>>4470276

A servant woke you up early in the morning and after putting on your armour and eating a quick breakfast, you went outside to organize your troops. The yard was bustling with activity as dozens of soldiers were carrying things or making sure their arms and armours were ready.

As you walked through the yard some of the soldiers watched as you passed them. The news of you having fought against Blackmoore’s pet gladiator orc and having won had most likely spread everywhere. It didn’t help that you had the mountain lion pelt on you too. But you didn’t let this bother you, what was important was that your men were ready. When you reached your men, you saw that the clear majority were already ready and were waiting for the signal for troops to head out.

Thankfully it didn’t take long everyone in your force to be ready so you had time to brush and feed Epona well. One by one other forces were ready and Uther rode around the troops making sure that everyone was ready for the march. Finally the men from Durnholde were ready and Uther led the expedition out of the keep.

…

The march continued for the better part of the day. With several soldiers from Durnholde leading the march as they knew the terrain, you first went past several farms before seeing the first farms that had been burned down by gnolls. Then later on the afternoon you saw why the need for the expedition was crucial. A high palisade wall with several guard towers had been built into a large clearing. This was an orc internment camp.

The word spread across the expedition that you would be camping next to the palisade for this night. There was some grumbling among the men as some were already expecting a fight as they had been preparing for it, but one more night of waiting wouldn’t hurt at all.

The sun was still up as tents were being raised and small campfires being made. Captain Reginald had his camp right next to yours and you exchanged a few words. Apparently Uther was going to host a small sermon for those who want to join, but Langston was at same time going to act as a guide for those officers who wanted to see the internment camp from inside and that was where Reginald was going. You had thought about staying in your camp and just talking with your men, but both the Uther's sermon and seeing the camp seemed good ideas.


>Go listen to Uther’s sermon, it is probably rather calming experience
>Follow Reginald and go see the internment camp from inside
>Stay in your camp and be with your men
>Other, write in

>>4470280
>Go listen to Uther’s sermon, it is probably rather calming experience
Let's get smothered by the Holy Light teachings.

>>4470280
>>Go listen to Uther’s sermon, it is probably rather calming experience

>>4470280
>Go listen to Uther’s sermon, it is probably rather calming experience

>>4470280
>>Go listen to Uther’s sermon, it is probably rather calming experience

>>4470280
>Follow Reginald and go see the internment camp from inside

Thankfully you weren’t late and the sermon hadn’t started yet. Uther and his paladins were doing their small tasks before everyone who had come to listen had found a place to sit. This was quite an informal sermon without any real strict procedures. When enough people had arrived Uther started to speak.

He spoke of the common people and the autumn harvest they had. He spoke of all things that could harm them and about the duty everyone has to defend their fellow people. He spoke how even in the most dangerous situation one shouldn’t throw away their hope or trust for it is the holy Light that will protect and guide them. He spoke how we are now the ones guarded and entrusted by the Light to protect others and how it will be our duty to defend those who can’t do it themselves.

The most remarkable thing about all this was how his voice felt so powerful even thought he spoke with a calm and steady voice.

In the end one by one those who were listening to Uther’s sermon received his blessing. You felt refreshed and this warm feeling spread across your body. There was no denying that Uther was a blessed man. After Uther had blessed you, he asked for you to stay and wait. He would have something to say to you. When the work was done and the sermon was over Uther made his way to you.

“Thank you prince Alric for waiting for me.” He said.

“Not a problem lord Uther.” You said back to him. “What did you want to say?”

“I will be detaching Ballador with captain Reginald and marshal Redpath. Raleigh the True will join your men. Don’t worry he can take care of himself.” Uther said. “He is a great fighter and knows the basics of our holy magic.”

“Thank you lord Uther, his presence will help us all.” And keep watch over your men for lord Uther, but you didn’t say that to him. “Do you have anything else to say?”

“Nothing else than just wishing you good luck for tomorrow. It will be a long day.”

Uther was serious when he said those words. He and just like everyone else in this camp knew that people would die in the fighting. This wasn’t just a small skirmish or a surprise attack. Most likely the gnolls find us before we find them.

…

The next morning came with the now usual bustling activity in the camp. The tents were dismantled and troops yet again prepared for the coming battle. Soon everyone was ready and the march towards the forest and hills were the gnolls were supposed to be located could begin.


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>4471217

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>4471217

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>4471217

File: 05_footman.jpg (186 KB, 710x727)

186 KB JPG

You had marched into the woods and the progress through it had become slow. Your position in the front as the 2nd Sweeping Group made it rather likely that you could be first to actually find the gnolls, or that gnolls find you first. You had placed your footmen in the centre and pushed the archers dozen or so metres in front of them to act as the vanguard. To your left were the Durnholde men and somewhere behind both of you were supposed to be Uther the Lightbringer and the reinforcements.

It didn’t take long for you to hear this guttural scream echoing through the forest to your left where the Durnholde men were supposed to be. You of course didn’t see them as if you were any closer, you couldn’t sweep through the forest that effectively. Soon after the scream you heard sounds of fighting that stopped rather quickly. Whatever attacked the Durnholde men was quickly made short work of.

“Sire, should we send Rover ahead? He could probably spot the gnolls before they spot us.” Cromwell said to you.

It was an idea that could work, but what if he doesn’t spot the gnolls fast enough?


>No, we need to keep our troops together for security
>Yes, but I will detach sergeant Maxwell and his footmen to guard him
>Yes, Rover will scout ahead with his archers and if he spots them he either retreats or attempts to defeat them
>Other, write in

Uther’s Expedition Forces
Hammer:
Silver Hand, 10 knights and 20 footmen
Capital City, 5 knights and 20 footmen
Uther the Lightbringer
Prince Arthas
Jaina Proudmoore

Reinforcements:
Regional Defenders, 20 footmen and 20 archers
City Guards, 10 footmen and 20 archers
Marshal Redpath
Captain Reginald
Ballador

1st Sweeping Group:
Durnholde, 10 knights and 50 footmen
Karramyn Langston

2nd Sweeping Group
Alterac, 38 footmen and 20 archers
Prince Alric
Sergeant Cromwell
Rover
Lieutenant Beckston
Sergeant Maxwell
Raleigh the True

>>4471732
Send Rover to scout. Do not engage, and don't go too far ahead.
Don't take chances. We're in their home turf and they likely know we're coming.

>>4471732
>Yes, but I will detach sergeant Maxwell and his footmen to guard him

Maxwell's footmen will make a screen for the archers to retreat if they encounter any gnolls while the rest of the force catch up with them.

>>4471732
>>Yes, but I will detach sergeant Maxwell and his footmen to guard him
Yeah, avoid engagement if possible.

>>4471732
>>No, we need to keep our troops together for security

>>4471732
>Yes, but I will detach sergeant Maxwell and his footmen to guard him

Alrighty, give me the dice!


>1d6
>Best three of five

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4472454

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4472454
Might take a while to get 5 guys but there will be fries if we do!

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4472454

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4472454

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4472454

>>4472457
>>4472485
>>4472489
Based Rover carries the team again

>16, success

“Sergeant Maxwell, take your men and support Rover. Tell him to push forward and scout the gnolls.”

“Sire.” He saluted and took his men and walked where Rover was.

The archers Rover had trained and drilled disappeared into the woods. Rover had ordered that the archers should wear clothing with subdued colours to help them to hide in the woods. The old gamekeeper tricks were in good use here. Maxwell and his Stromgarde Guard weren’t as tacit or subdued. Their armours made the usual clanking sound of plate mail and the red colour of their cloaks didn’t really help them to stay hidden. Still they followed Rover as silently as they could do it.

…

It had been quiet for some time already. Outside the noise from the armour the footmen were wearing, you only heard some birds and the leaves moving in the wind. There were some rustling noises in the bushes and the footmen all tensed up and readied their weapons. Thankfully it wasn’t a gnoll that came from the woods, but one of the archers that made his way to you.

“Sire, Rover sends a message that they have dealt with several gnolls. The way ahead is clear.” The archer said while trying to catch breath.

“Anything else?” You asked.

“No sire, the gnolls were quite the same to what we have faced before.” The archer said.

“Good, tell Rover to continue moving forward.”

With a salute the archer disappeared back into the bush towards where Rover was supposed to be.

…

Not long after you found the first dead gnoll. Several arrow wounds were on its upper body, but the arrows had been collected for later use. Then next you found a second and third gnoll and their bodies told the same story. Punctured by several arrows that lead into a swift death. Rover and the archers had done extremely good job so far.

Suddenly you heard loud screaming and shouting ahead of you. The screams weren’t human screams and they ended quickly. Yet again it was silent in the forest for a moment before a new scream rang out in the woods.


>Move forward quickly and investigate what had happened
>Continue as usual, Rover knows what he is doing
>Other, write in

>>4472890
Pick up the pace and reunite our forces. Those screams are liable to have attracted attention.

>>4472902
support

>>4472890
>Continue as usual, Rover knows what he is doing
We have to keep discipline or else we will drag this whole army down around us and fuck up the whole formation. Rover has his job and we have ours. Lets not get in his way for no reason when we know how good he is.

>>4472890
>Move forward quickly and investigate what had happened

>>4472890
>>Continue as usual, Rover knows what he is doing

“Troops! March forward!” You gave the order. “Double time!”

The soldiers accelerated quickly into a jog and pushed straight through into the bushes and amidst trees. You followed behind them on your horse and tried to listen if more screams or sounds could be heard. Closer you got where Rover and Maxwell should be in, more screams and sounds of battle could be heard.

Getting through a few bushes you spotted the first archers standing amidst dead gnolls. Maxwell’s footmen were going through bodies of the gnolls little bit ahead while several archers kept watch. You stopped your men when you reached the archers and ordered a perimeter to be formed.

“What happened here?” You asked when you rode next to Maxwell.

“Sire, Rover spotted several gnolls hiding in bushes. So he and his archers pelted them with arrows. We marched in to check the corpses and a group of gnolls dropped down from the trees in front of us. We killed them too.”

“Dropped down from trees? You sure?” You said a bit bewildered as that sounded strange.

“Yes sire. They tried to ambush us most likely.” He said while wiping his sword clean from gnoll blood.

You looked at the dead gnolls, they were wearing the same rags and few pieces of stolen armour that you had seen before. For weapons they had clubs, spears and assorted rusty swords and axes. But these gnolls were rather smart, clearly they had tried to ambush you and then drag you into a second ambush by those who had climbed on trees. As you spoke with Maxwell, Rover had walked to you after collecting back the arrows he had used. The small bearded old man had managed to spot not one, but two ambushes.

“Rover, what do you think of this?”

“These gnolls are smart. First lone scouts and now ambushes.” He said to you. “They know we are here and they are prepared.”

Rover was correct, getting ambushed once or spotting scouts was expected, but this level of being prepared was unheard of.


>We need to inform Uther of this, the gnolls are prepared for our arrival, send a runner and wait for further orders
>We have our orders, we will push forward and continue our sweep
>We will scout them, send Rover and archers ahead and have them search for the gnolls
>Other, write in

>>4474070
>>We will scout them, send Rover and archers ahead and have them search for the gnolls

>>4474070
>We need to inform Uther of this, the gnolls are prepared for our arrival, send a runner and wait for further orders

>>4474070
Advance cautiously onwards. Don't split the unit this time.

