Ah, it's morning then?
First thing: Bathe.
We're going to get screened at midday, and I'd rather that we be clean for when we are inevitably stripped and cavity searched.

Then I think we should check in with the mystic candidate, and finally, check that the slumlord hasn't been allowed to go free.

>>14002740
Agreed. Best deal with our mystic candidate soon. Part of me wishes we had dealt with the slumlord ourself and seen if he had anything interesting amongst his loot.

>>14002740
Second thing, Fetch Sansa some breakfast in bed.

Then we check on the mystic

Since Wulf, Lena, Laelith and us won't be back at the barracks until probably late afternoon, lets give the elementalist recruits to Gaius, Uurist and Blackbird for physical training with the other recruits. This is the legion after all.

...That's a coincidence.

A new quest was still born aborted before it could begin by trolls...Just before this one was started up...

>>14002762
I wasn't in the best state of mind when I came up with it, but I earlier proposed a long-term runic project to create a mystic-equivalent to the quartz battle visor used by Cyclops from the X-Men; the idea is a crown or headband that allows the mystic's powers to be suppressed so that they can get some peace, and allow them to interact normally with other people. It also is to serve to reassure others that the mystic's power is off, and they can speak with him normally.
Another possible off-shoot application is to modify the rune so that it protects the wearer from mystic intrusion, something we very much need.

Do other people think this project is worth pursuing?

>>14002851
>lets give the elementalist recruits to Gaius, Uurist and Blackbird for physical training with the other recruits. This is the legion after all.
Good point, and I second.
If they're going to be combat elementalists, then combat training is going to be a must.
Besides, since elementalism is physically draining, having more stamina is going to be very important.
Also, it should help in getting these specialists accepted by regular legionnaires if they're forced to undergo the same physical conditioning.

>>14002882


In all seriousness a rather good idea.

>>14002882
In regards to the protection, it depends at how effective our defensive training goes. In terms of helping our mystics from hearing voices - that depends what exactly he'll learn from us from the books we have. If he'll naturally learn to control and tune out voices as he increases his skill, it might not be necessary in some ways. Overall while items like that could be damn useful, we have enough on our plate as it is just dealing with the undead threat in the future. Not sure if we want to throw in extra work that could take who knows how long while we still don't have any solid plans to deal with the undead horde. Especially since we still don't have a way to get around the whole fact that the horde just transfers to the next strongest necromancer when you kill one.

After a few more minutes of careful squirming, your arm is free. unfortunately, the hallway you enter smells like a watered down version of Wulfs room last night, his door hanging open, and the frigid draft letting you know that his windows are as well. You find some apples, pastries, and a glass of juice, which you leave on a tray in your room, right next to where Sansa is still sleeping soundly. The bathhouse is deserted, at least the portion of it you use is. Wulf, Lena and Jayne are all quietly eating when you pass through the dining hall of the officers barracks, the room otherwise deserted in the early morning. Eventually you make your way to the room where you put the potential Mystic. You find the man cleaned and waiting for you in the room you gave him, looking rested, but not at ease. "Why?" he greets you.

>>14002981
Try to focus our thoughts on our questions, without actually speaking them.

*Because you have a power, one of many that are returning. Power that is needed by the Empire, because our enemies are starting to gather the same.*

>>14002981
"I won't sugar coat it or anything but honestly because of your talent. A talent that I assume has tormented you for who knows how long but one that I need in my arsenal. You showed yesterday that you can read minds. I believe I can help you learn to control that talent of yours. The fact you're a veteran is an added benefit depending on what campaigns you've been on."

>>14002981
"because I hate to see a veteran on the street and you may be of use to me"

You sit on one of the spare chairs in the long room, grossly under-utilized by one man. "Because I hate to see a veteran on the street. And, you have a talent that will prove vitally important to my future campaigns."

The grizzled old veteran looks at you quizzically "What talent could a broken old veteran possibly offer you that a younger or more sane man could not?"

_The one that lets you hear this_ you think as loudly as you can.

The man draws back, his face a mask of surprise "How did you know?" he asks, but before you can answer he adds "And,... I dont know how much longer I will be..."

>>14003208
"You're not the first person I've come across with the talent and I know what to look for when it comes to people with this ability. And what's worrying you? Is it that dwarf who thought himself a criminal lord? He's been dealt with if that's the case. I assume he's at fault for your leg."

>>14003208
>And,... I dont know how much longer I will be..
"Training, patience, and discipline. All things you already learned from the Legion. Learn to control or at least, tamp down on your power.
"I know for a fact that High Command Lucretius already has one on his command staff. You still have some time left."

>>14003235
If he peeked in our mind, maybe he saw the ultimate fate of mystics as rambling, disfigured madmen, and he's referring to that?

"I know what to look for when seeking out... talent." you reply casually "And what is it that is bothering you?" your return the mans leaving you no room to respond in kind "If it is that fool of a slum Lord, I have him in my dungeon, if it is your sanity, you have the character to last through the training, should you choose it."

