File: glenbrittle2.png (1.69 MB, 1023x681)

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>>3522770
The little group of warriors plus one horse head into the hills overlooking the shadowy Loch, towards the bare rock mountain peaks of inner Hazaran. The trail winds relentlessly upslope, and there is little in the way of shade... which makes it fortunate that the weather here is almost always overcast.

Laura seems a little ashamed of the fact that she sometimes has to lean on your shoulder for support as she acclimates to her new leg, but you repeatedly assure her that she has nothing to be ashamed of. Anyone here would need some time to get used to an imbalance like that, yourself included, and nobody is the type to begrudge her a silent helping hand.

After about two hours you give Alysheba a break to graze, and pass out a few oatcakes and some dried meat with water from a canteen passed between you. Even Sabrina and Lucia seem to have worked up a little bit of an appetite.

Eventually you crest a hill, and before you is the sight of a distant, fast-flowing river that cascades over the exposed, shallow bones of the high glen. All around it is grass and heather, and in the distance the first true peaks dusted with snow.

“Here we are,” you announce to your stunned companions. “The name for this place in the old Hazari tongue is the 'Glen of the Moon', and the pools formed by the nameless river here are what are called the 'Faerie Pools” of Hazaran.”

“Beautiful,” Justina summarizes the sentiments succinctly.

“Feel free to find your own vantage point,” you suggest, “or follow me, your call. But I know a nice spot where I plan to set up.”

True to your word you quickly find the pool you remember coming to with your father, where your fingers trace the smooth stones by the water.

“I remember this place,” you muse aloud with a faint smile. “My father brought me here when I was little, shortly after he made it property of the crown.”

“This is owned by the king?” Laura asks, apparently disapproving.

You shake your head. “More like managed, protected. Anyone is free to come here so long as the land is not despoiled in the process... it's rarely visited though, as it's rather isolated.”

>There should be a small outpost here where wardens live year-round. It may pay if I go find it and let them know we're here.
>Settle in by the pool, try to find a good spot to start work on a painting.
>See if anyone else here knows anything about oil painting, and offer what pointers you can if they don't.
>Other?

>>3522839
>>See if anyone else here knows anything about oil painting, and offer what pointers you can if they don't.

>>3522839
>>See if anyone else here knows anything about oil painting, and offer what pointers you can if they don't.

>>3522839
>See if anyone else here knows anything about oil painting, and offer what pointers you can if they don't.

One of the girls needs to dab paint on Noel, for reasons.

>>3522839
>See if anyone else here knows anything about oil painting, and offer what pointers you can if they don't.

>>3522770
>Alysheba cuts her off by nuzzling his head against Valentina's shoulder.
Best horse.
>>3522839
>>See if anyone else here knows anything about oil painting, and offer what pointers you can if they don't.

>>3522839
>>See if anyone else here knows anything about oil painting, and offer what pointers you can if they don't.

>>3522839
>See if anyone else here knows anything about oil painting, and offer what pointers you can if they don't.

>>3522839
You realize that most people have neither the time nor the money to take up the canvas as recreation, so you take it upon yourself to bring your fellow warriors together for one last round of instruction.

“So I gather most of you have never painted before,” you sigh, “which means first of all, grab a smock from Alysheba's saddlebags and a pair of the light gloves we brought along. Try and keep the oils off your uniform and skin, or you won't like the results. Always thin the paint more for the first coat, block out colors, then work your way up to thicker paints. Mix your paints on the palette, and always keep your brush clean as possible.”

“Any tips for capturing an image?” Helen presses you warily.

You nod quietly. “One time my father had two master artists come to this pool and spend the whole day observing it. Then the next day he had them return to the castle and paint the scene by memory, promising to reward the better of the two handsomely. Despite having both seen the same scene, and spent a whole day doing nothing but take in the details, their paintings both looked different and neither was an exact match.”

“So who did your dad end up paying?” Valentina asks curiously.

“Both,” you reply, “and then he proceeded to copy both of them.”

Justina cocks her head. “Why?”

“Both were masterfully rendered,” you explain, “but both captured differing details in different ways. One captured the lighting and the colors more romantically, presenting an image that while occasionally indistinct in detail communicated the impression of having been where we now stand. The other was very crisply detailed, and busy, replicating the sight of standing here more closely but losing some of the sense of emotion amid that detail.”

Eventually you're left to shrug. “Both approaches have merit, since there's neither a right nor a wrong way to paint. You just have to take your time and find your own way of approaching a subject.”
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 6, 6, 5 = 17 (3d10)

>>3523964

Rolled 3, 7, 5 = 15 (3d10)

>>3523964

Rolled 5, 2, 2 = 9 (3d10)

>>3523964

Rolled 8, 7, 2 = 17 (3d10)

>>3523964

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>>3523964
With your brief instructions having been given to the group, you quickly settle in and begin working on your own painting. This spot is one you have visited several times before on different days, and you're very familiar with it already. And so you begin by putting down blocks of thin color all across your copper base, simply setting the stage for later efforts.

Once you're satisfied with that, you slowly work up the blues and greys, capturing no specific moment but the general light and tone of the glen and its famous river. Then you start to work in the colors of the heathers and the grasses, carefully working wet on wet by controlling the fluidity and concentration of each successive layer.

Within two hours, you feel confident that you can set aside your work and allow it to finish drying. Now you can take some time to look around and see what your companions have managed.

As it turns out, it's extremely enlightening.

First you check in on Serana, who has propped her canvas up against Laura's back. Her work is a study in heavy brushstrokes, her oils having gone on too thick to start with and having been blended roughly. But if you're honest it suits her subject: not the scenery, but the bottom of one of the wider, shallower pools. The thicker brushstrokes look like the refracted images of the smooth stones on the bottom of the pool.

It puts a smile on your face.

Laura in the mean time has been sketching instead using a charcoal pencil. That way she doesn't have to move as much to mix paints, allowing Serana a stable platform to work on. Her subject? A thistle, rendered in intricate detail.

“Those are both very nice work,” you muse approvingly. “Where did you learn to sketch, Laura?”

“Your mother used to sketch,” she admits quietly. “After she awakened I... kind of started practicing myself.”

Serana shakes her head, setting the brush aside.

I DIDN'T THIN IT ENOUGH.

“I think it works though,” you admit. “That can be a style too, and instead of starting over you worked with what you had admirably.”

You move on to find Helen, who has barely finished the river itself and the banks where she has been sitting, along with a single boulder upright in the shallows.

“I went a little overboard,” she admits.

You nod. “You did, kind of. But what you've completed is very life-like.”

“No emotion to it though,” she sighs. “Maybe I should keep up with this?”

“It's a good start,” you nod. “I'd say it's worth keeping up.”

“Thanks for that,” Helen sighs.
>1/2

>>3524414
Justina and Valentina have been sitting together, the former focusing on a clump of heather and grass and the latter shading the image of a blackbird.

“When was there a bird here?” you muse.

“A while ago,” Valentina admits, her frustration readily apparent. “Flew off a while ago, so I've been trying from memory, but...”

She gestures to her work. “It's more what I think a bird looks like.”

“Which is its own skill,” you point out. “It's harder to paint straight from memory, without a reference in front of you. I think you might actually be good at this.”

“Really?” she asks excitedly, before a raised eyebrow from Justina causes her to loudly clear her throat. “I mean, thank you for the compliment Noel.”

Justina chuckles quietly. “I'm not very good. But this is fun.”

You shrug. “Neither was my father at first, but that never stopped him.”

Then you come to Sabrina and Lucia, who are already comparing notes. Sabrina's clearly used a charcoal pencil to outline her view of the river before putting oil down. It's amateurish and totally un-blended, but it's not bad for a first attempt.

Lucia though... she may as well have been painting with her fingers. Absolutely no control, but she seems fine. In fact, she seems happy with the result.

“So how did you do?” she asks you cheerfully.

Before you can stop her she peeks at your work and freezes.
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 5, 4, 6 = 15 (3d10)

>>3524447
This should be fun.

Rolled 5, 4, 1 = 10 (3d10)

>>3524447

Rolled 9, 10, 4 = 23 (3d10)

>>3524447

>>3524453
It's a masterpiece!

