>>6036387

You are Lady Malevus Silverthread, a member of a renowned family of tailors and couturiers. Though better known as just Malevus, a squire to Prince Alric and a paladin in training.

And you feel like you were thrown off a horse and stabbed multiple times.

Which you were.

"I don't need your help Alric." You said to him half annoyed.

It was the next evening and you were in your own bed. Alric had made sure that after returning to the tower, you had been transported back to Dawnholme and back to home as fast as possible.

Both Tari and Maura had been rather horrified to see you like this, but you had forced a smile and succeeded in calming them down. At least until the clothier and Madam Judy Martin arrived. With no real doctor in Dawnholme and the best replacement being the patient, you had to be the one instructing them. Thankfully the clothier had steady hands with the thread and needle and Madam Martin, the naturalist mage from Underbelly, knew a thing or two about alchemy and how to deal with wounds.

After a bit of screaming as the wounds were cleaned with liquid that felt like it burned you, closed with the thread and bandaged, you finally could rest.

That is if not for Alric being right there.

"I really don't need your help." You repeated.

"You do need my help Malevus, your hands are both bandaged, you can't even hold a spoon or go through other basic tasks." Alric argued back to you. "Let me help you, like you helped me."

You groaned, you would hate this. Being bedridden didn't fit you at all. Worst of all, Alric was there. You already felt a bit fuzzy inside you with just him being there.

"Fiiiine… you can help me if you want." You finally relented and saw how the worry and concern faded off Alric’s face. "Just don't… don't treat me like a child."

"No promises!" Alric said and laughed. "Do you have anything to say or ask before I will go get you something to eat?" Alric asked you and smiled. "You must be hungry."

You were hungry, quite hungry. Hmmm… maybe you could ask something.


>How many prisoners did Alric take? How are they?
>Did anyone else get wounded?
>Has there been any other news from Alterac?
>What did he think when he saw what had happened to you?
>Apologise for getting wounded and getting him all so worried.
>Other, write in.

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>>6036388

Thread 30! Feel magnificent and fantastic to get this far. Now towards the next 30 threads!

And as always if you have any questions or anything regarding the Quest, characters, events or something else, please go ahead and ask them. I will try to answer to the best as I can.

>>6036387
>Apologise for getting wounded and getting him all so worried.

>>6036388
>Did anyone else get wounded?
>How many prisoners did Alric take? How are they?
>Has there been any other news from Alterac?
>What did he think when he saw what had happened to you?

>Other, write in
"What about the ambush the royal guard were preparing?"

>>6036393
Did Alric just drop the ambush preparation and pull everyone out once Malevus got injured?

Can Alric use his Fel without casting a spell, so purely for combat? Fel can restart Alric's heart better then the Light and keep him from turning into a vegetable. If he wanted to, or trained to, it seems like he could use it for a lot of stuff.

How far away is the next Stormwind meeting that Katrana has invited us to? The Oil Rig stages and their progress update.

Am I reading it right that the new invention gives a +1 supply from Windmills and Mines, will it have any effect on the Oil Rig?

If the makeup gift was still good wasn't clarified beyond 'maybe, maybe not' I guess just spend it on a Nalice event of some kind in future if it is. An opportunity to improve their relationship? I'm not sure what the range is be it that or magic training for something that could have been gained with a crit like the Dragon Rune alteration on Alric's chest, or something to think on for when a particular event is actually happening.

>>6036388
>>How many prisoners did Alric take? How are they?
>>Did anyone else get wounded?
>>Has there been any other news from Alterac?

>>6036393
Great achievement QM, and aside from the drama of end of last thread, it seems you've pulled it off smoothly from my point of view!

>>6036388
>Apologise for getting wounded and getting him all so worried.
>What did he think when he saw what had happened to you?
>Did anyone else get wounded?
>How many prisoners did Alric take? How are they?
>Any other signs of survivors that might have fled?
>Ok now burnt toast please, because I know that's all you can make while you're fussing like this.

I'm thinking this kind of order.

>>6036387
Is everything in this quest occuring before the events of wc3 or after?

>>6036435

Alric hasn't tried to use the Fel in combat, just for either empowering or using it to cast spells. If Fel is really giving him power, he most likely could use it to give himself a burst of strength. Currently Alric has been spending his own mana first when casting magic, saving the Fel for later. Every late evening after his magic training with Eligius, he has burned a bit of the Fel away with no noticeable effect on him or his health.

Exact date for the Alliance meeting in Stormwind is undecided, but most likely it will be in late summer. The work on the Oil Rig hasn't started as the Dark Irons haven't arrived yet. Wiklish and his goblin mates have done what they can to get this as ready as possible.

Geared Speed Regulator only has effect on Windmills and Mines currently. The Oil Rig is already technical enough that trying to jam a gearbox somewhere there wouldn't help it that much.

No, I haven't used the makeup gift. At least not yet.

>>6036905

We are currently in the year 16 After Dark Portal. 0-6 ADP was the First War, 6 ADP Second War, 8 ADP Beyond the Dark Portal. Third War happens in the year 20 ADP, so we are still well before those events.

Now what events? There's no Third War, the orcs and their Horde was demolished. There is peace in Azeroth and Lordaeron.

>>6036938
Hmmm well if I had to guess there's so much fel that burning away a little isn't really going to have an impact. Though I guess if we really want answers there's still Kel Thuzad, but I dont think opinion on that will change barring issues popping up.

Is Alric still getting the nightmares in the background? I kind of want to see about an arrangement with Fel Malevus to see if Alric can accept his darker side, how strong we can get in a more sympathetic relationship, and honestly Alric does enjoy his sex and violence. Might be better then Fel Malevus striking whenever Alric has an actual emotional crisis when someone important dies. Plus even if we burn away more of the high quality fel Nalice gave us it won't un feltouch us and it has its uses. Though that may just be my opinion.

How are Eligius's studies going?

I wonder if the trolls will attack the oil rig or if Thrall will send a message about the earth spirits not being happy with pumping out that black gold. I suppose the witches know a little human shamanism and they might have a warning on that.

>>6037044

No nightmares unless I have written about them. And there hasn't been an effect from burning the Fel away, at least not yet.

Eligius is progressing, but he is taking things slowly on purpose. More on the theory than on practice.

>>6036388
>>6036804
Agreed this order is a good one.

I dont have any real questions other than when the campaign against gnolls was to happen? Are we going to join it?

"I'm sorry…" You said and looked into Alric's Fel green eyes.

"Sorry for what?" Alric replied and was slightly confused about this.

"Sorry for making you concerned and worried, Sorry for getting wounded." You said to him with nearly a whisper.

A faint smile appeared on Alric's face.

"Don't, there is no need for you to say sorry." He replied. "You don't need to blame yourself. Only person who should blame someone would be me, because I haven't trained you well enough."

"Alric…"

"You are my squire, any blame should be on my shoulders." Alric said to you. He was serious about what he said as he walked to the door.

He really didn't need to say that, but he did.

"What did you think when you saw me? When you saw what had happened?" You had to ask him.

Alric stopped by the door and didn't move for a few seconds.

"I thought that the worst had happened." He said still facing away from you before turning to look at you. "That I had lost you Malevus."

Alric looked down for a moment.

"I…I don't know what I would have done if that had been the case." He told you.

There was sadness in Alric's eyes, but they brightened quickly.

"Thankfully that wasn't the case."

You had the chuckle a bit. How Alric cared about you was lovely, but it did make your insides feel all fuzzy and warm. You needed a break.

"Ok now burnt toast please, because I know that's all you can make while you're fussing like this." You said to Alric.

Now it was his turn to laugh.

"I heard Maura had made carrot soup today, there's still leftovers available." He said and smiled. "Stay still, don't go anywhere, I'll be back soon."

You could only roll your eyes.

Alric left your room, leaving you alone with your thoughts. You sighed and breathed deeply. Alric was just so… The fuzzy feeling inside you was the sign of your feelings towards him. Yet everything felt so complicated and confusing. Why did everything have to be so complex?

You tried to rub your eyes, but moving your hands slightly made your arms hurt.

You were hurt. Falling off your horse and then you had been cut and stabbed. Your hands had been well bandaged, both palms cut open. Your gloves had protected your hands somewhat, but the dagger had cut through the leather as well. And your arms had been cut as well. Right arm three times and left twice.

You felt yourself blessed, while they were quite deep cuts, they hadn't hit anything important within you. Even if moving your arms hurt a lot, you had tried to flex and move them to check if that was the case. Same thing with your fingers. All of them were still moving.

You wouldn't walk for a few days though, the wound on your right thigh required your leg to be still. And then the cut on your left cheek, constantly throbbing from pain. The shallow wound ran from just below of your nose to nearly to your ear.

You will heal it, but that would have to wait a few days. As much as you could heal it immediately, it would tire you too much and you needed rest.

1/2

>>6037348

The door opened and Alric stepped in carrying a tray. A small bowl and a cup of water on it.

"Here we go." Alric said as he put it aside and moved a chair next to your bed.

"Thanks Alric." You responded and reached for the bowl, but the pain stopped you.

"Just stay still and let me help you." Alric said and sat down, taking the bowl and a spoon. "The carrot soup is really good."

Alric took a spoonful and presented it to you. You looked at him and he just nodded. This was going to be embarrassing and colour creeped up your cheeks and your ears drooped a bit. Finally you relented and opened your mouth.

"How the tables have turned." Alric said as he fed you the soup.

"It's good." You said to him between spoonfuls. "Were there anyone else who got wounded?"

"Of our soldiers no, but there were few amongst the prisoners we took." Alric told you. "35 men in total, a couple more had wandered towards the fire and Sir Radan had caught them."

"What about the ambush?" You asked him.

"We left nearly immediately after the Royal Foot Guards had arrived. That many prisoners required all available hands to handle them." Alric said and continued. "Besides, my heart wasn't in fighting anymore."

He fed you another spoonful of hot carrot soup. Just like you and Tari had helped to feed him after his incident, it was now his turn to return the favour.

"Thank you." You whispered.

"This is the least I can do. I have already sent a messenger to Tarren Mill, Father Hampton hopefully arrives as soon as possible." Alric told you. "I will get you healthy and fit, whatever it takes."

"I know…" You said back to him.

"Ask me anything and I will give it to you." Alric said. "I… it hurts to see you like that. How can you support or defend me if I can't support or defend you?"

"Anything?"

"Anything."

The way he looked at you made it clear that he meant it. His gentle smile warmed you from inside and then he placed his hand on your shoulder. Your heart beat faster and the anxiety over all of this between you and him returned.

"Alric… I…" You muttered and lost your thought. What would you choose?


Choose one:
>A new weapon. Your old sword is fine, but you could do with a better one.
>You need new armour, your old elven half-plate doesn't protect you well enough.
>Expensive and rare books for your studies regarding Holy Light. And maybe a few more trashy ones just for light reading.
>Ask Alric to stop fussing about. It is embarrassing and unfit for a Prince. You are a grown woman, you can handle yourself.
>Tell him to just kiss you.
>Other, write in.

QM: We will get back to normal business after this update.

>>6037350

35 new prisoners put into hard labour means that they will free up 15 Peasants from their duties. Your prison camp currently has 155 prisoners and they in total free up 65 Peasants. Remember, if and when the prisoners are released from the camp, you are going to "lose" Peasants as the prisoners aren't doing their jobs anymore.


Gained:
>15 Peasants

Total Resources:
0 Wealth, +15 per season
24 Supplies, -1 per season
180 Peasants

>>6037163

The request for aid will arrive soon.

>>6037350
>Expensive and rare books for your studies regarding Holy Light. And maybe a few more trashy ones just for light reading.

>>6037350
>You need new armour, your old elven half-plate doesn't protect you well enough.

Kissing can wait

>>6037350
>Expensive and rare books for your studies regarding Holy Light. And maybe a few more trashy ones just for light reading.
Buying and selling with Dark Iron could give her a new weapon and armor.

Everything needs more money
Money !!!

>>6037350
>Expensive and rare books for your studies regarding Holy Light. And maybe a few more trashy ones just for light reading.
I want them to kiss already but asking for just doesn't feel right. She should just go for it when the opportunity arises.

>>6037350
>Expensive and rare books for your studies regarding Holy Light. And maybe a few more trashy ones just for light reading.
I think progressing the Holy Light studies is probably the best thing that only Malevus can bring, and if it also helps Hampton with his ministering at Tarren Mill, then all the better.

>>6037350
>>Expensive and rare books for your studies regarding Holy Light. And maybe a few more trashy ones just for light reading.

>>6037350
>>Expensive and rare books for your studies regarding Holy Light. And maybe a few more trashy ones just for light reading.

"I want books." You said to him and looked at your small bookshelf. "I mean good books, ones that could help me with my path."

"About Holy Light?" Alric asked as he scooped one last spoonful of the carrot soup.

"Yes, the old and…" You paused to eat the soup.

"Expensive kind. Alright, just tell Eligius what books you want and he will get them for you. And if he complains about their price, I will threaten to take their costs out of his salary."

"He gets a salary?" You asked and raised your eyebrows.

"A small one!" Alric replied with a laugh. "Books, I can do that."

He put the bowl away and helped you to drink the cup of water by lifting you up to sit. Then he just made sure that the pillows were comfortable and pulled the blanket over you.

"That should be enough." Alric said with a smile. "Now you just need to rest, Father Hampton should be here tomorrow."

"Thanks Alric… and don't blame yourself." You said to him.

He smiled and snapped his fingers several times, extinguishing the candles one by one. Just one was left on a cupboard.

"Good night Malevus, sleep well."

"You too Alric, good night."

He left your room and closed the door.

You sighed and breathed deeply. Just find the courage you silly girl. You just need to do it. Maybe… maybe when you have finished the dress? Alric probably would like it.

Yeah that sounds like the plan. First the dress and then… and then… oh by the Holy Light why this is so difficult! It is so easy in the books!

You closed your eyes. You were dead tired. Tomorrow will be a new day, a better day.

…

You are Prince Alric Perenolde, the second heir of Alterac and ruler of Dawnholme, renowned swordsman, apprentice mage and rumoured lady killer amongst many other things.

"Two weeks Prince Alric." Hampton said to you. The bald, one armed former paladin had arrived around midday and immediately went to see how his pupil was doing.

"Of being bedridden?" You asked him.

"Yes, her thigh needs to heal slowly. The wound there is a deep one and if hurried, there is a risk of permanent damage." Hampton explained. "If her arms hadn't been cut and stabbed, then she could go around on crutches, but…"

"They need to heal as well. I understand." You said to him and crossed your arms.

"Prince Alric, Lady Malevus will be fine, she just needs some time." Hampton said.

"I will make sure she will stay in the bed, thank you Father." You said to him and continued. "Are you going to visit the town now that you are here?"

"Yes, with Lady Malevus unable to help those who need both physical and spiritual healing, it falls on me." Hampton said to you.

"Then can you check on Taretha, she has a bad case of morning sickness today." You told him.

"Of course, I would love to get to know your extended family." Hampton replied.

Did he believe the rumours? You weren't sure, but if he can ease the morning sickness and clear the tiredness, it would be great.

1/2

>>6037942

It had been two days since Father Hampton's visit and both Tari and Malevus were feeling much better. Having replaced the old bandages with fresh ones, you could see how the wounds were healing like they should, accelerated with the help of Holy Light. The cut on her cheek had nearly disappeared, but it would leave a light scar behind.

Though for you the days were filled with work. Patrol schedule had been redone and the Stonemason mercenaries had picked up some slack around Sofera's Naze where they were stationed. Thankfully in the afternoon Captain Garside rode back into Dawnholme from the several months long campaign in Strahnbrad Hills.

"It is good to see you father." You said and went to clap his shoulder as he stepped into your home.

"You too son. I came here as fast as I could when I heard the news." He said to you and put his helmet down. "I heard Malevus got hurt, how is she?"

"Getting better, she is sleeping right now." You told him.

"I was worried for a moment." He said to you. "But first let me get this blasted armour off, we can then talk."

…

"There has been no sight of ogres or kobolds or anyone else." You told him. "Just a faint trickle of smoke where the forest fire had been started."

"It is a worrisome development. If the ogres hold the corner, they could threaten both us and Strahnbrad itself." Normand mused as he drank the tea brought to you by Maura.

"How about the hills? Any news from there?" You asked him.

"No, no tracks or anything. Our patrol did find the camp from which Eligius had been saved from, but it was ransacked a long time ago. Just a couple abandoned farms and that's it." Normand told you and continued. "Though the liquor you had ordered to be left at one of the totems trolls had built, it was gone."

"Maybe a good sign. We leave them alone and they leave us alone." You said.

"But we can't trust the trolls, one day they will come down from the mountains and attack us." Normand said and was the usual sceptical Normand you knew he was.

"But we still should do something about all this." You said.

"What do you have in mind?" He asked you.


>Spread your men and patrols equally across your territory. You need to be able to protect everyone living in your lands.
>Keep the majority of your soldiers in Strahnbrad Hills. The threat from the trolls and the Syndicate is too high and you want your Oil Rig to be well protected.
>Move half of your soldiers to watch Dawnholme and Alterac and leave the rest to Strahnbrad Hills. Equal split between these two locations.
>The ogres are a more acute threat right now. Move a more significant portion of your men to watch the King’s Road to Alterac.
>Other, write in.

>>6037944
>Move half of your soldiers to watch Dawnholme and Alterac and leave the rest to Strahnbrad Hills. Equal split between these two locations.

>>6037944
>Move half of your soldiers to watch Dawnholme and Alterac and leave the rest to Strahnbrad Hills. Equal split between these two locations.
Clearly we need a gallows corner of our own so We got something against the ogre/kobold horde.

>>6037944
>>Move half of your soldiers to watch Dawnholme and Alterac and leave the rest to Strahnbrad Hills. Equal split between these two locations.
We should conquer Gallows Corner, it is there and it can be ours, it should be ours, taken by none else. NEW CONQUEST CAMPAIGN TIME

Normand is also right : trolls can't be trusted. Their 0 reaction and nothing visible for so long, means they are either observing and planning something or they are dead. And i think the first option is more likely. Best to make sure our men in the hills are always ready in case of raids or a full attack. Also because they might need to deal with Syndicate, Gnolls or Ogres. So four enemies armies possibly showing up for take what they think is "theirs".

