>>29005080
Sweet i'm actaully here for a thread.

>>29005080
>You now control Harrowmont (Fortress)
>You now control Harrowmont (Province)
>Provincial information is not yet available

HARROWMONT (FORTRESS) STATUS
Defenses: Very Weak
Population: 1300
Merchant Activity: None
Taxation: N/A
Order: Very High
Size: Large

MILITARY STATUS
>You have gained the following:
100 Vitrian Mercenaries (recruitment of prisoners)
30 Vitrian Mage-knights (recruitment of prisoners)
20 Darlesian Mage-knights (exchange for men-at-arms)

>You have lost the following:
50 Darlesian Men-at-arms (exchange for mage-knights, casualties)
5 Darlesian Flying Mage-knights (casualties)
5 Darlesian Mage-knights (casualties)

>Support corps is currently saving 50% of casualties from death

CURRENT ARMY

45 Darlesian Flying Mage Knights (Vet.)
65 Darlesian Mage Knights (Vet.)
100 Darlesian Longbowmen (Vet.)
450 Darlesian Men-At-Arms (Vet.)
10 Darlesian Battlemages (Reg.)
100 Vitrian Mercenaries (Reg.)
30 Vitrian Mage Knights (Reg.)

>Now, without any further ado

>>29005106
>Defenses: Very Weak

Tell you people. Mother fucking ice city.

>>29005106
The entire great hall appears to have frozen at the spectacle of Undine threatening Caitlyn. Wise men know better than to get involved in a fight between women – particularly a fight between women who could literally break them in half with little effort. Unfortunately, today is not your day for wisdom as you can’t just let your Champion kill such a capable soldier and ally. You take a small step forward and Undine turns slightly to you in response, icicles still quivering in the air ready to launch at Caitlyn.

You raise your hand, palm out, and speak, “What she is doing is being the sole member of my personal guard. I would ask you not to murder her on account of her ancestry.”

“You know about that?” both women say to you, obviously surprised. Their attention is fully focused on you now.

This seems to be becoming a habit – you try to be reassuring and disarming, and the women blow up in your face any way. At least you’re getting experienced at this. You remain silent and calm, and merely continue to stare at Undine. After a few moments she regains her composure, with just a small frown creasing her face, and dismisses the icicles.

“I see, Talon. I had merely assumed you weren’t aware of what she was. It seems I underestimated you – again.” She then turns to Caitlyn. “My apologies for threatening you…”

Caitlyn shows her usual smile, having quickly returned to her usual unruffled state. “Ah, it’s Caitlyn. And you’re Undine? It’s a pleasure to meet you – I look forward to working with you.”

The two women shake hands and, after eyeing each other for a second, turn to you.

>continued

>>29005148
Undine speaks first, “I thank you for seriously answering my question, Talon. If you will excuse me, I have a few things to speak to Caitlyn about.”

Caitlyn nods along. “The same request, sir. If you need me for anything afterwards, we shouldn’t be too long.”

>1. Stop them
>2. Grant them leave, but keep an eye on them.
>3. Grant them leave and do some other things.
>4. Custom

>>29005168
>>3. Grant them leave and do some other things.

We've got shit to do.

>>29005168
>3. Grant them leave and do some other things.

>>29005168
>>29005168
Wait, shit, we know what her ancestry is? Or did we just guess?
I am a little lost there.

>2
Something is going on and I want to know what it is

>>29005137
Or we can just ask Undine to make a sending to her older sister. We should probably do that anyway.
>>29005232
We never specified. I'm personally guessing god though.

>>29005168
>3. Grant them leave and do some other things.
>>29005232
We guessed that she had demon blood in her since magic is widely accepted.(though i think it was done in thread)

>>29005232

Pretty sure it was a blind guess. We'll need to look into further for sure.

>>29005232
One of the comments yesterday seemed pretty confident. I figured I'd play that off as being confident.

So yeah, you're just guessing.

>>29005254
>Or we can just ask Undine to make a sending to her older sister. We should probably do that anyway.

But... Ice City. I mean yeah that's also an option, I really think we should no matter what use our Champion to rebuild the city at least, give it some deeper interlaced magics.

>>29005260
Wait till they're done, ask Caitlyn about her ancestry later.

>>29005260
Then we should probably ACTUALLY ask her.

Voting for
>"Actually Lynn, I'd like to see you alone for a second before that."
We should clarify what's going down.

>>29005284
yeah about that ice city
I hear ice melts
even if undine can maintain it, it would be a constant expenditure of energy
ice city probably isn't a good option
I mean ice kinda sucks to live in too
it's cold as fuck

>>29005168
>2. Grant them leave, but keep an eye on them.
>>29005323
Nah, lets maintain our aura of invincibility a while longer.

>>29005333

It's a high magic setting. And we're in a city with a Source at the heart of it. Why not have some fun with it. If nothing else it's something we could ask.

>>29005333
I agree with this man.

>>29005360
WE CAN'T HAVE FUN WITH IT BECAUSE ICE CITIES AREN'T FUN.

>>29005380

;.; Okay...

The forest outside the walls are over grown anyway, and there has to be a quarry near by.

>3.

You’re a little interested in what they’re off to talk about, and you figure a little eavesdropping never hurt anybody – especially if it might help you maintain your appearance of competence to Undine. You grant the two of them leave but ask them to remain in the great hall. They nod at that – hopefully they’re just taking that as a sign you’re still a little worried from the previously imminent violence. You walk over to where Gareth is still at the table, mulling over some thoughts. Your other officers appear to have left after you disarmed Undine.

The girls have stayed where they are and have started talking in low voices. You don’t know any fancy magicks that might let you hear them – Undine might sense and dispel it anyway, but you might be able to hear them if you use some sorcery to empower yourself and enhance your hearing.

>1. Use empowerment to attempt to eavesdrop.
>2. Ask Gareth if he knows any spells to eavesdrop on them.
>3. Don’t eavesdrop. Just watch.
>4. Custom

>>29005442
>1. Use empowerment to attempt to eavesdrop.

>>29005442
>1. Use empowerment to attempt to eavesdrop.

Yeah why not. It seems menial but at least we'll know what we have.

>>29005168
>4
Command them to single combat with each other, only the strongest should serve.

>>29005442
>3

>>29005482
...no.

>>29005482
Sorry wrong copy number..
>>29005442
This one.

>>29005482
Yeah no, veto

>>29005442
>>1. Use empowerment to attempt to eavesdrop.
this

>>29005442
>>1. Use empowerment to attempt to eavesdrop.

>>29005482
Despite the other voices in Talon's head, I approve of this.

>>29005442
!1!

>1.

You figure you should keep Gareth out of this. You summon a small amount of magical energy for sensory empowerment – your reserves are kind of low, but you still have enough for this.

[DC 18 Eavesdropping]

>>29005577

Talon has some pretty crazy varied thoughts. How he expects to be considered a sane emperor is beyond me.

Rolled 4

>>29005603

Rolled 15

>>29005603

Rolled 3

>>29005603

>>29005605
He will be an emperor in the vain of Caligula.

Rolled 6

>>29005603

>Target not met.

The empowerment succeeds, but the girls are talking in low voices and you can hear a slight buzzing noise as well. Odd. Even so, you manage to catch a few snippets.

“… village near Maern… destroyed… dragon…” That’s Caitlyn. She seems to be answering some questions from Undine.

“… your heritage… not quite like…” Undine this time.

“… used to it… mage taught me, he understood… warned me…” Caitlyn again. She’s talking about the mage she mentioned earlier, after you sparred, if you’re correct.

“Understandable. Lairos… be careful of those in the west. You will have no small amount of difficulty in your life should they find you and you certainly wouldn’t be able to serve here.” That buzzing noise suddenly vanished and you caught most of Undine’s last words.

The two women nod at each other after that last part and they separate, Undine coming back over to you whereas Caitlyn heads outside to join the other mage-knights. Undine gives you a small smile as she comes over and mentions she’ll see if you can’t set up some decent lodgings in the keep.

>Anything to say to Undine? Or shall we move on to other things?

>>29005799
Move on to things

>>29005799
Ah, she's a dragon then. cool.
Anyway, We might want to ask if she needs any assistance in contacting her sister or anything like that.

>>29005799
Nothing to say. We're done here.
Pinch her nipples.
Haha just kidding.

>>29005933
Are you sure, what do the people in the west hate again?

>>29005799

Ask her about giving a sending or something to her sister? If it would be possible, to help rebuild the city faster.

>>29005985
We know virutally nothing about the Western continent, but they are most likely referring to the Territory of the three great lords who control the west of the continent. Their race, the Gods (I think godlings is a better name personally), seem to hate everyone who isn't either them, or are human. Mind you I always thought that was odd considering that the Great Lord's enemy was a human mage with the pronounced taste for nonhuman genocide.

