File: ashendawnmanual_4-min.pdf (5.99 MB, PDF)

5.99 MB PDF

May 12, 1933

The Hageldorf Battalion had been too late to join the Battle of Halcini proper- much of the past three nights and two days had been scattered skirmishes, helping where a difference could be made, picking up isolated units on the drive south that had no idea of the Battalion’s true objective, but had nobody else to cling to in the face of the dark tide.

Some fights were fiercer than others. Not everybody made it. Some stayed behind to help those who couldn’t or wouldn’t follow- others found reasons to break west, to where it was seen the war might be decided, rather than continuing to follow what must have now seemed a rather selfish and indulgent journey in the face of the enemy closing in to rampage through Vynmark’s heartlands. A few had their own reasons besides.

Whoever remained formed the escort for what was rumored to be something more important than Vynmark- escorting a girl called Velecacia Alsbeth Guldharth Belle Himmselsdorf-Galdraz- who proclaimed herself Sky Queen, led by the noble Countess Haile Margareta Rendsdottir-Hageldorf- but for most, truly commanded by Major Sanen Yule.

What was once a haphazard gathering of what could be scrounged together was now whispered about reverently in the camps of both friend and enemy, and their ranks had changed over these past days, but whether or not triumph would be their fate, it was certain that their time together could soon be coming to an end- likely a violent one.

-----

Welcome to the last battle of Ashen Dawn. For those who dipped out, I understand that you had your reasons. For those still here, I appreciate your participation and patience in coming to this last battle. Before we get started though, there’s a few things to take care of. For one, new version of the manual. Not much in the way of changes- just two pages at the end for new artillery and chemical weapon rulings.

File: dump_fullset.png (5.43 MB, 2747x5994)

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One is that I’ll need notice ahead of time that you’re planning to play. The RSVP will be open for five days- that’s longer than I think I’ll need, but I also want to be sure everybody who wants to get in, can. However, please note that I try to balance around who’s here or not. If you don’t want to stick around as long as you can, let’s try not to have too much remote piloting for the sake of getting all the numbers you can- I’ll adjust based on attendance, and the less units I have to move around anyways, the easier it is. There’s already going to be a lot as it stands, but this is definitely not going to be extended like the third mission was. I’m going to have it done within 1, at most 2 threads this time.

I’ve decided to allow new entries for this- but with restrictions. This is not the start of the war- nobody has access to the top-grade gear unless you’ve already got it in hand. Therefore, any new sign ups can’t have an EQP level greater than 2.

That said, there is unresolved loot to take care of from last mission. These are, to the best of my memory-
X2 NEKV-7K Turreted Tank Destroyers
X3 m/24-32 Medium Tanks
X3 m/28V Light Tanks
X3 T-15 Heavy Tanks
X6 7.5cm Infantry Support Guns

These can be distributed or taken by people who want them- if multiples want them, negotiate amongst yourselves. If I missed any please inform me.

These may be taken or not- however, what they cannot be is traded in for Requisition, nor can any experience levels be used to change your gear or replenish the lost hit points or integrity of vehicle units. Infantry will have their hit points, but not integrity, topped up. You’re in dark days now, after all- you’re lucky to have what you’ve got.

Finally, when you report in, I’ll want you to state what you’ve been doing as the Battalion moves toward the final battle- you can save this for when enough people have come around for me to put together the current battalion unit list in case you aren’t sure, but the options are-

>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)
>Recon and Defense- Keep the unit from getting caught off guard. (No risks- but no reward)
>Make Repairs- Restore vehicle hp of intact subunits by 1 (only available to mechanic backgrounds)
>Other? (RP Purposes, in case you want to use it. I don’t think I’ll provide super special rewards here though, again, you’re in dire straits)

With that said- the previous threads:
Operation 01- https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5451197/
Operation 02- https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5481565/
Operation 03 Part 1- https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5546421/
Operation 03 Part 2- https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5588058/
Operation 03 Part 3- https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5636306/

>>5709554
>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)

Lieutenant Ilse Anna Degenhardt-Iðunardóttir reporting in!

>>5709554
My body is ready.

>>5709554
One last ride of glory.

>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)

>>5709554
I'd like Wesker (J-5) to have the TDs that I gassed Sommervind and her lot out of. Also, since they can't be traded for req, unless someone else wants to join me in MOV 2 purgatory, I'll be taking the T-15s. The oversized shitbox deathstack cometh (albeit very, very slowly).

>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)

Can I swap to an undamaged subunit for this? I don't want the potential embarrassment of being knocked out off-screen.

>>5709554
>Recon and Defense- Keep the unit from getting caught off guard. (No risks- but no reward)
If I may choose the RP option as well
>Other?
Orbit the POWs, find tunnel man, bug him into telling me what he knows about the rIME bombs and which layer of hell they're sourcing them from.

>>5709549
LET'S FUCKING GOOOOO

>>5709554
>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)
>Want some infantry support guns, but can share if other people want them.

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>>5709554
Ride, ride to ruin and the world’s ending.

———

>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)

>>5709554
We're so fucking back baby. Also, I think we had some Vpk-2s from the Red Blades Vilgerson captured. Meant for me and Freya.
>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)
Beaten and battered, we still drive. Such is the Recon way.

>>5709554
I am here. I'll need a moment to refamiliarize myself before I do any of the actions though. I also believe I have a level up that I have to decide on as well.

>>5709554
>Recon and Defense- Keep the unit from getting caught off guard. (No risks- but no reward)
EXP is overrated, EQP is where the money's at. Alas.

>>5709766
>>5709599
>>5709554
Right, thanks for the reminder. I also have a level up. Still haven't decided what to do with it, though.

>>5709554
Hey tanq, I lost an INT last op but I was the AT gun guy so half my squad was in reserve and I only had 2hp per INT. Am I still down an INT?

>>5709554
Saw the new gas additions, how flayer-proof are we even with masks on?

>>5709554
tanq, just from the name alone Flayer sounds like the sort of thing that a gas mask and cape would not protect you from, so I'd like to ask if Flayer works by the same rules as all the other chemical weapons and if our chem protection is sufficient against it.

Dropping in to add myself to this, thinking over what I want to set up for now.

>>5709599
>I'd like Wesker (J-5) to have the TDs that I gassed Sommervind and her lot out of. Also, since they can't be traded for req, unless someone else wants to join me in MOV 2 purgatory, I'll be taking the T-15s. The oversized shitbox deathstack cometh (albeit very, very slowly).
Noted, unless any objections or until any change of plans.
>Can I swap to an undamaged subunit for this? I don't want the potential embarrassment of being knocked out off-screen.
Sure. Don't see why not.

>>5709786
>I was the AT gun guy so half my squad was in reserve and I only had 2hp per INT. Am I still down an INT?
Eh, nah, though you would be down a gun. I'll have to check if there were more AT guns to pick through.

>>5709743
> Also, I think we had some Vpk-2s from the Red Blades Vilgerson captured.
They weren't VpK-2s, but m/28Vs- though those are still recon vehicles. VpK-2s were present but knocked out through battle damage.

>>5709794
>>5709798
To start with the answer, no, Flayer would require heavier chemical protection than you have.
But on the bright side, I put that on there to spook you, because the Twaryians don't actually have access to Flayer gas, so you won't have to worry about it. They do have the Red Death, though, but that works off of wrecking the throat and lungs so a mask is enough for that.

So you'll have to find another way to get nasty black charred flesh.

>>5709815
>So you'll have to find another way to get nasty black charred flesh.
Two Vitellians in the unit are quite enough, thanks.

>>5709815
So I guess the natural follow up question would be...do we have access to Flayer? What about the other stuff aside from LLG?

>>5709815
>the Twaryians don't actually have access to Flayer gas, so you won't have to worry about it.

So our own high command is gonna drench us with it at the peak of the fighting when we're all mixed up with a whole regiment of Twaryians, got it.

Jokes aside, thanks for the mercy. Dont need to look too hard for the extra guns though, i think I'll drop them to return to infantry action. The AT gun strat worked well but it was very much a glass cannon build. Now that I got leveled up I think i have a better strat.

>>5709554
I'm here for the deathride. I believe I have an experience level up as well.

>>5709554
Alright, I'll use my level up to grab the Dragoon trait Knife Fighter, then I'll-

>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)

Which helps justify KF narratively. Hopefully I wont be hurt too bad, but that extra initiative from EXP 1 will be important for those close quarters battles.

>>5709882
Also I am doing this as an infantry platoon, not an AT gun platoon, just in case thats important. My AT gun days are over.

>>5709554
>>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)

> RP stuff: Check if vilgerson's family got away to strossveld like his letter instructed
>>Also hand Mama vilgerson a map of where Jonah and his crew put the arms in case something happened to them.

>>5709554
Okay, I will take my Experience Level up to rank one and then...
>>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)

>>5709554
>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)
>Other (Send a letter back home to the family)

It mostly details that I am doing ok and details that I've been doing my best to answer the wishes of the house and upholding the duty that has been given my way. Apologizing for being unable to return yet and that this will soon be over. I can feel it.
To mother, thank you for bearing with and teaching me so much about the life and the culture where I originate from. Though I have met foes who spoke caelussian it appears I've also met some friends who are from way far and speak it. Petrekorans they are called. I hope we'll be able to talk about them.
To my half-sisters, that in no way suggesting that I go to the military academy was a mistake, I've learned plenty in that place and it has given me the opportunity to save many who were in need. To protect all of you that I hold dear. I've practiced my axe throw too and hope that I'll be able to show you the results (it actually sticks to the log now)
To my half-brothers, thank you for taking good care of me. And I've forgiven the ones who weren't so nice considering my heritage. You know who you are. Its harden me from what was to come and I hope it'll change the view some have towards people like me.
To father, that despite being the busiest person right now to not give up and continue seeing to the well being of not only the people but also the family. To not let them die off in the cold just like he did with mother all those winters ago. I hope I have made sure to not make you regret it despite the hardships it also gave you...Thank you all sincerely.

See you again.

-Leif

>>5709815
>>5709599
Right, I'll take them but I would like to use them intact for the final stretch after the closing battles of Halcini. Just to see full potential. (Also would enjoy having their stats just to get an idea of how they work) x2 NEKV-7K Turreted Tank Destroyers

>>5709554
>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)

>>5709554
Both for tanq in case he hasn't noted it down and for the players who want replacements or repair I have compiled a list from the last turn of the previous OP of the units that are damaged. Not included are the infantry or their vehicles, since they healed anyways and I'm not sure if we are tracking vehicle damage for infantry. I have also not included any outright lost vehicles on this list, only notating damage on the remaining ones.

R-1 Splitterschwert 2 HP on 2 tanks including lead, 1 HP on the third tank
R-6 Fiskersonn 1 HP on lead vehicle
R-7 Wespe 2 HP on one tank, 1 on another, lead intact
R-8 Volger 1 HP on only vehicle
R-9 Orlik 2 HP on 2 tanks, 1 on lead tank

J-1 Von Zufalligdorf 1 HP on lead tank destroyer

C-1 Vix 1 HP on lead tank, 2 on the other
C-3 Lutzow-Spelinger 1 HP on the only tank
C-4 Kannenpflanze 2 HP on lead tank
C-5 Martins 1 HP on both tanks including lead tank

I have notated the HP your vehicles have remaining rather than the number of damage tics they have sustained. (opposite of what I did on the discord) If the long wait has confused you then just to remind you: if you have a tank, Recon or Cuirassier, and are on this list, your tank has 3 max HP. If not and you are a tank destroyer or some lower EQP level recon or tanker then you have 2 HP max.

Just so everyone is on the same page when it comes time to debate who gets what once everyone arrives. If you can repair, I recommend you do so, we'll need it. Some of you are a single hit away from dying/being wounded or losing some of your vehicles.

>>5710046
I don't remember my exact damage values but I do remember that me losing tanks got retconned because of a processing error, I definitely have more than one, pretty sure still the original 4.

>>5710055
My mistake then, just checked the lost turn image rather than searching through the text and any follow on clarifications.

>>5709554
I return to serve. I am not sure what I want to do yet as my action but I will get that updated after I think on it a bit more.

>>5710055
You traded fire with the C-IIIs when they were advancing on the village and took 2 damage to subunits 2 and 4. That was the moment when we found out they had Ironheart, since you were basically wiping them with crits.

>>5710046
To add to this, I think it's worth compiling the list of ace tokens we've grabbed and who has them.

R-3 has the Rosebush token;
Broken Stone token (Krasnyy 1) is MIA with Rheiner;
D-10 has the Serpentfang token;
D-4 has the Firelynx token;
J-4 has the Dazzling Crystal token (Krasnyy 2);
C-4, your truly, has the Twin's Breath token;
and C-3 has the Trevails token.

I don't think any of these have been expended yet.

>>5709815
I remember you telling me that I could freely upgrade one (1) additional T-15 I was thinking of keeping in the last thread with a pintle so that it matches the rest of the platoon. Am I correct in assuming that isn't true for three (3) additional T-15s I might potentially end up with?

>>5709554
>Other
I'd like to ask Haile how me and my men are being compensated for services rendered. I'm under no illusions of being able to spend this (hard-earned) money, but (hopefully) the mercenary outfit I'm part of is a step above a common Sosaldt brigand gang and at least has a bank account or something (this is assuming my merc outfit is more than the three or so tank crews I started Operation 1 with, which would just be a little sad). It's a matter of principle; pro bono merc work doesn't gel with my worldview.

>>5710275
Small correction, D-9 has the Serpentfang token.