Especially now that we are building and settling for extract oil. If we had more spies available i would suggest some spying on the trolls for see what they are up to, but our spies are still recruits in training much the same for Eligius. And our first priority in spying is knowing what happens in our own lands and counter it when needed.
When we have more soldiers, i think we can put an end to this problem

>>6037944
>>Move half of your soldiers to watch Dawnholme and Alterac and leave the rest to Strahnbrad Hills. Equal split between these two locations.
Equal split is what we need, but we need to strip troops off both locations if we want to join the campaign against the gnolls. I did check the pastebin and saw the Stonemason mercs being there, with just 3 wealth per season for 30 men and the named characters that is a steal. But do we have the extra wealth to hire them, I really want that town hall and if the caravans and markets dont bring enough, then we might have to send our own men there instead of just mercs. We could sell some supplies for wealth, Medivh did write that there is a lack of supplies in Hillsbrad and their prices have gone up.

Or we can just temporarily march our full army to face the gnolls, carry the day, demand all the spoils and return back home as fast as possible.

>>6038065
As much as I would like to do that the edict says no. We have already made Garithos and his supporters mad. Showing disregard to the edict could make others mad as well.

>>6038071
The trolls worry me too, we just dont have the wealth or supplies to support a far larger army. Maybe building high instead of wide is what we need to do, but the pastebin says that we control Strahnbrad hills and we got the building there under our control helping with our supply situation.

And we need the town hall. Get that done during summer and then start building all the supply and wealth buildings we can get during autumn and winter. And take all opportunities to gain more of everything whatever they are. We cant say no to many things.

>>6038072
I know, i know, still..... maybe we could make plans about it... for the very hypothetical future where the edict is lifted of course.

Jokes aside while i hunger for land, perhaps we could try a raid against the ogres that arrived in Gallows Corner. I suspect the warlord/chief leading them hasn't fully established a proper fortified camp in the region yet. The problem is how to do it. Probably a secret raid i suspect, even if we make a good argument to say someone like Uther, the Alliance would just go "ITS TIME FOR THE SECOND BURNING OF ALTERAC".


>>6038074
>The trolls.
For the moment we can't do much, but is something to take out when we can. We might need to build high for a bit, or at least for have a better situation to work with and build a stronger military.
>Town hall
I agree on that. In regard to opportunities, i think Blackmoore will give us a reward depending on just how much we partecipate in his gnoll purge.

>>6037944
>>Move half of your soldiers to watch Dawnholme and Alterac and leave the rest to Strahnbrad Hills. Equal split between these two locations.

"Balance needs to be found. Both the hills and Dawnholme needs to be protected." You told Normand. "It might be the trolls, or the orcs, or the ogres or Syndicate that attacks us and we don't know when or where exactly. So we need to defend both."

"Half and half?"

"Yep, so bit over a hundred men each." You told him and continued. "Though we might need to draw some troops from each group if we are to join Blackmoore's campaign."

"Any news about that?" Normand asked.

"Nothing, other than they are still gathering supplies and planning it." You told him.

"They need to invite us soon if they want us to be able to participate." Normand said and continued. "But enough of them, speaking of that man leaves a bitter taste in my mouth."

You chuckled. Very few people liked Blackmoore.

Normand finished his tea and put the cup down.

"I got the report from Eligius and you about the burial chamber and what had happened there." Normand asked curiously and somewhat worriedly. "To imagine that a death knight was slumbering so close to us."

You stayed silent. The report that had been sent to Normand was the false-truth as envisioned and planned by you and Eligius. A map found from the belongings of the smugglers that led you to the burial chamber. And then in there you had found the cut down ancient dead and the now thoroughly dead death knight with the culprit being orcs based on a bit of blood on the floor.

No mention of the Thrall nor Frostwolf clan. No mention of you taking Tari out to see him or the plans Thrall had. Nothing about Tari being the reason Thrall had escaped.

Normand didn't know anything about it. It was better that way, your old man had enough on his plate already and the amount of worrying this would cause would be too much for him to handle.

"Better for our enemies to handle themselves than us needing to worry about death knights." You replied with a lie. "The patrol route in the mountains now passes the burial chamber just in case. When the Stonemasons aren't as busy, they will get to rebury the burial chamber."

"Smart and probably for the best. Ancient Alteracis deserve to be able to rest in peace." Normand said and yawned. "I am getting too old for campaigning like this."

"It was a well handled campaign." You told him.

"It was my last campaign if I have a say." Normand told you.

"Planning to retire?"

"Planning to give the younger generations more space and responsibilities." Normand said and continued. "Both Lieutenant Cromwell and Lieutenant Beckston showed their worth during the campaign. Along with some others."

"Are you thinking of promotions? Maybe medals for participants?" You asked him.

"Something like that. The men deserve it and we do need more capable officers." Normand said to you. "We could have a ceremony where potential promotions are then presented."

He then went over the details of what he suggested and you added some of your own. Both of you had ideas you two supported.

1/1

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>>6038289


Promotions:
>Captain Garside to Colonel Garside, your idea
>Lieutenant Cromwell to Captain Cromwell, he was the second in command of the campaign, Normand's idea
>Lieutenant Beckston to Captain Beckston.
>Sir Radan to Lieutenant Radan, made officer for loyal and good service
>Rover Brothers to Lieutenants, made officers for loyal and good service
>Sir Gravis to Lieutenant Gravis, made officer for loyal and good service, your idea
>Knight the knights serving under Sir Gravis, they aren't actually real knights at the moment.
>Malevus to Lady Malevus, knight her for she deserves it.
>The soldiers distinguished in the campaign to sergeants, Normand's idea
>Other, write in.

QM: PROMOTIONS! Couple are supported by Alric or Normand, rest are optional, but plausible.

>>6038291
>Captain Garside to Colonel Garside, your idea
>Lieutenant Cromwell to Captain Cromwell, he was the second in command of the campaign, Normand's idea
>The soldiers distinguished in the campaign to sergeants, Normand's idea

>>6038291
I actually want all of these except the Malevus one (Except if make a tease out of it). Our military has greatly expanded since everybody had these ranks so promotions should be in order all around. What reasons are there against it?

>>6038291
>Lieutenant Cromwell to Captain Cromwell, he was the second in command of the campaign, Normand's idea
>Sir Radan to Lieutenant Radan, made officer for loyal and good service
>Sir Gravis to Lieutenant Gravis, made officer for loyal and good service, your idea
>Knight the knights serving under Sir Gravis, they aren't actually real knights at the moment.
>The soldiers distinguished in the campaign to sergeants, Normand's idea

Dont promote everyone at the same time pace it out atleast.
These ones have been serving lately and proven themselves.
Its too early for malevus.

>>6038335
>>6038291
>Support

Basically everyone that's been through multiple campaigns with us. Gotta start the loyal old guard at some point.

>>6038291
>Captain Garside to General Garside, your idea
Generals still are involved in the army, looking over broadbrush work and with heads of state. The man is that and more.
Colonel is fine too, as that rank is head of a regiment.
>Lieutenant Cromwell to Captain Cromwell, he was the second in command of the campaign, Normand's idea
>Lieutenant Beckston to Captain Beckston.
>Sir Radan to Lieutenant Radan, made officer for loyal and good service
This is his path back into becoming a noble of good-standing.
>Rover Brothers to Sergeants, made non-commissioned officers for loyal and good service
Not sure if the Rovers want to become the upper-crust officers, but if they're not already sergeants then they absolutely should be.
>Knight the knights serving under Sir Gravis, they aren't actually real knights at the moment.
>The soldiers distinguished in the campaign to sergeants, Normand's idea

No to Malevus. She still is a warrior in training and a paladin in training. When she gets any stat to 3 (except her charisma) then I think we knight her.

>>6038571
Oops, I meant a stat to 4 - this would be above the average soldier.

>>6038291

>Lieutenant Cromwell to Captain Cromwell, he was the second in command of the campaign, Normand's idea
>Sir Radan to Lieutenant Radan, made officer for loyal and good service
>Sir Gravis to Lieutenant Gravis, made officer for loyal and good service, your idea
>Knight the knights serving under Sir Gravis, they aren't actually real knights at the moment.

>>6038291
>>6038310
Okay, I'll switch to
>Lieutenant Cromwell to Captain Cromwell, he was the second in command of the campaign, Normand's idea
>Sir Radan to Lieutenant Radan, made officer for loyal and good service
>Sir Gravis to Lieutenant Gravis, made officer for loyal and good service, your idea
>Knight the knights serving under Sir Gravis, they aren't actually real knights at the moment.
>The soldiers distinguished in the campaign to sergeants, Normand's idea
We've yet to see as much of Beckston and the Rovers but Im sure they'll distinguish themselves soon enough.

No update today, I am allowing this vote to continue. Way too tired to write and have the next set of update to continue.

Though I could ask you, when is Malevus ready to be knighted? She has been serving you just under an year as a scale.

>>6039282
I think when her martial skill pops up from 3 to 4 is knight worthy. She's been working really hard, I don't doubt that she's almost there.

>>6039194
This seems pretty good

>>6039194
Looks solid.

>>6039282
When she can beat plebeians with ease.

>>6038291

Normand Garside doesn't want the spotlight, making him Colonel is giving him the spotlight.

>Lieutenant Cromwell to Captain Cromwell, he was the second in command of the campaign, Normand's idea
>Sir Radan to Lieutenant Radan, made officer for loyal and good service
>Sir Gravis to Lieutenant Gravis, made officer for loyal and good service, your idea
>Knight the knights serving under Sir Gravis, they aren't actually real knights at the moment.
>The soldiers distinguished in the campaign to sergeants, Normand's idea

>Other, write in.
Some kind of medal or responsibility for Beckston, to basically signify that we recognize him as first among lieutenants and expectantly right behind Cromwell. Something like 'First Spear' or Primus Pilus. Normand did note him as well after all. Put him as the one to also handle the specialists and mercs? As a former merc himself I imagine that would fit well. I remember he was also surprisingly aggressive when everyone talked about the responses to Garithos's fuckup, if his tactics reflect that and we want him to have opportunities to show off then put him and his unit where our primary attacking infantry would be.

Also if the specialist mages did anything of note, how they helped and where that could be applied next time. How they fit in with the men and if anything learned anything else about them. If theres something that could be offered to them so they better fit in, or justify some attendants to keep an eye on them. I still wouldn't be surprised if one of the underbelly mages was a spy for Dalaran.

When in doubt with what to do just ask, do the Rovers want anything? To lead some Alteraci Rangers since we do have some elite archers that could probably make the grade when we have the resources. Or something like hawks or falcon or some other birds that they could try to learn how to tame and use to carry messages. Resources to set up some little ranger alcoves in a few places. Whatever they want us to consider.

>>6039402
In my mind she will get it after she secures that long sought after win against Alric in the training ring. Maybe after a solid win in the gnoll campaign if we participate. I would have been fine knighting her after this battle if not for the unfortunate wounding. I don't feel like she would happy about being knighted after it. I could see that being a good motivator if she feels she needed to live up to it, but shes already a hard and devoted aspirant. So it should really come after a win so she can take great pride in it that will last her elven lifetime, something that will greatly strengthen her charisma and self image.

“Cromwell needs to be made Captain, he has been with me for the past two years and served me incredibly well. He deserves the promotion if he had served you as well as you said he did.” You said to Normand and continued. “Besides, we need skilled officers and he fits the bill perfectly.”

“I agree, he served your father originally and now us. There is no one as loyal as he is.” Normand said. “I gave him a lot of responsibilities in the hills, he did a good job there.”

“I also want to promote Sir Radan.” You said to him.

“Radan?”

“Yes, has he failed me before?”

“No, he hasn't.”

“Ever since we recruited him, he hasn’t shown us that it was the wrong decision. And we need to give others an example, a former bandit like him rising to the position of an officer. More recently he fought with me against the kobolds.” You said. “Sir Radan deserves it.”

“I agree, our skirmishers do need an officer.” Normand replied.

“So Cromwell and Radan, but I also want to promote Sir Gravis for a lot of the same reasons.” You said to Normand and shrugged. “I am thinking long term, I am going to need more bodyguards in the future and having someone to lead them is important.”

Normand nodded.

“And I want to knight his knights.” You continued.

“His knights?”

“Normand, they aren’t actually knights you know.”

“Good point.”

“Those are my ideas, do you have any?”

“There are a couple of men that should be promoted to sergeants. Baum, one of the footmen and Granger.” Normand said to you and continued. “Baum did pick up a bunch of duties during the campaign and found himself leading the men into patrols.”

“Isn’t Granger the man who made the map of the hills?” You asked.

“Yeah, he did. He has been helping Cromwell organise things in the camp.” Normand told you.

“I trust your judgement Normand, you were there.” You replied.

“I think that is everyone.” Normand said.

“Good, we can talk more later, a lot of small things have happened, but they can wait till tomorrow.” You said to him. “Maura has missed you so go spend some time with her.”

“But first I will take a hot bath, bathing in the cold river does grow quite tiresome after one week.” He said and laughed.

…

Later that evening, after Normand had bathed and hugged his wife really hard after being away from home for several months, the two of you sat around the table downstairs drinking even more tea. You had gone through all the small events that had happened in Dawnholme.

And to your annoyance, Malevus had insisted on joining the two of you so you had helped your injured squire hobble across the house.

“You should stay in your bed.” You told her.

“Alric, you know how boring it gets when you are stuck in your bed.” She replied rather sternly back to you, getting a funny look from your father.

“At least our patient is in high spirits.” Normand said and chuckled.

1/2

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>>6039695

Malevus smiled, getting out of the bed was something she shouldn’t do outside of basic necessities, but she was right, being stuck in your bed was awful.

“Malevus has taken all of this so well.” Tari said as she joined you. “I can’t imagine going through the same and be still smiling.”

“Holy Light protected me… and Alric as well.” She replied and smiled.

“Shouldn’t it be the other way around?” Maura said as she carried a tray of delicacies she had baked to the table. “You should be the one protecting Alric?”

All of you picked whatever you wanted, except Malevus who required Tari’s help in eating.

“She has saved me once, so I am just paying back my favour.” You laughed.

Having your family together like this for the first time in months was a joy. You don’t remember when Normand was away this long, it had been just a few days here and there, but not for months.

“I spoke with Maura.” Normand said. “Well we have spoken about this before, but I think the time is right now.”

“For what?”

“I think you should have the farmstead. Taretha is going to give birth in a few months and… you will find that someone…” Normand said to you somewhat awkwardly. These kinds of things weren’t his cup of tea.

“What he is trying to say is that we want to give you some space.” Maura continued. “We can’t be watching over you forever.”

“So you want to move out? Shouldn’t it go the other way around?” You asked them.

“We can ask the Stonemasons to build us a house right next to the farmstead, we wouldn’t be that far away.” Normand told you.


>Yeah that does sound fine. It would be more space for you, Tari and Malevus, and the baby.
>Decline, all of you easily fit in your home and you aren’t bothered with having your parents around.
>That sounds like a good excuse to build a new extension to your home.
>Other, write in

>Tell Normand and Maura about you and Calia breaking up. Tari and Malevus already know about it.
>Let them know about Jandice and you kinda being a thing nowadays. Kinda.
>Tease Malevus now that your parents are here. See how she reacts
>Other, write in

QM: One more of these more social updates.

>>6039696
>Yeah that does sound fine. It would be more space for you, Tari and Malevus, and the baby.

>Let them know about Jandice and you kinda being a thing nowadays. Kinda.

>>6039696
>That sounds like a good excuse to build a new extension to your home.

>Tease Malevus now that your parents are here. See how she reacts
>Tell Normand and Maura about you and Calia breaking up. Tari and Malevus already know about it.

I say no to sharing about Jandice. Malevus's reaction earlier was enough, and that's because she's the squire guarding us. Only other person that knows is the innkeeper Monica, after she found the soiled sheets.

>>6039696
>>6039732
I'll change my vote to support this >>6039803

>>6039803
>>6039696
support

“I think this sounds like a good excuse to build a new extension to our home, doesn’t it?” You said back to Normand and Maura. “I have no want or a reason to have the two of you leave our home, even if it was just a couple yards away to a new house.”

You looked at your parents and smiled.

“This is our home, it is a home for all of us. Father, mother.” You said and then looked at Tari and Malevus. “For Tari and the child, for my dear squire as well.”

Malevus glanced at you briefly.

“I will speak with Master Pelija then.” Normand said and sighed in relief. “Thank the Light, having to move our belongings is something I wouldn’t have wanted to do in the first place.”

“Yeah all the swords, maces and other bits of weaponry and wall-hangers.” You replied with a laugh.

“Mostly the books.” Normand chuckled.

“We are all going to fit here then.” Maura said.

“We might have to turn one of the rooms upstairs into a nursery.” Tari said and continued. “Maybe my room?”

“Or our bedroom, or Normand’s office.” Maura said back. “I feel like our home is going to be a lively place, Tari and the child, Alric and…”

Maura caught herself and looked at you and the girls. Had she said too much?

“Maura, they know.” You told her. “But… things have changed.”

Normand and Maura looked at you curiously and then looked at Tari and Malevus who already knew.

“Alric?” Maura asked.

“Me and Calia… we aren’t… it didn’t work.” You said to them and sighed. “It was the distance and…”

“I am so sorry.” Maura replied, she really did mean it.

“I don’t know what to say.” Normand said.

“Don’t be sorry, besides I have my family and friends.” You said to them and continued while looking at Malevus. “Those that I care about and find precious.”

Malevus blushed and looked away as she averted her eyes off you. You took a deep breath.

“Don’t worry, you will get your grandchildren one day and besides the two of you get to spoil Tari’s child.” You laughed while still looking at Malevus.

“And that is what I am worried about.” Tari joined your laugh.

You smiled and looked at your parents, Tari and Malevus. You were blessed by being surrounded by people like them, a family that loves you and you love them back. Your duty was towards Alterac and its people. You are a Prince and an heir to a kingdom, it was a weight not many men or women have in this world. But looking at your family, sometimes it did feel like you wouldn’t miss that duty not a one bit if it was to disappear as long as your family still existed in your life. They were that precious to you.

1/2

>>6040054

Two days later the invites for your officers and advisors had been sent. It would take a few days for the messengers and letters to travel and then couple more for them to arrive to Dawnholme.

This waiting didn’t mean that you sat down idly, there were plenty of things for you to do. One being reading to Malevus to stave off her boredom. At first thought about reading one of her romance novels, but chose instead to read an old book about Alteraci fairy tales.

