> Terrified, you never wanted to be a soldier, you were perfectly content to die on the family farm

>>3406624

>Terrified, you never wanted to be a soldier, you were perfectly content to die on the family farm

>terrified

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>>3406631
>>3406640
>>3406645

You're understandably terrified. You never wanted to be a soldier. You're the second son of a relatively prosperous farmer, and your good health and relatively good looks ensured a certain measure of success. You father had even arranged a marriage with the brewer's youngest daughter, a girl of not insubstantial assets (and you're not just talking about her dowry). When the Lord of your little fief, a man you had never actually seen in person, came to conscript able-bodied men for his personal war, you hid in the barn with the pigs and cows. You had to be dragged out--to the shame of your whole family--and brought before the lord to suffer a slight whipping for your cowardice.

The injustice of it all still eats away you, but there's little you can do except survive long enough to return home. It is with this resolve that you...

>Stealthily sink into the rear of line, away from direct combat
>Bravely take the point, bolstering the men around you for a decisive charge
>Calmly move forward with the rest of the men, relying on the safety of numbers

>>3406667
>Bravely move toward the back, to hold the rear against an unexpected ambush. Yeah. Bravely.

>Calmly walk forward using numbers.

Lets try to stay behind someome with a shield and better armor, let him be our shield.

>>3406667
>Calmly move forward with the rest of the men, relying on the safety of numbers

Try to talk with whoever is near us, if we fight together we have a better chance, we have already been to some brawls and we know that having backup is essential, a lone brawler is a sleeping brawler

>>3406667
>Calmly move forward with the rest of the men, relying on the safety of numbers

>>3406690
>>3406681
Supporting.

>>3406667
Calmly

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It is with this resolve that you calmly move forward with the rest of the men, relying on the safety of numbers. After all, the organization of the lord's army is such that one man is always bound beneath another man. In your case, you are yoked together into a five-man squad by your squad-leader. The squad-leaders are in turn led by corporals who take orders from their lieutenants who assist the lord himself. To try and take on the burden of success alone is stupid. The system is in place because it works.

The squad-mate next to you, Richter, hefts his axe, a family heirloom that he has not stopped talking about since the first moment you met him. "You watch my back and I'll watch yours." He whispers.

"Sounds like a plan." You tuck in your own weapon, a long wooden spear with a chipped iron head, into your armpit and march shoulder-to-shoulder with him. Your squad-leader, Briton, tells everyone in a sharp, high voice to remain steady. He has a rat-like face, with a mustache that might as well be whiskers, and, as far as you can tell, is a blowhard. He only earned the position because the corporal is his father-in-law. Otherwise, he has as much experience as the rest of you.

As you cross the threshold of the battlefield, the enemy line loses composure and begin a desperate charge. Lucky for you that you stuck with your squad mates, as the corporal sounds his horn in two short notes: the signal to hold. You quickly realize the reason--your line has just managed to capture a slight bump in the contour of the field, granting you the high ground.

The enemy crashes against your line, blowing it back by sheer momentum. You poke randomly into the mass of limbs, iron and flesh, occasionally catching something soft or hard, as the smell of dust and blood choke your breath and the sound of screams block out the beating of your own heart. As the initial impetus fades, the enemy is pushed back. A few have been killed, some are trying to flee to the rear only to be skewered by a spear thrust. Suddenly you spot Briton among them, the fool has somehow gotten himself mixed up in their ranks and is trying desperately to extricate himself.

You decide to...

>Try to help him, the corporal may reward you for saving his son-in-law
>Ignore him, let the fool get out of his own problems
>Ask Richter's help, two can succeed where one might fail

>>3406770

>Ask Richter's help, two can succeed where one might fail

>>3406770
>>Ask Richter's help, two can succeed where one might fail
If Richter isn't up for it then fuck Briton, he can Brexit on his own.

>>3406770
Ignore
Think of your sweet sweet wife

>>3406770
>Ignore him, let the fool get out of his own problems
We defend our own ass and our friend's one.

>>3406770
>>Ask Richter's help, two can succeed where one might fail

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Cursing yourself and cursing Briton's mother for good measure, you wait for a pause in the fighting to turn to Richter, almost fainting when you see him. The man is covered head to chest in blood, with only the whites of his eyes and teeth showing through the red. You fear for his life, until you realize that none of the blood is his own. "Merry (his axe) has drunk deep today." He says.

You grab his shoulder and point toward Briton and at the two men he's desperately fighting back. "Can she drink a little more?"

He only beckons in that direction with his axe as an answer and the two of you weave through the enemy, ducking blows and parrying spear-thrusts until you reach Briton. The rat has already fallen to the ground and has a nasty open gash on his left thigh. You fend off his assailants from afar while Richter moves into lend him his shoulder. Together, by some miracle and despite your heart threatening to leap through your throat, you make it back to your squad and to safety.

The failed charge has turned into a full-blown rout of the rightmost flank. Some of the peasants are being cut down by their own men, the more experienced backline, for their treachery. The corporal gives the squads a moment to catch their breath and reform the lines. As he comes across his son-in-law, sweating and bleeding and screaming like a gutted pig, he shows only a slight annoyance, clicking his tongue and spitting at the grass as though he'd rather it was Briton's face.

"Take him and the rest of your squad to the rear." He tells Richter. Then, just as his horse turns away, he says, "Was it you that rescued him?"

Richter shoots you a quick glance and smears some blood off his cheek. "Nay sir, it was he." He gestures to you with a few fingers. "I only helped."

"Is that true?"

>"It was, but I only did what anyone in the squad would have done."
>"It was, I thought the corporal would like to keep his son-in-law alive."
>"It wasn't. Richter is being humble, without him it would have been impossible."

>>3406833
Third

>>3406833
>>"It was, but I only did what anyone in the squad would have done."

>>3406833
>It was, son-in-law alive

>>3406833
>We worked together, neither of us could have done it on their own

>>3406833
>>"It was, but I only did what anyone in the squad would have done."
Seems like a man that looks down on the nepotism so playing to the honorable role while not being overly humble seems the right move to make.

>>3406865
This

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The corporal has one of those faces which makes him seem heavier than he actually is. With his bulging green eyes and his clean shaven rolls of fat, he looks almost like a frog. Only the scuffed steel of his helmet and the tears in his gambeson suggest anything military about him. The nag that bears him looks to be on its last legs and you've heard (from the illustrious squad-leader himself) that the corporal volunteered for the lord's army in part because of financial troubles. Something about a failed pickling business. He strikes you as the kind of man that appreciates humility over favoritism, having suffered no small amount humiliation himself.

"It is, but I only did what anyone in the squad would have done," You gesture back to Richter. "We worked together, neither of us could have done it on our own."

"Hm." His expression doesn't change at all, but he does ask your name (and Richter's too) before he leaves. As the men ready themselves for a second assault, your squad moves toward the back to recuperate. The corporal relieves two other such squads, switching them with fresh levies from the rear. A troop of Zanterburyan mercenaries, fearsome veterans armed with longswords and thick leather armor, move up from the rear to take up position by the right flank. Medics rush back and forth to triage patients from the front lines. Briton is soon taken off your hands and your squad mates stand in awe of you and Richter as one of them tells the story.

You take advantage of the situation by...

>Playing up your part in the feat, and basking in the admiration
>Graciously letting Richter take most of the credit, earning his friendship
>Playing down the entire thing, convincing them that they are all capable of such valor

>>3406938
3rd

>>3406938
>>Graciously letting Richter take most of the credit, earning his friendship
Richter seems like a force of nature and a bro.

