>>5336081
>>Find Claire and talk to her about where she even found a yōma - those are really rare these days.

>>5336081
>Find Claire and talk to her about where she even found a yōma - those are really rare these days.

>>5336081
>Find Claire and talk to her about where she even found a yōma - those are really rare these days.

>>5336081
>>Find Claire and talk to her about where she even found a yōma - those are really rare these days.

>>5336081
>>Check in with the spies - Carlotta, Vera, and Gina. Maybe they’ve heard rumors from the north.

>>5336081
>>Find Claire and talk to her about where she even found a yōma - those are really rare these days.

>>5336081
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 10, 10, 5 = 25 (3d10)

>>5337057

Rolled 8, 9, 10 = 27 (3d10)

>>5337057

Rolled 6, 1, 6 = 13 (3d10)

>>5337057

>>5337057
“I’d be interested to hear about that,” you muse. “Laura, can you tell me where Claire is right now?”

…

You can spot Claire from a good distance off as she runs the shore of the loch, as you’ve known her to do regularly these past years. Her little white ponytail bobs in time with her pace, and her leaf-shaped ears mark her out as more than just a local girl out for exercise. When she notices you coming up behind her she slows her pace, and greets you cheerfully as you catch up with her.

“Good morning, Miss Noel!”

“Morning Claire,” you reply politely. “Feels like it’s going to be a nice day.”

“Just like yesterday,” she muses. “You got back from the field late, right?”

“That’s right.”

“So how’re the border defenses looking?”

You shrug. “Nothing more we can do but wait. But it looks good at the moment.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Say, tell me, Claire,” you continue. “I heard from Laura that you actually killed a yōma a little while back. Can you tell me more about that?”

“Yeah, found ‘im hiding out in Bretonne,” Claire clarifies. “Just over the border. It was weird, it’d been so long since I’d fought one it almost felt like I’d forgotten how.”

“Almost?” you repeat.

She comes to a halt, turning to face you with a smile. “Almost.”

>I need to know more to duplicate the success of your ‘fishing trip’ elsewhere.
>Have any of our peers done similar, to your knowledge I’m trying to get a sense.
>How about you and I go hunting together?
>Other?

>>5337468
>Have any of our peers done similar, to your knowledge I’m trying to get a sense.

>>5337468
>Have any of our peers done similar, to your knowledge I’m trying to get a sense.

>>5337468
>>Have any of our peers done similar, to your knowledge I’m trying to get a sense.

>>5337468
>When she notices you coming up behind her she slows her pace, and greets you cheerfully as you catch up with her.
On your left?
>Have any of our peers done similar, to your knowledge I’m trying to get a sense.

>>5337468
“We don’t talk much,” you admit. “Regular yōma aren’t something we talk about all the time, and I spend a lot of time in other places, or focusing on other duties. So I want to ask you - when was the last time you know of any of our number killing one?”

Claire seems to consider her answer for a few moments. “I think one of us kills one every other month or so?”

“Interesting,” you muse. “We don’t really track it in any official sense, but that sort of matches with my assumptions.”

“How and where did you find it… you mentioned Bretonne?”

“It was hiding in an abandoned church,” Claire recalls, “one of the ones the Inquisition built.”

“Is that a pattern?”

Claire shakes her head. “Not that I can tell no.”

“What gave it away?”

“People started going missing,” Claire informs you. “Former Inquisition die-hards would visit the church on the outskirts of town, and sometimes didn’t come back.”

>That’s as good a place to start as any. We’re going hunting.
>We’ll send a few teams that way. I’ll take one myself.
>We can pursue that. I’m also curious about yōma numbers in Sakia though.
>Other?

>>5338437
>>We’ll send a few teams that way. I’ll take one myself.

>>5338437
>We can pursue that. I’m also curious about yōma numbers in Sakia though.

>>5338437
>>We can pursue that. I’m also curious about yōma numbers in Sakia though.

>>5338437
>We can pursue that. I’m also curious about yōma numbers in Sakia though.

>>5338437
“That would be a good thing to pursue,” you decide. “But I’m also curious to know whether Sakia has any problems with yōma.”

“Why’s that?” Claire asks you curiously.

“Because it’s the area where we operate the least,” you explain, “and where the Organization operates the most.”

“You think they’re not hunting the yōma, or that they’re importing more or something?”

“I can’t rule the latter out,” you admit, “but I doubt it. As for hunts, we only know of one warrior in their camp and we’ve heard no rumors of any others.”

“So what do you think we can learn from going up north again?” Claire wonders.

“That depends on whether we can determine that yōma are commonplace or rarer across the border,” you consider the possible results, “and whether there are more warriors we don’t know about to account for that answer.”

>We need answers, and that means we need to hunt in Sakia ourselves.
>We need fresh intelligence, from soldiers involved with the Organization.
>That will take time. We should look west for prey, for example Tarsus.
>Other?

>>5339603
>That will take time. We should look west for prey, for example Tarsus.

>>5339603
>We need fresh intelligence, from soldiers involved with the Organization.

>>5339603
>>We need fresh intelligence, from soldiers involved with the Organization.

>>5339603
>>We need fresh intelligence, from soldiers involved with the Organization.
>>That will take time. We should look west for prey, for example Tarsus.
Why not both? Or is it spreading us too thin?

>>5339603
“We need fresh information,” you decide, “from soldiers in Sakia. And that means a repeat performance.”

…

Upon returning to the castle you advance your idea for a raid as well as your goals. This time you’re met with a mix of skepticism and interest - the goal of tracking down any remaining warriors is something that’s been on a lot of minds ever since you began parting ways with the Organization en masse, but going across the border potentially on the eve of battle with Sakia seems to be much more divisive.

>All we need is the information - that means no capturing/killing the soldiers in question
>We can try scouting the area more carefully first - the kidnappings will be a backup plan.
>We just need to move fast. In, out, gone before they know we were ever there.
>Other?

>>5340512
>>We just need to move fast. In, out, gone before they know we were ever there.

>>5340512
>We just need to move fast. In, out, gone before they know we were ever there.

>>5340512
>>We just need to move fast. In, out, gone before they know we were ever there.

>>5340512
“We just need to be quick about it,” you insist. “Overland, our ability to cross vast distances quickly is still better than the occupiers’, and each of us has intelligence gathering and survival training.”

