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>>3109717

Elsewhere in the Empire

“We have left her for too long. She is probably dead by now or far too compromised to be saved.” The man with the authority of ages behind his voice says dismissively

“I will not leave her to rot away in that bitch’s hands, I will get her back, even if I’m just recovering a corpse.” The man with the booming voice of a giant argues back.

“And what will happen if you get captured, we’re already down two, we can’t afford to lose you too. Not now, not when we’re so close.”

“Please Mistress, let me go and I will save her, I have to, for her’s as well as for my own sake.

“Mistress I cannot condone this. Too much is at stake right now to have him go barging in on some half-baked suicide mission, that is going to ruin everything we’ve all worked so hard and sacrificed so much for.”

“Please Mistress, I will not fail.”

“But what if y-”

The woman sitting in-between the two men raises her hands and in a voice as sweet as honey and as soft as silk whispers “Your plan is half-baked, and ill-timed my protector, but you are right, we cannot allow our friends to rot for any longer. General as you so obviously pointed out the plan has flaws, fix them.”

With a sigh the authoritative man bows “As wish Mistress.”

“Thank you Mistress, I will not disappoint you, I will get our friends back.” The giant man says bowing as well.

“See that you do Protector, we have let them suffer on our behalf for too long.

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>>3109717

>When we last left Baldr he had just finished training the recruits he was left in charge of and was sitting down to relax and have a word with Mildri.

“No, we should be drilling by now, not learning how to get into formation. I swear these kids’ll be the death of me if I don’t work them to death first.”

“Wouldn’t killing them be… counterproductive?”

“If I don’t have them ready for the attack, they’ll just die later on the battlefield and cost us more than just their worthless lives.”

Mildri smiles at this, “She thinks you’re funny,”

“Who?”

“The demon in me, she says that maybe you should do just that, work them to death.”

“Hmph, I doubt the Sergeant Major would appreciate dead recruits very much.”

“But she clearly respects you, I’m sure that the Sergeant Major wouldn’t bat an eye if you said you deemed it necessary. Besides would the Sergeant Major want a bunch of quivering brats in her army, or harden and battle ready soldiers?”

Something in the way Mildri speaks catches your ear, You’ve never heard her speak this way before. “I don’t know if she’d want me taking advice from demons either.”

Mildri smiles wildly, flashing you her teeth. “Oh a perceptive one aren’t you, what gave me away?”

“Face it demon, you’re a horrible Mildri impersonator,”

“I guess that I am, I can’t really get her d-damned s-stuttering sh-shyness can I? Oh well, while I’m out I might as well tell you a few other things.”

“Do you know why Mildri came out here with you today?”

“I can guess”

The demon gives you another devilish smile “Because she liiikes you, don’t tell me you didn’t notice. Although I guess you didn’t know her before did you. She wasn’t always this stuttering, shy mess. No, before she was so cold and serious, I hardly ever got the chance to break free. But since the moment she first saw you, she’s been smitten.”

“I don’t fraternize with my own squad.”

“Oh really now, you don’t think we haven’t notice how close you and Selenas are. All of the hugging, cuddling and dirty talks you two have aren’t exactly subtle, so tell me how many times have you ‘done it’ with her.”

> “Our relationship is nothing like that. I give her advice and nothing more.”
> “We are close, true but we haven’t ‘done it’ yet”
> “It is no business of yours demon”
> [Write In]

>>3109720
>>" We haven-"
realizes we are who we are talking to.
>> “It is no business of yours demon”

>>3109720
> “We are close, true but we haven’t ‘done it’ yet”

Glad to see you back, hope everything whent well with tge finals.

>>3109720
>"Dirty talks"? Care to elaborate?
>Well did you come out to enjoy banter with me or was it something else? Change topic

>>3109720
>"Dirty talks"? Care to elaborate?
> “We are close, true but we haven’t ‘done it’ yet”

Also, I have a question if we can squeeze it in.

>What happened to Midri begore, was it your doing? When she was encased in ice and with her lungs full of tar, what was happening there?

>>3109842
>>3109801

changing to these

Sorry for the different ip guys, I'm currently posting from my phone because my home is under an area ip ban and so I can't post from my computer. I will try to keep posting from my phone, but things will slow down for a while.

>>3110717
no worries qm

>>3109720
>>3109762
>>3109801
>>3109842
>>3109867

>This will be the only post of the night.


“None, I have not ‘done it’ with her yet, and what do you mean by dirty talks?”
“We’ve noticed how often you go to each other’s rooms, and the only thing to be heard after is just the two of you talking, what else would you two be discussing other than what you’re going to do to each other later.” The demon finishes with a smug smile.
“We discuss nothing of the sort. Selenas merely has questions that I help her find the answer to.”
“Questions like what, how best to pleasure you.” She laughs.
“No, Did you just come out to insult me, or do have an actual goal, because I have a question of my own.”
“Oh this should be interesting, what do you want to know?”
“What happened that night when the shapeshifter attacked? I found Mildri incased in ice and covered in tar, was that your doing?”
“Oh, that.” The demon sobers at your question. “It was partially me, that damned shapeshifter was really to blame, attacking us in our sleep like that, fucking coward. We were drowning in tar and Mildri was panicking, I did what I thought would save us. I encased us in ice in an attempt to keep the tar out, but that bastard just summoned more inside the ice. We would have died if it hadn’t been…” The demon pauses and turns to you. “If it hadn’t been for our hero.” The demon’s smile is sickly sweet. “Oh how brave that our noble protector was there to pulls away from the brink of death with a kiss, Oh ho-” Mid rant the demon pauses her face goes slack, her eyes roll back into her skull and her eyelids flutter.
In a deep guttural voice the demon growls “Not now, I need to speak with him you fool, Ah.” The demon squeaks before.
“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry. I-I-I had a lapse in concentration and she just came out. I’m so sorry.” Mildri was in tears, trying to both apologize and explain herself while hiding her blushing face behind her hands.
>It’s fine Mildri, it was interesting to talk with the demon anyway.

