>>2249786
>They laugh at us
HAH!
Shoot them.

>>2249836
*Laugh with them, THEN shoot them

>>2249786
I'm late to the party, but I suppose shooting them is a reasonable response to not having our taunts taken seriously.

Either that, or bust out some EVEN MORE VULGAR tactic.

>>2250367
We can't make any other rude gestures that they'd understand, though...
I suppose we could flip them off before shooting them.

>>2250390
I'm sure if we sat here and thought, we could come up with something incredibly rude. Like a corpse catipult.
But shooting is faster.

>>2250431
We don't have the trees, or the corpses, or the engeneeres for that.

>>2250435
*engineers

>>2249786
>>Give them a taste of what a rifle can do
Time to start bleeding them. We might have to make this a more drawn out affair than the Kossacks will desire, but start hitting them, see if we can keep their heads down, see if there are any opportunities for undermining the buildings in which they reside.

>>2250451
No, we want to piss them off by killing one of them and force them to come out. Once they're out, we fall back, get out beastmen to fire on them, then the Casimir can take the survivors

We don't want them to keep their heads down.

>>2250468
For when we fall back <Don't Fire Until You Can See The Whites Of Their Eyes! AFIX BAYONETS!>(Unless we have none, then drop that part)

>>2250468
Well, if we cannot goad them out, keeping their heads down, then doing something like lighting a poo fire right next to their walls might get them to come on out.

>>2250500
Well, we can think of plan B once plan A fails.
Plan C is lighting EVERYTHING on fire, though.

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"Time to start slinging lead." You say, raising up your own rifle and sighting in on the cheeky bastards. You and Liama fire at nearly the same time, the one-two pop and roar as your repeater and her massive rifle go off make the bandits freeze. Wrong move. From your elevation shooting at the targets in the open its almost too easy. You've got two more shots off before Liama's sighted in her next target. Down the way, you can hear a third gun let off a round catching one of the centaurs before they finally get the hint and search for cover. Without any obvious targets, you look down towards the third gunshot. From behind one of the pavise shields, a member of Zhou's troop pops up and gives you a cheerful little wave with the one looted phoenix rifle before falling back into cover. That mystery solved, you scan for more targets.


The whole exchange lasts less than thirty seconds but you've already dropped six of the bandits, three of them you claimed personally. With the bandits strength down by a fifth, its only a matter of seeing what the bandits do now. Maintaining your height, you try and keep as visible as possible as you call down to Elim and Artyom. [You are gonna want to get your men into position for that countercharge real quick.]

[Did you want the hussars to hit as soon as they clear the ruins?] Elim shouts, directing troops.

[No, wait for the beastfolk to volley first, it should stall the charge.] You call back as you survey the town. Already you can see the one you marked as a leader directing a response, a good fifteen or so of the Bandyta rallying behind him.

>We'll keep drawing their attention, will provide the beastfolks muskets and the lancers a distraction.
>Hold off a bit, let the bandits build up some courage.
>other?

Rolled 20, 4, 19 = 43 (3d20)

>>2251187
And a quick dice check I forgot to put in the field.

>>2251187
>We'll keep drawing their attention, will provide the beastfolks muskets and the lancers a distraction.

>>2251187
>>Hold off a bit, let the bandits build up some courage.

>>2251228
It's ever so much MORE fun to crush your enemy when you let them rally and regain their morale! They probably have only seen us and MAYBE Liama. They likely haven't seen any of out beastmen yet. Or the Hussars. Let's give them the greatest, and last, surprise of their lives!

>>2251187
Make sure that the beastmen hold ranks and fire as ordered this time. While I can appreciate that that one is a great marksman, I would prefer that he advises that he's a great shot, then does as ordered.

He needs to reload and they all need to get ready.

Rolled 18, 11, 17, 18, 19 = 83 (5d20)

You make a mental note to have a few words with Zhou about keeping the good rifle the beastfolk have in the hands of ones with better fire discipline, but judging by how quickly your fuzzy dozen vanished into the underbrush, you suspect that the one with the real rifle just saw a good target of opportunity. In any event, micromanaging won't do you any good at the moment.