And a second thing you did was to read a couple letters you had received. One from Durnholde signed by both Blackmoore and Langston. And another from the corrupt Captain Raethan in Dalaran.

Raethan had told you that he would send you a new letter as soon as possible, but you hadn’t predicted it to be this soon.

You decided to open it first. Raethan was straight to the point with his report. He was in hot water for guiding the migrants from Underbelly to Dawnholme and that hadn’t changed. Yet Kirin Tor didn’t see a need to remove him or assign him to some other duty even if he had caused them issues. Raethan didn’t really hide his disdain towards them so he wrote to you that he will happily continue being your eyes and ears, and helping to facilitate whatever you need in Dalaran.

Since the previous foray into the Underbelly and the sewers by Kirin Tor and their mages, they had done it again and this time Prince Kael’thas had personally joined them. Raethan had asked his rightful Prince what was going on, but Kael’thas had chosen to not answer anything outside of overall security. Whatever they were doing in the far reaches of the sewers where Raethan or the other inhabitants of Underbelly don’t wander to, was important enough for Kael’thas to supervise personally. Of course there were rumours, but could they be believed? A breach in the dungeons beneath the city? Something terrible or awful being exterminated down there? Raethan didn’t know and nobody told him or others anything. It was a secret Kirin Tor business.

2/3

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>>6040055

He continued that with Underbelly depopulated due to the migrants leaving to Dawnholme, it was relatively quickly repopulated by those who were living in the other parts of the sewers. More unsavoury people, disgraced people. It had meant more work for Raethan and his guards to keep up the peace, but things quickly settled down. A slow steady trickle of people did start again as those unable to live in the city above moved below it, but it would take time, probably years till Underbelly was full again.

Raethan suggested that he could speak to the people of Underbelly and guide them to migrate to Dawnholme if that is what you want. Now though the amount of skilled workers and other civilians available would be extremely low, the more unsavoury people were still there and could be persuaded to make the move. They could cause issues in Dawnholme, but they would also bring skills that could be valuable to you. And if you could get them to settle down and become productive members of society, that would be great, to give them a second chance in life. There was also the question about the more irregular types of wizards and mages living in the Underbelly. Do you really need the magic they provide that much to accept any risks or issues regarding them? Though more magic would be good, it could equalise many things and help you greatly in the battlefield.


>Accept the slow trickle of craftsmen, workers and their families.
>Do not accept them. You are already drawing too many eyes to yourself and to Raethan. Kirin Tor is already unhappy about what you have done.

>Bandits and scoundrels, people skilled with sword and dagger
>As above and rogues and cutthroats, people with less savoury reputation, but even sharper blades
>Do not accept them. Dawnholme doesn’t need people who could cause issues and problems.

>Witches and conjurers and those practising more alternative forms of magic
>As above and warlocks and occultists and those disgraced and driven away
>Do not accept them. You don’t need dangerous witches and occultists to be in Dawnholme.

QM: Please vote on all three.

>>6040058
Is housing of current Underbelly migrants still basically a tent city and whoever is willing to foster them in their homes?

Income is 15 wealth, current wealth 0 I believe, but Town Hall is 20 wealth. I forget if we can sell supply at whatever ratio to finally afford that. Unless there was another little income in hand I am forgetting.

>>6040091

It is still a tent city, then there are those who are living in the former Alliance camp and those who are living in Alteraci housing, but new houses are being constructed as Dawnholme grows and the sewer and overall infrastructure projects move towards completion. With hundreds of Stonemasons around things are progressing and before winter arrives everyone should have a roof on top of their heads. In summer the tent city is not a bad place to be and the Stonemasons did a great job arranging everything in neat lines and squares.

And you are going to have some income through the market fairs and the Supplies are going to go for more Wealth than usually


Total Resources:
0 Wealth, +15 per season
24 Supplies, -1 per season
180 Peasants

>>6040058
>Accept the slow trickle of craftsmen, workers and their families.
Not yet to the rest, we still have too huge of a backlog to deal with.

>>6040120
+1
anon has a point.

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>>6040058
>Accept the slow trickle of craftsmen, workers and their families.
>Do not accept them. Dawnholme doesn’t need people who could cause issues and problems.
>Witches and conjurers and those practising more alternative forms of magic

When you say conjurers, do you mean like those guys from Warcraft 1 who could summon scorpions and water elementals that could kill a grunt with a single blow?

>>6040120
>>6040058
support
Once the current lot is settled in we could consier it.

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>>6040132

Yes, but not that potent. Conjurers come in all shapes and with varying levels of power. Not all know or have the power to summon proper elementals so something else might be sufficient.

But generally with that I meant mages and wizards that aren't your typical mages and wizards you meet. That is why they are lumped together with witches.

>>6040058

>Accept the slow trickle of craftsmen, workers and their families.
>Do not accept them. Dawnholme doesn’t need people who could cause issues and problems.
>Witches and conjurers and those practising more alternative forms of magic

I do kinda want to see what the witches and conjurers bring, even the most acceptable guys we invited were kind of eccentric. With the ogres and kobolds expanding, plus having to split our troops to cover a lot more ground against possible troll and syndicate activity, they might be handy to have when needed. Plus we can always just kick them out if we can't manage them.

Hmmm a Kirin Tor investigation now led by Kael'thas into the far reaches of the sewer where Raethan and the other inhabitants dont wander into. I'm guessing they looked into after Alric told Jaina and Jaina made some fuss, plus Alric getting those migrants, plus Alric's fel incident. So they investigate, and lo and behold they must have found something deep deep down there worth looking at, and not currently our problem from how they treated our boi Raethan. Maybe suspicion that whoever might have been involved did leave in Alric's migrations, and in their mind perhaps leading to the fel incident.

They just sort of accept that Raethan is certainly working for Alric lol. The agent you know is better then one you don't I suppose. A sort of tacit approval I'm guessing? 'Don't do anything too crazy that makes us mages look bad'.

Gotta think of some weirdos. Golem puppeteer with mannequins or slimes that creep people out. Some kind of magitech autist with a full metal alchemist arm. Runes for making stuff which Jandice said Dalaran was going to take a hard stance on? Some kind of weird scrying or mind magic suggestion geass person.

>>6039803
>>6039696
>Support

>>6040261

You replied to an older update, not the more recent one.

>>6040532
I think I didn't refresh Oops. Thanks medivh

>>6040058
>Accept the slow trickle of craftsmen, workers and their families.
>As above and rogues and cutthroats, people with less savoury reputation, but even sharper blades.
>As above and warlocks and occultists and those disgraced and driven away

We got our spy master he can sort them out. We can put any trouble makers in the work camps.

>>6040058
>Accept the slow trickle of craftsmen, workers and their families.
>As above and rogues and cutthroats, people with less savoury reputation, but even sharper blades.
>As above and warlocks and occultists and those disgraced and driven away
It would be foolish to not accept normal workers. With less Alteracis coming, we need to rely on these secondary sources be it people from Underbelly or Stonemasons. Tent city is not obstacle with hundreds of Stonemasons around just like Medivh said.

But I dont think going for all the cutthroats and warlocks is the winning choice, I will still support it, besides it does look like witches and conjurers will be invited which is fine by me. We have enough skilled people to enforce order if needed. We already have former bandits in our service and we could use more of them. They could be a source of skilled soldiers, spies or even assassins. Reminds me of the idea anon had long time ago of providing redemption for all these criminals, maybe those in our prison camp get inspired by this and decide to jump sides. Sir Radan now after his promotion could lead them.

With warlocks and others we now have several magic users already around who can keep them in line. If rules are set and made clear, maybe we could employ mages in our patrols or to counter enemy magic? At minimum Eligius could have more members added into his Coven.

Taking a quill, ink and paper, you started to scribble a reply to Raethan.

It would be foolish to turn away potential workers especially as the influx of new Alteraci migrants had dried up. Even if not that many would make the move to Dawnholme, every single migrant who can work and be a productive member of the society would be something you wouldn't turn away. If someone wants to start anew, you would give them the opportunity.

But you wouldn't accept everyone, the line was drawn to bandits and other cutthroats. With so many of the newcomers still living in tents, accepting new people with dubious backgrounds probably isn't the smartest decision. They would have to wait till you had everyone indoors and settled in. Throwing more instability into an unstable situation wouldn't lead you anywhere good.

Still you did write to him as you didn't expect that many to come, that further mages and wizards would be accepted and appreciated. Boyd and Williams were in Strahnbrad Hills with the army, Madam Martin, while not hired, had opened a herbalist shop and was in a process of cataloguing local herbs and plants. But that was just three mages, add in Surena Caledon and it was four. Just not enough. So you wrote to Raethan to try to recruit more mages and you allowed him to approach those who are a bit more unorthodox. Witches and conjurers, those who practise alternative forms of magic.

Even if you couldn't get many of them to move to Dawnholme, those who would come would all be appreciated. And even if you didn't hire them, like Madam Martin they could set up their own businesses here.

You continued by telling Raethan to be careful. Acquiring unnecessary attention wouldn't help him nor would help you. If he needed to lie low and just do his official duties, he should do so. You want this arrangement to last long and not crash and burn too quickly.

Next you took the letter from Durnholde and opened the envelope. Inside of it were two letters, a shorter from Blackmoore himself that you decided to read first.

It was the official invitation to join the expedition against the gnolls. And it was a stupidly simple invitation.

"Lord Blackmoore invites Prince Alric Perenolde to join him to defeat the gnoll threat once and for all."

And then the signature.

You laughed, based on the quality of the handwriting Blackmoore was either drunk or horribly hungover. Thank the Light the second letter from Karramyn Langston was a lot longer and more descriptive.

1/2

>>6040825

The campaign would be launched in a month to allow all participants to collect and prepare their forces. Durnholde has been collecting supplies and will be in charge of the overall baggage train. When all the troops have gathered to Durnholde, the combined army will march to the northernmost Internment Camp and use it as a forward base. From there the army would continue towards the mountains and forests and flush out and bring the battle to the gnolls.

That sounded simple enough, but you were sure that there would be more discussions regarding the overall strategy when everyone is gathered there.

And speaking of that, Langston mentioned that the invites had been sent far and wide. He hoped that troops would arrive from Hillsbrad and Durnholde, but also from elsewhere. There's honour and prestige available for everyone and as a carrot whatever loot is gathered will be divided based on the amount of troops participating and what they have accomplished.

There were some other details written down, requests to bring your own tents and such. Nothing overly important to you.

But Langston finished the letter by thinking it was important to outright mention to you that Colonel Garithos would be participating. The word had spread that you had, mildly speaking, told him how big of an idiot he was and how the Regional Defenders had been driven away from Alterac. According to Langston, Garithos is eager to join the campaign and is going to participate with a lot of troops.

He hopes that you could come, or even just send a token of troops to join the campaign, but he understands that you have your own battles to fight as well. Langston waits for your answer, but doesn't expect it immediately, there is still time after all.

You would need to discuss this with your officers. How many troops could you actually send or would you outright sit this one out?

…

Beric hadn't arrived yet, but the traders and merchants from Tarren Mill, Durnholde and Hillsbrad Fields were arriving.

They were setting up their stalls, erecting their tents and starting to drum up interest in whatever products they were selling. For a couple of days a festival mood would spread through the town as goods are bartered and everyone wants to make as much coin as possible.

For those from Underbelly and especially to Stonemasons this was a new experience. Sure they had their marketplaces in Stormwind City, but an event like this? The whole region coming to sell their goods?

It will be a delightful experience for them as the Market Fair was in Dawnholme!


>2d3
>Best of three

QM: Merchants have been making rounds so let's see how much Wealth you will make. And with the summer update just around the corner, I need to ask, have I forgotten anything that I should have done or mentioned?

Rolled 1, 2 = 3 (2d3)

>>6040826

Rolled 2, 2 = 4 (2d3)

>>6040826

>>6040826
Pretty sure you did VanCleef's letter. I don't know if there were any other letters or word from Nalice when Cyrus came. I imagine getting Malevus her fancy books about The Light might be a little while.

If we join the campaign and draw troops from what we were intending to have keep our lands safe, could we ask our friends and allies to cover some of the patrols while we are on the gnoll campaign? Could let us bring a bit more while leaving things in hand.

Rolled 1, 1 = 2 (2d3)

>>6040826

>>6040178
>Hmmm a Kirin Tor investigation now led by Kael'thas into the far reaches of the sewer where Raethan and the other inhabitants dont wander into.
Maybe they just went fishing :^)
There's some dodgy stuff you could fish up in the Underbelly next the warlock vendors in World of Warcraft.

>>6040826
I want to chat with Beric about developing more trade with Alliance Naval Base as mentioned earlier in this thread.
I wonder if we can (or ethically should) pen a letter to Bev to evacuate all Syndicate forces loyal to her from near Durnholde.
We need supplies, so establishing a trading partner in Tarren Mill of gold for supplies could done, or developed further.

Not sure what else.

Gained:
>4 Wealth
>20 Peasants


Total Resources:
19 Wealth, +15 per season
23 Supplies, -1 per season
200 Peasants

You may exchange Wealth to Supplies with 1:1 rate and Supplies to Wealth with 1:1 rate.


I will be busy through the weekend so most likely no updates during that time, but now the Total Resources are very much up to date for the Summer update. Normal income has been added along with the income from Market Fairs. You also gained 20 Peasants as a small group of Alteracis arrived from Capital City. The exchange rate has also changed due to the demand for Supplies across Hillsbrad.

This should be enough to have some preliminary discussion or plans how to use your Wealth. The points already raised up will be touched upon in the actual updates if required.

>>6040826
>I forgotten anything that I should have done or mentioned?
can't remember at the moment. Uhmmm spy rumors/training update ? Oil Rig current construction (does it need workers sent there like Masons for example) ? Update on our prisoners ? The new mercs ?

>>6041194
the dreaded townhall.....

is Shoredon a small village or more a fortified camp ? Does it fall under Ragis ?

>>6041194
We sell one supply and buy the long awaited Town Hall. All that paperwork...Offloaded to some paperpusher goons....Plus a Mayor character?

Then again if Garithos is trying to one up us by bringing a large relatively green army then perhaps what we should do is bring our most elite units and specialists to form a strike team. Take the enemy leadership or champion with a fast small group. Or can respond to the gnoll ambushes in the difficult terrain. Maybe hire the naturalist wizard lady for healing and surgery and triage which will always be a valuable service.

>>6041194
We're only negative 1 supply. I'd say we sell 11 and get the town hall and upgrade a farm or tannery. We can boost our supply to positive and get the town hall.

>>6041321
Aren't Stonemasons already crazy busy with just keeping up with the housing demand?

I would be open to trading a supply for gold to reach 20wealth. I'm on the fence about the town hall benefits. Enhancing farms to make better use of the windmill, the iron mine upgrades, or other things seem more relevant while economy is still immature.

>>6041323
If anything we gotta buy windmills. With the goblin mode upgrade they each give two supply income.

>>6041323
I would go for more. 15 supplies to wealth. Get town hall, two windmills and then spend last 4 wealth for 40 footmen/archers. That would leave us -1 supply again and the troops in training could defend Dawnholme. And we would be closer to troop parity with Garithos and be able to defend against all threats. I imagine we get to loot supplies from the gnolls as well. Now that the price is good, supplies to wealth makes sense.

>>6041509
Ideally rather save that supply income for another mage or the trade ship we will want for the oil. Maybe a rocket troop as a treat.

>>6041334
>I'm on the fence about the town hall benefits.
Beside the effect in the pastebin, there is more to it.

- Free's up of lesser administrative duties Alric and Normand, which while sounding a bit funny have steadily increased through the quest. A few times Alric kind of avoids them if he feels tired/overwhelmed.
- With the population of Dawnholme increasing and counting even Stonedon, Shoredon and the not unlikely third village near the future Oil Rig that might form, its becoming far more people under us than before.
- Not having a civilian administration means that we lack something for our small realm that we could really use. A Mayor and paperpushers would be of help to us, they would be our loyal men by default depending on who we put in those roles.
- With more people coming in, i wouldn't be surprised if requests started for it

>>6041509
Sound good.
Oh we are definetly grabbing anything the gnolls have. Hell we made something with a pelt of one of their chiefs before. We could sell them

>>6041266

A fortified camp is a more accurate explanation. There are a few locals who have gotten work there as helpers and workers as they are always needed.

>>6041334

They are very busy, but do note that the third Stonemason group haven't arrived yet. More people are expected to come.

>>6041613

Pretty solid explanation of the benefits, but one thing I have hinted a bit becomes a reality as well.

Taxes.


Oh and happy Midsummer to my lovely anons!

>>6041613
Thanks, I didn't see the buildings pastebin.
I cobbled it together here bonuses and costs, hope you don't mind QM.

-Farms, 5 Wealth, -10 Peasants, Requires plains or farmlands +1 supply
-Improved Farms, 5 Wealth, -10 Peasants, Requires plains or farmlands +2 supply
-Farming Estates, 8 Wealth, -10 Peasants, Requires plains or farmlands +4 supply
-Windmill, 5 Wealth, -5 Peasants, Requires Farms +2 supply (+1 from gearbox)
-Noble Manor, 8 Wealth, -5 Peasants +2 supply
-Fortified Noble Manor, 15 Wealth +2 supply
-Lumbermill, 4 Wealth, -10 Peasants, Requires forests +1 wealth
-Sawmill, 8 Wealth, -10 Peasants, Requires forests +2 wealth
-Powered Sawmill, 10 Wealth, Requires Dwarven expertise, Requires forests +3 wealth
-Herbalist’s Hut, 5 Wealth, 5- Peasants, Requires forests +1 supply
-Alchemist’s Hut, 12 Wealth, -5 Peasants, Requires forests -1 supply
-Alchemist’s Workshop, 15 Wealth, Requires Master Alchemist, Requires forests -3 supply
-Hunting Lodge, 3 Wealth, -5 Peasants, Requires forests +1 supply
-Leatherworker’s Workshop, 5 Wealth, -10 Peasants +1 supply, +1 wealth
-Blacksmith, 8 Wealth, -5 Peasants +1 supply
-Improved Blacksmith, 10 Wealth, -5 Peasants +2 supply
-Foundry, 20 Wealth, -10 Peasants, Requires a Master Smith +2 supply
-Mine, 5 Wealth, -30 Peasants, Requires found ore
-Mine Complex, 20 Wealth, -50 Peasants, Requires found ore (Iron mine is this +2 wealth)
-Deep Mine Complex, 20 Wealth, -50 Peasants, Requires Dwarven expertise, Requires found ore (Silver mine is this +8 wealth)
-Stables, 5 Wealth, -5 Peasants -1 supply +10 horses
-Major Stables, 10 Wealth, -5 Peasants -2 supply +20 horses
-Grand Stables, 10 Wealth, -5 Peasants -3 supply +40 horses
-Mustering Field, 3 Wealth -1 supply
-Barracks, 10 Wealth, -10 Peasants -2 supply
-Town Hall, 20 Wealth, -5 Peasants, Requires village or town (As noted, taxes) +governing
-Keep, 20 Wealth, -10 Peasants, Requires town or city +governing & defence
-Castle, 30 Wealth, -10 Peasants, Requires town or city +governing & large defence & large leadership
-Scout Tower, 4 Wealth +defence
-Guard Tower, 10 Wealth, -10 Peasants +large defence
-Cannon Tower, 20 Wealth, -10 Peasants +huge defence
-Town Walls and Gate, 12 Wealth, Requires a town or a city
-City Walls and Gate, 18 Wealth, Requires a city
-Abbey, 15 Wealth, Requires a town
-Church, 15 Wealth, -5 Peasants, Requires a town or a city
-Cathedral, 15 Wealth, -5 Peasants, Requires a city

Townhall does seem very appealing then. With up to 42 wealth available before starvation sets in.. Setting up three windmills on Gavin's, Sofera's Naze and Stranhbrad Hills makes sense to at least make us supply positive until adding more troops. Leaving 7 wealth/supplies for troop training and other actions.

