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File: Belaerys.jpg (92 KB, 1564x972)
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Valyria has fallen.

The greatest city the world has ever seen has died in the cataclysm that split the Land of the Long Summer, burnt away the cedars of Velos and signaled the end of an Era.

And yet its legacy persists, in the form of its colonies - Volantis and her ten sister-cities: Tyrosh, Myr, Norvos, Pentos, Lorath, Lys, Qohor, Bravos, Gogossos and Essaria – and the surviving cities on the border of the Valyrian heartland – Elyria, Mantarys, Tolos and their neighbors.

Dark omens abound these days - far to the North a dragonlord proclaimed himself Emperor of Valyria, while there are rumors of a mighty Khal uniting the barbarians of the East. The High King has apparently lost any interest in exerting royal authority on his fellow Sarnorian monarchs, letting the country slowly spiral into a cold war that could at any moment turn hot, pitting the Eastern Marches of the High Kingdom against its heartland. Belicho, the Archon of Essaria, appears posited to resign due to domestic pressure while an early winter is slowly setting in thanks to the ashes released in the atmosphere by the what many already call “the Doom”.

And yet…nothing of this seems to matter to Aegar Tagaros, Triarch of the Tiger party.

>“..only we are suited to reunite the Daughters of the Freehold, for Valyria lives on through its eldest daughter, mighty Volantis!”

A loud cheer erupts from the crowd, as said man speaks loudly from atop the stairs leading to the great doors in the Black Wall.

>“The Freehold shall endure. We survived the invasions of the Old Empire of Ghis, defeated the barbarians of the East and bent the Rhoynars to our will! We are the greatest civilization this world has ever known and We. Shall. Endure!”

A loud cheer erupts once more from the assembled crows of nobles, just as a similar, much louder one erupts from the commoners outside the Black Wall who are listening to the speech being delivered by and heralds. You can easily imagine the loud cheer propagating to the entire city as the speech is delivered in every street corner, plaza and market square by heralds.

You sigh as the Triarch continues on, already knowing how the speech will end.

>“Citizens! Brothers. Sisters. The world has gone dark and it falls upon us to ensure the light of civilization will shine on for the centuries to come. It is for this reason that I call upon you in this hour of need: the Freehold needs you, Volantis needs you.”

God, the man is so dramatic...

>“People forget that the soldiers who conquered the world were not dragons. No, they were common men and women like you and me! What our ancestors conquered, we shall reconquer with the sweat of our brow! Long live the Freehold! Long live Valyria!”

And so, with an incredibly loud cheer, the Century of Blood began.

> Twitter - https://twitter.com/TagarosQ
> Character Sheet - https://pastebin.com/4XzbhfsP
> Other important sheets (characters, etc) - https://pastebin.com/u/TagarosQM
> Last thread - >>4844009
>>
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>>4856958
You don’t think – you punch the wannabe murderer square in the face, causing him to spit some blood from where you broke his lip.

He is smiling.

Ayrmidon Valarr
> Warfare Test – 16 vs 12 (DC)
> Marginal Success! One Degree of Success!

The older man moves far faster than his age would suggest – he puts a hand over your shoulder, temporarily stopping you

“Wait! Think, Belaerys! Assassins this far in our camp…and this silence, do you hear it?”

Now that he makes you notice it…there is a lot of noise, but not nearly as much as you’d expect from a camp woken up by the roar of a dragon.

Just what in Balerion’s name is going on?

> Let Valarr handle this..he knows how to make men talk

> “Ayrmidon..if what you are suggesting is real, we do NOT have much time. Think you could make him talk?”

He takes a good look at the smiling assassin…who stops smiling as soon as he notices the smirk gracing Ayrmidon’s face

“I can try…but before that..let me give you a show of what awaits you if you don’t tell us everything you know”

The Patriarch of the Valarr family turns toward the younger of the two men…and you notice a startling resemblance now that they are both unmasked – brothers?

“You know, my grandson was killed by men wearing a similar uniform. Now, I doubt it was you that committed that heinous act…but trust me, this will hurt you much more than it will hurt me, I will make sure of it.”

And so, with a cruel smirk on his face, it begins.

Ayrmidon Valarr vs Hooded Man’s willpower
> Will (Sorcery – Cruentus, Exitium) – 15 vs 15 (Will)
> Marginal Success! One Degree of Success!

…what follows is something that you hope time will help you forget, for you have never seen a man’s eyes bulge out of his eye sockets before, the nerves shredding themselves in front of your own very eyes.

You have also never seen a man’s ribcage crack on its own while simultaneously caving in, further damaging his internal organs – the damage to his lungs preventing him from drawing in enough breath to call for help, yet mouthing the word “brother” and “help” over and over, as the same sorcery slowly killing him prevents his death.
>>
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>>4856961
A man must have nerves of steel to attempt to infiltrate a military camp with only 2 companions and to attempt to kill a noble of Valyria, fully knowing what awaits him should he fail. And yet…it is not until the bones of the arms of his younger brother begin to break the skin that the older assassins scream

“Enough! I will speak! Just..please…stop..”

You feel sick. Were it not for the rage you are feeling, you are you’d have puked by now.

Ayrmidon simply nods and motions to the older assassin to speak

“Be warned. I can make your brother’s torment last for days..or end it right here. Speak quickly.”

The assassin grinds his teeth, hatred clear in his eyes.

“Everything they say about you is true – you Valyrians are nothing but monsters. I am glad that your damned city burned”

A simple flick of Ayrmidon’s wrist and the younger man begins to scream once more.

That’s all it takes for the arrogant tone to disappear from the older assassin’s voice

“Stop! Please..we had help. Someone calling himself an officer came to us in Volantis and”

…you will never know what he could have told you, for the moment he begins to talk, one of the guards stabs him with his short sword, before falling upon it himself. It all happens in the span of a few second, not enough to react.

The next thing you know, an explosion goes off in the distance, on the border of the camp.

> They MUST have had help. Too many coincidences. Finding a traitor among 35 000 men is impossible, but the officers…head count, now.

You turn, readying your stiletto and knife, calling Adam and Gareth by your side, while dragging Ayrmidon behind you. He begins to protest, but a single look is all it takes to communicate him the seriousness of the situation. You made a quick nod with your head toward Tessario, who arrived with the guards…the contingent in which the traitor resided, apparently. Still, you trust the man and tell him to join your small group, much to the astonishment of the other Volantene soldiers

The gods only know how many traitors infiltrated your camp already.

What do you wish to do with the current information?

Priorities (pick as many as you want, but put them into order and/or a coherent write-in to combine them, if you wish to do so)
> We need to assess the situation – NOW.
> We need to ensure the safety of our allies – Write-in how to divide your allies
> We need to support our soldiers and organize a counter-attack
> Write-in

Essentially, I am asking what you wish to do now that the cards are partially on the table.

How do you wish to conduct this night battle, while ensuring the safety of the people you care about?
>>
>>4856961
I meant to link it to the previous thread/last post. Oh well.

>>4856302
>>4856302
>>4856302
>>
>>4856964
> We need to assess the situation – NOW.
Can't do shit if we don't at the least know what is going on.
>>
>>4856964
> We need to support our soldiers and organize a counter-attack
We, Sheira and Tessario are going to support our troops, we don t have time to wait around. We have dragons and can destroy that attack on the camp right now

> We need to assess the situation – NOW.
Ayrmidon, Valarr, Humfrey and Horonno resolve this: which is find the traitors and get our spies and scouts moving right now. Adam goes with Horonno and gets healed, Gareth goes with Ayrmidon while Humfrey goes with Valarr.

Write - in
- Split our westerosi knights to go and guard each of our officers. Weapons out
- Have Humfrey send some westerosi soldiers to protect the scorpios and ballistas.
- Everyone gets armors and weapons now. And we want an healer on Adam.
- Send troops that are already prepared at the camp borders
- Send some men to look at the supplies
>>
>>4857013
Sorry for the confusion - Valarr is Ayrmidon's surname - his full name is Ayrmidon Valarr.

I use the name and surname interchangeably, like I do with "Rhogar" and "Belaerys"
>>
>>4857026
well, uh.
That makes it easier.


>>4857013
i will make a small change, which is send Gareth with Tessario. Everyone of our guys is protected now.
>>
>>4856964
> We need to assess the situation – NOW.
Sheria gets Neltharion on the air and delays the enemy attack, buy time for the army to arm and prepare itself.

> We need to ensure the safety of our allies – Write-in how to divide your allies
Move to the Valyrian Garrison and Westerosi part of the encampment. Ayrmidon can safety rally his officers and give orders after getting a bodyguard of our hedge knights. A couple of knight for Tessario too.

> We need to support our soldiers and organize a counter-attack
Get a Adam to one our maesters, send some of our Infantry to check and guard our supplies.
>>
>>4856990
>>4857013
>>4857031
Assess the situation

>>4857013
>>4857031
Organize a counter-attack

>>4857031
Safety of our allies

I will wait some 10 extra minutes, then write the scene by using the various orders and write-ins.
>>
Roll me 3D6 for Warfare
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 4 = 13 (3d6)

>>4857149
>>
Rolled 5, 5, 3 = 13 (3d6)

>>4857149
>>
Rolled 4, 4, 3 = 11 (3d6)

>>4857149
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 5 = 12 (3d6)

>>4857149
>>
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>>4856964
> We need to assess the situation – NOW.
> We need to ensure the safety of our allies – Write-in how to divide your allies
> We need to support our soldiers and organize a counter-attack

This is bad. This is very bad.

Infiltrators among the ranks, assassins in the camp..you don’t know who you can trust right now…but you know that you will be safer among the Westerosi than the Essosi troops – much harder to find Westerosi infiltrators on such a short notice, if you were to take a bet.

> “Valarr, you can lead the ground battle from among the Western mercenaries that followed me here, right? The likelihood of there being spies and infiltrators among them is much lower than Volantene or Essosi troops.”

The older man looks pensive for a second before snapping his fingers – a soldier quickly steps forward and stabs the suffering assassin lying on the ground.

“I will lead the battle from among the men of Elyria – they are my own people after all. But I will accept the company of some of your mercenaries as bodyguard, if you’ll be so kind as to offer. I agree with your logic.”

You nod, signaling to Adam and Gareth to follow Valarr’s lead, before turning to Sheira

> “We need to take off and survey the situation. NOW.”

Your wife nods, before running off toward her own dragon, Neltharion the White.

A single whistle is enough for you to call upon Urrax, who is sitting nearby – jumping atop his saddle is habit at this point, an action that you do almost without thinking.

It is with a loud voice that you yell the first order you have given so far to the men from this army

> Warfare Test – 13 vs 12 (DC)
> Marginal Success! One degree of success!

> “Everyone! Get your asses to your own unit and begin to move toward the borders of the camp! Now!”

As the men begin to rush away, you quickly yell to Humfrey to stop

> “Humfrey, send some of your own men to guard the supplies and the ballistae – if we have been infiltrated, these are 2 things they will surely attempt to strike. Also get someone to look after Adam – he’s been wounded and I’d rather not lose a valid man so early in the campaign”

You do not wait for a reply, but simply push your dragon forward – and take flight.

….

You can see very little, but from up here you can make out enemy soldiers skulking around the edges of the camp…as well as inside certain sections of the camp. That’s why you did not hear any warning from your scouts – the enemy infiltrators must have made short work of them in preparation for this ambush.

What do you wish to do?
> Focus on hit-and-run tactics – burn down the enemy and move on to another area of the battlefield
> Support your soldiers – some units are already engaging the enemy
> Write-in
>>
Also sorry guys, but thanks to the bloody weather my internet comes and goes. Vote and if it doesn't go to shit I'll continue writing. If I disappear - well, you know what happened and we simply continue tomorrow.
>>
>>4857202
>> Focus on hit-and-run tactics – burn down the enemy and move on to another area of the battlefield
>>
>>4857202
>> Focus on hit-and-run tactics – burn down the enemy and move on to another area of the battlefield
>>
>>4857202
> Focus on hit-and-run tactics – burn down the enemy and move on to another area of the battlefield
Keep pressure on al sides.
>>
>>4857202
> Focus on hit-and-run tactics – burn down the enemy and move on to another area of the battlefield

>Write - in
Have us and Sheira burn in lines the enemy formations, they will not be able to move quickly enough. When we are done move to the next part of the batllefield. This lines of fire will also give some time for our soldier for better organize, as the enemy needs to pass them for reach our soldiers.

Tell Sheira to take out any enemy leaders she can see with the bow.

And a small speech from above :
"Men of Valyria, rally to battle ! Out of your tents and protect the camp ! Show this traitors what you are made of, for the Freehold !"
>>
>>4857235
*battlefield
>>
>>4857235
+1
>>
Am I the only one who thinks Ayrmidon might be the traitor?
He's certainly in the position to organise such an operation and he's definitely ruthless enough to do so. This might just be his way of getting us out of the way so he can command solo.
>>
>>4857402
In the previous thread i thought the same. But honestly it doesn t make sense.

A valryrian has absolutelty not a decent reason to do so. Dragonlords and Dragons are the butter to the valyrian war machine that is the bread. Losing even a single couple of them (especially now), comprimize the reconquest.

Which means less land and power to gain for valyrians, because the valyrians will be the ones to gain much of the control in the freehold as well settling most of the lands that will be taken back at the end of the war. It s like shooting off your arms, while your legs are still broken.
So for valyrians not much sense. Unless they are mad or dumb.


Instead a group of volantene indipentists (even if it s not a smart move, when they gain more with being in the Freehold), west essosi rebels and ghiscari rebels have a larger chance to have done this.
>>
>>4857478
Initially I thought it was the officers from Mantarys or Tolos hoping to cut short the reconquest and gain independence. But now we have volantene officer in the mix. But these suicides are really are throwing me off. That's a lot of dedication to the cause for what should be colonial nobility. Maybe their is a religious element.
>>
>>4857497
It could be religious yeah. Honestly these seems something well thought and that existed before the doom. It has been very precise and well executed, and being able to have a critical officer in our army is anything but simple work.
I have a small suspect, it could be connected to the people the faceless want gone from existance forever.


Eitherway no matter the outcome of what happens in this night at the camp, it will be a major pain for our army to resolve. So the enemy who ever it is, has already achieved successfully an objective against the freehold and our dynasty.
Of course, we will make them regret it to have done so.
>>
If its religious then perhaps its R'hllor worshipers. They are probably the only ones zealous enough to die for their cause
>>
>>4857608
The Norvoshi and their Bearded Priests are supposed to be pretty devout as well, they just don't apear in the books much. Similarly I'd expect the Qohorik to be pretty up there given that's the whole reason they founded their city, their sorcerers might also be able to magically enforce some sort of binding oath on their agents.
Braavos is also a possibility, they're not religious but ex-slaves might be willing to die if it halts the reconquest.
>>
>>4857202
>Focus on hit-and-run tactics – burn down the enemy and move on to another area of the battlefield
>>
>>4857210
>>4857217
>>4857230
>>4857235
>>4857289
Burn the traitors. Alright.
>>
Rolled 46 (1d100)

One flat roll to determine what might change in our MC due to the recent events and these suspected betrayals.
>>
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>>4857202
> Focus on hit-and-run tactics – burn down the enemy and move on to another area of the battlefield

They will pay.

They will all pay for what they have done, to you, to your family, to your homeland.

In your rage addled-mind disconnected phrases and facts you heard over the past months connect in a giant web of half-lies, half-truths.

The Norvoshi priests killed all the foreigners in their city on the day of the Doom and expelled the others from their territory on the same day with unnerving efficiency..as if they knew what was about to happen. The Faceless Man told you someone caused the destruction of your home..the death of your family. The Volantene Triarchs aimed to claim the mantle of heirs to Valyria. The Ghiscari revolted just at the right moment, as if they were waiting to strike. An officer…a high-ranking one at that, was an infiltrator in the Volantene troops. Assassins attempted to kill your wife.

Traitors and rebels all around you.

Aurion was right. We can rely only on ourselves in this cruel world. Our family and our people.

They will pay..you will make sure of that.

These are the thoughts that cloud your mind as you push Urrax toward the enemy, closely followed by your beloved, Sheira..Sheira Belaerys, you remind yourself, the woman that you almost lost tonight.

As rage consumes you, the innate connection you share with your dragon makes it so that he feels the same feelings, amplified as befits such a magnificent beast.

> “Dracarys!”

A simple command is enough to unleash a storm of vermilion flames upon the enemy – they might be dressed in black to hide themselves in the night, but nothing will protect them from the rightful retribution of Valyria.

You do not turn, yet you feel the jet of warm air that signifies Sheira is following your lead, pushing Neltharion to burn down the rebels.

An arrow bounces off your armor – a lucky shot on part of an archer. The last action he shall ever take, for you direct Urrax toward the enemy formation – they shoot arrows, you respond with dragonfire.

The screams of men fade as you keep pushing your dragon to move across the battlefield – for this is what the camp is turning into more and more by the minute -, lighting the night as you go, bathing the enemy in dragonfire as reward for their treachery.
>>
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>>4858712
Looking down you notice that the fighting has reached even the Westerosi section of the camp. You can clearly make out the giant figure of Gareth as he finishes off a man with a single hit of his longsword, while you do not see Valarr until you turn Urrax around – the Patriarch has apparently decided to take to the field in person, recognizing the uselessness of attempting to direct a battle in these conditions.

A Valyrian sword in his left hand, a red hue in his right, you see a man fall to his knees in pain before having his head chopped off in a single hit – a fitting end to a traitor.

And yet, even the heroic actions of your allies cannot change the fact that tonight will be a massacre, one way or another. You fell for their trap.

It is in this moment, as you fly Urrax toward another section of the battlefield, that you have an epiphany – they knew your two most likely landing spots. The ambush was not a real ambush..it was a scouting party.

That means you likely told your army to camp…just where they wanted you to.

You fell for it, hook, line and all

But then..what does it mean? Does it mean they had a set up in Bhorash as well, just in case you decided to take that path instead of this one?

> The North Valyrians conspired with the Ghiscari rebels to gain independence!
> It was a Volantene officer that killed the hooded assassin before you could interrogate him – the Triarchs are behind this!
> You know the power of magic. A skilled sorcerer could bind a man against his will and you found weapons from all over the Freehold when you defeated the scouting party at your landing – this is all a conspiracy to sow chaos among allies!
> There was Norvoshi gold. They knew what was going to happen. Norvos conspired to weaken your army before you could reach them after taking Essaria.

NOTE- this does not determine what is true and what is false. But it will determine who shall take the blame, at least for now, in Rhogar’s mind.

What do you wish to do?
> It is working – our archers are firing more accurately thanks to the fire lighting up the enemy positions, without counting the death caused by Urrax and Neltharion. Continue!
> We have done enough to sow chaos and mayhem – let’s regroup near our allies and support them directly! (Who? Valarr & Tessario along with the Volantene, or Horonno with Gareth and the wounded Adam, along with the Westerosi contingent?)
> Write-in

If you pick the first option, roll me 15D6 (Urrax & Neltharion)
>>
>>4858716
Just a note - picking the option related to Volantis won't make you break your alliance with them. It will simply push Rhogar to blame the Triarchs (all or only 1 or 2), and wish to see them replaced.

Write-ins are actually allowed and encouraged in this case (who to blame), since YOU get to shape the story now.
>>
>>4858716
> The North Valyrians conspired with the Ghiscari rebels to gain independence!
We are in their territories, you can have an army move and prepare an ambush like this without knowing.
> It is working – our archers are firing more accurately thanks to the fire lighting up the enemy positions, without counting the death caused by Urrax and Neltharion. Continue!
>>
>>4858716
>Write In
Who could be ? Who ? There is so many traces and yet not a definitive one. What cruel joke is this ? Why our people are given such treachery, when their homeland still burns ?! They all deserve the blame. The locals ? Someone must have helped here, how could this force not be seen or reported ? Blame. The Volantene ? He made a choice, and turn traitor alongside some of his men. Blame. The Norvoshi, the Ghiscari and anyone else here ? Blame again. They will all deserve to be massacred in fire, their pleas and excuses will not save them from what we will bring them.


> Write-in
Pass again on the enemy positions, then split. We are going to support Horonno and Gareth and Adam, Sheira will support Valarr and Tessario.
>>
>>4858716
Who could be ? Who ? There is so many traces and yet not a definitive one. What cruel joke is this ? Why our people are given such treachery, when their homeland still burns ?! They all deserve the blame. The locals ? Someone must have helped here, how could this force not be seen or reported ? Blame. The Volantene ? He made a choice, and turn traitor alongside some of his men. Blame. The Norvoshi, the Ghiscari and anyone else here ? Blame again. They will all deserve to be massacred in fire, their pleas and excuses will not save them from what we will bring them.

> We have done enough to sow chaos and mayhem – let’s regroup near our allies and support them directly! (Horonno with Gareth and the wounded Adam, along with the Westerosi contingent?)
The Westerosi can't be the traitors.
>>
I'll let it go for another 10 minutes then go with the write-in I suppose, since it received 2 votes.
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 6, 3, 4, 3, 5, 2, 1, 3, 2, 4, 4, 6, 6 = 60 (15d6)

Since no one rolled for the damage
>>
yeah forgot to do that.
>>
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>>4858716
> Who could it be? Who? There are so many traces and yet not a definitive one. What cruel joke is this? Why are our people given such treachery, when their homeland still burns?! They all deserve the blame. The locals? Someone must have helped here, how could this force not be seen nor reported? Blame. The Volantene? Someone made a choice to turn traitor alongside some of his men. Blame. The Norvoshi, the Ghiscari and anyone else? Blame again. They will all deserve to be massacred in fire, their pleas and excuses will not save them from what we will bring them.

These are the thoughts that cloud your mind as you feed your inner flame with the raw emotions you are feeling – rage at this betrayal, rage at the fate of your people, wish for revenge.

Everyone who betrayed your people will pay.

They will all pay.

Urrax releases a deafening roar as he flies straight toward the area where the enemy seems to be grouping.

Urrax
> Fighting Test – 29 vs 21 (DC)
> Great Success! Two Degrees of Success!

A single arrow hits you in the shoulder and somehow manages to find the weak point in your armor – the pain does nothing but feed your rage.

> “Urrax! Dracarys!”

Even before you finish yelling the command, your dragon obeys.

The night lights as if it was day, the world around you becoming nothing but an inferno of screaming men and vermillion flames as Urrax comes close to the ground, breathing fire directly beneath himself.

Neltharion
> Fighting Test – 23 vs 21 (DC)
> Marginal Success! One Degree of Success!

You do not hear Sheira give the same command to her dragon, but you notice the shades of blue as Neltharion breathes his own distinct shade of fire in the midst of the enemy formation.

After the final pass, you push Urrax upward, until he reaches a height that you are sure will partially shield you two from arrow fire, and wait for Sheira to join you.

Your wife does not make you wait too long, and soon she is near you, waiting for you to speak – it is clear from her expression she is horrified by what is going on, yet you can see the steel in her eyes
>>
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>>4858925
> “Let’s split! You go and support Valarr, I will support Horonno and the Westerosi!”

She nods, before taking leave.

A deep breath…and back in the midst of battle.

This time your main objective is not to seed chaos – you achieved that in spades -, but to support the Westerosi mercenaries and your cousin.

You see that the Westerosi men have formed a circle under the command of Humfrey Sarsfield, their commander. A good choice given anyone could be an enemy or an infiltrator tonight – it became apparent that some of your own men were traitors (or infiltrators masking as part of your formations) as the night went on. The chaos created shattered any semblance of cohesion among your troops.

This is a disaster.

You push Urrax toward the enemy force rallying toward the Westerosi – a small band of lightly armored cavalry. Effective against light infantry, nothing against the fury of a dragon.

They pay their betrayal with their blood.



In the end it’s not a military victory that causes the enemy to retreat, but the glimmers of light on the horizon – it will soon be dawn and they know that once the confusion clears, their smaller numbers will spell doom.

…and so their retreat begins, leaving behind only death and destruction, a scattered host in the place of the glorious army you led to these shores less than 24 hours before.

The losses are likely severe….on both sides.

Your men behaved in an exemplary manner (the ones that did not betray, that’s it), making the most of any occasion they had to retaliate with deadly force against the enemy sorties.