>>5710046
Actually, thanks for reminding me that I have 1 HP left. Might actually not participate in the Halcini battle then, considering my state.
I'll switch >>5709743 to
>Recon and Defense- Keep the unit from getting caught off guard. (No risks- but no reward)

>>5709554
Here for the the final i'll post rest of the things later

>>5709554
Once more into danger bossman. For what? Certainly not for eyebrows.

>Recon and Defense- Keep the unit from getting caught off guard. (No risks- but no reward)
It would be nice to repair, but Walter can't even keep himself together.

>Other?
I'd like to handoff Walter's recon hat to the Queen as thanks for her ghostly peeking (no worse for wear compared to his helmet that got smashed apart by sneeki breeki Twaryians.) She can do whatever with it, but he appreciated the help.

We can just assume he went through suitable spaghetti spilling trying to properly bow to royalty all the while badly spying on her floating ability and coming with some kind of rationalization about mechanical aerodynamic lift and foot arches.

File: Reuther Von Totmann’s pri(...).pdf (40 KB, PDF)

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Behold! I have written a short primer on how you can use Reserve Fire as well as Fire and Maneuver to its fullest to dish out the pain while not getting hit in return.

>>5710314
Right, my bad for mixing the two of you up.

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>>5709554

I'd like to join up, new player.

>Name
Clara Becker
>Unit Class
Dragoons
>Unit Trait
Battle Hardened (-1 Int, +1 Exp)
>Commander Trait
Knife Fighter
>Token
Red Dust(False Bloom)
>Character Description
A Twaryinauk commoner woman born to an immigrant mother of a Twaryian Martial Convent who was excommunicated over a theological dispute as an example to others, and a moderately successful nouveau riche Nauk businessman whose operations are mostly centered around border trade with Mittelsosalia. Largely unaccepted even within her father's circle, let alone the high society which he sought to become ingratiated to, Clara and her mother pressed him to allow Clara to join the army so that she could build at least a tiny modicum of soceital respect for herself that was not dependent on her father. He eventually acquiesced and fearing the treatment she might receive as an enlisted Twaryinauk, he was able to parlay his connections to get Becker a chance to enter officer school, which she was able to enter with the extensive training provided by her mother.

When Becker received her assignment on the Twaryian border there was a deep worry within her that she was being set up to fail as a Twaryinauk commoner of questionable at best lineage, but this was rendered moot by the beginning of the war a few months later. In the weeks since Twaryian treads first rolled across the border, the independent grenzer company to which she was posted has spent more of it than not behind enemy lines desperately attempting to break out. With the sudden withdrawal of 2 Twaryian armored divisions from the front, the opportunity finally presented itself to slip away to friendly lines, albeit now at little more than platoon strength and with Becker as the last surviving commissioned officer.


Physically she has shoulder length ruddy hair, dark brown eyes, and a well built if small physique. Her demeanor is a quiet firmness bordering on terse and carries herself with a deep-seated sense of caution everywhere. She speaks in an irreverent monotone alto with hints of an uneven pebbly quality to it.


ATK: 2
DEF: 4
EQP: 2
Armor: 0
Initiative: 5(3)
Movement:1(3)
HP: 4
EXP: 2
EQP: 2
INT: 4

Special Weapons: Assault Armament, Flamethrower

>>5709825
Wow, rude.
I'll have you know that Westnauk of Vitelian descent have some cream in their coffee.

>>5709889
Noted, though I think you were doing well until you got pounded by shells.

>>5710046
The notation is appreciated. There's no shortage of stuff to refresh and cross reference, of course, though- as said here >>5710055 the last turn was redone, so C-3 had two tanks with two pips of damage, and two without.

>>5710275
>Am I correct in assuming that isn't true for three (3) additional T-15s I might potentially end up with?
I'm sure I'll regret the pain in the ass it'll be, but yes, that is the case.

>>5710513
>foot arches.
I don't know if I've mentioned that the Sky Queen is barefoot, so careful with how you scry that lest you make people wonder.

>>5710549
I'm touched by the amount of effort that goes into this, honestly. Though it is for the sake of not getting killed I suppose.

>>5710716
Noted. Honestly, I was expecting more bat-ears from the start, but it's never too late it seems.

It's a few more days before we start for sure, but I'll try to get a head start on RP and other resources so we can get going right off instead of waiting further for whatever other delay I might find myself in. I'll calculate any battle damage the day of.

As a note that I'm not sure I covered, the turn intervals this go around will be once every two days, though the final map should be shorter anyways, so I'm planning on it not being trouble.

>>5711184
Are we still dragging around all those Paramarines, or did we offload them to higher command along with Sommervind?

>>5711184
If I swapped my damaged 24-32’s for fresh ones, could I transfer over the camo to the new ones?

>>5711213
They've been turned in.
Word pending on what shit that's going to kick up.

>>5711219
Caelussians being turned in just reminded me of something. I noticed that the loot list only includes stuff that could move under its own power (or could be very easily towed, in case of the 7.5 guns) and none of the stuff we were talking about towing after the end of the last battle. There was some debate around either towing knocked out friendly vehicles or one of the C-V wrecks, the latter to be handed off together with the Paramarines. With how constrained the current situation is, I think the former option is literally just dead weight for the wreckers. In contrast, I'm sure whoever they'll be eventually passed up to will appreciate an example of cutting edge of Caelussian armor along with captured special forces operatives.

>>5711218
Sure, don't see why not, since it's probably not bolted on.

>>5709554
>>5710384

>Make Repairs- Restore vehicle hp of intact subunits by 1 (only available to mechanic backgrounds)

I will most likely need to take some tank to fill my squad. but that can be talked about later.

>Other?

Send my notes of vehicles we have seen to my father along with notes of information about what needs to be improved on my current tank design. With letter that tells him to give the notes to my friend who helped in building the trusty steed and greetings to him telling i am doing fine and thanks for giving me this chance.
Also if possible try to secure another notebook for additional information gathering if we somehow happen to manage pulling this one of.

>>5709554
>>5710089
>Recon and Defense- Keep the unit from getting caught off guard. (No risks- but no reward)
I'm going to save my strength for the final push.

>>5709554
>Recon and Defense- Keep the unit from getting caught off guard. (No risks- but no reward)
>Swap my 2 damaged m/24-32 tanks for fresh ones for fresh ones from the loot pool

I am not sure if I'll be able to participate for a little over a week, so in the meantime you can either bot me or keep me in reserve. If I am botted, feel free to use the token if an opportunity arises.

>>Recon and Defense- Keep the unit from getting caught off guard. (No risks- but no reward)

>>5709554
>Equip Flame Throwers and Machine Guns
>Replace two sub-units with 7.5cm Infantry Support Guns
>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)
>Get Honos as my level up.

"Well looks like this is it. I ain't gonna lie though, I'm running first sign this goes pear-shaped. Can't say it's been a pleasure working with Haile or Yule but it wasn't the worst either and you boys on the ground ain't so bad."

>>5709554
>Make Repairs- Restore vehicle hp of intact subunits by 1 (only available to mechanic backgrounds)

Not sure about this since I just made Roman Orlik the WW2 TKS Commander and IIRC he was an Architech or Engineer or Something. If not just put me on Recon.

>>5711229
Question: Would a Panzerjager vehicle commander automatically be a commissioned officer or could/would they be senior enlisted in the Vynmark military?

Ah, finally, the convoy!

This all seems frightfully interesting, but I might need to be brought up to speed to participate at all. Any… smart tips?

>>5712097
Depends on what you're thinking of playing. With the current EQP restriction, tanks are somewhat suboptimal, in my opinion. Recon took a big survivability hit since the ACs are made of paper. TDs and infantry are more or less fine, though.

>>5712097
Don't need to know too much honestly. Main thing is to coordinate with your fellow players, especially those close to you at the moment. After that there's some common sense things like avoid putting your self somewhere a lot of enemies can shoot you without good reason, try to be somewhere you can shoot the enemy as much as possible and so on.

If you're building a platoon Id just suggest you dont bring too few vehicles. Anything less then 3 is almost certainly too few.

>>5709554
Warm winds on a dark night. An air filled with the smell of metallic death tinged with bitter ashes. Maybe it was a night that made some veterans nostalgic but to Black 1, the commander could only feel disgust during this night as they saw the destruction happening to their beloved homeland. If they had the choice, Black would be back to their hometown enjoying their life with their dear Robin but unfortunately, life doesn’t always go as planned. The commander had many regrets but leaving for the war was not one of them and if more than one life could be given to one’s country, Black would do so as many times as it took.

The nameless commander looked to the future with steely determination, tears and blood dried from the constant shedding of yesterday. Black and their soldiers threw everything away to become a symbol against the Twarian invaders and all of them had resolved that if they were to die, it would be as legends. The name of their platoon, a final curse upon those who would defile their sacred homeland.

“Get your men ready, our finest hour approaches. Let us stab at the hearts of these vile parasites, though it’d drag us into the mouth of hell itself.”

>>Recon and Defense- Keep the unit from getting caught off guard. (No risks- but no reward)
>>Try to identify and possibly assassinate high-valued vehicles under the cover of the night.

>>5712104
Well then, storied infantry it is. Am I correct in thinking that EQ 2 Infantry group gets a bunch of rifles /and/ a single special pick?

So were I of a cowardly bent, I might grab some marksman gear and that’d jack up the range of those anti-tank rifles I would then also be picking.

I honestly think people are sleeping on the m/24. Sure, it can't really compete with T-16s but its great against infantry and it dominates all the T-8 variants. If you upgrade its armor its even immune against 4cm and can take 3 4.5cm shots each.

Final build:

Unit Type: Panzerjagers
Unit Trait: Millitia (+ 1 INT) , - 1 EXP)
-Unit Modification: Extra Armor
-Equipped with 5 m/24Ks
Command Trait: Plutus (+1 EQP)
Personal Token: Peacefields

Final Stats: 5 m/24Ks with extra armor at 0 EXP

Commander: Oberleutnant Ingrid Fuchs
Of minor landed nobility before the war, Markgrafin Fuchs is no longer landed. Her small estate was in the territory lost in the early stages of the war, left only with what heirooms and retaners she could escape with. Since the fall of her lands, she has worked to raise a unit to take back her home. Finally drawing together untrained retainers or stragglers for shattered units, she now drives to the front at a column of 5 m/24Ks in the Löwin-Siegel.

>>5712111
As I understand it, EQP 2 infantry get rifles, grenades, and 2 special equipment picks. To quote the manual itself: "Note- Infantry equipment by default includes rifles, grenades, and a single choice of special weapon. It does not imply a lack of a special weapon."

That was from the bottom part of the horse mounted EQP 1 Dragoons section from page 16. So if it says x1 Special Weapon under your weapons section, it actually means 2 specials because 1 is included by default in infantry equipment.

>>5711469
This is fine- though the intervals will be two days anyways, so you probably won't miss as much as otherwise.

>>5711951
I can check back when I get home tonight.

>>5712049
>Would a Panzerjager vehicle commander automatically be a commissioned officer or could/would they be senior enlisted in the Vynmark military?
Typically, yes. However, given how the war has gone, it can easily be a case of whoever's in command being whoever was delegated to, or whoever stepped up to the plate. Official organization has a way of falling apart when shit has hit the fan, and it has hit the fan twice.

>>5710716
>>5712113
Accepted. You picked a time to basically get murdered, but we don't often get to pick such times at all.

Well, then…

We’re Dragoons, +1 INT
We’re Battlehardened (who isn’t) +1 XP, -1 INT
>Yes, we were at Halcini, how’d you know? +1 XP, risk
Our commander is… Eh. He has “Ideas”. +1 EQ
We’re tinged by Red Dust

… And are those camoflage nets and spare shovels? Yes. Yes I rather think we will. And grab some of those binoculars there, too. And… Oh is that body armor? Why… Why wouldn’t you equip that? That stuff means you don’t die. That’s the point! Although, frankly, I think the single ceremonial sword there is an atavistic touch, and I shant be having with it.

>EQ 3
>Get Camo, Get New Model Infantry (on Old Model Horses)

ATK: 2
DEF: 2+2
Armor: 0
Initiative: 3+2
Movement:1(3)
HP: 4
EXP: 2
EQP: 1
INT: 4
!Infantry Kit
!Assault Armaments
!New Model Infantry
!Camoflage
!Red Dust, 1x

Of course, this is all assuming our valiant mechanised friends can deal with the hostile armor. You armored cavaliers like the fateful duel.

I’d be inclined to instead acquire a marksman’s set and some anti-tank rifles, provide some mobile harassment. As is, it’d be harsh words and hand grenades if they roll up in anything with a steel plate.

Someone give me a read on how useful the ATs are. I figure if it comes to that we’ll lay low and zone in some mortar help.

>>5712161
so there is no chance of living after this battle?

>>5712173
Got a name for your guy/gal?

>>5712173
Take my advice with a grain of salt as I am not a dragoon.

As I understand it, anti-tank rifles without Triumph of the Biter basically have to hope for crits on basically anything that isn't a BM-5, at least when attacking the frontal armour of most foes. The armour stats for our enemy as I recall is BM-5 0 ARM, T-8 1 ARM, T-16 3 ARM, T-15 5 ARM, C-III 4 ARM. Even with a flank you'll still have to hope for crits against T-16s.

Triumph of the biter would let you frontally pierce T-8s and pierce flanked T-16s without crits. However flanking happens relatively rarely from what I understand. Unless the scenario and map is such that you are hidden and the enemy is going past you like in the first OP, or you are going on a long flank, generally flanking doesn't seem to happen overly much, I could be wrong though. Of course this doesn't affect you as you haven't chosen TotB.

As for the general effectiveness of AT rifles historically...I cannot say, I know some of our dragoons have favoured them in the past, but I haven't paid the infantry grind as much attention as it probably deserves.