>>3406938

>Graciously letting Richter take most of the credit, earning his friendship

>>3406938
>Graciously letting Richter take most of the credit, earning his friendship
Richter is a real kang

>>3406938
>Graciously letting Richter take most of the credit, earning his friendship

And his axe may be the difference in returning to wife-to-be

>>3406938
>>Graciously letting Richter take most of the credit, earning his friendship

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You take advantage of the situation by graciously letting Richter take most the credit, thereby earning his friendship. He doesn't say much. But when the march begins again, he stands beside you again, less blood on his face, but axe ever ready to draw more. As the levies once again engage the enemy, pinning them in place, the Zanterburyans wheel around to strike at the archers and slingers, without which the enemy cannot stop a mass charge.

Seeing the success of the Zanterburyans, the lieutenant decides to divert more forces toward the right flank, deciding that it will be the site of the decisive battle. However, his feint is too quick and as the left flank's cavalry swings behind to hammer the right, the infantry they had been keeping in check--veterans in their own right--seizes the opportunity to break through the center and strike directly at the rear.

Suddenly, your tired squad is face to face with elites. Each one is armored in aegis and pointed helmets and several are armed with javelins. Without even shields to protect you, this will quickly turn into a massacre. Richter, however, doesn't seem fazed in the least.

With little recourse you must...

>Retreat with your squad toward the right-front
>Stand your ground behind others and try to survive the first volley of spears
>Launch a desperate charge to interrupt their their deadly spear throw

>>3406938
>>Playing down the entire thing, convincing them that they are all capable of such valor

>>3407004
>>Launch a desperate charge to interrupt their their deadly spear throw

>>3407004
>>Retreat with your squad toward the right-front
Drag Richter with us and say he has much yet to live for

>>3407004
>Launch a desperate charge to interrupt their their deadly spear throw
The arc is dangerous

>>3407004
>>Launch a desperate charge to interrupt their their deadly spear throw

>>3407017
Supporting

>>3407017
this

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With little recourse, you must launch a desperate charge to interrupt their spear throw. It's certainly better than standing around, waiting to get skewered. You grip your lance out in front of you with both hands, bracing it slightly upward to strike at the exposed point below the chin. Richter is right beside you, letting loose a roar that makes you question his sanity and nearly empty your bladder. Your timing is almost perfect. Other squads who had the same idea but were scared to make a move, now follow in your example. You meet their lines just as the javelineers have gathered to the front. Several are cut down mid-throw while others are forced to try and defend themselves with just their javelins--hopelessly outclassed by your squad's longer spears. The rest of the javelins fall impotently without hitting anything.

Your little charge may have just saved the entire company of levies from being javelin-bait, but the rest of elites still remain and they are not the least deterred by the setback. Their swords carve through the peasant ranks like the tines of a fork through well-braised meat. One of them manages to catch your arm from the side with his sword, cutting deep and almost relieving you of the limb before Richter slams his axe into his shoulder and instead relives him of his.

"You watch my back--" He says.

"--And I'll watch yours." You reply, impaling an enemy soldier over Richter's shoulder with your spear, before he can drive his spear into Richter's back. It's all you can do before the pain and blood from your arm forces you to drop your weapon. Without the slightest hesitation, Richter grabs your other arm and tosses you on his shoulder, fighting back the enemy with one arm while holding onto you with the other. Your already tenuous grasp on consciousness begins to relax even further. You can barely even feel your arm anymore. With your last breath you tell Richter to leave you and retreat, that he has much to live for yet. You don't know what happens after that, because everything goes black.

When you wake up, night has fallen and you're in one of the medical tents with the other wounded. There's a few medics tending to some of the other patients, as well as some ministers taking confession from soldiers (perhaps their last). Your first instinct is of course to...

>Call one of the medics and inquire about Richter
>Check on your arm and pray to god you can still move it
>Relax and think about home, about sweet Silvia's...assets

>>3407099
>Call one of the medics and inquire about Richter
WE NEED TO KNOW, we strain to get out of bed.

>>3407099
>Call one of the medics and inquire about Richter

>>3407099
>>Call one of the medics and inquire about Richter

>>3407099
>Call one of the medics and inquire about Richter

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Your first instinct is of course to call one of the medics and inquire about Richter. Did he make it out of the battle? Was he injured? You almost open your wounds again from throttling the soft-skinned medic when he said he didn't know who Richter was. One of the other soldiers, a guard, or maybe just a visitor comes to his rescue and gently pushes you back down on the pram.

"Easy there levy." It takes a moment for you to recognize the man as the lieutenant. He's much younger than you thought, maybe only a year or two older than yourself. He dips a round cup into a cistern of water and feeds it to you. "What's your name?"

"What's happened to Richter? Is he here?"

"I'm sorry, I don't know."

"Please, he saved my life..."

He looks at you for a moment and maybe it's only a trick of the candles, but his nose seems much older than the rest of his face. It's been broken before, you can tell that much from the shape and the little white scar, but there's something else, the way he rubs it and sniffs, like smelling something that perpetually reminds him of home and therefore makes him sad for being so far from it. He calls out to one of the men standing outside the tent and tells him to inquire about Richter, even handing the man a silver coin to expedite the process.

Unsure of what else to say you...

>Ask him about the outcome of the battle
>Thank him for his help
>Keep silent and try to relax

>>3407153
>>Keep silent and try to relax

>>3407153
>>Thank him for his help
>>Ask him about the outcome of the battle

>>3407153
>Ask him about the outcome of the battle
>Thank him for his help

Thank and ask

>>3407153
>>Thank him for his help
>Pray that Richter is going to be okay
Buff our luck by praying to whatever deity will listen.

>>3407175
Ooh supporting that we throw in a prayer. Get that paladin promotion tree unlocked early.

>>3407166
That, supporting

>Thank him for his help
>Pray that Richter is going to be okay

>>3407153
>Ask him about the outcome of the battle
>Thank him for his help
>Pray

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Unsure of what else to say, you thank him for his help, which he meets with a quiet nod of his head, and then ask him about the outcome of the battle, which sets him off rubbing and sniffing his nose again.

“How much do you remember?”

“I was awake until the last part of their attack on our rear. Richter grabbed me and I told him to retreat--” Your eyes go wide when you realize what you just let slip, but the lieutenant doesn’t seem to care.

“My f--that is the lord, was able to reinforce the rear with his personal retainers. Attacked from both ends, the infantry was forced to retreat to the left. The cavalry and the Zanterburyans were able to cripple their archers and some of their reserves. By that point they sounded the retreat and the lord saw fit to let them flee.”

“So the battle is not yet over?”

“They have made camp across the valley, and perhaps we will fight again tomorrow. But they have lost their advantage as we have lost some of ours. Who can say? The lord has sent a messenger to bargain and maybe he will return with glad tidings. In any case, such things are not for you to ponder--nor I, for that matter.” He pats your leg and takes his leave just as one of the older medics comes around to examine your wound.

Another hour passes without any word of Richter. Unable to sleep, you fall to prayers on his behalf, surprising even yourself with the remembrance of the old sacred hymns that were beaten into you by the church rector. A small dinner is served to those that can take it, including a portion of meat to aid with recovery. Despite all the nail-biting, you manage to put down two servings and it's when you've started on the third that the guard finally shows up, with a very drunk Richter at his side.

The medic immediately shoos the both of them out when Richter attempts to high-five every patient in the ward--including the ones with missing limbs, bopping them on the head when he cannot find a hand.

Seeing your new friend in sound health, you...

>Relax and finally get some rest
>Get up and join him outside
>Inquire about his state from the guard

>>3407384
>>Relax and finally get some rest
Dream of Silvia's dowry and also the stuff her family will give you for marrying her.

>>3407384
Inquire about his state from the guard

>>3407384
>Inquire about his state from the guard
>Get up and join him outside

>>3407384
>>Relax and finally get some rest
>Inquire about his state from the guard

>>3407384
>Inquire about his state from the guard
>Relax and finally get some rest

A nice dream of Silvia's assets to have a good night.