It is now the time to decide what you wish to do:
> Organize what few soldiers we can and pursue them! We are exhausted and so are our men..but so are theirs! (You will attempt to track down the survivors of the enemy attack to get answers and/or to clear them out. There is a good chance they expect this and it could be an ambush for your exhausted forces that will be left at the camp)
> We need to regroup. The discipline is shot, we likely have traitors and potential assassins in our midst..we cannot trust anyone until we smoke out any potential mole in our forces. (You won’t follow the enemy. You will miss the chance to get rid of them for good, but you will have a much better chance at consolidating your forces and removing traitors from their midst)

Pick whichever option you prefer, and then write-in how you wish to proceed in either occasion.
>>
>>4858928
> We need to regroup. The discipline is shot, we likely have traitors and potential assassins in our midst..we cannot trust anyone until we smoke out any potential mole in our forces. (You won’t follow the enemy. You will miss the chance to get rid of them for good, but you will have a much better chance at consolidating your forces and removing traitors from their midst)
Purge the traitors.
>>
>>4858928
> We need to regroup. The discipline is shot, we likely have traitors and potential assassins in our midst..we cannot trust anyone until we smoke out any potential mole in our forces. (You won’t follow the enemy. You will miss the chance to get rid of them for good, but you will have a much better chance at consolidating your forces and removing traitors from their midst)
With extreme prejudice.
>>
>>4858928
this a bit difficult to pick. We have all just received a punch in the teeth.

> We need to regroup. The discipline is shot, we likely have traitors and potential assassins in our midst..we cannot trust anyone until we smoke out any potential mole in our forces. (You won’t follow the enemy. You will miss the chance to get rid of them for good, but you will have a much better chance at consolidating your forces and removing traitors from their midst)

First we will burn any small groups that is too slow and still in the battlefield, and check that there is no more enemies near the camp.
Then stop a moment, and land (still on dragon), and have Horonno start regrouping our men with Humfrey. When he is done rendeveouz with Valarr and Tessario.

First of all, every officer (beside our own guys, so Horonno, Valarr, Tessario and Humfrey) in front for inspection. Every one in front of our dragons that is, some meters not near them. And disarmed. Gareth and Adam will be on Urrax flank.

All enemies wounded will be brought to the interrogators, which will be armed and controlled by our knights on horses.

All our wounded are to be organized on a large tent where our masters and medics can heal them. This tent will be under watch by our soldiers.

Supplies are to be controlled immediatly, alongside our war machines. Some soldiers will remain for protect them. None beside our men under our orders is authorized to go near them for now.


All the men are called. Organize the soldier and have them ready in ranks.
>>
>>4858928
>> We need to regroup. The discipline is shot, we likely have traitors and potential assassins in our midst..we cannot trust anyone until we smoke out any potential mole in our forces. (You won’t follow the enemy. You will miss the chance to get rid of them for good, but you will have a much better chance at consolidating your forces and removing traitors from their midst)
>>
>>4858949
Good write-in and I will actually let you guys play it out if you wish, but without anyone accusing me of railroading...think how this would play out in a realistic manner:

You are a soldier in this glorious army. You have been attacked by some rebels in the night. You have seen some men that you've known for quite some time turn around and attempt to kill you, on top of having to defend yourself against rebels and worse thing. You killed and maimed men who you thought of as brother..and survived. You won, by the Gods.

And now this young arrogant nobleman who is not even in charge of the army tries to order you to be disarmed so that some Western barbarian (who are they? Who is to say the did not help the rebels?!) might "guard" you.

I will let you imagine the same, likely worse, thoughts that would go on in the officer's heads.

That's without counting that you are not, in fact, the senior commander, on top of commanding the loyalty of a small minority (Westerosi mercs + Stepstones garrisons) of the army, and indirectly the Volantene through Tessario (but like he said, push came to shove his loyalty would be to his men above you).

I am bot railroading, just telling you what would likely (I'd let you roll for a speech and see how the soldiers would take your explanation) go through a normal person in such a situation.
>>
>>4858978
fair enough let me rethink this
>>
First we will burn any small groups that is too slow and still in the battlefield, and check that there is no more enemies near the camp.
Then stop a moment, and land (still on dragon), and have Horonno start regrouping our men with Humfrey. When he is done rendeveouz with Valarr and Tessario.

Tell Valarr that we need an inspection, and we don t trust a single one of the officers beside them, right now. We are going to wait with our guys on another part of the camp. On top of our dragons while waiting for Valarr to decide if he wants to find the traitors. And if he wants us to help.

Meanwhile suggest the following orders :

- All enemies wounded will be brought to the interrogators, which will be armed and controlled by soldiers and our knights on horses.

- All our wounded are to be organized on a large tent where our masters and medics can heal them. This tent will be under watch by any loyalists

- Supplies are to be controlled immediatly, alongside our war machines. Some soldiers will remain for protect them. None beside men authorized can go there.


- All the men are called. Organize the soldier and have them ready in ranks.
>>
also can you confirm that by now the news of us being attacked in the night have spread ? I recon people have start to know that assasins have attempt to kill us.
>>
>>4859000
There are rumors all around - the Mantarians have betrayed us (since the attack happened in Mantaryan territory), the Volantene are traitors, the Western barbarians are trying to use this chaos to do something (what? Nobody knows), someone attempted to kill the Archon and the Patriarch! And so on, so on. It's literally the aftermath of a chaotic night battle - there is no clarity anywhere at the moment.

Still, I will let the vote run overnight, and tomorrow go with whatever you guys decide.
>>
>>4859012
well i am still with

> We need to regroup. The discipline is shot, we likely have traitors and potential assassins in our midst..we cannot trust anyone until we smoke out any potential mole in our forces. (You won’t follow the enemy. You will miss the chance to get rid of them for good, but you will have a much better chance at consolidating your forces and removing traitors from their midst)

this vote, just with the rewritten write in for do more things and do some orders
>>
>>4859021
Oh yeah, don't take my observations as attacks - your write-in is spot on in how to deal with the situation. And it seems there is unanimity on rooting out any remaining traitor.

I admit I put you in a situation where there is no right answer since both could lead to some issues down the line. But really..did you really expect smooth sailing? (being sarcastic here).
>>
>>4859034
Cool.
Yeah true. I admit that i am not sure either but honestly we have 0 power here in confront to others. So we will just wait and that s all. It s all on Valarr if he wants us to help. I think he will not send any offcer to us, because until we know, we aren t trusting anyone that isn t one of our guys to come near us. And for good reasons.


Nah not really. But i am confident that with the routine, i have give we should be a bit more safer when we are at war. For the rest i don t think we have good chances.
>>
This routine that is.

War routine

- Control our surroundings before we land. Twice
- Watch over our army from an high position
- Whenever we land, our personal guard should be ready to be near us.
- Help establish the camp with our dragon help as well our own, so we get the soldiers respect.
- Our tent should have a clear space around it, so that Urrax and Neltharion can sleep near us. Preferably in a elevated position. Makes easier to see anyone coming to our tent too.
- We are at war. Armor on, weapons on and controls of suspicious people/objects/food/water and so on. Not eating/drinking unless we are sure it s safe. A taster can do that first.
- Double the guards around the camp and do unexpected patrols and controls.
- Gareth and Adam tents are now near our tent. Urrax and Neltharion will sleep near our tent as well.
>>
>>4858928
>> We need to regroup. The discipline is shot, we likely have traitors and potential assassins in our midst..we cannot trust anyone until we smoke out any potential mole in our forces. (You won’t follow the enemy. You will miss the chance to get rid of them for good, but you will have a much better chance at consolidating your forces and removing traitors from their midst)

Shiera should immediately use her candle to contact Aurion and Rhaella so they're aware of what happened. Then, if possible, she should scry on the remnants of the army that attacked us and see which direction they're going/who they contact/etc
>>
>>4858992
+1
>>
>>4858928
>We need to regroup. The discipline is shot, we likely have traitors and potential assassins in our midst..we cannot trust anyone until we smoke out any potential mole in our forces. (You won’t follow the enemy. You will miss the chance to get rid of them for good, but you will have a much better chance at consolidating your forces and removing traitors from their midst)
>>
>>4858936
>>4858948
>>4858949
>>4858964
>>4859077
>>4859115
>>4859495
> Purge the Traitors.

I will make use of this>>4858992 write-in. Be warned, depending on how thorough you wish to be in the purge, you might incur small or quite big maluses later on, for you have many soldiers, but comparatively few officers, like in any real army.

Writing.
>>
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>>4858928
As the early morning sun begins to light the vast plane, you see the sheer carnage and death that the nightly battle has wrought upon your army…as well as on the enemy forces.

For while entire sections of the immense camp have been essentially destroyed and the bodies of your men lie everywhere, you do notice with dark satisfaction the sheer number of rebels that lie face down in the ground, or burnt to a crisp by your continuous assault atop Urrax.

This is a disaster for your campaign…but you all bled them white.

You do not doubt for a moment that in the enemy plans, you and your wife would have likely been long dead by now, and your army either routed or destroyed. Instead, they get this – the privilege to witness first hand how true Valyrians fight..and die, sword in hand, striking their traitorous kin down like the rabid dogs they are.

Rage boils in your veins, and you direct your sight toward the small, scattered bands of enemy soldiers that are fleeing the battlefield – they shall join their kin in death.

A sentiment shared by many in the army, if the sheer number of soldiers from Elyria, Mantarys and Tolos freely moving among the wounded enemies to finish them off is anything to go by. What follows is more a mop-up operation than a battle, a massacre of the few enemy soldiers left behind, more than an organized effort.

Your men kill without remorse – it is rightful payback for seeing their brothers-in-arms die in the night.

….

The morning after the nightly ambush is not a good one. Distrust runs deep within the army, soldiers warily eyeing each other.

You find refuge in the only section of the camp you trust due to them being foreigners that never left your side – the Westerosi camp. It is a quick decision taken in the spur of the moment, to recall the troops you took from the Stepstones and ordering them to stand within the same section of the camp.

And yet it causes a bit of a ruckus among the soldiers, already paranoid as they are – a ruckus loud enough to push Valarr to come himself (flanked by four members of the Legio Elyria) to see what is causing it – he finds you sitting atop Urrax, giving orders to your men so as to repair their section of the camp and to make it more easily defensible

“Rhogar. What are you doing here?! I need my junior commander on hand – this is a debacle of the highest magnitude”

> “Can you blame me Ayrmidon? We have been attacked multiple times, betrayed multiple times – I had assassins come after my own wife last night. Can you blame me for wanting to reside among men I know will not be likely to betray me since they have no reason to?”

He sighs and shakes his head

“I am not blaming you for it Rhogar. But I am asking you to do your duty as the junior commander of the expedition, since YOU were the one asking to be a part of it.”
>>
>>4860011
This..is true. You grip harder the reins, grinding your teeth – it’s simply the truth, and there isn’t much you can do about it. Still..

> “You do realize we need to do a complete purge of any potential infiltrator left, right?”

Valarr grimaces and looks at you as if asking “do you take me for an idiot?”. You can only shrug your shoulders

“I have led more military campaigns than the years you have been alive, Belaerys. I like to think the years have taught me much, rather than made me dumber. Now get your ass down here…actually not. Get your dragon over there. We can use its intimidating presence.”

You take a look around yourself – your men awaiting your orders.

> “I almost lost my wife, Ayrmidon. I almost lost my cousin and myself tonight, thanks to traitors. I want them to be safe. I am your junior commander, and so here are my suggestions: let’s bring all wounded enemies to the interrogators, which ought to be armed and controlled by soldiers we can trust. Let’s bring all our wounded in a single area where our medics can heal them. This tent has to be under watch by people whose loyalties are beyond a shadow of a doubt.”

He takes on an annoyed expression

“Do you think me an idiot, boy? These are the first things I have ordered. Let me take a wild guess about what other great ideas you will give me: let’s check whether the supplies have been tampered, call the men for a general inspection and begin to scrutinize in depth our officers. Am I right?”

You want to reply. But..he is the senior commander here, and he has essentially done even more than what you’d have suggested.

You groan and nod, before signaling Humfrey to approach

> “I want Adam and Gareth to look over my wife and cousin. I will NOT tolerate any risk to their security Humfrey. Am I clear?”

He can only give you a curt nod before you continue

> “Gather the knights that survived last night and tell them to join me right now. We are going to lend a hand. In the meantime continue to repair the camp..make it more defensible if you can, and give me a full report on how many people left us last night”
>>
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>>4860014
He nods, before departing to execute your orders – Valarr makes a cruel smirk

“I would crack a joke about you being so scared you need bodyguards on top of being literally riding a dragon Belaerys, but this might be a good move – there is enough paranoia as it is in the army, and we need to show we are all in this together. Pick a field you wish to help with, I will take another and assign trusted people to oversee the others”

Where do you wish to focus your efforts personally?
> Interrogating the survivors – the presence of a dragon will surely help in loosening their tongues
> Checking the officers’ true loyalties – you are quite perspective, and together with Urrax, you might very well help discern the infiltrators
> Surveying the area – you have the advantage of flight. Enough said.
> Help wherever possible – it will reduce your contribution to almost nothing, but it will boost a lot the morale, seeing a living symbol of Valyrian strength walk among the men, alongside the presence of your dragon
> Write-in (whatever you prefer)
>>
>>4860015
> Surveying the area – you have the advantage of flight. Enough said.
The other things can be done by men without dragons.
This can only be done decently by someone with a dragon.
>>
>>4860015
> Checking the officers’ true loyalties – you are quite perspective, and together with Urrax, you might very well help discern the infiltrators
>>
>>4860049
I agree, but I still wish to let people have the opportunity to choose the tactical advantage..or the strategic one. For now you command the loyalty of the survivors of 1700 men (Westerosi + Stepstones garrisons) out of what were 35 000.

Tactical advantage - surveying the area.
Strategic advantage - begin to act as a junior commander and getting people to follow you (it won't be that easy, don't think that seeing you act once will get them on your side, but it would start the slow process).

You are the new kid that nobody knows essentially, Valarr is the veteran general. If you wish to get the men to be "your" men, you have to begin somewhere.
>>
>>4860049
>>4860015
Also
>Write in: apologize to Valarr if we have overstepped our rank in this expedition and ask him to share some of his expertise with us.
>>
>>4860015
> Checking the officers’ true loyalties – you are quite perspective, and together with Urrax, you might very well help discern the infiltrators
> Surveying the area – you have the advantage of flight. Enough said.

This two, then help around the men and report. Don t keep talking with valarr, he will just use it against us.
>>
I don't mean he's a traitor. But we will only be criticized if we keep talking right now, he's not in a good mood and Rhogar may not take all the digs right now.

Especially after surviving yet another assassination attack.
>>
>>4860015
>> Surveying the area – you have the advantage of flight. Enough said.
>>
>>4860049
>>4860071
>>4860081
Survey the area

>>4860057
Apologize to Valarr

>>4860071
Check the officer's true loyalties

Given I doubt more people will vote, writing.
>>
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>>4860015
You sigh – this is not a good morning.

> “I will survey the area Ayrmidon. We cannot be sure that all the enemies left the area…and moreover the sight of a dragon flying around should reinforce the idea that our strength is not yet broken”

As he is about to reply, you raise a hand to interrupt him

> “Look…we are all extremely tense and infighting benefits no one. You are the senior commander, so I’d rather you deal with the men. I will join you after I survey the area, but in the meantime…how do you wish to proceed to see to checking the officers’ loyalties? It’s not like we can interrogate them all”

He looks up at the sky for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts before answering

“I hope we might catch any mole by cross-checking their stories – maybe someone will slip up. In the meantime, we can hope some of the prisoners will say a name we can connect to someone. After all, all we need is a lead.”

You nod, before turning toward your wife, who is sitting down beside Neltharion a few meters away

> “Love..I know you are just as exhausted as I am, but I have to ask you to inform Aurion of what happened. Could you do that for me?”

Sheira weakly nods, the tiredness clear on her face. She then gets up and walks up to your dragon, placing a hand on your foot (the only part of you she can reach since you are standing atop Urrax)

“Sure beloved. Promise me you will be careful though…we just found each other once more. I could not stand to risk losing you…again”

She whispers the last part, but you still hear it – a smile accompanied by a small nod is your reply, as if to say “I promise”

And then you take to the sky, leaving the earth behind.

….
>>
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>>4860219
From up here, one would almost think nothing happened last night – were it not for smoke rising from the funerary pyres, said person would be forgiven for mistaking your flying atop Urrax a mere pleasure trip.

But this is not the reason you are up here in the clouds – you are surveying the area.

From up here it is easy matter to identify the tracks left by the enemy army – both to come and to retreat. You notice with pleasure that the more recent tracks are far less than the older ones – while it might be impossible to see at a ground level, from high above it is easy to spot the bent grass, whish signals from where the enemy came from.

You also spot what appears to be the remnants of their camp some 10 km inland – it looks abandoned from afar, but you do not get close enough to check, wary of traps.

The enemy has proven extremely resourceful so far, you will grant them that.

Two more points of interest catch your attention while flying back to camp – a lone mountain, atop which a shining light appears to be located, and the remnants of the first camp they abandoned, atop the cliffs where you landed.

What do you wish to do?
> Go back to camp
> Check out one of the points of interest (which? Abandoned camp by the cliffs / Abandoned inland camp / Lone Mountain with shining light atop)

NOTE - you are exhausted. You will get a -1 to any roll you take until you rest
>>
>>4860221
> Check out one of the points of interest
Abandoned camp by the cliffs

Control the surroundings first, we aren t landing there until it s safe. It s unlikely we will find anything but might as well.

I am not sure about going for the mountain honestly, could be a trap and i want us to be on the offensive against them for once, not get catched again.


The inland camp can be looked upon by others, it s easier to reach than the others positions.
>>
>>4860221
>check out the lone mountain
Could be a trap, but it could also be something cool!
>>
>>4860221
> Check out one of the points of interest ( Abandoned camp by the cliffs)
It's located to put pressure on landings.
>>
>>4860229
>>4860306
Camp by the cliffs

>>4860284
Lone Mountain

I let the vote go on for long enough I'd say. Camp by the cliffs it is.

Roll me 1d100 (bo1)
>>
Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>4860357
>>
>>4860360
Alright, writing.
>>
>>4860360
Low is better or high is better?
>>
>>4860374
High. So average but a bit bad territory. We aren t going to remain for long there at least.
>>
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>>4860221
> Check out one of the points of interest (Abandoned camp by the cliffs)

Reasoning that there are no enemies in sight (except what appears to be a cloud of dust far to the north, likely due to the enemy forces retreating after abandoning their inland camp) and that Valarr can handle the situation at the camp on his own for now, you decide to take a detour and visit the camp by the cliffs, in the unlikely chance you might find any information about the mysterious forces opposing you.

The first thing you notice, once you arrive, is the abandoned flag standing in the center of the camp – the Mantaryan flag.

And yet, this makes no sense – after a few minutes rummaging through the burned remains of the camp, you find a flag from Volantis…and even one from Old Valyria itself.

> Rolled 43/100

You find little of value, until you begin to examine what you presume had been the commander’s tent. Here you find the burned out remains of a journal.

It has almost completely been destroyed by the fire, and what is readable is written in a language that you are not familiar with. Still, you take it with you.

Other than the journal, you find a couple of maps that are still semi-readable, even if damage from the fire is extensive. The first map has arrows drawn on top of it – you recognize what could have been an attempt to discern in which formation you would disembark, and where you would likely encamp for the night.

It was an ambush as you suspected.

What really catches your attention thought, is the second map you found – it is far more damaged than the first, and yet it shows the Freehold, with different symbols drawn over its different provinces and surrounding lands.
While only few of them are recognizable, you notice a “X” above Mereen, Bhorash, Volantis and Bayasabhad, while you see a lion over Mantarys, Essaria and what appears to be the Kayakayanaya.

You think you discern an..eagle? over Tyrosh, Myr, Lys and Volantis (this one atop the hawk)

Symbols that make no sense to you – you would theorize the lion to represent loyal territories…and yet, you were assaulted in Mantarian territory, and what does Valyria have to do with the remnants of the Patrimony?

Moreover, the eagle is put atop Volantis, who is crossed over as well.

It could be important, or it could be yet another attempt at misdirection.

What is it (it will further shape who is the true enemy in Rhogar’s mind – you are close to gaining a new defining trait)?
> It is proof of who remained loyal to the Council and who betrayed us.
> It is but another attempt to divide our forces by making us doubt each other

Do you wish to continue searching the camp?
> Yes
> No
If yes, roll 1d100, Bo3
>>
>>4860401
>atop an* hawk
>>
Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>4860401
> It is but another attempt to divide our forces by making us doubt each other
> Yes
Coinage, types of foods, type of dress, weaponry and more.
>>
>>4860401
> It is but another attempt to divide our forces by making us doubt each other

Why would someone leave it like this ? It s sound too difficult to believe that there is the map of who is loyal and who is not.

> No

The camp wouldn t hold too much with everyone escaping from it. Beside the commander tent, there is not many other important tents too.
At this point i am not sure if is it s even useful finding informations right now. They are all a mess. Kind of hard to present to. "I found some assorted banners and maps suspicioulsy left there."
>>
I'm going to wait more votes, since >>4860420's is a very good roll.
>>
>>4860420
a very nice roll. Well

>>4860401
change to yes. and i will roll too since is a Bo3
>>
>>4860420
Direction that the enemy forces went, organisation of their camp (hab hazard of professional), fortification, means of supply, usage of animals...
You need to know your enemy more than they know themselves.
>>
Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>4860401
>>
>>4860439
or* professional not of.
>>
>>4860439
It would be nice, but i am wondering if even the rebels orders are a mess of different things together. Now that i think about it, how our enemies look ? Are they valyrians or ghiscari ?

Or is even that a mix ? We have captured all their wounded from the night ambush.
>>
>>4860444
I have thought about the wounded, but think about it. 2 camps. 2 symbols on the map and an X. Maybe it's a rebel coalition of different forces rebel forces and the map betrayed that?
Just an idea.
>>
>>4860444
The assassins were heavily tanned, but it was hard to say whether they were simply Valyrians from the northern kingdoms in the grasslands (melting pot of Ghiscari, Valyrians etc) or Ghiscari from the northern half of Slaver's Bay...or even just common Valyrians that spent too much time in the sun. Thick accent, but the infiltrator killed the leader before he could speak a lot.

You can roll 3D6 to see if you can identify his area of origin by the accent. DC 15.

I will wait 5 minutes and then go with what you two voted.
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 6 = 9 (3d6)

>>4860458
DC 15... Pretty hard stuff to guess so fair.
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 3 = 11 (3d6)

>>4860452
Maybe, but we need to have more light on the matter. Right now is all in the shadows, even the little we know is vague. And for be a force so prepared, them losing vital pieces of informations sound just too lucky for us.

If we could grasp something a bit more ... solid, we could start having a better idea of who is the secret enemy here. Though this rebels in the marches present another problem, more imminent : they stop our military campaign and they are a enemy that want to take out our army, so we can t ignore it.


>>4860458
Interesting, time to see if we can recognize anything.
>>
>>4860465
Yeah that was just a crackpot idea of mine. Just a what if thought without enough evidence to back it up.
>>
>>4860458
>>4860439
Just another idea. Do they own slaves or are they slaveless? Gives a pretty good idea about their origin.
>>
>>4860470
it could be honestly. Well personally i imagined at first it was the guys the faceless want death, but that sound too absurd. Can t be everywhere.
Your theory might be true honestly, or near it. There are different rebels here at least one Volentene and a mix of Valyrians and Ghiscari.
>>
>>4860471
I can tell you that by observing them with a keen eye, their army seemed a mix between professional soldiers and what were either militamen, or recently conscripted men. They did not desert thought, but this doesn't say much since even Valyria did not send slaves to fight its wars

Writing.
>>
>>4860481
yes, but slaves can be used as campaign followers or is that to much of a real history link and doesn't add up in this universe?
>>
>>4860488
Oh no, it is a logical conclusion. I did not specify anything regarding that fact, just that there seemed to be no slaves among the fighting men
>>
>>4860491
Ah okay. my bad. Just thought with the unsullied and the slave soldiers in the later years that there was some parallel in Valyria.
>>
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>>4860401
> It is but another attempt to divide our forces by making us doubt each other

You scoff.

This is dragonshit.

Really? They expected someone to believe that they’d set their camp on fire to avoid letting you find any important information, and then casually leave behind important maps with their coalition denoted on them?

Come on..