>As you should be. Make sure it doesn’t happen again.

>Actually Mildri, I would like to have another word with the demon.

>[Write In]

>>3111492
>It’s fine Mildri,no harm done. Try to keep it restrained though, let's go back to the inn.

>>3111492

Actually mildri, I would like to have another word with the demon.

>>3111492
>[Soo second of lost concentration and she's out huh. It must been really hard on you Mildri. Im.. Im sorry for not noticing if you need someone to talk to, someone that will listen just letting you know Im here]

>>3111507
support

offer to listen to her if she needs too, she has to keep that demon locked better

>>3111492
>>It’s fine Mildri, it was interesting to talk with the demon anyway.

>>3111492

>>3111507
>>3112142
>>3112165
>>3112540

“It’s fine Mildri, no harm done, but is it always like that, you have sudden loss of concentration and she takes over?”
Peeking out from her hands Mildri answers “No, n-not normally, most of the time she leaves me alone, or just whispers in my ear. She doesn’t really try to take over unless I get lost in my emotions and accidentally tap into her.”
“Is there anything that can be done, you say that she doesn’t normally come out, but I don’t want you to suddenly lose control like you just did.”
“N-No not really, the best thing would be for me to just get some rest and be more aware of her. I’m sorry Baldr.”
“Like I said, its fine, nobody got hurt this time, but do try to keep the demon restrained.” Taking a deep breathe you lever yourself back onto your feet. “Come on let’s get back to the inn. I think that tomorrow’s training is going to be a whole lot worse.”
With a nod Mildri gets to her feet and the two of you return to the inn as the last few rays of sun sink below the horizon. As soon as you get back, Mildri heads off to her room to lie down, leaving you alone in the main barroom with a few other patrons sitting around drinking.
>Head to bed yourself tomorrows going to be a big day
>Find out what Randolf’s been up to, you haven’t seen him all day.
>Check on Selenas, see if she’s feeling better.
>[Write In]

>>3114379
>>Check on Selenas, see if she’s feeling better.

welp. let's see if the rest made her feel better

>>3114379
>Check on Selenas, see if she’s feeling better.

But I would like to track Randolf down later too, the guy is fishy.

>>3114379
>Find out what Randolf’s been up to, you haven’t seen him all day.
Let's see what that potential disaster is up to.

>>3114379
Write in

Buy the alchemy primer then check on selenas

>>3114835
Or we can get the next book on herbalism

>>3115011
Books are not a bad idea but how are we on cash?
I want to grab another granedo since the last one saved our skin and maybe another set of energy/healing potions. If we have spare cash after that all for more reading material, if we don't have the money we can try to grab a book with the money from looting the mercenary camp later.

If I remember correctly Selenas has some potions too right?

Let's check on her since we are at the inn and then go shoping, maybe she would like to come along since she probably stayed cooped up here all day, or Randolph can go with us

>>3114379
>>3114386
>>3114835
>>3116811

After seeing the shape Selenas was in this morning you decide it would be best to check on her. As you head back to the rooms, you bump into a much better and well-rested looking Selenas
“Oh Baldr, I just woke up, what time is it?”
“Its dusk now, you’ve slept all day.”
Selenas’s eyes widen with alarm “All day! Why didn’t you wake me?”
“You needed the rest and besides nothing happened today I couldn’t handle.”
“Something happened today?” Selenas asks flatly, affixing you with an accusatory look.
“I’ll tell you all about it on the way to the markets.”
“Alright, I could use some fresh air, let’s go.”
You spent the trip laying out all that had happened that day, from the utter incompetence of your new troops to Mildri’s little demon trouble, although you made sure to leave out some of the more embarrassing parts of that bit.
“Sounds to me like that demon wasn’t as evil as it seems.”
“A demon is still a demon Selenas,”
Yes but, clearly it’s not all bad, after all it did try to save her from drowning in tar.”
“That was just it trying to save itself.”
“I’m not so sure, maybe I’ll talk with Mildri about it.”
“Do what you will.”
“I will, and I’ll also be coming with you when you go to train those recruits tomorrow. You gave them hell all day today. Maybe a gentle touch is what is needed.”