You're torn between loosing a few more shots to keep them focused on you or letting them bunch up for Bralin's flanking maneuver. You split the difference and maintain your height, only ducking into cover of the ridgeline once the ranging shots of the few archers they have start embedding themselves closer than you are comfortable with. From the hoofbeats, the bandits are barrelling towards you, oblivious to the nigh invisible squad you have stationed along their only approach. Then, from the south, you hear another set of hoofbeats, and the ones approaching fade away. Peering over the ridge, you can see the leader organizing his troops to meet the approaching threat.

Apparently subtlety isn't very high on a hussars list of skills are you can see the full banner of Elim's men bearing down on the fifteen or so bandyta. You can pick Artyom's green heraldry out of the sea of purple as the approach, one of them waving one of those blasted banners. The bandyta are outmatched, that is readily apparent as they are outnumbered at least two to one, but are prepared to sell their lives dearly. You can see a few of their archers nocking arrows and moving to a more defensible position, but you can see fear and indecision in their movements as the leader tries to rally them.

>Let the hussars take care of them.
>They're broadside on. You can't not open up on them. (1d20+6 roll if you want this one.)

Image uploading is apparently busted and it took me far longer than I care to admit to figure that out.

Rolled 6 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>2251958
>They're broadside on. You can't not open up on them. (1d20+6 roll if you want this one.)
I mean, we're here, might as well help out, right?

Rolled 8 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>2251958

>>2251991
For fuck's sake. It took me 15 gods damned tries to get that to post.

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>14

They are wide open, you just cant resist sending out the call to open fire. Rising as one Zhou's beastfolk emerge from concealment and the cacophonous roar of surplus muskets and your rifles ring out through the plains. The noise is enough to make even the hussars falter a bit, a fact the bandit leader and the seven remaining soldiers who weren't cut down take advantage of. Scattering, they force the thirty-odd hussars to break ranks and chase them as the veritable stamped rushes past the corpses of the eight who were cut down in the initial salvo. Three are overrun and ran through as the mass of lancers wheel around and try to make for the remaining few.

Not wanting the hussars caught in the crossfire, you order a cease fire as you and Liama make to peg the leader, hopefully ending this before it began. Unfortunately, while you've got the distance right, another bandit moves into your line of fire right as you pull the trigger, sending him tumbling as the leader and his remainder make it to the city walls. The whole exchange lasted less than five minutes, but in that span of time you dropped eighteen bandits. Looking back towards the hussars, you can see Elim and his retinue regrouping ordering the lancers out of arrow range.

Going by your previous count, that leaves maybe a dozen bandits left inside the ruins. All with no casualties of your own.

>Search through the casualties. See if anyone survived.
>Push your advantage, centaur walls might have a weakness a biped or snake could exploit.
>Other?

>>2253260
>>Search through the casualties. See if anyone survived.

>>2253260
I say we push. We'll search through the fallen after, and the battle isn't quite done yet.

>>2253260
The Wounded can wait or die. We press the advantage.
Order Zhou's men to "holster" their weapons and move up the barricades until they're just outside of arrow range
Liama and we will see about finding a weakness in the walls.

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You opt to push your advantage ordering the beastfolk to move up just outside of archery range. As they pull up the wicker cover and move forward you head over to Liama.

"We need to get inside, I suspect the ruins have some vulnerabilities, especially to folks such as ourselves. You up for a little gatecrashing?"

She nods but gestures back towards Zhou's people. Looking over, you see that half of the team has picked up their shields and are moving forward while the other half, using said cover are providing overwatch. All in all it looks more like half the grassland just decided get up and walk towards the ruins. Looking over at the hussars, they seem content to see what you do. Signaling to Artyom that they are to hold position, you and Liama go belly down and approach the fortifications from a wide angle, keeping away from your other two forces.