>>29006095
>the Gods (I think godlings is a better name personally)
They think of themselves as gods. You can choose to refer to them however you wish - as an aspiring emperor, you can probably get a lot of other people to do the same.

>typing up the question about her sister now

>>29006095
She can only be 3 things then.
///3.6 Dragons

These huge, scaly bastards are around but rather rare. They're big, have powerful breath weapons, can use sorcery and supposedly all of them can transform into a humanoid form of some type. Not sure about that last part. The Great Wardragon also deserves mention - Lairos is apparently the biggest, baddest dragon around. He likes to show up in major wars and just obliterate one side for the fun of it. I haven't met him, but I've met a few veterans who saw him when he turned up during the recent mage rebellions.

///3.7. Vampires

There are two types of vampires. The regular, nocturnal kind who die in sunlight and the rare daywalkers. The former aren't that tough - they can regenerate, are strong and fast but die easy enough if you chop of their head or hit them with some sorcery. At a full moon however, they take on a more bestial form that is immune to anything except serious sorcery. A common mistake is thinking that the bestial form are werewolves - they're just vampires during that time of the month.

The daywalkers however, are seriously dangerous. Supposedly they're as strong as a normal human but they have access to some unique vampiric sorceries that can let them regenerate even their head, claw through magical plate or teleport in shadow. I've fought and killed one before, but it was a close thing.

///3.8. Infernals

Demons and devils are collectively known as infernals. They're different but I don't know how. I've never met one, but they ran rampant during the Golden Age. Different to the monsters that overran the north of Gauron. Powerful sorcerous beings.

>Ask Undine about a sending to her sister

“Say, Undine, you mentioned your sister, Gnome, earlier. I presume she’s a pure earth elemental, then? Would you be able to use a sending to contact her and see if she might aid us?”

She looks troubled at that and doesn’t answer for a short while. Finally, “It’s not that I can’t use a sending – even at the distance she is from us, the sending towers would still be able to forward it to her. It’s more a matter that she might not be able to answer.”

She pauses a little more, clearly not waiting for a response but thinking over her next words. “Perhaps I should tell you more about Places of Power. Champions – sorry, potential Champions, are each attuned to one of these. Each Source has seven attuned to it, spread across the continent. The one I was attuned to before my death several years ago is an underground lake nearby. But my sister – she is alive, don’t worry, but she was gravely injured and her master killed in the magi rebellions. She has been recovering at her Place of Power ever since. She should currently be in a deep sleep, waiting for a powerful enough mage to summon her as a familiar, or for somebody to disturb her underground lair.”

“Where is her lair?”

“You know of the Sithran mountains to the southwest?”

“The mountain range that borders the Seraphs, right?”

She nods. “The dwarves have their largest city underneath the largest mountain there, and her Place of Power lies further underground. The tunnels are still overrun with monsters from before the Barrier of Marie, so it is dangerous, but if you want to reach her you will need to brave them.”

You sigh. A longer term goal, clearly. Even if you found the time to head there, you’re not sure how easily you could clear that area. But… once you can, you can bolster your forces to no small extent.

>Any other questions? Or shall we move on?

>>29006245
Vampire is unlikely, We've run into their kind before, so her magic would have probably been recognizable. It is still possible shes a god and they just don't like their people to wander.

>>29006245
I'd say she's probably a half-dragon or something. Human form but dragon magic powers. if the dragon that attacked the village she mentioned had some... "fun" with one or more villagers, she could be the result.

>>29006301

That is really interesting. We should sit down with Undine at some point and ask her to tell us of her other sisters.

Can we ask her to map out the Sources she knows of and the Places of Power? So that we may have a better idea of short and long term goals. Tell her she may include some preferences or notes if she wants, anything important.

Otherwise I think it's time to move on.

>>29006301
Onwards!

>We're moving into a slightly more structured area of play. Basically, you'll get some time to yourself to do things between plot events, invading and strategy sessions. This is a time to improve stats or learn more. Also, as you learn things and time passes, I'll start adding more to the lorebin.

It is currently 8am. You estimate a Vitrian army will arrive close to sunset tomorrow. Your magister friend, Maloric Reegan, should arrive before that. You do not yet have detailed provincial information. Your officers have enough to keep them busy until late afternoon and there’s no major duties for you to see to right now.

You…
>1. Spar with Lynn.
>2. Talk to Gareth about magic and some of the things you might do for the fortress
>3. Strategise with Cormann.
>4. Custom

>>29006399
>Can we ask her to map out the Sources she knows of and the Places of Power? So that we may have a better idea of short and long term goals. Tell her she may include some preferences or notes if she wants, anything important.

Undine says that she'll work on that once she's set up some lodgings. She'll need to take some time to attune to the Source.

>>29006304
True, but i doubt its a god being,
>>29006306
What about half infernal?

>>29006507
>3. Strategise with Cormann.
we want to be emperor?!
then we need to strategize

>>29006507
>1. Spar with Lynn.
>2. Talk to Gareth about magic and some of the things you might do for the fortress

Both of those seem like good options. I'd prefer the latter, magic is the least powerful thing we have.

>>29006543
Well, Dragon was mentioned in their conversation, so I'm going by it for that reason. Seems the logical conclusion.

>>29006507
>3.

>3.

You head over to Cormann, who has set himself up in the inner courtyard with a few tables and a lot of documents. He’s getting reports already and is busy scrawling over a map. You make some small talk about strategy before he’s finished.

“Okay, now this map isn’t finished – I still don’t know what’s happened down south and if Taour’s already started advancing on Darlesian territory. This is my best estimate, however.”

You look over the map he’s shown you…

>Pic related
>light blue is you
>green is former Darlesian territory and currently unknown
>yellow is Vitria
>purple is Taour
>dark blue is Magi League
>orange is Farun, a royal-led city with small territory
>tan is Royal Seraphi Kingdom
>gray is impassable
>red lines are borders impassable by non-flyers

“I’m still gathering information on the surrounding area right now. But my guess would be we’ve got enough food nearby that we won’t have difficulty supporting a large army, particularly once we start taxing them more. We might have some issues as we start expanding however. Taour is bound to be tight on food with Darlesia, so they’ll start trying to seize our old catchment.”

>1. Ask about mills, quarries, resources etc
>2. Ask about manufacturing
>3. Ask about military strength of enemies
>4. Custom

>If you want more than one, let me know what order you want them in
>you can also ask him more about immediate plans and conquest

File: 1387668791106.png-(11 KB, 1000x700, DarlesianRegion.png)

11 KB PNG

>>29006874
>forgot pic

Hexes are not completely to scale, either. This is just to make my mapping life easier.

>>29006874
Nice pic QM

>>29006874
>>1. Ask about mills, quarries, resources etc
what we got
what we need
what we need to defend it

>>29006874
>ask about everything listed

>>29006874
>1. Ask about mills, quarries, resources etc
>3. Ask about military strength of enemies

Also we need to find out about old bannermen, landed knights, former cadet branches of the old royal line, and anyone else sworn to the old royal family before they were destroyed. Hopefully we can rally some of them to our cause, and instead of having to destroy them and waste resources to reclaim former Darlesian territory we just swell our ranks and likely coffers/food stores.

>>29006895
"There's quite a few townships and villages around here, so you can find quite a few mills. Harrowmont is relatively low-lying, apart from these bluffs behind us, so it's arable. The trading route to Vitria passes close enough that we can claim it as territory, too.

"Quarries are a bit harder. Much of the land nearby is clay and silt - with some low-quality stone spread around. We can maybe get some stone, but I'd be hesitant to use it in the walls - they did that last time and look how shitty the place looks right now. If we can seize some land to the west, the nearby mountain range should give us some better quality rock.

"Similarly, there's some heavy duty mining operations taking place in that area. Darlesia was always rather well off in terms of resources."

>Military strength next

>>29006874
1
2
3
that order

>>29007038
>Military strength
"Taour is the heavyweight. It's the most populous city, it borders the Magi League and so can import a ton of resources and manufactures and those daywalkers make for nasty generals. They've got no shortage of levies, but their mage-knights probably number one or two thousand. Ours are better trained, mind, and their levies are pretty low on morale. Battles are won by the power of your knights, not the amount of fodder you can spare.

"Vitria has little common soldiery, but a lot of mage-knights. Almost as many as Taour, but they're spread amongst the four ruling noble houses plus the dozen or so lesser houses. I'm in agreement with Gareth that we should try to manipulate the friction between the nobles.

"Old Darlesian warriors are probably lurking about. You'll also find quite a few that are claiming territory now. There's no telling how many will recognise your strength - and whether they'll actually swear allegiance to you. The queen could probably have rallied more men to her cause if she'd still had some of her generals left - you're famous, but you're known to be a mercenary. A lot of the nobility were furious when she asked you to take Harrowmont for her."