>>3117031

You roll your eyes at that remark, as the two of you enter the town’s main market. It was then that you realize that maybe heading to the markets when it was dark wasn’t the best idea. The stalls were all empty, and the streets were mostly deserted, except for a few passing guards. You look around the market some more hoping against hope that someone was still open, when your eyes catch a strange purple light emitting from a nearby alley mouth. You and Selenas cautiously approach the alley and make your way down it. You are struck by an odd feeling as you head through the alley, not quite like danger, but something like, an animalistic cautious fear. You turn a corner to find a most strange sight. At the back of this dead end alley was a merchant stall, and sitting behind the counter was an elderly looking woman with an especially long and crooked nose with warts pocking her gaunt face. The purple light emitted from the candles in her stand cast strange and wave shadow on the wall of the alley, and you halt in your tracks.
Catching sight of you the old woman calls down the alley. “Come, come, don’t be shy children, come closer, so granny can get a better look at you.” Her raspy voice croaks to you.
You and Selenas share a worried look, but proceed. As you get closer, the candle light shifts from purple to green, to a sunlight yellow as you arrive in front of the stall.
“That’s better, now let me have a look at you. Oh my aren’t you a strong gentleman the woman says as her eyes scan you, as her eyes look you up and down, you feel as if a million bugs were crawling around in your armor.
“Ahh, a man of battle are you, well I think I have some things for you,” she says as she finally takes her eyes off of you and pulls up a surprisingly heavy looking crate, then another. The first contained vial upon vial of strange liquid, while the second contained stacks of grenados, more than you’d ever seen before “The potions are ten gold a piece and the grenados are fifteen, just for strapping man such as yourself.” The woman gives you a wink that sends a chill down your spine.
“Now let’s see about you,” the woman says as she turns her gaze to Selenas. Selenas visibly shivers as the woman looks her over. “Oh a pretty young thing you are. I think I have just the things for you, have a look at these deary,” she says pointing to a shelf full of odd little trinkets.

>>3117032
Your companions currently have:
> Mildri: 1 grenado | Selenas: 1 health potion | Randolf: 1 health potion
>You have 220 Gold
In Crates:

>Healing potions (10 gold a piece)
>Energy potions [gets rid of wounded combat maluses] (10 gold a piece)
>Rage Potions [while active +3 damage dice -5 defense] (10 gold a piece)
>Owl Sight [night vision] (10 gold a piece)

>Witch’s Brew [Lowers cast times by 2 turns and adds 2 Energy to casters] (10 gold a piece)
>Explosive Grenado [Ranged Attack] (15 Gold a piece)
>Flash Grenado [Ranged Attack -3 to dice damage for 1 round to those affected] (15 Gold a piece)
>Smoke Grenado [Ranged Attack -2 to dice damage for those in its radius] (15 Gold a piece)
Other:

>Ask if she has [Specify]

>Take a look at the trinkets

>Don’t purchase anything and get the hell out of here.

>>3117033
ok, shopping time!

replace our shit
1 explo grenado
1 energy potion
2 healing potions

and then
>Take a look at the trinkets

if we don't like them we come back to the potions

>>3117033
This >>3117053
But i would add one of
>Owl Sight
seams like great utility and
>Witch’s Brew
for Mildri
>Mildri (4/4 Energy) Casts:
>Tier 1: Single Target Spell (1-2 turns to cast)
>Tier 2: Small Cluster Spell (2-3 turns to cast)
>Tier 3: Big AOE Spell (3-5 turns to cast)
With potion she could cast big AOE spell in 1-3 rounds thats huge and then she still could follow up with another spell
maybe
>Ask if she has [literature]

>>3117033
>Take a look at the trinkets

Buy 1 heal 1 energy and one explosion too.

>>3117088
I can go with the Witch's brew but I'd like to see te trinkets first

>>3117033
Owl sight and ask for an alchemy primer or herbalism intermediate volume.

Owl sight for just in case we chase someone into another closet filled with skeletons.

And surprise me if you can.

>>3117097
Why is my ID different?

>>3117099
Wait does Sel have money.

>>3117151
Pocket change maybe. I don't remember if we gave her anything.

>>3117151

Essentially this >>3117156 she has about 10 gold

>>3117151
>>3117156
we should see the trinkets first then, maybe there is something very useful in then

>>3117187
Agreed

>>3117187
this we can work on full shoping list when we see whats in stock

>>3117033

“Excuse me ma’am,” you interrupt, “You wouldn’t happen to have any books would you?”
“Books deary, why certainly,” the woman hauls up another heavy crate stacked with books. “Those are 25 Gold a piece dear.” The woman says as she turns back to Selenas. You dig through the books and quickly find out that most are written in languages you’ve never seen or heard of before; however, a few of the ones written in Imperial Script catch your eye. While perusing the books you listen in as the old woman shows a few items to Selenas.
“Most of these items are just baubles I show off to gullible travelers; however you two look a little more discerning than the usual people I get, let me show you something interesting my dear. Ah, these rings used to belong to a noble knight and his fair maiden, the two of them traveled all over the land on all sorts of adventures. It is said the two of them used these rings to share their vitality and secrets with each other, or at least they did, until a rather jealous lord had the knight executed and the maiden made his wife. Unluckily for him the maiden was more than a pretty face, and murdered him in his sleep before joining her knight in the afterlife.” The old woman lays down a pair of rings one slim elegantly crafted and made of silver other a well-worn but study looking gold ring.
“Oh and this one,” she snatches up a small silver tuning fork forged to look like a heart. “This may look like a normal tuning for, but,” she taps the fork on the counter and a gentle and soothing, yet extremely penetrating note hums out. “This is the tuning fork allows one to speak to the heart, and ignore the ugly trappings of the world, but let me warn you, it is a two way street when speaking to the heart. Be careful that whoever you’re speaking to has a weaker heart than yours.”
“And this,” she chirps, “This might be the most dangerous thing that I own,” the woman brings up a small plan looking dagger, with a simple looking wooden grip stained with what looks like old blood. “It may look plain but let me assure you it is anything but, this dagger has saved just as many lives as it has taken. It is called the Last Chance Dagger because if your opponent is still standing after being stabbed by it, you are well and truly doomed. You have to be in a deadly situation to use it, and you better hope that your aim is true, or that is it for you.”
Looking back over to you the woman asks, “Well sonny, have you made up your mind?”