Rolled 3, 5, 7 = 15 (3d10)

>>3524447

>>3524447
At first you're anticipating trouble, but she nods curtly as she sees your work.

"That's amazing!"

You try to play it off. "Well, I've been doing this since I was six. So I've had practice... painting this very glen, in fact."

She nods thoughtfully. "You think if I keep practicing I can make something that good?"

"I see no reason why not," you shrug. "After all if I can do it..."

In the distance you hear shouting.

Sabrina turns her head in that direction. "What's going on down there?"

"I don't know," you admit. "But it doesn't feel like a half-blooded-warrior sort of problem. If I had to guess..."

A few minutes latetr, you see that your guess was correct: there are three Wardens here, in uniform, who have gathered your companions together.

"Ah!" the senior of the three sneers triumphantly. "I see you three vagabonds have saved me the trouble of collecting you."

"Why are you harrassing my friends?" you demand angrily. "Speak quickly."

"You are breaking the King's peace!" the Warden declares. "I'm bound by duty to take you in."

You raise one skeptical eyebrow. "Is that a threat, knave?"

"How very astute!" he counters.

You exchange a glance with Serana, who shakes her head dismissively.

>Bargain with him. What Sigmunt doesn't know about won't hurt them.
>Assert your royal authority, demand both his fealty and his silence.
>Threaten him. Your position is too perilous to take any undue risks.
>Other?

>>3524495
Wait, the king is here? At the same place we are?
>other.
Ask to see his badge or whatever proving they are all wardens.

>>3524495
>Bargain

How are we breaking the peace? By painting?

>>3524495
>Bargain with him. What Sigmunt doesn't know about won't hurt them.

>>3524495
>>Bargain with him. What Sigmunt doesn't know about won't hurt them.

>>3524495
>Bargain with him. What Sigmunt doesn't know about won't hurt them.

>>3524495
>>Bargain with him. What Sigmunt doesn't know about won't hurt them.

>>3524498
No the king isn't hear, it's like trespassing. This whole area is 'the kings.'

Rolled 5, 10, 5 = 20 (3d10)

>>3524457
Or is it?

>>3525551
>turns out yes, it's pretty good

>>3524495
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 2, 10, 7 = 19 (3d10)

>>3525837

Rolled 9, 3, 4 = 16 (3d10)

>>3525837

Rolled 8, 3, 3 = 14 (3d10)

>>3525837

>>3525837
“Listen,” you sigh dramatically, closing in and lowering your voice. “We lost some of our own not long ago, so I brought my surviving friends out here to paint the landscape. Last I recalled...”

“And it's illegal for you to be here,” the Warden declares.

“Last I was here the glen was open to any visitors,” you explain. “I had no idea that the rules had changed since Sigmunt...”

“King Sigmunt,” the Warden interrupts a second time.

Your expression sours slightly. “Surely there's no need for drastic actions over a misunderstanding, especially when we haven't been poaching or causing damage to the scenery.”

“Submit yourselves to arrest,” the Warden demands, completely ignoring your attempts at diplomacy. “We'll also be confiscating your horse and all those materials you're carry...”

In an instant Justina has stepped forward, grabbed a knife from the Warden's belt sheath, and put it to his throat.

“I don't like bullies,” she explains simply, glaring daggers at the Warden whose brow begins to bead with sweat.
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 5, 2, 2 = 9 (3d10)

>>3525873

Rolled 4, 9, 10 = 23 (3d10)

>>3525873
God, Sigmunt is a sack of crap.

Rolled 1, 10, 7 = 18 (3d10)

>>3525873

Rolled 10, 9, 10 = 29 (3d10)

>>3525873

>>3525907
Nice, almost a perfect roll.

>>3525873
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6onwcVx8BDg
You've already lost your patience with the Warden, even beyond any impulses to violently end his pathetic excuse for a life... little better than a bandit himself, but made all the more bold for his sense of entitlement and the recognition of the crown.

Instead of threatening him you approach him with a guise of calm, and lean in carefully to whisper into his ear. Over his shoulder you can see his two companions unsheath swords... not even a threat worth acknowledging. Humorous, in fact.

“Go and remind your king for me,” you tell him in the soft, measured purr of a cat that's just killed a particularly fat mouse, “that the only reason he is sitting on his stolen throne is that I have so far decided not to speak the seven words that would end his reign in blood and fire. That for my own reasons, I have chosen to leave well enough alone and expect from him the same courtesy.”

“And what words are those?” the Warden demands, some of his bluster fading at the sudden proximity of a warrior who could break his entire body in half effortlessly if she so chose.

You lower your voice to just a hoarse whisper. “I am Noel Tiberius di Hazaran.”

As you withdraw with a placid, confident smile, the man stares at you slack-jawed.

“Go and tell your so-called 'king' what I have said, word for word if you must,” you declare. “Tell him that even the patience of the Goddesses is finite, and that if he exhausts my own patience no army nor walls will keep the justice of the true Queen from reaching him.”

“Go and tell him that.”

After a small gesture from you Justina lowers the blade she's held to the Warden's throat, and despite his immediate gesture demanding its return she snaps it between her fingertips, eyes still locked with the Warden.

The two men behind him falter, their swords held somewhat lower now than before when they raised them so brashly.

“You... arrest...” the Warden tries meekly to reiterate his demands, to which you calmly shake your head.

“No,” you tell him. “Your authority may exist in your mind, but it does not exist here where the rest of us live.”

“Now go. Remove yourselves from my sight, and never appear before me again.”

Your words are delivered with such an intensity, such a burning venom, that any willpower the trio may still have had at this late stage crumbles entirely.

When you turn, you find even your own companions somewhat stunned at your sudden change in tone.

>Crack a joke, try to lighten the mood. That isn't how you want them to see you.
>Remind them that while you may be a queen, and may need to speak as one sometimes, they are your friends and equals. Not your subjects.
>Just encourage them to go back to what they were doing. You feel like things were going so well before the interruption.
>Other?

>>3526429
>>Remind them that while you may be a queen, and may need to speak as one sometimes, they are your friends and equals. Not your subjects.
>Now back to painting!

>>3526429
>>Remind them that while you may be a queen, and may need to speak as one sometimes, they are your friends and equals. Not your subjects.

>>3526429
>You may be a queen, and may need to speak as one sometimes, they are your friends and equals. Not your subjects. Lets go back to what we were doing before the interruption.

>Crack a joke, try to lighten the mood

Won't reminding Sigmund of our existence be bad? Especially since its so close to our home base?

>>3526429
>"You may resume painting, my subjects."

>>3526453
That would be a good joke.

>>3526429
>>Crack a joke, try to lighten the mood. That isn't how you want them to see you.
>>Remind them that while you may be a queen, and may need to speak as one sometimes, they are your friends and equals. Not your subjects.

>>3526451
I don't think he's forgotten already. Telling him where we are, however, is pretty bold of us.

>>3526705
Yeah, but thinking about us, and having a warden come up to tell him "someone claiming to be the daughter of the king told me to say this to you, and it happened over here", doesn't reassure me of the future of our stronghold and its caretakers.

>>3526429
>Remind them that while you may be a queen, and may need to speak as one sometimes, they are your friends and equals. Not your subjects.

>>3526429
>>Crack a joke, try to lighten the mood. That isn't how you want them to see you.
>>Remind them that while you may be a queen, and may need to speak as one sometimes, they are your friends and equals. Not your subjects.

>>3526429
>Remind them that while you may be a queen, and may need to speak as one sometimes, they are your friends and equals. Not your subjects.

>>3526429
that was six words

>>3527348
I hashed out the details of that update in a crowded bar, and miscounted in my head. But since I'd worked out all the details before I sat down to write I never really proofed it, or questioned the simple details.

>>3526429
>Remind them that while you may be a queen, and may need to speak as one sometimes, they are your friends and equals. Not your subjects.

>>3526429
>Crack a joke, try to lighten the mood. That isn't how you want them to see you.