No hail of arrows greets you, nor any arrows for that matter. Reaching the base of the wall you cautiously ascend, leaving Liama and her oversized rifle to cover you. Pressing up against the charred stone you slowly but steadily reach the top without issue. Peeking over you don't see a thing, beckoning Liama you crest the defenses, sliding up on to the ruined battlements. You note that the stone itself is probably a good enough to prevent centaurs from breaching the place, and that the remains of the tightly fitted wood sheathing is likely more to prevent the degenerate trolls from scaling the fortifications.

Liama reaches the top shortly after and scans the perimeter with her rifle. Seeing nothing she whispers, "I don't like this. They should be inside here. Or at the very least we should be able to see them."

>Lets get the gates open. We can puzzle it out once we've got some more muscle in here.
>See if we can find them. We don't have to engage, but I'd rather not have any surprises.
>other?

>>2254709
>>See if we can find them. We don't have to engage, but I'd rather not have any surprises.

>>2254709
>other?
Get a line down. Time for a full infiltration. Our beasts are quiet enough that this may not tip them off.

>>2254709
I'm changing my vote to this >>2255488
Kek wills it. Also, make sure that bayonets are mounted.

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"Liama, you got a coil of rope handy?" You whisper, keeping an eye out on the interior. Nodding in the affirmative, the other lamia begins rummaging in her pack, producing a thin braided line and handing it to you. Looping it around a relatively untouched support spar, you heave on it with your full weight. Not feeling any give, you knot the rope and send it down the wall. You then signal to the beastfolk to move in. You see Zhou emerge from concealment turn and give a muted bark to the rest of the crew. Moving in short, quick bounds they make it up to the wall and begin scaling the line, moving up to cover on the battlements. Zhou, the first one over, reports to you.

{The enemy has fallen back, no sign of them. We need you and yours to clear the town. Do not engage until we can bring everything to bear on them.} You say to him.

{Understood.} He says, and begins signaling to the rest of his crew, who begin descending the interior walls and pairing off into groups of four. Moving through the town, the three squads proceed to investigate each building they come across looking for any signs of the enemy. You and Liama remain on the battlements, near the gate, providing cover. After nearly an hour, Zhou returns to you. {The horse-men are no longer in the town.}

{You sure about that?} You ask, somewhat unbelieving.

{Fresh horse tracks leading to an exit to the southwest. No more than fifteen different sets of tracks. This place is clear for the moment.}

>?

>>2256784
Signal to Elim that the city was empty and open the gate for them. Explain that the bandits had escaped through the southwest gate
Have Zhou set up guards at the gatehouses.

>>2256899
This. Have Liama join the overwatch. See what we can do to fortify some part of the town as proof against reprisal raids

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{Get people guarding the gatehouses, and open the gates over where our allies are.} You command, {Afterwards, see what we can do about shoring up the defenses just in case there are any reprisals.}

"Where you do you want me?" Liama asks, watching the beastfolk scatter into teams to carry out your orders.

"Get up someplace high for now, keep a lookout and cover the guys as they work." Nodding, she sets off as you head towards the gates to greet the hussars. Elim and his banner of centaurs have already congregated at the gates by the time you've arrived and are filing inside now. You pull Elim and Artyom off to the side.

[They fled, seems they decided to cut their loses and took off to the southwest.] You say, [I've got my men shoring up what we can, just in case they wanna try and move back in here. And of the ones out on the hill make it?]

Elim shakes his head in the negative while Artyom frowns. [Southwest is Krasick lands, bandyta could be heading to warn their benefactors.]

[Just as well.] You say, [They were so focused on the hussar charge that they didn't see our weaponry, so we've got an ace in the hole in case they try anything.]

Elim excuses himself, citing the need to oversee the hussar portion of the reclamation, leaving you and Artyom alone. After a moments silence the burned hussar kneels down grabbing one of the new spring shoots rising up through the ashes. [I am of the belief that the advisor of Purobka is still about. She may have insight into this... strangeness.]

