"Bound what?" the mayor asks, confused. Then, you cross into the offensive hallway, after nodding to Teirana.

Lena is locked in a duel with one of the... creatures, both combatants pouring raw arcane energy towards each other "Most of them... were mages... as well" she grunts out, before sending another massive wave of power into the cell, silencing her opposition."

The mayor walks the hall, all the way down to Lena and back, by the end he is shaking more from his own wrath than the pain of walking on his still massively wounded legs "War is one thing... but this. This..." disgusted, the man spits on the floor "You want to crucify the responsible parties?" he asks, clearly expecting an affirmative response.

>>18315773
Oh joyous day! We haven't crucified anyone since that traitor in the north!

"Yes. If I can not arrange a worse fate. Though you might ask yourself a question, Is a willfully ignorant magistrate not also responsible for this?"

look his wife in the eyes as we ask the last part.

>>18315773
>"You want to crucify the responsible parties?"
Yes I would.
*bring out the document absolving him of all responsability for this building*
And I have a feeling I might just be looking at one of them.

Did it never occur to you that something wrong _JUST MIGHT_ be happening here? This document _CERTAINLY_ raises a few red flags with me.

I'm going to state my disagreement with putting the mayor to the cross right now.

Let's put this into perspective: He was offered a chance to let his town host a serious defensive boost plus being a site of serious arcane research and development in exchange for no questions asked. You have a populace scared shitless of Trentz and the other bigshot Degnarian forces, and they are COMING.

It would be hard to find a reason to not take this deal under these circumstances.

Well, I think it would take willfully evil acts to pull out the cross. We've rubbed his face in the results of his actions, but crucifixion is probably too much.

Now, if we can find the ones who OPERATED these institutions (I think there are more than this one) we should go the full Assyrian on them.

"I built a pillar over against his city gate, and I flayed all the chief men who had revolted, and I covered the pillar with their skins; some I walled up within the pillar, some I impaled upon the pillar on stakes, and others I bound to stakes round the about the pillar; many within the border of my own land I flayed, and I spread their skins upon the walls; and I cut off the limbs of the officers, of the royal officers who had rebelled."

You nod "Unless you can think of a more appropriately excruciating punishment, yes."

He nods in agreement "I cannot. If any of the men tasked to man the gatehouses survived your taking of my town, I will ask them which demonologists left most recently, and which had the most slaves and prisoners upon their return. Otherwise, I will take this guilds ledger and compare it to which members are in the field, and how they paid their dues to cover tower taxes."

Smirking, you produce the legal agreement supposedly absolving the man of any guilt "One must wonder if a willfully ignorant mayor allowing something clearly of at the very least poor morality was being done is truly not guilty."

The mayor freezes as his wife drives her hand into his wounded leg, causing him to wince in pain, disapproval dominating her face. After recovering from the pain and shock, he replies "Put yourself in my shoes. Mayor of a town barely worth putting on any maps, in one of the few border regions left unspoiled by this war. I am a target, and I am weak. Add to that the easily confirmed rumor that the Midnight Dragon has been away from the front for several months. Not only was I offered the opportunity to make my town prosperous, but a chance, albeit a slim one, to not be dead in the gutter, or a destitute disgraced vagabond come wars end."
>cont'd

"So you allowed something that your subjects knew you would not approve of to take place beneath your nose? And call yourself innocent." You press, still showing no sign of intent to show the man mercy.

"Put yourself in my place, Commander." he pauses "And I have heard the rumors of your were-beast battalions, and your old clan orc. You are not always the paragon of virtue you see yourself as."

The mans wife finally opens her mouth "John, should you-"

"NO! If I will die for this, I will say my peace first. I will have it noted on the cruxes that it was the will of both the Midnight Dragon, and myself that saw the execution carried out... even if I hang alongside the bastards for my part in it. When the war ends, those who committed crimes during it must be made to pay."

That little outburst right there might have saved his life.

"In that case, I will not put you to the crux yourself. However, I will ask you to hold the nails while I drive them in."