>>3526451
>>3526705
>>3526830
Part of international relations is clear communication and signalling, establishing where certain boundaries exist so that the other parties involved are aware of what your priorities are and what constitutes a transgression. Basically, Noel has told Sigmunt that he's not even a priority to her as her interests are apolitical, but that any attack on her or her friends would suddenly put him at the top of her shitlist. A rational man, the involvement of which is an underlying assumption in all political calculus, would know to steer clear and let Noel do her thing because there's really no reason for a conflict.

>>3527816
>because there's really no reason for a conflict.
There's always reason for a conflict. Though rarely is it a good one.

>>3527816
You're forgetting the type of man Sigmunt is. and people like him usually go for the pettiest reasons to start a conflict.

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25 KB JPG

>>3526429
You sigh, feeling your shoulders relax in an instant. “Look, I know I'm a queen here by birth, but you're all my friends and my equals at worst. I'm not your queen, and you're not my subjects...”

You pause, eyes falling on Valentina.

“... except Valentina, actually,” you admit. “Valentina has to do everything I tell her.”

She takes a few seconds to catch up. “Wait, are you serious?”

“Always,” you nod, suppressing a grin. “Your queen will entertain no complaints.”

Valentina quickly turns to Helen. “Come on Helen, she's kidding right? Tell me she's kidding.”

“No, it makes sense,” Helen nods sagely. “She is the rightful queen of your home nation. You have to do what she says, Valentina.”

“Those are the rules,” Justina agrees quietly, but with an obvious smirk.

Serana nods emphatically as well.

Valentina stares at you as you slowly lose control of your muscles and grin at her.

“... shut up.”

You can't hold the laughter in as your group withdraws back towards Scaithness.

As you crest the first hill over which you can expect a view of the loch, Helen matches your stride.

“Was that okay?” she asks quietly. “Telling them everything like that?”

“It clearly communicates the situation to Sigmunt,” you sigh, “who previously knew only that I was still alive. If he has any sense, he will leave us alone.”

“And if he is senseless?”

>Stop the group with a clear view of the castle, explain its defenses to them.
>Just stop with Helen, answer her question in detail.
>Assure Helen that Blackthorn Keep will not be taken by force, especially not from you.
>Other?

>>3529029
>>Stop the group with a clear view of the castle, explain its defenses to them.

>>3529029
>Stop the group with a clear view of the castle, explain its defenses to them.

>>3529029
>What human army is going to take us down?

>>3529029
>>Stop the group with a clear view of the castle, explain its defenses to them.

>>3529029
>Stop the group with a clear view of the castle, explain its defenses to them.

>>3529029
>Assure Helen that Blackthorn Keep will not be taken by force, especially not from you.

>>3529029
>>Stop the group with a clear view of the castle, explain its defenses to them.
I'm down for an info dump that puts everyone on the same page.

>>3529029
“Here,” you declare. “Hold up for a moment, I have something to say.”

When your group has done as you request, you point down at the loch and the castle below where the dark waters rest still and deep and cold.

“That is Blackthorn Keep,” you tell them, “formally known as Castle Scaithag, the castle of shadow. It has served as the seat of my father’s clan for generations, and never once has it fallen. I want to explain to you why that is.”

Helen nods quietly, gesturing for you to continue, and so you begin at the right side of the little bluff you’ve positioned yourself atop.

“Look here, there’s a sharp bend in the loch at this point,” you explain, before drawing their attention to the stony soil beneath your feet. “This stony outcropping runs down into the loch from the shoulders of the peaks behind us, and the castle is set on the last crag above the average water level in the loch. However that crag is located around a curve.”

“My ancestors used the contours of the terrain to ensure that there is no way to aim siege engines or cannons directly at the castle from that side,” you continue. “Further, my grandfather built an outwork… just there… which denies much of the rest of that stretch of coast to any would-be attackers. Further towards Scaithness the slope is steeper, and the coast rocky. Terrible terrain to move through that further limits the number of heavy weapons that can be aimed at the castle.”

"Thus leaving only infantry," Laura nods along.
>1/2

>>3530874
“Correct,” you confirm. “The walls are angled in such a way that they increase their cross-section against lighter siege weapons from the angles where they can be deployed, and provide overlapping fields for the bronze cannons. Combined with its siting on a rock outcropping, it cannot be flanked, sapped, or easily scaled. When the blackthorn thistles that gave it the colloquial name begin to regrow it will be even harder for single soldiers to attack without sustaining injury.”

“Why the hedgehogs?” Justina presses.

You nod, pointing to several overgrown ditches that criss-cross the landscape. “Those used to be heavy hedgerows. I want to place the hedgehogs along some of those lines to serve as temporary replacements and training for the new growth. The glass and cement will top the more realistically scalable walls as a further deterrence.”

“Single infiltrators,” Helen realizes.

Lucia shakes her head. “You really thought of all this?”

“I already said,” you shrug. “This is my own keep. I know better than anyone alive how to defend it.”

Laura meets your eyes. “When will it be back at full potential?”

That’s the tough question, and you have to admit to yourself that you just don’t know.

“Stopgap measures will take very little time,” you shake your head, “but the blackthorn will take some time to grow in. So the keep will remain somewhat weak to single infiltration.”

“Something to watch for,” Helen sighs.

>I still think it’s the best option we have to use a safe center of operations.
>I’m vaguely aware of some other old, slighted castles. We should take some time to investigate those as well.
>What we really need are collaborators, people who can replicate the Organization’s support network.
>Other?

>>3530906
>>What we really need are collaborators, people who can replicate the Organization’s support network.

>>3530906
>I still think it’s the best option we have to use a safe center of operations.

>>3530906
>I still think it’s the best option we have to use a safe center of operations.

>>3530906
>It’s the best option we have to use as a safe Base of operations. I’m aware of some other old, slighted castles. We should take some time to investigate those as well. What we really need are collaborators, people who can replicate the Organization’s support network. Build our own network.

>>3530906
>>I still think it’s the best option we have to use a safe center of operations.
>What we need as well are collaborators, people who can replicate the Organization’s support network.

>>3530906
>I still think it’s the best option we have to use a safe center of operations.
>What we really need are collaborators, people who can replicate the Organization’s support network.

>>3530906
>>I still think it’s the best option we have to use a safe center of operations.
>>What we really need are collaborators, people who can replicate the Organization’s support network.

>>3530906
>>I still think it’s the best option we have to use a safe center of operations.

>>3530906
>What we really need are collaborators, people who can replicate the Organization’s support network.

>>3530906
Where was that noble woman from that we helped with the church?

>>3530906
“It’s not everything we need,” you admit, “but it’s the strongest start we could ask for. There were other castles in this region at one time, however most of them have been slighted already and are indefensible. So Blackthorn gives us a safe place to operate out of.”

“Unfortunately we’re operating nearly blind,” Helen sighs. “I anticipate that we’ll end up missing the Organization’s intelligence.”

Laura snorts. “Such as it ever was.”

“Does anyone among you have any potentially useful contacts?” Helen presses.

“Just the lords, merchants, and monks I mentioned,” you shrug. “Along with the castle, of course.”

“I know a doctor in Dean,” Laura shrugs. “If that is of any assistance.”

“There’s a landowner in Merced who owes me,” Valentina adds. “He should be good for information, at very least.”

“The sheriff of Voi owes us,” Helen offers, to which Justina immediately agrees.

“True.”

>That sounds like a solid start. We’re bound to make more contacts as time passes.
>We need to build a reputation in the region where we expect to work. That ought to help.
>We should go out of our way to meet with some mayors, quietly offer our services.
>Other?

>>3533131
>We need to build a reputation in the region where we expect to work. That ought to help.

>>3533131
>>We need to build a reputation in the region where we expect to work. That ought to help.

>>3533131
>We need to build a reputation in the region where we expect to work. That ought to help.
It does sound okay for now, though.

>>3533131
>>That sounds like a solid start. We’re bound to make more contacts as time passes.
>>We need to build a reputation in the region where we expect to work. That ought to help.

>>3533131
>>We need to build a reputation in the region where we expect to work. That ought to help.

>>3533131
>>We need to build a reputation in the region where we expect to work. That ought to help.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMBE4Swd-oc

>>3533131
>We need to build a reputation in the region where we expect to work. That ought to help.
>We should go out of our way to meet with some mayors, quietly offer our services.

Maybe we ought to take contracts undercutting the organization perhaps? Charge %50 less.

