from the times the perimeter guards let you hold theirs. As a child those were some of the only times you felt happy. Your shot is the first to ring out, a massive crack ka-chunk as the round both fires and cycles the mechanism. The heavy bolt pushes the gun against you comfortably, and you settle into a rhythm. Crack ka-chunk. Crack ka-chunk. Each target that rises is swiftly put down, and before long you notice that your rifle is the only one firing. Most of the other boys stare in wonder, or flinch with each sharp blast from the rifle.

The rifle locks open with a snap, the en-bloc falling out the bottom of the magazine well as you push a new one in and continue your domination of the steel targets. You nearly pull your shot as Emmerich sets a hand on your shoulder, laughing heartily.

“Well done kid, you remind me of myself when I went through graduation. Much less handsome but still, you’ve got that natural soldiering ability.”

You lay the rifle on the breastworks with care, snapping a salute to the general as soon as your hands are free. The range comes alive with the sound of rifle fire and pain as mechanisms close on fingers, or smash the noses of those who move to close to the action. Emmerich snorts at such an occurrence.

“I don’t know how we keep fighting this war with idiots like those. They aren’t worth the sausage they grind their corpses into after the mortuary squads roll through. You however lad, show some promise, at least in the art of killing targets. Just make sure in being so ready to lead you aren’t the first to lead men into a machine gun nest. At ease.”

Emmerich walks away, hands behind his back as he inspects and berates other boys. Those from your group look at you with a mixture of envy and respect.

You:

[1] Try to instruct those around you and help raise morale

[2] Stand and watch, you only need to succeed for yourself here

[3] Look and see if Ritter has come to watch

>>2143523
>[1] Try to instruct those around you and help raise morale

>>2143523
>[2] Stand and watch, you only need to succeed for yourself here

>>2143528
>>2143541
Going to wait another 5-10 to see if anyone else votes to break the tie, otherwise I'll roll for it

>>2143523
>[2] Stand and watch, you only need to succeed for yourself here

Tie broken, writing update

>>2143528
>>2143541
Though many of them fumble with the rifle both in loading and operation you lean against the breastworks and watch as rounds fly past targets. The two in your group look at you in anger, before looking back to the rifle and struggling to emulate you from memory. You don’t mean it in a personal way, but when it’s time to fight on the field of battle you can’t load the rifle for the man next to you, much less shoot it for them.

Each failure and washout is one less person beside you that will endanger your life. Emmerich looks at you from the far right of the breastworks, studying you carefully. Whether he approves or not you can’t tell, but all that matters is that you are only being graded on the marksmanship and mechanical knowledge of the rifle. The line eventually falls quiet, as each shooter takes their attempt and finishes. You’ve spent the last minutes staring at the mud, thinking of the next test, of what tomorrow may bring, and of Ivara.

It’s hard to imagine her in what Ritter described. Short, spiky red hair in every which direction and a face full of freckles, so many in fact they ran down her neck and to her shoulders. Would the constant heat and black smoke of the flammenwerfer scorch her snow white skin? Would the kindest smile you had ever seen harden into a grimace of anger and killing intent. You felt sick thinking about it.

The general fired his sidearm into the air once more, the signal for the group you were part of to march on to the next segment. No one spoke, the only sound the lockstep marching through calf deep mud and the howl of trench ghouls deep in the dark.

The next test was:

[1] Leadership

[2] Tactics

[3] Morality

>>2143557
[2] Tactics

>>2143557
>[1] Leadership

>>2143568
>>2143576
Tie again, will wait 5 for a vote to break it or roll

I propose we do it in orderly logical fashion as the Prussian school system would probably dictate.

We do practicality first since that is what the leaders deem most important with secondary thought and self secondary.

In order of importance to the state, the class final exams shall be done is this order:

Marksmanship
Tactics
Leadership
Morality

since we didn't take lead and teach the other students earlier tactics takes president over leadership. This should also let us move along without having to get stuck at every prompt waiting for a tie breaker or other voters.

>>2143557
>[2] Tactics

>>2143588
I like the suggestion, but it seems it will go in that order anyways since no one is interested in morality and the tie just came through here >>2143590
Tactics it is, writing

>>2143590
>>2143568
You saw the faces of younger children looking at you along the muddy paths and alleys between shelters. Dirtied with mud and soot their eyes still manage to sparkle in wonder as they watch their future march by. The thoughts in your head are rattled as gunfire rakes across the shack to your left, leaving your ears ringing and head spinning. Emmerich bellows from the back of the line.

“Ambush! What do you do?!”

The other boys mill about around you but you:

[1] Freeze in place just the same

[2] Dive into the mud and crawl backwards, that gun is just to your right

[3] Move forward as fast as you can, search for a weapon

Updates will be shorter during combat to allow for more control over the character's actions

>>2143595
>[2] Dive into the mud and crawl backwards, that gun is just to your right

i lb going to bed soon

>>2143595
When it says the gun is just to our right, does it refer the the machine gun attacking us or a weapon we can use nearby?

>>2143599
Machine gun, apologies on being vague

>>2143598
Thank you for participating, I believe after this action sequence I'll be stopping for the night to continue tomorrow.

>>2143595
[2] Dive into the mud and crawl backwards, that gun is just to your right

>>2143606
Hopefully we can finish the exam first.

>>2143598
>>2143610
You throw yourself back into the mud, narrowly avoiding the next burst that would have cut you down the middle. You force yourself to move through the inches of thick grease and mud, dragging your body through it and keeping yourself as low as you can. This close, your nose burns from the smell and your eyes begin to water. Further and further you move until you’re hunkered down a safe distance away from the rapid cracks and rattle of ammunition.

The two from your earlier group didn’t react as fast, one doubling over as his stomach was eviscerated by the burst you narrowly dodged, the other spinning in a spray of crimson as a round detonated his cranium. Even through the mud you could smell fresh viscera as it pooled around their bodies, the frantic movements of the other boys kicking and dragging about the innards that spilled to the ground. You watched, unsure of what to do or think as someone’s very life mixed into the fetid layer underfoot.

You:

[1] Risked yourself to drag him backward

[2] Watched and waited for the gunfire to end

[3] Moved through the shack to your side and tried to get to the machine gunner

>>2143626
>[3] Moved through the shack to your side and tried to get to the machine gunner

>>2143626
[2] Watched and waited for the gunfire to end
I don't want to to tie up the vote but we need to make observations before going on the attack.

>>2143637
>>2143640
In five I'll roll unless the tie is broken

>>2143626
Do we know if the machine gunner is working alone, or if it is a crew?>>2143646

>>2143648
As far as you are aware it is just the gunner

>>2143653
Very well I'll change to-
[3] Moved through the shack to your side and tried to get to the machine gunner

>>2143637
>>2143656
Updating

>>2143656
>>2143637
You stand up, nearly slipping in the mud but manage to hold your balance. The machine gun continues to chatter, though the rounds only find the mud and shack you leapt away from. Looking around you see that unlike your abode, the shack in front of you has no lock. Opening the door, you move carefully through the dim room thankful for the lack of personal possessions to trip over. The window slats hang weakly, rotted and wet with moisture.

It doesn’t take much force to pry them off the wall and lay them on the floor. You grab the last and yank, keeping it as a makeshift weapon. The machine gun hisses outside and to your left a few shacks down, the fire rate slowing before locking with a loud clack as the weapon overheats.
Taking your chance you leapt out the back window, rushing down the narrow path and rounding the corner. The board in your hand shattered on impact with the back of the gunner’s skull but still managed to deliver enough force for him to slump over the weapon. Your blood pounded in your ears as you looked down, recognizing the uniform of one of the perimeter guards from this morning. At the end of the alley, the imposing figure of Emmerich stood overtop the two corpse’s his voice calm and heartless.

“Too often people can’t think on their feet or don’t watch around them. You are never safe, not on the frontlines, not in your homes, not in the breeding houses. An artillery shell could vaporize you, gas could boil your lungs from the inside, or in the case of these two a machine gun could saw you apart.”

Emmerich turned, looking back at you and nodding once.

“A soldier should think on their feet, should always look for an opportunity to overcome and save the lives that aren’t already lost. It’s by the actions of men capable of those things that our Empire stands. For 232 years we’ve held of the Entente and god willing we’ll keep doing it and win!. You, next to the machine gun. What’s your name?”

You:

[1] Salute and state your first and last name

[2] Remain silent, those boys who died for the sake of a test were classmates

>>2143676
Write in?
Make a hardened face, and look to the ground being silent for a moment. Look up and coldly say our first and last name while saluting.

>>2143684
Good write in, forgot to add the option.

>>2143676
>[1] Salute and state your first and last name

>>2143676
god damm man its allfor training,

As I forgot to do the write in option I'll go with the vote from >>2143691 however I will be making it an option in the future. Apologies anon >>2143684

>>2143703
Its basically the same thing, it's just how we do it that is slightly different.

>>2143691
You snap off a salute, something drilled into you since you could attend class.

“Dietrich Otto Jäger”

Emmerich nods once before returning the salute.

“Well done Dietrich, you’ve got a strong battle sense about you. Though had that been a real engagement the gun would have been crewed. With your marksmanship from earlier however I don’t think that’d be much of a problem.” Emmerich turns to the rest of the group.

“Dietrich understands what a soldier should be. A killer, a finely drilled one at that. The rest of you could do nothing but mill about in a panic? Pathetic.” Emmerich snaps a final salute at you, before walking to the head of the column.