I'm not sure if just knowledge that gnolls are cleverer than anticipated changes our job any expect making it more dangerous... at the same time I'm leery of spreading archers thin now that they probably know we're onto them.

>>4474070
>We have our orders, we will push forward and continue our sweep

We need to stop underestimating the gnolls and what they can do. We know that our older brother is working with them if not outright controlling them from what we have heard. We need to assume that the gnolls have human leadership. And that what we have seen here is just the tip of the iceberg.

But the real problem is that we both can not let our force fall behind there by ruining our formation. And the only chances we had to tell Uther about our brother and what he has been doing is gone. If Uther finds out about our brother on his own we are fucked. If we brake formation to tell Uther our brother will exploit that and fuck up our army with a true ambush.

>>4474286
>We have our orders, we will push forward and continue our sweep

We should still send the runner to warm Uther about the gnoll tactics, it could save lives.

>>4474322
Yeah but like i said the moment Uther finds out about our big bro and his band of asshole bandits heads are going to role. Hell that ass Prince Arthas is most likely going to attack us him self when he finds out.

But you are right we need to tell Uther what is happening so we can salvage this assault and keep these men alive. If we have to pay for our brothers chooses so others may live then so be it.

“We will push forward.” You ordered the men around you. “Sergeant Cromwell get the footmen together and in formation, Rover send a runner to inform Uther of the gnolls and put the archers in front. Loose ranks.”

The soldiers quickly went into action and quickly you were moving forward again. The runner started to make his way toward the direction where Uther should be and if he is lucky and no gnolls are between you and Uther, he should reach them soon. Meanwhile you had to keep moving forward and continue the sweep.

…

The forest started to thin slowly. There were less bushes and trees around which allowed you to see further from horseback, but the clouds started to gather and the sun started to have problems getting through the treetops. Rover and the archers were a dozen or so metres ahead of the footmen and were carefully moving forward. Now the footmen too had learned how to try to move silently and their walking didn’t make as much sound as before. Raleigh the True hefted his warhammer on his shoulder and continued to walk next to you.

“What do…” He tried to say, but you hushed him to stay silent and lifted your gauntleted finger to your lips and then pointed towards Rover who had slowed down and was searching the forest with his gaze. Raleigh understood that now wasn’t the time for talking.


>1d6
>Best three out of four

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>4474754

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>4474754

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>4474754
Be Vewy Vewy Quiet i am hunting gnolls ha ha ha.

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>4474754

>11, success

Rover raised his hand and stopped the advance several times for him and the archers to listen and look around. Everytime after a brief moment of silence you continued forward. The careful approach to this was clearly helping. No gnolls were seen or heard.

The forest thinned a bit more and the sky became overcast. It was easier to move in the woods now, there were less branches to avoid stepping on or bushes to go through. Same time the land started to turn a bit more uneven. Tiny hills and not steep slopes had appeared, that at least not yet caused any real problems.

Suddenly you heard a loud scream to the left of you that was followed by other screams. The screams grew louder like a warcry and not a moment later you heard someone blowing a horn. The Durnholde men had been attacked and by the sounds of the screams, there were more than just a few attackers. Then you heard the crash of steel and bodies. The Durnholde men weren’t that far away from you by the sounds of the battle.

“Prince Alric, we should go help them!” Shouted Raleigh.


>Our position is to be the sweep and be attacked or find the enemy, let lord Uther and the reinforcements deal with the gnolls, we will continue our sweep forward
>We will stop here and wait till the sounds of the fighting have ended, otherwise we might run too far from the reinforcements
>We shall go and help them
>Other, write in

QM: I will be bit busy yet again this weekend, so expect sporadic updates after this one

>>4475493
Although it should be Uther's job to provide reinforcements...
No plan survives contact with the enemy.

>We will help them. However don't take the direct route, arc our path along the sweep trajectory to make sure we arrive from an angle further in than the reinforcements and are in position to intercept disengaging enemies
>Footmen and the paladin to the front and move to assist. Archers take positions behind and look for stragglers or signs of someone trying to put us into pincer...

>>4475493
>>4475511
support.
Basically go around to attack their rear, i like it.

I guess that the Gnolls (or wharever is controlling them) is trying to do a defeat in detail like we said earlier.

>>4475511
Support.

>>4475511
support

>>4475493
>>Our position is to be the sweep and be attacked or find the enemy, let lord Uther and the reinforcements deal with the gnolls, we will continue our sweep forward

>>4475511
Support.
Lets show these monsters how Man wages war.

“We are going to help them. Footmen in the front, Raleigh you will join them. Rover will have the archers behind them watching the flanks. We won’t take the most direct route, instead trying to go for their flank and rear.” You ordered. “Any questions?”

“Flanking them might take longer than just directly going there, it might cause problems.” Beckston said.

“I trust that Durnholde can hold the attackers. If we succeed, we could prevent the gnolls from retreating.” You reasoned back. “Anything else?”

No one else had any other questions and within few moments you had the men moving.

…

The men jogged through the forest slowly turning towards the sounds of fighting. It had continued for a few minutes and as the men reached a top of a small hill, you saw what was going on. There were more than a few gnolls fighting against the Durnholde troops, with crossbows and javelins the gnolls were pelting the footmen and knights while at the same time keeping the distance. The footmen and knights had already killed several gnolls, but the gnolls hadn’t lost their will to fight, at least not yet.

The solution to the situation was simple, you were going to charge the gnolls from the rear.


>1d6
>Best three out of four

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>4477703

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4477703

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4477703
Kill them kill them all and damn the last man to fight.

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4477703

>14, success

“Men! Advance!” You shouted and the footmen and archers started their march towards the gnolls. You followed them on horseback and as the distance grew shorter the gnolls started to realize that you had arrived at the scene.

“Archers stop, give them a volley!” You shouted and the archers did as told. A volley of arrows struck at the gnolls carrying crossbows and javelins felling several of them. The gnolls tried to prepare their ranks, but it was too late for them to get things ready.

“Alterac Stands! Charge!” You shouted and the footmen started to run forward.

When the footmen hit the gnolls, the shock of the charge was decisive. Be it the short pikes carried by Beckston’s Kul Tirans or the swords and shields used by rest of the footmen the impact of the charge caused the gnolls to scatter. Several gnolls were struck down immediately and few more got killed in the moments after the charge. The pikes penetrated through the leather and skin and the swords cut into the flesh. Raleigh the True used his warhammer with expertise and struck several gnolls down while Cromwell and Maxwell fought side by side cutting down gnolls left and right.

You didn’t have much to do outside of watching the battle unfold in front of you. Archers targeted stragglers with their arrows and when the gnolls started to break more of them became targets for them. You rode behind the footmen who were slowly breaking ranks and spreading out as the gnolls lost their will to fight. Pushed from both sides, the men from Durnholde fought forward and made the gnolls withdraw towards your troops, the gnolls having been sandwiched between the footmen broke and tried to run away. Some of them dropped their weapons while few tried to fight back. One by one they were cut down.

Still some of them managed to avoid getting killed and started to run away into the woods to flee from this fight. Rover and his archers managed to kill few of them, but a good number of them were getting away,


>Chase them and cut them down, don’t let them to get away
>Rover and the archers can chase them, rest of the troops stay here
>Finish the gnolls here and make sure that the battlefield is secured
>Other, write in

>>4478035
>Finish the gnolls here and make sure that the battlefield is secured

Let's not be hasty, we do not want go head first into an ambush.

>>4478035
>Rover and the archers can chase them, rest of the troops stay here
Don't go to far.

>>4478035
>>Rover and the archers can chase them, rest of the troops stay here

>>4478035
>Rover and the archers can chase them, rest of the troops stay here

>>4478035
>Finish the gnolls here and make sure that the battlefield is secured

We should not push Rover to much. He is an old man and will need his rest soon. Or else he will drop dead.

>>4478035
>>Finish the gnolls here and make sure that the battlefield is secured
Ensure the Durnholders are alright to keep moving.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Going to break the tie here

1 is Finish the gnolls
2 is Rover and archers

“Defeat the gnolls! No chasing them down!” You shouted and directed the fighting. The footmen and archers quickly directed their efforts at killing the gnolls that were staying and fighting. From the moment your troops arrived at the scene, the fighting had been really one sided. One by one the gnolls were killed either by the swords and pikes of the Alteraci or by the swords and lances of Durnholders. Quickly the gnolls were finished.

You made a short ride around the battlefield to get a better picture of how many gnolls had been killed and to see if your men had any casualties. Seeing that the situation was under control, you called your officers for a short briefing.

“Sergeant Cromwell, you and sergeant Maxwell are to secure the battlefield with the archers. Lieutenant Beckston, you are going to lend aid to the Durnholders with paladin Raleigh.” You said. “I will go and find Langston to learn what had happened.”

Your officers nodded and went to work. The Kul Tirans went to give first aid to the wounded Durnholders and Raleigh did his best as he healed the more badly wounded with his control over the holy Light. You didn’t have to search for Langston that much as he was found giving orders to his men. At some point of the fighting his armour had taken a bad hit as his breastplate was rather heavily dented. You rode to him and dismounted.

“Prince Alric, thank you for coming to help us.” He said and waved his officers off. “We had the situation under control, but extra help doesn’t hurt.”

“Not a problem Langston, we heard the sounds of fighting and the horn and decided to come help you.” You said back to him. “And regarding that, how did the gnolls attack?”

“There was a small group of gnolls that we spotted. They tried to shoot us with their crossbows and when I sent the knights forward the gnolls fled. We followed them and suddenly a group of gnolls dropped down from the trees and more gnolls charged from the forest. We fought them until you arrived.”

The gnolls clearly had managed to lure the Durnholders into an ambush which you had managed to avoid.

“May I ask, how many casualties did you end up taking?”

“Two knights and seven footmen.” Langston said and gritted his teeth. “There are more wounded.”

“Then we need to rest, provide first aid and wait for lord Uther to arrive.”

“I guess you are right prince Alric.”

1/2

>>4479091

A simple triage had been done and the wounded were all gathered together. Footmen were guarding the battlefield and Maxwell had walked around it counting how many dead gnolls there were. Your troops hadn’t taken any casualties, just a few cuts and scrapes. Meanwhile Maxwell had counted in total 37 dead gnolls. Maybe half of the gnolls that had attacked Durnholders were now dead.

As you watched as the soldiers did their work, you heard the sound of cavalry arriving. Uther had arrived with his knights.

“Prince Alric, what happened here?” He asked as he rode next to you.

“Lord Uther, we heard the sound of fighting and came to help. We defeated the gnolls that stayed to fight while rest ran away.”

“You should have chased them down.” Prince Arthas said as he removed his helmet. “You let them go!”

“No, he did the right thing. Charging after an enemy in unknown territory is dangerous.” Uther said. “Remember patience and knowing the battlefield.”

“Yes lord Uther.” Arthas answered back with defeat in his voice.

“Did the Durnholders take any casualties? What about the gnolls?” Uther continued.