“So you prefer to avoid direct conflict?” Laura clarifies.

You nod in agreement. “So far as it can be avoided yes, I think that would help.”

“Give the enemy nothing to respond to and it doesn’t matter how fast or slow they are,” Aurora adds, seemingly on-board with your vague outline of a plan. “So what’s the plan exactly once we cross the border?”

Ah, there it is: the other shoe.

“I’m not sure just yet,” you admit. “It’s not exactly clear what the target should be.”

“Ah,” Aurora raises an eyebrow. “I keep forgetting that you’re shockingly forthright for a queen.”

“I do have a process, though,” you continue. “It needs to be a target with three characteristics - the soldiers there have to know something worth knowing, they must be close enough to facilitate a swift raid, and they must be either small enough or isolated enough not to be able to put up enough of a resistance.”

“So… any thoughts?”

There’s a pause.

“So not a stronghold,” Valentina supposes.

“An ambush,” Justina adds.

“Maybe we could identify a fixed supply route?” That comment comes from Sabrina, ordinarily a standoffish presence in the room, but this time not only participating but actually insightful.

“That could work,” Helen muses. “They should be easy to identify, since they should be using the most efficient routes.”
>1/2

>>5341787
[They should also have connections to the rear,] Serana observes. [The will not have been isolated from their superiors for too long.]

“Then that settles it in terms of type of target,” you decide. “Next we have to settle on the location.”

“There are a few,” Helen offers. “Last I looked there were troops still positioned north of Hazaran’s two biggest border cities, Daria and Acerrae.”

“Those would have to have dedicated supply lines,” Alexa nods.

“Those might be heavily defended,” Lucia counters. “Maybe a smaller target? Like north of Voi?”

“We could just pick out a small fortress and wait,” Valentina suggests. “There are plenty of those.”

>The units supplying Daria or Acerrae are more likely to have up to date information.
>We’re just looking for rumors in any event, so Voi is a good compromise for targets.
>I think there’s nothing wrong with picking off the easiest target, see what we find out.
>Other?

>>5341849
>The units supplying Daria or Acerrae are more likely to have up to date information.

>>5341849
>The units supplying Daria or Acerrae are more likely to have up to date information.

>>5341849
>>The units supplying Daria or Acerrae are more likely to have up to date information.

>>5341849
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 1, 7, 4 = 12 (3d10)

>>5342820

Rolled 4, 1, 1 = 6 (3d10)

>>5342820

>>5342843
Oh dear this was awful

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

>>5342820

Rolled 2, 1, 8 = 11 (3d10)

>>5342820

>>5342820
“If we’re going to do this, we may as well aim for the most up-to-date information we can possibly obtain,” you decide. “Agreed?”

With no disagreements, you continue. “So that would mean that aiming for the supply lines for the units around Acerrae will be the best plan.”

[We should scout their locations first,] Serana suggests.

You nod. “I agree. The key will be moving quickly once we’ve either been noticed or have started moving to capture our targets. That doesn’t preclude scouting.”

“I assume you mean to take a small team?” Helen addresses the question directly to you. “We seem to have a preference for it, and this mission would seem to call for it.”

“A four-person team is the standard for a reason,” Valentina chimes in.

“I would suggest it if nobody else did,” Aurora adds.

“Alright, we’ll go with this team,” you begin considering the problem. “Alexa, Serana, Aurora, and myself. Agreed?”

“That would be fine,” Helen agrees. “I will take a team to Acerrae as backup, in case you need it. That team will consist of myself, Laura, Jenna, and Vanessa.”

Helen spares Valentina a glance. “I’d like you and Justina to remain here as insurance.”

“Agreed,” you nod. “Oh, and there’s one more person I think we should bring.”

…

The hills outside of Acerrae are somewhat familiar to you now - but they’re even more familiar to your mother. Sabela picks out an animal trail that leads through the hills which leads you overland to the castle ruins she once used as a home and a base of operations in the area.

“We’ll rest here tonight,” you decide, before leading your group up into the ruins and in under cover. “Do we risk a fire?”

“I don’t think so,” Aurora shakes her head. “I don’t want to get caught out here.”
>1/2

>>5343234
That makes it a chilly night, which you mitigate by huddling under your cloaks, only leaving to take turns on watch. Well past midnight, Alexa drops down from one of the remnants of the upper floors and hisses a quiet warning to you.

“Soldiers are on their way - heading right for us, from the west!”

Wait… from the west?

[Isn’t the garrison to the north?] Serana flashes signals to you.

You nod. “It should be.”

>We need to move, now. They’re probably planning to take shelter here.
>We should keep this place under observation, determine their objective.
>If there are few enough these soldiers might be the ones to capture.
>Other?

>>5343245
>>We need to move, now. They’re probably planning to take shelter here.

>>5343245
>If there are few enough these soldiers might be the ones to capture.

>>5343245
>We should keep this place under observation, determine their objective.

>>5343245
First to reach two votes takes it.

>>5343245
>>We should keep this place under observation, determine their objective.

>>5343517
>>5344388
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 5, 7, 5 = 17 (3d10)

>>5344418

Rolled 5, 4, 9 = 18 (3d10)

>>5344418

Rolled 9, 6, 10 = 25 (3d10)

>>5344418

>>5344418
[We should leave,] you decide. [Observe from a distance.]

The four of you start taking the necessary steps immediately, which includes making sure that there are no signs that you were ever here. That mostly means sweeping the odd footprint, and erasing the slight impressions in the dirt and ground cover where your bodies had been resting through the night. You’re also careful to sweep your footprints as you withdraw from the ruins to a nearby hill to the east from which you can observe the ruins, sheltered from prying eyes by the low rocks and shrubs.

Eventually the soldiers arrive - but you can tell even from this distance that they’re not from the invading army that has overrun Sakia. Their uniforms are different, and in a much shabbier state, with weapons that don’t look like they’re nearly so advanced.

[Not Organization?] Serana flashes a quick signal.

You shake your head. [Maybe not?]

[What do we do?] Alexa signs.

[Just because they’re not Organization doesn’t mean they’re friendly,] Aurora points out.

[But if they’re not enemies they could become allies,] Alexa suggests.

[Do these count?] Serana wonders silently. [For our mission?]

[Perhaps,] Sabela offers, glancing at you. [What do you think, daughter?]