The problem is if the org finds out there will be hell to pay, they won't like the competition, and the people might end up spilling the beans on us. We should offer our services under the condition of anonymity and so long as no one else has informed or notified the organization of yoma in the area.

>>3533131
>will update later today

>>3534975
“There’s no better way to build a reputation than through action,” you observe calmly. “Which means doing missions of our own to build an informant network.”

“And the fees?” Justina asks curiously.

“Minimal,” you suggest. “Though not low enough to seriously undercut the Organization.”

“We should also be careful to take jobs prior to the Organization being informed,” Helen suggests.

“May I make a suggestion?” Laura muses.

You glance at Helen expectantly, who nods. “Of course.”

“I’d suggest taking a proactive approach,” she tells you carefully. “Use your yōki sensing abilities to take out targets on your own initiative, then request a comparatively modest reward for doing so. That would likely establish our group as a viable alternative, people with too little money to pay the Organization would start to seek us out first.”

“Thus suiting all our preferences,” Helen nods. “I like it. But I also think that we should maintain a rotation… move in pairs for safety, keeping at least one warrior here at the castle at all times.”

“Sensible precautions,” Laura agrees.

>Volunteer to be the first to go out, with anyone else who wants to partner with you.
>Volunteer to be the one to stay at the castle, there’s work to be done here.
>Wait to see who volunteers, then offer to accompany someone (who?)
>Other?

>>3535401
>>Volunteer to be the first to go out, with anyone else who wants to partner with you.
If the plan is based on our yoki sensing abilities, it only makes sense that we head out personally.

>>3535401
>>Volunteer to be the first to go out, with anyone else who wants to partner with you.

>>3535401
>Volunteer to be the first to go out, with anyone else who wants to partner with you.

>>3535401
>>Volunteer to be the first to go out, with anyone else who wants to partner with you.

>>3535401
>Volunteer to be the one to stay at the castle, there’s work to be done here.
There's housekeeping to be done here.

>>3535401
>Volunteer to be the one to stay at the castle, there’s work to be done here.

>>3535401
>Volunteer to be the first to go out, with anyone else who wants to partner with you.

>>3535401
Give me 1d6, taking the third roll

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>3535979

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>3535979
not me

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>3535979

File: Contact_Locations.jpg (167 KB, 1375x707)

167 KB JPG

>>3535979
“I’ll go, taking anyone with me who wants to go,” you offer calmly. “Any takers?”

The first one to raise her hand is Lucia, who you gesture to.

“I want to go with you,” she states. “I want to see more of this nation, get to know what seems to be my new home.”

You nod curtly, acknowledging her articulated intentions. “Sensible. We’ll head out in the morning, so don’t keep me waiting.”

“Where will you go?” Helen enquires.

“We’ll kill yōma the whole way,” you explain, “but I was thinking...”

>Daria. The monks there will be influential allies in light of the Inquisition’s movements.
>Baiko. My military contact there will be a major help in dealing with Sigmunt.
>Acerrae and Tarskavaig. I wanna secure our northern and eastern borders.
>Other?

>>3536065
This one you may want to consider carefully.

>>3536065
>>Daria. The monks there will be influential allies in light of the Inquisition’s movements.

>>3536065
>>Daria. The monks there will be influential allies in light of the Inquisition’s movements.

>>3536065
>Daria. The monks there will be influential allies in light of the Inquisition’s movements.

>>3536065
>>Acerrae and Tarskavaig. I wanna secure our northern and eastern borders.
I like the sound of securing our borders

>>3536065
>>Daria. The monks there will be influential allies in light of the Inquisition’s movements.

>>3536065
>Acerrae and Tarskavaig. I wanna secure our northern and eastern borders.
Same reasoning as >>3536172

>>3536065
>Daria. The monks there will be influential allies in light of the Inquisition’s movements.

>>3536065
>>Daria. The monks there will be influential allies in light of the Inquisition’s movements.

>>3536065
>Daria. The monks there will be influential allies in light of the Inquisition’s movements.

>>3535401
>Other?
Have some of the single digits spar and train with each other before training some of the weaker members, so we don't get handicapped too much if two weaker warriors end up being paired together.

>>3536065
>Baiko. My military contact there will be a major help in dealing with Sigmunt.

>>3536065
You decide to head for Daria, with the intention of negotiating with some of the monks. You know Vigilus wouldn’t disapprove of feeding you information from the north on a regular basis as the man does owe you his life, but to strengthen your stance with the various churches of the Twin Goddesses will take more than a good word from one good man.

“Oh, and Serana?”

Your mute companion perks up suddenly at the mention of her name, and flashes a quick series of single-handed gestures.

WHAT IS IT?

“Give Sabrina a good thrashing or two while I’m gone,” you tell her.

Her response is a wordless, mischievous grin and a dutiful salute with her remaining hand.

“Wait, what?” Sabrina demands. “What for?”

“I’ll be doing the same to Lucia along the way,” you admit, and Lucia’s laughter suddenly dies in her throat as she just about swallows her own tongue.

“Wait why!?” she protests dramatically. “I thought we were friends now!”

“We are,” you explain. “Which is why I’m doing this. The two of you are significantly behind the rest of us in terms of combat skills, where we’re all at least upper double digits who are also half-awakened.”

“While I am not going to expose you to the danger of half-awakening, even under guidance from someone who has experienced it firsthand, you both have a significant amount of untapped potential.”

“So you intend to beat it out of them,” Justina summarizes.

“That was my thinking too,” Helen nods, even before Sabrina can plead with her.

Out of options, it seems the two weakest warriors in your number concede defeat.

>Test Lucia out before leaving. See what you have to work with here.
>Head out towards Daria, practice in the evening when you stop to rest.
>You’re sure you can find a yōma for Lucia to practice on.
>Other?

>>3537215
>>Head out towards Daria, practice in the evening when you stop to rest.

>>3537215
>Head out towards Daria, practice in the evening when you stop to rest.

>>3537215
>>Head out towards Daria, practice in the evening when you stop to rest.

>>3537215
>Head out towards Daria, practice in the evening when you stop to rest.

I don't think we can get much improvement out of Lucia. It's not like she didn't train in the Organization, why should training with us be any better?

>>3537231
The Organization teaches its warriors the basics. Advanced techniques like the White Fist, Earthbreaker, Echo Sword, etc all come from experience, dedicated training, and experimentation.

>>3537215>Head out towards Daria, practice in the evening when you stop to rest.

>>3537215

(Is this how you do it?)

>>3537295
Need a new
>line

>practice on the way. Not just at night rest, but a little in the morning and midday too, unless there are prying eyes

>>3537295
just marking the line on a PC and clicking on the number link, will copy the line into your post btw

>>3537215
>Test Lucia out before leaving. See what you have to work with here.

>>3537215
>>Test Lucia out before leaving. See what you have to work with here.

>>3537215
You spend the rest of the day walking towards Daria with Lucia, until you call an abrupt stop in the evening.
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 3, 3, 5 = 11 (3d10)

>>3538455

Rolled 3, 2, 9 = 14 (3d10)

>>3538455
>limiless potential hooo

Rolled 3, 9, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>3538455

Rolled 6, 5, 1 = 12 (3d10)

>>3538455

>>3538455
“I can’t sense any yōma nearby,” you sigh, “so we should take a break for the evening here.”

“Understood,” the petite warrior nods, taking a few steps off the footpath you’ve found yourselves on and sticking her sword into the ground. “Isn’t it a little early though?”

“It is,” you agree, pointing your sword at her. “And not without reason.”

She takes a moment to collect herself, before prying her sword back out of the ground. “Alright, how do you want to do this?”

“Attack me,” you insist sternly. “With ten percent of your yōki.”

“Are you sure?” she asks, clearly concerned that you’ve told her to fight you so seriously.

You nod. “I wouldn’t have asked otherwise. Now come.”
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 1, 9, 6 = 16 (3d10)

>>3538496

Rolled 9, 9, 10 = 28 (3d10)

>>3538496

>>3538496
Lets not get crippled

Rolled 2, 5, 7 = 14 (3d10)

>>3538523

>>3538521
welp, go me.