>>3117266

Trinkets:

>Maiden and Knight Rings: [The Maiden Ring where can transfer their health to the Knight Ring wearer and the Knight Ring wearer can absorb damage the Maiden Ring wearer would receive. Allow telepathic communication between the ring wearers.] (150 Gold)
>Heart Tuning Fork: [Connects the user to another person’s heart, adding a +5 to the speech check. Failing the check results in a heart feedback that may hurt or hinder the user.] (One use per day) (100 Gold
>Last Chance Dagger: [When the user has 25% or less health (5 or less in your case) you make an attack that ignores all bonuses for both sides, you will roll normal d20’s while your enemy contests with only d10s] (175 Gold)
Books:
>Herbalist Guide Book: [Better than/ contains more/ better info than the Primer.] (25 Gold)
>Battle Field Triage Book: [Teaches you how to bind and fix your own immediate battle field wounds.] (25 Gold)
>Handling Your Inner Demons Book: [Techniques on how to better control your emotions and more.] (25 Gold)

>>3117268
>>Maiden and Knight Rings: [The Maiden Ring where can transfer their health to the Knight Ring wearer and the Knight Ring wearer can absorb damage the Maiden Ring wearer would receive. Allow telepathic communication between the ring wearers.] (150 Gold)

this is very op

this and the potions

maybe
>Herbalist Guide Book: [Better than/ contains more/ better info than the Primer.] (25 Gold)

>>3117268
>Witch’s Brew (10 gold a piece)
>Handling Your Inner Demons Book: (25 Gold)
for Mildri
>Battle Field Triage Book: (25 Gold)
>Maiden and Knight Rings: (150 Gold)
>Healing potions (10 gold a piece)
220 gold
>You have 220 Gold
Nice
Let us channel our inner jew!

>>3117276
changing to
>Maiden and Knight Rings: [The Maiden Ring where can transfer their health to the Knight Ring wearer and the Knight Ring wearer can absorb damage the Maiden Ring wearer would receive. Allow telepathic communication between the ring wearers.] (150 Gold)
>Herbalist Guide Book: [Better than/ contains more/ better info than the Primer.] (25 Gold)
>Explosive Grenado [Ranged Attack] (15 Gold a piece)
>Witch’s Brew [Lowers cast times by 2 turns and adds 2 Energy to casters] (10 gold a piece)
>Healing potions (10 gold a piece)
>Energy potions [gets rid of wounded combat maluses] (10 gold a piece)

for the 220

the hanling demons book would actually be useful to both Selenas and Midri, since Sel has been having problems holding her emotions in too, but I think the potions and granedo are more important for now.
we can grab it after the raid at the mercenaries

>>3117268
I will change my vote from >>3117282
to >>3117288

>>3117288
+1

>>3117288
This

>>3117355
Asked her if she's going to stay here for long. Oh remember the heavies who had the puzzle box. Thread 6.

>>3117268

>>3117288
>+support

You quickly rattle off your list to the old woman who with surprising speed compiles everything you request. You place your coin purse on the counter and in less than a second it disappears into the woman’s robes. “Will that be all deary.”
“Yes thank you, I have what I need for now, but I may come back in a few days will you still be here.”
“Oh I don’t know, my business takes me many places and I have to keep moving, but I’ll see if I can make one more stop here before I move out of the region, just for you.” The woman flashes you a less than toothy smile, which sends another shiver down your spine.
With a hurried thank you, you and Selenas make your way out of the alley and back into the main market, as soon as you exit the alley, you feel a rush of wind behind you and a voice whispers “See you later deary,” in your ear. You spin around reflexively and find that the alley had disappeared, replaced instead by a solid stone wall. You and Selenas relax and take a moment to test out the new rings.

[i]Hello[/i] Selenas’s voice echoes loudly in your head.
[i]Ah, not so loud.[/i]
[i]Sorry, this is so cool, we can talk without opening our mouths.[/i]
[i]Interesting, let’s check out the range on these things while we head back.[/i]
The rings worked quite well you, were able to communicate clearly over a long distance. By the time you got back, you were utterly exhausted and called it a day, heading off to bed so that you could actually function tomorrow.
The next day you awoke with what you hoped was enough energy to handle the recruits.
>Head off to the recruits, might as well get this day started.

>Check with the Sergeant Major see if there is a different way you can help out.

>You have time to chat with [Specify]

>[Write In]

>>3118148
>Head off to the recruits, might as well get this day started.
Early morning PT, long endurance run to build up stamina.

>>3118148
We got a bit of time right, read bit before we go.

>>3118183
Support. We're going to make men out of them.

>>3118148
>Head off to the recruits, might as well get this day started.

>>3118148
>>Head off to the recruits, might as well get this day started.

that old lady was probably the queen/ empress/ female sauron mess with us.

