>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 decide to spend what is likely to be your last day in DragonsReach for quite some time at your academy. Or, at least spend your morning there. Autronius is patiently training the remainder of your command staff on the rudiments of shielding their minds in one of the smaller common rooms of the main structure, while Lena, Esthriya, and the more advanced elementalists are out in the yard training the current crop as best they can before the soldiers are re-deployed, though for some that may not be for quite a while yet.

>>15417413
I'm wondering if we should try to speak to the First one more time before we leave. He said he has suspicions about that other Praetorian being involved with the cult but after what we heard last time, we might want to see if we can get some support from him. That and hopefully he's reconsidered resigning once this war is done.

Additionally, I am a little concerned the Emperor's heir didn't know about the cult until we told him. Or at least not as much as he should have seeing as he was only starting to cull their agents after we talked to him about them.

>>15417413
Suggesting that we speak with the First Praetorian after this, to inform him of our increase in security, the hiring of retired Excolo agents (so that if it comes up while we're away, he can cover for us) for internal security, and see if he can swing some more resources (garrison guards, money) over to the Academy to keep it secure from Cult and Uurlanth spies.

Miscellaneous things:
Tell Janos that retired Excolo agents may be coming to him for work; hire them and put them on security at the Academy.

Ask Esthriya if she needs anything specific we can get her for improving the Academy. Access to the Royal Archives, an increased budget, whatever we can do in our last day here.

Finally, shall we be bringing the members of our werebeast combat team along?
I also want to ask Laelith if she's found anything to allow us to identify werebeasts before they go on a rampage.

>>15417516
>werebulls

I'm thinking we should bring them along, or at least see how they're progressing.

Definitely get their support on the project. Arcanists are a state and military resource now.

Is Laelith here? Or is it her day off?

>>15417568
May be, but this is our academy we have built with our own personal funds. It's ours, not the state's and we should keep it that way.

OH! Guys, we should check up on the progress of the only artificer we've discovered so far, since he should still be here.

>>15417708
Probably, though I'm not expecting much. He's only had a week or two.

You decide to simply sit back and watch your instructors teach, deciding to speak with Laelith and Esthriya once their current classes have been dismissed. The training regimens are, intense, Laeliths constant drills and sparring, Esthriyas ruthless punishments for unnaceptable results, Lenas cold, harsh approach to teaching, allowing for no error.

A few hours before lunch, the classes disperse, and you pull Esthriya and Laelith aside. "Is there anything we can help you with, love?" Laelith asks warmly, as the three of you sit.

You smile, before replying "To start, I was wondering if Esthriya will need anything before we deploy."

The old Lacerta thinks for a moment, making a noise somewhere between a growl and a hum, before she replies "Arcane talent detecting crystal would be useful. Soon classes will begin to become sparse, and excluding the instructors I would like to keep, things will become rather barren here. I could... comb the slums for more mages and mystics, pull the poor from their destitution and reposes their belongings for tuition. As to other resources, I can think of none."

>>15417755
Quest accepted. Let's see if we can get another crystal since I don't want to lose ours. Might as well do it if we plan to see if we can talk to the First. Hopefully she can start picking up some necromancers as well. Also, since the corrupt Praetorian might have necromancers, we might want to hold off on using the bell. It's a trump card we have that she'll become aware of if we use it to locate necromancers in the city.

>>15417755
We've only got one crystal, right?

also:
"I'll see what I can do about that. Another thing. How's our one and only Artificer progressing? He's a truly rare find, so I'd like to keep up to date on his progress."

>>15417755
Our crystal has been pretty damn useful on campaign, and I'm loathe to part with it. I'd much rather have Janos comb through the arcana market to see if there's an equivalent that can be purchased.

As for Laelith, ask her about identifying werebeasts before they transform.

>>15417755
Also ask Laelith how her research has been going, and if there are any books she would like us to buy/get on loan for her to take on campaign with us. Even books she just wants to read for fun would be fine, I suppose, though I would hope we could get some research tomes as well.