Shame she will probably have been married off to someone else since they will assume we died somewhere

>>3407384
>>Relax and finally get some rest

>>3407433
That's when we Odysseus the motherfucker.

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Seeing your new friend in sound health, you inquire about his state from the guard. He tells you that he found him drinking with the rest of your squad mates, trying to hold in poorly brewed wheat beer.

"He's a damn lightweight," Laughs the guard. "Just listen to him sing."

"But he's OK?"

"He'll be hurting in the morning, but not from anything the enemy did to him." The guard is soon called back to his post and you thank him for his service, to which he coolly replies that it was his pleasure, flashing the silver coin from the lieutenant as he does so.

You eventually to drift off to one of Richter's belted out limericks. Silvia appears in your dreams in some less than decent contexts, and with surprisingly few articles of clothing. You're pretty sure Richter's lyrics had something to with it.


There once was a soldier named Briton,
Who remarked to his wife, "You've a tight one,"
She replied, "O my soul,
You're in the wrong hole,
There's plenty of room in the right one!"


When you awake the next morning the older medic opens your bandages, pokes around in the wound a little with his tools, applies a second helping of some foul smelling paste and promptly boots you from the medical tent, giving you a wooden token to take to the quartermaster to relieve you of fighting for a couple of days and warning you not to "horse around" so you can recover.

Your first order business is to...

>Deliver the token to the quartermaster, as instructed
>Look for Richter, to thank him for saving your life
>Grab some food from the medical tent before you go, you won't have meat in a while

>>3407664
>>Deliver the token to the quartermaster, as instructed

>Deliver the token to the quartermaster, as instructed
>Look for Richter, to thank him for saving your life

>>3407664
>Grab some food from the medical tent before you go, you won't have meat in a while
>Deliver the token to the quartermaster, as instructed

Get that food while the getting's good.

>>3407664
>Look for Richter, to thank him for saving your life

>>3407664
>>Grab some food from the medical tent before you go, you won't have meat in a while
>Deliver the token to the quartermaster, as instructed

>>3407694
This

Ritchy is probably hungovered as hell now

Your first order business is to deliver the token to the quartermaster, as instructed. A delay might mean you'll have to fight despite the wound, which would spell certain death. The quartermaster's tent is surprisingly small, not that much bigger than any of the other regular soldier's and even smaller than the Zanterburyans (whose tents are dome shaped instead of the usual pyramids). He stamps your token with a small seal and tells you to keep it with you at all times. As you're about to leave you encounter the lieutenant again. He recognizes you and asks about Richter. You thank him and learn that negotiations with the enemy commander, while not enough for peace, has resulted in a short ceasefire. The lord has called for additional reinforcements from some of his reserve forces which the lieutenant himself and a few of the squads will accompany to the battlefield.

Upon hearing this you...

>Thank him one last time and wish him a safe journey
>Recommend your corporal and his squads for the obviously safer escort job
>Ask him a further question (write-in)

>>3407740
>Recommend your corporal and his squads for the obviously safer escort job
Safer AND we're in the eye of higher ups to impress them?

>>3407740
>Recommend your corporal and his squads for the obviously safer escort job
>Ask him a further question (write-in)
Ask him the best way to acquire some armor

>>3407740
>>Recommend your corporal and his squads for the obviously safer escort job
>Ask him a further question (write-in)
Where can we find a good sword.

>>3407757
+1, probably going to be laughed off since it seems like this is a traditional "You buy your own equipment if you want anything better than shit" sort of medieval army but good to ask.

>>3407757
+1

>>3407757
Seems good to me.

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Upon hearing this you recommend your corporal and his squads for the obviously safer escort job. The lieutenant says he will take it into consideration, especially since it was the actions of the right flank that ultimately won the day. Before you leave, you ask the quatermaster where you can pick up your weapon but he only tells you that there's currently a shortage and that priority is being given, first to the veteran soldiers and second, to those how haven't just been pardoned from fighting. He does mention that there's plenty of loot strewn on the battlefield--all kinds of armor and weapons just waiting for those willing to brave the enemy archers, slingers, scouts and like-minded scavengers to get them. He doesn't seem particularly enthusiastic about the idea, but begrudgingly admits that he'd also be willing to buy any spares you happen to find for the armory.

You thank him and head out to look for Richter and the rest of your squad. You find your squad by the northern side of camp, where the hill overlooks the valley. Crows and dogs have descended to pick at the remains of yesterday's living and in the far distance, on the opposite hill, the banners of the enemy lord wave from a careless wind. Richter is nowhere to be found, but Briton is there speaking to his father-in-law, nursing a splint on his left leg.

When the stout corporal sees you, he beckons you over and asks about your condition. Briton puts on an air of total indifference, even going so far as to say that they shouldn't have relieved you from duty. Ungrateful little rat. The corporal is a little more understanding and once the initial pleasantries are over, gets down to business.

"I've spoken to your squad mates. You put on a good showing at the last battle. You and Richter both and I'd like to reward that. I can't offer much, but with your squad down a leader," He glances at Briton, who just looks at his shoes "Maybe one of you can fill the spot. It would be a temporary post, but if you do well...or I can probably "convince" one of the other corporals to pass some spare equipment. Armor. Maybe even a sword. Any of that interest you?"

As a matter of fact...

>It doesn't, it was a team effort and you'd rather he reward the whole squad than just you
>You'll take the promotion, your squad mates already look up to you and you've already shown you're capable of leading them
>You'll take the spare equipment, let Richter take the promotion, you're not in any state to lead anyone anyway

>>3407882
>>You'll take the promotion, your squad mates already look up to you and you've already shown you're capable of leading them

the orders and ideas were ours, if we can keep doing the right stuff we will help everybody

>>3407882
>You'll take the spare equipment, let Richter take the promotion, you're not in any state to lead anyone anyway

Armor up. Also let him know about scavenging, if he thinks our men can do it safely and quickly.They could do with some better gear. We need to recover for now.

>>3407882
>You'll take the promotion, your squad mates already look up to you and you've already shown you're capable of leading them
We really killed it tactically in that battle

>>3407882
>It doesn't, it was a team effort and you'd rather he reward the whole squad than just you

Ask him permission to sneak and grab some equipment from the battlefield.

>>3407882
>You'll take the spare equipment, let Richter take the promotion, you're not in any state to lead anyone anyway

>>3407882
>You'll take the promotion, your squad mates already look up to you and you've already shown you're capable of leading them

>>3407882
>>You'll take the promotion, your squad mates already look up to you and you've already shown you're capable of leading them

>>3407882
>It doesn't, it was a team effort and you'd rather he reward the whole squad than just you

can i go home now? me miss my stacked wife

>>3407882
>>You'll take the spare equipment, let Richter take the promotion, you're not in any state to lead anyone anyway


>Ask to loot the battlefield.

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As a matter of fact, you'll take that promotion. Your squad mates already look up to you and you've shown that you're capable of leading them in battle. You tell the corporal as much and he nods, his large eyes closing as though he had foreseen this development from the very moment he learned your name.

"But he's been relieved!" Briton, of course, cannot accept this sudden demotion.

"Be that as it may, he's in a better state to lead than you are."

You take this opportunity to mention your recommendation to the lieutenant, which the corporal seems very pleased with and which, by consequence infuriates Briton. "Out to get us ambushed in the road are you? Half-brained peasant!" Briton hobbles away, muttering dark thoughts to himself at your expense. The corporal watches him go with a neutral expression, it's impossible to know what he's thinking.

