I vote we see what Laelith and Kyria found out.

>>17350719
I guess we should ask Laelith and Kyria on what exactly did they find in the archives. aka what kind of info

>>17350806
Thirding.

Chuckling, you announce "Lets see what Laelith and Kyria found out in their studies my loves." Before breaking free of Jaynes amorous grasp to meet your other wives as they cross the main chamber.

Both of them light up at your approach, Kyria happily announcing "Un-updated tomes on runewrighting from before the Arcane Slumber! My own tome will be near perfect once I add everything I found too it!" after wrapping you up in a happy hug.

"I take it the two of you enjoyed the archives then?" you reply, returning LAeliths hug as she follows Kyria after that embrace broke off.

Laelith nods "I found out quite a bit about the Duchy and the arcane, and a good deal on necromancy and undead armies as well."

"The question is, what is more pressing, what improvements Kyria could make to our gear, or the potential intelligence Laelith has on our true foes?" Sansa dryly quips after greeting the other women herself.

Laelith shakes her head "I may almost say that whatever kept Lena in the archives overnight may be more important. She was looking into summoning, the arcane and smithing, and fae magics."

"Arcanasmithing?" you ask, confused.

Kyria chuckles "No love, not the school, but the act of working the arcane energies of a brightmage or shadowmage into the process of smithing." as the group passes into the tunnel that will lead you to your room in this particular barracks.

>>17351009
I know we need to know more about the undead armies but I really want to know how far the arcane and smithing research went.

"Now that is an interesting thought. Once she's rested up from her research, we should probably see what Lena discovered. For now, let's hear what you found, Laelith."

>>17351097
Seconding.

>>17351009
The improvements to our gear are a more pressing matter at the moment. Unless the info Laelith has on the cult is urgent, that is.

>>17351148
I guess it depends on whether Lena is asleep or not if she resting I say we might as well hear about the undead armies and whatnot

You sigh, waving your farewell to Augustus, before asking "Do you have any idea when Lena will be back?"

"Sometime tomorrow, is all she said." Laelith responds easilly as she crosses into your room.

"So, what did you find about the undead, Laelith?" you ask as you strip out of your shirt, preparing for bed.

the elf shrugs out of her dress, with Vis help as she responds "That a powerful enough necromancer can focus the mists around a few undead so that they can coordinate the undead around them, and act as an arcane anchor, allowing those around it to remain active for longer should the necromancer fall. this is particularly troublesome for a Litch, as it is likely to be more than enough to ensure that none of its minions return to proper corpses and bodily remains before the Litch can re-animate itself."

Kyria scratches at her back, and stretches as she adds "I found several runes that can negate that effect, actually. Complex, but not beyond my skills to incorporate into our weapons. strange how the Duchy both used the most undead soldiers, and had the most responses to the undead as a threat."

>>17351347
"Not necessarily that strange if they wanted to be prepared for the undead turning against them. I'm just thankful we've got some new weapons to use against them. Will eliminating the undead acting as an anchor eliminate the effect?"

"I think it's far more likely that they were paranoid their creations would somehow turn against them, or that one of their own necromancers would get sudden delusions of grandeur."

>>17351347
Not that strange to me. If one knows how to make something, surely he would know his creations weaknesses as well as the best way to unmake it

>>17351347
"Would eliminating these commanding undead while the necromancer still controls them directly be damaging to the necromancer?"

During the time we march, we need to have Autronius scan the Duchy commander and see if he's cult linked or not. That will drastically change how things might go if he is.

We need to speak with Catalina about this new info on necromancers.
Since she is a priestess of Neshai, perhaps Neshai has gifted her with some kind of necromancer power or ability to counter another necromancer's undead?
or she might just have some ideas on what she might be able to do vs necromancers going against Neshai's will

and PRO wants to know if Urist's boy hit on her.

You shrug, as you drop into your bed "Not terribly, at least too me."

Sansa nods in agreement as she slides in next to you, grinning triumphantly at your other wives, having seized one of the two 'good' spots in the bed. "Expecially when they use the undead heavily. It only makes sense to have the counter to such a force on hand."