>>3538521
This is the part where we catch her blade with our bare hand and send both her and her meager lunch flying, right?

>>3538496
You can see it with almost painful clarity, as if her speed has been cut back to a proverbial crawl. Her swings aren’t what you’d call technically incorrect, which is good at least. But she does have a tendency to try forcing herself to move her blade faster, with stronger, wide strokes. It’s probably not even pronounced enough that she herself notices that she’s doing it.

Eventually she goes for a powerful, downward swing towards your shoulder. Instead of parrying you sidestep, the movement effortless and smooth, with your foot lashing out at her ribs. The blow lifts her up off her feet and sends her crashing backwards into a tree.

She drops her sword.

“I’ve seen enough to know what I’m dealing with,” you tell her, offering her a hand. “I have a few observations.”

“Yeah,” Lucia gasps, hand finally grasping the hilt of her sword. “And what are those?”

“You overcommit to each swing,” you begin. “Meaning that if you miss you’re left wide open. Keep your movements tightly controlled, and don’t waste effort trying to be faster and stronger than you are.”

“That was...” she searches for the right word. “Blunt.”

“I don’t sugar-coat things,” you shrug. “But your fundamentals are all there. You just need to train the hell out of yourself to develop them from your current baseline.”

“So when will I be able to do something like that technique you pulled?”

You blink once, not following her. “What technique?”

“That kick,” she presses. “That was your speciality, right?”

>Explain to her that if you used the White Fist on her she’d be dead.
>Admit that was just a regular kick. Point out that she has a long way to grow before thinking about fancier techniques.
>Explain that it only comes up when a warrior knows their strengths, and has the experience to try novel approaches to combat.
>Other?

>>3538657
>>Admit that was just a regular kick. Point out that she has a long way to grow before thinking about fancier techniques.
>>Explain that it only comes up when a warrior knows their strengths, and has the experience to try novel approaches to combat.

>>3538556
No its it part when we realize how much of a disparity in power exists between our old self and new self. We'd be ranked 3 or above.

>>3538657
>Explain to her that if you used the White Fist on her she’d be dead.
>Demonstrate by using it on the tree she crashed into

>>3538657
>Admit that was just a regular kick. Point out that she has a long way to grow before thinking about fancier techniques.
Give a light hearted chuckle before tell her this.

>Explain that it only comes up when a warrior knows their strengths, and has the experience to try novel approaches to combat.

>>3538657
>>Explain to her that if you used the White Fist on her she’d be dead.

>>3538657
>Admit that was just a regular kick. Point out that she has a long way to grow before thinking about fancier techniques.

>>3538657
>Explain to her that if you used the White Fist on her she’d be dead.
>Admit that was just a regular kick. Point out that she has a long way to grow before thinking about fancier techniques.
>Explain that it only comes up when a warrior knows their strengths, and has the experience to try novel approaches to combat.

>>3538657
>>Admit that was just a regular kick. Point out that she has a long way to grow before thinking about fancier techniques.

>>3538657
>Explain that it only comes up when a warrior knows their strengths, and has the experience to try novel approaches to combat.

>>3538657
>Admit that was just a regular kick. Point out that she has a long way to grow before thinking about fancier techniques.

>>3538657
>>Admit that was just a regular kick. Point out that she has a long way to grow before thinking about fancier techniques.

>>3538657
“Sorry to inform you,” you chuckle, “but that was just a regular kick.”

Lucia stares at you in shock. “You’re joking. You have to be.”

You shake your head. “Not at all.”

Then you kick the ground using your actual White Fist technique… and you realize that it’s probably not a good idea to repeat that sort of demonstration in a town. Because if you had, you might collapse any nearby buildings.

Lucia is too shocked to even look shocked. Instead she stares blankly at the damage you caused.

“What.”

“I projected my yōki outside my foot and amplified my striking power,” you explain. “It’s like punching through an object entirely, so when I hit flesh with it the blow causes deep-tissue trauma and internal bleeding. A regular human’s body would have liquified if I used it at full strength.”

“That’s completely insane.”

“That’s what comes with experience,” you clarify. “Helen can move her arm and sword in ways that don’t make sense, Laura can strike at a distance with changes in air pressure caused by the movement of her sword, Valentina can extend her fingernails like spears. My friend Emma hardened her skin to the point where no ordinary yōma could harm her.”

“And how is it you learned how to do this?” Lucia presses.

“By always learning and improving,” you explain. “You however lack the experience necessary to build off of. Which is why we are going to get you that experience… you and Sabrina. We are going to forge you into a warrior equal in standing to a single-digit.”

>Go another round with Lucia.
>Teach Lucia a specialized skill, like dodging bullets or something.
>Get some rest. Move out in the morning and look for yōma.
>Get some rest, move out for Daria the next morning.
>Other?

>>3540450
>>Go another round with Lucia.

>>3540450
>>Go another round with Lucia.
>>Teach Lucia a specialized skill, like dodging bullets or something.

>>3540450
>>Teach Lucia a specialized skill, like dodging bullets or something.

>>3540450
>Go another round with Lucia.

>>3540450
>>Go another round with Lucia.
>>Teach Lucia a specialized skill, like dodging bullets or something.

>>3540450
>Go another round with Lucia.
As always, the answer is training until you die or get stronger. Fuck yeah.

>>3540450
>Go another round with Lucia.
Get her basics down to a solid level.

>>3540450
>>Go another round with Lucia.
Be a shame to just do nothing after that little speech.

>>3540450
>>Go another round with Lucia.

>>3540450
>Go another round with Lucia.

>>3540450
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 9, 8, 4 = 21 (3d10)

>>3541546

Rolled 5, 2, 8 = 15 (3d10)

>>3541546

Rolled 9, 7, 8 = 24 (3d10)

>>3541546

Rolled 5, 9, 9 = 23 (3d10)

>>3541546

>>3541546
“Now,” you state, raising your blade and staring Lucia down a second time. “Let’s continue. I will offer you advice where I see any worth offering, and we will continue until I judge that you cannot.”

She raises her blade, but doesn’t move at first. Is she intimidated by you? Or is she simply waiting for you to make the first move? Either way…

“If you will not come here...”

Your blade crashes against hers, and her arms waver under the force, but she holds fast until you knock into her with your elbow. She falls flat on her butt, then quickly rolls out of the way as you bring your sword down on the spot where she was a second before.

“Try not to ever stop moving,” you tell her, “or get too rooted to one spot. Especially if you’re not in a standard guard position, for example with your sword raised over your head to parry. Now come at me.”

Lucia dutifully charges you with her sword raised, and finds it sliding along the edge of your own blade. With a quarter step and a careful little shuffle of your feet you turn and bring the flat of your sword down on the back of her neck, knocking her into the dust again.

“Managing momentum during battle is key, especially with large weapons such as ours,” you explain. “Back on your feet, and try it yourself.”

As soon as she’s ready your blade arcs swiftly into an attack that she quickly parries, pushing your edge off and trying to move into a counterattack of her own… only to find your next attack already coming at her.

She manages to quickly parry that attack as well, only to find the point of your blade thrust at her exposed throat. Her eyes widen and she freezes.

“Again.”

Three more exchanges and your edge is at the side of her neck.

“Again.”

Two exchanges, and your blade neatly parts her hair along the midline of her head.

“Again.”

Three blows and you sweep her leg, so she finds your edge against her neck before she can recover.

“Again.”

You run her until she’s left panting, and the sun has set.

“Get some rest,” you order, and she collapses promptly against a nearby tree.
>1/2

>>3541705
The morning comes swiftly, and Lucia hauls herself to her feet. By that point you’ve already kicked out your little fire, and scattered the ashes around.

Marching along a wider road north, you encounter a small group of merchants with two wagons, and a few armed guards. They hail you as you approach.

“Hey, you two ladies are witches right!?” the man driving the first wagon calls out.

So they can recognize you from the uniforms and the swords… hm. With your pink hair in particular, civilian clothes make you all but disappear. Nobody really pins you as a half-blooded warrior. Maybe the first paid job you take should be used to pay for new uniforms? Something a little less grim and dark, that would mark you out as something distinct from the Organization?

“What do we do, Noel?” Lucia asks quietly.