The corporal then excuses himself, leaving you to deliver the news of your promotion to the rest of your squad. None of them are particularly surprised, but are in fact heartened by the corporal's recognition of your merits, calling him a "good toad, after all". Because of the ceasefire, the squads have given a free day to do as they like.

As the new squad-leader you use this time to...

>Ask a more experienced soldier to train and drill the men
>Relax with your squadmates, shooting the breeze and throwing stones
>Attempt to scavenge the battlefield for some much-needed equipment

>>3408189
>Attempt to scavenge the battlefield for some much-needed equipment

>>3408189

>>3408189
>Relax with your squadmates, shooting the breeze and throwing stones

fuck it, we gonna die tomorrow

>>3408189
>Attempt to scavenge the battlefield for some much-needed equipment

>>3408189
>>Ask a more experienced soldier to train and drill the men

>>3408189
>>Attempt to scavenge the battlefield for some much-needed equipment

We don't have much equipment beisdes a damaged spear and clothes on our backs.

>>3408189
>>Attempt to scavenge the battlefield for some much-needed equipment

Just got to say QM, top tier quest so far.

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As the new squad-leader you use this time to attempt a scavenge of the battlefield for some much-needed equipment. Your squad mates need a little convincing given the obvious danger of such an enterprise but once you mention the extra money to be made from selling spare equipment to the quartermaster, they're eager to help.

Unfortunately, Richter is still hasn't returned and wishing to go down before all the loot is pilfered, everyone decides to go without him. One of the squad members tells you that Richter never came back after the guard took him to visit you and that sets you worrying again. You try to reassure yourself that he still has Merry with him and offer another hymn to god to boot, hoping that he isn't in any serious trouble.

The battlefield stinks of gore. Bodies flattened, broken, crushed, mangled, mutilated by a thousand different mediums of violence, arms flung from bodies, heads caved-in in the neat shape of horseshoes, entrails dueled over by murders of crows, eyeballs bursting with maggots, tongues swollen by the heat like Zanterburyan cushions, death in every permutation. You've seen a cow slaughtered once, and even had to gut a sow you had raised from the piglet, but those acts were made clean by ritual. This kind of wanton, spiritless destruction questions faith and lives in dreams like a coiled serpent. Not a single one of your squad mates fails to vomit at some point. Not a single one makes a sound. Not even when the still dying scream names, for their mother's to save them, for someone, anyone, to kill them.

The tall grasses of the valley are enough to hide your movements, but pickings are slim on your side of field. The far left flank promises something harder than cotton and leather, by the way the sun glints on the pieces of metal. Closer and offering less risk, is your own center where the more experienced levies had been stationed. You're sure to find a few intact gambesons and maybe even some helmets and spears, if they haven't been cleaned out already. A wiry squad mate by the name of Telemund, who everyone else calls Telly, pats your back and points toward a pair of men riding a horse, dangerously close to your side of the field. It would be 3 against 2, as you're not in any condition to fight, and with the enemy mounted--so even odds. Still, a horse will fetch a kingly price from the quartermaster and the scouts sport swords and light leather armor in the Zanterburyan fashion.

You decide to...

>Sneak toward the left flank, praying you don't get caught by the lookouts
>Play it safe and check out the center
>Try and ambush the wandering scout

>>3408303
>Try and ambush the wandering scout
In for a penny in for a pound.

>>3408303
>>Play it safe and check out the center

>>3408303
>Play it safe and check out the center

>>3408345
>>3408332
Cmon guys, we could get a whole horse to sell and some top tier equipment.

>>3408350
I rather get decent equipment for the men, then go and be greedy.

>>3408303
>>Play it safe and check out the center

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You decide to play it safe and check out the center. The scouts are too far away to notice you and the left flank too dangerous to explore. The wild grasses give way to a small rocky plateau where another squad with similar objectives is picking through the bodies. They are not pleased to have you encroaching on their territory. One of them makes an obscene gesture as your pass by, which immediately incenses Telly to the point that the other two men have to hold him back.

Sadly, it seems those scavengers and perhaps others, have already picked the area clean. The most you're able to find are:

Choose two:
>Two (half-empty) bags of javelins
>A couple of leather jerkins with arrows sticking out of them
>A byrnie, almost completely intact (except for some superficial rust), untouched only because of superstition
>Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else
>A kettle helmet, made of cheap steel but still in good condition

>>3408463
>A byrnie, almost completely intact (except for some superficial rust), untouched only because of superstition
>Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else

>>3408463
>>Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else
>>A couple of leather jerkins with arrows sticking out of them

Get some survivability for our boys!

>>3408463
>>A byrnie, almost completely intact (except for some superficial rust), untouched only because of superstition
>>Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else

>>3408471
This.

>>3408463
>>A byrnie, almost completely intact (except for some superficial rust), untouched only because of superstition
>>Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else

I'm afraid sleep is calling me friends so I'll have to continue this some other time (though probably not tomorrow). The vote is left open. I can also answer questions in the interim.

I'm surprised you guys went for the safe choice this time, you would've gotten a better selection otherwise--with some consequences of course

>>3408463
>Two (half-empty) bags of javelins
>A couple of leather jerkins with arrows sticking out of them

Best for what we are

>> A byrnie, almost completely intact (except for some superficial rust), untouched only because of superstition
>> Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else

>>3408498
Thanks for running QM, see you around. I'll ask a few questions.

- How much of the world do we know in terms of our nation's name, its neighbors, relations, etc.?
- We know it's a personal war but what are we like fighting for man, do we even know?

>>3408463
>>A byrnie, almost completely intact (except for some superficial rust), untouched only because of superstition
>Two (half-empty) bags of javelins

>>3408463
>>A byrnie, almost completely intact (except for some superficial rust), untouched only because of superstition
>>Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else

>>3408498
Too risky for now, and desu anything is a improvement over what we have, so we're not too picky

>>3408463
>>A byrnie, almost completely intact (except for some superficial rust), untouched only because of superstition
>>Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else

>>3408654
>- How much of the world do we know in terms of our nation's name, its neighbors, relations, etc.?

Extremely little. Most of what you know you actually learned from the other soldiers. A lifetime of being stationary limits your worldly knowledge.

>- We know it's a personal war but what are we like fighting for man, do we even know?

There are lots of rumors, but few facts. The prevailing theory is that it's over land (because its always over land). Others think it's because of a broken marriage arrangement and a few believe it has something to do with independence, though of who from what is less clear.

>>3409079
such a life , i wish i can work as farmer now and get a cute farm wife

>>3408463
>A couple of leather jerkins with arrows sticking out of them
>A byrnie, almost completely intact (except for some superficial rust), untouched only because of superstition
Armor for the boyz

>>3408463
>A byrnie, almost completely intact (except for some superficial rust), untouched only because of superstition
>Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else

>>A couple of leather jerkins with arrows sticking out of them
>>Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else
We need protection for us and the boys

>>A couple of leather jerkins with arrows sticking out of them
>>Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else

this will give all of us some basic gear

>>3408463
>>Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else
>>A kettle helmet, made of cheap steel but still in good condition

>>3408463
>A couple of leather jerkins with arrows sticking out of them
>A byrnie, almost completely intact (except for some superficial rust), untouched only because of superstition

>>3408463
>>A byrnie, almost completely intact (except for some superficial rust), untouched only because of superstition
>Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else

>>3409079
Ay nigga, you still alive?

>>3415371
Still alive, just haven't had an opportunity to run. Unless you guys are OK with discontinuous updates (and since there won't be any kind of dice rolling this quest live sessions are not strictly necessary anyway), it'll be a few days before I can run again.

>>3415402
do you have twitter or something? so that we can come back when updates are posted.

>>3415402
Sure random updates are fine

Take your time my friend!

