>The war, however, is not the only thing spreading chaos about the land. The gods, and the arcane are returning to the world after nearly 4000 years of having been thought dead. You, are at the forefront of those in the empire re-discovering that which has been lost for four millenia, and your ultimate goal is to become the Praetorian of the Divine.
>
>That office once thought lost to obsolescence with the disappearance of the gods, 1000 some years after the mortal races, humans, dwarves, elves, the cat-like felixsians, and the massive hulking lizard-men known as lacertans, killed the gods immortal servants on the mortal plain, the 6 Dragons, Elemental Patriarchs and Elemental Matrairchs 5000 years ago.
>You are currently going through a much needed period of staff enlargement and tending to your persoinal assets, and most of your plans involve either training the arcanists in the maniples of the other members of the Praetorian Militants fists, and the new order tasked with hunting and killing the vicious, bestial Loukys, an ancient race of intelligent predatory creatures recently returned to the land of the living.

The next morning you awaken late, Jayne on one side, Sansa on the other, both clinging to an arm. They fuss and cling half awake as you leave bed, but you have work to do. By the time you return from the bathhouse attached to the officers dormitory, the two are using each other to replace your body heat against the mid-morning chill, and sound asleep again. By now the Governors household is most likely awake, and you could visit Rufus. HOwever, you know for a fact that by now, Laelith, her new assistants, and most liekly Lena, which means Wulf, are at the archives searching for information on the divine and arcane. Kyria and any apprentices she has are most likely in one of the empty dormitories working on runecrafting by now, and Janos is no doubt politicking at the arenas, or out buying Temples for you.

>>15246806
Visiting Rufus sounds like a decent idea, no idea what exactly we would talk about, though.

>>15246806
I'd prefer to let Laelith get some results before we bother her.
I'd like to pen a letter to Rufus asking him the progress of his elementalism training.
See how many apprentice rune-forgers we now have.

Then see about our nascent mercenary air force.

>>15246842

Has Rufus been training at the academy with any other necromancers we've found? What with him likely being the best necro in degnar and all

>>15246877
sounds good, seconding.

>>15246877

seconding, though didn't we send our valk riders out to look for Janos' caravan that was overdue?

>>15246936
Did that happen after I left last session? I remember that there was talk about it.

>>15246997
It was mentioned that we will do it, but that was the night before. I doubt that they've gone out already.
If the Skywings are still in the capitol, I'd like to know if they're having any trouble getting new valkyries. We've got some political enemies, and I want to know sooner rather than later if they've already started messing with our supply lines.

You make your way over to where your now personal wing of Valkerie riders. they are, of course off searching for your missing caravan, but the papers Captain Corinth has laying around his office are enough to inform you that he now has 20 riders again, all mounted and trained to acceptable skill levels. However, it is slow going, as he is being as selective as a captain recruiting for the personal wing of the Midnight Dragon can be, meaning that the overall skill of the battalion is increasing by a large amount, though the process is slower due to the higher rejection rates.

You decide to pay a visit to the House Ovidius Villa after verifying that none of your funds are being laundered, and silently hope to yourself that you have not worn out your welcome there. By the time you have Spite saddled, and change into a cleaner, less heavily used uniform, it is late morning, and by the time you make your way through the bustling city, again circumventing the arteries of volunteers that work through the Legions Bleeding Heart of a city to the Villa in question, it is nearly midday. The guards permit you to enter, eyeing you strangely, though saying nothing. In the courtyard, is a large young man, with chin length black hair going through technical drills with a battle scythe. It is not until you notice the emblems of Neshai tattooed to his fists, and etched into the blade that you realize the fellow is Rufus, who seems to have gone through one last growth spurt. He does not seem to recognize you, but it is obvious that the governor is seeing to business at the moment, you could interrupt him now, or wait patiently. Time is no issue to you however, so you could also politely wait.

>>15247126

Watch. Lets see what hes able to do now.

If we want to play with him, throw a few stones at him and see if hes able to detect and deflect them. :D

>>15247126
Let's politely wait. We're kind of dropping in unannounced, so we shouldn't really interrupt.