>>5709554
>Join the cause from Halcini
Tang Li-Shen is currently a panzer instructor of semi famous reknown. Most of the time a teacher and other times an adventurer and mercenary. Travelling was one of his favorite hobbies and it brung him to many places. Some pretty and with women with impressive cleavage, others torn by war and ruthless battles for survival. In this case, when the war started he was tasked by the academy to give a lecture on recon techniques in the field to cadets at the frontline. After witnessing his students get injured and struggle against the Twaryian advance he decided to help those he in Vynmark until the war would come to a conclusion or his life... Fight, and maybe there'll be a ever after... He would fight until the battle of Halcini where he would join up with the Hageldorf Battalion being glad to meet some familiar faces he met upon his travels.

Of Zhantao descent, and probably for many more generations. Tang comes from a big family yet rarely meets others of his descent on this continent. He's a confident, adventurous and optimistic man in his late twenties to early thirties. Some would say it's his prime years. In battle he sports a headband with the word 'courage' and 'ambition' in his home culture. In between there is a falsebloom that he receive from one of his students he saved before she was rushed to the backlines from shrapnel injury. His haircut is quite spiky and full underneath and are darker then coal (Black Hair). He wears panzer goggles to protect his vision on extended operations and travelling in difficult terrains. Even to the camera, he gives a smile of confidence even in dire times.

>Recon
>Battle Hardened
>Be at the closing battles of Halcini
>If I could take the m/28V's with me after that and there is no one who wants to take them and as no objection then I will
>Remember that Token of the Broken Stone? Take it. I'm sure Rheiner won't mind. Heck he probably gave it.

1(4) Exp (+1 Recon) (+1 Battle Hardened)(+1 Halcini)
2 Eqp
4(3) Int (-1 Battle Hardened)
Red Dust Token
Mirage Aspect
-Token of the Broken Stone

>>5712253
woops meant to take
>Bellona
not Mirage aspect

>>5712235
Even with salt that’s delicious advice. About figures what I figured.

Now, then, while the sergeants wrestle for the dead Luitie’s pins, is that a 7.5 support gun I see, yes, quite.

Maybe the kind of thing one could mount on a vehicle, with some shuffling?

I mean the walking glue is allright but come to think of it we have a preponderence of infantry.

Any chance 4x 7.5 that no one else is using fits on 4x motors? Maybe we drove here instead of riding.

File: Hageldorf Combined Battal(...).png (541 KB, 2670x3948)

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Behold, the product of a moment of OOB autism.

>>5712253
Are you adding the 28Vs on top of your VpKs or are you thinking of just swapping out? If it's the latter, I'm sure R-6 Fiskersonn would appreciate if those cars could be spared since he's down to two damaged ones.

>>5712324
You can swap a squad of infantry for a weapons team, yes. However, that drops their HP to 2. The 7.5 could also be light enough to be horse-drawn. It's one of those stubby, low-velocity guns.

>>5712465
Adding

>>5712481
That's one beefy recon platoon you'll be working with. Good stuff.

>>5712481
>>5712253
I would actually like to take some of the Recon vehicle as my unit has been quite depleted

>>5712173
The one thing Id note is that getting at least one heavy weapon tends to be superior to getting the assault kit. Rifles + mg also has 2 attacks against infantry but at range 5 instead of range 3 for example, and can use grenades at point blank range to boost their damage just that bit higher. Assault kits is to squeeze out even more after you've already picked up a suitable heavy weapon IMO.

>>5712466
>>5712631
Oh, perfect.

And yes MGs do, but little used benefit of horsing around seems to be ability to use a light weapon while preserving movement. As opposed to moving, dismounting, then being stuck. So the assault kit means firing and scooting 3ish to nearby cover, where, one prays, enough good will and camonetting might then cut down on the amount of return fire.

That all said, checking over maneuveurs it seems we SHOOT then MOVE rather than move then shoot, which has… implications for how useful it is to be able to move 3 after firing. Namely it doesn’t seem so useful and one is apt to die anyway.

( One presumes it means multiple rounds of taking fire )

That all said, I happily will grab those 7.5 guns even at the cost of some HP. I can’t seem to find their stats, though. It’d mean once we do set up we might slow something down a notch.

Can anyone share?

>>5712771
I'm not 100% sure about this, but given that they didn't have to use facing rules reserved for heavier pieces, I would venture a guess that the 7.5cm gun is equivalent to the 5cm howitzer from the manual.

>>5709554
>Try to get any spare Machine Guns and put them into my pintle mounts.

"My only regret is that the highest noble I got to fuck was a Baron and that was before I joined the military!"

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>>5709554
>Get near the front lines and try to lessen the infantry casualties of our battalion.

This is gonna suck but at least it probably can't get as bad as a Monday game.

>>5712865
>>5709554
I forgot my infantry equipment. Aside from the Medical Kits I'll go

>Demolition Charge and Machine Guns
>I'm requesting the ability to take a 3 piece mortar group from the command company.

>>5712586
Sure, how do you want to do this? You take the M/28V's and I take your old stuff?

>>5712586
That wouldn't be bad if no one else has any ideas.

>>5709554
>>Make Repairs- Restore vehicle hp of intact subunits by 1 (only available to mechanic backgrounds)

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Alright time to wrap up preparations.

>>5709559
J-8
>>5709563
C-2
>>5709599
J-5
>>5709705
D-7
>>5709731
R-3
>>5709882
D-9
>>5709938
D-3
>>5709968
D-11
>>5709987
J-5
>>5710018
J-4
>>5711944
D-5
>>5712173
D-13
>>5712253
R-11

So, for these people deciding to actively participate in Halcini, for each of your subunits, I need you to roll a d10- ie, if you have 3 subunits, roll 3d10. If you roll below a 5, the subunit takes 1 damage, and if you roll a 1, you take 2 for that subunit.
In exchange you'll get a full EXP level no matter what you roll.

Infantry will be topped up before this, so damage taken by them will be applied "after" that.

>>5712179
so there is no chance of living after this battle?
I wouldn't say that, necessarily. I'd just say that it would be rather difficult to do so. Whether you live or die it will be glorious. Or something like that.

>>5712361
It's pretty neat seeing stuff like this. Different angles on the scale of it all, though I'm sure anybody trying to organize the administrative side of this battalion has chronic headaches.

Rolled 2, 8, 8, 10 = 28 (4d10)

>>5713827
>>5709563
Halcini roll

File: 1684343543148979.gif (1.33 MB, 500x341)

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Rolled 4, 9, 5, 1, 8, 1 = 28 (6d10)

>>5713827
I'm also participating as per >>5709599 If I missed something and that's not the case, then ignore all of this.

My roll will be assuming I have all 6 T-15s, but if that's not the case, just ignore the last three results. In regards to swapping units, subunit 2 is swapped in as my lead vehicle.

Rolled 1, 9, 8, 5 = 23 (4d10)

>>5713827
The price of EXPmaxxing...

Rolled 6, 7, 7, 4, 7 = 31 (5d10)

>>5713827
Lets see if Totmann can practice what he preaches. MANEUVER MEN, WE NEED GO GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE THE ENEMY MORTARS LAND!

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

>>5713827

>>5713848
Ouch. Down one subunit and took damage on everyone. The price we pay for XP.

Rolled 10, 1, 4, 8 = 23 (4d10)

>>5709554
>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)
A soldier must perform his duty, regardless of the danger he is exposed too.

>>5713827
Rolling.

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>5713827

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>5713827
>>5713854

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>>5712586
Looks like I'll be needing one of the recon tanks too

>>5713848
>>5713849
>>5713855
>>5713827
>Pass my m/24K to J-8. Thus I should have 1x m/31k and 2x Nevk-7

Rolled 1, 9, 9, 10, 1 = 30 (5d10)

>>5713827
But sir, we’re only half formed and the sergeants haven’t even wrestled over who will be forced to be in command, yet!

Right right best crack on with it. Let me just have a gander at this org chart real quick.

There’s a minor mistake, as our paperwork has it says we’re battle-hardened? Hahah. Well, yes, but we’re actually Disfavored (Don’t ask about it), and our Commander has ideas for +XP (or Bellona, it’ll depend). I’ll adjust it later, I misread a chart.

According to my understanding, we have INT 5, XP 4 (after this) and so roll 5d10 for 5 subunits each with 4 HP.

Incidentally, it’s not apparent in the field-work manual and I was wondering if anyone might tell us what XP 4 or 5 might feasibly … do. We stole a lot of stuff, but it doesn’t help explain that. If your explanation might involve the words “+Defense” or “+Piercing” that’d be grand. I posit that “+Movement” would make me like these horses more. I would also take “Too experienced to be sent on this doomed mission so High Command arranged a cushy gig in the Capital babysitting the wine supplies”. No? Not… a chance. Oh well.

>>5713864
Oh it’s just like Petier and Hans to get *shot*. Nono, I’m not angry, I’m disappointed in your lack of ability to find cover.

>-2
>-2
>Everyone else is unscathed.

Which should mean enough manpower… >>5712791 to grab 2 of those support guns. Wahey!

Rolled 9, 4, 7, 5 = 25 (4d10)

>>5713827
Halcini rollling

>>5713827
Random question tanq but are there any (non-Caelussian) foreign military attaches/observers around in Vynmark?

Curious what lessons the rest of the continent are drawing from this short conflict, if there are any.

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>5713827

Rolled 1, 7, 3, 1, 1, 6 = 19 (6d10)

>>5713827
Rollin

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>5713827
>>5713945

Rolled 6, 10, 5, 2, 1, 9 = 33 (6d10)

>>5709554
>>5713827
I'm here to see it all end bros. .

>Fight in the closing battles of Halcini (Go up one experience level- risk damage to your unit)
>Other?
Send off a letter home and hope it's not my last.

Rolled 3, 6, 6, 5, 3 = 23 (5d10)

>>5713827
Can I roll my sub units to try to mitigate some of the Infantry loses since I'm a medical unit?

Rolled 7, 5, 3, 1, 8, 1 = 25 (6d10)

>>5713827

>>5713909
>Random question tanq but are there any (non-Caelussian) foreign military attaches/observers around in Vynmark?
There are- though they have to tread carefully given the hostile attitude of Twaryians to much of the continent and the fluid nature of the front. As to who they are, there's Nauklanders, naturally, as the full effect of the captured Caelussian Federation official military forces pans out.
There were two things you could have done in this series of battles to really shift the setting in one direction or the other above anything else, and that was one of them.The second thing would have been to turn over the Sky Queen to the Caelussians.
Whoever could see it coming or get over in time wants to see this- as this conflict more than anything would give observers an idea of what Twaryian capabilities are, and the level of foreign aid they're receiving. Though there are certainly people who, having aligned themselves with Twaryi in viewing them as allies in a continental revolution of sorts, have been meddling on the other side...
>Curious what lessons the rest of the continent are drawing from this short conflict, if there are any.
The biggest thing is, undoubtedly, not the dismantling of the Fortress Lines, but the reappearance of the Inferno Mass weapons. Considering that as far as anybody knows there's absolutely no way that a bunch of xenophobic brutish bat-ears would have them, let alone invent them. At least in their view.

>>5713864
>I was wondering if anyone might tell us what XP 4 or 5 might feasibly … do.
It was meant to be a secret at the start, but now that people are at it...
EXP 4 was attained last mission, and what that does is refresh your token if it's been used, and once the token is activated (automatically) it is further refreshed and given a power-up, and is refreshed at the end of each mission. Not that the refreshment matters much at this point, but the power-up is not known until it's actually procced.
EXP 5 meanwhile gives another stat boost, one point of Attack and one point of Initiative. EXP 6 meanwhile...another secret. It'll be seen.

>>5713982
>Can I roll my sub units to try to mitigate some of the Infantry loses since I'm a medical unit?
That seems fair to me, yes.

Rolled 7, 1, 2 = 10 (3d10)

>>5713827
>3 subunits before m/28'Vs

>>5713856
>>5713838
>>5712586
>>5712988
>>5714025
>Right well considering one of my Vpk's is wrecked we could go
>Ulf passes to me 1xVpk's and takes 2xm/28V
>Freya takes 1xm/28v since one hers got booped

Good?

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OH WAIT
>Take the BM-2'S if serviceable

>>5714053
>>5714058
Sounds like a plan

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>>5714053
You got yourself a deal.
>>5714058
But I suppose I keep one of my Vpks then?

>>5714094
Yep

>>5714016
>Though there are certainly people who, having aligned themselves with Twaryi in viewing them as allies in a continental revolution of sorts, have been meddling on the other side...

How are the pasta eaters even getting whole units all the way over here? Doesn't the Reich have a blockade of Vitelia?

>>5711396
Uh so people who swapped their damaged tanks before battle of Halcini could i get at least one of those to fill my squad.

>>5714156
>How are the pasta eaters even getting whole units all the way over here? Doesn't the Reich have a blockade of Vitelia?
A bold presumption, if admittedly predictable with the phrasng but the Reich doesn't have a blockade of the Vitelian states enacted, no. They put out sea and air patrols to keep anybody from getting ideas about messing around, but they don't block trade or movement by default.
More relevant perhaps is that the Reich does not interfere with Caelussian ships, if they are present.

Rolled 10, 9, 6, 3, 1, 8 = 37 (6d10)

>>5713827

>>5713982
And we have such a fresh batch of wounded for you, too!

Soon?

>>5714905
Soon, yeah. Just trying to be thorough with the unit detail changes.

>>5714917
Oh, if you're finalizing units, I've decided to take Honos after my Halcini EXP up. The regular one from the prior battle goes to making me EXP 1. At long last, I am free of the +1 INI hell.