> Rolled 93/100

You decide to continue searching through the burned out camp for the time being. It’s dirty work (literally) and it doesn’t really yield any important information at first, except…after an hour of digging through the remains, you finally notice something: while the enemy has done an egregious job at confusing the most obvious traces one would use to identify them (coinage, types of dress, weapons..), they seem to have forgotten a simple detail – there are no traces of horses.

What do you wish to do?
> Report your findings to Valarr – you need to discuss what to do
> Examine another point of interest (Lone Mountain, 2nd abandoned camp)
> Write-in
>>
>>4860497
> Examine another point of interest (Lone Mountain, 2nd abandoned camp)
Can't give incomplete information. We need to give information about both forces.
>>
>>4860497
>> Examine another point of interest (Lone Mountain, 2nd abandoned camp)
>>
>>4860503
>>4860499
Pick one
>>
>>4860499
>>4860497
>Take the evidence with us like the map. (Even if it's false it shows that our enemy is really crafty.)
>>
>>4860503
>Lone mountain
>>
>>4860497
>> Examine another point of interest (Lone Mountain, 2nd abandoned camp)

Catch a bit of breath before going again. It s not exactly rest, but something.

And i guess pick most of the stuff we have found, for evidence.


>>4860506
2 abandoned camp, though it can be check by others since it s not on cliffs at least. As usual check the surroundings and don t suddenly land.
>>
>>4860499
> Examine another point of interest (2nd abandoned camp).
3 symbols on the map. Forgot is was 3 not 2 camps.
>MFW
>>
>>4860497
>> Examine another point of interest (Lone Mountain, 2nd abandoned camp)
>>
>>4860511
You got to break the tie apparently - Lone Mountain, or 2nd camp?
>>
Ignore my last post.

>>4860513
Pick one of the 2
>>
>>4860514
I said 2nd abandoned camp. That's the abandoned inland camp.
I think
>>4860513
Is the tie breaker.
>>
>>4860520
yeah, I didn't read it correctly. I will wait 5 min for >>4860513 to pick an option, then go with the 2nd camp. If it's a tie, I'll roll to decide.
>>
>>4860518
Oh shit my bad, didn’t look carefully enough.
>Lone Mountain
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

2nd Camp, Lone Mountain
>>
Roll me 1d100. Best of 3
>>
Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>4860547
>>
Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>4860547
>>
>>4860553
This is a good roll, but I'll wait for the 3rd. If it's above 90 you should have enough clues to put it all together.
>>
Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>4860547
rip
>>
>>4860549
>>4860553
>>4860557
>>4860560
Another base. Here we go!
>>
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>>4860497
You turn around, looking at the sky – you have spent far more time than you’d have liked here, for it is almost mid-morning. And yet…you could find out so much more if you had more time.

Alas, it’s useless to complain about the inexorable passing of time.

Still…you could make the most of this, since you’re already surveying the area.

You pick up the half-burned maps and flags, alongside the journal, and put them in Urrax’s saddle, before sitting atop him and pushing him to take to the sky.

Up here, far above the ground, you consider your options – you could go back to report to Valarr…or you could examine another one of the interesting sites you spotted.

You opt for the latter, since so far you found only inconclusive, contradictory evidence.

The closest site is the lone mountain with the point of light atop it – you head in that direction.



Even flying atop a dragon, it takes you almost 20 minutes to reach it, which is a considerable distance given the speed Urrax can fly at.

One you reach the area and land safely, three things jump to your eyes straight away – a broken…”spyglass” (Is that what these objects are called in the east?), the burnt remains of what was evidently a wooden platform used to convey messages – standard military tech, sending messages using fire signals – and the half-destroyed remains of some tents, as if their occupants had left in a hurry.

> Rolled 69/100

You attempt to determine what the spyglass was looking at– it’s hard to do given its broken state, but you are pretty certain that whomever was standing here had been observing the first battle you engaged in with the rebels on the beach.

Regarding the wooden platform…it’s impossible to deduce what kind of message they sent before setting it on fire.

And last but not least, the tents – they contain nothing of note, except for some gold coins from..Lys? As well as a small sigil, with a strange symbol imprinted on – a goat.

You shrug your shoulders, pick up anything you find relevant, and depart for your camp.
>>
>>4860581
You found these elements far, since you landed on the shore yesterday:
> A Mantaryan Flag and some other flags of different countries/regions
> A half-burnt journal written in an unknown language
> Norvoshi Gold
> Ghiscari and Essarian weapons
> Armor pieces from the Patrimony of Hyrkoon
> The broken remains of a spyglass, an exceedingly rare object west of the Bones mountains
> A map with different symbols - a “X” over Mereen, Bhorash, Volantis and Bayasabhad, a lion over Mantarys, Essaria and what appears to be the Kayakayanaya. And an over Tyrosh, Myr, Lys and Volantis (this one atop a hawk)
> A small sigil with a goat on it
> Assassins that originated from either Slaver’s Bay or the grassland kingdoms that were tributaries of Valyria
> At least 1 infiltrator among the Volantene officers
> Various infiltrators in the formations that came from Mantarys, Tolos and Volantis.
> A map that had circles on it the potential locations of your landing – Eastern Marches of Mantarys or Bhorash.
> A noticeable lack of horses in the forces that attacked you (you met only a small contingent of cavalry), as well as a lack of horses in the abandoned camp.
> You noticed that the enemy soldiers wore an assortment of different types of armor, as if it came from different parts of the Freehold and beyond
> The enemy army seemed a mix of professional soldiers and militiamen
> The enemy soldiers seemed to be of varied provenance – mercenaries? Locals? Foreigners?

What is the current working hypothesis?

You DO have enough elements to figure it out, especially if you paid notice to both the political scenes in the other thread and what happened since then. Had you rolled higher in the last d100 rolls, I'd have made it much clearer.
>>
I call this section to an end, and I am honestly curious to see if you guys can put the pieces together.

I did read some comments earlier in this thread and the last that were quite spot-on, had they been combined together and brought to their logical conclusion. In the meantime, thanks for participating!
>>
>>4860592
Thanks QM
>>
>>4860592
Thanks for running
>>
>>4860592
Thanks QM.
>>
>>4860592
thanks for the run

hopefully i am going to throw an idea there
>>
>>4860583
Adding some info from the last thread.
Volantis is rebelling so the.
Mantarys Volantis Road is rebelling. This may mean some of these forces are from these. regions. The may have come by ship (the coastal camp has no horses. How can that local that big force be local?) The inland camp is probably the Mantarys Volantis Road rebels.
>>
I'm of the idea that its a combination of factions who want independence that allied with some who had religious motivations.;
>>
>>4860604
Eastern Marches of Mantarys or Bhorash encircled.
They knew we wouldn't land on Tolos so we may have some traitors in Tolos and in our hands doesn't mean the citizens support us.
>>
>>4860583
Possible hypothesis (i invite anyone else to make better ones) :

Coordinated Large Rebellions :

Supported by a cabal of magicians of sort and well connected with relations and several traitors in their paybooks ready to come out. Magicians would explain why they have this long range communication and coordination available.


Rebels have contacts virtually everywhere, it s clear from the different people they have and equipment used.


Rebels objective is to likely finish off at it s beginning any attempt of valyrians to reclaim their old glory, so we dragonlords are prime targets.
Rebels uniting together after the war is done in a new state is unlikely. Too many differences, this means they could have some inside fighting.

Vast economical power, Vast manpower and access to vast knowledge.


The rebellion is impossible that it wasn t organized years if not decades before the doom, likely having an hand even if small in it.
Map with circles could be a false, or be a network of allies, neutrals and enemies. Eitherway we can t properly understand it or make something solid out of it. Too much theory again.


Rebels might be not all volunteers, might is the key word here. But so far they have show a very high tier loyalty and devotion. Almost like zealots.
>>
Main issue with this :

North valyrians traitors and locals helps here in the marches.

Any valyrians with even a single brain celll understands that their dragonlords and dragons are the ace of their people that puts them above everyone else. With Dragonlords and Dragons gone, even if the valyrian war machine is very professional they return on the same level of all the other peoples. They can be defeated, there is an actual chance instead of none.


So what s the point of their betrayal ? They would gain the most out of reconquest with our victory, they are still Valyrians afterall. At this point they must have give them a lot of riches, otherwise i wouldn t explain turning traitors for other valyrians.
>>
>>4860638
Agreed
>>
>>4860583
>> A small sigil with a goat on it
Black Goat of Qohor?
They're certainly religious enough to kill themselves for the cause but the coalition we're up against seems too diverse and too powerful for them.

We need to show our evidence to Ayrmidon, Shiera, our maesters and the rest of our inner circle. Especially the joutnal and the maps. We might not be able to read the text or recognise the sigils but they might.
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 3, 5, 1, 6, 3, 2, 2, 5, 3, 4 = 38 (12d6)

Today I will run during the work day since I work from home. Love the various hypothesis and I will say that surprisingly you guys hit the various points, yet didn't connect the dots.

Rolling for Horonno, Sheira and Ayrmidon - Knowledge in the next scene
>>
>>4861182
i check the thread from work so i should be able to see any update, maybe write a fast write in if needed.


>>4860638
btw this is me, only that i post from work and then home.
>>
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>>4860581
It’s time to return.

You pick up any item of note, stuff them in Urrax’s saddle bags, and then take flight atop him.

The return trip takes less than half an hour – you are quite far from your base camp, but not so far as to make travel (by air, that is) impractical. You are riding a dragon after all.

At your return, you observe how the situation evolved in your absence: the soldiers are standing in their formations, stepping to the side as their name is called. These soldiers are then brought in front of their commanding officer and..for some reason some of them are carted off in a separate section under surveillance, while others are told to return to their original position.

It seems Valarr is pursuing a zero-tolerance policy, if the screams you hear from another section of the camp are anything to go by. And it is there that you land, in plain sight of the troops, making sure to put up a show so as to intimidate any remaining spy or infiltrator.
In this you succeed, for you notice a soldier screaming something in Ghiscari as your dragon releases a deafening roar in their direction. He is quickly caught by his comrades and carried in front of their commanding officer, before being sent to the separate section of the camp – not before his commander struck him apparently.

You dismount and see the Westerosi knights off to the side, standing guard around a small tent from which scream come..it is from there that the general of the army, Ayrmidon Valarr, emerges.

To say he’d be more at place in a butcher shop than a military camp would be an understatement, for his clothes, face and arms are covered in specks of blood – which you doubt belongs to him.

“You sure took your time Belaerys. Report.”

You simply nod – it is clear the older man is in a foul mood

> “There are no organized forces in the area surrounding us. All I could see were some stragglers that I took care of. I found 3 places that I think could yield information about the nature of our enemy – a mountain top with some destroyed buildings, their hidden camp near the beach where we disembarked, and an other, larger camp further inland. I visited the first two”

He makes a movement with his hand, pushing you to continue

> “I do not know whether we are facing a coalition, stragglers banding together, or someone smart enough to apply massive misdirection Valarr. I found flags from Mantarys and Volantis. A sigil with a Qohorish goat, and maps that make no sense whatsoever”
>>
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>>4861262
This catches his attention and he almost snatches the maps from your hands, before motioning with his head to move the conversation inside his own tent.

Before you may ask about what is going on, Ayrmidon raises a hand to silence you and speaks up

“Yes yes yes, your family is alright Belaerys. No need to worry about them. If you wanted to ask about what’s going out there instead…a mess, that’s what’s going on”

The older man sits in his chair and for once you can see his age – Blood Magic might help restore the body to a semblance of vitality, thus helping disguise old age and its effects (some even rumor lengthening one’s own lifespan by decades), but it cannot mask the tiredness that comes with having lived for too long. And Ayrmidon Valarr has lived far too long – he was entering middle-age when your uncle was your age, and he appears outwardly to be his contemporary.

> “..how many men have we lost tonight?”

He scoffs at the question

“We are still counting. Estimates put it between 2800 and 3100. Slightly less than 10% of the entire army, Rhogar. If you add how many men are being deemed “unreliable”…this is a disaster”

You nod – it’s better than you expected honestly, given the carnage you witnessed last night.

“Insofar as we can tell, we gave just as much as we took. The bastard had apparently begun to slit the throats of our men in their sleep. Your idea with the dragon, to make it cause a ruckus, put a stop to that and saves many lives. You should be proud of yourself Rhogar”

This…catches you by surprise, for the old Valarr has never complimented you once so far. You can only nod, waiting for him to continue

“As for the officers…it is as we feared. We found that some of the officers from Volantis and Mantarys disappeared in the chaos that ensued the night raid. But we managed to catch one Mantaryan bastard among others. Your return put a temporary stop to…our getting acquainted, so to speak. But he sang. Oh how he sang. I have yet to see a man that will not speak when their own blood begins to kill them, while stopping them from dying”

Ayrmidon makes a cruel smile at this – the man has a reputation for ruthlessness, and in your opinion…it is wholly justified. Still, you remain silent.

“It seems that there were some people in the Northern Marches of the peninsula that thought it would be worth betraying their homeland. Apparently the group this one belonged to was a small military clique that felt more loyalty to their home city that the Freehold at large. I am in the process of extracting any information he might have regarding contacts etc…their group was small. Too small to organize such an attack. There has to be more behind this”
>>
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>>4861264
> “I found many different symbols over different locations on these maps Ayrmidon. Do they mean anything to you?”

He takes a long, hard look at the maps, before looking over the half-burnt remains of the journal you found.

Ayrmidon Valarr
> Knowledge Test – 16 vs 16 (DC)
> Marginal Success! One Degree of Success!

Ayrmidon’s eyes widen as he reads the journal, as if he discovered something important

“No wonder you did not recognize the language. I have seen it only once in my lifetime as well – it’s Asshai’i, the language of Far Asshai. But why in the frozen hells would there be an Asshai here? It makes no sense.”

He sits down and looks down at the maps you brought him

“Unless…of the men we think might be spies or infiltrators, some seem to be much more self-assured than others. The traitor that killed the assassin – the Volantene impersonator, he killed himself immediately after. That’s a gesture that denotes completely dedication to a cause. Either that, or being compelled to do so…why not both?”

He points at Volantis and the two symbols over it

“A hawk and an eagle. The two parties of Volantis are the Tigers and the Elephants? Maybe metaphors for them? Maybe two other factions fighting in the shadows? Still let’s go with the hypothesis that Volantis is divided, if this map is to be believed..which I doubt.”

He sighs, showing that he’s just as exhausted as you are, and remains silent, as if inviting you to speak and express your opinion.
> Write-in
>>
>>4861265
I have a question, in one of the camps there no horses, aren't the unsullied forbidden to ride horses?
Can we check if the dead enemy warriors have their balls cut off xD
>>
>>4861269
That is a valid question you can ask
>>
>>4861265
Report everything that we saw: no horses on the coastal camp.
> I think there is also some foreign interference
>>
>>4861265
>Write In
"Personally, i am not sure of anything i have found so far. But if what i have found has some truth to it, we could be facing a sort of connected rebellion. A vast one that was prepared by years if not decades. And that has plenty of wealth, connections, contacts and men. This would explain in part the use of different equipment, origins of soldiers and the different coins present. It would also explain the incredible loyalty shown so far. A man assigned to be a simple soldier falling on his own sword without hesitation speaks volumes."

"It s obvious that such a vast rebellion, must have the help of magicians or their service for communicate between them and organize. I have notice that after the doom, the rebels almost acted all in unison. Their objective is clear of course : to stop valyrians and kill all the dragonlords and dragons. Assassins attempted to kill me even in Lys alongside my cousin afterall-
"
"Besid having mixed equipment with them, and different origins, they have also some high quality ones. Like this spyglass."

"That s a theory of mine. I hardly believe it myself, but if there is even some truth maybe it could be."
>>
>>4861271
Then I would like to ask this question
>>
>>4861276
>>4861272
>>4861269
I'm going with mixing these three.

Writing.
>>
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>>4861265
You take a seat and cross your arms, thinking over what Valarr told you, as well as what you have seen.

> “To begin, I noticed that there were no traces of the presence of horses in the camp by the cliffs; moreover I saw only an extremely small contingent of cavalry tonight. Add on top of that the fact that I noticed a huge dust cloud due North, likely raised by our enemies in march, and I think that we are dealing with people that make no use of horses”

Hearing this Valarr raises his head and corrugates his eyebrows

“That makes no sense…save in case they were not that far away from their base. You said you saw a second camp further inland, no? It’s likely they had horses there then. I will dispatch someone to check it out and report – it could be nothing, or it could be significant. What else?”

> “Personally, I am not sure of anything I have found so far. But if what I have found has some truth to it, we could be facing some sort of “connected rebellion”. A vast one that was prepared for years..if not decades”

This catches his attention, for the older man straightens himself and motions for you to continue

> “Well…we found plenty of gold. They knew where we would land – the fact we’d land somewhere on the Eastern seaboard of the peninsula was not a secret, but they knew the exact spots we discussed Valarr. This hints at someone that has plenty of wealth, connections, contacts and men. Think about it - this would explain the use of different equipment, origins of soldiers and the different coins present. It would also explain the incredible loyalty shown so far. A man assigned to be a simple officer, falling on his own sword without hesitation? Like you said, that speaks volumes about his dedication to whatever cause this might have been"

“If…IF your hypothesis was right…”

> “Think about it Ayrmidon. The rebels acted almost in unison after the Doom destroyed Valyria; almost nobody knew what was going on, and yet the entire Eastern Territories went up in flames. An area as big as a third of the Freehold, populated by people who have hated us since our ancestors defeated theirs, managed to purge their garrisons and governors almost overnight, by what you told me in Elyria. Moreover we know whomever it is our enemy, they attempted to finish all of us dragonlords off…like they did in Tyrosh…and in Lys”

You whisper the last bit, yet you can immediately see the effects the memory of his dead grandson has on the Patriarch – closed fists, shaking in rage

> “Whomever it is that attacked us, they clearly had at least an Asshaii among them..as well as expensive foreign equipment, such as this spyglass”

You show him the remains of said object

“…how sure are you of this, Belaerys?”
>>
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>>4861331
> “It is just a theory of mine Ayrmidon. I can hardly believe it myself…but what else should I think when I see so many contradictory pieces of evidence, some of which might be nothing more than attempts to mislead us?”

Valarr takes a deep breath, before turning toward the tent entrance

“You are dismissed for now Belaerys. I…you have given me much to think about Rhogar. Go rest for a bit. I will do the same…after I finish getting names out of our guests”

You try not to think of what that last phrase meant.



You reunion with Sheira and the others is as happy it could be under the current circumstances – gloomy as all hell, but it seems (according to Humfrey) that your own troops faired far better than the rest of the army as a whole, losing barely 20 men thanks to the lack of infiltrators among their ranks and their adopting a defensive attitude from the beginning, refusing to go on the offensive.

On the flip side, Humfrey continues, this has led to numerous accusations of cowardice on part of the rest of the soldiers, who fought tooth and nail against the enemy..

Sadly the Westerosi officers have little to report, given they followed your orders and stayed put, reinforcing their section of the camp while keeping an eye open for any suspicious activity.

Regarding the last point..Gareth indicates you a tent where three men, heavily bruised, sit on the hard ground with their hands tied to a pole – apparently these three got caught attempting to sneak in the Westerosi section of the camp by mixing with the garrison troops you took from the Stepstones.

It seems you can do your part in finding out the truth after all…if you have the guts, that’s it.
> Rest for now – you are exhausted
> No rest for the wicked. We need to know the truth NOW.
> Send them to Valarr – he knows how to make people talk.
> Deal with this yourself, with the help of your men – it could be a good occasion to prove yourself in the eyes of the army, were you to bring them some useful information.
> Write-in
>>
>>4861332
>> Deal with this yourself, with the help of your men – it could be a good occasion to prove yourself in the eyes of the army, were you to bring them some useful information.
>Write In

Have a messanger mention to Valarr we will interrogate those three men. After getting some light rest, and have clean ourselves tell our men to bring them in a open field near the camp still tied to the pole. We are going to make them talk .. and we will arrive with our dragon from the sky, right on top of them. In an unexpected way. This should be a big surprise effect.

Then we begin the interrogation.

Afterwards we report and get some proper rest. If we aren t able to properly obtain the info, we can send them to an interrogator.
>>
>>4861332
> Deal with this yourself, with the help of your men – it could be a good occasion to prove yourself in the eyes of the army, were you to bring them some useful information.
Does dragon roaring in their face work?
Also do the Westorosy have some torture methods that these fucks couldn't have trained against.
>>
>>4861386
Yes, and no to the 2nd question - there is a reason why Westeros is seen as backwater in ALL areas even centuries after the fall of Valyria..
>>
>>4861340
>>4861386
The vote has been going on for long enough.

Roll me 7D6 +7 (Persuasion 5D6, Wordly 2B, +5 due to being atop Urrax, +2 due to Blood of Valyria).

A write-in will raise the bonus, but I doubt it's necessary unless you roll horribly. Notice that these might be common soldiers, or zealots ready to die - you got no way of knowing (and thus guessing the DC)
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 1, 3, 2, 1, 5 + 7 = 30 (7d6 + 7)

>>4861492
People will speak.
>>
Rolled 4, 3, 4, 5, 2, 4, 4 + 7 = 33 (7d6 + 7)

>>4861492
>>
>>4861492
Once Urrax lands in front of them suddenly start speaking
"So you are the men that where caught attempting to enter the part of my camp. Why would you, when there where given no such orders and your duty was probably in another part of the camp ? I think all of you know very well what has happened last night. Why don t you tell me your names and ranks, and tell me about what you wanted to do in my part of the camp ?"

"Perhaps if none of you don t want to talk, i could give to one of you some fresh air ... up in the clouds with me"
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 6, 1, 1, 6, 3 + 7 = 28 (7d6 + 7)

>>4861492
>>
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>>4861332
You..might have some use for these scumbags.

But first…rest. You are literally falling apart from being so exhausted.

> “Gareth, Adam – watch my tent as I rest for a little. Humfrey – continue reinforcing our section of the camp. Others..go back to your tasks”

Simple orders, quickly executed. Before going to rest for a bit (joined by Sheira, who is as exhausted as you are), you quickly check on Adam, who is now sporting a large bandage on his midsection, thanks to the maesters.

A nod, a short walk to your bed, and sleep embraces you.



Once you wake up, you spend some time talking with your wife – it is a very emotional moment, for you really feared you’d lose her last night. And yet..it all turned out for the best, this time.

You raise a small praise to Vhagar for this, even if silence is the only response. The gods do not care about mankind, someone once said.

Maybe he was right.

The time to get out comes way too soon, but duty calls.

You have a show to put up.
>>
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>>4861539
You sent a message to Valarr, telling him what you have planned.

The man responded enthusiastically, inviting you to set up the little show in the open field that lies at the center of the camp, in full view of your men…and more importantly, the rest of the prisoners.

You accepted his invite and gave a few orders – to bring the three men outside and tie them to poles stuck in the ground; to send some messengers around the camp to spread rumors about “The Archon having decided to deal with the traitors in a manner fitting for a Valyrian” (and other rumors along the same note); but more importantly you got dressed in full regalia – full armor, without helmet, but with your sword at your side.

Time to put this show on the road.

> Persuasion (Intimidate) Test – 28 vs 26 (DC)
> Marginal Success! One Degree of Success!

You make an impressive entrance.

From high above you saw the right moment to descend to the ground – when a sufficient number of people came to witness what was going on – and then you pushed Urrax to barrel to the ground, making him roar as he descends from the heavens.

You end your small flight right in front of the prisoners, and say a single phrase

> "So, you are the men that where caught attempting to mix with my men. Why would you, when there were given no such orders and your duty was probably in another part of the camp? I think all of you know very well what has happened last night. Why don t you tell me your names and ranks, and tell me about what you planned to do?"

Silence is your reply.

You make a show of sighing before continuing

> “Your silence is a sentence on its own. I do not care what you thought you reward would be for betraying your homeland, but know this – your reward is death. How you die, is up to you – a quick and painless death, or death by fire, as befitting for traitors. Choose”

The man tied in the middle, likely a “tough guy”, spits on the ground in front of you, before speaking in a thick Valyrian

“Do your worst asshole. The only regret I have is not to have killed your bitch of a wife while I wa.”

He never finishes his sentence, for Urrax bathes him in dragonflame until all that is left of him is a charred, burned husk of what was a man.

> “Choose”

The troops begin cheering, bloodlust rising.