>>15247126

Observe his drills for now, but if we spot any obvious flaws, correct the boy's mistakes. worst case, SPARRING TIME!

>>15247126
Let's be polite and wait. No sense in being rude, especially if we have the time to be so considerate.
As for Rufus, wait for him to finish his drill then call out to him, to ask him how he's doing. Mention the symbols of Neshai, and how such public worship is being taken by those around him.

One thing we'll need to find.

We need to look for and recruit a good draftsman.

The profession is one that produces technical drawings for a number of industries like architecture and manufacturing.

Degrain has express that he has trouble simplifying and making his designs easy to mass produce. Having someone trained in such works will make his life much easier.

>>15247183
Agreed and hooboy. I bet his dad isn't going to be pleased with us.

Also, I think we have a mission for our mystic. Screen the new staff our people recruited. I'm getting paranoid about being infiltrated by that cult or spies now.

You stable Spite, then make your way back to the courtyard to watch Rufus. His motions are fluid, and sweeping enough to effectively use the scythe as a weapon, though it is clear he is still an armature, he does not seem to be making any major mistakes. Eventually, sweating, he stops his drills, and turns, a shocked look taking over his face "Commander Trentz, when did you arrive?"

You smirk "Long enough ago to have seen your drilling. You seem to be progressing better with that than with the blade, it would seem."

He shrugs "It is the weapon my goddess' High Priests wielded, so I decided to learn. I did not expect for it to come easier to me." he takes a towel from the empty bench his shirt is draped over and wipes his face "Might I inquire as to why you are visiting?"

"To see how you are doing since you revealed your powers and faith to your father, though, it is not strictly a business visit." you reply, falling into step with the boy as he begins walking towards the main house.

The young man grimaces "Until I proved my powers father was furious. Though now he simply wishes me to become as useful as possible to our house." he opens the door, and gestures for you to enter.

"And your faith?" you ask, as the boy enters the building.

He sighs, setting his scythe in a rack at the door "To most, it is the same youthful enamoration with the past that led Wulf to have his forearm tattooed. My father believes now, though he is as silent about it as I publicly." The boy enters a side room to change and wash, you patiently wait outside, noting the map of mortuaries in the city on left lying on a side table nearby. When he exits, quite a while later than he should have, the boy is rather shaken looking "Justinian, I just had a vision..."

>>15247346

Get him to sit down and discuss it. We need to know what transpired.

>>15247346
"I suppose it would be silly of me to be optimistic and expect good news about this vision?"

>>15247346
"By your reaction to it, its bad news, isn't it? Somehow, I am not surprised. Sit down, and tell me what you saw."

You sigh, and pat the seat next to the one you had been waiting on "Would it be too much to hope for pleasant tidings?"

He shakes his head "You have had this vision before..." he begins, pausing to take a deep breath, and attempt to ease his shaking hands. "You, you have a plan for this, right?"

>>15247519
>seen it before
Maybe it's the one about the undead hordes called up by the Cult?

"I ALWAYS have a plan, Rufus. Whether that plan actually works out or not..."

>>15247519
"Standing along the edge of the bleak coast, when from the mists, boats begin coming the wrong way. Tens, then hundreds... Neshai did share this with me before. And I have been planning. I suppose it is about time I told you about whose vile plan this is."

Reposting from last thread. Crossed off done tasks. Added some tasks proposed by others.

Orders from Praetorian Militant:
- screen the troops he gave us with detector stone
- arrange for anti-Louky training for these troops
- screen the troops of the two Fists that are currently in the city
- induct potentials into our academy

Personal business to be delegated:
- personal combat training for our infantry captains (Gaius Cornelius Uurist Collin)
- formalize grenadier attachments (Gaius Cornelius Uurist)
- experiment with anti-mage snipers (Aurelius Blackbird)
- keep on translating/decoding texts (Finian)

Personal tasks:
- check up on were-bulls
- hire draftsman (?)
- check up on Rufus (in progress)

>>15247519
"I have plans. I would be a little too egotistical to think what I have planned at the moment is guaranteed to work though. We definitely need to gather any necromancers we can at this point and sway them to our view point. Hopefully that bell I got in Northmont can help with that."

