>>3585380

Equipment:

>Full Plate Armor

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

>Plate of the Savior’s Mercy: (once per in game day you will survive a mortal blow)

>Untouchable Glaive: +2 to damage. Every turn in combat that you don’t take damage, the enemy will have 1 point taken off their dice (This is cumulative so 3 turns without taking damage = -3 to their dice)

>Halberd

>Short sword

>Coin of Fate (re-roll 1 die with a coin flip [1=crit fail 2=crit success] Non-Spontaneous Rolls Only)

>Helmet of Clear Vision (+2 on perception checks, can see through minor illusions)

>Oak Heart Belt: +5 HP and will make you marginally stronger adding +1 to your dice damage. Secondary effect: If you were then belt for 24 consecutive hours your skin will turn to bark adding +3 to your defense and -1 to your dice damage.

>1 Health potion

>1 Energy potion

>2 Explosive Grenadoes

>1 Smoke Grenado

>55 Gold
Books:

>Herbalism Primer

>Herbalist Guide Book

Perks:

>Bush Wacker: Easier to spot and set ambushes

>Elf War Veteran: +2 to your defense against non-magical ranged attacks and +2 to your dice damage.

>Commanding Voice: Your words will be heard over the loudest of noises and when directly giving orders, the recipients of those orders gain a +2 to their rolls. You also gain +1 when intimidating others.

>Iron Gullet perk. It will now take a copious amount of alcohol to get you even tipsy, a blessing and a curse; however spoiled foods and poisons now have a hard time making you sick +3 to resist the effects of poison.

>Smart Attacker: You’ve been there attacked that and gotten smacked for it so many times you finally learned something (The aggressive stance no longer deducts defense and adds +1 to your dice rolls for combat).

>Shoulder to Shoulder: Fighting side by side with your companions has taught you how to fight as a team. The Battle Buddy bonus now applies when companions are fighting next to you, not just against the same target. You will also confer the Battle Buddy bonus to companions who are applying it to you.

>Triage Medic: After any fight in which you’ve sustained damage, you can choose to treat your wounds, healing you for 5 HP, you also have an easier time treating the wounds of others.

>Boris’s Blessing: For every enemy crit and friendly crit fail that happens in your presence (including your own crit fails) after the effects of the crit have gone through you will receive a Jinx point with can then be used to turn any subsequent enemy roll into a 1
>Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=Mid+Boss+Quest

>>3585383

“Alright Selenas, I believe we can trust Randolf on this.” She absolutely beams at you and that familiar warm tingle spreads through you. “I don’t trust him not to tell the Queen though, he is a commissar and it is his job to tell the Queen things like this, but I believe that we can convince him to tell the Queen that the demon is not a threat to the people. The Queen is not unreasonable, if we make our case and make it well we might be able to get out of all of this unscathed and maybe even save Aborea.”
Both women give you uneasy looks, and it’s clear to you that they don’t exactly share your sentiments on the Queen. Before any of them can express doubts however, a voice calls out from the door to the room “I wouldn’t be so certain of that.” Randolf says as he enters the room.
“How lo-”
“Long have I been standing outside the room listening? Since you first arrived here, I knew something wasn’t quite right with your story, so I followed you back here to get the whole picture and I have to say. Mildri what were you thinking? Summoning a demon here of all places.” He says chastising her like a disappointed father.
“I wasn’t certain that I’d be summoning her, it just sort of happened in the moment,” Mildri says defensively.
“Captain, were you complicit in this?”
“No, I knew that Mildri was planning on doing something with her bindings, but she left to perform the ritual on her own. I only found Mildri after she had started the ritual.”
“You didn’t consult with Baldr or anyone else for that matter?!” Randolf turns back to Mildri his voice rising.
Mildri bites her lip and turns away from Randolf’s angry glare. Coming to Mildri’s aid Selenas interjects “Randolf it was a very personal affair, Mildri wanted to talk with Aborea before she decided what to do with her. Having other people there would have unpleasant for the both of them.”
Randolf opens his mouth to retort, but stops himself and takes a breath before responding. “I understand that, but what if things had gone wrong? What if this demon lashed out and possessed Mildri? Things could have gotten unpleasant for a lot of people.”
“Aborea wouldn’t do that,” Mildri says “She’s not some unthinking monster.”
“That remains to be seen, where is this creature?”
“Hiding,”
“You don’t know where it is?” Randolf says his voice rising again.
“She’s nearby if I call her she’ll be here.”
“Call her then, if you want me to tell the Queen this demon isn’t a threat then I have to see it for myself.

(1/3)

>>3585387


Mildri hesitantly slips out of bed and head to the room’s window. Leaning out of it she calls for Aborea. Moments later there is a scrabbling noise at the other window then Aborea climbs into the room, a large cloak wrapped around her. “Aborea, Randolf would like to speak with you,” Mildri says while she stepping between the two of them. There is a long moment of silence as the two appraise each other. Without taking his eyes off of Aborea, Randolf asks “Did you place some kind of control spell on this creature?”
"No" Mildri answers unsure of herself “She’s completely free.”
Randolf nods and stares at Aborea for a few more moments longer before letting out a long sigh and rubbing at his face “Of all the things I’ve had to report to the Queen this might be the strangest and most controversial.” He says more to himself than to you all, “I’ll bring this matter to the Queen and I’ll try to convince her to show leniency but I won’t be able to promise you much of anything. The Queen will likely want to question all of you and ask you what made you take leave your senses.” he says aiming a glare at Mildri “and the sooner we get this matter settled the better, so let’s head there right now.” Randolf finishes as he heads towards the exit. He stops in the door way and turns back when he realizes that none of you had moved “C’mon we don’t have all night,” he beckons.
Everyone snaps out of their surprised stupors and follows Randolf out the door and up the streets to the Queen’s Tower. The trip to the tower is made in silence save for a few nervous glances shared between Mildri and Aborea. Arriving at the tower you are lead back the large meeting room where the Queen and her generals were still finalizing battle plans. You are stopped in the hall outside the room by Randolf.“I’d best go in alone, lest I’m labeled an idiot for bringing a demon before the Queen without warning” he says before leaving your party in the hall outside the meeting room. Lining the hall were dozens of runners and minor officers all dead on their feet or sitting half asleep up against the walls. Attending to them were a few servants handing out drinks and some food, but none of them spare you or your cloaked demon any mind while you wait for Randolf to return.