>>6041631
Thanks Medvih.

>>6041795
I'd agree with a Town Hall and three Windmills. I just don't think immediately eating up our supply income again with more troops is good. We don't need parity in numbers with the Regional Defender forces, including allies we can pull roughly even anyways, but I think it would just be a pissing contest that won't win any favors. We can spend it better.

I'd sooner reserve it for the Naturalist mage since her healing could save us on lives and veterancy lost. One Alric heart attack tier bad roll and we could need her to save a side character if Malevus isn't able to pull off a healing roll, or is the victim of one herself. Perhaps one of the newer mages if they look good, or almost certainly the trade ship which will take 5 supply per season once we have the oil up and running.

As we see here supply income is also money when we need it, reinvesting it later as we are doing here. Supply gains like this are gonna be more expensive to come by with getting to Farming Estates from Farms costing 13 wealth. Once we get a large stockpile we can temporarily field a much larger host of troops for a planned battle like the trolls or ogres, or thrall's thing if we try to meddle in that.

In fact it would also be useful politically if we have a healthy amount of spending food for feasting our new arrivals to promote unity, for feasting and gifting our neighbors who we want to butter up for expanding the Darrowmere league.

>>6041795
Found a mistake of mine.

-Mine, 5 Wealth, -30 Peasants, Requires found ore (Iron mine is this +2 wealth)
-Mine Complex, 20 Wealth, -50 Peasants, Requires found ore (Silver mine is this +8 wealth)
-Deep Mine Complex, 20 Wealth, -50 Peasants, Requires Dwarven expertise, Requires found ore (Not yet built)

Also we have one more land of Darrow Hill that doesn't have a windmill that could receive one.

It had started to rain early last evening and it had rained through the night. There were puddles everywhere, but thankfully the traders and merchants had covered their goods and stalls really well so no damage had been done.

By midmorning the sky had cleared and the sun started to shine. And by midday it had gotten very hot outside, hot and really moist thanks to the rain.

"I do not envy you Prince Alric." Eligius said to you, even he had left his usual dark robe behind.

"I am not bothered with the heat." You replied as you stood next to him and looked down into the half-finished sewer works. "I don't know why, but I'm not that bothered. Haven't been for some time. Besides, I do need to cover myself."

Eligius gave you a knowing look, just last night he had repainted the blue elven sigils on your skin. The ancient method of helping new mages to get used to mana was supposedly helping you. Of course you didn't have a comparison point, so you just had to trust what Lady Nalice had told you. Last night's magic studies left you a bit tired as you had forced your instincts and pushed them as hard as you could to sense magic. You had made some progress there, but it for some reason was a lot harder than you had expected.

And now you were wearing your usual long sleeved shirt, leather jacket with buttons closed and breeches tucked into your riding boots. With a chaperon on your head, you felt rather overdressed compared to the people around you. Most of the workers had thrown off their shirts and even the womenfolk had dropped the excess clothing away while still staying modest.

At least your dark glasses that hid your eyes protected you from not getting blinded by the sun. And you could give a glimpse or two to the fine ladies without anyone noticing.

The work in Dawnholme wasn't interrupted by the sun. The main street through the town was still dug open, but you could see that the sewer had started to form. All the stonework on the floor of the sewer had been finished and section by section the walls and the ceiling was being constructed. The handiwork of the Stonemasons was really impressive, even the walking path within the sewer was really smooth and the walls were finished with quality that was most likely wasted in a sewer.

And everything was carefully sloped towards the southeast to prevent waste and water from pooling up within the sewer. With the drainage tunnel through the Headland finished, there now was a stone pipe barely big enough for a man to crawl through with a heavy iron grate on one end, making sure that all the waste would leave the sewer and flow down the hills away from Dawnholme towards Hillsbrad. It wasn't the most elegant solution, but with no river nearby to wash all the waste away, it was the second best solution.

1/2

>>6042068

The work on the housing was progressing as well. One work crew prepared the foundations, another cut the stone for them. Then the construction crews went to work with new wooden frames being erected daily and in some cases roofs were already being raised. None of the new houses were finished, but you saw how all the work flowed from one phase to another without hiccups or work crews overlapping each other.

And while building new things took a lot of time, renovating the old didn't take as much. Stonemason work crews as part of the project to turn Dawnholme into a great city, went through each house and a building seeing what could be done to make them better, more habitable. Already several houses had been renovated. Dirt floors were replaced with proper wooden floors, walls and windows checked for insulation and so on. In some of the houses lofts were built where more people could sleep in, getting a few more families out of the tents.

There were a lot of things for them to do and a lot of work to be finished, but you could see the progress. By the end of the summer, Master Pelija predicted that half of everyone living in the tents would be housed and the remaining half would follow by the end of Autumn. When the sewer is finished, that would free up a lot of manpower for all the other work.

"Let's go see Pai and the dungeon." You said to Eligius. "I wonder if she appreciates her new home."

…

Past the previous jail cells was a door with a guard standing next to it. He allowed you and Eligius to pass and you walked down the winding stairs deeper underground until reaching another door that you pushed open and led you into a domed chamber. The work had been finally finished last week.

Couple of tables and chairs were there and you saw seven heavy doors leading into individual cells of which only one was now occupied.

"She hasn't talked." Eligius told you. "Not to me or to anyone else, but apparently she has been enjoying reading the books you have provided to her."

"Oh has she?" You asked curiously.

"Prince Alric, it is not my job to judge you, but romance novels? Really?" Eligius asked you and was thoroughly puzzled about your liking of the books.

"Oh those, yeah I thought she would like some light reading." You replied with a chuckle, not bothering to tell him that those books were on loan from Malevus.

"As long as they keep her content." Eligius shrugged. "But do you want to talk with her alone or do you need me? I don't think she will talk to me."

Eligius seemed defeated. He had tried for months and months, but without success.

"Chin up, it's not your fault that she has opted to play mute." You said to him.

2/2

>>6042072


>Talk with Pai alone in her cell. See what she is up to right now.
>Have Eligius join you, you are going to make Pai the imprisoned Syndicate assassin to talk with him.
>Drag Pai out of the cell and give her a tour of Dawnholme. See what she thinks about the Market Fair.
>Other, write in.

>>6041795

Oh I don't mind, the pastebins are there for guidance.

>>6042073
>Have Eligius join you, you are going to make Pai the imprisoned Syndicate assassin to talk with him.

>>6042073
>>Have Eligius join you, you are going to make Pai the imprisoned Syndicate assassin to talk with him.
Do mention the fair to her and how shes totally missing out wasting away in this cell.

>>6042073
>>Have Eligius join you, you are going to make Pai the imprisoned Syndicate assassin to talk with him.
Tempted to drag her out. She hasnt seen how we made our Alterac.

>>6042073
>Have Eligius join you, you are going to make Pai the imprisoned Syndicate assassin to talk with him.
Tell him to be at ease since I suspect that he acts more imperiously than he's actually capable of.

>>6042143
Nah, too on the nose. It needs to be more off handed imo.

>>6041795
Np

>>6042073
>Drag Pai out of the cell and give her a tour of Dawnholme. See what she thinks about the Market Fair.

This option would be funny because I have a feeling she would say something about the market fair being a perfect opportunity for enemy spies to not only enter Dawnholme, but to meet and communicate and even gather together if they had a mission that needed a little more muscle. So she could possibly spot a spy, possibly not even a syndicate spy, which might be handy. I hope it wins.

I'm surprised people want to try and make Pai talk to Eligius. Shes a professional, its part of her identity, if shes not talking to him after months and months than she has her guard up against him, so I'd guess having him there would put her on edge which is not ideal to building trust needed to flip a formerly hostile agent. Also if it actually worked then we would just be offloading out Pai and Alric conversation scenes to Eligius instead which I dont think is the way to go.

>>6042295
>I'm surprised people want to try and make Pai talk to Eligius. Shes a professional, its part of her identity, if shes not talking to him after months and months than she has her guard up against him, so I'd guess having him there would put her on edge which is not ideal to building trust needed to flip a formerly hostile agent.
I don't think it's that kind of deal anon. It seems more like she doesn't respect him and liked to fuck with him since her silence upset his interrogator schtick so much that it was entertaining to her. Here, we're trying to build bridges between the two since we expect them to work together in the future.

>Also if it actually worked then we would just be offloading out Pai and Alric conversation scenes to Eligius instead which I dont think is the way to go.
That is not the point of this exercise.

>>6042305
I mean its not surprising she doesn't respect him hes only a spymaster in training without much real experience, and most of his time interacting with people before that was being as plain as possible. Their personalities also might not be very compatible, but maybe thats just me.

That would be pretty funny if shes doing it just to mess with him and entertain herself, though if entertainment were the goal I'd think she would give him little bits of nothing to keep him coming back so she could keep fucking with him. Lead him into stories that go nowhere or are just a punchline to fuck with him with an 'The Aristocrats' joke or something. That she just says nothing but he keeps coming back also might just be they are both stubborn as hell lol, but she is actually a professional who considers her position a lot.

Last time with the letter business she asked for our terms so I do think we are at or approaching the point where we can ask for a deal of her flipping sides? I feel like that should be done first before attempted bridge building with someone she either is on guard against or likes to fuck with being present. In my mind yeah its a hurdle to overcome but we haven't even started the race yet with her agreement to work with us.

What do you think her price would be? I imagine she deserves a specialist level of pay and gear as a professional assassin, otherwise she could just skedaddle to find some scummy nobles to work for later.

>>6042326
>That she just says nothing but he keeps coming back also might just be they are both stubborn as hell lol
This is what I think, she finds abusing his stubborness entertaining while also being extremely stubborm herself. Remember that it took Alric staring at her for a long ass time before she finally spoke up.

>I feel like that should be done first before attempted bridge building with someone she either is on guard against or likes to fuck with being present.
It's preliminary bridge building and Eligius won't be making a fool of himself with Alric in the lead. We'll be trying to make things fun for everyone, not just Alric and Pai.

>In my mind yeah its a hurdle to overcome but we haven't even started the race yet with her agreement to work with us.
What do you think her price would be? I imagine she deserves a specialist level of pay and gear as a professional assassin, otherwise she could just skedaddle to find some scummy nobles to work for later.
If she were all business then I could see that but she seems a lot more hung up on sentiments than just money. Sure she could work for someone else and perhaps get a bit more coin but would it be as fun and interesting of a ride as Alric's? I doubt it.

>>6042073
>>Talk with Pai alone in her cell. See what she is up to right now.

"Are you sure?" Eligius asked you.

"No, but my patience is wearing thin. I am going to get her to talk to you." You replied to him. "Just follow me."

"Well I wouldn't hold my breath." Eligius said back. "You can try though."

You walked to her cell door and opened it with a key you had taken. Stepping in, you saw one of the new cells for the first time. Stone floor and walls, a table with two chairs, chamber pot, a small shelf with a single book on it and then the bed where Pai was laying on her back.

"Hello Pai." You greeted her, placing a lantern on the table and getting her attention.

She sat upright and stared at you for a few seconds until Eligius stepped into her cell and immediately you could see a chance in her eyes. She wasn't thrilled to see him.

"You look well, do you like your new cell? I can see that it is a bit more spacious and the floor isn't damp sand anymore." You said to her as you took the chair.

Dragging it on the floor with one hand, you had a feeling that she wouldn't try anything funny, and so you placed it closer to her than before. Setting your walking cane down as well, you took a seat and waited for her to respond.

"It's alright." Pai answered.

You gave a look to Eligius who had also taken a seat.

"See, she isn't a mute." You said to him. "She can talk."

"Just not to me." Eligius replied. "Good day Pai."

She glanced at Eligius and then looked back at you, she seemed annoyed because of the presence of both of you.

"Alright, I will get to the point immediately. I wanted to come see you for two reasons. First is this newly built and finished dungeon. Second is that my patience with you is wearing thin." You said to her and crossed your arms and rested your leg on top of the other one. "You have been my prisoner for half a year already. We have talked a few times and I think we have made some progress. The baths and extra rations have worked wonders."

Pai had let her brown hair grow longer, but otherwise she was closer to the assassin you had caught than the one who had lost plenty of weight and was grimy as hell rotting away in a cell. If she wasn't wearing very dull brown clothes that made her look like a homeless person, she would have been a quite attractive person thanks to her staggering looks and rather… curvy body.

"And in return you have spoken to me a bit, you gave away the shiv you had made and you haven't shown any attempts trying to escape, trying to attack me or Eligius or any of the guards. You haven't even tried to kill yourself. And do note, I think you are skilled enough to have entertained the thought of trying that." You spoke and continued. "But you haven't for whatever reason. You could, but you haven't."

"Waiting for death at the hands of a Syndicate master assassin? Waiting for the unlikely rescue? Waiting for me to fuck you, just like you wanted?" You spoke.

"Are you offering?" She asked back, a mischievous grin on her face and her voice took a honeyed tone.

1/3

>>6042511

"Sorry, you have to take me out for a few dates first." You replied with a smile. Neither of you were serious about what you had just said. "But ahh… you can't take me out because you don't want to leave the cell."

"A pity." She replied, having returned back to being serious.

"It really is and like I said, my patience is wearing thin and you are running out of time." You told her and continued. "Sooner than later I will find that someone and then I don't have time for anyone else."

Pai laughed. You had gotten her open up at least this much which meant that you could get her to talk to Eligius. At least to tell you why she is pretending to play mute with him.

"Why don't you talk with Eligius? He visits you near daily, but you aren't saying a single thing?" You immediately asked her.

"Because he is boring." Pai said and stifled her laugh. "You meanwhile are quite interesting."

"Just because of that?" You chose not to glance at how Eligius was reacting to this.

"He is the most milquetoast, boring, uninterested man that I have ever met." Pai replied and stared back. "And believe me I have met men who are pathetic. Fel, you know Sahvan, if I had told him to suck my toes, he would have done that gladly."

Eligius was quite unassuming and inconspicuous which has worked for his benefit, but milquetoast? You found your warlock turned into a spymaster, masquerading as a scribe to be a quite interesting and skilled man.

"Milquetoast?"

"He comes here, takes a seat greeting me with his quill and ink already ready." Pai started to explain. "And months ago he tried to ask me questions about everything, but you know what he has been doing for the past two months? He has been just telling me what he has been doing and what has been happening in the town above."

This time you had to turn to look at Eligius.

"Is what she says true?" You asked him.

"Pai wasn't answering my questions so I thought to at least keep her up to date with what has been going on." Eligius replied and shrugged. He seemed rather annoyed about this outburst of hers.

2/3

>>6042512

"Yeah and what he tells me is the most boring and mundane bullshit there is. Oh I catalogued some migrants, oh the sheep farmer brought some sheep for sale, oh I wrote a letter for a peasant who was illiterate." Pai described what Eligius had told her rather vividly and waved her hands like she was incredibly amazed about every word of his. "Such boring bullshit."

"And why do you talk with me then?" You asked her.

"Because you are interesting. You are a Prince, you are a well-known swordsman, you are very handsome and instead of letting me die, you kept me alive." Pai told you and switched to her sultry voice. "And because of the rumours and what people say about you. When I say I want you to fuck me, that is not a lie."

"That's it?" Eligius asked back, his voice betrayed his normally calm exterior as he was amazed by her reasoning.

"That's it. Prince Alric is interesting, with him I can spar verbally and have some fun. But you are the most boring-ass-milquetoast-monotonous-passionless-nondescript man I have ever met!" Pai replied back to him, now she was a bit heated.

"Yeah and so what? I prefer to be nondescript if I can." Eligius said back to her immediately.

"And you bore me to death with your stubborn attempts to get me to talk." Pai replied to him.

"And your stubborn play of pretending to be mute and not even acknowledging me has made me waste hours and hours. You could have just said that you aren't going to say anything to me and I would have gladly stopped after a few tries!" Eligius replied all heated as well.

"Stubborn shithead!"

"Filthy harlot!"

You started to laugh. No way you hadn't expected this to devolve into anything like this. Both Pai and Eligius had lost their cools and dropped whatever characters they normally played as they shouted at each other. What Pai said felt like the truth, but it wasn't the explanation or the reason why she hadn't spoken to you about Syndicate. She might find you more interesting, but that doesn't explain everything.

"Ahh it finally happened." You said mid laugh.

"What!" Both Pai and Eligius asked you in near unison.

"I got the two of you talking!" You continued laughing.

Both Pai and Eligius immediately turned silent and averted their eyes off each other and towards you. It took you a moment to collect yourself.

"I think this is a wonderful opportunity for the two of you to start anew." You told them.

"No, nothing will change how uninteresting he is." Pai told you.

3/4

>>6042514

How Pai acts towards Eligius is just plain childish and silly and definitely isn't the reason why she doesn't talk and reveal what she knows. With Eligius it is just her stubbornness, but with you she still has some reasoning. Be it out of professionalism or not, but there is a reason. There must be.