>>15247519

"To bring an end to hostilities as soon as possible and prepare our nations to stand against this threat. If the visions are correct, we will need the help of the Uuulanthi to hold back this dark tide.

Did Neshai say anything else? Else how did you know that I had seen this vision before?"

>>15247569
Add get Antonius (Our mystic) to screen the new recruits that Laelith and co hired. I don't want spies from other people or the cult knowing what we're up to or stealing things from us. In fact, we might want to start our anti-mystic training soon.

In progress:

Degrian: simplify blueprints, recruit engineers
Kryia: recruit and train rune-smiths
Laelith, Wulf, Lena: magic research, refining magic training curriculum
Valkyries: searching for our caravan
Daeseu, mystic: tracking down our enemies in DragonsReach

>>15247569

I realised that theres actually a very good way to integrate field training for the elementalist.

Have them take part in this prisoner battles like the one we did at the very start.

If we have them untouchable as well and new and upcoming commanders can learn how to use and deploy these new assets.

>>15247622

I don't know. If they are "untouchable" then it's not real combat training, just slaughter.

The only benefit I could see is that necromancers like Rufus can use the test battles to practice, instead of going to mortuaries and creeping people out there.

>>15247519
"I have plans, but your goddess will have to pull her weight here as well. I'm more concerned about Uurlanth right now. Hopefully Uurlanth will realize their folly quickly, and end the war soon, as I suspect that humanity will need to present an united front to this new threat."

Your face affects a deep, involuntary frown "Standing on this side of the Bleak Coast, shrouded in mist, an innumerable number of ships headed the wrong way?" Rufus nods, his face pale "Of course I have a plan, I always have a plan.
The bell will help, you and Neshai rebuilding her priesthood, swaying as many necromancers as possible from the sway of The Cult. Any other arcana that can deal with the undead."

Rufus shakes his head "With how the war is going, and how hard to down the undead are... I need to learn my scythe better. And become a High Priest in the proper sense, not by default dont I?"

"That Neshai has given you this particular vision... I feel it means she believes you are ready to face it."

>>15247715
"I imagine so and it's something we'll need to look into sooner rather than later. Also, when you have a chance I would like you to see me at my barracks. I need to ask you some things about the bell."

A) Yes I do want to ask him some things about the bell such as how loud it is and if it might affect the use of his elementalism. B) I think we should tell Rufus about the cult but I rather do it in the safety of our barracks.

"We'll need every advantage, and I've learned a few things. Fire works very well, especially fire consecrated to your lady. Controlling consecrated fire, though, requires preperation, as no elementalist can control it. Unless... I wonder if perhaps a fire elementalist whom dedicated theirself to Neshai could..."

>>15247750
Seconding.

You turn to look directly at the young man "We will need to see to this" you gesture at the open air "crisis sooner rather than later. I will like to speak with you on this matter at my barracks some time before I next depart."

Rufus' face falls "Not here, why?" you simply raise an eyebrow, and Rufus nods, timidly.

"I suppose you do have much to speak with my son on, Commander Trentz. I however, would like to speak with you first. I realize you had good reasons for converting my son so, thuroughly to your camp, how did you learn what you know? As much as you can disclose if you would; I feel I deserv it." The governor greets you, taking a seat to your right, nodding to his son.

>>15247953

The father deserves the religious briefing at least.

Inform him of the gods and their ways. That we took Rufus aside as his powers ran contrary to Neshai, who would torment the souls of those who exercise their 'gifts' eternally when they die. In letting him know of his potential, we saved him from possible manipulation by other forces and saved his soul.

>>15247953
"Since my first campaign, I've been made aware of individuals with talents such as your son. I've been looking that topic ever since then and that's partly why I've been so successful in my campaigns. During the same campaign, I also came across an individual with similar beliefs as your son as well as other symbols. From there it was just a matter of research and meditative thinking."