[i]test[/i]

>>3118148

>>3118183
>>3118247
>>3118291
>>3118659

>I’m going to assume that you gave Selenas the Maiden ring and that you have the Knight ring. Please tell me if you would like that changed.
Well you might as well get this day started; those recruits needed their morning run and drills, and you were burning daylight. Rising from your bed you quickly don your armor and new equipment. You are about to head out the door when Selenas’s voice speaks in your head.
"Hey, Baldr are you awake?"
"Yeah, what do you need."
"Can I come with you to help train those recruits, you said you were having trouble with them yesterday, and I was wondering if you could use my assistance?"
>Sure, another pair of hands is always welcome

>You’d rather she didn’t, you can be a little “mean” when it comes to training recruits.

>[Write In]

>>3119309
Sure, another pair of hands is always welcome come.

If she fails, I hope she goes through another fit. Get closer her dark side.

>>3119309
>Sure, another pair of hands is always welcome
And another throat, constant yelling gets hard on you.
But tell her that she follows our lead and doesn't try anything new.
>>3119324
>If she fails, I hope she goes through another fit. Get closer her dark side.
We just training people dude
>>3119301
>[i]test[/i]
Like that QM?

>>3119339

That should be how it works but

[i]I[/i]

[b]don't [/b]

[red]know[/red]

>>3119359

Oh wait it's because my I'd ip isn't the OP so I can't use colors

>>3119359
New Id probably no longer recognizes you as QM

>>3119309
>>Sure, another pair of hands is always welcome

I hope it goes smoothly so she can have at least one win, lol

and I was hoping to see her reaction from getting matching rings from us, I bet that if Midri see us around wearing it it will be instant demon take over for her lol

>>3119309
>>Sure, another pair of hands is always welcome

>>3119309

>>3119324
>>3119339
>>3119365
>>3119406

“Sure, I could use another pair of hands in helping to get these idiots into fighting shape.”
There is a few moments of silence while you wait for an answer, before someone taps on your shoulder, you turn to see Selenas standing there offering you the Maiden’s ring. “Sorry, I forgot to give you the ring back last night.”
You frown down at the ring before looking back at her, “But, that ring is for you Selenas, it was the whole reason I got it.”
“What!” She gasps in surprise
“I got that ring so that you and I could communicate easier also…” you take a breath, in your entire life nothing was as hard as saying these next words “I’ve, come to care about you Selenas, and I… I want to keep you safe, wherever you are. So please wear that ring, so that I can protect you.” As soon as the words leave your mouth, you feel like impaling yourself on your halberd so as not to have to endure the next few minutes.
“I… I… I don’t… I,” Selenas stammers unable to comprehend what you just said.
You don’t know what to do, you a combat veteran and commander, used to dealing with tense and dangerous situations, are at a loss for how to handle this situation. Eventually your soldier’s instincts finally kick in and find the solution. The best way to handle an enemy that is confused and stunned is to attack and push on to your objective. Following that instinct, you push on. “Well, that’s taken care of, let’s go and handle those recruits.” You say with your best commander’s voice.
“Yeah,” Selenas mutters, still reeling from what you just said.
The walk to the town’s garrison was long and filled with an awkward silence. Selenas kept muttering to herself, her face shifting and sliding through emotion after emotion, while your mind was racing trying to find a solution to your problem, but in the end the only solution you came up with was impaling yourself on your halberd.
Thankfully, you are saved from that awkward situation when you arrive at the garrison and your soldier’s brain comes up with the brilliant idea of dropping the whole thing and just training the recruits. “Well let’s get these recruits up, and moving shall we?”
“Yeah,” Selenas mutters coming back to her senses.
You enter the recruit’s barracks and rouse them from their bed, and out onto the training grounds for their morning exercise. While you take them through the exercises, you think about their training for the day.
>Give them your worst, they’re going to be ready or dead when you’re done.

>A normal day of training should suffice.

>Take it easy on them for today.

>[Write In]

>>3119452
>A normal day of training should suffice.

at least they know formations.....right?


also, impaling oneself seems like a sound strategy lol

>>3119452
Give me hell

>>3119452
>A normal day of training should suffice.

>>3119452
>[Write In]

We push them hard to compensate for yesterday but don't actually kill any of them, better they fall for mercenary swors, at least as a distraction

>>3119452
>>Give them your worst, they’re going to be ready or dead when you’re done.

>>3119504
>Give them your worst, they’re going to be ready or dead when you’re done.

>Actually in the military
>Normal PT is as hard as the SSgt can go
You need to make sure it's over hills, on sand and that you do it in full combat load, stopping to do quick formation drills. This would be a good way to find the most motivated and physically fit recruit, the one who takes charge.

>>3119452

>>3119472
>>3119504
>>3119847
>>3119502

>Last post of the evening
“Alright,” you bellow as the recruits finish their stretches and light exercises, “Now that you’re nice and warmed up, we’re going on a little jog. Put on your gear and assemble in formation outside the western gate.” The men head back into the barracks to get their gear, and you send a telepathic message to Selenas.
“I hope you’re ready for a run, I’ll be leading and setting the pace, I need you to hang back and help me keep an eye out for slackers. I don’t care how much they complain, I just need them to keep moving until I stop.”
“Okay” Selenas answered back “Just, please be aware that not all of these people can keep up with you.”
“I’m aware, but if they can’t keep up, I don’t want to even guess at their odds of survival when we enter combat.”
Soon the recruits began to file out of the barracks in their gear, armor, shortsword, and all, and headed out the western gate. Recruits all assembled, you gave order, and the run began.
>Give me some d20’s gentlemen

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>3120877
oh boy

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>3120877

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>3120877
Turn a sprint

>>3120877
We have failed. = (

>>3120916
Ffffffffffuck...
Is a critical failure minus one or two?
In both cases, we've squandered another day of training ...