"How did you, how long will the training last, who would teach me?" the mans blurts out, clearly having hoped to not sound so... desperate, before he spoke.

>>14003408
Possible but no way to tell for sure until he says what he wants to say. So I took a stab in the dark at something else since we don't know how mystics are even able to look into someones mind. Can they only look at surface thoughts? Can they do whatever they want? Does it depend on skill? At the moment it is a mystery to us.

>>14003451
"The time of your training will likely depend on you. You're the first person with this talent I've recruited so I honestly can't say how long it'll take. In regards to who will teach you, I have no one else in the maniple with your talent but there is a person who has knowledge on the topic of your talents. She has helped me train other people with... Unique talents despite not having them and I imagine she'd be able to help you. Unless you prefer to try to start on your own with the knowledge I have available to me."

Let's just hope if Laelith does help him out, he doesn't peak into her mind and bring up stuff he really shouldn't.

>>14003451
You would be learning from those long dead, their words transcribed to paper. I wish I could offer you more, but you are one of the first to reawaken in this age. Still, isn't this a better option than... the alternative?

>>14003451
>How did you, how long will the training last, who would teach me?
"I will confess, I do not have any other mystics currently under my command. I do have some arcana which can assist in training, and some old manuals on training from the previous Age.
"From what I have been told, the basics are the same for all powers: mental discipline. For that, at least, you can train with the other new recruits."

I'm thinking that if time permits, we should request that this veteran be allowed to study under the High Commander's mystic to help control his powers.

>>14003451

Won't he have to help himself along the way? I don't see how any of our staff can help him along this path.

Just start him with isolating and reading minds from afar or using him as a tool for interrogation first?

Also, we need to purchase pitch for firebombing pegasi.

>>14003451
Anyone realise we dont even know this man's name?

"You will be learning from those long dead, in tomes recovered from the last Age, though if you wish I have a very knowledgeable elf in my retinue who may be able to aid your studies." you reply openly, once again keeping your thoughts as quiet as possible.

The man thinks for a moment, the shards of his pride clearly preventing him from accepting as soon as you close your mouth. "When would I be able to begin?"

You smile "As soon as you wish."

The man shifts in his seat uncomfortably "I would like to start today... and I assume this means that I am in the Legion again, Commander?" he adds sheepishly to his statement.

>>14003643
............fuck.

>>14003690

"Indeed it does, soldier. I wouldn't be looking in all sorts of places like where you were if there wasn't a lot at stake. We have a very slippery enemy this time, on top of being at war with Urlanth."

>>14003690
"Indeed, from this point on you will be apart of my retinue. I'll give you a little time to hopefully gain some control of your powers but eventually I'll introduce you to the rest of my command staff. I suppose a name would be useful to have for what I do that and what campaigns you've served on in the past."

>>14003690
>and I assume this means that I am in the Legion again, Commander?
"Welcome back, Legionnaire. I'll have my aide help you with the paperwork.
"Ah, we haven't even introduced ourselves properly."
Stand up at attention and salute, "Justinian Trentz, Commander of III Maniple, V Cohort, X Legion."

rolled 54 = 54

>>14003690
I'm up for letting him stay in during this campaign. Think of it as an investment. He needs time to recover his bearings, find the appropriate material to study, and get acquainted with his abilities. He doesn't like having a lot of people around because he can't control it yet. What better way than to have him back in our practically empty living grounds of our maniple to talk and get used to his abilities by using it in a less populated area on people he thinks he can trust. We can even get him healed if he likes.

You stand and offer the soldier your hand "As soon as you and my aid finish the paperwork, yes, as a member of my retinue. I will introduce you to the others once you have your powers under control. Until then I am Commander Justinian Trentz, III Maniple, V Cohort, X Legion."

"Autronius Manilus, I already told you what unit I served in. My last major action was assaulting the very fort you bypassed, though I fought in the last war, not this one. Same battle I ruined my arm in." the man replies, accepting your proffered hand.

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

>>14003988
Don't think so. Perhaps send in someone to look after his leg since it seemed like it might still have been injured. I doubt they can do anything for his arm unless we waste a boon or get an awesome life elementalist.

>>14003988
As previously stated, have the elementalist trainees start on physical conditioning with Gaius.
Check that the slum lord will be tried or summarily executed; either works for me, as long as he doesn't get away.
I think that's all we have the time for now.

rolled 71 = 71

>>14003988
"Well Autronius, it will be a pleasure having you work with me. For now though, I must go and attend to some matters concerning other talented members of my maniple. Sansa is our aide's name and I will notify her of you to get this process sped up a bit."

>>14004009
>Awesome

Funny since we already found one. The old lady who would heal Lealith.

>>14004055
The ability to heal tattoos and scars I figured differed on the level of this guys wounds. I could be wrong I suppose.

rolled 60 = 60

>>14004083
Yeh, they are no longer fresh or in need of healing physically wise, but are big enough handi-caps that I think it might even be out of her power range. I think the healing arts are less effective in healing things that have "healed" already, whether it healed properly or not. So I think. Could be wrong though.