I think we can say that...

>>15247953
"Please understand that there are still certain topics that I cannot discuss due to national security.
"As your son's powers attest, those with arcane powers are appearing once again. I was only able to confirm his powers when they were awakened during a battle, and his latent abilities reacted to the emotion-charged atmosphere of a medicae triage and operating center.
"I can neither confirm nor deny certain logical conclusions that can be made regarding the divine, in the face of magic returning to the world. Rufus may have told you about certain...conversations that he has had with a particular non-governmental entity."

"I have a crystal, which in the hands of someone with supernatural powers, detects the strength and type of other people with such powers. The color it showed me when I pointed it at your son... I couldn't chance him at some point unknowingly dooming his own soul to eternal torment. Especially not with these particular types running around who would like no less than to use him to raise an army. I've known about them since after my first deployment, but I have kept mostly quiet about them. What I know about them is disquieting in the least."

You sigh "I discovered, fairly early in my first campaign, that the arcane is returning. I eventually came into possession of an arcane item that allows me to detect folk with arcane talent." the governor opens his mouth to say something, but you hold up a finger "Now, some have drawn a connection between the arcane and the divine, as, from the prospective of supposedly immortal omnipotent beings the amount of time between the supposed death of the arcane and the disappearance of the gods is relatively short. And now, as I am at liberty to say this, the arcane has returned." the governors face pales as you continue "Now, some of the ancient texts of the gods hold that some of them would damn the soul of a necromancer who raises the dead to an eternity of pain, suffering and punishment, and would use such knowledge as a guide for how they would steer the development of the talents of such an arcanist." you very believably force a laugh as some servants walk by "As a perfectly SANE commander of the Degnarian Legion however, I simply felt that the morale effects of having to fight alongside corpses is not worth the bonuses of slightly harder to kill, much less skilled fighters."

The man shakes his head "Your man Janos is scheduled to see me about certain properties being purchased by you later today, some of which my son has exhorted me to purchase since he had his tattoos..." the governor eventually replies, carefully, and clearly keeping his emotions under tight control.

>>15248249
"Certain properties may see their value increase in the future, as they become more useful, especially if their original purpose becomes profitable again."

>imply the return of the gods via such roundabout speech.

>>15248249
"If this link I spoke of is true, the properties my man is planning to buy may see use once again."

"Ah, yes. You know, I find it interesting that just about all of the still standing temples to Neshai are now mortuaries. By the same coin, almost all of Rayhna's temples have been converted to blacksmiths. Most of the others have undergone similar ironies or left to crumble, but interestingly, there is still a temple of the ten, left abandoned, but in good condition.

If I had my choice, I'd re-open that one first, to give at least everyone a place before the others are opened, but it's in a fairly high-cost area."

>>15248314
Seconded. Trying to think if we should hint at becoming the 7th Praetorian but maybe we shouldn't do that just yet. Not until we get the big temple.

>>15248360
I think we should keep our ambitions on the down-low until we can confirm the governor as a political ally and he has a vested interest in seeing us succeed.
Remember that we have political enemies, and they undoubtedly have spy networks we need to be on guard against.

>>15248398
I agree, we can still suggest (in a roundabout way) that the divine are returning, however.

>>15248416
Pretty sure we already did here.

You nod "As I said, some may believe that the gods are returning. As such, an intelligent man would purchase certain abandoned structures, to re-sell them, or, perhaps as a long-term investment. And in a city so wracked by war and death, are mortuaries, smithies, and brothels not wise investments? Do the frightened masses not cling to the ability to defend themselves, and seek out the pleasures of the flesh in times so bleak? Are the mortuaries not at their busiest during a time of violence?" You notice the governors facade of calm begin to drop, replaced by a true, icy calm "The fact that these structures were once temples is simple irony."

The governor rises "That it is, Commander. And as, interesting as those trivia are, your, logic. has put me in a politically difficult situation. I most certainly hope that my sons newfound powers, and what he now believes from his studies will bear fruit." you rise as well, realizing that the governor is, after all, a busy man "I must, however, thank you for your expert tutoring of Rufus on the truth of warfare, and on tactics. I wish you luck in your endeavors." At that, the man strides from the hallway.

