Character Bios: www.pastebin.com/mUN0eYkK
Character Sheets: www.pastebin.com/uwaWG7vH

Archived threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Slayer%2C+Hakon%2C+Collective+Game

>>2804029
>Return to friendly territory
Bringing back the whelp is our top priority.

>>2804041
Looks like this is the option taken

>writing

>>2804143
Huzzah, its this quest!

>>2804039
And you made paste bins, thank you! I appreciate you asking for, and taking some of the suggestions from last thread.

>>2804157
It's generally a good idea if there's enough information warrant it. You have 3 companions, plenty of loot and enough extra stuff to warrant them, plus I can keep my word document handy and update it as the thread goes along and update the pastebins per thread afterwards.

Oh and to clarify.

Do you guys want to hand deliver the king to Godhart or just go to Gullcove and let his underlings take him off your hands?

>>2804170
I think hand deliver is more appropriate.

>>2804170
I'd hand him over in person, if only for the reputation boost that may confer as opposed to a passive handover. I suppose if we gave him to agents there's a sliver of possibility of the Dread lad escaping, but I don't think its a big deal. Plus there are probably better stores and troops available than in gulcove.

>>2804179
>>2804189
Alright on it.

>>2804195
I'd say we should put the prince in a dress, but it would probably ruin the symbolic moment Godhart wants. It would be temptation barely resisted though!

Marching back to Saltspear you hitch a ride on the friendly ships still there. At first the sea captains were less than enthused to ferry your large host but once the king got involved they changed their tune quickly.

From there it's a straight shot south to Guildman, where you can present the captive king to Godhart on a silver platter.

Your new charge is as expected quite displeased by the current course of events, especially since you force him to remain near at all times.

Bound hand and foot the young man is on his back in a cart always riding alongside you and your inner circle. If anyone even thinks of snatching him Tempest alone can run them down and rip them open.

It helps that your golden bestial companion eyes the princling frequently, any hope of escape if buried beneath the savage gaze of a creature rippling with enough muscle to outrun anything on land bar some magical beast built for speed. The boy is already very fair but now he looks positively pallid.

When he finally works up some courage his voice is careful, restrained, but also filled with barely contained contempt.

"You'll not live this way through. The die will be cast now regardless of what happens to me. My uncle will not stand for this. Once he brings his armies to bear it won't matter how much gold you have or how many troops you possess. He's the best general in the realm bar none and your master has no chance of defeating him on the field, even if you surround him it will only mean he can attack from all directions."

Do you say anything in response?
>write-in
>"It won't be Godhart taking the field though. IT WILL BE ME." (Evil laughter intensifies)
>"Shut up cunt. Your tied like a hog and on your back, the only indignity you haven't experienced is having your cock lopped off and being used as a bedwarmer."

>>2804232
"While you may think me a savage prince you have just shown you are just a boy. Battles and wars are won long before they reach the field. Its just an exceptional man, like myself, who can make a change in a battle if things are close enough. Tell me prince, with your ruined host and my untouched army, did you feel things were "close"? Try talking tough when your side is actually looking promising ahahahahaha."

>>2804232
>"Shut up cunt. Your tied like a hog and on your back, the only indignity you haven't experienced is having your cock lopped off and being used as a bedwarmer."

>>2804243
Oh and threaten that if we have to hear anymore whining he will be presented to Godhart in a dress.

>>2804232
If I get it my way you'll be sucking in your mothers tits in no time, stop whining.


Let Mirian know, we told her we would get her parents free harharar.

Lets set up the exchange with Godhart

>>2804291
What? Did you mean suckling?

>>2804293
Or did I?

I don't really know the difference. What I meant is that he id most likely going to be traded back to his mother in exchange for mirians parents and their 10k soldiers on our side

>>2804243
+1

>>2804243
>>2804248
>>2804250

"While you may think me a savage prince you have just shown you are just a boy. Battles and wars are won long before they reach the field. Its just an exceptional man, like myself, who can make a change in a battle if things are close enough. Tell me prince, with your ruined host and my untouched army, did you feel things were "close"? Try talking tough when your side is actually looking promising ahahahahaha."

Your rumbling cackle is enough to wear away any restraint the young royal possess, his face turns red as blood before his face contorts into a snarl of indignation.

"How dare you! Untie me and fight me now you coward! I'll show you how close battle with me can be!" The king wirggles and writhes in his bonds. He grinds his teeth while Tor rolls his eyes.

"Picking the wrong fight there boy. If you can't take me you sure as shit can't take Hakon." He drones from the other side of the cart.

"Shut up cunt. You're tied like a hog and on your back, the only indignity you haven't experienced is having your cock lopped off before you're used as a bedwarmer. So help me if you squall to me for a fight again I'll make sure to present you to Godhart in a dress." You loom over the cart as you say this, making sure to lock eyes with the boy, staring deeply into his soul as you can. He recoils from your gaze, he's too young, soft, and afraid to level with you.

"If it means anything to you boy, if I get my way you'll be suckling on your mother's tits in no time, so stop whining. I intend to use you as a bargaining chip for something I want."

The prince's eyes flit to the side. Reasonable amounts of color returns to his face.

"Really. You're just giving me away?" You see the young man release a held breath and close his eyes.

As expected. You spit at this king's lack of balls and spine before sitting straight atop Tempest. You pat your beast companion and his rumble of contentment soothes you.

These nobles are a crapshoot. Either they bear themselves with actual dignity or they act like children. How do these bloody kingdoms function?

>Later on once you enter Guildman castle town.

Your entrance into the castle is expected. You took care to have runners move ahead of your army to make sure that a proper welcome is in order.

And indeed it is glorious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AssDQbaIP_I

Atop the gatehouse as you approach, peasants and soldiers alike wave brightly colored banners of red and gold, some even hold the slayer's sigil. Passign beneath the gate, flowers and laurels descend upon you, coating both you and your companions in fragrence and victory.

Just before you exit the gatehouse and enter the town before the eyes of the crowd, you wave to your comrades.

"Here we go, get the king and the yoke we need to do this right and proper."

Tor and several of your chosen warriors pick the king up out the wagon before placing him in the farming apparatus.

>cont.

Tor takes a rope and wraps round the king's neck and tugs it. To avoid to much needless protest the boy is gagged. Wouldn't want him to spoil the moment.

Exiting the shaded confines of the gatehouse the streets are packed on both sides. Cheering, singing, laughing peasant's wave banners and flags. More flowers and laurels descend upon your company. At the head of the column of course is yourself, flanked by Tor who pulls the yoked king by the rope. Laughter, jeering and the odd lump of shit hits the bent royal, his pale flesh ignites in shame and impotent rage, he attmepts to shake off the wooden frame or to step out of line, but a choking tug from Tor jerks him along like a good prisoner.

Advancing along the main road you near Godharts castle. At the front gate of the keep, your employer stands and claps, a cruel smirk on his face as you approach. Once close, Tor hands the rope to Godhart, who ushers you and your chosen company into the castle proper.

Behind the crowd continues to cheer, and through the rest of the day celebration and revelry reigns over the castle, wine and beer flows like water and your troops enjoy all the hospitality a rich joyous town can provide with
rich food, good drink and pretty women.

>you enter the castle and are ushered into Godhart's solar

Your patron says nothing as you sit before him, Miriram is with you as a servant pours strong wine (the very same stock as you drank with Godhart months ago).

Godhart bears a smug happy expression, like a cat that has finally eaten some fat pigeon he has spied. His fingers are steepled and he leans back in his chair. When he at last speaks he is almost serene as though all is right in his world.

"My dear friend I must congratulate you on this accomplishment. Truely the day I hired you was most fortuitous. And as such I must give my personal thanks."

Godhart stands and picks up a badge. It is a golden star atop a silver shield dotted with rubies. Yoru name is engraved upon it, in the center is your clan mark as well as the Slayer's mark.

"YOU shall lead my mercenary forces, starting with Fulkmar. You shall expect another 3500 men to join you as well as some specialists. This badge shall act as your sign of office."

Handing the grandiose ornament you turn it in your hand, you can feel it is enchanted, most likely as a way to provide a confirmation to its legitimacy.

"Otherwise since I am in such high spirits, is their anything you might ask of me?"

what do you ask Godhart?
>write-in

>>2804363
Perhaps not I, but there is another (indicate Miriam) who perhaps wishes to speak with you regarding the recent... bounty in our fortunes. I think they hope to make a deal you'll both like.

>>2804378
+1

>>2804363
I was hoping to exchange matty here for Mirian's parents, he's useless and their 10k soldiers would be welcome on the backlines of the enemy forcing them to fight on 2 fronts

>>2804378
Yeah that sounds pretty good.

>>2804378
"Perhaps not I, but there is another (indicate Miriam) who perhaps wishes to speak with you regarding the recent... bounty in our fortunes. I think they hope to make a deal you'll both like. I was hoping to exchange Matthias here for Miriam's parents, he's useless and their 10k soldiers would be welcome on the backlines of the enemy forcing them to fight on two fronts "

Godhart acknowledges this request. He turns to Miriam before he speaks.

"Yes. It's good that you brought this to my attention when you were here last time. I was working on that. I have a channel to speak to Maude, once it becomes clear that we have her son, she'll fold quickly. The only issue I forsee is if Edward gets involved. If he finds out that Maude is prepared to make an exchange he will almost certainly scrap the whole thing."

There's that name. Edward. The boy was talking about his uncle and Miriam has brought him up as the Queen's brother and the head of her armies.

"Tell about Edward. Miri has brought him up before. What's his role in all of this?" At your use of Miriam's pet name your lover blushes and Godhart raises an eyebrow slyly in amusement. You don't really care though as you have no inclination that he's unaware of your relationship.

Godhart clears his throat before he shifts to serious business, all his previous levity is replaced by his characteristic stern attitude. Standing from his desk he looks out one of the large windows providing light for the room.

"Edward is one half of this mess, the other is Maude. Personally I hate Maude as she is ultimately responsible for this mess. If she had refused this war would have been a wash. But she is a Dread first and even if there was never really a chance for victory she would not refuse her family's will. Edward almost certainly spent all these years whispering in her ear and filling her head with all manner of lies to convince to go along with the war." He shakes his head and frowns.

"I'm sorry I'm rambling. To the point. Edward is the head of house Dread and Maude's elder brother. He's the one who brokered her marriage with the king and the one in charge of all of military assets the Dread's have. He's a tough bastard to be sure and a good commander as well, but he's place himself against a wall with no way around or through. I've been preparing for when my house ascends and he only counted on the war to win the throne. Maude will break, and she cares too much for her spawn to leave them to die. By now she'll be losing her nerve and Edward will be losing his mind. If he intervene's Maude may die and Miriam's parents will remained imprisoned. Not that you need to worry, that's my job after all." Godhart's smug smile returns and he sits down.

"Your request is sound. I'll put things in motion, but until then I want to you to stay near and prepare. Fulkmar will be the first barrier, but once beaten I want you to link with Miriam's armies and prepare to encircle Dreadhill."

>cont.

"After that it will be a matter of gutting Dreadhill and putting Edward's forces to the sword or to flight."

Seems good. You say as much.

"And in the meantime? I can try to get in touch with my subordinate's if you'll give me a channel." Mriram asks.

"In the meantime to what you want. I don't care. Just be ready. But at your suggestion yes I will take care of that. Be on hand in the next few days and I'll be sure to dictate any commands you wish to give your forces my lady."

All of you exhange agreements.

"Is that all than? Anything you wish to know? Also before you ask the boy comes with a reward. I'll have sent to your dwelling later."

Anything you want to say?
>write-in
>No. You're good.

>>2804464
You mentioned specialists, what kind exacly?

Will you want me here to wait for the siege on falknar? I was planning on finishing raiding cair and coldclaw now that I exterminated their nobles and forces

If we have to stay. You do realize your city may not survive 9 northen warbands partying on it

>>2804464
>No. You're good.
Godhart is smart enough there's not much he likely hasn't considered or heard of. In fact he's so smart I'm sure after this war wraps up he'll do his damndest to get us out of Bronzehelm and on good and happy terms too. Be a real nice fella to us who we have no reason to eye up with hunger. Mercs get paid to kill and then they get paid to leave. I'm sure he's even heard of the offer we received from the elves, that must just make him giddy. Having high paying work lined up for us out of his freshly destabilized and weakened nation, not to mention fighting a nation which may have taken advantage of their now weakened boarders kek.

>>2804464
I think that's about everything, we do need to put that amulet of regeneration on pronto
And do you have the links to all the lewdbins

>>2804472
Oh, while normally a hazard I'm sure our northmen being flush with treasure to spend will temper the city's possible disinclination for broken bar furniture and pregnant whores.

>>2804485
I do have them.

Lewd gallery

#1- Hakon sexes up a captured female knight names Nora
www.pastebin.com/J4hsAJ2Y

#2-Hakon meets Alice for the first time and enjoys some very fine company
www.pastebin.com/CdLRNUW5

#3-Hakon has a threesome with Miriam and Alice
www.pastebin.com/wuTNtkEA

#4 Hakon sexes up three nuns during a raid
www.pastebin.com/X8M9BBfb

#5 Hakon and Miriam have some fun with a serving girl together
www.Pastebin.com/FNRmy2bi

knock yourself out.

>>2804491
Like they would stop at the whores

Also, we have to smugly point out to Mirian that she was right afteral. We were indeed the knight in shinning armor(albeit caked in gore) who came to solve all her problems and as a bonus sweep her off her feet and carry her into the sunset. These greenlander fairy tales do come true, eh?