>>3585389

In a surprisingly short time Randolf exits the meeting room and leads you down a side corridor to a small cozy lounge. “Take a seat, the Queen will be here shortly” Randolf tells you all before exiting the room. You and your companions sit in the rooms ornate chairs for a few uncomfortable moments while you wait, all the while growing more and more nervous. You nearly jump out of your seat when all but one of the room’s candles suddenly flickers out. Mildri lets out a terrified shriek while Aborea hisses and scuttles into a corner. It is then that the door to the lounge opens and the Queen enters. Her usual calm and regal look is marred by the tired look in her eyes. She wastes no time with pleasantries and simply walks over to the corner where Aborea is attempting to make her huddle form even smaller. With a wave of her hand the cloak concealing Aborea is whipped away and the Queen stares intently at Aborea. Aborea liquidly black eyes lock with the Queen’s and open wide, her mouth goes slack as well so that her whole face is three black circles. The room is entirely silent while the Queen stares into Aborea save for a few pained grunts from Mildri who is clutching at her head and quivering like a leaf. When at last the Queen turns her gaze away from Aborea, the demon shudders and collapses in an unmoving heap. The Queen next makes her way to Mildri and you fear a similar fate awaits her, but the Queen merely asks Mildri “Do you care for this creature?”
“Yes” Mildri answers her voice barely above a whisper.
“Do you swear to be responsible for this creature and all of its actions?”
“Yes,” Mildri says again slightly louder.
The Queen nods approvingly then turns to you “Captain Baldr should your mage fail in her duties you are to destroy both her and the demon.”
Mildri flinches at the Queen’s words while you respond “As you wish your grace.”
“Good, now go and get some rest and please refrain from causing me anymore distractions,” The Queen says flashing you a smile that freezes the blood in your veins and forces you to repress a shiver. With one last glance at Aborea the Queen exits the room. Leaving you alone with an unconscious Aborea, a stunned Mildri, and a tired yet pleased looking Selenas.
>“I think that went well all things considered.”

>Check on Aborea whatever the Queen did to her it was not nice.

>Get everyone up and back to the hospital, then take the Queen’s advice and get some rest.

>[Write In]

>>3585394
>Check on Aborea whatever the Queen did to her it was not nice.

>>3585394
>Check in Arborea and then check on Mildri
Mildri is best waifu

>>3585394
>Check on Aborea whatever the Queen did to her it was not nice.

the demon seems to be in a bad shape, have Selenas help Mildri while we check on Aborea

then take them all to the hospital

>>3585394
Glad to see you back
>Check on Aborea whatever the Queen did to her it was not nice.

"It seems you were right Selenas....again..."

Randolph evesdroping on us could have been reeeeaaallly bad if we had decided to hide things from him, we dogded a major bullet there

Get the demon to the hospital, the Queen probably did her mind thing and saw all the shit the demon had to go through in her plane and was probably convinced she is here to run from there more than to cause trouble, let the demon sleep while we do other things.

>>3585396
>>3585452
>>3585501
>>3585562

You move swiftly over to where Aborea is collapsed in the corner. Mildri tries to rise and join you but sways unsteadily on her feet and falls back into her chair clutching her head.
"Check on her" you tell Selenas as you pass by Mildri.
Aborea was curled up twitching, her face contorted in concentration and pain as her slit nostrils flared with each quick breath. You call out to her, but she offers no response besides a feeble twitch. You reach out and shake her slightly but get no response. Having no other choice you take her in your arms. She was cold to your touch, her bluish grey skin tough and rubbery. She was light enough though so you had no problems picking her up and her size made you feel as if you were carrying one of your younger sisters to bed after they had fallen asleep outside.
“She was strong, too strong,” Mildri was saying to Selenas as you approached the two of them. “Her mere presence hurts to be in, she simply radiates power and terror. When she started to exert herself on Aborea I thought I was going to pass out from the pressure.” Catching sight of you Mildri stops and asks “Is she okay?” worry out weighing the pain in her voice.
“She’s alive but unresponsive. The Queen did a real number on her. We should get back to the Hosptial, she needs rest and so do you.” You say to Mildri as she winces in pain again.
“I’m fine,” Mildri says as she tries to rise again but she nearly falls again and has to rest on heavily on Selenas to stay on her feet.
“No you’re not you and Aborea both need rest now let’s go.” You say in a tone that brooks no argument.


With Mildri leaning on Selenas and You carrying Aborea swaddled in her cloak once again, you exit the lounge and leave the tower. It was near midnight now and a waxing moon had risen high above the city illuminating everything in pale light. The streets were quiet as you passed through them and there is not a soul to be seen, even the usual low lives and scum that like to come out after dark were not present. Maybe word of the rebel army’s proximity and the large amount of soldiery in town had finally sobered up the Capital’s populous and made them realize a battle that would decide their fate was about to be fought.
(1/2)

>>3586559

Arriving at the hospital you all pile into Mildri’s room and place her and Aborea back in bed. The walk back had taken all the energy from Mildri and she quickly fell asleep as soon as her head hit her pillow. Selenas too mentions her exhaustion from the day’s activities and settles herself into one of the room’s empty beds. She thanks you for helping Mildri and Aborea once again be for shutting her eyes and drifting off to sleep.
>Follow your companion’s lead and get some rest, no doubt you will need it for tomorrow.