After all, no sense in slowing our investigations into the myriad things we NEED to research just because we are on campaign, right?

You sigh "Perhaps if I can find another to keep with me. If not... I am loathe to part with the security it provides when meeting new folk. How much progress has our Arcane Smith made?"

Esthriya shakes her head "Very little. But with a talent as... difficult to master, as his, that is not surprising."

You nod your head "Laelith, have you found any methods to rooting out were-beasts before they first transform and rampage in your studies?"

The elf shakes her head "Such arcana existed, but I have not been able to track the ownership of an in-tact and functioning item as of yet. Did you need us for anything else, we have other classes beginning soon."

>>15417936
do
>>15417866

>>15417936
I don't see anything else that is absolutely vital to go over with them right now.

We need to find and inform Janos about the Excolo retirees that will be coming his way.

Then we need to speak with the Praetorian.

>>15417957
Second. Might as well also look into finding that arcana ourselves I guess and hope it won't cost a lot.

Also, wasn't Finian supposed to be done with his translations soon?

>>15417966
>Finian's translations
Oh yes, I believe you're right. We should check on him, before Janos.

>>15417866
Also might as well do this. I assumed we had a stock of books Laelith could use for research but if we don't, let's go see what we can dig up for her or if she wants any certain things.

You smile "Laelith, how is your current backlog of research material for while we are on campaign?"

Laelith grins back at you "I finished it, love."

You chuckle "You had best get to the archives and procure more possibly useful tomes then, love." the elf leaps forward to hug and kiss you, and rides back into the city with you to stock up on tomes, scrolls and the like.

Your next stop, after dropping Laelith off at the archives, is your barracks. You intend to find either Finian or Janos to speak with them, and it is the former you find first, lounging against a tree, his freshly cleaned steambow on his lap, clearly sleeping. However, he is woken by one of Degrians mysterious cubes making some strange, and terribly loud noise. the dwarf leaps up to salute youk, before returning to his tree as you lean against the side of his tree. "How goes the translation, my friend?" you ask him idly.

The dwarf sighs "I have good and bad news, which would you have first?"

>>15418074
*sigh*
"It's never JUST good news, is it. Bad news first, then."

>>15418091
Agreed.

>>15418091
Always the bad first. Then you don't have to end on a downer.

You sigh "Why is it never simply good news? The bad first, captain."

Again, one of the torso sized cubes makes a terrible screeching, keening noise, Degrian curses even louder, then Finain clears his throat and replies "From what I read, this cult, the Forge of New Divinity, they call themselves have found all of their LordFathers... or, LordMothers in one cases. All but three are necromancers, though the last four remain enigma to me, save that one recently gave birth to her first child. It would seem that the chest fell from a wagon as the last high ranking Seeker, which was Khalless now defunct rank in the cult, had been leaving the Duchy, and that chest fell free from his wagon. A patsy or two must have been sent to fetch it, and..." you clear your throat "The good news is that the Forge of New Divinity has left the Duchy, save for a token influence which is now in line with our own nations designs on the Duchy. WUlf will have one less thing to contend with during his mission in the Duchy."

>>15418248
Well, if the cult can work FOR us for once it would be a nice goddamned change.

And forge of the new divinity? Fourteen LordFathers? Sounds like these kids are trying to make their own godly pantheon. I would be somewhat in support of this if we weren't already considering marrying one of the current and bros with half of the others.

>>15418248
"Distasteful to have the same goal as them in bringing the Duchy to war, but at least that's one less problem to worry about.
"Was any mention made of who these Lordfathers might be? What about their intermediate goals?"

>>15418284
Definitely sounds like they're trying to make a new pantheon.

Did the missives give us any leads on what they're up to or where some of them might be? As it stands, we can't touch these guys unless we go after the Third praetorian...

Talked over some in IRC, I think the consensus is to bring our mystic with us on campaign for the following purposes:

1. Mental training for us.
2. Anti-assassin sweeping
3. Interrogation
4. Spy and determine enemy commander's plans

If you support this then please second.