>>2804472
"You mentioned specialists, what kind exactly?" If you had to guess something for sieging sine you'll be trying to knock over Fulkmar's castle.

"I have purchased the services some wizards from Baskland. Unhinged maybe but they know how to cast battle magic with the best. Even with three and a half thousand more troops at your disposal Fulklmar will outnumber you by a little over two thousand. I need to make sure this goes over smoothly."

Baskland? Ugh. Knowing that makes your skin crawl slightly, but you can understand his point.

"Are you sure you want me to wait here for the siege on Fulkmar? I was palnning on raiding Coldclaw and finishing off Holden's cairn."

Godhart waves you down.

"Good to see you're still hungry for more, but with Morgan feeding the worms and close to half their troops dead, Coldclaw will back down as will Holden. Dread is too preoccupied with their defense and the impending clash to turn their head backwards to chastise their wayward allies."

"You sure you want my kinsmen to stay in your town for that long? They'll start with the whores and end with daugters." Godhart chuckles at that.

"They have plenty of gold and some larger peasants and underlings is hardly a loss for me. Just keep them from commiting any crimes and all will be well."

You shrug. Sounds good then. You exchange handshakes and leave in peace.

Time to enjoy some free time then.

As you leave you whisper into Miriam's ear as smugly as humanly possible.

"It looks like I came in my shining armor to solve all your problems." You duck and carry her like bride in your arms.

Miriam attempts to look peevish as she faintly stuggles to escape before she stops and kisses your cheek.

"Thank you. When this is over I want to make sure you meet my family. They'd like you a lot I think." You smile at her words, family is always important, to earn their respect while adding their daughter to your own is a high honor.

"Come on then you big lug carry me to a tavern, we'll drink the place dry together." Miri shift herself and clambers onto your shoulders, her legs dangling over your chest.

Gods you love this woman.

>free time's for dicking around and what not.

Gonna try and come up with some encounter options for you guys.

If you have any ideas of stuff you would like for Hakon to do while he's on leave.
>write-in
if you fell like it.

Also i want to go over some quest stuff with you anons.

>>2804575
Lets go out in a hunt, they may not have the monsters we have on the wastlands but judging by tempest wecan still have some fun.

Start setting up our potion tycoon

>>2804575
Have a 'The hangover' episode northman style. Wake up in the middle of a field naked, with an unconscious tempest surrounded by several bottles of rotgut, and Tor roped to the wing of a windmill, and both a dwarf and human unit commander of ours both passed out on a fence with a fish on each of their heads. also there's a creepy statue bleeding from its eyes. Then we recollect journey from there.

Over the weekend I have been contemplating over the answers you guys gave to my questions.

>The balance between individual PC focused questing, army managment/campaigning, and character interactions.

As one anon in the previous thread pointed out giving options and opportunities for interactions will help flavor things in addition to write-ins and rolls, so when there are breaks in the action I'll make more of an effort to give you something to do that also adds flavor to the area you are in.

When you are in a region and may or may not be involved in a conflict like an actual war you'll have 3 gameplay types.

Roaming- Where you pick a small force or just yourself and your companions to explore the region, having adventures and encounters with the locals and regional NPCs. You can do this in your off time between big events as ways to build up the conflict or regional story while also having more fun and not entire combat related gameplay in the form of sneaking, exploring and social interactions.

Raiding- You and a raiding force of hand picked troops engage in small scale operations as build up for a proper war. During this time you'll engage in more open ended missions and you can encounter named opponents and enemies randomly who will retreat or escape, creating a build up with opponents that will explode when the heavy action starts.

Campaign- You are in a proper war with big set piece battles on a campaign map that changes based on your actions while in the raiding or roaming phase. The campaign will feature the big MS paint battles and sieges but with (hopefully) nuance and tension to them.

These are just suggestion and as such I will accommodate based on what seems the most fun and easy to manage.

>I remeber some comments made during thread 3 and I got some ideas.

For combat I'm making some adjustments.

When in defense stance instead of extra attack dice, you get surge points back.

Surge points are just MP for active abilities and the attack dice you roll are just the standard 1 to 10 plus whatever bonus die weapons, other gear and passive/active abiltiies grant. Hopefully this will balance Hakon just a little and allow for weaker challengers to still pose some threat as well as make battles less of a 1-2 turn frag fest.

>Lewdbins
With a sexual encounter it's a fade to black and I'll add the juicy bits after I sign off for the evening or after the thread wraps up. This is to ensure that the action and narrative isn't slowed down while I type up the smut.

>Lore dumps
Anons expressed some interest and I'm working on one. I'm just hashing out details and angles about the setting as I have an outline but I need to color it up to give it substance, including the kinds of mortal races and gods, with some historical events to flavor and shape some of the world's regions/plotlines.

Any questions?

>>2804643
Sounds good. I was wondering if units we get, either now or in the future, could be somewhat customizable? Like invest extra gold into, say, better arms, armor, magic shenanigans, maybe have one time special upgrades based on areas, or just general upgrades? So if we had a footknight unit, for example, we could spend, say, 30 gold to upgrade their arms, and they would get an addtitional 1 attack dice? Or if they followed us on the later downlands campaign they could maybe pick up elven cloaks, giving them additional DR against missile attacks? Maybe thats getting too complicated, but it would be neat to have the core of our force, the Northmen and others who stick around past the campaign, get upgrades beyond experience to make them special, and make them both killier and more hurtful to lose. Also I'm guessing we'll likely lose some of our army going into the next region, even if only because we don't want to pay retainer for a force that's looking to jump up by 3500 men. Anyways, that might add a level of complexity you don't want for units, so I could understand if this isn't the case.

>>2804689
I can see bringing a handful of units with you when roaming or raiding and investing in their devlopment. In time you they could become named units led by a named character.

>>2804699
If so our unit of seasoned FK which merchanted and poisoned and then killed up Saltspear needs to be one. May they could be the same ones who dealt with the wells.

>>2804689
>>2804643
Loved both ideas. The 3 tipesof gameplay will give us balance in diferent parts of the quest. Qm nitiated events or interactions are welcome to make us react as long aswwe keep the write in siggestions

Customizing and maybe naming a few units that stick with us(not many would follow us around or set foot on the wasreland) thatevolve and organicly pick up new traits like the downland elves you mentioned would be awesome, if its not too much work I support

>>2804699
As long as we retain our fellow Northman in the anti-knifeear campaign

>>2804609
>>2804617
Thanks for the write-ins

Here's some options for interactions

>Go hunting with Tempest in the nearby forest. (social interaction/competition with Tempest)
>Try to piece together what the fuck happened when you got black out drunk with Tor and some of your officers (social interaction with Tor/funny encounters with random NPCs)
>Attend a fancy party with Alice who is trying to get some clients to provide the potion business with potential customers (Social Interaction/business opportunity with Alice)
>Carouse with Miriam and some of your female kin as they go about town looking for things to drink and do (Social interaction/companion recruitment with Miriam)
>Crash a get together of nobles because you can and meet some foreign dignitaries as well. (social interaction/lewd potential/plot hook)

You can vote for multiple if you wish

If you want to contribute a write-in you can.
>write-in

>>2804728
Its pro knife ear and anti knife ear at the same time, its gonna be great!

>>2804744
>Crash a get together of nobles because you can and meet some foreign dignitaries as well. (social interaction/lewd potential/plot hook)
Cant resist a hook, i would be a terrible fish
>tor hangovee too

>>2804757
Fuck man all of them are something i would like to do, literally all of them, the only thing I maybe wouldn't want is to add more permanet companions at this point sence I think we have some good ones and I'd like tobwaitba little more with them before picking up more

>>2804744
Oh, i like this
>Crash a get together of nobles because you can and meet some foreign dignitaries as well. (social interaction/lewd potential/plot hook)
And can this
>Carouse with Miriam and some of your female kin as they go about town looking for things to drink and do (Social interaction/companion recruitment with Miriam)
lead into this?
>Try to piece together what the fuck happened when you got black out drunk with Tor and some of your officers (social interaction with Tor/funny encounters with random NPCs)

>>2804744
>Crash a get together of nobles because you can and meet some foreign dignitaries as well. (social interaction/lewd potential/plot hook)

>>2804744
Imagining a foreing dignatary scene

>shitty elves know abou our contact with downland elves and send a skilled courtesan ti try and seduce us
>she succeds(we don't resist obviously) and leaves us exausted (at great expense to her too)
>we ask "are there more girls like you in Brigthwall(or whatever is the shitty elves country name)?
>she answers "of course my dear"
> we declare, " Then it's settled. I'm going to help Downland and personally claim you and others line you as my thralls while I invade your lands. Whew, you helped me make a big decision, thanks."

>>2804889
I'd be more interested in the dignitaries being from all over (Matril, dwarven kingdoms, etc.), even kingdoms not mentioned yet. And everyone trying not to offend the giant killer Northman guest would be hilarious.

>>2804889
Sorry for the wait I was eating dinner.

looks like crashing the fancy party takes front and center.

>writing

>>2804889
This is funny.

Although elves don't have elf courtesans. Prostitution is handled by slaves who ostensibly are non elves. A honey pot operative would be possible though. Not that that your connection would be known. Only Tor, some of your kinsmen and others in your inner circle are aware of the proposal.

Something just came up so this update may take more time since I'll need to come back to it.. I'm still here it's just that I gotta tend to something at home.

>>2804973
You do you man, we are here forever anyway

>Later in the day a little before sundown

In your formal attire you enter the manse without trouble. The guards at this point are fully aware of who you are even without the fancy clothes and badge to identify you. Garbed in the black formal wear you bought with Alice when you first came to Guildman, you also bear the gold and silver star badge that Godhart gave you.

Its a moderately sized manse belonging to a wealthy merchant. These get together's are mostly his attempts to cozy with the nobility but they also serve as one way for the uppercrust to socialize with one another without stepping into one another's territory. Alice was not feeling well so you go alone, mostly to see what a high society party is like.

As you enter through the heavy double doors to the foyer you ascend the stairs and the gathering hall. The floor is a glossy grey and black speckled tile formed into simple geometric patterns resembling diamonds.

A crystal chandelier sparkles above as servants provide the assembled nobility and dignitaries with choice food and drink. Faint light filters from above through a skylight while most of the room is illuminated by glowing crystal lights secured in metal holders.

The room is tastefully decorated with dark hardwood furniture polished to a reflective shine while seats are adorned with cushions made of silk.

Your presence is announced the moment you enter the room by a herald. Dozens of heads turn to take a look at you in that moment.

Some are of peevish snobbery, mostly by older folk who do not appreciate some barbarian such as yourself to appear at a respectable function. Others are of tentative interest, mostly from young folk who find you fascinating (especially the women). Others are far more guarded or overtly nonchalant, mostly the foreign emissaries.

Taking a goblet of wine offered by a footman you caredully scan the crowds for anyone worth talking to.

>cont.

File: game map.png (67 KB, 2700x1104)

67 KB PNG

who do approach? (you can approach more than 1)

>A dwarf in a copper colored coat smoking some stub made of foul smelling herbs ( a cigar). He seems uncaring that you are present but eyes you on occasion as though he were sizing you up. (dwarf from country #9 on the map)

>A man in similar garb to your own although less drab in color. He seems genuinely uncaring that you are present. He bears a sigil you know belongs to Matril.

>A woman with dazzling red hair and faintly glowing eyes. She possesses an unsettling smirk and sits alone. She seems maybe a little too interested in you. She reeks of magic. (A wizard lord from the Barony of Baskland country #15)

>A gaggle of young noblewomen who some times steal glances at you. They seem to be happy that you have appeared. (lewd option)

>A hefty man with a bushy mustache who seems to sneer at the dwarf in the room. He wears colors and sigils that mark him as an ambassador from the duchy of Zagrum (country #13 on the world map).

>A heavily tanned man who stinks of the sea and smokes on a pipe. He is barrel chested and glares sometimes at the sole elf in the room. (A man from Vaslem country #19 on the map

>A grey skinned elf with pale gold eyes. Strangely he has a dark shadow of stubble on his face. He seems morose and content to nurse what seems to be his sixth or seventh glass of brandy alone. (An elf from the stats of Mosso country #14 on the map)

>>2805264
>A woman with dazzling red hair and faintly glowing eyes. She possesses an unsettling smirk and sits alone. She seems maybe a little too interested in you. She reeks of magic. (A wizard lord from the Barony of Baskland country #15)

>A dwarf in a copper colored coat smoking some stub made of foul smelling herbs ( a cigar). He seems uncaring that you are present but eyes you on occasion as though he were sizing you up. (dwarf from country #9 on the map)

>>2805278
Ditto
How good is dwarf forged stuff here?

>>2805264
>A heavily tanned man who stinks of the sea and smokes on a pipe. He is barrel chested and glares sometimes at the sole elf in the room. (A man from Vaslem country #19 on the map
I'm interested in this country because it seems to boarder a bright wall colony. Plus we have common ground with the sea. I'm also interested in talking to the elf both for how morose he is, and he is an elf with facial hair and has some connection to the sea going fella.
>A grey skinned elf with pale gold eyes. Strangely he has a dark shadow of stubble on his face. He seems morose and content to nurse what seems to be his sixth or seventh glass of brandy alone. (An elf from the stats of Mosso country #14 on the map)
I'm also interested in Mr. dwarf, his fellow dwarves have impressed me with their pyromania, and I'm curious about the players in the dwarven civil war.
>A dwarf in a copper colored coat smoking some stub made of foul smelling herbs ( a cigar). He seems uncaring that you are present but eyes you on occasion as though he were sizing you up. (dwarf from country #9 on the map)

>>2805310
>quality of dwarf forged stuff
Pretty high. Dwarves send out parties of craftsmen and scholars to collect cutting edge tech and new forms of crafting to supplement their own. They pride themselves on being both capable of producing quality products of their own design as well improving anything they can get their hands on. They are probably the best craftsmen by virtue of learning every possible approach and picking apart what works.