>>5714920
Something else I figured I'd do was, with C-3 taking two of the captured m/24-32s, was to give his damaged stuff to C-1 and C-5 to repair. It made sense to me, since that puts them at 2 hp instead of 1.
Insert joke about in form it is in a PCQ spinoff to be giving the sloppy used goods to the women with wounded tags. I don't know how I want to maul Martins, it wasn't as theatrical as getting beaned in the face with a molotov cocktail
There's one more to do...something with, I suppose.

>>5714929
How did Martins get knocked out? Was it a 8.2cm hit? If so, you really can go for either extreme here. Either the shell overpenetrated and didn't do much or just completely messed everyone inside up.

In regards to the used goods, I was wondering if C-1/5 could do repairs on the tanks handed off to them. Glad to be on the receiving end of at least that one little bit of mercy.

Also, on the topic of captured equipment, didn't we completely gas up one of the motorcycle platoons at the very start of the last mission? Don't know if we managed to capture some of those, but, either way, what are the mechanical differences, if any, between them and other motorized infantry, since we didn't get to seem them move around much?

With that said, what's the final word on the towing situation? What did we manage to drag off the field, in the end? The BM-2s were being ditched for friendly wrecks, but now that the latter is useless, I sure do hope we brought the former with us instead (alongside the C-V wreck. I will not stop shilling for this).

>>5714929
I dunno, seems like the requirements to be a major female character in PCQ in general is either through:

1. Having a tragic backstory
2. Getting horribly maimed/injured
or both!

>>5714932
>How did Martins get knocked out? Was it a 8.2cm hit? If so, you really can go for either extreme here. Either the shell overpenetrated and didn't do much or just completely messed everyone inside up.
Clobbered by the anti-tank ace hit, yeah.

>Also, on the topic of captured equipment, didn't we completely gas up one of the motorcycle platoons at the very start of the last mission? Don't know if we managed to capture some of those, but, either way, what are the mechanical differences, if any, between them and other motorized infantry, since we didn't get to seem them move around much?
While theoretically they'd be different, it's just flavor. They would basically just be horsemen in capability.

>With that said, what's the final word on the towing situation? What did we manage to drag off the field, in the end? The BM-2s were being ditched for friendly wrecks, but now that the latter is useless, I sure do hope we brought the former with us instead (alongside the C-V wreck. I will not stop shilling for this).
As far as I saw, the BM-2s were being brought along by default since the early ending means that you're basically booking it. The mercs wouldn't let you have the C-V. Whether or not they could have stopped you is a theoretical not gone after, since it'd be out of the spirit of, you know, letting you pass under ceasefire.

I also somehow missed properly sharing this until now, which is funny since I had the details since it was fought against, but since Wesker's going to be replacing his stuff with the NEKV-7Ks (where his vehicles go besides those, not sure, but I think they'd get divvied between J-3 and J-8) I ought to give the statline.

They've got-

Base ATK 5
Base INI 3
HP of 3
Armor 3, Open Topped
Movement 3
Weapon-
7.5cm HV Cannon
Range 10
Piercing 6
Explosive D3

They're pretty nasty, but you also only have 2 to work with anyways.

>>5714945
So basically captured El.Pz.7s, correct?

>>5714947
They're an attempt to make a copy of those, yes.

>>5714945
See here: >>5713861
I passed my m/24K to [J-8] but kept my m/31K. (tell me if it's not possible for any reason)

Also also is it a Turret or a Hull weapon? (As in do I have 180 degrees like cuirassers or the classic 90?)

>>5714954
Upping your unit count to 3 would entail a loss of experience as it's an increase of half or more to unit size- but otherwise, that would be fine.
The NEKV-7K's cannon is indeed turret mounted.

>>5714945
I'll take whatever's going to get my INT back to 2

>>5714957
Alright then I'll
>Pass my m/24K to Niel [J-3] >>5709679 >>5714970
"It was your's to begin with. I'm just returning it. Thank you."
and
>Pass my m/31K to Ilse Anna [J-8] >>5713849
"If you would have this one to replace your totatled m/31K Lady Degenhardt. Don't hold back with it. It's tougher than it looks and I'd hate if the vehicle couldn't protect those within."

Feeling the irony of the NEKV-7K's being piloted by Twarinauks I guess.

File: charactercards12.jpg (3.55 MB, 4021x3423)

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Alright that took longer than expected.
The current roster, with present attendance. I'm sure I'll have missed something because that's how it's gone every time, but I tried to review. If there's weapon changes or the like, it's open until things actually kick off after deployment.
Anyways, there's actually still quite a bit of writing to do...at least the map's mostly done.

I somehow almost forgot to put in Becker, that would have been embarrassing.

>>5715000
Lol I forgot to edit out people not here in the Panzerjager in a rush.
Besides that, though.

>>5715001
Rheiner hasn't been here since Op 2.

Also I'll take the last free m/24-32 since no one is claiming it apparently.

>>5715000
Eh? Why is Rheiner here? I think people were just mentioning him to account for where all the tokens were. I don't think he is actually here participating. While there was a pretty strong desire to snatch his token so that it wasn't "lost" to an inactive player among the discord, I'm not sure you would allow it if the player isn't actually here. Up to you though, just thought I'd mention it for fairness sake.

Speaking of fairness...I'm pretty sure my HP is wrong. 2 of my remaining 3 M/31Ks should each have one HP missing. >>5713848 >>5713827

>>5715000
It was a bit of a last minute decision, - not really surprising it didn't make it on to the card, still worth mentioning for the next revision though - but my second subunit should be a bog standard 5cm armed m/24K now, not a m/31K. He got toasted last op.
My Northwesterlies token got used up too, so that'll need striking off as well.
Looking fine for me otherwise

>>5714112
Oh, careful about taking both of the BM-2s. Too much bat ear stuff can limit the exp you're getting, like now on the unit cards

>>5715000
>>5715031
I see. The would you like to take 1 with you? For old times sake.
>Give one of the BM-2's to Freya so I can maintain my exp 4

>>5715033
Yeah, I'll take it. Much appreciated, and nice dubs

>>5715000
Probably just a graphic thing, but the tank should have 3hp. And if I'm still able to use the exp from the last battle I was saving, I'll go ahead and spend that on getting Bellona
Also nice trips

>>5715000
My 4th squad took 1 damage. Also I think I'll switch out my marksman equipment for machine guns. I'll need the extra anti infantry capability more then I'll need the range I think.

Also, I must say that its quite impressive how the hard core of our battalion, the tanks, have pretty much remained in strength throughout those 3 very hard fought battles. That more then anything else gives me some hope that we can pull off another miracle from our collective behinds.

The respectable amount of 7.7cn and 7.5cm high velocity guns will also help I imagine.

>>5715000

Looks good!

I was thinking of doing a write-in RP option, something like:

>Hold religious observances, honoring those who have passed on, and those of us who will soon follow.

Could you tell us a bit about some religious practices of the Martial Convents before battle and some of the more common religious superstition around death or people who may soon die in Vynnmark?

>>5715000
No big changes, but I'd like to switch to an intact vehicle.

Hey all, sorry for the delay again, I passed out. Thanks again for your patience and for catching my mistakes, it's very, very helpful to have extra pairs of eyes watching out.

>>5715066
>I was thinking of doing a write-in RP option, something like:
>Hold religious observances, honoring those who have passed on, and those of us who will soon follow.
>Could you tell us a bit about some religious practices of the Martial Convents before battle and some of the more common religious superstition around death or people who may soon die in Vynnmark?
Alright, this might take a lot, but I expect that a two sentence summary wasn't expected anyways.

To get right to the point and summarize, according to Holy Judgment, when you die, your soul goes off and is put before the Judge, and you are either judged right there by the God of Order, or you wait until everybody you wronged or righted in life comes along to sit on your court of Judgment. If you were more bad than you were good, you get dumped into the Deeps of the Abyss to serve your sentence, and if you were good, you move up to Heaven. Simple concept- and what is right and wrong was dictated by the codices that were scribed upon stone on the Island of Prophecy when it rose from the sea- and depending on who you ask, what was added on by later Saints as humanity developed, strayed, or became ready for such laws, or their discarding.

The specifics depend on what particular faith a person holds, whether they're a follower of the Cathedra, or one of the many breakaway Sects with varying beliefs of differing esotericism and cultural influence besides being apart from the authority of the Cathedra, or if they follow the Twaryian interpretation of the Old Church's doctrine. However, since Martial Convents are near exclusively the realm of the latter on the continent in regards to Holy Judgment, we can go with that to start.

Twaryian-Old Church Martial Convents have their roots in the people's exodus from the old world, where they were driven out of their homelands and pursued by the "Ear Cutters" who were as vicious as they were enigmatic. As desperation grew and more and more husbands and young men were either engaged in the defense of the people or killed, female zealots put together sisterhoods of the grieving, vengeful, and otherwise motivated to help defend themselves and aid the fighting men- which given the nature of the Ear Cutters as horde of opportunistic and merciless pillagers, often included fighting despite not being well armed or armored- as the enemy then are usually, despite the ascendance to prominence of Holy Judgment at the time, considered to have been cultists of the Primordial Chaos of the Earth. This practice continued when the Twaryians were further persecuted upon their migration across the sea.

>>5715281
So, the usual practices of Martial Convent members in preparation for passing revolve around the cleansing of sin from the soul that occurs when devoting the sacrifice of life to the destruction of heresy, but Twaryians don't usually consider the washing of their own sin as a moral motivator for zealotry. Rather, their belief is that they will save either wayward friends or family, or the heretics themselves from punishment when time comes for their sins to be weighed. So, the time before will be spent in remembrance or honor of those who are being fought for. The sinful dead will be invoked as they will receive mercy, and the heretic will be given rites as they are granted the same in spite of themselves. Some people have moral debts of sorts that span generations, if they have particularly evil ancestors or were associated with them. The time before mortal peril is thus a time spent doing what is believed would soothe the souls about to be sacrificed for- or, perhaps, in quiet contemplation.

Other churches of Holy Judgment find this sort of "sharing" of sin to not be bizarre and not part of their belief system, so those readying themselves for Judgment who are part of those faiths would try and find some way to make up for what they could in their time before death. This could include charity and acts of general goodwill, but the most revered virtue for many sects and the Cathedra itself is that of the "Sacrifice by the Shield," which involves knowingly placing oneself in mortal peril to save the life of another- dying to try and save somebody's life and limb isn't necessarily a cleaning of the slate, but it puts a lot of metaphorical weight on the scale you're weighed on. There's also greater encouragement to try not to fuck things up for yourself to a greater degree before you bite it.

Relevant to those who would be believers in the Cathedra would be appeals to the Saints. There are numerous saints of yore, and no shortage of ones to appeal to in the danger of war, so some prayers may be sent along to these Saints in particular, who are seen as more personable than God, though still acting under his divine authority. Different sects may or may not have reverence for particular saints, but commonly have beliefs in other divinity such as what might be called angels or protective spirits, which differ from Saints in that such things are not nor were ever human- as the Cathedra posits that the only "angels" are humans, as the earthly incarnation of Order. Some few might try and make themselves more favorable to "devils" which are, as you'd expect, the malicious parallel to angels, and while the Old Church shares the Cathedra belief in that only mankind can be empowered by the Judge, they do believe in devils, and the desperate might justify to themselves potential bargaining with them for future greater good.

>>5714945
>While theoretically they'd be different, it's just flavor. They would basically just be horsemen in capability.
Reminds me of the Decisive Campaigns games where motorbike infantry is basically just mounted infantry, but with an absurd road movement bonus. Yeah, in our case the bulk of the difference is flavor, but you have to admit that there are few things cooler than motorbike cavalry.

>The mercs wouldn't let you have the C-V. Whether or not they could have stopped you is a theoretical not gone after, since it'd be out of the spirit of, you know, letting you pass under ceasefire.
I don't know why I thought that the mercs just ran away after brokering the ceasefire. I think it might've been because of their recon leaving the map earlier. But, yeah, poking around their tank is one thing, but actually hooking it up to a wrecker would break the ceasefire terms, sure. Though, I gotta say, knowing this just made the post-battle situation much funnier, since now the mercs would've had to contend with absolutely butt-mad seething Twaryians after letting us leave the field. And that's on top of holding them up once already. That would've been one awkward post-battle debrief.

>Those NEKV-7K stats
I'm glad Sommervind didn't have a stomach for an actual fight to the death with us. Those things are absolute beasts. That said, PRC 6 isn't quite as good as PRC 7, since it can't one-shot T-16s.

>>5715000
Ah, fuck. Figures I'd lose EXP for doubling my unit size. Well, I'll just have to cope without Honos. 6 T-15 is...certainly something, even if three are badly damaged.

>>5715283
Are most Vynmarkers nominally Cathedra folk, or do they have any particular sect they're fond of?

>>5715291
>Are most Vynmarkers nominally Cathedra folk, or do they have any particular sect they're fond of?
There's plenty of Cathedra faithful, as Nauklanders all over tend to be, but as a Sosaldtian state, Vynmark was subject to the force of Alexander's cultural suppression and the breakup of the Cathedra's influence, though Nauk culture was too strong for the effort of cultural suppression to be made for over long. Many (natives, at least) in the country are thus believers in the Sect of Balance- the idea that Order is by nature competing forces reaching a single harmonious state. Such ties into their belief in tokens, for example, and the idea that people's natures work as directional, elemental forces of sorts. This is how they would rationalize, say, the Chaotic, Earthen aspect of the Red Dust to not be identical to the force condemned in the teachings of Holy Judgment.