You nod in agreement as the rest of the bed fills up "So, would destroying these, lieutenant undead, for lack of a better term, have any averse effect on the necromancer?"

Laelith shakes her head, draping her arm across Jayne and Sansa to rest it on your chest "No, aside from surprising them by draining more of their focus and energies. So it is possible to-" she yawns, deeply, before continuing "have some of the undead soldiers return to their proper form if enough of the lieutenant undead are destroyed quickly enough. But if we are fighting a Litch, not even that would be enough to phase it I think."

You have other questions, you know you do. However, the warpth of your wives and your bed is too comforting, and you quickly fall alseep. Not that your wives let you sleep through the night, but the initial fall was pleasant enough.
>cont'd

-----CQ-----

The next morning you spot a bleary-eyed Lena trudge into the barracks, but she is clearly not awake enough to answer any questions. So you set Autronius to checking Precursor Bertum for any Forge of New Divinity ties, and seek out Catalina.

You find the necromancer working with a knot of what you know is dragonbone Vi grew. At the present time, it looks vaguely like a skull, or at least the front of one, were it filled in, and terribly misshapen. "Good morning, commander." she greets you, wiping the sweat from her brow.

"Might I inquire as to what you are working on?" you reply, sitting next to her at the table she is working on.

She smirks "Its a mask, so that I wont be identified while we are in Uurlanth. I hope you dont mind me using a bit of the dragonbone Vi made for it, but, I dont want it to be destroyed in battle."

"You wouldn't be the first turncoat I've had to wear a mask. But you would be the prettiest."

>>17351720
"Just as long as you asked Vi if she didn't mind. I don't want the poor girl to exhaust herself trying to make more if she thinks we need it. I was wondering if Neshai has spoken anymore to you about the necromancer threat we face in the future."

>>17351720
"No problem. Just don't push yourself too hard."

We might need to check the rest of the dwarven task force for cult spies as well, then screen them for arcane potential.

A thought: see if there's some sort of voice changing or amplifying runic phrase Kyria could put on the mask. Double functional.

>>17351720
"An interesting disguise. That reminds me, Do you know why dragon bone is more difficult for necromancers to work with?"

>>17351720

"Perhaps Vi could aid you in extending the bone further if she can spare the time and energy?"

>>17351746
second

You shake your head "So long as Vi doesn't mind, your more than welcome to it. You aren't the first Uurlanthi turncoat I have had come into my service." you pause to think before adding "Perhaps Kyria knows of some runes that could mask your voice"

Catalina noticeably sighs in relief "I, I will ask her then. We will have plenty of time during the ride to Estrok I suppose."

You nod "Do you know why Dragonbone is so difficult for necromancers to manipulate?" you ask after a few minutes of watching the girl work in silence.

Catalina nods "Old bones are harder to rouse, and the arcane and divine nature of dragons both double the restiveness of the bones." she pauses to wipe her brow again "So, it would take an immensely powerful litch to manipulate something like the Dragonbone Fleet or Palace."

You nod both in relief and understanding, allowing the two of you to slip back into a comfortable silence. After a few more minutes, you ask "Has Neshai granted you any more knowledge on the undead armies we shall face, or power against them?"

Catalina pushes her mask aside, and turns to you, grinning slightly "She said objects are soon to find you again when last I communed with her. As to combative abilities..."
>cont'd

Catalina closes her eyes, face shifting from a triumphantly grin to one of concentration again.
"That which has been paid cannot be taken back
the Lady Death, collector of the final tax has granted leave" the young priestess and necromancer begins, as the sickly green of neshais sigil begins to glow through her eyelids

"that in her name, debtors be punished,
and that which has been stolen be returned
to its rightful owner, forevermore." Catalina continues, throwing her eyes open as green flames begin to flicker about her upraised hands..

"Burn now sinners and debtors
the holy fire shall consume you,
and set all to rights." the slight priestess bellows, her voice taking on an unnaturally harsh, commanding tone, as a wave of consecrated flame bursts forth from her palms, washing over all, before guttering out a solid 50 yards from her. the entire chamber is frozen in awe now.