If you have the money you can buy some real flashy stuff and for more you can commission custom gear

Or get lessons

>>2805327
While I'm interested in the wizard country as well something tells me they are stereotypically off their rockers, both from the distance the lady is receiving and our own reluctance for mages showing up in the merc army from Baskland. You have to have a rep for people not to want to get involved when you can do MAGIC! Then again we likely get a bad rep as well, eh WTH.
>A woman with dazzling red hair and faintly glowing eyes. She possesses an unsettling smirk and sits alone. She seems maybe a little too interested in you. She reeks of magic. (A wizard lord from the Barony of Baskland country #15)

>>2805278
>>2805310
>>2805327
>Going for the dwarf first

The mountain men have always been intriguing. They supposedly have conclaves in the western parts of the world in the mountains there, but only Steelgard seems to have any contact with the civlized world. The dwarves unlike most of the other races save your own kin, have not at all been bothered by the last thousand years. The orcs and humans both suffered from the great collapse, the elves suffered the desolation of their heartland and most everyone else was greatly affected by both of those events and the aftermath. Yet the dawrves have not been touched much at all by any significant misfortune.

The fact that one of them would bother to get together with a bunch of humans to make small talk is too tempting to ignore.

You decide to walk over to the heavily bearded man as he continue to puff on his burning smoke stick.

Before you can say anything the dwarf raises an eyebrow.

"What do ye want manling? If you're here to sell me something I have kin that can sell me better for half the price." He grumbles before downing a large cup of dark colored liqour.

"I was curious as to why one of the mountainkin would bother coming to this type of party, from my understanding tedious social events with foreigners is anathema." The dwarf raises his thick eyebrows.

"A bloody northman who speak well, I'll be damned, I was afraid you were just going to grunt at me before trying to crush me with your bollocks." He chuckles.

Ah yes the infamous acerbic dwarf tongue. They are deeply uncomfortable talking to others outside their own society. You can already tell he's uncomfortable from his concealed figeting and small breakout of sweat.

Poor bastard is just falling back on his first instinct, be an ass and try to shoo you away to avoid an awkward conversation.

"A dwarf who can stop slurring long enough to put together a complete sentence. I'm surprised. To be honest I was worried you were going to be too drunk to talk, you pompous foot tall windbag." You grumble out before downing your drink of choice.

You stand off with the dwarf for a time, the short man glaring and drinking before a smile cracks through the angry facade.

"Hehehehehe. You're alright northman. Got steel to you. I'm Godric Oakblade, pleased to meet your acquaintance." He offers a rough gnarled hand to you to shake.

"Pleased to meet you as well I am Hakon Angrimson."

You settle into a seat near to the dwarf and order for another drink as you polish off your current one.

Godric relaxes slightly. You didn't get mad and storm off or get violent, you just traded a barb for a barb and stood your ground calmly, a proper dwarf greeting.

"So you're curious to my being here? Well I'm here on business, bloody stuff at that. My king Durram Stonehand is looking for hard men to help him reclaim the throne of his father from his covetous brothers." He sneers at the though that his liege should fight just to claim his rightful place.

>cont.

What do you say or what question go you give to Godric?
>write-in

>>2805382
"Seems backstabbing is a family tradition to you southerners."

>>2805382
>What could he offer to hard men to entice them?
I'm pretty sure at this point that Hakon can win any war he gets involved in through sheer murder

>>2805403
The armies we've encountered so far are relatively simple. Armies with Dwarf armaments or Elven magic will probably be much more challenging.

>>2805403
Don't count out the dwarves

>>2805409
is right

Dwarves have extremely hard defenses and few soft targets to exploit to raid. In addition to their hardened homefront the dwarves pack enough heat to melt stone, they have ballistas and crossbows with explosive tipped bolts, Bomb throwing catapults, lightning guns and cannons and their infantry is nothing to sniff at. For their size dwarves are fucking vicious and come loaded for bear with weapons and armor. Their warriors and higher tier commanders can make the one's you've fought so far save Hrothgar lick their ornate bootheels.

>>2805382
Ask him how it goes and the state of the dwarven kingdoms, I'm also curious how their wars affect their neighbors (not much I'm guessing) or if there's been any break to the status quo of stalemate.

>>2805398
I'd maybe say civil war instead of back stabbing. If these dwarfs are like other fantasy dwarfs that whole implication of betrayal is a big no no for them.

>>2805398
>>2805403

A civil despute eh? Seems like there are a lot of those happening these days.

"Seems backstabbing is a family tradition to you southerners. Here in Bronzehelm, most likely else where brother fighting brother fighting neighbor." The dwarf puffs smoke indigently before noisely sucking down his booze in anger.

"This isn't a petty dispute for power manling. Steelgard lies on the edge of Dwarven territory. when the next high king is elected our vote counts more than most. WE bring new techniques and wealth to our western brethren. The old high king is getting close to his final dreaming, and the man who sits in the steel throne may just decide who ascends to be king of all dwarves!" Godric huffs.

"So? It sounds like a power grab. The man who becomes king can further his power by playing kingmaker." You take another gulp from your drink, unimpressed at the dwarfs words.

"Ugh. Northman, the council who decides for the next High King isn't just some assembly of powerful men and women! They represent all the great and conflicting ideas we have of the world! If the wrong man sits in the electorate, chaos could reign! Madness and lawlessness, beards balding! When the king is elected the vote reflects not only who ascends but those who vote! You vote for what you believe in lad!" Godric's impassioned plea doesn't make a lot of sense to you. Vote for what they believe? You are too deep to brush this off.

"What do mean by this? Be clearm with your words." The dwarf puts out his stub and puts down his drink.

"When the high king is elected it signals a great change in our society. It bring new beliefs and policies based on not the king, who is chosen for ability, but by the electors who sit on the council. An elector with his head up his arse could bring doom upon the dwarves. We have studied and examined countless ways of examining the world and ways to govern and live, and we have found a solid path that has served us well through many centuries even as our neighbors were crushed or thrown in barbarism. The wrong man on the steel throne could mean disaster and I'm not being melodramatic lad."

Ah a battle of beliefs, this is a war of philosphy and statesmanship. Much more interesting and less blindingly selfish, unless its a bunch of shit this dwarf is trying to sell you.

"What's your king believe?" You ask. If this is some battle over the philosphy of governance you might as well know who you may back if you feel inclined.

"I'll give you the gist. My king Durram believes that we dwarves have no long term benefit by changing much, not because of some stubborn adherence to tradition but because out society has found a genuinely happy path. We are wealthy and well fed, even those who are poor are still well off, our clans arbitrate instead of fight and we just don't have much in the way of economic and social problems, our current policies bloody work and they work well!"

>cont.

"Our way of life may not work for outsiders but it works for us damn it!" Godric nearly shouts out the last part.

"Brom is one of my King's brothers and he believes we should just start a massive campaign of conquest even though we have not much to gain more than blood, dead men and land we have little use for. Norrin thinks we should do as the elves and start dabblign in darker magics in search of immortality. Drang wants to just shut the iron gates forever and have us burrow into the bloody earth to avoid trouble. Grag wants to just form his own kingdom and muck about with own insipid ideas. It's all a big fucking mess if any one of them gets on the throne anytime soon or even in the future it could ruin everything." He palms his face and shakes his head in exasperation.

Wow. This actually sounds like a legitimate battle of beliefs. You're getting interested.

"Alright this interests me. What could your king offer to hard men to entice them?" You put down your cup to focus entirely on the dwarf who is once more smoking to alleviate his stress at remembering the dire situation his country is in.

"Service gets you gifts." He states, before taking another puff then shoots a fat ring of smoke from his mouth.

"And that means?" You ask, leading him with the question.

"The gifts of the dwarves boy. It means everything. The best weapons, armor, the best materials, acsess to master craftsmen, plenty of pay, medicine, food, and knowledge of any subject beneath or hidden from the sun. We'll teach lessons on forging, stone working, farming, alchemy, rune magic, oath magic, if you treat us well you're fucking set lad, that's just how we treat allies."

How do you respond?
>write-in

That's all for tonight I'll be back tomorrow. I may be late though I'm going to help my dad paint tomorrow in the morning so I may not post back until a little later than 12 noon EST.

Also post questions if you have any.

>>2805492
Well this is interesting but I'm still most interested in Tusk. Teaming up with some fellow Barbarians to slay knife-ears sounds just great. Have we heard any news about that?

>>2805522
>news about barbarians
Not really. The barbarians aren't diplomaticaly adept and are having a hard time getting off the island to do things like trade or possibly get help. The campaign against them is a slow grind as the elves are not really putting to much effort into it but the individuals tribes are small enough that despite there being hundreds of them a couple hundred elves still outnumbers an individual tribe. Their critical lack of unified leadership or organization is slowly killing them. Not that anyone around really cares except maybe the Northmen as there has always been a friction between the elves and your kin.

>>2805530
>Not that anyone around really cares except maybe the Northmen as there has always been a friction between the elves and your kin.
Can you tell us a bit about that? I sense an opportunity to earn some favor amongst our kin.

>>2805530
I guess it's time to king Arthur some dudes

>>2805531
>what's the beef between the knife ears and the mega chads
The history of your people goes back a pretty long while but about 800 years ago the elves started to smell blood in the water after the great collapse that pretty much buggered all of civilization on the landmass. Without any significant powers to stop them the two elven empires (the Bragal Imperium country #24 and The Domination of Saloth country #22) decided to try their hands at world domination.

They had dragons, other magical war beasts, legions of highly disciplined citizen troops, powerful warriors, and magic power out the ass.

The humans/orcs/ogres/lizardmen/everyone got up in arms when this happened and despite facing far less organized and power stacked opponents their colonies were halted from expanding beyond the eastern coast.

Your kinsmen started getting pissy when the elves started mucking about in the wastes to learn how to summon demons and their effort made the demon portal that naturally occur much worse. The fact that elves enslaved indiscriminately also meant that northmen going about their business abroad got nabbed and enslaved. Once it became clear that th elves were just going to try and steam roll the planet, you ancestors took off the gloves and rallied the other races against the elves.

Hrothgar for one killed a minor elf king to avenge his grandfather who was captured and enslaved and then killed.

>tl:dr
The elves started to muck about in the wastes making life even harder than normal and they started enslaving and eyeing up your people for either extermination or permanent enslavement. Then you kicked the shit of them leaving only a handful of elf population that didn't get driven off or wiped out. (Brightwall Downland, and Mosso country #14 and small pockets in Broadmound country #12, and Nagrum country #13)

I also made a typing mistake the country of Zagrum should be Nagrum.

>>2805557
So what was this Great Collapse then?

>>2805557
So what actually is The Great Collapse? It obviously didn't do too much since there's still tonnes of assholes kicking about

>>2805590
>>2805591
The great collapse didn't affect the elves. The collapse affected all the civilizations on the Western landmass. I should have added the wester part but I forgot to.

And the great collapse happend about 1000 years ago. No one is entirely sure what happened, but it was pretty much every kind of problem happening at once.

Natural disasters, plagues, wars, magic fuckery, demonic invasions, divine retribution, etc. All within a very small span of time. When it finally blew over, shit was fucked sideways and backwards.

The reason why most everything west of the east coast and half way is savage barbarian infested land, they are the remnants of previous empires and countries that existed beforehand.

>>2805607
Tell us a bit about the barbarian infested land. Is it the gray 26 27 & 28 areas on the map?

>>2805612
#26 is the Wildlands or the grave of empires, which is the mostly wild and dangerous land occupied by humans/orcs/ogres/mutants/ and a couple other races.

This was the region affected most heavily by the great collapse and is filled with lots of powerful magical creatures, massive predators (like thunder-lions), and ruins filled with ancient treasure and artifacts. Huge rangings and expeditions go through in attempts to collect them although few if any survive or return with anything worthwhile.

The tribes there are trying their hardest to reorganize and civilize, but it's really hard and the battles they must fight against the mutants are pretty brutal along with all the other threats including each other.

The dwarves live in the mountains in the west with Steelgard being their only territory in the civilized part of the world. They are effectively unaffected by the collpase and just go about their business.

>#27 is the desolation of the elves
That is an entirely different can of worms. After the elf wars the empires started to suffer some internal problems and the end result was a huge backpedal that stripped them of their heartlands and pushed them into steep possibly irreversable decline. It's filled with tribes of beastmen who wish to bring about the destruction of the elves for enslaving them. Tribes of dark elves twisted by magic into a new subspecies who live in primitive magocracies and lizardmen just trying to live their lives. Also plenty of magical creatures and some dragons.

>#28 is the Drake's Domain
Basically the place where dragons and some of the biggest most awesome beasts live, including dinosaurs (of the dragon cousin variety). Lizardmen and elves live there but it's infested with adventurers from virtually everywhere looking to hunt and look for stuff to capture or sell or collect.