The Sect of Balance is sort of a reflection of local culture as well, though, considering that even the Cathedra faithful in Vynmark pay mind to the tokens and their power, though their justification may be different.

By the time the Hageldorf Battalion had gotten to Halcini, the battle was already decided- in the east’s favor. All that could be done was to aid the retreating Grand Council Army forces in retreating from the field, as Twaryian mechanized and assault units bit at their heels and weaved within their lines and paths of escape, taking full advantage of the chaos caused by what had apparently been the hammer blow in the hillocks north of Halcini itself where a great armored battle had crushed much of Vynmark’s mobile forces- even though the attempt at a counterattack had been a valiant one, the Twaryian commanders had created a clever trap whose structure was still uncertain- and a set of what must have been Inferno Mass explosives devastated the core of the counterattack.

Part of the Battalion had kept the formation’s route and marching column safe on their way south, to the coast. Another elected to do their best to turn the Battle of Halcini’s final days into less of a disaster. As much as the GCA had suffered from the chaos, the appearance of the Hageldorf Battalion’s intervention was just as brutal to the scattered and opportunistic Twaryians, and the Battalion made ruin wherever its active forces went, though not without cost. Most of the units that had gone into battle had been damaged- most of the infantry were eclectic mixes of whoever they’d managed to encounter, rescue, or stumble into, more than a few “new recruits” actually hardened veterans who had the luck to form reinforcements rather than manning last stands.

Out of the platoon, one officer in particular was wounded in the fighting. Though the now renowned “Unterbrust,” as most knew her as for her rather lighthearted lack of reverence for her substantial voluptuousness, now bore another scar across her face from where Twaryian cannon and heavy machine guns had taken her vehicle out from under her, amongst other wounds. “Just another scar,” she’d tell people with an utter lack of concern, but many still felt some unease at the wounding. Up until now, the daring recon officer had managed to avoid being severely hurt- and it had been seen by some as a sign of good luck that the woman that the crasser natured boasted was the pride of the country (most nobility would disagree) had avoided significant harm. Now, there was an unspoken rumor going about- that the Battalion’s luck had finally run out.

Ahead of the platoon, in conjunction with the scattered bits of troops that had been rescued- then roped into his cause (much more convenient than asking higher command), the mysterious Black Panzerjagers had devoted themselves to a hunt.

With the appearance of the mercenaries yesterday, there was a lookout for any out of place foes, and when they were found, they were dispatched from long range with the uncaring perdition of the 7.7-centimeter naval cannon. Nothing was known that could resist it- and this assumption went unchallenged, even if keeping out of the main fighting and restricting action to the night meant that good targets were few and far between- but therefore rather facile to dispatch. The greatest learning experience to be had was who the dispatched targets might be- and what they rode. With that came a couple clues- one was that the T-16 variants encountered first with the mercenaries were trickling into Twaryian deployments. Not good news. The other wasn’t good news either, but bizarre news- as armored vehicles of unknown type had been appearing, but not closing, not engaging, just seemingly watching and following.

Black One had his entire platoon fire on one of the spectating tanks and shredded it to pieces. None appeared again after that- and when a scout was sent to investigate the wreck, he brought back documents that were unmistakably in the flowery language of Vitelia, though anything of importance had been absconded with beforehand by the wreck’s allies. The markings were that of a faction of the Revolutionary state- but nobody could fathom what they were doing here, across the continent from anything that reasonably concerned them.

Before the prisoners were sent off with anybody else retreating to Sodrakron- Lieutenant Ferrari’s compatriots mocking that next he saw his “pet” that she’d surely be big in the belly and surely would lose whatever alluring qualities the Westnauk saw in her - Lieutenant Niels badgered his particular take who could not be argued to be attractive to him except as a mockery of different sorts, none of them praising. Repeated conversations, some attempted to be harsher, other more amicable, tried to pry from him the mystery of the remote-vehicle Inferno Mass Explosives. Alas- he knew nothing of it. Only that anything outlandish like that was with a certainty a foreign gift- likely the Caelussians, given how much business they did with…well, everybody. Yet, he had said, shouldn’t Niels know that, he argued? Well, no- no Caelussian merchant in Vynmark sold forbidden and bespoke weapons of a war that was across the sea and some ways overland from their home continent, but the prisoner didn’t seem to be lying. He truly didn’t know. Perhaps, neither did any Twaryian that there would be a chance whatsoever to talk to.

The hard fighting aside, it did end up being worth it. Many comrades were saved- and sent along, and moreover, each battle was an utter mauling dealt upon the Twaryians and their allies- a great spoon of bitterness to the taste of their victory in the field, served with relish. With them went some escort from the Battalion, and with them, went what was thought could be final correspondences to family and friends. The retreat was going back to Sodrakron- and while mail could be expected to travel roughly as far as one could throw it from the frontlines given current conditions, if it made it back to the rear, then it just might make it.

Lieutenant Jacob Krogh had seen many more of his men pass and be replaced than he’d have liked. Seeing that sort of thing made you think about when your number would come up, after all. With how the war was going, the state he’d seen the core of the Grand Council Army in when his men had rode up to rescue them from besieging Twaryians, he couldn’t have been sure if his home was safe or not, or whether his wife and daughters had been evacuated- he believed Vynmark would protect them, if it could. So he let them know all he felt he could- that he was doing something very important, and that if he didn’t make it back, he did his best, and he loved each member of his family, and that they had his best wishes to stay safe and sound. Though he hadn’t come this far, he thought, just to die. Some boastful thinking from the members of his platoon that had stuck around unharmed since the start of it all, trying to push into his head.

Jonah Vilgerson’s family was not quite so peaceful and mild. A bunch of rabble rousers as far back as great-granny remembered, that ancient old bag, he still would rather that most of them get away. Especially with his sister having wandered over into what was looking more and more like a last ride. He’d hidden plenty of treasures, with the amount of battle loot his unit had encountered and “misplaced,” and even though he was no cartographer, he’d done his best to make a veritable Pirate Lord’s chronicle of his prizes. Even if he’d hoped that his clan had escaped to the Archduchy, where perhaps they’d find somebody worth causing trouble for if they didn’t change their ways, the fight against the Twaryians couldn’t end with him. Just didn’t feel right to stop fighting, even after he would die.

Lieutenant Wesker was perhaps unique in being higher of birth yet lower of consideration by the home he wrote back to- though his considerations went out to all his family- even those who were not as kind and thoughtful of him as his half-sister. Maybe she would think that she had sent him down a path towards doom he otherwise might not have- but he didn’t think so. At home, he was considered a half-breed, a bat ear, ever trying to prove himself to be something besides…something he had barely considered himself to be. Out here on the front, he was no longer questioned. He felt more Nauk than ever before, and when any Twaryian had tempted him, they found naught but deaf ears. There was pride to be had in that, he felt, though there was a sole stinging regret- that he might not return after having so clearly shown his worthiness. To be able to see for himself how he had, for certain, made up any debt incurred by his birth.

Caroline Vix had a different sort of family and home to write to- and a much thicker journal of notes and observations, measurements, the odd photograph in the rare instance a camera could be seized. It was like sending back a research log as much as a message home to Father- though there was no picture of her face. Better she either be alive to explain it later, or not so ugly a corpse to remember. It was still shocking to see herself in the mirror- but, maybe, it had been a fair price for all that she had learned. It couldn’t go to waste- all the pain and sacrifice would mean something. She had no intention of dying if she could help it- so as soon as one journal was sent, another was found- and proceeded to be further noted in, as hasty repairs and welds were done to damaged vehicles, often while still on the move. Something to crawl home with on stumps if need be.

The last missive home was…something more in the line of business than sentiment. Though there was still a principle to it.

Lieutenant Under Arms Kannenpflanze had approached the Countess Haile another time- to address the subject of payment. Friendly relations aside, he was a sellsword, and the Archduchy’s men were known for many things, but even the world renowned Silver Lances did not work off of charity.

The Countess was tired. Heavy dark circles under her eyes dimmed her gaze, and her voice was dull with a disinterested tone, but the response was still clipped and proper- along with the mail had been sent a final missive regarding the payment of mercenary forces. A letter of credit would be issued for time spent until the completion of this mission- which would likely be only a few more days at most. After that, the mercenaries were free to be on their way. There would be no issue of receiving payment- so long as Vynmark did not fall before the banks ran out of Union Marks.

The question of why was not asked, considering that Kannenpflanze had less and less expectation of being able to spend his hard won reward, but he wasn’t sure what he’d spend it on anyways. Traditionally, mercenaries abroad blew all their pay on the pleasure palaces of Sosaldt, what was now Mittelsosalia and the Zuide. Would he do that, if he lived? It was hard to think of an opponent that could beat him. His command had swollen to double its size, all with T-15 heavy tanks, but half of them had been severely damaged over time, and in the battles of Halcini, beaten and bruised, still moving, but likely not able to take much more punishment from anything that would hurt them. It gave the impression of limping over the finish line- not a particularly glorious conclusion…though maybe some hope could be held out in returning home with these giant heaps of metal. He’d gotten rather fond of the boxy, ugly contraptions.

Finally, in the course of driving the battalion south, Velecacia, the Sky Queen, found herself flitting to and fro, escorted and guarded by whoever was not presently busy- and a common “guard” she found was Lieutenant Walter Splitterschwert- who while no less wary of her strange, seemingly sorcerous oddities, was not unappreciative of her aid, her interest in his health.

So he had given her a gift. The symbol of a recon officer’s prestige- the wide brimmed black hat, bent and swayed, no worse for the wear even if his steel skullcap had an uncomfortable bashed in chop mark.

“For me?” Velecacia asked as Splitterschwert bowed and offered his hat, “Art thou certain? It ist a mark of thine station…” Yes, he was sure- as he tried to bend lower than was socially acceptable to try and get a better view of just how she was floating. “Ist there aught thou wisht to have in return?” No, no, just stop bobbing and- “What are thou trying to see?”

Ah, shit. There was nothing to do but to awkwardly mumble that he wanted to know how she floated.

Velecacia shook her head. “That ist done in a way that none may see with eyes alone. But…” She leaned on her cane and bobbed upwards, curling in and rolling backwards like she was reclining on a chair, “Thou hast mine permission to inspect closely, to assuage thine curiosity.”

Uh. Er. That wasn’t particularly what Splitterschert had in mind, as he raised his hands.

“It ist thine reward,” Velecacia said innocently, “I will not be harmed nor offended.” She placed his cap on her head- it slumped over her eyes, and she smiled in amusement while tilting it back. “What strange haunt lays in this hat to make it fall?” She said in a voice that was clearly a mockery of Walter’s, “Help, my Walters, evil spirits are holding my hat over my eyes!” She smiled warmly, and it was utterly impossible with both that and the sort of voice she had to be even the slightest bit annoyed.

…Where was the polite place to hold her? By her ankle? He at least did not have to kneel or scrape on the ground, as the recon officer shakily took hold of that little, alabaster-pale foot and tried to look for anything strange without coming across as the strangest sort of pervert. Besides that there were no callouses, no dirt, no sign of anything but being a pristine girl’s foot and toes, there was nothing sinister about it.

“Perhapst thou findst it strange that one whom does not walk has feet to do so with,” Velecacia said, sharing in Splitterschert’s curiosity of her own anatomy, as though she’d never seen it before. “Perhaps, it is because mine birth and existence is still human, even if mine body is changedst to be Queen of the Sky. Or perhaps the reason ist a reminder. A grim momento.” She frowned slightly. “Even the Queen may betray the Hemelsberg, and be made to walkst the ground once more in penitence.”

Perhaps so.

“Lieutenant Splitterschwert.” What a time for Major Yule to come about, as Splitterschwert froze like ice had flash-frozen him from his boots to his ears. “What are you doing?”
“He doth what the Sky Queen has allowed,” Velecacia said airily to Yule, “Pay it no mind.” Splitterschwert released her still, and she floated slowly down. “The least I couldst do for thine services is some small reward.”

“…Well,” Yule said with a roll of his eyes, “Don’t let anybody see you messing with her feet, Lieutenant. I sure as hell got the wrong idea.”

It was some levity in rather dour times. Nobody objected to hearing the Sky Queen’s chime of a voice, her ever friendly if needlessly archaic speech. Though Haile was ever apprehensive- a look of guilt in her eyes the whole way south.

Totmann couldn’t help but despair a little at the news trickling in from the front. The improved T-16 variants being seen massed against them was unwelcome to say the least. While it did not matter too much when it came to his own command, he’d already heard of how tough they had been to defeat for the mechanized elements of the battalion. If the Twaryianshad another company of those things, or worse a whole battalion… It was hard to do anything but imagine the end of their run of good luck when it came to preserving valuable armored fighting vehicles.

At least they weren’t completely outmatched. Still, if they were to survive he would need to do his part to stack the odds once more. His own platoon had managed to come out of the battles mostly intact, although only thanks to absorbing scattered pockets of infantry he’d helped rescue during the battle of Halcini. He and his men had performed very well there despite the bitter and chaotic fighting, with their exemplary performance during the previous rearguard holding steady. It was hard for him to call the men truly veterans, but they were certainly hardier then before, and more importantly acted a lot quicker in response to his orders. Combined with his own cool head, they truly seemed to shine when the enemy was in spitting distance, making up for whatever they lacked in personal skill with blood of ice.

One platoon of infantry can not stand up against an elite mechanized battalion however, no matter how many satchel charges, bundle grenades and other assorted last resort anti tank weaponry he was busily preparing. To stand a chance they’d need to improve coordination, and Totmann was determined to do his part there as well. Eberhardt had been good company during both the rearguard battle and the fighting at Halcini and was an obvious pick for the ad hoc company he was creating. For the rest he looked at some of the newcomers, Lieutenant Becker's platoon would round out the infantry component of the company, while Senior Lieutenant Fuchs platoon of m/24ks would sort out the necessary mechanized element to introduce some combined arms.