This did give you an idea. Pai found Eligius uninteresting, but what if he was suddenly quite interesting? Revealing that he was a warlock would turn her idea of Eligius upside down and make it apparent to her what sort of people you are willing to employ. If a warlock, why not an assassin as well?

Though that had its own issues. What if Pai tried to tell that to others? Would anyone believe a Syndicate assassin? And would it get her to actually reveal anything worth of note to you? You might need a carrot or a big stick. But it was clear you needed something that would change the current status quo and turn her situation into something a lot more different. Because she seemed to be quite content with what is the present.


>Eligius is a warlock. A warlock serving you is quite interesting for a multitude of reasons. Him being inconspicuous is a feature, not an issue.
>Eligius is your spymaster. Being and acting nondescript allows him to perform his duties rather well.
>Eligius might be boring, but you are going to give her a chance to at least settle this with him.
>Other, write in

>You are going to show her something interesting, drag her out and give her a tour of Dawnholme and show her the Market Fair
>Remind her that she is running out of time. Sooner than later you are going to learn what she knows from other sources and she loses her value. And you are going to find a wife and be loyal to her.
>You know what, she has tested your patience far too much. Strip her off any and all amenities and allow her to rot in the cell until she wishes to talk to you.
>Promise her more books and ways to spend time. In return Pai will reveal something new to you.
>Give her what she wants, you will fuck her if she tells you everything she knows.
>Other, write in.

QM: Please vote on both. Great discussion on Pai and her motives. The puzzle pieces are coming together.

>>6042516
>Other, write in
Eligius is actually rather popular in his circle. He has a harem of rather eccentric women who took him to a little festival just for them. What was that game? Pin the tail?

>You are going to show her something interesting, drag her out and give her a tour of Dawnholme and show her the Market Fair


AHAH she found him boring. Luckily I think I know exactly what will get her attention, without spilling any of the magical details. This at least won't expose him as a warlock and our spymaster.

>>6042516
>>6042519
Fuckin called it didn't I? But yeah your plan is good. Just need to make a bit out of going on a date so her and Alric can fuck.

>>6042516
>>6042519
>Support
"See Eligius, he is a true gentleman and doesn't brag about his conquests. It just shows that you as a master assassin, Pai, you cannot discern Eligius's true form."

Mixing more half-truths would be funny as.
>Promise her more books and ways to spend time. In return Pai will reveal something new to you.
>Promise her a wrestling buddy, when our squire heals

>>6042516
>>6042519
Haha yes this was better than I expected it to be. Lets put in the idea of Eligius being more interesting that he is outwardly and then take her out to see thr sights as a "date".

>>6042524
I am not sure if we should have sex with her. Make a bit out of "dating" sure.

>>6042516
>Eligius is a very interesting man once you get to know him

>Remind her that she is running out of time. Sooner than later you are going to learn what she knows from other sources and she loses her value. And you are going to find a wife and be loyal to her.

>>6042875
It's part of the bit anon, she wants to have sex with Alric? Need to go on a date first.

"Pai, it will be your loss then." You said to her. "Because I find him a rather interesting person."

Pai scoffed at what you had said. Getting her to open up like this most likely wasn't what she had envisioned to happen in the first place.

"Eligius is quite popular amongst his circles." You said to her.

"Prince Alric…" Eligius tried to interrupt you as he realised what you were going to say next.

"He has this group of rather eccentric women following him. They even held this festival just for him and them." You told Pai and pretended to be thinking. "What was the game they played? Hmmm… pin the tail?"

"He what?" Pai asked, clearly surprised about what she had just heard.

"See Eligius, he is a true gentleman and doesn't brag about…" You continued and stopped on purpose. "I will leave it there, not my business to say more. But do you know what this means Pai? It shows that you as this supposed master assassin, you cannot discern Eligius's true form."

"Then tell me what it is." Pai demanded from you.

"No no, that is for you to ask from him. That is if you want to know. But I promise, he isn't that milquetoast when you get to know him." You spoke to her and stood up.

"Already finished?" Pai seemed disgusted at the thought of having to talk with him. Her tone was rather suggestive. "Not even a sloppy quickie this time?"

"Finished? Oh no, we aren't finished." You replied and rolled your eyes at her lewd remark. When she was on the defensive, she immediately resorts to vulgar suggestions. This was good, you had the initiative here. "Stand up and Eligius, can you please open the door and make sure I don't forget anything here."

Pai seemed hesitant as Eligius opened the door, so you walked to her and grabbed her arm, pulling her up and to your side.

She could easily grab your rondel dagger and stab you right then and there, but she was mostly just bewildered about this.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked, dropping her suggestive voice. "I don't have a choice, do I?"

"You will see." You replied nonchalantly. "And no you don't."

You let her go as it was apparent that she would follow you willingly. You walked the stairs up into the jail and politely declined on putting the irons on her legs and arms. And when you stepped out of the jail into the bright sunlight, Pai could only blink and try to cover her eyes with her arms.

"It's so bright…" She complained.

"Prince Alric, what are you doing with her?" Sir Gravis asked and was immediately alerted.

"At ease, just follow me from a distance as usual." You said to him and waved his concerns away.

"But…"

"No buts Sir Gravis, Pai won't try anything, isn't that right?" You said to him and turned to look at the assassin struggling in the sunlight. She didn't say anything. "Now follow me, I have so much to show you."

1/3

>>6042996

You guided her through Dawnholme, showing her the town that she hadn't seen before. She had most likely heard a lot from Eligius, but seeing everything with her own eyes was different.

Locals greeted you as you passed them. Most of them had grown accustomed to their eccentric, but kind Prince and didn't really seem that interested in why a beautiful woman in just a brown shirt, hosen and shoes was following you. Some Alteracis did recognise Pai as the assassin or made the connection, but they just gave you a curious look as they bowed or did a curtsy.

And Pai took that all in, at one point she washed her hands and face in a trough, getting water all over herself, and then at another she watched as Stonemasons winched a frame of a house up.

"We have over two thousand souls living here in Dawnholme." You said to her. "And more are coming."

Pai hadn't said anything and she just looked at you. So many opportunities for her to try something, but nothing had happened.

"When you arrived here, the population was just half of that. I think we are going to surpass Southshore soon." You told her. "Now follow me, I still have a lot to show you."

You escorted her past the barracks and sparring soldiers. Blacksmith was busy with work as you spoke with him very briefly and watched as a work gang made out of the prisoners of yours helped to carry heavy planks and lumber around. The word must have spread even to them as they stared at Pai until the guards made them concentrate on the work.

And Pai just took all of this in. She looked around, observed the people working and going through their daily tasks. But she seemed wary, on guard and tense. As if she was looking for familiar faces, an assassin that would sink a blade into her back.

…

A gaggle of children had approached you very carefully. The bravest of them, a young boy stepped forth.

"Prince Alric… how is aunty Malevus doing?" The boy asked, forcing you to smile as you took a knee to look and speak to the children on their level.

"She is doing better, but she can't be up and running as she is recovering." You told the boy and other children.

"When can we see her?" The boy asked again.

"In a week or two." You spoke and continued. "You know what would make her a very happy lady, if you kept her in your evening prayers everyday."

There was a chorus of agreeing nods.

"Now go, I have a bit of business to do and I shouldn't keep Miss Pai waiting." You told them and stood up.

The children scattered, waving to both you and to Pai, who didn't know what to think about this.

2/3

>>6042997

The word had spread fast in Dawnholme and then to elsewhere how you had set out on a rescue mission into Alterac to fight the ogres, coming back with over thirty men who had been your enemies till the previous day. People spoke how it had been the right thing to do and how during all of this Malevus had gotten wounded, while protecting those who would have tried to kill her in other circumstances. Heroic tales always reach the furthest.

"Let's go to eat something, I am already a bit hungry." You said to Pai, who again just followed you without saying a word.

…

You had purchased some pretzels from a merchant, who funnily was from Durnholde Keep and recognised Pai. Having taken a seat on some boxes somewhat away from others, you started to eat the pretzels, but Pai hadn't even tasted hers.

"Not hungry?" You asked her. "They aren't poisoned, see."

You grabbed the pretzel she was holding and took a bite out of it, before passing it back to her. Chewing slowly, you thought about pretending to choke on it to spook her, but decided against it.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked you.

"To show you Dawnholme and what you are missing out." You told Pai and continued eating.

"No, it is not that. You think this is going to make me talk." She said back and again looked around. She didn't seem to enjoy being out like this, yet she had followed you through the whole tour.

"Will it?" You asked her back.

Pai didn't answer.

"Your loss then." You replied and continued eating.

It took a moment until Pai took the first bite out of her pretzel. She chewed on it and then hurriedly finished it before taking out the second one you had bought her.

"I can't see through you, and it looks like I can't see through Eligius either." Pai suddenly said to you. "Why are you doing this? What are your reasonings for all of this? You said that I could have tried to harm you and now you have allowed me to approach you close enough to take your dagger and stab you."

"But you haven't." You replied between the bites.

"I can't get a read of you. It is both so frustrating and… excruciatingly interesting." Pai said and continued. "What is your play?"


>This is a date. You told her that there needs to be a few dates first before the sex. Be joking, but obfuscate and tease her hard.
>To let people recognise you and allow the word to spread. You walk free next to your previous target. How does that look to the Syndicate?
>Showing her everything you have accomplished. What she is missing while stuck in her cell in the dark.
>Having her learn this side of you. The Prince everyone appreciates and likes, that you aren't some corrupt nobleman of Syndicate.
>Other, write in.

QM: Write ins work really well now. You are getting closer and closer.

>>6042998
>This is a date. You told her that there needs to be a few dates first before the sex. Be joking, but obfuscate and tease her hard.
As a starter but seriously don't give the whole game away, getting to slowly know each other is part of the fun isn't it? So... the best of the prompts given is
>Showing her everything you have accomplished. What she is missing while stuck in her cell in the dark.

>>6042998
>>This is a date. You told her that there needs to be a few dates first before the sex. Be joking, but obfuscate and tease her hard.
>>To let people recognise you and allow the word to spread. You walk free next to your previous target. How does that look to the Syndicate?
Syndicate has killed or tried to kill failed assassins but not Pai. She clearly expected it to happen in Dawnholme but it hasnt which has made her confused. Syndicate looks like they have abandoned her in their strange way of not killing her. Alric meanwhile has been good for her and avoided punishing her. He even moved her down into more secure cell where in theory killing her is a lot more difficult.

Now Alric dragged her out for everyone to see. No irons and minimal guards. People recognice her and make the assumptions. Assassin allowed to walk free like this could mean deal has been made. Syndicate might think so as well but they havent tried to kill her before. Pai also tried to spot anyone familiar.

My theory is that Pai seeks security within the jail cell and hasnt struck a deal because of it. By showing her that Dawnholme is a good place and no one has tried or will try to kill her, Pai might realise Syndicate has fully abandoned her, leaving Alric as her only real option. Pai also saw the prison work gangs and how Alric has treated her doesnt differ from others.

Tldr: Syndicate has abandoned her and not even parading her around like this brings her into danger. Alric is her only option.

>>6043010
Its part of the bit but I dont see the benefits of actually fucking her. But use it as a way to keep her guessing.

>>6043042
>Tldr: Syndicate has abandoned her and not even parading her around like this brings her into danger. Alric is her only option.
This is good as an observation and would go along nicely with the teasing but I don't think it has the personal touch required. Let's include this and the "Showing her everything we have accomplished" prompt no?

>Its part of the bit but I dont see the benefits of actually fucking her. But use it as a way to keep her guessing.
Of course we shouldn't, not as things are now anyway, with her guard up and all that. We're not Sahvan.

>>6042998
>>6043042
support

>>6042998
>>This is a date. You told her that there needs to be a few dates first before the sex. Be joking, but obfuscate and tease her hard.
>Showing her everything you have accomplished. What she is missing while stuck in her cell in the dark.

>>6042998
>Showing her everything you have accomplished. What she is missing while stuck in her cell in the dark.

>>6042998
>>6043010
>"No, it is not that. You think this is going to make me talk."
To elaborate on the personal touch point, sure we would like to get her to talk but it's not just about the intel but also about trying to figure her out. Like a puzzle, it's interesting, and we could get another fun and useful gal out of it too.

This shouldn't be outright said of course. Medivh said write ins work really well now but I feel like being playfully vague and ambiguous but still drip feeding info is the right choice, like the kind of ending to a book that has you dying to read the next one. Having everything told to you in a rush would be lame wouldn't it?

"I can't get a read of you. It is both so frustrating and… excruciatingly interesting."
"That's for me to know and you to find out..."

>>6043373
Fucked up the end, it's supposed to be:
>"I can't get a read of you. It is both so frustrating and… excruciatingly interesting." Pai said and continued. "What is your play?"
>"That's for me to know and you to find out.."
A line to start the play.

>>6042998
Nice, this has gone well. Let me see, his why and reasons for all of this?

>Other, write in.
I was wondering what you would see here. Not whats been built, though I am proud of that.. The way I see it just about everyone you saw today, despite their differences, have one important quality they share. A belief in a second chance. The Alteraci who escaped the burning of the kingdom, the Stonemasons who've taken flight from Stormwind, the folk of Dalaran's Underbelly. Eligius (saved from bandits), Malevus (wanted to escape her courtier tailor fate to be a paladin), Radan, Beckston, etc. Those who fought against me I spared accordingly. I get the feeling the Syndicate doesn't believe in them.

If you wanted to use your second chance to be my enemy you've had opportunities, but what I want is to see what you will ultimately do with yours here.

Theres also something to be said about the value of her skills as a professional spy/assassin and Alric not exactly turning his nose up, nor can he afford to when they send assassins after his allies.

>>6042998
>>6043010
Lewd lead-in and then straight to wholesome and supported.

I think I can work with this. Could I have rolls, everyone's favourite combo. Weather and random event!


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll

Captcha is DAMP, foreshadowing?

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>6043824
Oh boy

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>6043824
ho boy imps raining from the sky!

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>6043824
Shit rolls...

>>6043824
>>6043844
Well, whatever's damp, it's not the weather.

>>6043853

Weather for sure won't be damp, in fact it is going to be tremendously good. But with half of the update finished, I realised that I do need another roll for that 3 you got. I will try to get the update out some time tomorrow.


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>6044128

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>6044128

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>6044128

Thoughts for later. It'll be kind of funny if we have an assassin spy, but at this point so many people know who she is. Being former Syndicate it would be pretty hard to send her for spying against them without some really good disguises, covert movement. Having a fake Pai in jail and occasionally being walked around to pretend like shes still in Dawnholme when shes really on a mission. Or settle her into more of a spy assassin/counter intelligence training advisory role.

I wonder if Alric does personally show up to the Gnoll campaign if Garithos would be foolish enough to try something or provoke Alric. Or if Alric should try to provoke Garithos so he can dunk on him again. Intentionally raising tensions anymore probably isn't needed after the whole persona nongrata and expulsion, but it would be funny. Ideally killing the gnoll leadership will be achievement enough and humiliation for Garithos if we did it with a smaller force.

I do wanna see if Alric can use the Fel point in combat as a purely physical boost. Maybe get some Fel training in for better control, sensing, and whatever utility options it might unlock.

>>6042996
>>6042997
>>6042998
Great update btw Medivh.

>>6044444
Im still thinking about getting Garithos to control the orc camps so Thrall can fuck his shit up instead of Blackmoore's. The schadenfreude would be amazing.

My apologies, work is very ornery yet again so no update today. Just lacking all the energy for creative writing. But to keep some activity going as we are trying to get Pai to flip sides, what kind of a role do you expect her to have in the future if any? Or in short:


Pai is for:
>Write in

Good musing about her and about rest of the stuff. Some of you are pretty close.

>>6044656
Facts. Please anons let's get a bunch of his ally scum killed. Orcs freed and make blackmoor look good for once. And have garithos eat a cow pie of orc shit.

>>6044899
Pai is for setting up with our spy master.

>>6044899
Pai is for espionage. Even if we don't use her in the field, she has experience and knowledge that will be useful.

>>6044976
He already has his harem of witches, Pai would be one of Alric's girls if anything. Speaking of which, will we get an answer from Monica soon?

>>6044899
>Write in
The Eligiusbowl maybe? Contending against I think it was the young pretty witch from the circle, unless it was all of them. Fairly unlikely, but it would be funny for the open hostility to turn into something else over time. Though settling into barely tolerating each other for business is fine too. Going the other way she'd be the only Alricbowl contender who is fairly chesty I think, since that daughter of the deceased Southshore mayor with 'huge tracts of land' moved to the Capital and was maybe going to do charity work? Don't think we ever heard back from them. I don't think Callia was very chesty either.

Theres not a great list of people Alric would want to have assassinated at the moment. Plus with her identity exposed it would just link it to Alric if any complications happen on a mission so probably to train other spies/assassins. Working with Eligius as counter intelligence. As part of the Alric Hero Squad if we are in wartime or traveling somewhere and we want someone to go dig for rumors or do something stealthy? Thats fairly dangerous though since she would be a high value target.

That said I think she might have a fair charisma score with her looks and social prowess. Since shes already pretty well infamous as a captured, and possibly turncoat, agent of the Syndicate. If we gave her a role as a political agent to convince others to work with Alric it could have some interesting results in the right arena. Nobles and powerful criminal types aren't always the most trustworthy so having someone who can spot their tricks could be pretty handy.

>>6044986

Answer from Monica? You mean for the inn in Dawnholme? From previous thread

"And speaking of spies, Monica visited you and stayed for the night. She happily accepted becoming the manager of the new inn and you instructed her to talk with Master Pelija. Monica also had no qualms in allowing your people to run the inn as long as they will do their jobs."

>>6045231
QM forgor... We voted to tell her to think on if she wants to be one of Alrics's girls or if she wants commitment remember? Alric didn't lay with her at the time since she wasn't really thinking about what she wanted and what that would entail. Regardless of that choice, we made her a representative.

>>6045403
No we very clearly voted her down. Nobody wanted Monica. We ended the romance angle permanently by making her the representative so she could visit us in an official capacity.

So no qm did not forget.

>>6045411
There were three votes that explicitly said otherwise.

>>6045403

Yeah I didn't forgor that. >>6045411 is right. From thread 28

"QM: Monica decision. Final vote, unless you choose the one night in Dawnholme which requires one more vote afterwards."

"Not but seriously, this is the final final vote and looking at how unanimous it currently is, it will stay as the final vote. Consider Monica route closed."