>>14004083

If it operates at the same principles, I think she should at least be able to help him with his recovery.

If she does agree we might see about offering her a position too?

>>14004116
>If she does agree we might see about offering her a position too?
Well, she already has her own shop, and is quite old. It might be better to see if we can have her on retainer instead of bringing her into our retinue.

rolled 4 = 4

Personally guys, I think we should not be adding too many more people to our retinue, it seems full up and in need of no more. Retainers are doable however and specialized "upkeep" characters would be nice. I mean, we have Sansa, Collin, Laelith, Wulf, Lena, Degrian, and even Daesu(sp) could be considered in our retinue. Granted I'll give you that Degrian and Daesu are more like retainers already and not combat used retinue.

You arrange for Gaius, Uurist and Blackbird to put the elementalists you are training through some physical training, as their instructor will be gone for the day. You manage to rouse, feed, and set Sansa to her tasks for the day. By then it is time to leave for the palace.

-----CQ-----

When you arrive, the guard directs your group to one of the stone outbuildings, the squat gray structure is sparsely adorned inside and out. The receiving chamber is just large enough to hold your group. When you are informed that you can enter the main chamber, almost the entire party looks incredibly nervous, save Laelith, who is simply smirking, and Lena who is quietly muttering in Draconian, clearly hoping to end the ordeal quickly. The main chamber is large, at its front stand seven raised dais' the center dais and the dais to either side occupied by men in the formal robes of praetorians. The rightmost dais' each occupied by tribunes, and the leftmost by Lord commanders. "Commander Trentz, would you be so good as to have your soldiers sort by the talents they claim to posses, well spaced please. We will continue with introductions and claims from there."

>>14004288
No reason not to do as they asked as far as I can see. Let's put Lena in the middle though, hopefully she won't be picked first. Ideally we'll be first.

>>14004288
>have your soldiers sort by the talents they claim to posses
Do as ordered. Elementalists by their power, in loose parade formation. I'm assuming that only the elementalists who were with us in our previous campaign were called, so all of them should be legionnaires and able to stand in formation with minimal instruction.

Lena will have to be by herself unfortunately, but necessary.

>>14004322

Seconded though as the commander, we should be the middle to deal with any shit they'll be throwing at us.

You disperse your men to loose parade formation by elemental talent. Lena stands off to the right side, Wulf lining up the air elementalists as close as possible to her. "Now, Commander Trentz, in dispatches you mentioned three alleged arcane talents as your foremost, Laelith Desteerioth, Wulf, and Lena, no surnames were given for the latter of the two. Would you, in your own words, describe their abilities, and acomplishments, as well as your own. After that, the talents of the rest of the soldiers you have brought with you." the Praetorian on the central dais commands.

>>14004488
"Laelith's accomplishments are easy to begin with, for she is quite the most talented elementalist here. She is able to project fire for quite a distance, as well as control and manipulate flames at will. She has aided me in burning wooden fortresses as well as quenching flames that would do harm to my troops. Her two greatest feats were immolating an entire fortified structure with nearly two hundred Lacerta in it during my first battle with her in my retinue, and more recently doing the same to 200 Uurlanthi pikemen on the open field of battle. Both feats exhausted her, however, and can not be replicated often.

Wulf has been able to harness storms, project bolts of lightning, and enhance his blade with lightning as well. He manipulates wind effectively, though not enough to deflect arrows as others are able to do. He is more focused on the offensive, and has slain dozens of men with chained bolts of electricity.

>>14004600
Lena is possibly the most powerful person here, a Mage of no small talent. She is able to fire bolts that are able to unerringly and instantly slay a man from across a battlefield. Additionally she has displayed remarkable power and ability to obliterate an entire side of a city's walls, as well as annihilate entire rows of houses with the blast. Her powers are, moreover, still in their infancy and she likely will be able to do much more in time. Arcana smithing, combat, or other arts are not out of the question.

Finally, myself. I have personally killed hundreds of men with my powers, both by impaling them and rending the earth under their feet. I am able to generate earthquakes over a large area, create earthen barriers, secret caverns underground, bridges across rivers, and generally shape stone to my will. Finally, I have the ability to launch rocks as projectile weapons and the ability to sense any being that touches the earth within several miles of where I stand.

I trust that is sufficient?"

>>14004488
"Laelith Desteerioth is an extremely skilled fire elementalist, able to manipulate fire in various ways and use it offensively to great effect. Indeed, her abilities were demonstrated during the trial of Khalless for his execution. She's extremely knowledgeable in the field of elementalism and the other types of the arcane. Beyond her use of fire elementalism in numerous battles to ravage enemy units, her abilities were exceptionally useful during my assault on the Stant's fort. Her actions resulted in the burning of all their supplies as well as the majority of their fort.

Wulf's talent lies in controlling the element of air, although more specifically from what I've seen lightning. His abilities have been exceptionally useful in dealing with heavily armored units as his lightning would bounce between multiple men and he was even able to enhance his powers by tapping into a storm on our assault on Lost Conflux, which likely resulted in the battle with their forces being so favorable for us.