>manufacturing next

>>29007150
>manufacturing
"Honestly? Outside the cities it's pretty weak. Some of the towns might have a smithy, but mages produce a lot of the stuff and the towers are all in the cities. We'll have to capture or loot until we can seize one - or trade with Vitria or the RSK. That elemental of yours might be able to give us some fancy stuff, too, and I hear your Reegan friend is a talented enchanter."

>anything else you want to know? Any plans you want Cormann to start enacting? otherwise there's a plot event to occur.

>>29007038
We need to send scouts and heralds west, to gain support, moar recruits for our army/allies, AND some proper quarries so we can build/repair our shit

>>29007038
>>29007150

See if there are any of the old Darlesian in the former areas mentioned, and specifically make an effort to contact them and see if we can set something up immediately, win them to our cause or if we have to run them over before they set up camp. We need that stone ASAP

Might as well send some messages out in general. If we can get the common rabble on our side it will do us a lot of good. Make it known we are here to bring stability and prosperity again and we will not abandon them as this former castle was. See what that brings out of the wood work.

>>29007186

This will require some thinking. We should probably two bird one stone and pick one specific Vitrian lord to support with our trade and let the place burn over jealousy, then we can sweep in and pick up the pieces later.

>>29007215
>>29007264
"I'll let some of Arail's knights know to try to rally some support. Most of them are busy scouting and erecting defenses, though, so don't expect to hear results for a few of days at the earliest."

>Once you get province information next thread, I'm hoping I'll be able to whack a lot of this in the pastebin so prevent infodumps like this.

>I'm going to move onto the next event now

After spending much of the day (it is now 5pm) going over things with Cormann, you step back inside the hall only to find Arail running up to you.

“Sir, we’ve got something really odd approaching the fortress.”

“What does odd mean?”

“A horseless carriage of a Vitrian noble, sir. At least, we think it is. There’s a small escort of mage-knights but otherwise it’s just a single carriage. Given how fast it’s arrived, I sincerely doubt it has anything to do with the reinforcements. It’s definitely approaching the fortress, sir.”

Why the devil is a Vitrian noble approaching Harrowmont? Did they not know of the attack? Did the Vitrian soldiers not get a sending off?

“Sir, what should we do when it arrives? They’ll be here within the hour.”

>1. “Allow the carriage through with our own escort.”
>2. “Turn them away. I don’t want to deal with a Vitrian noble right now.”
>3. “We can use a noble. Have the men capture them and bring them up here.”
>4. Custom

>>29007392
>1. “Allow the carriage through with our own escort.”

>>29007392
>1. “Allow the carriage through with our own escort.”

Gah I'd rather just take them prisoner but we need to be at least somewhat cautious right now.

>>29007392
>1.

>>29007392
>>1. “Allow the carriage through with our own escort.”
Is this the noble we were talking about before?

>>29007392

>1-ish
We shall greet it from the outer walls. If the Noble has business with us, then we can do said business our side of the outer walls.

>1-ish

You tell Arail to have some knights escort the carriage to the outer gate and determine what they are after, as well as what house they are from. In the meantime, you gather your advisors and have your men gather in case of trouble. No need to be careless. For all you know, this could be a diversion.

Undine speaks during the wait, “This all seems very odd. Flies may find themselves trapped in a web, but I would never be so bold as to call a Vitrian a fly.”

Glynn snorts. “I would. They’re bothersome fops. Probably assumed their men would win and ignored any sendings.”

As it was, Glynn wasn’t entirely right – though you’re in partially agreement about them being fops.

“Sir, they’re asking to negotiate with whoever is in charge of the castle. We haven’t seen inside the carriage but some basic sensory magic tells us there’s just two. The emblem is of House Hawkins. Should we let them in?”

House Hawkins? Like House Oaln, that’s one of the ruling houses of Vitria. It was Oaln that had seized Harrowmont and found the Source. Did one of the Hawkins’ nobles find out about the Source and decide to pay a visit? You’re men are openly wearing Darlesian crests, so they have to know what has happened.

>1. Meet the noble in your great hall.
>2. Turn them away.
>3. Imprison them.

>>29007641
>1. Meet the noble in your great hall.
keep the rest of their entourage and carriage under guard

>>29007641
1.

>>29007641
>1. Meet the noble in your great hall.

With our sword across our lap, just them and us. No one else.

>>29007680
Undine protests at this. "The supposed noble could be a powerful mage or assassin. At least allow me to remain - if I am to be your Champion, I think that is reasonable."

>>29007641
>1

also, your name has disappeared...

>>29007716
>>29007641
Argh, lost my trip.

>>29007722
Thanks for letting me know

>>29007716

That's acceptable. She has the right of it.

>>29007716
You should be out of their sight then, I do not want to show fear to my foes.

>>29007736
I'm opposed to the solo meet, bring our bodyguard

>>29007680
>>29007716

How about at least Us, our Champion and our personal Guard?

We could greet them in the outside of the keep, then assuming that they are here on peaceful terms, we can lead them to the Great hall, if they came for a fight, then they are surrounded by our army...

>>29007757
>>29007818
>>29007851
I've already mostly written this up - Undine can turn herself invisible, and Lynn can put herself in a shadowed position that lets her monitor the hall but can't be spotted otherwise.

If there's any objections to this, I can rewrite it for a more open confrontation.

>>29007898
Sounds good

>>29007898
do it

>>29007898
Doo eet.

1.

You decide to meet with the noble – and only the noble. You were going to do so alone, but Undine protested and so you allowed her to remain if she stayed out of sight. Of course, she has an interesting idea of ‘out of sight’, and simply smiled at you and melted away into invisibility – the effect was interesting, looking as though invisible water rose up from beneath her and swallowed her. Lynn stands off to the side at the entrance to the dungeons – able to monitor the hall but hidden in shadows

The noble that entered wasn’t quite to your expectations. A young girl, no older than Caitlyn, with a neat mop of silver hair neatly walked into the hall, avoiding any rubble or wreckage. Her frilly and expensive dress is black and purple, and she looks completely out of place. She shows no discomfort at all – and she merely glances at your sword before focusing on your face. She stops about ten paces away from you and gives you a deep and courteous curtsy. From what little you know of such customs, she’s either treating you as an equal or mocking your lower status.

“Greetings, Ser Knight. I am Sarah Hawkins, the current head of the noble House Hawkins of grand Vitria.”

Her voice rings clear as a bell, but you frown nonetheless – the current head of House Hawkins should have been much older. Has this girl’s mother passed away recently? Succession battles in Vitria are brutal affairs, so the house was either too weak to risk one, she was capable enough to win one or she was considered the heir without question.

>continued

>>29008010
She continues, “I apologise for intruding on you with so little notice – when I left Vitria, it was under the knowledge that Harrowmont was under the domain of House Oaln. Nevertheless, the fortress is not my concern and I wish to negotiate with you on another matter which you may not be aware of in your flight from Darlesia. I invested a considerable sum, along with House Oaln, into excavating this keep. They found something valuable down there that you may have found. I only ask that you enable me to venture down there and commune with it using my magic for a short while. I can pay you handsomely for this – money, food, weapons – the noble House Hawkins has no shortage of means to compensate you if you feel it necessary.”

Well now, isn’t this interesting.

>Response?

>>29008026
"Why?"

>>29008026
I'm tempted to take her hostag and just ransoming her family for everything they got

cause it is muh! water elemental

>>29008026
"I might have to discuss this with my advisors"
We can probably add some more but I suck at dialogue.

>>29008026
>money, food, weapons

Christ we need those, a lot. And we need an in with Vitria in general.

... We should probably allow Undine to reveal herself and ask her opinion. The Source is her charge, just under our hand.

>>29008026
You wish to speak with my champion?

>>29008064
You can just give me a general response (or the sort of message you want to convey) and I'll put it through a Talon-filter to make it sound suitable.

>>29008010

"What is your opinion on this Undine?"

>>29008070
>>29008076
These two are similar enough to go with. Any objections?

>>29008120
I object!

>>29008026

"Would you have any objections to my presence during your examination of the Source?"

I am curious as to what she is planning on doing, not to mention we might be able to learn something from it...

>>29008120
I'd much rather not reveal udine, and have a private conversation with her about it.

>three votes similar enough to having Undine give her opinion, and one on revealing we know of the Source

You think on this for a second before raising one hand towards where Undine was standing before she disappeared.

“Undine, your thoughts?”

In reverse of last time, now it is as though water runs down her as she reappears. She starts speaking before the effect finishes, not giving Sarah any time to regain her composure from her sudden reappearance.

“I am going to assume that she is talking about the Source, and she intends to try to summon a Champion.”

Sarah recovers rather quickly, and doesn’t seem too put off by your knowledge of the Source. “That is correct. As the one who put most of the resources into finding it – as the one who started the expedition in the first place, I feel it is my right. You do not need to worry that I am taking something of yours, Ser Knight, as only the truly worthy can summon and have a Champion serve them. I have no doubts that as the head of House Hawkins I am one such individual, as rare as they are.”