>>6045461
Yeah but the 3 of the 6 votes explicitly said to make her think on the relationship issue AND do the representative thing.

>10
>3


You looked at her and a slight mischievous smile appeared on your face.

"That's for me to know…" You started to say to her and after a very brief pause you continued. "And for you to find out…"

Pai's eyes betrayed her annoyance as you played coy with her.

"Because what did I tell you? There needs to be a couple dates first." You said and playfully prodded her shoulder. "And how those go, well it depends on you~"

You had too much fun with this, putting her own tools in use against her.

"You… what?" Pai asked back.

"I mean a sloppy quickie, are you serious? Oh no that won't do, slow and tender is what I appreciate. Sure things can get rough and passionate, but there is something great in that slow build up." You continued very nonchalantly.

She just looked at you flabbergasted.

"What? You wanted to fuck me and I just gave you the instructions how to get there… oh well your loss then, your loss." You shrugged and laughed.

"You are a piece of shit… Prince Alric." Pai replied and you noticed her calling you with the right prefix and actually saying your name.

"No but seriously, I wanted you to see Dawnholme. Everything I have accomplished in the past two years and everything you have decided to miss, because you for whatever reason prefer to be in a damp cell than out here." You dropped your coy play and took a more serious tone into your voice. You had your theories on why she would want to stay there and not accept your previous offers, but it was better to keep them to yourself for a moment or two.

"What did I tell you, over two thousand souls are living here and more will come. And you know what ties all of them together?" You asked her.

"No idea?" Pai answered and finished her pretzel before crossing her arms under her breasts, pushing them up a bit.

"The second chance in life. Alreracis without a kingdom or a place to call their home. Migrants from Underbelly, sewers under Dalaran getting an opportunity to live above ground and have a new start. Stonemasons, having arrived from Stormwind City after certain tumultuous events." You told her and continued. "Do you know their story?"

"Eligius spoke something about a riot?" She answered.

"Yes, riots over disagreements regarding payments for rebuilding the city. In those riots Queen Tiffin was killed, King Varian lost his wife, their baby son lost his mother." You spoke. "Yet I accepted them to come here and start again."

You looked at the town and people milling there before looking back at Pai. Thank the Light for your darkened glasses as you could give a glimpse to her form now with her arms crossed.

1/4

>>6045725

"I have a former bandit under my service whom I will promote to an officer in a couple of days. I have a lot of your former colleagues and other bandits in the prison camp waiting for that same chance, if they are willing to take it." You said to her. "I am very proud of what I have done and accomplished every time I step out of my home and see the town and its people. A belief and an opportunity for a second chance."

"If you wanted to use your second chance to be my enemy you've had opportunities to do so." You said to Pai. "But what I want is to see what you will ultimately do with yours here."

Pai stared back at you while trying to avoid showing any emotions, but her eyes would betray her again. It was one thing you had learned in the past two years, look into their eyes, they will tell you a lot if words are lacking. And now her eyes showed vulnerability.

"As will the others." You continued and waved your hand towards the town. "People recognised you or at least made the connection. The assassin who tried to kill their Prince, walking besides him rather nonchalantly. They know my reputation, they know who serves me, they have all seen my prisoners."

"You!" Pai started to say, but you silenced her by raising your hand.

"They too are waiting to see what your decision will be, as will everyone else." You spoke.

Pai stared back at you.

"You set me up!"

"Yet you followed me through the town, you could have said no, you could have chosen to not listen to me or eat the pretzels." You replied and smiled. At the corner of your eye you saw one of your soldiers speaking with Sir Gravis. Whatever they spoke about, it seemed urgent. "I think our time together is growing short."

You watched as the soldier approached you with Sir Gravis following right behind him. You stood up and waited for him to bow to you.

"Yes?"

"My Prince, Stonemasons are approaching." The soldier said to you.

"Where and when?"

"Our patrol spotted them at the crossroad to Tarren Mill, it will take a couple of hours for them to arrive." He replied back to you.

"Good, now go back to the barracks and rest. You have done well." You told the soldier and turned to face Sir Gravis and Pai. "Sir Gravis, please inform Master Pelija and have my horse ready. We will ride out and escort them to Dawnholme."

"Yes Prince Alric. Anything else?" Sir Gravis asked you.

"Take Miss Pai back to her cell please." You said.

"Of course." He replied back to you and showed Pai the way back to the jail.

"One more thing, Eligius will be busy for a couple of days with the Stonemasons so you will have a couple days to think about all of this." You told Pai. "You should talk with him."

"I will think about it." Pai replied to you. "Goodbye Prince Alric."

She turned around and started to walk towards the jail on her own with Sir Gravis needing only to follow her.

2/4

>>6045727

And boy did it make sense why people would fall for her and how she could use her body to get men to give her what she wants. As she walked away, your eyes could only fixate on her rump and hips that swayed left and right. And earlier how she had crossed her arms and pushed her chest up a bit. By the Light she was quite alluring.

Alright alright, enough of that. She tried to kill you just six months ago so away those thoughts. And besides, you can't allow every alluring girl to get into your pants.

…


>8
>7


There were a lot of Stonemasons. A lot more than the soldier had briefed you before you had left. The original estimation of just a few hundred was way too low. There were way more than that in the long column.

"Sir Gravis, send Joe to ride back to Dawnholme and to tell Master Pelija to double his efforts." You said. "Couple hundred is a too low estimate."

It really was.

When you reached the column, you saw people who were more than tired and exhausted. Their clothes were ruined from months of travels, some walked without shoes leaning on walking sticks, the ox and donkey carts were filled to their maximum with the sick and the old. They were all really happy to see you as they knew now how close to their new home and rest they were, but otherwise they were way too tired and exhausted to celebrate and for a good reason.

You spoke with one of their leaders and he told you about their journey and how everything that could have gone wrong, had gone wrong.

First their foot journey up the coast of Azeroth had taken way too long and had eaten into their supplies too much. Then they had to fend off bandits and gnolls who tried to raid them. When they finally got to the harbour where their pre-hired ships were waiting, the captains had decided to renegotiate the deals, draining remaining funds and forcing people to give up their own valuables.

Of course the sea journey didn't go as planned either as a storm threw them off to the east, too close to Stromgarde. All of them were quickly let off near the coast and then they had to trek west through the lands until they finally arrived to Dawnholme.

And now there were hundreds of tired Stonemasons with barely anything to eat and dozens sick and weak from the journey here. You promised to take care of them. Just a couple more hours and soon they can rest amongst their friends.

But there were a lot of them. Way more than you had expected, thankfully it seemed that they were the last group to arrive. Now just to make sure that no one goes and dies this close to Dawnholme.

"And send Empleton to Tarren Mill to fetch Father Hampton here. I don't care what he is doing, this is a lot more important than anything else." You told Sir Gravis as the ride back to Dawnholme continued.

3/4

>>6045728

"Eight hundred?" You asked.

"Eight hundred, could be a bit more." Eligius replied.

It was a late evening as the two of you sat in Lady Nalice’s house. The daily magic training was to begin shortly, but you weren't sure if either of you had interest to follow the curriculum today. You were mentally tired after everything that had happened.

It had taken the better part of the day organising the help and making sure everyone was being tended to. Dawnholme had practically stopped as everyone rushed to help the hundreds of newcomers.

"Prince Alric, it will take me days to go through all of them." Eligius said to you.

"Take your time, their well-being is our priority not getting them catalogued." You said to him and waved his concerns away.

"You are right… it's just that they outnumber us. If there really are more than eight hundred of them, then there will be nearly three thousand men and women living in Dawnholme. Half of them Stonemasons!" Eligius told you.

"I know, and I will make sure that all of them will find my home, their home." You said back to him. "Don't worry Eligius, just do your job as usual and I will do mine."

"Alright alright." He relented a bit. "What shall we do today, I have no interest in following the instructions Lady Nalice left us. I can't stand yet another day of theory and magic sensing after today."

"Well do you have anything in mind?" You asked him.

"We could just drink, Lady Nalice left a couple bottles behind." Eligius suggested. "Or if you want to actually study something, I did finish some notes on the Bloodstone you got."


Activity:
>Drinking, have a day off and connect with your warlock spymaster scribe a bit more.
>Go through whatever notes he had made on the Bloodstone. You know very little of it currently.
>Ask him if Fel could be used to strengthen you in combat. If it supposedly kept your heart beating, maybe it could strengthen you otherwise.
>Just cast magic till you are exhausted. Experimentation is the name of the game.
>Other, write in.

Talking:
>Pai and Eligius, especially his attempts to get her to talk.
>The witches and coven. Probe him about the ritual and how their training is going.
>The mages from Underbelly and Surena Caledon, has he noticed anything about them?
>Otto Wanz, the warlock in the prison camp, what should be done with him, any updates on him?
>Other, write in.

QM: On the activity, please choose only one. Rolls were the weather and who is going to arrive. Out of three possibilities it was the Stonemasons and as a low roll, the question was how badly the trip here had gone. The second set of rolls were the trip and what event had happened to them. Basically they were swindled out of all of their possessions.

>>6045502

I had already done the Monica route vote couple times already and that chapter required to be closed. If Alric had wanted her to be more than just a friend, then that option was out there. With that and no majority in going with any write in options, combined with how I wrote the following updates, that route is done and closed. Unless something very big and serious goes and happens.

And the Monica appreciators don't need to worry, I have good things planned for Monica. Alric is very glad to have her as his good friend.

Also accidentally a really long update.

>>6045730
>>Drinking, have a day off and connect with your warlock spymaster scribe a bit more.
>Otto Wanz, the warlock in the prison camp, what should be done with him, any updates on him?

>>6045730
>Ask him if Fel could be used to strengthen you in combat. If it supposedly kept your heart beating, maybe it could strengthen you otherwise.

I want it. I need it. The Fel Boost secured ahead of the gnoll campaign so we can fight like a demon when we need it as another ace in the hole. Plus its hopefully more covert then our magic skills, though maybe his eyes will glow again like in the cave but thats not too bad. Use the cards we've been dealt and turn it into a strength. Otherwise drink with Eligius.


>The mages from Underbelly and Surena Caledon, has he noticed anything about them?
>The witches and coven. Probe him about the ritual and how their training is going.
>Otto Wanz, the warlock in the prison camp, what should be done with him, any updates on him?

Otto Wanz said he wants a purpose to follow, as did a number of those in the prison who felt as he did, so lets give him one. If hes ready to work with Eligius let him do so be it spy work or warlock coven work. Release a small number of those who are likeminded and ready to rejoin society, see if that improves the disposition of the other prisoners and gives them some hope?

>Other, write in.
Well since its now a bit of a concern that half of Dawnholme's population is now Stonemason, what are some other potential sources of Alteraci citizens that we could search for? The Capital ones were threatened by assassination so thats no good unless we want to try and convince them. I understand that once upon a time that Alterac did have a navy, did they perhaps have some minor colonies or outposts as islands or around the wetlands? Hinterlands? Around Dalaran or northern alliance towns?

>>6045730
>>Drinking, have a day off and connect with your warlock spymaster scribe a bit more.

>Pai and Eligius, especially his attempts to get her to talk.
>The mages from Underbelly and Surena Caledon, has he noticed anything about them?
>Otto Wanz, the warlock in the prison camp, what should be done with him, any updates on him?

>>6045730
>>Drinking, have a day off and connect with your warlock spymaster scribe a bit more.
Or
>>Ask him if Fel could be used to strengthen you in combat. If it supposedly kept your heart beating, maybe it could strengthen you otherwise.

>>Pai and Eligius, especially his attempts to get her to talk.
>>The witches and coven. Probe him about the ritual and how their training is going.

I am fine with either Fel or drinking. Both seem like fun options with learning more about the Fel being important. Not going with Wanz as he hasnt informed us of anything worth of note yet.

Could we have a tiebreaker between Fel and drinking? I count the votes as 2-2 with the last anon saying Fel being more important. I will try to get the update out later today then.

>>6045730
>Ask him if Fel could be used to strengthen you in combat. If it supposedly kept your heart beating, maybe it could strengthen you otherwise.

Always good to be able to go 110% in combat.

>The witches and coven. Probe him about the ritual and how their training is going.
>Otto Wanz, the warlock in the prison camp, what should be done with him, any updates on him?

Gotta keep up to date on any potential mage recruits. Even if the witches are a bit...questionable in their quality and Otto questionable in loyalty. Mages are mages.

>>6046341
No problem, been meaning to get back into this quest.

"I have something in mind we could do, something related to the Fel inside me." You told him and pushed yourself up from the chair.

"What is it?"

"It can wait a bit, let's go downstairs and we can talk about other stuff while we set things up." You said back to him.

…

The cellar was already mostly ready for your typical magic lessons, but some things needed to be prepared first. As Eligius went through the wards concealing the cellar from outsiders, you drew the ritual circle into the sand on the floor. It along with the wards made casting magic here a mostly safe endeavour.

And you did speak with him about certain topics. Otto Wanz, the warlock in the prison camp that you had saved did interest you, but you hadn't heard of him lately and neither had Eligius. He had spoken with Chief of the Guards Stein and Stein had nothing new to really say about him. Him and the others worked hard and haven't shown any signs of proving to be a threat. So while there was no news, you had hoped that something could have changed within the camp.

Then you spoke about the mages, the ones from Underbelly and then about Surena Caledon. You had asked Eligius to follow them and be on lookout and this time he did have something to say.

"Madam Judy is an incredibly polite and nice older lady, the witches have taken up the task of helping her." Eligius told you.

"Doesn't she realise who they are?"

"She already has… sadly, but it was expected. I can't control the witches on what they do every single day." Eligius sighed. "But I don't think this is going to cause issues, they are all interested in plants and herbs after all."

He seemed rather nonchalant about this.

"Are you sure that you aren't too nonchalant about this? I mean they are your students?" You asked him.

"I am pretty sure and Madam Martin hasn't shown any signs of being nefarious or anything." Eligius told you.

"I am more concerned about the witches." You told him. "Your special relationship with them after all…"

"Don't start again Prince Alric. Nothing like that has happened between me and them." Eligius answered and was slightly irate due to your probing.

"I mean, having such a relationship isn't a bad thing… but teacher and student dynamics… I hope that won't cloud your judgement." You said to him.

Eligius stared daggers at you, making you feign innocence by raising your hands up.

"Alright alright I will stop. But how's the rest of the mages?"

"Can't say much as they haven't been around." Eligius answered. That was true.

"Oh and Pai is I think ready to speak with you." You said to him.

"Oh really? What has changed?"

"She isn't sure about it herself either, so be ready if she actually ends up talking to you." You said. "Did you really try to wear her down?"

"No… I just wanted her to know what was going on. Being stuck in a cell is not a good thing for your mental health." Eligius said back to you. "She has been there for a quite long time already."

1/2

>>6046443

"By her own choice."

"You are correct Prince Alric. For whatever reason, I don't think the Syndicate wants to kill her anymore." Eligius said back.

"Neither do I… alright we are finished." You replied.

"What did you have in mind? Something new with your fire?" Eligius asked you.

"No, it is about the Fel. If it kept my heart beating and gave me strength, couldn't I use it to strengthen me otherwise as well?" You asked him.

Eligius paused and looked at you.

"Yes, you are right." He said to you and seemed thoughtful. "Instead of releasing the Fel into a spell of yours, you keep it circulating within you."

"Do you think it could be done?"

"Of course, but…"

"But what? Tell me Eligius, I trust your judgement." You said to him.

"Prince Alric, my master taught me to handle the Fel very carefully. To either cast the spell immediately after harvesting it, or just allowing it to run through you. You meanwhile have it inside you every single day." Eligius spoke and continued. "My master warned me of prolonged exposure, but maybe… maybe your body has gotten used to it already?"

"So it is possible?"

"A lot is possible with the Fel… let me think…"

Eligius paced around the cellar and scratched his chin.

"If you use the Fel already inside you, any harm it could cause has already happened. If you were to collect more than what you already have, then you might have some issues." Eligius mused. "You might have some temporary side effects if you were to use the Fel to strengthen you, but based on what I know that would be nothing too serious."

You sighed in relief hearing that.

"Prince Alric, why are you asking? What do you have in mind, weren't we supposed to burn all the Fel away?" Eligius asked you.


>You want to test if it works right now.
>It could be a strong trump card to be used if needed. If you can protect yourself or others, it might be worth it.
>The condition of the orcs had gotten you to think. If demonic energies gave them strength, what about the Fel?
>Truth to be told you might not be able to burn the Fel away, if it kept you alive, what happens when it is gone?
>Other, write in.

>>6046444
>"Prince Alric, why are you asking? What do you have in mind, weren't we supposed to burn all the Fel away?"
Wouldn't this do that anyway? We're transmuting fel energy into physical energy so unless the fel regenerates, it will run dry.

>>6046444
>It could be a strong trump card to be used if needed. If you can protect yourself or others, it might be worth it.
>The condition of the orcs had gotten you to think. If demonic energies gave them strength, what about the Fel?
>Truth to be told you might not be able to burn the Fel away, if it kept you alive, what happens when it is gone?

FOR THE LOVE OF ALTERAC PLEASE WAIT TO TEST IT UNTIL NALICE COMES BACK.

>>6046444
>Truth to be told you might not be able to burn the Fel away, if it kept you alive, what happens when it is gone?
I have absolutely zero interest in using fel.
Also i thought demonic and fel was one and the same?

>>6046444

After thinking on it to be frank I wonder if even could burn through what Nalice gave him in a mortal lifetime. In her words it was years of a dragon's life worth all crammed into Alric's human body and locked in tight. His body healed and changed, acclimated to it with the nails and the eyes. His recovery has been pretty solid. Even with all that has he even scratched the surface of that reserve? We already made his being fel touched public knowledge so whats done is done, may as well make use of it constructively.

Or just call him Alric of Melnibone if it does dry up.

Interesting thought, since I believe powerful mages in Warcraft do end up living a fair bit longer then non-mages would the Fel have a similar effect if the body accepts it well enough?


>Other, write in.
Look at what happened to Malevus even when we took down the ogres leading them. Being a decisive commander, a good swordsman or even slinging some spells, sometimes its just not enough. In battle you need to be domineering, a presence so overwhelming it shifts the battlefield when you stand on it. Thats how you swing the tide of battle, and thats gotta be worth some temporary side effects.

>>6046444
>It could be a strong trump card to be used if needed. If you can protect yourself or others, it might be worth it.
>Truth to be told you might not be able to burn the Fel away, if it kept you alive, what happens when it is gone?