>You’re too anxious about tomorrow for sleep, a walk on the walls might tire you.

>See if Gregory is awake yet, you want him to take a look at Aborea before you head off to bed.

>[Write In]

>>3586563
>>Follow your companion’s lead and get some rest, no doubt you will need it for tomorrow.
we better rest, lack of sleep fucked us in the past

when we wake we should apologize to Selenas, we still owe her an outing

>>3586563

>Follow your companion’s lead and get some rest, no doubt you will need it for tomorrow.

>>3586563

>Follow your companion’s lead and get some rest, no doubt you will need it for tomorrow.

>>3585396
>>3585452
>>3585501

>This will be my last post of the evening. I will continue posting at a rate of 1 to 3 updates a day, it’s nice to finally be back gentlemen.


Following your companion’s lead you to head off to bed. As dawn breaks over the city, you are the first of your party to awake and head down stairs to the hospital’s kitchen and share breakfast with Gregory and his healers. The kitchen’s full of chatter and the sounds of breakfast being prepared. You are listening to two healers discussing a rather complex healer’s technique when one of the cooks lets out a scream and the room falls silent.


Scrabbling in through the doors was Aborea, uncloaked and visible to everyone. There are a few more shouts and gasps from people leaping out of the way as Aborea makes her way to you. She stops right next to your chair and rises on her crooked legs until she stands at her full height, which only comes up to about your shoulder when you’re sitting. She opens her mouth, flashing her needle like teeth, and pointing with a clawed finger at your plate of food. “Hungry,” she croaks at you.


>Order the cooks to make a plate for Aborea and give her a seat next to you.

>Tell her Mildri will feed her when she wakes up and send her out.

>Escort her out before she makes a scene and give her your plate so that she’ll return to the room

>[Write In]

>>3587310

>Order the cooks to make a plate for Aborea and give her a seat next to you.

Call Gregory to us and explain the situation, they'll have to get used to the little girl, see if anyone can fetch Selenas, the smug bastard, I bet she will have a blast with all this.

>>3587310
>Order the cooks to make a plate for Aborea and give her a seat next to you.

>>3587310
>Order the cooks to make a plate for Aborea and give her a seat next to you.

>>3587356
+1

>>3587310

>>3587356
>>3587658
>>3587706
>>3588551

You look over to the cooks who were frozen in surprise from just hearing Aborea speak and say “Another plate it appears my demon is hungry.”


The cooks’ eyes widen in fear and they all take another step back, but they fix you another plate all the same and send one of the younger boys over to deliver it to you. The boy is shaking so hard he nearly drops the plate as he takes wary steps closer. “Come on she doesn’t bite,” you tell the boy, but Aborea turns on the boy and flashes him her teeth. The boy freezes in his tracks and you think he’s about to faint. You give Aborea a light kick “Ignore her,” you tell the boy and you lean over to take the plate from the terrified kid. He thrusts the food into your hand and trips over himself scrambling away. You pull up a chair beside you and place the plate on the table “Here,” you tell Aborea “Now quit scaring the cooks and eat.”


She gives you a wide grin and perches herself on the chair next to you before tearing into her breakfast with her teeth and claws. The healers around the table, initially just as stunned and scared by Aborea as the cooks, were now taking an interest her. They were scrutinizing her closely and Gregory leans over your other shoulder opposite Aborea and asks “A demon is she, how peculiar. What kind is she?”


“An ice one, apparently she’s one of the weaker ones.”


“Hm, would you mind if I got a closer look?” Gregory asks, a morbid curiosity filling his eyes and the eyes of many of the healers around the table.


> “Sure just watch your fingers and toes.”

> “You’ll have to ask approval from my mage when she wakes up, she’s the one who owns her.”

> “It’s not me you should be asking, it’s her you have to get approval from.”

>[Write In]

>>3589726

> “It’s not me you should be asking, it’s her you have to get approval from.”

"Midri is her warden, I'm just in charge to end both of them if they step out of line."

>>3589726
> “It’s not me you should be asking, it’s her you have to get approval from.”

>>3589726

> “It’s not me you should be asking, it’s her you have to get approval from.”

>>3590124
Maybe not mention that we may have to kill her, it can ruin the breakfast lol

"Midri is the one responsible for her but since she's not here you'll have to ask her."

>>3587310
>Order the cooks to make a plate for Aborea and give her a seat next to you.
But first bop her on the head, she needs to be discreet.

>>3589726

>>3590124
>>3590237
>>3590315


“It’s not me you should be asking, it’s her.” You say nodding your head toward Aborea. “I’m not her master, Mildri is the one who should really be here looking after her. I’m only here to make sure Mildri does her job, and that Aborea doesn’t run off and kill anyone important.”


“I see,” Gregory says raising his eyebrows and giving Aborea a second scrutinizing glance. Finally working up some courage Gregory approaches Aborea. “Excuse me, Miss Aborea.” Aborea looks up from ravishing her plate for the first time since it was set in front of her and stares up at Gregory with her inky black eyes. “Would you mind if I studied you for a moment. It’s not every day that a creature such as you visits.”


Aborea squints at Gregory suspiciously taking the measure of him. It is then that she notices the rest of the healers at the table looking at her. She instantly curls up on her chair and hisses at Gregory baring her teeth.