>>15418400

seconding

You shake your head, and slide down the tree "Though it is loathsome to be working towards the same goals as these cultists. Do you have any idea as to what their immediate goals are? Their whereabouts, the names of these Lordfathers?"

Finian pauses for a moment "Gah, I seem to have misspoken. Khalless was a Lordfather, he was to see to the raising of a Lord, or Lady in the one isolated case. The Seekers were to help find the potential Lords. The Lords will be heavily indoctrinated, and do the bulk of the work once the cult moves. No mention was made of names, or of current intentions. However, I would expect them to find an isolated place to train the Lords, wait, and finish their preparations before moving. Did you need me for anything else, commander?"

>>15418400
Okay thats decided then.

So what next? Do we have anything else to do with Finian or should we move on?

>>15418438
Can't think of anything... Really getting annoying how we can't touch these guys at all. I'm starting to get tempted to say we should just fuck up the Third's shit but that's going to be way too harsh on us unless we have a Praetorian's backing.

Guess we should move on for not.

>>15418438
Thank you, Finian, but no. I'll have to inform the First on your discoveries.

Also, have you gotten ready your belongings yet. We'll leave on the morrow or the day after.

>>15418400
Second, and make sure that a copy of his training equipment and the mysticism training glove stay at the Academy, in case another mystic is found.

>>15418438
Ask Finian how the steambows are performing. I'd like to know if they'd work for sniper work or not.
If we have the time after this campaign, I want to outfit his unit with steambows.

After that, find and talk with Janos.

You sigh, not being able to properly hinder this cult is beginning to wear on you "No, that will be all Finian. If you have not yet prepared, I would suggest you do so, as we leave on the morrow."

At that, you rise, and set out to find Janos, who is in one of the smaller back rooms of the officers dormitory, several maps of varying age, as well as a small pile of what you can only assume are land deeds spread out on a table before him. "Commander, how can I help you?" he asks, tossing a few deeds to a much sloppier pile after glancing at several maps.

>>15418543
"So Janos my friend, how much of the Empire do I now own?"

We should ask after his wife, whatshername. See how things are going, make sure he's getting used to life here. It's been a while since we've spoken with him after all.

Maybe tell him he can use some extra money from the cash he makes and the equipment we're bringing back to sell to buy himself a small, nondescript apartment or house.

>>15418543
"I found out why the Third is peeved at me. Well, beyond being an enemy of the cult. Turns out, she also had her eye on the temple of the ten. Wanted to turn it into an enemy station hidden in plain sight."

>>15418543
"I merely wanted to inform you that a number of people may come to you seeking employment. They are retired Excolo agents, who I want running security around the Academy, and any other business that might be done in my name.
"Be careful of the Third Praetorian, she's been corrupted and apparently my purchase of the Temple of the Ten and the setting up of the Academy has angered her greatly. These men will hopefully provide some protection against her machinations."

>>15418543
Also add "And Janos, you know you can just call me Justinian.... Did you really have the helmet melted down? I mean, it had such a simple yet effective artistry to it."

You shrug "I was merely stopping by to inform you that there will be some retired Imperius Excolo agents approaching you for employment. You are to hire them, and put them on security for my academy. Though, I doubt they would be averse to seeing to some of the more, clandestine, tasks I will need done in the city."

Janos looks up at you "And the Third..."

You sigh, deeply "Is a pawn of this cult we have been dealing with, the Forge of New Divinity, they call themselves. Which makes the fact that my purchasing of the Temple of the Ten has given her all the more reasons to be angry with me."

Janos chuckles "Even in Degnar it seems that political intrigue follows me like a pox."

You smile and drop into an unused chair near your majordomo "Speaking of Degnar, how are you adjusting, friend?"

Janos chuckles "Buying off its historical sites for my employer and rescuer has helped me learn much of my new home. The barracks life is good enough, though Kaitlyn insists we find an apartment or a small villa once she is with child... though I do sincerely hope that is not until this war is closer to over. Aside from that, and the sun not shining with as much more radiance as you said it did when compared to Uurlanth... you did not lead me wrong, my friend. However, it will be interesting to soo some of the other large cities when Kaitlyn and I leave to personally inspect some of these Keeps before I purchase for you. Perhaps Jaynes sister will have her governorship by then. From the sound of it the political proceedings in Northmont are coming to a close."