You can’t help but feel dead inside, especially when you meet the cloudy gaze of the boy who still retains his head. The rats are already gnawing at his innards, fighting amongst one another over whatever scrap they can get. You didn’t even know the boy’s name.

There are no more ambushes on the march back, and within minutes you’ve arrived once more at the school. The other groups are nowhere to be seen, and before you have a chance to wonder which test Koen is doing the now familiar voice of Emmerich silences any chatter that was happening.

“War is not just firing your weapon, and positioning yourself to do so. You must also lead, for the man beside you, for yourself, and for the country. Strive to set an example that will inspire both your men and your fellow countrymen wherever they may be.” Emmerich’s eyes scan the crowd, before finding yours.

“However, do know that not all are happy to lead or be shown up. Make of that what you will and punish as you see fit. You will be divided into two groups, Dietrich shall lead the first. The second group’s leader will be Clovis, as he had the second most respectable marksmanship trial.”

You remember Clovis from the days of the state house, and the memories aren’t fond. Violence was commonplace, encouraged to be part of the daily routine of childhood as it forced the youth to overcome or perish. Clovis was one such child who relished in inflicting it.

You:

[1] Stand to the side, watch those assigned to you but don’t greet them

[2] Greet each boy, ask their name

>>2143716
[2] Greet each boy, ask their name
And assign them positions in our ad-hoc squad.

>>2143723
>>2143716
Ask them what their qualities are and what they are good at, then assign them placement.

>>2143716
>[1] Stand to the side, watch those assigned to you but don’t greet them

>>2143723
>>2143734
I'll give it a few more for a breaker before rolling

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>2143723
Evens for greet
>>2143734
Odds for stand

>>2143743
You stand and watch as the large group is split, until both sides are even. You didn’t say a word, simply standing and watching as each walked over to you. A quiet murmur built up among either side, unsure of how things would proceed. Emmerich stood in the middle, watching either side with interest. Since you weren’t greeting the people sent to your side you had a moment to look around.

The low layer of smoke that perpetually hung through the cavern obscured anything but vague shapes in the distance, and the lighting was dim at best on most days. However one thing you could never miss was Ivara, and how absolutely pale she was. It was easy to see then, her form standing outside the barbed wire fencing, watching with interest. Her presence sent a renewed vigor into you, and at any cost you wished to win whatever the next challenge was.

“Orders are not always easy, nor are they correct but an officer will do as commanded by superiors and the troops under them will follow. If you walk into hell so too do they. The challenge then, is to get them to walk with you. Your unit is your family, the tightest knit brotherhood you will ever know. Any order you follow they do as well. Regardless of what it is.” Emmerich looks to both sides with a neutral look before drawing his handgun.

“Upon the discharge of my firearm, you will lead your squad to battle. Your orders are as follows. Render the enemy leader dead or immobile, your choice. However you cannot carry this task out, your men must be your sword. Inspire as you see fit.”

The crack of the pistol brought forth not chaos but an eerie silence as either side stood staring at the other.

You:

[1] Inspired your men through fear

[2] Inspired your men with bravado

[3] Write in

>>2143753
[1] Inspired your men through fear
Write in or bravado won't work for this since we did not greet them.

>>2143754
Writing update

>>2143753
[1] Inspired your men through fear
but its out of love

>>2143754
>>2143762
You’d been the center of the show all day, and you didn’t easily forget the looks of anger passed your way. People had died and you were still praised. Rather than attempt to smooth things over even slightly you acted aloof as your team was assigned to you. There was only one option to come out of this on top.

You turned to the boy next to you, slightly shorter and lankier by far. He met eyes with you, a mixture of contempt, and intrigue as he tried to determine what came next. For the second time that day you punched as hard as you could, this time however your hand made contact with teeth and not a shoulder. You could feel the cuts open on your hands as the teeth in the front of his face chipped and cracked.

Coughing and sputtering he fell to the ground, red spittle and pieces of his pearly whites mixing into the mud beneath him. The onlookers from either side were stunned, though the intent to yours was clear. Emmerich’s laughter rang through the area, a hearty baritone bellow.

“Why am I not surprised Dietrich? You burned all your bridges so you shoot them til they cross.” Emmerich continued to laugh as the boys on your team moved away from you in fear and towards the other side out of necessity. Before they reach the other end do you tell them to

[1] Render Clovis unconscious

[2] Kill him

>>2143765
[1] Render Clovis unconscious
>Inspire fear = free dentistry with knuckles.
noted.

>>2143765
>[1] Render Clovis unconscious

>>2143765
You shout to your team to simply knock him unconscious. Though a part of you deep deep down enjoys the thought of Clovis bleeding into the mud you wish only to pass, not to become a monster. You watch as the brawl erupts, only a few punches at first before each side is throwing themselves bodily against the other. Violence was part of your lives, it came easily.

Though inspired by fear, you lead from the front. Pushing through the melee you find yourself beside the boy you punched earlier, tears streaming from his eyes as he throws blow after blow. You watch his sides, and his back, giving him a swift nod when your eyes meet. It isn’t long before Clovis and the few remaining members of his team have been backed into a corner, fighting viciously. To your eyes it seems it’s no longer about just surviving the ordeal, but rather to save what little pride they have left. However much you can respect it, you didn’t start this fight to lose it. Under swift direction from you the team moves in and dispatches what resistance is left, Clovis finding sleep under the impact of a rock.

You and your team cheer as best you can, wincing and panting between hurrahs. Briefly you imagine if this had been real combat, and wonder if they would cheer then as the trudge between the bodies of their friends.

Emmerich fires another round into the mud in front of him, as quickly as it began the cheering stops. “Why didn’t you kill him Dietrich? Is it truly a victory if your enemy draws breath?”

You’re left to ponder Von Emmerich’s words as he turns and walks inside the dilapidated building, heading towards the final step of your graduation. You cast your eyes over your shoulder to Ivara, who looks at you with an unreadable expression. You don’t have the time to try to figure it out, before the remaining members of your group begin to move inside.

Ms. Katchen stands in the middle once more next to Emmerich. The infantry uniform adorning her is far different than her usual dress attire, as is the mud up to her knees and flecks of blood in her hair. It seems she took training much more hands on than Von Emmerich. Emmerich leans into her ear, whispering something unintelligible from this distance.Ms. Katchen meets your gaze, a thin smile curling her lips at the sight of you. It seemed there was no end to the people you impressed today.

Clearing her throat, Katchen announces the final portion of the exam.

“As you may have now noticed, four groups are gone. You’re either part of one or the other. The brave soldiers of the empire, or the enemies of it. There is no place in our army for failures, for those who cannot fight a war and win. The greatest offensive of the last three generations approaches and yet some of you cannot see it within yourself to give your all to the very country that raised and cared for you.

Cont.

>>2143780
Ms. Katchen turns her eyes to the group across from yours, full of the misfits and weak.

“Worry not, you still have your chance to be brave. Your body will serve the Empire. Your soul will fuel the war machines, your flesh will be turned to food, your bones ground to dust to til the fields. Every single person to be have the honor of being birthed into our great nation is part of it. You can still play that part, from the grave.” Katchen turns her gaze back to your group, and to you in particular.

“The battlefield is not a place for the weak, a place for mercy or for love. You fight, you win, and if you cannot accomplish that you die. To live a life without victory is to suffer, and as such our great nation cannot live without a victory. There are no morals above ground. Only orders, and your place in them. To the men I see before me. The final test is to leave those morals behind.”

Katchen stomps once, pushing her boots together in a perfect V before saluting you and those near you. To your right, the doors of the atrium are flung open, the legendary 11th Honor Guard stepping into the hall in perfect formation. Rather than spotless, their uniforms are dirty, covered in mud and blood. Each one a uniform passed from soldier to soldier, the bullet holes and tears telling of the lives given in service to the great nation. One by one they line up facing the boys on your side, and you struggle to see any emotion in the face before you. Their rifles are thrust into each of the boys hands, the man in front of you passing his before stepping to your right in perfect lockstep.

Katchen watches you intently. Emmerich’s grin cuts through you.

“Soldiers of the great German Empire. You are now men of war, of victory, and of death. Carry out the execution of the treasonous weak and cleanse our nation of those who can only be of use in death.”

The Honor Guard help each boy along the line shoulder the rifles, finding a target among those on the opposite wall. You pick out Koen, standing with eyes closed and teeth clenched.

At the shout of Ms. Katchen you:

[1] Pull the trigger

And with that ends the first session of The Greatest War. I hope you guys enjoyed it, and thank you very much for participating. I'll be around for awhile if you have any questions or criticisms which I'd appreciate greatly.

I'll try to be doing sessions at least three times a week though maybe not all 8 hours in length. I'll announce such a thing here: https://twitter.com/LukaLukaLuu

>>2143789
So basically the "Great War" never ended and went past 1918 correct? What kind of unit and infantry tactics do they utilize after a century of warfare?

What is the world map like?

Political landscape of all major and great powers?

What about Russia? Is it communist, or had a chunk annexed by Germany?

What of the Austro-Hungarian empire? Is it around? Maybe balkanized, or absorbed into the German empire?

How could any nation sustain constant warfare for nearly 100 years?
>inb4 100 years war
Very different in many factors.

Will there be much dice rolling? I don't care for either so long as a quest is done well enough.

>>2143796
Correct the great war did not end. For the most part trench warfare is now the definitive form of warfare. Imagine Verdun on the world scale. Artillery is constant and has polluted the earth, hence the fume towns underground.

The world map has the current front being along the Somme for the French and German. The U.K is still sovereign, and the eastern front line is a perpetual fight around Tannenburg.