“Yes, two knights and seven footmen with several others wounded. We counted 37 dead gnolls.” You answered.

“I see, then the information your runner brought us was correct. The gnolls had attempted to ambush the intruders and they succeeded with the Durnholders. Very organized, very much not what expect from the gnolls." Uther said and brushed his beard. "Prince Alric, what do you think we should do?”

Uther gave you this questioning look and waited for an answer. It felt like you were several years younger and Garside was asking you questions regarding the homework he had given to you.


>We should head out as fast as possible. Wait for rest of Uther’s men to arrive and attack the gnolls before they can recover from this
>We need to wait for everyone to arrive here, then we shall advance as single strong force
>We should continue the sweeps just like before, find the gnolls and pin them down for the hammer to fall on them
>Other, write in

>>4479099

Given what we've seen so far we can expect more ambush tactics from the gnolls. We should proceed with appropriate caution as they know the territory better than we do. We can continue in spirit of the original plan, but overexerting ourselves to ensure no gnolls slip past us may prove to be considerably more costly than initially estimated and may not be worth the possibility of exterminating them in one swoop.

>keep units as they are to avoid organizational mess, but proceed closer alongside each other at cost of covering less area.
I guess a combination of pressing forward to not give the enemy more time to recover with more concentrated approach to focus our strength.

>>4479099
>>4479150
Support
Changing our tactics with new information is crucial but also strike before they realize we know it.

>>4479150
Support

>>4479099
>>We need to wait for everyone to arrive here, then we shall advance as single strong force

>>4479099
Supporting >>4479150's plan. We have to keep them on the backfoot but blundering into another ambush would be counterproductive

>>4479150
Support
If we do not keep up the heat on these gnoll assholes then they will just run to ground and we will have to do this all over again when they come back for more. But if we fuck up and rush ahead than the gnolls ambush tactics will tare us down and we will all be killed one by one.

Alright, give me some dice for the next update.

>1d6
>Best three of four

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>4479938

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>4479938

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4479938

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4479938

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>4479938
Keep your heads on a swivel and your eyes open boys. These sneaky fucks wont ketch us with our pants down again.

File: Uther_TCG_Alt.jpg (97 KB, 415x594)

97 KB JPG

“We should wait for everyone to arrive here. We saw what could happen if the gnolls attack us one group at a time. When everyone is here, we should then continue the sweep, but we should be within seeing distance of each other.” You told Uther and continued. “And after everyone has arrived here, we should move and attack as soon as possible. More we give time for the gnolls to regroup, the harder it will be for us to win the fight.”

Uther weighted your words in his mind for a moment.

“I agree, it is time for us to deliver the decisive battle. If we falter now, the gnolls get a respite and they can get away.” Uther said to you. “Prince Arthas, when the footmen and the reinforcements arrive, get them briefed of the situation and prepare them for battle. Prince Alric, make sure that the wounded are taken care off and sent back to the internment camp for further care.”

You nodded to Uther’s orders and went to work. Your men already had orders to rest and prepare again, but the Durnholders were all a bit scattered and tended their wounded. Langston grumbled somewhat and bit his tongue when you arrived to tell the orders Uther had given. After some planning it was decided that he would send a few footmen with the wounded to guard them. The ambush had been a rather heavy blow to the Durnholders with of the 50 original footmen, seven were dead and 11 others were too wounded to continue. You didn’t know how well the remaining 32 footmen would fight, but they had to fight. You couldn’t run in again to save their asses if they end up in trouble.

1/3

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82 KB JPG

>>4480627

>12, success

It thankfully didn’t take long for rest of the footmen and reinforcements to arrive. The wounded Durnholders were sent back towards the internment camp with hopes that you had cleared the gnolls away from behind of you. With prince Arthas guiding and ordering the reinforcements around it didn’t take long for them to be ready for action. With that you ordered you men up from their short rest and signaled to Uther that you were ready.

One by one the groups took their positions, now with captain Reginald’s and marshal Redpath’s reinforcements and Uther’s hammer being right behind you. You could see that the Durnholders too were ready to your left. You watched as Uther rode around the troops checking that everyone was actually ready and when he reached your troops he gave you a quick salute and spoke.

“Prince Alric, I will detach lady Proudmoore to provide your troops with aid. Also Raleigh, make sure that prince Alric stays safe.”

Raleigh saluted and raised his warhammer on his shoulder.

This was actually a bit surprising that Uther would send Jaina to help you. Maybe he was expecting that your troops would require most help in the coming battle? If that was true, why wouldn’t he send Jaina to help the Durnholders? When Jaina arrived maybe a minute later, you greeted her.

“Lady Proudmoore, welcome to be with us.” You said to her and gave her a slight bow from horseback.

“It is nice to see that you are alright prince Alric.” She said back. “I heard that you and the Durnholders had already fought the gnolls.”

“Yes, they tried to ambush us and they had more success against the Durnholders.” You answered. “May I ask, how can you help us? What can you do in battle?”

“Well I know the basics of combat magic and I know how to take care of myself, so don’t worry about it.” She said and smiled.

It was good that she was certain of her talents and you also thought that she can help you a lot.

2/3

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>>4480631

The troops had marched forward slowly for some time already. Going over several small hills and through a few bit more thicker parts of the woods, you felt the atmosphere change. This happened quite literally as the overcast turned into slow drizzle.

You kept your eyes open as did your men and soon one of them saw something.

“Prince Alric, look ahead!” One of the footmen said and pointed forward with his sword.

You searched the forest for what he saw and quickly located it. A totem made from bones and skulls was standing next to a tree and as you marched forward, you arrived closer and closer to it.

“Prince Alric, I sense magic. It is a ward of some sort.” Jaina said.

“Can you dispel it?”

“It isn't strong magic, maybe it is a sentry, but I can try.”

Jaina raised her staff and pointed it at the totem. She spoke something in a language you didn’t understand and the totem burst suddenly on fire. This startled the footmen, but the fire disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared. The totem didn’t have

“It is done. It shouldn’t be active anymore.” Jaina told you and you nodded. The march had to continue.

The men passed the totem without an issue, but the march didn’t continue for long. A deep guttural warcry echoed across the forest as the drizzle turned into slightly heavier rain. You stopped your men and watched the thin forest ahead. There was a slight incline towards where the warcry was heard from, but otherwise the forest wouldn’t make the fighting that difficult.

Soon you saw the first gnoll appear on the other side of the forest. The lone gnoll wasn’t yet within range of the archers and the gnoll smartly stopped before walking any further and the reason why appeared just a few seconds later. More gnolls appeared and formed this line of fighters that grew thicker and wider by every moment. In just few moments there were maybe as many gnolls in the distance as there were Durnholders and your men, but that number grew constantly.

The gnolls just like the expedition were preparing for the decisive battle. This was good news, the battle was brought to them, but at the same time they were having numerical advantage. Not far to your left the Durnholders formed their shieldwall and their knights prepared to charge the gnolls. Behind you the reinforcements ran forward to take their position left of the Durnholders while Uther and his men stayed slightly back, preparing to charge the gnolls when needed.

You refreshed your memory on the books you had read on warfare and thought about formations. You had to choose the best for this situation.


>Archers in front open with volleys and footmen ready themselves to take the charge
>Shieldwall with Kul Tiran pikes behind them attacking over the shields. Archers guard the flanks
>Kul Tiran pikes in front with archers and footmen guard the flanks and attack the stopped enemy
>Other, write in

QM: A time for a big fight.

>>4480638
>Kul Tiran pikes in front with archers and footmen guard the flanks and attack the stopped enemy

The pikement take the charge and then slowly give ground in the centre so the flanks sorround the enemy and we negate their numerical advantage.


Also we should later have some roman tactics like javelins for the footmen so they are able to stop a charge or disable enemy shields.

>>4480638
>>Kul Tiran pikes in front with archers and footmen guard the flanks and attack the stopped enemy

>>4480638
>>Shieldwall with Kul Tiran pikes behind them attacking over the shields. Archers guard the flanks

>>4480638
>>Kul Tiran pikes in front with archers and footmen guard the flanks and attack the stopped enemy

It's time to demonstrate what Alteraci Footman's Drill is known for - the riposte.

>>4480638
If Durnholders are going to charge maybe we could squeeze at least one volley to support it - make the Gnolls choose between bracing against the charge and covering from the rain of death. Once the battle is joined though we need to withdraw archers behind footmen and play defensively to whittle down their advantage.

Totem ward betrays evidence of shamans and that could mean healing wards as well. Keep an eye out on those and focus the casters down if identified. Conversely, keep Jaina safe.

We have one healing scroll to use, right? Keep it handy as our men accrue wounds...

>>4480638
Do we know what the knights are doing right now? We sure could use them to strike the flanks of the gnoll lines soon.

>>4481299
That is their plan, wait for the gnolls to end up in combat and then flank them and charge them.

Also give me some dice

>2d6
>Best three of four

QM: The first 1d6 is for your men and the second 1d6 is for Jaina

Rolled 2, 1 = 3 (2d6)

>>4481340

Rolled 5, 2 = 7 (2d6)

>>4481340

Rolled 3, 3 = 6 (2d6)

>>4481340

Rolled 5, 1 = 6 (2d6)

>>4481340

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Poor Jaina... I just hope our own people don't get blizzarded

>13, success
>6, failure

“Lieutenant Beckston, pikes in front! Sergeant Cromwell to left flank, sergeant Maxwell to right flank, Rover to right flank, loose at will!”

The men sprung into action and took their positions. The Kul Tirans lowered their pikes and footmen raised their shields up as Rover guided his archers and measured the distance to the gnolls with his gaze. You rode around and took your position next to Cromwell’s footmen and watched as more gnolls appeared in the distance.

The gnolls had been shouting, screaming and making noise, but suddenly the gnolls started to make even more noise. They banged their shields and weapons together, stomped their feet and screamed as loudly as they could. Your men all tensed up and just as suddenly the gnolls started to make more noise, they started to jog towards the men of the expedition.

The first volley of arrows flew out. Few arrows hit the trees, but the rest of the arrows mostly found their marks. You saw at least two gnolls falling down on the ground and several more getting hit by the arrows.

“Lady Jaina, now would be time to use your magic.” You said and lowered the visor of your helmet.

She nodded and started to channel her spell. Her eyes glowed brightly and it looked like a faint shimmer kept the rain away from her. She pointed her staff towards the gnolls that were advancing and a small orb of fire appeared in front of the staff. The orb grew bigger and brighter and just as she was ready to launch it the orb collapsed violently inwards and fizzled out.

“What! This hasn’t happened before!” Jaina shouted with a surprise and looked at you. “Prince Alric, they have a mage! My fireball was dispelled!”

That wasn’t good news at all. A mage would make the coming battle even more difficult.

“Can you do something about it?” You quickly said back.

“I can try to force my spells through the dispelling attempts, but it requires more effort.” She said and started to channel more magic through her staff.

More arrows hit the gnolls and several more of them fell down on the ground. Just in a few seconds they would charge your men.

“Alterac Stands!” You shouted and the men braced for the charge.