>>18316356
Add "if your story checks out." to this. We got burned once I don't want that to happen again

"Unfortunately, you will be allowed to live with the knowledge that you willingly allowed these acts within the town entrusted to your care. Perhaps you'll be fortunate enough to have that cut short in the coming storm, but I doubt Rayhna will allow you such a boon."

look at his wife, serious face her. "He'll need his legs for that time, not just the will to speak his mind against better judgement."

smile.

... I think I like this uurlanthi dog.

>>18316273
"The were-beasts are all volunteers and the Orc knows, and is under orders, not to cause any undue harm to civilians.

These prisoners were payed back for surrendering to Uurlanth by having their mind and body slowly ripped from them for "research purposes".

And I would suspect that the answers these arcanists were seeking could just as easily been found in many of the old tomes that Uurlanth possesses."

>>18316501
Add this as a comeback for what he just said

You nod approvingly "So long as you hold the nails, and were truthful in what you just said, you will not hang."

"Prove... truthful?" the mayor asks, confused.

"He has a mystic, husband." the wife offers as she releases his leg to return to working to heal it.

You sigh, and add "The were-beasts were offered a chance to have their death penalties remitted for that service. And Blackbird, the old clan orc in my employ, knows better than to attack innocents, I will have you know."

The mayor chuckles "A prisoner can do little to set rumors to rights when his jailor will keep him hundreds of miles from the place where the rumors linger." You simply shrug, as work to cleanse this den of madness continues around you.

>so, what now? skip ahead to the next town, see what your loot haul was, look into what the butchers bill currently is, observe Autronius truth-checking and the beginning of the search for the guys who ran this place?

Let's see our loot, and observe JUSTICE

>>18316807
Lets observe Autronius interrogating anyone who might know about the people who worked here. There may be a few of them still hiding in the town or nearby. Loot can wait for a little bit.

We should also collapse this tower before we leave this town.

>>18316946
The fire should be sanctified.

Torn between leaving a smoking hole or unblighted land.

>>18316946
We kinda have to be in the know so yeah going with this. Odds are though Trentz is wishing he could go looting with his troops.

After saluting Lena and Camilus as they continue to work, you move to help Gaius guide the captives out of the tower to have them interrogated. To say that the mayor is wary of having his mind probed by Autronius would be an understatement. The mystic is not merciless, but he is not gentle either. Though, as you had to confirm very little from the man, he is merely on the verge of tears at having his mind violated by the time Autronius is done with him, as opposed to openly crying. "I take it you expect me to subject my loyal guards to this same treatment then?"

You shrug as Sansa enters the room, bearing a sheet of parchment "I have The Bill for you, love. Looting proceeds at an efficient pace, though that business in the tower will slow things." she informs you, departing to return to her duties as soon as you return her salute.

Before replying to the mayor, you look to Autronius, who replies "He is being truthful, Commander. He had no deep knowledge of what was taking place, just the guilt that comes from knowing that you are remaining ignorant to actions which go against your morals for the sake of a profit and protection. And, I believe that at least three of the gate guards still live and are in good enough health to survive either my own interrogations, or a more traditional questioning."

"I will question them. A mans mind is sacred, and should remain his and only his." the mayor interjects gruffly, recovering from the shock of having had his mind violated.

"A man can also be bought." Gaius interjects just as gruffly "That is why Autronius does our interrogation, he can see past the coins and lies."

>>18317475
Eh I'd let the guy do the questioning himself. He's been truthful enough with us and we're already going to make him nail the men guilty as it is. After almost putting him on a cross and then browsing through his mind, I'm willing to throw him a bone here.

>>18317475

"The guards only need enough of their minds remaining to suffer as they are crucified."

And those slaves and PoWs bodies was sacred but it was desecrated by experiments. The Mystic interrogation will continue

>>18317475
"The slight pain of mystic interrogation isn't permanent and, as Gaius said, men can easily lie for their own gain.

Don't worry. Autronius has no use, or interest, in any part of these mens minds except that which is relevant to our investigation."

