Nine years ago King Aiden Perenolde betrayed the Alliance and sided with the Horde of Orgrim Doomhammer. Nine years ago Prince Alric Perenolde, the second heir of Alterac was sent into exile for his own protection. This exile turned permanent and Captain Normand Garside, your guardian for the past nine years made sure that you were safe and learned the useful skills that would help you in the future.Now you are ready to carry the responsibility and unite the scattered Alteraci people and reclaim the lands that were once the Kingdom of Alterac.The Army of Alterac had marched into Strahnbrad Hills with two goals in mind. First to clear any remaining members of the Syndicate or any bandits away from the region. Second, claim the valley where the oil is to under your control. While they were there, you were forced to stay in Tarren Mill due to your condition. You would just slow them down if you had joined them.But to call the stay in Tarren Mill uneventful would be a serious mistake for quickly soon after an attack by the Syndicate was launched. Assassins tried to kill you and cause as much chaos as possible, but your quick actions and even swifter sword arm managed to put an end to it.Though such a sudden attack did catch the guards unaware and a number of them did end up wounded and some were killed. Sudden attacks like these could bring Tarren Mill to her knees and so you did discuss strengthening her defences.Oh and Jandice Barov said that she loves you.Welcome to Alterac Resurgent Quest!…Twitter: https://twitter.com/MedivhQM/qst/ Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Alterac%20Resurgent%20QuestPrince Alric Stats: https://pastebin.com/rysxdRsvQuest Mechanisms: https://pastebin.com/CyD88qqfCharacter List: https://pastebin.com/FkYd6wkJSide Character Stats: https://pastebin.com/aRfyksUG
>>5924398Yeeeewttttt
>>5924398You walked a bit tenderly the next morning, the last night's activities having left your body a bit mangled. Not getting into further details, it had been quite a fantastic night and you would savour the memories and burning feeling inside you for a long time.Jandice walked slightly tenderly as well, she couldn't avoid feeling spent either. Still she hid it well, better than you did actually. You at least had the cane to hide behind, but her act as a powerful noblewoman had to be idiotproof.Neither of you did speak much during the breakfast, but you couldn't stop giving her glances and brief smiles which she returned.She was something, you couldn't describe it exactly, but definitely something.But silently flirting and exchanging quick looks wouldn't get you anywhere. You had plenty to do today. And hopefully this time there would be no assassins lurking about.…It was still raining when you stepped inside the church. Catching yourself from cursing aloud in a holy place, you pulled the hood of the Robe of Obfuscation off your head and looked around.The main hall of the church had been made into a temporary hospital with the wounded Syndicate assassins laying on the benches. Father Hampton's assistants scurried around as did Malevus who looked like she hadn't slept a bit last night. She had been probably helping Hampton and others with the most difficult patients."Prince Alric." Father Hampton greeted you after spotting you. The one armed bald former paladin looked similarly tired."Father Hampton." You greeted back with a small bow."Why have you come?" He asked you. Feeling was that he didn't care for pleasantries right now.>You wanted to check on the wounded guards and thank them for their work and service.>The Syndicate assassins should need to see you. Not as a taunt, but as a reminder that you hold power over them.>Tap your glasses, you want to talk about your eyes, the Fel inside you.>Other, write in.
>>5924401>You wanted to check on the wounded guards and thank them for their work and service.>Tap your glasses, you want to talk about your eyes, the Fel inside you.Work our way to our main conversation. Show we still care about our people and the taint hasn't changed us...
>>5924401>You wanted to check on the wounded guards and thank them for their work and service.>Tap your glasses, you want to talk about your eyes, the Fel inside you.Damn that was fast Medivh!
>>5924416I am speed! Alternatively bunch of pent up writing inspiration from the sick days needing a release.
>>5924401>>5924407SupportLast thread ended on a bang :^)Well done and good to have you back in high form Medivh.I don't know if the crit means we've mastered magical writing as well as a confession, but Alric's magical mastery needs to keep ahead of the game. Continuing to expel fel energy is still proceeding.>Write-in to Father Hampton>We're trying methods to small-scale remove fel
>>5924401>>5924407>>5924416support
>>5924407The optics is just a bonus to imo, I think Alric would genuinely appreciate their grit and sacrifice.>>5924524I just hope we don't have another Magic Heart Attack Incident™
>>5924401>>Tap your glasses, you want to talk about your eyes, the Fel inside you.>You wanted to check on the wounded guards and thank them for their work and service.
>>5924401>>You wanted to check on the wounded guards and thank them for their work and service.>>Tap your glasses, you want to talk about your eyes, the Fel inside you.
>>5924401>>You wanted to check on the wounded guards and thank them for their work and service.>>Tap your glasses, you want to talk about your eyes, the Fel inside youDamn Jandice, confessing like that. Pretty fun way to end the thread there, Alric and Jandice seems to like it bit rough.
"I wanted to check on the guards and my knight who is in here." You told him and then tapped at the side of your glasses. "And then talk about this."Hampton looked at you and nodded once."Please follow me." He said as he led you to the infirmary of the church.The side building's beds were mostly all full from wounded guards and even some bystanders that had been attacked. Stab wounds were common, as were slashes and cuts. Thankfully no amputations were necessary, but a couple of these men would never be soldiers again.You exchanged words with those who weren't asleep, thanking them for their work, praising them for their bravery. Seeing you visit them did seem to cheer them up. They had succeeded in defending their homes and the most important person currently in the town.Joe was in good spirits as well, though he would need to lay on his stomach for a couple of days due to the arrow wound on his buttocks. In a couple of weeks he should be ready to protect you again.The office of Father Hampton was near and entering it, you closed the door behind you before sitting down."They are brave men." You said to the priest."And you are a foolhardy Prince, I heard how you had fought the assassins." Hampton replied and poured two mugs of water."The whole town seems to know about it then." You replied and took the mug."Word spreads fasts Prince Alric." Hampton replied. "How did you disappear, magic?" "It is the robe, I took it from the assassins that tried to kill me in Durnholde." You told him. "And it doesn't make me disappear, it just makes you look away so to speak.""A magical robe, the Church keeps warning us of things like that." Hampton said. "How many times have they tried now? Three?"The Church too? So both Dalaran and the Church of Light are concerned about magic items."Four times actually, no five times." You replied to him.Before your trip to Stormwind, twice in Durnholde and now this. And then of course the 'poisoning'."Yet you are still here, the Holy Light has blessed you." Hampton said and nodded."Barely still here… that is why I wanted to speak with you." You said and took off your glasses.Hampton didn't react to your eyes. The green tint of Fel coloured them as you stared back at him and placed your hands on the desk."You know the news so I will keep this short. Alteraci Brandy had been poisoned with a Fel liquid. It failed to kill me, but my eyes and nails were changed. Nothing else has changed." You told him. "I want to get rid of it, I don't want it inside me.""Fel corruption, clear signs of that." Hampton replied with a steady tone. "Brave of you to come into my church carrying them.""I have already sent a letter to Lord Uther explaining the circumstances." You told him. "Signs or not, I am not going to let them stop me."1/2
>>5924862Hampton stood up and walked around his desk before taking your chaperon off. He reached and placed his good left hand on your head, but like he had touched something hot, he pulled back immediately."No other changes…" Hampton mused and placed his hand back on your head.And when he did that, this wave of relief and tranquillity spread through your body from head to toes. You didn't feel tired anymore, nor ragged from last night or day. You felt light, serene."May the Holy Light bless you Prince Alric for you have the fortitude and willpower many men are lacking." Hampton said, his eyes slightly glowing white before returning back to normal. He walked back behind his desk and sat down."Thank you for the blessing Father." You said and nodded to him."I could feel it deep inside you, entangled and twisted. I cannot remove it, I don't know if even Lord Uther could do it, without putting your life in danger." Hampton told you. "The taint is there and will stay there, unless you can find a way to get rid of it some other way."Hearing this made you deflate. Damn it, Hampton couldn't help you with this, at least not directly."I can see that you are disappointed Prince Alric, I am sorry. But your mind is strong and a strong mind is the best defence against the ruinous unholy powers of Fel." Hampton replied to you. "You coming here and sending a letter to Lord Uther being signs of that. Your mind is clear, not clouded by it, you aren't avoiding it.""So I need to live with this for how long?" You asked disappointingly as you put your chaperon back on."Worst case, rest of your life. Best case, the taint dissipates and disappears with time." Hampton replied to you. "I am sorry, I am not an expert and those who are aren't that many.">A strong mind, willpower and fortitude is needed to repel Fel. Can he tell you more about that?>What did he mean with danger to your life? Did he mean Light and Fel reacting with each other?>Ask him about your fears that the Fel changes who you are from inside. Amplifies the worst parts of you.>Tell Father Hampton about your nightmares, about Malevus Thing. See what he has to say about it.>Reveal your plan to him even if it means that he learns that you are studying magic. You are going to burn the Fel away.>Other, write in.
>>5924524Not yet mastered, but learned quite well how this utility magic works. Next thing to learn is how to use a quill or a stick so that you don't need to finger paint everything. This is followed with learning how to write on air and the synergy with Draconic. Work needs to be done.Jandice is very impressed with your progress and that is one part of why she confessed now.
>>5924864>What did he mean with danger to your life? Did he mean Light and Fel reacting with each other?>Ask him about your fears that the Fel changes who you are from inside. Amplifies the worst parts of you.>Reveal your plan to him even if it means that he learns that you are studying magic. You are going to burn the Fel away.I think this shows Alric's good will, and maybe Alric will go so far as to light his finger green if Father Hampton approves. If he doesn't approve then we've just released fel energy into the holy chapel and this could be bad.>>5924866Jandice is for hugging as a qt3.14 good girl
>>5924864>>What did he mean with danger to your life? Did he mean Light and Fel reacting with each other?>>Ask him about your fears that the Fel changes who you are from inside. Amplifies the worst parts of you.
>>5924864>A strong mind, willpower and fortitude is needed to repel Fel. Can he tell you more about that?>What did he mean with danger to your life? Did he mean Light and Fel reacting with each other?>Ask him about your fears that the Fel changes who you are from inside. Amplifies the worst parts of you.DONT mention magic.
>>5924864>>A strong mind, willpower and fortitude is needed to repel Fel. Can he tell you more about that?>>What did he mean with danger to your life? Did he mean Light and Fel reacting with each other?>>Ask him about your fears that the Fel changes who you are from inside. Amplifies the worst parts of you.Mentioning magic wouldnt be smart. Hampton is a smart guy, he would start putting things together and expect the worse. Magic + Fel = Warlock and thats paddling by Silver Hand if the hardliners learn about it.Just ask about these three things. They go in hand in hand >>5924866Eagerly waiting for Alric putting draconic and the arcane writing together
>>5924864>>Tell Father Hampton about your nightmares, about Malevus Thing. See what he has to say about it.>A strong mind, willpower and fortitude is needed to repel Fel. Can he tell you more about that?
>>5924864>A strong mind, willpower and fortitude is needed to repel Fel. Can he tell you more about that?>What did he mean with danger to your life? Did he mean Light and Fel reacting with each other?>Ask him about your concerns that the Fel changes who you are from inside. Amplifies the worst parts of you.The business at hand anons, the business at hand.
Rest of your life? Well he didn't know about your plan of burning the Fel away, but how pessimistic he seemed did concern you somewhat. "You said that my strong will keeps it away, I presume you mean not falling into the temptation of wanting more?" You asked Hampton and took the mug of water."Fel preys for those with weak minds and gravings of power. Not of course on its own as Fel is inanimate, without its own will. But as an option available for those who know about it. An easy alternative to power and if you fall for it, Fel has taken control of you." Hampton told you. That sounded quite the same as what you had learned before. "But for the Holy Light you need time and patience, strong enough will to go through countless hours of training and studying before you learn to harness it.""So it is a matter of self-control." You said."Yes, I have said before that you could have become a great Paladin if you had chosen that path when you were younger. You have the will and fortitude for the training." Hampton explained. "And the same will and fortitude will keep your mind clear.""For the Fel to not change me… Father, that is what I fear the most of this. What will become of me?" You asked him."An apt fear to have, the Fel is a potent force and capable of bringing out the cruelty out of those who are gentle. That is why we fight it whenever we can, we cannot allow it to take root amongst the common folk." Hampton told you. "It all goes back to your mind, by being strong and not wavering of who you are, you will be fine. But if you give a spare thought to the things that Fel represents, that will be your fall."It all circles back to your willpower and fortitude. The need to be strong and avoid whatever temptations there are. Hampton's answers didn't really surprise you, you somewhat expected his stance to be something like this. Strict, unwavering, fitting for a former Paladin. The Church of Light did put a big emphasis on clarity of thought after all, the core tenets spread were all opposite that of Fel. Which brought a question to your mind."You mentioned that maybe not even Lord Uther could remove it without putting me in danger, surely he could achieve it without such a thing happening?" You asked him."Maybe, but I am not sure. The Light and Fel are polar opposites. Order and chaos, reconstruction and destruction. They cannot exist at the same time in the same place without a conflict." Hampton told you and continued. "I have seen how a warlock writhed in pain as the Holy Light shone upon him. The man died, imagine what could happen if a Paladin of Lord Uther's magnitude would attempt to… for the lack of better word, to flush the Fel out or destroy it inside you. Could he do it, definitely. But what could be the harm caused when something deep inside you is so violently taken away?"1/2
>>5925222"You are probably right… I hate this, I hate this a lot…" You sighed deeply."Which is natural, but a sign of strength that even with all these obstacles and tribulations, you haven't given up." Hampton told you and continued. "Because that would be the easiest thing to do and if that happens, the Silver Hand would have no qualms in doing what they have done once before."A veiled threat? Or just an accurate observation? Both are probably true."Thank you Father, but I am sure that the Silver Hand can stay their hands." You said and smiled."I am confident of that as well." Hampton said. "Now do you have anything else?">Ask about Malevus. How has her training continued and has she been helpful with the patients?>Dawnholme has grown, could it be possible for Hampton to visit the town more often?>The migrants from Underbelly seem quite untouched by the Light. Could the Church help with enlightening them?>Offer a direct invite for Hampton to move to Dawnholme. You trust him and the town needs a priest.>Other, write in.
>>5925224>Ask about Malevus. How has her training continued and has she been helpful with the patients?I'd rather the priest of Dawnholme be a native to the community and Im not interested in proselytizing about the light to the new residents
>>5925224>Ask about Malevus. How has her training continued and has she been helpful with the patients?
>>5925224>>Ask about Malevus. How has her training continued and has she been helpful with the patients?
>>5925229>I'd rather the priest of Dawnholme be a native to the community and Im not interested in proselytizing about the light to the new residentsYou know actually.... i never thought about that. Thats not a bad idea. We should do it.What if we ask Hampton right now if one of our people could be picked and sent by us to be educated has a priest and assigned to Dawnholme ? Or more than one. We could recreate an alteraci priesthood, its frankly a legit thing we can do and that they can't deny us, because we aren't forcing them to send their existing priests. We have also two other settlements not just Dawnholme. Stonedon is a village, and Shoredon might become a river village instead of just a fortified camp, once the campaign ends. And our army could have some priests assigned to them.
>>5924973>DONT mention magic.You're right, I missed the billboard that was Hampton asking about the cloak. Excellent insight.>>5925224>>5925229Support. Burdening Hampton with travel at his age is potentially something we can now avoid, but as a senior and original paladin, he could become the effective minister of the Light for the Darrowmere Alliance. Alric could treat him like a bishop.. in all but name.
Malevus.Potentially no update today, but could I have a simple roll for weather and other stuff.>1d10>Best of three, taking the second roll
Rolled 1 (1d10)>>5926055
Rolled 1 (1d10)>>5926055>Inb4 triple 1
Rolled 3 (1d10)>>5926055TRIPLE 1 GO
>3>1The weather is shit and things go horribly wrong. Also known as a normal day for Alric. Update later, maybe!
“I need to ask about my squire, has her studies progressed?” You asked Hampton. “I can teach her how to fight, but the Light? That is not my forte.”“She is progressing in her studies, but she isn’t ready. Not yet, not in a long time.” Hampton replied. “But she does have qualities that many don’t have.”“Which are?” You asked. You had some ideas, but couldn’t narrow it down enough.“Empathy, her ability to be friendly and approachable is something I haven’t seen in a long time.” Hampton told you and continued. “If you gave her time, I bet she could befriend an orc.”“That’s Malevus for you.” You said to him. “She can make friends with anyone.”“She understands people, if she ever decides that the path of a Paladin is not for her, becoming a priest could be a choice for her.” Hampton replied. “She has all the qualities of becoming a great priest.”“Though she wants to become a Paladin, that is her goal and I don’t want her to stray away from it.” You told him.“Then we need to put our trust behind her.” Hampton said to you.“I wouldn’t be here without her, you know.” You said.“Neither would many of the wounded.” Hampton replied. “Her work has been exemptionary.” A slight smile grew on your lips and you nodded several times.“Though I have a request Prince Alric.” Hampton said to you.“What is it Father?”“When you leave, could you please take her with you. She needs to rest and I don’t think she will listen to me right now.” Hampton said to you. “Patients come before yourself.”“I will do that. Thank you for the talk Father Hampton.” You said to him. “Maybe in the future we could have a more thorough talk, Dawnholme after all is missing a priest of their own.”“You aren’t planning on inviting me to join you?” Hampton asked.“I wouldn’t dare to request you. Your place is here in Tarren Mill after all, but maybe one of our own could fill that role.” You said to him and stood up from the chair.“Maybe, but we can talk about that later.” Hampton said to you. “Thank you Prince Alric for visiting me.”“Pleasure is likewise.”…Malevus was somewhat unenthusiastic at leaving the church, but with some goading and reminding her how tired she was, she did follow you back to Monica’s hotel. Frankly she looked like shit, she was tired, her clothes and hair were all messy and odd spots of blood and whatnot covered her. When you got her inside, you gave quick orders to Monica. Malevus was to eat something quickly, then have a bath and then go to sleep. And thankfully she followed those orders and in just a few moments your elven squire was happily asleep in her room with her clothes being washed by one of Monica’s many servants.You sighed and knew that for you the day was just starting. The job of a Prince wouldn’t stop just like that, there were a lot of small things for you to do.And you couldn’t just curl up next to Jandice and enjoy the warmth there.1/3
>>5926290…>3>1The rain intensified outside as you stared out through the window. The spring rains had struck Hillsbrad hard and you knew that your soldiers in Strahnbrad Hills would be all soaking wet. You also knew that the rain would make following any tracks in or outside Tarren Mill a very difficult job and soon you got confirmation of that.The older gentleman whom you had spotted had disappeared. There was no sight of him in Tarren Mill nor around the walls of the town. No footprints, no rope that he could have used to climb over the wall. Nothing.The guards had searched the houses through Tarren Mill, checked the warehouses and small storage sheds outside the houses. No sight of the man at all.You cursed this, but you also knew that whoever was the man, they would learn their lesson. Attacks like this wouldn’t work. Not in Tarren Mill and definitely not in Dawnholme. A message was sent so to speak to the Syndicate.Assassination wouldn’t work.…The rain splattered around you as you looked around yourself. The main street of Tarren Mill was nearly empty as the evening had approached. Only the guards and a few others were there. Your dark glasses made the evening feel darker than it was actually, but you had gotten used to the dark tint already.You had spent the afternoon with the paperwork. With Garside away leading the troops, some of the work had fallen on your hands to deal with. Most of it was just supply and logistics issues, giving permissions to purchase supplies here in Tarren Mill or to have a merchant purchase something specific from Southshore. Nothing really specific, but things that someone had to do and put a name behind them.You sighed deeply as the roof of the hotel protected you from the water. A small break before you would head back in and continue the work. The fresh air was something you needed.“Alric, here you are.” You heard the voice of Malevus and you turned to look at her.“Good morning sunshine.” You replied with a jest as you looked at your squire. She had ditched her armour and was just wearing her trousers and spare tunic. All blue of course.“It is not morning, you know that.” She said and sighed.“It is for you. You need to learn when to rest and not to push yourself too hard.” You said back to her.“You are the one to say that.” Malevus replied.“And I paid for pushing myself too hard.” You said back to her matter of factly and looked at the rain hitting the mud outside.2/3
>>5926291There was silence between the two of you. An elven squire and an Alteraci Prince.“Did you have something to say to me?” You asked her.“I did, but I am not sure if it is relevant anymore.” Malevus said back to you.“Then what was it, please speak.” You said.“I haven’t seen you step into a battle like that before. You just wrapped yourself within the robe and stepped outside not caring a single bit about your own well being.” Malevus said to you and continued. “And then later I heard how you had just killed them all without hesitation.”She looked at you and brushed her red hair off her face.“I am not sure if I can recognize that Alric.” She said to you.>You are still the same Alric she knew. You had to act, otherwise they would have brought you and the others in danger.>Her concern is misplaced. You had to act before the situation turns any more worse.>Is she thinking that the Fel has changed you? That you wouldn’t have done the same thing before?>The assassins had to be dealt with, they deserved to die. It was either you or them.>You had told her to stop you if she thinks that you have taken a step too far. Have you taken a step too far?>Other, write in.
>>5926292>Is she thinking that the Fel has changed you over this? That you wouldn’t have done the same thing before?>How? Have you had qualms with putting your life at risk or killing your enemies before? Where was this fear after the battle against the Syndicate bandits? The assassins? The Gnoll ambush? The Ogres?Now this is just silly Malevus, Alric (Anons) are worried about it too but this is really fucking stretching it.
>>5926292>>5926308supportwhen has alric ever taken it easy.
>>5926292>>5926308Support. Again, they had fire arrows, the entire town was at risk of being burnt down. Fast subtle action was required to disable their capability as fast as possible. Its why we went for the carriage first. It's not glory-seeking or a lack of care for our person, it's balancing that against keeping the peace of Alric's ally and life of his men.
>>5926308>>5926292>Support >encourage her to articulate what she means.
>>5926308support yes i think this will do
>>5926364Adding more to this, Gavis, the knights and Malevus are going to have to majorly skill-up in order and do things themselves to prevent Alric from taking assassins to town by himself.
No update today, I am too knackered to write coherent text. But I could make do with a roll for events happening in the background. These rolls are for your army. First d10 is for Garside's group and second for Cromwell's.>2d10>Best of three
Rolled 1, 2 = 3 (2d10)>>5926927
Rolled 7, 6 = 13 (2d10)>>5926927hail kills the army.
Rolled 3, 6 = 9 (2d10)>>5926927
Rolled 8, 4 = 12 (2d10)>>5926927What if I was commander in some of the worst weather imaginable.
You had to take a pause as you thought about what she had just said.“How? Have I had any qualms with putting my life at risk or killing my enemies before? Where was this fear after the battle against the Syndicate bandits? The assassins? The Gnoll ambush? The Ogres?” You said to her and continued. “Look, I get that you are concerned after the incident, we both know about the side effects and the nature of Fel itself. But how I fought yesterday and the times before, didn’t differ at all.”Malevus looked at you and weighed your words in her mind.“I appreciate your concern, but nothing has changed.” You said to her.“I-I will trust your word.” She replied after a pause. “It is just…”“You are afraid that someone you care for is going to change or that something happens to him.” You said back to her.“Y-yes… you are right Alric.” She said, a shade of red crept on her cheeks.“Then don’t be afraid, because I won’t change. I am still the same Alric that saved you from those bandits last year.” You told her.Malevus nodded to you.“Good, then let’s go back inside, I still have paperwork to do.”…Jan was still deep asleep as you carefully wiggled out of her embrace and tucked her safely inside the blanket. She mumbled something in her sleep as you did it, she looked so serene and content in life. In that moment her words, her confession, came to your mind.I love you.Dangerous three words that you nor her hadn’t brought up since then. Instead things had continued as before. She had taught you how to use a quill when using your mana to write, applying the arcane energies through a tool like that. It hadn’t been that easy at first, but you had gotten the hang of it rather quickly.And then well a night spent together. Boy she was something, the tricks she has shown you…Stretching your back, you collected your clothes and put them on. Having gotten used to waking up very early was a definite bonus here as you could rather easily slip out of her room and go to your own. This relationship after all was supposed to be a secret one.“Sleep well Jan.” You whispered to her before as silently as possible as you left her room. You thought about saying something else as well, but you didn’t.Today would be a long day, though at first you would throw yourself into your own bed and kill some time. Maybe you could go through your magic studies, that did sound like fun.1/2
>>5927739>7>6It was still raining and so you chose not to go bother Malevus with sparring. Instead you allowed her to go back to the church to help with the wounded men. Father Hampton would prefer to have all extra hands as possible and this would be a great opportunity for her to learn more about medicine and the art of healing.Instead you threw on your orange Alteraci cloak, deciding to leave the Robe of Obfuscation neatly folded with the rest of your clothes, and headed out into the rain. Now though, what were you planning on doing?>Have a talk with Mayor Fowley about the Darrowmere League. Maybe you should hold a feast for local burghers and traders?>There is the assassin whom you knocked out, you should see what he knows and what the rest of the Syndicate assassins know.>While Malevus is not up for sparring, ask Sir Gravis to spar with you instead. You need the exercise after all.>Other, write in.
>>5927739>“I-I will trust your word.” I would've had Alric say "Why trust my word when you can trust my actions? Like I said, they've been no different to before." in response to that.>>5927740>There is the assassin whom you knocked out, you should see what he knows and what the rest of the Syndicate assassins know.It's what Im most curious about.
>>5927740>There is the assassin whom you knocked out, you should see what he knows and what the rest of the Syndicate assassins know.more pet assasins.
>>5927740>Have a talk with Mayor Fowley about the Darrowmere League. Maybe you should hold a feast for local burghers and traders?
The assassin you had knocked out looked rough. One side of his face had burn marks from where the flat of your blade had struck him and then afterwards the guards had roughed him up even more. Broken nose, swollen lips and one eye nearly swollen shut. You could guess that he was rather thoroughly beaten and full of bruises under his clothes.But this approach had succeeded, the assassin had told the guards everything he knew to make them stop beating him. And when the guards told you what they had learned, it gave your speculation a bit more weight.This man wasn't an assassin, he was a farmhand who had taken small time banditry and thuggery as a side job before ending up doing it full time. He was a thug, who had been recruited from near Andorhal and had since then mostly done menial labour and acted as hired muscle for the Syndicate. He ended up in Tarren Mill by the orders of his superior, the man whom you had killed, to infiltrate the town as a lumberjack and then wait till the signal.He hadn't been told much else, the communications from Syndicate were sparse and very short. He only did his part in all of this, because he didn't know anything else. The pay was better than being a farmhand or a normal thug, which was the main motivation for them. Not glory or some greater purpose. Just coin.The day before the attack he and the others in the town were told to prepare for something. He was only told about who the target was, though he had his ideas due to your presence, only the day of the attack. Just a couple of hours before the attack. Their plan had been simple, try to kill you with arrows first and if that doesn't work, then set the building you hide in on fire to flush you out. They didn't have concerns for any bystanders, the town could have burned down for all they care as long as their targets had been dealt with.Targets? That caught your attention as the guard recalled that their targets had been you, Mayor Fowley and Lady Barov. Getting any one of the three would have been a great success and well rewarded. Or at least that was what was told to them.The guards hadn't gotten much more out of him and what you had now learned was plenty. Though you might have something in your mind that you could ask the assassin, but what? What would a thug know that would be new information to you or something Pai or Sahvan hadn't already told you? Maybe there could be something?Alric's further questions to the assassin:>Write in.QM: If you have any questions or things you would like to ask the man, write in time is now. In the next update we will choose their fate, what will happen to them. I might get the update out later today evening.
>>5928450Ask him to elaborate on the infiltration process and ask him about the old guy we saw.Maybe also: "Did you really think you had good odds going into this?". Besides that I want to banter and talk to the guy so Alric and him can get to know each other. Build rapport and all that.
>>5928450>>5928651supportthis guy basically covered any questions i wanted.beside im sure alric doesnt hold any hard feelings for people who try to kill him.
>>5928450Who recruited this man around Andorhal, are they still operating?Was this recruiter different to the person that paid him and gave orders?Was the person giving his orders all along the INCOGNITO old guy in the inn? Or are there multiple people in this command structure operating?The results here could be fed to Lordaeron as Andorhal is considered their property and responsibility, if we wanted them to take some military action or enact martial law on that town.
The brief glimpse you had gotten of the man through the vision slit of the cell door wasn't enough and while the guards had covered most of the stuff you had wanted to know, you still had questions you could ask from him.Having the cell door opened, one of the guards carried a chair for you to sit on and a small table for a lantern to be put on. When you then entered, you just sat down and had your cane lean on the table as well.The prisoner was watching you with his one good eye as you made yourself comfortable on the chair."Did you come to gloat?" He asked you."No, just to talk with you." You said and waved your hand. The guard watching you through the vision slit locked the door behind you. The prisoner was well chained so you weren't in any danger, but giving privacy like this could make him more talkative."Then talk." He replied."Did you really think you had good odds going into this?" You immediately said to him. "I mean sure my army is gone, but my knights are still with me as are the Royal Foot Guards in their new quite easily recognisable armours."You didn't allow him to respond as you continued."And you very well knew that Lady Barov was here, an Archmage of Dalaran and the single most powerful person within miles of this place." You told him. "Did you really think you had a chance of succeeding?""It only takes one arrow." He responded."And yet you only managed to skewer the buttocks of one of my knights." You said to him. "And do you really think I don't have a couple tricks in my sleeves for situations like this? You already saw one of them, but what else could I have?"Partial truth, partial lie. You didn't have any tricks that could save your skin from getting pincushioned, but you did have the Robe of Obfuscation and your still rather limited skills in magic. Though making yourself sound more invulnerable was the goal here, to make him realise how lopsided their effort in the end was."You used magic!" The prisoner spat back."That wasn't magic, just a little trick courtesy of your compatriots in the Syndicate." You told him. "How does it feel that one of your tricks was enough for me to cut you all down? You didn't really expect that to happen did you?"He stayed silent and didn't answer."Like I said, I have a couple tricks. And so my question stands, did you really expect to succeed?" You told him and continued changing the subject. "How did you infiltrate Tarren Mill and when?""Work opportunities, the town needs more labourers so they took in everyone who was willing to work." The prisoner told you. "I just walked in late autumn and that's it. Same with the rest of us, easy to get our swords and bows in as well. Just hide them and smuggle them in."Nothing really surprising, but worth noting that goods need to be checked that enter the town. Thankfully Dawnholme was already more alert after the smuggling ring was busted."You were recruited in Andorhal, how did that happen?" You asked him.1/3
>>5929414"Why are you asking me questions?" The prisoner asked."To learn as much as possible from you of course. Besides, you should know my reputation. Now please answer the question." You responded."We had a small group and a camp in the woods. One night we were approached by a Syndicate member who gave us a deal, join us and be paid better or we will have to deal with you." The prisoner told you. "We chose to join him and we got paid better.""Do you know or recognise the man?" You asked."No, always wore the bandana and he kept his visits short, telling us promising places to rob or roads to watch over." He told you. "Until later we were introduced to our boss, Brennan whom you apparently killed, he stayed in closer touch with his superiors.""What can you tell about them?""Not much at all, just saw them once or twice in camps. Can't recognise them, bandanas and dark cloaks you see." He responded.As expected, a foot soldier in a decentralised organisation only knows very little of what happens above him."How were you paid exactly?" You asked."First pickings from the robberies, but when Brennan took the lead, he handled the coin. We put the spoils in a preplanned position and Brennan got a bag of coins in return. We didn't need to barter the hot goods at all." He explained to you.Again a rather decentralised organisation, they probably had people responsible for moving stolen goods around. You should send a letter to Lord Uther, as he should appreciate information like this and forward the information to those responsible."Thank you, one more thing. Did you ever see an older man who stayed in the same hotel as I do?" You asked him."There are plenty of old men in here." He responded."I am meaning only that one man." You replied."No, our only contact was Brennan and we weren't supposed to see him without a very good reason." Prisoner told you."Did you see Brennan talk with anyone else? Be in contact with his superiors while you stayed here?" You continued."No, he kept things underwraps." The prisoner replied to you.He didn't seem to be lying or avoiding telling everything. The decentralised structure of the Syndicate makes it hard for you to get information. Really you would need to catch high ranking officers or hope that you can get enough small snippets to build a big picture from. And Pai was still in your jail, you have a hunch that she could tell you more."Thank you." You said and stood up. Not needing to say anything more, you knocked on the cell door and left. You had heard enough.2/3
>>5929416The guards had interviewed some of the wounded Syndicate soldiers who were capable of talking and their stories matched with what you had learned.They were bandits and thugs, usually conscripted at sword point, but then being paid better than before. They weren't skilled assassins or trained agents. They were muscle, a brute force to be applied. Their stories were the same about their leaders, of which sadly none had survived. Very little information was shared with them.You wouldn't get much out of them so interviewing them personally would be just a waste of time so you opted to leave that for the guards to deal with.You meanwhile received a message, one of the spies in training delivered a letter to you from Eligius. You had made Sir Gravis send a rider to Dawnholme post haste after the attack to inform them and give them short orders. And now in the reply you learned that everything was fine in Dawnholme and that they would be more on lookout for any signs of trouble.You would need to talk with him and your officers at some point about this. Dawnholme was most likely quite safe from infiltrators like these, but from assassins? We need to be extra watchful.…"Nothing major that matters that I didn't already know." You said to Jandice as you ate lunch with her. The carrot soup was quite splendid. "Just another confirmation on how the Syndicate operates, decentralised as expected."There was a brief break in the rain, but it had soon started to rain again. You wondered how your army was faring, probably everyone was soaking wet."You seem disappointed, what did you expect to learn from a thug who is meaningless in the grand scheme of things?" Jandice asked you and continued. "They have probably hundreds of men like him who only know their tasks and that's it.""You are right Jandice." You replied. "What will you do with them? Extend the leniency of Prince Alric to people who tried to kill you again?" Jandice asked you."That would be a consistent approach." You said back to her. "But also sends a message, they might think that you are too soft, too lenient and that could bite your ass at some point." Jandice replied to you. "Lordaeron would hang them all for an attack like that, so would my father.""Are you suggesting that they should all hang, even the ones that are wounded?" You asked her."Alric, I will tell you how people might see it. You have your hard labour as a scheme to get them to pay back their crimes by working, but plenty of innocent people could have died." Jandice told you and continued." I'm not advocating hanging them all, just that justice needs to be appropriate to what they were planning on doing.""What would Dalaran do?" You asked her."Kirin Tor would execute them all, make them disappear completely, they want no banditry in their lands." Jandice told you.3/3
>>5929418>Hard labour to all, you need to stay consistent with your sentences to bandits and Syndicate members.>A few will hang, choose them by lottery and hard labour to the rest of them. A message needs to be sent.>Execute them all and bury them in a mass grave. They were planning on burning the town if needed, no remorse for them. Your leniency has a limit.>Tarren Mill will decide, you will clean your hands of this.>Other, write in.