>>3408463
>A couple of leather jerkins with arrows sticking out of them
>Several cheap round shields, just thick and large enough to protect against archer fire, but little else
gotta make sure our bois survive

Still will be checking in on this for the next week if OP should return, must find out where this tale goes

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The most you're able to find are a couple of leather jerkins with arrows sticking out of them and a byrnie, almost completely intact (except for some superficial rust), untouched only from superstition. None of the others are willing to wear the byrnie and because the prospect of wearing a headless man's armor doesn't bother you as much it does them, you take it for yourself. You'd rather be cursed and covered in an inch of iron than uncursed in a thin layer of cotton.

Back at the camp, lunch is being served; it's the same tasteless gruel that the cook insists "builds character". Richter has finally returned from what was apparently an early morning dip in a nearby pond (to sober himself) which eventually turned into stag-hunt. To his credit, it was a successful one--though how he managed to slay a full grown deer with just his axe, he does not say. The men help butcher the creature, with Telly dictating and critiquing the endeavor from a safe distance while you and Richter start building a fire.

The smell of roasting flesh attracts more than flies and birds. Men from other squads look on in envy, and stir their gruel over and over as if to alchemically conjure meat from grain. A few of the Zanterburyans slow down as they pass by the scene, one goes so far as to offer the monosyllable "Goat?", to which Richter replies, in equal brevity, "Stag" and the Zanterburyan nods as though some deep understanding had been reached. The scent also attracts the former squad captain, Briton, who, upon hobbling onto the sight of haunches dripping red fat and shoulder meat braising beautifully in a stew, decides to play politics.

"We're going to gift this to the lieutenant," He whispers to you. "It'll go over well with him and the lord."

The others will not be as ready to sacrifice certain pleasure for uncertain advantage. As the their new squad captain you...

>Are on their side and rebuke Briton
>Agree with Briton--meat is good, but being in the good graces of the lieutenant is better
>Have a different idea, with Richter's permission, you'll trade the meat with some of the other squads to shore up your lack of equipment

>>3418104
>Have a different idea, with Richter's permission, you'll trade the meat with some of the other squads to shore up your lack of equipment

But still get some cuts for ourselves, equipment stops arrows and blades, hypothetical favor doesn't

>>3418104
>Have a different idea, with Richter's permission, you'll trade the meat with some of the other squads to shore up your lack of equipment

Emphasize that while that's not a bad idea, he isn't in charge.

>>3418104
>Have a different idea, with Richter's permission, you'll trade the meat with some of the other squads to shore up your lack of equipment

>>3418104
>>Have a different idea, with Richter's permission, you'll trade the meat with some of the other squads to shore up your lack of equipment

>>3418104
>>Have a different idea, with Richter's permission, you'll trade the meat with some of the other squads to shore up your lack of equipment

>>3418127
>>3418138
Supporting
We recognize those who do us credit, and we look after our men.

>>3418104
>>Are on their side and rebuke Briton

We're the squad leader, we need the squad to like us.

>>3418104
>>3418127
This. We need equipment

>>3418104
>Have a different idea, with Richter's permission, you'll trade the meat with some of the other squads to shore up your lack of equipment

>>3418104
>Have a different idea, with Richter's permission, you'll trade the meat with some of the other squads to shore up your lack of equipment

>>3418104
>>Have a different idea, with Richter's permission, you'll trade the meat with some of the other squads to shore up your lack of equipment

dice+2d6

>>3418104
>Have a different idea, with Richter's permission, you'll trade the meat with some of the other squads to shore up your lack of equipment

I'm sure the Zanterburyans don't need ALL of their swords.

>>3418104
>Have a different idea, with Richter's permission, you'll trade the meat with some of the other squads to shore up your lack of equipment

As the their new squad captain you have a different idea, with Richter's permission, you'll trade the meat with some of the other squads to shore up your lack of equipment. To appease your own squad mates, you keep a portion of the meat for their consumption, even giving up your own share so they can each have a little extra. Briton leaves muttering curses in your name, but you're not so much interested in personal gain as you are in getting everyone in the squad back home alive and in one piece.

The "sale" of the meat brings in a generous bounty of assorted equipment. The Zanterburyan who had exchanged words with Richter returns to exchange one of their fabled longswords for a haunch. From the other squads you are able to replace your spears with longer, more modern steel-tipped counterparts and armor every man with some head protection--granted just some aketon caps, but certainly better than hair (in the case of Telly, not even that much).

The men's respect and love for you increase by leaps and bounds, giving a good start to your stint as leader. Later that evening, the corporal comes around to check on things. He doesn't say anything about the new equipment or the pieces of meat in everyone's bowl or your byrnie and longsword hanging from the tent pole, but you think from the tone of his speech and his general gentle demeanor that he's pleased. At any rate, your recommendation to the lieutenant has not gone ignored and the corporal has been instructed to choose two squads to accompany him and the lieutenant to the nearby fortress of Dunhowzer. He's come to extend an invitation to your squad first, as a courtesy for making the recommendation in the first place.

Given this rare opportunity you decide to...

>Decline, it's actually safer at camp because of the ceasefire and you're still technically on relief
>Accept, if only to keep the men active and in fighting shape

>>3420011
>Accept, if only to keep the men active and in fighting shape

>>3420011
>>Accept, if only to keep the men active and in fighting shape

>>3420011
>>Accept, if only to keep the men active and in fighting shape

>>3420011

>Accept, if only to keep the men active and in fighting shape

>>3420011
>Accept, if only to keep the men active and in fighting shape

Also a chance for us to look good.

>>3420011
>Accept, if only to keep the men active and in fighting shape

>>3420011
>>Accept, if only to keep the men active and in fighting shape

>>3420011
>>Accept, if only to keep the men active and in fighting shape

>>3420011
>Accept.
Everyone knows cease fires just means wait until we have enough troops to kill eachother

>Accept, if only to keep the men active and in fighting shape

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Given this rare opportunity you decide to accept, if only to keep the men active and in fighting shape. You move out later that night, the corporal on his nag and the lieutenant on a beautiful red-roan stallion and the two squads on each flank, rolling below the slice of a moon.

You travel all night through the forest and then most of the morning on the road, stopping for only a brief rest around noon. Your squad mates are not so happy to have abandoned the leisure of the camp and they though their complaints are aired to god, to their mothers and to the general fact of their existence, it is always within your earshot. Even Richter grumbles that the "walk is a bit far now isn't it?". Luckily you arrive at Dunhowzer that very night.

The castle is built into the side of a cliff-wall covered in long grasses that have been swept down by a constant western wind. A long cobblestone path winds around to the entrance, interrupted every two dozen paces by stone gates in varying stages of disrepair. The candles and torches in the castle have been lit and make its small windows seem to float in the darkness. The place has an ancient, brooding charge, like an eagle's nest that has been long abandoned.

There are men waiting to grant entry. Hard men in red-dyed cloaks which bear the mark of a black boar between their shoulder blades. You note that the lieutenant's own cloak and the shields of the lord's men back in the camp, bore a different crest, that of a lion, but the thought flits and fades away as thoughts sometimes do in the heavy haze of fatigue. An older nobleman greets the lieutenant warmly and ushers everyone inside. The squads are led by one of the guards to a barracks, while the corporal and lieutenant follow the nobleman to his personal chambers. Some food is brought in. No meat but there is a choice selection of cheeses and even a few bottles of wine (which Richter wisely refuses) among the usual fare. After dinner, sleep comes the moment your head hits the pillow.

>>3423617
It is a few hours past midnight when someone wakes you, and thinking it one of your own squad mates you curse and almost give him a piece of your mind. But it's the corporal. His froggish face wears a grim frown.

"Sir?"

"How would you feel about going home?"

"...I don't understand. Have we been relieved?"

"I just got back from speaking with Lord Oberlin. Privately, that is."