>>2805632
#26 is where that Northman friend of ours went to hunt big creatures went, right?

>>2805632
What are the lizardmen like? And the dragon cousin Dinosaurs

>>2805642
Yup. Vidar is hunting deep in the wid lands all by himself, living by hits wits, skills and love of killing big nasty monstrous creatures. He's also up to his waist in orc pussy.

>>2805643
>Lizardmen and dinos
Lizardmen just want to be left alone, but all of their neighbors are noisy assholes so they have to krump them.

More seriously they are semi civilized people that are trying to hack out their own countries, but most of the other races around them (elves/beastmen) fight really hard over territory. They can be very pleasant to visitors, but can have a hard time communicating due to not having expressive humanoid faces and rather flat voices with somewhat narrow tonal range.

The dinos are powerful monstrous creatures that also have elemental and magical abilties tied to them. Imagine a dinosaur you are familiar with and add some more scales and natural weaponry as well as adaptations to certain climates and some elemental or arcane power emanating from them.

>>2805654
>Even better dinosaurs
We must have one

>>2805661
>get a fire elemental t-rex with big beefy arms
get all Kroq'gar up in this bitch

File: giphy (2).gif (2.03 MB, 400x300)

2.03 MB GIF

>>2805663
>When the QM agrees with you

>>2805663
That's cool, most things with dinos are. Speaking of cav though, and WHFB, at some point in the future we need to go on an epic adventure to the western wastes to hook up our poor Tempest with some thunder lion ladies, and with his thunderlion pride we will have the foundations for ultra mega cav that make a full demigryph knight charge seem whimpy. Before they roar too.

>>2805682
>Not velociraptor cav

>>2805696
But Anon, they're cold blooded. That's just mean if we return to the frozen wastes kek. To hold our weight though aren't they practically some other dino at that point ahahaha. T-rex cav!

>>2805720
>Northman T-Rex cav

Before this party end we have to digrace those noble families by inpregnating those young noblegirls

>>2805492
"Those gifts are all well and good but what about women, my friend? Don't tell me the rumors are true and they all have beards"


I like the dwarves but I still intend to go to Downland get that elven princes and kill those shitty elves, maybe charge tusk for a cut while we indirectly help them too.

"Those gifts are all well and good but what about women, my friend? Don't tell me the rumors are true and they all have beards." Godric's face scrunches into a mask of disgust.

"First of all lad. Don't go thinking you can just show up and lay some pipe on my kinswomen." Godric points his finger at you accusingly.

"Are you saying that I couldn't convince one of your kinswomen to have me?" You suggest cheekily, making sure to scratch your chin in mock contemplation.

"Alright manling how about this. In your own land, if a stranger arrived to do business and was attractive, had prospects, and was trustworthy even. Would your kinswomen just spread their legs at the drop of a hat even then?" Godric points his cigar at you before taking a puff that hits you in the face.

For the moment you contemplate ot you frown and admit defeat. Back home getting a girl to have a go usually took many weeks of sweet talking and getting to know her along with some gifts. The sex was amazing of course but even being a kinsmen they were hard to get into bed.

"I concede your point. But what about your women. I've heard they beards, and that you're folk have trouble having children." You ask honestly.

"Bah! I haven't a clue who spreads such hogshit, but it's not true. Our women don't have beards they have long beautiful hair and we are not sickly race that cannot have children! I have 4 brothers and 4 sisters with their own children. Our women have hips so wide and heavy they crush a man's skull and us men are so virile we could impregnate a bloody rock!" Godric puffs his chest out at the last part.

Laughing at the hyperbole (you hope, magic can do lots of wierd shit like impregnating stone) you raise a cup to godric in good spirits.

"Ah. Good then. In that case I drink to your people's good health. It may be in time that I help your king in his quest to take his fater's throne." Godric clinks his cup against yours.

"If you do make sure you are ready and whatever men you bring are too. War and battle among my kin is grueling. For your trouble great gifts will be given as always."

>You now know about the dwarf civil war
>You now have a contact with King Durram Stonehand claimant to the Steel throne
>You have become friendly acquaintances with Godric oakblade

Do have anything else you want to say?
>write-in
>No (move on to another person)

>>2806134
>No (move on to another person)

>>2806134
>No (move on to another person)

Mage chick, she is probably part of the specialist unit Gofhart got us. Might as well know her better

>>2806134
>No (move on to another person)

>>2806134
>>No (move on to another person)

either the mage or the bearded elf

>>2806141

You bid Godric farewell and leave him to drink and lounge by himself. Gladly he gives a magic sigil similar to the one that the Wickman brothers gave you. This must be a technique that has caught on in the south, it's damn clever so you can see why.

Pocketing the sigil you collect one of those glasses filled with exotic booze, some of the dark stuff that Godric was drinking, it defintely has some more punch to it.

>2 votes from before to talk with the wizard lord

A cold tendril shoots up your spine. You turn and see the red woman smirk at you playfully (you hope). Ah yes the wizard woman. A baskland wizard specifically. Against your better judgement you walk over to her and sit down at a comfortable distance.

"Hello young man. How are you this fine evening?" The woman's voice is smooth and cool like fresh water, but there is a chill there. She's absent mindedly channeling magic while speaking, it gives her speech an otherworldy quality. Not surprising, wizards like to keep up an image of mysterious otherworldliness to offput people. Gives them an advantage in conversation.

"My name is Hakon Angrimson pleased to meet you. And you are?"

"Valeria Ashmaker. I am also please to meet you. You're quite the specimen young man. Godhart informed me that I would be working with a northman but he failed to inform me that you were so attractive. I'm a little put out actually." She raises her hand to her chin and scans you up and down with those faintly glowing green eyes of hers. Her crimson colored hair seems to shimmer a little.

You can sense that she's intentionally dong that, she has some minor spells going right now. She's laying the beautiful and mysterious sorceress schtick a little too thick.

"I'm sure Godhart wanted it to be a surprise. I was informed that a group of wizards would be joining me to help besiege an enemy castle. I wish he had informed me that such a dazzling woman was present or I would have met earlier."

You lay on the charm. You keep you voice a low smooth rumble. You change your posture to lean forward and keep your hands forward. You subtley shift your facial expression to one of interest and attraction. Most importantly you lock eyes with her.

Valeria's calm shakes a bit, her fingers curl and uncurl tensely. Her eyes waver a little as you make sure to maintain eye contact with her.

"Oh? Are attempting to flatter me?" Valeria switches gears and tries to put be suggestive. bad move because you're taking this battle of innuendo and taking it to the mud.

"I am. You're a gorgeous woman and now I feel obligated to take you to bed with me." Valeria frowns and she blushes slightly. It's hard because of her tanned skin but you can still see blood rush to her cheeks. Flitting her eyes left to right she shifts in her seat uncomfortably.

"How rude. I hope you don't think that I will simply sleep with you." The wizard crosses her arms and her frown deepens.

>cont.

"I wasn't but with your glamours and flattery I was quite taken with you. Do you not feel as attracted to me or was that simply empty talk?" You grin when she tries to avert her gaze. You have her now. You feel little pulses of magic go off, she's attempting to manage the glamours now that you've recognized them.

"Is there something wring with your magic my lady? If you wish you can remove them, I am sure you are still stunning." Valeria glares at you for a time, her green eyes blazing. You remain unmoved and retain a cheeky grin.

All at once the glamours fall and Valeria is left only with her natural beauty. Her green eyes flash with only annoyance and not magic.

"Very well northman you have seen through me. Must you be such a boor?" Valeria's cool voice is now laced with light venom. It would appear that going against her persona you've annoyed her.

"Oh please, the seductive sorceress routine? Trying to enamour a warrior with pretty words and good looks? What did you expect you just ripped them out if every story ever recorded." Valeria sniffs in contempt.

"Well then. Since you do not seem interested in flirting with me or being cowed I should assume you are here to ask questions then yes?"

You smile and nod.

"If you do not mind. I have heard much about Baskland and you wizards. Personally I have some burning questions about why you're here."

What do you ask?
>write-in

>>2806213
Ask her about what she and her sorcerous friends can do for her in our army I suppose.

>>2806243
for us*

>>2806213
We can still flirt with her when asking our questions

>>2806213
ask her if she ever visited the wastlands....and tasted it's pleasures

after this bloody business is over, is your magic capable of serving more mundane tasks

>>2806243
"What can you do for my army exactly? Godhart mentioned that you can perform battle magic but what does that entail?"

Valeria sniffs snobbishly before she conjures a flame in her palm.

"Those who study battle magic and the art of war make use of offensive spells. Conjuring lightning, fire, waves of killing cold, acid, and some more exotic methods of killing. We can be used as artillery or as siege engines. Our magic after all has wider area of effect than merely tossing stones or arrows. A solid fireball can consume entire units of soldiers in blistering flames, a strong quaking can make even a sturdy wall crumble." She raises her nose and sniffs once more in haughty pride.

"Except you need time to gather and shape so much magic. And in battlefield conditions the casting can go wrong easily and fizzle. Which is why battle wizards are not often used by nations even those with a strong community of wizards."

Valeria gapes at your words before she huffs and crosses her arms.

"Informed are you then? I'll admit it. It's not precise but a miscast costs nothing and even one spell can do the work of hundreds of men and dozens of siege engines. You can't argue with that kind of effectiveness." You shake your head in disagreement.

"Wizards are soft targets most of the time, they need excellent protection or they'll get killed by a stray arrow or a clever attack. Wizards get run down by horsemen or ambushed just like anyone else and any smart general would do that before the battle would start."

Valeria narrows her eyes and leans in.

"You're having fun with me aren't you? You've reversed everything and now you're acting all high and mighty while leaving me disarmed." She clicks her tongue in disapproval.

"For a northman you are being awfully sneaky. I thought you would be more straightforward than this."

"You thought I would be dimmer than this. Although I don't understand why you bothered with the glamours you weren't hoping to rope some weedy nobleman into bed were you?"

The wizard crinkles her face and sneers slightly.

"As though I would go after such low prey. I was glamoured to keep them away. The commoners and nobles alike are afraid of me and mine. We do as we please, not jump up and down for a noble master. I am here with my subordinates to find work, I'm just here because I wished to make contact with the emissaries from other nations. I was hoping to find some work." Valeria retrieves a drink before downing it.

"No bloody luck though the dwarf wasn't in the mood for talking the elf couldn't afford it, the man from Matril wasn't interested and the sailor told me to piss off and called me a witch."

"And the man from Nagrum?" You ask.

"Gods, all those idiots want is to conquer Steelgard and even divided the mountainfolk won't fall to some third rate nation it's hopeless." Valeria wills a nearby drink from a servant fly into her hand.

"In that case I can help you then. I have a contact with the king of Downland.

>cont.

"You do?" Valeria narrows her eyes but her expression lightens when you produce the sigil.

"Some of the king's agents were in Bronzehelm and provided me with this. It gives me a free audience with the king. I imagine that with Brighwall's reputation for using magic he would need wizards to counter that threat."

The wizard looks at you strangely before she speaks again.

"And what's in it for you?"

"I may need some magical fire power as I intend to go and fight for Downland. If you were to go we would be on the same side even if we weren't specifically working together. It would be advantageous for both us." You offer.

"If you for whatever reason could not get a contract on your own you could join up with me and get paid as part of my band." The wizard smirks slightly at your words.

"Is that so. That's actually excellent news, and clever of you. I suppose in that case this partnership here in Bronzehelm will be a good introduction, to see if we are worth each others time." You nod.

"Indeed. I do have some other questions though." Valeria shurgs. She's fine with it.

"Can your magic serve more mundane tasks like lighting camp fires or lifting heavy loads in place of equipment or laborers? Domestic or mercantile purposes that is."

"Yes. I suppose even as specialized as I am or my fellows are we could use our magic with more utility in mind. I use mine all the time as you have already seen to do as I please." She makes her glass levitate as a flourish.

"Also have you ever visited the wastes?" You raise an eyebrow. Magical folk sniff aorund your home a little too often to your liking.

"No but I must say I am curious. The region is filled with raw magic and of course your kind live there and have your own secrets." Valeria suddenly acts coy that smoothness in her voice returning.

Deciding to play along you flirt.

"Have you ever tasted any of its pleasures." You offer.

Valeria smirks slightly but her eyes look at you apporivngly.

"No and I am curious as to what pleasures if offers." She offers her hand and you kiss it politely.

"I wasn't looking for a bedmate tonight but you've been a help even if you've been an ass ruining my fun, but bsuiness comes before pleasure." Valeria strokes your knee slightly.

>You have made an acquaintance of Valeria Ashmaker
>You have made a business contact with Valeria Ashmaker
>You may find her or hire her in Downland as a wizard companion and her unit of battle wizards
>Lewd optional

do you have any other questions for Valeria?
>Write-in
>no

lewdbin tomorrow (it will be posted tomorrow morning)
>Yes
>No

>>2806325
No more questions.
Lewdbin yes please.

>>2806325
yes lewdbin please

no more questions for now

nice to see her interested in going to Downland, magic will be useful to counter shitty elves

>>2806333
+1

>>2806333
>>2806363
>>2806366

Your encounter with Valeria goes well and you agree to see each other once the party is over. After exchanging information with her you look at the remaining persons of interest.

who do you speak to next?