You fight to keep a smile off your face as Undine bursts out incredulously, “You? You think that you are worthy of being my master? I am a pure water elemental – at the height of my power I could drown an entire army in a desert. I am not one to serve a spoilt girl. You lack both the power, the will and the ambition to be my master.”

>continued

>>29008341
If turning Sarah into a spitting cat was her intention, Undine certainly succeeded. Her face screws up in an odd way and she looks you over for a moment before turning back to Undine and shouting, “You would rather serve this simple brute than me? I have the power, the will and the ambition to unite Vitria under one house. What does he have? The wish to rebuild a broken and desolate nation whose glory days have passed?”

Undine opens her mouth, expression furious, but you cut her off. You say as calmly as possible, in a completely level tone, “Tell me, Sarah Hawkins, do you have the slightest clue who I am?”

She turns your nose up at you. “You are a knight of Darlesia. A fallen noble from a fallen city of a fallen nation.”

You smile slowly. “No, I am General Talon York. Perhaps you’ve heard of me.”

Suddenly, the girl looks like a cow that just walked into a abattoir of its own free will. It seems your reputation hasn’t failed you. Now, how to capitalise on this…

>How shall you proceed?

>Next post will be in about 40-45 minutes whilst I have lunch

>>29008356
>How shall you proceed?
-Take her hostage
-Ransom her for a shitload of everything

>>29008341
>>29008356

>Undine telling that bitch off.

Best Champion ever.

Also we made a serious mistake. "Actually, it is EMPEROR Talon York now. The glory days of this empire have yet to even begin."

Honestly, she's an incredulous little shit. Kill her consort, and take her prisoner.

>>29008356
Did we ever promise safe passage? If we didn't "If you had asked for safe passage I would have granted and honored it. Since you haven't we have some negotiating to do I'm afraid."

>>29008356
What family/connections does she have that we know about?

>>29008543
Yes.
>>29008421
Lets not crown ourselves yet.

>>29008356

"So, you wish to unite Uitria? A most noble idea... Now, here I have the Head of House Hawkins in the midst of my fortress... I'm sure you could do a considerable amount of damage and kill dozens of my soldiers if you tried to force you way out of here, though you would inevitably fail and be either slain by my blade, or captured and thrown into the dungeons..."
"However, I have a better idea. While killing or capturing you might put your house into disarray for a brief time, in the end, I would have managed to accomplish little, However, If you were to align yourself with me, then not only would I have an In with your nation, but also you would have both myself, my army And my Champion backing your house..."

"And before you start thinking that you will end up with nothing, I am more than willing to let you oversee what consists of your nation, should you prove the best candidate for the position..."

"Now, don't think that you have no choice in the matter; You can accept my offer, decline it, or if you feel particularly skilled and powerful, you could choose to attack me. I do not expect an answer immediately, I will give you a day to think about it. I shall arrange a room for you to stay in, do not worry about your guards, they will also be catered for, so long as you can remain civil, as can I."

>>29008639
this one gives us a chance at having an ally

>>29008356

If this anon >>29008639
isn't OP, I'll back his plan

>>29008543
Invite her to dinner. When dinner is done do >>29008543
We are polite.

also Captcha is Sarah mauagsN

>>29008639
this

>>29008639

Damn you and your well thought out idea. Yes yes, let's do that.

I still want to kill her consort though, at least let's loot them so they are armed with bare minimal. And take that fancy horseless carriage. That is fit for a Champion, not some little brat.

>>29008723
>also Captcha is Sarah mauagsN
wat?

>captcha; sfgsdoig dsffif xfdfg

>>29008739
Lets not. We don t want to embiter her.
>>29008543
>>29008639
These two

Looks like the big write-in is a go, combined with a comment about no guaranteed safe-passage.

You lean back, running through a few scenarios quickly before deciding to be polite – so long as she is polite.

"If you had asked for safe passage I would have granted and honored it. Since you haven't we have some negotiating to do I'm afraid."

She looks a little sick at that, so you press on. If she’s off-kilter then she’s more likely to play along.

"So, you wish to unite Vitria? A most noble idea... But, here I have the head of House Hawkins in the midst of my fortress... I'm sure you could do a considerable amount of damage and kill dozens of my soldiers if you tried to force you way out of here, though you would inevitably fail and be either slain by my blade, or captured and thrown into the dungeons...

"However, I have a better idea. While killing or capturing you might put your house into disarray for a brief time, in the end, I would have managed to accomplish little. However, If you were to align yourself with me then not only would I have an in with your nation, but also you would have both myself, my army and my Champion backing your house...

"And before you start thinking that you will end up with nothing, I am more than willing to let you oversee what consists of your nation, should you prove the best candidate for the position...

"Don’t think that you have no choice in the matter - you can accept my offer, decline it, or if you feel particularly skilled and powerful, you could choose to attack me. I do not expect an answer immediately, I will give you a day to think about it. I shall arrange a room for you to stay in, do not worry about your guards, they will also be catered for, so long as you can remain civil, as can I."

She remained silent during the entire speech, and now she nods a little and quietly licks her lips nervously. Before she can say anything, you quickly add something to keep her thinking.

>continued

>>29009247
“I’m afraid, of course, that your consort will have to be kept separately for the time being.”

She puts on a funny look at that and replies, her voice much more timid than it was earlier, “I don’t have a consort, General Talon. With me are just four of my knights and my chief advisor.”

You frown. That was a little absolute – if she is the head of a ruling house she must have a consort. Perhaps she merely left him in Vitria for safety?

You signal to Lynn to enter and see about having them all assigned to rooms. It won’t be to their liking with the general lack of furniture, but that’s their problem.

Do you…

>1. Talk with Undine about what just happened.
>2. Invite Sarah to dinner to further your plans
>3. Hold a general meal with your officers to discuss what just happened.
>4. Custom

>>29009281
>1. Talk with Undine about what just happened.
>2. Invite Sarah to dinner to further your plans
>3. Hold a general meal with your officers to discuss what just happened.

>>29009281
>>1. Talk with Undine about what just happened.
>3. Hold a general meal with your officers to discuss what just happened.
>2. Invite Sarah to dinner to further your plans
save dinner for last, let her stew.

>>29009281

>1&3. Hold a general meeting with Undine and your officers to discuss what just happened.

>2. Invite Sarah to dinner. Leave the discussion of business for her to bring up. Otherwise, it is just a pleasent meal between the General and his guest.... possibly with his Officers as well...

>>29009303
>>29009381
>>29009323
Who exactly do you want to invite to the private dinner? Right now it would be yourself, Undine and Sarah. Anybody else you care to invite.

>>29009436
A bit of a business dinner. We could invite Lynn to be nice I reckon

>>29009281

Agreed with the general response. However, add in for our scouts in the area to keep double time for any strange things. She might still have a consort out there, that will try a sneak attack or something of that nature, just to be safe.

We need more scouts come to think of it, ours are being spread really thin.

>>29009436
Undine, Lynn, our archmage, and the best knight we have.

>>29009281
>1 and 3

>>29009436

I assume Lynn is in the shadows still?

When we send are finished with this, call for her to make herself known and send her off with the orders. Just to throw our little guest off even more.

>>29009508
>best knight we have
That's Lynn. Second best right now is Captain Malaine, probably followed by one of his Lieutenants.

>archmage
You mean Archmagister Gareth? I should add that term to the lorebin to avoid confusion, really.

>>29009546
Lynn helped organise the escorts for your guests to their rooms. Sarah is currently not in the room.

>>29009562
Then Captain and Archmagister (what is the difference between magisters and mages?)

>>29009562
Lynn, Undine and our Archmagister should suffice then.

Everyone else is busy with things and it is unwise to call all of our important people at once. They can break for a meal when they have the time for it, especially with another army possibly breathing down our neck.

>>29009607

sounds good

>>29009607
I agree then.

>>29009592
Quick rundown of ranks:
Mage - any magic-user, or a member of a mage tower.
Apprentice - young and inexperienced mage. Undergrads, kind of.
Adept - typical mage. Like postgrads.
Journeyman - the teachers and researchers. Most mages fall into this category. Professors.
Magister - Highly experienced and capable mages. Senior professors and major researchs.
Archmagister - a title for a magister who is leading a group of mage.
Grand Magister - the big and awesome mages. Rare and very powerful.
Archmage - the greatest of the great. There's only three around right now and only one is active (the head of the Magi League).

>post soon

>1. first, mixed somewhat with 3. for simplicity

You sheathe your sword and slouch in the throne a bit, chuckling lightly. That was almost too much. You sense Undine in front of you and look up.

You speak, "You know, given that we just met, you do seem to enjoy blowing up a bit for my sake."

She gives you a slightly imperious look. "It is my right as Champion to defend you. Besides, she was insulting myself as much as you. Impertinent chit."