You shake your head "No, the pain of having your mind accosted is temporary, and as my captain said, men can lie. If it soothes your conscience, I subjected myself to much more brutal treatment for weeks on end to build up my own mental resistance. Now, my mind is solely my own, and I can be certain of it."

Sighing, the mayor sets off, Gaius in tow, to collect the guards that will be needed. "I will be certain to not damage their minds... though I think I could do so quite efficiently. If the belief that one has lost an arm is imprinted deeply enough into the mind, the arm will cease to respond to the orders of the mind."

-----CQ-----

It is nearly sunset by the time Autronius is done with his interrogation. The mayor, gilt-ridden, takes the mildly traumatized guards to the prisoner autowagon, the caravan already prepared to leave. "A Demonologist by the name of Jane Dauchen left less than a week ago on 'personal business', all five of her students left the day before we arrived. All traveled light, and headed northeast." Autronius reports as he follows you from the tent.

"They could be anywhere in Uurlanth by now then, if they had the gold to book a griffon or pegasus to fly them." Wulf interjects, falling into step with the two of you. "Sansa reports that we are ready to depart. Lena and Camilus left the tower less than an hour ago. Camilus has two demonhosts in his service now, all of the rest, save the animals, were slain."

>>18318080
Is there anything northeast of us in terms of towns and crap? I can't remember the map. I suppose we should bring the tower down then and head out if we're wrapped up here.

>>18318164
Exactly I still have no idea where we are on the map and yeah we need to take down that tower

>>18318164
I agree. The only thing left is to bring down that tower.

>>18318207
>>18318164
>you are at the red stared town

Would destroying tower set off traps inside?

>>18318428
Probably. But then the rest of the tower collapsing on whatever pops out would likely deal with it.

Agree with tower destruction but consult experts first. Safety first.

>>18318080
"it would be a good training mission if we ever decide to create a group of assassins that asassinate rogue arcanists" Brick's idea on the IRC but he is MIA. Here is a addon we can nver let people know we are doing this. EVER

>>18318727
As much as I want to hunt them down, we need to properly organize it. They've had enough of a head start that there's no guarantee we'd find them and since they headed deeper into Uurlanth, we're going to have to put them on hold. Mayhaps ask some of our Uurlanth contacts for info on them at some point if they have any.

>>18318793
>>18318727
Fine sounds good to me and I wish I could fix those typos

You heave a sigh "We will have to send a discreet force to track the bastards behind that dungeon down discreetly, at a later date. They likely have too much of a head start for us to catch them now."

Wulf nods "What of the animals we recovered?" he asks, downright ignoring your mention of sending another secret mission into Uurlanth.

You shrug "I'm not certain yet. Are they safe?" as you begin focusing your mind on the towers foundations, and the stone around it.

Wulf shrugs "So long as we keep them caged. A skilled animal trainer could make use of them no doubt... though they exhibit abilities, unnatural, for most animals of their sort. One of the Plainsbadgers can regenerate."

You twitch, causing the tower to begin collapsing before you are ready. As you drop sinkholes to keep it from striking any of the houses around it, you ask "A badger the size of a hound that can grow back whatever limbs you are lucky enough to remove?"

Wulf nods, and, ignoring the pained cries of the demons bieng crushed to death as they are summoned, replies "I was scared shitless too when I realized that." pausing, he adds "The next town will be able to see our approach. I would not be surprised if the Order of the Bloodrose sent riders out to meet us."

>>18319163
Don't forget to take the mayor prisoner as well. He yielded to us fair and square in combat.

His wife may come along to keep him company. We won't charge ransom on her. Alternatively she can remain in Uurlanth to gather the funds for his ransom, after the war is over.

>>18319163
All we can really do is keep out a lookout for those riders that Wulf mentioned just now

>>18319163
"In that case lets have the Damians Chosen, Unshakables, Dyrol Mymidons, and the Trilius Defenders ride in the forward wagons. The ranged units can follow in the wagons just behind them."