The two remaining men look at you in abject horror – one appears to be uttering a prayer, the other is attempting to make a courageous face, before repeating the same gesture his comrade did and spitting to the ground.

His reward? A breath of dragonflame.
>>
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>>4861546
You turn to look at the last remaining man, who is looking at his dead comrades in horror – it seems he pissed himself in fear, before he begins to speak in a broken Ghiscari

“I will talk! I will talk! Please…”

You give a nod and two of your knights come forward

> “Speak”

Your words are emphasized by Urrax, who roars in the direction of the tied man.

What do you wish to ask?
> Write-in
>>
>>4861548
Who are you? Where did you come from? How where you recruited? Tell me everything you know about anything!
>>
>>4861548
Who are the other traitors in our camp ? How many other rebel armies there are in the marches around us ? Who are the locals that have helped you in disembark your force upon this shores and remain unseen in this lands ? Did you see your leaders and know them ? How large and organize is the rebellion, which are it s main holds ?
>>
have a master write down on a paper what the prisoner is saying.
>>
>>4861567
>>4861548
It has to be written down. While sitting at a table in front of him and the more he says we reduce his sentence. Starting to write his sentence and slowly scratching the sentence when we change it to something else. (starting with dragonfire to just being employed by us)
>>
>>4861569
It sends a simple message: Be with us and be rewarded or against and be reduced to ash.
>>
>>4861569
A good idea, though
I am not sure about having a traitor in our service, more for political reasons for us.
Maybe he can be condemned to have one year of work, not too harsh (like a mine) but work nonetheless. Or become a servant. Both better than death or a brutal death.

We should see if he can recognize, any object we have found in the rebels camps and bodies. And know what use they did had.
>>
>>4861590
* not like a mine
>>
Roll me another 7D6+7 for the next scene
>>
Rolled 4, 5, 3, 6, 5, 3, 5 + 7 = 38 (7d6 + 7)

>>4861720
and 49
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 4, 5, 4, 5, 4 + 7 = 35 (7d6 + 7)

>>4861720
>>
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>>4861548
A quick nod to your knights and they bring the prisoner over to another tent, to be interrogated.

It is at this point that your older counterpart surprised you, for he loudly orders his soldiers to bring out more prisoners, who apparently hadn’t yet talked.

He then addresses you publicly, so that the entire mass of gathered soldiers may listen

“Well done Belaerys! You prove yourself a true scion of Old Valyria, for this is how a true Valyrian deals with traitors!”

At this the assembled troops, thirsty for revenge and seeking confirmation of their beliefs, erupt in a bloodthirsty cry of approval. Valarr waits for it to subside before speaking again

“I hear you, sons of Valyria! We have been betrayed and stabbed in the back by cowards, too scared to face us head on, for they fear the sons of the dragon!”

The soldiers erupt in another cheer, this time louder than before

“No more, I say! We shall avenge everything they have done to us! We shall avenge our comrades and teach the entire world what happens when you mess with the greatest nation this world has ever seen! Ashes to Ashes!”

It is clear what he is doing – while some of the more strong-willed keep their composure, the majority of the prisoners are either trembling or (in one case), openly crying.

You decide to push the envelope, giving Urrax a simple command – he releases a jet of vermillion flame in the air, before roaring once more

> Persuasion (Intimidate) Test – 32 vs 29 (DC)
> Marginal Success! One Degree of Success!

It is enough for a couple of prisoners to break down, falling to the ground and attempting to fight against their bonds to move backward, away from the giant beast that is your dragon.

You point your sword at one and shout a simple command

> “You shall have the same choice – a painless death, or be hurled in the empty Void screaming as fire consumes you”

The man breaks down in cries of “mercy”, before being hauled away by soldiers.
>>
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>>4861788
In the end you repeat the gruesome spectacle of burning someone alive a grand total of 15 times – an impressive number, considering the people Valarr ended up identifying as spies were just slightly above 30 -.

One would think the soldiers would get disgusted by the scene after a while..and yet it seems their thirst for revenge is stronger than their human compassion, for the common soldier cheers on any time one of the infiltrators refuses to speak.

And yet…as Ayrmidon takes place next to you to attempt to break the will of the final 2 soon-to-be martyrs, you come to accept a simple truth about yourself.

You feel nothing, for these people have made themselves the enemy of your people. Were the total extermination of their people necessary for the continued survival of your own, you know that you would execute the order regardless of your personal feelings about it
Gained trait – Valyrian Nationalist*

The final execution is spectacular, if gruesome – you let Ayrmidon “have a go” at it, and the results were..messy.

The troops approved though, if their cheers were anything to go by.



Sitting in front of a prisoner, his hands chained behind his back and two soldiers (a Volantene and a Westerosi) flanking him, you begin your questioning:

> “Let’s begin from the beginning. Who are you? Where do you come from?”

He is silent at first, so you give a nod to the Volantene soldier who punches the man in the face with his mailed fist, causing him to spit what appears to be a tooth.

> “Let’s try that again fucker. Who are you. Where do you come from. Speak, or join your friends as ashes beneath my feet”

He grinds his teeth, looking at you with clear hatred in his eyes – a look matched by your own. The thought of his comrades almost depriving you of the touch of your wife makes it very easy to commit atrocities that you never thought yourself capable of -, before speaking

“Haemon, from the Military Frontier”

You nod to the Westerosi, who this time kicks the chair to the ground, causing the Ghiscari to fall alongside it

> “I will be clear with you. Speak, or die. Just be aware that by talking you might avoid a death sentence, as well as spare your home city, wherever that is. Or don’t speak, and I swear on all the gods that I will burn every. single. city. surrounding Slaver’s Bay and finish what my ancestors began”

You mean every single word, and it shows, for his features slowly change from determination to horror

“You win..my name is truly Haemon. I come from the city of Mereen”
>>
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>>4861792
...

The rest of the day is spent interrogating the prisoners that have accepted the offer of commuting their death sentence to either life in prison, or hard labor.

To your surprise, out of a grand total of 54 people that were either captured from the night raid or identified as infiltrator, only 12 in the end “broke”.

And yet, it is enough to begin to put together the pieces of the puzzle.

It isn’t a pretty picture.

*A true believer in the destiny of the Vayrian people to rule the known world, for haven’t the gods given you countless gifts - the ability to control the greatest beasts alive (the dragon) and an affinity for the Higher Mysteries, among them
>>
It will take a while to write down the next scene in a way that I find acceptable, so feel free to have dinner and simply check in later on this evening.
>>
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>>4861795
The evening moonlight finds you sitting at a table, Ayrmidon sitting in front of you and Tessario on your right – the three commanders of the Northern Army sit at a table, combing together through reports on the interrogations, what you all discovered in the past two days, and comparing notes, trying to make sense of this mess.

“So if what the Mantaryan said is true…and I believe it to be, they received orders from a masked individual. The Mantaryan clique was essentially a small fish that got stringed along. But only the Gods know that is very likely that city is full of potential traitors by now..”

As Ayrmidon puts down the piece of paper, Tessario picks it up

“And yet…I cannot fathom how they infiltrated our officer corps so thoroughly. We are talking about a massive, long-term operation, not a spur of the moment attempt at infiltration. We are dealing with professionals”

Ayrmidon scoffs

“I would agree with you…if only because of the mess they left us.”

“I will need to alert the Triarchs of this”

He stands up, but you signal him to wait

> “We will simply send the message via glass candle Tessario. Do not worry about that. Instead…”

You do not finish the phrase – you pointing at the wine is enough for him to understand the message.
>>
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>>4861953
The summary of what you found out is the following:
> A military clique of officers from Mantarys was recruited by a “wealthy patron” that wished to see “their great city prosper, independent from the heavy boot of the Freehold”. Apparently whomever said “patron” was, they never met him/her directly; he/she played on the rage many Mantaryans are currently feeling at seeing their city burdened by emergency taxes (to finance the recent expansion of the Army) and the refugee problem.
> Wealthy merchants from Mereen have been bankrolling the efforts of their government (made up of the men who led the revolt that killed the Valyrian governor apparently) to raise mercenaries and send them West.
> The bandit queen from the Painted Mountains, to your North, has been paid to provide guides for groups of soldiers moving South in the past months
> One officer from Volantis sang the names of many members of the lower aristocracy – it seems they call themselves “The Hawks”, in imitation of the main parties of Volantene politics. Their goals are nebulous as well as their membership, but they seem to “wish to lead Volantis to greatness”, whatever that might mean. Tessario had a field day with the prisoner, with their discussion degenerating in a shouting match where both accused the other of being a “traitor”. The man is noteworthy in that he has been noted as belonging to a minor religion that has been gaining numerous proselytes as of late – a religion worshipping some kind of god of fire, apparently.
> A Tolosi soldier described his life in the past weeks as having been “ a living nightmare”, claiming he was not in control of his own actions and was a prisoner in his own mind – this is the man who apparently slit the throat of the Volantene guarding Sheira last night, when the assassins came for her -. The last clear memory he has is that of an old man whispering “dark words” in his ear.
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>>4861958
> A prisoner turned out to be a woman. She refused to speak even under torture, until you threatened to take an axe to his companion – a man just as silent as her, but who has an axe tattooed on his chest -. At this point she said something in a strange language, before beinning to convulse and die shortly after. The man died the following hour – Valarr has forbidden anyone (you included) from approaching the area, for fear of sorcery.
> You could not find any proof of Qohori involvement, and yet when you have shown the sigil with the goat to Valarr, he confirmed that it represents the Black Goat of Qohor, meaning that either a Qohori was atop the Lone Mountain with the Asshaii, or that the mysterious Asshaii passed by Qohor – if he was alone and not working with others from his home city.
> More disturbingly, two different soldiers confirmed the presence of weapon caches in the area – many of which were rusted, as if these weapons had been buried here a long time ago, in preparation for something.
> A Ghiscari from the two kingdoms in the grasslands confirmed that their king dispatched some diplomats south before sending him and other 500 people West. He did not know where his compatriots went – his orders were to await your arrival in this area and then assist “whomever said the right password”

It’s a mess. And yet…you can almost see the threads connect each other in a vague shape.

Ayrmidon asked your opinion regarding the best course of action – what did you suggest?
> Let’s head North, pursuing the enemy making use of the new information, while informing Aurion/others of what’s going on – you will take a detour in order to deal with the immediate threat. Note that you will likely end up having to cross the Painted Mountains, thus failing in the secondary task of opening a safe route North for the refugees from the Valyrian Peninsula.
> Continue along the coast as the original plan dictated, while informing Aurion/others so that they may deal with the conspirators, if that’s what they are – you will run the risk of being attacked in the rear (risk reduced by adopting a safe wartime routine), but you will theoretically be able to accomplish your original goals, as well as, with a bit of luck, have the possibility of punishing Mereen (it would be a huge blow to the Ghiscari rebels, on top of giving you control to a huge economic powerhouse and control over the local roads)
> Take a detour West and help clear the rebels from Mantarys and the Volantis-Mantarys road. – it might give you leads to find your shadowy enemy and the Volantene will be grateful to you, but you will lose time.
> Write-in
>>
>>4861962
> Continue along the coast as the original plan dictated, while informing Aurion/others so that they may deal with the conspirators, if that’s what they are – you will run the risk of being attacked in the rear (risk reduced by adopting a safe wartime routine), but you will theoretically be able to accomplish your original goals, as well as, with a bit of luck, have the possibility of punishing Mereen (it would be a huge blow to the Ghiscari rebels, on top of giving you control to a huge economic powerhouse and control over the local roads)
Following the coast gives us supply by ship. reducing our supply train and increasing our speed.
>>
I admit I am curious to see what you guys will make of these information, and to see how you play now that you have them
>>
>>4861962
>> Continue along the coast as the original plan dictated, while informing Aurion/others so that they may deal with the conspirators, if that’s what they are – you will run the risk of being attacked in the rear (risk reduced by adopting a safe wartime routine), but you will theoretically be able to accomplish your original goals, as well as, with a bit of luck, have the possibility of punishing Mereen (it would be a huge blow to the Ghiscari rebels, on top of giving you control to a huge economic powerhouse and control over the local roads)
So i take it we’re dealing with a cabal of aristocrats and wizards conspiring to bring us down. Certainly have our work cut out for us, eh?
>>
>>4861971
Honestly i am not sure. It s a big enemy to deal with. We all imagined something more easy to contain.


>>4861967
Not always remember that the sea is currently in hand of no one. Ghiscari are doing their best, and have raid fleets ready.

This is kind of a problem even with the safe war routine. I really don t like rebels stirring the pot in Mantarys and Volantis. Especially for Mantarys since we aren t sure now how many are loyalists and if they will give us supplies. Honestly we might need to do a fast redeployment with our fleet and avoid Mantarys lands.

But same problem. Sea is of no one right now. We can probably destroy any fleet with 2 dragons though.
>>
>>4861962
>> Continue along the coast as the original plan dictated, while informing Aurion/others so that they may deal with the conspirators, if that’s what they are – you will run the risk of being attacked in the rear (risk reduced by adopting a safe wartime routine), but you will theoretically be able to accomplish your original goals, as well as, with a bit of luck, have the possibility of punishing Mereen (it would be a huge blow to the Ghiscari rebels, on top of giving you control to a huge economic powerhouse and control over the local roads)
Time to burn Slaver's Bay (again) a couple of centuries early
>>
>>4862023
I will actually help you an bring attention to this particular piece of information, since you guys guessed it right earlier on:

> More disturbingly, two different soldiers confirmed the presence of weapon caches in the area – many of which were rusted, as if these weapons had been buried here a long time ago, in preparation for something.
>>
>>4862029
This shit has been planned a long time ago.
Maybe they knew the doom was coming and were waiting for their time to strike? Prophecy is real in this universe. R'hllor (the god of light) his priests can see into the fire.

>(From game of thrones wiki) The faith of the Lord of Light is the majority religion in several of the Free Cities (most notably Bravos, Myr, Lys and Volantis), and extends to Asshai in the distant east.
Shit. SHIT. sHIT.
Religious cultists and in the free cities and beyond.
Fuck fuck FUCK.
>>
>>4862041
Also these fucks know high level magic.
>>
>>4862029
Thank you for that Tagaros, but I am not sure what that could mean honestly, I am more confused lmao. Preparation for a larger rebellion or an older betrayal that didn t go through maybe ? I am better with write ins than intrigue sorry
>>4861962
>> Continue along the coast as the original plan dictated, while informing Aurion/others so that they may deal with the conspirators, if that’s what they are – you will run the risk of being attacked in the rear (risk reduced by adopting a safe wartime routine), but you will theoretically be able to accomplish your original goals, as well as, with a bit of luck, have the possibility of punishing Mereen (it would be a huge blow to the Ghiscari rebels, on top of giving you control to a huge economic powerhouse and control over the local roads)


>Write In
- Forage and Hunt anything we can found in the lands around us. Supplies might not be safe.
- Control supplies send by locals. Many times.
- Avoid that people just enter the army camp.
- Consider a possible redeployment more north of here, with the fleet. Especially if we risk to get cut or surrounded or heavily harassed by rebels (high chances).
>>
>>4862041
>>4861962
>>4861967
>Write in.
Check the religions of our army and keep a close eye on the followers of the lord of light.
>>
>>4862041
I mean we arrived to the point that it was planned time ago, for their high level of organization and loyalty. Can t make that in one day.

we also assumed there where some religious freaks already, at least one rebel group is religious now.

And magic was needed for organization and cover this distances
>>
>>4862062
These are thing we knew, but we didn't know which religious group so probably the followers of R'hllor.
>>
I will let the discussion go on for another 10 minutes, then write a small final scene where you get to decide with Aurion, Valarr etc whether to revise the strategy you agreed upon in light of the new information.
>>
>>4862067
i suppose so yeah. Fire and light.
There might be others as well honestly.

I am not sure how we can eradicate this rebels. One thing is fighting them in battle, the other is eradicating them from the cities and our allies. They can just go undercover or leave, with people under them dealing with their holdings until they return. It needs purges done throghly and that takes a while, and risks to backfire on people s support.

More than cultists, it s more all the rebel noblemen ready to use their wealth for get mercs upon mercs, and cutthroats upon cutthroaths and give us quite a pain in attempting to catch them and deliver justice. At least this cult is still quite early, which is something nice for us.

And the sorcerers that help all of this rebels groups and act as their phones, those could be anyone. We can make some guesses for how to find and kill noblemen, cultists and the other groups. But sorcerers where we even start ?

But
Before we think of some plans for find rebels in their holdings and purge them, we need to get our cloaks and daggers. They are vital like air since we are fighting, a real war and a war in the shadows too. With the first one being maybe an even ground (beside neutrals coming in for attack rebels or loyalists, see sandor or dothraki) and the second currently looking bad for the freehold.
>>
A solution (one of many) for the purges ahead could be to find the rebels rivals in their holdings and use them against the rebels. We would need to see first if their rivals would be okay in working with us. No doubt they will want something beside finishing off their enemies.

Still even this can be of use, because we wouldn t need to get all the problems if something goes wrong, And we also get a local help for our purges.
>>
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>>4861962
Aegar Tagaros
Ayrmidon Valarr
Aurion Belaerys
> Rhogar Belaerys
Rhaella Soranyen

That night you find yourself sitting along the banks of a familiar river – it is the usual vision Sheira conjures whenever you two wish to spend some time together when apart..or to dream together.

Except this time you are not alone along the river of molten silver – you can see your uncle, Aurion Belaerys, striding along the path that leads to your small refuge, flanked on one side by your beloved’s mother, Rhaella Soranyen, and on the other by his three political rivals, Rhaenys Naerion, Ayrmidon Valarr and Jacaerys Balemon. And yet this is a meeting of all the main allies – turning to the other side you see Aegar Tagaros, Senior Triarch of Volantis, come toward you, flanked by his junior counterparts - Aryos Maegyr and Laegon Ilvar – and the commander of the Volantene forces sent East (as well as representant of the third great family of Volantis, the Vaelaros), Tessario Vaelaros.

A wave of your wife’s hand and a circular table appears, allowing everyone to sit down.

The situation is tense to begin with, and grows only more and more tense as Valarr recounts what you two discovered, with your occasional intervention.

Aegar grinds his teeth, clearly angered by what he heard, before speaking up

“As much as it pains me to say it…we cannot effectively fight an internal and an external war at the same time against an entire continent. I think the Council will agree with me on this”

Aurion simply nods

“What are you proposing, Triarch?”

“We need to split the war effort, or we shall never succeed. We also need to put down any conspiracy in our territories least they attack us on the inside as our forces are abroad. I propose we focus our attention on re-establishing a direct connection between Volantis and the eastern territories still loyal to the Freehold, before splitting apart along the strategy we agreed upon few weeks ago”

A reasonable proposal. Even Balemon appears to have nothing to say, surprisingly. It is thus a surprise that Rhaella Soranyen speaks up

“Think larger – we might have finally found a string that could allow us to untangle the mess that is the Rebellion! Rhogar, didn’t some of the people you interrogated confirm the presence of more old weapon caches in the area, on top of the ones your men confirmed existing? Triarch, I ask you to search up and down your city and nearby territories – I am sure that if you find some traces of old preparation for a revolt..we might have stumbled upon the remnants of an old planned revolt. Think about it”
>>
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>>4862186
“All I know Rhaella is that we face an immediate risk of being cut off from our western allies if they are truly attempting to take control of Mantarys. We do not have forces in the area at the moment. Tagaros, how many men could you dispatch East to secure the road between Volantis and…Tolos I guess, would be a safe bet. That would include having to take care of Mantarys, if the local government turned traitorous”

“On such a short notice, with the majority of our forces already en route for Myr? We’d be lucky to scrounge together 5 000 men. They might be enough since you planned to send 10 000 West my Lord, but the issue would then become purging Mantarys of the traitorous elements. We have no leads..that's it if Mantarys did not rebel, in which case we'd need to siege it”

This time it is Aryos Maegyr that speaks up – a surprise, for you have never heard him talk before

“My brother, Freeholder of the Eastern Isles, might be of help in this – our…”associates” in Mantarys might help us find out at least some people we could trust to begin building a list of elements to cleanse”

Everyone turned toward him, causing the man to sweat in his seat until Aurion nods at the suggestion.

“Of course there is still the small issue of us not having enough troops to deal with all these threats at once, including the bloody Unsullied out of Astapor who our reports suggest are headed south to join forces with the…”Legions of New Ghis”, and begin their ferrying across Slaver’s bay to directly assault our holdings. Add on top of that the potential involvement of Norvos and Qohor in the West which seems all but confirmed at this point…we’ll need to pick our targets carefully”

Valarr looks directly at you

“You have been silent so far, Belaerys. And yet it is thanks to you that we are where we are. So I wish to hear your opinion, young one. What would you suggest we do?”
>>
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>>4862190
All eyes turn in your direction, awaiting your reply:

We should…
> Play it safe and ensure our continued communications – clearing out the rebels along the Tolos-Mantarys-Volantis road is a priority, as well as securing a safe area where we could fall back, if things turn south. To do this we’ll also need to clean the bandits and enemies south of the Painted Mountains that separate the grasslands of central Essos from the northern Valyrian Peninsula. Once this is done, we should hit our enemies where it hurts – Mereen. A strategic port, an economic powerhouse and a powerful symbol of Ghiscari nationalism. Take it out, and you will deal a huge blow to the Ghiscari while also securing our Eastern Flank.
> Focus on the task at hand. Send 5 000 men out of Volantis and 10 000 out of Elyria toward Mantarys and let them deal the local bandits. We shall strike East to Mereen and then North toward Essaria according to the established plan. We will likely deal with the grassland Kingdoms along the way, thus cutting any potential avenue of communication (save magic or sea) between the Eastern rebels and the Western ones after our conquest of Essaria.
NOTE – players voted for this, but I am simply giving you the option to change the plan if you wish. You don’t have to of course.
> Go on the offensive and be as ruthless an necessary – take the fight to Astapor, New Ghis and Mereen in the East. Support Volantis in the West and adopt a scorched earth strategy to deal with any traitor. It will hurt us in the long run, but it could be an effective way to deal in a semi-permanent way with problematic provinces. You can always re-settle them later on, after all.

Moreover, we need to deal with their magical element. We could..
> Attempt to track down these mysterious sorcerers via magical means and slay them. We could risk some of our own, but there is truth in the old say that the Valyrians were masters of the Higher Mysteries.
> We cannot risk harm to our own flesh and blood. We need to rely on old tried methods – let’s track them down using spies and saboteurs.

And finally, we need to deal with the potential rebels of aristocratic and religious nature...of which we ignore the identity…
> Let’s all focus on our own home turf – we all know our own backyards, and thus we are each the most suited to deal with traitors in our midst (reduce the scope of operations, but improve efficiency)
> I know someone in Braavos that could help, if we could offer something in return…
> Our spy networks are scattered and in disarray – let’s rely on our mercantile networks as well while we rebuild them (it will negatively impact your financial/economic situation, but it will temporarily fill the gaps in your spy networks, allowing you to gather more informations)

And finally, we could also..
> Write-in (you can propose whatever you want)
>>
IMPORTANT NOTE - these are simply ideas. You guys can suggest anything you want in this case. I will roll for each suggestion and see what is decided. Your word will carry weight, since your actions saved the Northern Arm from total disaster and it was your exploring the abandoned camp/lone mountain on your own initiative that led to discovering this hude network of people.
>>
And with this I call the session to a close. We shall continue tomorrow like today (updates through the day).

The big achievement of the day:
> The enemy finally reveals itself, or at least some of the minor components of the shadowy beast do.

Thanks for participating as usual, and comments, critiques etc are welcome as usual - I will hang around for 10-15 minutes to answer any question.
>>
>>4862205
Pretty good as usual.
This vote will be quite decisive honestly for overall strategy. And i am honestly not sure which to go for. Even if having our back exposed is something that can do a lot of damage on loyalists. And that is something we don t need..


Oh right, did Aurion talk about the sun with father and Rhaella ? Did we do the same with Horonno and Sheira ?
If not, err it might be time. At least if Aurion can find a good approach, same for us.


Beside that what effects has the new trait we gained ?
>>
>>4862222
Qm phoneposting - I wrote it in the thread, look for *

Essentially you are a patriot according to yourself...a rabid chaunivist by modern standards. It's mainly flavor, but I will count it if there is ever a time etc.