>The man from Matril

>The man from Nagrum

>The Sailor from Vaselm

>The elf from Mosso

>The gaggle of noblewomen

>You're done for the night (leave and select another activity or write-in)

>>2806392
>You're done for the night (leave and select another activity or write-in)

>>2806392
>>The gaggle of noblewomen
I-I- can't resist....we have to tire ourselves so we don't destroy the mage before the battle

>>2806392
>You're done for the night (leave and select another activity or write-in)
I just want to make sure mage remeber this night

>>2806392
>The Sailor from Vaselm
I'm very interested in their relationship with brightwall (elves) as they have a small splotch of brightwall right along there coast which no one has yet mentioned. Are they allies, enemies, somewhat ambivalent?

>>2806416
>Vaslem's relationship with bright wall
Bitter maritime rivals. Moving trade up and down the east coast requires paying tolls to the elves. Vaselm has ha several trade wars with Brightwall and have to deal with Bragal's navy harrasing them due to the proximity of those islands to Vaslem. Also Vaselm just has a low opinion of elves since the elf wars (most humans/orcs/etc. do) and the relations have worsened due to being rivals and dealing with the predations of the eastern elves.

>>2806392
>You're done for the night (leave and select another activity or write-in)

>>2806401
ok, I'll change to
>You're done for the night (leave and select another activity or write-in)

but at least point our kinsman to them so they can be properly disgraced.

>>2806398
>>2806415
>>2806434
>>2806435
Looking at the skylight it becomes apparent that its become quite late. You'll need to return home and prepare for your time with Valeria. While the sailor and of course the excited women are both tempting encounters you already have plans for the near future in terms of employment and sex.

You do however make an internal note to get the names of those noblewomen and direct some of your kinsmen in their general direction, as they are all quite comely.

>You return home and later have your sexual encounter with Valeria, much to the relief of Alice and Miriam who have been taking the full brunt of your libido for some time.

What do you do next?

>Go hunting with Tempest in the nearby forest. (social interaction/competition with Tempest)
>Try to piece together what the fuck happened when you got black out drunk with Tor and some of your officers (social interaction with Tor/funny encounters with random NPCs)
>Attend a fancy party with Alice who is trying to get some clients to provide the potion business with potential customers (Social Interaction/business opportunity with Alice)
>Carouse with Miriam and some of your female kin as they go about town looking for things to drink and do (Social interaction/companion recruitment with Miriam)
>Skip to the when Godhart calls for the war to begin in earnest

If you want to contribute. You can.
>write-in interaction/event

Or

>go shopping (for what? misc./gear/magic)

>>2806451
>Try to piece together what the fuck happened when you got black out drunk with Tor and some of your officers (social interaction with Tor/funny encounters with random NPCs)

Will not shopping now mean we don't get to do so later? And is shopping just for us, or can we buy for large groups or allies? I suppose that all goes together with how we distribute our magical loot. Actually, upon reflection, that whole thing is a big enough deal it should probably be left for the end of the social encounters.

>>2806451
>>Attend a fancy party with Alice who is trying to get some clients to provide the potion business with potential customers (Social Interaction/business opportunity with Alice)

money and giving Alice some screen time

>>2806451
>Go hunting with Tempest in the nearby forest. (social interaction/competition with Tempest)

>>2806464
This

>>2806464
+1

But i'd like to do >>2806459. Before the war also

>>2806459
When it comes for buying shit you can buy for yourself, companions, and anyone else you feel like.

You can buy whatever comes to mind, it doesn't have to be spcific either just give me an idea of what you want and I'll add it's cost or its effects.

>>2806464
>>2806480
>>2806486
>going to a party with Alice

>writing

>About 2 days later

Alice stands in front of you, carefully adjusting your clothes. She makes sure your collar and doublet are all symmetrical.

"I appreciate you coming dear. Some of these deep pocket types need a firm hand to keep them from haggling." Alice places her hand o your cheeck before smoothing out her own dress. It's the green one she picked months ago, that bears her shoulders and reveals ample cleavage. While these misers are unlikely to be distracted by a pretty face and large breasts it does provide a benefit to look good when socializing among the rich and powerful. They are less likely to ignore you if they are attracted to you.

"You lead, dealing with these upjumped merchants is not within my wheelhouse." You sigh. Straightening up you pull out your badge. Using your association with Godhart to its fullest is the least you can do acting as support.

"Alright dear. Follow me and lets make some money." Alice beams as she places her arm in in yours as you enter the main room in Godhart's keep. The man himself is not hosting but one of his female relatives is having some kind of birthday.

In comparison to the subdued event from previous nights this celebration is grand. A full set of musicians plays while large amounts of nobles dance in the center of the room. Tables adorned with fine intricately designed crimson cloth are stacked high with expensive looking drinks and food. Troubadours, magicians performing divinations and other entertainers are present all as over a two hundred wealthy men and women dance,feast, and converse with one another. All in a tall white stone room with immaculate black and white tiled floors. High flags bearing the royal crest and the coat of arms for Fairhair hang from the walls as finely clad servants dart around providing the guests with everythign they need.

"Look around for someone who looks like they would have interest in buying potions. Someone who looks like they would want it in stock or to use them either reason." Alice whispers to you, all the while maintaining her beaming smile.

Who do you approach in the room?

>A group gnarled looking soldier types. They porbably would want a good deal buying cheap mending potions to heal their wounded troops.

>A group of fat wealthy merchants with strange clothes on. Probably foreigners on a long trip buy ign and selling. Cheap stocks of magical brews would probably interest them considering the high mark-up in Guildman

>A group of what seems to be adventurer types considering their rather strange clothing consisting of clashing articles of clothing and ornaments made of monster parts. If they intend to go anywhere they'll almos certainly need some potions to avoid certain death.

>>2806568
>A group gnarled looking soldier types. They porbably would want a good deal buying cheap mending potions to heal their wounded troops.
Hmm, the reason I feel this one is the best to advertise to first is just because in a state of active conflict, especially with alot of loose money and loot floating around, with everyone and their dog looking for an advantage, they are the most likely to immediately buy. And we probably relate to them best. The others might have more spending power normally but war tends to shift priorities. That and Alice would probably do better to lead with the others.

>>2806568
>A group gnarled looking soldier types. They probably would want a good deal buying cheap mending potions to heal their wounded troops.
These sound like our kind of customers, and they'd likely have some respect for us as a warrior and commander. We also have legitimate first-hand experience with how useful our potions are in battle.

>>2806568

>A group of what seems to be adventurer types considering their rather strange clothing consisting of clashing articles of clothing and ornaments made of monster parts. If they intend to go anywhere they'll almos certainly need some potions to avoid certain death.

To sell potions yes, but it wouldn't be hakon if he didn't have an ulterior motive. We want to see if they know abou any dangerous beasts, a dragon maybe, we only hear about those in old tales

>>2806579
>>2806590
soldiers it is

>writing

>sorry for the wait. I was eating dinner

"That group of military types would be a safe bet. With the war going they'll have a dire need for medical supplies they can afford."Alice pats your back approvingly.

"Good eye. You'll lead in here, a fellow warrior who has tested the product will go over well with them."

Both of you cross the room until you finally enter in to the circle of scarred men and women.

The assembly of soldiers eye you but once they get a good look they make no fuss. You're on their side and competent enough to save them blood and sweat on the field. A perfect in with these people.

You remain silent and wait for Alice to make her move. You have no mind for the deeper aspects of sorting through a business deal and nstead wait to tag in if you're expertise is needed.

Once a lull in the conversation hits, Alice speaks up.

"Then you are facing down the front line then?" Her voice is calm and filled with feigned curiosity.

"Aye. I lead a large cavalry force on the flanks. When battle is joined my men and I will need to make sure that the enemy is penned in and that the enemy horse stays put." A weather beaten man with grey flecks in his hair absent mindedly touches his false hand. An enchanted prosthetic made of steel.

"Do you by chance have a supply of medical supplies?" Alice acts as though this just a coincedental thought, the errant thoughts of a party goer with not much on the mind. She maintains her bright careless facade throughout never dropping the brilliant smile that makes her emerald eyes twinkle.

"The standard stuff in good supply. Bandages, medical equipment and medicine for surgery and the like. We're prepared well I think."

"But your troops won't be able to fight if they are wounded enough for surgery, or at least it will take a good deal of time right?" Alice puts on the concern. She frowns slightly as though the thought that the soldier being hurt bothers her. She does feel tht way to a certain extent and so the older man buys it.

"Ah yes, that's the rub. But bloody wounds and cruel fate are much for a sodier to bear. Even a stout warrior needs time to heal if injured severly. losing men to injury burns me up but it's a reality of war." That's the opening she was looking for. A light gleams in Alice's eyes. Like a lioness who has found limping elderly prey she pounces.

"Perish that thought you could get healing brews from a wizard easily. I've seen both him and his men use them to completely heal even the most grievous wounds." The old man smiles and chuckles.

"Aye. True but alchemical medicine? Too much for my troops to bear paying for or me for that matter."

"How much?" The old man freezes, confused.

"How much?" He responds.

"Yes. How much. What's the going rate for purchasing such medicines? I want to compare with Hakon's supplier. He has an alchemist on retainer he does. Got himself the means to brew large amounts of it now and some assistants to help him."

>cont.

"Hakon can get the stuff en masse without bankrupting himself easy. He could easily get a dose for every soldier in his army for a little over 300 sovereigns if he were paying half for each unit. The rest the troops pick up easy." Alice points this out matter of factly. Not as though she were selling this man something but rather if she were just pointing out common knowledge.

"Is that right? You really get it for that cheap?" The older man looks to you. You make sure to look surprised as though you're you thoughts were elsewhere. Alice said to give the impression that you weren't here for any business. Makes things seem less exploitive.

"Yes. Found him early on months ago. Haven't had heavy casualties but the stuff works well. If they aren't struck dead my troops can return to the fight without trouble or handicap. The stuff even works on animals. My lancers use it to keep their horses from going lame and the big monster I ride on can consume it without problem. Makes my job a hell of a lot easier."

The older man looks thoughtful. Putting his hand to his false hand to his chin.

"Could you.... sell me some of that? The damn wizards in guildman would make me pay through the damn nose for a lick of the stuff."

"Sure. Alice can handle it. She's been working with the wizard on getting his facilities and supplies together. She can handle any order you make." Alice jumps in immediately and starts talking shop with the old soldier, who promptly brings over his colleagues. You take a seat and in not much more than an hour and a couple drinks later Alice has sealed a deal to supply them with enough mending potions and the like for the rest of the war.

Sitting beside you once her work is completed she grins in victory.

"Ah love you were perfect. With all of this we can expect to see open doors not only among the soldiers but elsewhere. I made sure to talk loud enough that a passing merchant overheard. He scuttled off and started talking to his buddies. Ah gods we're going to make so much damn money." Alice nearly jumps into your lap and kisses you.

You don't say anything but you hold her tightly. She's a good woman. The fact that she was able to plant the idea in that man's head without outright offering to sell to him was brilliant.

The fact that she fully intends to share her new wealth with you is that much sweeter.

>Alice relationship up!
>Alice now has clientele to sell to!
>Alice has founded a new business (Alchemical potions I)!
>Gain +200 wealth per month passively

Do you want to go through the other two options for this encounter?
>yes (which of the 2)
>no go do something else

>>2806909
Yes
Adventurers

>>2806909
>>A group of what seems to be adventurer types considering their rather strange clothing consisting of clashing articles of clothing and ornaments made of monster parts. If they intend to go anywhere they'll almos certainly need some potions to avoid certain death.

>>2806909
>no go do something else
I'm starting to want to move on to preparing for the rest of this war.

>>2806928
>>2806934

"Hakon?" Alice pipes up.

"Yeah?"

"I wan to go for another deal." Looking into Alice's eyes you see her fire. Sealing a deal on her first try has boosted her confidence.

"Those adventurers will need supplies. I want to try them next." Alice removes herself from your embrace and tugs on your arm.

You go without protest. It's worthwhile to keep this momentum while you have it. Once your time here ends you'll be hip deep in blood and guts with no time to broker deals since Alice will be with you.

Approaching the cluster of oddly dressed men and women you take note of the trophies they incorporate into their attire. Claws and fangs from certainly massive beasts. One man has what looks like a colossal individual scale the size of a dinner plate sewn into the center of his coat with ornamental carvings upon it.

In comparison to the soldiers this group cares little for your presence and ignores you overall.

Alice's eyes grow cold and her gaze sharpens. This will require a direct approach as the group presents a guarded exterior.

"How are you all doing this evening?" Alice intones.

"Well." A woman with a oddly colored skin coat curtly replies.

"I imagine your going west to the wildlands to go search for prey or artifacts yes?" Alice maintains an even temper, this will require some patience to brush off attempts to shut her out.

"Yes." The man with the scale says.

"A group of adventurers in the middle of a place like Guildman socializing with nobles far from your given destination whilst in the middle of a war that you're almost certainly not participating in? I'll hazard you're begging for money and that the decorations are to sell yourself as being tough enough to be soldiers yes, only with how the war is shaped out you're not likely to be paid handsomely right?" Alice's dissection is lightning fast, some of the party double take before they hurriedly avert their gazes.

Looking satisfied Alice smirks in victory. The adventurers cough or turn their eyes downward to spare their pride. Looks like she nailed the nail on the head.

"I imagine you'll need magical supplies for your expeditions and that means potions for healing, curing poisons and fighting. I can get you all of those things for prices leagues lower than any of the competition in the region." Alice corsses her arms, maintaining a steady cadence as she speaks.

"How much?" One of he adventurers asks.

"5 sovereigns for one full dose enough to get you on your feet and then some."