>>18319356
The Mayor's wife is the local Lord's daughter. We ransom her as well.

>>18319437
Sounds good

>>18319163
I say keep the animals for now and see if they can be tamed. Janos might be able to use them.

>>18319397
Agreed. Our ranged support and some elementalism should be enough to blunt any cavalry they send after us. I don't think this order had tons of cavalry.

Why not have all of our spearmen (Legionaries plus the Defenders) ride in front?

Attached is my understanding of this leg of the campaign so far.

>>18319499
>you are correct

You sigh as the tower finally comes to rest "Order Damians Chosen, the Unshakables, the Dyrol Mymidons, and the Trilius Defenders to ride in the front autowagons. Order our archer and crossbow battalions to follow behind them with the arcanists. If this order truly is poor and has little in the way of riders, that should be more than enough to blunt their charge."

Wulf nods "And the beasts?"

"Keep them until we can discern which are trainable and which are not. Janos may be able to use them in the arenas." you answer as you turn to wehre Jayne is waiting on Stormcloud, Spites reins in her hand.

-----CQ-----

It is just past midday the next day when the riders Wulf predicted arrive. There are only fifty of them however. they are brave, resplendent in their blood red plate, its silver trim glinting brilliantly in the pale winter sun, green banners and tabards flowing behind them as they ride, lances pointed to the sky. One of them, his armor more finely trimmed than the others, onion helm more silver than red, holds back, as the rest make the mistake of charging.

Arcane fire and a hail of crossbow bolts and crimson fletched arrows rise up to meet them as the mercenaries quickly dismount, what few make it to your lines are quickly taken to pieces by the mercenaries. The lone survinving knight then proceeds to produce a white flag from inside the tabbard he wears over his armor, and after removing it, rests his helmet in his left arm, flag still hanging in his right.

>>18319833
Sure. We'll parley.

Loot those armor. We can use them even without repainting them. Waste not, want not.

>>18319878
Agreed. I think they were well aware they were going to get ripped but they had to show they put the effort in if this order is going to surrender. Janos did say the orders likely wouldn't fight if they knew they'd get wiped out.

>>18319878
Oh god that was great. Yeah we should talk to him I guess and congratulate him for being smarter than the rest. Evolution at work you know

>>18319878
>>18319943

thirding.

also, have Catalina and her crew consecrate the bodies. The brave idiots should be spared the fate of rising as undead.

>>18319972
>>18319957
>>18319943
>>18319878
I can agree with all of these.

You sigh, and order "Have Catalina consecrate the bodies after we loot the armor, its a few shades too light to be a proper crimson, but it would not do to let it sit unused either. Jayne, with me, we seem to have a parlay to attend."

It does not take long to reach the last rider "Gunther Taersh, High Champion and second in command of the Order of the Bloodrose." The knight introduces himself, with a slight bow in his saddle.

Saluting, you reply "Justinian Trentz, the Midnight Dragon, Third finger of the Right Fist of the Praetorian Militant. I must commend you on your intelligence and foresight, Gunther."

The knight cocks a grin "It was, an unfortunate necessity. The Champions were thoroughly in the service of the old bastard who currently misleads this order. Despite knowing what atrocities Uurlanth has committed in this war, and supporting many of them himself, he continues in the service of Uurlanth. Not all of the order agrees with him, or his lack of honor."

"If you are telling the truth, how many do you number?" Jayne asks, her curiosity clearly piqued.

"One of the detachments yet at the Spire. The town guard, militia, and the last of the orders four detachments remain loyal to Uurlanth." the knight replies.

>>18320255
"I assume you wish to do something about the current leader of your order and you came to me because you want me to help you accomplish it."

>>18320255
"I assume you are hoping to do something to avoid the unnecessary bloodshed?"

>>18320312
Sounds good but like I said we been burned in the past so we gotta check that story out but if he came here to do that and he is legit then yeah sounds great. If he asks why we are checking his story out well it could be time for story time about those asshole slavers.

>>18320351
I'm more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt based on what Janos said about the orders but sure. Not like there are serious damages done to the people whose minds are read.