All the great belligerents from 1914 except Austro-Hungary which was absorbed by Germany are still in play though how effective will be shown later.

Russia's communist revolution failed and it thus remains a constitutional monarchy.

As the war broke into realms unknown to mankind, awakening mythical beasts and their properties, religion and belief will be a large part of how many of the countries function. As the soul was found to be real, it is used to power most industry. Technology went sideways rather than upward if that makes sense.

To clarify the war has carried on for 232 years.

I do not believe I will ever have dice rolling except in the event of ties such as earlier.

>>2143799
How can they fight 232 years of conflict on the active level of the Somme and keep it sustainable? Humans and artillery shells cannot be produced fast enough for that, or the material required to make them even if they had fully automated artillery, and pregnancies lasted half that time...?

>a perpetual fight around Tannenburg
How do the Russians still have an army?

What about the rest of the world not directly involved with a mainly "European war" like Asia, central and south Africa, the Americas?

>>2143788
>The final test is to leave those morals behind
I was expecting a written test for that in which I had a write in for.

>>2142928

Kind of slipping into edgy grimdark, tho good writing.

>>2143813
Just go with it buddy
Its a grimdark quest of a naver ending world war 2

>>2143789
Real grim world. I do enjoy your writing. Please continue

>>2143846
Its going to turn out its really a 40k quest

>>2143813
Apologies for the late reply, I fell asleep at my desk.

To be honest it's realistic that such a thing could never be sustained on a level but for the sake of fiction it has. Nation's sole purpose became fighting wars. Every woman was to birth children, every man to fight the war or build machines to help.

Russia will be touched on later.

The other regions of the world you mentioned are indeed part of the war, though rather than outright state I'd like to bring them up in writing in the future.

>>2143846
>>2143941
Thank you for the kind words, glad that it is being enjoyed

As stated previously I will be announcing the next sessions here https://twitter.com/LukaLukaLuu

File: GW_2.jpg (4.02 MB, 1700x2200)

4.02 MB JPG

You sat in a small chair in front of Ms. Katchen’s desk. Displayed before you was your official contract and pen. Katchen leaned over her desk towards you, staring you down like a lion does a fresh meal.

“Dietrich? Dietrich are you going to answer me?”

“What?” You look up, staring at her in confusion. You don’t remember a question being asked let alone one directed at you. You’re struggling to process the events of the day. Death was commonplace in the Fume Towns. Whether from Trench Ghul or structural failure, disease or the very fumes that permeated the air they were named for, people simply died. You’ve seen it before, you’ve seen bodies both fresh and old. New to you however was watching someone die in front of you, to actually see the moment their chest gave a heaving rattle and went still. Or how their eyes went from sharp and clear to a dull fog staring into the abyss that so readily stared back.

You tried to push such things from your mind but the echoing crack of the rifle shot you took a life with earlier still rings clear. Everytime you blink you see the blood spatter on the wall. You shake your head, and push it out of mind. Graduation wasn’t done yet.

“What was the question Ms. Katchen?” You look at her with a neutral expression, intent on getting this day finished and behind you.

“Which assignment would you like Dietrich? With performance such as yours you get the pick of them all. Any door you choose is open, and you will have my personal recommendation to whatever you choose.”

You look back at the desk before you, noticing the multitude of unchecked boxes and script. Any of these could be your future, and you want that future to be:

[1] Infantry, specializing in assault tactics

[2] A special Jaeger unit, just as your surname

[3] Artillery, based in a fume town near Tannenburg

[4] Cavalry, part of the Death’s Head Hussars

[5] Tanker, stationed on Serbian front

This decision will affect Dietrichs next two weeks of training, deployment, and combat situations

>>2149069

[3] Artillery, based in a fume town near Tannenburg

>>2149069
>[2] A special Jaeger unit, just as your surname

>>2149069
As this a big decision I will be giving voting another 10-15 minutes in hopes of a tie breaker and more input. Apologies for the wait anons!

>>2149069
>Infantry, specializing in assault tactics
DESU I kind of want to be a commander or something. Rise through the ranks and eventually lead our nation to victory.

>>2149091
>>2149137
>>2149158
Shall I roll for it or wait for a tie breaking vote anons?

>>2149207
I think you should roll for it OP

>>2149227
Welp, away we go anons.
1-2 for Arty, 3-4 for Jaeger, 5-6 for Infantry

Rolled 6 (1d6)

Rollin

>>2149241
Guess we're going into the meatgrinder boys!

“Infantry, Dietrich?! Are you quite sure? They’ll send you to the Somme to be a line breaker! You’ll be with the Sturmtruppen with the abilities you have!.” Katchen looks at you, staring at you for any break or pause in movements or expression that might show fear at such a position. Finding none she leans back in her chair, her lips moving to a wolfish grin.

“I’m impressed. I guess you really must be a natural soldier with an outlook like yours. Dietrich Otto Jäger, as of now you are officially a man of the German Empire, and soldier of our great nation. May your rounds find your mark, and your death violent.” With the formalities completed Katchen leans back in her chair, looking at you.

“You’re now entitled to a monthly payment of eighteen marks, have permission to visit one of the breeding houses, and can legally drink.” Katchen studies you carefully, watching to see for a reaction. Finding none she stands, looking down at you. Her right arm crosses her chest in a salute, pounding against her breasts with vigor.

You stand quickly, returning the action as expected before bowing your head slightly and turning to leave. Reaching for the doorknob, Katchen’s voice catches you as you make your exit.

“Dietrich, on a more personal note, will you be at the party tonight at the base of the cannon? I’d be interested in speaking to you further away from the formalities.” There’s an unreadable note in her voice, just barely noticeable.

You:

[1] Tell her you’ll be attending

[2] You have other things to do rather than party the night away

>>2149295
Well boys? Do we try to get laid with our foxy teacher and attend the party, or save ourselves for our waifu?
>Tell her you’ll be attending
Our lineage must live on

>>2149295

[2] You have other things to do rather than party the night away

Our waifu! Stay pure for her!

>>2149295
>[2] You have other things to do rather than party the night away

>>2149295
>[1] Tell her you’ll be attending

>>2149069
Dam, I'm late, I would have gone for Jaeger so we don't get shoved with noobs who get in our way.

>>2149308
>>2149320
>>2149334
>>2149380
Going to go with not attending as the last vote came in right at 20. Updating

>>2149295
>[1] Tell her you’ll be attending

>>2149334
>>2149320
You shake your head, respectfully apologizing that you’d like to spend the last night in town in the comfort of your home preparing. Katchen frowns slightly, before nodding.

“Well Dietrich enjoy your night then, if you have second thoughts you know where I’ll be. I’ll also be seeing everyone off to the trains tomorrow. Goodnight Infanterist Jäger.” Katchen has moved to your side by now and holds open the door, ushering you out into the atrium. To your right, the bodies of the dead are being pulled away, smearing the smooth stone floor a dark crimson. You make to leave the building, but are stopped by General Von Emmerich.

“Dietrich! I was hoping to catch you before you left. So tell me then my boy, what did you choose? Where can I expect my lines to be strengthened.”

“Infantry, Katchen says they’ll likely put me with the Sturmtruppen.” You salute as you answer, pressing your fist over your heart. Emmerich smiles at the answer, a chuckle escaping from his lips.

“Sturmtruppen eh? A natural fit for you. I expect you to make Unteroffizer by the end of the year. Just a word of advice however, you’re likely to be paired with some of the Lycanthrope units. Keep on edge around them, lest you end up a Wolfssoldat.” Emmerich clasps a hand on your shoulder as he speaks, the aroma of fine tobacco and gunpowder making your nose tingle.

“That, and don’t spend too much time at the breeding houses! I could have reached General much faster had I followed that advice.” Emmerich laughs heartily, and you find it infectious. Visitation at a breeding house had yet to even cross your mind.

“Ah but don’t stray too far from them either, I hear those who avoid the touch of women are being sent to the tunnels now. Our duty to keep the nation moving you know? Not that anyone really complains about free sex.” The grin across his face is a genuine one, and you find yourself relaxing in the presence of this man. It’s no wonder he moved so high through the ranks with charisma such as his.

Nodding, you assure him you’ll keep his advice in mind. Emmerich releases you, leaving you with a few final words as you walk away.

“If you ever wish for a new post or mayhaps a special unit just send a screamer my way Jäger, I’ll respond as fast I can.” With his promise noted at heart, you leave the courtyard, once more stepping into the familiar mud of the streets.

You:

[1] Head back to perimeter and speak to Ritter, he spoke of graduation differently than yours

[2] Find Ivara, you had seen her earlier but she is nowhere to be found

[3] Go home and check your belongings are in order

>>2149466
>Head back to perimeter and speak to Ritter, he spoke of graduation differently than yours
Then
>Go home and check your belongings are in order

>>2149466
>Find Katchen where she said she will be

>>2149474
After the teacher eh? I can respect that

>>2149466
>[1] Head back to perimeter and speak to Ritter, he spoke of graduation differently than yours

>>2149474
We can visit her after we pack our bags can't we?

>>2149495
It will be a possibility to see her in the morning

>>2149466
[1] Head back to perimeter and speak to Ritter, he spoke of graduation differently than yours

We can pack our bags before we head out.