Decisions made, he hurried to inform the relevant parties of his idea.

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Julio di Alba marched down the line of his battalion, as they psyched themselves up for the fight to come. Despite his origins, despite his magnificent forward thinking and philosophical mind, he had not found a place in Vitelia- let alone the Revolution, that he was satisfied with. A deep scar on his eye marked a bitter rivalry with the Autarch, and the Consul of the Revolutionary Confederacy of Vitelia now…well, he could smirk to himself about one thing, but regardless, that scoundrel’s rise had coincided with his own faction’s fall from influence. Here, however, the Revolutionary Army of Greater Vitelia would show itself worthy. They were a long way from home- but they had to come a long way in order to secure the support of their…potential benefactors. They had the best Vitelia could offer- in men and equipment, and they would surely need it today- but with the odds as they were, victory was practically assured. Glory was guaranteed.

“Today,” He shouted into the morning, “We avenge the failure of Halmeggia! Today, the Revolutionary Army of Greater Vitelia shall show itself once again worthy of its magnificent cause. There waits the Forlorn Hope of Vynmark- their most storied, their best, defiant in the face of the vengeance of Twaryi, and a stain on the world that bears the stench of Alexander. Today they will be crushed! Crushed beneath the Guards of the Forthcoming Dawn! Comrades! Il Sole del Popolo sorge! La Rosa della Rivoluzione sboccia!”

-----

The dawn was rising- but the land remained dark. Black soil, twisted skeletal trees, thick thorns and marshy pools covered in inky-black leaves of various water flora, but the water was clear as crystal where it could be seen beyond the thick, slightly iridescent mist. Yawning chasms opened in the ground- and from these pits rose volcanic columns of basalt and spikes of multicolored quartz that may as well have been thrown from the heavens. Even though it couldn’t be seen yet, the one scent of life, the salty spray of the sea, indicated that the ocean was close by to this haunted land.

Not far behind, there would be Twaryians or their allies in pursuit, but the battalion was still cautious in their advance. The black suited soldiers of the east were a known quantity- and they’d been beaten many times now. Yet a scouting unit, a stray from the scattering of the past battle, had recklessly pressed onwards into the heart of the Huldravikland- and contact had been lost with them like they had vanished into thin air. The same happened to a following band of reconnaissance, despite being instructed not to. Now, the point where they had disappeared had been passed, and it did nothing to help anybody’s nerves. Despite many being in their homeland, defending it, they were surrounded by enemies here.

“The land cryeth out,” Velecacia said, her head bowed as though she was strolling through a field, “This place doth overfloweth with the evil of antiquity beyond memory.”

Major Yule stared flintily into the mists in all directions- there were roads here, but from the way the compass’s point wobbled, he knew better than to trust them as the stone they appeared to be. He had never seen anything like this before- but the past weeks had been extremely enlightening. “Why are we here, then?” He still asked, “The bat ears were bad enough, weren’t they?”

“Because,” Countess Haile said, her voice dull and tired, “This is where she says to go. To where my ancestors apparently left…and where Rend came back.”

Yule didn’t know much about any of this. Any explanations by Velecacia sounded like fairy tales, and Haile offered little better, but he could guess at something. “The Huldraviklands are linked to your Hemelsberg, aren’t they, in some way?”

“Not in a way that thou shouldst seek,” Velecacia said warily, “Any beach may do, yet this land ist where mine people shalt find mine person quickest, and they shall not be pursued along the path to be spirited upon.”

“Can’t the battalion take that path too?” Yule asked, even though he had a feeling of what the answer would be.

“To fight thine way through thine foes ist peril indeed,” Velecacia said, “A preferable one to the certain doom of the unknown path of spirit. To ascend to the Hemelsberg requireth the love of the High Mount, or the forsaking of Velekam. Thou hast neither, and wouldst wander lost in betwixt, should thou be the most fortunate. Else thine end would be immediate and violent.”

Only one part of that made any sense whatsoever- trying to leave the same way the Sky Queen, and presumably those coming to get her would, was not a smart idea. Yule did imagine an airship like the on the Sky Queen arrived upon- perhaps a few could have their passage on it bargained for, but most certainly not the whole of the battalion…

“Broadcast from the enemy, sir,” the radioman of Yule’s command car announced.

“Tell them to eat shit,” Yule snaped, “We’ve been over this. If they ask for the girl then we say she’s already gone.”

“Different group this time,” the radioman said, “Doesn’t seem like a request. Sounds like an introduction.”

“So long,” the Countess’s former sharpness of voice came back for a moment, “As they do not expect any response, we will hear who comes for us today.”

The introduction, as one could call it, was already being listened in on by whoever wished in the Battalion who had a functioning radio receiver- it was the kind of broadcast that was having extra pains taken to make sure it couldn’t be missed by accident.

Two parties had come to claim your heads- one from east and west northwards. Word had gotten around that the Hageldorf Battalion was a prize to claim, because both the enemies seemed to be famed- decorated, or otherwise outfitted with some passion and personality that made eliminating you a necessity, not out of some greater objective, but because of destiny- the latest great name to tally. The northwest contingent called itself the Revolutionary Expeditionary Battalion- some foreign volunteers, assuredly, as their informal name was contrasted with the eastern prong, the 2nd Desantniki “Sturmabteilung Aleksandr.” Extraordinarily strange choice of name for Twaryians aside, being in New Nauk rather than their own language, it was the unit that was properly known about beforehand. A would-be paratrooper battalion, it had no wings, but its troops had been repurposed as a heavy assault battalion with armored support. The Revolutionary Expedition soon also revealed its identity as an armored assault formation.

Nobody assumed that the odds would be in the Hageldorf Battalion’s favor, but it felt like a cruel joke all the same. To be hounded by these two elite battalions, not even to win the war, but hunting them like a prize stag. To mount the battalions’ heads on their wall- to eat their flesh. Yet nobody was willing either to simply submit to fate and accept that they were the prey.

Rocket attacks already hounded the Battalion’s feet- corralled them further into the peninsula. However, Yule still called together the officers and their representatives as though there was a hope for escape. A plan. One perhaps he did not have full confidence of the likelihood of working…but one that was made nevertheless. The only real hope of survival- if they dug in their heels here, they would last a decent while- until shells, rockets, and eventually starvation would do everybody in, if whatever strange things lived here didn’t object to them staying. To attack into the teeth of a mechanized battalion while also being attacked from another side, while also having to delay for the evacuation of the primary objective…the chances were far from reassuring, but it was all that could be done.

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Operation Four- “Ashen Dawn”

The Battalion must deliver Queen Velecacia to the south of the Huldravikland Peninsula, in the circled area- any coastal region will do. Afterwards, if possible, the Battalion’s remaining elements will attempt to break through enemy forces to the northwest. Exact enemy numbers are unknown, but likely to be two full mechanized assault battalions. Unknown entities of unknown allegiance and composition are to the south of the Battalion’s present position in front of and around the southern coastal region. Extreme caution is advised- but extreme boldness will be required to hold against enemy assault and also to break through.

Primary Objective is as follows-

1. Escort Velecacia to the Southern Evacuation Point

Any further activity and planning is at Battalion discretion. Enemy usage of chemical weapons is expected, as well as heavy and opportunistic artillery fires. Evacuation of the Queen is paramount and expected. Survival is not. Do your best, exceed the enemy’s lofty expectations of you, and you may survive.

>A Hellish Chill blows through the battalion…Death will now occur to any lead vanquished, regardless of prior wounding status.

Deployment may now begin.

>>5715443
Is it fair to assume those great big spikes block both movement and LoS?

>>5715447
It is. The huge ones also block indirect fire arcs, for what it's worth. Including enemy ones depending on the angle.
...I mean, you could try to move into it but it doesn't take a genius to conclude that you would die in doing so.

"Hans, karl. I think our goose is cooked " Jonah leaned back on the drivers seat of the car looking ahead into the doom that awaited him and his friends. Despite their doomed situation he was serene in the thought that his family had made it, they were safe in strossvald with cousin Nieman.

"Agreed, Its a shame that you'd have died without knowing the touch of a woman" Hans chuckled checking his weapons and equipment before the last ride. Unlike jonah he was troubled, he didn't like the idea of where the battalion was heading. He wanted to get off this wild ride desperately but he couldn't abandon his friends, Nay brothers.

"Judge above Jonah really!? Man its gonna suck when you bite the bullet." Karl chimed in over the radio he could hear Hans chuckle and Jonah audibly groan over the radio. He let out a laugh too if not a bit forced he could feel his death approaching him and the bravado that fueled him was running out with regret taking its place. Maybe he should have stayed as logistics officer as his father intended, Maybe he shouldn't have ran away from his posting and picked up a faux name just so he could fight in the frontlines and he would be nice and safe in a posting bought by his family's fortune. Karl's hand shook as he gripped the wheel while he took deep breaths to calm himself down and regain what little courage and bravado he can, He's going to need every ounce of it in the battle to come.

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>>5715443
Totmann's company consisting of D-9, D-11, D-13 and J-9 will deploy in this area I believe. We're quite well suited for fighting in that area. Specific deployment will have to follow, this is more to help other players coordinate defenses.

>>5715462
Add me to their number.

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>>5715443
I want to deploy at V-22, as shown in the attached image. I'd also ask if anyone wants to give up one of the radio-sets to me since Im acting as a company commander holding one of the flanks in a fairly central position.

>>5715512
>Deploy at aa 32

>>5715443
>deploy on ll32
Lehrson deployed on the coastal village. His men are sailors after all and may be helpfull in comandeering boats should shit hit the fan and everyone needs to be evacuated.

Lehrson wrote down all the stories off all the things that happened during the whole lifespan of the batallion. This of course is not fully accurate despite his attempts to cross reference everything that has been said. The book is full of scribles and is a complete mess, there are holes in the story, like at certain moments he was not even there.

Lehrson has a hollow look in his eyes. He has seen stuff even the history books can't describe. There is nothing left about the schoolboy. He now swears like a sailor and looks just as messy as the grizled veterans he is with. He says: "Men, nothing needs to be said. We are frankly being attacked from two sides. Let's kill as many bastards as we can before our position becomes untenable and we will have to evacuate by sea. I don't have to tell you seaborn whoresons how to do that".

>>5715443
>Deploy at U-23

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I have some suggestions for the forward deployment for defensive troops as seen here. Green is infantry, Purple is panzerjagers and Cyan is tanks. These are merely suggestions however. First the center:

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Then east. We got the far west covered already.

The main idea here I think is to try and meet the enemy with heavy guns in good, keyhole positions or a firing line like in the east. Then in the east the vehicles pull back once the enemy assault becomes too much and let the infantry reserve brawl it out while they reposition. I suggest having a tank company in reserve in the central village where they can reposition, counterattack or even reinforce the queen escort if things get dire enough.

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>>5715333
>Just According to Keikaku

Absolutely perfect, just how I thought it would go. No amount of Walters can save him now, arches or not.

>>5715443
>Deploy on Y36 facing W

Time to see if my conspiracy theories are true.
Question tanq, it's considered daytime right? Does that fog inhibit spot rolls?

Maybe the ashen dawn was the friends we made along the way

>>5715443
Deploy at hh26, face North

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>>5715442
Von Totmann spoke up during the war council.

"Sir, if I may suggest a course of action. I think we should start with a fully defensive posture rather then attempting an immediate breakout. We would be horrifically overstretched if we tried. Instead, taking advantage of the competitive nature of the two enemy battalions facing us, we should let them bleed trying to force our defensive positions, then collapse our Eastern and Central defenses inwards, pivoting towards the west where I believe our best option for a breakout lays. Once the battle has raged on both sides will be... lesser. If we can time it right we will consolidate our force and then have enough combat power to punch through a weakened enemy on a narrow axis of advance, where we can best support it with artillery smoke and hopefully avoid most of the enemies remaining strength.

As to the details of our defenses, I suggest forward strongpoints held by infantry platoons to provide depth and cover for our mechanised assets. These should be mutually supporting and provide opportunities to create fire sacs to trap the enemy advance in. Every strongpoint should have a fallback position before the final fallback position where we reorganize for our breakout. Id also suggest leaving a company or so of Cuirassiers in the center to provide a QRF and local counterattacking force, although we should take care not to place them in too obvious positions.

As a final note I'd remind people to keep themselves and their men in protective gear. We don't want to get caught out there.

>>5715443
>Deploy U-38 on the road.
>How's the queen going to be moving to her evac btw?

"One can only wonder what is going on in these woods. Whether it be some local attackers or of paranormal nature. Today, we are the first who will have to find out. Start your engines gentleman."

>>5715594
>it's considered daytime right? Does that fog inhibit spot rolls?
It is daytime, and as for the mist, don't worry about it. For better or for worse, when the mission starts, it's gonna clear up to the point where it isn't a visibility inhibitor mechanically.

>>5715633
>How will the queen be moving today?
Whoever wants to transport her the most will have her along with their unit.

>>5715443
Ulf took a deep drag of his cig as he looked around. Dilapitated houses, a godawful mist and stones as black as a whore's heart. Judge Above, the lads back in the Dust didn't lie when they said this place was accursed. A shiver passed through him. He wasn't a superstitious man, far from it, but since the moment he found out that they were heading to Huldravik, a chill took hold of him. The stench of death eminated from that place and one didn't have to be religious to feel that. Yet, there was another reason for the shudder.