You can't help but agree. You spot your officers approaching from where they'd been gathered outside - obviously they're interested in what exactly happened. Given how loudly Undine and Sarah were towards the end, they may already know parts of it.

You head them off to save time. “I have invited the head of House Hawkins to stay with us the night. She accepted. My intent is to see if we can’t have her house assist us in expansion – having a wealthy house on our side would make things a bit easier.”

You get a round of nods, though Undine scowls a bit. “Can we merely not just take what she has to offer? She doesn’t strike me as a particularly powerful mage, no matter how highly she thinks of herself.”

Gareth frowns at that. “I wouldn’t be so certain of that. I have heard of the young Miss Hawkins – though not as the head of her house. She’s said to be a rather prodigious mage. Exactly what that means is unknown mind. Nevertheless, having the willing cooperation of a noble seems better.”

The rest of your officers generally agree with Gareth, and none of them seem to be aware of a change in the head of House Hawkins. Not as much information as you would have liked, but it’s nice to have their support for your actions.

>now for dinner

We keep a very strange cabinet.

Is this the norm in this setting Aspirational? With magic I'd assume it would be make things more of a level playing field but I am still curious.

>>29009680
It is strange, yes. You lack many high ranking mages and you don't have any nobles so you have a lot more military advisors than your average ruler would have.

>>29009714


Then that will be one of our main objectives then. Establish a full cabinet of representatives from each 'class'... I doubt that Sarah would settle for being in our cabinet... she is rather set on ruling...

You decided to invite Sarah to a dinner. Partly to be polite, but also to see if you can’t get some more business discussion done. There is much to gain from her assistance, even if Undine isn’t too happy with it.

Speaking of an unhappy water elemental, she is currently sitting to your side with a permanent scowl on her face. She made her opinion of this dinner very clear. Rounding her out is Lynn, who has that same odd smile as always though she has taken off her armor and is wearing some slightly more comfortable clothes. They look to be of good make and more fitting of a noble than a mere soldier, but you make no comment. Gareth meanwhile is looking very forward to meeting Sarah and confirming how capable a mage she is, and what she can offer. Hopefully he remembers your orders to wait for her to start the business talk.

Sarah comes in, escorted by a pair of soldiers, still in her dress though it is noticeably rumpled now. She notices the wooden table and the general roughness of the meal setting and frowns slightly but takes her seat nonetheless.

She starts, “I notice you lack any real furniture in the keep, general. Is that normal for somebody of your stature?”

Her fire appears to be back, though it’s more of a sullen variety. Like an animal that knows it is caught but still wants to make it known they can fight.

Undine will have none of it. “We have good furniture in some rooms. We just didn’t see the need for you to have any of it. Why, is it not suitable for somebody in your position?”

This looks like it’s going to blow up like earlier. Do you…

>1. Step in to calm things down.
>2. Let them fight it out.
>3. Ask Undine about the furniture in the hopes to redirect her.
>4. Custom

>>29009861
>4
"Gimme a break, I just conquered the place."

>>29009836

Well we can /make/ nobles, either by establishing our men as them, or raising old ones who swear fealty to us. So that shouldn't be hard.

Mages are something else though. Despite how common they are I haven't seen or heard anything about a Mage's Tower near us.

>>29009861

I am not going to lie. I like how fucking sassy Undine is. She is not taking any of that bullshit.

>3

With some 4 of turning it into a joke, we have become adept at handling women fighting. Christ we should have a skill point add to Diplomacy just because of it.

>>29009902
Mage Towers are all in cities. There's typically a tower for every 50,000 people in a city (that means 16 mage towers between Taour, Darlesia and Vitria). Your average tower might have a hundred mages. There's a lot of mages not in towers, mind, but they're usually agricultural mages or healers.

>>29009861
Variation of >1
"You do realize I conquered this keep not a day before you arrived, yes? You should be lucky that the sheets are not coated in the blood of those men. Or, if you prefer, I can let you sleep in the main keep. I fought a man with anti magic there. He nearly blew me and my subordinate apart. Isn't that right Lynn?"

Little bragging, little humor, little explanation.

>>29009902
We would hopefully have skilled Nobles though, not just riff raff.
>>29009861
1, cut Undine off and ask Sarah of her city.

>>29009948

So despite our city being half built do we have one? If not, that is something we can build and send a call out to mages yes?

>>29009861

"Forgive the quality of the décor. I was expecting House Oaln to launch a counter offensive, thus My forces have been focused on setting up defences rather than redecorating. Hopefully we'll have this fortress back to it's former glory."

>>29009989
>city
Harrowmont's not a city, it's a large fortress. Think Helm's Deep. Part of the keep is dedicated for mages and research, mind, so you could renovate part of that. Or you could actually add a tower in, say, the noble area. Your choice, really.


Looks like we're leaning the way of "We just conquered this place. Count yourself lucky to have anything."

>>29009979

Well depending upon what Talon defines as riff raff I'd suppose so. I suppose when we come to that we'll have to figure it out, especially if we end up establishing a house or something that is sworn fealty to us. Reward a loyal top man of ours, or establish an old distant relative of the old royal family to help quell the locals.

All depends, we'll see.

>>29010038
Ohhhh, well then that makes a lot more sense. But it does have at least the makes of a city, the land before us can easily become one. A good goal if we make this our seat.

We only have some 1300 people to house currently. We should definitely make an effort to restore the part that is usable, and send a call out to mages and see what we get.

As much as you’re enjoying Undine’s sass, you figure it’s best if you keep things calm. You want Sarah on your side, not bleeding out from one of Undine’s icicles should she lose her temper.

“You do realize I conquered this keep not a day before you arrived, yes? You should be lucky that the sheets are not coated in the blood of those men. Or, if you prefer, I can let you sleep in the King’s Suite. I fought a man utilising anti-magic there. He nearly blew myself and my subordinate apart. Isn't that right, Lynn?”

Lynn gives a nod, her mouth full of food. Her clothes might be of nobility, but her manners aren’t. You figure there’s not much point in waiting and grab some of the food, an indication to the others to start eating too.

Sarah frowns a bit, not immediately responding. Undine looks a little smug about you putting her down and happily helps herself to some stew.

“Anti-magic… One of the soldiers of House Oaln had anti-magic? That seems… odd.”

>1. Explain your suspicions about him being a hired assassin and that he killed the queen
>2. Explain that you think he was a western mercenary
>3. Ask why she thinks it’s odd
>4. Custom

>>29010158
3 and then 2

>>29010158
>>3. Ask why she thinks it’s odd
Then 2

>>29010234

Agreed.

We have an interesting thing with Undine, I remember it being said she was the youngest but it only really seems to manifest itself when she loses her temper, something not typical of a water elemental. Suppose she'll have some "growing up" to do. Can't have her insulting someone very important, right now we can afford it. But shouldn't enforce a bad habit. Unless we too, say fuck it and insult everyone.

>>29010158
Wait...about that assassin business. Was that a secret? Like, not suppose to be known by the public?

I want to say 1, but I don't want to blow up some huge secret or whatever.

>>29010336
The queen died less than 24 hours ago. You don't know if the assassin told anybody. Given that Sarah may not have known you conquered the keep when she arrived, it's possible she doesn't know of the queen being dead.

>>29010377
I don't see any reason not to tell her then. It's big news, in fact. Bad news, but big.

>>29010336
But if the great lords are bering down she will be more likely to aid/join us.

>>29010423
The Great Lords are a very long way away. So far away, they shouldn't really be on your radar yet. You could maybe defeat a god-knight. Just one. So don't expect them to rock up any time soon. I'm not sadistic.

>>29010466
I really hope we level up this thread.

>>29010466
The plot may come in 10 or 15 years, but I still think we should keep them in mind.

>>29010523
Spend more time sparring with Lynn, or practicing your magic. Or go out and fight things. You're reasonably close to bumping up strength, with the way you guys kept hurling yourself headlong against the enemy masses.

“Why, exactly, do you find it odd?”

“Vitria doesn’t exactly welcome anti-magic devices. Many nobles, including myself, are mages. We don’t want magitech flooding the streets. For House Oaln to have somebody serving then that uses such a thing…”

“He probably wasn’t serving the house. He struck me as a mercenary from Pharos, or at least the far western port cities. The colouring and his method of fighting struck me as such.”

She suddenly makes a digusted look, which gets a sharp look from Undine, but before another fight breaks out Sarah speaks, “Oh, so it was that man. I had thought him unpleasant when I saw him at Viktor’s place several days ago. Well, good riddance.”

You raise an eyebrow and look to Gareth. He speaks up, “Viktor Oaln? You believe he hired the assassin?”

You wince. Sarah doesn’t miss it. Seems she’s rather sharp.

“Assassin?” she asks.