Gergory jumps back from Aborea and moves behind you as the air in the kitchen becomes tense. Aborea turns her glare from Gregory to the other healers around the table. The scrutinizing looks on the healer’s faces melt away replaced by ones of fear and apprehension. Aborea’s taloned feet dig into the wood of the chair and she postitions herself to pounce. Before you can stop her though, the door to the kitchens opens and Mildri accompanied by Selenas enter. Using the disruption Aborea leaps from her chair and scampers out the door with the remains of her breakfast. As soon as Aborea is out of the room the tension in the atmosphere dissipates.


“Shy creature,” Gregory comments as he turns back to his breakfast. The air in the room returns to normal by the time Mildri and Selenas grab their plates and you fill them in on what had happened.


“She needs a lesson in discretion,” you say as you down the last of your breakfast.


“Yes, I suppose she does.” Mildri sighs solemnly knowing that she would have to be the one to do it.


“She’s just not used to our world don’t worry if we both help her she’ll learn her graces within the week.” Selenas chips in cheerfully.


The door to the kitchen’s open’s once again this time with a loud bang as an out of breath messenger stumbles into the kitchen. Upon seeing you the man wheezes and says “Captain Baldr… Sir… The Queen requests your presence… The rebel army… is on the move.”


“I’ll head to her tower immediately then,” you say rising to your feet.


“Not… There…The army is… Already on the move… She’s with the main force… Southern gate.” The messenger pants.


The army was already on the move? Things certainly are moving you think to yourself as you thank and dismiss the messenger.


>Is there anything you wish to do before going to the Queen?

>>3593079
Shit

Tell the two to get ready and say to Selenas that her night out will have tobwait again, sorry.

Let's meet the queen.

>>3593079
Let's move immediately

>>3593079
pitter patter lets get at er

Make sure we have all our gear first

>>3593079
>Get our gear and go.
>>3593503
We literally never promised a night out for her. She’s never gonna be waifu, so just drop it. She’s ok as a work friend I guess, but not for taking out for a night on the city.

>>3593867
Selena's is good as younger sister or student to us as a mentor or older brother figure.

But of course fuckers have to ruin it by trying to force ourselves on her

>>3593867
Relax dude, we were treating her something when the whole Aborea getting lose thing happened.

>>3593867
Oh, and I forgot to mention, we offered to take her somewhere fun when we got back from the swamp folk mission since we told her she could not come to it, it was of way of calming her down since she was trying to force herself to come along and to have something nice to come back.

>>3593886
Dude, almost everyone was on board when we voted to make a move, and even now when she smiles and reacts its clear Baldr feels something different, of course, he will have to find other uses for those feelings since she was not interested, but he cares, thats for sure.

Not trying to bicker or anything guys

>>3593079
Lets go see the boss woman
Spend whatever we have left on granedos

>>3593953
I actually like how he didn't instantly forgot about it because he was rejected, it's very rare for that to happen in quests or fiction in general so its cool.

The waifu is the queen anyway, with Ward on the side.

>>3594022
The queen must be into some heavy bdsm shit.

Just hope we don't have to be under that colonel that hates our guts for the next mission

>>3593079

>>3593503
>>3593680
>>3593762
>>3593867


“Let’s get moving you two, it sounds like we’re needed urgently.” You say to Selenas and Mildri as you rise from the table. “Farewell Gregory and thank you for letting us stay here.”


“I was my pleasure, you and your companions were very helpful and it brought me some small joy to see young folk like yourself so interesting in the healer’s arts. I do hope to see you again, but try not to arrive on a litter.” Gregory gives you a small smile as you and your party head upstairs and gear up. You and Selenas strap on your armor and weapons while Mildri gathers her books, finds Aborea, and has a word with her about discretion. Once you were all out fitted and got Aborea wrapped up in her cloak again you depart.


Along the way you speak with Selenas, “I’m sorry we couldn’t enjoy our day out, yesterday.”

Selenas just shrugs “It’s alright, missing a night out is a small price to pay to help out Mildri and Aborea. Besides there will be other nights.”


“I’m afraid those night will be few and far between,” You say giving a wistful sigh as you proceed out the city’s south gate and into the throngs of soldiers tearing up camps, slipping on armor and gathering into marching columns. Over the sea of men you glimpse a large concentration of imperial banners and assume it to be where the Queen is, an assumption that as you move closer proves to be true. A large command tent sits in the middle of a forest of banners, a stream a of men trickle in and out of the tent and no one stops to question you as you join the stream into the tent. Lined up against one wall of the tent is a group of messengers. Against another is a group of officers, alternating back and forth the messengers and officers approach a large map table around which the Queen and her generals are clustered.


You join the line of officers and wait your turn listening to the Queen and her generals give orders in messages in turn. When your turn arrives you approach and make note of the map. A large river cut across the northern most quarter of the map and pressed against its southern bank was the rebel army represented by white chess pieces. To the east of the rebel army was a bridge guarded by a black knight piece. Arrayed against the white chess pieces to the south was a collection of black chess pieces. When the Queen notes your presence she takes a black pawn and sets it among the front line of rooks “Captain I want you here at the center. Ensure the men do not break. Lieutenant Margro,” The Queen calls out and one of the officers in the line steps out. “Take Captain Baldr here to your Major. You’re both dismissed.” The Queen says before turning to address a messenger.