Don't forget to scan him for arcana. Mumble grumble.

Tell him that he'll have to get checked thoroughly if he wants our trust. Our kind nature were just recently taken advantage of.

As for what we offer him, I say just let the renegade detachment walk away from active participation in the war while we're here. If they abandon the field when we attack their tower, they can return later, after we've wiped out the rest of the Bloodrose, and rebuild their order, with honorable men (well... honorable men who abandon their comrades).

In other words, if they avoid fighting us, we won't hunt them down.

Probably still too lenient?

>>18320463
Nah I think that's fine. If they don't bother us, we don't bother them. Let's see what exactly he wants first before we decide though.

>>18320463
Sounds good if people don't mess with us it's all good

>>18320463
It sounds fine to me.

You smirk "I take it you wish to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed?"

He shakes his head "No, I would stay true to my oaths. Already my master gave life elementalists to that thrice-damned fool Kaern for his scheme to return the loukys to the living. I barely was able to save my sister from that mad scheme. The fact that that, along with the unprovoked attacks on the Duchy, and the allowing of the Dead Watch to be created along the Greyrun is more than enough for myself, and the two hundred Oathsmen loyal to me to agree that to remain in this nations service would be to break our vows. Vows that you just saw we value more than our lives."

"And I am supposed to believe this?" you press the knight.

He slowly nods his head "I already stood by and watched forty nine of my brothers ride to their deaths. And I plan to not only give you the watch rotation so that you can slay the guard with ease, kill the Master of my order, sack my home town and continue to assault Uurlanth so as to force an end to this war. I would become nothing more than the captain of a mercenary band of traitors in this exchange. What more could I possibly offer to prove to you my honesty, other than that and my word as a Knight?"
>cont'd

"Allow my mystic to verify what you say, and I may consider your offer." you reply. Gunther simply nods in agreement, as he passes Jayne his finely crafted lance and bastard sword.

-----CQ-----

"The Knight speaks the truth." Autronius announces, emerging from the tent he took Gunther into to ply his mind. "From his love of his only family, his younger sister, to his intent to defect to Degnar for the sake of his honor. Anything short of fighting his brothers in the order he will do if you ask it of him."

Wulf lets out a low whistle "I am honestly shocked. It was well known that the Master of the Order of the Bloodrose was a staunch and unflinching supporter of this war. Most assumed that the contrary stances taken by his apparent successor were taken for the sole purpose of ensuring that the wisest choice was made. Not honest disagreement."

"Do we accept him? He may be trustworthy, but if the Kings assassins are sent for him..." Sansa trails off.

"He is not of high enough station. Some Ravens, perhaps some Shadows or Remorseless will be sent, but nothing more than that." Wulf interjects, not even bothering to look back to the tent where Gunther is still recovering from Autronius forceful searching.

>>18320513
I think we should accept the offer. And I wonder if he's going to defect to Degnar as a merc company, I wonder if we should consider hiring them. I doubt he'll accept fighting in this war against Uurlanth but we could use them against the cult. Sending them back to Degnar in our service might be worthwhile.

>>18320540
Hey since everything checks out that sounds great

>>18320540
Or guarding our school, also they might be a good seed for our monster hunter units.

I know I'm probably being paranoid, but just checking that we have precedent to fall back on. Have there been past instances where entire Uurlanthi military battalions defected and fought as mercs for Degnar? This seems too good to be true.

Also, what exactly are his Oaths? I would think that Knightly Oaths would prevent him from fighting for money?

Finally, if we do hire him, we should keep him instead of sending him home. We have many battles ahead of us after we fight the Bloodrose, and seeing one of their own Knightly Orders betray them will definitely hurt morale.

>>18320606
Besides those mercs that wasn't anywhere near a whole battalion then no and yeah I guess we kinda have to ask him what his oaths are and whatnot. I guess I kinda got excited.

>>18320606
Obviously we'll find out about the oaths. I'm just wondering if other people think it might be a good idea. And if he'll stick around for this campaign, I have no problems doing it. I just assumed he rather not.