I guess we are not very good at this, we should ask the sargent if we can do something else to help

>>3121107
well, if it's a -1 we got 1 hit, probably, if it is -2 we got 0.
At least is not a negative result, that would probably get people killed

Critical failure overwrite other rolls?
If yes let's toss the coin
We cen ger critical success or keap critical failure no downside to use it now

>>3121397
Its not a best of three, it's each roll gives us a success or not, so, with a 16 and 18 e get 2 success probably(depending on the DC) but the 1 deduces -1 or -2 successes.

About the coin that is a good point, if the coin replaces just the 1 and keeps the other roll I'm in favor of using it.

>>3121400
It's replaces 1 roll. Using it now we can get +2 or stay with -2 but but i would like to QM confirmation

>>3121406

The 1 counts as a -1 so right now you'd be at 1 success

Do anon want to try the coin?

Rolled 11, 10, 11 = 32 (3d20)

>>3121406
>>3121579

Wait I almost forgot Selenas let's see if she can save you something

>>3121582
We're saved.

>>3121579
Does it reroll all the the dices? Because if it just reroll the one I say we use it make these guys really work if we get a 20 or stay the same if we get a 1

>>3121632
It rerolls your lowest dice

rI'm up for coin of fate then

>>3121635
Let's do it

>>3121653
>>3121639
agreed

>>3121400
>>3121639
>>3121653

Alright I need one anon to roll a d2

>1=crit fail
>2=crit success

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>3121680
here goes nothing

>>3121680
We're saved for real this time.

>>3121686
Ma gentleman

>>3121680
That's 4 success right?

>>3121815
Seems like our 'Nam stories made them into insta-veterans.

>>3120877

>>3120904
>>3120920
>>3121686

>This will be the only post for the night.
As the run began you turned to look back at your recruits, things were not looking good. You’d barely started and some of them were tripping over their own feet and breathing heavily. Reaching into your satchel, you pull out the Coin of Fate, Things were already looking bad, even a bad flip couldn’t make things worse you thought as, while still jogging, you flip the coin. It spins end over end gold and black sides flashing in the morning light, before finally plopping back into your hand, its golden side facing up. Suddenly a breeze blew its way from behind you and your men, a warm, energizing wind that filled your lungs with air and refreshed your muscles. You picked up the pace and the recruits followed suit, they hardly even need Selenas’s encouragement, as you all ran and ran over the desert dunes, and dry step surrounding Filt. Every so often you would halt and shout, “Into formation recruits!” and turn to see them quickly falling into a nice neat little group, the sight almost brings tears to your eyes. The little snots could do it. The run continued stopping every so often to fall in and get into different formations, which the recruits actually managed to do with only a little yelling. Eventually you started to slow your pace as running in your plate was extremely tiring, as for the recruits they appeared to be slowing as well even in their lighter weight kits, although there was one recruit who was on your heels during the whole run, and even now was gaining and looking like he was going to overtake you if he kept his pace.
Making your way back to Filt, you turn your head back to the recruit and ask “What’s your name solider.”
“Benson, sir,”
“Well, Benson, you seem to be a bit stronger than the rest of these recruits, what did you do before you were conscripted.”
Benson gives you a quizzical look before answering cautiously. “I was stable boy at the garrison,”
“So, you’ve seen all of this before,”
“Yes sir, in a way sir, I’ve seen the training drills performed before, and I’ve tried to replicate them on my own time.”
It looks like you’ve found your junior NCO “Good, then you’ll be my second in command.”
“Sir?”
“You’ve seen the training before, and you’ve tried it. You’re head and shoulders above the rest of these whelps so, you’ll be the role model and squad leader.”
Benson stumbles in his running and sputters, “S-Sir, I don’t think-”

>large post incoming

>>3123468

“Nope, you’re my second now solider, and I expect you to act as such. Now, take these recruits and bring them to the drill yard, next we’ll work on combat, and how to fight.”
“I-”
“That wasn’t a suggestion soldier, now get moving.”
“S-Sir.” Benson replies with confused acceptance.
“Follow, Benson back recruits. Move it.” you shout to the others, while you stop to catch your breath. As soon as the last recruit passes you by, you stop looking in command and start desperately sucking in air. Selenas comes to a stop next to you breathing heavily herself and asks “You okay?”


“I’ve been neglecting, my own training it seems.” You say between breaths, “I got to start exercising more.”
“Don’t worry Baldr, you just leave me in charge and go take a nap someplace cool,” Selenas says mockingly continuing on toward the town.
Forcing one foot in front of the other, you follow behind Selenas back into town and to the drill yard where the recruits had been assembled. The rest of the day went well enough, you had the recruits go over the basics of combat and how to fight with training dummies. You wanted to make sure they head the most basic of the basics down before you moved on to harder training, the next day.
When the time finally came, you dismissed the troops and were about to head back to the inn, when a runner came sprinting out of the garrison calling for you. “Captain Baldr, sir, the Sergeant Major requests your presence.”