>1. Explain about the queen.
>2. Say you think he was trying to kill you.
>3. Say he was after Lynn.
>4. Custom

>>29010595
>We don’t want magitech flooding the streets.
That should be "We don't want /such/ magitech flooding the streets."

Magitech is around, but anti-magic versions are basically heresy in any city with a large mage presence. Which is pretty much every city.

>>29010559

I assumed with all the diplomatic stuff and strategic work we had done it might bump one of our lesser stats up. But we don't much know about your system. Would you mind giving us a quick layout of the stats we're close on, stuff to work with at least?

>>29010595
>>4. Custom
Yes he was an assassin, now do you believe he hired him or not.

>>29010559
Oh wait, we just 'level up' by doing things Oblivion style, but for attributes too?

K..um...shit. Let's do that next chance we get. I hope we get something for social links too.

>>29010595
>1
We don't need to lie to her, I don't think.

>>29010595

I really don't want news of the Queen getting out now. But we also don't hold any ground until is known is dead. But as soon as it is known it will spread like wild fire and others will begin popping up. Who we will likely have to crush or bring under our banner.

I suppose 1. Best to do it now.

>>29010697
>Don't want the news getting out
How come? It's the Queen, I'm sure people already know all over. She's just been on the road and hasn't heard. If we lie, she's gonna find out later and basically ask us "Why did you lie?" Makes us look suspicious.

>>29010595

"The type of equipment, choice in armour and combat style indicated towards him being an assassin rather than just a simple mercenary... Mayhap he was sent here to assassinate you when you arrived? If so then it was good fortune that I happened to take over ownership of this fortress..."

>>29010628
Basically, you need a certain amount of points (which I track) to level something. This increases geometrically with each level (e.g. 5pts for Str 1, 10pts for Str 2, 20pts for Str 3 and so on). Relevant actions give between 0.5 and 3 pts when you do them, though you get more with successes and difficult rolls.

You're close to getting strength up, and doing alright with endurance and intelligence.

>>29010692
>social links
I track Respect for all NPCs. Your actions move these and they start with differing default amounts. I also track attitudes - e.g. Sarah might not respect you too much, but she certainly fears you.

>>29010723
Because of this:
>>29010377
>The queen died less than 24 hours ago.

I assume it isn't common knowledge yet. And something we can use. But either way, I'd rather tell her the truth of it now.

>>29010757
>Respect Up
I can dig it. I assume they can get stronger the more they respect us. Maybe combo moves n' shit, Chrono Trigger style.

totally wanna do an X-Slash with Lynn now

>>29010752
>good eye

"The type of equipment, choice in armour and combat style indicated towards him being an assassin rather than just a simple mercenary... Mayhap he was sent here to assassinate you when you arrived? If so then it was good fortune that I happened to take over ownership of this fortress..."

Sarah looks sick suddenly and stares at her food for a bit. It seems she certainly bought that one… or maybe it’s true. She did say she saw Viktor about this before leaving and she left Vitria before you lay siege to the fortress… Could it be you prevented a double-cross?

>Response?

>>29010852
Regular NPCs, like Arail and Gareth, do level up like this.

PC-level NPCs like Lynn and Undine require you to do events for them.

>>29010862
"There's no need to look so glum, m'lady. Enjoy your feast, today we celebrate harrowmont's conquering. And me acquiring a wonderful companion!" Smile and glance to Undine, give her a wink.

>>29010862
Wait for her to say something, or someone else to speak up.

>>29010862
>Could it be you prevented a double-cross?

DUN DUN DUUUUUUUN

Catch her while she is down or hell, even let Undine have a go at her again. We don't need her to respect us if fear works just as well. Or if she is of the idea that we essentially own her now.

>>29010862

leave Sarah to mull over this theory...

make some small talk with our officers.

>>29010907
This

Now is the time to swoop, you figure. To catch her as she falls. If you can appear as a hero rather than a tyrant to her, maybe you won’t need to terrorise her so much in the future.

"There's no need to look so glum, Lady Hawkins. Enjoy your feast and join us as we celebrate my conquering of Harrowmont. And the acquisition of a wonderful companion!" You smile and glance at Undine whilst Sarah’s still looking down, giving her a wink to let her know who the real companion to celebrate is.

Fortunately, it seems Sarah doesn’t catch the deception and she looks up at you, her eyes a touch more empty than before. “Companion? Yes… I suppose that could work.”

The rest of the meal proceeds relatively normally and Sarah says little, apart from answering some of Gareth’s questions on her magic. It seems she is a rather talented mage – her talent showed up when she was just seven years old. Impressive – the more powerful mages you have known haven’t gotten their magic until they’ve at least been ten. She says little on Vitria, even when Lynn asks a rather leading question on it, and it’s clear she is of little mind to talk business. Once it is finished, you bid her a good night and she courteously thanks you for your hospitality before being escorted to her room.

Overall, the meal didn’t go as planned, but you think you gained something there. The look she gave you before she went up was different to what you’ve seen before.

It is late. You…

>1. Get in some last minute sparring with Lynn.
>2. Talk to Undine about the furniture she mentioned earlier.
>3. Early to bed, early to rise. Get some sleep.
>4. Custom

>>29010862
I say we let her think about the implications while we talk to our officers

>>29011172

>3
want to get as much rest as we can.

>>29011172
>>2. Talk to Undine about the furniture she mentioned earlier.

I feel like this is somehow important...

>>29011172
>1
we should also talk to her while we spar get her opinoin on sarah

>>29011172

changing my vote >>29011219

to 2

Sparing can wait till morning. It's best then...

>>29011172

1 sounds the best.

But that furniture though, seems important if it was brought up more then once. I assume Undine doesn't do much sleeping, hopefully we can catch her after a round of sparring and ask about it.

>>29011172
>2
I DID NOT KNOW WE HAD NICE THINGS

>>29011339

Actually yeah, go with 2.

Then sleep, spar in the morning after breaking our fast. Help us get ready for the day.

>>29011410
Don't get too excited, we're poor we'll sell it or something.

You decide to get some rest. You ask Undine where she’s set up your lodgings and she tells you that she renovated the King’s Suite. Good thing you didn’t have Sarah stay there… Once you get there, you find the room full of high-quality wooden furniture. You sit on the bed. The mattress is so soft… You wonder where the hell Undine got all this from.

Not minding it too much, you strip down and get under the covers. You awake some time later to somebody entering your room, but you realise it’s only Undine and drift back to sleep without fully waking.

>It is now morning
>You feel rejuvenated (HP and MP restored to full)

You wake and get dressed, but you leave your armor off – although you remember Undine entering last night, she’s nowhere to be found. You head down to the great hall, greeting your men as you go. As you get down there you find Malaine waiting for you, looking a bit sheepish. This is getting uncanny – you’re certain your knights must be using sendings to keep your officers posted as to your whereabouts.

“Good morning, general. There’s a mage waiting out front of the keep for you. Says he’s a friend of yours.”

You frown at that as you start walking to the entrance. Maybe you should have put your armor on… Wait a second. “You just let me him get all the way to the keep because he said he was my friend? Why?”

“Because they’re not stupid enough to try to stop me, which says a great deal about the intelligence of your men, Talon,” somebody sarcastically drawls.

You’d know that smartarse voice anywhere.

“Mal!” you shout to your old friend. “How the hell did you get here so fast?”

>continued

>>29011548
>Undine gives nightly visits See: bj
I am okay with this.

>>29011548

You son of a bitch we wanted furniture.

“One of the wonders of being a talented mage is the ability to be elsewhere very quickly.”

Maloric Reegan is a friend of yours from way back. You’ve known him since you first set off to fight in one of the rebellions back home. Since then, although you haven’t always fought side-by-side like then, you’ve been thick as thieves. A lot of your knowledge of the world comes from the man. He’s a magister, and as he likes to joke, good enough to be a grand magister if he spent some time at his tower instead of wandering everywhere.

“Maloric!” you hear Lynn shout, and you see her running over here in full armor but no helmet.

You feel the snap of sorcery next to you and worry, but it’s for naught as Lynn comes to a stop right before Reegan.

He seems shocked. “What, no hug?”

“You always used to complain about those,” she says with a tilt of her head.

“It’s the prerogative of the old to complain about the young, even if we don’t mean it.”

“You’re only as old as General Talon, so you’re not that old.”

He sighs. “I’m almost twice your age, that makes me old.”

You say, “Don’t lump me in with you, you old codger.”

Wait, these two know each other. And Mal’s spent a lot of time near Maern and the dwarves lately. That means…

>1. Point dramatically at Mal. “You! You’re the reason she knows how to fight like me.”
>2. Maloric knows her secret. Pull him aside and talk to him.
>3. Don’t say anything. Just act normally.
>4. Custom

>>29011617
... shit, you're right. I was counting 3s as 2s for some stupid reason. I'll write that up and through it in. You can pretend this takes place instead of the first paragraph of the last update, then it continues as normal.