Basically, we probably won't ever use it but if it's a do-or-die situation, being able to be superhumanly fast/strong might be worth almost dying or further corruption, we have to keep getting stronger and if nothing else, understanding our fel can only help us handle it.

>>6046465
According to wiki stuff, yeah, but this might be a case of the MMO conflicting with the RTS? E,g the RTS might claim that demons processed / transmuted the Fel orc warlocks gave them into something even more powerful/pure.

>>6046479
Dragons have vastly larger mana capacities than humans so let's suppose she gave him just a decade - if each of those years is worth ten or twenty for a human, we've got a century or two knocking around inside of us. We probably can't physically burn through it (pun intended) short of actively casting a spell at all times.

>>6045730
>>6045761

support

>>6046444
>>6046464
Support this instead

Missed an update

>>6046444
i kinda want to play with our fire and see if we can get better with it, or unlock another spell. Ignite sword was fairly nice on Cinder Sword... what if try to extend it to Aurvan'kal .....

>The condition of the orcs had gotten you to think. If demonic energies gave them strength, what about the Fel?
>Truth to be told you might not be able to burn the Fel away, if it kept you alive, what happens when it is gone?

You chose not to answer as you stepped into the circle in the sand and snapped your fingers. A small green fire appeared over your open palm, its flames licked upwards while the liquid nature of your fire dropped small droplets on your hand. They didn't burn you, they never did.

"I can feel the Fel coursing through my body. From somewhere within me beyond my heart into my arm and hand." You told Eligius and looked at him. "Are my eyes glowing?"

"They are, faintly." He answered as you closed your hand and extinguished the fire.

You felt the Fel moving back off your hand and then your arm, before everything settled back to normal. You breathed out once and the raging firestorm inside you started to calm down as well. Ever since Tarren Mill you have felt like the mana given to you by Lady Nalice, her mana made from pure fire and destruction brought by intense heat, had started to mix with the mana you generated by yourself. Your body has started to accept it, recognise it as your own.

Has your body gotten used to the Fel as well?

"My eyes have turned green and my nails have turned black. They glow when I use Fel or be in contact with it. But what other side effects Fel could have on me?" You asked Eligius again. "I know most of them, but humour me."

"Alright well not all of them ever appear, with you it has been just the eyes and tingling… but the usual temporary side effects range from glowing eyes to tingling across the body to slight or severe pain. Nausea, sensitivity to light, darkened blood vessels. Then also mood swings or change in behaviour as Fel amplifies the worst qualities within us." Eligius told you and scratched his chin again. "Of the permanent ones you have two, your eyes are tainted and your nails have turned black. Next most likely would be permanently glowing eyes."

"Those weren't the only ones." You said to him.

"No, then the outright mutations would follow. Nails could sharpen or turn into claws, teeth could sharpen and you could get fangs. Hair could grow longer or you could grow fur. Physical or mental deterioration." Eligius listed. "Horns, tails, hooves, personality, everything, what is your point?"

"Which of those effects do the orcs have?" You asked him.

"Glowing eyes and their skin colour apparently had changed. That is how much I know." Eligius didn't have an idea where you were taking this discussion.

"Red eyes, not green." You replied back. "And for that they had gained immense power that has now fled them. Lethargy just remains."

"Are you suggesting that it isn't the Fel that affected them?" Eligius asked.

"Or it did. They had their warlocks and death knights. But whatever it was did give them strength and it got me thinking." You said and continued. "Just like the orcs who gained their strength through the demonic powers within them, couldn't I gain the same powers through the Fel inside me?"

"Are you planning on turning green and growing tusks?" Eligius asked and laughed.

1/3

>>6047071

"No, I mean Lady Nalice when she dragged the Fel into me to start my heart must have put a lot of Fel inside me." You told him and avoided telling Eligius that she had burned decade of her draconic lifespan to keep you alive. The draconic glyphs drawn on your chest helped as well to keep the Fel in check, giving you greater control over it. "It kept me alive, supposedly gives me strength. If it is already within me and no further side effects have happened, wouldn't using it to strengthen me, burn it away similarly to what we have been doing?"

"A lot is possible with the Fel just like I said before." Eligius told you again and scratched his chin yet again. "But you might be right on burning it, Lady Nalice would know more if she was here."

"We have been burning it away near daily till my hands are tingling from feedback. And no progress has happened." You said to him. "At least nothing that we have seen. It has made me doubt all of this."

You walked out of the sand circle and sat down. Until you were going to cast more magic, there was no point in standing there.

"The orcs turned lethargic after the Second War when their connection to whatever demonic energies they used was severed. What will happen to me when I have burned away enough Fel? Will my heart stop or will I suddenly grow weak as my body which has gotten used to having Fel in it suddenly finds itself empty?"

Eligius didn't say anything as you had raised your voice slightly.

"If I am going to carry the Fel inside me… maybe forever… shouldn't I get most out of it? Learn how to control it, to harness it to protect those who I care about?" You asked him. "Before the lethargy, the orcs gained their power. Before whatever happens to me, shouldn't I use it as a power as well if it is possible?"

Eligius stayed silent for a moment before speaking.

"Prince Alric, you are one of the bravest men I have ever met. You are ready to die for your friends and you carry Fel inside you every day of your life. A weaker man would have fallen into despair, yet you are planning on using something that is considered an unholy taboo to protect those close to you." Eligius said to you. "You would make a fine warlock, you have everything and more. All the qualities and the drive to succeed as one."

Eligius smiled back at you.

"Yes, it should be possible. Fel can give you power and strength, I don't see it being impossible to use it temporarily in short bursts." Eligius said and continued. "Like a trump card, a special trick reserved to the times when you really need it."

"Thank you for being reasonable, it is just…"

"I can't imagine what I would be doing if I were in your boots." Eligius said back to you. He was more experienced in both life and in magic than you were and had endured more than you have had. Him saying that did mean a lot to you. "I know it weighs on you to carry the Fel inside you, but it is our duty to help you."

2/3

>>6047072

You looked down, you felt ashamed to have spoken to Eligius like that. Having raised your voice, but all of this bothered you. Living forever with the Fel inside you, not being able to get rid of it? Should you just accept it as a part of you? Would that remove the weight off your back?

"Whatever you choose, I am ready to help you. As will Lady Nalice, I am sure of that. Your squire will surely help you as well. Whatever step you take, we will be there with you." Eligius spoke.

Where would you stand regarding the Fel? Your plan had been to burn it away, but should you continue it if it could cause health issues to you? This state of indecision weighed on your mind as doubt had crept in. Could you remove it safely? Was the creation of your mind, Malevus Thing, correct that she is part of you? Could it instead be power to be fielded? Accepting it as part of you as no more side effects have appeared as you haven't taken in more Fel? The all ten years of Nalice’s life.

And would learning the arts of warlocks be the key in all of this? You knew you had the qualities, the drive and want to learn new things. Learning to harness the Fel inside you and elsewhere to protect yourself and those whom you love and care?

You weren't sure, yet the words of Malevus Thing echoed in your mind and you were sure that she meant those words.

I am you and you are me.


>Accept the Fel inside you to be part of you. Learn to live with it and harness its power for your own use. Get rid of the doubt and weight on your mind.
>Accept the Fel for now. One day you will get rid of it and before that day comes, you will keep the Fel inside you.
>You will continue burning the Fel away, but you will learn how to use it to strengthen you at some point.
>Getting rid of the Fel is your priority, you can't trust it so it needs to go away. You can't allow it to influence you.


>Become a warlock. Learn its arts and trust Eligius fully when it comes to this. You know you have the qualities required.
>Become a warlock. Enhance your fire magic with the control of inextinguishable Fel Fire that burns hotter than normal fire.
>No, you are on a road to becoming a great arcanist and a pyromancer. You need to be pragmatic, you can't take too many studies.
>No, arts of warlocks are forbidden for a reason. You can't take on these studies for your own and your friends sake.

QM: Fel vote. Please vote on both. There won't be another vote regarding the Fel inside Alric for a while so take this as whatever will be his stance regarding the Fel inside him. Somewhat important vote when it comes to powers Alric will have and get.

>>6047073
>You will continue burning the Fel away, but you will learn how to use it to strengthen you at some point. Even then, you still can't trust it and you still can't allow it to influence you.
A little bit more nuanced.
>No, you are on a road to becoming a great arcanist and a pyromancer. You need to be pragmatic, you can't take too many studies.
>No, arts of warlocks are forbidden for a reason. You can't take on these studies for your own and your friends sake.
Both really since
1. It is even more dangerous than regular magic.
2. We're already really busy with just our current studies.

>>6047073
>You will continue burning the Fel away, but you will learn how to use it to strengthen you at some point.

If our lifeforce is solely being sustained by the Fel, I imagine a sufficiently powerful burst of holy magic (a certain future elf paladin comes to mind) might be able to replace it with normal energy / lifeforce. If not - if we both need the Fel and can't remove it, we can look into peacefully acquiring a thimble of Fel every now and then to keep us from growing weak.

>No, you are on a road to becoming a great arcanist and a pyromancer. You need to be pragmatic, you can't take too many studies.

Once we've mastered doing shit the slow way, we can mess about with warlockery but we can't publicly use Fel in any way around anyone with familiarity with magic or Fel that isn't loyalty to us over all else. Even if it made us five times as strong, risking the Alliance coming down on us any time we use it is a severe handicap.

>>6047073
>Accept the Fel inside you to be part of you. Learn to live with it and harness its power for your own use. Get rid of the doubt and weight on your mind.

>Become a warlock. Enhance your fire magic with the control of inextinguishable Fel Fire that burns hotter than normal fire.

I'm glad this vote came up cause I do like the idea of accepting it as part of him after sitting on it for a while. That in his heart of hearts he really does enjoy battle that much, and his women as long as theres a romantic connection. That he'd really like to wipe the floor with his enemies and feel a bit smug about it. That he could really use that power when the situation calls for it like Malevus jobbing again. So on with a few other feelings. Emotionally I feel like Alric recognizes this and could accept it and work towards living with this power and how to use it without being overwhelmed, even without the warlock aspects; if it helps him in combat as we've seen a few times now. If he can use it to help dominate a conversation or hammer into the weak points of an enemy's argument with a bit more ruthlessness. In becoming a more robust being if he can grow stronger and more resilient as he accepts this. Accepting it as a path to becoming a more realized Alric.

I do think it would be pretty great there are a lot of really sweet warlock spells that are handy, but I was kind of envisioning it more as a way to pump his existing fire magic atleast for now anyways. The accepting it as part of him was more important character wise I think, and the warlock stuff more a consideration of benefits.

Plus to be fair its already getting pretty pumped with Nalice sharing her mana to change his affinity, plus its possible his affinity already was fire to begin with unless Medivh wants to reveal whatever his natural affinity might have been though I'd guess it would have been a roll. I think Dragon fire affinity is pretty damn solid even without a little fel boost right now, hopefully later.

Plus the physical strengthening which I'm happy seems to be popular atleast. Everyone likes a super mode just for when the going gets tough. It'll feel nice to get more use out of that 1/1 Fel point.

>>6046910
I can hear the Always Sunny in Philly theme with a titlecard of 'Alric Sets Himself on Fire'. Though if it worked like Illidan's immolation spell where everyone around him feels the burn that could be pretty damn solid.

>>6047073
>You will continue burning the Fel away, but you will learn how to use it to strengthen you at some point.

>No, you are on a road to becoming a great arcanist and a pyromancer. You need to be pragmatic, you can't take too many studies.

>>6047073
>>Getting rid of the Fel is your priority, you can't trust it so it needs to go away. You can't allow it to influence you.
Guys what are you doing, this will lead to tragedy, an weakness for our enemys to exploit, and will be our downfall if we do no strive to remove it. using it will make its hold in us that much stronger to the point when we wont be able to remove it.
>No, you are on a road to becoming a great arcanist and a pyromancer. You need to be pragmatic, you can't take too many studies.

>>6047073
>You will continue burning the Fel away, but you will learn how to use it to strengthen you at some point.
>No, you are on a road to becoming a great arcanist and a pyromancer. You need to be pragmatic, you can't take too many studies.

>>6047073
>You will continue burning the Fel away, but you will learn how to use it to strengthen you at some point.

>No, you are on a road to becoming a great arcanist and a pyromancer. You need to be pragmatic, you can't take too many studies.

Majority supports continuing as is and not taking on the warlock studies. I had couple FUN ideas in mind that you won't see now, but Alric stays consistent and shows patience. Besides what did Father Hampton tell you, willpower to resist Fel is very important.

Could I have a roll.


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>6047551
Hey due to the nature of fel not like we could pick it up later.
Besides the drawbacks and potential problems is too great to do so now.

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>6047551
One step at a time we'll get that FUN.

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>6047551

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>>6047551
Lets goooooo

"When Lady Nalice returns, we will see then if I can use the Fel to strengthen myself." You told Eligius after a bit of thinking. "With no noticeable progress, we will just have to wait, patience is a virtue after all.."

You shrugged and took a deep breath.

"It is no use to hurry around like a headless chicken. Power or no power, I do want to be sure about this." You told him. "The Fel can't be trusted, we have to tread lightly."

"A wise choice Prince Alric, we will then continue as planned… with the curriculum…" Eligius said in defeat.

"Yeah… but it is for the best." You weren't that enthusiastic either, but Nalice knew the best.

You had your hands full with your studies already and you weren't trying to learn how to use the Fel to strengthen you, there was no point in dwelling deeper into the arts of warlocks or Fel. It was better to be left for the future, now your goal is to become a better arcanist and a pyromancer. Everything else can wait.

"Alright, let's get to work then, what does the curriculum say? We can burn the Fel away later." You said and clapped your hands together.

"Magic sensing." Eligius sighed.

And you weren't good at all in it. It was a surprisingly difficult task to succeed. Even the basic "under which cup is the ball infused with magic" was difficult for you.

Oh well, better to get into work then.

…

>9


The next midday one of your guards informed you that a small caravan was approaching from Tarren Mill. Several horse carts were approaching and that could just mean that Father Hampton was arriving to Dawnholme.

But you were actually surprised as a familiar face was behind the reins of the first cart.

"Hello Alric!" Monica shouted to you as she stopped the horse cart.

"Monica? What are you doing here?" You had to ask her.

"Well Empleton arrived yesterday and when I heard the news, I went and talked with Mayor Fowley." She said and jumped off the cart. As always she was wearing her green skirt and top, but as your representative on her shoulders was the orange cloak of Alterac.

"Either way, it is great to see you again." You said and gave her a gentle hug.

"Alric, people are watching." She replied back with a laugh.

"Let them know that you are my friend and my representative." You said and let her go. "But what is in the cart?"

Monica proudly walked to it and slapped its wooden side.

"This bad boy can fit so many tents in it." Monica proclaimed.

"Tents? Whose idea was that, because it is a pretty darn good idea." You said to her.

1/2

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>>6047700

Instantly Monica looked like she was floating an inch or two off the ground. Oh she was so beaming with how proud she was.

"Oh you are going to be the most popular person within the Stonemasons now." You said and smiled. "How many tents?"

"Forty in total, some might have holes, but they can be repaired." Monica said to you.

Forty, if that is a family per tent with an average size of five people… that is enough for two hundred people. Which was great, there was a lack of tents in Dawnholme right now and the conditions were cramped.

"Is Father Hampton with you?" You asked her.

"I am here Prince Alric." Hampton replied from the other side of the cart.

"Prince Alric." Rayleigh the True greeted you as well.

"Father Hampton, Rayleigh." You greeted them back. "It is good to see you."

"Likewise, but before we get to work, let's have a look at your squire." Hampton said to you. "We might need her help."

"Of course, Malevus would be glad to be able to actually do something productive." You said back to them and turned to Monica. "Go speak with Master Pelija, he knows what to do with the tents."

…

Both Hampton and Rayleigh agreed that Malevus was in a good enough shape to walk around with crutches. While the paladin and the former paladin would tend to those who were the weakest, Malevus could handle the patients who could walk to her. With the duties split like that, they got to work.

Not long after the arrival of Monica and the aid from Tarren Mill, which had unsurprisingly included apples as well, both Lieutenant Cromwell and Lieutenant Beckston arrived. You greeted your two officers and with most of them in Dawnholme, you would only need to wait till Beric has arrived.

So it was just a matter of waiting and you would have your hands full with the Stonemasons and rest of your duties.

Hopefully Beric would arrive tomorrow so you could get the summer meeting done and behind you.


POV switch through the summer meeting and/or something major happens/timeskip:
>Stay as Alric and continue your duties. You have plenty of things to do, duties to perform.
>Switch to Eligius, see if you can get Pai to talk and continue training the spies.
>Switch to Malevue, heal those who need healing and talk about girly things with Tari and Monica now that she is here.
>Switch to write in.

QM: Roll was how much aid arrived from Tarren Mill. Now you have a chance to observe things from someone else's point of view for a moment. The summer meeting decisions will happen normally. I am giving you the write in option as well for someone else who could be part of the meeting. That's really the only requirement for the write in.

>>6047577
>>6047578

That is true, but couple FUN ideas can't happen anymore. Maybe they will be replaced by other FUN ideas in the future? Who knows!

>>6047703
Medivh you tease. I had some ideas on what the FUN might have been. Malevus Thing in our head giving us advice now and then, some of it perhaps even useful or unlocking other abilities of the Fel. Sleepwalking Alric when he gets too stressed and gets up to shenanigans at night. Some stat gains coupled with another fun mutation. Visions of the Legion's plans as the connection deepens. Malevus Thing uses the arcane writing but with Fel to make some kind of fel magic tattoo on Alric's ever expanding body art for another little magic tool in his arsenal.

Shame we had to wait until Nalice gets back to test out strengthening and we went back to the curriculum. Surely theres some fun ways to play with the water property of Alric's fire by pouring it over the Cindersword and then launching it with a swing, using the sword as a fire magic medium. Putting the bloodstone into the pommel or hilt of the sword for more covert use of it? Maybe there would be a strong reaction between the bloodstone and the sword's enchantments as well. A nice Blood Red flame for the Ignited Cindersword. Phoenix wings.

>Switch to Eligius, see if you can get Pai to talk and continue training the spies.

Priority

>>6047703
>>Switch to Eligius, see if you can get Pai to talk and continue training the spies.
QM is very good at being ominous. Not sure i want hes kind of fun.