>>3123476

Heading into the Sergeant Major’s office, you find and extremely dusty, dirty, and tired looking scout leaning over the map strewn table with the Sergeant Major herself and Hisa, the informant you had met when you’d first arrived. “Ah Captain Baldr, glad to see you still alive,” Hisa said beckoning you over to the table, “Our scout here was just relaying what he and his men found out about the mercenary’s base.”
The Sergeant Major give you nod while the scout continues his report. “As, I was saying, the mercenaries are pretty well dug in. They’ve built their base on the ruins of some old stone fort and done their best to shore up its defenses. Their pretty disciplined as well, with forward pickets and regular guard shifts.”
“That matches what I’ve learned as well,” Hisa cut in “It seems that deserters from the Imperial army have joined up with these mercenaries and no doubt taught them a little something about tactics.”
The scout gives Hisa an annoyed look and groans tiredly “May I go on.” Hisa gives him an apologetic nod and the scout continues “From our counts their current forces match ours. Most of them appear to be infantry, but we did see a small stable set up in the fort meaning their might be a few riders among them. Lastly they seemed to be well equipped with most of them carrying decent weapons and armor.”
The Sergeant Major nods thoughtfully as the scout finishes his report and after a few moments of silence she speaks, “I see only one option open to us, a night assault on the fort. Unless, you have any suggestions Captain?”
All the eyes in the room turn to you and wait for your response.
>Go with the Sergeant Major’s plan

>Propose your own plan [Specify]

>You have some questions [Ask away]

>>3123481
What's our current numbers, troops and position again? Do we have steady food source and/or access to timber or building materials?

I say surrounding them in a small siege could work, cutting off fresh water or poisoning there wells would be a swift victory. Since they are dug in they most likely built up food reserves and can butcher horses, but water isn't as easy to store.
>That said, we'll need some sneaky bois

>>3123481
>>Go with the Sergeant Major’s plan
if we hit fast enough just before first light we should surprise them, beside sentries most should be in their night wear which means they will be easy to kill

>>3123660
and we can start things off with an over casted aoe ice spell in the center of their camp

>>3123614

The garrison can spare about 100 men and from what the scout saw they have similar numbers

The fort is about 3 to 4 days away.

You can get food and water easily enough, but wood is in short supply and would have to be imported

>>3123481
>You have some questions [Ask away]
Did thay saw someone that wouldn't fit your typical mercenary/soldier looks like a mage or something?

Inform them that we have mage in our service. We could utilize it somehow

>Go with the Sergeant Major’s plan

>>3123614
We have equal forces siege won't work as we can not surrounded them properly.

>>3123660
>>3123681
I'd say sitting on the defense, poisoning the water still seems like a better plan. Not only will it cause casualties but if we're lucky high enlisted or commanding staff could die off, since everyone needs water.
But I won't stop progression, if everyone says night attack I won't stop it.

>>3123481

Defenders usually have the advantage. We have to that away.

Their advantages

-they have an oasis
-they have the fort
-they have an unknown number of people being trained by a group of deserters

Our disadvantages
-we'll need travel there
-supplies (water, food, weapons) we need bring it all
-we need to put more effort (get passed the walls)
-it in a desert
-this may turn into a siege and thus a supply line is needed and which can be attack.

An idea
We get a couple of our guys in. We attack any guy that leaves to raid. We get our guys as close as we can with out their patrol notices. Also get their clothes the same color as the sand. If the fort has more then one door, we lunch an attack at one door while our guys open the other. We should attack at night. If we don't get through then we blow the door with has many bombs the major can get.

>>3123481
>Propose your own plan [Specify]
When we dealt with those mercs in the city, local guards were worried what they supposed to tell this mercs boss. That would implied that he would show up in that city. We could ambush him there. Most probably we could dwindle their forces and if we are lucky that won't alarm them thinking town guards goten some backbone.

>>3123677
We don't need wood. We need cow and/or horse dung. Back in Mexico, in my grandparents day, they use wood and dried crap to cook and to keep warm. The problem is you need something else to start the fire. So we should get some oil.

>>3123660

I agree with this

and also this>>3123738

we ambush their raiding party when they head to the desert town, take out some of them and probably some leadership too, get some of their clothes for the night attack, we try to take out sentries with our disguised troops so they can open the gate, if they fail we use the mage destroy the gate and we roll in

If attacking them on the nomad town is not possible we can counter ambush them too, fill some carts with crowsbowmen and shower them with bolts when they come to raid the "caravan"

>>3123677
I look for some hope in history. And this guy called Justinian, had a general who usually fought against overwhelming and won. In one of then, he lit several fires and had his men make has much of a ruckus has possible. This made his enemies think that an large host stood before them. And they fled.

Merry Christmas anons and Qm.
May the Queen bless you with fortune and peace.