[You're gonna have to be more specific on that.]

He gives a tired smile, [Szlachta openly working with Bandyta would be a death sentence to the Szlachta in the eyes of their peers. Moreso than regicide. That the bandyta feel it is safer to flee into Szlachta lands than the badlands is telling. Telling of what I don't know, but I fear there might be more to it than simple panic. The advisor may know more.]

>We'll have time to look for the advisor later.
>Got some place in mind?
>Other?

>>2257987
>>Got someplace in mind?
I think you mentioned something about a vault and tunnel network a while back?

>>2257987
That is actually pretty interesting.
Maybe the Szlachta just have worse patrols right now or something?
My curiosity says to investigate that. Though, as the other guy says, vaults are also interesting.

>>2258378
If I'm remembering correctly, Artyom said that the Advisor may have been hiding in the vault or some tunnels under the city.

>>2258424
huh. That's pretty far away, though. Do we want to look for them right now?
Or are we good with just making this particular fort be set up right and heading home?

>>2258572
We're INSIDE of the city now. It's not a fort, but a city. (Or a large castle, depending on your outlook)
We would just need to follow Artyom to where he's pretty sure the entrance is and start looking. Getting to the area won't take long at all

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[I think you mentioned something about a vault and tunnel network a while back?] You say, mentally still trying to plan out what Krasick and the bandits are up to.

[Not a vault no. Just re-purposed tunnels. Most are irrigation, but a few became supply caches. I suspect that our advisor took refuge there.] He then turns, heading down the line of scorched buildings.

Mystified, you follow him until he enters one of the buildings. Not wanting to disturb him, you hear the sounds of rummaging for some time until he emerges with a soot blackened meat hook, only with the haft a good three feet long. He continues on silently, heading towards one of the walls of the city. This part of the city is less even than the others, and he stops by one particular hillock and swings the hook down into the earth. Holding it in one hand, the centaur backs along the hillside gouging out a furrow until you hear the dull thunk of metal biting into wood. Freeing the now polished tip from the obstruction, he then repeated the process above and below and on the other side as well. You're about to ask what exactly he's doing when he starts feeling around in the middle of the square. Eventually, he uncovers a rusted iron ring. Hefting it slightly he pulls. You're shocked at how easy it gives, the upper part of the hatch giving without a sound. The lower part swings into the hill itself, revealing a four foot wide by ten foot tunnel.

[They must have kept this in good repair for it to open that easily.] You say.

[Not really,] he says shaking his head. [Counter balanced pivot hinges. Raise the top part of the hatch, the lower part becomes a ramp.] He then lights a pair of torches, handing one to you. [Tunnels remodeled for irrigation will be partially flooded by now. Good place to hide, but not many caches that way. The stores themselves run along under the town, might be a better place to look.]

He looks at you expectantly, seemingly expecting you to make a decision.

>?

>>2260461
Let's check the stores themselves first. If there's nothing, we'll check the irrigation tunnels
(Make a mental note to get these tunnels mapped)

>>2260851
>name

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[Did anyone ever try to map these tunnels?]

[My previous lord held a detailed schematic in the grand manor.] He says, leaving unspoken the fact that when you found him it was outside the burned out husk of that same building.

[Ok. We'll stick to the stores first, if no luck, we'll have to check the irrigation tunnels. Is this the only entrance?]

[No, but it is the only one I know of in the city walls that isn't connected to a subfloor of a burnt out building.]

[Right. Alright, we'll check the stores first, see if we can't find this advisor there. If that fails we can check the irrigation.] Holding a torch aloft, you descend into the bowels of the earth. Surprisingly, the construction of the tunnels is a solid stone and lumber affair. Artyom explains that rather than dig the tunnels out and then reinforce them, the lord had the entire affair dug out from the top down, and then just shifted the dirt back on top once the assembly was complete. This was, as he tells it, why the 'secret' part of the secret tunnels was an abject failure.