>>29011637
>1. Point dramatically at Mal. “You! You’re the reason she knows how to fight like me.”

>>29011637
>1

>>29011637
>1. Point dramatically at Mal. “You! You’re the reason she knows how to fight like me.”

Sorry we have to do this.

>>29011637

>1.

"YOU! You Magnificent Bastard! Why is it not surprising that you trained my personal guard? It does alot to explain why it was so natural fighting along side her..."

>>29011693
>>29011674
>>29011670
And all aspirations of being a bad ass go down the drain in favour of comedy.

I vote >2 by the by

>>29011637
>2

>>29011657
>Because I think the number 2 is the number 3, here is the real choice before going to sleep.

You wonder about the furniture Undine supposedly found. You decide to talk with her about it before going to bed.

“So, Undine, what is this about furniture? You said something about setting up lodgings – but all the furniture we have is the junk the soldiers set-up or brought with them.”

She smiles at you. “I know, so I thought I’d create some more. If you come with me to the King’s Suite, I can show you.”

You follow her up and ask her about her sleeping habits. “Oh, I don’t really need to sleep. I mean, I can but I only do it when I’m exhausted. Otherwise I merely meditate a bit and draw some power from the Source. My plan tonight was to see if I couldn’t track down the other Places of Power.”

You nod. Makes sense. Finally, you get to the suite. It’s full of what looks like a real king’s furniture.

“I thought you had water abilities, not earth…”

“I do, but I can also imitate a lot of sorceries. Gathering up some cheap wood, iron and stone and making quality furniture is pretty simple for me.”

You shake your head in wonder. Is this really what a Champion is for? Undine excuses herself for a bit, saying she’ll return shortly. You figure this is the best time to check out the mattress and so lay down on it. Your exhaustion catches up on you and you find yourself in a deep sleep.

Resume with
>>29011548

From where you wake up to find Undine.

we can ask him about her later, after we have gone though the various greetings, situational update and such...

how about;

"Oh! Am I to take it you are responsible for this one joining my army and rapidly rising though the ranks?"

>>29011767
Damn, she has creation magic? That's really neat...

Tell past us to thank her for being such a sweetheart. Offer cheek kiss maybe?

>>29011744

We don't need to be a badass 24/7, he is our friend and his snarkiness only adds to it. Have some fun once and awhile man.

>>29011887
eh I'm not mad, just stating a fact, I'm just jumping in so it's nice to know you guys haven't made Talon be a total douche on his path to the throne.

>>29011873

And then we slowly became fetish quest.

>1.

Mal’s spent a lot of time in the RSK lately, whilst you’ve been busy. He’s never really wanted to fight against the mages but doesn’t want to fight against you so you thought he was just taking time off. Instead it seems he was spending some time training Caitlyn.

You point dramatically at him. “You! You’re the reason she knows to fight like me. You bastard! How could you betray me?”

“Fight like you? You call the way you randomly swing around that hunk of metal fighting? I helped her learn to fight and pushed her to use a greatsword and shield, but I was making into what you could never be.”

“Never be? Bah, you’re still bitter about when I pushed you down the mountain all those years ago.”

Maloric scowls at that. “No I’m not. And do you know how long it took me to walk up that snow-covered slope again? Only to find you had kept going without me?”

The both of you grin and laugh suddenly, slapping your fists against each other. Caitlyn merely watches on, horribly confused by what just happened.

>1. Take him aside and talk to him about Caitlyn seriously.
>2. Invite him inside for some breakfast and light chat.
>3. Let him know he’s welcome, but you have some other things to take care of and you’ll catch up more later.
>4. Custom

>>29011943
>>2. Invite him inside for some breakfast and light chat.
If he is as powerful as he says we should convince him to stay, and not just stop by.

>>29011943
>>1. Take him aside and talk to him about Caitlyn seriously.
>>2. Invite him inside for some breakfast and light chat.

We should invite him in for breakfast and have a serious talk about Caitlyn.

>>29011943
>1. Take him aside and talk to him about Caitlyn seriously.

>>29011943
We should probably warn him that by sundown this place will be swarming with enemy soldiers.

...I hope our men are repairing defenses.

>>29011943
>2. Invite him inside for some breakfast and light chat.

Only not light chat. Ask about Lynn, and possibly bring up him heading up a Mage's Tower here in Harrowmont?

>>29011943

>2.

>>29012007
>>29011980
I would assume in this case, you'd ask Caitlyn to head off somewhere else? Or are you happy with her coming along (which she will if you don't stop her).

>>29011980
seconded

>>29011943

>>29011995

Last thread Aspirational mentioned that we should assume that our generals and retainers head up such things, especially when given the orders to do so. As to avoid bogging down the quest.

>>29012032
We should ask her to make sure the hawkens girl hasn't burned down the castle or something else stupid like that.

>>29012032

Oh um... Have her break her fast with the others today, tell her we'll meet her in the yard afterwards for a bit of sparring? Tease and say we'll see if Mal taught you anything of worth(yes I know we got our asses beat once, but still)

>>29012070

That's a good idea. Ask Caitlyn to collect her for Breakfast...

>>29012070
This works. Also mention to her that as the head of our elite guard recruitment is her job. She should see if she can find people who can at least try to keep up.

>2. But with some serious talk

“Lynn, would you mind fetching Lady Hawkins for breakfast? In case she is in a foul temper.”

Lynn gives you an appraising look before heading off with a sharp salute. Maloric gives you a sidelong look and falls into step with you as head upstairs.

“So, how’s serving the Queen of Darlesia?”

“It wasn’t so bad. She’s dead now though, so it wasn’t much of a job.”

“Dead? Then who are all these Darlesian soldiers serving?”

“Me.”

Mal goes silent for a while. You look at him and see him staring at you. Then he starts to chuckle and a grin blooms. “I see how it is, old friend. You’re finally going to go for it, huh? That crazy dream of yours you’ve always talked about.”

You grin back. “That’s right.” You hesitate to ask but bite the bullet, “Are you in?”

Mal snorts. “As if you need to ask. I’m in, Talon. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Plus, with the way I travel around, how else am I going to become an archmage?”

“This fortress is going to come under attack today.”

“Sounds pretty normal in our line of work.”

You nod at that. You’ve got Maloric on side. As you step into the private room you had reserved for your meals, you decide to move onto a different topic.

“Caitlyn. I’m assuming you’re the mage who warned her about using her sorcery too much and revealing her ancestry?”

Maloric sits quietly, but doesn’t look at you or respond. “It’s so like you to spring something like that on me right after getting me to fight alongside you. You’re right, and if you don’t know what that reason is I’m not saying.”

>continued

He leans back in the chair and looks at you seriously. “I keep my confidences, you know that. If Caitlyn wants to tell you, she’ll tell you. Or you’ll find out. The fact you know that she’s not completely human says a lot, so I have no doubt you’ll find out shortly. She’s loyal and strong. You should keep her around – and close to you.”

>1. Press him on the topic.
>2. Tell him that you already are keeping Caitlyn close to you, but move on to lighter talk.
>3. Move directly on to some lighter banter whilst waiting for Undine, Sarah and Lynn.
>4. Custom

>>29012300
>4. Custom
"I doubt she'll tell me. I may have implied that I was completely aware of her heritage so she wouldn't get murdered by my champion. And to maintain my all knowing reputation of course. I knew she wasn't human before, but I didn't know what."

>>29012277
>>29012300
>2. Tell him that you already are keeping Caitlyn close to you, but move on to lighter talk.

Also mention that we have quarters at the ready, they just need mages to fill them. We have intentions of raising our own Mage's Tower here.

We don't need to press, we really should talk to Lynn about it directly.

>>29012300

>2.
I had a spar with her after one of my officers pointed her out for her skill... after that I assigned her as my Personal Guard. She mentioned about being told to conceal her abilities then, but I didn't make any connections beyond that until My champion, Undine, took an aggressive stance towards her upon seeing her. I wouldn't think that a Pure Elemental would get like that on introduction unless there was something greater behind it. But, I will respect your decision, after all, What are we good for if not our word? Now, I received the most unexpected guest yesterday..."
moving into explaining the presence of Sarah and other trivial things...

>>29012389
>>29012390
a combination of these two.

>>29012389
>>29012390
>>29012433
All of these work.

>2. Plus a bit of custom

You grimace slightly as you sit down yourself. You’re not willing to press your friend on this, but you also realise that you haven’t put yourself in the best position to just ask Lynn.

You start speaking slowly, “I may have implied that I was completely aware of her heritage so she wouldn't get murdered by my Champion. And to maintain my all-knowing reputation of course. I knew she wasn't human before, but I didn't know what."

He smirks at you. “You really do never change. You’ll make a good emperor with that attitude. All you have to do is learn how to get people to tell you things they think you already know, and seem perfectly competent whilst doing so.”