>>15418714
"Good. Don't worry too much about the villa; take whatever you need out of the budget for it.
"Oh, and if you can, be on the lookout for an arcana similar to my crystal here, to detect arcanists and elementalists. Esthriya wants one for the Academy, which I think is a worthwhile investment. Get one as long as it won't bankrupt us."

After this, we should go to the First Praetorian.

>>15418714
"I am glad. I hope we will always be friends, Janos. When the time finally comes that we begin to move on the cult, I would like you there with me. Justice will be done for you, your brothers, and your father. I swear it."

>>15418747
All I can think of for now. Unless we have him start talking to some mercenary bands while we're gone just to see if he can get on good terms with multiple bands like back in Uurlanth.

>>15418747
>>15418763

If we can, both of these.

>>15418802
>>15418763
>>15418747
these sound good

You continue to smile "I am glad to hear that, and hope that we continue to remain friends Janos. As to the villa, dont worry about it, take what you need from the budget for it."

Janos freezes "Th-thank you, Justinian, I-"

You chuckle "Think nothing of it, my friend, its the least I can do after all of the headaches and harassment I have given you. And, if you would cling to that happiness, it may get you through my next request" Janos gulps "If it would not ruin your budget, Esthriya has requested an arcane potential detecting crystal of her own, and I feel that it would be a sensible thing to purchase."

Janos nods "It liekly will not be something she has in her hands for some time, but I should be able to find one. Not all of the nobles and merchants at the breeding houses and beast pits are as well off, intelligent, or fiscally stable as they would have others believe." You nod in agreement, chuckling as you leave Janos to his work.

-----CQ-----

It takes until early evening, but you are eventually able to get a last minute appointment with your Praetor. The man looks haggard, and tired... but there are no parchments on his desk, so it seems safe to assume that he has seen to all of his work for the day "Commander Trentz, how can I help you?" he asks, exhausted.

>>15418909
"Unfortunately I doubt it'll be anything to make things easier for you."

Then give him the gist of what we discovered from Finian's translations. Should we mention anything from our chat with the Excolo people?

>>15418936
I think it's safe to mention what we found out about her, so long as we state the source for the information wishes to remain anonymous while they collect more evidence.

Are we taking Autronius with us on the next campaign? I think he's ready now.

>>15418962
I'll vote for it.

>>15418936
>>15418954
Pretty much seconding these

>>15418936
Let's not mention the Excolo specifically, but we should say that we have reliable sources that say the Third is amassing elementalists, mages, and necromancers. That is something the first should know.

>>15418954
>>15418936
Yes, I think we should tell the Praetorian what we've found out about the Third.
Also I think he should be told that we're hiring retired Excolo agents, those that were drummed out of service because they weren't corrupt. That may help him as a source of information regarding the internal workings of the Excolo.

>>15418989
>>15419009
seconding these

You sigh "Unfortunately, none of my reasons for coming here are likely to ease your mind... though it is much needed information on this cult we have been encountering."

The Praetorian sighs heavily "very well, it would seem that it will fall to me to root out this corruption as it is, so any information on this group would be appreciated."

-----CQ-----

After you finish recapping what you have learned of the Cult over the last few days, your Praetorian drops his elbows to his desk, and his head into his hands "So, not only is the Third corrupt as a dragons dick, she is actively chasing loyal Degnarians from her Fist, aiding a cult that is nearing the end phases of some plot that one can only assume involves mortals with the madness and hubris to think they can replace gods, and the Heir Apparents direct approach is likely not accomplishing much of anything at this point. Excellent." he allows his head to drag through his splayed out fingers "Commander Trentz, did you have anything else for my before you deploy?" he asks, his voice wavering.