… that’s a fair point. You suppose you really don’t need the Organization’s foot soldiers to be the ones who tell you what you want to know, so long as what you end up with are people who actually know what’s going on in the region and have answers to your specific questions. But if you do capture these soldiers in particular only to learn that they don’t know what you need to know and won’t be friendly with you, what will you do then? You’d have to ensure their silence somehow, perhaps by imprisoning them? No, not ‘perhaps’ - that’s the only way you can allow yourself and your own kind to resolve the situation.

>Try to capture this group of soldiers.
>Take a pass on this particular group.
>Try to isolate one of them to interrogate.
>Send one warrior to make contact.
>Other?

>>5345166
>>Send one warrior to make contact.

>>5345166
>Send one warrior to make contact.

>>5345166
>Try to isolate one of them to interrogate.

>>5345166
>Send one warrior to make contact.

>>5345166
>>Send one warrior to make contact.

>>5345166
Queen, words, roll, stuff
>3d10 in thread best of three

GO!

Rolled 8, 10, 2 = 20 (3d10)

>>5347031

Rolled 5, 5, 1 = 11 (3d10)

>>5347031

Rolled 7, 2, 4 = 13 (3d10)

>>5347031

>>5347031
[We should send one warrior,] you decide. [Wait here, get ready for a diversion.]

[You’re going alone.] Serana’s clearly not asking a question.

You nod. She knows you well. [Yes.]

[What signal should we look for?] Alexa asks you.

You offer a wry grin. [You’ll know when you see it.]

…

As you approach the soldiers, you get a closer look at them - particularly when you slip past their sentry in the dark. They’re in ragged condition, clearly exhausted and under-supplied, and seem to have traveled far to get here. Their weapons are no more advanced than Hazaran’s were when you were young, not even on your own current standards let alone that of your enemy. There are even a few basket-hilted swords to be seen.

Their supplies they’ve brought by a small cart, drawn by the most pathetic looking pack mule you’ve laid eyes on in years, and they’ve begun to make a meager meal for themselves around a fire they’ve started amid the ruins. A small detail seems ready to depart in search of water.

“There’s a spring just down the hill,” you declare, stepping into the light of their camp fire with your hands clearly raised. There’s a noticeable delay before the scramble for weapons, including one or two soldiers who draw their swords. “Easy! I’m not attacking!”

“You’re one of those silver-eyed witches!” one man accuses you - the remnants of piping around his left shoulder tell you he was once a man with an officer’s rank. In all likelihood there’s no formal command structure left here though. “Why should we trust you?”

>Because I’m a silver-eyed witch who’s offering starving soldiers food and water.
>Because I can conduct your whole group to safety in Hazaran’s frontier regions.
>Because we’re your last, best chance of achieving victory over the long term.
>Other?

>>5347659
>Because I’m a silver-eyed witch who’s offering starving soldiers food and water.

>>5347659
>Because I’m a silver-eyed witch who’s offering starving soldiers food and water.

>>5347659
>>Because I’m a silver-eyed witch who’s offering starving soldiers food and water.

>>5347659
>Because I’m a silver-eyed witch who’s offering starving soldiers food and water.

>>5347659
“Because I’m a silver-eyed witch who can offer you food and clean water,” you shrug. “If you’d be interested in such things.”

“I thought you witches didn’t eat,” one of the soldiers accuses you.

You have to shake your head. “That’s not true - we simply eat much less than normal.”

“How do you propose to help us? And how can we be sure this isn’t a trap?”

“What reason would I have to set a trap for you?” you ask, partly as a counterargument but also in part because you’re a little curious about that line of reasoning. “You’re the ones who are intruding on my territory, so maybe I should be the one asking questions?”

“You’d make an offer of help and retract it within moments?”

“I never said my offer wasn’t contingent on anything,” you point out. “So tell me this - who are you and why have you come to my homeland?”

“We’re rebels, I guess,” the first soldier, the one in what’s left of an officer’s uniform, admits. “I left the regular service when our so-called leaders gave up our nation to the invaders, cultivated spies and political connections, gathered weapons, trained fighters.”

“It seems things went poorly,” you observe.

“We never really stood a chance,” the former officer admits. “But we fought them nonetheless.”

“You speak of this place like it’s yours somehow,” another of the soldiers demands. “This, once territory of Sakia when our nation still had its pride.”

>I speak that way because Hazaran was my birthright, and Acerrae is now part of Hazaran.
>Your ‘pride’ didn’t help you win your country back. You’ll need more than that to succeed.
>If you’re partisans, I’ll need your assurance that you’ll behave - or there WILL be a problem.
>Other?

>>5348864
>>I speak that way because Hazaran was my birthright, and Acerrae is now part of Hazaran.

>>5348864
>I speak that way because Hazaran was my birthright, and Acerrae is now part of Hazaran.

>>5348864
>Your ‘pride’ didn’t help you win your country back. You’ll need more than that to succeed.

Don't tell nationalist insurgents that their country is yours now. Holy crap, anons.

>>5348864
>>Your ‘pride’ didn’t help you win your country back. You’ll need more than that to succeed.

>>5348864
>>5348893
>Your ‘pride’ didn’t help you win your country back. You’ll need more than that to succeed.
Switching

>>5348864
>Your ‘pride’ didn’t help you win your country back. You’ll need more than that to succeed.

>>5348864
“Your ‘pride’ didn’t help you win back your country,” you observe. “For that goal you’ll need more than that… at very least, food and water.”

“What exactly are you trying to offer us?” the former officer presses you.

You sigh. “Food and water, like I said. After that, we can talk if you’d like.”

“A first gesture?”

You shrug. “If you like.”

The officer stares at you for a few seconds. “Damn, I guess we don’t really have a choice then do we?”

“You made it this far on your own,” you reply calmly. “That would be your other choice.”

After a few moments the officer decides to ask around, taking a vote for how to proceed. Out of the twenty-one partisan soldiers seventeen vote to head for Acerrae first thing in the morning. Out of the four who voted against that plan two agree to remain with the group afterwards in spite of their misgivings. The remaining two insist that after resting and recovering in Acerrae they will return to Sakia.

…

[Are you sure this is wise?] Serana asks you the next morning, having escorted the partisans to Acerrae and arranged for them to be fed.

[It’s an appropriate step,] you admit. [Wisdom has nothing to do with it.]

[Ah.]