Finally, Lena has the talent of a high mage and been able to use her abilities defensively and offensively thus far. It's thanks to her that we were able to break the enemies forts and stone walls within a day despite lacking large amounts of siege equipment. As well, she was exceptionally useful in my last engagement where the enemy had a mage as well and she fought the man alone and eliminated him, saving a number of men from dying.

Finally, I have worked on mastering the element of earth. I'm able to alter the battlefield terrain in numerous ways. One of the most useful things I've been able to use my abilities for in my last battle was opening a pit beneath the enemies charging elite cavalry. A majority of the unit fell into it and that blunted their charge drastically."

Eh, there's a lot more that could be said but I don't want to do more.

>>14004644
>I trust that is sufficient?
You left out our lesser elementalists. In particular, our life elementalists have been overlooked and their talents- healing the injured and staving off exhaustion in particular- have been of great aid in our campaigns.

>>14004660
Right. Well just fill them in quickly. I don't even remember what the division of our lesser elementalists are at this point.

>>14004488
"Laelith Desteerioth, the reformed rebel from my first campaign, has grand powers of fire, and can immolate an entire column of soldiers with her power. Though, she can only manipulate fire, not produce it, this seems to be the only flaw. She has singlehandedly killed well over a two hundred enemies, doused enemy torches on night operations, saw the potential of elementalists in my units, and Trained myself, wulf, and everyone else in our elementalism, as well and devoting much to the training of Lena.

Wulf, in turn, focused on the Air discipline, and learned with it the power of harnessing storms, for his enemies, lightning struck once, and no more was needed. It has some range, and the power is multiplied greatly during a storm. He is responsible for several commanding operations from assisting Commander Nomz in the field against a sudden push, tr the sacking of a walled town. The boy even trains dogs.

And Finnaly Lena, was unfortunately a captured nomad slave in the service of the Stant Family, used in part of a suicidal charge to weaken my defenses. I called on them to fight back against their handlers, and they did so, stepping aside so i could charge through with the Garlin Cavalry and defeat the noble bodyguard against us. Very soon after i aw of her potential of being a Mage, from mine and Lealith's research into such, and offered her the chance to do so. She is, what is called, a Light Mage, with the power to hurl bolts that can kill a man dead in an instant, or charge up for a much more powerful blast. She is a young lady, with much to learn, and is very eager to. Because she wants to help her family as best as she can, her family the Empire.

And well, Myself..."

>Would you, in your own words, describe their abilities, and acomplishments, as well as your own. After that, the talents of the rest of the soldiers you have brought with you.
You know what would be awesome here? If, after we finish with Laelith, Wulf, and Lena, we go on to refer to every single elementalist by name and say something about their abilities/talents. It would demonstrate exceptional awesomeness as a commander and probably dramatically enhance our reputation.

Of course, we may or may not be able to pull that off effectively, and trying it but not being able to name everyone would only make us look silly. But if we think we can, we definitely should.

>>14004707
That would be pretty awesome to do that in front of everyone. Probably impress our superiors, make the men fond of us, and totally get Laelith wet at our mental acuity.

>>14004654
I think this is enough.

"Laelith Desteerioth is an exceptional fire elementalist, as well as my foremost knowledge on the arcane arts. Her accomplishments include immolating an enemy fortification, a unit of roughly 200 Uurlanthi soldiers, and several large fires started in Uurlanthi camps and cities, during rainstorms" you begin, walking down the line and gesturing to each individual as you list off their accomplishments. "Wulf is an air elementalist, though his skills are restricted mostly to lightning. His skills have proved most useful in dealing with heavily armored enemy units, though they are equaly lethal against less armored individuals. Also, I have found that his powers greatly increase during storms, which he can, for a time, bend to his will. Finaly, Lena, my sole Mage. Her powers are in their infancy, though her arcane bolts are perfectly lethal from a single direct hit. Additionally, she has leveled several uurlanthi walls and fortifications, allowing me to take cities I otherwise would not have the equipment to properly storm." you continue to list off the names and abilities of each of your elementalists, gaining nodded approval from the Lord Commanders, and impressed looks from one of the Tribunes and praetorians.

A familiar praetorian, however, is the one to push the screening forward. "All very well, Commander. However, we must first have proof that such powers are possible. We can begin with each citizen you have brought fourth today demonstrating their alleged powers before us. After the initial showing we will verify that no arcana are being utilized."

>roll for elementalism

>>14004755
Second

rolled 90 = 90

>>14004861
Here we go.

rolled 97 = 97

>>14004861
Rollan I guess

rolled 31 = 31

>>14004861
ROLLING

Earthquake up in this biznitch

rolled 92 = 92

>>14004861
alright guys, show time.

Epic fail man.

Epic. Fail.

Also, are we seriously rolling for something that should be like breathing to us at this point? Why?

rolled 98 = 98

>>14004879
>>14004876
DAMN YOU TO THE MOON PANTHEONS GOOD SIRS!

botch?