>>15419009
To clarify, I specifically want to tell the First that we have learned this from agents within the Excolo, and that there are still loyal members even if they are surrounded by traitors.

So you'll need to revote Laurentius.

Maybe we should ask the first if he has any allies that we can turn to in case he himself is unreachable. It won't do to have our messages intercepted willy nilly at this stage.

>>15419100
Tell him that there are still loyal members of the Excolo he can work with. Some of them will be working at the Academy as security, others are still within the Imperius Excolo gathering the evidence they need to move against the Third.

>>15419106
Good call.

>>15419100
We should offer the man a drink, he looks like he needs one.

>>15418973
>>15419084
Thirded.

>>15419119
seconding this as well

You pull your flask from you boot, take a drink yourself, then offer it to the Praetor, who happily accepts it "As I said, there are some reliable Excolo agents remaining. Some in the agency, others who I will be hiring for security at my academy."

After draining nearly half of your flask, the Praetorian nods his head and replies "If there are more than you can hire, send the remainder to me. Retirement cant come too soon" he muses quietly as you take one last drink and put the flask away.

I think we've burdened this man enough. Salute and take our leave.

>>15419207
>>15419195
One last thing: who does he trust enough that we can confide in concerning the cult and the corruption of the Third and the Excolo.

>>15419195
"Sir, I hope I'm not over stepping my bounds but I wish to know if you're still going to retire from your position once this war is done."

>>15419207
Good with this. The first has enough to think about right now.

>>15419222
If we are leaving at that, tell the man he can go to any of our retinue members for help while we're gone if he needs it. Because this guy looks like he's going to have a break down soon and any assistance might help.

>>15419285
I got nothing to add, this is sensible enough

You sigh "Unless you see fit to share just how long you will remain in office after this war, I fear that I have burdened you enough, sir."

The man shrugs "I will remain long enough to ensure that it is not a period of false piece, but likely not more than two years. Live well, Legionaire."

"And die bravely." you reply, before saluting and heading from his office. You know that it was necessary that the man be informed on the situation, and that he was thankful for being kept afloat on the Divine Forges actions... but you cant help but feel guilty for it, after having seen the state the man is in.

When you return to your barracks, you are glad to see that the final preparations for departure are well under way, and that the entire force will be ready to depart by noon on the morrow at the very latest.

>so, anything else you wanna take care of before you head out? Also, Aside from Esthriya and Janos, is there anyone else you feel would be more useful if left in DragonsReach?

>>15419324
>well, how the hell did my name go away? it was a bed capthcha entry... wtf?

>>15419324
I still want to pitch the idea about a Valkyrie police corps to Janos. Road recon, merchant escorts and spying for suspicious/enemy activity within our borders.

>>15419324
Can't think of anything except get a message to those Excolo agents that they can talk to the First about matters.

>>15419356
That's more a caravan escort corps rather than "police" you know.

>>15419393
Second.

Pax, are the Skywings going to stay behind for further training, or are they ready to deploy?
If they're going to stay behind, I think we should have Janos use them for caravan escort duty. It'll give the new recruits real-life practice, and it'll help make our trade caravans more secure.

>>15419434
I think Pax mentioned that they were replenished. Which I take to mean back to full 50/50 riders.

>>15419444
Yes, their numbers are replenished, but what about training, especially with the new repeaters.
Would we be bringing along somewhat experienced flyers, or green novices who just learned how to fly?

>>15419444
>>15419459
>they know how to use their repeaters, and are at full strength

>>15419459
Since the skywings are our personal cavalry now, the leader was much more selective when hiring new members. They should be up to snuff.

>>15419479
So is that 50 including the Captain himself?
I would have preferred if he stayed behind with 1 or 2 others to already begin training another wing of valkyries, both to faster replenish our losses when we return and to provide the caravan escorts to Janos' trade endeavors.

>>15419505
I disagree, after last campaign the skywings were left with a handful of riders. The captain is one of the few members who have fought with us before and are familiar with our tactics.

Talk to the skywing captain either way, might as well find out what he thinks about the fliers we hired, they've had time to socialize by now.