You eye the officer - you think it’s safe to say what he does, the rest of them will do. He notices you watching him, though you don’t react to his realization.

>Suggest that his soldiers remain here for the time being, fighting on the border.
>Offer to review the tactics they’ve used - you may have some suggestions to make.
>Ask about the yoma situation in Sakia - you fed them, so you should get something in return.
>Other?

>>5349948
>Ask about the yoma situation in Sakia - you fed them, so you should get something in return.

>>5349948
>>Ask about the yoma situation in Sakia - you fed them, so you should get something in return.

>>5349948
>>Ask about the yoma situation in Sakia - you fed them, so you should get something in return.

>>5349948
“Now that you’ve been fed,” you muse, approaching the officer alone, “consider this - Hazaran has done something for you, now maybe you can do something for us.”

“So there was a catch after all,” he grumbles. “Weaponizing food like that…”

“Not a cost that you can’t easily pay,” you assure him, “just a single question, the reason my party and I have come here to the frontier is to answer it.”

“Then let’s have it out,” the officer insists curtly.

“We need to know how bad the yōma problem is in Sakia,” you tell him. “Whether you can answer that question, or know someone who might be able to who we could track down and speak with, then please tell me so.”
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 2, 7, 4 = 13 (3d10)

>>5350763

Rolled 2, 4, 3 = 9 (3d10)

>>5350763

Rolled 7, 10, 4 = 21 (3d10)

>>5350763

Rolled 8, 10, 9 = 27 (3d10)

>>5350763

>>5351099
Great roll!

>>5350763
His answer surprises you.

“I thought you would have known?”

You consider this for a moment before replying. “Why would you think that? We only rarely cross the border anymore - at least, no one operating out of Blackthorn keep.”

Keeping your three spies to yourself for now seems prudent. Their role isn’t to hunt monsters or Sakian internal dissidents after all, so their existence isn’t really relevant to the conversation - and each can only ever be in one place at a time.

“Rumor has it the invaders have themselves a pet witch,” the officer tells you. “Almost more like a demon, really - or so we thought, until the real demons made an appearance.”

“What do you mean by that?” you press.

“It can be hard to figure your kind sometimes - I used to wonder if you even count as ‘human’ anymore,” he confesses with a troubled look. “But those things… with those things I have no doubt there’s nothing human left.”

>I need to know everything you can tell me - what is it we’re dealing with here?
>That sounds like the Organization’s handiwork. Strange that we haven’t encountered any.
>These ‘demons’ you speak of - do they work WITH the witch you mentioned?
>Other?

>>5352575
>>These ‘demons’ you speak of - do they work WITH the witch you mentioned?

>>5352575
>These ‘demons’ you speak of - do they work WITH the witch you mentioned?

>>5352575
>These ‘demons’ you speak of - do they work WITH the witch you mentioned?

>>5352575
>>I need to know everything you can tell me - what is it we’re dealing with here?
maybe offer him a bit extra for full disclosure, cause this is gonna be important

>>5352759
Not a bad idea. He tells us something, we give something back.

>>5352575
“This ‘pet witch’ is something we are aware of,” you admit with a frown, “however these ‘demons’ you speak of… that’s a new and disturbing rumor. I want to hear more.”

“It’s disturbing,” he repeats, “but you want to know more?”

“It’s my duty and my purpose to deal with disturbing matters,” you observe. “Both as a silver-eyed warrior and as queen to my people. Some of these things you would likely find even more disturbing than whatever it is you can tell me.”

“Name one thing that could be more disturbing than something I already referred to as a ‘demon’.”

“The entire world you know is the result of an experiment run by the Organization,” you explain without missing a beat, “for the purposes of creating living weapons to fight a war against ‘asharakam’, which are basically dragons. There’s a massive continent on the far side of the world where all the rest of humanity lives and the truth has been kept from us for generations.”

“... bullshit.”

“Our indestructible swords,” you reply, “are far too sharp and durable to be meant for yōma, and the strength and skill of our single-digits is totally excessive. Just those two factors should be enough to suggest the existence of a greater threat, and our interrogations of captured soldiers and stranded sailors from the mainland finally offered an answer as to what that is.”

“... by the merciful goddesses! You’re not joking, are you?”

“I’m afraid not. Why do you think so many of my kind were pushed to rebellion? We were the experiment, you and everyone else here including members of my own family and court were simply part of the setting.”
>3d10, best of four

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

>>5353463
Go high my dice!

Rolled 6, 7, 10 = 23 (3d10)

>>5353463

Rolled 2, 5, 9 = 16 (3d10)

>>5353463

Rolled 10, 2, 10 = 22 (3d10)

>>5353463

>>5353463
After taking a little time to digest what you’ve told him, the officer eventually nods. Both to show you that he’s reached a conclusion, you think, and to work himself up to admitting that what you’ve said is true and that the right thing to do is to reward your horrific truth with one of his own as proposed.

“The demons,” he explains it to you, “look much more human than a yōma does in its natural form.”

“You’ve seen one?”

He nods. “Regrettably yes. They seem almost like grotesque mockeries of humanity, twisted and evil to the point it becomes hard to tell that there’s anything human about them.”

“Not so with these ‘demons’ I take it?” you guess.

His words seem to confirm it. “They almost appear as if they were once the bodies of women, now possessed by a madness and a sickness. Gaunt and horrific, with eyes sewn crudely shut.”

“Eyes sewn shut?” you repeat. “Then how do they find their way?”

“I’ve heard reports from other survivors,” the officer tells you. “They say the demons sniff at the air, like hounds sniffing for their prey. I was not close enough to know for certain, nor would I ever wish to be.”

>If someone were to search for these ‘demons’, where would they begin?
>Can you remember the situation where you saw the demons? What else was going on?
>You mentioned other survivors - how many times have these demons appeared?
>Other?

>>5353612
>You mentioned other survivors - how many times have these demons appeared?

>>5353612
>>You mentioned other survivors - how many times have these demons appeared?

>>5353612
>>You mentioned other survivors - how many times have these demons appeared?

>>5353612
“You mentioned other survivors,” you observe, “so that implies there have been multiple appearances of these ‘demons’ you’ve described.”

“Only a few,” the officer clarifies.

“Please describe them,” you insist, “in as much detail as you can.”

“There’s very little detail to offer,” he admits, shaking his head.

“Please try.”