>>14004895
He asked for each person to do it. Which I imagine means some of them are going to choke under the pressure.

>>14004876
...well, I suppose that since all we're doing is demonstrating our powers, we don't really need to do much more than float a rock in the air...

rolled 59 = 59

wow, that was a farm of fail rolls.

We can't fuck up in front of the assembly like this! I call botch.

>>14004920
No point botching it. A botch takes the average of the next two rolls I believe. Not going to save us.

Jesus christ, not even the botch would help with this.

Guess we just get /fucked/.

rolled 95 = 95

>>14004879
>>14004876
What the fuck guys?! What the fuck?!
Botch roll this shit!

rolled 86 = 86

>>14004932
30+95/2 =62.5

More than enough to not at least stumble and enough in a non combat situation to still get sufficient earthquake I assume.

rolled 31 = 31

/tg/ Dice
/tg/ Dice Everywhere

>>14004951
Mistyped that sorry. It takes the average of the initial roll + the next two rolls. I think.

rolled 43 = 43

Well Fuck

You focus yourself, and prepare to erect a simple grouping of stone spikes. However, the chaotic flashing lights of fire, magic, and lighting, all playing off of water and newly grown plant matter, throw your focus. The spikes tear through the skeptic tribunes dais, toppling the heavyset dwarf to the ground. "Impressive, uncontrollable and petty. We have an arcana capable of detecting others. It would have been enough to use said item to ensure you are hiding nothing inside your persons, once you had disrobed to ensure no arcana hiding clothing was being worn. However, in light of this offense, perhaps we will have the prisoners on hand manually search your bodies now." The rest of the council pauses, thinking on what the dwarf suggested.

>>14004994

"I ask to be the first searched then, if this is to be the case."

>>14004994
"I'm glad that you are so well versed in these new arts that you are able to tell me what I am capable of after asking for a demonstration. Focus is not only useful but required."

>>14004994
"With all due respect, using these abilities are not easy unlike the use of arcana. That alone should suggest arcana is not being used due to the fact an error like that can occur. No offense was meant by that display, and to punish the rest of my men for that is going too far. Furthermore, if the arcana you have can solve this matter as simply in regards to arcana, you're wasting the time of everyone in this room and humiliating soldiers who have returned from hard fought wars for a small mistake. I urge you to reconsider such an action."

>>14004994
Really? I mean, seriously? We've been practicing this shit for how long and suddenly our most basic power goes awry and screws us over because of one bad roll?

God damn it. Last I heard shit like that was reserved for natural 100's, not just "failure".

>>14005136
Natural 100 would have been accidentally murdering someone, probably.

>>14005136
A 100 likely would of hit the guy rather than missing him. He's just being a dick because he doesn't like us.

>>14005163
Ridiculous. A single roll should not suddenly alter the entire course of the quest and invalidate something we have been training and preparing to do for over half a year. I so mad. I hate DMs who go to such retarded extremes with single high/low numbers on dice. It gives the finger to long term planning in favor of random chance.

>>14005136
Not only does he not like us, but this was the equivalent of attempting to do geometry problems in your head while flashbangs are going off in close proximity.

>>14005110
Seconding.

>>14005228
It hasn't derailed all we want. The guy is using a small mistake to try to make life hell for us to prove what we want. That's all. We can counter it if we diplo this right.

rolled 47 = 47

>>14005110
thirding

"Before we proceed further, there is one elementalist I should note. During a resource-gathering in our time in Uurlanth terriroty, one member of our nature elementalists came into contact with a a living arcana which has permenantly bonded with his hand, a very rare symbiotic vine of all things. It is not removable.

As for the examination, should this court ask of me, I would bear myself before you, for I have nothing to hide, and feel no shame in service to the state."

"With all due respect, Honor, unlike arcana, using these abilities are neither easy or error free. I meant no offense by my display, a simple misjudgment caused by the situation. If any are to be punished for this unintentional affront let it be me, not those I command." you reply, offering the dwarf a hand, which he bats away.

The dwarf pushes himself to his feet and dusts off his somber judiciary robes "No, soldiers are like to follow the examples of their superiors, and-"

"Silence, Tribune Destus, this man has enough on his mind, and I will have no more of your petty posturing." the tribune who had been sitting next to the dwarf announces, the Lord commanders nod in agreement, and the Tribune sulks back to the ruins of his dais. "However, commander, another such 'mishap' _will_ be punished."

The praetorian opposite the central one bangs a gavel "Like the tribune said, however, soldiers follow thier superiors, and we do still need to check for arcana. You will disrobe, and be screened, one by one, while using the skill you claim to have."

>roll again

>>14005301
>I would bear myself before you, for I have nothing to hide, and feel no shame in service to the state.
I think you mean "...because I'm so goddamn sexy that every woman in the room will immediately favor me in their decisions."

rolled 69 = 69

>>14005412
come on not-fucking-up

>>14005412
Someone else roll this time.

rolled 60 = 60

Ok then.

A simple show of target practice with the stones should work.

rolled 50 = 50

>>14005412
Let's do this one at a time. It'll take longer, but it'll allow each person to concentrate better.