Rufus smirks ruefully "He wanted to have you killed when I first returned. Then he kept me confined to the Vila after I had my hands tattooed. Either he is accepting the truth, or planning something truly devious."

>so, anything else here, or head off to stake care of something else?

>>15248515
"Knowing my luck it'll be the latter. Let's hope I've made myself a powerful ally though. I'll see you later at the barracks when you have time."

I suggest we go to Antonius, tell him to screen staff for spies of any kind and then send/go with Laelith to the special area of the Imperial library to see what we can find.

>>15248515
I think we're ready for our next task. Let us bid Rufus good luck and good day.

>>15248515
I think we are done here. The Governor looks to be saying on the fence on this, just like during the party.
Might as well get back to our day job. Screening troops the Preator gave us or those in the fists inside the city.

>>15248561
I agree, we should probably get on with screening those troops so we can get their training started.

>>15248561
this plus a couple of additions. I think we should look into contacting our brother or at least checking up on him, and it was discussed in the IRC(before we went off on a tangent about captain planet) that we might want to get to marrying Jayne

>>15248535
Seconding what to say to Rufus.
Second getting Antonius to screen people.
Put it down as mind-reading training for Antonius, and getting troops familiarized to being mind-read by a mystic, as well as anti-telepathy training.

>>15248619
I don't think we need to do it to the troops. It's been long enough that spies would have hurt us already. I'm more concerned about the new staff people like Laelith hired. We have more enemies and they've had time to prepare for our return so spies might be more likely.

>>15248597
I'm good with this.
Also:..... Justinian has a brother?

>>15248703
Actually, while we need to scan all new recruits and employees, I'm also worried about some of our longer-term soldiers either being suborned directly (via bribery) or because of threats of violence against their families.

>>15248745
Fair enough, although I thought they were pretty loyal. Not sure how the maniple will take to a mystic scanning all of them though and that will take time. Newest people should be done first for sure in my mind.

>>15248788
Well yes, I agree that the first group should be new recruits, with the excuse that they haven't entered advanced training yet and have more time.
Then when we start scanning everyone else, it's to be part of anti-mystic training.

>>15248718
>yes he does, a member of the Legion, though you havent heard from him for a few years

You shake your head "With my luck, he wants my head on a pike, though I still am hoping that I have made myself an ally. Until we meet again Rufus." you reply, shaking his hand before leaving the Vila. The ride back to your barracks is much quicker than the ride to the vila, and it is only late afternoon when you arrive.

You find Autronius again walking the barracks' courtyard. When you inform him that he is to screen for spies, he looks nervous, but still accepts your order and says he will begin on the task tomorrow morning. By evening, the courtyard is alive with soldiers training, under the watchful eyes of Gaius and Collin, both of whom are scowling at the yard as the soldiers drill.

Blackbird is watching from the side, his now pregnant second wife clinging to one arm, his firstwife nursing at the orcs lap. It is, all things considered, an idyllic scene, as the early summer sun slowly stretches towards the horizon, Sansa going over records to one side of you, a tankard of ale before her, Jayne leaning against one shoulder, and Laelith the other. Kyria sits at your feet, chipping runes into a stones, and tossing them into the more open area of the yard.
>cont'd

As much as you wish things would remain as peaceful as they are, you know that things are likely to get far, far worse before they improve. Aurelius and Bellatrix spill out of the officers dormitory, arguing, until Wulf and Lena start dropping the remnants of the pairs meal on the mages sister and your maniples redeemed scumbag. Uurist and Cornelius both are inside, writing or reading letter no doubt, and you have a sinking feeling that Finian is working alone again. As the sun sets, you begin to decide that it is time to make your family more official... but that sort of thing needs a plan. You opt instead to enjoy the sunset for now, the rest can wait.