>>2149471
>>2149490
>>2149513
Updating

>>2149471
>>2149490
>>2149513
You turn to head to the perimeter, walking through the stinking paths of the place you grew up. You remember previous graduation ceremonies and their celebrations, how the lights from each shack would seep through the cracks in the walls. The voices and singing of the drunk and happy as they entered manhood. Though drinking was prohibited for those under the age of manhood, all were welcomed at the base of the siege cannon to make merry. You remember climbing the rusted ladders, laying on the firing deck and imagining what stars looked like with Ivara.

You think back to your conversations during the early morning. Of how Ritter spoke when graduation came up. Clearly things have changed since his time as a student. You pass by the bullet riddled shack from the midday, stepping over a vibrating pile of rats trying to push their way to the center for what little viscera still lay buried into the mud. Their squeaking and chittering sounds vaguely like the chatter of the machine gun if you listen, and you begin singing to shut out the noises. You had been taught the anthem from a young age, along with a few battle hymns and marching songs. Soon enough you’d be singing them from the trenches and into the hell of the battlefield. You finish the first and begin the next before you reach the perimeter, vague shapes moving around the fire in the dwindling light.

Ritter’s slouched shape and unkept uniform are easily distinguishable from the others. As you approach, the sharp scent of alcohol makes your nose wrinkle.

“Dietrich! Everyone, welcome one of the new men of the hour!” A loud cheer rises from the assembled guardsmen, a glass of some foul smelling alcohol thrust into your hand.

“What brings you out with us? You should be at the party, deep inside Katchen to celebrate!” Hooting laughter follows Ritter’s joke, a few of the soldiers making vulgar gestures and grinning. Ritter stares at you over the fire, going quiet by your lack of reaction.

“What has gotten into your Dietrich, something weighing on you? Katchen find another?” The final question comes as a weak attempt at lightening the mood, bringing forward some half chuckles and murmurs of wishing it were them. Ritter stands shakily, walking towards you and pulling you aside from the group.

“Are you okay Jäger, you look as though you’ve seen a revenant.”

You:

[1] Respond angrily about the graduation and his earlier response

[2] Remain calm, tell him what you did

[3] Write-in

>>2149550
>[2] Remain calm, tell him what you did

>>2149556
Supporting.
Ask him if his graduation was like ours.

>>2149550
[2] Remain calm, tell him what you did
He probably had his reasons. I wonder if we can bring Ivara or ask her to come to the party with us as our date.

>>2149556
>>2149585
>>2149591
Updating

>>2149556
>>2149585
>>2149591
“We killed people Ritter, they had us cull those who didn’t pass.”

Ritter blinks twice, and opens his mouth as if to speak before closing it. His brow furrows and after a moment he takes a long drink.

“Killed other boys? God...that’s hellish. I had heard they made it tougher in preparation for Reichbrecher but I didn’t think it was that bad.” You make no comment, unfamiliar with the term he used. After a moment Ritter looks your way.

“They haven’t told you about Reichbrecher? Well...you didn’t hear from me but some of the artillery unit that transferred out spoke of it. Said we were preparing for the largest offensive of the last century to crush the French. An all out assault along the Somme line and a mad dash right for the ocean. We’re to sweep across them like a wave. No matter the casualties they said. The Empire will either die valiantly or victoriously, not a long slow death of starvation.” Ritter takes another drink, grimacing.

“I’m...sorry you had to do that. Your first kill is always the hardest, but that was against a man who wanted to kill me as well. Did you know the boy you shot?”

You nod, thinking back to the expression on Koen’s face, the way he crumpled at the waist as if his legs simply stopped working. Ritter sets his rifle against the breastworks, grabbing you by the shoulders and facing you.

“I’m truly sorry Dietrich, I had no idea you’d be doing such things. Where are they sending you may I ask?”

You tell Ritter of your position and likely movement to the Sturmtruppen and he opens his eyes wide.

“You did that well Jäger? This calls for a real celebration! I’ll take you to the breeding house and we’ll drink and fuck to the morning! Hell we’ll even go find Ms. Katchen for you! Sturmtruppen...incredible!” Ritter carries on, his previously solemn mood forgotten in his alcoholic haze of desire.

You look past him towards the dark depths of the earth, wondering what creatures watch tonight. Ritter carries on about his sexual desires and stiff drinks, talking at you rather than with you.

You:

[1]Accept his invitation to drink at the carnal house

[2] Decline, and head home

[3] Decline, stay the night at the perimeter with the guardsmen

>>2149645
>Decline, stay the night at the perimeter with the guardsmen
The general said it himself: he would've been attained his rank sooner had he not spent his time drinking and whoring.

>>2149645
[2] Decline, and head home

>>2149645
>[3] Decline, stay the night at the perimeter with the guardsmen

We aren't going to pack our stuff or find Ivara? Or score with Ms. Katchen?

>>2149682
this

>>2149682
The late night scoring with Katchen was voted against, and not enough votes for heading home and packing. Ivara is still an option to come

>>2149686
I don't want to waste an entire night in the trenches being unproductive. Most that can happen is a surprise attack and we see more people die because of us.

>>2149692
I assure you it won't just be a night with the guardsmen anon.

>>2149692
Better we get some experience while we can. Plus, from the introduction, it doesn't sound like we have much to pack.

>>2149696
Yes but we are missing the opportunity to make connections at the party by acting.

>>2149702
forgot to delete the last two words in that post.
>by acting.

>>2149702
I'm writing what was voted for anon. Don't worry, it won't be event-less at the perimeter

>>2149709
That is actually partly what I am worried about.

>>2149647
>>2149679
Updating
>>2149712
That there won't be anything happening?

>>2149714
That it will be eventful and we may lose some guard friends, and that we spend the entire night when we can pack our bags and be ready in the morning and possibly squeeze in a few more actions.

>>2149679
>>2149647

Emmerich’s words about fast promotion and what whoring does to it choose your answer for you. You decline Ritter’s invitation while thanking him for the offer, and walk with him back towards the fire. It wasn’t the first time you stayed around the perimeter after dark, though with your status as a soldier replacing that of a child the risk of punishment no longer weighed upon you.

The other guards cheer as you join them by the fire, drinking again and asking as many questions as they can. Ritter drunkenly stands, hushing them loudly and asking them to respect your space though he’s shouted down quickly.

“We saw you shoot Dietrich! I’d say we taught you well, you might even be better than us!”

“Did you ask Katchen for a reward for doing so well?”

“Was that General Emmerich with you? The General Emmerich himself?”

You answer as many as you can, losing yourself among the conversation and food. You look over to the cannon at the other end, the strings of lights glowing through the haze of smoke and fog. Your eye is caught by movement just at the base of the path leading to where you are now.

You:

[1] Stand and check what it is

[2] Stay with the guards, see if you can start a competition or something

>>2149733
>Stand and check what it is
HERE WE GO BOYS

>>2149733
[1] Stand and check what it is

>>2149735
>>2149743
You stand, the guards either not noticing or too drunk to figure out an adequate response. The shape by the breastworks remains there, and as you approach you come see the figure more and more resemble some kind of person. You question your actions, and their outcome. You could be walking towards a revenant or some other foul thing waiting to rip your soul from your body and carve your flesh.

However, you find yourself walking all the same, a feeling in your stomach telling you just what the shape is. The figure begins walking towards you, first at a walking speed, before breaking into a frantic run. You’re taken by surprise, unable to react in time as you’re tackled into the mud, arms wrapping around you in a tight hug.

“You help execute a fourth of your graduating class, sign to be a Sturmtruppen, and walk the perimeter the night before you leave all without telling me? Do I need to start beating you up again like we were kids Dietrich?” Ivara’s voice quavers between tears and anger, and your heart aches to hear it so.

“I saw you walk by this morning. I wanted to scream for you to come in but I couldn’t find the will to.” Ivara trails off, hugging you tighter.

“Am I not your friend anymore because I can’t have a child? Not a maiden? A woman? Were you just going to let me board the train to a Barren unit without even a goodbye?”

You:

[1] Try to cheer her up

[2] Remain quiet, unsure of what to say

[3] Hug her back

>>2149788
>Remain quiet, unsure of what to say
We're a man of action, not a man of words. That being said, let's also
>Hug her back

>>2149788
[3] Hug her back
Want to go on a date?

>>2149792
Supporting.

>>2149792
>>2149793
>>2149794
Updating

>>2149792
>>2149793
>>2149794

You pull Ivara down onto you, hugging her tightly. Her hair covers your face and for a moment you can no longer smell the acrid stench you grew up with. Her hair smells of campfires and gun oil, a deep rich scent you could breathe in forever. The warmth of her body reminds you how cold it got at night, and the deep chill you felt in your bones away from the fire. Ivara cried softly into your shoulder and for what seemed like ages you lay there in the mud holding her tightly.

“I know you may feel guilty Dietrich but you can let me go now, you’re laying in the mud you know.” Ivara laughs through her tears, pulling herself up and you with her. Wiping her face she looks at you with a smile.

“Come to the party with me Dietrich. We can lay atop the cannon like we did when we were kids. Maybe we can finally see the stars. It may be our last chance…” Ivara trails off, the smile fading as the realities of the future way down on her.

You:

[1] Accept

[2] Decline

>>2149821
[X] Accept

>>2149821
>Accept
Plucking my heartstrings, OP

>>2149821
[1] Accept
show her a good time.

>>2149822
>>2149824
>>2149826
Updating

>>2149826
>>2149824
>>2149822
“Gladly Ivara. Gladly.”

You take her by the hand, starting your walk down the path before Ritter’s slurred speech cuts through the night.