The mass of possible customers huddle and talk in hushed voices. When they break the woman with the strange coat shakes hands with Alice.

Another hour of talking shop later the party ends and you return home in a carriage. You do not exchange congratulations but Alice leans on you dreamily. Her warmth filled smile tells you that's she's as happy as she could be. When she falls asleep in the carruage you carry her to your shared room and lay her to bed.

>End of encounter

>+250 passive wealth income from potions business (Alchemical potions II)!

What do you do next?

>Go hunting with Tempest in the nearby forest. (social interaction/competition with Tempest)
>Try to piece together what the fuck happened when you got black out drunk with Tor and some of your officers (social interaction with Tor/funny encounters with random NPCs)
>Carouse with Miriam and some of your female kin as they go about town looking for things to drink and do (Social interaction/companion recruitment with Miriam)
>Skip to the when Godhart calls for the war to begin in earnest

If you want to contribute. You can.
>write-in interaction/event

Or

>go shopping (for what? misc./gear/magic)

>>2807097
>Go hunting with Tempest in the nearby forest. (social interaction/competition with Tempest)
then
>Skip to the when Godhart calls for the war to begin in earnest

>>2807097
>>Go hunting with Tempest in the nearby forest. (social interaction/competition with Tempest)

>>2807103
Ditto

>>2807097
>>Go hunting with Tempest in the nearby forest. (social interaction/competition with Tempest)

>>2807103
>>2807196
>>2807204
>>2807212
>Hunting with Tempest

>Writing

Since it's getting late and while I'm writing, jot down any questions you might have about the setting or characters and so on.

>>2807222
I'm going to bed now actually, so I'll just leave some here for you

Are there many cities or keeps on the north? how unusual would it be for us to build our own? Can that mage chick make the act of building the thing faster/cheaper? I imagine if our deal goes well in downland she would be able to help us there.

also, can we get some quick notes about what the characters think about us?

love your quest, thanks man, see ya.

>hunting with tempest

The sun barely pierces the thick canopy above. Little drops of ;eft over rain wets your head as you creep along the forest floor, the soft leather of your hunting boots silently treading along the black soil and forest debris.

Nearby you see a mass of gold and brown peak over some brush, a nearly imperceptable sound of movement from the rustling of the brush tickles your ears.

It still bothers you how silent Tempest can be sometimes. Massive beast that he is the idea that he can creep better than you can, despite putting big animals like bulls to shame with sheer bulk makes your skin itch. But then again the wildlands are dangerous, not as dangerous as the open wastes but nothing to trifle with even for one of your kind.

You freeze and examine a very deep imprint in the soil. A little bit of water has collected in a divot created by an impressive hoofprint.

Nearly as wide as your giant hand and an inch or so deep. An ellk, a big big elk. Tempest had sensed something and you had followed his lead in this direction. With the proof in front of you, you realize thathe must have smelled dinner. Enough for both of you this time, the last elk you hunted got eaten immediately by the furry gluttonous shit. He had the nerve to swish his tail at you afterward too.

Continuing to stalk the trail of the massive deer you hear Tempest pause.

There it is.

Probably as tall as you at the shoulder, with a rack of antlers that must weight hundreds of pounds. Huge branching things all cruelly pointed. The big buck paws the earth and gives off a high pitched whine that permeates through the woods for miles.

You wait for Tempest to pounce but he doesn't take the initiative. He must be letting you take this.

Drawing your bow and placing some arrows head first in the dirt before you carefully take note of the distance between yourself and your quarry.

He's a bif bastard but that means he'll be harder tot ake down and those massive legs will almost certainly mean a powerful sprint.

What do you do?
>Get closer to get a clearer shot, you are pretty far away and there are trees blocking vital organ shots

>Draw heavy and make a pinpoint shot to take out the spine.

>Creep up until you can pounce and wrestle the big fuck.

>>2807244
>cities/keeps in the northern wastes?
Plenty. There are some pretty large settlements in the wastes because there is safety in numbers against the many dangers present. There are no real village or hamlet equivalents because anything less than maybe a couple hundred people in one place mututally cooperating is sheer hell unless they are notable badasses even amongst your kin.

Traveling alone even in the day up north is extremely dangerous for northmen unless they are exceptionally tough.

There is a saying that that "anyone who walks the wastes alone is either wishing for death or swiftly dealing it".

The smallest settlement you'll find is something like 700 people, while some of the largest holds are well over 100,000 people.

The total population of the wastes is close to 20 million despite the harsh environment. For example medieval britain had somewhere around 5-7 million in the 1200s despite being on a much smaller landmass (albeit not nearly as inhospitable).

>How unusual for us to build our own?
Not at all. Enterprising warriors who get a really intense taste for battle in the south frequently found new settlements on the coast to return to after their campaigns to wrap up.

>Can the wizard help?
Yes. Even though she's abttle wizard she and her cohorts can use their magic to help with construction work easily and greatly speed up construction efforts.

>>2807244
>what do characters think of us?

Tor- Thinks of you as a very dear and close friend. Has a great deal of respect for you and looks up to you as being the "top lad" who has lead them to what might be a grand adventure. He really trusts your judgement.

Alice- She is swiftly becoming infatuated with you. She worries constantly due to your profession but your interest in her daily life, and support with building up her own ambitions has endeared you greatly to her. She genuinely wants to start a family with you.

Miriam- She is greatly attracted to you but her feelings are slowly forming. She respects you as a warrior, as a lover and she wants to journey with you into the wider world. At the moment she sees you still as a suitor or as a man who she shacks up with maybe to have a few kids. Not totally devoted.

Tempest- Respect you and sees you as a worthwhile companion. Although a beast he is slightly too intelligent to consider you his master but seeing as he is far from home and you are good company he will stay with you. Tempest is enjoying his new life and considers you something akin to a member of a coalition, a lion pride with more than one male who jointly protects it.

Roger- He’s warming up to you, because he’s making good money and you aren’t overbearing. While he finds his situation disconcerting he is acclimating well enough. He respects you as his employer but is still a little nervous due to your intimidating appearance and dangerous mien.

Godhart- Sees you as a good employee. He respects your abilities but beyond his approval he doesn’t hold any feelings of friendship or camaraderie toward you. He possesses very professional feelings toward you and not much more.

Phineas and Porthos (the elf brothers/inventors/diplomats)- The elves are intimidated by you on account of your generally terrifying appearance and the obvious ability you possess to kill them. That being said they recognize that you are a professional and not some dumb brute, although that makes them in some ways more worried.

>cont.

>>2807459

Matthias (the dread claimant)- He is genuinely scared of you and holds no small amount of resentment for killing Morgan and destroying his army. That being said he in some ways is awed by your martial prowess and holds little hope that anyone he knows can stop you, except maybe his uncle. He is regretting this war because he feels that by losing, all the death and destruction has happened for absolutely nothing, which stings his conscious.

Maude Dread (the Queen)- After all the reports that have gone through about your accomplishment including the capture of her son, Maude is genuinely concerned that you will show up during the final battle. She is now fully aware that defeat is likely and regrets going along with her brother’s plan. She only hopes that her children will be spared retribution for her involvement.

Edward Dread (the queen’s elder brother)- He hates you. Since your appearance his temper has begun to deteriorate rapidly. Between Godhart whose subterfuge and politicking has backed Edward into a wall and your military contributions, Edward wishes both of you to die grisly painful deaths. Since he is unlikely to see Godhart anywhere near a battlefield, he’ll settle for killing you.

Your kinsmen (collectively)- They share a similar respect that Tor has for you. They consider you to be a great leader and that you have their best interests in mind when making battlefield decisions and that you are every bit as ready to get stuck in as them, maybe moreso. Some of the women have crushes on you.

Valeria Ashmaker (the wizard)- She is interested in you although she has not created a precise picture of who you are. She’s willing to become partners in business but her feelings are mostly professional mixed in with some amorous feelings.

>>2807372
>Draw heavy and make a pinpoint shot to take out the spine.
>>2807456
>>2807459
>>2807462
cool

>>2807372
>Drew heavy

>Draw heavy

>>2807470
>>2807471
>>2807479

A big bastard like that is probably strong enough to throw you off and then run. And if he runs you doubt you can catch him.

Best to take the shot you can than risk the beast sensing you and running.

Still crouched youlift your massive steel reinforced bow and draw an almost spearlike arrow to your shoulder.

Only one shot you can make since the heart, lungs and neck artery is blocked by trees. You need to nail the spine and cripple the elk.

Taking aim you close one eye and focus on the beasts exposed back end.

>roll 3d20+4

Rolled 4, 16, 19 + 4 = 43 (3d20 + 4)

>>2807516

>>2807532
>8,20,23 2 successes
You succeed in crippling the deer by snapping its spine with a sniper shot.

>writing

The arrow hisses through the air to create a harsh snap that sends the giant elk rolling along the ground in agony. Blood rapidly coats the ground at its front legs scramble to propel it away from danger. Not minute longer goes by before the beast is still and dead on the ground.

You almost uncrouch to walk over to your downed prey, but something doesn't seem right.

Tempest remains in his spot. Completely and intently focused on something. You would think he would have launched himself at the elk to try and stuff his face as much as possible to put the screws to you but he remains stock still. Even with the thick brush concealing him his eyes flash menacingly.

What do you do?

>try to get closer to Tempest.

>Go collect your prey but be cautious.

>Stay put and try to intently sense for whatever Tempest is waiting for.

>>2807566
>>Stay put and try to intently sense for whatever Tempest is waiting for.

>>2807566
>Stay put and try to intently sense for whatever Tempest is waiting for.

>>2807566
>Stay put and try to intently sense for whatever Tempest is waiting for.
Hunting is almost more waiting than anything, whats a little more?

>>2807575
>>2807586
>>2807594

You elect to wait it out. Tempest has sharper seneses than you do by far. If there is something that puts him on edge then you'll follow suit and stay put.

You remain crouched and take care to remain aware of your surroundings. If anything is coming it would shit luck for it to show up behind you.

With nothing but the ambient noise of the forest you start trying to tune out all excess sensations. The sounds of the birds, the little patter of water from the canopy, and the movements of other animals on the ground and trees.

In time you pick up on something. A faint padding noise, one that grows louder. Eventually you decipher the direction of the padding and at last you see its source.

A wolf. A big damn fucking wolf. A Dread-Wolf to be exact. The natural rival to a Thunder-Lion. Both beasts live in similar regions and both hunt the same prey and have similar territorial needs.

Tempest wasn't tracking the elk. He was tracking this beast.

It's a long way from the wildlands but then again these creatures if not stopped can tear through as much territory as they want. They have no fear of tribals or civilzed men.

The wolf is scarred along its muzzle and has a voluminous greyish white coat of fur. Much like Tempest its fur seems steely in nature, sturdy and strong like armor more than hair.

Once the beast pads up to the elk it lays down and tucks into your kill. You can now clearly see its massive teeth. It does not possess the over large fangs that Tempest does but each is larger than its mouth would suggest, sharp and pink stained from constant bloodshed.

In the brush you see Tempest's eyes flash dangerously. He's preparing to go in for the kill.

What do you do?

>get close and prepare to give Tempest fire support

>Charge in when Tempest does. No way you're letting him fight this thing alone in close combat.

I'm signing off for tonight. See you at noon tommorrow.

Post questions if you have any as always.

>>2807647
>get close and prepare to give Tempest fire support
You got it Tempest, we'll let you get the glory, and step in if needed.
>>2807650
G-night.

File: dog.png (77 KB, 140x201)

77 KB PNG

>>2807647
>The wolf is scarred along its muzzle and has a voluminous greyish white coat of fur. Much like Tempest its fur seems steely in nature, sturdy and strong like armor more than hair.
coughcoughtrophycoughcough

>>2807714
>Slayer blessed wolf fur cloak

>>2807647
>get close and prepare to give Tempest fire support

We got you buddy

>>2807647
>>get close and prepare to give Tempest melee support
We let him get a shot at it, but if we see he is getting fucked we jump in and save his golden hide. Of course, if it comes to that we never going to let him forget about it kek.

>>2807456
>>2807459
>>2807462
Thanks for the info man, nice to see that Mirian's relationship still has room to grow, I bet when she can actually fight at our side and when we meet her family(which is important as hell to her) she will start to really fall for us.

>>2807662
>>2808054
>>2808072

Tempest can take this beast alone, and you imagine it's important that he does. One of his natural enemies is on his turf, it would wound his pride to have you help too much.

Creeping ever so slightly forward you get into position to help if needed. Otherwise you remain in the brush to observe the battle between savage beasts.

About the same time you find a spot to observe Tempest explodes from the brush and Leaps onto the wolf. His front claws draw bloody wounds as the wolf thrashes on the ground to try and get up.

A vicious kick from the wolf forces Tempest off long enough for the canine behemoth to get up and fight properly.

Both beasts rise up onto their hind legs and attempt to maul each other standing up. Maws of razor teeth rend flesh and claws score the outer armored coats of both creatures.

>roll 3 1d20+2 for Tempest

Rolled 14 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>2808328

Rolled 1, 3, 2 + 2 = 8 (3d20 + 2)

>>2808328

>>2808379
Oops, ignore that I accidentally did three, also wow that is low kek.

Rolled 4 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>2808328

Rolled 19 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>2808328

>>2808339
>>2808381
>>2808394
>16,6,21 2 successes
Tempest wins the exchange with the Dread wolf and kills it quickly without any assistance.