-----CQ-----

Early the next morning you call on your opposite in the right fist to screen his maniple for arcanists. You are greeted by a large western Degnarian, clearly the commander. He is a human, his head wrapped in a crimson turban, his dress uniform much more robelike than yours. He wears an adamant khopesh on his hip, its hilt the head of a dragon. "Ah, Commander Trentz! I assume the honor of this visit is related to the orders our Praetor gave you?" he greets you in a thick Frentum/Damis accent "Would you like my soldiers to assemble in parade formation, or will your lovely escort be going about this more surreptitiously, while we feign to be going about some other business?"

>>15248955
"Whichever you think would be the most comfortable for your men, there is no need to make this more complicated than it has to be"

>>15248955
"They're your men Commander, I would hope you would know the best way to fool them.
My usual tactic is copious amounts of alcohol, but you never know."

Scan him too. who knows!

>>15248955
I say just let them go about their business. We're in theory supposed to keep this kind of quiet right?

>>15249006
Seconded. These are his men, we should let him keep control.

You shrug "Whichever would best keep them calm, and quiet until this plan spreads to the entirety of the legion at the least." you flash the arcana detecting crystal, blue, a water elementalist "I usually use copious amounts of alcohol, but that is neither here nor there. You, my friend, are a water elementalist of reasonable potential, Laelith, if you would finish the screening?" you ask, splitting off with the man as he signals for his men to gather in the courtyard, though he does not give them any orders.

-----CQ-----

It is early afternoon by the time Laelith is finished screening the unsorted mass. You feel that you have a strong ally in Vibius Salvius by the time you depart, the man already preparing to depart with his maniples arcanists for your academy as you ride. "So, love, will it be the archives with me, or more work now?" Laelith asks from behind you, as Spite plods on down the road. You ponder her question, reveling in the feeling of the elf clinging to your body as you ride and think.

>>15249229
I don't see any reason to not go to the archives. Let's do that.

>>15249229
Head to the archives with Laelith. Might be worth looking into the previous 7th Praetorians. Might give us more insight with working with the gods or ways to protect ourselves. Although I still kind of want to work on the divine or counters to necromancy... Too many things to work on. I say look for knowledge on the previous 7th Praetorians and their dealings with the gods.

To the archives!

Is Vibius the only other finger in the city with us?

I'm trying to get a sense of the amount of work the Praetor gave us. How many fingers do we have left to screen?

>>15246700
Hey OP, I always enjoy reading these threads, and while I'm not very good, I thought I'd like to improve some of the gods' symbols. keep these threads going bro. I might do the rest an make changes when I can be arsed to.

>>15249352
>there are a total of two thumbs, and 12 fingers, counting yourself

>>15249365

In that case, let's try to screen one or two fingers a day until we get this done. Reserve a full day for each of the thumbs.

We can't slack off when the boss is in the city with us. I'm sure the Praetor will be checking up on our progress.

>>15249355
>you sir, are awesome, and have caused much jubilation in the irc. Thank you very much.

You smile "I may enjoy combing the archives with you for the rest of the day. What have you been searching for of late?" you ask, re-directing Spite towards the DragonBone Palace.

Whe sighs into your neck "Anything regarding the arcane, divine, or counters to necromancy. So everything, though I leave most of the searching for things on magic to Lena when Wulf is not distracting her. What do you want to focus on today, love?" she asks as the two of you slide off of Spite and begin to stride towards the archives.

>roll for searchan

rolled 33 = 33

Voting to look for records on historical Praetors of the Divine.

>>15249471
Second.

As you enter the archives you reply "I believe that I will search for any information on the Praetors Divine. And you, love?"

She sighs "I still have several tomes in the deepest levels of the archives on the arcane that need to be sifted through effectively. If you need any help yourself I will be happy to help you of course."