You throw off your covers and sit up straight. Your blood races from your arms legs straight to your head, like you had been doused with cold water. "Lord Oberlin?"

"The lord of this fortress. Cousin to the lord of our--that is, the army currently engaged."

"What did you talk about?"

"Various things. History, former grievances...a deal." He sighs and massages his fat cheek against the top of his shoulder, like a cat against its owner's leg. "Do you want to go home?"

"Of course."

"Tomorrow?"

"Today, if I could."

"With a few gold pieces in your pocket?"

You lean in, suddenly fearing that someone might be eavesdropping, that your heartbeat might alert the guards. "What's this about, sir?"

"...Mutiny." He lets the word hang in the air, like the last word in a sad song. "He wants the lieutenant and he'll pay us handsomely. Are you in?"

In only takes a moment to make up your mind and your answer is...

>That you're in
>That you hope he's joking and that you will pretend this conversation never happened
>To grab the sword lying beneath the cot and hold him at point while you call for help

>>3423621
Not going to lie QM, all three choices suck. We go along with it, betraying the lieutenant that helped us be here in the first place, look the other way while the corporal betrays us AND the lieutenant, or alert Oberlin of the betrayal plot being uncovered by turning in the corporal and getting killed anyway.

Seeing as Briton, and by extension his entire family sucks, and we're a pretty loyal guy to begin with, I'm going with
>To grab the sword lying beneath the cot and hold him at point while you call for help

>>3423621
>That you hope he's joking and that you will pretend this conversation never happened

>>3423666
He'll just deny it and his word carry more weight than ours, lets pretend it didn't happen, alert our squad and be on the lookout if he tries something.
There's still the small chance this is a trap too

>>3423666
Feel free do a write-in btw. I try to incorporate even side-comments into the updates.

>>3423621
Corporal's cool, but so's the lieutenant. Personally I feel we should ask Richter what he wants to do since he's basically the protag and he's good enough at fighting that he can force any outcome with his muscles. But, right now this is above our pay grade and we should just prepare everyone to join whatever side wins.

>That you hope he's joking and that you will pretend this conversation never happened

>>3423679
>>3423704
See, it could be a test orchestrated by Lord Oberlin whether or not we will betray his cousin.

>>3423621
>To grab the sword lying beneath the cot and hold him at point while you call for help

>>3423621
>That you hope he's joking and that you will pretend this conversation never happened

>>3423621
>To grab the sword lying beneath the cot and hold him at point while you call for help

>To grab the sword lying beneath the cot and hold him at point while you call for help

>>3423621
>grab the sword

>>3423621
>That you hope he's joking and that you will pretend this conversation never happened
I don't know, confronting him right now seems very stupid. Even agreeing and perhaps later, when we know more of the matter, refusing to abide by your agreement or snitch to the leutenant seems wiser.

>>3424747
This seems smarter. Agree with him then immidatly snitch. I'm changing my vote
>>3424469
To that

>>3423621
>>To grab the sword lying beneath the cot and hold him at point while you call for help

>>3423621
>That you hope he's joking and that you will pretend this conversation never happened

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It only takes a moment to make up your mind and your answer is that you hope he's joking and that you will pretend this conversation never happened. The corporal has been generous to you and you're not about to repay that generosity by throwing him under the horses for one momentary lapse of judgment. Unfortunately, you underestimated the magnitude of the lapse to which a desperate man can blunder. The words are scarcely out of your mouth before the corporal whips out a dagger and jams it straight into your throat--or so he would have, if Tully, sleeping on the bunk above you, had not jumped on him feet-first and knocked him to the ground.

There's a brief struggle. The noise wakes the others in the room but they're too slow and too far away to do anything. And then all is still. Tully stands up, holding the dagger in his right hand, panting, wiping blood from his face. It's not his own blood.

"What the hell did you just do?" The captain of the second squad, a long-bearded man who apparently sleeps with his helmet on, runs forward to inspect the body. There's a pause, a tension thick enough to squeeze. "He's dead." He finally says, shaking his head as if he can't believe it. "You killed him."

"H-he was trying to kill the captain." Says Tully, looking at the men from both squads, as each one reaches for his weapon. Tully looks helplessly to you for support and you...

>Use the opportunity to absolve yourself of any suspicion, pinning the blame entirely on Tully
>Try to explain the "deal" the corporal had made with Lord Oberlin and how much danger the lieutenant is in
>Draw your sword and force the other captain to have his own squad to stand down

>>3425243
>Try to explain the "deal" the corporal had made with Lord Oberlin and how much danger the lieutenant is in

>>3425243
>>Try to explain the "deal" the corporal had made with Lord Oberlin and how much danger the lieutenant is in

Honesty is the best policy.

>>3425243
>>Try to explain the "deal" the corporal had made with Lord Oberlin and how much danger the lieutenant is in
>>Draw your sword and force the other captain to have his own squad to stand down

both, we don't know if the other squad was in on the plan

thanks Tully, you are on the friends for life list from now on, I guess doing right by our squad paid off

>>3425254
Support, we gonna get him an entire leg of meat when we score a deer kill.

>>3425243
>Try to explain the "deal" the corporal had made with Lord Oberlin and how much danger the lieutenant is in
>Draw your sword and force the other captain to have his own squad to stand down

>>3425243
>Try to explain the "deal" the corporal had made with Lord Oberlin and how much danger the lieutenant is in
>Draw your sword
No need to be aggressive, but it won't hurt to be prepared.

>>3425243
>>Try to explain the "deal" the corporal had made with Lord Oberlin and how much danger the lieutenant is in
>>Draw your sword

Back up Based Tully, we owe him

>>3425243
>Try to explain the "deal" the corporal had made with Lord Oberlin and how much danger the lieutenant is in
>DO NOT DRAW YOUR WEAPON

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Telly looks helplessly to you for support and you draw your sword from beneath the bed and force the other captain to have his own squad stand down. You try to explain the "deal" the corporal had made with Lord Oberlin and how much danger the lieutenant is currently in. The other captain, Jerod, still kneeling by the bleeding corpse of the corporal runs his fingers through his red beard. With a gesture and a look, he waves to his men to lower their weapons and they do so--albeit reluctantly. A few of them go to light candles, but Jerod waves that off as well.

"Suppose I believe you," He says, rising in the dark. "I didn't know the corporal all that well, so I suppose it could all be true. Even so, what are our options? The Lord's men are at least forty strong. There are ten of us here, eleven counting the lieutenant, and ten again, counting your wound. We have no chance."

"We can escape. If we can get to the lieutenant--" Says Telly, but Jerod cuts him off.

"He'll have men watching over the lieutenant's room. That's if the lieutenant isn't dead already."

"Why would he kill--oh, damn." Your stomach sinks. "The corporal was only a pawn."

Jerod nods. "There's no need for subterfuge when your enemy comes to you and you outnumber him four to one. Now I don't know what's between our lord and this one, maybe nothing, maybe it's just business, but if the lieutenant dies, we're going to be ones to hang. That's if he doesn't kill us too."

And on cue, there's a rap at the door. "Is everything alright? We heard some strange noises--why is this door locked? Open up."

You and Jerod exchange looks, each reading the other's mind. The best thing to do here is to...

>Take the guard hostage and squeeze him for information
>Hide the corporal's body and pretend like everything is normal
>Quickly kill the guard, take his uniform and attempt to rescue the lieutenant

>>3426331
>Quickly kill the guard, take his uniform and attempt to rescue the lieutenant

>>3426331
>>Hide the corporal's body and pretend like everything is normal

>>3426355
>Take the guard hostage and squeeze him for information
lets not walk into this blindly

>>3426331
>>Take the guard hostage and squeeze him for information

>>3426365
Time is of the essence. I think that they're not expecting it so if we hit now, it won't be a problem.