Proceeding down the walkway, you pass a few side rooms that you investigate, only finding barrels of liquid and a few spoiled grain stores. Behind that you come to an abrupt dead end, a wall with a number of lumber spars crossing it. Artyom forcibly removes those as well, ripping out the two nails that tacked the things on in the first place, unveiling another D ring set into the wall. Pulling it, your greeted to another one of the pivoting doors, and a ramp that descends even further.

[These are the less perishable stores. Deeper, and actually tunneled underneath the exterior ridge line as opposed to excavated. If she's about, she is likely hiding in here.] Artyom says extinguishing his torch. [There are fewer air vents here. Two torches would be unwise.]

>Give me a 1d20+4 roll if you would.

Rolled 7 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>2262032

>>2262131
A Torch should never be used indoors, actually. They don't last for more than ~30 minutes in real life and they consume a lot of oxygen. Lanterns are much better and it's easier to carry a lot of candles that will last for longer than a torch.

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>11

You delve deeper into Purobka's tunnels. It feels close, and you worry a little about the air supply as you hold your torch aloft. Artyom points out a few of the air shafts along the way, but that does little to quell your wish to have a lamp and a good supply of candles. Nevertheless, you slowly proceed through the twists and turns of this maze. Artyom, with his snuffed torch, places small arrows pointing back the way you came with every turn you take.

Most of the rooms are empty, apparently the town didn't have too much in the way of non perishables. One room is full of heavy wooden barrels that slosh a bit when moved. Artyom explains these were reserves of the silk treatment that Purobka was famous for, probably the last ever if the recipes went up in smoke with the rest of the town. Setting those aside you pass another two empty rooms until you hear it. A faint sniffling sound amidst the sound of rummaging. Peering into the next room, you can just make out a soft light hovering above a crate, a pair of legs sticking out.

Eventually, the flailing stops and the advisor emerges, eyes red rimmed and tears evident. Despite her sorry state, you can see the resemblance to Bralin's advisor. She's muttering something to herself as she sinks back against the crate and slides down, on the far side from you. Looking over to Artyom, he gives you a nod. [That's her. I do not believe she is in the best state of mind at the moment.]

>What do?

>>2264918
Ask her if she's okay.
I was going to say ask her about why bandyta are retreating to schlachta lands, but now I feel bad.

>>2264918
>>2265855
Feel bad or not, she won't be able to answer any questions in this state. Try to calm her and get her back to the surface.

>>2266147
Yep. Time for some crack counseling.

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[Any way we can calm her down?] You whisper, [I'd rather we don't try and question her while she's this upset.]

[Let me try.] Artyom says, moving ahead of you and peering inside. He carefully clears his throat. [Adviso-]

[INTERLOPERS!] A feminine voice screeches, Artyom ducks back around the corner as one of the heavy crates flies towards you shattering against the doorway, and splintering out. [THE VERMIN WHO INFEST MY ONCE GREAT CITY HAVE FINALLY COME TO RAVAGE ME? YOU WILL NOT UPROOT ME WITHOUT A FIGHT.]

[I am not one of the Bandyta, nor one of the Krasick dogs who laid waste to the town. I am from Purobka, a hussar. The kutkh with me i-]

[A COLLABORATOR THEN!] The voice says again. A gust of wind and dust is sent your way as Artyom stiffens at the comment. The fierceness of the gust smothering the dropped torch, leaving the only light being the faint blue glow emanating from the fae's room.

[I am going to let that comment go for the time being.] He says through gritted teeth. [I have given more than you know for this holdfast. The one with me is the one who drove the Bandyta out and is no friend of the Krasick dogs.]

Silence. You look over to Artyom who is staring intently at the lighted doorway.

>Try and take over the discussion before this gets out of hand.
>Let Artyom continue to talk.
>Other?

>>2268400
>Try and take over the discussion before this gets out of hand.
[Please calm down. We are not here to harm you, and none of us would collaborate with the bandyta or with Krasick. The bandyta are all slain or routed. I and my men, with the aid of a host from Bralin, drove them out. Is there any way that we could convince you of this?]