“Show her a good time Jäger! Sly dog you, ditching us for the chance at getting laid.” The men at the fire turn their attention to you, cheering as loud as they can, some clapping, others whistling. By what light of the fire reaches you, you can see Ivara’s face turn near as red as her hair. You raise a fist in the air as you leave the guard’s to their merriment.

Hand in hand, you guide her through the streets, the only sound the beating of your heart and the squelch of the mud beneath your feet. The cannon draws closer, the lights becoming clearer in the haze and sounds of happiness becoming louder.
“Dietrich, I wanted to thank you. Ever since the state house you’ve been by my side.” Ivara is solemn, as if apologizing for something.

“All those years of fighting the other children, of sneaking off to explore the town. You put yourself on the line for our friendship so many times and I can never truly thank you enough.” Ivara squeezes your hand gently as she speaks a slight shake in her arm. She opens her mouth as if to carry on, but lets whatever thought hang at her lips and die. Closing her mouth she wraps her arms around yours, clinging to you tightly as you walk.

The Ivara you knew as a kid was never afraid, even when the other kids swung fists, or enemy artillery found the area above ground. Now however, something was eating at her and it hurt to watch. The silence continues until you reach the edge of the clearing below the great siege gun. Soldier and newly graduated alike drink and dance around the fires. You spot Emmerich in the middle, clearly enjoying himself as he arm wrestles one of your classmates. Ivara looks at you, almost pleadingly.

You:

[1] Go to join the party with her

[2] Find the spot on the cannon you laid at when you were kids

>>2149843
>Find the spot on the cannon you laid at when you were kids
Give her the D. The only thing that will be eating away at her will be us, if you know what I mean ;)

>>2149843
[1] Go to join the party with her

>>2149843
[X] Find the spot on the cannon you laid at when you were kids

>>2149843
>[2] Find the spot on the cannon you laid at when you were kids

>>2149843
>[2] Find the spot on the cannon you laid at when you were kids
Might be our last chance to do this with her

>>2149870
>>2149869
>>2149858
>>2149848
Ivara sighs in relief as you skirt the crowd, moving around it towards the cannon. It takes some time but you finally reach it, the familiar ladder you climbed so many times still in place. Ivara takes off running, climbing it with renewed vigor.

“Come on Dietrich, we can nearly see the sky!” She shouts back as she takes it two rungs at a time, quickly disappearing above the low hanging fog.

You follow suit, pulling yourself to the top as fast as you can manage. You reach the top and nearly lose your grip as Ivara’s yell of Boo makes you jump. Grinning, she grabs your hands and pulls you up roughly, her earlier hesitance that was so far from the normal gone. She drags you by the hand towards the breech of the gun, the large platform full of shells and powder. Climbing the stack, Ivara lays herself atop the powder bags, trying to reach as close to the sky as she can.

You follow, laying down next to her. Slowly, her hand finds yours as you both stare up into a clouded, smoke-filled sky.

“Do you think there really are stars up there Dietrich, or did they go out. Maybe we don’t deserve light to shine on us anymore…” Ivara wonders aloud, and you find yourself looking at her more than the sky.

“Are you going to answer me Dietrich or….” Ivara trails off as she turns her head to face you, her eyes meeting yours. Something changes in her demeanor, a sparkle in her eye.

“Why Dietrich, whatever are you staring at?” In a fluid movement she rolls herself on top of you, sitting up and staring down. Her hands placed on your chest, a grin familiar to you crosses her face. The same grin you’ve seen before the both of you got in trouble so many times before.

“Dietrich I...I’m sorry I can’t be a good woman. I’ve waited for you for so long and now all I can do is die without ever having what I wanted. I’m sorry I’m such a failure…” You think it has begun raining, only to notice the tears streaming down her face.

Ivara continues you on and you:

[1] Let her talk

[2] Kiss her quiet

>>2149873
>[2] Kiss her quiet

>>2149873
>Kiss her quiet

>>2149873
[2] Kiss her quiet
I see a star tonight, its right in front of me.

>>2149875
>>2149876
>>2149881
You pull her down into a kiss, one that lasts a lifetime and more. Every part of your body tingles and the only thing you hear is the blood pounding in your ears, that smell you love so much making your head spin. Ivara pulls away slightly, looking down at you stunned. She’s still for but a moment before moving frantically. Pulling away at your clothes and hers. Her pale skin glows in the low light, a feeling of absolute bliss overtaking the both of you. As she throws her head back in ecstasy the both of you watch as the stars twinkle above.

You awake the next morning more comfortable than you have ever been, your arms around what you cherish most in the world. It’s still dark, the early morning light having not reached your shack yet. Today is the day you leave the only place you’ve ever known for the battlefield you were destined to reach. Ivara stirs slightly in your arms, muttering quietly.

Carefully, you extricate yourself from the bed.You dress yourself in the dark before moving to your desk. The low light of the lantern illuminates your shack as you gather up what few possessions you own. A pipe from Ritter, the empty casing of the first round you’d ever fired and two changes of clothes. You sit at the edge of the bed, waiting for Ivara to stir.

It doesn’t take her long, the concussion of the siege cannon making her jolt awake. She looks around frantically, before her eyes settle on you at the foot of the bed. She smiles softly, dropping the blanket she was holding over herself before moving next to you for a hug. You cherish this moment for as long as you can, sitting at the foot of the bed and stroking her hair. Ivara finally speaks, her voice the most pleasant sound you’ve ever heard in the morning.

“We can’t dawdle Dietrich, you know that if we miss those trains they’ll punish us harshly.”

You nod in agreement, sighing as she stands and begins dressing. Your eyes follow over her shapely form and she looks at you over her shoulder.

“I said no dawdling you lecher.” As angry as she tries to sound she cannot hide her smile. You stand, and wait for her outside the shack. It’s only minutes before she steps out, immediately moving to your side and reaching for your hand.

“To the trains then Dietrich. As much as I wish to repeat last night forever, our nation calls to us.”

The walk feels like a funeral march, as you journey to leave your life behind for a new one. Ivara remains silent, gripping your hand tighter and tighter as you approach the platform. Hundreds of people mill about, mostly those from your class but the few women that share Ivara’s fate as well.

“I guess this is where we part Dietrich. Maybe we’ll see each other on the battlefield, but know I’ll always hold you in my heart. Don’t die out there...the world need not get any sadder.” Tears well in her eyes as she directs her stare at the ground.

Cont for vote, too many characters.

>>2149905
You:

[1] Kiss her and promise you’ll meet again

[2] Hug her and leave to your section of the platform

>>2149905
[1] Kiss her and promise you’ll meet again
She will be the reason why we will not risk our live needlessly.

>>2149906
[1] Kiss her and promise you’ll meet again
The tasty grimdark when our strosstruppen unit gets her barren platoon to use as meatshields will be all the sweeter.

>>2149906
>[1] Kiss her and promise you’ll meet again

>>2149906
>Kiss her and promise you’ll meet again
Goddamn. She's going to die, isn't she.
We'll have to make the choice, won't we.

>>2149906
>[1] Kiss her and promise you’ll meet again
Romance in a bleak world how sweet

>>2149907
>>2149909
>>2149918
>>2149927
>>2149929
Before her protests continue, you pull Ivara roughly against you, kissing her with as much passion as you can muster. She protests slightly before collapsing in your grasp, returning your gesture frantically. Those around you look on either in envy or embarrassment, and before long you pull yourself apart. Ivara looks up at you, breathless.

“I promise you we’ll see each other again. On my honor.”

At your words Ivara tears up, hugging you roughly. It only lasts for a moment before she pulls away, nodding furiously.

“I’ll do whatever I can to make it happen Dietrich. I’ll be the best damn soldier this war has seen.”

You’re about to respond when Emmerich’s booming voice cuts through the noise of the crowd. Each person turns to look at him expectantly.

“If each of you look above the cabin doors you’ll notice a letter. This corresponds to the unit you were assigned on your sheet. Artillery to F, Infantry to H, Cavalry to L, Jäger to S and Tankers to W. Get a move on now, we’ve a lot of stops to make and only so much time before you’re needed at the fronts.” Emmerich turns to Ms. Katchen who climbs up next to him beside the railcar.

“To those waiting on the platform to be sent to the Barren units, please wait at the back. Your engine will arrive next.”

You look at Ivara, who nods once and steps backwards. It takes everything you have to break your gaze as you step towards the doors. Through the din of the crowd you faintly hear her yell something, though you’re unsure what it is.

Stepping towards the doors, Emmerich greets you with a handshake that you return firmly.

“Ah there he is, the best of class. If you’d like my boy you can ride up with me in the officer's car. It’d be good for your career, though I’d understand if you want to meet those you’ll be sharing a foxhole with instead.”

You:

[1] Ride with Emmerich

[2] Ride with the others and meet those you’ll be training with

>>2149936
>Ride with Emmerich
We've been going lone wolf this entire time, let's keep it up.

>>2149936
[1] Ride with Emmerich
Maybe we can command a barren unit one day.

>>2149938
>Hundreds of hyper repressed women who can't get pregnant

I see you want the harem route anon

>>2149940
Not really.... but that is not an unwelcome consequence.

>>2149937
>>2149938
“If you’re sure General, I’d like to accompany you to the officers car.”

Emmerich laughs and pats you on the back.

“You can stop with the formality, rank is rank but we’re all soldiers at the end of the day. It’s the front most car, I’ll be with you after boarding is done.” You nod in response and step aboard a train for the first time in your life. Turning left you step down the hall, doing your best to make your way through the people streaming past. You glance to your left out the window, trying to catch sign of Ivara, and manage to see her standing behind a tall woman in a blackened greatcoat. She hands Ivara the same garbs she wears, though less burned and battered. You clench your fist and look away as Ivara begins changing after the woman gestures towards her angrily.