Same for our other captains, see what the make of the new mercs.

>>15419505
I think we should bring em all for this mission. We want air superiority and the original captain knows our tactics best. Furthermore, I don't know if we can afford to start purchasing another wing just yet. Finally, it'd be better to start another wing when we have more experienced riders after this campaign so we have an experienced man leading the wing while the old captain is training a new wing.

>>15419588
Also I would rather have gryphons or pegasai rather than another unit of valks. They are tougher and can do things like hover over targets while dropping munitions or raining down streams of arrows from on high.

>>15419528
>>15419588
Alright, I'll concede. We'll go for two wings of aircav after this campaign is done.

>>15419588
agreed that we should take all of the skywings with us but we should let Janos know about our plan so that he can start initial planning of what the group of escorts will require

Isn't the plan to recruit the Cloudscreamers into Team Justinian after we let the Uurlanthi whittle down their numbers first?

Deciding that the preoarations will continue without you, you spend the rest of the night dicing for drinks with Gaius, Uurist, Collin and Janos, all of whom are either staying in the city, have no battalion to prepare, or already have their men ready to move. Naturally, all of you find yourselves quite drunk by the time the barracks is going to sleep. The next morning everything goes off as smoothly as you had hoped, and by midday, all four maniples are well away from the city, though with how easily frightened the other Comamdners cavalry still are by the wagons things move slowly, until they all realize that Uursan are ideal for pushing the autowagons, due to the beasts naturally apathetic nature.

The first thing you do, once the caravan is well under way, is fire off a signal from your ring so that Captain Corinth will ride down to converse with you "Commander, how can I help you?" is his greeting.

"I was hoping to hear your take on the Cloudscreamers, captain." you reply easily agter returning the mans salute.

He pauses to think for a while, idly turning a crossbow bolt around his fingers, before he eventually replies "They are berserkers that can fly. They relied on blind courage, luck, and shock tactics, along with their faster Valkeries to be effective. As such, they are still having issues acclimating to the repeaters and the tactics me and my few survivors from our last campaign developed. It will not be easy, but they should take to them well enough once we are engaged." when you do not immediately respond the man asks "Did you have anything else you wanted, Commander?"

>>15419706
Tell him about the 'Iron Arrows' and how we plan to use them.

The Iron Arrows are meant for bombarding ground targets. Not much use against other fliers. So we need either air superiority or to attack at night.

Hes is the expert though, he should be able to figure out some good tactics.

>>15419706
I think we should have them running aerial recon patrols when we near the operational theater. The Uurlanthi have just as many air units as us, most likely, so we'll want to be on the lookout for them.

Also, what's the feasibility of doing night-time bombing runs with the Skywings; depending on how many arcanists that the enemy has, night-time raids might be more effective this time around. Especially if we can burn the Uurlanthi air cavalry while they're on the ground.

>>15419712
Aye. I would say also that he's to be used as scouts but I imagine he knows that's his role for now. Aerial scouting will be important in this campaign. Oh right - alert him that we also want him to be on the look out for our nomad friends.

>>15419712
you mean "OPERATION: STEEL REHN", but yes, let's tell him.

>>15419753
Also, voting now at least some of them should have "FUCK YOU" and various other fun things written on them.

You grin "This may be a plan better suited to Griffons, but, do you have any inkling as to what a mostly iron, fletched spike dropped from a great height would do to a man?"

The valkerie rider beside you scratches at his chin, before a look of horror engulfs his face "H-How did you come up with that idea commander... and if even a single enemy rider survives the battle you do know that this will be turned against us... right?"

>>15419781
I vote for one with "UR MOM"

>>15419781
Nah, we can do better than that. Something more trollish, How about "LOOK UP!" or "CATCH!"

>>15419790
"That's why you aim for their flying cav pens. At night."

>>15419790
"Such is the way of war. The first man to hack another down with a sword also likely had the same fear... but the fact remains, until his foes managed to forge their own blades he was unstoppable."