No, You never spoke to the others about the Sun, and neither has Aurion
>>
>>4862195
>> Play it safe and ensure our continued communications – clearing out the rebels along the Tolos-Mantarys-Volantis road is a priority, as well as securing a safe area where we could fall back, if things turn south. To do this we’ll also need to clean the bandits and enemies south of the Painted Mountains that separate the grasslands of central Essos from the northern Valyrian Peninsula. Once this is done, we should hit our enemies where it hurts – Mereen. A strategic port, an economic powerhouse and a powerful symbol of Ghiscari nationalism. Take it out, and you will deal a huge blow to the Ghiscari while also securing our Eastern Flank.

>We cannot risk harm to our own flesh and blood. We need to rely on old tried methods – let’s track them down using spies and saboteurs.

> Let’s all focus on our own home turf – we all know our own backyards, and thus we are each the most suited to deal with traitors in our midst (reduce the scope of operations, but improve efficiency)


We really need to reduce the number of our enemies before fighting new one. If we fight in too many fronts we will unravel ourselves. First Tolos-Mantarys-Volantis, then the Ghiscari and then the military frontier. Secure the core before reconquering the frontier.
>>
>>4862195
>Write in
"Thank you for this honour, before that one of the things that worries me more is our people. Refugees. They are weak, without food and homes. Attacking the rebels in our supposed loyal lands, would do us a great favour. But meanwhile ... the refugees will remain without a place to go. And our foes know this weight on us a lot. We need a solution for it even if we agree to going for purge our own rebels or go on an offensive against the Ghiscari."
"And even with the army here, as well me and Sheira i am not sure how fast we can be in dealing with all the enemies present in North Valyria, while also purging the turncoats."

"At best it could take a few months, at worst a year if we suffer defeats and if the rebels keep using this type of warfare. Neither of the two is enough time for the refugees or the war.""

"There is another thing, what would you suggest us to do for recover losses ? We aren t sure which of the locals is our enemy, and reinforcements are unlikely to reach us or could be better spend in other fronts. And more losses are simply inevitable with an enemy of this kind."


> Play it safe and ensure our continued communications – clearing out the rebels along the Tolos-Mantarys-Volantis road is a priority, as well as securing a safe area where we could fall back, if things turn south. To do this we’ll also need to clean the bandits and enemies south of the Painted Mountains that separate the grasslands of central Essos from the northern Valyrian Peninsula. Once this is done, we should hit our enemies where it hurts – Mereen. A strategic port, an economic powerhouse and a powerful symbol of Ghiscari nationalism. Take it out, and you will deal a huge blow to the Ghiscari while also securing our Eastern Flank.


I would say that instead of going for Mereen we should go for Essaria at the end. For refugees because it s the best place for them,

Honestly i am not sure, we really have put a lot of write in and time for get the Essaria campaign going and have it approved from the council.


> We cannot risk harm to our own flesh and blood. We need to rely on old tried methods – let’s track them down using spies and saboteurs.
> Let’s all focus on our own home turf – we all know our own backyards, and thus we are each the most suited to deal with traitors in our midst (reduce the scope of operations, but improve efficiency)


>Write In
"If possible, it could be an idea to send diplomats to the Targaryens and south to our colonies. I know... it could be a gamble. But honestly we need to break the rebels. Targaryens can be convinced, with returning in to the fold and honestly presenting the obvious risk of dragons and dragonlords families face with such lower numbers. I suspect they have set their eyes on westeros, for the future. But they could achieve their desire, far better in our new state. For the southern colonies, trade is enough motivation as well mutual aid and representation in the new freehold."
>>
>>4862238

cool

oh well, we need to do that. Preferably if Aurion convinces first viserys and rhealla at home, so it becomes easier for us here.
>>
>>4862364
Supporting this
>>
While at first a personal matter, the decision of having kids with Sheira becomes even a military one. But at the very least it would be a good news many loyalists can cheerish. I recon someone will think about that soon or later.
>>
>>4862195
>> Focus on the task at hand. Send 5 000 men out of Volantis and 10 000 out of Elyria toward Mantarys and let them deal the local bandits. We shall strike East to Mereen and then North toward Essaria according to the established plan. We will likely deal with the grassland Kingdoms along the way, thus cutting any potential avenue of communication (save magic or sea) between the Eastern rebels and the Western ones after our conquest of Essaria.
Meereen is in open rebellion and it's wealth would be vital to the rebel war effort. If we can deprive local forces of that support then it will make the region safer and our campaign north far easier.
It's also what we've already planned for and there is the morale benefit of striking back after the ambush.

>Moreover, we need to deal with their magical element. We could..
>Do both
Primarily rely on spies, assassins and saboteurs but also form our mages into a taskforce that can conduct targeted strikes on the enemy sorcerers when they are vulnerable. If our mages work as one and strike with appropriate caution then they should outnumber and outgun the enemy sorcerers in any particular confrontation even if we're outnumbered overall.
Obviously we'd want our guys to be careful and not take any undue risks but I think attacking on two fronts like this would be worthwhile and likely keep the enemy off-balance.

> Let’s all focus on our own home turf – we all know our own backyards, and thus we are each the most suited to deal with traitors in our midst (reduce the scope of operations, but improve efficiency)

>And finally...
Have we reached out to the Targs yet? I know they weren't the most powerful family but their daughter has the gift of prophecy and one of their dragons is large enough to ride (right?)
>>
Anyone else suspicious that if the followers of Rhollor turn out to be responsible for such a wide-ranging and well-prepared conspiracy then they might also have been responsible for the Doom itself? Sorcerers of a fire god should have some skill with volcanoes after all.
Maybe we should mention it to Ayrmidon?
>>4862364
>I would say that instead of going for Mereen we should go for Essaria at the end.
My concern with that is that if we don't take Mereen out of play then their forces can simply come up from behind us as soon as we leave the area. They'd be able to cut us off from support or retreat, prevent the refugees from following us north and with control over the region they'd be able to reverse any gains we made securing and cleaning up the region. Whereas if we strike the first it makes everything that comes after easier.
>>
>>4862195
>Focus on the task at hand. Send 5 000 men out of Volantis and 10 000 out of Elyria toward Mantarys and let them deal the local bandits. We shall strike East to Mereen and then North toward Essaria according to the established plan. We will likely deal with the grassland Kingdoms along the way, thus cutting any potential avenue of communication (save magic or sea) between the Eastern rebels and the Western ones after our conquest of Essaria.
>Attempt to track down these mysterious sorcerers via magical means and slay them. We could risk some of our own, but there is truth in the old say that the Valyrians were masters of the Higher Mysteries.
>Let’s all focus on our own home turf – we all know our own backyards, and thus we are each the most suited to deal with traitors in our midst (reduce the scope of operations, but improve efficiency)
>>
>>4862195
> Play it safe and ensure our continued communications – clearing out the rebels along the Tolos-Mantarys-Volantis road is a priority, as well as securing a safe area where we could fall back, if things turn south. To do this we’ll also need to clean the bandits and enemies south of the Painted Mountains that separate the grasslands of central Essos from the northern Valyrian Peninsula. Once this is done, we should hit our enemies where it hurts – Mereen. A strategic port, an economic powerhouse and a powerful symbol of Ghiscari nationalism. Take it out, and you will deal a huge blow to the Ghiscari while also securing our Eastern Flank.
> Attempt to track down these mysterious sorcerers via magical means and slay them. We could risk some of our own, but there is truth in the old say that the Valyrians were masters of the Higher Mysteries.
> Let’s all focus on our own home turf – we all know our own backyards, and thus we are each the most suited to deal with traitors in our midst (reduce the scope of operations, but improve efficiency)
>>
Military Approach
>>4862349
>>4862364
>>4862413
>>4863121
Play it safe

>>4863119
>>4862714
Task at hand.

To clarify - you will still go for Essaria since the players voted for that in the Council. The vote was to determine the approach to the current situation and to whether you'd go straight for Essaria or stop in Mereen for barbeque time before moving on to the Military Frontier.

I see 3 for taking a small detour and "visit" Mereen, 2 for going straight to Essaria.

Magic
>>4862349
>>4862364
>>4862413
Cannot risk our own flesh and blood

>>4863121
>>4863119
Fight magic with magic

>>4862714
..why not both?

Homegrown Rebels
>>4862349
>>4862364
>>4862413
>>4862714
>>4863119
>>4863121
Focus on our home turf

Ok, I will write, but first..
>>
>>4862714
No we wheren t able to reach targs, i had in mind to go and have a chat with them when we had finished to talk with Alastor. But we had to be in step stones for properly get them and then we headed east. Didn t found time, so might as well try now.

>>4862742
No is highly unlikely they are the main culprits. They are too young, there are more chances they where the latest group of rebels to join the larger rebellion. And i don t think we know anything about them, Tessario maybe knows something. Or the triarch it self that is here honestly.


The one of Mereen is a risk i admit though, i just want our people to be safe. But the vote has pass right now, so we will see what. to do about it.
>>
I took some time off to finish the map of the Pre-Doom Valyrian Freehold.

Note - MANY of the areas that were claimed/assigned to each province are de facto unsettled and wilderness. For example do not let the massive territory of Pentos or Volantis make you think they have literally tens of millions of people living there - the vast majority of the people live on the coast.
>>
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/Qst/ ate my map.
>>
>>4863293
good to know

>>4863299
very nice for the map
>>
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>>4863299
Current Landscape
>>
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>>4863326
Current political landscape
>>
These three maps should help clarify the current status of the conflict.

Note that I did NOT include the locations of potential rebels (e.g. Mantarys), since for now the official government stance is for one side (or the other). If a revolt breaks out and the political landscape changes, I will represent it on the map.
>>
>>4863326
>>4863330
nice

>>4863331
thanks for that
>>
For diplomacy can we also add the isle of cedars with Velos and Ghozai ? i didn t remember they where so near us when writing the write in
>>
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>>4863347
They are shantytowns at the moment thanks to the tsunamis from the Doom. Still you could visit if you wish to know their status.

Final map - with the battles fought so far, that I have rolled for offscreen. The conflict evolves around you - you are the MC and thus a heavyweight of course, but the continent is at war, so I will roll for battles far from you

Purple - Victory for the Council
Green - Victory for the Rebels
>>
>>4863355
Well Volantis looks bad on land, they risk to be overwhelmed honestly. Maybe they have a chance on sea against Lys thanks to our help.
On our side the sea looks divided. Maybe Aurion can help with naval victories. Bhorash looks kinf of bad.
And we have two victories in the marshes, so good for us.
>>
>>4863367
Volantis advanced at first in Myrish and Lyseni territory, got repelled, and have just now stopped the enemy advance - rolls will determine whether they manage to go back on the offensive or not.

The only front on which they are clearly winning is the one in the middle of the mainland territories of Lys - if they manage to regroup and advance, they might cut off the forces of Myr from those of Lys on the mainland

On the sea the opposite happened - the remnants of the Lyseni fleet caught the Volantene fleets by surprise and scored 2 victories, before being pushed back in 3 consecutive victories for the Triarchs.

In the East the naval war is a stalemate - dragons burn ships..but when the enemy outnumbers your fleet by a LOT, the equilibrium swings back toward the middle.

On land, Bhorash originally declared for the Council, but constant warfare on its shores and even a failed attempt to land inside its harbor on part of Yunkai has sparkled what amount to a civil war since the Council forces (you) did not decide to intervene there.

Had you intervened there, you'd have found yourself knee-deep in the Yunkaish assault on Bhorash.
>>
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>>4862195
You look at the map that appeared in front of you on the table and think before speaking

> “…while clearly stating that we need to reach Essaria sooner rather than later if we wish to have a way to settle down our people – who I remind you are currently living as refugees all across the North of the Peninsula, from Bhorash to Volantis -, I think we need to play it safe and ensure our continued communications. Clearing out the rebels along the Tolos-Mantarys-Volantis road is a priority, as well as securing a safe area where we could fall back, if things turn south. To do this we’ll also need to clean the bandits and enemies south of the Painted Mountains that separate the grasslands of central Essos from the northern Valyrian Peninsula. Once this is done, we should hit our enemies where it hurts – Mereen. A strategic port, an economic powerhouse and a powerful symbol of Ghiscari nationalism. Take it out, and you will deal a huge blow to the Ghiscari while also securing our Eastern Flank.”

Your concise analysis surprises many, but you notice a smile in your uncle’s face, followed by a nod in your direction to invite you to continue

> “And yet…allow me to emphasize once again that we need to think of our people while we do this – many are weak, having being left without enough food and homes. Dealing with the rebels close to home will help us, but in the meantime the refugees will remain without a place to go, and our foes know this weight on us a lot. We need a solution for it even if we agree to going for purge our own rebels or go on an offensive against the Ghiscari”

“They will be taken care of, nephew. We have already begun a settlement program in the area surrounding Tolos and the mainland near Elyria. It won’t solve the issue in its entirety…we are talking about millions of people here, but it will help in the short-term.”

> "There is another thing - what would you suggest us to do for recover losses? We aren’t sure which of the locals is our enemy, and reinforcements are unlikely to reach us or could be better spend in other fronts. And more losses are simply inevitable with an enemy of this kind."

“That will not be an issue young Belaerys – we shall send the promised men East in the following days – they shall meet you halfway between your current position and Volantis”

You nod and sit down, finishing your proposal. Ayrmidon raises his hand, signaling his intention to speak, before standing up

“I approve of your ideas Rhogar. But we need to remember that we are dealing with multiple enemies at once – not all willing to fight us in the field. I propose we fight fire with fire. Aurion, I would call on you to give a standing order as the Princeps of The Freehold, if you approve of my proposal”
>>
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>>4863469
Your uncle nods, motioning for Valarr to continue

“It is clear our enemy is made up of a combination of nobles of various ideologies – independentists, nationalists, etc -, religious zealots…and sorcerers. I propose we fight fire with fire: they want terror? Let’s give them terror! Bounties over their heads, daggers in the dark like what they did to us, death by being burned alive in the public square, the only death that fits a traitor. And as far as their sorcerers?...I say we put to the test whether magic can truly save you from a dagger in the heart.”

Silence falls on the table as the weight of Ayrmidon’s words is understood

“You are proposing total, absolute war. Am I right?”

“After what they have done? YES! Look at the map Aurion! Our enemies are attacking us on all sides, we do not even know if we can rely on our own men to obey our orders for Balerion’s sake! Power and fear of said power are what built the Freehold, not compassion!”

Valarr’s little speech seems to have roused Tagaros as well

“We cannot fight a war against 3 foes at the same time as a war inside our own walls. Those religious zealots have been spreading their drivel among the slaves for long enough, and if they have turned against us…we might be sitting ducks, waiting for the inevitable slave revolt to erupt. If this is true – and I do not doubt your sincerity Belaerys, but you yourself admit it’s all fragmentary information -, we might have some rotten apples among us.”

He looks to his fellow Triarchs, and upon seeing them nod, continues

“They call themselves “the hawks”, right? Well…I invite our representative, Tessario Vaelaros, to communicate to the Council the decision of the Triarchs of Volantis – we support Councilor Valarr proposal. A traitor’s death to all the ones who betrayed Valyria”

Rhaella sighs, then nods in agreement. It is only then that Aurion speaks up – his age clear on his tired face, for once your uncle show all of his years:

“I shall communicate my will to the Council tomorrow. But for now..let it be known that we shall progressively enter a regime of total war. I henceforth authorize you all to take any precaution necessary to preserve the Freehold. If our enemies likes to hide in the shadow, we shall drag them screaming in the light to be judged. Rhogar, Valarr – your new task is to clear the Volantis-Tolos road and ascertain whether the mantaryan Archon is loyal. If he is, support him in cleansing his region of rebels. If he isn’t, and Mantarys itself has fallen…save as many as you can, and then..send a message. Betrayal shall NOT be tolerated. Once you have cleared the land south of the Painted Mountains, I want you to join our army that will head for Bhorash and then Mereen before you turn north toward Essaria.”
>>
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>>4863470
He sighs, before concluding his orders

“I do not know how this will end, but I can promise you this – we shall prevail. On this note, we shall send a messenger to Dragonstone, the place of exile for Aenar the Exile. It is time for the last Dragonlord family outside our reach to rejoin the fold…or be obliged to do so.”

Everyone nods and one by one, they disappear, until only you, Sheira, Rhaella and Aurion are left. Mother and daughter embrace each other, while your uncle talks to you about your father, who seems to be improving, even if it’s too soon for him to join you on campaign according to your uncle.

> “Uncle…have you told them?”

You do not need to specify what you are talking about, for Aurion’s mood darkens immediately

“No..I couldn’t find a right time or place. I..think we should do it in stages – I will talk to Rhaella, you with your wife and Horonno. I will speak with my brother”

You nod, and after a final hug, the dream ends.



It is morning, and you can choose what you wish to accomplish before your departure West, toward Mantarys:
> Talk to Sheira about the White Sun – explain everything.
> Confer with Ayrmidon and Tessario about how to best organize the troops during the march (war routine implementation)
> Visit the abandoned camp (Alone? Who do you wish to bring with you? Urrax can bring 3 people remember)
> Write-in

Also – fate of the prisoners who did talk:
> A traitor’s death (death by being burned alive)
> Mercy (Commute their sentences to what? – You are an Archon and you DO have this power)
>>
>>4863471
> Visit the abandoned camp (our Westerosi boys.)
We need full information.
> Talk to Sheira about the White Sun – explain everything.
Better to explain it ourselves and not the sun going hello and misleading her.
> Mercy (Commute their sentences to what? – personal slave)
He talked we keep our word.
>>
>>4863471
It is morning, and you can choose what you wish to accomplish before your departure West, toward Mantarys:
> Talk to Sheira about the White Sun – explain everything.
> Confer with Ayrmidon and Tessario about how to best organize the troops during the march (war routine implementation)
> Write-in
Have Urrax take a monolith and drop it on the battle ground. Under it there will be the ashes of our fallen. A memorial for forever remember such betrayal and the battle that followed.

Also – fate of the prisoners who did talk:
> Mercy (Commute their sentences to what? – You are an Archon and you DO have this power)
For having talk, and thus help the freehold they shall live. But, they are traitors and that cannot be cancelled. Forced work for 5 years and forever marked in the forehead with the words traitor. Public works (roads and so on) or mines, that will be their choice. They will receive food, water and places to sleep. Nothing more and nothing less. This is exceptional, but it s the only chance we will give for them to redeem themselves. The shame of betrayal will forever remain in their lives, a punishment that will not leave until death. If they don t want to work, flames will be given to them.
>>
Well, enough time has passed. Writing.
>>
Sorry for the delay. Please roll me 3D100 (1 for you, 1 for Gareth, 1 for Adam)
>>
Rolled 3, 80, 47 = 130 (3d100)

>>4863655
No problem with the delays.
I'm in the middle of my exams so don't sweat it.
>>
Rolled 36, 31, 13 = 80 (3d100)

>>4863655
>>
Rolled 18, 31, 3 = 52 (3d100)

>>4863655
>>
>>4863658
36,80 and 47

Christ if not for Gareth you would not have found anything
>>
>>4863693
Well thankfully he is the type of knight to have wander more than others in the wilderness. So maybe his eyes have seen something we wouldn t have look upon.
>>
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>>4863471
You hug your wife, who is sleeping next to you

> “My love…there is something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you a long time ago”

She simply rests her head on your chest, nodding

> “On the way toward Elyria…something happened. I met something. A “spirit” I guess. I honestly do not know how to define it, except as a being that sometimes I feel speaking to me..and I respond”

She turns her head upward, looking at you with a worried expression

“..are you serious Rhogar? If you are, why didn’t you tell me sooner? Together with my mother and your uncle we might have been able to help”

> “It’s not that bad my love. Imagine a mercenary and his employer. This is my relation with it, except I am paid in real power.”

“…is that why every time I try to observe you through a glass candle your image appears incredibly distant?

> “I..guess? I told my uncle, Aurion. It…wasn’t pleasant”

You proceed to recount what happened when you told your uncle in Elyria – Sheira noticed Aurion behaving differently for some days after your discussion with him, as well as your “new” scar, but thought nothing of it. Mindful of what happened last time, you stop her from trying to ascertain its origin using any sorcerous method.

> “..and that’s all, as far as I know.”

She looks down, before hugging you tightly, without saying a word.

You spend much longer than needed in bed, simply keeping the other close.



The discussion with Horonno went much in the same way it did with your uncle, except your cousin got a lot angrier than Sheira did at your hiding such fundamental information from him – your wish to keep your family notwithstanding he says, this could change everything, were you to figure out a way to get such being’s help.

It is only when you point out that for anything the White Sun grants, it requires an equivalent price to be paid, that he stops rambling on, and excuses himself saying that “he needs to think about this”.
>>
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>>4863704
Flying with passengers atop a dragon is never an easy task, especially if said passengers have never done it before – they are easily scared and make directing the great beast much harder than it would normally would since one has to constantly adjust to compensate for the passengers.

And yet it is easy to do so for an experienced rider such as yourself.

“Ye-ah!”

Adam the Young is not as young as his nickname would suggest, and yet it seems that the experience of flying has awakened his more childish side.

Looking over your shoulder you notice a smile on Gareth’s face, even though the man quickly straightens his expression once he notices you are looking at him

> “So, Gareth – what do you think?”

“..I can see how a single dragonrider could make himself the Lord of a nation in Westeros, my Lord”

You make a scene of sighing

> “I meant about the experience of flying”

Urrax decides this is the right moment to release a roar, which elicits further yells of excitement on part of Adam, much to Gareth’s amusement

“..I never thought I would experience flying, Lord. I always dreamt of it though. And now..”

The Giant falls silent. You do not disturb him.



Rolled - 36, 80 and 47

Your inspection of the abandoned camp is a rather useless affair – it has been thoroughly stripped of anything of value before having been set to the torch. The most exciting thing to happen is when Gareth finds a small pendant, with inscriptions in the curved script you recognize as the same from the burnt journal you found in the other camp -Asshai’i.

You pocket the pendant and depart from the location, to rejoin the main body of the army.
>>
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>>4863710
When you ordered the prisoners to be brought in front of you, as you stood in full armor atop your dragon, many of them started screaming and trashing, in pathetic attempts to escape what they presume would be their fate.

Their screams attracted the attention of many soldiers, who had been busy packing away their gears until you landed in the middle of the half-way dismantled camp atop Urrax.

And yet, the moment you proclaimed that, in accord with your promise, their death sentences would be commuted to hard labor for a period of 10 years, many broke down crying, with one even attempting to come near you to kiss your boot (he was promptly pushed back by Gareth).

Valyria might have been built on the back of broken foes, with strength and military might, but that doesn’t mean your people were not an honorable one, who kept their promises.

Valyrians, especially the ones from the capital, had been described as many things – arrogant, ruthless, power-hungry, cold…yet fair. Justice was held in extremely high value in Old Valyria, and, if you had any say in it, it would be valued even more in the new Freehold.



And so it came to be that the Northern Army turned West, toward Mantarys.

The march was rather quick during the first two days, for apparently the enemy thought you would follow them into the hill, not that you would turn West.

What was your focus during this time?
> You patrolled from high in the air with Sheira, occasionally organizing raids upon small enemy bands
> You spent time attempting to get acquainted with the troops, by spending time among them
> You spoke with your father via glass candle.
> Write-in
>>
>>4863726
>You spent time attempting to get acquainted with the troops, by spending time among them
>>
>>4863737
Note that this choice might seem useless, but it will have influence in the next two scenes. You can select 2 out of 3 (regardless of write-ins, max 2 choices)
>>
>>4863750
Ok then
> You patrolled from high in the air with Sheira, occasionally organizing raids upon small enemy bands
> You spent time attempting to get acquainted with the troops, by spending time among them
>>
>>4863726
> You patrolled from high in the air with Sheira, occasionally organizing raids upon small enemy bands
>You spent time attempting to get acquainted with the troops, by spending time among them


How is Adam health by the way ? When we have some free time, we should ask the maesters if they have found anything about possible beasts capable of fighting dragons.
>>
>>4863726
> You patrolled from high in the air with Sheira, occasionally organizing raids upon small enemy bands
> You spent time attempting to get acquainted with the troops, by spending time among them
> Help inspiring the troops by doing a fly-by now and then.
>>
>>4863756
He's fully healed, for "A man ready to lay down his life for his Lord and his family deserves to be taken care of in return" as Valarr put it before spending some time healing him.