The little fishing villages, the rundown houses, the smell of the salty breeze in the air and the sea that seemed to stretch to infinity. It reminded him of home. For the first time in a long time, he felt a longing for home. His mother's grey, yet impossibly warm eyes, the yells and laughters of his younger siblings and the strict leathery face of his father. All was brought up to his senses and he only hoped that the letter he wrote and the money accompanying will reach them. Judge willing, his mother, the only person who could read among those left home, will notice the urgency of the letter. The fact that he didn't send letters often. Another thing to add to the list of things he should've done, but didn't.

The smoke left his nose, the nicotine biting the entirety of his airways. His eyes wandered to his men. They were bantering each other, laughing at some stupid shit Eriksonn said. They knew. They knew very well that this could be their last time riding out. They knew that this could be the last time when they could laugh, joke and snicker. He would try to lead them out and save them, but he felt that Lady Luck will not lend him a kiss with some cheeky tongue action.

He shook his face slightly and put out his ciggie. He took up a nearby mic and spoke into it, the frequency open so that the enemy could hear very well.

<<"Oi, Vitelians o' the Forthcomin' Cunt or whatevah the hell you've been yabberin' about, I've met a nice ol' Vitetlian lady in the West once. She could suck the Bay o' Vynmark dry with those fuckin' lips o' hers. Told me to tell some shite son o' hers leadin' some Expedition that she truly cares fer him and that I should say hi when I see him. So, ready up fer some arse kickin' lad, cus ain't gonna be any gentler with you than I was with her.">>

The lads hollered and laughed and Ulf's trigger finger was itching.

Victory or Death, lads. Or perhaps both.

>Deploy 19jj, facing N
>BATTLE THEME: https://youtu.be/lrzReD45pMs
LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Well . . . This is a right mess. Are those jagged crystaline spikes? What manner of titan threw those spears, one wonders. And the wind around here… Chill as a knife.

I reckon some recon down south will be valuable.

But likewise, no one else is fielding the remmant infantry guns and it’d be a shame to leave them.

So, officers, give us an order.

Right up at ‘em or with do form up a howitzer unit?

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>>5715670
I think it would be a bit of a shame to give up your HP to go full (almost) infantry gun desu. This will be bloody, so that 4hp you'd be missing matters.

Although if you want some suggestions for positioning Id suggest one of these two spots where you're well suited to provide fires but also are admittedly exposed. However your ability to generate smoke over longer distances could seriously blunt the enemy effectiveness and also provide you with opportunities to fall back.

>>5715443
>>5715636
>Volunteering to escort the Queen for one last journey.
>Deploy at aa32

Orders first, will do some writing in a bit.

>>5715443
>Deploy 24Q

>>5715623
"Totmann, I will be deployed off the West shore for when the enemy ships arrive. The sightlines aren't very good so I'll have only one thread the needle volley between that jagged area and the forest. Make sure you have somebody watching that choke point so I fire."

"My position will almost certainly guarantee no retreat due to the distance so treat me and my unit as the dead men we truly are."

>>5715678
Oh, *Sir*. Right at the front? You shouldn’t have.

If we wanted to live long pleasant lives away from danger, we’d have joined the marines.

>>5715440
Quartermaster? Let me know if it’s any bother to you, but I do think there’s mild disrepancy in the forms.

ATK 4 INI 5(3)
VIS 7+5 —13
DEF 4 MOV 1(4)
ARM 0 XP 3

>Plutus is Bellona
>Roll in a 3rd and 4th gun, for a 1/4 split
>Replace Assault with Demo-Charges.

Sigh.
37th Fleet, Assault Engineers, Horse, at your service.

>Deploy at hh23
>dig in
>CAMO UP
>spot out (Vis 12). Pass the binocs to Private Vasil, he has good eyes.

>>5715706
"The measure of true glory is not to give battle in the bright noon of war, surrounded by brave comrades upon the field of victory, but to valiantly fight on alone in darkness, with no hope of aid or even remembrance, and to spit defiance in midnight's eye."

"Judge Above be with you, brothers."

With the final prayers uttered, Sikorsky's platoon mounted their tanks in silence. Toasts had been made, hugs exchanged- now all that was left was to see if any of them would be graced with living through this day.

For the Ellonauk lieutenant himself, he found his thoughts wandered elsewhere. His mother and sister at least would be safe, no matter how the war turned out- having moved to Perlowieza and the King's court shortly after the Revolt. His father and brother were somewhere out there on the line, mobilised as part of the reserves; Casimir had also prayed for their safety.

But most of all he thought of Aleksandra. It had been a rushed wedding- his Ellowian bride had been determined to solemnise their union before he left south again. Now, she had two children in her womb; ones that might never get to meet their father.

Enough, Casimir thought, shaking his head. All that was left right now was for the Battalion to do its duty. He was no priest, but every man and women whom gave their life today would have done a Sacrifice by the Shield, would they not? At least no matter their sins, they could all stand in front of Him proudly for that alone.

"Keep your eyes peeled men, don't think we're safe just because the slony are up north."

>>5715756
"Acknowledged Black 1. I'd keep the enemy artillery in mind though, once the enemy figure out your position they're gonna attempt to wipe you out with it. If you can setup up a secondary position to switch to that should keep you alive longer. "

>>5715759
Did you mean to deploy at gg23?

hh23 is outside of the forest.

... oh, you're setting up demo charges. Nevermind. Lets just hope you arent spotted literally immediately, otherwise you're probably in for a bad time with artillery.

>>5715706
*facing South

>>5715766
Got it in one, Sir. Charges here and smoke east-wise, force them all closer.

And not to worry none, Sir, we’re right cowards each and all, sticking close to the ground and liable to go prone at the first bush rustle. No one’ll spot us before it’s generally speaking too late.

Sides, Sergeant Morgr wanted to - how’d she put it - “touch grass” one last time.

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>>5715443
>Deploy 26mm. Where the red circle is.

>>5715443

>Deploy at U22 facing North

TURN 1 ORDER
>Deploy Y-24 facing N

“Platoon, we arrive now at the path to our final end. Simply put, we are surrounded. I will not trouble you all with the details that you already know. What I will say is that it is an honor to the Fuchs name to serve with all of you.

But before we face the grim end ahead of us, we have one final objective to secure. The Queens Escape. It is as simple as that. We will be fighting as part of Company Totmann, holding the left flank of our forces. Our focus will be delaying pursuing forces before shifting to support the breakthrough. Once the Queen has made it out, we will follow as best we are able.

We mount up in 30. If any of you wish to speak to me briefly in private, I will be at the Löwin-Siegel. Let us wash ourselves in glory.”

>>5715537
>>5715762
"AYY TANKER WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING I'M DRIVING HERE! GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE!" Karl yelled ay casimir as they tried straddling his platoon's spot.

Jonah popped his head out of his truck and waved at casmir's tank to get his attention. "I'm already on queen's duty but if you want you can transport her, Granted you'll slow us down since we're gonna try a mad dash for her extraction zone."

>Loadout:
>Flamethrower, Assault guns.
>Facing south

>>5715599
From the moment the battalion arrived, Lieutenant Niel had felt surrounded. He'd began seeing them everywhere: Squatting behind vegetation, reflected high in the surface of the water, sneaking among shifting mist.
If anybody else had felt it too, they'd had the nerve not to show it. It was if they'd been waiting for him.
All around them...

Crystals.

With the trickling in of the sea fog on approach to the peninsula, the shift into the Huldravikland's iconic biome hadn't been so obvious at first, until in a piloting error by the practically mossy replacement for the second half of Serpentine platoon, now apparently all napping aboard Fjeld's old m/24K - returned graciously by Lieutenant Wesker with all it's wheels and copper wiring intact - Niel's own chimera struck and overcame something, later identified as a cluster of small crystals.
A radio ahead to his subordinate to assess for damage and a radio back to warn those in convoy revealed the squat little obstacle, about the size of a doghouse, still mostly intact, despite the glacing impact of some 20 tons of armour against it.
Impressive.

Well within the peninsula's depths now and ahead of the most treacherous fog, the battalion came upon a suitable spot to stop briefly and discuss the upcoming deployment. Before that however, Niel had already the mind to take his pocket book and do some "field work".
Wordlessly turning in his seat, Niel reached out for the bin containing the scuttling grenades and waxed satchel that protected the crew's letters home and other perishables, a move that elicited a startled yelp and a slapping of hands from an all too stressed Anders. Slapping reciprocated, the sketch book of geological notes was eventually retrieved and the vehicle was egressed, the crew left to work their own pre-battle rituals alone.

"What did you think I was doing, you great lanky git? Booking us early seats to watch the Countess's judgement? Hell, I'm sure they'd still find a way to keep us riffraff out, even if we were dead." Villi grumbled to no one as he fiddled with the fastenings on the pioneer tools.
It was just as well he hadn't tried the grenades, as in all probability that idea might not have worked as intended anyway, with only the one grenade left where recently there had been a full bandolier. There had been some close brushes with the enemy in the wake of Halcini where the loosing of those grenades had proved necessary, and resupply had not been forthcoming lately.

None of that now though, Villi thought, actually giddy for the first time he could recall since the nighttime excursion and subsequent disappointment beneath Kobberhus. He raised the heavy earthmoving tool to his shoulder and sought a suitable specimen to try and chip a sample from. Preferably not one so tall as to come crashing down on top of him, but equally not one so small as to be unimpressive. He wasn't planning on ever returning to this dingy place to collect more, Judge willing.

*CRACK*

>>5715799
>>5715706
Okay sorted things out with male Vilgerson, he'll take the Queen and start on aa32, I'll start on aa31

>>5715443
>Deploy 27ee facing N

Vix looked at her surroundings even the land had a grim look and the sky didn't make it any better. "Ok guys you knew what we would be getting into and i can't say things that things have started looking better suddenly. But i can assure you i'll be doing my best to get us out of here. Do what last preparations you need and get into our tanks. Keep your nerves in check and aim true."

>>5715801

"Hey Villi could you get me some of that crystal too. I find it somewhat interesting as it seems out of place and keeps producing that haze.

>>5714929
I think the way Vix would see it those tanks are less "used goods" and more like wasted potential if they are left behind.

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>>5715443

Freya had done something she hadn't for a good long while. She prayed. Prayed to whoever would listen to the desperate woes of the Vynmarkers. To the private thoughts and hopes of a woman at the end. She'd never forgotten she could die, but still the dawn reminded her. She will die, be it today or in a thousand tomorrows. She hoped it at least be the latter.

She had looked over the new BM-2 in her platoon with some apprehension, as the rose on her lapel told all she needed to know about how safe those inside it would be. So, at the earliest she could, she gave the order to strip the gun from the Twaryian bucket and replace the 8mm on her shiny --relatively-- new tank with it. Either it would get done in time or it wouldn't. Either way, it wouldn't be much of a loss. She always had a strange sort of disdain for that small caliber...

-------

>Deploy V37 facing W

>>5715443
>Deploy 23ff, I should be West of The 37th Fleet

>>5715857
Facing North

>>5715440
Tang my movement is listed as 4 instead of 3 for some reason, and I will swap my Marksmen Equipment for Flamethrowers for my line squads.

>>5715443

Eberhardt will deploy to Z-22, facing North/Northwest
---

Eberhardt's eyes were turned to the ocean in the faint morning mists, the scent of the sea an old and wonderful companion he had almost forgotten about. It was the only comfort the men of his platoon could be afforded in this otherworldly place, in the shadow of purple-black crystals that would have towered over a large building. Privately Eberhardt was just glad they had a chance to catch a glimpse of the sea before the end came

The men were quiet, clustered around their APCs, as the cumulation of their rapid sprint across Vynmark was coming to a close, the Twaryians and their foreign friends would be upon them within an hour. After that, it was an open question of how many of the platoon would survive, how many of the entire battalion truthfully. Most of them seemed content to simply exist. Absorbing the last few minutes of peace and quiet while they could, a few spoke quietly in clumps of two and three as they spoke of hearth, home, family, and friends long gone.

The officer took one last look towards the sea before he motioned Platoon Sergeant to get the men formed up. Compared to the first time he had called his platoon together before a battle, it took barely any time at all. Then again, perhaps half of the Platoon was made up of those that had started out with him, the rest replacements and after the fighting over the last week Veterans all.

"Gentlemen, I will not mince words. We are making our stand here and now, our objective in conjunction with the rest of our forces on this flank will be holding the enemy here. Our platoon due to both our skill and equipment has been given the honor of holding this central position against whatever the Twaryians or Vitelians can throw at us. Most of you remember Jagterfisk Pools and how close to the wire that was. Expect more and worse from our enemies here today." Grimaces erupted across the majority of the platoon.

"Afterall-" he continued blandly. "-we will be conducting a counter-attack to breakout of this encirclement after the Sky Queen is rescued by her forces." A few oaths and prayers were muttered in response to his statement.

Eberhardt glanced over his platoon as they fully absorbed his statement. It was not exactly unexpected news, but it was official now in a way it had not been. "Considering the terrain surrounding us this is not as impossible a task as it seems at first glance, these narrow fields will condense the enemy forces and reduce the number of troops they can bring to bear. These limitations will give us a chance to breakthrough their weakened lines and into the countryside where we will be able to break contact with the enemy." He glanced about once more. "To your vehicles men. And remember to stack them five deep for everyone of us that falls today."

>>5715443
>Deploy at 24ee to the South West of Raine. Dismounted.
>Also I requested 3 tubes of mortars from command don't they have like 9 tubes plus a bunch of other artillery and I can use it a lot where I usually stay?
>>5712867
On this post ^

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Have some positions whilesome people await deployment.