1/2

>>4481497

Last volley of arrows struck the gnolls, felling several of them just before your men as they crashed into the pikes and shields. First gnolls died when the Kul Tirans thrusted their pikes forward. Those who got past the first pikes got jabbed by the second rank of them. Footmen with their shields and swords kept the gnolls away, felling few of them.

You thrusted with your lance and the tip of the lance punched into a shoulder of a gnoll. You drew the lance out of the shoulder and struck again with it, this time hitting the gnoll straight into its chest. The gnoll whimpered and fell down holding its chest and you discarded the lance as it was a bit too cumbersome to use. As you drew your sword and blocked a strike with it, it was pretty clear that the gnolls had lost their momentum of the charge. While there was maybe 50 or 60 gnolls fighting against you currently, you knew that you had a chance to win. Their charge had failed and now it was time to defeat them. Now it was just a pure fight to see who will win.


>Order the soldiers to push forward and attack the gnolls proper (Aggressive)
>Have the footmen to attack from flanks while the pikes hold their position (Balanced)
>Order the soldiers to hold position and slowly withdraw if pressured too much (Defensive)
>Other, write in

>>4481500
>Order the soldiers to push forward and attack the gnolls proper (Aggressive)

We cant let the knights have all the fun and glory now can we.

>>4481500
>>Order the soldiers to push forward and attack the gnolls proper (Aggressive)

We've broken their momentum, now we break them. Pike formations are most effective on a slow, inexorable advance. I'd say have the footmen make a push first to draw attention to the flanks before having the pike advance down the centre to crack them.

>>4481500
>Have the footmen to attack from flanks while the pikes hold their position (Balanced)

If the archers need to hold fire to prevent attacking friendlies, have them survey the battlefield for a spellcaster... and snipe them down if possible.

>>4481500
>>Order the soldiers to push forward and attack the gnolls proper (Aggressive)

>>4481500
>Order the soldiers to push forward and attack the gnolls proper (Aggressive)

Aggressive approach wins

>2d6
>Best three of four

QM: The first 1d6 is for your men and the second 1d6 is for Jaina

Rolled 1, 4 = 5 (2d6)

>>4481694

Rolled 5, 2 = 7 (2d6)

>>4481694

Rolled 6, 5 = 11 (2d6)

>>4481694

Rolled 2, 6 = 8 (2d6)

>>4481694

Rolled 6, 3 = 9 (2d6)

>>4481694
For Alterac. For glory.

>13, success
>13, success

Striking the gnoll down whose attack you had blocked with your sword, you were forced to block an attack with your shield this time and then stabbed at the gnoll. This gave you enough time to see that the time to attack is right.

“Men of Alterac! Attack! Attack!” You shouted as loud as possible and your men responded with a shout of their own.

The Kul Tirans with their pikes took few steps forwars and in some cases literally pushed their pikes into the gnolls. Same time the footmen hacked at the gnolls as hard and fast as they could. You didn’t exactly see what Rover and the archers were doing, but you knew that they were going to do their best.

This push gave you a bit of respite and you swung your horse around and just as you were ready to go back in, you were interrupted.

“Alric stay back!” Jaina shouted and a stream of fire jumped from her staff just right in front of you.

The fire pushed past the first few gnolls and swung around them before spreading further. In just a second several gnolls were engulfed in fire while several others had hands, legs or other body parts on fire. The gnolls screamed as they tried to extinguish the fires, but no avail.

“What was that?” You half shouted to Jaina.

“It was a fireball, but I didn’t launch it, just let it explode.” She said back to you as she took a few deep breaths.

Magic was effective. This blast of fire had practically cleared the left flank of the gnolls that attacked your men. But as you watched the gnolls that were on fire writhing on ground, you saw several more gnolls running into battle to join it. As your men killed the gnolls, few more had already taken their places. You had to go into battle again as with this rate it wouldn't end soon.

1/2

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>>4482136

In that moment Uther’s knights charged out from the woods at your right flank and struck into the gnolls streaming into the battle. The knights were followed by the footmen who linked up with your men on the right flank. So this was Uther’s plan. The push to victory from the right flank of the battle.

Again in the fight, you picked your targets one by one. Gnoll whose attack was blocked by a footman, gnoll who was tending a sword wound, gnoll who was ready to attack Raleigh the True. Raleigh meanwhile was a whirlwind of death with his warhammer and he had already caved in several skulls.

The charge by Uther’s knights and footmen broke the gnolls you were fighting, but the battle wasn’t over. While some tried to run, the majority still fought. Even with several dozen gnolls dead, your men hadn’t managed to avoid wounds. You saw at least seven men tending themselves and each other just behind the still fighting footmen. You could send Raleigh to help them, but he was fighting a battle that must be won. If you were to push now, you could win this portion of battle, but it could make the troops tired and you knew that the big battle wouldn’t be over yet.


>Keep pushing and fighting, kill the gnolls in front of you (Aggressive)
>Fight and defeat the gnolls, but don’t push too much forward (Balanced)
>Fight, but let the gnolls who want to withdraw to withdraw (Defensive)
>Other, write in

Send Raleigh the True to heal the wounded men instead of fighting the gnolls
>Y
>N

Use the Scroll of Healing or save it for later?
>Y
>N

QM: Multiple choices to make

>>4482141
>Fight and defeat the gnolls, but don’t push too much forward (Balanced)
>N
>N

We can lick our wounds after this encounter but we should not tire our troops too much.

>>4482141
>Fight and defeat the gnolls, but don’t push too much forward (Balanced)
>N
>N

>>4482141
>>Fight and defeat the gnolls, but don’t push too much forward (Balanced)
>N
>Y

>>4482141
>Fight and defeat the gnolls, but don’t push too much forward (Balanced)
>N
>Y
We can not let our selves fall in to the to good to use mindset when it comes to our one uses only items. Scrolls and potions are meant to be used not horded and forgotten about in our inventory. We can always buy more. But our men only have one life to give for us and we need them all far more than we need this scroll.

>>4482141
>>Fight and defeat the gnolls, but don’t push too much forward (Balanced)
Aggression is up to Uther's cavalry, now.
>>N
>>Y
Agree with >>4482249, better to use too soon than too late and saving 7 troops is worth the cost.

>>4482141
>Fight and defeat the gnolls, but don’t push too much forward (Balanced)
Let the archers take care of the runners.

Send Raleigh the True to heal the wounded men instead of fighting the gnolls
>Y

Use the Scroll of Healing or save it for later?
>N

>>4482249
That's exactly my logic as well.

>>4482249
It's a good mindset but we should wait to the end of the battle to use it so we are able to heal everyone that needs it
Or save it for a Critical Point in the decisive battle that we soon are we going to fight instead of using it on seven footmen who are not critically wounded.

Raleigh can heal the footmen one at the time, the Scroll heals in area so we should save it for when we need some respite but we cannot spare our paladin.

>>4482929
Thing is Raleigh is currently being useful as a fighter on the frontline, while the scroll is just idle until popped. Raleigh's heals will be best kept for downtime between fights or in desperation.

>>4482929
>>4482933
And there is something to be said about turning Alric into an item fairy type fighter. I mean at least at the start of our quest with him. Us turning our main guy into an item user sounds fun and will really set him apart from the other heroes in Warcraft.

>>4482141
>Fight and defeat the gnolls, but don’t push too much forward (Balanced)
>N
>Y

>>4482141
>Fight and defeat the gnolls, but don’t push too much forward (Balanced)

>Send Raleigh the True to heal the wounded men instead of fighting the gnolls
>N

Use the Scroll of Healing?
Yes, but not right away. Look for signs that the line of uninjured footmen begins to wear down.

Balanced approach, Raleigh fighting and using Scroll of Healing wins

>2d6
>Best three of four

QM: The first 1d6 is for your men and the second 1d6 is for Jaina

Rolled 4, 5 = 9 (2d6)

>>4483008

Rolled 6, 5 = 11 (2d6)

>>4483008

Rolled 5, 4 = 9 (2d6)

>>4483008

Rolled 3, 5 = 8 (2d6)

>>4483008
Wow we are really giving it to these dog boys. I wonder how much more of a beating can they take?

>15, success
>15, success

Uther and his knights rode down gnolls. Lances pierced their leather shirts and Uther’s warhammer shimmered brightly in the rain and with every expertly made swing he hit something. The footmen that had arrived behind Uther’s charge swept into the gnolls like a wave.

The fighting had been somewhat equal when the gnolls had clear numerical advantage, but now when they had footmen on their flank and knights charging back and forth behind them, they had lost their will to fight. With swords and pikes one by one the gnolls were killed.

The coup de grâce came when Jaina did her fireball for the second time. The sight of burning gnolls was enough for the rest of them and those who could still stand and fight, tried to flee.

“Do not chase! “Keep formation!” You shouted as a few eager footmen started to run after them. “Cromwell, get the men together and get everyone who is wounded together.”

Cromwell who was close to you heard the orders and started barking his own. Footmen formed their ranks again and those who had any wounds, slight or more severe were all moved together. You gave a thought of ordering Raleigh to start healing them, but that would tie him with that instead of keeping him fighting where he was truly effective.

But you did have the Scroll of Healing, you could use that now. Sure you could save it for later, but if you kept just saving it, when would you use it then? With this is mind you rode to the wounded men and put your sword back into its sheath. The scroll was in the pouch next to the sheath and you opened it with your gauntleted hand and took the scroll out. You broke the wax seal on the scroll and opened it up to read it.

The scroll had strange writing in it in a language you didn’t understand, but you didn’t have much to read as the letters suddenly turned into bright light that nearly blinded you. The light jumped from the scroll and spread into everyone around you. Suddenly you felt less tired, the minor chafing and bruises you had received in the past few days was gone. Those who were wounded had their wounds getting closed right in front of their eyes and broken bones move back into their positions and started to knit themselves together.

“Alric, was that a Scroll of Healing?” Asked Jaina who was leaning on her staff. She was visibly tired from doing her spells.

“Yes it was.” You said still a bit surprised as you raised your visor and looked at the scroll. The text in it had disappeared. “I bought it from a passing merchant.”

“Isn’t it wonderful magic, healing so many, but yet being stored in a mundane scroll.” She said and wasn't incorrect.

1/2

>>4483253

As you put the now empty scroll back into its pouch, you watched as those who were wounded checked their now formed wounds. Some tried to stand back up, but they lacked their strength. So while the scroll had helped with closing the wounds, it didn’t heal them completely. Still this was a good thing, the men weren’t in danger of dying anymore. You counted that in total 11 footmen and four archers were either lying or sitting down on the ground.

You could again observe the battlefield. Your men were standing around in their formation resting and drinking some water. Uther and his knights were still fighting and what you could see the Durnholders were dispatching few gnolls that were still standing.

The gnolls who had ran away were regrouping where they were before they attacked you. And for their regrouping there was a simple reason. This large gnoll carrying a big halberd was punching and shoving the gnolls back into order. The gnoll along with its large axe had also armour made from bits and pieces of plate and chainmail. What surprised you was the retinue the large gnoll had with it. Maybe dozen nearly as large gnolls wearing similar armours and carrying swords and shields and a gnoll wearing a long robe and carrying a big staff. This was nothing like you had seen before. The large gnoll, which probably was the leader of the gnolls, shouted loudly and sent the gnolls forward. One large group started to jog towards Durnholders, while the gnoll chief and its retinue with a bunch of other gnolls started to run towards Uther and the knights that were fighting with stragglers. Uther and the knights probably could alone deal with their opponents, especially with their footmen arriving to help them, but you weren’t so sure about the Durnholders.