As Catalinas eyes return from brimming with terrifying power to their usual hue, she realizes that she is being stared at, and blushes furiously. "I, I'm sorry for making a scene, I just wanted too..." she cowers back from you, the reflex still not broken.

Clap. She's earned a good round of applause. That was pretty damn impressive.

Also, let's ask her what Augustus asked her about.

>>17352174
"No don't. That was more than impressive to say the least Catalina. You've grown a lot in the short time you've been with us. I'm proud of you. Don't think you're doing anything wrong or that you need to be wary of us. You're apart of our family now and, as I'm sure you've seen, we do things rather differently than most."

>>17352211
Seconding this

>>17352174

Grin. BIG GRIN.

"I believe you'll need to explain how that trick works, my dear, along with how long you can maintain and control the ability. Though I do fear that you'll be quite overworked and exhausted in the future."

Also, mention that "lieutenant" undead ability to Catalina, would this flame of her's be amplified by concentrated necro/death energy stuff?

>>17352235
second this

>>17352211
Second.

Ask about Augustus, but only in a protective fatherly way.

You start clapping, slowly, and, most of the main chamber either joins in, or goes back to work. as the applause dies down, you reply "You have done absolutely nothing wrong, so you have no need to fear retribution. Besides, your family now, and would not need to worry about that anyways."

Catalinas blush deepens "I, thank you." she replies, realaxing again.

Smiling, you continue "You have grown alot in a short time, and now, especially with that ability, you will be very, very busy in the coming months. How did you do that, my friend?"

She shrugs "Divine favor. As one of Neshais chosen tools, she acts through me, i merely channel her power to that end."

You nod slowly, as you turn that fact over in your head, before asking "How would that power affect any undead that a necromancer is using as a tertiary source of control and power over his undead servants?"

Catalina pauses, thinking, before she replies "It would collect the debt as it normally would. Perhaps the leading undead would be more resistant, but aside from that it would work perfectly well against such an abomination."

You nod, and sigh contentedly "So, Catalina, what did Augustus have to say to you?" you ask warmly as the girl sets back to work on her mask.


She shrugs "he may have lusted after me, though, with how firmly I am set in my faith, it would be nothing more than that. We discussed philosophy for a time, then he grew tired of repeating the rhetoric that he was raised with and seeing it have no effect on me. We are not enemies, but..."

"He is a dwarf, as much could be expected." Laelith finishes, sitting at the table "I take it that was consecrated flame, as I was unnable to manipulate it?"

>>17352465
"Indeed, Catalina was just demonstrating what she can do now. If you cannot manipulate it though, I suppose we'll have to see if we can find some arcana that would let us. Otherwise we'll have to rely on Catalina and any other necromancers we get to be our secret weapon against the undead."

>>17352494
Sounds good.

>>17352494
Going with this

>>17352465
"Surely a philosophical difference won't stop you two from enjoying the company of one another? You're already on a better footing than Lealith and I were when we first met!"

[prepare to dodge Lealith's attack]

>>17352494
Sounds good to me

>>17352616
We should fit this in.

>>17352616
I wish to veto this line, on the basis that I still wish to haremize Catalina.

>>17352840
Ill go with this cause Augustus is to lame to go with Cat

You nod, still grinning "Indeed it was. Catalina was just demonstrating her power for me." you pause "Though, it would be best if we could find some manner of arcana that could recreate that flame, especially if it cannot be harnessed by elementalists."

Catalina shakes her head "No arcana or arcanist can create the consecrated flame, only powerful servants of Neshai. Though, lesser servants can maintain a flame, and, if need be, the most devout can bless an item to create it for a time."

Laelith shakes her head "It was, disconcerting, encountering a flame that I could not command. And, I wonder if Nyetini has a similar ability she grants her servants..."

As the elfs mind wanders off on the track of things she wishes to research you resume the previous track of conversation "As to Augustus, surely a philosophical disagreement wasnt enough to prevent you two from enjoying each others company? Laelith and I were on much worse terms when we first met after all."

Laelith glares daggers at you "If there was a fire within reach you would be paying for that, love." a strange mix of rage and affection in her voice.

Catalina shrugs, ignoring the quip "He was too stubborn to let the subject drop. A fault of dwarves I suppose, one not shared by elves."