(1/2)

>>3596206


You are too stunned for words as the Lieutenant leads you out of the tent. The front lines, again. Memories from the elven front rush forward in your mind and you have a hard time shaking them off as you walk. When your companions catch sight of you they fall in behind you. “So, what are we doing?” Selenas asks concern filling her voice. Should you tell her, no doubt if she knows where you’re going she’ll want to come with as will Mildri, but can you risk seeing them both die. Selenas had barely survived the last battle, and this time the fighting would be fiercer and the odds if survival worse. You could send them away, away from the worst of the fighting, The Queen had only ordered you to the front not them, you could spare them this fight yet… what of your own odds without them? They had both saved you before and if you left them behind they’d never forgive you.


>Who do you tell? Who do you take with you?

>>3596211
Front lines?
Damn, tell them both, order Midri to form up with Aborea with other mages and support people and stay out of there since the front lines are not place for a mage.
As for Selenas, ask her not to take part in it, the orders were just for us, we wish her to be safe when the fight comes, use the factbthat she would be exposed to her old allies as an excuse, she is probably not gonna agree to it but we have to try.

>>3596211
Ok, here's a plan

Midri doesn't have Aborea inside to help her fight, so she would be more useful hanging on reserve and casting from there along with Aborea, Aborea can also defend them if needed, both of them should stock up on all the witch's brew they can get for the battle, if they have money.
Now, Selenas, it's time to have a talk, she chose to stay at our side when we gave her the option to leave and not have tp fight her friends, but this is a battle, we've been to those and lives end all around, we want her to be safe, but again, we can't stop her, this could be our end, so we ask her to not let us see her die in the front lines and live to fight later since we were ordered there and have no choice, if she comes, she has to promise us to follow our orders, every order, to the letter, so if worse comes to worse, we can send her away.
We both should spend what we have in healing, vigor and granedos.

For those who want to do some last minute shopping

>Healing potions (10 gold a piece)
>Energy potions (10 gold a piece)
>Rage Potions [while active +2 attack -2 defense] (15 gold a piece)
>Owl Sight [night vision] (10 gold a piece)
>Witch’s Brew [Lowers cast times by 2 turns and adds 2 Energy to casters] (10 gold a piece)
>Explosive Grenado [Ranged Attack] (15 Gold a piece)
>Flash Grenado [Ranged Attack -3 to dice damage for 1 round to those affected] (15 Gold a piece)
>Smoke Grenado [Ranged Attack -2 to dice damage for those in its radius] (15 Gold a piece)

You have 55 gold left.

>>3596211
>Who do you tell? Who do you take with you?
Everyone and everyone who want to go. No reason not to take them.

1x Owl Sight
2x Witch’s Brew
2x Healing potions

>>3596772
2 witch brew
2 healing
1 vigor

>>3596696
sounds good

>>3596772
1x Owl Sight
1x Witch’s Brew
2x Healing potions
1x Energy potions

Hey fellas unfortunately there will be no update tonight as I've had a long day. See you guys tomorrow

>>3596772
2 heal [20 G]
2 witch brew [20 G]

>>3596211

>>3596437
>>3596696
>>3596975
>>3597158
>>3597720
>>3600729

>Most of the purchase consensus was for 2 health potions, 2 witch’s brews, and 1 energy potion


“Our assignment is a dangerous one,” You answer Selenas trying to dodge the question “so I need you to do me a favor and pick up some things.” You say giving her the list.


“But what are we doing?” Selenas persists.


“I’ll tell you when you get back, we don’t have much time, so hurry.” Selenas gives you a worried look, but runs off to purchase the items nonetheless. You watch her go until you’re sure she is out of earshot before you turn to Mildri and Aborea.


“I’m being sent to the frontlines.” You say keeping your tone flat “I’m to make sure that the center holds in the coming fight.”


“But that’s suicide,” Mildri says surprised.


“I know, that is why I want you to stand with the supporting mages. The frontlines are no place for a mage like you, especially now that you and Aborea are apart.”


“But how can I help you if I’m back with the other mages?” Mildri says scrambling for an excuse.


“The best thing you could do to help me would be to aid the other mages. The more men you kill the fewer that will be able to face me.”


“Bu- B- But at least take Aborea with you she can fight.” Aborea nods in agreement.


“And that’s exactly why she needs to stay with you. If the enemy breaks through to your position, you’ll need all the protection you can get.”


“But-”


“I’m sorry Mildri, but this is the way things are going to be. I can’t have you recklessly risking yourself for me, when your talents could help so many others so much more. I’m sorry I couldn’t spend more time with you like I promised and that I treated you so much like a tool I-”


Before you can finish Mildri runs forward and embraces you. This time her embrace isn’t cold, it’s warm and tight and wet as her tears drip on to your neck. “Don’t you apologize, don’t you talk like you’re going to die. I’m going to see you again after this is all over, and we can spend the rest of our days together.”

(1/2)

>>3601415

Mildri’s words rend your heart, and for the first time since you met her, her embrace, and her words stir that warm feeling in your chest. The warmth doesn’t last long as your thoughts soon drift to Selenas. You’d sent her away so that you could deal with her and Mildri separately. Mildri would cave to your request you knew, but Selenas would be a different story. When you finally disentangle yourself from Mildri, you bend town to speak to Aborea face to face. “You keep her safe now” you tell her. Aborea nods and flashes you her teeth in a farewell grin.


“When Selenas comes back take the witch’s brew from her and tell her to find me at the Major’s tent.” With that last order you turn and let the Lieutenant lead you to the Major.


>Have the Major give you a full report of the battle lines when you arrive, you want to know what you’re up against.

>Just ask to be sent to be with the men you’ll be fighting alongside. You should get to know them before the battle starts.

>Take your time and collect your thoughts. You’ll need a moment of calm

>[Write In]

>>3601418

>Get the bare-bones report from the Major, mainly what you're going to be facing. Then go to the men you'll be fighting alongside.