>>5929420>Hard labour to all, you need to stay consistent with your sentences to bandits and Syndicate members.We have already sent a message with the execution of our former foreman, mercy to our enemies and death to traitors. They know what will happen if they cross us from henceforth.
>>5929420>>A few will hang, choose them by lottery and hard labour to the rest of them. A message needs to be sent.
>>5929420>Tarren Mill will decide, you will clean your hands of this.This happened in their lands
>>5929420>Hard labour to all, you need to stay consistent with your sentences to bandits and Syndicate members.Consistency. Also we did promise our squire to be mercifull when we can.
>>5929420>>Tarren Mill will decide, you will clean your hands of this.
>>5929420I think we can do better, though Tarren Mill deciding is an important point>offer hard labour to criminals>Fowley & Tarren Mill makes the final call on whether they transfer prisoners to Alterac or practices their own justice
Trying to stay consistent and having them work in hard labour, but asking Fowley what he wants to do with the prisoners first.Also a roll for weather please.>1d10>Best of three
Rolled 3 (1d10)>>5930096Rollan blizzards
Rolled 1 (1d10)>>5930096
Rolled 6 (1d10)>>5930096Demons rain from the sky and this pathetic world burns.
You sighed and pinched the bridge of your nose. It probably never gets any easier for you to decide the fates of people who can't fight back, but maybe should deserve a strict sentence and swift justice.But again you wouldn't choose to do so."I need to be consistent, I have shown mercy to my enemies and I have hanged those that have betrayed me." You told her and continued. "And those who attacked us are just my enemies.""Hard labour then?" Jandice asked and raised her eyebrows. She could see how this wasn't an easy decision for you."They will work to pay back their crimes, but I need to talk with Fowley first. This is his town that they attacked, so he gets to have the say what to do with them." You told Jandice and continued. "Well technically you Barov's own these lands so…"Jandice dismissed your words with a wave of her hand."Alric, the decision is yours to take and I believe Fowley will defer to you as well." Jandice replied and then smiled. "What have you planned for later today?""Well I need to talk with one of my people first and then I thought about doing some paperwork before practising what I have learned lately." You told her. "Why do you ask? Do you have something in mind?""Well I have this boring meeting with some of the traders, they want to get into our markets." Jandice replied with a sigh. "But after that's done, I could help you with the studying and then…"You felt her foot touching your leg and making its way up your thigh, stopping teasingly close to your crotch. Jandice gave you a sly smile as she withdrew her foot."And then maybe some extra curricular activities…" She said, the tone of her voice quite playful.You chuckled and smiled. How could you say no to that?…>6You had met with the spy sent by Eligius before he returned back to Dawnholme. You told him to expect more prisoners to arrive to Dawnholme and instructed Eligius to arrange their interrogations and screening with Sahvan's help. You needed more workers, but you didn't need anymore troublemakers for you to deal with.And then you had delved into paperwork. Though your mind was completely elsewhere and you got only little done. Damn it Jandice for teasing you like that earlier.Then there was the rain. It was quite apparent now that it would be raining for days as the wind had picked up and the distant rumbling of thunder echoed through the town. You were slightly glad that you didn't need to be out there in the Strahnbrad Hills, but with the spring rains washing the whole region, there was very little that could be done.The soldiers would soldier on with or without the rain.…Jan kissed your neck as she snuggled by your side. Your heart was still racing fast and both of you were sweaty from the past few hours. Candle light glimmered on Jan's smooth skin as you took hold of her and caressed the curves of her body."Al… it's raining quite a lot outside…" Jan whispered.1/2
>>5930159She was right, the wind splattered the rain all over the window and you could hear the howling winds."Yeah it is…" You replied and kissed her brow."I think I will stay in Tarren Mill a bit longer… maybe till the rains stop." She told you with a quiet voice."That could be days more, maybe more than a week?" You asked."Yeah, but I think we will find something to kill time with if we're stuck inside.... just like before." She said with a playful tone. "And besides I don't want to get awfully wet while travelling."You chuckled, she had found an excuse to stay with you a bit longer. "You are going to get wet nevertheless." You replied nonchalantly and caught her by surprise."Al, what a dirty thing for you to say!" Jan protested and laughed. "Where are your Princely manners!""And where were your Ladylike manners a couple hours ago?" You said and laughed. She had been quite eager and well so had been you. Each night she showed you something new and exciting.Both of you laughed until silence fell in the room."You are something different Al… you know that…" Jan replied and found your lips for a kiss.You just chose to hold her close. You wouldn't mind having her stay here for a few days longer at all, for this was nice. You could get used to living like this, having someone by your side.Jan giggled, for she felt your excitement pressing against her body. She gave you a sly smile and kissed you once again.It was going to be a very fun and very enjoyable night.…"Good morning Mayor." You said to Fowley who looked a bit pale. His stomach issues had returned, probably due to overworking and so he was bedridden at the moment."Good morning Prince Alric, you look fresh." He replied to you."I took a morning bath." You told him. Last night's activities had left you a bit too sweaty for your liking. "How are you feeling?""Not great, but not that terrible either. We can talk though, but I won't be moving around that much in the coming days." Fowley said to you. "What did you have in mind?">The prisoners, you want them for hard labour, but does Tarren Mill have anything against it?>Planning of a feast regarding the Darrowmere League. The local traders and burghers should be informed and talked with.>Further discussion regarding the security of Tarren Mill, what more can they do for the security? What will be Alterac's part in it?>Ask about the Barovs. They are technically his bosses, what does he think about them?>Other, write in.QM: Weather is terribad.
>>5930160>The prisoners, you want them for hard labour, but does Tarren Mill have anything against it?>Planning of a feast regarding the Darrowmere League. The local traders and burghers should be informed and talked with.>Further discussion regarding the security of Tarren Mill, what more can they do for the security? What will be Alterac's part in it?Do what has been discussed and use the Feast as a celebration of the defeat of the bandits and the cooperation between Alterac and Tarren Mill that made it so crushing.
>>5930160>>5930164>Support
SIDESTORYA Stormy Night in StormwindThe fourth glass of sherry had given Katrana a solid buzz as the storm outside continued to rage. The wind blasted the windows and water rained near horizontally. The sound it made was her companion as she slowly wrote a letter to one of the many nobles requiring her aid.Katrana was in a bitter mood, it had been just nobles this, nobles that for the past few weeks. The list of things they needed her aid with just kept growing and yet again she had to write a response that eloquently had the same message as before so many times.Sorry, House of Nobles cannot support your request due to not having budgetary control.That was a half-truth. They did have the power to present and argue for spending, but all executive power was in King Varian's hands and the King had chosen to just brood. Katrana had tried to get him to sign some papers, but without much success. After the third time of him sending her away and not having even touched the scrolls, Katrana understood to not even try.She sighed as ink dropped on the letter, creating a smudge that she didn't bother to wipe away. So many things were going against her plans, nothing seemed to stick. Years of careful manoeuvring seemed to have gone to waste. The door into her study opened, but Katrana didn't even turn her head. She knew who had arrived."I am here Mistress." Nalice said and kneeled."How is he?" Katrana asked her back immediately and now turned to look at her."He is a young man in good physical condition. He will recover, but it will take some time." Nalice said to Katrana, not raising her head one bit."You can stand." Katrana responded and turned away once more.Blasted Fel, the near death of Alric was bad news, she had nearly lost one of her most important allies and someone she wanted personally, to a mistake during training. When she heard the news the first time, she had been heartbroken, shaken to her core and would have lashed out at Nalice if not for an ocean between them. How could she have failed to prevent it from happening in the first place? Alric nearly died and now he has Fel inside him.Though as days passed and Nalice sent her updates of his condition, her mind slowly calmed down and the need to lash out disappeared. It had been an accident and Nalice had done her best to save Alric's life and then tended him as best as she could. And Katrana knew that what had happened was incredibly rare, very little was known about the heart suddenly stopping."You have done well, but I am not fully happy with you." Katrana spoke to her. "Please do not let anything like that happen ever again.""I understand my Mistress." Nalice said as she stood up."Good, how did his studies progress?" Katrana asked and sipped more of her sherry.1/2
>>5930417"Faster than I expected, if he had chosen to study Fel, then the progress would be even faster, but the current pace is… fascinating." Nalice replied."Fascinating… what do you mean with that?" Katrana asked her."He is mundane, or is supposed to be. Yet his body reacts like that of a full-blooded mage's." Nalice told her and continued. "It could be his own bloodline, his sister is a mage after all, or it could be my mana that I have given to him."A weak smile appeared on Katrana's face. At least some good news has come out from this. "Any other news?" Katrana asked her."Mistress, he has a new lady." Nalice told her."What! Who?" Katrana said with a surprise."Lady Barov." Nalice said."A Barov? He chose a second rate family with a negligent amount of wealth over me?" Katrana said and couldn't believe what she had just heard."He also requests funding for…" Nalice continued, but was interrupted."Yes of course, he will get everything he needs and more." Katrana said. "Now leave, we can talk more tomorrow. I need to be alone with my thoughts.""Yes Mistress." Nalice said and silently left the study.Katrana drank the sherry in one go and poured more. She bit her lip and felt fire ignite inside her.Another woman? Had he dropped that Menethil girl or what? Though it didn't matter, Barov or not, they don't compare with her at all. It would be just a friendly competition and she would make sure that she would win it at any cost. She definitely wasn't jealous, it should be her tending Alric at his bedside and not some Barov hag.Katrana had the wealth, she had things Alric would need and want and sooner than later her allure and her body would work on him. She would get him, sooner than later he would be hers.Katrana had a wicked smile as she looked out into the storm through the window. Oh this will be fun, finally some exciting news. This got her all fired up and aching for release. Maybe she should invite Alric to visit Stormwind City or maybe she could visit Alric by herself? Not bad ideas at all.…QM: Finished this sidestory idea from some time ago as I didn't want to go with just two votes this evening. The voting continues and if you have any sidestory ideas, I might write something again later.
>>5930160>>5930164support>>5930420id like a sidestory about the dark dwarves or maybe wiklish.
>>5930420>RANGER LORD SYLVANASsorry I'm incredibly partial....
>>5930160>>5930164Support.Write in:>Share our prisoner info that some lumberjacks and other labourers are undercover Syndicate agents. Checking who entered Tarren Mill with swords or similar weapons might be worthwhile.
>>5930546And I need to shoot her down, there's no reason for her to be involved with Alric at all. Not one of her concerns.
>>5930886I'd love a sidestory about the thoughts of Stormwind King Varian Wrynn and just how deep his brooding goes. As I understand before the events of World of Warcraft, he somehow gets kidnapped and put into the slave gladiator rings off the shore of Tanaris. Finding clues to his whereabouts were in the Ahn'Qiraj raid opening quest thought Wowpedia says he was removed from this location. His thoughts and the events of he ends up in this predicament or doesn't would be interesting from your take.
>>5930992Thoughts of Varian Wrynn could work as a sidestory. I need to think about it. But the kidnapping is something that happened in canon many years in the future and isn't timeline wise relevant at the moment.Also you should use https://warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/Warcraft_Wiki instead of Wowpedia. They migrated to new site as Fandom is a shit platform amongst other reasons.
>>5930160>The prisoners, you want them for hard labour, but does Tarren Mill have anything against it?>Further discussion regarding the security of Tarren Mill, what more can they do for the security? What will be Alterac's part in it?well hopefully the weather is bad for all sides not just our army. They must be walking through mud. Speaking of.....>>5930420seeing katrana was funny, maybe some Van Cleff or one of our boys up in the hills right now ? Like Cromwell, the twins or one of the new sarges. OR has wildcard sidestory that officer we gained has informant in the underbelly of Dalaran.
You took a chair and sat down, standing around still tired you out so sitting was preferable."Does Tarren Mill have demands regarding the prisoners?" You asked him and continued. "I would prefer to have them moved to Dawnholme and put in hard labour.""The others might want them to hang, but we can't keep them here in any case. Our jail isn't big enough." Fowley said to you and sighed. The small bookish man looked even smaller, having tucked himself under the blanket. "Have they been interrogated?""Yes, your guards are going through the process." You told him. "I spoke with one of them and learned probably everything I could from him.""Then you can have them, the guards know what to do next." Fowley said. He wasn't a military man so he deferred these issues to others rather easily."Thank you Mayor, just that you need to be careful with outsiders. They had infiltrated as lumberjacks." You said."Yes, I heard about that." He replied."Is there anything else Tarren Mill could do for her security? Barovs are sending footmen, but what would Alterac's part in this be?" You asked him."That would require investments." Fowley replied back to you."Investments into safety, to prevent anything like this or the gnolls happening again." You countered. "Look, we are happy to patrol your lands, but that will cost us supplies and spread our men even more thin.""I will need to raise this with the others. What did you have in mind?" Fowley asked you and hesitated."Tarren Mill needs more guards, either her own or Alteracis. The town has walls, but a couple strategic towers could help with the defence through providing warnings against outside threats and a good place for archers to be in." You explained to him and continued. "We have built towers around Dawnholme, I don't want my people to be surprised and now we can watch the King's Road with an ease.""True… true… I will think about this." Fowley said. That was probably the most you could get out of him right now."But uh… when do you think you are healthy and out of the bed" you asked him."Couple of days, maybe three. Why do you ask?" Fowley said to you."We should hold a feast, invite the traders, burghers and others who are relevant and have them learn about the Darrowmere League. Inform them and make them see the benefits." You told him and continued. "And to celebrate our victory over the assassins, cooperation of Alterac and Tarren Mill prevailed over them.""Not a bad idea Prince Alric, maybe in five days? Maybe then this awful rain has stopped and my stomach can handle itself." Fowley said to you."Five days it is, will your people handle it or?" You asked him."We can use the larger hall downstairs for it, don't you worry about it. Organising a feast is least we can do." Fowley said to you and forced a tired smile."I will then leave you to rest, get well soon Mayor Fowley." You said to him and stood up.1/2
>>5931108"This will pass, now just plenty of herbal tea and rest." He replied to you."If you have anything, then you will know where to find me." You said before leaving the room.…A certain rhythm had entered your life during your stay in Tarren Mill. You found yourself eating lunch with Jandice again and then spending the good part of the afternoon working on some paperwork and then continuing your magic studies by reading theory from books given to you by Nalice and making notes with your freshly learned new skill. You were getting better and better at writing by each hour.When it was time for dinner you spoke with Malevus who had spent the day at the church again where her skills are still needed. Some of the prisoners are still in quite bad shape and her healing through Light can do only so much. But maybe soon you could start moving the first prisoners to Dawnholme, you didn't think that Father Hamptom would like to have them around in his church longer than necessary.And then it was just time to lay on your back for a moment before sneaking into Jandice's room.…Jan was wearing her purple dress and little else as she weaved letters to appear in the air in front of her. Using her finger as a pen and applying her fantastic skills at art, you now had a quite awful drawing of an apple in front of you. You wouldn't know that it was an apple without her having written it underneath it."Being an artist clearly wasn't a prerequisite of becoming an archmage." You said and chuckled."Ha ha, very funny." Jan chuckled as well. "You know I didn't care that much about art, I was more concentrated on having fun instead.""Oh I know, you told me that." You said and watched the purple apple and lettering slowly fade away and disappear."Writing in the air is the final lesson I can give you about this. After that it is just practice and more practice to apply the basics properly." Jan told you and gave you a curious look. "Do you think you can handle it?""Of course, it shouldn't be that hard." You said confidently."That's the attitude!" Jan replied with a wide smile. She enjoyed teaching you as she got to be quite hands on with you. "Now, just like before, apply what you have learned on writing on paper, but instead use it on air. Similarly channel your mana and let it stay in the air."You nodded and concentrated before extending your arm and hand. You should be able to do this even if it is a bit hard. Maybe you should use a bit of the Fel inside you to make sure you succeed?>3d10, Best of four>DC 15, 20, Crit 25Use Fel to boost your magic:>Yes>No
Rolled 4, 2, 6 = 12 (3d10)>>5931109>YesI dunno?
Rolled 3, 10, 7 = 20 (3d10)>>5931109Use Fel>YesMostly because I want to see what happens, will the letters turn green or what?And as a sidestory idea, what about Jaina, Arthas and Kaelthas learning about the poisoning the first time?
Rolled 9, 4, 2 = 15 (3d10)>>5931109>>No
Rolled 6, 5, 9 = 20 (3d10)>>5931109Use Fel? If this ain't a nat 30, sure.
>20, Success!This was just a matter of concentration, just like before channel the mana, the arcane energies to the tip of your finger and draw a line.You breathed deeply several times before committing and as you moved your finger through the air, an uneven faint line of purple light stayed there before fading away quickly.You had done it, but it wasn't easy at all. Much harder than just drawing on paper, probably because it was a hard surface, a canvas to use. But air was just there, there was nothing there to grasp."Surprisingly hard, difficult to make it stick, like there is no feedback." You said and tried again."You are right, it is not easy, but it helps you to learn how to control your mana better." Jan replied and continued. "Part of the overall progress of learning magic, a compulsory course for all mages in Dalaran.""Makes sense, but I will try something so don't be alarmed." You said and extended your arm again and getting a puzzling look from Jan.Drawing from deep inside you, you took a sliver of the Fel and felt how easily it did flow through you into your hand and finally into your finger.And with a single clean swipe through the air, a sickly green, Fel green line appeared. It illuminated the room faintly before slowly fading away."Al… you didnt need to do that." Jan replied as she first looked at the line in the air and then your faintly glowing eyes."I wanted to see how it works and… I get it now…" You said and stretched your hand, concentrating on inside you."Get what?" Jan asked."How easy it is, why do warlocks and others fall for this power." You told her and continued explaining. "It just flowed, surged through me."You concentrated again and drew an awkward circle of purple light in the air. Breathing deeply, you watched as it disappeared. No Fel this time."It is a shortcut, I do see it now. It gives you power to succeed and then it gives you the feeling of gratification." You told her. "And then you want to do it again and again.""Until you have gone too far and there is no stepping back into the light." Jan replied. "You are right Al, that is the intoxicating power of Fel and why so many minds fall for it."Jan walked to you and hugged you. "Don't let it get on your head." She said to you as you returned the hug."I won't, I want to get rid of it." You said back."Good." Jan replied and let go of you. "Now let's keep practising, there is still plenty for you to learn.""Yes ma'am." You replied with a chuckle."And don't ma'am me, it makes me feel old." Jan laughed back at you.1/2
>>5931889It had been three days since then. The rains continued to wash the lands and you heard that the farmers had started to murmur about there being too much water. You meanwhile had continued practising the arcane writing during the afternoons and then in the evenings with Jandice before sharing the bed with her. You hadn't dared to touch on Fel again and it did surprise you a bit that no nightmares of previous kind had happened either. Hopefully you didn't jinx it by thinking that.And during the days you fell into your usual administrative role, just in Tarren Mill instead of Dawnholme. A messenger carried finished papers back to Dawnholme and brought new papers for you to sign or work through in return. Seemed like both Tari and her father Tannis were keeping things rolling and going on back home.Same time three prisoners, the one with whom you had spoken with and two others were transported to Dawnholme. The rest would follow when they had recovered enough.But on the afternoon of the third day you received a messenger from Captain Garside. Seeing the importance of this, you called Sir Gravis to join you in your room as you went through the report."Normand chose to camp in Shoredon instead of pushing forward. The weather has turned the hills into one big swampland and they are waiting for the rains to stop. Cromwell did the same and chose to divert to Stonedon. Neither had seen or spotted anything unusual, not even Cromwell who had skirted close to the troll totems and their territory." You explained to Sir Gravis."Not the greatest campaigning weather." He replied to you."What do you think? The rain might continue for days and days." You asked him and put the scroll given to you down. You had told Monica to treat the messenger well and get him dry, warm and fed."The rain hampers everyone just as much as it does us." Sir Gravis said and continued. "Well maybe not the trolls, but if there are bandits or others.""Could we use that to our advantage? Send a scouting force ahead? Rovers with some archers, maybe Sir Radan and his men or Lyion and the forest bandits?" You asked him."Not the worst idea Prince Alric, but the men won't be happy to trek around in the rain and mud." He replied to you.That was a bit of a pickle. You wanted the hills to be under your control as soon as possible so that the work could start on the oil rig. Delay of a few days was acceptable, but who knows how long this weather will continue?>Send a reply to have them wait till the rain ceases. No point in marching through bad weather.>Have them send a scouting party ahead and use the weather to mask their approach. Try to gather as much intelligence as possible.>Gather a raiding party and have them use the weather to their advantage. Find and destroy any bandit or Syndicate remnants in Strahnbrad Hills>Order them to advance despite the weather. The progress might be slow, but no one knows how long the rains will last.>Other, write in.
>>5931895>Have them send a scouting party ahead and use the weather to mask their approach. Try to gather as much intelligence as possible.Don't want any nasty surprises.
>>5931895>Have them send a scouting party ahead and use the weather to mask their approach. Try to gather as much intelligence as possible.
>>5931895>Have them send a scouting party ahead and use the weather to mask their approach. Try to gather as much intelligence as possible.Volunteers only for scouting, by rewards of them being the first to try oil-heated baths later or something equally grandiose and slightly ridiculous.
>>5931895>>Have them send a scouting party ahead and use the weather to mask their approach. Try to gather as much intelligence as possible.
>>5932006>>5931895>supportLet them volunteer.
"I will have orders written for them. Scout the route ahead with some volunteers and try to find the best path for the army." You told Sir Gravis. "Just try to gather information and avoid fighting if possible.""That sounds quite reasonable Prince Alric." He replied to you. "Will the messenger start his return journey today?""No, let him rest and have his saddlebags filled with fresh foodstuffs." You told him. "He can leave tomorrow morning.""Will do, we will think of something nice." Sir Gravis replied. "Anything else?""How's Joe faring? Also how are the guards doing?" You asked."Joe has moved back to the barracks, his buttocks are healing well." Sir Gravis told you. "And the guards are doing well. They are feeling fortunate that our men were here, they got their asses saved by them after all. But they do speak about you.""Oh, what have they said?""They are really glad that you are on their side. Most can't believe how fearless you are after hearing about what you had done." Sir Gravis told you.You smiled a little hearing that."Prince Alric, don't get any ideas." Sir Gravis replied. "We already have our hands full trying to keep up with you.""Sounds like someone needs more sparring. And you need to find someone to fill your numbers." You told him."Still looking for him." He replied."Alright, if you don't have anything else…"Sir Gravis bowed and left the room. The black haired young knight in his black armour had been a trustworthy bodyguard for you. Always ready for action and ready to defend you. A good man, you needed more people like him.…A day had passed and the rain continued to fall as you stood in the town's cemetery. The ceremony for the four dead Tarren Mill guards was a sombre one. They had been buried several days ago, but due to the guards wanting as many of their wounded brethren to be part of this, the ceremony had been postponed.Father Hampton had made a beautiful speech and then you along with Fowley and Jandice had laid down flowers on the gravestones. This was the least you could do to honour their sacrifice."How are the preparations for the feast progressing?" You asked from Fowley as the three of you slowly made your way out of the cemetery."As expected, we have the invites out and the chef is preparing the ingredients." Fowley replied."That sounds splendid, how about your stomach?" You tried to be polite."Much better, thank you for asking." He said to you. "There is a thing we need to talk about.""What is it?" You asked and turned to face him better. The water dripped off your Alteraci cloak's hood."I spoke with the others, the traders are willing to invest more in our defence, but our budget is a strict one and we couldn't find consensus on where to exactly put our funding in." He explained to you."So you want my opinion as a more martial person?" You asked.1/2
>>5932205"Well yes. We have budget to either build the towers as you suggested or recruit more guards to protect Tarren Mill or we could house a large detachment of your troops and pay for their upkeep instead." Fowley told you."All three options do sound good, but have you thought about mercenaries?" You asked him. His indecisiveness regarding military matters was showing a lot."No, I or the others aren't military men." He replied. "So what do you think?"Each had their benefits. Building towers could give them a warning against threats while more guards are always useful and prevents them from being outnumbered by the enemies. Now an Alteraci garrison would be an interesting choice, it would save you supplies, but it could raise some political questions and further drive Tarren Mill under your influence. Though while that does sound like a good outcome, you are sure that some people are going to hate it. Mercenaries are an option as always, a simple garrison duty should have plenty of people interested in it.Choose one:>Scout Towers are build by Tarren Mill>20 Footmen are recruited by Tarren Mill>Tarren Mill houses an Alteraci detachment and pays for their upkeep, 40 soldiers at max>Tarren Mill looks for mercenaries instead>Other, write in
>>5932207>Scout Towers are build by Tarren Mill>Tarren Mill houses an Alteraci detachment and pays for their upkeep, 40 soldiers at max.Can they do both of these if we help them? Eat the supply cost for a season or something.
>>5932208You can do that, I will allow it.
>>5932220Great! We should do that then.
>>5932220>>5932231Now that I think about it we could also have the Stonemasons help out. They can make a difference right?
>>5932208>>5932207>SupportSweet talk Jandice into helping out also. @qm it's been a while but the stonemasons haven't showed up are they coming soon? We still only have the initial ones that we hired to make our sewers ect. I thought there was lots of refugees ones coming...?
>>5932208>>5932207support
>>5932208>>5932207+1
>>5932207>>5932208Support. Seems like a win win, similar to the Durnholde arrangement
"When my army returns, I will have some of my men stay here and in the meanwhile you can approve the construction of the towers." You told Fowley."Prince Alric, our budget can't cover the both." Fowley protested."You can start paying the upkeep come summer, before that we will handle their supplies." You said and continued. "I will also have several Stonemasons come help with the construction projects. They are quite busy right now in Dawnholme, but I think they can lend a few workers."Not forgetting the ones that are supposed to arrive any day or week now. You are going to have a lot of Stonemasons in Dawnholme shortly."That… I need to speak with my colleagues, but I will heed your advice." Fowley replied."Lady Jandice, when you speak with your father and hopefully get some soldiers sent here, joint patrols and sharing the supplies could help us all." You said to her."Not a bad idea." She mused and continued. "I will have to bring that up.""Wonderful, but let us leave this damned rain. I fear that the water will sweep all of us off this earth." Fowley said and left for the town hall, leaving the two of you slowly making your way back to the hotel."You know Alric, I am not sure who is supposed to rule Tarren Mill anymore. Is it us or is it Fowley as the Mayor or is it you." Jandice mused again.You gave her a glance and opted not to answer. She was right, your influence had grown a lot over Tarren Mill. Which had been a natural progression, but politically a sore subject to some in Lordaeron. After all Tarren Mill was territory of the Kingdom of Lordaeron."Let's head inside, I can't stand this rain either." You replied. "Lunch should be ready soon as well, care to join me?""That would be lovely." Jandice replied and smiled, getting your smile back in return.…Rest of the day had progressed without any surprises. You spoke with Malevus in the afternoon and gave her the permission to spend even more time in the church. The patients still needed her and this way she could learn as much as possible from Hampton. You didn't need her to run errands for you, just that she would be at the feast tomorrow.After that it was just paperwork and studying until the evening came and you slipped into Jandice's room opposite of yours."Alright Al, I have taught you nearly everything regarding Arcane writing." Jan told you and continued. "We could just repeat our previous lessons and get more practice in, but instead I have planned a test for you.""A test? What kind of test?" You asked her."Rather similar to the one done in Dalaran at the end of the lessons, don't you worry, it is not that complex." Jan told you. She seemed to take this rather seriously, there had been very few faint smiles and touches between you and her today."Alright, let's get to it then." You replied.1/2
>>5932762At first there would be a short essay to write under a time-limit, then you would need to draw complex geometrical shapes in air and finally you would need to write in the air and have the text stay there longer than a minute. The last task definitely wouldn't be an easy one, as you would need to apply a lot of mana to succeed.Or you could use Fel again to make it all so much easier.>3d10, Best of four>DC 12, 17, 21, Crit 25Use Fel:>Yes>NoWhat will you write in the air?>Write inQM: Test time! Has Alric been a good student? We shall see!
Rolled 4, 1, 8 = 13 (3d10)>>5932763No felAlterac Stands
Rolled 7, 6, 1 = 14 (3d10)>>5932763Use Fel:>NoIf this is a test then using Fel kinda defeats the point of it.What will you write in the air?>Alterac stands!I tried of thinking of something funny but I drew a blank.Inb4 we roll shit
Rolled 1, 8, 9 = 18 (3d10)>>5932763>No>I Love You Too.
Rolled 9, 7, 3 = 19 (3d10)>>5932763>no>Alterac Stands
I am feeling generous today, can someone give me one more roll? So make it count!
Rolled 5, 2, 3 = 10 (3d10)>>5933015The shit rolls are back.