Laelith shakes her head "No, it is a simalarity, the fact is simply that elves will bring the topic back up only when it can be addressed, where the dwarf will just pound and pound and pound at it." she frowns, and shudders a bit.

"Kyria istn that-" Laelith smacks the back of your head, silencing the quip before it can be finished; much to Catalinas relief.

>so, anything else you want to take care of before you depart?

>>17352616
Seconding this. Protect the balls.

>>17352930
Aww. Lemme make mah jokes woman.

Do we have any gold left to hire Duchy mercs?

>>17352930
We should ask Degrain if he wants us to look after the gear when we say goodbye to him.

Some elementalism training during the trip couldn't hurt I suppose.

>>17352930
I guess our last encounter with Degrian. Can't think of anything else.

>>17352999
Seconding this. Who knows when we might see our favourite engie. And get to know his sister.

Degrian. This is the last time we'll get a chance to see him, so I suggest we give him a proper sendoff.


ALSO:
<TRO> I just thought of something. Degrian will be a king by his own hand and wear the jeweled crown of the Karskyana upon a troubled brow.
<Pax> ...
<Pax> yes, yes he will be
<TRO> Degrian is going to become Karskyana CONAN

>>17352999
Them trips...

Talk to Degrian. Urge him to see the Praetorian Militant and seek Degnar's aid.

We should look into turning Karskyana into an autonomous region inside Degnar, because we seriously need these guys in our armies. Helping them regain their freedom from the gnomes would be a good first step.

rolled 71 = 71

Pax says we get a training roll, sooo

ROLLING ELEMENTALISM

>>17352996
>>17352999
Second this

rolled 85 = 85

Cmbat traing too maybe?

Sighing, you take your leave of the two women as they begin to chatter back and forth about elves, dwarfs and men. After wandering for a while, you find Degrian walking from the hallway leading to your command staffs rooms in this barracks. He is wearing a plain gray travelers robe, with the hood down, and his blade hidden underneath its fabric. A fairly full looking rucksack is on his back, and his left hand has a glove with two exquisitely bright blast emeralds in its palm. Clutching his hand tightly is Lethiana, and a step behind the king and to his right is the other freed karskyana slave, dressed similarly to your long time friend and engineer.

"I take it you are ready to leave then, my friend?" you greet Degrian, a hint of sadness in your voice.

The engineer turned king nods "Yes, karskyana cannot wait longer. Must thank you for sanctuary, for work, for friendship." as he offers you his hand.

You accept it, and drop to a knee to wrap the smaller man into a quick, brotherly hug "I understand." you reply as you stand back up and step back "If you need anything, aside from me watching your sister..."

He shakes his head "Already did more than enough. Am ready and able to save karskyana race from slavery, from Forge of New Divinity."

The other karskyana nods "You fight above ground, we fight below. Save Kataraksia from madness." his voice gruff, and having all the determination that you are hard pressed to find in your engineers voice.

Degrian hugs his sister, and the two share a quick exchange in their native tongue "Lethiana is fond of working through night... please keep her from overworking self in attempt to do more than is needed."

Lethiana shakes her head "Need to work harder, more, to equal you, Degrian."
>cont'd

You shake your head, chuckling "I trust your brothers appraisal of you, and of course I will watch out for you sister, my friend. And remember the reward that awaits us all at the end of all this madness and violence, its what keeps me from losing faith when things look their most dire."

"A quiet workshop, without machines of war as only projects. A good female for company, and a strong drink in hand." Degrian replies, almost wistfully, fishing a flask filled with what you can only assume is your best brew from his pack and raising it to the sky, before replacing it.

You sigh "A strong drink? My friend, I think I have influenced you in a most untoward manner."


The engineer laughs, and salutes you, a gesture you return "Only in good ways, Commander. Until karskyana are free, then." you nod, and drop your salute, which all the soldiers in the chamber had joined in, as Degrian passes through the gate, back straight, eyes forward, and without looking back.

-----CQ-----

The ride to Estrok is unneventful, you try to train, but between worrying about Degrian, Lenas sudden illness from overworking herself, and helping to screen Precursor Bertums forces, you make no progress in anything you practice.