>Tempest gains a new active ability!
Maul- Tempest charges at an opponent and knocks them down if they fail a check. Once on the ground Tempest's attacks deal 2 wounds instead of 1 on a successful roll and 4 on a roll of 20.

>writing

>>2808403
I'm glad our thunderlion buddy is getting more killy.

>You are Tempest

Your enemy snaps at you with his mongrel muzzle. His snout's longer reach gives him an advantage while you wrestle with him.

Each time he attempts to close his jaws around your head or to try and go for your throat a mighty slam from your paw bats his head away.

Skin ripples and the head of the wolf whips back viciously due to your strike. You attempt to step closer so you can finally reach and clamp your fangs shut around his neck, but the mongrel steps back before snapping at you again.

With your rage building you roar. Thunder booms through the forest as the wolf howls in agony, blood gushing from his ears. Taking a lesson from your human companion you drop low and dig your claws deep into your opponent's sides. You use your claws as best you can to hold him as you fully extend your legs. Raising the wolf off the ground you lay him out with a body slam. While you would never admit it the human's skills in grappling have impressed themselves upon you especially after he wrestled with you for the first time.

Looming over your fallen enemy you press both paws and bear down with all your weight. Unable to escape you clamp your fangs shut over the wolf's neck. Warm rich blood caresses your tongue before you tear the chunk of flesh free from its owner's body.

The wolf spasms on the ground, gurgling on the pooling blood in its open throat but soon it bleeds out and dies. Truimphant and filled with the voracious hunger that comes from battle you rend open the mongrel's guts and start gorging.

You vaguely register your human walking out of the brush to pat your flank. You growl when he touches your kill but stop when you see him skin the wolf.

Ah. Good. Normally you could eat a beast whole fur and all but the great wolves have coats like your own, they're a complete pain to chew and hurt coming out the other end.

Stripping the wolf clean of its armored coat your human pats once again affectionately before claiming the elk. He did well you think. You're not sure he killed the elk with the intent of using it as bait for the wolf but he did well.

It's important to make sure the human doesn't become to soft living outside of the wilderness, or he'll forget how to hunt.

It is your duty after all to remind him of how to survive properly. Satisfied and full after devouring most of the wolf you stretch out on a sunny rock and take a well deserved rest. The human joins you and carves up his kill before laying beside you. He leans his upper body against your golden hide as he dozes in the warm sunlight.

>Tempest relationship up!
>Tempest gains ability!
>You gain Dread-Wolf skin (can be enchanted and made into a magic cloak that provides +1 DR on top of an enchantment)

>social encounter end

>>2808419
who's daddys little murder furball, you are!!!

What do you do next?

>Try to piece together what the fuck happened when you got black out drunk with Tor and some of your officers (social interaction with Tor/funny encounters with random NPCs)
>Carouse with Miriam and some of your female kin as they go about town looking for things to drink and do (Social interaction/companion recruitment with Miriam)
>Skip to the when Godhart calls for the war to begin in earnest

I remember some anons voting to start the war in earnest already but I just want to make sure.

Also
You want to buy anything before you go to war?
>write-in (can be for you a companion or your army.)

>>2808460
>Buy stuff
Can you give us some options? And after that
>Skip to the when Godhart calls for the war to begin in earnest

>>2808460
>Try to piece together what the fuck happened when you got black out drunk with Tor and some of your officers (social interaction with Tor/funny encounters with random NPCs)
I really want to do this, both for the random encounters/laughs, and to give characterization to some of our captains, northmen, regular ole human, and dwarf alike.

>>2808460
Oh also is the Dread-Wolf Skin an extra accessory like a cape or it's own armor?

>>2808466
even though I want to start the war I'll help you out anon, we've been a pretty chill quest so far and I'd be glad to accommodate some of the other anon's suggestions so

+1


>>2808460
will the prisoner exchange be done before or after the attack on Fulkmar?

>>2808476
The dread wolf cape is an accesory that also provides DR and an enchantment if you put one on it.

>>2808477
>prisoner exchange
Before. Godhart is careful to make sure the RavenRoost's are ready to march forth the moment things get hot.

>>2808464
>Options

Things you can buy (here's some general categories) pick a category and I'll provide a list. Stuff can be bought for both you, companions and your troops, and other NPCs

>weapons
>armor
>accesories
>Potions
>Mounts
>Property
>enchantments (for items you already have)
>Blacksmith (upgrades for weapon/armor you already possess)
>Misc (just some random or flavor type stuff)

>>2808460
Oh, for buying stuff like the other anon said I really would like to see our options. I've asked before but I would really like to buy some bows for our northmen. Not so much for damage, as they do better in melee, but for utility and to supplement our crossbows. Help with ambushes, opening up on the enemy before the lines of battle meet, sieges, and to force the enemy to come to us if they have more bows as the Northmen will no doubt outrange them. I'd guess this would be expensive, but we wouldn't need bows for all our warbands either. Also I'm thinking maybe a gift for miriam and Tor. She'll get her blade back, and we can use the sovereign blade, but I'd like her to have a magic trinket, particularly for keeping her alive like regen, and it would stack with her abilities already. Oh we can give her the coldclaw or princes armor too. For Tor maybe something to make him even more killy.

>>2808489
>Mounts
Maybe Tor could use one, I think he's strong enough to tame a monstrous mount now?
>Armor
Could we buy some barding and enchant it for Tempest? His DR is lower than ours if I remember right. Also can we batch buy for our other forces to raise their DR, I suppose this question goes for their weapons as well.
>enchantments (for items you already have)
Wolf cape a go. Could we get some article or accessory to be enchanted to have a field of silence, so we could do stealth kills real good?
>Potions
What can our boy brew up for us? Also could he (maybe with flamedrake help) brew up anything for us to shoot from the catapults? Muhahaha.

>>2808490
Agreed

armor for Tempest
wounding enchantment for tTor's hammer(simmilar to mirian's blade, maybe the mages can get it for us)
A regen trinket for Mirian, as well as gifting her sword back to her

>>2808497
>Mounts
Death lizard- 200 wealth
Wounds: 40/40
Skill: +1
Surge: 10/10
DR: 2
Gear:
Natural weapons ( +4AD)
Scaly armor (+2DD, +2DR)
Passive abilities:
Feral instinct- In battle taking wounds increases skill by +1 for every 10 wounds lost
Active abilities
Leaping Death- On opening turn regardless of initiative, Devil lizard gets to make an attack
Living Weapon- Adds +5AD during Death Lizard's turn (cooldown= 2 turns)

Doom Eagle- 200 wealth
Wounds: 35/35
Skill:+3
Surge: 5/5
DR: 2
Gear:
Natural weapons (+2AD)
Passive abilities:
Flight- This creature can fly (+4DD) and transport things through the air.
Active abilities:
Boulder drop- This creature drops a thousand pound rock on someone or something from hundreds of feet above (one time use in battle, x4 wound damage)
Dive bomb- re-roll all to wound rolls during creature's turn (cooldown=3 turns)

>Armor
Monstrous barding (steel plates to fit a monstous mount, Gives +2 DR)- 200 wealth

Armor Upgrade for soldiers (adds a +1 DR to a unit by increasing armor quality)-25 wealth per unit

>Weapons
Weapon upgrade for soldiers (increases AR for melee and ranged units by +1)- 25 wealth per unit

>Enchantments
Wolf cloak of silent running (Gives +2 to stealth checks provides +1 DR in addtion to armor)- 250 wealth

>potions
Potion of Berserker rage (+8 AD for combat, -1 to skill, +3 AR to army unit)- 50 wealth

Potion of Steely flesh (+4 DR for combat)- 50 wealth

Elixer of wounding (Weapon coating that automatically causes +1 bleeding damage on hit with stacking up to 3 for 3 turns)- 50 wealth

Flame storm munitions (+3 AR for catapults for 1 battle, causes Terror, can use flame torrent ability once in a battle that expends all fire ammunition)

>>2808523
Can we hire some sort of beast-master to help us train the mounts and manage them? I wanted to buy both the ones there, Death Lizard as Tor's mount and Doom Eagle as it's own sort of unit, seems very useful in sieges.

What's our current wealth again?

>>2808517
>enchantment
Enchanment of wounding (+5 additional magic damage on hit)-250 wealth
I would reccommend you put this on the Ice Fang and give it to Tor as his hammer only gives +3AD which is rather low tier

>Amulet of regeneration (+5 regen health per turn)-400 wealth

>>2808536
both are good for me

>>2808534
Wealth: 5038+500 (from capturing Matthias)= 5538

>Beast master
You'd need to find one. Such an individual would be a useful companion but Bronzehelm as far as you know does not have one you can up and find.

Back home you could find kin with such skills though or you could search for one abroad.

List what you want to buy or ask for more so I can sum up the total from your loot stash.

>>2808551
Makes sense.
>Weapon & Armor Upgrade for all Northmen + Barding for Tempest = 650
Also what you said for Tor and also give him Armor of Warding

>>2808564
Regen trinket for Miri
Wounding enchant for Tor's main weapon

>>2808573
>>2808536
>650+250+400=1300 (for x9 weapon/armor upgrades for northmen, Tempest Barding and Tor Ice Claw upgrade)

9x Northmen Warband (1800/1800) AR: 45 DR: 36

Tempest DR: 4+2

Ice Claw: (2 handed, +5AD, +5 damage on hit, -1 to enemy skill on hit)

Tor DR: 3+3+2=8
Arrmor of warding (protects against stacking damage)

Miriam: +5 HP regen per turn (+10 when below half HP)

5530-1300=4230 wealth

>>2808611
Anyone else want to buy anything? I'd say we also just stock up generally on potions a bit, maybe 500 wealth's worth or so.

>>2808613
for 450 you can give every one of your Northmen Berserker potions to bring their AR up to 9 each for a battle

>>2808622
that's a high cost cost for 1 battle.

>>2808611

Aww yess, Lets give Tor his toys!

>Enchantments
Wolf cloak of silent running (Gives +2 to stealth checks provides +1 DR in addtion to armor)- 250 wealth
Yes yes yes!

Get some of those flame storm ammunition and steely flesh for us. I"m curious, does berserker rage apply to ranged fire? I just had this imge of crossbows firing and reloading at a crazy rate while yelling and frothing at the mouth.

Also, lets upgrade our crossbows armor and weapon wise so they can better stand up in a corssbow skirmish. 200 gold is decent. Our lancers are pretty vulnerable too, and theydo alot of work, might as well throw the MK in there too. 300 Falme drakes and pike are vulnerable, I don't imagine weapon upgrades work for the flamedrakes, and the pike were never heavy hitters, they were for holding the wings, but they could use armor 75. Actually lets just be good to our FK and halbediers as well 400.

975+250= 1225 for army armor and cloak.

>>2808625
Oh, and lets Get Tor the doom eagle so he can get over fortifications and directly target enemy lords in formations without having to cut through them. It also makes him a super fast and flexible rapid response force on the field!

That and 2 potions of steely flesh and a flame storm make 350 right?

>>2808625
you do realize we will probably not keep all those troops after the campaign right?
They are mercs and they will do their thing afterwards, I mean, some of them might stick around but I don't know if all of them will, so spending money on upgrades is money we will not see again.

not to say I'm against it, I'll probably support if you still want it but we won't be getting that investment back, and that money could be put on our keep back in the wastlands

>>2808625
to clarify this is buying armor for everyone except the catapult, and weapons except for the fame drakes and pike

>>2808639
Our army is about to massive expand but something tells me this small core we've formed will largely stick around. Even if many of them don't just think of it as buying a potion that, instead of 1 battle, permanently increases the AR and DR of a unit. Besides specialists we can purchase my big understanding is that Godhart is gonna dump 3500 mercs under his command onto us, and I don't intend to upgrade them obviously, but we likely won't be paying recruitment fees, and this is money we can put into our amry now to raise its stats. That and buying fellas cool gear mike make them more ammenable to staying around . I don't knw any of this for a fact though, and Northern could say this is all wrong, but thats how I look at it. Money spent on upgrading our army stats, and maybe we get to keep a significant portion of the non northerners depending how much we invested in them and they like us and think we'll do right by them.

>>2808639
Actually considering the bang up job you've done so far and how this war will close up with a solid victory. The mercs you've employed are pretty happy to follow. They have more money than they've ever held in their lives and with you and the northmen around they feel comfortable moving to far away lands to fight.

The 3500 Godhart is going to loan you isn't going to stick around but the core you have built up will. (this is mostly so you don't lose out on all the money you invested into making your army bigger.)

>>2808622
>>2808624
I'd say 450 isn't much to virtually guarantee the decisive victory of the final battle of this war. So yeah, that too then.

>>2808656
Cool

>>2808656
Ok

like I said, support either way

>>2808658
I'd say buy steely flesh but with their health potions our northmen are already pretty survivable. Sure, that'd be 9 berserker potions right? Even if our northmen don't use them up there's nothing to say we and Tor can't use them (at least if we're paying the full price and not doing that pay half scheme like with the health potion). Also Northern, can we buy our northmen bows, or is that something you don't want them to have as a unit? I'd understand and stop asking if that's the case.

4230-1225-450=2555 wealth

+1 to DR for all troops save the catapults and +1 to AR except for Pikes and Drakes

x9 berserk potions for your northmen (you buy them out of pocket because full price is 50 wealth)

>bows
You could for 50 wealth per warband to give them an option to switch weapons as a passive like the knights. The effect is that they can attack at range with bows (which fire spear sized arrows)

>>2808664
>>2808671
Eh I don't think that's worth it. We already have enough dedicated range units and our Northmen are just going to be charging into melee as soon as possible. Later on we can create/hire dedicated Northman skirmisher units for that need.