>>3426422
you know what sure lets get this going

>>3426331
>Quickly kill the guard, take his uniform and attempt to rescue the lieutenant
Lets swarm them before they know what’s up

>>3426331
>Take the guard hostage and squeeze him for information

Life of banditry, here we come!

>>3426331
>>Take the guard hostage and squeeze him for information

>>3426331
>Hide the corporal's body and pretend like everything is normal
Eh, Tully 'ere got spooked by a lil' rat under his covers.

If we fail the bluff then plan B is.
>Quickly kill the guard, take his uniform and attempt to rescue the lieutenant.

We could also maybe pretend to be in on the plot......

Say we kill the guard, then mention that the other men who follow the fake guard to the lieutenant are turn cloaks. That could be our "in".

>>3426365
This, but beware being misled. He could lie.

>>3426331
>Take the guard hostage and squeeze him for information

The best thing to do here is to take the guard hostage and squeeze him for information. Jerod gestures toward the door, taking a position on the opposite side. One of his men tosses him a knife and then he nods to you to open the door.

"Everything alright in here?" The guard pops his head in and looks around only to get smashed in the nose by the heel of Jerod's dagger. He drops to his knees like a penitent sinner, trying to hold in the blood. There's a slight movement in the hall--a second guard, possibly just a patrol, that has witnessed the entire scene and is now running for help.

He doesn't get far. Richter sprints past you both, races to the guard, and catches him just as he turns the bend. There's a single high-pitched scream cut horribly short. Richter returns with the guard's severed head in one hand, Merry in the other and the decapitated body slung over his shoulders, dripping blood across his back. You've never seen a man so quick on his feet. Now you know how he caught that stag.

"What do we do with this one?" He says, nodding toward the other guard. Jerod's men have already restrained him, letting him know exactly what they'll do if he screams or calls for help.

"We get some answers." Says Jerod, squatting so that he's face to face with the hostage and pulling his head back. "Answer quickly and honestly, and you won't be hurt."

"It's too late you fools. You think no one knows I'm here? You think they won't come looking for me? That scream probably alerted them already." He scoffs, spitting a mouthful of blood. "You're all going to die here--all except one--the weak one that they're going to torture and punish until he actually wants to take the blame. Which one is it I wonder?" He looks at each of the men. "And then they'll hang him too."

"Well that was easy. Thank you, you've been very helpful." Says Jerod, patting the guard's cheek. He stands and makes a small circle with his index finger and his men start gathering their things. "We're getting out of here."

"But the lieutenant--" Says Tully.

"Is on his own and probably already dead. It won't be a rescue mission, it'll be a suicide mission and my men and I will have no part in it."

Upon hearing this, you...

>Agree. You need to keep your men safe, that's all that matters.
>Try to convince Jerod that leaving the lieutenant behind is a mistake and that there's a still chance you can get him out
>Let Jerod go and attempt a rescue with your own squad

>>3427529

>Try to convince Jerod that leaving the lieutenant behind is a mistake and that there's a still chance you can get him out

Argue that if we don't take the LT with us they'll just see us as deserters, and the lorf here will probably tell everyone that we killed the corporal and the LT so we could escape our duty.
The LT is the only one who they will hear and our only chance of not havimg to run for the rest of our lives

If even after saying this he still wants to run let him do it and lets try to get the LT

>>3427529
>Try to convince Jerod that leaving the lieutenant behind is a mistake and that there's a still chance you can get him out

Move fast, hit hard

>>3427529
>Try to convince Jerod that leaving the lieutenant behind is a mistake and that there's a still chance you can get him out
We move as a mass of 10. They're scattered.
We have Richter the chad. They have virgin guards who have grown fat and weak.
We have cohesion. They probably hate each others' guts.

If we can't save the LT, we might be able to save our own hides by bringing back his body and maybe even the head of the lord here if we're good.

>>3427529
>>Try to convince Jerod that leaving the lieutenant behind is a mistake and that there's a still chance you can get him out

>>3427529
>Try to convince Jerod that leaving the lieutenant behind is a mistake and that there's a still chance you can get him out

Btw I have no idea why I keep writing Tully for Telly. It's Telly, there is no Tully.

>>3427529
>Try to convince Jerod that leaving the lieutenant behind is a mistake and that there's a still chance you can get him out
If the guards weren't already alerted by the commotion we should try to take them by surprise.

>>3427652
SUPPORT

>>3427529
>Try to convince Jerod that leaving the lieutenant behind is a mistake and that there's a still chance you can get him out

>>3427790
It's a good thing.

>>3427529
Also, ask where the lieutenant is.

Upon hearing this, you try to convince Jerod that leaving the lieutenant behind is a mistake and that there's a still chance you can get him out. While he's willing to admit his reluctance in being deserter and going on the run for the rest of his life he concludes that it's still better than certain death. And while his men may have slightly different opinions, they are quite united on the matter of chain of command. Their leader points and says run and they run.

"We got company." Telly, one eye braced against the crack between the doors, reports four armed guards in the hallway. One of them is studying the blood spatter while the others are standing around him, waiting for a verdict. Jerod curses. The hostage starts to laugh until Jerod headbutts him, which with his metal helmet, promptly knocks out the guard.

Jerod then rounds on you and jams a finger in your chest. "Because of your jabbering we're now trapped," He doesn't wait for a response, turning back to his men. "Bar the doors, push the bunks against them and then--"

"Wait, two of them are going off." Says Telly.

Jerod curses again. "Reinforcements." He strokes his beard. "I guess we've got no choice now. We'll have to fight. I knew this detail was fishy from the moment we got it, I should have said no."

"If we're going to fight anyway, we might as well try to get the lieutenant, captain," Says one of Jerod's men. "Even if he's dead the body'd at least keep us out of trouble."

Jerod scowls at you, as though you were personally at fault for this whole situation, but in the end gives a curt nod. The two guards at the door are quickly snuffed out in a surprise attack (which they seemed to have half-expected). Faintly there is the sound of a bell and many distant voices and footsteps.

Obviously you should...

>Split up so that the search can go faster
>Stick together and fight your way to the lieutenant
>Create a diversion...by going straight for Lord Oberlin

>>3429241
>Stick together and fight your way to the lieutenant

>>3429250
+1

>>3429241
>Create a diversion...by going straight for Lord Oberlin

>>3429241
>>Create a diversion...by going straight for Lord Oberlin

>>3429241
>Create a diversion...by going straight for Lord Oberlin
Hey, if the LT's really dead, maybe we can finesse our way into becoming the new lord huh? Once we clear everyone out that is.

>>Create a diversion...by going straight for Lord Oberlin

Kill the Lord and our story is the only story. Dead men tell no tales.

>>3429241
>>Stick together and fight your way to the lieutenant

>>3429241
>Create a diversion...by going straight for Lord Oberlin

>>3429241
>>Create a diversion...by going straight for Lord Oberlin

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Obviously you should create a diversion...by going straight for Lord Oberlin. It's the only way to guarantee safe passage and may even salvage this whole botched mission.

"We'll have to split up. Main force goes for the lieutenant, diversionary force goes for Oberlin." It's already clear which way Jerod leans, he'd rather be the hook than the bait. No one steps forward. The sounds of shouting and scrambling guards draws ever nearer.

"I'll go." Says Richter. He picks off a cloak from one of the dead guards and begins fastening it around his own shoulders. You pick up the second cloak and do likewise. "You're injured." Says Richter.

"No, it's better that way. How else will you explain going the opposite direction as everyone else?" Says Jerod, nodding. "Good. Then, best of luck to you."