>>14005136
I agree with this. We've been practicing and using earth elementalism for so long, there should be both an upper and lower ceiling for how well or badly we do save for nat 100s or 1s. Its not like if someone who never used a sword before rolls a 2 can suddenly behead a blademaster, or vice versa. That's just full retard.

rolled 67 = 67

c'mooon, we don't need a 1, just something middling.

rolled 18 = 18

what the fuck is with our dice tonight?

>>14005520
Hating on us and screwing up something that should not be this hard. Bleh.

Well, at least that's not another foul.

rolled 99 = 99

Surely I can't make anything WORSE by rolling, can I?

rolled 17 = 17

>>14005639
apparently you can.

>>14005639
You are so lucky you were late to the party.

>>14005639

Sighing, you disrobe, as two large, shackled men shuffle in, carrying a large open frame. Laelith is disrobed almost as quickly as you are, and you realize that she had not been wearing any undergarments. The rest of the group follows suit, Lena blushing deeply, clearly frightened. Wulf places his hands on his hips though, instead of puffing his chest out, he thrusts his hips forward, most of the rest of the group follows his lead, attempting to ease the mages discomfort. By the time the frame is in front of you, the final straggler is prepared for the screening. You raise a group of stones from the ruined dais, and begin spinning them about your fist. Eventually you split the orbit into seven separate orbits, moving at a reasonable pace, until two stones collide. The entire group careens off across the room, one striking Wulf in his buttocks, the rest impacting with walls or the ground, and forcing most of your group to flinch away.

-----CQ-----

It takes several hours for the entire cadre to be screened, though Lena used her protective fields to regain some decency almost as soon as she undressed. As your group redresses one of the Lord commanders asks "Aside from this cadre, what are you doing about these talents, in your maniple and the Legion at large?"

>>14005451
No it's not. Any one can fuck up, and any one can get extremely lucky.
"The greatest swordsman in the world should not fear the predictable second best. He should fear the man who has never held a sword. He doesn’t do the thing he ought to do, and so the expert isn’t prepared for him"

>>14005674
"I've begun to identify those with the talent and remove them from their units when possible to train their potential. After sufficient training, I've begun to form those with sufficient talent into a unit of elementalists which is this cadre that I've used in my previous battle. As well, they've been useful in preparing the terrain to my advantage in regards to the earth elementalists."

>>14005674
>Aside from this cadre, what are you doing about these talents, in your maniple and the Legion at large?
"All men in my maniple have been screened for elementalist and arcane potential. Those candidates showing promise have been given additional training regimens in addition to their regular duties.
"All new men added to my maniple are similarly examined for any magical potential.
"I am attempting to work their abilities into the more traditional elements of my maniple to create effective combined arms tactics. On the whole, my elementalists are used to support Legionnaire formations as auxiliaries would."

>Wulf places his hands on his hips though, instead of puffing his chest out, he thrusts his hips forward

That's mah boi!

>>14005685
As anyone who has ever actually held a sword or fought a person knows, that is a bullshit quote by someone who doesn't know shit about the subject in question.

When was the last time you critically failed at blinking and scratched your cornea? Or critically failed at breathing and suffocated? Extreme examples, but the point is the same: You don't just fuck this kind of thing up like that. At a certain level of skill you don't have to worry about impaling yourself on your sword when you go to work out, no matter how badly you "roll" that day.

>>14005685
>"The greatest swordsman in the world should not fear the predictable second best. He should fear the man who has never held a sword. He doesn’t do the thing he ought to do, and so the expert isn’t prepared for him"

THIS
I am a blackbelt in several martial arts, and I would rather spar with 5 enemy black belts simultaneously than a single whitebelt rookie

With the blackbelts, I at least know my beating will be a professional thrashing

With the white belt, you have to fear that he'll put all of his power into a single clumsy back kick and accidentally kneecap you, and you'll never see it coming because no one DOES that on purpose

>>14005674
"I've already begun recruiting and training, with Lealith training 30 odd potencial students awaiting back at my barracks. Once these men are trained enough in both Elementalism and combat, I will do well to offer them to the military whole to be spread among the army as you men see fit, or i can continue training them and giving them combat experience. I've also used my talents to help other Manple forces in need with Wulf and Lealith having gone to deal with a troublesome air elemental who could deflect arrows, and a troublesome lord with a force that may have stained that commander's lines, not that i do not believe that that commander wouldn't have held on his own.

I've not only a Blademaster in my force with knowledge of most of the combat stances, but an Orc of the old age who's actions and incite have proven invaluable. These soldiers will be trained by the very best i can offer, i can assure you that.

>>14005819
Couldn't the black belt also kneecap you with a back kick?

>>14005834
I believe that's going to far.
Elementalism is still an unproven weapon system to these Praetors, and widespread deployment of an untried and untested weapon without ready-made tactical doctrines to provide commanders with an idea of how they should be employed is asking for a disaster.

"These are talents our Legion desperately needs, for our enemies are already using them as well.