>Go help Uther to deal with the stragglers and the gnoll chief
>Go help Durnholders with the large group of gnolls that were arriving
>Split your force in two and send them to help both Uther and Durnholders, write in where you personally go
>Other, write in

QM: While I don’t do crits, rolls that go high cause better results instead of the rolls being just success or failure and two rolls of 15 were really good.

Split forces.

>Archers and some footmen to shield them help Uther - archers focus pelt the mage

>Rest of the footmen and pikemen and the Paladin with us to help the Durnholders

Leave it to Jaina's expertise to judge whether the archers are enough to suppress / eliminate the mage - if yes, she could come with us where the mage would not interfere with her spellcasting

>>4483358
Support.

>>4483343
>Go help Durnholders with the large group of gnolls that were arriving

Splitting our forces will prolong the battle, let's just finish this quickly before the army has more casualties.

>>4483343
>Go help Durnholders with the large group of gnolls that were arriving

>>4483343
>>Go help Uther to deal with the stragglers and the gnoll chief

I think we should help Uther.

>>4483343
>Other, write in

From what we have just seen Jaina do with her magic we can now tell that we can not let this gnoll mage run amuck. If we do this mage will decimate our forces with magic and may even turn the tide of battle.

We need to ask both Raleigh and Jaina if they can help us stop this gnoll mage before it kills all of our men with fireballs.

If we can i would like to brake off with Raleigh and Jaina so we can hunt down the mage and stop it from pulling any bullshit. Uther and the others can handle the normal gnolls while we are gone.

>>4483343
>>Go help Durnholders with the large group of gnolls that were arriving

Going to help Durnholders win, but write ins have some good stuff too


>2d6
>Best three of four

Rolled 6, 2 = 8 (2d6)

>>4484405

>>4484405
And of course first roll is for you and your men and second for Jaina

Rolled 3, 5 = 8 (2d6)

>>4484405

Rolled 3, 4 = 7 (2d6)

>>4484405

Rolled 3, 1 = 4 (2d6)

>>4484405

Rolled 4, 4 = 8 (2d6)

>>4484405
Man these Durnhold guys sure are wimpy if they need us to babysit them all the time. No wonder Thrall kicks there asses with nothing more than what is for all intents a prison riot.

>12, success
>11, success

“Jaina do you see that gnoll with the staff?” You asked.

“Yes Alric, what of it?”

“It might be the mage? Do you think that you can defeat it?”

“I think yes.”

“Good, go help Uther then.” You said to her and Jaina nodded. “Good luck!”

“The break is over, we will go help the men of Durnholde.” You said to Cromwell.

Taking your footmen and archers with you, the men started to march towards Durnholders. You ordered them into a jog to reach the Durnholders in time, but you saw that the gnolls would reach them first.

“Cromwell, charge the gnolls! Rover, loose at will!” You shouted and ordered the men.

In just a few seconds a volley of arrows flew out and hit the gnolls running towards Durnholders. Same time you kicked your horse Epona into full gallop and drew your sword. More arrows flew past you as you steered to the right and attempted to intercept the rear of the gnoll charge.

Just as the gnolls hit the shieldwall Durnholders had set up, your swing connected with the chest and shoulder of a gnoll. With the speed of your horse behind the strike, your sword easily cut into the gnoll, sending it crashing on the ground. You rode around a small circle and scanned for a second target. It was a gnoll who had no idea that you were charging it from behind and just as it turned around to see you, your sword hit it directly on its forehead, killing the gnoll instantly.

Now you had gotten the attention of the gnolls near you and several of them tried to reach you, but thankfully you were mounted and they were not. You pulled away and made some distance between you and the gnolls, drawing them away from the Durnholders just as more arrows struck them and your footmen charged into their flank.

Your plan to break the gnoll formation a bit had worked. The gnolls who had tried to follow you weren’t fighting against the Durnholders or bracing against the charge by your men. Now you just had to win this fight.


>1d6
>Best three of four

QM: This roll is only for you. Being on your horse is a big advantage even if there are multiple opponents trying to attack you.

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4484467

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4484467

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4484467

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>4484467

>>4484468
>>4484469
>>4484470
>upon seeing the carnage wrought by the Gnollslayer, the gnoll pup Hogger fled Lordaeron, vowing to devote rest of his days to training and vengeance upon humans

>>4484540
Rover would probably find him before he can make even a step out of his nest

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4484467
This party is getting crazy lets rock!

>16

You kept moving constantly, striking and blocking the gnolls left and right. One swing lobbed off an ear from one gnoll, another strike took off an arm and a third cut open a throat. Your sword danced around the gnolls lacerating their bodies and one by one the gnolls started to fall.

You blocked an attack by a gnoll with your sword and with a clean riposte thrusted your sword into its chest. When you drew your sword from the body, you searched for more gnolls around you, but found none. The Durnholders and your footmen were finishing the last few gnolls who were standing or were on the ground wounded. Several gnolls were trying to run away, but Rover and his archers managed to nail them with arrows, taking them down.

You searched the battlefield with your eyes and tried to see what was going on. You could see the captain Reginalds reinforcements fighting against some gnolls and that Uther’s fight was still going on. He and his knights were fighting the armoured gnolls and the gnoll chief.

Suddenly a thunderclap rang out in the battlefield and shower of sparks exploded in the midst of the gnolls Uther’s men were fighting. The magical duel between Jaina and the gnoll mage was still going on. Both Uther and Jaina could need your help.


>Go help Uther with the gnoll chief and its retinue
>Go help Jaina with the gnoll mage

>Your troops go to help the reinforcements to clean up the gnolls
>Your troops go to help Uther’s footmen and knights to deal with the gnolls there
>Your troops assist Durnholders and tend their wounds

QM: Two choices to make. Also tomorrow and this weekend might be busy so updates might be bit sporadic.

>>4485119
>Go help Uther with the gnoll chief and its retinue
>>Your troops go to help the reinforcements to clean up the gnolls

>>4485119
>Go help Jaina with the gnoll mage
>Your troops go to help Uther’s footmen and knights to deal with the gnolls there

>>4485119
>Go help Uther with the gnoll chief and its retinue
>Your troops go to help the reinforcements to clean up the gnolls

Having another Gnoll chief under our belt will do good to our rep.

>>4485119
>Go help Jaina with the gnoll mage
>Your troops go to help Uther’s footmen and knights to deal with the gnolls there

We all know the rules when it comes to magic users "geek the mage".

>>4485119
>>Go help Jaina with the gnoll mage
Mostly cause I have more confidence in Uther's ability. Also, G E E K T H E M A G E
>>Your troops go to help the reinforcements to clean up the gnolls
Let the knights deal with the armored gnolls, our troops are best suited to mopping up rabble and the regionals probably need the help more.

>>4485119
Go deal with the mage
Ask Raleigh to assist the durnholders, rest of the troop to Uther

>>4485666
On second thought don’t single the paladin out. Going against the Gnoll veterans may bring about more urgent need for healing than the durnholders... at least if there is not another pack coming to attack the wounded.

Regardless

>troops go help Uther

>>4485119
>Go help Jaina with the gnoll mage
>Your troops go to help the reinforcements to clean up the gnolls

Geek the mage and troops should help with mopping up the gnolls.

Helping Jaina and the reinforcements win


>2d6
>Best three of four

QM: The first 1d6 is for your men and the second 1d6 is for Jaina

Rolled 1, 1 = 2 (2d6)

>>4485795

Rolled 4, 6 = 10 (2d6)

>>4485795

Rolled 3, 4 = 7 (2d6)

>>4485795
Lets mess these nerds up good boys.

Rolled 3, 2 = 5 (2d6)

>>4485795

>10, failure
>12, success

Uther and his knights and footmen could deal with the armoured gnolls, but both Jaina and captain Reginalds reinforcements needed help. You ordered Cromwell to take control of your troops and go to them as fast as possible. If those gnolls are defeated, only few stragglers remain on the battlefield outside of the gnolls Uther is fighting against. Meanwhile you would ride to help Jaina with her duel against the gnoll mage.

Cromwell saluted when he heard the orders and started to get the men together. You could see that they were tired from the fighting, but you saw that their spirits were still high. The fighting had been on their favour. As Cromwell took the men towards the gnolls, you turned Epona around and started to ride towards Jaina. Within seconds you were riding full speed.

You watched the duel as you rode closer. The gnoll mage and Jaina were both trying to strike each other with different spells. You couldn’t recognize the spells, but they weren’t the magic you had seen Jaina using previously. No fireballs were being thrown.

You dodged several footmen fighting gnolls and rode past a knight dueling an armoured gnoll. They weren’t your targets now. Taking a bit more wider approach for your charge, you tried to surprise the gnoll mage from behind. With the gnolls back turned to you, you saw your opportunity to strike.

Riding full gallop and charging the gnoll from behind, you delivered a swing that should decapitate the gnoll or at minimum slash through its back. Your swing wouldn’t miss, but what happened was something that you didn’t predict. Your sword harmlessly bounced away as this shimmering magical shield had blocked it. You went for a second swing, but this time the gnoll had turned towards you and blocked your attack with its staff.

Jaina took advantage of your sudden charge and the break in the gnolls concentration. Sparks of many colours exploded out of the gnolls' side and the force of the spell made it take few steps to prevent falling on the ground. You saw that the gnoll hadn’t taken no visible damage from the attack, but clearly something had happened.

“Alric! Attack it again!” Jaina shouted as she started to cast a new spell. So this was the approach you will take, the gnoll has to defend against both of you and at some point it will make a mistake that opens it up for an attack by either you or Jaina.


>2d6
>Best three of four

QM: The first 1d6 is for you and the second 1d6 is for Jaina

Rolled 4, 6 = 10 (2d6)

>>4488735

Rolled 3, 3 = 6 (2d6)

>>4488735

Rolled 4, 2 = 6 (2d6)

>>4488735

Rolled 5, 2 = 7 (2d6)

>>4488735

Rolled 4, 5 = 9 (2d6)

>>4488735
Time to bully a nerd my friends.

>13, success
>11, success

You did as told and went for a new strike. A simple downward strike was blocked again by the gnoll’s staff and the stab that followed the strike was dodged. You followed with another slash, then with a stab and with a quick riposte. They were all dodged or blocked, but they had done their purpose, you had kept the gnoll mage on the defensive and now had an idea how it moved and defended itself.

You didn’t allow the gnoll time to recover as a second downward strike struck the gnoll’s staff, but this time instead of giving the strike much force behind it, you just slightly tapped the staff and thrusted it past it in an attempt to hit the gnoll. As you predicted, the gnoll’s magical shield blocked the thrust. You tried to continue to push the thrust forward, but the tip of your sword just couldn’t penetrate the magical shield. Suddenly your sword was nearly blasted from your hand as the gnoll did something and its magical defences repelled it away.