"God be with you captain." Says Telly, squeezing your arm. You eventually make your way back to the foyer and then to the set of curved stairs that leads up to the mezzanine which you remember Oberlin took the corporal and lieutenant into. You encounter a pair of guards at the top who, seeing your injury (played up for effect by leaning on Richter's shoulder) decide to let you pass without hassle.

Still more guards are at the main hall, moving in units of four to five men. This time you're stopped by what appears to be the captain of the guards. He is not as easy to fool and when he orders you to stop and identify yourselves you have to run. Suddenly two dozen men are after you, with more joining by the second. You and Richter are faster but they know the layout of the castle and in the candlelit dark, that is a nearly irresistible advantage. Twice you get caught in a trap, surrounded, only to have Richter narrowly create an opening with his axe. But they outnumber you, and it is only a matter of time before you run out of breath and they catch up.

It is in that moment of total despair that you suddenly come across the chambers of the Lord. There he is in his study, busily writing a letter, somehow oblivious to all the commotion in his castle. You burst into the room just as the guards block the exit behind you. You count at least twenty of them, maybe even thirty, gathered at the far end of the hall. Hopefully the others were able to get out alive.

>>3432787
Lord Oberlin, is strangely unperturbed for a man in a hostage situation. His eyes contain the kind of quiet energy reserved for hawks and other birds of prey. They do not see, so much as see through, as a chess player that calculates several moves ahead before making a move.

"Tell them to stand down." You say.

"No." He says, rising to his feet. His eyes pass from you to Richter, then back to you. "Where are the rest?"

"Tell them to stand down, now." You point your sword at his chest. He sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. After a few seconds of thought he clicks his tongue, as if coming to terms with some distasteful piece of news. The captain of the guard then announces that very headline from outside the door.

"My lord...my lord, the lieutenant and the others...they've escaped."

The lord slowly closes his eyes and lets out a soft breath through his nostrils. He drums his fingers on the letter desk, and then suddenly looks up. "It was my captain's idea," He says, slowly. "I'm as much a victim of this situation as the good lieutenant was. But the traitorous captain will be handled, order restored and the reinforcements supplied as planned." He looks between you and Richter again, reaching into his drawer and retrieving a fat purse which he places on the desk. One that clinks with the distinct timbre of currency. More money than any farmer has ever seen, and enough to change him into something more.

And then you realize that...

>Every man has his price, and with this, everyone wins
>Some men, even good men like the corporal, can be bought. But you're not among them.
>Lord Oberlin has to die

>>3432789
>Lord Oberlin has to die
Kill a traitor before you kill an enemy.
Hold him at sword point for safe passage, then slit his throat as soon as we're able to do so safely, and toss the coins towards the guards and run. If they catch us, tell them that the lieutenant will come back for them, and that if we're there to plead their case, they'll live.

>>3432789
It's a big one

>>3432789
>Every man has his price, and with this, everyone wins
We're surely not dumb enough to reject a peace offering from an enemy that outnumbers us, yes?
If our LT or our lord asks, we can tell them what we think the truth is maybe depending how Richter feels, but the important part is getting out alive. Besides, what's the likelihood our testimony is going to decide whether this dude was a traitor or not?

>>3432789
>Ask for Richter's opinion

>>3432789
>Some men, even good men like the corporal, can be bought. But you're not among them.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>3432798 1
>>3432816 2
I'm torn between the two. So i live it to fate

>>3432789
>Every man has his price, and with this, everyone wins

>>3432789

>Some men, even good men like the corporal, can be bought. But you're not among them.

Lets just take him outside at sword point and flee, they can't attack us and that way we are not traitors.

If we accept this Ritchie will probably hate our guts

>Some men, even good men like the corporal, can be bought. But you're not among them

>>3432789
>>Lord Oberlin has to die

>>3432789
>Some men, even good men like the corporal, can be bought. But you're not among them

>>3432789
>>Every man has his price, and with this, everyone wins

>>3432789
>he has to die
Following this
>>3432798

We can take the money while we are at it

>>3432789
>Every man has his price, and with this, everyone wins

This is the best choice.

>>3433605
Unless you know they stab us as we walk away

>>3432870
I will switch from this to
>>3432789
>Some men, even good men like the corporal, can be bought. But you're not among them.

>>3433605
It is not, they will betray us

>>3432789

>Some men, even good men like the corporal, can be bought. But you're not among them

>>3432789
Some men, even good men like the corporal, can be bought. But you're not among them.

>>3432789
>>Some men, even good men like the corporal, can be bought. But you're not among them.

And then you realize that some men, even good men like the corporal, can be bought. But you're not one of them. It is not a pleasant revelation, because even a simple peasant farmer, a levy, (and a coward at that) can understand this loss, but like the birth of a fully formed child or the discovery of a perfect pearl inside of a clam, it is a complete and seamless realization. One that leaves no room for argument, nor pause for a second guess.

Your mind is made. You look to Richter and you can see the same conclusion reached and reflected in his eyes. There is a kind of relief in this mutual foolishness, to know one is not alone in keeping to some higher principle. Lord Oberlin does not need you air your decision. He releases another soft breath through his nose and folds his hands over his stomach, as though debating whether he should pray or not.

Richter grabs him by the collar and shoves him toward the door.

"If you're going to kill me--"

"We're not going to do anything to you. Even if you did get a good man killed." You say.

"What assurances do I have of my safety?"

"None."

"Then why should I?"

"Because snakes never put themselves at risk. They'll take life over anything."

He stares at the door a long moment; his fingers drum his cheek. "Very well. But a few of my men will follow from a safe distance, to ensure no trickery. You understand." He taps the corner of his eye. "After a while, a snake can only see other snakes."

With the sword pressed lightly to his back, the lord leads you out of the castle and to the stables, a dozen of his men lagging forty paces behind him, waiting to attack if he comes to harm. The lieutenant's stallion and the corporal's nag are chewing oats at the stalls, but otherwise the stable is empty. Richter takes the lieutenant's horse while you take the nag, she being the more mild-mannered of the two.

You ride hard down through the gates, expecting the guards to follow--but they never do. They have their own troubles to contend with now and chasing after horses downhill, on foot, is a futile endeavor anyway. You ride until the prearranged meeting point and break for camp around dawn. The rest of the men show up at noon, the lieutenant with them, alive but bearing a gash on his left shoulder. When he sees you, rather than expressing any gratitude, he turns up his scarred nose in disgust.

The journey back is quiet and uncomfortable. The lieutenant takes back his stallion but grants the nag to Jerod. From the other men you learn that, after a lengthy private conversation with lieutenant, Jerod was promoted to take the dead corporal's place. None of this sits quite right with you and when you return to base you...

>Request to speak privately with the lieutenant
>Confront Jerod about the promotion
>Keep silent, fearful of making things worse

>>3434339
>Request to speak privately with the lieutenant
This is why I never play lawful good

>>3434339
>>Request to speak privately with the lieutenant

>>3434339
>Request to speak privately with the lieutenant

>>3434339
>>Request to speak privately with the lieutenant

>>3434339
>Request to speak privately with the lieutenant

>>3434339

>Request to speak privately with the lieutenant

The fuck Jerod told him?

>>3434339
>Request to speak privately with the lieutenant
Jerod you faggot, what did you do?

>>3434459
It could be any number of things. Oberlin may have told the lieutenant the corporal would take the fall and they would be okay. Jerod may have told the lieutenant a different story. You may be getting a promotion over both of them for this. Likely, Briton's family is very connected with the lord of the land and by having his father-in-law killed, we all are going to pay.

>>3434339
>>Request to speak privately with the lieutenant

Putting up a new thread: >>3438306

Please post art I can use (medieval looking characters, battle scenes, MC's thicc waifu etc.) before the thread dies

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>>3438307