>>5715756
Ships? The only ship I know of is the SkyBoat® coming to pick up the SkyQueen®. I think we're too close to the maelstroms for any conventional sea or air vehicle to operate safely. That said, the island is a neat keyhole sniping spot. There's even a road for easy egress.

>>5715443
>Deploy kk31 facing East

>>5715443
>Deploy aa28, facing E

"Judge Above. What a fucked up day..."

Kannenpflanze looked over his shoulder and saw Sergeant Stoetten, who he'd tasked with attending the war council in his stead, coming his way after inspecting the platoon. He turned back and took in the desolate landscape one more time.

He'd never seen a place quite like this. Even months from now, regaling one public house or another with tales of glory from the Vynmark campaign, whenever he'd reach this part of the story, be transported to this hellscape once again, he was certain he'd feel the same fear and dread that he felt now lance through him once more. The battle hadn't even begun and he was already vanquished, irreparably so. Worse yet, even if he survived, escaped this godforsaken peninsula, he'd never truly leave it, his mind never truly freed of the oppressive weight of the despair that had taken hold. He smirked. Well, that just wouldn't do at all.

"The only reason I live is to fight; the only reason I fight is to win. The only reason I—..."

"What was that, Lieutenant?" Stoetten cleared his throat.

"Nothing." Leo turned around, straightening up and resting his palm on the pommel of his sabre. "So, who are we facing?"

"Utopian vagrants from out west and pretend paratroopers. Both are heavy formations."

Leo shook his head. "Right, naturally, of course. And our tanks?"

"My turret drive is about ready to meet the Saints, among other things. 4 and 6 have plenty of extra four-centimeter breathing holes. That aside, they'll roll into one more battle, but after that..."

"We're at the edge of the world—maybe even the edge of sanity. It's not the last battle, but it is the final one. Just thank the Judge that that red bastard, the fucking cockroach isn't here."

"The red? I wouldn't be so—..."

"Right," Leo said, stretching and rolling his shoulders. False bravado would have to do once again. He'd manage. "Let's mount up. Run me through the plans they came up with as we walk."

“ Alright, Sergeant, what am I working with here? “
“ Well, Sir “ the sergeant says with a low rumble to his voice, pride nested in every syllable.
“ 37th crack assault units, fierce and fleet. And— “

“ Man over there has 16 on his uniform. “ The (recently field promoted) Lieutenant interrupts, mild puzzlement.

“ Well-sah, picked up some friends onna way down the road “

“ And I see… a five, twenty, that one’s torn, that lady is Zuide, that’s a militia parade ground uniform (nice boots), sentry over there is wearing a skirmishers hat and… I note a distinct lack of motor transports. “ The lieutenant’s voice is mild. Could be discussing interest clouds or butterflies.

“ You’re a keen one, eh. Aye, lotta friends. Like’n I said. “

“ Is that a bicycle, Sergeant? “

“ Sir. “

“ Ah-hah. Well, they’ll help flank with the flamethrowers. “

“ Be a wide flank, sir. Quartermaster rented ‘em out before the war kicked of. “

“ I am dying to know who needs a platoons worth of military incendiary throwers. “

“ Sodrakon agricultural concern. Something about field clearing.

“ And I take it this unit - the Landgraf’s Fierce Fleet Fighters - don’t have what the rolls promised would be designated marksmen optics? “

“ Oh we do, sir, we do. Stacked nicely in Sydtrone warehouse district. “

“ War makes deliveries harder. Our 89-A light support weapons? “

“ Railway station in Halcini, sir. “

“ T-24? “

“ Sydtron HQ Motorpool, sir. Had a lucky break and got hay for the horses though. “

“ And spare wheels for the bicycles “

“ Right sir, Urban assault squads looking a little lost in a barn. Took ‘em in. “

“ You collect scattered soldiers like some help lost birds, sergeant. Hang on what… is that? “ The officer leans past the deadpan sergeant, eyes wide, agog. Trails a long lingering look up a metal pole to a silk banner flapping (rather gamely) in the bone-chill wind.

“ Oh, sir. Company banner, Sir. “

“ As in a literal battle standard, sergeant? “

“ Aye sir, Landgraf had it flown in special and delivered by courier. Quite an adventure. S’id why we have a motorcycle. Man took six bullets riding all night past sentries. In recovery. Real hero. “

The officer blinks in the hopes of clearing away the fantasy. No. Banner is still there. Fluttering.

“ So they rented out the flamers, haven’t delivered the cars and we’re out of rifles but in this modern field of mechanized maneveur we’ve got the “dashing cavalry” advantage. “

The sergeant nods, twice, and displays an uncannily enthusiastic smile.

“ Aye sir! Plenty type-4 bayonets and proper sabres too. “

“ I guess that’s why they instructed me in fencing sergeant. Well, get a man on the standard I suppose. “

“ Ah, the gun crews’ll like that sir. Proper spirit. “

“ The. . . gun crewS ? “

“ Oh, aye-sah. They didn’t tell yous about the guns? “

>>5715443
>Deploy at JJ31 with trucks facing West
>Start with chemical protection on
>Switch special weapons to Assault Armament and Machine Guns

>>5715443
>Deploy 22cc facing East
I can't remember was the rule we can move any direction ONCE or only in reverse? Like if I'm facing East, can I move North one tile while keeping my facing?

>>5715443
Don't know where I'll deploy yet but can I swap out my flamethrowers for anti tank rifles?

>>5715887
>>5715443
Just realized I miscounted the squares.
I want to deploy at V-23, not U-23, facing North.

>>5715641
Actually, I'll
>deploy at 18ll facing W
It will allow me to cover more stuff and I may even flank the Vitelians.

>>5716007
I think infantry can freely swap out equipment before deployment.

>>5716007
Could you possibly deploy to the Eastern town with Martins/C-5 and Lehrson D-7? Mining that town road would be a decent idea since it'll cut off the road for the Paras when East needs to retreat but just having some infantry watching that approach with the tank would be appriciated.

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>>5716166
They're almost certainly gonna be getting some of their fast movers into that forest to your north to recon the area and provide flank security btw. We can have Von Bern cover SOME of that if she gets the mortars but you should keep an escape plan in mind since you're unlikely to retreat East once the Paratroopers come in bulk.

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>>5715443
Tanq, can I request that the artillery section of our command unit be deployed and left behind near the center instead of coming with the command unit to deliver the queen? The command unit's probably gonna want to always keep moving and we're going to need as much artillery support as we can get. Possibly start at Alpha then after firing the first shots going to Bravo then Charlie then back again when we need to break through.

>>5716257
sure
>>5715443
>Deploy at kk32

>>5716262
I'll probably hop to the eastern patch of foreast and then go south, covering the retreat. Should be alright desu, maybe someone can take up my former place so that we can cover both the front and side

>>5716275
Here's another ratty thought, you could also try to slip the encirclment~

Whether you wanna leave or hit them in the back is up to you and it's incredibly dangerous/stupid but it'd be funny. Most likely to succeed so long as nobody's in LL15

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>>5716284
Forgot the picture rip

Daate hadn't felt like this in a long time.

One would think that such a dire situation in such a dreary place would make the mind yearn for the fantasy of one's own mind, especially for the likes of Daate who had spent the past Judge knows how long in the throws of utter disassociation. Yet here and now the mind remained clear, and the phantoms of the past remained there, in the past. This place demanded one's full attention for it was the type of place that ground any flights of hope and fancy into the dust.

As the reports came in and the men of Hageldorf Battalion prepared themselves for what may have been their hardest combat yet, Daate spoke for the first time in a while. He spoke of purpose and duty. Of dreams lost and found. Of futures won and lost. It was nothing the men under his command hadn't heard before, from both commanders of their past and from their current leader. Daate would mumble and murmur such things often in between barking orders, tripe resuscitations, dripping with irony from a man barely aware of himself, let alone those he spoke to. Yet now as Daate spoke, the words were clear, and the meaning behind them as bolstering as they were sobering.

One way or another, this would be the end. And as the squad's voices raised as one for a final battle drone, Daate could feel at the back of his recollection, the words to the song he hummed so often.


>>5715443
>Deploy kk31 Facing N

>>5716321
C-5 is at kk31

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>>5715443
Tanq, do we know what these crystals are and would it be possible to call for a saturation barrage on the red X to try and block the yellow X? Do the artillerymen have any professional opinion?

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>>5715443
>Deploy at dd29 facing N

>>5716365
Just as a notice, I'm on the tile north of that one

We should give our strongpoints cool Scandinavian / Germanic names. Here are my suggestions:

>>5716382
(fixed it)

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>>5716384
Completely forgot to attach the image like a smoothbrain.

>>5716387
Just my two cents, but invoking Valkyries before battle in the land of gloom and evil death might be considered a bad omen for those not intending to die. I wouldn't mind a different name, please.

>>5716399
Feel free to suggest a different name. It's pretty much your position anyways.

>>5716401
What about Thoden or Yst? They're old English synonyms for storm or hurricane.

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>>5716425
aight.

Updated naming scheme.

>>5715443
>Deploy ee24 facing north.

A bit busy for the moment. I may redeploy elsewhere and write up something later.

>>5716508
Von Bern called that one: >>5715871

hey tanq, aside from the enemy what's stopping us from breaking out at the start of the operation?

>>5716546
Getting invaded? Just say no. The enemy cannot legally attack any of your battalion without your consent.

Sorry for the radio silence, just been in a complete blah all day. Probably needed more sleep that I got later.
We've got another...maybe eighteen hours? Til things kick off anyways.

>>5715759
Changing said forms then. Along with other changes noted by others here-
>>5715799
>>5715871
>>5715972
>>5716007

>>5716268
>Tanq, can I request that the artillery section of our command unit be deployed and left behind near the center instead of coming with the command unit to deliver the queen
The command unit does not have to be escorted to the primary objective, so yes.

>>5716351
>Tanq, do we know what these crystals are?
You don't even have the slightest idea. They're like nothing you've ever seen or heard of.
>and would it be possible to call for a saturation barrage on the red X to try and block the yellow X? Do the artillerymen have any professional opinion?
The yawning abyss is mostly the obstacle with the crystals rather than the spires themselves- so no, that would not seem like more than a waste of ammunition and time.

>>5716546
Theoretically nothing- if you bust out and make it to the blue lined zone in the northeast, then you can make a break for it whether you're alone or with others and be guaranteed of escape. Realistically the enemy would have some sort of reserve or rear line force that would make life tough for an individual platoon, but they wouldn't be as great an obstacle compared to what would be on the map and fighting.

>>5716737
Someone else brought it up but I wouldn't have pegged our rapist ex-lieutenant friend as Revolutionary material. Unless he's in it more for the glory and chance at power?

>>5716329
Oh, damn it.

>>5715443
>>5716321
bb29 then, facing N

>>5715443
>deploy in ii25 facing west
>keep flamethrowers, swap rifle grenades for assault armament
J-3 and I haven't actually managed to stick together as much as we planned but at least we can die together I guess. I'll keep the infantry off your back but you better deal with those tanks. Hope your TDs store a lot of ammo.

>>5716778
...Well put it this way. Purely theoretically, if we do have to run away, your lads will be the fastest infantry out of this joint and first in line for the mess tent, on Villi's honour.

>>5716737
If it's not too late to still make minor fluffy alterations, tanq, I'd like to have welded some grabby handles along the hull for simpler tank riding, if that ever officially got a ruling (I can't remember shit, besides maybe the one of Petrekorans doing it on paper). If it's not, then no biggie.

>>5716099
Damn, a mistake again. I'd like to face East, not North.

>>5716542
Ah, I thought because she was infantry I could stack on top of her. I guess the trucks are in the way, or perhaps I just misremembered how unit occupancy was supposed to work with infantry.

>>5715443
I'll switch to ff24, facing east if it turns out I can't deploy on top of Von Bern.

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>>5716899
>>5715443

>>5716746
The road not taken and all when it comes to finding out more about him on a personal level, but there's all sorts of reasons somebody could fall in with the Revolution despite the circumstances of their birth. Julio here, after all, has changed his surname to a symbolic one in a matter similar to Philippe Egalité, though the former Duke of Orleans probably isn't comparable when it comes to individual content of character, to say the least.

>>5716858
> I'd like to have welded some grabby handles along the hull for simpler tank riding, if that ever officially got a ruling
The way I had tank riding "work" in the first mission when they appeared, a single infantry squad could ride on a tank platoon, but in that case those were T-8s so there was no way in hell a full squad could fit on an individual vehicle. It's probably easier to mount ten people on top of an m/24 or similarly sized vehicle, but hardly a comfortable ride. For official ruling I'd probably say that common sense judgment would decide how many people can fit on a vehicle if they want to ride- and obviously that they shouldn't be on them while under fire if they're interested in their health, but infantry platoons have been large enough thus far to not make tank riding a practical decision.

>>5716899
>perhaps I just misremembered how unit occupancy was supposed to work with infantry.
Basically, vehicles can't share tiles, but dismounted infantry can be in the same tile as vehicles- I'd say it's reasonable in deployment to shove your mounts/transports somewhere else if you have no intention of moving.

>>5716994
I completely forgot to ask. Now that we've made it here safe and sound (relatively-speaking), what would've happened if we'd lost our fuel or ammo sections during the last operation?

>>5716858
If there isn't time for welding as an ad--hoc measure we might be able to just tie some lengths of rope to hang down from the tops of your vehicles to give a rider an extra grab point. You probably can't fit the whole platoon but it might be relevant if my platoon gets reduced to roughly the size of a single squad (which seems likely) or for narrative purposes it might allow a few individuals to escape.

>>5716994
Given that C-3 hasnt deployed yet and will be put in reserve (presumably) can I have his Radio?