Just a second later the gnoll recoiled as Jaina’s spell struck it. This time there were no shower of sparks, but instead the sight and smell of burnt robe and hair. Whatever spell Jaina had casted had managed to strike through. With the gnoll hit, you took advantage of it and delivered yet another downward strike that you hoped the gnoll would try to block. As your sword hit the staff yet again, your plan worked as the staff cracked and split in two as splinters of wood flew everywhere. The magical energies stored within the staff violently escaped as the staffs remains imploded before they exploded outward. The shock from the explosion startled Epona and nearly threw you from the saddle, but you somehow managed to keep hold of the reins and saddle as you tried to get your horse to calm down.

The destruction of the staff had caused the gnoll to fly for several metres and fall on the ground. Just as the gnoll, now with many small wounds from the wooden splinters, started to rise up, the gnoll suddenly burst on fire. Jaina had hit the gnoll with a spell of some kind. Screaming and wailing, the gnoll mage burnt to death quickly as you watched it happen in front of your eyes.

You turned towards where Jaina was and saw that she was heavily leaning on her staff. The battle had taken a heavy toll on her. Seeing that the gnoll wasn’t moving, you rode to Jaina and quickly dismounted.

“Are you alright?” You asked and offered her your waterskin.

“I am, but I am spent.” She said with exhaustion in her voice and took a long drink of the water. “The gnoll pushed me to my limit.”

1/2

>>4489957
It's not a good sign to see a gnoll mage test a kirin tor one so. There's bound to be trouble brewing.

>>4489957

You raised your visor and looked around you. The battle around you was ending. Uther and his knights were finishing the last few gnolls around them. Further away you only saw different troops standing around and doing their things, but no gnolls.

“What do we do next?” Jaina asked and passed the waterskin back to you. You saw the exhaustion in her eyes, similar exhaustion that you had seen before in the eyes of your men after a long and a hard battle. She would need rest before she would be of much use, be it either in a battle or just providing assistance.


>Uther is nearby, go to hear what he has to say
>Take initiative and start collecting those who had been wounded and bring them together
>Go to your own men, they hopefully have finished their fight
>Other, write in

>>4489972
Looks like our work here is done for the time being.
Thank lady Proudmoore for her assistance and urge her to take it easy, then go see to our troops, make sure everyone's accounted for. Then have the ones still fresh enough help as needed.

>>4489972
>Go to your own men, they hopefully have finished their fight.
Our first responsibility is to the men who have trusted us with there lives.
>Take initiative and start collecting those who had been wounded and bring them together.
Our second responsibility is to everyone else.
>Uther is nearby, go to hear what he has to say.
After all of the important things are done then we can go to Uther a find out what else we need to do today so that we can fix this mess and go home.

>>4489972
>>Go to your own men, they hopefully have finished their fight

>>4489972
>Go to your own men, they hopefully have finished their fight

>>4489972
>Go to your own men, they hopefully have finished their fight
Our men take priority.
>Other, write in
Offer Jania a quick ride to either Uther or another group and drop her off.

>>4489992
i support this addition too

>>4489972
>Take initiative and start collecting those who had been wounded and bring them together

we could have used the scroll here and we would have been fresh as daisies for the next encounter but oh well.

File: 08_wounded.jpg (268 KB, 852x765)

268 KB JPG

“I will take you to Uther where you can safely rest and then I will go see my men. That is probably the best we can do.” You said to Jaina.

“To rest? Alric, I can still fight.” She said back to you.

“You are leaning on your staff and I can see and hear the exhaustion in you.” You told Jaina. “You are in no shape to fight.”

The rain had lessened a little back into a drizzle as Jaina sighed deeply.

“You are right. Lets go to Uther.” She said, accepting her defeat in this.

…

You helped Jaina to climb on your horse and led her towards where Uther was. You led her past several gnoll corpses of which several were wearing the patchwork armour. You noticed that while the armor was put together by the gnolls, the quality of the plate and chainmail wasn’t that bad. Amongst the dead gnolls were few dead knights and footmen, with several more wounded. Both Uther and the paladin in training, prince Arthas were in progress of healing those who were more badly wounded.

You lended your hand and helped Jaina to dismount your horse. She looked at the wounded men and walked to the closest one and started to help the man to dress his wounds. You watched her work for a moment before deciding to not bother Uther while he was healing people. So you mounted your horse and rode towards where your men were.

…

As you had expected, your men had finished the fight and were going through the dead gnolls and providing aid to those who were wounded. Sergeant Cromwell was talking to captain Reginald and marshal Redpath and when he saw you riding towards them, he waved his hand to you.

“Prince Alric, we were discussing what to do next.” Cromwell said.

“What about our men? And what about the reinforcements?” You asked back.
“Five wounded footmen, thankfully no one is dead.” Cromwell said. That meant that in total 14 footmen and 4 archers had suffered wounds during the battle. That frankly wasn’t what you had expected. The number you had thought before the battle was much higher.

“19 footmen and 11 archers.” Said Reginald and shook his head. “Our archers couldn’t loose proper volleys so the gnolls got close. Thankfully your men arrived to help us and we had Ballador with us.”

“Those are rather heavy casualties.” You said with a bit of surprise in your voice. “How many are dead?”

“Nine.” Redpath said.

The reinforcements had taken rather heavy casualties during the fighting. You didn’t know how well they could continue forward.

1/2

>>4490450

“So prince Alric, what's next?” Reginald asked.

The reinforcements had taken casualties and required help. There were the Durnholders who had taken considerable casualties too with Uther’s knights and footmen needing rest. Then there were the casualties your men had suffered in the fighting. You thought about the numbers of casualties to the still standing men and realized that it was most likely your force that was most ready to fight right now. You knew that some gnolls had managed to escape and that the camp the gnolls used hasn’t been found yet. If you were to be attacked now, the men would be rather vulnerable. Still the wounded required aid now and your men could help them.


>We are going to move everyone together and start helping those who are wounded as best as we can
>Captain Reginald and marshal Redpath gather all men together while your men start providing patrol around the battlefield
>Stay on offensive and head out to find the gnoll camp.
>Other, write in

>>4490458
>We are going to move everyone together and start helping those who are wounded as best as we can

>>4490458

On one hand, every delay gives gnolls more chance to regroup and possibly clean up evidence of anything sinister going on (although that may end up sort of working in our favour under certain circumstances if our brother is involved...)

On the other hand pressing onward with fraction of our forces against enemy that has already shown some proficiency at ambush tactics is asking for trouble.

Gather a unit of men that are in best condition to run a patrol in close perimeter. Exercise caution and prioritize survival.
Rest of the men start helping the wounded best they can.

>>4490519
This gets my support.

>>4490519
>>4490458
Support.

>>4490458
>>We are going to move everyone together and start helping those who are wounded as best as we can

>>4490519
support.

“We need to help those who are wounded. That is our priority.” You said.

“I have to agree, we aren’t in shape to fight.” Reginald said back to you and to which Redpath nodded.

“Get everyone together, start tending the wounded, build stretchers, rest and recover for we haven’t found the camp gnolls are using.” You continued.

With another round of agreeing nods you went to work.

…

It had been maybe an hour and the slight drizzle had continued this whole time. You and quite many others felt miserable due to being both wet and dirty from the battle, but you didn’t really think about it as you had your hands full of work. Under the supervision of both you and captain Reginald, the reinforcements had moved everyone who was wounded to where Uther was.

The wounded men were grouped together depending on their wounds. Those who could still walk, but not fight. Those who had other slight wounds, but couldn’t walk. Those who were more injured and would require healing and long term care. It wasn’t easy work and you did your own share of carrying people around on stretchers.

The Durnholders had suffered badly. Of the 50 footmen and 10 knights now only 13 men total were standing. With more than 20 dead and rest wounded, they were combat ineffective. Their leader Karramyn Langston had just sat around with those who were wounded. He himself wasn’t wounded, but suffered from something you learned about later. A some sort of mental fatigue from being in combat you aren’t suitable to be in.

Same time as the effort to help the wounded was going on, sergeant Cromwell led a small group of footmen in patrols around the battlefield. Thankfully to you, there were no attacks or sightings of the gnolls.

…

You had finished bandaging wounds of one footman as Uther walked to you.

“A costly battle.” He said. “Half of our forces can’t fight anymore.”

“Yeah you are correct.” You said and continued. “Durnholders and the reinforcements shouldn’t fight anymore. What about your men?”

“I can get eight knights and 28 footmen.” Uther said. “What about you?”

“24 footmen and 16 archers.”

“Bit over fifty footmen then. We shall leave shortly and finish the gnolls.”

It was still the afternoon so you still had time. Going and finding the gnoll camp could still be done today.


>We lack the numbers, so we should group up for mutual protection
>Keep our forces separate, but close together so that we could help each other
>Keep our forces separate with enough distance between us for better ability to search the hills and forests
>Other, write in

>>4491041
>Move forward as one force

Be ready for harrassment by gnolls though

>>4491041
>We lack the numbers, so we should group up for mutual protection

>>4491071
Support

No more messing around it is time to form up into one big force with as many men as we have left that can fight. And we are going to fall on the gnolls camp like the fist of an angry god so as to smash them once and for all.

>>4491041
>>We lack the numbers, so we should group up for mutual protection

“We shouldn’t split up. Our troops aren’t fresh and we do not know the numbers we could face. Push in with all remaining men.” You suggested.

“Good plan and I agree.” Uther said. It felt a bit like he was testing you with all these questions.

“Well what about other paladins or Jaina? Do you think we should leave them here, or take them with us?” You asked Uther.

“No.” He answered. “They should stay here to heal those who are wounded and defend them if they are attacked. And it was you who fought with Jaina, what do you think?”

“She needs rest after her duel. Better for her to stay with the paladins.”

“That is decided then, we shall leave as soon as possible get your men ready.”

“Understood lord Uther.”

…

You recalled Cromwell from his patrol and got the men together. Rover had his remaining 16 archers that were ready, but the constant drizzle and rain had made their gear somewhat wet. Rover didn’t like that, but said that it wouldn’t cause much problems.

Cromwell had four footmen, Maxwell had eight and Beckston had 12 footmen ready. Really only Maxwell’s veterans had managed to avoid getting wounded that badly or taken big casualties. In addition to this your men are somewhat tired.

The knights and footmen Uther had with him looked even worse. Sure they didn’t fight that much compared to your men, but they had fought against the gnoll chief and its retinue.

When it was time to move, you ordered Rover and the archers into the front. The rain had made the forest floor wet and soft so tracking footprints was easy, but surprising the enemy would be more difficult due to more men and cavalry together.


>1d6
>Best three of four

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4491561

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4491561

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>4491561
Time to kick some dogs while they are down.

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4491561

>16, success

The drizzle continued to wash the forest and everyone inside it soaking wet. Your mountain lion pelt had become slightly heavier, but at least the drizzle had washed most of the blood and other grime off your armour. The men around you looked somewhat miserable as they marched forward.

It didn’t take long for Rover to find something. A dead gnoll which had been wounded in the battle and had run away, but didn’t survive the wounds it had received. Soon after that more of those totems of which you had found one were found hanging on the trees. You told Uther what Jaina had found out about the totem and he confirmed that a faint amount of magic was radiating from the totems.