>>15419790
"That's why we best make sure we save it for an appropriate time and that we make sure no one escapes. It's possible the Uurlanth could come up with such an idea on their own regardless but we'll have to be careful."

Then tell him to look for our nomads as well.

>>15419790
We'll have counter-measures ready by then. Combat air patrols, earth elementalism bunkers, etc.

>>15419790
The idea of dropping sharp objects from the sky is nothing new. The difference between say, javelins, and iron arrows is that you can carry a LOT more iron arrows at once. And because they are so heavy for their size they have better armour penetration.

So we didn't quite kick off an arms race, we just skipped to the most effective (and resource intensive) version.

You shrug "The same could have been said for the sword, for iron, then steel, meteorite and so on. And, dropping sharp or heavy objects on your foe... I simply thought of a more cost effective way to do so."

The man shakes his head "And my father told me that war was civilized too..." you think he sighs, but again his mount is forced to swoop up, turn back, and fall in behind you "I am most certainly glad that you are a Degnarian, not Uurlanthi, Commander." he quips, before continuing "Yes, this plan would be better suited to griffons or pegasi, but my riders will be able to serve as a test group, at the very least, if you wish."

>so, who else do you want to speak with on your way out to the Central Front?

We could wander the column a bit and meet with our new mercenaries.

Train our mind.

>>15419917
seconding.

You chuckle "I do believe that that will be all for now, captain." At that, your neck thanks you, and the captain flies back up to the rest of his battalion. You ride along your column for a few hours, the Thuderers are singing bawdy songs, well shouting them really, their one-eyed captain leading the songs, shouting out the first half of each verse, his men answering as one. On the Autowagon the dwarves are pushing, the Estren Infiltrators lounge in the sun, along withthe other lacertan battalions in the force.

Behind you, loud laughter can be heard, and you turn to see Sansa and Kyria riding on the formers horse, though now that both of them are laughing it is impossible to tell which of them started it. A larger, more scarred lacerta, who had been carving away at a slice of leather... obviosly making a new sling props himself up a bit straighter and asks "Are they always so... energetic?" when you turn to look at the Lacerta, confused and a bit offended the scales on his face ruffle, then flatten before he continues "Staros Nimulus, captain of the Estran Infiltrators."

>>15419998
"They're two of my girls, they have to be, captain."

>>15419998
I say we blame Kyria. She's contagious.

>>15419998
Sigh.

Looks like Sansa just informed Kyria of our current status with Nyetini. I think we're going to have to prepare more tickle attacks for tonight.

After we finish talking with him we're probably going to need to ride back there and do damage control.

>>15419998
Ask him about his men and how they usually are, if they aren't particularly active. Do they always lounge in the sun and such whenever they can?

>>15419998
Pretty easily offended for a captain of the "Estrogen Infiltrators", aren't we?

Seriously though, second this:
>>15420016

You chuckle "Those would be two of my women, and... its the dwarfs fault no doubt. I trust you are not off-put by the wagon?"

The large lacertan laughs in that sibilant voice his race have, which is quite frightening with his size, and the low tone it takes "Quite the opposite. It is not often that we are paid to rest as if the days work has been done from morn till dusk. Though, having no work to do in these energetic hours is a strange thing indeed." At that, he folds the newly finished sling into his pouch, and leans back against the edge of the wagon again, pulling a pipe a pouch of what you can only assume is the same toadstool shared with you by Commander Nomz. As he begins to puff away, the dwarves on their uursan begin a new song, and you can hear cat-calls behind you... no doubt men form the other maniples seeing Sansa and Kyria kiss.

>>15420114
Alright, let's pull up alongside our girls, see what all the fuss is.

>>15420114
Ask him about the shrooms and then politely excuse ourselves to go be all manly and protective of our wimminz, I suppose.

Not that they need it, but I'd prefer to establish a "hands-off" policy in the merc's minds before it has to be established by losing fingers to Sansa's knives. That could cause all kinds of headaches.