>Acknowledge them, act like nothing is unusual.
>Acknowledge them, but ask them not to discuss your presence here.
>Deny that you are ‘witches’, insist that you are anything but that.
>Other?

>>3542097
>Deny that you are ‘witches’, insist that you are anything but that.

>>3542097
>Acknowledge them, act like nothing is unusual.

>>3542097
>>Acknowledge them, act like nothing is unusual.

>>3542097
>>Acknowledge them, act like nothing is unusual.

>>3542097
>Acknowledge them, act like nothing is unusual.

>>3542097
>>Acknowledge them, act like nothing is unusual.

>>3542097
>Acknowledge them, act like nothing is unusual.

>>3542097
>Acknowledge them, act like nothing is unusual.

>>3542097
>>Acknowledge them, act like nothing is unusual.

>>3542097
>Acknowledge them, act like nothing is unusual.
Since Claymores don't take payment, perhaps we should get a 3rd party, or a guard to dress the part and of a handler to take the cash so we can keep up the guise.

Umm, shouldn't we secure a communication channel with Sabela for our little splinter group? We are kind of depending on her influence. It would be wise to avoid interfering with each other where possible.

Or I suppose we could continue with the system where she just shows up out of nowhere when she needs to. Sneaky Abyssal is sneaky.

>>3542097
“We’re on our way north,” you reply, making no attempt to hide who you and Lucia are. “Is there a problem that would benefit from our expertise?”

“Word has it there was an attack in Litka village, just west of here,” the driver declares. “Awful mess, corpses scraped clean inside with their blood splattered everywhere.”

“Certainly sounds like a yōma,” Lucia sighs.

You nod in agreement. “I think we can find some time in our schedule.”

True to your word you head west at the soonest possibility, towards the area where you recall Litka being. It’s an old village, famous for its ceramics… practically everyone there is a potter, because the clay nearby is of such unusually fine quality that finished pots command an equally unusual price.

“So, we found a mission after all,” Lucia muses quietly as she follows along. “So how are we going to handle this?”

“I’ve done plenty of jobs for free,” you admit. “As have many other warriors who hate yōma more than they love the Organization. In my experience if we just tell them to keep it quiet the Organization will never find out.”

“That makes sense. But still...”

You glance over her shoulder at her, repeating her words. “But still?”

“Wouldn’t it be better if we didn’t get found out again?” she wonders aloud.

You nod calmly. “I had the same thought. Replacement uniforms would go a long way.”

“Do we have someone who could make new uniforms?” Lucia asks.

You shake your head. “I don’t think so. But if we had a little money to throw around we could solve that problem.”

“I see, so that’s why the conclusion wasn’t to do our jobs for free,” Lucia realizes.

“We need to get things done,” you agree. “So that’s why we can’t simply do things for free. Keeping up the castle, for example.”

“Hm,” Lucia ponders the example. “Being a noble must be frustrating sometimes.”

“It can be.”

It’s not long before you can sense it… two yōma, not exceptional in their strength.

>Have Lucia fight them solo. Step in when you need to.
>Fight together, focus on creating opportunities for Lucia.
>Take one. Lucia gets to deal with the other.
>Other?

>>3544015
>>Take one. Lucia gets to deal with the other.

>>3544015
>Have Lucia fight them solo. Step in when you need to.

>>3544015
>Have Lucia fight them solo. Step in when you need to.

>>3544015
>>Fight together, focus on creating opportunities for Lucia.

>>3544015
>Have Lucia fight them solo. Step in when you need to.

>>3544015
>>Have Lucia fight them solo. Step in when you need to.

>>3544015
>Fight together, focus on creating opportunities for Lucia.

>>3544015
>Take one. Lucia gets to deal with the other.

>>3544015
>>Have Lucia fight them solo. Step in when you need to.

>>3544015
>Have Lucia fight them solo. Step in when you need to.
Let her farm exp.

>>3544015
>Have Lucia fight them solo. Step in when you need to.

>>3544015
>Have Lucia fight them solo. Step in when you need to.

>>3544015
You and Lucia walk together towards Litka, and its walls very quickly come into view. All around it are terraces, and a small river runs past the cluster of buildings. This is one of a small number of ancient, wealthy towns which built individual homes up as defensive structures. The oldest you recall is the square structure near the center with a courtyard, which over the years has become the civic center of the community. Here there is a church on one end, opposite an unusually fine public bath for the size of the settlement. The family which owns the land in this area also lives within this compound.

Around the oldest building are four circular structures, each with its own courtyard and well, all of which are defensible in their own right. The total number of people living here is somewhere in the neighborhood of fifteen-hundred.

“Is that Litka?” Lucia asks, stunned at the scale of the structures and the urban density that they must reach within their walls. “To think that such a community exists..”

“It’s a very old concept,” you explain. “From before the time of the kings of Hazaran. They still serve as a strong deterrent to bandits and yōma, as access is more controlled than a town with an open plan.”

“Don’t the people here get tired of living literally right on top of each other?”

You shake your head. “Some do. But it’s normally a very safe community, quite self-sufficient with a strong export industry and decently developed public infrastructure. It’s rare to see a settlement this small with a church and bath house of the size you’ll find here, and the stalls within the courtyards should be bustling.”

“So, where to?” she enquires.

>3d10, best of four

File: 800px-Earth_buildings-Tia(...).jpg (291 KB, 800x625)

291 KB JPG

>>3547421
Forgot the image.

Rolled 7, 10, 10 = 27 (3d10)

>>3547421

Rolled 10, 3, 6 = 19 (3d10)

>>3547421
>>3547431
holy hell, you are the hero we needed
i am now doing my civic duty to the quest

Rolled 2, 3, 9 = 14 (3d10)

>>3547421

Rolled 9, 4, 7 = 20 (3d10)

>>3547421

>>3547421
The yōma aren’t exactly hidden, so you make a game of it.

“So, can you sense where they are?” you ask Lucia.

She focuses intently on the town downhill from where you’re standing, and after a moment she nods. “In the oval-shaped building. Two… yes, two of them, I think.”

“You’re right,” you nod quietly. “They’re on the second floor, directly over the entry gate. It would be a small and dark series of rooms.”

“So how do we approach them?”

“That I will leave up to you,” you shrug. “Along with most of the fighting.”

“Wait, what?” she stammers.

You nod curtly. “I’ll be along with you, so two yōma won’t be a problem. I wanna see how you deal with the situation when left to your own devices.”

“Alright then,” she agrees. “Let’s see...”

You follow Lucia towards the oval-shaped building.

>Evacuate the civilians so that Lucia can go all-out.
>Offer to rush into the building to flush the yōma out.
>Coordinate with Lucia to cut off any retreat paths.
>Other?

>>3547494
>>Offer to rush into the building to flush the yōma out.

>>3547494
>Coordinate with Lucia to cut off any retreat paths.

>>3547494
>Evacuate the civilians so that Lucia can go all-out.

>>3547494
>Evacuate the civilians so that Lucia can go all-out.

>>3547494
>>Evacuate the civilians so that Lucia can go all-out.

>>3547494
>>Evacuate the civilians so that Lucia can go all-out.

>>3547494
>>Coordinate with Lucia to cut off any retreat paths.
The point is to allow Lucia a good fight, not have them run like bitches and take hostages.

>>3547494
>Coordinate with Lucia to cut off any retreat paths.

>>3547494
>Evacuate the civilians so that Lucia can go all-out.

>>3547494
What Lucia really needs right now is for the civilians to be out of the way, so that she can engage the yōma without worrying about collateral damages. Anything else you or she can handle as it comes up, but you won’t have her put into a compromised position by hostages. If it comes to that you have to admit you’d have little reason not to prioritize your fellow warrior, leaving the civilians to their fates, so the only conscionable decision now is to ensure that they’re never threatened in the first place.

So after passing through the heavy wooden doors and taking your leave of Lucia, who rushes upstairs towards the targets, you start shouting the second you see daylight in the courtyard.

“Everyone back!” you roar, gesturing wildly. “Back, back, back! Stay behind me at all times and you might just survive!”