After finding the totems, the march into the gnoll territory continued and the gnoll camp was found. Rover had stopped at the edge of a forest clearing and was watching this camp of tents, totem poles, wooden barricades and other shoddy structures. He hadn’t bothered to hide his archers as it was silent outside the sound of the drizzle.

Carefully Uther ordered the footmen and knights to advance into the camp. The men walked across the clearing with swords drawn reaching the barricades and first tents. Tent by tent were searched by the men as they advanced further into the camp, but they didn’t find anything. But when you got closer to the centre of the camp, several gnoll bodies were found next to each other. They had been wounded with varying cuts ranging from swords to arrows, but they had some rudimentary bandaging done to them. You theorized that when the gnoll remnants left the camp, they just left those who were more badly wounded to die together.

When you reached the center of the camp, two large structures were found. A large tent and a large wooden barn. The footmen looked into the tent and found out that it was most likely the tent used by the gnoll chief and the mage that served it. The barn instead had something inside it. The footmen who had opened its doors immediately called you to come see what they had found.

Inside the barn were several dozen humans. Their ragged clothing barely hid the bruises and scrapes on their bodies and the ones closest to the open door recoiled in fear when you dismounted and took a few steps towards them. They were peasants, farmers and other people of the land that the gnolls had captured.

“By the Light.” Uther said as he had arrived to see what the commotion was and seeing the humans inside the barn. You could see that the exhaustion from the battle disappeared instantly from his face and was replaced by something akin of anger.


>Offer to take care of the human prisoners, tend their wounds and help them. Uther’s men continue to search the camp
>Offer to search the camp, while Uther and his men take care of the human prisoners, tend their wounds and help them
>Other, write in

QM: The dice rolls during the battle have been really good.

>>4492654
Well Uther personally is presumably best suited to see if anyone needs immediate succour. Though we don't have other paladins with him. Another thing is I'm curious what the captives will have to say when being tended to.

>Ask Uther whether he wants to tend to the prisoners or to search the camp. We'll take the other job.

>>4492682
This sounds good it has my support.

>>4492654
Hmm.... Loot or rep with the people, i guess the rep will we more beneficial at the long run.
Also taking the initiave can be good.
>Offer to take care of the human prisoners, tend their wounds and help them. Uther’s men continue to search the camp

We got really lucky in this battle and in the night attack on the bandit camp.
I wish we had this luck at the start of the quest, we would have saved 5 footmen from making the ultimate sacrifice.

>>4492654
>>Offer to take care of the human prisoners, tend their wounds and help them. Uther’s men continue to search the camp

>>4492654
>>Offer to search the camp, while Uther and his men take care of the human prisoners, tend their wounds and help them

Uther is a paladin, he can heal them. Ask Raleigh to help heal if he's still with us.

>>4492654
>>Offer to search the camp, while Uther and his men take care of the human prisoners, tend their wounds and help them
We could offer to help him with the prisoners personally while our men search the camp

>>4492654
>Offer to search the camp, while Uther and his men take care of the human prisoners, tend their wounds and help them
Guys if there are any connections to our brother its best WE find it and decide what to do with it, rather than a guy who has us under scrutiny. First dibs on any hidden or left over valuables or information.

“You are better suited to help these people than I am.” You said. “You are a paladin after all. You do that while I search the camp.”

“Right, that sounds good.” Uther said and stepped forward towards the prisoners. “I will leave that to you and your men.”

You nodded in acknowledgement which Uther didn’t see. He was already completely concentrated on the people in the barn.

When you went outside the barn, you immediately called your officers to you. Giving orders to turn this camp upside down, to search every tent, every hut, every pile of scrap for anything valuable to us. Be it coins, weapons, papers or anything else. Immediately the men went off to work and started to go through the tents.

With more prisoners being found here, you were worried that there would be something found that connects the bandits and their prisoners with the gnolls. If the connection between your brother and these gnolls was to be found, it could spell disaster to you if the word gets out.


>1d6
>Best of three

QM: The thread is now archived at http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Alterac%20Resurgent%20Quest
Raleigh is with Ballador and they are staying with the wounded troops.

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>4494042

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>4494042

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>4494042

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4494042
Why does our big brother have to be such an asshole? I get that we all lost our home and he lost his chance at the crown. But god damn could he not just get over it and move on with his damn life. I mean that is what we are doing and you do not see us whining and bitching about our life. Hell so far we have done damn good for our selves and we started with nothing but the love and support of our adopted parents. He must have had much more than us and he is now wasting it all on pointless rage and revenge. At this rate our big brother will never be king of Alterac and it is all his own fault.

>9

Your men searched the tents one by one. Checking everything that was inside of them. From poor quality farming equipment to shoddy wooden boxes everything was searched. The tents were taken down after being searched and soon there was a fire burning in the middle of the camp where everything useless was being thrown.

You personally went to search the tent of the gnoll chief. The tent was full of different boxes and coffers and it took you some time to search everything even with some help you had. You first started to search the belongings of the gnoll chief. What you found was some shoddy blades and knives that were of not much worth to you, but when the search progress continued, you managed to find a small bag of coins. You went through the coins quickly, hoping to find something special, but they were just random coins of which some were newer while some were older. You didn’t find any papers or anything else, no new information.

Searching the belongings of the gnoll mage was a bit more fruitful. There were some random bones and other bits, but inside the chest near the pile of furs that was the gnoll’s bed was a book. You opened it and only saw scripture that you couldn’t understand. There were pictures and drawings that didn’t make any sense to you, but you did realize that the book was most likely somewhat important. Inside the chest was also this necklace made from a few gems, wooden beads and not so fancy looking stones, but you had a feeling that it might be worth something.

Your men meanwhile had managed to find some useful weapons and equipment that could be used, but not much. It was a bit of a disappointment that you didn’t find anything that was worth much, but at the same time you didn’t find anything that could connect the gnolls to your big brother.

Gained:
1 Wealth
2 Supplies
Gnoll Grimoire
Gnoll Necklace

…

Over half of the gnoll camp was already torn down and burned when your men finished the search. They hadn’t found much which was a disappointment, but at least something was found. You packed the grimoire and necklace into a small saddlebag you had with you.

Uther meanwhile had healed those who had the worst wounds and were in progress of patching those who still required urgent aid. His footmen had prepared stretchers for those who required them and made footwraps for everyone else that was missing shoes.

When you all were ready to move, most of the gnoll camp was already burned so you gave the order to torch everything else that was remaining. You watched from horseback as the camp burned down behind you and hoped that this would make the gnolls think twice before attacking humans again. Some of them had managed to escape further into the hills and mountains, but the unifying power behind them had been destroyed.

1/2

>>4494658

It was pretty late and it was dark already when you arrived back at the battlefield. The wounded soldiers were all patched up and were resting while those who still could walk and fight had set up campfires and had patrols walking around the battlefield. They had also cleared most of the gnoll corpses and prepared firewood so that they could be burned when you leave the place.

That wouldn’t happen today as it was already too late to reach the Internment Camp where you had spent your night so you had to sleep here for the night. The drizzle was still continuing, but the men were preparing the camp as well as possible by building shelters and trying to find trees that could block the rain. Still being wet and tired, the men were relatively content. They had successfully done their mission.

You quickly ate some dried meat and warmed up around a campfire. You talked a bit with your men as you ate the meat and heard what they had to say. It was a nice thing to do after a long day of fighting. Still there was time in the evening before the night comes and you have to sleep, which meant that you could do something.


>Go to talk to Uther about the fighting and the prisoners found
>Go to talk to Jaina about the grimoire and that has she recovered from the battle
>Talk more with your men and officers, start resting early
>Other, write in

QM: From tomorrow through the next week my work shifts change which most likely mean only one longer update per day. So basically same schedule as during the summer.

>>4494665
>go talk to Uther
Let’s see how the old man feels about the mission, and possibly get confronted if the prisoners said something interesting.

>>4494665
>>Talk more with your men and officers, start resting early

>>4494665
>>Talk more with your men and officers, start resting early
Lets have a meeting with the officers, review how they thought the fighting went, if they had any problems (include being open to criticism on our command). Then spend the evening with our troops, visiting our wounded, sitting at the fire etc. We've done plenty of mingling with the outsiders, let's spend some more time garnering camaraderie with our own men.

>>4494665
>Go to talk to Uther about the fighting and the prisoners found

>>4494665
>Talk more with your men and officers, start resting early

>>4494738
This sounds good. I support this. time to talk to the boys and just shoot the shit as they say.

You invited all of your officers to come to you and sit around the campfire. As you continued to carve the dried meat with your knife, they arrived one by one. First was Rover who after greeting you continued to check his arrows. Beckston was next and then came Maxwell. Finally Cromwell arrived.

"Sire, I made sure that we have few men standing guard around our camp just in case." He said as he sat down and removed his helmet.

"Good work sergeant. The reason I called you here is simple, I wanted to hear how you think this battle went." You said to them.

"Well sire, I think we won." Beckston said first. "Sure we have our wounded, but no one died."

"True, we fought well and all our previous experience in battles against the gnolls helped us a lot." Maxwell continued.

"I agree with both of them." Cromwell said. "We had better armour and training. Through that we won."

"That is good to hear, but I bet you have some criticism to say." You said to the men.

"Criticism?" Beckston asked and raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, criticism. How can I become better as a prince and as a ruler if I don't listen to my officers and advisors." You said back to him.

"We fight too much." Maxwell said and leaned a bit forward. "I have heard what you have done before hiring me and to me it does seem that the men have fought too much. Sooner or later the men will become tired of being soldiers."

"Well that is a good point, not everyone is a career soldier like we are." Cromwell answered.

You haven’t considered that at all.

"What do you propose then?" You asked Maxwell.

"Maybe no fighting during the winter. Let the men rest a bit longer and get settled better."

"You know I can't promise that, but I will keep it in mind." You said to Maxwell. "Anything else?"

"More troops." Cromwell said with a chuckle.

"Yes, more pikemen would be nice." Beckston continued. "A great wall that stops everything."

"But not arrows, shields are much better." Maxwell said back to him and laughed.

"Bah, such a killjoy." Beckston said and made Maxwell laugh bit more.

"That is always on the table and you know that." You said back to Cromwell with a smile.

"When are we going back home to Alterac?" Said Rover who had been silent till this moment. He had stopped checking his arrows and had put them away as he looked at you.


>As soon as possible
>We aren't ready yet, but when we are ready then we will go
>I have no idea, it requires a lot of preparing and knowing what we will be facing
>Other, write in

>>4495753
>As soon as we are in position to take it without drowning it in blood of our men.
>We're going to need to gather intelligence and raise our forces properly to counter whatever the Ogres have to pit against us.

>>4495753
>We aren't ready yet, but when we are ready then we will go

>>4495753
>We aren't ready yet, but when we are ready then we will go

>>4495753
>>As soon as possible

>>4495753
>>We aren't ready yet, but when we are ready then we will go
Let's set a target of Spring/Summer next year to begin moving into the Southern Alteraci Valley. We'll have a consolidated supply and military base by then to hold what we reclaim.