However, you are able to verify that your Duchy aid is reliable, and untainted by the Forge of New Divinity, and find a full 15 earth elementalists, 5 arcanasmiths, 3 shadowmages and 3 brightmages amongst them. In addition to that, two take interest in demonology after hearing some of the tales of your encounters with one in Flumenos.

the city looks surprisingly good for one under siege, and your fellow commanders are there to meet you when you enter the city. "I trust it went well, Justinian?" Malcius asks after exchanging salutes.

>>17353094
"Indeed. Soon we will be eating our enemies food, and drinking their wine."

>>17353355
"Things have been going well so far. How are you and Estrok holding up?

>>17353355
It did, my fellow commanders. Come, I must introduce you to our Duchy comrade. Precursor Bertums, these are my fellow commanders.

Introduce them by name.

>>17353469
Might as well go over their specialties as well as well as tell them we can use the local forces to help break the siege.

>>17353355
"Yes. May I introduce Precursor Bertum. He and his Duchy forces will be assisting us for this campaign."

>>17353484
Yes. Go over their notable deeds in battle and their specializations. Inform them of Bertrum's specialization as well.

Ask about the situation in Estok.

>>17353517
second this one

We should also tell the other commanders about that we agreed on in the Duchy, like the division of loot, captive nobles and so forth

You smile, as you slide off of Spite to greet your peers "Indeed it did. Commander Malcius Renol, who commands a rounded maniple much like my own; Commander Gabriel Agrenus, whose maniple is focussed on assault; may I introduce you to Precursor Jarin Bertum, whose battlehost specializes in line combat, and prolonged sieges."

Gabriel salutes the dwarf, and shakes his hand as the two approach each other "I had never expected to see you again, Jarin. I take it your family is well?"

The Duchy dwarf nods "Quite. It has been too long my old friend, but we can discuss personal matters later. What is the situation in this city?"

Malcius grins "With our ranged units manning the walls, and perhaps a battalion or two of heavy infantry on the walls, the local garrison could muster a charge easily enough."

Gabriel breaks into a wide, eager grin "And from there, my maniple can smash the Uurlanthi attempt to maintain the siege. The rest of you would simply have to plug the gaps to prevent our foes from rushing through the open gate."

>>17353749
"If you feel some flanking cavalry would be useful, I have arranged for my nomad allies to charge the enemy on my signal. Hopefully that should make routing their forces easier. If we can take their supplies intact, that would be even better."

>>17353790
Yep, some cavalry hitting a retreating army should be pretty good.

>>17353749
I believe we have permission to let Degnar forces sit this one out mostly? To preserve our forces? Although I would understand if Commander Gabriel wishes to participate.

>>17353790
Its a solid plan

"The Elder chuckles "Eager to fill your coffers, are we? The Duchy forces will need three, so you will have that many. As to breaking the siege, I give you permission to have the Estrok Guards lead the initial wave of the sally, to preserve your own numbers."

Never mind. So the local garrison makes the first charge. The Fist Maniples can use our auto-wagons and cavalry to encircle the fleeing enemy troops. Bertrum's forces can hold the line at the open gates. And Lennis's nomad forces can assist in giving chase.

>>17353749
Don't we have a fourth Commander in the Fist? One who specializes in light infantry? The guy with the spider-themed eye patch?

>>17353790
"Some of our faster cavalry could easily plug the gaps while our frontline units and heavier cavalry stand by to break through the enemy lines if they are needed. Vozhd Lennis and his unit are also waiting for me to give them the signal to join the battle. They would be extremely useful in running down any Uurlanthi that flee."

>>17353992
Going with this

>>17353977
>he stayed with the fleet

I say go for full encirclement and complete destruction of enemy forces, instead of allowing them to flee back to Uurlanth.

>>17354142
Sounds like a good idea to me

>>17354142
But do we outnumber them?

You smile, as you follow the other commadners into the tower along the wall that is being used as a command tent in the city "The plan seems solid enough to me. Though, I would recomend we move at say, dawn tomorrow, as I have a friend coming to aid us that will need to see my standard raised above the wall before he moves."