Panicked by the sudden appearance of a silver-eyed woman shouting at them and waving a huge sword, most of the civilians do exactly as you say. A few of the children instead hide under shop stalls, or try to take advantage of the chaos and steal fruits or vegetables while they can, but soon even these opportunists are sent scurrying.

People scream as a beheaded yōma crashes through one of the windows above the fortified gate, falling to the ground below with a heavy thud and a tinkling shower of glass and plaster.

“What is she doing?” you grumble, strongarming a small boy towards his terrified parents. Without even thinking you snatch an apple he dropped, ill-gotten gains anyway, and bite into it as the crashing continues to echo through the courtyard.

Eventually both monster and hunter tumble through a second window, crashing to the ground in a tangle of limbs. The yōma pushes Lucia off himself and rolls to his feet, which Lucia also manages to do.

“There!” she grunts. “No more scurrying around for you!”

The yōma’s eyes dart around, looking for a way out of his predicament before his gaze settles on you.

“Heeeya!” he shouts nonsensically, charging you with his clawed hand raised. “This one’s half aslee...”

You use your free hand to catch his wrist before it strikes your chest, not so much as budging an inch while your attacker’s momentum disappears in an instant.

His eyes widen in shock. “What the hell!?”

He struggles to free his trapped arm and pull away, to no effect. “Let go of me you stupid bit...”

“Kay.”

Just as he manages a massive tug you release his wrist, sending him sprawling backwards. In an instant Lucia falls upon him, cutting from shoulder to hip before striking the opposite shoulder, slicing his head off his severed torso.
>1/2

>>3548882
The frightened villagers still cowering as Lucia quickly flicks the blood from her blade.

“Aaand done,” she muses, returning her sword to her back. Then she looks at you expectantly.

>Not bad, though I wish you could have negotiated the tight quarters in a less destructive way.
>There’s this technique called a “thrust”. You might be interested in learning about it.
>That was competent enough, but ‘competent enough’ isn’t sufficient. Not anymore.
>Other?

>>3548884
>That was competent enough, but ‘competent enough’ isn’t sufficient. Not anymore.

>>3548884
>There’s this technique called a “thrust”. You might be interested in learning about it.
>That was competent enough, but ‘competent enough’ isn’t sufficient. Not anymore.

>>3548884
>>Not bad, though I wish you could have negotiated the tight quarters in a less destructive way.

>>3548884
>>There’s this technique called a “thrust”. You might be interested in learning about it.
>>That was competent enough, but ‘competent enough’ isn’t sufficient. Not anymore.

"you have much to learn, young padawan"

>>3548884
>>There’s this technique called a “thrust”. You might be interested in learning about it.

>>3548884
>Not bad, though I wish you could have negotiated the tight quarters in a less destructive way.
>There’s this technique called a “thrust”. You might be interested in learning about it.

>>3548884
>"Lightly Karate Chop her head"
>"That's not good enough! Not to the standards that I will hold you to."
>Lightly Karate Chop her head to punctuate each lesson you're going to drill into her head.
>"One, you caused collateral damage. These villagers can't afford to rebuild, and we're trying to run a business here. Any property damage will be repaid with our earnings, cause too much damage during normal yoma hunting missions and you'll end up paying out of your own pocket."
>"Two, Swords aren't simply slashing weapons, they are also Stabbing and Piercing weapons. There's a technique called a 'thrust'. You might be interested in learning about it."
>"Three, It was fair of you to ensure the Yoma stays dead, but you could have went for a cleaner kill. Messy kills means more clean-up time and more collateral damage since they now have to burn anything tainted by yoma blood"
>"Four, You hunt like a wild hunting dog barking up a storm, and you got too single-minded on running down a single yoma. If you hunt regular yoma like this, you're bound to end up with one or two of them escaping through clever tactics and numbers, or worse take hostages or kill other villagers!
>"Five, be methodical! You are a HUNTER as well as a Warrior!"
>"SIX...you got yoma blood on my uniform."

>>3548884
>>3548963
This minus the chopping

>>3548884
>>Not bad, though I wish you could have negotiated the tight quarters in a less destructive way.
>>There’s this technique called a “thrust”. You might be interested in learning about it.

>>3548884
>>3548963
>>3548966
Supporting this, the chopping feels too demeaning. The job was still done.
Do it away from the villagers tho.

>>3548966
this

>>3548966
support

maybe a little chop chop?

>test

File: meteora_5.jpg (151 KB, 800x534)

151 KB JPG

>>3548884
“Sorry about the mess,” you apologize, stepping over the fallen yōma. “But on the bright side, consider this one to be free. We’re technically doing this on our own time, so it would be best if you simply not mention that we were here.”

“Thanks?” one of the men offers awkwardly as you lead Lucia out of the building.

“You’re welcome,” you reply.

Once clear of the settlement, you start to lay out your thoughts.

“You did well, for a rookie,” you allow, before dropping the pretense. “You did quite a bit of collateral damage, which would normally cut into our earnings. I assume you knocked the yōma out of the building to give yourself room to maneuver?”

Lucia nods along. “That was the idea, yes.”

“It wasn’t a bad idea,” you admit, “but it shouldn’t have been necessary. You should be able to adapt your technique to suit the environment and the opponent.”

“Basically, you lack experience. But don’t worry… that’s an easy enough problem to fix.”

The journey to Daria only takes two more days, during which time you continue to drill Lucia to exhaustion in the evenings when you make camp. Not enough time for her to grow significantly, but enough time for her to start considering what she’s doing that could be improved to meet the standards you’ve set for her.

Eventually, you arrive at the outskirts of Daria one warm afternoon.

“This place is amazing!” Lucia smiles ear to ear. “How did they build all the way up there?”

“Carefully,” you quip. And that’s only half humorous… you imagine no small amount of effort went into simply making sure the workers here survived each day, above and beyond the demands of the actual construction itself.

You lead Lucia up the familiar stairs, offering her one warning.

“The monks have a vow of silence,” you explain. “I suggest you observe it as well, because this place is very sacred to quite a few people.”

“But I can’t speak with hand signs,” Lucia points out.

You nod. “Thankfully, I can translate when we get a moment. But for the most part you’ll have to leave it to me.”

It doesn’t take you long to find old Vigilus, who greets you silently but jovially.

HOW ARE YOU KEEPING, NOEL?
>1/2

>>3549954
THINGS ARE GOING POORLY, you admit. THE ORGANIZATION NEARLY GOT US ALL KILLED, AND NOW WE’RE ROGUE.

Vigilus shakes his head solemnly. SORRY TO HEAR THAT. HAVE YOU A PLACE TO STAY?

You nod. STAYING AT A CASTLE THAT USED TO BELONG TO MY FATHER. EASY TO DEFEND, OUT OF THE WAY.

GOOD TO KNOW YOU’RE SAFE AT LEAST, Vigilus nods thoughtfully, his relief obvious. HOW MANY?

SEVERAL, you reply. I’M NOT HURTING FOR COMPANY. INFORMATION THOUGH…

YOU INTEND TO CONTINUE FIGHTING YŌMA?

>Under any circumstances, yes. That’s our mission, all that’s happened is it’s gotten harder.
>We need to survive. Having a purpose and some income will go a long way to that end.
>It’s the only plan we have right now, our situation is too uncertain for anything long term.
>Other?

>>3549989
>Under any circumstances, yes. That’s our mission, all that’s happened is it’s gotten harder.

>>3549989
>>We need to survive. Having a purpose and some income will go a long way to that end.
>>It’s the only plan we have right now, our situation is too uncertain for anything long term.

>>3549989
>Under any circumstances, yes. That’s our mission, all that’s happened is it’s gotten harder.
We also need contacts and information.

>>3549989
>Under any circumstances, yes. That’s our mission, all that’s happened is it’s gotten harder.

>>3549989
>>Under any circumstances, yes. That’s our mission, all that’s happened is it’s gotten harder.

>It’s the only plan we have right now, our situation is too uncertain for anything long term.

>>3549989
>Under any circumstances, yes. That’s our mission, all that’s happened is it’s gotten harder.

>>3549989
>>We need to survive. Having a purpose and some income will go a long way to that end.

>>3549989
>>Under any circumstances, yes. That’s our mission, all that’s happened is it’s gotten harder.