At that point the two of you seperate at the lowest level of the archives, Laelith to the tomes she already has set aside, though at a table easily large enough for the both of you, and you to comb the subterranean halls for information of interest to you. After a few hours you have three large tomes of Degnarian Records. Laelith shoots you a pitying look as you open the first. Most of the records are dull, though some have rather interesting stories hidden within. Before long, you realize that the Praetor Divinus was tasked with dealing with all matters "supernatural" and most of them would consider their dealings with the gods to be the simpler, duller portion of their job. Tracking down and bringing to justice rogue arcanists, screening the populace for more, spirits, were-creatures... the list goes on. Unfortunately, of the three tomes you found and scanned, none have information detailing which praetorins of the devine were fools, and which were wise, which ones are viewed as successes, and which ones faltered. At the end of the day, both Laelith and yourself are discouraged by a lack of progress on your research, as you ride back to the barracks.

>so, any task in particular you want to see to now, or skip ahead with the screening process to the next important event.
>remember you need to set up the Loukys hunting unit as well.

Alright. Let's get our units formed and readied. Also, one last check to see if there is news about the caravan.

>>15249706
tonight let's try and discuss the prospect of us marrying Jayne with the other ladies of the Harem. Tomorrow let's begin putting together the Loukys hunting unit

>>15249706
I think we should in preparation for both mage-hunting, Louykus-hunting, and general all-around usefulness... start training with our Mystic.

Mind reading = bad! And it's too late to start forming the anti-Louykis unit tonight. Train our mind until one or more of our ladies comes to drag us away.

>>15249706
Can we get Collin Gaius and Wulf to oversee the formation of the Anti-loukys hunting unit as we will be busy. I doubt the other commanders would prefer a lower ranking individual to do the screening, rather than an equal.

>>15249774
Yeah, almost forgot about this. We should really have that talk very soon, and ask them for their hands in marriage. Jayne will be our "wife" but make it clear that we consider them all our wives and equal, it's just a political title.

>>15249706
So... if we become the 7th Preatorian, we get to control a Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense
Or maybe an Inquisition?

Maybe screen the louky-hunting corp first. Get the ones with potential into the academy. Get the ones with no potential training with Gaius+Collin.

Then proceed to scanning the fists.

On the other hand, would the other finger commanders take offense if we delayed screening them? Can we tell the thumbs that we are saving the best for last?

>>15249797
Yes, they will be in charge of actual training. We only have one detector stone to use though.

>>15249844
Yeah the one detector stone is proving to be a real bottleneck in identifying and training elementalists. We need to find more.

>>15249912
>>15249844
Users of the arcane can sense others, so don't worry. It will be exponential growth.

You spend the better part of the next week screening the other fingers of the Praetorian Militants fists for arcanists. By then end of it, you feel sorry for Esthyria, as she will be thoroughly overworked for the next month trying to train the rush of new arcanists. As you walk into the barracks after screening the last unit, happy that excluding Spuria, and a particularly unpleasant pair of commanders in the Right Fist are open to, if not a little frightened by the return of the arcane, and, by deduction of alone, of course, the arcane. In your mind your Praetor chose his closest servants well. In the courtyard, Kyria has her crossbow at the ready, and Lena is standing down range, looking nervous, yet her usual obedient, unwilling to offend nature is clearly winning out. "Lena, stand to the side of the shield" Kyria instructs, as Lena move away from directly behind the shimmering arcane shield "Now, another one, right in front of you please, I dont want Wulf having to punish me for hurting you." Lenas face screws up, but it smooths out soon enough, and it seems taht all eyes in the courtyard fall to the dwarf and her bow. The trigger is pulled, the string thrums, a flash of blue erupts as the bolt leaves the now. It zips down range, coruscating in blues and greens and yellows, though the trails brilliance is rapidly degrading. The bolt strikes, and visibly cracks the shield, then disintegrates, leaving only a fine dust to flow harmlessly through the shield. The dwarf screams out in frustration, tears the front of the bow from the body, and throws it to the ground. Lena jumps back, and most of the rest of the courtyard draws back as well. "What am I not doing right? Where isn't it perfect?" she is muttering to herself as you approach her, the removed potion of the bow now held in her hands, and right up to her face. You know for a fact that she does not notice you.

Let's find out what she's testing out here.

>>15250027
Give her a hug.
You are proud of all the progress that she's made.

And maybe we should be spending time that we have to spare to assist at the academy, the same with Wulf.