The floor turns from a paneled wood to a fine red carpet as you continue forward. The guard by the door steps in front of you shaking his head as you attempt to enter.

“Officers only new blood. Go back the other direction.” Despite your protests he refuses to listen, standing firm in front of the door and only stepping past to allow those with a high enough rank. After some time Emmerich’s voice reaches you from behind.

“Stopping my protege I see Hanz. Let the boy in, he’s with me” Emmerich steps beside you as he finishes his sentence, a loaf of bread under his arm.

“My apologies sir, just doing my duty as you know.” The guardsmen steps aside, gesturing you both in. You step through the door, and Emmerich follows after breaking off a piece of the loaf and handing it to guard.

“I must be slipping in my age Jäger, I forgot you couldn’t get in without me.” Emmerich steps past you as he talks, sitting himself in a plush looking recliner and lighting a cigar. You follow suit, sitting across from him in what you can only describe as the most comfortable chair you’ve ever been in.

Emmerich passes you another of the cigars and you:

[1] Accept his hospitality

[2] Decline

[3] Decline and produce the pipe Ritter gave you

>>2149963
>[1] Accept his hospitality

>>2149963
[1] Accept his hospitality
If he pulls out a pipe then we pull out ours.

>>2149963
>[1] Accept his hospitality

>>2149963
>[1] Accept his hospitality

>>2149965
>>2149968
>>2149975
>>2149991
You graciously accept, taking the cigar from him and chewing the end open. The general procures a match, leaning across the divide and holding it for you as you take the first few puffs. It’s a new feeling, and you quickly slow yourself as the nicotine spins your head. Emmerich gestures towards the other chairs.

“The others will be here soon. The big scarred one is Gerard, you’ll know which one I’m talking about. He’s been an infantry man since the moment of his graduation. I wish he’d accept my damn offer of promotion but it seems he loves the mud and blood. Konrad is the man with the mustache that looks more like a mop. Cavalry officer, and a bit of a drinker. Rainer is the last who will be with us today. He’s artillery, and a little shell deaf so you’ll need to speak up with him.” Emmerich puffs his cigar thoughtfully, staring at you intently. You feel as though he’s watching for something, though you’re unsure of what.

You’re about to grow uncomfortable, but the door you entered from is thrown open and monster of a man stepping through. The scar that runs from his chin to the top of his head and out of sight identifies him as Gerard. From behind him you hear shouting.

“I’m telling you Rainer, cavalry is what will win us the Somme front. You simply cannot beat a well trained man and his beast of war.” The man who must be Konrad is yelling so loud a vein on his head is bulging, the man behind him shaking his head.

“Konrad I don’t quite think falconry will ever hold a place in our army. Let alone the Somme.” Konrad makes to say something before he walks into the back of Gerard, stopping in his tracks as if stepping into a wall.

Gerard’s low voice sounds like distant artillery as he asks his question.

“Who is the boy Emmerich, and why is he in my seat?”

Emmerich waves him off dismissively.

“His name is Dietrich, Dietrich Otto Jäger. Best of class I’ve seen in this year. I invited him up here to discuss his future. Though I see that’s about to be drastically different what with his imminent death approaching.” Emmerich laughs at his joke turning towards you.

You:

[1] Stand, salute, introduce yourself

[2] Stand, salute, find a new seat

[3] Introduce yourself from the chair

>>2149994
>[1] Stand, salute, introduce yourself

>>2149994
[1] Stand, salute, introduce yourself

>>2149997
>>2149998
Last update of the night guys! Writing now

>>2149997
>>2149998
You stand and crisply press your right fist to your left breast. You ever so slightly shout your name as if ordered. Seemingly impressed, the officers return the action. Behind you, Emmerich grins and sets the bread on the table.

“Don’t mind the chair Gerard, the boy didn’t know. Let him sit in it, I doubt he’s ever had such a pleasure.” Gerard shrugs, moving to the couch and sitting and the other officers quickly follow.
“So Jäger, what did you do to impress the general so much you now sit in my chair?” Gerard asks this in a completely monotone voice, and you’re unsure of how to answer.

“I did what was expected of me sir, to the best of my ability.”

Gerard mulls over your answer for a moment, before nodding, satisfied with the answer. Konrad sits forward, grabbing a piece of the bread and withdrawing a block of cheese from the messenger bag on his side. The others, as if finally noticing the food begin to tear into it. Rainer pulls out a curled piece of meat and sets it beside the other items.

You hold yourself back, unsure of how to act. Emmerich makes the decision for you.

“Well come on boy eat up, you’re free to do so. Rank doesn’t matter in here, not unless I say it does. Enjoy the food too, it’s all real. The meat actually comes from a cow.” As if to punctuate his statement Emmerich takes a bit of the sausage, grinning from ear to ear.

You dig in, amazed at the flavors and luxury of the food. After some time eating in silence, the officers lean back, each of them looking at you expectantly. Gerard is the first to speak.

“So then Jäger, what are you to be trained in? Don’t tell me you chose something like artillery.” He glances at Rainer with a grin, who seemed not to have heard Gerard even speak. The scarred man sighs and looks back to you.

You make to answer through a mouthful of food but Emmerich cuts you off.

“Infantry, I’m personally recommending him for Sturmtruppen.”

Gerard cocks an eyebrow at Emmerich, then to you. He first smiles, then grins, before throwing his head back in laughter.

“I knew it! Only an infantry man would have the balls to sit down in another man’s chair. Good on you son. Good on you.”


Konrad scoffs, talking about the royalty of cavalry. Gerard turns to him, and says something about fucking the beasts and before to long the two are embroiled in an argument loud enough even Rainer can join. Emmerich looks at you with a smile and shrugs, relighting his cigar and leaning back as the train begins to pull away from the tracks.

And that's all for tonight anons! Thank you for participating. I'll be around for questions and such and I promise I won't fall asleep so fast tonight.

Tomorrow I'll be doing another session at 3:00PM EST for about 6 hours. As always I'll be tweeting here https://twitter.com/LukaLukaLuu about impending sessions or cancellations.

What did everyone think of the art for thread two?

Thread 2?
We still on the first thread.

And if you mean this picture here >>2149069
I kinda forgot about it, not many pictures posted so I tend to not focus on them since the quest seems geared more towards text.
If you meant the art itself, its a decent portrait but the face shape and hair don't seem to wholly match the character I imagined. I think a more European styled artwork would have fit better imo.

hope I didn't come off too strongly in my opinions

>>2150047
No you're fine! Thank you for the criticisms and yes I meant this thread, bit of a slip there. On a sidenote I wish I had noticed my trip was off

>>2150050
only confused me here>>2149940

>>2150058
Yeah. Guess that's what I get for clearing my cache part way through

The journey across the rails was uneventful, the officers indulging in both food and drink. Out the windows, endless miles of carved stone flew past. Having lived below ground your entire life, day and night had no real meaning to you. It was always dim and dark in the fume town. Occasionally, the hooting of the trench Ghul’s was faint through the windows.

According to most of the guards that filtered through your hometown post, the Ghul’s had become more a threat than the artillery in the recent years. Ripping and tearing their way through entire lines in an hour, thousands of them eating men and each other alike. Konrad’s voice draws you from your thoughts.

“Do you know who your birth father was son? Or did you not get the chance to ever find that out.” Konrad puffs on a pipe thoughtfully, his moustache devouring most of his lower face.

“Don’t be offended when I say most of the rats in those fume towns never get to. You however look as if you’ve got a bit of good blood in you unlike most of the others. Good jawline and all that.” Another cloud of smoke obscures his face as he stares at you.

Gerard interjects, his eyes closed as he reclines back on the couch.

“We all bleed just the same Konrad. A soldier is a soldier. The days of royalty are long gone.”

Konrad scoffs slightly, clacking his teeth against the pipe.

You:

[1] Turn the discussion towards Reichbrecher and what you’ve heard

[2] Let the officers continue their idle talk

Sorry for the late start everyone! Holidays keeping me occupied

>>2150944
[1] Turn the discussion towards Reichbrecher and what you’ve heard
Hopefully we will have new tactics and weapons.

>>2150973
I'm gonna give it another five anon to see if anymore votes come in. Nice to see you here again by the way

>>2150975
is 1:30 almost for me so your early...

>>2150979
I don't work today, so I figured I'd run one during the day.

>>2150944
[1] Turn the discussion towards Reichbrecher and what you’ve heard

>>2150944

[1] Turn the discussion towards Reichbrecher and what you’ve heard

>>2150973
>>2150986
At the the mention of Reichbrecher the officers perk up, opening their eyes and leaning forward to look at you. For a moment you believe you’ve made a mistake until you see they look with interest and not anger.

“Reichbrecher? So it’s become rumored among even the graduates eh? I knew it’d only be secret so long.” Emmerich states as he empties his pipe and refills it.

“You’ve heard right, Jäger. We’ve an operation in the works to end this damnable front and finally start us on the path of victory. High Command has been preparing for nearly fifty years for this, massing men and equipment.” Emmerich is about to continue, but Konrad cuts him off.

“The boy isn’t an officer Emmerich, let alone even a soldier yet. Are you sure he should be hearing this?”

Emmerich waves him off, unperturbed by his breach of state secrets.

“If it’s a rumor that means someone already talked, and I’m not telling him any specific plans. Besides, boy ought to know what he’s going to die doing.” Emmerich looks back to you, continuing his explanation.