>19, Partial Success!The essay was the easiest part, you had gotten hang of writing and making notes on paper so you had no difficulties at completing this part. Half an hour later you had a nice small essay written about Arcane writing and the theory behind it, you felt like any other subject wouldn't fit the essay today.The next part was a bit more difficult as Jan instructed what shapes to draw in air. Starting from a straight line and then moving to circles, squares, triangles, stars and so on. This started as an easy task, but as the geometric shapes grew more complex, the task began to be quite difficult.When you finished drawing a crude circle with a square inside it, you realised what was the goal of this test. It was to tire you out. First you had to write as much as you can within a time-limit, preventing you from recovering. Then the more and more complex geometrical shapes are to sap remaining strength you have. So when the third and final part of the test was at hand, you were already tired and sweating a bit."Now the third part of the test." Jan said to you and crossed her arms as she studied you. "Al, you may proceed."Flexing your hand a bit you concentrated and drew the mana within you only to realise that you were nearly out of your own mana. The amount you have had grown a bit as your body had gotten more used to the mana given to you by Lady Nalice, but you feared that it wasn't enough to successfully finish the test.Yet you needed to try and you started to write in the air. ALThis was much harder. To have the letters not disappear quickly, you needed to apply a lot more mana than before and avoid messing the lettering up. This was a test of your mana reserves, ability to turn it into arcane at your fingertip, applying it evenly, but with enough power behind it. Quite a smart test all in all.TEMore beads of sweat appeared on your brow as you concentrated harder and harder. You tried to draw every single bit of your own mana into your hand, but it was becoming increasingly difficult.RACYou were at your limit. Your heartbeat quickened and breathing became heavier. You weren't sure if you could finish what you wanted to write. Did you have the mana remaining to write STANDS anymore? Or would you have to dip into the mana given to you by Lady Nalice which acts as a seed for your own and helps your body to get acclimated with mana, not knowing when you could receive more from her? Or the Fel, idea of using it to finish tempted you. Tiny sliver would be enough and you could get rid of it this way.>Call it here, ALTERAC is enough. Don't push yourself too hard>You know you have enough your own Mana to finish writing STANDS, you just need to drag it all out>Use the mana given to you by Lady Nalice as a seed to finish the test, it should work rather well. Though you don't know when you can receive more of it>Fel, that is the answer. It should work easily and get you through the test>Other, write in
>>5933125Damn Im torn between calling it here or trying to finish it. Tell me QM, are we gonna have to get lucky to finish it?
>>5933140You are going to need some good rolls, the options go from hardest to easiest if you choose to try.What is the worst that can happen thought?
>>5933151Yeah but what is a "good" roll? With our luck, 19 was a good if not great roll yet here we are.>What is the worst that can happen thought?Another heart attack.
>>5933155Oh no, nothing that drastic, trust me.
>>5933125>You know you have enough your own Mana to finish writing STANDS, you just need to drag it all outim feeling good about rolls now.
>>5933125>>Call it here, ALTERAC is enough. Don't push yourself too hardYeah no, that last description doesnt give me a good enough sign. Very very bad, things haven't changed much if he is this tired already.Remember current physical conditions of this last days might have looked positive, but it really wasn't long ago when Alric moved around badly and for short periods. Or when he was just in bed, sleeping and being helped for go take a shit and other basic stuff. While i like magic i would prefer if Alric wasn t bedridden for it again, so take more care of him.Man I just want him to return doing his martial training and being able to partecipate battles, or travel far.
>>5933169Tempting fate>>5933125>Call it here, ALTERAC is enough. Don't push yourself too hardLets go for a solid minute and a second thenAt least no one nominated "Alric was here, Aliden is a loser"
>>5933162I can't tell if you're being sarcastic and can't discern the meaning behind the image you posted.
>>5933125>>Call it here, ALTERAC is enough. Don't push yourself too hard
>>5933125>>You know you have enough your own Mana to finish writing STANDS, you just need to drag it all outMake it happen captain
>>5933251Somewhat sarcastic, but mostly telling the truth. And the reference is from a game from my childhood. Stronghold was such a fun game.
Letting your arm drop, you took several steps back and sat down on the bed."That's it, I am spent." You said between breaths as Jan watched you and the floating text that said ALTERAC in the air.Falling on your back, you ran your fingers through your hair and swept the sweat away. By the Light this had drained you."I tried to write Alterac Stands, but couldn't finish it." You said as your breathing calmed down.Staring at the ceiling, you didn't look or concentrate on the test anymore. You were just glad that it was over."47 seconds." Jan suddenly said, forcing you to push yourself back up to see the writing having disappeared."That means that I failed, right?" You asked her."No, you passed with flying colours." Jan replied and smiled."What? I thought the time to pass was a minute?" You asked with a puzzling look on your face."That was just a way to get you to try your best Al. People perform better under pressure." Jan told you and came to sit next to you before grabbing your shoulder. "You did really well.""I did?" You asked, you were a bit too tired to comprehend everything."You did, usually this test is done after a month of training and you did it just after a week." Jan told you and kept smiling. "You impressed me yet again. I am proud of you Al."She gave you a slight kiss on your cheek. Hearing that from her felt nice, an archmage… no, your lover is proud of your progress."This was all just a test to see how well you can control your mana. A normal student learns this and many other things that share the same idea, and gets better at controlling your mana and weaving it into arcane energies." Jan explained to you.It made sense, this did require plenty of concentration when you moved away from just writing. You needed precise control and ability to keep the flow as steady as possible."Sounds pretty smart, just what will happen next?" You asked her."Well… we don't exactly have time to start learning anything new, who knows when the rains end so I will leave things like invisible writing for you to learn." Jan said to you and had a sly smile on her face. "Instead we can spend this time with something that both of us will enjoy quite lot."You knew what she meant as she leaned in to kiss you. But just before your lips connected, you pulled back a bit, getting a curious glance."Will there be a test about this as well?" You said with a jest and smiled."Al, you are unbelievable." Jan said and rolled her eyes before replying with a seductive tone. "Who knows."And then she pushed you down on the bed and found your lips.…"Most of the guests are here." Fowley said to you. "A few couldn't sadly come.""Doesn't matter if the majority are here." You replied.1/2
>>5933606The next day had passed without any issues or events and with evening arriving, you had taken a bath and tidied yourself. Dressing in your better clothes, your chaperon and wearing the orange cloak, you looked rather Princely. Standing now in the town hall's backroom that was connected with the grand hall, you had been waiting on when to make your entrance."Prince Alric, do you want to handle the speaking or shall I do it?" Fowley asked. The small bookish man had dressed up well and wore his clearly fancier jacket, vest and trousers combination."It is mostly just traders and burghers there?" You asked him."Yes, and a few bigger landowners and farmers." Fowley said. "And of course their wife's and so on."So not that martial crowd. People concentrated more on economics and coin. Still security was important for them and they understood cooperation. Maybe you could think of some nice angle to sell Darrowmere League to them, something that gets them to understand it.You can think something, you are pretty good at speaking after all.>Allow Fowley to introduce you and then handle the speaking by yourself.>Have Fowley introduce and speak shortly before it is your turn to speak.>Fowley can handle most of the talking, this is his town after all. You can speak shortly in the end.>Other, write inAlric's speech:>Write inQM: Write ins don't need to be complex, just main points what Alric should say or speak about. The progress Alric does with studying magic is a good one, you are ahead of your schedule a bit. It is still overall a slow progress, but I am keeping track of successes and failures.
>>5933607>Have Fowley introduce and speak shortly before it is your turn to speak.Alric's speech:>Go through the history of cooperation between Alterac and Tarren Mill, all they way back to the bandit problem and the logging deal. Spin the tale of security and development that has developed more and more since then and connect it to the League as the next step in this history, into a more safe and prosperous future.
>>5933607Supporting >>5933696Maybe have some example of cooperation from the lives of farmers that we can use as an example of why being alone isnt worth it.And boy Alric and Jandice cant get enough of each other. If the relationship wasnt a secret, they would probably be with each other all the time.
>>5933607>>5933696Ought to mention that the last thing that should be talked about before connecting to the League is to mention our crushing victory against the bandits.>>5933771What do you mean? If that example is just for comparison then I think it's better to stick to the history.
>>5933607>Fowley can handle most of the talking, this is his town after all. You can speak shortly in the end.Let fowley talk it out people will start wondering on our influence if were too assertive.Alric's speech:Focus on Mutual defense and proven properity through cooperation.
>>5933696>>5933607>Support>Imply getting in early gets you a better spot.
"You should start and speak for a moment, before it is my turn." You told Fowley."That sounds fine." He replied. "Are you ready Prince Alric?""I am." You replied.Fowley nodded and went for the door opening it and stepped into the grand hall. You followed right behind him, your cane clacking on the wooden floor. The grand hall of the town hall was quite full, two rows of tables lined the hall with a smaller one with three seats reserved at your end for you and others. You recognised some faces, Father Hampton had come to listen to you as had Monica. Being a successful entrepreneur had made the innkeeper quite an important person in Tarren Mill. Your knights were there, as was Malevus, leaning against the walls and watching the proceedings. You knew that the Tarren Mill's own guards were out in full strength and Royal Foot Guards were protecting the building itself. The place was as secure as it could be.Walking to the table, you shared a brief smile with Jandice who was already sitting there of course as a representative of the Barovs. She had chosen to wear her purple dress in the colours of Barovs and then the purple robe of an archmage in Dalaran's colours. She had put more effort in her hair and other garments as well, she looked absolutely stunning. Certain decorum needs to be had and so she stood up before you gently took her hand and gave her a slight bow. She replied with a curtsy, before both of you sat down, you in the middle and Jandice to your right."Welcome everyone, I am glad that all of you could come here." Fowley said to the guests and stayed standing. "We are here today to celebrate the growth of Tarren Mill and our continued successful cooperation with Alterac."He gave you a polite nod."Tarren Mill wouldn't be where it is today if not for Prince Alric and I am very happy to call him my friend and as someone who has done more to our town than anyone else in Lordaeron." Fowley said. Was that a dig towards the Barovs, it seemed to be. He then continued. "He has been unselfish in his want to help us, choosing cooperation and prosperity over petty politics and neglect. For these reasons and many more, I am happy to form the Darrowmere League with him and Alterac for further prosperity and security."Fowley turned a bit towards you and that seemed to be the signal for you to stand up and continue."Thank you Mayor Fowley." You said and shook his hand before turning towards the traders and burghers."I am Prince Alric Perenolde, the second heir of Kingdom of Alterac and the man who will reclaim my homeland and restore it back to its former glory." You started rather proudly before smiling. "But I cannot achieve that alone. When two years ago I started this journey, I had twenty good men following me. Loyal Alteracis who have given everything and more to help me achieve my goals. Now there are over two hundred of them in my army, but that isn't and will not be enough."1/3
>>5934512You looked around the listeners and tried to maintain eye contact, which was hard as you were wearing your glasses, but the idea that you were talking directly to one of the audience members is an important one. It makes things more personal."When Tarren Mill had their bandit problems, people being kidnapped, I came to your aid. I didn't need to, I could have stayed on the sidelines and allowed the Alliance to deal with the problems, but I did the right thing. I was a good neighbour and I came to your aid in the time of the greatest need.""And since then our cooperation has just deepened. We have helped to train your guards who have now shown their valour in a battle, we have made deals like the logging deal to provide the Alliance Naval Base with timber or how our traders and craftsmen have regular market fairs, allowing barter and trade that has energised our economies. My soldiers have stayed here, bringing their coin here and their presence has aided to protect and secure Tarren Mill. Now they are in the Strahnbrad Hills finishing the work started last year and when they are done, Tarren Mill is more secure than ever before."You took a small pause to take a sip of water and you pushed your glasses back up a bit."But why stop here and be content with what we have? The next step to take was the Darrowmere League. We realised with Mayor Fowley, what the attitude the Alliance and Lordaeron have towards us, we realised that together we are stronger, separated we are weaker. Cooperation will bring both of us prosperity and security. Going alone won't bring us anything. Hence Darrowmere League, an agreement of mutual security and defence. And through that prosperity, wealth and growth come the future.""And I am happy to say that unlike two years ago when I was alone, I now have friends and allies. And amongst those allies, no one has been as important as Tarren Mill has. I can safely say that I wouldn't be here today without Mayor Fowley." You said and started to wind down your speech. "The future is a bright one for all of us, I can promise you that. And no one can prevent that, because together we are stronger.""Alterac Stands with Tarren Mill."You finished and smiled. The guests nodded to each other until someone started to clap and others followed. Seems like they were receptive towards your words."Well spoken." Jandice whispered as you sat down."Thank you, I hope that wasn't a too long speech." You replied quietly"Oh no, I could have listened to you speak the whole night long." She said to you and smiled.You couldn't do anything but smile.2/3
>>5934514"My friends, fellow guests. The food will be ready in a moment so we can spend this time talking and discussing. Not often all of us are in the same room after all." Fowley said to the guests.He was right, you could mingle with the guests or wait for them to come talk with you. How approachable should you be now, you are a Prince after all.>Go talk with Monica. Ask what she thought about the speech and then talk with whoever dares to approach.>Stay at the table and see if anyone has anything to say to you. Let them come to you and not the other way around.>You should mingle with the guests, there are plenty of hands to shake and names to learn. Be as approachable as possible.>Other, write in.
>>5934517>>You should mingle with the guests, there are plenty of hands to shake and names to learn. Be as approachable as possible.Prince maxxing.
>>5934517>You should mingle with the guests, there are plenty of hands to shake and names to learn. Be as approachable as possible.The gregarious prince
>>5934517>>You should mingle with the guests, there are plenty of hands to shake and names to learn. Be as approachable as possible.Shake babies, kiss hands
Taking a glass of wine, you sipped it carefully before sighing."I guess I will need to mingle with them." You said quietly to Jandice."Not a fan of shaking hands?" She asked."Not when there are so many of them." You replied. "At least the wine is pretty good."Jandice laughed a bit."Go be a brave Prince, I will happily stay here and observe." She said."Yeah… will have to do that." You said back to her and stood up.Straightening your back and taking your cane, stiff upper lip applied and downing the wine in one go, you were ready.May the Light preserve you.…Having joined the guests, the progress of shaking their hands and introducing yourself had been quite a task. You would probably forget most of them come tomorrow, but they probably wouldn't forget this meeting which was the goal of this.You shook hands of traders and burghers, their wives and daughters who had joined them. Unsurprisingly the daughters giggled a bit when you introduced yourself to them, your supposed reputation keeps spreading. The couple landowners were more scruffy than the others and didn't have much to say, but the traders, they were talkative.They asked questions about everything, but the events of the couple days ago were in people's minds the most. They asked about the attack, about who the attackers were? Those more knowledgeable asked about the Syndicate. The word clearly had spread more and more and the existence of the Syndicate started to be of common knowledge. You tried to answer them as truthfully as you could without revealing everything. You told them about the thugs and how you had defeated the Syndicate forces last year. When they asked about the events of Durnholde and your poisoning, you fed them the tale you had planned out. You couldn't be sure if they were linked, but they were awfully similar to each other.The food was a bit late, but at least there was wine to drink. Having to talk about the same things for the third or fourth time was annoying, but you kept your smile and kept your cool. This mingling was important for your and Darrowmere League's sake. You need to present yourself as well as possible.…The talks had continued until the food arrived, everyone at that point was already a bit hungry and varying degrees of tipsy from beer and wine. You included.With the clerks and servants carrying the food, you filled your plate with a bit of everything and started eating. The wait really was worth it.1/2
>>5934941As you ate and drank, the guests gathered in their small groups of friends and acquaintances. A lute player started playing and the atmosphere relaxed quite a bit."How did all the talking go?" Jandice asked you."Tiring, but well. My legs didn't like it." You replied and drank some wine. "They seemed to like to be able to talk with me.""I can massage them later." Jandice said to you and you were glad that Fowley had left the table earlier."I will remember that promise." You said and smiled.You looked around and watched the guests enjoying themselves. The feast seemed to be on its way to be a success. Finishing your glass of wine, you thought about what would you do next?>Fowley is talking with some burghers. Join him momentarily, present yourself as friends and partners.>Father Hampton sits in the back row and is eating calmly. Go see what he is thinking about all this.>Monica seems terribly bored and uninterested in talking with some man. Go save her and be a more interesting talking partner.>Jandice has kept mostly to herself what she thinks about the Darrowmere League. Ask what she is thinking about.>Other, write in.QM: Next update tomorrow evening. No midday update tomorrow.
>>5934943>>Monica seems terribly bored and uninterested in talking with some man. Go save her and be a more interesting talking partner.
>>5934943>Fowley is talking with some burghers. Join him momentarily, present yourself as friends and partners.More networking.
>>5934943>Monica seems terribly bored and uninterested in talking with some man. Go save her and be a more interesting talking partner.
>>5934943>Jandice has kept mostly to herself what she thinks about the Darrowmere League. Ask what she is thinking about.Either this or Monica is fine with me.
>>5934943>Bring Lady Jandice to talk with Monica and show how a lady dismisses a suitorMore opportunity for banter and jokes among friends
“I think I need to go save a damsel in distress.” You said to Jandice and she gave you a curious look as a response. “Monica.”Jandice scanned the crowd and found her quickly.“Oh I see, well go be the Prince Charming.” She replied with a chuckle.“Less Prince Charming and more of just a friend.” You said back to her and stood up taking your cane.You breathe in deep a couple times and blinked your eyes to clear your mind a bit. Oh you were a bit drunk. Then you carefully made your way around the table and past the tables where Monica was standing.The man who was talking with her didn’t notice you immediately as you approached, but when you got to her, he noticed Monica averting her gaze off him and towards you.“Excuse me, could I talk with my friend?” You said to the man and smiled. People knew that Monica and you were friends after all.“Y-yes… of course Prince Perenolde.” The man said and gave you an awkward bow before turning away and leaving.“Thanks Alric.” Monica replied after the man had left. She was leaning against the wall with a wine glass in her hands. Just like other women in here, she had tidied up her hair and chosen a long dress that of course yet again was green, just like all other clothes she had. No wonder she had suitors after her, she did look quite pretty.“Not a problem, I noticed you looking bored out of your mind.” You said and took a wine glass from passing a servant's tray.“Big day huh? That speech and all.” Monica asked you.“Did you like it?” You asked back.“Bit too long for my liking.” She replied and continued. “But pretty solid, I think people understood what you were saying.”“That is what matters.” You said back and decided to not try to sell Darrowmere League to her. “Things will accelerate from here. I am making moves that people won’t like.”Monica gave you a look and sipped her wine.“Last year in Stormwind City, I don’t know if the Kings and Lords took me that seriously. Just an upstart Princeling, a pretender trying to get on the throne.” You said. Wine might have opened your mouth a bit. “But they can’t deny me now, not anymore.”“Alric…” Monica replied.“Sorry, I might have misspoken.” You said back to her. “It is just…”“I get it, it isn’t easy to be you.” Monica said back. “All your enemies, assassins…”“It isn’t.” You deflated a bit. “But I can’t stop now, things are in motion.”Both of you just stood there in silence awkwardly for a moment.“Sorry, I got a bit too serious.” You said to her.“I know, I know.” Monica said back to you. “Let’s just enjoy this feast, not often we have events like this in Tarren Mill.”“Let’s do that then.” You said to her.1/2
>>5935691You continued to talk with Monica for a moment before returning back to your seat. Having filled your plate again, you continued to eat and drink as the evening progressed. Two more musicians joined the lute player and the guests took that as a message to clear some tables away to be able to dance. Watching as the guests danced, you kept drinking and in the end had become quite drunk.Fowley had retired earlier and left the feast, as had Father Hampton and most of the older guests, leaving the younger people to continue the merry times. They drank, they ate, they danced while you watched and knew that your legs couldn’t handle any of the faster paced dancing. And frankly that ate you a lot as you enjoyed dancing.Finally as more people had left and the evening marched on, the band started playing slower music. Something slow enough that you could participate in.Looking around, you spotted several prospective dance partners. Malevus was still standing by the wall, she had been just watching and observing the guests. Monica had been left alone by prospective suitors and she had danced earlier with the others. Jandice meanwhile had sat next to you and continued to drink wine, she was probably just as drunk as you were. And then there was everyone else, the wives and daughters of the guests who had stayed here. Prospective dance partners were plentiful, but should you try dancing? You were quite drunk after all.>Dance with Malevus. It isn’t strange to dance with one’s own squire, right?>Dance with Monica. She is your friend and seems to enjoy dancing. She would like this a lot.>Dance with Jandice. You don’t know if she is of the dancing type, but dancing with your lover could be quite fun.>Dance with the rest. Give them a chance to dance briefly with a Prince. Not often that is possible.>Don’t go dancing, you are quite drunk so just enjoy the evening and rest your legs.>Other, write in.QM: Dancing! No pitfalls here.
>>5935694>Don’t go dancing, you are quite drunk so just enjoy the evening and rest your legs.
>>5935694>>Don’t go dancing, you are quite drunk so just enjoy the evening and rest your legs.nah
>>5935694>Don’t go dancing, you are quite drunk so just enjoy the evening and rest your legs.I have no feelings about these one way or another but this one might get us another update faster.
>>5935694>>Dance with Malevus. It isn’t strange to dance with one’s own squire, right?Dance with Malevus, shes just standing there watching not dancing after doing all that healing, she should be drinking and singing like usual. A dance should lighten her up
>>5935694>Dance with Malevus. It isn’t strange to dance with one’s own squire, right?Its perfectly socially acceptable to dance with ones squire.Besides it a bit boring to not dance at all.
>>5935694>>5935759>Dance with Malevus. It isn’t strange to dance with one’s own squire, right?Fine... let's cheer her up.
You left the cane behind as you silently stood up and made your way past the dancing guests towards Malevus.“Lady Malevus.” You greeted her and gave her a polite bow.“Alric, I have told you to not greet me like that.” Malevus responded annoyingly, she hadn’t used any prefixes since the incident. That had changed.“Decorum Lady Malevus.” You replied and took her hand. “May I have this dance?”“Alric, you are drunk.” Malevus replied as the redness creeped up her cheeks.“Yes, yes I am, so what?” You replied.“It is not proper.” She said back to you.“Lady Malevus, you have been standing here for hours. Before that you have been tending the wounded. You haven’t drank a single drop of wine, nor have you entertained us with your singing.” You told her. “It is just fair that you get to dance a bit, a little bit of enjoyment after all that.”“Alright, fine.” Malevus responded as she sighed heavily. She knew that she wouldn’t win this argument.“Great, it will be top fun.” You said to her and smiled as you led her to where others were dancing.Placing one hand on her hip and second holding her hand, you pulled your squire close to you and slowly started to dance. It was more of swaying from one side to another, but the thought was what mattered.She was very embarrassed as you led her through the dance, red from the face and barely keeping up with you. You kept smiling and spared a glance or two to her as you danced with her.“This is not proper Alric, people will talk.” Malevus whispered to you.“I don’t care, dancing with one’s squire is all fine.” You replied.“No, it is not.” She insisted.“Just enjoy this, you deserve it.” You told her and pulled her bit closer. Her armour being between you and her.“Alright, fine.” She said to you.The two of you danced slowly, swaying from one side to another. She was quite stiff at the first, but relented and let the dance take her. You smiled and allowed the dance to continue until your legs felt quite tired. After several songs, you grasped her hand and gave her a polite bow.“Thank you Lady Malevus, it was my pleasure.” You said to her.“Don’t call me a Lady.” She said embarrassedly.“Pish posh, I will call you a Lady if I want to.” You replied to her and held her hands. “Thank you Lady Malevus, it was my pleasure to dance with you.” “Ughh… and it was my pleasure as well.” Malevus replied and played her part. She was thoroughly embarrassed.You let her go and gave her another slight bow.“I hope you had fun.”“I did, even if it was embarrassing. People were watching.”You smiled in response and watched as she took her position against the wall.Alright, let’s return back to the table.1/2
>>5936030You kept drinking and eating. You felt really stuffed, but the wine still found a way into your stomach and in the end you were really drunk.You didn’t really remember much about leaving the town hall, nor walking through the town.Nor did you remember much about getting into your room and getting into your bed.It was all just phantoms in your memory.The next morning when you woke up, your head was throbbing and you felt quite dead. You were in your own bed based on the pattern of the ceiling, yet you heard and felt someone sleeping by your side. Thankfully it was just Jandice and not anyone else, that would have been quite awkward, but based on the position of the sun, it was way past the morning. If someone would surprise you now, they would find you with Jandice.Though you didn’t really care that much as you ran your fingers through her hair. She was safely sleeping there, serene in her sleep. There was no need to wake her up right now, just let her sleep. You needed sleep as well. You kissed her brow and Jandice in her sleep wrapped her arms around you, you could stay like this forever.But when you have recovered, was there anything you wanted to do? Anyone you wanted to talk with? Today seemed like a day to waste just recovering and not doing much else, but maybe you should do something productive and not just cuddle with Jandice? Though that did sound like a fun idea.What will Alric do today?>Write in.QM: If you have any ideas what Alric should do in Tarren Mill or engage with the characters, then now is the chance for write ins.
>>5936033See Father Hampton, does he stock hangover cures or bless the pain away?Then a light jog around town to be seen and doing things afterMalevus is for teasing
>>5936070+1 i cant think of anything
>>5936033Jandice>Taking the Magic test again.>Finding out what she's been doing for contraceptive.>Seeing if she has any more interesting things to teach.>Asking her about the Darrowmere League.>Seggs and cuddles throughout.Malevus>Helping her out on whatever she's doing.>Asking about that confrontation and what's got her so wound up.>Sparring?Monica>Hanging out at the tavern and helping the patrons have a good time.Tarren Mill>Walking around town meeting and talking with the people.
>>5936033>teach malevus hand to hand combat>time for wrestling >make lots of jokes at her expense>alric rizzz to the max>Talk to our Knights see if we can get ourselves a squire for our boys or a other knight. I'm thinking we ask them all to take a squire so we can expand our knighthood.
>>5936033Malevus>Pull her away from the Temple and go see the people of the Town>Wrasslin>Talk about Incident and aftermath she seems bothered
>>5936428>>5936033+1
I can work with these ideas. Could I have the fan favourite, the best roll there is. The weather roll!>1d10>Best of three
Rolled 1 (1d10)>>5936715Oh no
Rolled 6 (1d10)>>5936715Finally demons raining form the sky?
Rolled 4 (1d10)>>5936715What could possibly go wrong?
>>5936729Demons raining from the sky.Jokes aside, the rain continues. No update today though, too tired to get my writing juices flowing.
>>5936790Actually, is Alric serious about wanting to spar and wrestle with Malevus in the rain and mud? Give me your answer.
>>5936920I was gonna say no but that sounds exactly like something he would do to mess with her and try to brighten the mood.
>>5936920Mud wrasslin is very much a yes, good fun. Get dirty and then get clean, and maybe another bath slip.
>>5936920No
>>5936920YesAlric is a godless tryhard.
>>5936920>Yes.True fighting won't wait for sunny weather.Can't wait for the first mud to be yeeted.>"What do you think my soldiers will be facing Malevus? Do you not have the grit and determination for combat anywhere at anytime?"
You closed your eyes and let out a deep breath. Right now you just wanted to rest and weather the hangover away. Carefully embracing Jandice, you let yourself to slowly fall into slumber.A life like this wasn’t a bad one. Having someone there for you made you at ease. Just who will that one end up being?…>6The rains continued with no sign of easing. They washed the town and everything around it, no one would be safe from it. Yet you were up and running. Later in the afternoon you visited the church to see how the patients were faring and to see Malevus. You were interested to see what she had learned and how her studies were progressing. You also spoke briefly with Father Hampton and while he could have blessed you and made the hangover go away, he just gave you a brief smile and spoke about one’s own decisions.Yeah, he wasn’t going to make your hangover go away. After all it had been your decision to drink way too much.Grumbling, you had returned back to the hotel and spent the rest of the day trying to nurture your headache away. Only in the evening you had felt normal, just right on time to spend the evening with Jandice going through some basics on magic and sharing the bed with her.You really hadn’t managed to achieve much today, but that didn’t really matter in the end. Neither would your army achieve much in Strahnbrad Hills in this weather.…“Alright Malevus, we are going to spar today.” You said to your squire. Slight drizzle fell on you and you could feel the drops flowing down your hair.“I am not sure if it is smart in this weather.” She replied.“You must be able to fight in any weather, be it sunny or rain.” You told her and removed your sword belt and put it aside.“Alric…” Malevus was going to say something to you, but stopped.“We are going to wrestle, I kept beating you through the winter and so you need more training in that.” You told her and smiled as you took off your glasses and put them away.“In this mud?” She asked you bewildered.“Are you scared of a bit of mud?” You asked and smiled as you looked at her with your Fel green eyes.“N-no… of course not.” Malevus responded back to you.“Good, then get ready so that we can begin.”Malevus did as told as she unstrapped her sword belt and left it leaning against the small fence surrounding the sparring area. She seemed somewhat unsure of this and took a bit of a lazy ready stance. She wasn’t sure how seriously you would take this.>Take it easy, this isn’t supposed to be a serious sparring session.>Be competitive, but not overtly so. You plan on winning and you won’t make it too easy for her.>You are going to win. Full stop. You are going to try hard and force Malevus to take this seriously.>Other, write in.Tease Malevus:>Yes>No
>>5938012>You are going to win. Full stop. You are going to try hard and force Malevus to take this seriously.>YesTickle her and slop some mud down the back of her shirt ect. Like an annoying brother. Get her feathers all ruffled.
>>5938012What he said >>5938043This is SERIOUS BUSINESS
>>5938012>>Take it easy, this isn’t supposed to be a serious sparring session.I thought this was just supposed to be a fun ha ha session and we end up throwing mud at each other.>YesThough if it becomes a super serious and we tease her thats not too shabby either probably
>>5938012>Be competitive, but not overtly so. You plan on winning and you won’t make it too easy for her.>Yeswe are going to get kicked in the nuts again, and we will deserve it
>>5938096>>5938134If you're gonna wrestle than you gotta put your strength in it! Who says that having fun requires not giving it your all?
>>5938096She won't let us rub mud in her face. We're going to have to try for it. Same if we want to slop some down the back of her shirt and cackle like a child at her fury.We definitely might get hit in the balls again. And we will be a proud prince. Our squire is learning well.
>>5938012>You are going to win. Full stop. You are going to try hard and force Malevus to take this seriously.Alric truly is the best teacher.>YesMandatory.
Alric tries hard, could I have some rolls please. No DCs this time, just hope that you go high.>3d10, Best of three
Rolled 1, 1, 3 = 5 (3d10)>>5938400
>>5938409yeah, that's about what I expect from me
Rolled 4, 1, 9 = 14 (3d10)>>5938400Mud smiles and no tears.
Rolled 8, 2, 9 = 19 (3d10)>>5938400Rolling bones. Hopefully nothing broken>>5938409impressive in a way
>>5938409Holy fuck. I hope this doesn't reflect real life luck anon
>>5938409Uh Oh!Thankfully the roll of 19 saved this situation. Though could I have rolls for Malevus now?>3d10, Best of three>DC 19
Rolled 3, 8, 8 = 19 (3d10)>>5938596i swear if i somehow have good rolls now.
Rolled 10, 6, 2 = 18 (3d10)>>5938596If the 19 was determined by our roll then shouldn't the DC be 20?
Rolled 8, 10, 7 = 25 (3d10)>>5938596
>>5938611Now that is a good roll for Malevus, will Alric get outwrestled by Malevus? I will get the update out later today or most likely tomorrow.
>>5938623Well fuck looks like we tried to slop some mud down the back of her shirt and she's going to hip throw us into a muddy puddle.Kek
>>5938611Guess it doesn't matter anyway. Why can't we roll like this when it really counts?
>>5938623>Will Alric get outwrestled by Malevus?Will Monica or Onyxia ever find a prince that will love them back?Will Arthas grow up? NeverWill Beckston form a barbershop quarter?On next episode of Dragon Ball ZeeeeeeeeeAlric charging his power: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH"
Update half done, but I am way too knackered to get it out today. I will try to finish it as soon as possible.>>5938896Arthas can grow up believe it or not. There is a path for it.