After a few moments, the officer takes a deep breath and begins to explain as best he can. “I only know enough to tell you where these events took place. I know of three occasions other than my own encounter. How detailed are your maps of Sakia?”

“Not as detailed as they could be,” you confess.

…

The officer draws a map by hand, showing you the locations of two small villages and one town, the former of which definitely aren’t on any of the maps you would have in Hazaran. The town however does appear on one of your maps, as do a few of the other landmarks, so you can more or less figure out where everything should be.

“Describe the events please,” you prompt him.

In each case, the details basically work out to the same story. Rumors start to swirl, and those rumors eventually reach the ears of the occupying forces. Armed soldiers report back the presence of at least two yōma each. But instead of the soldiers bringing in gun carriages, they left.

The next day, in each case, was when the demons arrived.
>1/2

>>5355182
They appeared during the blurry and dim hours around dusk in each case - no details about how they arrived makes it to your ears, though you’re told that their arrival came with a sense of dread. Even at a distance there was something “foul” about them, or else “not quite right”, or even “horrific”, the reports seem to vary in tone based on who the officer had gotten his information from each time.

His descriptions of how they proceeded from that point mostly center on the brutality of it. The ‘demons’ seemed to track their prey by scent, ferreting out the hidden yōma and attacking immediately without regard for their own lives or any civilians in the way. Strong, sharp fingers like claws tore into each other, with the ‘demons’ seeming just as inhuman as the transformed yōma as they surrounded and overwhelmed them.

Finally, covered in purple gore and unknowable injuries of their own, they left just as inexplicably as they came. No explanation, no requests for payment, nothing. Just death and terror.

“... tell me, witch,” the officer eventually presses you, his tone nervous and uncertain. “Just what the hell are those things?”

>Weapons. To be used against what, exactly, I can’t say without testing one’s abilities myself.
>I suspect it’s a modification of the program that created me - instead, creating mindless pawns.
>I have my own suspicions, but I can’t say anything for certain. We’ll have to investigate.
>Other?

>>5355432
>>Weapons. To be used against what, exactly, I can’t say without testing one’s abilities myself.
>>I suspect it’s a modification of the program that created me - instead, creating mindless pawns.
We have free will and we left the Organisation. They are attempting to create something that will mindlessly follow their orders.

>>5355432
>>5355457
+1

>>5355432
>Weapons. To be used against what, exactly, I can’t say without testing one’s abilities myself.

>>5355457
>>5355432
support, but tell him that he can call us by another term as well

>>5355457
>>5355432

>>5355432
“Weapons,” you shake your head. “The mindless, obedient weapons we never could be. In a sense, they were probably created because of what we chose to do.”

“What precisely did you do?” he asks you curiously. “In Sakia we hear rumors of course. Very little substance.”

After a few moments, you agree to tell him an abridged version of the story. “The organization sent us on a suicide mission for being too… well, too independent. I called on some old contacts, established a safe position at Blackthorn keep in Scaithness, and we gathered other defectors to our cause.”

“And eventually took back your nation.”

“Eventually,” you agree. “Not personally. We still have rules. But we were forced to take a more active role in defending Scaithness from the Inquisition, one which balanced our rules against our needs. We found a strategy that works.”

“I see,” the officer frowns, “so what can you tell me about the process of retaking Hazaran?”

>Not much would transfer between my case and yours, I’m afraid.
>The general principle is to find capable people and get them what they need.
>Unless you remove the Organization’s troops, you won’t succeed.
>Other?

>>5357667
>>The general principle is to find capable people and get them what they need.

>>5357667
>The general principle is to find capable people and get them what they need.

>>5357667
>Not much would transfer between my case and yours, I’m afraid.

>>5357667
“I found capable people,” you recall, “matched them with tasks they were suited to, and ensured they had what they needed to succeed. That works as a general principle.”

“That sounds like one of those things that’s more difficult in practice than principle.”

“It can be,” you admit. “It helps if you have a keen sense of those things.”

“For people’s uses?”

You nod. “And temperaments, inclinations, general character, and so forth.”

After a moment’s contemplation, the old officer sighs wearily. “Whereas in my position I have to content myself with whatever I can get.”

“The second step then is to cultivate ability,” you continue. “One example comes to mind - my kind are all created through surgery, conditioning, and training where the flesh and blood of a yōma takes root within our bodies. In some cases this blending is left incomplete.”

“A weaker witch results from this?” he asks.

“In terms of raw strength yes,” you admit. “However they are also less conspicuous than a fully-hybridized warrior, with enhanced strength and speed, as well as the prized ability to sense yōki. So when fortune brought three such warriors into our fold, I encouraged them to build their skills of observation and to learn to blend in. They may not be as strong as most warriors, but they have proven capable scouts and spies.”

“This, you can do with anyone who joins your cause.”

>You can offer to share information with them as it reaches you, through the Lord of Acerrae.
>Perhaps you could speak with Lord Byron about letting them use this area as a home base?
>If a rebellion is to succeed they need hope. For there to be hope they need to win. To win, they need support, and you can offer some of that.
>Other?

>>5358520
>If a rebellion is to succeed they need hope. For there to be hope they need to win. To win, they need support, and you can offer some of that.

>>5358520
>>If a rebellion is to succeed they need hope. For there to be hope they need to win. To win, they need support, and you can offer some of that.
And then this
>Perhaps you could speak with Lord Byron about letting them use this area as a home base?

>>5358520
>Perhaps you could speak with Lord Byron about letting them use this area as a home base?
>If a rebellion is to succeed they need hope. For there to be hope they need to win. To win, they need support, and you can offer some of that.

>>5358520
“If a rebellion is to succeed, it needs to have hope,” you observe, “and for there to be hope, you have to see a chance for victory. And for there to be a chance for victory, you’re going to need support.”

“What are you trying to tell me?”

“Weapons, supplies, information,” you summarize. “These are the things Hazaran can offer you.”

“Our nations have never been allies before,” he frowns. “Why now?”

“Because the Organization is bigger than anything else,” you insist. “I can guarantee you that if we don’t succeed, you won’t like the outcome.”
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 1, 4, 4 = 9 (3d10)

>>5359854

>>5359863
Fuck me

Rolled 10, 2, 2 = 14 (3d10)

>>5359854
>>5359872
No thanks

Rolled 8, 2, 1 = 11 (3d10)

>>5359854

Rolled 1, 10, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>5359854

>>5359854
“... okay,” the officer eventually accepts your offer.