I will wait some other 20 minutes, then simply write the next scene.
>>
>>4863804
nice
>>
>>4863817
Speaking of Adam and Gareth, you guys realize that you could de facto make them (minor) nobles as the titular Archon of the Stepstones, at least until your term ends, right?
You could simply wait until you reach Essaria eh. I am just pointing out another possibility for you - the fact that your Western possessions are severely underpopulated, are a strategic area, and could use some colonization on part of people loyal to you.

Just realize that nobility in the Freehold means something very different from Westeros - the only "true" nobles are the Dragonlords; they would essentially become local leaders of their communities
>>
>>4863823
I was thinking of giving them some titles and land, but i would like that our political position becomes stronger so theirs becomes too. Same for the westerosi knights following us. Or Humfrey.

Also yeah we definetly need to think about developing our lands there, maybe starting with improving fishing and the ports.
And thank you for sharing ideas. Much appreciated.
>>
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>>4863726
> You patrolled from high in the air with Sheira, occasionally organizing raids upon small enemy bands
> You spent time attempting to get acquainted with the troops, by spending time among them

Your contribution to the march was the time you spent surveying the area surrounding the army from the sky, together with your wife – you two managed to thwart multiple small ambushes by warning Valarr and the other commanders in advance, as well as destroying many small bands of enemy soldiers that were likely out patrolling.

But the majority of time was spent among the men, attempting to get them to know you – the Mantaryans, the Tolosi, the Volantene and the Elyrians as well. You spent time among the common soldiers during the breaks you took from surveying the land – the men were quite apprehensive a Dragonlord would decide to spend time among them at first, but many (following the example of the Volantene, who got used to see you spend time among them during the weeks-long voyage from Volantis to Elyria) seemed to enjoy the possibility of actually seeing a man of the “old blood” mingling with them and not looking down at them for a change.

This is to say nothing of your beautiful wife, whose elegant features caught the eye of many a man as well.

You are a lucky man, like one of the braver soldier dared to tell you.

You’d agree with him.



It is on the evening of the second day in march that the relatively uneventful march comes to an end.

A volley of arrows is sent atop the small wooden wall the soldiers erected (after the nightly assault, Valarr and you took the time to properly address the issue of camp security, by ordering the army to erect rough fortifications around every section of the camp each night), followed by a charge on part of a small company of what appears to be militiamen.

This is repeated for the majority of the evening, but you all have wizened up to their guerilla tactics and simply remain on the defensive, letting the smaller army crash against the ranks of your men, now free of infiltrators or spies (as far as you could tell the purge was very thorough). The balance of the assault is less than a 100 dead or wounded men on your part, and what appears to be three to four times as many on theirs’.

It is a good feeling to have contributed to this, for it was your insistence that forced Ayrmidon’s hand and made him accept your suggestion to adopt a “wartime routine” so to speak, to help reduce future attempts at nightly assaults or (more importantly) infiltration attempts.

The next morning a surprise awaits you in front of the camp – a lone soldier with a white flag, universal symbol of parley.

What do you wish to do?
> Allow him to speak (it includes calling Valarr as well)
> It’s likely a trap…and he is a traitor. Death is a mercy.
>>
>>4863864
> Allow him to speak (it includes calling Valarr as well)
>Double the watches and tell them to watch out.
Beware this man may be a distraction or may tell some vile words.
>>
>>4863864
>> Allow him to speak (it includes calling Valarr as well)

Neutral ground or nothing rebel.
(And if they want to expose themselves, thanks rebels make it easier to kill you. Beside that we get more information, with them even just talking with us and presenting themselves)

Tell Valarr that they might attempt to use magic or other tricks against us. Eitherway, we can get away fast thanks to Urrax and then prepare a counter offensive if needed.
>>
>>4863864
>> Allow him to speak (it includes calling Valarr as well)
>>
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>>4863867
>>4863873
>>4863894
“You came under a white flag to speak. So, speak”

Ayrmidon speaks in a terse manner, clearly angered by the presence of the rebel messenger. The hooded man gives the elder Archon a nod with his head, and then another one in your direction, before addressing you specifically

“I am but a messenger from my Queen. She wishes for nothing but peace for her people, and it is clear the promises some othes made were nothing but lies. Valyria is not spent…and we all know the price of betrayal according to the laws of your nation. She sent me to you with a simple proposal – safe passage to the city of Mantarys as well as information, in exchange for mercy. We know you forgave some of the men you captured, oh Archon of the Stepstone, and wish to ask you the same boon – mercy and our freedom in exchange for information and a stop on our attacks”

He smirks, clearly showing confidence at the intentional slip up which reveals that either they are keeping a close eye on your camp…or they still have some spies in your army.

Valarr looks at you with a cold, calculating look, awaiting your reply.

What is your reply?
> Write-in
>>
>>4863898
Just in case it's not clear who you are talking to - read the part about the Painted Mountains here
>>4853721
and here
>>4861958
>>
>>4863898
>And why doesn't she simply surrender and come herself with the information. I can fairly judge someone and forgive them if they are in front of me. Promises can easily be lies like you said yourself. Only when the information has been given I can spare her and only then. If these promises are lies then you know what I can give you (Dragon Roaring)
>>
>>4863898
Nod to Valarr

"I presume the queen of the tribes of the painted mountains is it ? What you offer is too small tribal. The price you must pay is great, i assure you, far greater than your offers. If you or your queen want even an once of mercy, you need to throw away your current allianges and devote yourself fully to the cause of the freehold. Bow to us, give all that you know of your allies and give your vassalage again under a oath of blood and serve with your entire army under the freehold. Do so, and mercy, trade and perhaps integration will be given to you. Your people will receive civilization instead of dying for causes they don t understand, while fighting our army. Your homeland will be lost and you will be in chains, as well as your entire families."

Pause for a moment, giving him the feeling that is his turn to speak, then let Urrax roar with anger and continue.

"And may all the gods damn your people forever more, if you betray us again"
"This is my reply, tribesman of the Painted Mountain. Remember it well. "


(Of course we are also having Valarr intervene time to time. Essentially i want us to show off, scare him and his men, and lastly make our demands look like a pretty good deal. Simply accepting this demands will not work honestly, the betrayal of our people is an important thing and mercy has great value. It might look a bit violent, but it can be work around. Still a bit of threath of violence is exactly what we could need here)
>>
>>4863939
Well. You are better at making speeches than me. I'm more of a research and thinking guy.
>>
>>4863944
Thanks, well maybe i have been too agressive on this one. But i feel like it can work. After all they are tribes, strength and bravery is probably valued from them.

That s good too, we will have to think of some stuff later on. For example step stones colonies and development as well Essaria ones.

Stepstones might need to be more secure (lys is very near), before we start working there. We should be able to communicate with the man we have choose for the isles.
>>
>>4863939
Personally I'd vote to tell him to go back to his queen and tell her we are coming to answer her betrayal. Because an opportunist traitor will always be. Better to have her as an enemy to the front than a knife at our back.
>>
So..given I am falling asleep, I will let the vote go on for the night. Still, how many wish to go with this write-in (>>4863939)?

Just to be clear, you'd trust them fighting by your side? I can tell you not as QM but a normal person that I'd not really trust a turncoat to fight by my side against his former (or not-so-former) allies, but really it's up to you guys.

You could try to con them if you want to go down the genocide route, accept their offer and hope they honor the deal, refuse it, or make a counter-offer. These are essentially your options
>>
>>4863952
Better to have an opportunist traitor that you know off at your side then a loyal person that turns on you.
>>
>>4863963
Well then they weren't loyal, now were they?
>>
>>4863975
If you know someone is opportunistic you know they won't last and prepare for that. If a loyal person betrays you, you aren't prepared.
>>
>>4863952
We could but, they are going to avoid a real confrontation. We will continue to have small skirmishes unless they feel suicidal. At least we can spend their army in the next battle and have them bleed if they accept.

Beside, they can t win against us and their tribes fight really for no valid reason beside maybe gold.


>>4863962
Honestly i would want to massacre them, but we can t really do that with skirmishes.

No i don t trust them, but if this keep going we are going to arrive at Mantarys with far less soldiers. And at least we would have their army die for us in battles, which is better than fighting us. Beside i am not accepting any term where their army is left untouched.

Maybe i will just retire my write in and tell that this demands are shit and we want them death.
At least we had them talk for awhile.
>>
>>4863980
>If a loyal person betrays you
Then they weren't loyal.

>>4863984
We'll just have to corner their shitty royalty and force it, then.
>>
Lets just go nuclear and turn the painted mountains into miles of fire
>>
i could write down a quick offensive write in, something for make their blood boil and have them come out for a real battle

>>4863988
>>4863980
Aurion did say we should show the freehold strength too in our military campaign. It could send a message to not consider us like a fool just because we are just
>>
other
write in


Nod to Valarr


"Do you consider us fools ? Do you think we will trade mercy upon your words that fall on themselves ? Your blades still have the blood of our soldiers on them, and you may just betray us again. Your offers are meager and pathetic, and it says much of your people. Your tribes have avoid a true fight, and you will keep doing that. You have neither the guts or the spirits for fighting, worm"

"Perhaps you think that because i am just, you can find peace easily. But, the difference between the prisoners and your people offers is quite great, They understood the value of Valyria mercy and payed the price with themselves. It surpasses your offer many times over:"

"You want mercy ? You want your people to live and perhaps to keep your home isn t it ?"

"Throw away your weapons and whatever dignity you have left and bow scum, bow until you touch the earth and pray for forgiveness and serve us forever more. You will be all alive, and in chains serving my people until your backs break for the betrayal you have given us. Or may the gods damn you for eternity."

"Tell the whore of hell you serve, to come out of her hole and bow to the army of the Freehold. Your people are doomed eitherway, tribesman, you are but mere pawns in a much larger game. You fight desperate battles only for gold, risking your people existance against us."
"This is my reply, tribesman of the Painted Mountain. Remember it well. "


(and of course Valarr can intervene too. This is unlikely to make them bow to us, instead this should make them angry enough to come and fight a real battle against us. Not just skirmishes)
>>
>>4864055
i change my vote to this one, if we can anger them enough to come out for an actual battle we have a chance to finish the tribes and their queen with them.
>>
>>4863939
+1
Good one
>>
>>4864055
Support
>>
>>4864055
Supporting
>>
>>4863939
This works for me but I'd demand the bandit queen meet with us herself.
>>
>>4864055
>>4864133
>>4864148
Offensive write-in

>>4864093
>>4864154
Diplomatic Write-in

>>4863995
Paint the Painted Mountains red with dragonflame and their blood

>>4863988
Corner the Queen and force an oath of fealty upon her.

You wish to force a confrontation. Works for me. Roll me 7D6 (Persuasion 5D6, Wordly 2B)
>>
Rolled 3, 2, 2, 6, 4, 1, 6 = 24 (7d6)

>>4864671
>>
Rolled 3, 4, 1, 3, 5, 1, 6 = 23 (7d6)

>>4864671
You missed a vote for the diplomatic write-in, specifically the guy who wrote it in the first place >>4863939
>>
>>4864675
see >>4864080

he switched his vote
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 1, 2 = 12 (4d6)

Rolling for Will of the Queen
>>
Fair enough. We don't need a third roll apparently. Writing.
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 6, 1, 6, 4, 5 = 26 (7d6)

>>4864671
>>
>>4863898
His offer is…interesting.

It could help close the passes through the Painted Mountains to enemy soldiers that have (apparently) been slowly trickling into the northern plains of the Peninsula for quite some time, as well as giving you badly-needed manpower.

And yet…they are traitors and enemies of the Freehold.

The Tribesmen and bandits of the Mountains never fully submitted to Valyria – constantly retreating to higher grounds when pushed, then waging guerilla wars…no. You cannot trust them.

And yet, you need to force a confrontation.

You give a nod to Valarr, and then reply to the messenger

> "Do you consider us fools? Do you think we will trade mercy upon your words that fall on themselves? Your blades still have the blood of our soldiers on them, and you may just betray us again. Your offers are meager and pathetic, and it says much of your people. Your tribes have avoided a true fight for decades, and you will keep doing that. You have neither the guts or the spirits for fighting, worm"

Your reply has washed away the smirk he had on his face, and his frown grows as you continue

"Perhaps you think that because I am just, you can find peace easily. But, the difference between the prisoners and your people’s offers is quite great. They understood the value of Valyria mercy and paid the price with themselves. It surpasses your offer many times over. You want mercy? You want your people to live and perhaps to keep your home isn’t it? Very well. Throw away your weapons and whatever dignity you have left and bow scum, bow until you touch the earth and pray for forgiveness and serve us forever more. You will be all alive, and in chains serving my people until your backs break for the betrayal you have given us. Or may the gods damn you for eternity."
>>
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>>4864692
You can clearly see your words have enraged him greatly, to the point of making him lose any composure he might have had

“Is this your final word, oh “mighty Lord”? Let me remind you that we still have a home, while you lose yours. You walk among our woods and our lands, and you expect to dictate terms to us?”

“Shut you mouth you worm! These are lands our ancestors conquered by blood, farmed with their sweat and upon which countless generations of Valyrians lived and died! As the commander of this army and member of the Council, here are my terms - tell the whore you serve to come out of her hole and bow to the representatives of Freehold. Your people are doomed either way savage, for you are pawns in a much larger game. Bow and serve, or die standing…or get dragged screaming from the holes you call home, as we bathe your families in dragonflame."

The man is clearly seeing red…both men actually.

The tribesman gives you a short bow, then disappears in the woods.

As he disappears, Ayrmidon speaks to you

“If your goal was to provoke a confrontation…that might just do it. Well done Rhogar. We would lose far more men trying to flush them out of their hiding holes or waging a constant guerilla war with them. This way we might just solve the problem in one battle..if they take the bait”

Rhogar Belaerys vs Aelora of the Mountain
> Persuasion Test vs Will – 23 vs 12!
> Incredibly Success! Three Degrees of Success!

The rest of the morning passes in relative calm, but you still order the troops to maintain their defensive configuration – supplies at the center of the marching column, heavy infantry at the front and wrapped around the center, while lighter infantry marches at the back and in the middle, and the archers march in line in the middle of the column, along with the supplies.

From your point of observation high in the sky, it’s easy to see the men blocking the road a few km away from the head of the army – it seems your provocation worked, for the enemy finally reveals itself.

> Let’s give them a proper greeting – Dracarys! (Open the battle with an attack on your and Sheira’s part)
> Let’s report to Ayrmidon so he might properly position the troops before doing anything else
>>
Quick recap:
> You are not ready for a battle - your army is in a marching column, surrounded by forests on both sides of the road.
> You know that the enemy is lightly armed and (save a few exceptions) you outclass them by miles
> They will likely have the terrain advantage - you have the advantage of commanding two flying death machines.
>>
>>4864693
> Let’s report to Ayrmidon so he might properly position the troops before doing anything else
Then we and sheira go on the offensive
>>
>>4864693
>> Let’s report to Ayrmidon so he might properly position the troops before doing anything else

>>4864678
Huh. So he did.
>>
>>4864693
>> Let’s report to Ayrmidon so he might properly position the troops before doing anything else
>>
>>4864693
Since we can see from air the terrain, we should give a great help to Valarr for positioning the troops.
Have a chat with Horonno and Humfrey for position our own men as well.
Also see where our ballistas and scorpios can be put, with all this forest it will be difficult to hit the enemy.


Then give a speech for raise the morale of the troops.

"Sons of the Dragon ! Blood Brothers hear me ! The worms of the painted mountains have finally come out from their holes, after days and days of running away from us they have grows a pair ! They wish to test your resolve and protect their people ! They asked for mercy, trading it in exchange for pathetic offers. But they don t deserve it after what they did to us ! Let us show them our worth, let us show to the whore that leads them what Valyrians are made of ! Blood for Valyria, Blood for the Freehold !"


>>4864701
i reconsider it, after talking with tagaros and the others. Kind of strange to have to compete against my own write in with another.
>>
>>4864693
>Let’s report to Ayrmidon so he might properly position the troops before doing anything else
>>
>>4864693
>Let’s report to Ayrmidon so he might properly position the troops before doing anything else
>>
>>4864713
>>4864711
>>4864703
>>4864701
>>4864698
Let's report.

Alright. Writing.

I will update your Army status from now on, since you'll be essentially managing said army alongside the other commanders.
>>
>>4864693
Man she's not just mad, she's like double mad with a side of shaking and crying. Damn.
>>
>>4864716


consider this post
>>4864706
an addition to my own vote
>>
Alright, now that I have some time to actually write...in the meantime, here is a summary if the Northern Army (details)

https://pastebin.com/NTqtCYMy
>>
>>4864795
Nice, how many ballistas/scorpios we have or groups of them ? Like 2-4 ?
>>
Rolled 5, 5, 5, 1, 2 = 18 (5d6)

Warfare.
>>
>>4864806
I knew I forgot to include something. Wait, let me write in.

25 Ballistae, 20 Onagers - the standard infantry regiments have 3 Ballistae and 2 Onagers. You got 5 regiments in your army on top of the Volantenel
>>
>>4864816
That s pretty good
And np it can happen
>>
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>>4864693
> Let’s report to Ayrmidon so he might properly position the troops before doing anything else

…you better report this development, especially considering that you can see some indistinct movement on the right side of the road, coming from the forest.

You nod to Sheira, before directing Urrax to descend toward the head of the column – Valarr is close by in a few moments, eager to hear what pushed you to land

> “Movements in the trees, and some men obstructing the road ahead. I think they will attempt a “hammer and Anvil” movement by cutting our column in two”

Ayrmidon Valarr
> Warfare (Strategy) Test – 18 vs 12 (DC)
> Great Success! Two Degrees of Success!

“If that’s the case..I want you to wait before striking them from behind, together with your wife. We will move the heavier troops on that side, in a slow and steady manner so as to not arouse too much suspicion. When the time comes, I want you to set of fire the entire forest, beginning from..let’s say a km away from us, and slowly move toward us. We shall be the anvil, you will be the hammer” [/bue]

I have cut the scene in two to give you the opportunity to offer suggestions or make another plan.
> Go along with Ayrmidon's plan (You can write-in what commands you wish to give your own detachment, plus I will use >>4864706 as write-in)
> Write-in
>>
>>4864822
>>4864822
Go along with Ayrmidon's plan (You can write-in what commands you wish to give your own detachment, plus I will use >>4864706 # as write-in)

Put our forces on a higher ground than the others and have them align with Valarr and Tessario formations. Our infantry will be placed in two defensive formation in front of our archers. Light infantry will form the first line, behind it there will be Heavy infantry in the second. Our archers will be behind them but scattered so they can avoid much of the enemy projectiles, as well finding better spots for let loose arrows. Our cavalry will remain all in one flank, waiting orders if they can prepare for get a charge on the enemy that will attack our infantry it would be good. Our ballistas and onagres will be put in a higher position and preferably in a clear spot for firing, so that trees don t block their shots, Melwys will be with the crews for help in calculating the firing trajectories.

Horonno in command of garrison troops, Humfrey in command of Westerosi, Adam in charge of the heavy infantry of both cultures (he was an ex foot soldier, probably has a good amount of experience in it) and Gareth in charge of our cavalry.
1075 Westerosi Mercenaries

585 Light Infantry
293 Archers
148 "Heavy" Infantry
49 - A mix of Hedge Knights, Light Cavalry

1480 Valyrian Garrison Troops

491 Archers
690 Spear-welding Light infantry
299 Assorted heavy Infantry (Primarily Defensive)
>>
>>4864863
The vote has been going on for long enough, I'll combine this with >>4864706
>>
>>4864883
QM, in case you didn't notice it since a couple of posts you didn't use the Name field.

Also, I would like to say to Aurmidon's to follow his plan, but be a little bit cautious. We see movement in the forest, and that would be perfectly either the bandits or civilians that aligned with the Bandit Queen beings transported. Knowing that we posses a Dragon and can see from the skies, that thing of getting some mans blocking the road like anything happens looks suspicious.

I mean, they easily could do a scumbag move and have innocent people in the forest, so because they didn't surrender and stay ambigous before, after we could see the people we killed they could go "Oh no, the Dragonlords are a bunch of killers, they killed our innocent people" So yeah, be cautious before lit the forest in Dragon Fire
>>
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>>4864822
You nod – it is a good plan. Except…you are mindful of your future political position when it will be time to divvy up the spoils of war. Sure, your uncle is the Princeps and you an Archon…for now. In the end, political influence and boots on the ground will determine who shall inherit the lion’s share of the spoils..and you are in this to ensure your family prosperity, on top of the other reasons.

It is for this reason that you wait atop Urrax for the column to slowly move by until it stops, the Westerosi detachment near your side, with the commander (Humfrey Sarsfield), your cousin and your two bodyguards quickly moving close to you

> “Humfrey, you will take overall command of the Westerosi detachment – hold your troops in a defensive position behind the Volantene heavy infantry. Adam, you will take charge of our heavy infantry. Coordinate with Horonno to transmit orders if there are language barriers. Try to shield our archers as much as possible while giving them the opportunity to let loose some arrow fire. And you, Gareth – take charge of our cavalry and remain on one flank; wait for the order to assault the enemy in order to break apart their lines so that the infantry may push forward, but be mindful of not moving too forward – we are fighting in their home turf after all and in a forest..the worst place for cavalry. "

You then turn toward your cousin, who is visibly nervous – he has never commanded soldiers before, after all. You were always the more militant of the two, while he spent his time indoor studying.

> “Horonno…consider this a crash course in military command. You shall command our Valyrian infantry. Coordinate with Humfrey and Adam to maximize the effectiveness of our forces. I am aware that the composite nature of our forces means more efforts will be required to make effective use of our men, but I trust you 4 can manage”

They all nod, before saluting you and taking position in the line…just in time apparently, as you can hear a loud noise akin to a war horn being played deep in the forest

You take to the sky atop Urrax to get a better visual.

You see movement among the trees, but it’s unclear to you where the enemy will strike – your battle line is extremely elongated due to being deployed across a narrow road in the forest, which means your ballistae will be almost useless, as well as your cavalry.

On the other hand, this is an ideal place to deploy a dragon…

Roll me 15D6 (Urrax+Neltharion)
Roll me 5D6 (Warfare, Valarr)
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 3, 3, 6, 6, 6, 1, 4, 1, 1, 2, 2, 4, 2 = 47 (15d6)

>>4864909
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 1, 2, 4, 1, 1, 6, 4, 6, 1, 5, 1, 5, 1 = 45 (15d6)

>>4864909
>>
Rolled 2, 6, 5, 6, 3, 5, 1, 4, 6, 1, 5, 4, 6, 6, 4 = 64 (15d6)

>>4864909
dice time
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 2, 5, 2 = 18 (5d6)

>>4864909
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 5, 2, 6 = 16 (5d6)

>>4864909
>>
Rolled 4, 4, 4, 1, 3 = 16 (5d6)

>>4864909
YEAH BUDDY
>>
we serve toasted bandits today
>>
based dragons
>>
>>4864909
To speed up the flow of battle, I will roll on my own and describe the results by including small notes in the posts. I wish to test this new format since the last battles were absurdly slow

You raise your hand in the air, signaling your wife to wait your command to hit the backlines of the enemy.

Ayrmidon Valarr vs Aelora of the Mountain
> Warfare Test – 18 vs 14
> Marginal Success! One Degree of Success!

The battle below has begun with a charge on part of what appears to be enemy light infantry (if tribal warriors mixed with bandits and deserters constituted proper “infantry”), to which the archers along the battle lines respond with a rain of arrows – the majority of which find their target, thanks to the enemies being unarmored for the most part.

It seems that either your enemy is led by idiots, or..something is afoot.

Opening Round – Charge vs Prepared Position
8.5 Units of Archers x 1 round of attack | 6 Units of Archers hit
1st Company of Enemy Light Infantry – In Disarray (1 round to route)
2nd Company of Enemy Light Infantry – Charging
3rd Company of Enemy Light Infantry – Charging


You give the signal, and Sheira joins you in flying toward the backlines of the enemy, before bathing the forest in dragonflame

Urrax, Neltharion
> Fighting (Test) – 29, 27 vs 11 (UD+Cover)
> Astonishing Success! Four Degrees of Success!
> Damage: 13, 12 (*4 Degrees of Success) – 12 (Armor) =52, 48 -12 = 40, 36 vs Unit 1 & 2

1st Company of Enemy Archers – Routed
2nd Company of Enemy Archers – Routed


…it’s a massacre.