"Lennis?" Malcius asks, hopeful.

You nod as you glance outside, seeing a mighty storm gathering in the distance "Its been'at that for three days now."

"Same time we intercepted an eagle with this message." Malcius adds, handing you a sheet of parchment, clearly rolled for the tubes given to messenger eagles. In short, the disappearance, and assumed death of the 'Nomad Lord' has many of the Uurlanthi nobles up in arms, and as such, the King left his army to deal with things in the capitol.

Having been reading over your shoulder, Bertum interjects "Truly a fickle lot, if the assumed death of one man can cause enough discord to call the king from the front to his castle."

>>17354196
"If said individual was important enough to many lords for some reason, it would make sense why it would cause such a ruckus. I think it might be best if we aim to launch our attack at the same time as the storm."

Good job Wulf

>>17354196
Looks like we have another friend coming too. Lena will be pleased.

Boy, Wulf working behind enemy lines for all this time seems like it's going to have strange and potentially fun consequences.

>>17354196
"Uurlanthi nobility has a habit of being fickle as well as ignoring the potential consequences of their actions."

You shrug "The nobility is fickle, though if this character were important enough to cause such a clamor, it can only be fortuitous for him to have had something untoward happen to him." when the Precursor nods in agreement and walks off to observe the brewing storm, you shoot a triumphant grin to your Degnarian peers, who look equally pleased, though they have never met the lad who you expect will be returning soon.

"Tomorrow we break the siege then. Who wants to see to holding the wall while the charge is made?" Gabriel interjects after a few moments of silence.

"My dwarves will hold the gate once the initial charge is done, our weapons are ill-suited to combat on the narrow of a wall." Bertum responds.

Malcius nods "So, Justinian, will it be your legionaires or mine that keep the archers safe? Our foes will likely be at the wall before the sun rises, arcana makes such assaults much more practical than they would have been a few short years ago."

"I haven't seen a proper bloodbath in a while. I think I'll take the honor of moving forward."

>>17354374
I think we should protect the archers.

"As we have the most experience with the arcana and the arcane as well have the means to deal with them we will protect the archers."

>>17354374
"My maniple will take the wall. They have experience with holding city walls and experience with combating arcana so we would be best suited for for the task."

You look out over the wall "I will man the wall, between my maniples experience defending cities and dealing with the arcane, it is the only logical choice, I think."

Malcius nods "I trust that you will allow your cavalry to aid in the charge though, Justinian?"

You chuckle "I would have no use for them on the wall."

"Until the morning then, my friends." Gabriel interjects, saluting and making his way from the room. Before long, the entire place is empty, save you, staring out at the storm, awaiting your proteges return.

-----

In the pre-dawn gloom, your men assemble at the foot of the wall, awaiting your orders. They know their job in this battle, and now simply wait for you to tell them how they will carry it out. Most of them seem well rested and eager, save those who stick out as fresh recruits, though they mostly hide their frayed nerves well.

You look up to the moon, as the stormclouds blocking off the sunrise grow larger, and loom ever closer. In the blink of an eye, you see a lone figure, arrayed against ten corpses. They dance around it, taunting and leering as they cut the man down, though he does not fall.
>cont'd

You see the figure borne up into the sky, where it is made whole again, brilliant lights of gold and silver replacing its tattered and torn armor and cloths, a mountain for its shield and thunderbolt for its lance. Its mouth moves, yet still you hear no sound, see no features on the lone hero, as it leaps from its place in the sky.

It falls as the thunderbolt it wields would, though the light burns off, and the mountain falls to pebbles. Its lance of thunder strikes the ground before the figure, breaking its fall. the hero rises, clad once more in its original armor, it strikes down all of the corpses that dare rise against it.

"Justinian... Justinian!" Sansas voice rouses you from the vision as the stormclouds come to rest above the city and field of battle before it. "What are your orders?"

>well, I'm damn tired, and dont think I can do this battle properly right now, so I'm calling it here.
>someone archive please
>I'll be back thursday at 9pm server time

I believe we should ride out, both to coordinate with Lennis and hopefully to meet up with Wulf.

We are also more experienced with using auto-wagons.

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