>>15250076
second, bonus points for surprise hug

>>15250027
Awww, she needs a hug. Then let's tell her we have some important news for her, and that she should meet us in our room along with all of the other girls.

If we have had weeks then surely we have had time to buy the rings, yes? Proposal. Tonight. Let's stop wasting time and beating around the bush.

"The dragons weren't slain in a day, Kyria"*

*(From irc)

combine with any number of "give the dwarf a hug" posts.

Yes, let's surprise hug a dwarf girl with a (partial) weapon in her hands. What could possibly go wrong.

>>15250245
Exactly! I like the way you think.

(also she broke the weapon in two and threw it down)

>>15250259
Also we can take her, we know where she's ticklish.

You calmly walk up behind her, and wrap her up in a tight hug as swiftly as you can. She shouts in shock, tries to fight back, realizes its you, then calms down. "The dragons werent slain in a day, love. Your making excellent progress, and thats all the more I can ask for." You plant a kiss on her cheek, and she finally lets the last of the tension drains from her body.

"It isn't even supposed to be colored like that. Its just, I thought I had finally scribed the rune perfectly for the first time." she tells you, quietly, somewhere between embarrassed for losing her temper, and disappointed.

You smile warmly "I know just what you need to cheer up. Get the other girls together, and meet me in our room." you kiss her agian.

As you make your way to your room, Janos jogs up to you "The caravan is finally in!" he exclaims "It was raided heavily on its last leg, but our Valkerie riders saved it from being destroyed."

You grimace "How bad were the losses?"

Janos shrugs "Of the hired guards, more than half, of our troops, none. As to profit, the raids cut deep, but we will still have enough to purchase the Temple of the Ten, and seed another similar venture, though it will be down to my beast fighting after the venture has set out."

Smiling, you pat the man on the back, and continue on to your room "Thats excellent news friend, let us see to that tomorrow, I have more, personal measures to see to tonight."
>cont'd

At the end of it, Sansa cried tears of joy, into Kyrias shoulder, both to keep from falling from her seat, and to keep the dwarf from running about shouting how happy she was. Jayne, much more controlled, silently wept her tears of joy, apologizing to the others profusely that politics were forcing it to be the way it was. Laelith wordlessly smiles, staring at you, naught but love in her eyes. And there you sit grinning like an idiot. To hell with the fun you had in the academy, or as a child, this is where happiness and joy truly are. Laelith of course breaks the scene, silently moving in to wrap you up in a deep, passionate kiss. She is briefly followed by Kyria, as she breaks free from a barely collected Sansa, who move in at the same time as Jayne. You know that none of you are getting any sleep tonight, but for once, Jayne wont bitch about perking everyone up, Kyria will share properly... and most importantly, they are yours, mind, body, and soul, yours and only yours, as much as you are theirs, and would do anything for them.

>this seems to be a good, happy stop off point, especially for the slower down-time threads
>someone archive please
>I'll be back tuesday at 9pm server time
>if you have any setting/random CQ questions just e-mail me at paxcomquest@yahoo.com

>>15250367
Waifu status: achieved.

In the next 'downtime' we have that is used for training or whatever I think we should start on the Mystic anti-mindreading. Glad the caravan got through, though very annoyed that profits got eaten into so badly. Still, Janos seems to have been doing well. And we're going to need to create a secret elite task force or two... fun fun.

>>15250453
We ought to hire valkyrie riders to be our own personal caravan guards. The scouting ability alone should deter most bandits, and if they end up getting raided anyway then the valkyrie's mobility is great for heading to the nearest whatever and spread the news or get reinforcements. Another utility would be to stalk raiders, giving them nowhere to run or hide where they won't be caught.

Imagine if we own a band of riders patrolling all major roads, we could get DIRTY RICH by getting a cut from all the toll fees around the empire.
Also, early warning network in case shit goes south.

>>15246700
Updated OP

And the two I couldn't fit. Took creative liberties with them all, sorry.

>>15251008
Oh no no no, we don't like creativity here in /tg/.