…

Lord Byron however is somewhat less than accommodating.

“I know that this is important to you, Lady Noel,” he tells you calmly, “however my community is one of the most isolated in Hazaran, from a defense perspective. If it becomes widely known that Acerrae is sheltering Sakian rebels, the retributive attack could be something we would not be able to repulse.”

Generally the regional leaders under your rule are averse to telling you ‘no’ outright like this, and most only do so if they see a pressing need to voice their opposition. Stanislaus Byron is one in particular who has always been remarkably agreeable, and has always been straightforward with you in the past, so if he feels the need to oppose your suggestion of running Sakian rebels out of his community, it would serve you well to consider his position.

It is certainly a true premise - Acerrae is a low priority section of border, and it is rather exposed in terms of its geography. It’s outside of the most defensible pass through the mountains to the south, and into what once was the northeastern most extent of Hazaran. While area defenses can be constructed to extract a heavy toll on any attacker, the fact remains that a serious offensive here would ruin the town of Acerrae and necessitate its complete evacuation to the south, where a more tenable defensive line can be maintained.

Ultimately, you judge his concerns to be perfectly reasonable.

“Would you allow distribution of support to take place at the old castle ruins to the northwest?” you ask him, seeking a compromise.

After considering your point, he nods in agreement. “That would be reasonable, yes. I believe it should be possible to accommodate.”

“Excellent.”

Speaking of borders…

>You should shift your attention and presence towards the likely invasion route you identified.
>You really didn’t get much information on recent troop movements north of the border.
>This could be a good time to visit some ‘out of the way’ border garrisons along the Sakian border.
>Other?

>>5360791
>You really didn’t get much information on recent troop movements north of the border.
>This could be a good time to visit some ‘out of the way’ border garrisons along the Sakian border.

>>5360791
>>You really didn’t get much information on recent troop movements north of the border.
>>This could be a good time to visit some ‘out of the way’ border garrisons along the Sakian border.
This is a good combination, see if the border garrisons have seen or heard anything. It must also be tremendous boost for morale for them to see you.

>>5360791
>You really didn’t get much information on recent troop movements north of the border.
>This could be a good time to visit some ‘out of the way’ border garrisons along the Sakian border.

>>5360791
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 7, 9, 5 = 21 (3d10)

>>5361690

Rolled 5, 3, 2 = 10 (3d10)

>>5361690

Rolled 5, 9, 6 = 20 (3d10)

>>5361690

>>5360791
Your information on troop movements north of the border is sorely lacking at this moment in time, and it’s been a long time since you toured the garrisons along this stretch of the northern border in person. Many of the positions being held out here are only served by half-forgotten mountain paths, overlooking tiny villages and pastures nestled amid the dramatic peaks and valleys cut into the land. This section of Hazaran is isolated, rugged, and for the longest time has proven unconquerable.

With the hope that it remains that way in mind, you say your farewells to Lord Byron for the time being and head out just before dawn the next morning.

…

It takes a day and a half of travel over rough terrain, following obscure trails and roads that look more “un-traveled” than “less-traveled”, but eventually you reach a small fortress to the west of Acerrae.

When you arrive in the sleepy village near the fortress, you find a scene of surprising tranquility. Cows lazily chew meadow grass in this high green pasture, a narrow saddle between two rocky slopes which quickly rise to ice-locked peaks - the only place for several miles where the land is flat enough to pass through. The village itself is little more than a cluster of whitewashed buildings, just six in total, with the fortress consisting of little more than a rounded bastle-house and some slit trenches overlooking the meadow.

A few of the locals are out enjoying the afternoon sunshine when your party arrives, and one older man with deep lines to his face greets you with a squint. “Aye, what’s all this then?”

“I am Noel,” you greet him patiently. “These are my compatriots, Alexandra, Aurora, Serana, and Sabela.”

“Well, mighty pleased to make your acquaintances, young ladies,” he replies, eyeing you suspiciously. “Now, if you don’t mind me asking, what business brings you to our little village? Not many folk make it out to Braehoulland… like as not most prolly can’t say it right.”

… the man has no idea who you are.

>Oh, just taking the time to visit some of my more isolated fortifications in person. I so rarely get the opportunity.
>We’re travelers, passing through. I’m curious though - what are your candid thoughts on the threat of war here?
>You seem unusually suspicious. Have there been problems in Braehoulland with strangers recently?
>Other?

>>5362798
>We’re travelers, passing through. I’m curious though - what are your candid thoughts on the threat of war here?

>>5362798
>>You seem unusually suspicious. Have there been problems in Braehoulland with strangers recently?
Quiet places like this could attract all kinds of spookies

>>5362798
>You seem unusually suspicious. Have there been problems in Braehoulland with strangers recently?

>>5357667
“You seem… unnerved,” you observe calmly. “May I ask if Braehoulland has had issues with strangers in recent days?”

“Couple of times, yeah,” the old man admits. “Only thing is I can’t figure what makes it a concern of yours, miss.”

“You may not realize it at this moment,” you offer with a calm, patient smile, “but I am a deeply interested party. So by all means, please tell me what has you so troubled.”

After a moment, the old man sighs, the sort of sigh that can only come from a man who’s tired down to his bones. “Very well, if you simply must assuage your curiosity we have had visitors from Sakia lately, up to no good without doubt. Spying on the defenses here if you ask me.”

“Sakian?” Sabela repeats with a frown. “How can you be so certain?”

“They dressed like it,” the old man explains. “Like they were trying to blend in and not doin’ a good job of it. They also carried some fancy-looking guns with them, that I know our troops don’t have.”

“Well that seems a little suspicious,” Aurora agrees, glancing at you over her shoulder. “What do you think?”

[Could they be aware of the importance of Scaithness?] Serana wonders silently.

… it’s a reasonable concern to have. Secrets so vital rarely remain secret for very long, and the fact that a faction of silver-eyed warriors has been coordinating local resistance to the Organization-aligned occupiers in Sakia is hardly a secret. The exact location of your stronghold however isn’t something you call out to your enemies in the middle of battle, so it’s conceivable that they learned of this in some other fashion. Perhaps a surviving official from the Inquisitorial forces told them. It’s even possible that there’s a spy or a traitor placed highly within the local or even regional bureaucracies of Hazaran itself.