>>2268919
Perhaps instead of framing things around convincing her, she had ought to convince us of her virtue.

>>2269089
That's not how you get paranoid people that think too much of themselves to not try to kill you. Especially when they can use magic.

>>2269166
>>2269089
Especially when they've got PTSD, as this one probably does. Though it's probably temporary.

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Before things escalate you motion for Artyom to stop. [Please calm down. We are not here to harm you, and none of us would collaborate with the bandyta or with Krasick. The bandyta are all slain or routed. I and my men, with the aid of a host from Bralin, drove them out. Is there any way that we could convince you of this?] You call around the corner.

[No.]

[Then we'll leave you in peace.] You stay, and start to backtrack through the tunnels.

[No! Wait! Do not go.] The voice calls once more, you can hear a sigh of exhaustion. [I've been down here a very long time now. There is nobody to trust, especially with what the Bandyta are doing to my brethren.]

You pause, [I'm afraid I'm not familiar.]

The light dims, [Several of our kind have appeared in this town in the months I've been down here. I can sense them, albeit faintly. My brother in Orolovets was the most recent, a week or so back, a pair of siblings who inhabited parts of the wastes. All heavily warded, and all very much unhappy to be here. Never more than a day though, their presence is moved to the south, deeper into Szlachta territory. What happens after I cannot say. I've not left the tunnels after they first tried to capture me, and the dogs have been digging through the subfloors looking for something, probably me.]

You think back to interaction between the Krasick Hussars and the Bandyta. [I think I witnessed the exchange of one of them, the Krasick Hussars have been taking them.]

You hear the patter of feet and flinch as the diminutive figure runs around the corner, she freezes on seeing you and leaps back into the storehouse. Some silence, and then a small sad laugh, [Kutkh indeed. I would not expect one of their progeny to be my savior, yet here we are.] She rounds the corner once more, and you get your first clear look at her. Maybe half the height of the average human, dirty, disheveled, and clad in a stained blue dress. [Do not let them take me.] She says quietly.

>?

>>2269565
>put a reassuring hand on her shoulder
[I swear that they will not take you while I and my men can do anything about it.]

>>2269642
>name
[Now, let's get out of these tunnels. Artyom? Do you still have that other torch?]

>>2269565
"I don't intend to. Before we go any further, could I get a name?"

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[I swear that they will not take you while I and my men can do anything about it.] You say, crouching down to put a hand on her shoulder. [Before we go any further, could I get a name?]

Looks up at you, [In all my years, I do not think I have ever had anyone ask that question. A name. How novel. I may just have to pick one. When I do, you will know it.]

Seemingly placated, you turn your attention to other matters, [Now, let's get out of these tunnels. Artyom? Do you still have that other torch?]

He nods, producing it. [I do, but I do not have a flint or tinder.]

Easily solved. Dialing back your extensive capabilities with fire magic and letting out the littlest gout of flame, reigniting the torch. The advisor seems content to fall back on old certainties, and clambers up on to Artyom and being carried out. Arriving on the surface, you shield your eyes from the glare of the sun as you emerge. In the time you were down there, your forces have been busy, you can already see that the majority of the town gates have been closed and barred, and can see a few beastfolk poking through the ruins. You can see Elim and the Hussars in the midst of moving some of the more heavy debris up to the walls, for some reason you're not sure.

>Check in with Zhou.
>Check in with Elim.
>other?

>>2272484
>>Check in with Zhou.
Ask Zhou if anything's been seen then ask about the debris.