>>5939518Does is it involve kidnapping Calia and really beginning the revenge arc where frostmourne runs through Alric instead?I can't see us having any other effect on him, unless in some even more unlikely way we somehow make peace with his mate Varian and so Varian speaks on our behalf.I'm really really curious now
>19, Success!>25, Success!Always expect the worst, don't relent or underestimate your opponent. Malevus would be learning an important lesson here.Stretching your legs a bit, you started circling her slowly and she responded to it by doing the same. Your eyes darted across her attire. She had her armour on which would help you a lot, plenty of spots to grab and pull from. Your arming jacket meanwhile was more fitting to your form so it wouldn't be as easy for her. A small advantage for you that you would surely exploit.The rain continued to fall when she made a half-hearted move towards you and you immediately pounced on her mistake. Grabbing her right arm, with a pull and a twist, you threw her over your shoulder through the air. A move you had done to her multiple times and something she should have learned to predict and be careful with.Malevus landed with a splat on the muddy ground back first and immediately you followed her, pinning her right arm down with your left knee and her cuirass with your right. Before she could recover, you already had one hand on her throat and the other over her mouth. If this was a real battle she would be dead."A win for me." You said to her while pinning her down on the ground. She knew not to struggle. "You didn't take this seriously enough so I need to think of a motivation for you…"Releasing your hands off her, you stood up and watched as your squire pushed herself up on her feet. Her back was all wet and muddy, as was most of her hair."Alric… that wasn't nice…" She grumbled as mud fell off her red hair."You are scared of mud." You said back to her and grinned. "Oh I know what I will do, I am going to grab your ears and slop mud down your collar.""You… I will show you the mud!" Malevus replied and took this now more seriously.She then prepared herself for the second go and this time you liked what you saw. Going for another try, this time you couldn't surprise her as both of you tried to get a good grip of one another. You were the first one as you grabbed the side of her cuirass and tried to push her over. Instead she wrapped her arms around your waist and pulled you closer to her, putting you and her face to face and preventing you from having leverage.Which suited you rather well as both of your arms were free to grab her ears, softly rubbing them with your fingers."A-Alric!" Malevus said to you as she let go of you and you did the same with her ears."I told you what I would do to you." You said and had a sly grin as redness spread across her cheeks."T-that was ungentlemanly!" She replied and tried to maintain eye contact with you."And the rumours say that I am quite a scoundrel." You said and laughed, giving her a playful bow."You are a scoundrel! Rubbing my ears like that!" Malevus replied back and surprised you by charging at you.1/3
>>5940673You didn't have time really to react other than bracing yourself as her shoulder hit your chest and soon both of you were laying on your backs on the mud. The tackle pushed air out of your lungs and she then jumped on you and tried to pin your arms down, but you grabbed her cuirass again and with a pull threw her off you.As quickly as possible you were on her, straddling her waist and scooping a handful of mud in your hand. Malevus, realising what you were going to do, grabbed your hands and stopped you, forcing you to let the mud go. The mud fell and splattered over her cuirass and bit on her face. But that didn't stop her as she quickly turned on the ground and made you fall on the mud. She then pushed herself on top of you and this time she knew what she was doing.Quickly grabbing your left arm as you tried to push her off, she used her own body as a leverage as she twisted it behind your own back. Same time she used her knee to turn your body and as you didn't want her to dislocate your shoulder while struggling, you found yourself nearly face down in the mud.And then she had her revenge as you felt her hand on the back of your head as she dunked your face in the mud.She had gotten you. You tried to avoid laughing to not get mud in your mouth as Malevus turned your head around a bit to get your face all muddied up. Your chaperon had fallen a long time ago and Malevus didn't relent here as it was her who scooped mud and let it fall on the back of your head and flow through your hair."I give up! I give up!" You managed to say as you felt the mud seep between the collar and your neck."What did you say?" Malevus said to you. She heard you very well. "Say it again.""I give up, you won." You replied."That's more like it." She said back to you and you felt her weight move off your back.You rolled on your back, a little bit more mud and water wouldn't hurt as you were already quite soaked through.And then you laughed."Alric, what are you laughing at?" Malevus asked you."This was such a stupid idea." You replied back to her as you chuckled. "Look at us, we are both all wet and muddy.""It was your stupid idea…" Malevus reminded you."Yeah… you are right… now help me up." You said back to her. It was a stupid idea, but you had some fun with this.Malevus walked to you, lending her hand that you took and for a moment you just thought about pulling her down and throwing her back into the mud. But more calmer thoughts prevailed and you let her pull you up. You shared a smile with her and ran your hands through your hair as the rain washed the mud away. The two of you stood there in silence for a few seconds.2/3
>>5940674"Something bothers you." You said to her. There was no one around you in this weather. It was just the two of you, yet you weren't sure if it was smart to ask now. "The incident and what has followed, the confrontation of yours."Malevus freezed, she hadn't expected you to ask anything like that."I… I mean…" She started to say."You are my friend and a confidant, if you have anything you want to know or tell me, just say it." You replied back to her. "Just ask me."…You are Lady Malevus Silverthread, a squire to Prince Alric Perenolde, a paladin trainee under the tutelage of Father Hampton and Raleigh The True and a noblewoman avoiding her family duties."Anything?" You asked Alric. Was he serious about this?"Anything." He replied to you. He seemed serious, you could see it in his now Fel green eyes.The rain continued to fall, it was warm and somehow soothing. You stared back at him, thinking what to do.Anything?>Choose to not say or ask anything. This is not the time or place.>Ask or say something, write inQM: What would Malevus ask Alric? The 25 was enough to give her this extra scene. And it took me a moment to get this thing out, sorry about that.>>5939753There is a route, which I am not going to mention or go in further details for obvious reasons, that will lead into Arthas mellowing out and maybe even to friendship. Is it an easy route, probably not, but it exists in my pile of quick notes.
>>5940678>Ask or say something, write inKiss me alric, you fool.
>>5940678I don't know QM, I was hoping you'd be the one to write this piece of dialogue. I voted for it because I had no clue about what she was thinking.>>5940682I would unironically vote for this if we were playing as Monica.
>>5940682>>5940678>support>kiss her on the forehead.Get her all riled up.Before that though. >Ask about our future after she's done being our squire.Captcha ggwph
>>5940678"Touch my ears again Alric and I'll make you wear the fanciest dress Alterac has ever seen"
>>5940678>>5940682>SupportI have some ideas, whatever sounds good.>Ask or say something, write in"I want my Alric back. Not the man who laughed when he cut those men down.""I'm supposed to be your squire, your closest bodyguard, but you went where I couldn't protect you and now you have this Fel.""Alric. I want to be strong enough to purge your fel away myself.""With your cloak and your sword those men who shot at the wagon weren't a threat to you. Under that cloak you could have just...Left. You have to stop fighting until the fel is gone."Bonus Yandere Malevus "Sometimes I want to gouge these fel eyes out."
>>5940682I will have to veto this suggestion, even if the scene could be quite funny and could lead towards other fun scenes, it just wouldn't fit Malevus to say something like that in this moment. She would be way too embarrassed to even think about something like that. Malevus kissing her Prince? Banish those lewd thoughts.Though Monica could go for it.Besides that, there's some good ideas here. I will write the update later today evening so there is plenty of time to vote and share write ins. They write ins could be about something else as well.
>>5940678Tell Alric that he can also tell you anything. The fel is clearly bothering him more than he lets on. You want to know the true extent so you can help him.>>5941060malevusbros... we lost
>>5940678>>5941207supportclearly malevus best girl.
>>5941060Malevus:"Alric you need a new hobby that isn't fighting"Alric:"I'm studying magic as you're aware."Malevus:"To fight people."Alric:"How about I learn tailoring? Where could I find such a trainer?"
You stayed silent for a second before sighing."I'm supposed to be your squire, your closest bodyguard and yet you went out there. With your cloak and sword, those men weren't a threat to you. Under that cloak you could have just… left." You said to Alric and continued. "How can I protect you, if you throw yourself so recklessly into a battle?"Alric stared at you and kept listening."I know the Fel is bothering you more than you are letting us know. You can speak to me Alric, you don't need to keep things within you." You continued telling him. "I want to know so that I can help you. I want that Fel removed just as much as you do.""I know Malevus." Alric answered."I want my Alric back… the one from before and not this… current one." You told him. It wasn't easy to say any of this to him. "You have changed."Alric averted his eyes off you. You could see that this wasn't easy for him either."I am afraid of that as well…" He replied."Then let me help you." You said back to him."I…" Alric started to say. "Thanks Malevus.""Thanks for what?""For speaking sense to me.""Someone has to, if not me, then who?"Alric nodded to you. The rain kept washing the two of you, slowly removing the traces of mud."There's one more thing." You said to him."What is it?" He asked and didn't know what to expect."Alric, you need a new hobby that isn't fighting." You said and sighed. "Wrestling in the mud is a bit too much.""I'm studying magic as you're aware." Alric replied to you. "Does that count?""You are studying it to grow stronger and to fight people." You replied and gave him the look of cut the shit. "Besides, it is the reason why everything happened.""How about I learn tailoring? Where could I find such a trainer?" Alric said and gave you a sly smile."No, just no. Nope. Won't happen." You answered quickly and knew that Alric was now just goofing around. "Something else.""Music then, I will get myself a lute or something… but only if you are willing to take an instrument too and do the singing." Alric bartered back.It wasn't a bad idea, but you would also have to learn to play something. Maybe it was worth it?"I need to think about it…" You replied."Great, now let's get away from this blasted rain and get ourselves all cleaned up." Alric said and smiled.He then walked to where he had put his sword belt and glasses away and took them. Well he put his glasses on and handed you the belt."Oh one more thing." He replied as he picked up his wet and muddy chaperon and then placed it on your head. "There, all of my stuff.""Why can't you carry these?" You asked, confused how this had happened.1/2
>>5941525"Our wrestling tired my legs." He replied nonchalantly. Now he was just playing with you. He had done it again and managed to slip away."You are unbelievable." You replied and sighed. "One last thing Alric. Touch my ears again and I'll make you wear the fanciest dress Alterac has ever seen.""Hahahaha… no promises!" Alric just laughed and started to walk away from you.You wouldn't have a boring day with him, that's for sure. With Alric, my Alric… oh Fel… you had said that aloud. Oh no.Thank the Light he didn't see the redness creeping up your cheeks, for he was already some distance away.…The spring rains always arrived, but how strong and how long they lasted couldn't be predicted. Older people did always remember that one time when the rains were even stronger than now, but not this time. Now everyone agreed that these spring rains were strongest within living memory.And boy it made everything as miserable as possible.For you though this time has been enlightening. Every day you helped Father Hampton with healing the patients and tending their wounds. You learned a lot about medicine and how to treat wounds, Hampton even allowed you to use the Holy Light to close smaller wounds and ease the pain of those more heavily wounded."Lady Malevus, thank you again for your help." Hampton said to you as you were preparing to leave. You hadn't dared to tell him that you were no Lady, he seemed to be just polite."Father, I will just wash these clothes before leaving." You replied back."One of my assistants can do it. Instead I want to talk with you." Hampton said to you.Putting some of the still bloody clothes back into the washing bin, you knew not to argue back to him."Just let me tidy myself a bit." You said to him."Good, I will have some tea ready in my office." Hampton said.You wondered a bit what was this about as he turned and left.…"Thank you for the tea, it is lovely." You said to him as you sipped your tea."I will get to the point immediately as I don't want to dance around the issue." Hampton replied to you and was quite serious. "I don't want to put you into this position, but for the sake of all of us, I want you to tell me any and all changes in Prince Alric that you will spot.""You want me to spy on him?" You blurted out immediately."To spy is a harsh word, but you are correct." He said to you."Because of the Fel…" You replied more silently now."Lady Malevus, you as his squire get to see and interact with him most of all of us. This doesn't bring me joy to suggest this, but I was a Paladin and a member of the Silver Hand, my duty doesn't end with losing my right arm." Hampton told you and continued. "And you want to be a Paladin as well, so you understand very well what I am telling you."2/3
>>5941529He wanted you to spy on Alric and tell him everything that was wrong or off with him. Any chances that could be the work of Fel. Hunting and dealing with evil people and Fel was one of the core tasks of Paladins and now he was wanting you to be part of it. Just with Alric being the one to watch over.>No, put the tea down. You aren’t going to spy on him. Your duty first and foremost is to be his squire and to protect him. That includes even against Silver Hand if needed.>Is this something Silver Hand has instructed him to do?>What caused Hampton to bring this up now? How concerned is he?>You will agree. He is right, Paladins must root out and remove evil whenever possible.>Other, write in.
>>5941530I feel like Malevus would've done this without him asking but now that he's asked she feels real grossed out about it.>Is this something Silver Hand has instructed him to do?
>>5941530>What caused Hampton to bring this up now? How concerned is he?Did alric himself not talk to you? He mentioned to me that he would Father Hampton.
>>5941530Oh, this is good. Alric some time ago presented to Malevus this hypothetical:>If a paladin is given an order by their lord or superior and is expected to follow said order to the letter, would the paladin follow the order or follow their conscience?Malevus answered that she would follow her conscience.I think Malevus should refuse because1) Her conscience is obviously telling her that it's wrong.2) She is one of Alric's retainers and wears the Alterac eagle pin, a symbol of the trust Alric placed in her.3) On becoming Alric's squire, she agreed to stand by his side (not act against him behind his back). She also agreed to protect him and even throw her life away if it meant doing so. Being the earliest, these promises should take precedence before any other to anyone else.4) Alric is her friend.>Other, write in.>Extract as much information out of him as possible in regards to whether he's being instructed to do this and, if so, by who. Give him every assurance that Alric is trying to get help and that he doesn't need people plotting against him because of his honesty. You will ensure that Alric overcomes this. You won't let him fail. But you're not going to be a spy or betray his trust, even for the Silver Hand. If they mean to deny you your dream of becoming a paladin because of this, then so be it.
>>5941648>>5941530>support
>>5941530>>5941648Support>No, put the tea down. You aren’t going to spy on him. Your duty first and foremost is to be his squire and to protect him. That includes even against Silver Hand if needed.Though if I play it how I think Malevus would react I feel like she might just outright refuse, I don't think she would want to play courtier with 'who put you up to this' sort of intrigue. Then again she does still need to do courtier stuff with Alric since hes a Prince. Besides he doesn't even need to say if they put him up to it, they almost certainly did. But maybe he is just that worried.
>>5941529Too good and wholesome, love it.>>5941530>What caused Hampton to bring this up now? How concerned is he?>Is this something Silver Hand has instructed him to do?The above are all good points, and Father Hampton is showing proper concern, but asking for a Prince's squire to report Alric's schedule outside of the kingdom is too much and a serious of breach of trust. Alric already has Raleigh from Silver Hand in Dawnholme too.Instead Malevus may continue taking instruction in how to perform exorcisms, Turn Undead and so on from Hampton if he is concerned. Or Malevus will alert him of a crisis when and if it happens. Not before, not with spying.
>>5941530Supporting >>5941648 >>5941724I agree, Malevus would probably outright refuse here. Her bond with Alric is too strong for her to be someones spy. That is outside of Vorenthal.>>5941529This in fact was quite wholesome
>>5941648support >No, put the tea down. You aren’t going to spy on him. Your duty first and foremost is to be his squire and to protect him. That includes even against Silver Hand if needed.
You stopped and before you could sip your tea, you put the cup back down on the table."No, I won't because as his squire, my duty first and foremost is to protect him." You said back to Hampton."I expected you to say so." He answered."I promised to stand by him, not behind his back scheming against him, when I became his squire. I won't let Prince Alric down by becoming a spy to someone else, not even to you or the Silver Hand." You continued speaking to him with a stern tone in your voice. "Why did you even ask me if you expected me to say no?""I spoke with him. He was quite open about what had happened, poisoning and all. His fears, the Fel inside him. I could feel it, it was there tucked away inside him." Hampton spoke to you. "But you very well know what it is, a taint, an unholy corrupting substance. You know what it can do.""I do." You replied."Then you understand why I asked you. It can change people, turn them into something they aren't." He said back to you. "We have our duty, you have yours. It might have been foolish for me to think that you would break yours, but I cannot put aside mine.""What will happen next?" You asked him. "If not me then who?""You very well know who is already watching him." Hampton said to you. He meant Raleigh, the loyal Paladin of Silver Hand."Prince Alric hasn't let him get close to himself." You answered."A smart move." Hampton replied."What will we do next?" You asked him."I have no reasons to punish you in any way. You have made your vows and stand behind your decisions, I can respect that." Hampton told you. "The patients are still here tomorrow, they won't go anywhere.""I see, thank you Father." You replied somewhat relieved."Do not thank me, thank the Holy Light for giving you the courage and loyalty you have." He replied. "Though I have one thing to ask you.""And what is it?""Do you believe that Prince Alric will succeed?">Yes, undoubtedly >Yes, with or without any friends or help>You aren't sure, so many are acting against him>No, just too much is stacked against him>Other, write inQM: Not agreeing was the right choice. Hampton appreciates loyalty and upholding your own values and duties.
>>5942509>YesJust yes.>Not agreeing was the right choice. Hampton appreciates loyalty and upholding your own values and duties.Knew it, the more I thought about it the more that it seemed so.
>>5942509>Yes, undoubtedly
>>5942509>>Yes, undoubtedly
>>5942509>Yes, with or without any friends or helpBut he will do better with the support of others, as seen when working together with Tarren Mill.
>>5942509>Yes, undoubtedly"He can succeed, he has guided Alterac well so far and will keep doing so. But more allies and friends, can certainly help him in his endeavor.""But... i would keep an eye on some of his enemies, like his brother Aiden. It will not be a easy confrontation when it will happen. And also on one of his allies Lord Blackmoore, Alric and him couldn't be more different from each other and yet they still work together for now."
"Yes, undoubtedly. He has friends who will help him and are loyal to him. Those who stand against him will not succeed." You told Hampton and stood up from the chair."It will be a mountain to conquer." He replied."Alterac is in the middle of mountains, familiar territory." You told him and continued. "Thank you for the tea."You understood his reasoning why he asked you to spy on Alric, but you wouldn't do it. You were loyal to him, serving him has been the best thing that has ever happened to you.The tea was left untouched on the table.>1d10>Best of threeQM: Weather
Rolled 9 (1d10)>>5943019Raining.....demons?
Rolled 3 (1d10)>>5943019
Rolled 5 (1d10)>>5943019rolling fo a sunny day
>>5943020roll enough 1s for Archimonde strolling up and walking his pet pitlordin b4 he destroys Dalaran on our watch
>9You are Prince Alric Perenolde, it has been two days since your wrestling match with Malevus and how you are now, you would want to be like this forever.Burying your face into the nape of Jan's neck, the scent of her hair and body felt mesmerising. The faint traces of last night's activities joined the mix and made you feel alive and wanting for more. Embracing her body got a small reaction out of her as you planted kisses on her neck and back before carefully rolling out of your bed and standing up.Since the feast the two of you haven't bothered to spend the nights in her room, while it was a bit dangerous what if people find out, her coming to your bed had been so much more comfortable to the both of you. Being able to wake up next to her felt great.Though now you had another thing in your mind, you didn't hear the sound of the rain outside. Instead faint rays of the sun entered your room through the window. And when you walked to see the view, you got the confirmation of what you thought had happened.The rain had stopped."Hey Jan, it isn't raining anymore." You said to her.She just mumbled something back to you, forcing you to turn around and face her properly."Jandice, the rain has stopped. The sun is out there." You said to her again."I heard it…" She mumbled back this time and opened her eyes. "Nice view.""Yeah, it was. Great to see the sun for the first time in a long time." You said back to her."No… I mean you're standing there like that." She mumbled back, you were standing hands on your hips all naked. Of course she would enjoy that view. "Come back to bed."You smiled at her and did as told. Pressing your body next to hers, she kissed you and held your hands. You started to feel the passion igniting inside you again."If it isn't raining anymore, then I am planning on leaving tomorrow morning. I have a long ride ahead after all." Jan told you. You had been waiting for this to happen and to put an end to this… at least for now."Yeah I can't exactly force you to stay here." You replied back to her."Al… we need to talk about us, about our thing…" She said to you and gave you a sly smile. "But not now… later in the evening… now I just want you.""Ohh, what's the reason this time?" You replied and asked, feigning ignorance."How often do you see a handsome man standing so confidently in front of you? A lot less can get a woman to be all hot and bothered." She said with a laugh. "So how about it?"You didn't need to give her an answer, just a kiss was enough.1/2
>>5943191When the two of you finally went downstairs, the time for the breakfast was over. Still there were some leftovers and Jandice informed Monica about her leaving tomorrow.With the last full day of Jandice staying in Tarren Mill, you made the executive decision to punt all paperwork and official things for tomorrow instead. Today you would be spending the full day with her and as much lounging in the bed with her even longer would have been fun, it wasn't a real option. Sleeping this long had already been slightly questionable.But you had some ideas that weren't as conspicuous, but something fun and yet constructive and useful.>Visit the church, Mayor Fowley and be seen by the citizens. Later eat a dinner with her. Have the Alteraci-Barov diplomatic relationship to be seen by all.>Go riding with her and find a secluded spot in the woods to practise magic in. Show what you can do without a fear of setting the hotel on fire.>Lounging in the bed with her is a real option. Stay close to her and savour her presence.>Other, write inQM: Blessed be the sun! This is the end of weather rolls for a moment or two.
>>5943194>>Go riding with her and find a secluded spot in the woods to practise magic in. Show what you can do without a fear of setting the hotel on fire.I want to get as much out of having an archmage around as possible. We have done enough politics already.
>>5943194>>Go riding with her and find a secluded spot in the woods to practise magic in. Show what you can do without a fear of setting the hotel on fire.
>>5943194>Go riding with her and find a secluded spot in the woods to practise magic in. Show what you can do without a fear of setting the hotel on fire.A few elemental tips perhaps.
You had told your idea to Jandice, the two of you could go out riding and find a secluded enough spot away from farmers or others to practise magic without being disturbed by anyone. She had found the idea rather pleasing and had left to prepare herself for the riding trip while you stayed downstairs waiting for her."Is that a smart idea?" Malevus asked you. Since the wrestling the two of you hadn't talked that much, but you knew that at some point the two of you would have to go through plenty of things. "I mean going out there alone.""I'm not alone and besides she is an archmage." You told her. "Probably the safest place in all Tarren Mill is being next to her.""At least take the knights with you?" Malevus suggested next."I would prefer to not have any witnesses. Less people know about the magic the better." You replied.Malevus shrugged. She knew that you wouldn't change your mind."Then I will make my leave, there are still patients needing my help." She said to you."Your work is important, remember that." You said and gave her a smile."I will, I will." She replied with a smile before leaving.Now though, you need to get prepared as well. Thankfully that wouldn't take long.…You met Jandice at the stables as you were getting Epona, your horse, ready for the ride. You could feel that having been cooped up inside had made her a bit restless too, so getting a chance to go out there and ride would be good for her as well."Are you ready Lady Jandice?" You asked and maintained the decorum when around others."I am Prince Alric, you are looking ready as well." She replied.You had your normal clothes with you and just in case of something happening, you had the Robe of Obfuscation on your shoulders.Jandice meanwhile was wearing her practical outfit. Knee tall riding boots, trousers done in vertical stripes of both Barov and Dalaran purple, a black shirt with long sleeves. A purple vest half open, revealing the shirt underneath it and the robe of a Dalaran archmage over her shoulders. She even had her fencing sword by her side. You gave her an approving look and nodded."Then let's get going."…The ground was still wet and the paths and trails were muddy, but when you got into the forest north of Tarren Mill, the forest floor was pleasantly solid.Riding through the forest past several logging sites, you told Jandice about how you had fought against the bandits of Redhill in this forest and saved the town. How Redhill and his men had been the first glimpse of how the Syndicate acts. The reason you told her all this was because their camp was the secluded location in your mind. It was far enough from the town and farmers and the burned down remains of the camp should be a clear enough area to practise magic in.1/2
>>5943323And when you reached the camp, you found it in rather bad shape which was all fine. You had burned down the huts and the palisade had half collapsed in the fire. Just charred remains stayed and were slowly being recaptured by nature. Though there were signs of an old campfire. Probably hunters or lone poacher or two had stayed here."Here we are." You said to Jan as you helped her off the horse."So this is the place where you made your name." She replied and looked around. "Looks awfully dull.""It was way less dull back then. I had my old armour and sword. Barely a man leading a bunch of men against bandits." You told her and continued. "By the Light I was foolish. I charged the hill up alone and fought outnumbered against them.""Doesn't sound that much different to the Al I know." Jan replied and rubbed your shoulder."Well I was barely a man back then, but now I am a man." You replied and puffed out your chest."Oh I know you are a man alright." Jan said with a playful tone. "But I would like to see what this man can do now that we aren't in danger of burning the hotel down. Maybe light a fire, or do you have anything else in mind?"Alright that sounds doable, maybe you could show that and try to create as big of a fire as possible. Or maybe you could get creative and try something else? Or maybe you should think outside the box?>Build a campfire and prepare to light it. This is something you should be able to do without much issues.>Try to launch or throw a ball of fire. Just like Jandice did with her Arcane Missiles.>Attempt to create a fire and then explode it outwards away from you.>Cinder Sword was supposed to ignite when taken out of scabbard. Try to accomplish that.>Other, write in.QM: Will you do something you know or try something new?
>>5943325>Build a campfire and prepare to light it. This is something you should be able to do without much issues.>Cinder Sword was supposed to ignite when taken out of scabbard. Try to accomplish that.Can we do these two?
>>5943325>>Build a campfire and prepare to light it. This is something you should be able to do without much issues.>Cinder Sword was supposed to ignite when taken out of scabbard. Try to accomplish that.If we can do these two together that would be great, if not just Cinder Sword.
>>5943325>Build a campfire and prepare to light it. This is something you should be able to do without much issues.>Cinder Sword was supposed to ignite when taken out of scabbard. Try to accomplish that.Support - both of these are perfectly camouflaged that don't give away the status of Alric's magic ability.
>>5943458You can attempt to do one after another.
>>5943756supporting then
>>5943325>Other, write inThis is the time to try things outside the box. Try to swing the cinder sword and shoot off a wave of fire. Try to heat up a side arm we stick in the ground or jandices sword so an enemy would have to drop it. Armor would work too or just some random metal left behind. Make more of a flashing fire that could blind. Make the cinder sword get even hotter.
"I have a couple ideas, but first let's make a small campfire." You told her and put on your gloves."You are going to light them up?" Jan asked you."Yep, like you said, no fear of burning the hotel down." You replied and went to pick up half burned planks and other wooden bits from the ground.The rain had soaked them wet, but you knew that you could light them on fire. It might be just a tad more difficult than with dry firewood, but still doable.Having collected a reasonable pile of wood in the ring of stones that made the campfire with Jan helping you, you arranged them in a way that makes burning them an easier task. Now just to light it up."Remember what we have been training, precise control of your mana and arcane is important." Jan told you and took a step back giving you space.She was right. Arcane writing requires a lot of fine control and a very steady mind, the same things that apply when you are attempting to form a fire in your hand or set something on fire. Studies and magic like that were the foundation to build upon further studies and magic.Though how big of a fire was your goal? You could just light it up and be done with it or you could try to create as big of a fire as possible. You could also use this as an opportunity to burn some Fel away and to give your spell more power.>Small fire, just precise enough to set the wood on fire.>Average fire, try to engulf the wood in flames in one go.>Large fire, try to create as big a fire as possible to see what your limits are currently.Use Fel:>Yes>NoQM: We will start with creating the fire
>>5943839>Large fire, try to create as big a fire as possible to see what your limits are currently.>YesEither this or a small fire with no Fel.
>>5943839>Small fire, just precise enough to set the wood on fire.>No
>>5943839>>Average fire, try to engulf the wood in flames in one go.>No
>>5943930>>5943839>Support
For the sake of trying to get one more update out today, let's go in the middle. A small to average fire with no Fel. Could Alric have some rolls?>3d10, Best of four>DC 12, Crit 20
Rolled 6, 6, 5 = 17 (3d10)>>5944013
Rolled 5, 3, 7 = 15 (3d10)>>5944013The fire rises?
Rolled 7, 9, 10 = 26 (3d10)>>5944013
Rolled 2, 6, 9 = 17 (3d10)>>5944013
>>5944117Giga Chad's Alric
>>5944139
>26, Crit Success!It was just like before, you needed to will the fire into existence. Imagine it appearing in the midst of the planks and wood, igniting them all in one go.Drawing from within you, you felt the scorching inferno of the mana given to you by Lady Nalice, but you wouldn't need that now. Instead you drew out your own mana, the slight amount you had that had been growing slowly, but steadily. Feeling it run through your body into your right arm and finally into your hand, you were ready.That pile of wood would ignite. It was a certainty.With a snap of your fingers, a fire appeared amidst the planks. For a brief moment there was a tint of Fel green in the fire, before it disappeared as the fire spread, its flames licking upwards while the liquid-like fire dripped down, burning and sizzling on the wet wood. You watched how the fire spread from plank to plank, from wood to wood, until the campfire was fully lit."Marvellous." Jan said as she watched this happen. "It is fascinating how much you have learned in such a short period of time.""I have had good teachers." You said back to her and smiled.Taking a couple deep breaths, you steadied yourself. That had been a bit taxing, but not too much. You could maybe do that two or three more times before needing to rest. While that didn't sound like much, it was progress. Definite progress over where you were a couple months ago."Can you do anything about that fire?" Jan asked you."I'm not sure? I can create fire, but that's it? Maybe?" You said and shrugged as you watched the flames. The fire had started to burn normally, the liquid fire you had created had done its job and quite literally burned away. Now just faint hiss accompanied you as the water in the planks boiled away."Try controlling it, shaping it. That is something the Elementalists learn to do." Jan told you."Do you know anything about it?" You asked her."Very little, I brushed past those subjects and concentrated on the illusions instead." She replied and seemed thoughtful. "But they always spoke how you need to feel the element before you can control it.""Feeling it?""Yeah, sensing its presence." Jan told you.That sounded difficult. You didn't even know how to really even sense magic in the first place and now you would need to sense the fire? Well, it was quite hot and you could feel the warmth it radiated, but that surely wouldn't be enough?"I don't know, it sounds difficult." You said back to her."Try it, I have a feeling you could succeed." Jan said back to you.Just how would you even approach this?>Your own fire doesn't burn you, try to feel the flames with your hand.>Similarly to creating a fire, you just need to will the fire to obey your commands. Try to shape it or make it burn harder.>If you can create fire, you should be able to extinguish fire as well. Snap it away.>Other, write in.QM: Crit brought you this option. A Crit in the right place.
>>5944149>Your own fire doesn't burn you, try to feel the flames with your hand.To get a feel then>Similarly to creating a fire, you just need to will the fire to obey your commands. Try to shape it or make it burn harder.Though I am thinking about Alric listening to his intrusive thoughts and walking into the fire to stand on it.
>>5944152>>5944149>support>Focus on the fire inside yourself that burns for alterac to be whole once more and its people revitalized.
>>5944149>>5944531supportcultivate that fire within.
>>5944149>Other, write in.>talk to the fire
Intrusive thoughts, talking and walking into the fire. Alric has gone mad! Rolls please!>3d10, Best of three>DC 14, 20, Crit 24
Rolled 2, 4, 2 = 8 (3d10)>>5944671
Rolled 3, 6, 3 = 12 (3d10)>>5944671Worry!
Rolled 7, 7, 8 = 22 (3d10)>>5944671
>22, Success!Again it was just a matter of your will and concentration. Having a feel of the fire should be possible for you.Kneeling next to the fire, you felt the warmth it radiated and slowly extended your hand towards it, you tried to sense the fire, feel what it was."It's warm." You muttered to yourself. "Let's see if this works."Jan watched you curiously as you moved your hand closer and closer, but just as the flames were going to lick your fingers, you quickly pulled your hand back."Well that ain't working, who would have known that fire is hot." You said aloud. "Al, what were you even trying to accomplish?" Jan asked you bewildered about all this."The fire I create doesn't burn me, I was thinking if this wouldn't hurt me either as I made the wood burn in the first place. But I think that now normal fire burns me just like before." You told her and continued. "Time to try something else then."Going down on your both knees, you closed your eyes and rested your hands on your legs. This was just a matter of concentration, your own will. You just need to think about the inherent nature of fire and flame and feel it in the world around you. Thankfully you had a perfect example of it inside you.The mana given to you by Lady Nalice. The churning whirlwind of fire inside you had grown restless. The sea of fire cascading, a great maelstrom of destruction warming you from inside. You had now grown to live with this feeling, it didn't bother you anymore. In fact you found it soothing. It kept you warm and gave you strength.Concentrating on that, you tried to feel similar things around you. The fire, the thing that burns everything away, the potent force that is difficult to control if let loose. At first you could only concentrate on what was inside you, but then you felt something. The warmth of the campfire felt brighter. Not stronger, but brighter. You could feel it, the inherent nature of fire. The same thing you try to evoke when lighting candles or fireplaces.There it was, you could see the campfire in your mind, how the flames licked the now nearly completely burned planks. Everything else was just darkness, but the flames and fire, they were like the sun.Smiling faintly you knew that you had accomplished what you had wanted. Now you just need to attempt to control the fire, to shape it and have it bend to your will.That would be easier said than done, you need to use a sliver of your mana to do it, but this was something new. You were stepping into the unknown and you weren't sure if you would succeed. But you had the feeling that if you were to use the Fel, you would succeed. It would give you the necessary power to control the fire.>3d10, Best of four>DC 14, 22, Crit 26Use Fel:>Yes>NoQM: Alric didn't burn his hand.