My current aim, is to train up enough elementalists and others of arcane talent to be able to justify a training academy for the arts. Ideally, elementalists with frontline abilities would be sent where most effective, while others sent where most needed. Imagine the
sheer usefullness of a company smith who can work the metal with his mind AND his hammer, as well as the surgeon that can mend even the worst breaks in moments. These things cannot be discounted."

>>14005819
>I am a blackbelt in several martial arts, and I would rather spar with 5 enemy black belts simultaneously than a single whitebelt rookie

As an actual black belt I call shenanigans. We have to teach white belts and spar with them all the time. They suck balls and their clumsy attacks are exactly the sort of thing you learn to deflect early on.

>>14005852
Except that is a terrible move that, if you fuck up, will leave you off balance and open to counter attack.
There is a reason it's NOT done, and that is because risk/reward dictates that unless everything works in your favor, you have left yourself open due to mass, momentum and center of gravity.

>>14005852
Yes, but it is not as likely (for several reasons), and as someone experienced, their attack pattern will be one designed to maximize the effectiveness of the attack, making it possible to predict that the attack is coming, even if the exact form of the attack is unknown.

You finish dressing again as you respond "I have screened all of arcane talent out of my maniple and trained them, using them as auxiliaries to whatever unit I feel they will be most useful for. Additionally, I have begun screening and training other civilians for talent and started them on a training regime, I will maintain them as a personal unit unless directed to do otherwise."

The council-members look at each other, until the second praetorian pulls a lever on his dais, and a net splits the portion of the chamber they are resting in from the one your group is in. After nearly an hour of silence, the net is dropped and the central Praetorian announces "We have decided, not unanimously, mind you, that you are to continue your training, and if possible, standardize it. A more thorough discussion on the viability and reliability of these talents will be had in the future. At the end of this war, we will decide on how the arcane arts are to be integrated into the Legion and the Empire. You will provide regular reports on any developments you make in this field, success and failure."

You salute the group and motion for your group to leave the chamber "Remember, that you will not be the only Commander to receive these orders. You are not to discuss the matter with those who do not need to know of it, or may leak the information to those we do not wish to learn of this development however." the Lacertan Lord Commander reminds you, before saluting again.

>so, what now?

Back to the more important task at hand:
I don't think we should make mention of any of our long-term plans, beyond our hope to create a combined arms doctrine that will successfully incorporate elementalism into standard Legion tactics alongside archers and siege engines to support the infantry and cavalry.

This slots elementalism into the familiar mental position of arcana and other support magics in the minds of these Praetorians, which makes it easier for them to accept. We can develop our more radical implementations ourselves and share them with like-minded commanders. We're not in a position to severely rock the boat yet.

/tg/ - Martial Arts

>>14006022
Talk with our cadre. Tell them that we now have a responsibility to show the Empire and the Legion the value of elementalism in combat.

Then we need to check on that criminal, we have to decide what to do with him.

>>14005906
Tell everybody they did well and see that they all get back to the barracks okay. Poke fun at Laelith that we didn't think it was very cold in there, but from what we saw she clearly must have been freezing during the examination. *wink wink*

>>14006022
Might be time to properly brief Laelith about getting herself healed. As well, we might want to talk to Jayne about our gift idea for the upcoming party. Since this didn't go so well, we definitely need to impress the governor. We should also pick up our loot and see how much we have to play with.

>>14006127
And we have today's to do list.

>>14006022
Send a request of an audience with the 2nd Praetorian.

I wish to bring up the part of Runes also working again. The 2nd isnt an 'old guard' like the rest, with his personal mystics and his lord commander being a Dark Mage. As well as having a great deal more manpower then we can use, so his research into Runes will be much more fruitful and quicker.

Wait, wait wait. Shouldn't we get our loot now, while its close by?

Modified To-Do List of Justinian Trentz:
1. Pep talk with the elementalist cadre.
Congratulate Wulf: Good form, mah boi!
2. Pick up my loot.
3. Check in with 2nd, make sure he knows about Runes working again.
4. Make sure slum lord gets what coming to him.
5. Check with Jayne; need very nice wedding gift for governor's son's wedding.
6-20: Flirt with my girls, all day every day.

>>14006260
Laelith's face, bro. We're going to have to speak with her about it, it's in like two days. She needs to be prepared both physically and mentally.

You spend the walk to the gates of the palace working to motivate your cadre of elementalists to prove their worth to the legion. By the time you split with the group most of them are more than eager to further their skills. Though it takes that long for Wulf to get Lena to start talking again. You head off to collect your coin, and are surprised by the size of the chests they leave you with. Luckily, you are able to rent a handcart to ferry the coin back to your barracks for the coin you have in your pocket. Once you count the coin, you are pleased to reach the sum of 300500 Dragoons. You set out to find either Jayne, to discuss the matter of a gift for the Governors son, or Janos, to see how you will need to distribute the coin for your endeavors.

You find the former, in a private stall in the bathhouse, silently soaking in the water. "A little over dressed to be meeting me here, aren't we?" she greets you, a coy smile on her face, tearing you between work and play in a mater of seconds.