>>3123481

>>3123660
>>3123681
>>3123714
>>3123738
>>3124021
>>3124170

>So it looks like we have some consensus to agree to the night attack, try to sneak some men into the fort to cause a little havoc beforehand, and to check on the settlement of Turaif.
“Did you see anyone who looked like a mage?” you ask the scout.
“I’m sorry Captain, we didn’t get that close a look. We don’t know their unit composition.”
“Ahh well we’ll just have to wing it then, I can offer my own mage to assist in the assault. I agree with your plan,” you say turning to address the Sergeant Major. “But I would like to offer some recommendations. When we left Turaif the villagers implied that the mercenaries would be paying them a visit soon. I suggest we send a detachment to handle them and help to reduce the mercenary’s numbers and possibly dredge up some local support for our assault. As for the fort itself,” you turn back to the scout “What you can tell me about the defenses, how many gates does the fort have, are there towers or just men on the walls?”
“There’s one big main gate on the eastern side of the fort, but there’s a second makeshift gate where there was a giant hole in the wall on the southern side. There are no towers just sentries on the walls and near the gates as well as the sentries on pickett duty outside. All of the buildings inside are lower than the wall so the sentries on the walls should be the only thing to worry about.”
“Good, I suggest a two part attack, a diversionary force will attack the weaker gate on the southern side of the fort, then while the mercenaries attention is drawn there the main force with help from Mildri will assault the main gate from there the main force will move to capture the fort and relive the diversionary force.”
“That’s great and all Captain,” Hisa comments “but how do you suggest, we get through the two gates in our way?”
You pull the explosive grenado out of your satchel and place it on the table, “With these, alchemical explosives.”
“That’s a nice idea, but I’ve never seen more than a few of those in any one place, how are we going to get enough to blow open a gate?” Hisa asks.
“We’ll have enough,” the Sergeant Major answers “I know how dangerous those things are, and I’ve forbidden them from being sold in this town. Some merchants didn’t get the message though and I’ve had to confiscate more than one cache of the things.”

>>3132083

“Problem solved,” You take lead of the conversation again “We’ll take out the outer sentries as quietly as we can, then the diversionary team blows the southern gate and causes a big ruckus while the main force hits the stronger gate and pushes into the fort.” You look to all the faces in the room as you say, “Any objections?”
The Sergeant Major stares at the maps on the table before looking back to you “Sounds good sir, I’ll get the men moving on Turiaf in the morning, and have those munitions brought up.”
Hisa stares past you his face contorting in concentration before returning to normal “All right Captain, it’s a good plan, let’s just hope that we can kill those sentries without anyone noticing, I’ll see what notes I have on the region around the fort.”
The room explodes into movement as the scout is dismissed and the Sergeant Major’s attendants swarm in again. You turn to Selenas who had remained in the corner during the meeting, and was now trying to avoid being trampled by attendants. Clearing a path through the attendants, you grab Selenas and head out of the Sergeant Major’s office. “We’re done here, the rest can be handled by the Sergeant Major, let’s get out of here.”
Selenas responds with a simple nod and the two of you make your way out into the cool desert night. As the two of you make your way back to the inn Selenas stops you. “Thank you Baldr,”
“For what,”
“For… I don’t know… everything. Thanks for, saving me from my ‘friends’, for saving my life, for taking me with you, and thanks for… caring for me.” Selenas looks away from you and fiddles with the Maiden ring on her finger, her next words are spoken directly into your mind. “I’ve come to… care for you as well and I… I don’t think I’ve been showing it very well. I’m always making things hard for you, with what I say and do. I’m always coming to you for advice, and you always help me out, and I don’t do anything in return. Now you’ve gotten me this ring and I have nothing to give you. So, I’m just going to ask you, what can I give you.”
>Just this, just being here with me is enough Selenas

>Just this (Embrace her)

>Just this (Lean in and kiss her)

>[Write In]

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>>3131293

Merry Christmas Anons

>>3132088
A christmas update!

>Just this (Lean in and kiss her)

Let's hope she is under a mistletoe

>>3132106
To you as well

>>3132088

>[write in] Your anal virginity. Swiggity Swooty I'm comin' for your booty!

>>3132088
>Embrace her

>>3132088
We have come this far. Either we go all the way or pull out. Kiss her

>>3132399
I we rereading the older threads. And I realized we might be a psychopath.

Here are the traits a psychopath

Lack of guilt/remorse
Lack of empathy
Lack of deep emotional attachments
Narcissism
Superficial charm
Dishonesty
Manipulativeness
Reckless risk-taking

At least five of those things applies to us.

>>3132430
That was sort of what we were all going for at the start, but it's evolved since then

Now his character is just emotionally stunted, everything but grim pragmatism and absolute loyalty to the Empire has been burned away.

Baldr likes his companions, but he's suspicious of everyone as a rule (particularly the commissar) and also expecting to lose them to battle at any moment. Any attachments he forms can be easily cut with little damage to himself.

>>3132088
>Just this (Lean in and kiss her)

Time for a weak spot, the comissar is gonna love this.

>>3132487
I like how you put things and I agree as well, those rare moments where Baldr let's something slip from his wall become more meaningful and important characterwise.

>>3132088
What we want Selena to be? A ward or a lover. Im not sure but i always thought of this relationship like a brother and sister. Plus she lost everything, so expecting something from her is dickish
>Just this (Embrace her)

>>3132106
>And Merry Christmas to you!
This

>>3132106
merry Christmas

>>3132088
>>Just this (Lean in and kiss her)

or better yet, lean in and see if she does it, we've build up enough I think, it's time to crash and burn now or later when this is used against us kek

Sorry for the slow postings guys, but the holidays kept me busy, when things finally slow down for me we'll start a new thread so keep your eyes out.

>>3138806
Sure thing man, thanks for the heads up

>>3138806
Happy holidays.