Rolled 9, 4, 3 = 16 (3d10)>>5944796>YesProbably not gonna win but I don't see the harm, unless we somehow roll great again.
Rolled 8, 10, 10 = 28 (3d10)>>5944796>no
>>5944823Just like that! Damn bro...
Rolled 5, 4, 2 = 11 (3d10)>>5944796>>No
Rolled 8, 9, 3 = 20 (3d10)>>5944796>no
>>5944823Fuck me! The fire rises! All the bad happenings are followed by Alric being a badass. Jandice is probably feeling rather hot right now.
>>5944671Hey come on now it works fine for shamans
>>5944796>no>>5944823Giga chad is a go
It's time.
>28, Crit Success!Having the feeling of the fire fresh in your mind, you opened your eyes and watched the campfire in front of you. The fire crackled, the still slightly damp planks hissed under the heat.You had a good feeling about this, a very good feeling.Pushing yourself up, you took several steps back while still staring at the fire."You should move back." You said to Jan."Why? The fire isn't that big?" She said back to you.Oh she would be wrong about that.Pointing your open hand at the fire, you spread your legs a bit, just like if you were prepared to draw your sword. Then you started to concentrate yet again.You remember reading that the first human mages dealt a crucial and crushing defeat to the trolls in Alterac by summoning a large firestorm and raining fire from the skies. You wouldn't go that far, but you channelled that idea into your mind. Your mana flowed through your body, the churning inferno inside you raged on, threatening to burn everything around it. The flames of the fire in front of you burned bright like the sun, you had the right feeling inside you.Destruction and desolation!You closed your hand in a fist, like in an attempt to catch the fire in front of you.Scorching flesh off bones!The air around you surged past you, the hems of your jacket fluttered as did your chaperon. A faint howl could be heard as the fire ate the air around it and grew stronger.Cleanse the world in purifying flames!Quickly raising your arm up and opening it, you pulled the flames out of the campfire into a pillar of flames twice your height. The fire spiralled upwards while droplets of it splattered by your feet. You could feel the intense radiation of the heat on your face and you couldn't do anything else but grin maniacally.The pillar of fire burned bright and hot, scorching the ground around it and throwing embers high in the sky. You could feel it inside you, the maelstrom of fire raging in unison with the pillar in front of you.And then you breathed out and the pillar collapsed and disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, leaving only faint traces of soot and charcoal behind it. What remained of the campfire was gone, some of the rocks placed in a circle had cracked in the heat.And then you lost your balance and fell straight on your back on the ground, arms wide by your side."Alric!" Jan shouted and rushed by your side, but before she got to you, you did something that stopped her.You started to laugh.Punching the air wildly and laughing, you had two thoughts in your mind. First was that you had succeeded way beyond your expectations and the second was that…1/2
>>5945039"I feel alive! By the Light I feel alive!" You shouted and laughed. You had the same feeling that you had when you fought the assassins, but stronger.You felt alive, you felt invincible.The fire inside you burned, you could feel it, you could sense its power. It felt safe, it felt natural to you, it was part of you.All these weeks of lighting up candles and the exhausting training Lady Nalice put you through had led into this moment. She had given you the strength, lended you the fire and power within you. And now all these days practising with Jan has given you the control, the precision required for magic like this.You kept laughing."Alric, is everything alright?" Jan asked as she kneeled next to you. You could see the concern on her face.Though you didn't let that stop you as you took hold of her shoulders. Jan yelped as you pulled her closer to you before kissing her deeply. After a moment of surprise, she responded in kind."A-Al? What is going on?" Jan replied when you let go of her. She was all flustered from your sudden kiss.You smiled at her, never have you felt like this.>You feel alive, you have never felt anything like this. You feel invincible, there is no battle you couldn't survive.>You are fine, just all these weeks have been a struggle and finally you succeed in a way that you couldn't predict.>There is nothing wrong with you, just the surge of mana and arcane through you.>I love you too.>Other, write in.QM: Alric skipped way ahead the planned schedule of his magic training. Socials and Stats pastebin will be updated shortly.
>>5945040>I love you too.
>>5945040>You are fine, just all these weeks have been a struggle and finally you succeed in a way that you couldn't predict.Finally! A great success in magic!>>5945045No.
>>5945039>And then you lost your balance and fell straight on your back on the ground, arms wide by your side.Yep thats what I expected. But for first time doing this pillar of fire and with Alric still slowly healing ? Damn good this should be also a good sign for his health. >>5945040>You feel alive, you have never felt anything like this. You feel invincible, there is no battle you couldn't survive.We feel great and got a great success jandice ! Not that what we did before wasn't a success, but this is even better !Has a side note we should start reading books about fire, not just magical ones for get a deeper understanding of it. We have no small amount of stuff to read for being honest or train for that matter (like taking back martial or physical). Even more reasons for get that town hall up and running when we can (cuts time looking at too many administrative papers).....
>>5945040>>You are fine, just all these weeks have been a struggle and finally you succeed in a way that you couldn't predict.
>>5945095>>5945040>Support Qm are we getting better now? Aka less crippled?
>>5945040>You feel alive, you have never felt anything like this. You feel invincible, there is no battle you couldn't survive.
>>5945167We are getting better slowly, but steadily. You can walk without the cane, but that tires you quickly. Issue is the lack of endurance, short bursts of activities are fine like we saw in the fight, but anything longer will make your legs feel like logs and sap your breath.Alric just needs to exercise and do things to get back where he was previously. Unironically all the nights spent with Jandice have helped you a bit.With magic you just have so little your own mana that it puts a limit to how much you can cast without dipping into the mana given to you by Lady Nalice or using the Fel inside you. That too increases with time and practise. Do note that your mana and endurance are two different things. Alric might feel spent now after spending his mana, but his legs feel all fine. A short break and he is up and walking again.
>>5945040>>You are fine, just all these weeks have been a struggle and finally you succeed in a way that you couldn't predict.Frustration and tedium combined with diligent study and excellent mentors pay off. Surely Alric will responsibly use his powers? Surely?!Looking forward to him summoning some sort of fire lance 10 metres long when we fences with a sword.. If he still has the strength do so.
You seem to be fine and feeling alive. Update will come later, but this is a good spot to have a roll unrelated to this.>1d100>Best of three
Rolled 83 (1d100)>>5945606Socials and Stats pastebin updated yet?
Rolled 24 (1d100)>>5945606If i roll a 10 on one of the weather rolls can i have an a raining imp atleast just one?
>>5945608It is updated. Mostly just stuff about magic. The letters you sent haven't yet reached all their recipients.>>5945610No promises. And no, this is not a weather roll.
Rolled 35 (1d100)>>5945606
"I feel alive Jan." You replied and continued. "It is just that after all these weeks, after all this struggle I have had to go through, finally I succeeded."You let go of her and took off your glasses to rub your eyes. You were still smiling wildly as you stared at the sky and then looked into Jan's eyes."This is an incredible feeling, just fantastic." You said to her. "I feel like I could succeed in anything.""But are you alright?" Jan asked as a faint smile appeared on her face."My fingers are tingling, I feel tired as hell, I am really spent." You told her and continued. "Yet I have never felt better."Jan rolled her eyes at your response as you put your glasses back on."Now help me up, I think my legs are all fine… that just took so much out of me." You said.With her help, you pushed yourself up and before Jan could react, you hugged and kissed her."Thank you Jan… thank you for teaching me and for being here for me." You told her."I'm not that good of a teacher…" She replied and was a bit more flustered. "But seeing you succeed makes me happy. And besides what I saw was more than impressive, it was incredible."You saw it in her eyes, the admiration and happiness. She was really proud of you. Releasing your hug, she brushed her hair with her hand and seemed to think about saying something. You thought interrupted her."We should rebuild the campfire and eat the snacks that I took with us." You said to her. "I asked Monica for some help and she packed something for us.""Not the worst idea." Jan replied to you."Let me go fetch them and the wineskins, could you handle gathering the wood?" You asked.Jan nodded and smiled. You wondered what she was going to say.…Getting a small fire going wasn't difficult as some embers still existed. Making a small pile out of them and carefully feeding more wood to it, a simple small snap was all that it needed for the fire to roar back to life.Though it also meant that you had officially run out of mana and your plans to do some testing with Cinder Sword would have to wait till some other day. But that didn't really bother you, because what you had achieved today was more than incredible. It was a huge step forward and you wished that Lady Nalice could have been here to witness it. You would have a lot to tell her when you see her the next time.1/2
>>5945855The previous visitors to this place had dragged a log from the palisade to act as a bench next to the campfire. Sitting down on it, you and Jan checked what Monica had packed for you. And boy were the snacks splendid. Several types of small cakes and breads, croissants and other pastries. Washing it down with some watered down wine, you started to feel refreshed.And as you ate, you told her about how you had felt during your spell. How all the frustration and struggle seemingly had vanished now. You felt so light, like a heavy rock had fallen off your shoulders."I still can't believe that you are mundane, the progress you have shown tells the opposite." Jan told you."What can I say, I never showed any signs of having an aptitude for magic. Sure my sister is a mage, but one of the other court mages would have noticed something at some point." You said and shrugged. "I have been just working really hard… maybe too hard."Jan gave you a faint smile and rubbed your shoulder."And if you keep up this pace, who knows how good of a mage you will become." She said to you."Thank you for believing in me." You replied."No, thank you for showing me how incredible you are." Jan said and smiled.An awkward silence fell between the two of you. Both of you knew that sooner than later you would need to have this talk."I will leave tomorrow… so we should probably talk about us… about our thing." Jan said to you."Yeah, you are right." You replied.But what exactly, there were so many things to talk about? She had told you she loved you, will you continue being lovers or what? What about the sex you have had each day, has she made sure to not get pregnant? What of Calia? What of the rumours around you? You didn't know where to start.Questions and topics:>Write inQM: No decisions yet, I just want things to talk about with her. To see what Jandice is thinking. I will give this plenty of time, so the next update comes tomorrow evening.
>>5945857What is there to talk about? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Don't ruin a good thing by making it more complicated than it needs to be. I only want to know what she was gonna ask or was it just this same question?
>>5945857>>5945865>What about the sex you have had each day, has she made sure to not get pregnant?Oh yeah, one more thing, what's this contraceptive she's using anyway?
>>5945857Questions and topics:"Hey Jandice, can you split into three, I have a wicked idea.."I think it's clear Alric has feelings of very deep appreciation. I don't know if we should let it escalate past a romantic crush even if we're also creating agreements between kingdom and noble holdings with Jandice representing her family but there would be some consideration.What about her side, would her father even let her pursue this relationship further?
>>5945857All im thinking about is if she wants to move this on to a more serious relationship, and if she will be fine if we step it down, in order to get back to Calia
>>5945966I'd rather we keep things simple and fun rather than escalating it. What would even be the point of pursuing it further? Use the deeper commitment to further our own goals? That's way too cutthroat for Alric in my opinion.>>5946115I don't wanna put it like that and even if she said yes to the latter question I don't think it will be that painless. There's just too many ways that this can get out of hand, Jandice is for rest and relaxation plus magic tricks and not drama.
>>5946115I don't think we want calia. That only won the vote cause anons thought that was what alric wanted as a character because of dm descriptions. And later we found out that that was the case and the qm just described her that way to hype her character up not as a definitive view of Alric. I think most anons are either jandice, Onyxia or malevus.
>>5946190I do want Calia most of all, with Nalice in second place.>That only won the vote cause anons thought that was what alric wanted as a character because of dm descriptions. And later we found out that that was the case and the qm just described her that way to hype her character up not as a definitive view of Alric.Pretty sure I also argued about this with you before. If not you, then some other anon who said the exact same thing. IIRC what I said in response was that she was a pretty girl who showed interest in Alric and anons chose to reciprocate and see where things would go, there was no misunderstanding.
>>5945857>Write inJan wrote that she loved Alric. He hasn't returned it vocally. They both made the agreement, and its one shes offered in the first place, so shes obviously hesitant to ask for more. More shes capable and intelligent, she knows its a weighty matter on how much more. I still recall her recollection of the near poisoning of Durnholde and how death, loss, had seemed to have a real impact. A fear to lose what she has, what they have weighed against more of a good thing, weighed against what else might be lost like her favor with her family which translates into a lot of making deals, and maybe losing her favor with Dalaran which might already not be great because they didn't tell her about the whole Syndicate thing before Alric did.Concern for Alric's condition that might make her look into other magic.I imagine shes already past the part of 'am I getting too attached' when she wrote she loves him. More and more shes a bit more willing to match with Alric's wants like going to his bed and staying there. Maybe using the rain as more of an excuse to stay longer. People slip up, and rumors pop up even without slipping up. Nobles like her family have spies, as does Dalaran, and merchants love to talk. Alric's rumors also play into that.
>>5945857I am interested in what she was going to tell you as well, so we should probably ask about that. But maybe importantly what she wants, this isnt just Alric we are talking about. Where she is with this relationship.Contraceptives should be asked too, unwanted pregnancy is something I really dont want with her. Maybe then talk about the sex itself. How good it has been etc important lover talk. Like I said before, they seem to like it bit rough, Jandice scratching Alrics back.I agree that we have good thing going and I want to see what the world has to offer so to speak. Keep things as is, maybe try to see each other more often. I want both of them be happy and content.>>5945966Lmao yes, illusion magic needs to be mentioned.>>5946146I agree, Jandice is for relaxation and pleasure, with plenty of action outside the bed. I think she can keep up with Alric.>>5946375Plenty of what you wrote sounds true. Jandice was shocked by the death and loss and might want to hold on whatever good she has.
>>5946383She already told us she could handle pregnancies...
>>5946199I remember several of us anons saying yes that anon was correct and it was because of how the qm wrote it. Then she left and got sick and that basically ended the relationship and we stopped writing letters to her and her to us...
>>5946476I remember that, I just would like to know the details. Is it some fancy spell or potion or what? Just my curiosity regarding it and probably put some ease into Alrics mind.
"You were going to say something earlier?" You asked her."Yes… umm… Al you said that you felt alive. So do I, I feel alive when I am with you." She told you and continued. "Being with you makes me happy, makes me forget the monotonous life I normally have."Jan shifted closer to you and placed her arm around your shoulders."I have told you about my life, but this is completely opposite of it. That life is not for me, yet I must live it due to who I am, just like you have your duties, so have I my own." She spoke and continued. "But being with you allows me to escape that life, to have someone that allows me to be a woman, to forget everything else and just enjoy living one day at the time.""I love this, I love this feeling. Al I am blessed to have met you, because you make me feel alive." She continued. "That is why I love you, you are more than what I could have ever imagined you to be."She looked at the fire as it crackled and threw embers up in the air. You returned her hug and pulled her bit closer."Whatever happens, there will always be a corner of my heart reserved for you." She said. "Thank you for arriving into my life, thank you for being my sun."Neither of you said anything as Jan rested her head on your shoulder and you leaned your head on hers. You didn't need to say anything, both of you just savoured the moment."Jan, that was beautiful for you to say. I will gladly be your sun, but…" You said and stopped."But you aren't sure how to move forward with me. I understand it, you haven't returned my feelings." Jan told you and smiled. "Besides what can I give you besides my companionship, our sexfriendship?"That word caused both of you to chuckle a bit."I'm not ready to have children, not now, at least not yet." Jan told you and continued. "You need heirs and I can't produce them for you, I'm not ready for it.""And your family wouldn't approve any of this." You said."No, father and mother would probably disown me if they learned about this right now. And while I hate them for it, they are still my family." She said."Speaking of children…" You carefully said to her."Don't worry, I won't get pregnant even if we have sex every day and night." She replied."But how, what sort of a spell or potion do you use?" You asked."Milk of a Nightingale, it is this powder mixed with hot water." She told you."I have never heard of it?""A trick used by the courtesans in Dalaran. Not that widespread, but I did pick it up during my younger wilder years." Jan said and laughed."How does it work, does it have any side effects? Because if it makes you sick, I don't…" You started to say, but were interrupted.1/2
>>5946668"Half a teaspoonful every day you have sex, starting three days before the first time and ending three days afterwards." Jan told you. "And it really doesn't have major side effects. A bit of bleeding, light-headedness that goes away fast and tender breasts. Supposedly works on men as well.""Well that doesn't sound that bad, but just say a word and we can have a break if it becomes too much for you." You said to her and felt relieved. The Witches Remedy used by Tari sounded quite awful compared to this."Thank you for your concern Al, but a bit of discomfort is worth being with you." Jan told you and continued. "And the slight tenderness feels good when you touch them."Jan gave you a sly look and smiled."I never expected you to be so eager…" She said to you, taking your hand and placing it on her breast cupping it."And I never expected you to continue digging your nails into my back." You replied and gently squeezed where she had placed your hand. "Amongst other things we have done that you have taught me.""We both like it a bit rough, don't we?" She said and gave you an alluring smile."A bit yeah." You returned said smile. You had learned quite a lot from her.Then the two of you laughed."We are quite hopeless aren't we? A Prince and a Lady in this sexfriendship, where is our perfectly normal and cordial relationship?" Jan asked and laughed."Well do you want that?" You asked back."Hell no, I like it this way a lot more." Her reply was quite adamant."So what next? What will we do next? Are we going to continue as is?" You asked her."I would love that, see each other whenever we can, keep our thing a secret. Continue living our lives normally and then when we meet, let's indulge in our desires to out heart's content." Jan said to you and smiled. "Let's not change something both of us are enjoying a lot.">Continue being lovers. See each other whenever we can and don't change something that doesn't need fixing. Keep things as is.>You want more out of her, this could be deeper than it is now. But how deep, you aren't sure yet. Something more than just lovers.>You need to be careful, one slip up could reveal this for all to see. See her and be with her less often. You can't be full lovers.>Make your relationship official, don't hide something the two of you are enjoying this much. Become a couple.>Other, write inQM: Jandice direction vote. I will give this time till next evening as well.
>>5946670>Continue being lovers. See each other whenever we can and don't change something that doesn't need fixing. Keep things as is.The prompt speaks for itself.
>>5946670>>You need to be careful, one slip up could reveal this for all to see. See her and be with her less often. You can't be full lovers.Just naturally distance.
>>5946670>You need to be careful, one slip up could reveal this for all to see. See her and be with her less often. You can't be full lovers.For both our sakes unfortunately.
>>5946670>Continue being lovers. See each other whenever we can and don't change something that doesn't need fixing. Keep things as is.Just make sure we keep it a secret. Not that it really matters. We have tons of rumors.
>>5946670>>Continue being lovers. See each other whenever we can and don't change something that doesn't need fixing. Keep things as is.As it says on the tin. We just need to keep this a secret and not be bothered by any rumours. When there is a lot of rumours around you, what is to even believe then?And the update was quite sweet, Jandice is a nice girl. Why throw what works away?
Leaning in closer to her, you gave her a kiss that was long and deep. She replied in kind and her hands wandered on your body. Both of you enjoyed this moment, there was something serene about it, until you slowly removed your lips away from hers."Is that good enough for an answer?" You asked her carefully."I guess it is." She replied, her breathing was slightly heavier."You are right, why would we need to change something that both of us enjoy a lot?" You told her and continued. "We can be lovers, let's not deny what both of us want."Jan smiled and you could see it on her face and in her eyes that she was glad.And truth to be told, so were you. Jan was special, an unique individual whom you are lucky to have met."Just we need to be careful not to show our affection to each other in public. I need to be a Prince and you need to be a Lady." You said."Of course Prince Alric, we Barovs have standards to uphold." Jan immediately slipped into her noble persona and laughed before returning back to the Jan you were just kissing. "Rumours will still spread.""Damn those rumours, there's already enough of them going around that I am not sure people will recognise what is real, what is based on reality and what is purely false." You scoffed at the rumours that were already out there."Embracing that rumour of being a lady killer then?" Jan chuckled and continued with a seductive voice. "Well, I won't complain about that."You wouldn't either. Two years ago, hell not even a year ago you wouldn't have believed what all would happen. And you wouldn't believe what you were going to suggest next either."Hey Jan… you can create illusions of yourself right?" You asked her."Yes of course?" She said and had no idea where this was going."Well I have this wicked idea…" You said and gave her a sly grin. It took her a couple moments to realise what you were suggesting."I didn't expect you to be that kinky." Jan replied and a similar sly grin appeared on her face. "Oh I can do that and more… just wait till the evening."She leaned in closer and whispered."Let's make it a night to remember forever."You couldn't say no to that.…Having eaten the snacks and drank the wine, the two of you returned back to Tarren Mill midafternoon.The successful use of magic and having been with Jandice had left you quite beaming with happiness which was something Malevus noticed when you entered Monica’s hotel."Alric, you look… happy?" Malevus asked you. She was sitting by the counter drinking tea."I can tell you the details later, but I made huge progress." You said back and grinned."Progress in what?" Monica asked as she entered from the backroom. She had heard some what you had said."Nothing important." You replied and waved the question away."Well, whatever it is, you do look quite happy." Monica said to you and turned to see as Jandice entered the hotel now. "Lady Barov, did you enjoy the snacks?"1/2
>>5947239"They were splendid Miss Sengutz, thank you for giving them to Prince Alric." Jandice replied with her usual more regal voice."Your ride did seem to be a success then?" Monica asked the two of you. She seemed surprisingly inquisitive now."I showed Lady Jandice the camp and the palisades of those bandits I dealt with two years ago." You replied and continued to spin your tale. "I felt it was good for her to see the early benefits of our cooperation.""I can see why Tarren Mill adores Prince Alric, isn't that right Miss Sengutz?" Jandice asked her."Prince Alric has been good for us." Monica replied. "No one is better than him.""Oh jeez, I am going to start blushing here." You said with a jest and feigned embarrassment, making Monica give you the stop playing around look."Since it is your last day here before you have to leave Lady Barov, shouldn't we celebrate this whole Barov-Alterac-Tarren Mill cooperation?" Monica asked her and you."Are you suggesting a dinner and then copious amounts of alcohol?" You asked and raised your eyebrow a bit."Maybe not copious, but something like that yeah." Monica replied."Doesn't sound like a bad idea." Malevus said and continued. "I think we all could use some relaxation, it's not easy work to tend all the wounded and my shoulders and back feel stiff."Malevus didn't have any idea how much relaxation you and Jandice have had, but she was right. A cosy evening amongst friends did sound like a good idea. But maybe you should just decline, just so that you and Jandice could spend the whole evening together without interruptions.>Politely decline, find an excuse to just retreat into your room and spend the whole evening with Jandice. You don't know when you get to see her the next time.>Invite your knights, add maybe some locals and have one of those usual nights that leaves you suffering from a severe hangover and causes shenanigans to happen. That sounds like a splendid idea.>Maybe just the four of you should have a more private and cosy evening. Food, drink, maybe even the hookah. Let Malevus relax without worries.>Other, write in.QM: Update out earlier than I expected. I will have real life stuff later so I decided to write it now instead. I might be able to do another update way later if there are enough votes when I get back home, but no promises.
>>5947240>Maybe just the four of you should have a more private and cosy evening. Food, drink, maybe even the hookah. Let Malevus relax without worries.This sounds awesome.
>>5947240>Maybe just the four of you should have a more private and cosy evening. Food, drink, maybe even the hookah. Let Malevus relax without worries.
>>5947240>Maybe just the four of you should have a more private and cosy evening. Food, drink, maybe even the hookah. Let Malevus relax without worries.Hey qm I just want to say I love the story and what is going on. But I really enjoy the city building aspect. And that has slowed down a lot due to all the interactions with characters. And I feel like our progress has slowed down to a crawl. I was wondering if we could cut down on the in-between posts. We used to only have 4-6 in-between posts then time jump it's now about 12-20 before time jump. Not really trying to complain. Was just wondering if we could drop the in-between posts back down a bit. I really want to get past the oil stuff so we can start building again. And we've been waiting around 4 or 5 threads now to get this done. It feels like we kinda got bogged down.Just my 2 cents.Excellent quest qm. Thanks for running it.
>>5947240>>Maybe just the four of you should have a more private and cosy evening. Food, drink, maybe even the hookah. Let Malevus relax without worries.
>>5947240>Maybe just the four of you should have a more private and cosy evening. Food, drink, maybe even the hookah. Let Malevus relax without worries.>>5947310i partially agree with this.
>>5947310Ehh, I don't mind it too much, I think the only scene that was superfluous here was that one in which we asked questions to Alric as Malevus. That does make me think, however, of an interlude about a resident of Dawnholme who was in the first migration and has lived through Alric's entire reign so far.
>>5947310I have acknowledged that issue myself as well, hence my attempts to get two updates or more per day to keep things rolling within the Quest and IRL.I think the reason to this is fourfold. First we have rather large amount of named characters in the mix that require interactions. Second there are events going around Alric that either require his attention now or in the future. Combined with first point and we get a living setting, but a setting that slows the progress of time within Quest and IRL.Third I dislike doing timeskips if interactions and events aren't handled as I want to give players options and interactions, even if they are small, to give the idea of the world existing outside of Alric and/or if the events are related to him. Fourth and maybe the most important reason is that, I have this idea of pacing of events and the flow within my writing. I want to be descriptive and avoid skipping things that happen, because to me that breaks the flow. There should be a bridge between one scene and another. For example it wasn't probably necessary to do all the "Alric learns arcane writing updates", but I feel like that helps with the flow and progression of Alric putting in the work. It wasn't just Alric starting something and then he had finished it. There were steps between it. Meanwhile the few days long timeskip till the rain stops happened after all the events I had planned were done. Could I have cut the wrestling and Malevus pov? Sure, but I felt like it needed that bridge between more major scenes and the interaction with Hampton being part of the wider living world and a character moment for Malevus.It's good that you mentioned this as this has bothered me as well a bit, but now that you mentioned it, hopefully I am a bit more conscious about it. And don't worry, things should pick up in pace soon enough.Finally thank you for what you wrote, it makes me happy that people find time to give comments and critiques. And it makes me happy that you enjoy my little Quest.And now let me start writing the update. I got home sooner than expected.>>5947397I will put that in my notes
>>5947447I think the pacing feels right with all these characters around. I really liked the asking questions as Malevus scene as it was quite warm and heartfelt. More Malevus I say. Plus the arcane writing was nice, it had lessons in there. It had Jan writing and confessing her love in there. The pacing seems fine to me Medivh, theres time for building and then theres time for interactions so I don't think theres a need to try and fit everything in at once. Let it cook.>>5947240>Maybe just the four of you should have a more private and cosy evening. Food, drink, maybe even the hookah. Let Malevus relax without worries.
Monica coughed hard as she had made the rookie mistake of inhaling too much on her first try of the hookah."Oh Fel this burns!" She succeeded in saying between the coughs."I did warn you." You replied and took the tube from her and took a long inhale before passing it to Malevus."How do you breath it in so easily?" Monica asked back as she tried to collect herself."Used this a few times, you will get used to it and soon you will feel warm and fuzzy." You said back to her. "Feel all light and relaxed."With the hotel being empty, the rain having kept visitors away, you had reserved the restaurant part of it just for the four of you. Now you have the privacy to just be amongst your closest friends and relax while smoking.Having taken a bath, brushing your hair, shaving the stubble off and dressed in your finer clothes, you had gone downstairs where you had found the others in similar tidy clothes.Jandice had her purple dress which reached her knees, but had chosen to leave the archmage’s robe behind. Monica had chosen to wear her long green dress from the feast a couple days ago and even Malevus had chosen to dress apart. She was wearing a white long dress with a blue sash keeping it around her waist. She had probably made it for herself from the cloth she had received from you. Monica apparently had gotten Malevus to wear it, but you wondered a bit why she had it with her in the first place? Was that the dress she threatened to make you wear? It didn't matter as all three looked absolutely stunning in their dresses.At first due to all four of you having chosen to dress properly, the atmosphere was a bit stuffed. But as the chef brought you the dinner and a couple glasses of wine were downed, everyone seemed to relax a bit. And then you got the idea to have Malevus and Monica fetch the hookah from your room."Miss Sengutz, just inhale carefully." Jandice advised her. She had coughed a bit, but clearly knew how to use a waterpipe."Alright, sure there are three nobles and Monica around this table, but we don't need to be this formal." You told everyone, but mostly to Jandice. "I am already on a first name basis with three of you."That was a lie, but others didn't know it. And no one had realised that you had said three nobles. Malevus was a Lady after all."Of course Prince… Alric." Jandice pretended to catch herself mid mistake. She played her part well."Great, now where were we?" You asked."You asked for more wine." Malevus said and inhaled in. Exhaling, you could see that the Dark Iron shimmerweed already had an effect on her. Her ears were slightly drooping and you could see from her shoulders that she wasn't as stiff as earlier."Yes wine, let's raise a toast for… friends!" You said and raised your glass."To friends!" The others replied in near unison.1/2
>>5947580The four of you had been just laughing for the past few moments. Monica had told stories about funny customers at the inn which had left the four of you unable to stop laughing.Well you were sure that the wine and the hookah did their part in making the stories even funnier. You were quite drunk and high, as was everyone else after all. The hookah was passed around and more wine was poured. Oh this merrymaking was fun, it felt great to see all three of your friends so relaxed and without any worries.Malevus seemed to enjoy hookah the most, she was all relaxed, still trying to keep her poise, but her ears kept betraying her. Monica meanwhile had gotten a bit more used to the hookah, but had chosen to compensate with wine instead. She had drunk nearly as much as you have, but her more slender frame meant that she was the most drunk of all four of you. Jandice meanwhile kept sparing you glances between laughing, drinking and the hookah. If the two others weren't here, you were sure that she would pounce on you immediately and you would have her on this very table.Oh this has been quite fun."I have an idea…" Monica said after having collected herself."Oh what is it?" You said and inhaled before slowly exhaling and passing the tube to Jandice."Let's share secrets or personal preferences amongst us friends." Monica replied. "To learn more about each other, we are friends after all.""Like what?" Malevus asked her and gave her a puzzling look."Like what kind of men you like… have you had a crush… how romantic are you?" Monica explained a bit too enthusiastically. "With whom you would be with?""Oh you mean girl talk." Jandice said to her and got both Malevus and Monica to look at her. "It's been a while for me since the last time."Then all three of them looked at you."Girl talk… I can sit this one out." You replied to them as nonchalantly as you could."No, no. You are going to join us." Jandice said to you. Not you Jandice!"It sounds like fun." Malevus said next as she looked at you and grinned. Malevus you traitor!"It won't hurt you to unravel your persona a bit. Who is this enigmatic Prince and what does he like?" Monica said next. She was supposed to be your friend! "It would be fair to us if we tell our secrets."You sighed deeply and took off your glasses, placing them on the table. You couldn't escape this, not anymore.2/3
>>5947583"I guess I have to participate, it is only fair." You told them. "But first I do need more wine."Malevus passed a full glass to you. She had predicted what you wanted."Alric, this will be fun." Monica said to you and downed her glass. "Let's start and have everyone answer before moving to the next question. Everything we tell each other stays between us as well. Now where would we start?"Oh this would be splendid.Just splendid.Questions you are willing to answer:>What do you do to keep yourself pretty/cute/handsome?>What is bothering you right now?>Tell one thing you like and dislike about the others.>Tell an embarrassing detail or an event about yourself.>What kind of men/women do you like? Preference in their looks, personality.>What do you count as romantic? What would be your dream date scenario?>Have you had a crush? To whom?>Who was your first kiss?>Are there rumours about you? Are they true?>Tell a secret others might not know about you.>Are you in a relationship? What is its status?>With whom would you want to be with? Anyone in the world.>With whom would you want to be with? This room.>How many partners have you had?>What would you want to do with your partner?>Other, write in.QM: Girl talk! Alric's been ambushed! I have been waiting for this event to happen. Alric will answer truthfully when he can and lie if needed to protect his own or other's secrets. Others will do that as well. Don't worry, this is nothing too serious. Choose as many as you want and write in more if you have ideas that fit. Some of those options require further voting come the next update.