The dry forest catches fire like there is no tomorrow, and the enemies hiding among the trees catch fire as well – it seems they used dry leaves to better hide themselves among the trees. A good idea, were it not for the fact that this makes them catch fire as well…

> Continue with the plan – it’s working!
> You noticed a group of what appears to be higher ups in the enemy ranks, currently moving away from the burning location – attempt to strike them from above (if selecting this specify – capture or kill?)
>>
>>4864962
>> You noticed a group of what appears to be higher ups in the enemy ranks, currently moving away from the burning location – attempt to strike them from above (if selecting this specify – capture or kill?)
Kill
>>
>>4864962
> You noticed a group of what appears to be higher ups in the enemy ranks, currently moving away from the burning location – attempt to strike them from above (if selecting this specify – capture or kill?)

Divide up, Sheira continues in the current attack, we will create a circle of fire around their leaders for then drop right on their group and capture them. We can quickly tie them up and have Urrax carry them in his mouth. Hopefully he isn t hungry.
>>
I'll wait 10 minutes, then roll to see what happens.
>>
>>4864978
support
>>
>>4865015
>>4864978
Capture
>>4864971
Kill

Writing.
>>
QM phoneposting here - well my pc has finally died. Given that at this point I'll be replacing it over the weekend, see you guys on Monday (I hope) to continue the battle we just started
>>
>>4865065
Oof that s quite bad. Did you had a back up of your files ?

Well thanks anyway tagaros, good session as always. I should be able to make one image of Rhogar armor or more in the weekend at least.
>>
And i hope you find a good pc
>>
>>4865065
rip
>>
>>4865065
Didja get what you needed?
>>
>>4869208
I actually did. I will run today as planned, once free from work. Quick question for you and others - do you guys prefer if I write out the entire sequence that determines what happens in a battle (akin to what I did in the first battle with Sheira), or would you rather I wrote only the results like here, thus putting less emphasis on the battle at large and more on the MC?

Solid question given we will fight many battles
>>
>>4869506
Latter is fine if we have a shit ton of them to go through
>>
>>4869506
If they are too many later on is fine
>>
>>4869506
They both work but overall I prefer the former method of writing out the entire sequence.
>>
Reynes gifted armor
>>
Gifted Black armor
>>
>>4869604
Hello fellow traveller from the 30th millennium
>>
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>>4864962
You make a wide gesture with your hand to Sheira – a simple gesture that signals you two should split, part of the small repertoire of tactical signs you two developed on your wife’s suggestion. As she keeps up the assault on the forest grounds, trying to flush out enemies hiding in the undergrowth, you focus your attention on a much smaller, yet succulent prize – the people attempting to escape the circle of flames.

It makes no sense to kill those that could be useful informants…or useful pawns, if turned.

It is due to this logic that you push Urrax toward the ground, landing in front of the 5 men…and a woman.

They extract their weapons, ready to fight for their survival – after all, the monster who just set the entire forest with them inside has come to deal with them personally.

How do you wish to play this one?
> Intimidate (If picking this, roll me 7D6 (Persuasion 5D6, Wordly 2B, Blood of Valyria +2, Urrax +5)
> Write-in
>>
>>4870144
>> Intimidate (If picking this, roll me 7D6 (Persuasion 5D6, Wordly 2B, Blood of Valyria +2, Urrax +5)
>> Write-in
"You will not survive with a fight worms, you move an eye and you die. I have grow tired of your stupidity and disloyalty, you escape while your people die in droves and are bathed in fire. Worthless scum, if you care even a moment about them you would stop, with your surrender they will not die in too many. Launch away your weapons and remain with your face upon the ground. Or die."

"Then tie yourself so i may carry you away."

(Urrax will take some in his mouth)
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 5, 2, 1, 3, 1 = 16 (7d6)

>>4870144
> Intimidate (If picking this, roll me 7D6 (Persuasion 5D6, Wordly 2B, Blood of Valyria +2, Urrax +5)
>Surrender or suffer.
>>
Rolled 3, 1, 3, 1, 2, 4, 3 = 17 (7d6)

>>4870144
>>
I hope the third roll is better
>>
>>4870144
If anyone doesn t mind, I roll for the third. We have wait quite a while
>>
Rolled 3, 1, 4, 3, 5, 4, 6 = 26 (7d6)

>>4870144
>>
>>4870333
Alright, writing.
>>
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>>4870144
While they have their swords drawn, one only has to look into their eyes to see that it is the strength given by desperation and the will to survive, not their will to fight that pushes them to oppose you in this way.

> Persuasion (Intimidate) Test – 29 vs 21 (DC)
> Great Success! Two Degrees of Success!

A single roar from your dragon is enough to make 3 of them drop to their knees, letting their swords fall on the nearby grass.

> "You will not survive with a fight worms, you move an eye and you die. I have grown tired of your stupidity and disloyalty - you escape while your people die in droves and are bathed in fire. Worthless scum, if you care even a moment about them you would stop, with your surrender they will not die in too many. Launch away your weapons and remain with your face upon the ground. Or die."

You point your sword toward them, while Urrax begins to prepare to breathe fire upon them – the flames visible in his open mouth.

It is this terrifying sight that finally breaks their apparent leader – the young woman throws her sword to the ground, in a clear sign of defeat. It is noteworthy that while her companions have all dropped to the ground, she is still standing, defiant to the last

“Very well, slaver. Make of us what you will”

Final words, as she spits to the ground before dropping to her knees as well

“So, what will it be? Death by hanging? Death by fire?”

“That depends on you. Tie yourselves so that I may carry you, or die by fire – the death of all traitors”

You throw them some rope you had tied to your saddle, and observe as they tie themselves up, the youngest among them tying up their leader, the young woman.

…it is at this moment that said man makes a huge mistake, his last one – seeing Urrax move closer on your command, he begins to run away.

He doesn’t manage to take two steps before dragonflame cuts him down.

The silence that follows is the one of defeat.
>>
>>4870411
Urrax takes them in his feet, grasping at the ropes with his talons, before taking flight.

The flight back to your lines is a short one – the forest is one fire and the screams of the enemy men is a constant sound at this point, while Valarr’s men have stopped shooting after the first volley seeing as the enemy broke ranks immediately after it.

It seems their entire strategy relied on catching you unprepared…how they did not count on the presence of your dragons, you will never know. More questions to ask.

Your arrival is greeted with great cheers on part of your men – to many of them your presence, riding atop a great dragon while clad in full armor with the symbol of your dynasty flying on your cloak, is a testament to the fact that the Freehold is not dead, and that the cause they took arms up for is not a lost one.

It is for this very reason that so many of them have taken to cheer incredibly loud as Urrax releases a roar – they are Sons of the Dragon, Valyrians like you.

Your peer, Ayrmidon Valarr, is smiling widely, if for a completely different reason…
…as soon as you drop the captured enemies on the ground, he comes forward and forces the young woman to stand, kicking one of the other men to the ground as he tried to put himself between the older Dragonlord and their apparent leader

“Well done Belaerys! You truly are your uncle’s nephew!”

He then turns to the assembled men, raising his sword in the air

“Men of Valyria! Let me present you the daughter of the so-called “Bandit Queen”, Daenerea of the Mountain!”

The response is an incredibly loud cheer, with many of the men taking up shouting your surname as if it was a battle cry.

Valarr smiles toward you, and then toward the woman – a wicked smile that is enough to send shivers down your spine.

Maybe it would have been better for this woman has she chosen to fight and die by Urrax’s hand..
>>
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>>4870439


As the men make camp for the night, you find yourself standing together with Valarr and Tessario in front of the woman you captured, bound to a pole put in the ground, deciding what to do with her

“…she could be a valuable bargaining chip. Their army, if we want to call it that, is all but broken, and”

“You know nothing! Ten thousand, no! Fifty thousand! Men are just waiting to come to our rescue!”

Your older counterpart looks at the young woman with a icy glare before making a quick gesture with his wrist, causing her to gasp in pain

“..you will speak only when spoken to, harlot. Rhogar, she is your captive after all – what do you think we should do with her? She might have valuable information, but she is a valuable bargaining chip after all, like I was saying before being so rudely interrupted. We could use the passes in the Painted Mountains to hit the Mereenesi in the back, from a direction they surely will never expect…”

Ayrmidon stops talking, as if in deep thought. It is then that Tessario, usually silent, speaks us

“..or we could simply put a permanent end to these wretches and force her to reveal the location of their villages. I led a campaign in the area almost 15 years ago. They employed the same strategy even back then – avoid confrontation in the open field and use guerilla tactics. This time though, it seems their leader let herself be caught by..pride? We can finally put a definite end to this scourge on the innocent farmers of the northern Peninsula”

They both look at you – it seems you will have to pick a side.

What do you wish to do with her?
> Our duty is to the Freehold first. Let’s contact her mother..or wait for her to contact us. We can force her to show us the hidden passages her men used to led the enemy raiding parties through the Painted Mountains. We will then have a direct path to Essaria, and a way to assault Mereen in the back. On the other hand, the bandits and tribes of the Mountains will likely continue to cause havoc in the heartlands..
> Our duty is to our people first. These monsters have caused enough misery on innocent Valyrians whose only crime was to seek an honest living tilling the earth. Theirs is a long overdue sentence. We shall force this wretch to reveal everything she knows, before giving her the death a traitor deserves – fire. Note that you will get a lot of information, but the daughter knows far less than the mother.
> Write-in
>>
>>4870466
>She shall bend the knee for the return of her daughter or bare the consequences of trying to resist the dragon.
>>
>>4870466
>> Our duty is to our people first. These monsters have caused enough misery on innocent Valyrians whose only crime was to seek an honest living tilling the earth. Theirs is a long overdue sentence. We shall force this wretch to reveal everything she knows, before giving her the death a traitor deserves – fire. Note that you will get a lot of information, but the daughter knows far less than the mother.

It s unlikely they will stop after we go north. And we can t leave an enemy behind in lands secured by us. Beside the political gain that can be made here, is quite vast not just with plebs but even nobility of valyria.
This is also a good occasion for gain more info on the greater rebellion.


"It s too much of a risk Valarr, they have broke with us once, they may do so again in the future. Leaving a snake like them in our home, while we march out for beat down the ghiscari, is something too dangerous for us. We must strike it down. I know it will be no easy fight. Especially in this mountains. But if we succedd, an old enemy of our people will be destroyed and one of the pieces of the great rebellion would be gone. There will be even their treasury, supplies, equipment to loot and many slaves to be made."
"And in this days we have beaten more than once their forces and their allies, so they have suffer losses at least."

"Still you are the commander of the army, the decision is yours to consider. I admit i want to see many of them punished, not just the warriors they have send us. If we talk, i imagine it will be difficult even with the daughter as a bargaining chip, especially because i wonder how they where convinced to join the large rebellion. One thing is do small raids against us, the other is going to war like this. They knew how much they risked... the large rebellion must have give them something very valuable, maybe more than just gold or weapons."
>>
>>4870553
>>4870480
I'll wait some 15 minutes, then simply roll a dice to break the tie
>>
>>4870582
sure, i though we would be more people today,
>>4869637
hello to you as well, this is a good quest. Check it out if you want.

There are other armors in the previous threads. For lieren quest, i need to think about it a bit more on what to do next.
>>
>>4870609
Same here. Bit of a shame since you managed to actually do something I had not foreseen on Friday - between the Persuasion roll (reply to the messenger), my own roll to see how the mother and the daughter reacted (Daenerea failed her Will roll), and then how badly I rolled for their Warfare...you managed to capture the daughter of the leader of the tribes essentially, which was a very unlikely possibility (I planned around the tribes keeping up their guerilla tactics).
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4870639
> Our duty is to the Freehold first. Let’s contact her mother..or wait for her to contact us. We can force her to show us the hidden passages her men used to led the enemy raiding parties through the Painted Mountains. We will then have a direct path to Essaria, and a way to assault Mereen in the back. On the other hand, the bandits and tribes of the Mountains will likely continue to cause havoc in the heartlands..


Alright. Let me roll for whether Valarr will listen to the merciful option
>>
>>4870647
Did he ?
>>
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>>4870466
You look at the young woman – she looks downright miserable, head hung low after Valarr’s show of power. And yet..you make a sign with your head to your companions, looking at the entrance to the tent.

It is only after you three are outside of earshot that you speak

> “…I would say that our duty is to the Freehold first. Let’s contact her mother..or simply wait for her to contact us. We can force her to show us the hidden passages her men used to led the enemy raiding parties through the Painted Mountains. We will then have a direct path to Essaria, and a way to assault Mereen in the back. On the other hand, I understand that it’s unlikely they will stop after we go north. And we can’t leave an enemy behind in lands secured by us. “

Tessario looks at you with a bitter expression, as if he had bitten a lemon, while Ayrmidon nods, waiting for you to continue

> “Beside the political gains that can be made here for propaganda value, this is also a good occasion for gain more info on the greater rebellion"

Tessario looks between you an Valarr, before harshly reminding you why he has always been the more militant member of your little group

“It’s too much of a risk Valarr! They have all but declared war on our people once in the past and then spent the next years sacking isolated farms and villages; what assures you that they won’t do so again in the future? Leaving snakes in our home, while we march out to face the Ghiscari is simply too dangerous. We must strike them down now, while they are weak - I know it will be no easy fight, for we are fighting in their home turf. And yet, if we do succeed, an old enemy of our people will be destroyed and one of the pieces of the great rebellion would be gone. There will be even their treasury, supplies, equipment to loot and many slaves to be made"

The older general nods – you both make good arguments, but you think that you might still convince them both to support your point of view

> "Ayrmidon - you are the commander of the army, the decision is yours to consider. I admit that I wish to see them punished for their part in bringing suffering on our people, and I can see that talking with them will be difficult even with their “Queen”’s daughter as a bargaining chip but think about it – we are dealing with tribals and simple bandits. What could have pushed them to join our enemies in a larger revolt? One thing is do small raids against us, the other is going to war like this. They knew how much they risked... the ones behind the Rebellion must have given them something very valuable, maybe more than just gold or weapons."

“…why not do both?”
>>
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>>4870711
This catches both you and Tessario by surprise

“We need the information, like you said Rhogar. And yet…we cannot let them remain a cohesive force that might attack us from behind, or continue to harass defenseless refugees. Dealing with them with violence would be preferable..but we lack the time and supplies. They will simply melt away as soon as we face them – it was only thanks to the sheer stupidity and arrogance of that child that we got this small battle. Rest assured they won’t repeat their mistake. No, what we need is a way to extract information, while scattering them.”

The older man begins to pace around in a small circle, silent as he thinks over the dilemma. It is only after a good 20 minutes that Valarr speaks once more

“The child and her mother have to die. They are the unifying factor that keeps the others together. On the other hand, we could use the additional manpower and colonists. A simple offer, made at the right moment, might force their hand – their soldiers shall join us in our fight north of the Mountains, while their women and children will be allowed to live…in our cities, under the watchful eye on our own men. We shall deal with their leaders once we cross the Mountains, while using their men as glorified meatshields for our soldiers. I will leave orders to facilitate the integration of their soon-to-be widows and orphans in our society by means of arranged apprenticeships, marriages and other means. Moreover this will give us knowledge of the passes across the Mountains, which will help hugely in the future.”

You don’t like this plan one iota. It leaves a sour taste in your mouth. You can clearly see that it could work…it will work. And yet…you are condoning what amounts to genocide.

You can only nod since both Ayrmidon and Tessario approve of this plan, putting you in minority, but it doesn’t mean you like it.



The message you sent is a simple one – “We have your men and your daughter. You cannot defeat us in the open field, nor using your guerilla tactics. Meet us to discuss terms of surrender, or see what happens to the enemies of the Freehold”.

The reply comes far sooner than you’d expect – a simple message containing directions that lead to a clearing close to the road, as well as a time and a date (tomorrow).
>>
>>4870727


Time passes quickly, and soon enough you find yourself standing atop Urrax in said clearing, Ayrmidon riding his war horse next to you and a circle of elite infantrymen surrounding your two and the prisoner.

You look at the sky, and witness Sheira pass over you atop Neltharion, clearly showing that you are not alone and any harm coming your way will be repaid tenfold shortly after. You then look at the imposing figure standing across you in the clearing – a woman in her 40s, dressed in fur and scattered pieces of armor – the Bandit Queen.

She is standing between 2 of her men, and yet you can clearly see many more around the clearing, hiding behind trees…just making sure you can notice them, so as to let you know that their leader is not alone.

What do you wish to do?
> Let Ayrmidon handle this
> Let her speak first
> Write-in
>>
>>4870662
1 would have been mercy, 2 would have been a mix of the two given that (some of) the traits I gave to Ayrmidon are "Utterly pragmatic", "Ruthless" and "Rabid Nationalist"
>>
>>4870735
Interesting.

This might take some additional minutes, convincing her will be far more difficult than her daughter.
>>
>>4870765
I'm going to let the vote run overnight, so don't worry about rushing
>>
>>4870767
That s cool.

Honestly for the moment (i have something in mind though), I am not sure where to start or go with a write in. The daughter was in a very bad situation, and that played to our advantage. The tribesman that acted as diplomat, wasn t really a professional for that job so that helped too.

But a leader, yeah this will be difficult. Valarr can put forward a good argument, but it s better to help than just wait around.


Btw did you like the armors ?
>>
>>4870776
They're great, on par with your other works. I will use them as we go forward. It's just a bit hard to continue if we lack players.
>>
>>4870727
>Let Ayrmidon handle this
It’s his plan after all

I actually don’t mind it - we were prepared to kill them all, so at least this way some get to live
>>
>>4870781
Thanks

Yeah i can imagine it.
>>
>>4870730
>Let Ayrmidon handle this
As the other anon said, is his plan. But I would like to now if we could make a roll to see if we notice something aside from the guys in the woods.

Also, I saw that you were writing earlier but when I was doing other things I forgot, so yeah, I'm still here if you decide to continue today or end and continue tomorros
>>
>>4870730
>> Let Ayrmidon handle this
I come to like Ayrmidon. No dragon of his own but I see a true dragonlord in him.
>>
>>4870730
> Let Ayrmidon handle this

If we need to reinforce any point of his or just show off Valryrian might, otherwise let him talk.

> Write-in
"No matter what kind of offer they throwed at you, you are between a hammer and an anvil. Your people will be broken, if you don t submit. The rebels have left you here with your people, for us to fight with... no play with. They fled north, without even thinking about you. Your choice to have your people continue their lives or see them disappear, fighting for someone that couldn t care less about the fate of some barbarians in their mountains. Of course much like my superior has tell you, there will be no second offer. And beside time that passes, this isn t like the past anymore where we left you mostly on your own. I suggest you to not offer the same deal as before, for your answer. It would be unwise."
"Or to try a surprise attack for that matter."

Let Urrax roar at the last part
>>
>>4870730
>Let Ayrmidon handle this

>>4870727
I like Ayrmidons solution. We learn the backroads to Mereen and we end the threat to our farmers. Perfect.
>>
>>4870730
>Let Ayrmidon handle this
>>
>>4870730
>Let Ayrmidon handle this
>>
Rolled 6, 4, 6, 4, 1, 3, 5, 6, 4, 3, 1 = 43 (11d6)

>>4870804
>>4870827
>>4870832
>>4870939
>>4870982
>>4870993
>>4871365
Let Ayrmidon handle this.

Very well.

Rolling for her persuasion (Persuasion 5D6) vs Valarr (Persuasion 4D6+2, Wordly 2B, Blood of Valyria +2)

>>4870832
His dragon died in Valyria.

Just for character background - the Valarr Dynasty was severely weakened by the Doom, losing almost all of its members and dragons (they have an egg, and I will roll to see whether they can recover a 2nd). If one counted dragonseeds (bastards half-dragonlord, half-commoner), they'd likely not be in such a dire situation, but...well, you can guess how Ayrmidon and his son see their bastards.

Writing.
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>>4870730
You take a quick sweep of the area – it is clear that there are many of them in the area surrounding the clearing…not that it matters, when the bulk of your army is stationed barely a few hundred meters away.

Ayrmidon pushes his warhorse forward, meeting the older woman (Aelora) in the middle of the clearing

“You got us where you wanted us – here, speaking. Of course, it goes without saying that any attempt to backstab us would end poorly for you all…after all, arrows are faster than any of your men could run”

She smiles and looks upward – you follow her gaze, and see some of her men hidden in the trees, arrow notched..time to give her a taste of her own medicine.

At your command (nothing more than a tap of your foot), Urrax releases a deafening roar, which causes some of the tribesmen (and a couple of your own men to tell the truth) to do a double take and shiver.

Ayrmidon smiles

“An arrow is faster than a man can run…but dragonflame melts flesh from the bone. Now, are we done with idle threats? I am here to solve the situation, not waste my time in idle chatter”

Aelora rises an eyebrow, before nodding

“State your terms, Ayrmidon of Tyria”

Ayrmidon Valarr vs Aelora of the Mountain
> Persuasion Test – 22 vs 21
> Rolled 18+2+2 (Blood of Valyria) = 22
> Marginal Success! One Degree of Success!

“If you wish to be so blunt…Aelora, you know you cannot win. You cannot stand against us militarily”

“That doesn’t mean we can’t make it too painful to oppose us – with how many of your people have been left homeless and defenseless, roaming the wilds of North Valyria, we only need to go back to do what we did for the past decades…hit and run, until you will come back to treat with us, like before”

Her tone is self-assured, for this is what happened in the past. Some of her men snicker.

“Not this time. I am giving you a simple choice – submit, or die. You might hurt some of our own, that’s true…but I will not move on from this area until you are all dead. Men, women, children, the elderly. They shall all suffer a traitor’s death. Do you really wish to see your daughter burn at the stake, before you join her as the crowd on Mantarys and Elyria cheers your death?”

A tribesman, apparently less disciplined than the rest, releases an arrow that bounces off Valarr’s armor. A single glance is all that’s needed

> “Dracarys”

The young man is bathed in vermillion flames, before Urrax snatches up the still-screaming body and eats it

The scene is enough to make almost all the tribal warriors take a step backward, while others draw their arrows even more
>>
>>4871559
“Your men are weak Aelora. Undisciplined. Prone to disobey your orders. Your allies have abandoned you here to act as a distraction for us, while they redeploy. Is this really what your people have been reduced to? I remember a time when the tribes of the Painted Mountains could instill fears in hearts of the garrisons stationed in the valleys. What happened, Aelora?”

The Bandit Queen bites her lip hard enough to draw blood before sighing

“War happened. We received an offer – as your government fell and chaos engulfed the north of the Peninsula…we could settle the chaotic land, by the simple fact that we’d offer protection and stability. People would flock to our banner.”

“A life of plenty, compared to the one you led in the Mountains. And yet…”

“..and yet it was a lie. I am not stupid - I know what kind of monsters you all are. I know that the propaganda you spew of “unity among the sons of the dragon” is nothing but lies to make your own people more accepting of your rule and that you see them…and us, like nothing but insects to toy with as you please. yet the army standing behind those trees is testimony enough that whatever happened in Valyria, it was not enough to break you. I know what awaits us…we all knew what awaited us had we lost. And yet…can you blame us for yearning for freedom?”

Valarr stands still for a minute, as if searching for the right words, before nodding toward the woman

“You call it freedom. I call it the freedom to build a life built upon the raiding and killing of innocents whose only crime was to seek an honest life working the land. You call us monsters, and yet we gave prosperity to our people…unlike you, who could have led your own people to live among us, or simply settled away from here”

…and finally Aelora’s mask break, revealing the hatred in her eyes. The hatred born out of powerlessness

“And go where? Uh? Your damned Freehold just kept expanding over the years..the millenia! There is nowhere to go! And these are our homes. Why should we leave them? No..if the choice is to die fighting, or die burned at the stake…I know what I prefer”

“We are not the monsters you make us out to be – we are stewards of our people and land. I offer you an alternative to the two you just listed: submit.”

It is clear that the will to fight of the older woman is born out of desperation more than anything else at this point – she looks toward her daughter, who is sitting down, broken, between your men

“….what are your terms?”
>>
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>>4871560
“You will tell us everything you know of these so called “allies” of yours. You will help us fighting our enemies to atone the blood you spilled over the years. You will show us the paths that lead to the passes across the Mountains. In exchange, I offer you what you wanted: your women, children and elderly shall be allowed to settle in our cities, while your men will fight for us on the same terms we offer to all the ones seeking Valyrian citizenship – 10 years, in exchange for freedom and a writ of mercy that testified the Freehold holds to ill will toward them for past actions. It goes without saying, you and your daughter shall accompany us North with your men – I am not so stupid as to let you organize any sort of revolt in one of our towns.”