>>3601418
>Have the Major give you a full report of the battle lines when you arrive, you want to know what you’re up against.

>>3601418
>>Have the Major give you a full report of the battle lines when you arrive, you want to know what you’re up against.

>>3601418

>Have the Major give you a full report of the battle lines when you arrive, you want to know what you’re up against.

Oh boy, the next talk is gonna be feels.

>>3601418

>>3601518
>>3601630
>>3601809

When the lieutenant finally leads you to the Major’s tent, the structure isn’t there. Not in the conventional sense any way, the tent had been already been packed up and thrown in to a cart by the time you’d arrived, so instead of meeting the man in his tent, the Lieutenant leads you into a river of soldiers and to a man on horseback in the middle of the stream.


“Major Hansel,” the lieutenant says coming up alongside the man “The Queen has instructed me to bring you one of her agents, a Captain Baldr.”


The Major doesn’t even look at his lieutenant as he delivers his report, nor does he look at you when you come up alongside his lieutenant. You begin to believe the man isn’t listening at all until the lieutenant finishes and he asks “So Captain Baldr, why did the Queen send you to me?” he says gaze never shifting. You tell him what the Queen wanted, but before you can ask for a report on the battle, the Major snorts. “Why? Does she not think my men will hold, that they’ll piss their pants and flee at the sight of our enemies? Go back and tell the Queen and her generals that my men will hold and we don’t need one of her pamper peons to help us do so.”


> “This order comes the Queen and you will obey it, or she’ll find someone else who will.” Who does this man think he is to deny the Queen?

> “I’m sure Queen has faith in your abilities and that of your men Major, all the same she wanted me on the frontlines,”

> “I may be a peon of the Queen Major, but I’ve been on the frontlines of many battles and I am anything but pampered.”

>[Write In]

>>3603810
>> “I’m sure Queen has faith in your abilities and that of your men Major, all the same she wanted me on the frontlines,”
>> “I may be a peon of the Queen Major, but I’ve been on the frontlines of many battles and I am anything but pampered.”

>>3603810
> “I’m sure Queen has faith in your abilities and that of your men Major, all the same she wanted me on the frontlines,”

>>3603810

>>3604089
>>3604243

“I’m sure Queen has faith in your abilities and that of your men Major, all the same she wanted me on the frontlines,” you say. The Major turns in his saddle to look at you for the first time. His face was rather mangled. The skin of his left cheek was twisted and you could see scar from where the blade had stabbed him in the face. The skin pulled hard on his split lip and gave the appearance that he was constantly scowling, so that when he actually scowled at you the expression was extremely exaggerated.


The Major studies you for a few more seconds before he speaks. “Of course the Queen has faith in me,” he says “I wouldn’t be a Major otherwise.” He turns back around in the saddle to face forward again before continuing “Well I suppose I can grant the Queen’s request an extra peon at the front won’t change much. It’ll be a bloodbath regardless.”


“The frontlines are always a bloodbath.” You say.


“Aye, but this bloodbath will be closer to a massacre. A massacre we might not even win” The Major admits rather quietly.


“What do you mean, what are the rebels up to?"


“They’re on the retreat. They were bloodied well when we raided their camp and killed their best strategist. Even better someone kicked the shit out of their swamp folk allies so hard that all of them have left the army and are going back home. We had them on the ropes all we had to do was finish them off, but they moved first and caught us off guard. They tried to retreat back over the river and into the southlands where they can go to ground and hide for a bit while they rebuild their lost strength. We couldn’t let them do that obviously so we had to throw our cavalry at the nearest river crossing to stop them from just heading home. But that means most of our cavalry is stuck defending that crossing we won’t be able to use them in the battle. So now our forces have to march without supporting cavalry to rush and engage the rebels before they wipe our men out and start to cross. We’re stuck in this head long rush that’s spreading us out more by the minute so that by the time we actually engage the enemy it will only be with a fraction of our total force. That doesn’t bode well especially since the rebels out number us in the first place.”


“But most of those men are peasants sir they won’t be much of a challenge.” The lieutenant chips in.

>>3606462

“Yes, that’s why I called what’s about to happen a massacre, but if you listened to what said, you’d remember I said we wouldn’t win. Sure we’ll slaughter peasants by the thousands and soak the ground with their blood, but that is what the rebels want well tire our men out with this march and choke us on the flesh of their overly fat host. While we’re killing those peasants they’ll route our cavalry and pull their leadership and the best of their host over the river and disappear, or if their smart they’ll kill our cavalry, wait until we’re exhausted from fighting then just roll us over and attack our men as they arrive in this piss stream of a march.” The Major vents his frustration and by the time he finishes he is breathing heavily.


>Is there anything you wish to say [Write In]


>Hope you enjoyed the tactical summary of your situation tomorrow I should be able to get to your conversation with Selenas.

>>3606464
"and we can't expect reinforcements I imagine?
What are the higher ups talking about those 2 scenarios you just described?"

>>3607025
>"and we can't expect reinforcements I imagine?
He already explained that don't ask that

>>3606464
"At least the swamp folk are going home, there were about half a dozen of their shamans left when we were done with them, they are annoying as hell"

Maybe if he knows it was us he will give us more leeway over the troops so we can actually have an impact on the battle

>>3606464
"I have two ice mages, if the their main force tries to cross the stream we could freeze their legs, they already made an ice bridge before"

>>3606464

>>3608195

“At least the swamp folk are going home,” you add in the silence following the Major’s rant “They were tough bastards to bring down.”


“At least there’s that,” the Major says bitterly, not listening to what you were truly saying.


Before you or the Major can say anything more, a shout calls out from behind you “Baldr!” You turn to see a concerned looking Selenas heading toward you.