>>5947586What do you mean by questions you are willing to answer? Is it like questions we'd like to hear the most? Because I think Alric would be fine with answering any of these except those that namedrop other people.
>>5947612What would Alric be willing to answer in character. Of course this is an opportunity for you my players and for Alric to learn about the others as well.
>>5947612Though if the one being namedropped is Jandice but she gives him a look that says she'd be fine with it then he'd answer that one too.>>5947618Then you have my answer, any question that requires a namedrop though hypotheticals are ok. Are you gonna write the answers for these or will we in a subsequent vote?
>>5947622You are going to get to vote. It wouldn't be that fair to not give you that option. I will try to present a short list of potential options for each question that requires it and of course write in.And to be clear, you are choosing everything I listed in the update?
>>5947632>And to be clear, you are choosing everything I listed in the update?Like I said:Anything that requires a namedrop is a no. (Mainly thinking about Calia here)Hypotheticals are okay.If Jandice shows that she's fine with it then namedropping her is fine.
>>5947586>Truth or dare le play.>I'm not a player I just crush a lot. >Tease malevus tell her you like red heads. Kek>You like girls with magic.
>>5947640Alright good, I now understand you correctly. I can now happily go to sleep.
>>5947646>Craziest story tell them how you said no to Onyxia. >ask malevus if she has a crush back home. If she'd find attractive a gnome or dwarf (more teasing) or humies.>challenge the girls to wrastlin.
>>5947586>What do you do to keep yourself pretty/cute/handsome?>What is bothering you right now?>Tell one thing you like and dislike about the others.>Tell an embarrassing detail or an event about yourself.>What kind of men/women do you like? Preference in their looks, personality.>What do you count as romantic? What would be your dream date scenario?>Tell a secret others might not know about you.>With whom would you want to be with? This room.>What would you want to do with your partner?
>>5947586>All options, answer allThis will be fun
>>5947586>What do you do to keep yourself pretty/cute/handsome?>What is bothering you right now?>Tell one thing you like and dislike about the others.>Tell an embarrassing detail or an event about yourself.>How many partners have you had?
>>5947953Adding to this starting easy and then going for the icebreaker questions before the way more personal ones should be the way. Avoid directly naming names like Calia or Jandice, but make sure to tease Malevus and especially Monica, this was her idea.Going all questions seems like a hoot, I am kinda interested to hear their answers as I enjoy stuff like this. Lighthearted fun and banter with friends.>>5947648Yes gnomes and dwarfs should be mentioned, and the wrestling
“Where could we start?” Monica mused and then got an idea. “What do we do to keep ourselves all pretty and cute?”“I take a bath every couple days and visit the local sau’na.” Malevus said.“Sauna?” Monica asked back.“A steam room, elvish invention.” Malevus replied. “Then I always just brush my hair.”“Bath and not much else.” Jandice spoke next. “My hair doesn’t need much care.”“Not fair, your hair looks great.” Monica said and continued. “I just take baths regularly and brush my hair as well. How about you Alric?”You took a sip of the wine and thought.“Well, I take a bath regularly. Apply some herbs and oils to the water to help with my skin. I shave often, have Tari cut my hair and I brush it daily.” You told them. Tari should tidy your hair when you return back to Dawnholme. “I do take care of my fingernails as well, I have to keep them short due to all the sparring and swordsmanship.”All three just looked at you as you described everything you do to look good. You were putting a lot more effort in this than the others“Prettiest Prince in all Alterac.” Malevus said and chuckled, getting smiles out of Jandice and Monica.“I have to look good, I can’t be all rugged and scruffy can I?” You replied back. “Next question please.”“Alright, what about what is bothering you right now?” Monica said and continued. “I’m worried that the wine from Stormwind is going to run out.”“There are going to be a lot of migrants coming to Dawnholme, I need to figure out the housing for them.” You told them. The Stonemasons should be arriving there any day now. This got Jandice’s attention.“I’m worried about Alric.” Malevus said after a pause, you could see a bit of blush on her cheeks. “The incident and all.”“Thank you for the concern.” You replied to her.“I am your squire after all, it is my duty to be concerned.” She said back.“How about you Jandice?” Monica asked.“Proliferation of magic and magical items.” She said to her and got silence as a response. “I am an archmage and Dalaran is worried about it.”“Jandice has spoken about that to me. It’s a real concern.” You said. “What next?”The questions had been a bit too serious and the four of you passed the hookah around and drank more wine.“Hmmm, what about tell us one thing you like and dislike about the others?” Monica suggested and received glances from all three of you. First a more personal question.1/4
>>5948357“I don’t know much about all of you, so I will just say the positives.” Jandice replied and seemed thoughtful. “Monica, you have built your own business which I appreciate and honour a lot. Malevus, your loyalty towards Alric is admirable and Alric…”Jandice thought for a moment before speaking.“I find your drive a gallant thing. You aren’t allowing anything to stop you.” She told you.“Thank you… I guess it is my turn now.” You said and continued after a bit of thinking. “Jandice, you are really smart and wise, but you defer too much to you family. Why can’t you just decide on your own.”Jandice gave you a questioning look. She did defer a bit too much to her family and not make decisions without her father’s input.“Monica, you are one of my closest friends and I appreciate that you are in my life, but you have the habit of walking in conversations you shouldn’t probably hear about.” You told her. The time when she heard about Eligius the warlock in Tarren Mill came to your mind.“S-sorry…” Monica said back.“And Malevus… hmmm… there is no one more loyal than you are, but by the Light your imagination is way too creative and lewd.” You said to her and laughed.Malevus turned nearly as red as her hair when you said that.“Alric, I hate that I had to wake up so early for our sparring. I am not a morning person.” Malevus replied immediately. “But outside of that… you are the best thing that has happened to me.”“Monica, I value you as a friend, but you can be a bit nosey about things.” Malevus continued. You found that interesting for her to say. “And Jandice… I am jealous of how cute you are.”Now it was your and everyone else’s turn to turn towards Malevus when she said that.“It’s true! She said that she just takes a bath and look at her. That hair, that skin. Unfair.” Malevus continued. You hadn’t seen this side of her before.“I will take that as a compliment.” Jandice replied to her and drank more wine while smiling.“Well to start… Malevus you are an incredibly nice person, but… you are so perfect that I can’t think bad things about you.” Monica said to her. “Jandice, I’m sorry but I don’t know enough about you to say much, but I concur with Malevus, you are really cute.”Her too, well thankfully you weren’t alone with that thoughts. Jandice was really cute.“And Alric… I am glad to have you as my friend, but please could you visit Tarren Mill a bit more often? I hate to see you so rarely.” Monica told you.“No promises, but I might visit here more often with the League and all.” You told her.This question had gotten all four of you talking and warmed up. As the hookah was passed around again, you felt like things were starting to loosen up.“Hmmm, what about an embarrassing event or detail that has happened to you?” Malevus asked you all, this time it was her who asked the next question.2/4
>>5948360“I can start, I got so drunk in Southshore that I threw up on myself not once, but twice.” You said and laughed, the wine had gotten into your head properly. “I made a mess of all of my clothes!”“I remember that… I had to carry you into your bed.” Malevus replied. “I guess for me… I like to sleep naked…”“That’s not embarrassing?” Monica replied to her. Jandice found this all funny.“It isn’t?” Malevus answered.“No it is not.” You said. “What suits you, it's all fine.”“That’s really normal.” Jandice replied and continued. “For me it would be maybe… I did some stuff when I was younger that I kinda regret.”“Like what?” You asked and pushed your luck.“It’s a secret.” Jandice said and gave you a sly smile. Maybe you should inquire her when you are with her alone?“For me… maybe it was the time when I got really drunk when I was young and I was dared to streak through the town during an evening.” Monica told you.You gave a curious look to her, that was quite a risky thing to do.“I was young and stupid.” Monica replied to you. “Well, what kind of women do you like Alric?”“I can answer that.” Malevus replied with a smile. She was quite drunk like all of you. “Alric likes blondes with long hair.”“It’s not my fault that half of my friends are blondes with long hair.” You replied back immediately and got looks from the others. Malevus was a redhead while Monica had auburn hair and Jandice was a brunette.“Still… you have your type.” Malevus said to you.“Ughh I guess… but if I were to say, I like women who are… true to themselves and generally good people.” You told them and continued. “Blonde or not. And what kind of men do you like?”“I like… those who know what they are doing.” Malevus replied carefully back to you.“Adventurous.” Monica said and didn’t elaborate.Jandice thought what she would say for a moment, getting all of you to wait for her answer.“Men who have good hands and know how to please a woman.” Jandice said with a smile and got everyone’s attention. That was you definitely.“Jandice, that’s quite…” Monica started.“Specific? Personal? Oh definitely.” Jandice owned what she had said fully.You laughed and finished your wine before pouring more.“Well Jandice, what do you think is romantic?” You asked her and continued. “What would be your dream date?”“Seeing your partner do things you haven’t expected.” She answered. “And I guess… being there to witness all that. Just the two of you and no one else.”Her answer was quite what had happened earlier today, and well in the previous days during your magic training.“Alright…” Monica said and chose to answer next. “I would love to dance and have dinner with someone… and then maybe…”“Share a bed?” Malevus asked. She was all red when she said that.“Maybe?” Monica said and smirked. “How about you, dreaming about your special one?”“A walk or a ride… just the two of you… while holding hands.” Malevus replied. “And then maybe…”3/4
>>5948363She was as red as her hair and knowing that she hid her face with her hands. “What about you Alric?” Jandice asked and everyone turned to look at you.You inhaled and slowly exhaled as you savoured the taste of the hookah. The questions had gotten all you four rather loose and relaxed, the wine and the shimmerweed had gotten you more than relaxed. You felt like whatever you answered would work. It had been quite fun till this point, gotten all personal and all that.What do you think is romantic, what would be your dream date:>Write inHave you had a crush? To whom:>Monica>Jaina>Calia>Taretha>Jandice>Write inAre there rumours about you? Are they true:>Tell them about the rumours and deny them all>Rumours might have a bit of truth in them, you are surrounded by women after all>What if they are all true, will that change anything?>Other, write inTell a secret others might not know about you.>Write inQM: I chose to split the update in multiple parts because otherwise it would have been too long in one piece. Let’s see what we get here with these votes
>>5948366What do you think is romantic, what would be your dream date:>Agree with Jandice, such a date would be very memorable. Although you will always enjoy intimacy like Malevus and Monica suggested.Have you had a crush? To whom:>Calia>Taretha>But don't mention either of them outloud.Are there rumours about you? Are they true:>Rumours might have a bit of truth in them, you are surrounded by women after all and you can be a lustful scoundrel at times.Tell a secret others might not know about you.>You used to be rather clueless about women.
>>5948366>We have a crush on malevus. When she gets all flustered tease her. >What if they are all true, will that change anything?>Tell them about rebuffing Onyxia. >Truth or dare.>Wrastlin challenge
>>5948380>>5948395Actually yeah rebuffing Katrana is the better secret, I'll change to that one.
>>5948366>Agree with Jandice, such a date would be very memorable. Although you will always enjoy intimacy like Malevus and Monica suggested.>Calia>Taretha>We rebuffed Katrana>You used to be rather clueless about women.
>>5948687Would you be so kind as to support my vote anon? We seem to be of the same mind anyway.
>>5948366>We fight a hard fought battle covering each other's back and take to our tent, exhausted we fall into each others arms and into blissful sleep.>Write inSome mysterious and cloaked elf that rode in through town one night and took shelter in Alric's home. "Something Windrunner.">Write InThe more rumors the better, the more people hear about me the more they might want to come to Alterac. Not much I can do about it, might as well enjoy how eccentric they make me sound.>Write inRebuffed Katrana is pretty good, unless theres something else juicy
Just as I said that the pace would get a bit more quicker, there will be no update today. Absolutely finished and fully knackered from work today. Sorry about that.
>>5948366What do you think is romantic, what would be your dream date:>Bringing a partner back to Alterac city and riding through the valleys of the land - that all the stories Capt. Garside told have built the dreamHave you had a crush? To whom:>Most every girl we meet, but.. (see below point)Tell a secret others might not know about you.>You used to be rather clueless about women. It was only Monica that clued Alric inAre there rumours about you? Are they true:>>5948395>Tell them about rebuffing Onyxia.
>>5948366supporting >>5948380
“I agree with Jandice, such a date would be rather memorable.” You told them and sipped some wine. “But the intimacy, I would always enjoy what Malevus and Monica suggested. Just the two of you and no worries of the world.”The ladies listened to you silently.“But maybe after a hard fought battle we retreat back into my tent and exhausted fall into each other's arms and into blissful sleep?” You continued. “Or I will take you on a ride through Alterac, showing my homeland and its beauties to you.”“I would love that.” Malevus said suddenly. “I want to see Alterac…”“Maybe one day.” You replied and gave her a faint smile. That was something you would love to do, whoever was the person.“Then have you had a crush and to whom?” Monica was inquisitive and leaned a bit forward.“There was someone back in Silvermoon City, but he was of lower class.” Malevus said and you caught what she meant. Someone who wasn’t a noble. “My family did not approve so…”“Nothing came from it.” You said back.“No…” She replied. “You?”“There have been a couple.” You told them and got their attention. “People that make butterflies appear in my stomach.”You were fairly sure Malevus would think one was Calia, maybe she would connect dots to Tari as well, but you weren’t sure.“You aren’t going to name them?” It was Jandice who said that which surprised you somewhat.“No, they have their privacy.” You replied and smiled. “How about you?”“There’s been few, but… Kael’thas stands above others.” Jandice told you. “He has been a favourite of mine…”Kael? Well that surprised you, but you could understand it. He was an elven Prince, a particularly handsome one.“To me… to me it was you Alric.” Monica blurted out and got the attention of Malevus and Jandice. “You saved us from the bandits and you are rather handsome.”“You also gave me my first kiss.” You said back to her and got her to turn to the shade of Malevus' hair. Now everyone looked at you. “It was after an celebration in Dawnholme.”“You remember that?” Monica asked, still quite embarrassed.“Of course, you don’t forget your first kiss.” You said and continued. “How about you?”“It was Johan, one of the local farmhands. We were kinda a thing a long time ago, but he found someone else.” Monica replied back to you.“I am sorry to hear that.” You said back to her.“Don’t worry about it.” Monica replied. “How about you Jandice, Malevus?”“It was one of my fellow students, I was drunk as hell and one thing led to another.” Jandice told her and implied more. “I was a bit of a wild student back then.”You had heard about that from her, bit of a party animal Jandice were once. Now though everyone turned towards Malevus and waited for her response.“Reynah… she was my first kiss…” Malevus told you and continued to be red as her hair.“She?” Monica asked back as all of you noticed her choice of a word.1/3
>>5950014“I had a phase!” Malevus responded and blurted out. “We elves live long so… when people are young, they might test things out.”An awkward silence fell upon you. Though there was nothing wrong with that in your opinion.“Well then…” Monica said and coughed as the hookah passed to her. After collecting herself again, she presented the next question. “What about rumours about you?”“None that I know of.” Malevus replied and shrugged.“Same, I don’t follow rumours.” Jandice told her and looked at you.“Rumours about me might have a bit of truth in them, I am surrounded by women after all and I can be a scoundrel at times.” You replied with a sly smile and continued. “But what if they are all true, will that change anything?”“Not in my opinion.” Jandice said and got an approving nod from Malevus.“I try not to care either, but people think that me and Alric… you know.” Monica said and continued. “It can be a bit annoying.”“Sorry for having a lot of friends who are women.” You replied back to her and laughed. “People have wild imaginations.”It was probably for the better that you didn’t speak about Tari and how all these rumours got started. Or mention Jandice. Malevus of course knew about Tari and Calia, but still better not to speak about them. Jandice did realise that you were avoiding something and spoke next.“Do you have any secrets you would be willing to tell us Alric?” She asked you and took a long inhale of the hookah.“Well… I used to be rather clueless about women.” You said to her and got a curious look from Jandice. “I was rather dense.”“He was dense.” Monica replied and sighed. “Very dense...”“You clued me in!” You said back to her and continued. “And well… Katrana Prestor tried to seduce me, but I rebuffed her.”“Prestor?” Jandice asked and again gave you a curious look.“Yep, her.” You said back and grinned.“Don’t know her.” Monica replied and Malevus shook her head as well.Jandice kept staring at you until a sly smile appeared on her face. She got you and not her.“My secret next? Well… Dalaran has many secrets, but us Barovs? Underneath our mansion in Caer Darrow, there are deep dungeons built by kings of the old.” Jandice told all of you. “Not many know about their existence.”“Spooky…” Malevus replied and thought for a moment. “I am actually a…”Malevus started to say, but stopped mid sentence. Was she going to confess being a noblewoman?“I am… at least a bit… it really wasn’t a phase…” Malevus blurted out finally and hid her face behind her hands again.She had told you that she had avoided getting married and left Silvermoon City to serve Voren’thal the Seer, but was what she now said part of the reason? She hadn’t said anything about that before.“Wow… that’s a.” Monica started to say as she caught what she was implying.“It’s all right.” You said and patted her shoulder as she sat close enough to you.“Thanks… I haven’t told that many people…” Malevus continued.2/3
>>5950016You gave her an assuring smile and passed the hookah to her after taking a long breath in.“You are brave to tell us that.” Monica said to her and continued. “For me maybe… my secret is that… after I kissed Alric, I wished that we could have become a thing.”You smiled when she said that, yeah she had asked you, but you had said no back then. Others didn’t know about it though.“And I said no, sorry.” You replied to her.“It was probably for the best, besides I was just an innkeeper and you are a Prince.” Monica told you and smiled. She seemed content with that nowadays, but back then she had been a bit peeved about it.“Alric said no?” Malevus asked her and raised her eyebrow.“He was very gentlemanly about it, I guess he already had his eyes upon someone else.” Monica said giving you a gentle smile and continued. “But are you in a relationship now, how is it going?”Are you in a relationship? What is its status:>Write inWith whom would you want to be with? Anyone in the world:>Katrana Prestor>Jaina Proudmoore>Lady Nalice>Sylvanas Windrunner>Write in.With whom would you want to be with? This room:>Jandice>Malevus>Monica>You are politely going to decline answering>Other, write inHow many partners have you had:>Write inWhat would you want to do with your partner:>Write inQM: This fucking worksite fuck me. Drains the will of living out of me. Last set of girl talk questions is a go!
>>5950022Are you in a relationship? What is its status:> It's casual and we're both having a lot of fun with it.With whom would you want to be with? Anyone in the world:> Lady Nalice.With whom would you want to be with? This room:> Monica.How many partners have you had:> Either No comment" or "Two"What would you want to do with your partner:> Have a threesome.
>>5950022>no we're a free agent at the moment.>Sylvanas WindrunnerI love you qm you already knew I was gonna vote for this. Kek>Malevus>Jandice>Monica + caveat Politely say Monica too but you felt bad since she definitely wanted more than you could provide due to your station. For how many partners say>not enough but say it in a joking way. You're a red blooded Alteracian after all.>Wrastlin!KekThe goal is to escalate stuff then spin it as kind of a joke and playing into rumors. We're just having fun here after all. No reason to take this stuff to seriously. Inb4 we wake up with 3 girls in our bed.
>>5950022>>5950141Support, but Sylvanas? Ranger-general of Quel'thalas? WC2 has happened and the best known girl of the world is already known:Alexstrasza, imagine riding that, even not knowing dragons have human form. And when Lady Nalice finds out
>>5950022>>5950141>>5950635support.Clearly alric must have a thing for dragons.
>>5950635>>5950642Not bad. I'm incredibly retardedly biased about Sylvanas. This the first time qm has not told me I'm dumb and that I can't vote for her. Soooooo.... anons we can save her...
Monica seemed quite inquisitive as she leaned a bit more forward. You weren’t completely sure if it was just her being that drunk that she had difficulties at sitting straight or if she truly was just that inquisitive. Of the four of you, she was easily the drunkest as both you and Jandice had kept a steady pace and Malevus managed to hide her overall drunkenness even if her drooping ears betrayed her.“Currently, I am not in a relationship.” You replied to her and found your wine glass empty. As you poured more, you gave a quick glance to Jandice and then realised that Malevus was staring at you quite intensively. She didn’t know about you and Calia having broken up, at some point you should show her the letters. “I’m a free agent at the moment, a bachelor. How about you?”“Of course not… I have been too busy with work to think about men.” Monica said and you could make it out that she was lying a bit.“No…” Malevus said and kept looking at you.“In a casual one… we are having so much fun together.” Jandice said and gave a sly smile to Monica. The implication was thick enough to be cut with a knife.You gave Jandice a curious glance as you played your part, but now Malevus and Monica both looked back at her.“He is a really nice guy, you would like him if you ever met him.” Jandice told them and smirked.“I have wondered, would you ever be with a dwarf? Or a gnome?” You asked them.“No, not with someone that much shorter than me.” Malevus said to you. “I need to be able to look at them directly in their eyes.”“Don’t know, not that many of them visit Tarren Mill.” Monica said to you next.“Sure, why not?” Jandice replied and shrugged. “It’s only height.”There was some truth in her words.“I don’t know either, but if they were a nice person then why not?” You told them and shrugged as well.You sighed as the hookah made rounds again. The length of this merrymaking was starting to take a toll on you and the amount of wine you had drunk had made you feel quite buzzed. You were also getting rather hot and you took off your outer robe to not feel as sweaty from all of this.Yet you were having quite a lot of fun with this. Sure this had gotten rather steamy and personal, everyone was very relaxed and quite open about all that was being said. Though you weren’t sure how much more you should be drinking or using the hookah as you were starting to feel the tiredness creep in.>Keep drinking and smoking, let the fun continue!>Stop drinking, but keep using the hookah. You don’t want the relaxation to go away.>It starts to be a bit too much for you for today, call it a day in both smoking and drinking.>Other, write in.QM: Had to split this update in two. A minor vote before I put the last few questions out tomorrow. If you want to keep voting for the previous votes, you can still go ahead. Sorry about this.
>>5950812>It starts to be a bit too much for you for today, call it a day in both smoking and drinking.Keep it level for now, there's a point where you get so fucked up it stops being fun.
>>5950812>Keep drinking and smoking, let the fun continue!Let the fun times roll! Soon enough we'll have recovered and we'll be back to slogging it in the field with our troops. Not like this will happen again soon in the future.>ask Monica if she has a snuff box.
>>5950883>Drink some fucking water too>Make some coffee martinis To keep us awake and the girls.
>>5950812>>Stop drinking, but keep using the hookah. You don’t want the relaxation to go away.
>>5950812>It starts to be a bit too much for you for today, call it a day in both smoking and drinking.
>>5950812>>5950903SupportHampton's face when another bender>>5950775The way we save her is finding this warlock necromancer Kel'Thuzad and luckily Eligius is a warlock made to our loyal spy. The best man to find out. This hopefully shuts down the WC3 fuckery, but its meta and Medivh will have his own plans unroll.
>>5951018You mean the dalaran wizard nalice wanted us to see?
>>5950812>>Keep drinking and smoking, let the fun continue!
>>5950812>Keep drinking and smoking, let the fun continue!>“I don’t know either, but if they were a nice person then why not?” You told them and shrugged as well.Kek. Are there any decent options with dwarves/gnomes? Moira does like a bad boy, I guess.
>>5951031Forgot about that, there was a lot on at the time.Alric's face when learning truth.
No update today due to QM being way too tired to think about writing. It was just one of those days at work where nearly everything that can be ornery, became very ornery. Sorry about the delay.
>>5951580One day I will tell the tale of this job site, but it is not this day. Update is halfway done, so not yet finished. I will have to push it and get it out hopefully to tomorrow.Alric will continue having fun. Merrymaking ho!>>5951383Kel'Thuzad is a respected member of Dalaran, no dark rumours or anything around him.
Pouring more wine into your cup, you smiled to yourself. No need to stop now, this was fun after all. And besides you weren't sure when you could carouse like this the next time."Alright… hypothetically… completely hypothetically…" Monica started to say, but had difficulties at finding the words due to being quite drunk. "Anyone in the world… with whom would you want to be with?"Malevus nearly choked on the hookah when she heard that and Jandice chuckled a bit."Well…" You started and got their attention. Monica was now very inquisitive and you thought that playing with her and others would be fun. "I would like to ride a dragon. Soar through the sky on their back.""B-but that's not…" Monica started to say."You meant? Oh I know, but just Imagine the trust needed for that, the connection between you and the dragon." You said back to her. Maybe one day you could do that, you after all knew a dragon."Romantic…" Malevus replied."Prince Arthas." Jandice said suddenly."What?" You asked back immediately. She was messing with you. Surely."He is tall and handsome. Strong arms and hands to hold you." Jandice said to you while having a sly smile, getting Monica to laugh and nod. "And those eyes that pierce into you.""Jandice is right… I haven't seen him before… but everything I have heard of him makes him…" Monica continued to what Jandice had said."A twat… he is a twat." Malevus interrupted them. She knew what you thought about him and she had seen Arthas. "Good looks or not, but he is an idiot.""Thank you Malevus." You told her. "Though how about you?""Oh me… ummm… no one important…" She started to stammer."Tell us!" Monica encouraged her."No! I won't tell you!" Malevus replied back to her and crossed her arms while fighting against her embarrassment."Booo… spoil sport." Monica said to her and continued. "How about in this room?"Malevus this time nearly choked on her drink and Jandice laughed at the question. "You Monica." Jandice told her with a playful tone in her voice. "You seem so interested in our personal preferences that I might start with you.""W-what me?" Monica stammered back, not having expected this answer."You are quite cute." Malevus told her, she understood what Jandice was doing."It's ummm…" Monica started to say, but couldn't do much else than look at you. "Alric… how about you?""Of course it would be Jandice." You said and grinned, getting their attention."Oh I'm flattered." Jandice replied playfully."And then Malevus." You said and turned towards her."Me!" Malevus nearly shouted. Her reaction was adorable as she couldn't believe what you had just said."And finally you Monica." You said to her and smiled gently."Alric… you are joking…" Monica replied to you.1/4
>>5952785"Am I? Don't I have a reputation and rumours to uphold?" You said to her and tried to keep yourself from laughing. "Would it surprise anyone?""Would fit the rumours." Jandice said and shrugged."How about we make those rumours true?" You said and leaned a bit towards Monica.While it had been Malevus who had tried to turn into colour of her hair, it was Monica who was red as hell now. Seeing her struggle, you couldn't hold back your laugh anymore and you started to laugh. Soon both Jandice and Malevus joined you as the three of you found this situation very funny."It's not funny!" Monica said back."But it is, you started this." Jandice told her after having regained her composure.Monica just let her head fall on the table as she covered it with her hands."We are just having fun here." You said to her. "Don't take it too seriously. And now that we have revealed our partners with whom you would like to be with, what would you do with them?""Alric, behave." Jandice said back to you and chuckled."What? Someone has to take the lead while Monica is incapable." You replied to her and smiled. "What would you do?""Oh I guess I would have them roughly, dig my nails into his skin and push both of us into our limits." She said to you. You could feel your body tingling a bit hearing those words."J-Jandice…" Malevus started to say. "That's…""Intense? Hot?" Jandice asked back with a sly smile. "I was a bit wild student back in the day.""How about you Malevus?" You asked her.I would… well… ummm… I would hold them close and then just…" She started to say, but tried to find escape elsewhere. "Monica, how about you?"She didn't reply. When listening carefully, you could hear a faint snooze."Poor girl has passed out." Jandice said."I guess that's our call to end this evening then." You said to her."Not before you give your answer." Jandice replied."I would wrestle with them, grab them into a hold and stretch them. Malevus can attest how fun that it." You said and laughed."It's not fun…" Malevus said back."Alric… you are a scoundrel." Jandice said to you. "I am not sure who here is more worse, you or our passed out friend."You laughed and pushed yourself up slightly too fast. You were really drunk and felt like you were in heaven thanks to the hookah. Briefly you had to take several deep breaths before managing to get your feet carry you away from the table.Oh this evening had been quite fun, quite memorable evening in the end. Now you would just need to get Monica into her bed. And that would be easier said than done.2/4
>>5952787Both of you were exhausted, fully spent. Bodies sweaty and bearing marks of night spent in wild passion. Sweat gleamed on the candle light as Jan pressed her body on yours. Both of you panted heavily, having just finished with both of you reaching the peak of your passions.It had been incredible, the high from the hookah had made it feel magical. Like a higher connection existed between you and her. And the things both of you had done, no amount of words could describe it all. At one point there even had been three Jan's! She had done what you had suggested!Neither of you needed to say any words. Your faint smile was enough to tell her everything. Both of you would miss this, so you had to get as much as possible out of this night.Jan gave you a kiss, her lips tasted of sex and passion. Want and desire. As your hands reached for her buttocks, you both felt something stir. She gave you a questioning look and a smile.One more round wouldn't hurt either of you.…Last night was amazing.Somehow you remember every detail and you would savour said memories forever.But that would have to wait till a later date, because you were now seeing Jandice off and you had an headache that could kill an ogre."I told you to drink water." Malevus said to you. She looked like a wraith, colour having drained away from her face and hair half brushed."Says the walking apparition." You said back to her.You wondered how much she did remember from all the carousing. It had required all three of you to get Monica into her bed and then you and Jandice had helped Malevus into her room as well. It had been fun, but now of the four of you Monica was still sleeping, two of you were half dead and only Jandice seemed fresh. Well as fresh as she can be."Prince Alric, Lady Malevus." Jandice said to the both of you. She had chosen to wear more rugged travel clothes as the ride would be a quite long one. "Last evening was a lot of fun and while our hostess is unable to be here, please thank her for the hospitality.""I will make sure she hears that." You said back."I would like to thank you for your hospitality as well Prince Alric, you didn't need to, but you made sure that there wasn't a bored moment during my visit here."You chose to reply with a gentle nod."And Lady Malevus, as we learned last evening, Prince Alric is quite a scoundrel and an adventuring soul. So please make sure that he won't do anything stupid." Jandice said and chuckled. There was a faint of affection in her voice."I-I will Lady Barov." Malevus said and bowed."Good, then I will be off. I don't know when we see the next time, so I hope everything goes well with you and your endeavours." Jandice said as she climbed on her horse with your help."And I wish everything good for you as well Lady Jandice, farewell and safe travels." You said back to her."Farewell Prince Alric." Jandice said and smiled.3/4
>>5952788Watching as your lover turned away and started to ride away from you, did sting a bit. You would miss her a lot while she was away."What now?" Malevus asked. She looked quite dreadful.Yes. What now?>Go wake up Monica and get her up and through the hangover. She might have been too eager yesterday, but she is your friend who needs help right now.>Malevus looks just awful. Be a kind Prince and brush her hair while having small talk. Tease her of last evening.>You are just going to rest and stay in your room. You need time to think about everything and maybe then you could practise some magic.>Other, write in.QM: Last of the social updates, finally out after couple days of work based shenanigans. If you have anything small for Alric to think or mention, now would be a good time.
>>5952789>You are just going to rest and stay in your room. You need time to think about everything and maybe then you could practise some magic.
>>5952789>>You are just going to rest and stay in your room. You need time to think about everything and maybe then you could practise some magic.Alrics life has changed alot in the past few months. Magic, incident, Jandice, oil, being surrounded by women. I think he should reflect on that and get things on a steady course.The drunkening was quite fun even if your work slowed things down. Alric would like to ride a dragon, or would it be in reverse?
>>5952789>Malevus looks just awful. Be a kind Prince and brush her hair while having small talk. Tease her of last evening.Threaten another wrestle if we have to and share our own news about becoming a proper fire mage
>>5952789>>Malevus looks just awful. Be a kind Prince and brush her hair while having small talk. Tease her of last evening.