It’s a generous offer. If one discounts the part where Valarr plans to kill them all essentially…

Aelora cannot know this, and bites her lip once more before speaking

“5 years. You cannot expect a man to fight for a foreign cause and not even see his own children grow up. And our people will get to settle in groups of 200”

“10. Be grateful we are not as bloodthirsty as you made us out to be, or I’d be offering you only the choice of how you wish to die, rather than letting you live. And the Council shall determine in which numbers your people will be settled and where”

“…will they be allowed to keep in contact with each other and visit?”

”Of course.”

Another lie.

And yet it is enough – Aelora raises an open hand, which causes her men to relax..and to start coming out of the trees.

50 men altogether – you could have taken them, you like to think.



That night the atmosphere is tense, as many of the tribal warriors camp near your own army camp, as their leader and her daughter sit in conference with you and Valarr.

“…ask what you want to know”

What do you wish to ask (pick 3)?
> How did you know where we would land?
> Tell me about these..”allies”
> Do you know if they had any other scheme in the region?
> You were aware of our strength after the first battle – why not move north of the mountains alongside your allies? You said these are your homes, and yet many of your people live on the northern side of the Painted Mountains – what did they tell you to convince you to commit to a rearguard action?
> How did a woman end up leading this motley alliance of bandits and tribal warriors?
> We found the burnt remains of a journal written in the language of Asshai’i next to a broken spyglass – tell us about the man…or woman, that was onserving us.
> ….nice tits (Rhogar is an idiot, but they are indeed nice)
> Write-in
>>
>>4871576
> How did you know where we would land?
> Tell me about these..”allies”
> Do you know if they had any other scheme in the region?

This seems all quite valuable, The repositioning seems just a tactical choice they had (at least to me), while the woman leader might just be cultural or a fight over the position and she managed to win. At first glance they don t look important

The assha'i one, might be very valuable for understanding more the whole rebellion at large, but the tribals might not know much about it.

We could have a write in for better understand who are the local rebels leaders, but i think the schemes in the region fits that part.
>>
>>4871595
They are valuable for different reasons - "why a female leader" will help you understand the (matriarchal) culture of the thousands of women that will soon be widows...and will settle among a patriarchal culture. It would help with long-term arrangements regarding population, if you want to have lower unrest down the line in this region (which you will partially control via Aurion).

"Why the rearguard action" is valuable, but it'd be a spoiler to say why.
>>
>>4871603
Didn t consider that, i might change vote. Having less problems in integrating them would be nice
>>
>>4871576
>> Tell me about these..”allies”
>> Do you know if they had any other scheme in the region?
>> You were aware of our strength after the first battle – why not move north of the mountains alongside your allies? You said these are your homes, and yet many of your people live on the northern side of the Painted Mountains – what did they tell you to convince you to commit to a rearguard action?
>>
>>4871576

i will change my vote to this one.


> Tell me about these..”allies”
> Do you know if they had any other scheme in the region?
> How did a woman end up leading this motley alliance of bandits and tribal warriors?


>>4871595
>>
maybe wait 10 more mins, and then have a 1d2 like last turn, me and the other anon are on board on everything beside the third option. So not a big deal.

of course, is the vote is important let it run for more time, not a problem either.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4871648
>>4871631
>> Tell me about these..”allies”
>> Do you know if they had any other scheme in the region?

Rolling for the last one
>>
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>>4871576
You pick up a map from the stash Valarr keeps in his tent and place it on the small table, before pointing at the precise location you are now, near Mantarys

> “Tell us more about these “allies” of yours, and what kind of schemes they might still have going on in the region”

A simple nod from your elder counterpart, and Aelora begins to metaphorically “spill the beans”

“…the first thing you got to understand is that they told us very little. The majority of what I can say comes from our own observations. We have seen many men move through the passes over the past years – mainly sun-burnt faces akin to those of the men from the East who then moved either West, or South. We also saw a couple of smaller groups that stood out. One was made up of two bearded men with their…guards? Strange men – big, and yet carried nothing but axes. The second group was slightly larger and passed through the northern-most pass a few weeks ago. It was made up of a beautiful woman dressed in purple, a young man whose clothes were strangely red, and some others that looked more like scholars to me, rather than soldiers. My men told me they separated, with the woman going East, and the rest moving West, toward the city you call “Mantarys”.”

She stops for a second, as if attempting to remember something

”…we communicated primarily through messengers – that’s it, me and my “interlocutors”. They never appeared in person..except once. A middle-aged man I would say from the sound of his voice and the way he walked, flanked by a veritable legion of young soldiers. Not from the East, no…similar to you in paleness, but different. And before you ask me how, I don’t know. All I know is that they exuded a different “aura” than either of you”

> “Aura?”

“How can I put this…my people have their own traditions, and those of us that know how can perceive how another “feels”, almost instinctively. Take you peer over here…Valarr. The stench of blood and burned people sticks to him so much that I can almost taste it. You, on other hand..ah. That’s strange”

She looks at you before moving slightly closer.

The movement causes Valarr to put a hand over his sword, but Aelora dismisses it with a wave of her hand, stopping in front of you and observing you closely – as if she was trying to look through you

“Why is it that all I can see behind you is a laughing face..Belaerys, wasn’t it?”

She closes her eyes and bring a hand to her head, as if taken by a sudden migraine, before moving away from you – her daughter is at her side in an instant and Valarr looks at you before raising a eyebrow
>>
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>>4871799
“Nothing…where was I? Right, the man. He spoke of a great cataclysm that would soon hit Valyria itself, and offered us his help in claiming for ourselves the lands of the northern Peninsula, if only we provided guides to his men when they’d come to cross the Mountains as well as messengers when requested. I didn’t believe him at first, but less than a week after the first group of soldiers – too many for us to take on with the forces we had at hand – was coming up the pass, which is hidden by the way, from the Northern Side. He didn’t give us much of a choice”

“You are not giving us much to go on, you realize that right? You better speak the truth Aelora…for if you are, someone either knew or orchestrated the destruction of our homeland and the death of my family. So I will ask you one more time…what do you remember that you haven’t told us yet?”

While Aelora’s daughter takes a defensive position in front of her mother, the older woman dismisses her

“That is all I know, all I remember at least. The more I try to remember the details of our communications, the more they slip through my fingers. Even the memory of that meeting is blurred. But I do remember that all men we sent as messengers never came back. All except one, that’s it, 2 days ago. He was fatally wounded, but before dying in his mother’s arms the young lad managed to say that he had been running from “pale men” that tracked him East, after he had delivered a message in Mantarys. He never managed to say what…or to whom”

The air in the tent is incredibly heavy and tense given the sudden revelation. And yet…you are curious about these two women, and so attempt to break the tension

> “With your women moving into our cities, a mutual understanding of our different cultures would be..beneficial, to say the least. So one last question if I may – how did a woman end up leading this…alliance?”

She laughs softly at your choice of words, but it’s her daughter who responds

”We both passed the challenge of leadership, that’s how. We led our men and women to victory!”

Valarr scoffs loudly

”If by battle you mean militias whose only duty was defending their homes from raiders, then yeah sure”

The young woman is quick to anger, but a simply change in Valarr’s expression is enough for her to grunt in pain, dropping the small, needle-like knife she was about to extract

”Careful..we wouldn’t want your mother to lose a child due to said child’s stupidity”

”That’s enough..I apologize on behalf of my daughter, Archons.”

The older man nods, before dismissing the two women and turning to you once sure you are alone

”Rhogar. You have a good head over the shoulders. What do you make of that?”

> Write-in
>>
>>4871800
> Write-inars
ready for action

"The great rebellion becomes greater, the more we discover ... and dangerous. Those priests, norvos. Young legions of men lead by an old man, sounds like the sorcerers we talked about. Those young women could be instead from Lys, then there is the Ghiscari from the east. No doubts most of them are soldiers, more than important members of the rebellion."

"Those young messengers deaths ?"
"The assassins from Asshai, not one but multiple. Probably supported even by less expensive and more local cutthroats like the ghiscari ones we have kill in the camp."

"That young man, perhaps a religion or a rich noble. All our foes, but the last one, the young man and the bearded priests are the ones we need to take out here in North Valyria. They should be the key, to the regional operations of the rebellion here. And if not them, they will bring us to one of the members of the rebellion that stays here."

"Without doubts the great rebellion seals their internal deals with magic, the bandit "queen" is losing all the memories of the encounters. And very quickly. In fact, for what we know she might die because of it. It wouldn t be an harsh measure, for safekeeping their intel. Though ... she is important, but not too much. She seemed sincere in not knowing all. The deal they have done sounds believable, all the lands of North Valyria. A sizable amount for their people, and perhaps what they always wanted. More than gold and military equipment, or to kill us for that matter."

"In regard to her feeling, perhaps an influence from the doom, magic or their traditions. That said you had a good idea to take out your blade, i was about to do the same myself."
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>>4871814
"This clues seems enough for give a report to the council, and have a better plans for approach Mantarys and the rest of the region."
"We will arrive with victories and an enemy defeated, and made to serve us instead of fighting us. This should help us already with the population and the loyalist nobility. For the moment we have gain a small advantage over the rebellion, let use it well."

left a part out.
may bad i had read write-inars for whatever reason lmao, just write-in
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>>4871800
>>”Rhogar. You have a good head over the shoulders. What do you make of that?”
>I don't know what to make of it except that we appear to have confirmed all the world stands against us. The bearded men with their guards are most likely priests from Norvos and I assume the "pale men" from the West are Qartheen. It seems that they may be using sorcery to cloud Aelora's memory of her communication with them. And, of course, we have confirmed that this conspiracy was at least some years in the making. For all that she's told us, I'm not sure that we know much more of value than we did before. Unless you see anything I've missed?
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>>4871814
>>4871826
I really like how you put together the dots. You are missing some of the points that you guys discovered in the last thread, but not even many.

In any case I will let others make their own write in for another 30-45 minutes to see if anyone finds/remembers them, otherwise I will simply let you guys roll to see if Rhogar remembers, so as to give a full report to the Council
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>>4871814
>>4871800
Alright, so, what do we actually know other than our enemies are multicultural, multi-faith, well-prepared and magically adept?

>mainly sun-burnt faces akin to those of the men from the East who then moved either West, or South
Ghiscari perhaps? Would make sense given our proximity to Ghis. Any other candidates in the region?
>One was made up of two bearded men with their…guards
Norvos obviously
> The second group was slightly larger and passed through the northern-most pass a few weeks ago
>beautiful woman dressed in purple
Not much to go on here
>a young man whose clothes were strangely red
I'm thinking a follower of Rhllor but we don't have enough to go on in-character
>others that looked more like scholars to me
Maesters? I don't know what to make of them really.
>A middle-aged man ... flanked by a veritable legion of young soldiers. Not from the East, no…similar to you in paleness, but different.
Who?
>“pale men” that tracked him East
Qartheen presumably
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Roll me a flat 1d100 - Bo1.

This is to see whether Rhogar himself remembers any further detail
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Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>4871866
Come on!
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>>4871814
Supporting
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>>4871867
Rhogar connects a couple of dots, but not the bigger picture.

Writing
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>>4871866
What a shame, I was attempting to remember the rest but i am doing some rl stuff as well right now.


>>4871861
More than that probably. I had properly written it in previous threads honestly, alongside a few others.
What I have written now, is based on what I have previously written too.
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>>4871867
>>4871876
Damn, here I was hoping to leave on a high note. I'll see y'all in the morning.
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>>4871885

it was an exercise of remembering more than guessing, and not just of the information we acquired by the quest but even the things we have arrived on our own. There will be probably more in the future, so it would be wise to remember important posts done. And to check pastebins for other actions we can do (they are on top in the first post of every thread).
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Don t get me wrong guys, we didn't fall too hard. But we will lose much more opportunities and possibilities, in future posts if we don t check/ remember vital information.

I did fail myself because i don t remember some stuff as well, so i am on the same boat.
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>>4871885
Maybe her tits are better than we think and Rhogar was distracted. RIP
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Guys, I guess that in the end, we could go with our homie The Sun and tell him that he gave us the final clues to solve the mistery and connect the dots, and you already know the price, of course
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>>4872105
Nah we can resolve that on our own. Especially because we will now go to clean Mantarys and the rest of North Valryria, from rebels.
Meaning more interrogations if we capture more heads.


We should spend favour with him for stuff that is valuable and useful.

Beside, the council might connect the dots for us with more informations.
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Also we still didn t get Valarr reaction. And neither talked with Horonno and Sheira about the new stuff found, that have more experiences than us in other fields.
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Tagaros how many painted tribesman joined us ( In terms of military force and their population) ? Their people are of a similar level to Westerosi for technology, or less ? Or at least they know agriculture (looks like it with stable villages) ?

Gaining far more troops should help us in the coming battles, though loyalty needs to be put in them (can be done through some theathrics and avoding they die in too many during battles).. or a good amount of them needs to die so they aren t anymore a nuisance and we lose less countrymen.
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Sorry if I haven't yet updated, but had to finish work and then deal with family stuff.

>>4872144
Right now? Around 3 000. Their total population is around 60 000, and armed men that will join you (as in their entire male population of fighting age..) will be around 18 000.

If you are going with Valarr's plan, you are essentially going to commit genocide on these people.
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>>4872192
>commit genocide on these people.
Oh no.

Anyway.
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>>4872195
see >>4870727
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>>4871800
You look at the serious expression of the older man, then outside the tent – nobody can hear.

Good.

> “Ayrmidon…”

He moves closer, hearing the seriousness of your tone of voice

> “…she has a nice pair”

The older man looks at you disoriented for a second, before exploding out laughing – it’s strange to see the Patriarch laugh, for you have gotten used to see him only smile in a cruel manner; it really takes off the edge from his person and makes him appear almost like what you’d imagine a jovial grandfather might look like.

“Gods above Rhogar..you are lucky your wife isn’t around, you know that right? Don’t think I haven’t noticed how that cute little priestess you brought from Volantis has kept her distance from you since the campaign began – I bet your wife would feed her to her dragon…and you too, if she heard you speak in this manner of another woman”

Valarr explodes in another laughter, clearly amused at the thought of Sheira running behind you atop her dragon. It takes some minutes for him to calm down and listen to you, as you begin speaking more seriously this time.

> "The great rebellion becomes greater, the more we discover ... and dangerous. Those priests, Norvos. Young legions of men lead by an old man, sounds like the sorcerers we talked about. Those young women could be instead from Lys, then there is the Ghiscari from the east. No doubts most of them are soldiers, more than important members of the rebellion."

“Those assassins…”

> "Likely assassins from Asshai, not one but multiple. Probably supported even by less expensive and more local cutthroats like the Ghiscari ones we have found in the camp. Think about it – we already know as a fact that we are dealing with an Asshai’i. Is it so strange to imagine they might have hired more people from that far away land?"

Valarr nods, inviting you to continue

> "That young man, perhaps a religion or a rich noble. All our foes, but the last one, the young man and the bearded priests are the ones we need to take out here in North Valyria. They should be the key to the regional operations of the rebellion here. And if not them, they will bring us to one of the members of the rebellion that stays here."
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>>4872208
Ayrmidon swears loudly, before taking out a knife and sticking it on the map – Mantarys.

“Fuck! How could we be so blind?! They went WEST, toward Mantarys! The same city from which the military cliques of the officers we caught came from! And reports came in from the West reporting that the Archon of Mantarys is currently “indisposed”. More like poisoned and disposed of or kept prisoner! This is why they could field professional soldiers against us at the Cliffs, and not just tribesmen and bandits – they were being supplied from the West! For all we know the coup could have already happened. We need to speak with the Council – now.”

You gulp. If he is right, this is a disaster. And yet…it makes sense.

They sent you troops that, notwithstanding the traitorous officers, have shown great loyalty so far – why do that, if not to rid themselves of the people who could actually stand against any attempt to suppress a coup or revolt?

“Add on top of that the fact that Aelora seemed to lose memory…I doubt she will survive the night honestly. I have seen that happen in the East, in Yi Ti – a favorite trick of some courtiers at the court of the Emperor. To seal away a memory as soon as you share it with others, often killing you in the process. We know now that we are dealing with people that possess contact with sorcerers at least. This will have to do. Now..leave me Rhogar. Go spend time with your wife. Trials await us”

You leave the tent, intent on seeking only the comfort of Sheira.
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>>4872217
That evening you cannot find it in yourself to sleep, and so decide to talk a walk around the camp – your wife and your cousin have expressed how as of late you seem..distant, different from before.

Your reply is that you feel apprehension and the weight of command.

It is not a complete lie…and yet…you never thought that leading men and taking decisions would be this hard.

You happen to pass in front of Ayrmidon’s tent, and you hear him calling you – as you enter, you notice three empty bottles of strong ale in a corner.

Your general appears to be more than a bit drunk.

Ayrmidon sits down on a chair, and for a second you can swear that the glamour wears off, for you can see just how old the Patriarch of the Valarr Dynasty actually is – blood magic may prolong one’s life and even give back the vigor of the body’s prime years…but it cannot mask the tiredness that comes with living too long

“Rhogar…I have lived a long life. Far longer than I had any right to. I was the oldest of 6 children. 4 brothers, 2 sisters. All my siblings are long gone. My grandson is dead, and I might even have to take another wife given how grief struck my only son is, in order to continue our family line. In case you haven’t noticed, very few young people survived the destruction of Valyria. Our entire caste…us few among the sons of Old Valyria that have the ability to bond with the great Dragons and manipulate fire and blood as if they were extensions of our will – we are on the brink of extinction. Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to learn what it means to lead. Aurion is unlikely to marry once more. Your cousin is brilliant..but prefers the company of men to that of women, if my old eyes did not deceive me in the interactions between him and…my own grandson. You are the future of your Dynasty, and so I shall endeavor to pass on what knowledge I have gathered in more than a hundred years of war. The first lesson is this – sometimes, we can afford mercy. It is sadly all too rare the occasion when we can do so. This one is not a situation where we can afford mercy or to cut corners.”

You are taken aback, for you have never seen this side of the man. He has always appeared incredibly ruthless, bordering on the monstrous sometimes. And yet…it seems that truly nobody escaped Valyria unscathed.

Valarr looks at you, as if expecting you to reply.
> Write-in (you can write whatever you want. This is a freestyle scene where you can express yourselves or your thoughts. Feel free to ask Valarr any question you want, comment on what’s going on, offer suggestions etc. Or we can simply skip to the next scene)
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Also I updated the map with your victories and the political/military situation, to make it more easily understandable what is going on in the world at large and what impact you are having.
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>>4872229
And just for armosphere, listen to the track n.7 (Mountain Fire) as you read the last piece or think how to reply, if you are into using music to create a proper atmosphere.

https://youtu.be/UWKJFgpyNjM?t=1278
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>>4872229
>Hug the man.
>Ask how he can live with such a large burden on his shoulders?
>What type of woman is he seeking for in a wife?
We can give some joy into his life.
>Ask him to write everything down what he knows, to keep his memory alive.
>Desired resting place?
>Does he want to fly with us on our dragon?
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>>4872229
>Write In

Extend an hand
"Remember what i first said when we started this campaign, back in Elyria ? "I also hope to learn from you and crash our foes," I did mean it. Both parts."

sit on a chair and put some of the ale in a spare glass.

"I wasn t sure of what to do with my life back in Lys... when all of this madness started. I didn t have a clear idea for my future and most of the time i avoided responsabilities, now though i have changed. I have done much for arrive here, and i want to do more not just for me but for our people."

" At the time i always thought that i could never reach the greatness of men like you or my uncle. It s strange to see closely the weight of that greatness, i can sense it upon myself even if i am still a commander with few experiences."

"I am honored to be taught by you, or any other adults or elders of our people for that matter. I shall accept this and attempt my best to rise to your standard of a true leader and dragonlord."
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>>4872217
The political/military situation is quite interesting. There is a lot of problems in Volantis frontlines (i hope the triarchs are at work for find that other dragonlord that did go north), but if they can resist while we clean east, we could be able to arrive to them.

Ok we can work with this, now we need to connect with the Loyalist of Mantarys and get the people on our side.
And with the demon road cleared, we are land connected and we can start pushing in the east further.
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I'm going to let the vote go on for some more time, in case anyone else wished to participate. In the meantime, is the map clear enough, or should I add something more?

>>4872272
To be fair Volantis is fighting a war on 3 sides while preparing for a northern expedition, just in case Pentos or Norvos got any funny idea seeing as their armies were away from the city.

Before anyone accuses me of breaking the lore - canonically it took Volantis sending an entire armada (and army on top of it) to Valyria (and losing it), fighting internal revolts in Lys and Myr, fighting Tyrosh, Pentos etc plus the last dragonlords at the same time...after a century where they were bled white, to finally be defeated. And even after THAT they remained the most populous and powerful of the Free Cities.

So yeah - your enemies are many, but so long as you have Volantis on your side, I think your western flank is covered (I roll for each battle, so what you see is the results you got)
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>>4872276
Yeah they are quite tough to crack, so our foes will not have it easy with them. That s for sure,.
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Give I'm falling asleep, I will let the vote for the write-in run overnight.

I call the session to a close - thanks for participating.

What have you achieved today:
> You finally identified the rough edges of the conspiracy movements in North Valyria.
> You cracked the nut that were the tribes of the Painted Mountains
> You successfully negotiated with their Queen to integrate their population in your own, and for her fighting force to join your moving North
> You found out (she indicated them on the map) the hidden passes through the Mountains - you can now directly reach Essaria if you so wish, or hit Meereen from the back
> You discovered what would have (potentially) become a thorn in your side - Mantarys might be about to experience a coup.
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>>4872316
nice
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>>4872229
>"Well... I don't know if this brings you peace, but at least your years of experience and knowledge wont fall in deaf ears, Valarr"
Serve a glass of ale for ourselves and a chair so we sit with him
>"But a thing that we should face, is that from the Doom, our past selves are dead. It's a deep wound the one we have, a great stink that make us bleed, a scar that won't disappear. But we shall prevail, just like we are doing. We have a solid ground with you, my uncle, and other great men that also survived to that tragedy and had gone gray. Maybe this is the first step for a new age for the Dragonlords, but until we finally take it, we need to learn from all of you... I will learn everything you want to teach me, Valarr, and once you get to marrying someone, and you might fought your last battle in this task that we take, I promise I will teach your son or daughter that knowledge that you couldn't teach them in person.
Put out hand in his shoulder, look at him in the eyes and nod, before taking a long sip of our ale
>I doubt that's going to happen, but I guess the intentions count
A little joke to aliviate the mood, a good laugh
>The point is that, your memory and knoledge won't loose, and in case you're worried that something like that happens, putting your expirience over ink and paper could be a good idea...
Get a little serious
>Now, going back to your advice... Do you think we can afford mercy with the Bandit Queen and her people, even her army?... Do you think that maybe Rhaella could save her of that erasing memory magic?... Because if that's a yes, you know... She doesn't look bat at all.. I know it will sound crazy, but hear me out. If you want to take a couple of steps back from our original plan and save her, you could marry her. That she and her daugther tried to kill us? Sure, but that's going to be a really funny history for the wedding day, you know? Also, that "Aura" thing, if it's more than just some bullshit thing her people made it could be useful.
Laugh, a little comedy moment
>But oh well... I couldn't get to sleep, and it isn't a good idea that a General drink too much in a mission like ours, so if you want we could drink, talk and you tell me those useful things you learn all these years you lived... And also a little about blood magic if you're good about it, that can also be useful
Another joke and that's it
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QM?
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>>4875402
I recon it s probably something rl related.
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He has twitter if you check the first post in thread for updates.
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>>4875582
>>4875402
Nothing serious, I just took a couple of days off to recharge since (except when my pc died last Friday) I ran sessions daily for over a month..and not 1-2 replies/day but more like a continuous stream.

Tomorrow we'll start with a new thread and after a quick scene with Valarr we'll move forward
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>>4875675
np for me tagaros, it s good if you take some time for yourself
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>>4875675
No worries. I'm in this quest for the long-haul. I'd rather you took a few days off when you need it rather than burn out before we even make it to Essaria.

Ceterum autem censeo Ghiscar esse delendam
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>>4876835
>>4876835
>>4876835



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