>>6047703
>>Switch to Eligius, see if you can get Pai to talk and continue training the spies.

>>6047703
How unfortunate that Alric doesn't replace Arthas as a lord possessed by a dreadlord for FUN reasons.


Purging Dawnholme, Uther gets just as buttblasted by fel instead of undead energy

>Switch to Eligius, see if you can get Pai to talk and continue training the spies.
I feel bad for ignoring best girl Monica, but spies is interesting.

>>6047703
>>Switch to Eligius, see if you can get Pai to talk and continue training the spies.

You are Eligius, a warlock masquerading as a spymaster in training masquerading as a scribe in service of Prince Alric Perenolde.

Waking up early has never been that difficult to you and years of doing it has gotten you very well accustomed to it. Pushing yourself up from your bed, you walked to the window and pushed it open to allow fresh air inside.

From the loft window you saw that the sun was already nearly up, locals were starting their daily work and Stonemasons would continue their work at building new and refurbishing the old.

While Lady Nalice had given the keys to her house at the outskirts to you, you still had purchased your own small home to sleep and work in. And now after the refurbishment by the Stonemasons, it was in quite good shape. There was a small storage room and then the loft where you slept, while the kitchen also acted as your living room and office. After the Stonemasons had built an actual wooden floor and made sure that the walls, windows and the door were properly insulated, getting through the next winter shouldn't be an impossible task without freezing.

"I should get a shave…" You muttered to yourself as you scratched your chin and found your short beard bit scraggy. "And a haircut…"

Both can wait as you have too much everything else to do than just sit still for half an hour. That can wait, but the work can't.

Stretching your back, you went to the wardrobe and opened it. From a pile black and grey shirts, which was everything you had, you took the most light grey this time. Then the socks and next your black trousers. Put on the belt, tuck the shirt in and throw your black robe on your shoulders, put on your shoes and you are ready for the day. Though first some light breakfast.

"Wake up Sahvan." You shouted as you took the ladder down from the loft. "We have a long day ahead of us."

Sahvan was still asleep on a bench. The former Syndicate assassin had found himself as your assistant as he knew how to write and read. Barely.

It was a convenient position for him. You could keep your eyes on him and he could help you with all the paperwork you do as a scribe. It also helped you a lot when you did your spymaster duties and needed his knowledge. It was him in Pai's team that moved into new locations first to scout the place out and as he knew what to do, he acted as a great example for the few spies you were currently still training. With Prince Alric's wish being to concentrate on Dawnholme and counterintelligence, Sahvan would play a big role in getting everything started and developed.

"Sahvan! Wake up!" You raised your voice and went to kick the bench he was sleeping on.

"Huh… what?" He grumbled and pushed himself up. The young man looked very tired or hungover.

"Were you out drinking with that whore again?" You asked him. "You weren't here when I came home."

"I was out drinking with that 'whore'" Sahvan replied annoyed with your tone.

1/3

>>6048933

"I have told you before, those courtesans are just there to get your coin and nothing else." You reminded him again.

Sahvan had been unfortunate in one aspect. Everyone in Dawnholme knew that he had tried to kill Prince Alric and even with his leniency known, people showed distrust and dislike towards Sahvan. Especially the lack of spine bothers the locals as Sahvan had turned coat near immediately to save his own hide. So while he had a roof over his head and was paid a small salary, he wasn't exactly happy about his situation. And he didn't like when you lectured him about the courtesan he was throwing his coin at.

Sahvan just leered at you.

"Remember, when you run out of coin, that whore of yours won't even acknowledge you." You told him and then waved the issue away. "Ahh forget it, I have said that to you before and you haven't learned. Now just eat some breakfast and for Fel's sake wash your face. You look horrible."

Your breakfast was just water and some salted meat on rye bread. That was enough to get you going. And having eaten, you would have a full day of cataloguing Stonemasons ahead of you.

And then off to work.

…

The progress had been slow, the newcomers were unsurprisingly reluctant at getting their names registered, but with Master Pelija telling them that it was part of the agreement with Prince Alric, they had begrudgingly lined up in front of the sun cover under which you were working. Person after person, name after name they were added into your books. And while this was a work for the Church in other parts of Azeroth and Lordaeron, in Alterac it had always been the duty of the state to keep track of births, people moving in and out and deaths.

"Mister Scribe." One of your spies greeted you. He worked as a carpenter and had then a good reason to visit Southshore often. "The scroll with the latest expenses."

You took the scroll and thanked the man. Opening it, the latest expenses truly were there. Who knew that windows could be that expensive. But there was also a small note attached which you then read.

"RD preparing for war. Supplies enough for hundreds of men. Garithos leading them personally."

Nothing about that was new to you. Durnholde had already informed Alric about it so you kept reading.

"Rumour is that Garithos wants to replace Blackmoore and insert himself into Durnholde Keep. Confidence level high."

2/3

>>6048934

Oh fuck.

"Sahvan, can you please continue, I will need to visit Prince Alric. He needs to see how expensive these windows are." You told your aide who had been sorting the books behind you. "And try to keep your writing understandable."

"Of course." Sahvan replied and took your seat after you had stood up.

Prince Alric needs to hear about this immediately!

…

"THAT FUCKER!" Alric shouted and let the small note drop on his desk. "WHO THE FUCK DOES HE THINK HE IS!"

"Alric… there's no need to shout." Taretha Foxton replied to him and gave you a curious look. "Master Eligius, what was in the note?"

You took it off the desk and passed it to Taretha who was behind her own desk working on some paperwork.

"Oh… I see. He won't be happy about this at all." Taretha said back to you and handed the note back. She knew Blackmoore well so you trusted what she said.

Taretha Foxton had been in Dawnholme and living with Prince Alric for half a year already, and yet… yet you couldn't get the full picture of the relationship she has with the Prince. They are saying that there is nothing between them, but by all accounts she is carrying his child and they are otherwise awfully close with each other.

"Garithos has no legal power to replace Blackmoore. His position has been given to him by King Terenas and has been given the blessing of the Alliance. Besides, the Lord Commander ranks far higher than some pesky Colonel of Regional Defenders." Alric was still quite heated about the rumours. "Eligius, what do you think about this?"


>Blackmoore has a bad reputation, Garithos might try to get away with a move like this through that.
>His position would improve greatly if he were to succeed. Regional Defenders controlling a major keep and handling the security of the Internment Camps.
>It would be a win for the anti-orc politics in Lordaeron. He could find support from Stromgarde.
>Taretha Foxton worked for Blackmoore for years, ask what she thinks about this?
>Other, write in.

QM: I will gladly take this opportunity to flesh out Eligius and give his point of view on Dawnholme and other characters he interacts with.

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>>6047727
>>6047857
>>6048427

Oh the three of you doubt my FUN too much! It would have been so wholesome and great for everyone brand of !!FUN!!

But maybe that can wait till later...

>>6048935
>Blackmoore has a bad reputation, Garithos might try to get away with a move like this through that.
>His position would improve greatly if he were to succeed. Regional Defenders controlling a major keep and handling the security of the Internment Camps.
>It would be a win for the anti-orc politics in Lordaeron. He could find support from Stromgarde.
Why is Alric freaking out so much? Blackmoore was getting fucked either way, now we can get Garithos to unwittingly jump onto the oncoming orc shaped grenade that Thrall is cooking. Did Alric tell Eligius about Thrall's plan? If so, he should bring up how Garithos' can be taken advantage of.

>>6048935
>Blackmoore has a bad reputation, Garithos might try to get away with a move like this through that.
>His position would improve greatly if he were to succeed. Regional Defenders controlling a major keep and handling the security of the Internment Camps.
>Taretha Foxton worked for Blackmoore for years, ask what she thinks about this?

Doesn't Garithos already own land in Blackwood? Wouldn't he need another person to take care of things in his absense?

>>6048935
>>Blackmoore has a bad reputation, Garithos might try to get away with a move like this through that.
>>His position would improve greatly if he were to succeed. Regional Defenders controlling a major keep and handling the security of the Internment Camps.
>>It would be a win for the anti-orc politics in Lordaeron. He could find support from Stromgarde.

>>6048935

>Other, write in
If Garithos is trying this then I suspect he was rebuffed on trying for anymore garrison shenanigans or any outright aggression against Alterac. This he can excuse as ambition while also rising to counter Alric.

Losing Thrall after raising him as his champion of the arena is a black mark on Blackmoore. The people of Durnholde Keep and Lordaeron are likely not be happy that such a thing happened, and with a strong showing in the gnoll campaign hopes to win some local favor as a better alternative to Blackmoore. Though fortunately the people in the Durnholde lands also favor Alric and know he is an ally.

If he had someone very cunning he could try something like getting Blackmoore to snap and make a scene to show hes not disciplined enough. Then again Garithos is pretty good at getting people angry lol. If he had someone really cunning it would be funny if he """captured""" a fake thrall they just so happen to find and executed him before the fake could be exposed to really make Blackmoore look bad.

Blackmoore could snap, make a scene, then try to get Alric to use the Deed before he can be replaced.

>>6048935
>Blackmoore has a bad reputation, Garithos might try to get away with a move like this through that.
>His position would improve greatly if he were to succeed. Regional Defenders controlling a major keep and handling the security of the Internment Camps.
>It would be a win for the anti-orc politics in Lordaeron. He could find support from Stromgarde.
>Taretha Foxton worked for Blackmoore for years, ask what she thinks about this?

Garithos is a known bull-headed man, based on Alric's earlier encounter. He's going to provoke another situation, especially when he has the forces at his disposal. Finding out the arny subcommanders will be key, and perhaps even coordinating with the Alliance Naval Base as the next senior-ranking officers in the Alliance within the area like Troubridge.

>>6048962
>Why is Alric freaking out so much?
He does dislike Garithos. In no small way, its not a minor dislike.
But mostly, i would say because he probably was already try to think on how exactly do the gnoll purge with Blackmoore when Thrall has 100% the desire to free the camps and kill Blackmoore if it can in more or less the same time period. And since Blackmoore is one of our main allies, like we already said we cant sit it out we will come to help. Its not just Blackmoore, Durnholde too is on the line (realistically the people Thrall saves might want vengeance).

And this adds another layer to the conondrum which is Garithos trying to get Durnholde.

>>6048935
>Blackmoore has a bad reputation, Garithos might try to get away with a move like this through that.
>His position would improve greatly if he were to succeed. Regional Defenders controlling a major keep and handling the security of the Internment Camps

You had to scratch your chin for a second or two. This had so many angles that you didn't know where to start from.

"The campaign is an opportunity for Garithos. If what Karramyn Langston told you in the invite is correct, he is going to march to Durnholde with a large force of men." You mused aloud. "If he is seen as the commander who won the campaign… Miss Foxton, do you think will Blackmoore join the campaign personally?"

Taretha hadn't expected to be asked a question this suddenly.

"N-no… he hasn't joined any campaigns since… well the Second War. Most likely it will be Langston who commands their men on the field." Taretha answered your question.

"In that case Garithos will be the most senior commander on the field, unless you Prince Alric are there." You spoke and continued. "Even then he might take the honour and glory for himself, especially if his troops win the decisive battle."

"And that is what worries me a lot…" Alric said and ran his hands through his hair, his green eyes showed concern. "But please continue."

"If he can present himself as the great general who won the war and pivot it against Blackmoore's reputation, he could actually pull it off. We know he has his supporters in the Capital, we just don't know if he would try it now or months after the campaign is over?" You continued speaking. "Will it be a coup through violence or through political action?"

"Excuse me Mr. Eligius…" Taretha asked you. "How sure are you of the accuracy of your information?"

Taretha had figured it out pretty early that you were Alric's spymaster and you were quite sure that she knew you knew magic. You being a warlock, probably not, so better be careful around her. Of the three of you in this room, she was maybe the smartest and that wasn't an easy thing for you to admit.

"At least two sources who have heard the information from two different unrelated people." You explained to her what high confidence meant. "It would be very easy for rumours to spread from a single source to multiple people, so we have to always find more than one original source."

"Makes sense…" Taretha said and shrugged.

"If he is seen as a victor, that would be a great personal honour for him. Snubbing you and the unpopular Blackmoore. But if he was to gain Durnholde for himself…" You continued speaking again after a pause. "The anti-orc politics bloc in the Capital would win, damned Fel, he could find support from Stromgarde as well!"

"And the stronger his bloc is, the more political power he has to use against us." Alric said and groaned in annoyance. "I shouldn't have shouted, but Garithos is an existential threat against us. He hasn't tried any garrison shenanigans or sending more patrols, but if he was to succeed the chance for him to try his luck again is high."

1/3

>>6049725

"Prince Alric, Garithos most likely wouldn't stop at what troops he has now. The Regional Defenders aren't tied to Hillsbrad alone, they have garrisons all over Lordaeron." You told him.

"Tari, what do you think?" Prince Alric asked her.

"Well… he has very little power or influence outside Durnholde. But in Durnholde he has his men, the nobles, his gladiator games and the Internment Camps. That's a lot of power." Taretha spoke. You noticed she avoided saying Blackmoore's name. "But in Hillsbrad there's us and the Darrowmere League, which is still nascent. Garithos is in Southshore and he has Regional Defenders elsewhere as well. And then there's Hillsbrad Fields and the Navy."

Taretha thought for a moment.

"Things are in balance… Durnholde can't act outside their region due to no influence and they have gnolls to deal with. Garithos is checked by politics and his current standing. And we have the Syndicate, Blackrock orcs, trolls and ogres keeping us in check." Taretha said and continued. "As long as this balance exists, no one will have the advantage over others."

"But if Durnholde falls into his hands…" Prince Alric spoke again and leaned his face on his hands.

"...Garithos would control a major keep and have the Internment Camps under his control. That would be a lot of soldiers on top of what he already have." You continued. "But if Durnholde was independent and stayed strong…"

You looked at Taretha. Prince Alric had told you about Thrall and what his plans were. You wondered how much she knew, if she knew anything?

"... that would counter Garithos." Taretha finished your thoughts.

She was smart, just like that she had pointed out the power balance between all these parties. She was just missing the fourth party in all of this.

Thrall.

"Prince Alric, can we talk in private?" You asked your ruler.

"Sure, you can take a break Tari and if you see Normand, tell him that I will come to talk with him shortly." Prince Alric spoke to her.

"Of course, see you later Mr. Eligius." Taretha said to you and stood up.

You watched her leave and when the door closed shut, Prince Alric took out the black noise device and put it on the table.

2/3

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>>6049726

"She is smart." You said.

"Beric told me to treasure her… but we aren't here to talk about Beric, what did you have on your mind?" Prince Alric asked you.

"Taretha's analysis was good, but it was missing the fourth party." You said to him.

"Yes I know. Thrall and his plans… Tari doesn't know about him and that is for the best." Prince Alric said to you and sighed. "Thank you for asking for privacy."

When he had left to gaze at the stars and the full moons with the women, he had used that as an opportunity to meet with Thrall one more time and that's where he had learned about these plans to liberate the Internment Camps. Prince Alric had told you how carefully he had to do it while Malevus had distracted Taretha, but he had succeeded and now he knew what was to come from the future.

"It throws a log into whatever plans Garithos has. If Thrall was to attack the camps later this year, he would either face Durnholders or Regional Defenders." You said to Prince Alric.

"If he even attacks this year, he isn't ready for that… not yet." Prince Alric mused. "What a shitty situation. Garithos wins, we are in danger and Thrall attacks his men which can be good for us, but bad for Thrall and most likely for the orcs in the camps. Blackmoore wins, it denies Garithos, but Thrall still attacks him. If we win, Garithos is denied, Blackmoore stays as Blackmoore and Thrall attacks him…"

"Or we end up controlling Durnholde…"

That was a strange thing for the Prince to say as he gave you a curious look.

"Either way, where do you think we are standing? What should we do?" He asked you.


>Garithos and his plans need to be denied, he can't end up ruling Durnholde as that would be too dangerous for us.
>Blackmoore needs to come out of this politically stronger than before the campaign. Strong Durnholde benefits us by denying Regional Defenders.
>Thrall will deal with the camps in any case. It doesn't matter who controls Durnholde. He will be their problem.
>What did he mean with us controlling Durnholde?
>Other, write in.

QM: Politics! Decisions here will influence the summer meeting.

>>6048971

Being a noble, he can of course have plenty of land under his control. That wouldn't stop him.

>>6049728
>Garithos and his plans need to be denied, he can't end up ruling Durnholde as that would be too dangerous for us.
>What did he mean with us controlling Durnholde?
I think the best case scenario is Garithos getting a win but not a decisive one then going for Durnholde, succeeding, but being left in an extremely tenuous political situation. Then, Thrall strikes and humiliates Garithos which would then allow us to swoop in.

>>6049728
>>Garithos and his plans need to be denied, he can't end up ruling Durnholde as that would be too dangerous for us.
>What did he mean with us controlling Durnholde?
As a rule of thumb we shouldnt try to use orcs. If thralls actions happen to serve us so be it.
Blackmoore is scum but atleast he is our ally.

>>6049768
Is it really "using" if we have no choice in the matter? Thrall said that he doesn't care about our position being compromised by his actions so all we can do is work with hand we're dealt and right now the best we got is to have Garithos take the fall for Blackmoore. Our opponent is humiliated and our ally is vindicated.

>>6049771
by using i meant trying to fenagle bullshit to get a bunch of regional defenders killed instead of blackmoores troops. Which makes sense but also casts suspicion on us. It could also backfire and strenghten Garithos position not weaken it as it would further justify hes presence.

>>6049776
>Which makes sense but also casts suspicion on us.
How?

>It could also backfire and strenghten Garithos position not weaken it as it would further justify hes presence.
If he gets wrecked then no it wouldn't, it would justify Blackmoore's presence instead. Better the devil you know and all that

>>6049728
>Garithos and his plans need to be denied, he can't end up ruling Durnholde as that would be too dangerous for us.
Obvious play. Even Garithos is on the nose with the paladin order, but they or the Alliance will not block their own man lawfully prosecuting enemies of the state (gnolls, orcs or a rogue Princedom).
>What did he mean with us controlling Durnholde?
So the deed comes back into play. Interesting.

We need a way to throw Thrall off or stall for time. Alric helped point Thrall's face toward seeing the big picture and how Thrall's actions could land the region in pain.
I think we should wrap up the control of the hills asap. Maybe add a permanent patrol and garrison to Stonedon with what remains of wealth/supplies. This will free the majority of soldiers for what comes ahead.