Malevus had groaned when you had told her your idea. After eating the second breakfast, you would take a bath and then she would take a bath. Having that done, she would join you in your room and you would brush her hair. The idea of you brushing her hair had gotten her blush a bit, but in the end she had relented.So now you were slowly going through the mess that was her hair."It's starting to look better." You said as you ran the brush you had gotten from Tari as a gift through her hair."You really don't need to do this." Malevus grumbled."Pish posh, I will do this because you are my favourite squire.""I am your only squire, besides it's not proper.""Says the one who seemed hopelessly romantic last night." You quipped back. "And who revealed that they had a 'phase' or well a type.""A-Alric!" Malevus said back to you."I am just saying, you revealed a lot about you my dear squire." You said back to her before laughing. You knew she was embarrassed. "Though it doesn't matter one bit to me. As long as you do your duty, however you fancy things is irrelevant.""It… it was just a phase, a stupid thing to do while young." Malevus replied as you continued brushing the hair."To your kin, you are still plenty young." You replied. "Besides, it didn't sound like that."Malevus sighed deeply."Reynah was nice, she saw me just as Malevus and not as Lady Silverthread. I didn't have to pretend to have a stick up my ass with her around." Malevus said to you. Whoever this Reynah was, she had seemed to give her an escape from her family. Bit like what you were doing right now for her by allowing her to serve you and chase her dreams."She sounds like a good person." You said back to her."She is…" Malevus replied and changed the subject. "You said that your magic training went well?""Yes, yes I did." You replied back to her and instantly felt lighter. What a great success it had been. "I have learned to control and create fire. Still plenty to learn, but I could say that I am a fire mage now.""That's so cool." Malevus said to you. "All the work put into it.""And nearly dying!" You laughed."It's not a joking matter!""Still, it feels great, incredible even." You said to her. "Lady Jandice was adamant at wanting to help me after she sniffed out that I was practising magic. Her aid was valuable.""So that's what the two of you had been doing each evening." Malevus said."Yep, she acted as my teacher." You replied. You had promised to tell the truth to her, but as she didn't press now, you pushed it till the future."I can show you if you want?" You suggested."I would love to see that!" Malevus replied, whatever tiredness she had instantly disappeared.1/2
>>5953121It had been three days since Jandice left. Your days had returned back to normalcy, albeit with a way less hectic schedule.You slept long, ate breakfast, did some slight sparring with Malevus or with your knights, paperwork or meeting with people during the afternoon before concentrating on your magic studies in the evening.During these days nothing worth of note had happened, just that more prisoners had been moved to Dawnholme.Until a messenger sent by Captain Garside arrived.>Meet the man immediately, have him sent to your room.>Gather Sir Gravis and hear the message.>Have everyone join you at Mayor Fowley's office, Mr. Wiklish included as he is in town.>Other, write in.
>>5953124>Meet the man immediately, have him sent to your room.
>>5953121Wholesome banter.>>5953124>Meet the man immediately, have him sent to your room.Captain Garside is stationed at Dawnholme, so it must be some related development there. I'm assuming this isn't a military matter concerning Garvis... did the Stonemason refugees arrive?
>>5953483Captain Garside is leading the troops in Strahnbrad Hills. You put him in the charge of the operation.
>>5953124>>Meet the man immediately, have him sent to your room.Lets hear it now
Meet the man in your room. Give me some rolls please.>1d10>Best of three
Rolled 3 (1d10)>>5953739
Rolled 1 (1d10)>>5953739
>>5953739
>>5953832Try again anon, maybe you can save us from mediocrity.
Rolled 8 (1d10)>>5953840It never seems to work when I'm on my phone for some reason
>8Quickly making sure that papers on your table were put away and that you were wearing your glasses, you called the man in. It didn't take long for the door to be knocked and one of your soldiers stepped in.Giving you a deep bow, you recognised the man. He was one of the archers that had been with you from the start. Wearing a deep brown and green cloak, brown clothes and having a short sword by his side, the only thing that differentiated him from common poachers was the Falcon pin on his cloak. He didn't look much, but you knew he was one of your most capable soldiers."You have a message from Captain Garside?" You asked him."Yes my Prince. Here." He handed you a scroll and a leather pouch. "Captain asked my Prince to read the scroll first.""Do you have anything else for me?" You asked back."No my Prince." The archer replied."Good, you may leave. Please ask Miss Sengutz to take care of you. She knows what to do." You said to the man and watched as he gave you another deep bow before leaving your room.Alright then, let's see what Normand has written to you. His letter started with the most important piece of news. He had reached the valley with the oil and claimed it. It was now under your control."Yes! Fuck yes!" You shouted and punched air several times. Taking a sip of water, you continued reading.The scouting party sent during the rain had located a small bandit camp and scouted the location without any issues. When Normand had marched towards the oil, they had approached the camp during the night and launched their assault at dawn. The fight had been over quickly with the majority of the bandits dead or wounded, while your men had walked in and out without any major injuries. In total dozen prisoners were taken and would be sent to Tarren Mill in the coming few days.Based on interrogating the prisoners, the men in the camp had been bandits that had avoided the Syndicate last year and had no clear connection to them. But they were planning on raiding your or Tarren Mill's lands come summer. To you that plan sounded stupid as hell, but you now had another group of prisoners to be thrown into your camp to perform hard labour.Continuing reading the scroll, a day after Normand had fought the bandits and went to find and claim the oil, Lieutenant Cromwell arrived there with his men. They had left Stonedon when the rain ended and skirted the troll territory while avoiding entering it. While they hadn't seen anything unusual or out of place, the totems and cairns built by the trolls separated Strahnbrad Hills from the mountains. It was obvious that the trolls claimed the whole mountain range for themselves.1/2
>>5953956While this scroll was being carried to you, Normand would arrange patrols into central hills and remaining northern parts of the hills. He didn't expect to find anything, but you wanted the whole hills under your control and cleared out so this job needed to be done.All in all outside of the rain making things take a bit longer and made everything way more muddier, the campaign had proceeded without any major issues.Putting the scroll aside, you took the leather pouch and took a small glass jar out of it. It was half full of thick oily sand. The first proof of the oil that had seeped on the surface and you would be collecting as soon as the Dark Irons return.This was absolutely lovely, just perfect. You couldn't have waited for any better news.Continuing to read the scroll, Normand did need your opinion on one thing. With nearly all of your soldiers, two hundred of them, in Strahnbrad Hills and no direct threats against them having been found, you could pull troops back to Dawnholme to protect the town. What Normand was somewhat unsure was how many men should be withdrawn and sent back home and how much further upstream should his patrols go?>Pull half of the soldiers back home. Dawnholme and your lands need protection.>Quarter can be withdrawn, the Strahnbrad Hills aren't fully secure yet.>Keep the men there, you want to be sure that trolls or anything else doesn't threaten them. You want that oil all secure and yours.>Other, write in.>Follow Darrowmere River, but stay in Strahnbrad Hills.>Go upstream till you reach Chillwind Pass or they find troll totems.>Scout upstream as far as possible. Go past troll totems if they are found, you want to know if the river could be smiled upstream.>Other, write in.QM: The roll was the amount of prisoners acquired. You now have about 30 new prisoners from the attack to Tarren Mill and from Strahnbrad Hills.
>>5953957>Quarter can be withdrawn, the Strahnbrad Hills aren't fully secure yet.I don't think Dawnholme itself will be under threat since it's defences would require a force too big to not be detected beforehand. We do have other frontiers however do we not? Having more soldiers protect the mines or the prison camp is prudent.>Go upstream till you reach Chillwind Pass or they find troll totems.I don't want to go past their totems just yet.
>>5953957>>5953964support
Gained:>30 prisonersTotal Resources:0 Wealth, +15 per season20 Supplies, -6 per season90 PeasantsDid some bookkeeping on my part and made sure my own notes are in order. You now have about 90 bandits of which dozen are officers and about 50 Syndicates of which half-dozen are officers. This means that thanks to hard labour, you have put nearly 120 men to work and with some math, they are doing the work of 50 Peasants. For all purposes this is free labour, no supply costs or anything.This means that if you were to stop having them to perform hard labour, you would lose 50 Peasants.>>5953964You do have other parts of your land essentially unprotected correct.
>>5953964>support>+Have your men leave a gift near one of the totems. Goal of the gift is to keep them neutral to us. Leave them a few iron bars, some food, and some sugar/Salt.
>>5953914It might be because the phone capitalises the D in dice which makes it not work.>>5953957>Quarter can be withdrawn, the Strahnbrad Hills aren't fully secure yet.>Go upstream till you reach Chillwind Pass or they find troll totems.
>>5953570derp, oops.>>5953957>>5953964Support>Quarter can be withdrawn, the Strahnbrad Hills aren't fully secure yet.>Go upstream till you reach Chillwind Pass or they find troll totems.>>5954054This is fine, but no weapons in case that becomes a symbol of conflict.
It didn't take long for you to pen your orders down. Quarter of the troops could be pulled back and the patrols shouldn't cross into troll territory or into Chillwind Pass.Though you did have an idea and after having told the news to Mayor Fowley and others, you seeked out Krix Wiklish. You wanted to leave a small gift at one of the totems, as a sign of neutrality. Wiklish at first was a bit unsure about the idea, but he knew that the trolls liked alcohol, very strong alcohol to be precise and they might accept the gift then. So you made sure that Monica will pack several bottles of her strongest alcohol with the archer.Hopefully this works, otherwise it's just a waste of good spirits and rum.…Next morning the archer left and nothing major worth noting happened in the next three days.Malevus continued tending the wounded at the church, you sparred with Sir Gravis and Monica, well she was a bit embarrassed how much she had drunk and to what direction she had pushed the conversation during the merrymaking. Though she wouldn't say anything about it, you could tell by how she talked with you.But then the first group of your soldiers returned from Strahnbrad Hills. Rover Brothers and the archers followed by the footmen led by Sergeant Benedict. And with them were the prisoners they had taken.>1d10>Best of three, taking the second roll
Rolled 10 (1d10)>>5954408
Rolled 8 (1d10)>>5954408
Rolled 5 (1d10)>>5954408
>10>8You greeted the Rover Brothers at the barracks. They, just like the footmen, seemed rather tired from all the marching, but were on good spirits.With them they had the prisoners that were immediately moved into the jail and also several mules that had been used as pack animals. They did seem to be carrying a full load back to Tarren Mill."What are the mules carrying?"Well Prince Alric, this is what we call loot." Arthur said to you. The small man with his scruffy hair seemed quite proud about it."Taken from the prisoners. "Alfred continued. The near identical brother was always the more serious of the two. "And we found a cave that had a larger stash inside.""A larger stash?" You asked."Several crates of weapons, swords, axes and such." Arthur said back to you."Don't know whose and the prisoners don't know either." Alfred said and continued. "They do seem rather old.""Main thing is that we have them now. Very good work at finding the stash." You said to them. "Now just get them stashed into our warehouse and then get some rest. You really deserve it."The brothers nodded and saluted you as they put the footmen back to work. Watching as the mules were unloaded, the amount of weapons recovered was quite impressive. And what Alfred had said did seem correct, the weapons were old. Clearly older designs.Though that didn't matter, they were yours now.Gained:>4 Supplies…You gave them a full day of rest before they marched to Dawnholme where they would take responsibility for the town's defences and launch several patrols around your lands. With your army away, it has been way too long since your lands have been properly patrolled.Now though you were drinking afternoon tea while casually chatting with Monica. With the weather having improved, the hotel had seen a couple more visitors arriving so you couldn't exactly call the restaurant your living room anymore. Traders and merchants who had come to perform their trade had been a bit surprised when they saw you, but had quickly gotten used to your presence. Though they still did avoid you, sparing glances at your glasses and walking cane you still used."Prince Alric, a message!" A man wearing Alteraci colours said to you as he approached and gave you a deep bow."From whom?" You asked the messenger and took the scroll he was carrying."From Chief Stein, it is urgent." The messenger replied.You gave the man a nod and waved him away."What is it about?" Monica asked you and was concerned.You opened the scroll and started reading. 1/2
>>5954456"Stonemasons have arrived, at least a group of them." You said back to her."Who?" Monica asked back, she didn't know about them. "More workers?""Refugees from Stormwind, they were on the losing end of the riots." You replied and stashed the scroll away."Are you going to leave now?" Monica asked you.Well, are you? Tannis Foxton and others can handle taking them in, Master Mason Erefor Pelija will organise everything ready for his compatriots, so you weren't exactly needed there. But you were still the ruler of these lands, maybe you should be there to greet them.>You should stay in Tarren Mill while Captain Garside and your army are still on the field. They might need your help.>Return to Dawnholme and end your stay in Tarren Mill. Seeing the Stonemasons arriving is more important.>Other, write in.QM: Rolls were the amount of Supplies recovered and if the refugees finally have arrived.
>>5954458>You should stay in Tarren Mill while Captain Garside and your army are still on the field. They might need your help.While I remember, ask the good Mayor Fowley if he needs iron, or if he knows whether the Alliance Naval Base would be buy it. I want us to be the local iron (and steel merchant after further investment).
>>5954458>>You should stay in Tarren Mill while Captain Garside and your army are still on the field. They might need your help.
>>5954458>>Return to Dawnholme and end your stay in Tarren Mill. Seeing the Stonemasons arriving is more important.While staying here would be useful if our army needs us, I think they have things under control. And if they truly needs us, Dawnholme is what half day ride away from Tarren Mill? Happy fun cozy times are over now lets get back to work.
>>5954458>Return to Dawnholme and end your stay in Tarren Mill. Seeing the Stonemasons arriving is more important.Theyll be fine,
>>5954458>Return to Dawnholme and end your stay in Tarren Mill. Seeing the Stonemasons arriving is more important.+1 to becoming the major iron/steel producer in the area.When the dwarves show up we should ask them to do some prospecting for us.>check on wilikish the goblin. See if he has an invention for a better blast furnace.
>>5954458>Return to Dawnholme and end your stay in Tarren Mill. Seeing the Stonemasons arriving is more important.time to go
"I will have to, I am good acquaintances with their leader and they expect to see me when they arrive." You said to Monica. "I am doing them a huge favour by accepting and allowing them to arrive here."The tone you used was serious one and Monica understood that what you were talking about was beyond the usual Princely business of yours."Then… let me help you with packing your belongings." Monica offered you."I don't have that much stuff with me, but sure. It wouldn't hurt." You said and gave her a gentle smile."Then let's not waste any time." Monica replied.…One of the Royal Foot Guards guarding the hotel got the task of informing Sir Gravis and Malevus of your sudden need to leave back home. They would have to get their belongings as fast as you do.Meanwhile you were making a sense of all the paperwork and your studies scattered around the table while Monica folded your clothes into neat stacks."You really don't have anything else than just white shirts and braies." Monica said."Don't forget the socks." You replied and chuckled. "And the socks." She chuckled back.The atmosphere was a bit awkward as you put your papers together and carried them to your travel chest. Neither of you said anything, but it felt like Monica wanted to say something."Alright papers all in check, robe is in the chest as well. How's the clothes?" You asked her."Nearly done." She replied."Let me help you." You said to her and went to retrieve a stack of shirts.The two of you checked your clothes and had them all packed in just a moment. Then it was just making sure everything else was packed and you were done and ready."All done." You said."Yep." Monica replied."My stay here was quite pleasant, thank you for being such a good host for me and most importantly being my friend." You said to her and continued. "I would have loved to stay here longer, but you know… duty calls.""I understand, you are a Prince after all." Monica said to you. "Let me help with that cloak."As you threw the orange cloak with Alteraci Falcon embroidered on its back on your shoulders, Monica helped with the clasp. Making sure the cloak was on your shoulders, she clapped them softly and left her hands there."Alric I…" Monica started to say something. Her eyes tried to find yours behind the glasses."Yes?" You asked. You knew that look, you had learned what it was, would she have the courage to say it?"Nothing… just good luck with the Stonemasons and please visit Tarren Mill more often than just once in six months." Monica said to you and withdrew her hands. "And please don't die.""No promises!" You laughed and got a horrified reaction out of her. "I meant on visiting here you dummy.""Don't scare me like that…" She replied and smiled."No promises!" You laughed again. It was time to leave. Monica didn't have the courage to say whatever was on her mind, but maybe she has the next time the two of you get to see each other?1/2
>>5954690You spoke briefly with Krix Wiklish and Mayor Fowley before leaving. You were rather sure that you would be seeing both of them relatively soon in just a few weeks, so you didn't go in depth about what you spoke with them this time. The whole oil deal would occupy a lot of your time come summer.Choosing to ride ahead of the Royal Foot Guards, you reached Dawnholme in a couple of hours. The ride through the countryside was refreshing and the farmers got something to wonder as you galloped past them, cloak fluttering wildly in the wind.And when you reached the outskirts of Dawnholme, you saw movement ahead of you on the road. Men and women walking, children running around them. Some pulled small hand carts and there were several larger ox carts laden full and then more. They were Stonemasons, what you were seeing were the last of the group that had arrived today.They probably weren't expecting you coming from behind them which did give you an idea. Maybe you should escort them to Dawnholme?>Ride to them and escort the Stonemason refugees to Dawnholme.>Go past them and seek out their leaders, you want to speak with them.>Travel directly back home, you are a Prince so act like one and have their leaders come to you.>Other, write in.
>>5954691>Ride to them and escort the Stonemason refugees to Dawnholme.One can still maintain the grace of a prince while being chivalrous towards his subjects.
>>5954691>>Ride to them and escort the Stonemason refugees to Dawnholme.
>>5954691>Ride to them and escort the Stonemason refugees to Dawnholme.Is it unfit for a prince to dismount and let some of the tired children on the horse instead?
>>5954691>>Ride to them and escort the Stonemason refugees to Dawnholme.Surprise! It is Prince Alric! Hide your wives and daughters! That is according to the rumours.
>>5954691>>Ride to them and escort the Stonemason refugees to Dawnholme.welcomee>>5955077lol
Being an approachable Prince and escorting them to Dawnholme. Could I have rolls for events in Dawnholme? I will have the update up later this evening.>1d10>Best of three, taking the second roll
Rolled 10 (1d10)>>5955192
Rolled 6 (1d10)>>5955192
>>5955192
Rolled 2 (1d10)>>5955192>>5955228
>>5955077He's climbin in your windowsHe's snatchin your women upTryna fuck em so y'all need toHide your sisters, hide your daughters>>5955192Update soon?
Slowing down, you allowed the knights and Malevus to catch up with you. You had enjoyed riding a bit too much and gotten a small lead ahead of them."We will escort them to Dawnholme." You said to them and fixed your glasses and straightened your chaperon on your head. "Stonemasons.""They truly are finally here." Sir Gravis mused aloud."Yes they are, now fall in behind me and make sure that any stragglers get to the town safely. Malevus, we will ride ahead." You said and continued. "So present yourself properly, they have come a long way."Your knights all nodded as Malevus frantically checked her armour and hair. That brought a smile to your face before setting off to catch the newcomers.When you rode towards them, those at the back turned to look who was coming. It seemed that at first they didn't recognise you, but when you slowly passed them, it did seem to click in their heads.You smiled and looked through the Stonemasons marching on the road. It wasn't just men and women, more accurately it was young men and old men, women of all ages that outnumbered the men and a lot of children. What really was missing were the men who were of fighting age. Just a couple of them were amongst the newcomers. It did make some sense though, those loyal to VanCleef who could fight had stayed with him. They were really planning on fighting back against Stormwind.And that worried you.But now you were all smiles as the Stonemasons murmured amongst themselves until the first one realised to bow deeply. They were after all in the presence of a Prince and not just any Prince, but the one on whom lands they were going to stay in.One by one they bowed or did a curtsy, children tried to imitate their mothers and relatives. You waved at them as you slowed your ride to a crawl, let them have a good look at you. Though it was a bit funny how many of them instead stared at Malevus. Elven weren't that common in Stormwind and now there was one with deep red hair following you and in an armour of all things.Passing them, you waved your hand for them to follow. You didn't need to say a word or really look back as you heard the shuffling of feet and creaking of cart wheels. It wouldn't take that long till you were in Dawnholme.1/3
>>5955512>10>6A lot had changed, yet a lot stayed the same. The houses were all there, but the deep dugouts where the sewers were going to be built had appeared. A large wooden piledriver slowly knocked a log deep into the ground, there were piles of construction materials all over the place and hundreds of people milled around the town.You saw Alteracis working on their daily tasks, the prisoners from the camp in irons shovelling dirt, the migrants from Underbelly helping the few Stonemasons at work. Not even having their friends and families arriving would stop the work.A small tent city had started to form next to Dawnholme, Stonemasons having prepared everything ready and even having made a grid for the tents. The things were all very well thought and planned, you liked that.When you rode to them, they were more concentrated on greeting their friends and families that they hadn't seen in a long time. When you dismounted, it felt like you had been forgotten until Master Pelija approached you."Prince Perenolde." He said and gave you a bow."Master Pelija, I came here as soon as I heard the news." You replied."Mr. Foxton sent the rider to tell you." He said. "Most have already arrived and it looks like with you were the rest.""It took them longer than I had expected to come here." You said to him."There were a couple problems they faced, but the first group is here now." Pelija replied and continued. "Prince Perenolde, we should talk and you should meet a few new people.""I want to talk as well." You said back to him.There were a lot of Stonemasons here, it looked like several hundred at minimum and more would be coming based on what he said about the first group. You felt like there was going to be some navigation required when all is said and done. Alteracis, those from Underbelly and Stonemasons existing in peace probably requires some work to be done.…"Welcome to Alterac." You said after stepping into a tent after Pelija had entered it. "I am Prince Alric Perenolde, nice to meet you."With Pelija there were a trio of people waiting for you in the tent."I hope the journey here wasn't too arduous." You continued as the newcomers just stood there looking at you."The man on the left is my old colleague Mr. Morgan." Pelija introduced him and the man bowed."Prince Perenolde." He greeted, he knew how to act. Morgan was wearing a woollen pullover and you noticed a short sword by his side.2/3
>>5955514"Then there are Miss Surena Caledon and Mr. Erlan Drudgemoor, his two associates." Pelija continued.Erlan gave you a stiff bow, the man wore dark leather and had a large battle axe on his back. He didn't seem like a worker or a mason, but more of a warrior or a thug."We have heard a lot about you Prince Perenolde." Surena Caledon replied with a soft voice and did a curtsy. She didn't look like a mason either, black long skirt and a white shirt with a way too open neck that revealed a lot. Thankfully you had your glasses, otherwise she would have seen your eyes wandering a bit."Mr. Morgan, Miss Caledon, Mr. Drudgemoor." You greeted them back and kept your eyes firmly on the duo. There was something odd about them."Shall we sit down?" Pelija suggested."Yes please, the ride from Tarren Mill did tire me a bit." You said back to him and watched as the four of them took their seats before sitting down by yourself.At that moment Malevus entered the tent and took her position behind you near the entrance."That is Malevus, she is my squire." You told them."An elf for a squire." Drudgemoor replied with a deep voice of his."Prince Perenolde, you probably have a lot of questions you want to ask us?" Pelija asked you, interrupting Drudgemoore before he could continue.Yes, yes you do.>Ask them about their journey here. How did it go?>Did VanCleef send a message or have anything to say to you before they left?>How many of them have arrived now? How many more are going to come?>Ask Pelija how they are going to house all of them?>Will there be any issues between them and the Alteracis you should know about?>Morgan, Caledon and Drudgemoore. There is something fishy about them. Be direct about it.>Other, write in.QM: Rolls were the how everything is going in Dawnholme and what set of characters would be arriving this time.>>5955447Update now!
>>5955520>Ask them about their journey here. How did it go?>Did VanCleef send a message or have anything to say to you before they left?>Will there be any issues between them and the Alteracis you should know about?>Morgan, Caledon and Drudgemoore. There is something fishy about them. Be direct about it.The housing and quantity questions should be for Pelija.
>>5955520>>5955523support
>>5955520>>5955523Support.About this point:>Morgan, Caledon and Drudgemoore. There is something fishy about them. Be direct about it.I suggest first asking their occupations within the Stonemasons, if they were leaders of people or did they conduct other liaison business on behalf of the Stonemasons as Alric suspects.Also suggest explaining the supply issue, that full preparations have not been made yet for this settlement to become a city, as they can see from ongoing construction. Help will be required from everyone in securing supplies - for example those with farming or hunting skills moving accordingly.
>>5955523+1look into their eyes. I smell rot.
>>5955520>>5955523Support. They could be rats, but my money would be on bodyguards and hired blades.Medivh mentioned long time ago that stonemasons had a working spy system. Maybe we could get something out of it?
>>5955523>>5955683Support, but tread carefully and don't assume too much at first, throw questions for get a better idea. A gut feeling is all well and good, but we wouldn't want for things to suddenly erupt in violence and misunderstanding for an error on our part.
"I am curious, how did you get here? I can't imagine any of you using the port of Stormwind City?" You asked them. You could notice that having the city mentioned did seem to sting them somewhat."Prince Perenolde, there are other ports that were available to us. Smaller ports that rarely facilitate travel across the sea, but if you find the right people then you can acquire a ship for you." Morgan explained to you and continued. "We travelled in small groups, gathered in the right places at the right times, and then boarded the vessels. We made landfall west of Southshore as we have tried to avoid major towns as much as possible.""To avoid the agents of King Varian." You mused."That and mostly to avoid locals becoming too suspicious of us." Morgan finished."Will there be any issues between your people and mine? Anything I should know about?" You asked him."There hasn't been any trouble, hasn't our cooperation been flawless?" Pelija asked you back."I didn't ask you Master Pelija, I want to hear what they have to say." You commented and noticed the trio widget a bit."There shouldn't be any issues, we are all just tired and want a new safe place to call home." Morgan spoke to you."Though Varian and his ilk are a touchy subject and the Alliance are seen in the same light." Surena Caledon said and crossed her legs. There was something about her that you couldn't put in words and it wasn't her looks that were rather alluring."Caledon is right, many of us carry grudges and will spit on the ground when either are mentioned." Morgan said to you.Two things to avoid mixing with the Stonemasons, King Varian and the Alliance."Thank you, but did VanCleef send me a message or anything?" You asked them. "I would imagine he would have something for me?""He did." Morgan said and stood up before going to rummage through a backpack. Taking out a sealed letter, he handed it to you. "He told me to give this to you.""I will have to read it later, he didn't tell you anything about it?" You asked him back."No Prince Perenolde." Morgan replied.You gave him a small nod and a smile as you watched them. There was something off with the three of them."What were your occupations in the Guild?" You asked them, trying to get them to slip something out."I was a… collector. I handled the coin and acquired it from our customers." Morgan told you. He wasn't lying, it seemed to be the truth yet not everything was told."Accounting and record keeping." Surena Caledon said to you. That could be true, she didn't have the build for manual labour nor calloused hands from the work."I worked with lumber." Drudgemoor replied quickly. He did have an axe after all, but…"You are not Stonemasons." You told them and let your smile drop. "Morgan isn't telling the full truth and I haven't seen a woodworker using a battle axe before. And believe me, I know battle axes from normal axes."1/2
>>5956195Drudgemoor seemed slightly nervous, but Caledon kept her cool, she just shifted slightly on the seat."We are Stonemasons, I do not know what…" Morgan started to speak."Please do not make this any more difficult for you than it already is." You said back to him, Drudgemoor shifted this time, tensing up. You knew that Malevus would have placed her hand on the hilt of her sword while you didn't move a bit."Your observation is correct." Surena Caledon replied."Surena…" Morgan tried to say, but she silenced him."Erlan is a mercenary as is Morgan. We were hired by Mr. VanCleef to provide security for the Stonemasons." Caledon said to you. Her voice was still soft, but you could sense an edge on it. "We were hired before the riots happened and when Stonemasons fled the city, we followed them.""So Master Pelija and Morgan?" You asked and looked at Pelija."We do know each other, sometimes worksites do need extra security." Pelija said to you, he seemed uncomfortable about this."Prince Perenolde, may I see your eyes?" Caledon suddenly asked you.>Yes, take off the glasses>No, keep the glasses on>If they are mercenaries, then what Surena Caledon is?>You aren't Stonemasons, you could have stayed in the city so why did you leave?>How many fighters or soldiers did they bring with them as protection and security?>Will there be any other surprises amongst the newcomers?>Chastise them for not telling you this immediately. They are on your lands, enjoying your hospitality.>Other, write in.
>>5956196>No, keep the glasses on>If they are mercenaries, then what Surena Caledon is?>You aren't Stonemasons, you could have stayed in the city so why did you leave?>Chastise them for not telling you this immediately. They are on your lands, enjoying your hospitality.Such idiocy, what was the point of hiding this? Pelija too, why did he omit this? Even if we didn't notice how conspicuous they were at first, did they think we would never find out about it?>Will there be any other surprises amongst the newcomers?This wouldn't really have been a problem but the fact that they were hiding it made it alarming. What else have you got to hide?
>>5956196>Yes, take off the glassesIts an open secret and id like to see they're reaction>If they are mercenaries, then what Surena Caledon is?>You aren't Stonemasons, you could have stayed in the city so why did you leave?>How many fighters or soldiers did they bring with them as protection and security?>Chastise them for not telling you this immediately. They are on your lands, enjoying your hospitality.Do ask them what are they gonna do if alric hadnt called them out.>Will there be any other surprises amongst the newcomers?Any more mercenary friends?
>>5956196>>5956280Supporting. We need to make it clear that we are a prince and trust is easily lost, way harder to get back.
>>5956320>Support >Well our dear friend blackmoor is going to need fighters to kill gnolls. And we're going to help them. You have any experience killing gnolls? >You know anything about oil? How about trolls?>I dislike the alliance too. I kicked out their garrison. >Since you're mercenaries. How do I know you will be loyal to us alteracians? I know the syndicate will try to pay you to switch sides. (Now touch your own sword)
>>5956329>>5956196Oops forgot to tag main post.
>>5956196>No, keep the glasses on>Will there be any other surprises amongst the newcomers?>Chastise them for not telling you this immediately. They are on your lands, enjoying your hospitality.Ask them why they did that in the first placeI don't appreciate being lied to.
You stared back at her, what an audacity to even ask something like that now."Master Pelija." You said and didn't avert your eyes from the mercenaries."Yes?" He answered."Come see me in my study later this evening." You said to him and continued speaking to the trio. "Now regarding you three, why didn't you say that you were mercenaries in the first place?"Morgan was going to say something, but you raised your hand and he stopped."What was the point of this? Even if I hadn't noticed anything in the first place, sooner than later I would have and then we would have an even bigger mess than right now." You said to them. "Do you understand how easy it is to lose one's trust? Do you understand how hard it is to get it back?"The three of them sat there in silence."You come to my lands to enjoy my hospitality. I am to provide you with new homes, work and employment, safety from outside threats and from those hounding you." You continued speaking. Your tone was more than serious. "You do understand what King Varian is accusing you of? You do understand that I am putting my reputation and neck on the line for allowing you to stay here?""Do you know why I do this? Because it's the right bloody thing to do." A sliver of anger appeared in your tone. "I count VanCleef as my ally, I think that I am a good person who does the right things. And so when I see the women, children and old people arriving here, I don't see more workers or potential recruits to my army, I see people needing my help.""And I offer it to them, because Light be damned, that is the right thing to do." You said, your speech had more than a sliver of anger now. "And you three…four fools want to test my patience and willingness to keep up with your secrecy and bullshit."They were quite nervous now as all four awkwardly shifted around and tried not to look at you."That being said, I have a reputation of being lenient and giving second chances to those who might not deserve them. Don't make me be angry and disappointed in you ever again." You said to them. "Is that clear? No more secrecy or other bullshit?""Very clear Prince Perenolde." Pelija answered."Good, make sure that these idiots remember it." You finished your chastisement of them. "Now though, where were we? Oh right, Miss Caledon, if you aren't a mercenary, then what are you?""A mage, I studied in Stormwind City before Erlan managed to get me to become a freelancer." Surena Caledon replied.A mage? Now that's interesting and could explain why she was interested in your eyes and why she felt a bit different than the others."I see… how many other fighters did you bring with you?" You asked."Half-dozen, then maybe forty more that can hold a blade if needed." Morgan explained to you."Do you have the blades?""Yes, of course." He replied.1/2
>>5956485So nearly fifty armed men if needed. Respectable number, but slightly worrying number. The power balance between Alteracis and them is going to tip a lot towards them when all of them have arrived here."If you aren't Stonemasons, why did you leave Stormwind City? You could have stayed there, right?" You asked them and found them freeze a bit."We could have stayed true, but…" Morgan started to say."We did our part in the riots, people got hurt." Drudgemoor finally chose to speak. "It was better for us to leave.""What does 'got hurt' mean?" You asked him specifically."No one died, but bunch of skulls got cracked, places got wrecked." He answered.Great, so you have a money collector, freelance mage and a thug. You pinched the bridge of your nose to stave off the annoyance you had right now."Will there be any surprises amongst the newcomers that I should know of?" You spoke and articulated slowly."In our group no, but there might be…" Morgan started to say."More people like us Prince Perenolde." Surena Caledon finished his thoughts. There still was something off about her, you just weren't sure what.So more mercenaries and potentially new mages? Eligius would need to work overtime watching over them."Is that everything you want to tell me?" You asked them."I promise, there won't be more surprises." Morgan said to you."Good, thankfully we can now put all this behind us." You said and put on a fake smile anyone would recognise as a fake.You stared at the three of them and studied them. Maybe they had learned from their mistake, maybe. Now just what will you do next?>Ask Pelija to give you a tour of the town and see how much the construction projects have advanced. Greet your people as well.>Go to your home. You miss that place and the sooner you hear the news from Tari and Eligius, the better.>There is something off about Surena Caledon. Tell everyone else to leave and probe her. You want to know more about this mage.>Other, write in.