“To put it generally, a combined attack across the entire front. The armor will break the lines under cover of our air, and the infantry will move in with them to support and hold ground. There will be new equipment, new war machines, the lot of it. All developed for this single purpose. Even the Barren units have a role to play in a new tactic high command thought up. Actually, Gerard himself was the one who proposed the idea. Care to explain the basics?” Emmerich gestures to Gerard, who meets the general’s eyes before looking to you.

“I know it’s hard to understand but, the idea is to drop them from the sky behind enemy lines. Concentrated on Paris. They’ll sow chaos and distract the bulk of the enemy while we push in.”

Your stomach twists into a knot, the thought of Ivara stuck behind enemy lines with no way out giving you a rising feeling of panic.

You:

[1] Ask for more details, how many are expected to survive

[2] Remain silent, allow them to continue explaining

[3] Offer input on the plan (Write in)

>>2151037
[2] Remain silent, allow them to continue explaining
Hardly our place to question the officers.

>>2151037
[3] Offer input on the plan (Write in)
Sir, if people are already talking about it such as myself then won't the enemy learn of it?

>>2151037
[2] Remain silent, allow them to continue explaining

>>2151066
>>2151087
Updating

>>2151037
You hold your tongue, understanding the position you are in. The officers chatter amongst themselves no longer directing their discussion at you. Taking this time to reflect, you wonder how much combat the future will bring for you and those around you. You try to force the question of your survivability out of mind. Hundreds of possible deaths come to mind, at the end of a bayonet, a stray round, or a hail of artillery.

It takes you some time to notice the officers looking at you, expectantly.

“You understand anything said in here doesn’t leave the train car? Even if it’s already became rumor we still have the element of surprise. We and the French have been content to simply dig in for the last fifty years. They’re unlikely to ever expect such an attack nor on the scale we are shooting for. Along with that, we have a few aces up our sleeves.”

You nod to Emmerich in acknowledgment. Satisfied, the officers go back to their discussion, now very much into their discussion of plans and battle.

You:

[1] Stay where you are and try to sleep

[2] Explore the front of the train

[3] Explore the back

>>2151121
>[2] Explore the front of the train
Might as well.

>>2151121

[1] Stay where you are and try to sleep

>>2151176
Going to give it five and see if anymore votes come in.

>>2151121
[2] Explore the front of the train

>>2151176
Supporting

>>2151176
>>2151187
>>2151201
Updating

>>2151176
>>2151187
>>2151201
You rise from your seat, the officers paying no mind to your sudden movements. Stepping forwards you move across the train car, taking in what sights you can. The bar to your right is stocked with a multitude of bottles all shapes and sizes. With each rattle of the train over the tracks they clink against each other pleasantly.

The door opens smoothly in your hand, the sound of protrusions of stone whistling by much louder than it had been inside the car. Stepping across the junction you shut the door behind you, moving into the next car. It’s empty, far less warm, but no less furnished than the previous. On your left, a bureau sits with one of the draws slightly open.

You:

[1] Check inside

[2] Keep walking

>>2151234
>Check inside

>>2151234
[1] Check inside

>>2151273
>>2151248
As you approach the bureau an odd feeling overtakes you. You’re compelled to step away, and for a moment you nearly do. Willing yourself forward, you take the last few steps in an effort to sate your curiosity. The bureau drawer is cold in your hands, unnaturally so. As if the metal pulls the warmth straight from your blood. You pull your hand back, a sense of rising panic. The drawer opens, as if stuck to you, and you very nearly yank it from its tracks.

A golden object bounces around with the sudden force, flying from the drawer and onto the floor. You bend down, picking it up by the attached chain, dangling it in front of your face and looking it over. Running your hand over, the golden orb opens with a snap, revealing a clock face moving backward rapidly. Occasionally the hands stop as if caught on something before spinning back the other way. It repeats this erratic movement over and over, no rhyme or reason to it. It’s almost hypnotic really, and your concentration on it is only broken by the sound of the bureau draws opening and then slamming shut violently.

You leave the cabin as fast as you can manage, stepping forward to the next car and finding yourself in the engine of the train. A muscled figure softly coos to the soul glass locked inside its wire cage. The blue light dances and shakes, it’s soft glow dancing about the room. At the sound of the door being shut, the figure turns and looks at you.

You soon realize under the grease and tattered work clothes the conductor of the train is a woman, the right side of her face a pattern of burns and knotted scar tissue. Her one eye a dulled over, the other a light green that glances at you curiously.

“Come to pay the conductor a visit? I’m impressed you got through the officer car and made it here.” She places her hands on her hips, looking at you intently.

“Well come on, introduce yourself.”

You:

[1] Tell her your name, offer a handshake

[2] Remain silent

>>2151343
>Tell her your name, offer a handshake
Can't be rude, now, can we?

>>2151343

[1] Tell her your name, offer a handshake

>>2151343
>[1] Tell her your name, offer a handshake
Common decency and all that.

>>2151345
>>2151348
>>2151350
“Dietrich Otto Jäger” You state, offering your hand. She takes it, returning your courtesy.

“Lovisa Sauer, though you can just call me Sauer, most do.” She releases your hand, stepping back and running her fingers through her hair, pulling the white locks back into a ponytail.

“Here to end up like me?” She gestures to her face and hair, grimacing slightly.

You shake your head, giving her a quizzical look as you are unsure of what she means.

“Oh, you’re one of those fume town boys, I forget you’ve never seen any of the soul lamps and such.” She cocks her thumb over her shoulder, directing your eyes to the small wispy blue inside the glass tube.

“That’s a soul tube, we use them to power most machinery now. In the bigger cities they power most of your homes too. Gotta keep them happy otherwise they can be fit to bouts of anger and try to escape. Yours truly experienced one of those first hand a few years back. Running one of the war trains out near Tannenburg and pushed it too far.” She chuckles lowly, laughing at herself.
“Rookie mistake really, and I paid for it as you can tell. Took all the color out of my hair, and ruined the side of my face you’ve been staring at this whole time. I can hear them whisper now too. Boy they love to do that.” Sauer turns her back to you, cooing to the glass fixture on the wall once more.

“So if I might ask, what brings you up here? Curiosity isn’t the best trait to have anymore you know. Besides that, how’d you get through the officer car?” She gestures behind you and you follow her gaze, looking through the back window and into the car where the men you sat with are playing cards.

Odd, you remember having passed through another car to get here. You feel the weight of the golden pocket watch in your pocket and as you run your fingers over the metal you feel suddenly cold.

You:

[1] Tell her you were invited to the officers, play it cool

[2] Ask about the second train car you went through and where it went

>>2151410
Do soul lamps have other effects around them? Could have sworn I passed through one more train cars than there were.

I need to go pick up my dinner, I'll write the update when I'm back!

>>2151444
Support.

>>2151444
The fuck is a soul lamp? I meant soul tube.

Sorry for the wait everyone, I'm back and writing an update now!

“Do soul lamps have other effects around them? Could have sworn I passed through one more train cars than there were.”

Sauer cocks her head at you.

“I’m not sure what you’ve been told about these or what religious beliefs you may have but they just function as rather volatile power sources. They can’t make things happen around them. Though they’ll give you some nasty burns or kill you if they touch you.”

Sauer looks you over, a concerned expression on your face.

“You feeling okay boy? Maybe you oughta lay down.”

You:

[1] Drop the subject

[2] Show her the watch

[3] Explain more

>>2151588
>[1] Drop the subject
Probably just deja vu.
So that's one of the new surprises.

>>2151588
[1] Drop the subject
is the watch ours?

>>2151632
The watch was acquired from the bureau

>>2151612
>>2151632
“Nevermind Sauer, I think I’ve just had a long day. Best I get some rest.”

Sauer nods, the look of concern not leaving her face.

“You best do that. Nice meeting you Mr. Jäger.” Sauer turns back to the soul tube, studying it carefully and nodding every now and again.

You turn, staring at the exit door, wondering if you’ll find yourself someplace that shouldn’t be beyond it. Twisting the handle, you step forward, bracing yourself for the worst.

“You just going to stand there with the door open boy? Trying to get thrown onto the tracks?” Emmerich’s voice interrupts your thoughts, and you find yourself standing in the officer's cabin. Behind you, the door to the engine room is shakes with the train. You can see Sauer through the frosted glass, moving about the room. Stepping forward you shut the door, returning to the seat you had sat in previously.

“Find whatever you were looking for? I’d warn you against breeding Sauer but you weren’t gone long enough for that.” Emmerich laughs, and settles back into the chair.

“Best get some rest Jäger, they’ll be training you into the ground come nightfall.”

You heed his words, making yourself as comfortable as you can. The shaking of the train and faint ticking of the watch in your pocket lulls you to sleep.

And that's all for today. Just wanted to run a short session that took place before the training arc. I'll be around for any questions or comments you may have.

Next session will be Monday December 18th at 10:30PM!

>>2151721
what kind of weapons are we trained with?
How prevalent are tanks in this setting?
How about automatic weapons like the mp18?
Railway artillery?
Air Aviation?
Is the Kaiser still around?
How hard would it be to get a Luger pistol?

>>2151828
Currently trained on the EG 37, standard rifle for the German Empire. A 9.8mm semi automatic toggle lock ala Luger, fed via 9 round en-bloc.

Tanks are prevalent, they'd be comparable to those from the mid to late 1920's, though doctrine focuses more on as much armor as possible.