>>3549989
>>Under any circumstances, yes. That’s our mission, all that’s happened is it’s gotten harder.

>>3549989
>>Under any circumstances, yes. That’s our mission, all that’s happened is it’s gotten harder.

>>3549989
>Under any circumstances, yes. That’s our mission, all that’s happened is it’s gotten harder

>>3549999
Oui

>>3549989
REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES, you reply without a moment’s hesitation. THAT IS THE LIFE WE HAVE CHOSEN. THE OTHERS ARE FREE TO LEAVE IF THEY WANT, BUT I WILL SEE IT THROUGH.

YOUR DETERMINATION IS ADMIRABLE, Vigilus nods quietly in understanding. SOME MIGHT SAY FOOLISH, BUT WELL-INTENDED FOOLISHNESS CAN BE VERY ADMIRABLE.

WAS THAT A COMPLIMENT? You ask with a raised eyebrow.

I MEANT IT AS SUCH. Vigilus can’t help but smirk back at you as he asks the sensible question that gets you back on topic. SO WHY ARE YOU HERE?

WE CAN SENSE YŌMA, you explain, BUT WE NEED TO BE IN THE RIGHT AREA. THAT IS WHERE YOU COME IN.

YOU WANT US TO BECOME INFORMANTS, he realizes.

IN THIS REGION, YES, you nod back to him. WE PLAN TO STAY IN THE AREA OF HAZARAN, CUILAN, AND SOUTHERN SAKIA.

WHO ELSE?

His question isn’t unreasonable of course, so you answer. LORD OF TARSKAVAIG AND MARSHAL NOVENTUS, IN BAIKO.

Vigilus nods along. WE CAN WRITE SOME LETTERS, SENT BY COURIER OR CARAVAN IF NEED BE. WE DO HEAR THINGS FROM THE PARISHIONERS.

THAT WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED, you smile.

Vigilus raises an eyebrow. THAT IS NOT ALL, IS IT?

>We could use your help in winning over the general public a little more. They don’t need to be afraid of us.
>A more public affiliation with a famous monastery would deprive the Inquisition of an argument in the court of public opinion.
>We don't need anything else. We can manage on our own so long as we have well-connected friends.
>Other?

Asking for more copies of the manuscripts goes without saying.

>>3552413
>We could use your help in winning over the general public a little more. They don’t need to be afraid of us.

>>3552413
>>We could use your help in winning over the general public a little more. They don’t need to be afraid of us.
we would very much appreciate that if you would do this for us, if that is too much to ask, i very much understand
i do not want to cause you to become problems in the eyes of our enemies

>>3552413
>>A more public affiliation with a famous monastery would deprive the Inquisition of an argument in the court of public opinion.

>>3552413
>We don't need anything else. We can manage on our own so long as we have well-connected friends.
I'm torn, part of me wants them to help with general public opinion, but I worry that the inquisition will make moves against them if they do.

Granted, the inquisition may be planning to deal with them period who knows.

>>3552413
>We could use your help in winning over the general public a little more. They don’t need to be afraid of us.
>A more public affiliation with a famous monastery would deprive the Inquisition of an argument in the court of public opinion.
>Do you have any swordfighting manuals?
If we're at a danger of fighting other Claymores, then techniques made specifically for use against sword armed opponents could give us an advantage over someone who only trained to fight against claws and tentacles.

>>3552521
that is an interesting thought, claymores are trained against yoma and to a lesser degree very bizarre enemies
swordfighting tipps might be useful to get an upper hand if we have to go up against the organization

>>3552413
>>We could use your help in winning over the general public a little more. They don’t need to be afraid of us.
I don't want to make the monks a target by publicly affiliating.

>>3552413
>>3552521
I'm game for this

>>3552413
>We could use your help in winning over the general public a little more. They don’t need to be afraid of us.

>>3552413
>A more public affiliation with a famous monastery would deprive the Inquisition of an argument in the court of public opinion.

>>3552527
The impression I always got from the series was that Claymores were at a level of kinesthesia, strength and speed where skill and technique was minimally or at least unusually applicable. It all happens so quickly and efficiently. It would be like trying to devise a technique to properly angle your eyes to focus on an object: we already do that automatically extremely well without even thinking about it.

Obviously it's not exactly the same with a warrior, but I feel like Claymores are already extremely capable of moving their sword precisely how they mean to. Even the weakest Claymores are capable of swinging their weapons one handed like it's a toy. They also don't really get tired the way a regular human does.

These things make applying human techniques less useful or even detrimental. They are capable of things humans just aren't.

Maybe focus on combat strategies instead of sword techniques.

>>3553539
Focusing your eyes is hardwired in the nervous system. Swordfighting is an acquired skill, even for Claymores. This analogy is not applicable.

And even if you can move precisely like you want to, it won't do you any good if you don't know how you want to move for the best results.

Finally, whatever superhuman abilities our Claymores have, the opposing Claymores would also have, so any kind of advantage is not insignificant.

>>3553539
Make her focus on basic training. 100 pushups, situps, squats, and a 10 km run every day.

>>3552413
WE COULD USE YOUR HELP WINNING PEOPLE OVER, you explain with your hands. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THEY DON’T HAVE TO FEAR US.

WOULD THAT BE ENOUGH?

Vigilus’ question is one you had only barely considered. You won’t ask the monks here to take a stand against the Inquisition in your favor… with Vigilus in the position of head abbot they probably butt heads enough already without that specific point of contention. But that being said, you’re painfully aware that those who have not had any particular experience with you first hand, or have only dealt with the less-personable warriors in their region, would not be comfortable approaching the Organization let alone rogue agents such as yourselves.

IT WILL HAVE TO BE.

Vigilus seems to ponder your reply for a moment. WHY?

I WILL NOT PIT YOU AGAINST THE INQUISITION, you admit.

Again, Vigilus asks the logical question. WHY NOT, IF IT WOULD SUIT YOUR ENDS?

Your responses are quickly flashed back to him… even if Lucia could understand them she might not be able to keep up with the flurry of information.

IT SUITS NO ONE IF YOU ARE ALL DEAD, you shoot back. I CAN DODGE THEIR BULLETS, OR SIMPLY REGENERATE. YOU HAVE NO SUCH LUXURY, AND I WILL NOT HAVE INNOCENT BLOOD ON MY HANDS.

Vigilus shuts his eyes, and nods. I AM SATISFIED WITH YOUR RESPONSES… WHATEVER CAUSED YOUR SPLIT WITH THE ORGANIZATION HAS NOT CHANGED YOUR CONVICTIONS.

You watch him carefully as he takes a seat on a nearby bench, listening for a few moments to the birds, and to the gentle, resonant sounds of the bell being struck. I WILL DO WHAT I CAN, AND SEND YOU ANY INFORMATION THAT COMES TO US. PERHAPS COORDINATING WITH THE ABBOTS IN THIS REGION WILL FACILITATE THAT GOAL.

IF YOU THINK THAT WISE.

I DO, Vigilus replies sternly. WE SERVE THE SPIRITUAL AND INTELLECTUAL WELL-BEING OF OUR FLOCK… THIS PARTNERSHIP IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HELP ENSURE THEIR SAFETY AS WELL.

He rises to his feet, offering you his hand which you gratefully shake.
>1/2

>>3554158
THANK YOU, FATHER VIGILUS.

He nods in understanding. OF COURSE.

>May I use some time here to train with Lucia? She is a comparative novice.
>Vigilus, would you mind pounding some knots into Lucia for me? She has a long way to go.
>May I borrow your library? We need some new reading material back at the castle.
>Other?

>>3554158
>>May I use some time here to train with Lucia? She is a comparative novice.
>May I borrow your library? We need some new reading material back at the castle.

>>3554162
>May I use some time here to train with Lucia? She is a comparative novice.
>May I borrow your library? We need some new reading material back at the castle.

>>3554158
>>3554162

>>>May I use some time here to train with Lucia? She is a comparative novice.
>>May I borrow your library? We need some new reading material back at the castle.

>>3554162
>>May I use some time here to train with Lucia? She is a comparative novice.
>May I borrow your library? We need some new reading material back at the castle.

>>3554162
>>May I borrow your library? We need some new reading material back at the castle.