>>4495772
This is correct and it has my support.

"We are not ready yet. We don't exactly know what we are facing and I don't want to march into Alterac and then get everyone killed." You said to Rover. "Maybe next year we can enter Alterac, even only for a short time."

Rover nodded and grumbled a short thanks before returning his attention to his arrows.

After that you continued talking with your officers for some time before deciding to take a short walk around your portion of the camp. You talked to the men standing guard, the men who were resting around the campfire and those who had been wounded in the battle. It was nice to listen to what they had to say. The fighting had been hard and most of them were exhausted, but they knew that what they had done was beneficial to the region and the people in it. A great load of good had been done.

…

The drizzle had finally ended during the night and you and your men finally had a proper chance in drying your clothes and gear. With a rather large number of wounded and dead, it took a bit longer for everyone to be ready for the march back to Durnholde. You could see how your men waited to get back inside the protective walls and roofs. To have a proper rest and clean and maintain their gear. Of course not forgetting a much better food than just the rations you have gotten used to eating.

Finally after some waiting around, the column of soldiers and freed prisoners started to move slowly, but steadily towards the Internment Camp and


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>4496599

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>4496599

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>4496599

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>4496599
Hmm i wonder if lord Blackmoor if in a better mood now that we have fixed his problem for him?

>>4496959
Best of three, BOOYA!

>>4497222
Ah man my luck suck.

The march was slow. Those who were wounded required constant aid and you had to regularly stop to switch those who carried stretchers. With the constant stops, it became rather clear that it would take you a better part of the day to arrive at the Internment Camp.

At least it wasn't raining anymore.

…

It was already a late afternoon when everyone reached the camp. The freed prisoners were all too tired to continue forward as were the wounded men. So it was decided that you would stay here for the night and tomorrow travel back to Durnholde Keep. To facilitate this to be bit more easier, Uther had sent a rider to Durnholde to bring horse wagons and carts for the wounded. It would make the second half of the march much more easier.

As this was going, you finally had time to start cleaning your armour. One of the footmen was made a volunteer by sergeant Cromwell and he had to wash the mountain lion pelt. As you were in the middle of cleaning the armour, a messenger came from Uther calling you to join him in his tent. There was to be a meeting. You decided to strip a few more pieces of the armour, only leaving the leg harness on. Checking that you had your sword belt on you finally, after deciding to cover your messy hair, took your khaki chaperon with you.

The walk through the camp to Uther's tent was quick and when you entered the tent, you saw nearly everyone already being in there. Uther had his paladins with him, captain Reginald and marshal Redpath stood next to each other, Arthas was standing near the middle of the tent and Langston sat in the corner of the tent. Only one who was missing was Jaina.

1/3

>>4497431

"Prince Alric, sorry for no prior warning, I hope I didn't stop you from doing anything important." Uther said and beckoned you to come further into the tent.

"Not at all lord Uther, I was just cleaning my mail." You answered him and took a cup of watered down wine from a servant that gave it to you.

"Good, manual tasks like that keep us humble." Uther said back and got a chorus of nods from his paladins.

Thankfully you didn't have to wait long for Jaina. When she arrived, she took a spot near Arthas.

"I am sorry for being late." She said, but before she could continue Uther just shook his head.

"Don't be sorry we are all here now." Uther said and continued. "The reason why I called you here was to congratulate you all for a successful battle and for freeing the imprisoned people."

"Lord Uther, you called and we answered." Said marshal Redpath.

"Yes and that is why I will try to help you in return. King Terenas will listen to me and I will try to send a detachment of troops to help the city guards and Regional Defenders. I know that we have grown used to the new peace, but even with the orcs in the camps, gnolls and other beasts roam the land." Uther said and turned towards Arthas.

"Having witnessed how well you fought, I must confess that you are more than ready to become a true paladin. Next summer we shall travel to Stormwind where you will be made one."

Arthas was surprised completely and didn't know what to say.

"T-thank you lord Uther." Was only he could say as the few people in the tent congratulated him you included.

"Lady Jaina Proudmoore, I will make sure that lord Antonidas will hear of your actions during the battle. You will become a fine mage in a few years." Uther continued and then turned towards Langston who was still sitting, but following what was going on.

"Karramyn Langston, your men paid the heaviest price so I will try to help Durnholde recover first. You and lord Blackmoore require more men to guard the camps."

Langston just nodded to what Uther had said and mumbled a faint thank you.

"Finally prince Alric. Your actions during the battle and the large force of your helped us to win the battle. Many gnolls were felled by your blades. So you have my thanks for joining this expedition."

"I did have Jaina helping me, so I didn’t do it all alone." You said and smiled. You still remembered how the messenger who had brought the invite had spoken. Uther wanted you here.

"If none of you have anything to say, this was it. We shall leave tomorrow morning back to Durnholde Keep where we will rest for a day or two." Uther continued.

2/3

>>4497432

As there were no questions and captain Redpath was eager to lead Arthas outside for a drink or two, Uther turned towards you.

"Prince Alric, you may stay."

You stopped at the tent's entrance and let Jaina go past you.

"What is it lord Uther?" You asked and walked back in the tent proper.

"People here still don't trust you, neither do I completely, but I cannot let a successful battle commander go without a reward." He said with a much more serious tone in his voice. "It is better to speak in private."

"What kind of reward are you talking about?" You asked him curiously.

"I can offer you a large portion of the loot we managed to salvage from the battle site and a shipment of new arms and armour from Capital City itself. Or I could delegate Raleigh the True to join your forces permanently as I don’t think you have a priest of Light with you. Or I could provide you with a single favour to be used on anything, anytime."

Shipment of arms and armour would be rather beneficial to your forces as whole. You could maybe expand your forces or economy through the winter and be better prepared for the future. Raleigh joining you would also help a lot. He is a great warrior and having someone who can heal would help immensely at preventing our soldiers from dying, but he was a paladin of Silver Hand. But the favour from Uther the Lightbringer himself was a huge thing, he is the leader of Silver Hand and the closest advisor to king Terenas. Using the favour at the right time would be crucial, but you had a hunch that Uther would keep his word. He is too honourable to not do so.


Choose one
>Loot and shipment of arms and armour, +5 Wealth +10 Supply
>Raleigh the True joins your forces
>Uther’s Favour

QM: Choose carefully

>>4497435
Hmm... material wealth seems the straightforward thing to request and it might go ways to reclaiming Alterac.
Perhaps even more so than the Paladin, invaluable as he may be as a healer it would also mean to embed an agent of silver hand with our forces. Athough he could be instrumental in repelling some specific threats we could conceivably face...

Uther’s favour could be a game changer when dealing with politics, and we will have to as we establish ourselves. Even if we obviously cannot expect him to go against his notion of morals, it’s something we wouldn’t be able to win through other means.

At the same time I’m a bit suspicious of Uther offering a favour like that at all. Does his oath even permit such a thing? If this is a test of character for us, asking for the priest would probably be the best choice, barring perhaps refusing any special reward altogether.

Ah, screw it. I’ll go with
>Assistance and support of Raleigh the True would be invaluable for our forces as well as for our community. If the order can spare his services, we shall welcome him.

>>4497435
>>Loot and shipment of arms and armour, +5 Wealth +10 Supply

>>4497435
>Raleigh the True joins your forces
I feel is the most tangible of use. But we also run the risk of inviting a defacto spy for Uther in our midst.

But having a paladin to help us is very valuable

>>4497435
>Raleigh the True joins your forces

Having a healer who is able to crush heads with ease outweighs having basically a spy for Uther.

This being said we should have told uther about the involvement of the syndicate, that is the only secret right now that has some pressure on us.

>>4497435
>Uther’s Favour

>>4497435
>>Uther’s Favour
I'd honestly rather a get-out-of-jail card than Raleigh, even though I'm sure he's a bro.

>>4497479
We did all of this as a favour to Uther for the most part. So he would still owe us a small favour for the help we have given him. Like say him buying us free drinks if we ever go to Capital City. Or hearing us out when our big brothers dealings with the syndicate comes to light.

Taking Raleigh the True on as an ally will so Uther that we trust him not to betray us at any moment. And it will help our people keep faith in the light and hope. So we do not need to worry to much about our peoples spiritual needs for some time at least.

So i say lets support this and welcome Raleigh the True in to our growing community.

>>4497435
>>Raleigh the True joins your forces

"If Silver Hand can spare him, then I would welcome Raleigh the True to join us."

"That is good to hear. I will tell Raleigh to be prepared to join you after we have left Durnholde."

"Anything else lord Uther?"

"No prince Alric, you may go and finish cleaning your armour."

You gave Uther a small bow when you left the tent and found Jaina still standing outside it.

"What did lord Uther want? She asked.

"My people don't have a priest or a healer so lord Uther asked if he could send Raleigh the True to help us." What you said which was technically true.

"That is rather thoughtful of him." Jaina said back as you walked to your portion of the camp.

…

Next morning it took some time for the carts and horse wagons to arrive from Durnholde, but when they arrived it didn't take long for the wounded to be loaded on them and you could start the march to Durnholde Keep. Now with no one slowing you down, the march went forward swimmingly and well before evening you had reached the safety of Durnholde Keep.

You ordered your men to help with the wounded and the freed prisoners while the rest of the expedition unloaded the loot and salvage. Lord Blackmoore’s servants had cleared room for all wounded and had prepared everything ready. It didn’t take long for everyone to be carried inside and to be under good care.

Finally after your men had found their billet, you had a chance to go to the room provided to you. Lord Blackmoore was apparently holding a feast for the officers and soldiers later that evening with everyone welcomed to join. Due to this baths were prepared and the servants were working furiously to get everything ready.

Back in your room you checked that everything was untouched, which they thankfully were and changed to your normal clothing before going to take the bath. Getting yourself clean and tidy was always nice.

…

The bath as you had expected was relatively nice. Number of other soldiers and knights were there too in their own groups and with them recognising you, they left you alone. Instead of spending far too long in the bath, you just washed yourself clean before putting on your clothes and checking that your rondel dagger was on your belt. You had grown used to carrying it when you didn’t have your sword with you.

The thing you had thought while taking the bath was that you didn’t really have motivation to spend several hours eating and drinking at the feast. You were probably expected to at minimum to show your face, but after that you could slip away and go do something else. Frankly you didn't really have any good idea what you should even do, but be it the feast or wandering around the keep, something might happen.


>Stay in the feast and intermingle with other officers and whoever else is in there
>Just show your face, take some food with you and leave to wander the keep
>Other, write in

>>4498644
>>Stay in the feast and intermingle with other officers and whoever else is in there

>>4498644
>>Just show your face, take some food with you and leave to wander the keep
Thrall encounter get

>>4498644
>>Just show your face, take some food with you and leave to wander the keep

Thrall? Tabitha? Jaina? Mystery box? Hmm...

>>4498680
Of course if we do actually get seen talking to thrall, that will not go across well...

>>4498644
>Just show your face, take some food with you and leave to wander the keep

Lets go get into trouble as only a teenage boy can.

>>4498644
>>Just show your face, take some food with you and leave to wander the keep

>>4498644
>Just show your face, take some food with you and leave to wander the keep