>I think we need to consider that possibility. It may appear to be an easy way for a quick victory.
>I doubt it. The occupiers’ strategy seems more focused on bypassing our strongest defenses.
>Other?

>>5363892
>>I think we need to consider that possibility. It may appear to be an easy way for a quick victory.
They might be probing their way towards Scaithness. With their conventional troops being used in normal fighting and going east, they might send their new spoopies in large enough number to attempt "to cut the head of the snake." Failing that to kill at least some of you.

>>5363892
>I think we need to consider that possibility. It may appear to be an easy way for a quick victory.
Still, there's an AB there at all times, peacefully growing flowers. So it's just an appearance.

>>5363892
>>I think we need to consider that possibility. It may appear to be an easy way for a quick victory.

>>5363892
>I think we need to consider that possibility. It may appear to be an easy way for a quick victory.

>>5363892
“I think we need to assume that’s possible,” you decide. “It could seem like a way to produce a quick victory out of a long stalemate.”

“I’m sorry?” the old man asks curiously.

“I’m speaking to my friend,” you tell him while signing to the group. “Sorry if that wasn’t clear.”
[Sorry. I know this song and dance gets annoying.]

[Not a problem,] Serana insists silently.

“I think we should head to the tower,” you suggest. “Meet with the garrison commander.”

“Good idea,” Sabela agrees. “It certainly sounds warranted.”

“Old man,” you address the man again. “Could you do me a favor and ask around town if anyone else has any more information on the ‘strangers’ you were talking about? I need to know more to make a decision.”

“A decision about…” the old man prompts.

Aurora looks at him, her disbelief obvious. “About what to do? About these attempts to probe the defensive line?”

The old man’s eyes narrow. “Now, hold on a second…”

“... yes?” you ask.

“You wouldn’t happen to be…”

“Well,” you refuse to complete the thought. “I did warn you that I had an interest, didn’t I?”

With that note, you head towards the defensive tower overlooking this high valley, looking to find the officer in charge of securing it against enemy attack.
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 6, 1, 2 = 9 (3d10)

>>5366079

Rolled 10, 8, 6 = 24 (3d10)

>>5366079

Rolled 7, 9, 7 = 23 (3d10)

>>5366079
>>5366115
A good roll there!

>>5366079
“So, you would be the sub-lieutenant?” you greet the young man, the side of whose hand is pressed firmly to his forehead. “Stop that.”

“Stop what, ma’am?”

“Stop saluting me in a forward area,” you insist curtly. “Any snipers in the area would be able to tell I’m your superior officer.”

“Apologies, ma’am!” he replies, immediately lowering his hand and standing with both hands firmly behind his back. “To what do we owe the pleasure, ma’am?”

“Looking through the border regions,” you muse, “examining the defenses in places we don’t see so often, the isolated posts that don’t get discussed the way they should.”

“Very well, ma’am,” he replies eagerly. “I can give you a full tour, if you wish.”

“That would be helpful.”

…

The tour of the building goes fairly quickly. There’s not exactly a lot to see. It’s a typical round tower just two floors high, positioned up the side of the valley slope, with a single floor built back into the hillside itself to serve as barracks. Little gun ports protect the flanks of the tower, and atop the tower itself sits a single gun on a pivot. The total number of soldiers stationed here? Seven.

“Do you have a map?” Sabela asks the young lieutenant, who quickly furnishes you a detailed map of the local area.

“So if what I’m seeing is accurate…” Aurora frowns.

>That’s right. If the Organization attacks here, these men will all die.
>The nearest backup is six hours’ march away. That’s a problem.
>All we need to do is make sure they can last until reinforced.
>Other?

>>5367063
>All we need to do is make sure they can last until reinforced.

>>5367063
>>All we need to do is make sure they can last until reinforced.

>>5367063
>>That’s right. If the Organization attacks here, these men will all die.
>>The nearest backup is six hours’ march away. That’s a problem.
Are seven men worth reinforcing and spending resources on? Could we spend what we have with better efficiency? How many poorly defended mountain passes are there and do we need to plug each and everyone of them with reinforcements? Or would a fire brigade style mobile defence a better choice?

>>5367063
>All we need to do is make sure they can last until reinforced.

>>5367063
>That’s right. If the Organization attacks here, these men will all die.

>>5367063
>>The nearest backup is six hours’ march away. That’s a problem.

>>5367063
“... we can’t defend every single isolated pass,” you decide, putting your rational mind in command rather than your gut instincts. “At least not with a full complement, and that’s not how this has been designed.”

“What do you mean?” the junior officer asks you, for the first time seemingly nervous.

You shake your head calmly. “No. Against a determined, massive assault, one tower and a handful of men won’t last forever. That was never the plan.”

“Then… ma’am… what is the plan, ma’am?”

“Evacuate the locals quickly,” you explain, “and hold against the invaders long enough to allow reinforcements to arrive from more rear areas.”

“Okay, that I can understand,” he assures you. “But how do we go about doing that?”

>The key in any engagement like this is to deny mobility, find a way to prevent attackers from using the pass.
>Any army will move slower under fire, especially this one which will have to leave its heavy equipment behind.
>I think finding ways to shorten the Hazari response time will make the most practical difference here.
>Other?

>>5368297
>The key in any engagement like this is to deny mobility, find a way to prevent attackers from using the pass.
>Any army will move slower under fire, especially this one which will have to leave its heavy equipment behind.

>>5368297
>I think finding ways to shorten the Hazari response time will make the most practical difference here.

>>5368297
>>The key in any engagement like this is to deny mobility, find a way to prevent attackers from using the pass.
Blow up the mountain pass. Their armoured vehicles or horse carts can’t then move

>>5368297
>3d1o best of four

Rolled 9, 4, 9 = 22 (3d10)

>>5369359

Rolled 7, 5, 1 = 13 (3d10)

>>5369359
GO HIGH!

Rolled 10, 7, 8 = 25 (3d10)

>>5369359
>>5369382
failure

Rolled 2, 7, 3 = 12 (3d10)

>>5369359

>>5369359
“We should probably try to handle this rationally,” you begin. “The best way forward would be to capitalize on what the pass inherently is and further limit mobility.”

“You mean by blocking movement through the valley?” Sabela presses you for clarification. “Or do you mean something else?”