“Ah it appears my companion has returned, I must attend to her.” you say to the Major “Where are the men who will be in the frontline?”


“At the front.” The Major says “follow this line of men and where it ends is where the front is.”


You thank the Major and head in the line to speak with Selenas out of the Major’s earshot. “What did you tell Mildri? Why was she crying? What’s our assignment?” Selenas bombards you with questions, with each one she grows more worried.


“I’m being sent to the frontlines. My orders are to make sure that the center holds” You answer bluntly.


The news doesn’t phase Selenas, she only responds with a, “So?” then it dawns on her. “No,” she says flatly “You are not going up there alone. I’m coming with you.”


“Selenas” you start, using the same words you had used every time she wanted to do something stupidly reckless.


“No!” She shouts cutting you off “You left without me last time I won’t be left behind this time.”


“It’s more dangerous this time you’ve never been on the frontlines before they’re a bloody mess that only the lucky survive.”


“All the more reason I should go,” she argues. “You need my help.”

>>3609536

“I need not to lose you,” you say softly. Your words stun Selenas for a moment letting you continue. “It’s not going to be pretty out there I just spoke with the Major and from what he told me things aren’t looking good, there’s a good chance that we’ll lose this battle.”


“We’ve survived bad situations before,” Selenas says injecting confidence into her voice.


You finally lose your patience “Not like this,” you snap “You don’t know what it’ll be like. It will be harsh and brutal close combat, you’ll have no room to maneuver, no room to breathe. You’ll be pressed from the front by your enemies and pushed in the back by your allies trying to force their way forward. If you get injured or fall, you’ll be crushed and trampled in the press and no one will be able to help you!” The words spill from you unrestrained “We won’t be fighting mercenaries or bandits this time, it will be peasants. Young men, boys, fathers, brothers they’ll be your opponents this time you’ll have to kill them, all of them.” Selenas’s face twitches slightly at your words, but you keep speaking “You’ll have to carve through them, climb over a mound of their and your allies’ bodies to kill the next one in front of you and waiting behind all of them, the last of your friends will be waiting and you’ll have to kill them too.” You reach out and clasp Selenas by the shoulders. shaking her you shout “Don’t go out there. Don’t torture yourself with having to kill these peasants and your friends. Don’t risk your life again.” You finish your voice wavering on the verge of breaking. At first you thing Selenas is shaking, but it is your own hands that are shaking, your own legs that feel like they’ve been turned to jelly.


Why is this happening to you? You’ve been on the front so many times before that you stopped feeling scared, so why are you so terrified? You’re a Captain now you’re supposed to be strong, but why do you feel so weak? Why are tears filling your eyes and not hers?


Selenas stares up at you and places her hands on your shaking arms. “It’s okay.” She says her voice calm and soothing “As long as were together nothing can harm us.”

>>3609541

Her words are so stupid and naïve, but why do they calm your pounding heart. She pulls you in close and wraps you in her embrace. Warmth radiates from her to you and you finally break. Burying your face in her hair you let the tears flow out of you while she whispers in your ear “It’s alright, I know things are going to be difficult, and that I might have to kill peasants and innocent people, but their deaths but their deaths might save thousands of others the same fate. As for my friends, well anyone who would force me to kill hundreds of innocent people is no friend of mine.” Selenas’s voice rings with a steely conviction that makes you find your courage. When you meet her eyes again, you are out of tears and your eyes see her clearly. Before you stands not the young girl you fought all those months ago in that dank dungeon, but a mature woman hardened by life and wise beyond her years.
When you find your voice you decide to…
> Bring Selenas with you, she has shown her strength and willingness to stand by your side.

> Send Selenas away, she has grown so much in such a little time and you just can’t stand the thought of her dying and losing so much potential.

> Selenas has proven herself, but the front is still no place for her. Send her to the reserves.

>[Write in]

>>3609544
> Bring Selenas with you, she has shown her strength and willingness to stand by your side.
I still think we should bring all of our companions
There is no reason to leave them behind
If we bring them it doesn't mean they will be fighting in the front row
And we have support of 2 powerful mages
Like wtf. WE don't need to be in front row we can command from behind. More importantly WE should command from behind formation.

>>3609544
>> Bring Selenas with you, she has shown her strength and willingness to stand by your side.

"If I tell you to retreat, do you promise you will?"

>>3609544
"You've grown so much, and I've never felt more...worried.

Sigh

It looks like I can't be you mentor anymore, I feel I'm learning as much as you are when we talk, when we walk out there it's as partners from now on, let's survive this and whatever else, as long as we are together."
After we finish talking and start walking we say something else so she can't see us grinning.
"It's really hard to get over you when you keep acting like that hehe"


Ok boys and girls, several death flags have been raised, time to roll a million 1s and die horribly kek.

>>3609669
If we can actually be behind that would be good but I don't know if that is what the queen wanted.
My original plan was to go there alone so as to not risk our friends and do whatever it takes to survive but that is out of the window now that Selenas is coming, maybe we should bring the mages to increase the chances of Selenas and Baldr to survive now that both of them are going.

>>3609955
Thing we need to deal with
1. Big peasant army
After that there are two scenarios
2a. Enemy counter attacks our tired forces
2b.Enemy run away and we pursue them

Now.
Why would Empress send us to the frontlines?
Because we have experience in that kind of engagements? Only little.
She want to test us If our background (peasant) would affect our choices? Thats is posibility.
Or maybe becouse our companions? Ex hero, demon and powerful mage.
We know they have numbers, but as Major said here.
>They’re on the retreat. They were bloodied well when we raided their camp and killed their best strategist.

They morales are lacking.