>>18320513
"But who is to say that he survived the suicide charge? I don't see any Uurlanthi witnesses.

Looks like we will be needing another mask. If this continues sooner or later people are going to start to think we are throwing a costume party instead of trying to fight a war."

>>18320606
There are those mercs that defected during our last campaign.

I am in favor of accepting his offer.

>>18320623
I just think he doesn't want to fight his own Order. I think he is willing to do other stuff.

You nod "We will take them if they will obey then. A detachment of treacherous Knights would no doubt be devastating to the morale of our foes."

"And the assassins?" Wulf presses.

"I know of no Uurlanthi survivors, only a mercenary who took up the dead High Champions arms and armor." you reply "He need not remove his helm when he could be discovered." You reply, grinning impishly.

"And when he wishes to, he can wear a mask." Catalina deadpans from behind her own mask. "He had no arcana, and if Autronius said he is truthful, I agree. I do not know his orders oaths, but I know that ordered knights take them more seriously than their own lives."

"We should learn them then, before asking him to take up arms against his countrymen." Gaius interjects.

"Be brave, that none might accuse you of cowardice. Defend the weak, that they may grow to number among the mighty. Never raise your blade in wrath, but let your retribution be full of boundless fury. Sacred is the bond of brotherhood, and sacred the ties of family, never endeavor to break either, and cherish those that you have." Gunther recites "For Retribution, for Honor, for the Order, my life I gladly lay down."

"That answers that, I suppose." Aurelius quips, casting the knight a sidelong glance as he strides from the tent.

"I will not fight this battle, but, if you would have us I will leave what brothers I will be left with into whatever battles you order us... Dominu." Gunther continues, fumbling for the appropriate honorific to call you by

>>18320788
I'm all for recruiting the remnants of the order to our service. It'll be nice some experienced knights under our command and I imagine we'd make better use of them over most Degnar commanders. Plus, we get some useful intel to make taking out this order a lot easier.

"Fair enough, Gunther. You will not regret making this... contract, with me, unless you make me regret it first. You and your Oathsmen will be treated no differently than any other defecting Uurlanthi mercenary company, and be paid a rate commensurate with your skills and equipment. That is acceptable, yes?"

"Now, I believe you mentioned something about a watch rotation..."

>>18320847
Don't see why not

>>18320847
I agree. Recruiting any of the remnants would be very helpful to us and to Degnar after the war.

>>18320879
We should hire them as just mercs for now. We can surely find a role they are better suited for once the war is over.

You nod "For now, I will hire you and your Oathsmen on as mercenaries, paid in accordance to your skill and equipment. Upon returning to Degnar, I will find a more suitable task in which I can employ you. Is this acceptable?"

Gunther nods "My brothers will be glad to learn of this."

"Now, that watch rotation you mentioned..." Gaius trails off.

Gunther nods "My men have the watch on the northern entrance into the town until midnight. Their relief will be slow in coming as there is considerable animosity between those of us who take our oaths literally and seriously, and those who see them as suggestions. That delay should be roughly an hour in length when my men are away from their posts, and their replacements have arrived."

"How are we to signal your men that they are traitors?" Jayne asks, curious.

"An arrow fletched in crimson and green put through the fourth window to the right on the fourth floor of the orders spires north-most side." Gunther replies.

"We will need to move quickly, but it should be possible to dispatch all of the Uurlanthi defenders before any of your men can be slain for treachery Gunther." Cornelius interjects "I believe that my battalion would be best suited to the task, Commander."

Camilus raises a hand to interject "I think this would be a most excellent opportunity to try my demonhosts as well. I should be able to have at least three more demons of note in each before the battle is upon us."

"Once I have seen the town, I will pass my judgment. Have the maniple rest for a night battle, we will reconvene in a few hours." you order, saluting your command staff and moving to find yourself some food before laying down to rest for a few hours.

>gonna call it here
>someone archive please
>I'll be back thursday at 9pm server time

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