“That sounds impossible.”

“Since when have you ever believed in the impossible, Talon?”

You click your tongue. “Well, I’m keeping her close to me. She’s a member of my personal guard – the only member, really. Moving on, I’m looking to form a mage tower here. The keep was built with some room for them, we just need to renovate it. All I need is mages.”

Mal raises an eyebrow. “A Mage Tower without mages is just a tower. But I get your drift. I know a few people in the RSK who aren’t too happy, but haven’t been interested in getting involved in the power spats in the League. They might be willing to come help the famous General Talon.”

You nod and make some small talk, mentioning Sarah and the recent happenings. Food comes in shortly, and it’s followed by Undine, who is accompanying Lynn and Sarah. Undine seems in a good mood, whilst Lynn eyes you and Mal suspiciously. Sarah spots your friend and introduces herself. Being a noble himself, Mal has no troubles in responding in kind and everybody settles in for a heart breakfast. Mal eyes Undine and you realise you forgot to mention her

>1. Introduce Undine to Mal
>2. Talk to Sarah about business
>3. General light chatter
>4. Custom

>>29012621
>I'll end the thread after this scene. Next thread will open with strategy - and I'll hopefully have prepared a whole lot more stuff to avoid time-wasting infodumps.

>>29012621
>Introduce Undine to Mal

Kind of important. Also, does a Champion need to eat? I mean I imagine it makes her feel more apart of our activities, but curious about it none the less.

Also any business with Sarah can wait, unless she brings it up.

>>29012621
>>1. Introduce Undine to Mal

Seems pretty reasonable.

>>29012621

>1.

also mention to Sarah that we would like her decision on our offer by noon.

>>29012621
>1 And make sure to apologize to both of them for being rude and not introducing them to eachother.

>1.

You wince at the realisation, and hurriedly introduce Mal and Undine.

“Undine, this my old friend, Maloric Reegan. Mal, this my Champion of the Source, Undine. Sorry for not introducing the two of before.”

Undine gives Mal a general pleasantry whilst he mouths her name.

“Undine…” he seems to taste her name. “You’re a pure water elemental, then?”

She seems impressed. “That’s right. I’m surprised you can tell.”

He shrugs. “I’m more embarrassed that I had to guess from your name structure than simply knowing it. I thought I knew the name of all pure elementals alive.”

She smiles. “I’m not alive anymore – I couldn’t be a Champion if I was, so it’s understandable.”

Mal winces, regretting his misstep. “Even so, I should have known it. There aren’t that many pure elementals that I can miss one and call myself a scholar.”

“Hmm, is that so. Perhaps you know my sister, then? Her name is Gnome – I don’t think she’s been summoned since I perished but…”

You glance at Undine, frowning. She seemed certain Gnome was still under the mountain last night, why the sudden change of heart? Maloric, meanwhile, is choking on his bread.

“Gnome!” he rasps out. You find this rather funny – Mal’s usually rather unflappable, except when playing around with you. “Your sister is the Gnome?”

“The Gnome? I thought there was only one?” Undine replies.

“Of course there’s only one – she’s… You’re her sister…” he trails of a bit, regaining his composure. Then he suddenly stands and gives her a deep bow. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Undine the Great.”

>continued

>>29012936
You frown as Undine scowls slightly. “The Great?”

Mal tries to speak but is cut off by Undine, “It’s a silly title the mages give the pure elemental of an element to signify they think she is the strongest of that element. Given my youth, it is hardly accurate. I hold the title because my three sisters, Salamander, Sylph and Gnome also have that title. They are all much, much older than I so I merely got the title because of their achievements.”

Mal looks like he’s going to say something but you cut him off with a glance. You don’t need Undine blowing up at him like she does at Sarah. That temper of hers needs a bit of work. The rest of the breakfast goes quickly, as Undine’s mood sours things a bit and conversation never picks up apart from small talk. Afterwards, you head down to the great hall for a strategy meeting. With an army potentially attacking by sunset, you need an update.

>That’s it for tonight’s thread. Sorry for railroading into a strategy meeting but I figure that gives us a good place to pick up next thread.

>I'll still be in the thread for the next hour or so if anybody has some questions.

>Otherwise, my plan is to resume on the 26th at 5pm server time. Have a Merry Christmas.

>>29012951
Thanks for running man!

I too wish that your Christmas is merry.

>>29013015
seconded

>>29012951
Oh, how do familiars work and such? Like, how what level of familiar could Maloric summon (He's Grand Magister in Skill right?) verses say Gareth?

>>29013134
I have a feeling I know what you're thinking.

Maloric could probably summon some very powerful familiars - pure elementals are basically the most powerful familiar you can summon. Mal could probably summon one, including Gnome, but the issue is more that the familiar you summon has a bit to do with personality and magical affinities, too. Mal's largely an enchanter and is big on manipulating magical energy at a large level - if he was to try to summon a pure elemental, he'd be more likely to get a water or fire one as a result. He may be able to try to direct a summoning at Gnome - but she might just ignore him.

You can treat the above info as IC - you basically asked Mal as you walked to the meeting. I'm going to try to move a lot of this info to the lorebin to save on infodumping (e.g. everything Undine would know and tell you will be there).

>>29013198
I was actually thinking that even if he could summon gnome (which would be nice), even having a less powerful earth elemental would be very useful in fortress reconstruction.

>>29013247
Ah, in that case, you wouldn't have much luck. Mal's too prideful to summon anything less than the best he can and there's only three pure earth elementals alive and the other two are taken. If somebody else were to summon Gnome, the world would probably try to create another pure earth elemental within a year or two (it tries to make sure there's always an unbound elemental of each type).

>>29013247
Now there's a good question. Assuming that Maloric fails to summon Gnome, could Gareth summon something to help upgrade the fortress?

>>29013296
Forgot mah trip

>>29013301
With help from Mal, he could summon an earth elemental, yes.

>>29013336
Cool. We now have two option for cheating to upgrade the fortress.

>>29013358
And, for interest, it'll take about four hours for Mal to summon Gnome (even if it fails) and one for Gareth and Mal to summon a regular elemental.

DC 19 check for Gnome - but I'll also offer you an interesting deal to succeed anyway if you fail (which should make the quest extra fun).
Automatic for Gareth.

I'll explain all of this IC when/if the topic comes up. I will admit, I never thought that you guys would ask about contacting Gnome - I'd always thought that it couldn't happen without finding her PoP, but I'm willing to roll with the fun it might bring about.

>>29013442
>Thinking tg won't try to have it's cake and eat it too.

Also, how are you gonna handle possible lewds
Thought I noticed hints of flirting, so figured I'd ask. It'd be a cool side bit to have I think.

>>29013442
Well, contacting the friends of the no-longer-deceased seems like a no brainer when they might be grateful and capable of repairing our ruined fortress.

>>29013509
>Thinking tg won't try to have it's cake and eat it too.
That sort of attitude is exactly why I'm offering the deal in the first place. They'll jump at it, it'll add some excitement to the early days and let them skip to some high-power stuff, whilst letting me have some fun.

>the rest
Honestly, I don't know. Right now things have stayed largely serious, but if the players move towards that I'll just play it by ear.

>>29013538
Oh, I know. I felt kind of thick when people proposed it and I realised that sendings made it really easy.

>>29013568
>it'll add some excitement to the early days and let them skip to some high-power stuff
If you mean get stomped on by shitty luck...then totally.

>Play it by the seat of your pants
Cool by me. I kinda want to get closer with our lady friends, but I fear I'm dreadfully alone there.
Stll in this for the emperoring, but you know.

>>29013638
>If you mean get stomped on by shitty luck...then totally.
Admit it, that part in the first thread where you got whooped by Caitlyn after two 1s and a 20 was priceless.

>Stll in this for the emperoring, but you know.
Isn't maintaining a harem part of being an emperor? I'm betting getting all the ladies was a pretty strong motivation for no small number of rulers and wanna-be rulers.

>>29013693
I figured the Harem came standard really.

>>29013693
>Caitlyn fight
I am just glad it was a sparring fight. She deserved to whump us for fighting that crappily.

>Harem mode
Oh yeah, totally. But like I said I fear I am alone thinking that. Still gonna shoot for it if I can. Even if so, Undine's totally watching us sleep, and we're gonna catch her one night.

>>29013768
>Harem mode
You're not alone and I doubt we're the only two.

>>29013893
Yay Emperors!

Lets try and save our homebase then shall we? This source has me convinced this base is the "Capital"we'll be using from now on.

>>29013978
That was kind of the point. It's why I made Harrowmont as big as it is, to make it usable as a homebase. I mean, you can move but you'll always be checking up on the place to make sure nothing's happened to the Source... If the quest were vidya, losing Harrowmont would be a Game Over.

>>29014047
Heh,yes I got that OP. Don't worry. It's Horrowmount or our lives!