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You make your way over to where the beastfolk have focused their activities as Artyom and the advisor move off to talk with the Hussars. Approaching the ruined buildings, you can see why they've began to focus their efforts here. The buildings appear to be the ruins of an old inn on a hill leading down to what was once the merchants avenue akin to Bralin's. The open thoroughfare is a bit of a danger, especially given the cavalry nature of your usual enemy, but given they've got to charge up the hill to get here, the threat is a bit blunted. Poking your way through the ruins, you see one of the beastfolk notice you, nod, and then duck down into the building, calling out in Phoenix. Shortly after Zhou appears, walking towards you. {You needed something, Mistress?}

You wince at that, glad nobody who understands the language is around. Liama, during her language lessons, did explain that Mistress was the closest translation to your relationship to the beastfolk and that it is more akin to 'Boss' than any master-servant relationship. Nevertheless its a bit disconcerting, and Zhou having seemingly detected your discomfort with the term, has tried to remain terse and formal but occasionally Phoenix decorum slips through. Nevertheless, you ignore it for now. {Anything to report?}

{These buildings will be the quickest to make habitable, and have a few supply reserves untouched by the enemy. There is a cellar, but a large pylon fell across the ramp down into it. Its large enough that I don't think the horse-men could move it, much less negotiate around it. It'll work well enough.}

{And the wall defenses?}

{I have split the lookouts among the major entrance points, and have conveyed to our 'allies' to reinforce all non critical entryways through your sister-kin before she took up overwatch in the belfry of the ruined manor. I have one team looking through the ruins for other things of note, but the majority are refitting this building.}

{Ok good, Artyom should be checking in shortly then.} You start to say, but are interrupted by a shriek, turning, you can see the diminutive form sprinting towards you with Artyom chasing behind. Purobka's advisor smartly sidesteps you an runs up to Zhou and promptly latches on to his tail. He grunts in discomfort as she plays with it, giving you a quick gesture you recognize as permission to engage a hostile. Sighing you deny the request and the stoic beastman simply slumps in resignation as the advisor continues to run her fingers through his tail.

[These things are FASCINATING! Are they yours?] The advisor calls, mid stroke.

>?

>>2273253
[Please refrain from touching their tails without their permission... Advisor. It's not something to be done lightly. To answer your question, though, yes, they work for me. They will be taking over the restoration and management of Purobka while I and Artyom are not here. Though at least a few of then need to learn Casimiran soon enough.]

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[Please refrain from touching their tails without their permission... Advisor. It's not something to be done lightly.] You suggest, taking care to phrase it as neutrally as possible. The advisor narrows her eyes at you, gives Zhou's tail a few more furious pats and unlatches herself from him. Zhou makes a dignified, if hasty, retreat into the ruined inn. With that concession, you figure this is going to be the best time to broach another subject. [To answer your question, though, yes, they work for me. They will be taking over the restoration and management of Purobka while Artyom and I are not here. Though at least a few of then need to learn Casimiran soon enough.]

[Take over?]

[The town is abandoned, and the less we leave it so the less influence the Krasick and their Bandyta collaborators can exert on the rest of the area.]

She narrows her eyes, [And what do you get out of it?] You have to admire her cynicism.

[A trade post in Casimiran lands well removed from the pass we use to enter it and a foothold on behalf of one of the Sigismund heirs if need be.] Her eyes widen a bit, but she visibly relaxes.

[That's not asking a tall order is it?] She muses, [Not like I got much of a choice though. You just be glad your little toy soldiers are cute.]

Artyom, having seen the exchange, interjects, [Advisor, if you happen to have explored what was left of our town, there are a few key items I need to know the status on. If they survived the sacking, we may yet rebuild. I am but a hussar, and I cannot in good conscience access them without your permission.] She nods, and clambers back up onto Artyom's back. You watch the pair head out, curious at Artyom's change from stubborn and terse to the flowery speech he now employs.

>Go help Artyom
>Help the Beastfolk work on the inn
>Go check the walls
>Check in with Liama
>Other

>>2281893
>check in with liama
If Artyom needed our help he would have asked us along, and I'm sure he'll tell us later if we ask. (or show us)
The Beastfolk are fine on their own, though I would like to speed the process of getting them set up, we should check un with Liama, see if she's seen anything, and update her on the situation.

>>2281906
>>2281893
sure, why not, liama ho.
Also I look foreward to that inn being more useable.