Now with our backgrounds, Selena's folk hero reputation, Aborea's demonic presence and Mildri's powerful magic.
I think there is a possibility that not only we could convince peasant army to fuck off without a fight but even maybe turn them against their own leader.

If that will not work we have some abilities to crash their morale.
And make fighting that much easier

>>3610010
About the possible setup.
Baldr and Arborea - run interference whenever enemy pushes our lines those two jump in and push back
Selena - in the back runs first aid and calls us back whenever there is another place that needs reinforcing
Mildri - give her 2/3 guys with tower shields for cover and make her bombard big clusters of enemys

I'm salty because we are getting rid of our most valuable assets when there are most needed.

>>3610010
You know, I think she is actually sending us to the frontline to die, or to almost die, as punishment for the whole Aborea being set free without her permission thing, it went too smoothly with her and that got me worried, she is petty when she wants to.

Also, there is a question now for the QM, how powerful is Midri now? Most of her destructive power came from Aborea so how is her casting now that they are separated?
And Aborea? How powerful/how much mana does she have to throw her spells?

>>3610016
We could use both mages at the second fase, to either help us deal with the elites when we are tired from the combat or to prevent their scape with ice spells if they try to run

>>3610021
That only works when you assume that she litely wanted us standing in the front row like some sort of generic soldier.

>>3610024

Glad you asked anon. If I haven't made it clear, without Aborea Mildri is weaker. Her ice magic has lost some power, she has less energy, and can't really fight in melee. Aborea is good in melee combat, but isn't as good at casting magic as Mildri (she has the raw talent and power while Mildri has the knowledge and skill)

I'll give you the actual stats when I get off work

>>3609544

>> Bring Selenas with you, she has shown her strength and willingness to stand by your side.

>>3609955
This is nice, lets hope we don't die.

>>3610321

Here are the stats:

>Mildri Max Energy: 4

>Casts spells at tiers 1,2, and 3

>Tier 1: Single Target Spell (Cast Time: 1-2)

>Tier 2: Small Cluster Spell (Cast Time: 2-3)

>Tier 3: Big AOE Spell (Cast Time: 3-5 turns)


Aborea Max Energy: 6

>Only casts spells at tier 1

>Tier 1: Single Target Powerful Spell (Cast Time: Instant)

>Side Note: Aborea is still rather wild and if pressed will likely ignore orders and focus on the fight in front of her

>>3611255
What changed on Midri?

So Aborea can cast only personal spells? She'd better be used to snipe officers then

>>3611341

She lost Aborea she can't tap into her power to aid her casting.

I should also mention that Aborea's spells and magic are rather wild and she also uses her energy to enhance her melee combat abilities.

>>3609669
>>3609955
>>3610010
>>3610024

Since some anons are having second thoughts about Mildri and Aborea I'll ask again.

>Do you wish to take Mildri and Aborea with you to the front

>>3611705
Midri has no place in the front, maybe they can stay behijd the lines? On stand by if we need some support, and as a bonus we will have an excuse to send Selenas running from the front saying that she needs to fetch the mages.

>>3611705
>Do you wish to take Mildri and Aborea with you to the front
Yes!

>>3611755
From where you people get this idea that when people say "front" they mean first fucking rank? Of course she will be hanging in the back of the unit! Just as we should!

>>3613501
Well, i want confirmation of that from the qm.
Where the queen would want us?

>>3613515
>Captain I want you here at the center. Ensure the men do not break.

>>3613635
I get that man, but Baldr description of what he expects got me worried, so I want to know how far from that we can be without disobeying the queen

>>3613515

The queen wants you in center at the front. Where that is exactly is up to you. This isn't the first time Baldr has had to creatively interpret an order.

>>3613652

Baldr is expecting a slaughter even if he isn't directly involved. Remember, when he described the front he was trying to scare Selenas off. But also remember that yes the queen wants you to make sure the center holds and that might involve you getting your hands dirty.

>>3613954
Good them, bring the two along afret we talk with selenas , they stay in the back of the front lines and Aborea acts as Midri's guard while Selenas and Baldr act together since the ring can help them both with field vision.

The mages are to not cast so much against the peasants unless ordered too, we better save their juice for the second part of the engagement.

>>3614006
This is actually a relief, both of them can help Selenas and Baldr to survive, I imagined things would be way more fucked up.

>>3614006
this works for me too, let them come to the front but keep them behind while we deal with things

>>3611705

"You've grown so much,” you say softly, “That day when I first met you, you were naïve, passionate, and in need of guidance, a mentor. Now though, well, it looks like the student is teaching the mentor.” You can’t repress the smile that comes to your lips as you speak “From this moment on we are no longer mentor and student, but partners and comrades. Whatever we do from now on we do it together and as equals. That means we’ll fight this battle together, we’ll survive this day together, and we’ll move forward together.”


The smile that Selenas give you then is worth more than anything you’ve ever known. It sends your heart pounding again, not the quick terrified beats of fear, but the strong pumping beats of determination.


The little in you steps forward again to clear your mind, steel your nerves and prepare you for combat, but his usual grim and stony face is soften by a little grin. “Go get Mildri and Aborea back we’ll need them for battle. I’ve got plan.”


>Alright anons I’m going to call things here for this thread as I don’t want to start the battle this far down the board. I will resume running and start a new thread over the 4th of July weekend when I will have time to run a solid session. In the meantime feel free to ask me questions whether it be tactical information or just general questions while you prepare your battle plans.

>>3614963
Thanks for running, see you there.

>>3614963
thanks for running

This is the easiest assignment we got so no worries.

>>3614963
thanks for running

>>3615298
kek, don't jinx it dude