Automatic weapons are commonplace, both in machine guns and specialty units such as the Sturmtruppen.

Railway artillery is a yes. Super massive guns are part of every side.

Air aviation is also a part

The Kaiser is no longer around, the nation is ruled by a military cabal

Not very

>>2151859
>fed via 9 round en-bloc
Does it go ping after you fingerbang it 9 times?
Did the Germans abandon 8mm Mauser round?

Apparently we have werewolf troops, are they vulnerable to silver?

>>2151914
No ping, like the French Berthier the enbloc drops from the bottom upon loading the next.

They are. Most of the supernatural creatures follow mythical rules. Nations don't just gave stockpiles of silver rounds though

>>2151937
oh man now I want to become part of the elite anti-supernatural force carrying handcrafted silver bullets and vials of holywater.

>>2151953
Work towards it anon maybe we can!

>>2151953
We become a priest and bless our drinking water, so we get holy blood. Carry a silver gilded bayonet.

Your dreams are of dark shadows and muffled bangs. Faces slip in and out of view, melting and forming before your eyes. You watch as their flesh melts like wax, some you recognize and others unknown to you. You catch Ivara’s face twisted in agony as her skull forces its way through her flesh. A grinning mockery of what she used to be.

The train’s forceful halt wakes you as the chatter of the teeth threatened to break your mind. The chair across from you, and the furniture beside it is empty. The officers must have left, leaving you alone. You stand, moving out the door and into the the next train car. Outside, you catch a glance of the gathered crowd stood before the gates of a large complex. Rows and rows of lights are strung to the ceiling, casting the cavern in a dim yellow. You pull open the door, the smell of smoke and gunpowder greeting you.

“Finally awake boy? Good, I wanted a chance to wish you good luck.” Emmerich steps next to you, evidently having been waiting next to the door.

“Welcome to your last stop. The troops have taken to calling this place die Geburtsfelder. You may have graduated, but you aren’t a man of the empire yet. Here, you’ll become one.” Emmerich begins walking, motioning for you to follow him through the crowd.

You follow the man through the crowd, moving between boys you had graduated with and those from other fume towns. Jostling your way forward, you find Emmerich standing next to Gerard.

“You already know Gerard, he’ll be training you during your stay here.”

You:

[1] Salute and move into line with the other boys

[2] Ask a question of Emmerich or Gerard (Write-In)

Good evening everyone! Time for another session.

>>2159635
>[1] Salute and move into line with the other boys

>>2159635
>[1] Salute and move into line with the other boys

>>2159653
>>2159654
Updating!

Really neat shit OP. Glad it's WWI and not WWII. Keep up the good work.

>>2159653
>>2159654
Snapping a crisp salute, one that you briefly wonder how often you’ll be doing as your life continues, you move into line in front of Gerard. Brief glances of distrust and jealousy are sent your way, the others clearly unhappy with your relationship with superiors. Further to your left you see Konrad, and even further Rainer, along with a few other officers you don’t recognize. It seems that each officer will be training their respective forces.

Emmerich moves from Gerard’s side, having finished whatever it was he was discussing. Stepping onto a central platform you hadn’t previously seen,the general clears his throat.

“Attention men of the German Empire, today you begin to fulfill your destiny. Since birth, you have been raised for this purpose. To fulfill your duty to your country as a soldier, and bring victory. For the sake of those who have died doing the same, and those who have cared for you until this moment, you will strive to succeed. The fate of our great nation is riding on you, and if you ever wish for our people to see days of peace and a green earth, then you will fight until you win, or die trying.”

The unison shout of every voice, and the sound of thousands of fists bracing against their chests reverberated against the stone of the cavern. You joined this, repeating the action in time with each of the people around you. Emmerich raised a hand, the simple action silencing the crowd.

“From here on out you will no longer have a name. You are all soldiers, and a soldier must earn their place. Through your actions and deeds will your name have meaning, not by virtue of living. Report to the officers before your respective groups to receive your numbers and accommodations. Then report to the training field.” Emmerich turns and steps off the platform, walking further into the camp.

The line moves at a quick pace, each boy standing before Gerard and the other infantry officers near him for only a moment, before being assigned a number and uniform. Gerard nods at you once as you approach, handing you your uniform and block assignments before calling for the next.

You move as quickly as you can between the rows of dull barracks. Finding your own, you are greeted by the sight of three boys from another town, gathered around a single figure in the fetal position. Their kicks are rapid and vicious.

You:

[1] Move to stop the violence

[2] Mind your business

[3] Join in

>>2159751
Thank you very much anon

>>2159786
Either [1] or [2]. Preferably [2].

>>2159786
>[2] Mind your business
eh as long as they're not in the way.

>>2159794
>>2159806
2 it is, updating!

>>2159806
>>2159794
You look the other way, changing from your tattered clothes to a crisp pressed uniform in field grey. You hook your fingers under the side of your Stahlhelm, casting a glance back over your shoulder as the three standing over the other boy spit in finality, walking away from the bruised and bloody figure. Slowly, the figure drags itself a corner of the room, huddling there facing the wall.

You walk out of the barracks, and notice that for one of the first times in your life outside of a building you stand on solid ground and not mud. As you journey down the center strip you’re joined on either side by others in their new uniforms. Each of them has a four digit number stenciled on the left lapel. You glance down to yours, reading off the digits in your head. 6174, from here on that will be your name.

You take note of those around you, and their ways of carrying themselves. Some look down at the ground, moving stiffly like the hands of a clock. Others laugh and joke in their groups, and others walk with a confidence born of those who preyed on others. You move alone, neither conversing or laughing. As you approach the training field the smooth packed earth quickly turns to the mud you are so familiar with. It sucks at your boots and splatters against your new pants.

Before long, flecks of it dry onto the wool of your uniform up to your waist and the conversation that flowed around you so readily is silent as each person struggles forward in the thick soup. You finally reach the grounds, a wide trench separating you and the others from yet more mud and the obstacles that sit in them. Gerard stands ahead of you, one of his boots firmly planted on the wood of the breastwork, a hand resting on the grip of his sidearm.

“Useless, can’t even walk to the first station without dirtying your new uniforms.” Gerard’s booming voice carries easily when yelled with such force, and some of the boys around you flinch.

“To the ground you swine, and don’t stop until your arms break!”

You’re used to the physical punishment that results from failure, and quickly find yourself doing push ups in elbow deep mud.

You:

[1] Set an example

[2] Do what’s necessary to get by

This decision will affect how Dietrich approaches situations in the day to day

>>2159881
>[1] Set an example
Like hell we're gonna coast by.

>>2159881
>[1] Set an example

>>2159888
>>2159912
Updating!

>>2159888
>>2159912
You do the best push-ups you’ve ever done. Even if no one is watching you do them, you do it out of principal. Around you the others drop into the mud, spitting out the dirty sludge that makes its way into their face.

Before long your arms start to burn, but you push through it. The boy to your right drops into the mud exhausted and is met with screaming from the officers until he begins again. Each movement is a struggle, but you keep going. Eventually amidst the screams and groans you find yourself as one of the last still doing it.

“To those of you still going, well done. I never said stop, and as such none of you who did had my permission to do so.” Gerard crosses his arms watching those of you still going with interest.

Your limbs feel as though they’re going to stop working, yet even still you force yourself to continue. Around you, you hear mutters of those impressed by your stamina, and those angry for making them look bad. Whether you wanted it to or not your actions have drawn the eyes of those around you.

Finally, after what seems like hours, a cease is called by Gerard.

“Now that you’ve all finished making up for being such failures we can finally begin. Ahead of you is the course you’ll be running. Any who fail to complete it will be back in the mud for a hundred more, before starting again. Line yourselves up numerically, ascending from the start.” Gerard finishes, watching as people struggle to find their place.

“Can you count?! Move with haste! Artillery won’t wait for you to find a hole to hide in! Move you vermin! I’ve seen rats in the trenches better trained than you!”

The people in your line still trouble to make sense of what they are doing, shouting over one another and vying for control of the situation.

You:

[1] Take charge and get this sorted

[2] Let someone else find your place

[3] Find those near your number and get between them, let the line sort itself out

>>2159950
>[3] Find those near your number and get between them, let the line sort itself out

>>2159950
[1] Take charge and get this sorted

>>2159960
Do this by shouting out your number and calling for the numbers next to you 6173 and 6175, tell them to call out to their respective numbers for them to stand next them and so on.

>>2159959
>>2159960
Going to wait to see if a vote breaks the tie before rolling for it.

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>2159959
>>2159960
Evens for [3], Odds for [1]. Here we go!

>>2159959
You look at the people around you finding the number before yours and the one after. You stand yourself between them, content to let the line sort itself. However, amongst the fatigue and attempts to determine who is in charge not much more gets done. Gerard looks at the group thoroughly disgusted.

“Absolutely incredible how inept the lot of you are. Get it sorted now!” Gerard begins directing from where he stands, pointing here and there and screaming various numbers and positions. Before too long the line is sorted, and no clear leader has emerged from your group.

“Now hopefully you useless scum can remember instructions better than a Ghul. Get to running the course!”

Your place in line is near the front, and you:

[1] Morally support those who begin

[2] Stay quiet, and wait

Along with this, how will you approach the course

[1] As fast as you can, get it done quick

[2] Take your time and make sure you finish on the first go

Updates will be shorter and voting will be more frequent for some time as we find ourselves in an action scene!

>>2160024
>[2] Stay quiet, and wait
>[2] Take your time and make sure you finish on the first go

>>2160034
Going to wait another five for more votes.