“This pass may not be one that their gun carriers can make it through,” you offer the clarification your mother wants. “That’s a significant part of their offensive strategy. Negate that, and it’s a serious blow to any attempts to turn our flank in that sense.”

“So you want to turn that “may not” into a “can’t”, is that right?”

“Exactly. So if you don’t mind, I’ll need your help covering ground quickly, checking line of sight and obstacles.”

…

As it turns out, your basic assumption was correct. The roads leading into and through the valley are unusually narrow and winding, even by the standards of the Hazari mountains, making it an extremely difficult approach for anything but men on foot and unencumbered horses.

>Why even have that road? There can’t be many regular travelers crossing the border here anymore.
>It just needs to be unattractive enough to dismiss a large-scale troop movement as an option.
>It should become a trap. A little riskier, but potentially a way to tie down enemy resources.
>Other?

>>5370440
>It should become a trap. A little riskier, but potentially a way to tie down enemy resources.

>>5370440
>>It just needs to be unattractive enough to dismiss a large-scale troop movement as an option.

>>5370440
>>It just needs to be unattractive enough to dismiss a large-scale troop movement as an option.
No need to go overboard in here.

>>5370440
>>>It just needs to be unattractive enough to dismiss a large-scale troop movement as an option.

>>5370440
“If we turned it into a trap, that could be beneficial,” you muse, “but it’s a risk to the locals.”

“An unacceptable risk?” Sabela asks you.

You nod in agreement. “I think so.”

“Then that’s off the table,” she replies.

“What is the alternate plan, then?” Aurora wonders.

You consider it for a few moments. “I do have an idea. What we need to do is make it too unattractive to pursue.”

“How?” Alexa asks you curiously. “I mean I assume it has something to do with reducing mobility?”

“As it stands, the pathways and roadways to get into this valley are too difficult to get their gun carriages up here,” you declare, considering all the variables. “That’s already a degree of difficulty for any invasion.”

[How do we capitalize on that?] Serana asks you silently.

“Start with the premise that we’re dealing with either infantry on foot, or cavalry,” Sabela reasons carefully.

You think about what you know - caltrops, ditches, water traps, that sort of things. Choke points are another key feature, funneling any advancing troops into a small enough area that defenders can target as many of them at once as possible. Then you have the exact idea you were waiting for.

“Blackthorn.”

“Blackthorn?” Sabela repeats, before nodding in agreement. “Yeah, blackthorn. That may just do the trick.”

“It doesn’t burn readily,” you explain, “it’s difficult to cut, grows quickly, and it’s covered in spines long enough to pierce leather.”

“So hedges,” Aurora realizes.
>1/2

>>5371143
“Hedges,” you confirm. “They can be used to create an obstacle that’s bad if you try to go over or through it, and just as bad if you avoid it.”

“By concentrating the attacking force,” Sabela nods in agreement.

[Do we have time?]

>Probably. I don’t imagine the Organization can manage two offensives at once.
>Maybe not. We should create a short-term plan that can work until the blackthorn is ready.
>I think we need to accept some reinforcement along this stretch of the border to make things progress more quickly, if for no other reason.
>Other?

>>5371169
>Maybe not. We should create a short-term plan that can work until the blackthorn is ready.
Spoiling attack somewhere else?

>>5371169
>>Probably. I don’t imagine the Organization can manage two offensives at once.
>>Maybe not. We should create a short-term plan that can work until the blackthorn is ready.
Organisation might not have time, but what about the collaborating locals? The prince did throw his support behind them.

>>5371169
>Maybe not. We should create a short-term plan that can work until the blackthorn is ready.

>>5371284
>>5371143

>>5371169
“... maybe not,” you admit with a sigh, wearied by the implications of what you’ve been forced to admit to yourself. “We should come up with an alternative, just for the short term while the blackthorns come in.”

…

Most of what grows here is fairly limited by the extreme altitude - oats, barley, grasses (which livestock are grazed on for milk and occasionally meat), along with root vegetables of every variety. Peas also seem to grow well here. What unifies these however is that none of them are “wet” crops, meaning that the fields are not typically flooded. Unfortunate, since flooded fields are some of the most difficult common terrain to traverse due to the mud at higher spots and the unpredictably deep water in others.

“The altitude is inconvenient,” you admit with a frown, “because flooded fields are off the table.”

“So what then?” Aurora wonders. “Can we still use flooded ditches?”

“I think so,” you nod in agreement. “Not deep enough or narrow enough to use as cover. Mud at the bottom.”

[Trees can be used as barriers, yes?] Serana asks.

>Driven into a slope and sharpened at the branches yes, it’s a nasty defense.
>They can be burned, unfortunately. I don’t think we should encourage that.
>We can achieve the same effect with angular stones.
>Other?

>>5372623
>>We can achieve the same effect with angular stones.

>>5372623
>We can achieve the same effect with angular stones.

>>5372623
>>We can achieve the same effect with angular stones.

>>5372623
“I think if we found some slate we could achieve a similar effect,” you muse, “except non-flammable. Help me out, will you?”

…

There’s a source of slate in an abandoned house nearby, which you can strip from the roof, and you can get some shipped in from the south to add to it. Between your party, the locals, and the soldiers, you manage to dig out some shallow trenches running perpendicular to the road - barely even a start, but enough to give the locals an idea of where to dig.

“The idea is simple,” you declare to the assembled villagers. “Lay out trenches about four feet deep with silt lining the bottom, that can be flooded with irrigation water. Then line the sides closer to the village with slate tiles, edge-on, pointing away.”

“To make the slopes harder to climb,” the old man from before realizes. “I see.”

“We’ll plant blackthorn there,” you continue, “when it becomes available. But the other aspect to this is that the mud at the bottom of the trenches, as well as their shallow depth. Trapping an advancing enemy in them will give a relatively small number of defenders time to fire on them unopposed.”

>Stick with this village until their defenses start to come together.
>Head west, towards the next village along the northern border.
>Head south, find a nearby garrison that can help with the work.
>Other?

>>5373625
>>Head south, find a nearby garrison that can help with the work.
maybe go the next day, so that you are seen helping, can't hurt

>>5373627
>>5373625
I'm good with this

>>5373625
>Head south, find a nearby garrison that can help with the work.

>>5373625
>>Head south, find a nearby garrison that can help with the work.
Delegate Delegate Delegate