>>15420181
Or you could simply let it be known that they are all our fiancees. I'm pretty sure our troops know and that knowledge will spread fast.

We should talk with the thunderers too.

Remind our girls that tempting the men would not be a good idea, especially since the enemy is known to deploy female assassins.

>>15420226
oh shit, yeah, good point.
Time for some on the scene Scolding.

Then later when we make camp, light spankings.

>>15420290
I like the cut of your jib mang. Also update from IRC, all Lacerta are now Mexican

You sigh "As much as I would like to ride along with you and your men, it would seem that my fiances need to be reminded that House Hernanda employs both regular assassins AND women posing as camp followers."

The Lacerta nods "Go to it then..." he takes a puff from his pipe, "dont let modesty over your luck make you overly worried about the mercenary subordinates you have, Cammander."

You smile, nod salute and begin to ride back towards your women, as the Dwarves of the Thunderers begin a new bawdy song, this one about 'Frisky lasses and good times'. Sansa and Kyrias concentration on each other breaks as your approach is heralded by the raucous tune, and both of them revert to laughing, the later needing to be held up by the former, as she nearly falls from the horse.

You chuckle, slowly shaking you head "I hope the two of you fine young things are enjoying yourselves."

Kyria barely manages to nod her head though the laughs, and Sansa spits out "We had to get your attention somehow, love."

This is what the Lacerta sing when they gather around their campfire at night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoyPEZCeNZw

>>15420319
"Maybe I should just get you ladies a messaging Falcon that can bring me frilly scented love notes."
With twittering of your finger's for effect
"But really now, We should keep cautious as we continue along, I dont need a legion of horny men when I need soldiers. Especially when House Hernanda employs assassins that pose as camp followers. And just... Be careful."

Just remind them not to make it harder on the men to, um, "maintain discipline".

>>15420360
The last bit with a lowered saddened tone, hinting at your fear of losing one of them to an assassin.

"It's good that you two are reminding the men, and err, some women, what they are fighting for back home, but please don't overdo it."

>>15420319
"Oh? What about? While I can't say I mind the... interesting implications for later this evening, I imagine you've put said implications into the minds of every soldier within viewing range too. Do try to be discreet in public loves, the foe is said to employ female assassins. No sense in helping them along too much."

>>15420360
>"And just... Be careful."
This too. While our Legion is impeccably disciplined and knows our retinue well, I'd hate to have to nail some mercenaries up on crosses for trying to be a bit too forceful with our ladies. Not that that would succeed.

We should get Laelith and see if she is interested in a discreet "ride" with us, saucy minx that she is. Show Sansa and Kyria how to do this sort of thing correctly, if you know what I mean.

Damn you, TRO, for suggesting this and making it seem like a good idea.

>>15420435
Believe me, I'm kicking myself for even having blurted it out.

>>15420435
Wow, this is...

You know, why not? Go for it, we haven't done anything crazy in a while. She doesn't even wear undergarments, and we know she likes doing it in front of people. +1

>>15420435
hell I'll second it for shits and giggles

You chuckle "Perhaps you could have sent me a letter?" the two women repress laughs, as they know they are being reprimanded "While our own soldiers know how things work in the maniple, and the legionaires from the other maniples have discipline, it would be most unfortunate to have to punish any of ou r mercenaries due to their being too... forward. And with one of our foes known for their assassins, some of which posing as camp followers, I dont want to lose and soldiers... or, well... be careful, loves." at that, you lean over to kiss both of them.

You ride with the pair for a while, then sing with the Thunderers after lunch. After that you ride with Laelith, and properly accomplish, without being noticed by all but the most observant, what Kyria and Sansa had been joking at. For the rest of the ride, you work on your mental defences, and enjoy the summer weather.

>blargh I'm tired, calling it here.
>someone archive please
>I'll be back thrusday at 9pm server time
>if you have any CQ/setting questions just email me at paxcomquest@yahoo.com

>>15420469
>>15420477
>People actually seconding my suggestion
what is this i dont even

>>15420500
>GM actually taking said suggestion
And there you go!

nuke 'em