+1 wolf cloak of silent running (+1 DR and +2 to stealth)

>>2808671
Spear sized arrows eh, what would that be with AD? Cause for 50 a warband that could really do wonders in the opening of a big set piece battle. Or just when we'r being cheeky. How do elves compare bow wise? This could be a real nice upgrade if we have to skirmish it up with elves in downland/brightwall later.

>>2808671
That would be 450 to turn our seemingly unkillable (with potion help) core into a ranged unit as well... Seems worth it. That would leave us with 2105 gold unless someone else has a good idea? And I am liking your ideas fellas, alot, keep em coming please.

>>2808682
Translated into a personal weapon?
+3 AD a high quality one would be +4/5AD

>Elf bows
Elves are not especially strong for their size and are the size of humans (the civilized ones anyway) so they use the same bow types with the same draw weights that humans use. A northman longbow is monstrous in comparison.

>>2808700
Ok, I still feel the bows are worth it but understand if some of the other anons don't want to, and we have spent alot of money. Is anyone opposed to the bows, we can always get them later or do something different. I still really want them though for 450. Since you mention high quality northern would our upgrade for weapons stack with a bow purchase, since it works that way for the crossbows I'm guessing, or not so much.?

>>2808709
Yeah the weapon upgrade would count toward the bows The knights have two set of weapons after all and don't need to pay twice for those.

>>2808709
I think that later on fully dedicated ranged Northmen will be better than Warbands that can switch to bows. And we already have enough to probably stomp the enemy in the next battle, or at least do really well. I mostly just want to get into the next battle and advance the story.

>>2808714
We have spent alot of time shopping, and many anons, you included, have been very patient. Can we get the bows please? They are essentially free attacks in a battle until combat is joined. Please. 0.0

>>2808725
Sure

>>2808725
You are gonna bleed us dry anon.

Go on fetch you bows then.

But no more candies for you!

>>2808732
Also, I want the adition of a warband leader that spent a good part of an afternoon talking the ear off of Hakon on the incredible advantages of bows and bow-like weapons until he decided to cave and get the bows kek

>>2808725
>>2808727
>>2808732
2555-450=2105 wealth

>your Northmen can now switch between melee and ranged weapons

Okay enough buying your current army AR and DR stands at

AR: 100
DR: 89
You out power even Matthias's army despite having 1800 less troops. Good on you.

I'll reserve the drunken bender interaction for later (since your army will follow you and a drunken bender is always around the corner for you and Tor)

You guys okay to begin the war? Because this will be the intro to the campaign phase during a long term war quest (like downland and the Steelgard and some others).

>>2808746
Aye let's get into it.

>>2808746
Let this cold war go Hot!

>>2808746
let's do it

>>2808746
Also our army is nuts for its actual size. Which is probably the ideal of what you want a raiding/reaving force to be. Small, fast, but capable of gutting an army 3 times its size.

>>2808756
>>2808761
>>2808768
>It begins!

>writing/Ms Painting
This may take a while, you may want to post some questions and get food or take a shit or something because I'll probably make 2 or 3 full posts and post an updated map showing armies and stuff. Also i need to set up what the 3500 extra troops are.

>>2808791
How do Orcs & Northmen feel about eachother & what's their history?
What group of Humans do Northmen come from? And when did they go to the Northern Wastes?

File: Bronzehelm civil war Fina(...).png (120 KB, 2700x1104)

120 KB PNG

(Pist #1-Campaign briefing)

In the great hall a tactical map of immense proportions is laid out on a great table. Tall man shapped figures dot the table in colors representing which side of the war they are on. Godhart and dozens of armored men and women stand around the table all eyes on the lord of Guildman to speak first. You are within the crowd along with Miriam, now holding Flesh Render once more, and clad in her new armor and amulet.

You too await Godhart's orders now that the collective might of the nation has finally been assembled in full. Godhart stands aside at the head of the table to reveal a young man similar to himself clad in strong but simple armor. In comparison to Godhart he is taller and possesses a thick and trim beard.

Thomas Fairhair, The claimaint's younger brother and Godhart's effective Field Marshall.

"I thank for assembling. Your loyalty in this trying time has been appreciated without measure. but now is the time to bring this farce to an end."

Thomas draws a long and narrow wooden prop with a flat broad end. Using it he maneuvers the figurines in the table into position. From there colored rods are placed to indicate movement.

"The plan is simple. Through the efforts of my uncle and his mercenary forces Dread has lost much of their effective income. As you can see the northern half of Their territory has been brutalized and Fulkmar to the south has been weakened as well. Thanks to the capture of my pompous half-brother, Ravenroost has returned to the fold with the recovery of Lord Paul and Lady Ashlen. As you can see the eenmy has withdrawn from Bronzehelm castle in order to cover the northern approaches to Dreadhill, favoring to fight than siege in order to avoid being surrounded. Unfortunately The Ravenroost's armies are poised to strike from behind and Fulkmar will have to deal with Godhart's mercenary commander before he can support Edward. We're looking for a complete envelopement on all sides of the city. Their troops are demoralized and hungry from punititve raids and are now dangerously outnumbered. A little over 20,000 troops remain to protect Dreadhill at this point and they have nowhere to go and no support to relieve them."

Thomas puts his prop away before he claps. A dozen adjutants appear and hand the assembled officers written order and maps. You peer at your package to see a complete geophysical layout of Fulkmar's lands and a layout of his castle down to the layout of his personal bedroom.

Savvy. Godhart must have been responsible for this unnervingly accurate intelligence.

"This is a simple operation. As long as the plan holds we can see a total unconditional victory in a month, maybe less." Thomas relates more explicit order to some of the assembled commanders but you are relieved.

Exiting the castle you rejoin your honor guard and set off to inspect your new troops.

>Incoming temporary army units

>>2808945
Given orcs seem to be in the western wastes or otherwise around danger, and with the northmen having a penchant for killing danger, probably decent. That and I'd guess they have a stereotypical respect for strength and warrior prowess. That said, only Northern knows, maybe things aren't peachy.

>>2809024
Hmm, while we may not have necessarily slain enough men to completely even out the initial disparity in numbers the damage we've done has really tipped this conflict in Godhart's favor, between tying down forces and robbing support eh?

>>2809035
He's a weasel, but he seems like a smart weasel that pays well those that help him. we basically set his victory before the war started, every advantage Thomas mentioned was our doing, let's hope they remember that when it's time for the spoils and rewards

>>2809065
Oh I'm sure Godhardt will, lest he wants an angry band of Northmen running about.

>>2809066
Yup, pay em to fight, then pay them to leave and not start eyeing up the place. If you pay them nicely enough too a merc is predisposed to return to your service if you ever need them again.

>>2809024
>Temp. Army units (3500)
4x battle wizards (100)
8x Siege catapults (200)
4x Mounted knights (200)
10x Pikemen (1000)
15x Halberdiers (750)
15x Foot Knights (750)
10x Crossbows (500)
Heroes: Valeria Ashmaker (Wizard Lord)

>what the map means
Territory colors indicate in waht state they are.
Green=100% (no raiding)
Yellow=75% (minor raiding on either the roads or countryside)
Orange=50% (moderate or greater raiding on the roads or countryside)
Red=0% (extreme raids on both roads and countryside)

A slash mark through a settlment means that it has been either occupied or sacked, a cross (x) means it has been razed.

The numbers represent how much of the total income the region produces. The raided settlemets for example have a negative value because their economies have been disrupted heavily.

While it hasn't come into affect for this arc in the quest in later arcs the deprivation of the enemy income will prevent them from buying mercenaries and will result in penalties on their armies by decreasing the enemy AR and DR and HP (being represented as the troops being demoralized, food deprived or going awol from not being paid)

>>2808945
>>2809026
>The orcs and the northmen
The orcs are a tribal people and they do hold others who are strong and martially capable with respect (because you don't act like an asshole to someone who can kill you). They are a race trying to civilize with mixed results and they have a tradition of marrying out to increase their tribes strength and reduce the connection thay have with their creator god (whose savage feral nature has been passed on to them) in order to think clearly and advance socially.

The northmen are seen as terrible foes and great allies to have and to have northmen blood is considered a point of pride.

An orc man who can get with a northwoman (as in court her) is a paragon of orc masulinity and orcs will offer women to northmen to breed with so that the daughters can spread the bloodline for the betterment of the tribe.

But because the orcs are tribal the exact behavior and attitude varies a great deal.

Also they don't have a "let's exterminate/breed out every other race we encounter" mentality and can be friendly.

>>2809114
Hmm, is the reason noonland is -400 because of Dread riding, or maybe something else? Also, I see with the income discrepancy why the fairhairs could not only afford the most mercs but ensure their exclusive use. I'm guessing the Dreads invested most of their money into a larger standing land army to the exclusion of everything else, even a navy (which I'm sure with the sack of saltspear and everything else they regret.).

>>2809135
Yeah when we were there in the first thread Dread's were about raiding and we proceeded to kick their asses.

>>2809135
Correct. Also Godhart had been stocking up on cash over the years in preparation as well as building channels to quickly contact foreign governments and mercenary companies in order to cut off the Dread's from any options.

>-400 for noonhand
Yes that was from Stewart raiding the area and not quite sacking Noonhand itself.

Okay. Your army

Heroes: Tor Torvaldson (+2), Miriam Ravenroost (+3) + Valeria Ashmaker (n/a)
HP: (3870/3870)+(6000/6000)
AR: 100+118
DR: 89+96

>Battle wizards add Active ability: Spellcasting!
>Wizards can cast the following spells
>Fireball, Frost blast, Lightning strike, Earthrend, blinding flash, acid surge, and explosion

>writing update

>>2809192
Hmm, does acid surge travel well down a slope? Like if cast up a slope from and enemy army it would run down into them, or at least some of the front units? I'm also imagining using explosive magic to collapse the terrain rather than just explode enemies, ah the possibilities! Is earthrend like a quicksand or chasm forming spell?

The additional troops are just as Godhart had described 3500 gresh faced mercenaries full of vigor and ready to earn their pay. Only to you they seem......soft, too fresh.

The contrasy between your troops and these new bloods is pretty steep. In their new armor and equipped with their new weapons your troops seem almost grizzled in comparison. There's a confidence born of experience. They've been the single most active group of soldiers during the whole war up to this point. They've gotten stuck in at least once or twice and drawn blood. They've also had experience executing your orders without pause or mistake. The way they hold themselves, how they march and exercise in anticipation of the siege. They look like real professionals.

You won't be so softhearted to tell them anything but you're proud that this army has progressed. Your troops even honor you by flying your clan colors and the slayers mark alongside the banners. Almost makes you sniff (because gods know you won't cry but you get the idea).

Progressing through camp you reach the section inhabitated by your kinsmen. Immediately you see Tor near his tent.

"Tor."

"Yeah?" Tor carefully polishes his new axe with tender care nearby. He looks up to recieve your orders.

"Rally our kin, and sound the signal horns. We make ready to march as soon as possible. We go to war."

Tor's face splits into a monstrous smile showing the overlarge teeth your kind possess.

"Aye. I can do that. Heheheh." He places Ice Claw onto his back and shouts through the camp to gather your northmen. Not long after that several harsh blasts sound and your troops pack up the camp in record time. The newbies scramble to get into marching formation, rushing to stow their kit and possessions. Lots of needless luggage amongst them. That will cost them if it gets lost during the march.

Mounting Tempest you clasp your new cloak around your shoulders, the white-grey fur shining like fresh snow in the sun to match Tempest's golden hide.

Your beast moves to the head of the column and with a great roar you raise your lordly blade and address your troops.

"TO FULKMAR! WE BURN! NO REST!"

"UNTIL IT BURNS!" Your troops roar back.

Nice. You were practicing that one.

>your army leaves Guildman to enter Fulkmar's territory.

>roll 3 1d20+6

Rolled 2 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>2809242

Rolled 19 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>2809242
I'm falling asleep here OP

>>2809255
Out of boredom or because you go to sleep at this time?

Either way the next post is the beginning of a battle or a siege.

Rolled 12 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>2809242

Rolled 16 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

Rolled 18 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>2809255
Ditto
>>2809259
If I go to sleep now I'll have some nice 6 hours of rest kek

>>2809259
Sleep time OP getting late

>>2809253
>>2809255
>>2809260
>8,18,22

Fulkmar's forces recognize that waiting in the castle for a siege is a bad bet as they will be cut off and probably overwhelmed. They make an effort to plow past you and make it to Dreadhill.

>>2809266
>>2809275
>>2809255
Hmmm. In that case Let's stop here and you guy get your sleep. Tomrrow should be more than enough time to get through the Fulkmar battle and then for the final battle.

Graham Gravehand is present to act as the overall commander.

You face all 6500 troops on the field although they are not trying to attack you, they are trying to escape to Dreadhill.

Depending on how this battle goes the battle further north may change. If a majority of the army shows up they can be pain in the ass for the Fairhair's but if you kill or capture most of them you will deny Dread the reinforcements.

>>2809287
If they're looking to plow us we're going to need to set up in the main route and maybe use our earth magic to create a bottle neck they have to go through. And if they want to go around the main road we could raid them.

Good idea OP, got to catch some zzz.

>>2809287
we should funnel them into a magic kill zone, that would be brutal

night op