>>5956487>There is something off about Surena Caledon. Tell everyone else to leave and probe her. You want to know more about this mage.We've just asked if there are any more secrets and we get "No." yet our gut tells us there is still one more. Always trust your gut gentlemen.
>>5956487>Go to your home. You miss that place and the sooner you hear the news from Tari and Eligius, the better.Tell Eligius about the mage, have him keep her in his sights because she's giving an off feeling
>>5956487>There is something off about Surena Caledon. Tell everyone else to leave and probe her. You want to know more about this mage.My guess is dalaran spy.Tell the mercenaries they don't get free houses like the rest. They're going to have to work for it. >Send the mercenaries as a sign of friendship to lord blackmoor for his upcoming gnoll campaign. Please support this anons.
>>5956501This will get them out of our hair. It'll show if they're loyal and will work for the crown. Send the mage too as support.
>>5956487>>There is something off about Surena Caledon. Tell everyone else to leave and probe her. You want to know more about this mage.Might be another warlock it seems any mage basically zeroes in on alric having fel in him.
>>5956487>Ask Pelija to give you a tour of the town and see how much the construction projects have advanced. Greet your people as well.Surprised no one went for the regal option here. We've been seen escorting the straggler group but greeting the rest seems appropriate at this time.
>>5956487>>5956501Also support>Send the mercenaries as a sign of friendship to lord blackmoor for his upcoming gnoll campaign.
>>5956487>>There is something off about Surena Caledon. Tell everyone else to leave and probe her. You want to know more about this mage.
"Now, if everyone could leave the tent." You told them and thankfully they did as you said. "Except you Miss Caledon."She was half-way up from her seat when you said that and sat back down. The others gave you and her curious glances, but filed out from the tent, just leaving the three of you in here."Malevus, could you make sure that we aren't interrupted?" You asked her."Yes Alric." She replied and you heard her leave the tent. You haven't taken your eyes off Caledon at all during this."What is this…" She started to say to you. There was uncertainty in her otherwise soft voice.You paused her with your hand and searched your shoulder pack for the black noise device. It has seen a lot of use lately, but thanks to it you would have a modicum of privacy nearly wherever you go.Surena Caledon probably realised what was in the small leather pouch as she seemed to relax slightly."Now where do we begin?" You mused aloud.You don't know how to sense magic, you do have a feeling for it, but sensing others is still a hurdle for you. So why are you feeling something being off with her? It was strange, really the first time you had this feeling, or was it?>3d10, Best of three>DC 12, Crit 20
Rolled 3, 9, 9 = 21 (3d10)>>5956892
Rolled 6, 2, 7 = 15 (3d10)>>5956892
Rolled 6, 4, 4 = 14 (3d10)>>5956892
Alric successfully probes a woman. Could I have another set of rolls thanks to the crit? Let's see if Alric hits the jackpot.>3d10, Best of three>DC 18
Rolled 6, 5, 3 = 14 (3d10)>>5956974warlocks? dragons?
Rolled 7, 9, 4 = 20 (3d10)>>5956974DC of 18. Something is fishy here
Rolled 9, 8, 3 = 20 (3d10)>>5956974
>>5956974probing ok but no handholding is allowed
>21, Crit Success!>20, SuccessWhat was this feeling? Where had you felt it before? It was a familiar feeling nonetheless.And then you got it, she feels just like Eligius. With him you haven't thought about it before, but they are very much alike. She feels just like when you cast your spells in which you add a sliver of Fel, she feels just like those nightmares of yours, how Malevus Thing feels to you.There was a sting in your heart, well not in it, but around it. A gentle tug deep inside you that reminded you of the feeling you sense of her."You are a warlock." You said to her determined.When those words left your mouth, colour disappeared from Surena's face. Her skin became pale and you could see fear in her eyes. She was tensed up, ready to spring into action on moments notice."How…" Was the only thing she succeeded in saying."I am a resourceful person." You said back to her calmly. "Do not try to do anything, you know my prowess with swords. And you may speak, it is just the two of us and no one else."You were fairly sure that if she tried anything, you would be faster than her at drawing the Cinder Sword and cutting her down. Surena shifted in her seat, placing her hands on her knees."I was a warlock." Surena said to you. "Haven't practised the arts of warlocks since joining the Stonemasons and fleeing the city.""You have put that in the past, why?" You asked her, knowing the answer already. Fear of prosecution."While we don't have Dalaran breathing down our necks, people are suspicious of us." She told you and continued. "Better to be just a mage in public, than a warlock. That is what my former teacher did.""So you pretend to be a mage to avoid being found out, but can you cast arcane magic?" You asked her."Basics of fire and ice magic, my former teacher made sure that I would learn them just in case." Surena told you.You kept staring at her, yet the tug within you wouldn't calm down, there was still something more about her. Something on her. You could sense it."You have something with you." You said to her calmly. "Give it to me."Surena froze and then after a pause put her hand inside her shirt through the rather revealing neck cut. She then pulled out a small deep red stone. She considered her options for a second before throwing it to you.1/2
>>5957081You caught it easily with your left hand, but immediately you felt a shock and a harder tug inside you. You blinked and swallowed. The mana inside you turned from a calm sea of fire into a churning maelstrom of an inferno. You could feel a surge of power travelling up your arm and spreading through your body. Looking at the deep red stone, you knew from the books you had read what it was."How do you have a bloodstone?" You asked her and for the first time you averted your eyes off her to look at the stone barely bigger than your thumbnail."I stole it from my teacher, hence he is my former teacher." Surena said to you.Well that explains why she left Stormwind City completely. Her former teacher must be quite mad at her.You pocketed the stone and felt your body returning back to normal near immediately. Bloodstones are powerful tools, one can extract great deals of power if you were to feed blood for the stone. A dangerous tool, but according to the books, a very powerful tool in the right hands."I will be having this." You said to her and looked back at her. She must have noticed the reaction it caused in you."What are you going to do now?" Surena asked you. "You now know that I was a warlock."You understand her secrecy and she has told you what you have wanted to hear. Bit of a dilemma, more mages and magic would help you tremendously especially if she knows the basics. But one more warlock? Eligius would be thrilled to have someone like her around and if you were to guess, the coven of his would benefit from her a lot. Yet she was a warlock, former warlock in her own words. You would need to talk with Eligius about her."You aren't exactly without your own secrets, are you?" Surena asked you. She was still pale, a bead of sweat on her brow. "Because I haven't been found out like that before.">Reveal your eyes, demonstrate lighting a candle with your magic. Of course you would sense her. A mage with Fel coloured eyes. That should impress her.>Reveal your eyes, feed her the story of your poisoning. You have been touched by Fel, you can feel it.>Do not reveal your tricks to her. They are secret after all.>You are going to allow her to stay in Dawnholme as a mage for now. But she cannot perform the arts of warlocks, warn her of Raleigh.>She can stay, but the leash will be very short. She will be watched and if you see or hear anything that might threaten you, she is gone.>Surena needs to leave, you cannot allow a warlock to stay in Dawnholme.>Other, write in.QM: Potentially two more updates today if we get enough votes. This time absolutely nothing is going on at work.
>>5957082>Reveal your eyes, demonstrate lighting a candle with your magic. Of course you would sense her. A mage with Fel coloured eyes. That should impress her.>You are going to allow her to stay in Dawnholme as a mage for now. But she cannot perform the arts of warlocks, warn her of Raleigh.
>>5957082>>Reveal your eyes, demonstrate lighting a candle with your magic. Of course you would sense her. A mage with Fel coloured eyes. That should impress her.>>You are going to allow her to stay in Dawnholme as a mage for now. But she cannot perform the arts of warlocks, warn her of Raleigh.>>She can stay, but the leash will be very short. She will be watched and if you see or hear anything that might threaten you, she is gone.Have her realise that she is working for a prince who happens to be a mage and who knows what he is talking about. Bluff hard if needed, make yourself be more than you are. Assert authority of your status and your knowledge.Offer her the same terms as the witches. She may stay, but she cant do any warlock stuff and she is watched.>>5957078Handholding is reserved only for Malevus and Katrana
>>5957082>Reveal your eyes, demonstrate lighting a candle with your magic. Of course you would sense her. A mage with Fel coloured eyes. That should impress her.>You are going to allow her to stay in Dawnholme as a mage for now. But she cannot perform the arts of warlocks, warn her of Raleigh.Eligius gets another for The Coven of Dawn, we get a mage and this bloodstone. We know shes a warlock. Solid win. She saw the reaction the bloodstone had so she already basically knows it reacted to our mana. Shes in a position to tell us if the Stonemasons try to get into any kind of trouble once we get her on our side.
You smirked."Like I said, I am resourceful." You said to her and took off your glasses, folding them away. "You wanted to see my eyes, here they are."You stared into hers and allowed her to take it in that you did have Fel green eyes."Syndicate poison that was Fel based. I nearly died a couple months ago. That means I have been touched by Fel. I can sense it, feel it. It's mostly a curse, but in situations like this there is a silver lining." You said to her and stood up walking past her and taking an unlit candle from a small table and giving it to her. "And why I can sense it, because of this."As Surena held the candle, with a snap of your fingers the candle was lit."I need to be resourceful to stay ahead of my enemies and opponents." You said to her and continued. "If that means being knowledgeable about magic, then I will put plenty of effort in learning it.""You are a mage?" Surena asked. She was rather surprised about this."Yes, but I prefer to keep it close to myself. It is advantageous to have tricks like this in your sleeves." You told her and continued. "So I am keeping it a secret for now."You sat down and faced her again."So we are going to do the following. I am a Prince, I have my responsibilities towards my people to keep them safe and that includes protecting them from threats." You said to her and continued. "But as you aren't a warlock, you aren't a threat so it is fine for you to stay in Dawnholme."Surena seemed to be relieved to hear that. You put emphasis on the aren't a warlock part."You may not practise any Fel magic or arts of warlocks in Dawnholme, and that is for both the safety of my people and you. Common folk are superstitious and there is a paladin living here named Raleigh." You said to her and continued. "And in return you may stay here and if I need your expertise in magic, you may lend it to me.""That sounds fair." Surena replied. "Thank you Prince Perenolde.""Call me Prince Alric just like everyone else does. Prince Perenolde makes me feel too old." You replied with a smile and put on your glasses before standing up again."We have a deal then?" You asked and offered your hand."Yes of course." Surena replied, stood up and shook your hand, her hand was rather soft and warm. "Thank you Prince Alric.""Do not betray my trust." You said and let go of her hand. "Now let's go before more rumours about me spreads."Surena seemed puzzled about what you had said and chose to just nod.One more mage, or a warlock, in Dawnholme. You needed her, you needed more mages. Now just to go home and hear all the news.Gained:>Bloodstone>Surena Caledon as recruitable mage/warlock1/2
>>5957204"I'm home!" You shouted.Stepping in, you saw that the downstairs hadn't changed a single bit since you left a couple weeks ago."Alric!" Tari replied in surprise from upstairs. She was carrying a pile of linens and having put them down, carefully started to make her way downstairs."You look well." She said to you as she walked to you."I have been exercising a bit." You said and smiled. You could see that Tari's baby bump had grown a little."We have sparred and wrestled." Malevus quipped while struggling to get her armour off."Come here." You said to her and started to help her with the straps of her pauldrons and cuirass. "You look well too Tari, baby's not causing any issues?""Nothing major, just morning sickness here and there." Tari replied with a smile. She seemed more mature somehow."Alric!" Another familiar voice called you out."Mother." You replied as Maura walked from the kitchen. "It is so good to see you too.""Alric, you look strong." Maura said to you.Nearly everyone was here, really just Normand was missing and you would have a full family reunion, after being away for a few silly weeks. Still, you haven't seen them for a while so the thought would be what matters."Finally!" Malevus said aloud as she got her armour off. "Sometimes I hate this stinking armour. Makes my shoulders all stiff.">Hug Tari>Hug Maura>Hug Tari and Maura>Hug Everyone>Other, write in.QM: Funs of dynamic IP. There is someone who shitposts really hard on /vg/ and gets banned all the time. I think I have low two digit number of having gotten their banned IP and being forced to cycle IPs again to get one that allows me to post.
>>5957206>Hug Tari and MauraIt's what I would do.
>>5957206>Hug Tari and Maura
>>5957206>Hug Everyone>Send for our warlock we need to tell him about the new warlock and see how the coven is doing.>Prepare to send a force to lord blackmoor from the new mercenaries. The gnolls are all our problems.
>>5957206>Hug Everyonethe hugs are non negotiable.
>>5957206>>Hug EveryoneEww a tie, I change my vote from >>5957221
>>5957206>Hug EveryoneMalevus. Shoulders. Massage. Now!
>>5957081>"You are a warlock."called itI can't believe we were LIED to TWICEThese southerners are not to be trusted.>>5957206>>Hug Everyone
"Alright." You said and pulled Tari into a hug."A-Alric…" She responded and awkwardly wrapped her hands around you."Mother, you too." You continued and Maura didn't need to be told twice as she came and hugged you as well."Malevus." You said and nodded towards her."N-no, I am all sweaty and stinky." She tried to argue back."Malevus…" You changed your tone to something more pleading."Do I have to?" She asked."Do I need to order you?" You said back to her."Alright then…" She sighed and joined in the hug.Tari hugged you, Maura hugged her and you, Malevus tried to hug all three of you and you mostly just stood there unable to move that much.But you enjoyed this, after everything and more that had happened in Tarren Mill and beforehand, you needed this. You needed your time with your family. As much as being with Jandice was fun and boy it was so much fun, this hit you differently."I think this is enough…" You said to them."No, you wanted a hug so you are going to get a hug." Tari replied and you knew not to argue against her as she placed her head on your shoulder.So the four of you stayed like that for a moment."Am I interrupting anything?" Eligius asked as he stepped into your home."Help me Eligius, I have been attacked by my family." You said to him and laughed."I think you will have to survive on your own Prince Alric." Eligius replied and walked past you. "I will be waiting in your study."Damn it, well better enjoy the hug then.…After a brief moment, you finally sat down on your chair with a cup of tea in your hand. Taking your glasses off, you looked at your spymaster. He looked tired, probably due to his workload and you being away."Tomorrow evening we will continue my training." You said to him. "But before that, let's go through the news.""Yes, thankfully not that much has happened here." Eligius replied and sipped his own tea.And not much had happened. The work on the town had progressed, Eligius continued to train his spies with Sahvan's help and Pai hadn't talked to Eligius at all nor had she asked for you. The extension for the jail progressed as well, they were now building the central chamber deep underground, maybe in a couple of weeks Pai could be moved there into a bit bigger and more secure cell.1/2
>>5957405You in turn spoke about what had happened in Tarren Mill and told him the news about the oil. You had already sent him a message, but it was easier to talk about these things face to face. He mentioned having interviewed the prisoners already sent here and to both your and his annoyance, the Syndicates captured were just common foot soldiers. They didn't know anything you didn't already know.And then you spoke about the Stonemasons and brought up what you had learned today."A warlock? Are you serious?" Eligius asked you."Yes, she confessed." You said to him and continued. "She also had this, do you have a handkerchief?""Of course, here. It's clean." Eligius replied and passed you a small white piece of cloth from his pocket.You took it and used it to fish the bloodstone out of your pocket, placing it on the table in front of you."A bloodstone! Fel be damned, I haven't seen one in a long time." Eligius replied to you. He reached for it, but pulled his hand back. "It's better if I don't touch it.""You know much about them?""Gems imbued with terrific amounts of power. I have no idea how to make them, but my master spoke about how they either gain their power from Fel, directly from the blood or they are way older than what we expect." Eligius said to you and continued. "I can see if Lady Nalice's books have anything about them for tomorrow.""Thank you, I will keep it safe and stashed for now." You told him."Still another warlock here in Dawnholme." He said and mused."I offered her the same deal as I did for the witches, or you." You told him. "Keep her under watch and don't approach her as much as you would like to, not yet.""Yes Prince Alric, I agree with that." Eligius said and you knew that the moment you would be giving him the permission, he would approach her."Now though, we do have other things to discuss as well than just her, don't we?" You said to him."Of course, what do you have in mind?" Eligius replied.>The Coven of Dawn and its status. How is the training of the witches going? >Speaking of training, how are the spies progressing?>What does he think about the Stonemasons? Any threats he might see within or outside?>Speak more about Surena Caledon and her being a warlock, what would Eligius expect her to do if she was to join the Coven?>Mention the mercenaries and lending them to Blacknoore?>Ask if he has heard any rumours or news from elsewhere? About you, or someone else?>Other, write in.QM: That was a lot of updates for one day.
>>5957409>The Coven of Dawn and its status. How is the training of the witches going?>Speaking of training, how are the spies progressing?>What does he think about the Stonemasons? Any threats he might see within or outside?>Speak more about Surena Caledon and her being a warlock, what would Eligius expect her to do if she was to join the Coven?>Mention the mercenaries and lending them to Blacknoore?>Ask if he has heard any rumours or news from elsewhere? About you, or someone else?Sorry qm but they're all good.
>>5957409Man I like all of these, but for the sake of another short update lets just go down the list I suppose.>The Coven of Dawn and its status. How is the training of the witches going?
>>5957409>>5957476Support. Anything coming through from Southshore and the new mayor? That seems to be the newest change in our area that might be sending news via traders.
>>5957476>The Coven of Dawn and its status. How is the training of the witches going?
>>5957409Sure support >>5957476, if Medivh doesn't want to write it all then I would remove the Surena and mercenary questions.
>>5957409>>The Coven of Dawn and its status. How is the training of the witches going?>>Speaking of training, how are the spies progressing?>>What does he think about the Stonemasons? Any threats he might see within or outside?>>Ask if he has heard any rumours or news from elsewhere? About you, or someone else?>>Other, write in.Mercs and Surena arent overtly important right now. The gnoll campaign happens during summer and we should watch Surena first for a moment.
"Speaking of the witches, how is their training going?" You asked him."It's progressing, but somewhat slowly as they have to unlearn things they have done previously." Eligius explained to you. "But things are moving, they did find a place higher in the mountains where they could perform their rituals."You gave Eligius a curious glance."The wards aren't finished yet, they are planning on going there in a couple of days to finish that work and then a few days later have their spring ritual." Eligius told you. "They are already a bit concerned because the rains pushed the ritual back.""What sort of a spring ritual?""Some sort of a fertility ritual, blessing the crops by appeasing the spirits." Eligius said to you. "I will probably have to go witness the ritual and see if they do anything really stupid. Do you want to come?""I think I will pass." You said and chuckled. Waving the idea away was probably the smart idea, folk magic could get esoteric. "How about the spies then?""They are progressing faster, I have been sending them to visit Tarren Mill, Southshore and Hillsbrad Fields regularly to gather rumours and whatever else they learn." Eligius explained. "It's still only five of them and Sahvan, maybe come summer we could have another set of recruits in training.""Have they heard anything then? Rumours? About me, about others?" You asked him and sipped the tea. You had missed the tea Maura makes."Regarding you, nothing new. The same ones as before, a woman in every town yadda yadda." Eligius said and rolled his eyes. "But the rumours regarding the poisoning and your health are all over the place, until the assassins attacked. After that people here and elsewhere are talking about how it was an attempt to finish the earlier failed work.""They are buying the story? Good, that's good." You replied with a laugh. "They must be in awe, surviving attacks and poisonings left and right.""Prince Alric, they are mostly concerned about you. Assassination attempts are not a laughing matter." Eligius said to you. "In fact down in Southshore, the talk was that they understand now if you have a woman wherever you go. Living dangerously requires you to have a bit of fun.""Hmmm… I see, well they can talk as much as they want." You said back."It is not my business just like you told me and I haven't looked any further into your private life, but as your spymaster I do need to remind you that… women could use this to get close to you and put you in danger." Eligius carefully said to you."Thank you for the concern, but I am quite sure that I won't be in danger." You told him.Even he had doubts if the rumours about you were false. Seems like they are so well spread that everyone takes them as the truth nowadays. Guess you are a lady killer now."What do you think of the Stonemasons?" You asked him.1/2
>>5957863"Well Master Pelija and his group haven't caused any issues, but they have also stayed mostly amongst themselves. They have really strong self-identity compared to the migrants from Underbelly who seem to have integrated with the Alteracis really fast." Eligius explained and continued. "It could be that if we can't integrate them with the Alteracis, we could end up with two societies separated from each other.""I need to get them under Alteraci law as fast as possible then." You replied."And under taxation." Eligius reminded."That as well, I guess the town hall can't wait that much longer, but who knows how long it will take to get the oil up and running." You said and continued. "And then there are the defence needs and everything else."So many things to do, so little time and most importantly coin."Anything else?""Prince Alric, if there are mercenaries with the Stonemasons and more mages or warlocks, that could be a boon to us, but again they could stay amongst themselves and we would have people armed who aren't Alteracis living here." Eligius said and continued. "And then there is the whole political aspect to this of which I am woefully inexperienced to talk about."He is right, there is a threat that the Stonemasons stay amongst themselves and don't integrate properly. You saw what happened in Stormwind in the worst case scenario and you definitely don't want anything similar happening in here. There are going to be hundreds of them arriving here, it could even be that the population of Dawnholme is doubled when all is said and done. When that happens, you need to direct their effort to common good, to help you as much as possible while making them feel accepted."You are quite right and we don't exactly have a steady stream of supplies and goods either." You said and sighed. "So much work to do, I am starting to feel like I want to return back to Tarren Mill.""Preferring assassins over paperwork?" Eligius chuckled.Well preferring Jandice over the paperwork."Not exactly." You laughed back. "Still we could maybe do something?">Have Eligius shift the focus to watching and following the Stonemasons, including Surena, instead of your neighbours.>Ask if he has any ideas how to preemptively prevent any issues that might crop up?>No serious action is required right now, let the Stonemasons come here first and then start sorting things out.>Other, write in.>Steer into the rumours and have Eligius help in that. Having a reputation of a wildcard and a scoundrel could help you to mask what you are really doing.>Let the rumours be, they aren't causing any harm to you and those who know you know that they are all false.>Have Eligius start spreading rumours in counter to the ones circling you. You don't have a woman in every town.>Other, write in.QM: If you have any ideas how to get the Stonemasons to integrate better and faster, I will gladly take write ins. Also what to do with the rumours?
>>5957864>Ask if he has any ideas how to preemptively prevent any issues that might crop up?>Have Eligius start spreading rumours in counter to the ones circling you. You don't have a woman in every town.QM: If you have any ideas how to get the Stonemasons to integrate better and faster, I will gladly take write ins. Also what to do with the rumours?write in: have them work together on similar jobs? Have a few Alteracis start living with them to start integrating? Tell the important ones that it helps with the hiding of their pressence if they at least try pushing for integration? Just spitballing ideas here.
>>5957864>Ask if he has any ideas how to preemptively prevent any issues that might crop up?>No serious action is required right now, let the Stonemasons come here first and then start sorting things out.>Steer into the rumours and have Eligius help in that. Having a reputation of a wildcard and a scoundrel could help you to mask what you are really doing.I wouldnt have Eligius do anything right now other than wait for things to settle. When things have settled, then we know what we are dealing with. Get the spies trained up and then get into work.On the otherhand I would carefully steer towards the rumors. If people believe that Alric is this wildcard, they might end up underestimating him as they dont take him seriously. And I do like the idea that Alrics image is that of a scoundrel, even if that isnt exactly the truth.
>>5957864>Have Eligius shift the focus to watching and following the Stonemasons, including Surena, instead of your neighbours.>Ask if he has any ideas how to preemptively prevent any issues that might crop up?try to get them more involved with alteracis?Subtle pressure to at least try to adapt and fit in with alteracis?no idea how to without ruffling feathers but i guess a more subtle effort on that would be nice.>Have Eligius start spreading rumours in counter to the ones circling you. You don't have a woman in every town.I mean its true. i just think a bad boy prince reputation is eventually just gonna bite us in the ass.
>>5957864>Ask if he has any ideas how to preemptively prevent any issues that might crop up?>Let the rumours be, they aren't causing any harm to you and those who know you know that they are all false.I thought a considerable part of it was for the rumors to convince Blackmoore that we wanted Tari for this and that which protected her from any possible reprisal. Though I also think its not a bad thing, it feeds into a good princely mythos of danger and excitement that keeps people talking about him and his situation. Besides it does help a bit when he has to sneak around, people will presume its just to suit his habits and not espionage and secret training.As for the Stonemason refugeesThey 'ate stormwind, 'ate the alliance. They come from the south. Eventually they will make up a good portion of Dawnholme from the sound of it. They also come from Stormwind, a BIG capital city, to our countryside Dawnholme that doesnt have a Town Hall yet. Thats a considerable bit of adjustment to make. They also just spent however many months trying to basically sneak from port to port and town to town without getting caught by the alliance. Its been rough I am sure.>Other Write inHave a small welcome festival I suppose most of them might not be familiar with how cold it will get here, though Pelija's group has been here a while so they know. Still its a considerable group of people. Theres lots of stuff to learn probably. Theres lots of woman that came with this group, could help get some marriages going on to get connections between the two groups.
>>5957864>Ask if he has any ideas how to preemptively prevent any issues that might crop up?>Let the rumours be, they aren't causing any harm to you and those who know you know that they are all false.What he said >>5957978, intermarriage would unite the two communities together. Do a sizeable fetival celebrating what unites them and incentivize intermingling in the hopes that marriages follow. Also don't we control a lot of housing? We could mix Alteraci and Stonemason populations throught that and like >>5957876 said, also through sharing jobs.
>>5957864>Ask if he has any ideas how to preemptively prevent any issues that might crop up?>Have Eligius start spreading rumours in counter to the ones circling you. You don't have a woman in every town.QM: If you have any ideas how to get the Stonemasons to integrate better and faster, I will gladly take write ins. Also what to do with the rumours?The rumors : creating a bit of chaos is not a bad thing. Some good rumors here and there while building more that lady killer rep. If rumors can make us look unpredictable it will be useful, in some ways. Not all.Stonemasons : we have some options in front of us.- War : Straightforward. The mercenaries can join our men in the hills. Fighting side by side helps, and since this is their new home bleeding for it does matter. On top of this : there is a good chance of outright becoming part of the Alterac army and get an officer position if you are good and loyal. And the military is basically the government of Alterac alongside Alric (a natural evolution, especially with the desire of reclaiming Alterac and military reconstruction/defense). A military path is either : be mercs and get money, or going in the army and get more. Also with seeing stuff like us making Garithos persona not grata, and the Alliance garrison being kicked out (on top of the victories), normal recruitment could be easily done in Stonemasons ranks. Just push those points forward.- Alterac Principality/Kingdom in Exile(?) court positions : this is somewhat funny, because Alric rightfully couldn't really bother to have a court around him or anything similar. He has a some figures in positions that are civilian, but they aren't many. There might be people in the Stonemasons that want to work there directly for the Prince. For example we could have a court mage, a first minister and a diplomat.- Talking and being seen : Directly presenting ourself and talking more with them might be a good way to their hearts. Even with the lady killer rep, Alric is still considered an hero by everyone else that doesn't care of those rumors, like his people or Tarren Mill. Cultural events for celebrate Alterac, feasts and the like can also be used for foster better relationships. Why not have a suspiciously looking puppet Garithos-like being burned alongside a Syndicate one during festivities ? Just saying.- Work : Working together is not a bad way for merge this peoples. The Stonemasons are hardworking and have survived, the Alteracis are hardworking and have survived. Match made in heaven, use it. Put them to work in different projects, when prisoners are seen the magnanimity of Alric should be explained and presented (speaking of might want to add a new page to the Book of Law). And of course the worst cases gets the rope or execution.
I will amend my vote >>5957901 to include letting rumours be. Either way it is fine.>>5957978Mentioning Blackmoore is smart, he is thinking his plan is working and might think otherwise if rumours of opposite kind start appearing. If I remember Langston liked to spread and listen to rumours. Better to leave rumours be or at max just trying to curb the most serious ones. I dont think the rumours will end up biting our own ass.>>5958016We really dont have a court, just a collection of friends, civilians and officers. We really do need that town hall build to get all the admin stuff there.
>>5957864>Ask if he has any ideas how to preemptively prevent any issues that might crop up?>Let the rumours be, they aren't causing any harm to you and those who know you know that they are all false.>If you have any ideas how to get the Stonemasons to integrate better and faster, I will gladly take write ins.First of all we should house them widely between the other Alteraci houses, so that they would have to rely and mix with their Alteraci neighbours instead of just each other. Having them work (and fight) together will also help. That way the creation of a Little Stormwind will be prevented.Also, how much cultural difference is there between Stormwind and Alterac?I'd imagine that there's not much difference betweed the different human kingdoms since they all came from the Arathor empire and speak the same language, and that's not to mention the existence of inhuman beasts such as trolls and gnolls forcing them to cooperate.
>>5958016>>5957864>support+the best way to assimilate a population is through marriage, shared history aka hate alliance so do we, and not letting them all live next to each other. We don't need a "china town" or "little india". Probably need to stop calling them Stonemasons. They're alteracians now. Otherwise verbiage is going to keep us as a us vs them.
A lot of good ideas, this has given me inspiration for future updates. The rumour vote is currently 4-4 tie between trying to counter the rumours and not doing anything. I am way too tired from work to write the update today so the discussion and voting can continue.Great stuff my lovely anons!>>5957986There is currently a lack of housing due to both Underbelly migrants and Stonemasons arriving. The tent city is here to stay for some time as migrants are housed in the Alliance camp and in houses that take them in.>>5958022That's a good question, how much there really are cultural differences? I can't remember reading anything relating to that right now, but if I were to guess some RPGs books might have a line or two.But if I was to say, there are differences as the distance between kingdoms is quite large one and so are the environments. Stormwind City is located in a warm coast with lush fields, while Alterac is in the mountains and full of valleys and forests. I have thought Alteracis as naturally distrustful of outsiders due to living in a partial isolation, but if you can get inside their society, then they will take you in with open arms. And then there is the recent history of being seen as traitors and forced to live in their own quarters. Plenty of reasons for Alteracis to be distrustful of others.Of course then there are the accents that are spoken, even if the language is the same.
What's the point of countering the rumours anyway? Just seems like a waste of time to me.>>5958103>There is currently a lack of housing due to both Underbelly migrants and Stonemasons arriving. The tent city is here to stay for some time as migrants are housed in the Alliance camp and in houses that take them in.Yeah but isn't there an expansion going on? We should have a bunch of houses under construction no?
>>5957864>>Ask if he has any ideas how to preemptively prevent any issues that might crop up?>Let the rumours be, they aren't causing any harm to you and those who know you know that they are all false.
>>5958105New houses are being built, it just takes some time to build them. Dawnholme will grow larger.
>>5958123Then we can mix Alteraci and Stonemason populations when they're done, like was suggested.
>>5957864>>Have Eligius shift the focus to watching and following the Stonemasons, including Surena, instead of your neighbours.>>Ask if he has any ideas how to preemptively prevent any issues that might crop up?>Have Eligius start spreading rumours in counter to the ones circling you. You don't have a woman in every town.