>>14006316
Delicious and tempting, but we just had both a bath and our ashes hauled a couple hours ago and we need to get business taken care of right now, so just a kiss and maybe wash her back for her without getting in ourselves while we ask about gifts.

>>14006316
"As much as I would love to join you, a commander's job is never done.
"But I would like to talk to you later about what gifts would be appropriate for the governor's son's wedding. Oh, and have you been able to talk with your sister? Was your House also extended an invitation?"

I can't remember, did we already ask Jayne if she wanted to be our escort for the party?

>>14006316
"Oh, I believe I can take off this fashion faux pas." Take off clothes. Receive sexings.

...its is just me or have we been naked for half this session of CQ?

>>14006402
Fully half of this session was us being poked and prodded while naked and demonstrating elementalism, so I think you're right.

>>14006402
>>14006458
Justinian Trentz knows what he's good at. And what he's good at is nudity.

>>14006484
That pic is very, very related to the turn that this quest has taken.

>>14006484

Goddamn. That image sums up all of this quest's off field antics just about perfectly.

You smirk, taking off your shirt and stealing the soap from her hand, before sitting on the ground behind her and setting to work on her back "As much as I would like to join you, love, I fear I have too much work to see too."

She stretches froward, letting loose a contented sigh "You still had enough time to track me down to this room."

You chuckle "Sadly, work. As I mentioned before I have been invited to a feast and celebration for the governors sons coming of age and imminent wedding. My problem is, I have no idea as to what I should gift the boy."

Jayne stretches back and drapes an arm over your neck "Liquor, weapons, preferably from uurlanth... perhaps a sibling to that cloak you had made. I never met the boy, but if he is anything like his father he will be practical and pragmatic. It would be rather interesting to meet the boy, and whomever else is in the governors favor of late, but as my sister received no invitation..."

>>14006550
My personal preference is to bring Jayne as our companion to the dinner, but I would still leave the choice up to Jayne, who has a better sense of the political and social ramifications of doing so, especially in regards to the other noble Houses.

As for a gift, don't we still have those crystal watchtower alarm arcana we got when fighting the Stant boys? We got a field full of them, maybe a trio of them?

>>14006550
Ah, what the hell. I don't think it would hurt if we brought Jayne along for the party, would it? Why don't we see if she would like to go?

>>14006583
Safest bet is Jayne for our guest. In regards to the gift, it was suggested we perhaps give the lad our valk feather cloak. Since Jayne suggested weapons, perhaps we might want to give him the ice blade arcana as well since I don't see us using it and while having all these items is nice, I wouldn't mind giving it away if we got the governor's favour.

rolled 70 = 70

I vote Jayne goes with us to the governor's thing. Only Jayne, bringing more than one woman may draw attention that we don't want

Well, it looks like we have something of a consensus regarding our escort at least.

>>14006641
I would prefer to keep the ice blade, just in case.
Also, an arcana alarm system should be pretty valuable to the governor or his son, who would have to worry about protecting certain rooms of their manors from intrusion.

rolled 22 = 22

>>14006641
this, but at first give him only the cloak.
we should talk to him before we decide to give him any of our weapons.
should we feel the boy is worthy we will gift him a weapon

>>14006670
No, we keep the cloak. We had that made SPECIFICALLY so we could pat our asses at our enemies.

>>14006583
>>14006587
>>14006641
>>14006644
I can't think of anyone better than Jayne either, but do you think it would be awkward to bring someone that was intentionally not invited?

>>14006753
That may not have been the case, which is why i suggest we ask her if she would like to go.

"If your that interested, I suppose i could let you could escort me to the feast." you nonchalantly offer.

Jayne stretches again as you finish with her back "I was wondering when you would ask me."

You chuckle "You act as if it were a foregone conclusion."

Jayne sighs, sinking deeper into the water "Its not that you are easy to read, love, its that I am the most publicly presentable" you are about to respond when Jayne continues "In all seriousness, what do you think would happen once Sansa got to the wine? Perhaps when some irritable noble crossed Laelith? Or if Kyria had some idea in the middle of the whole affair? And I do beleive you will have to make up for leaving me here like this." the noblewoman adds as you stand up behind her. What she doesn't notice through the steam her bath is throwing off is your hiding the soap on the far end of the room as you leave.

-----CQ-----

You spend the next hour penning a missive to the second, outlining what you know about the return of runes to their arcane potential. One of your men sets off with the letter almost as soon as it is ready. "Commander, I heard that you received your coin from the last campaign today. What portion will you want me to invest?" Janos asks from behind you, knocking on the back door to your office as he enters.

>>14006777
>What portion will you want me to invest?
It's a pretty good sum, and our requisition this time has given us most of what we want in terms of mercs.

I'm thinking of investing half, banking a quarter, and keeping the rest liquid in case of emergencies.

>>14006777
I'd like to invest half to 3/5 of the money, but since we have plans for 3 big projects (i.e.: Degrian/Kyria's workshop, the temples, and orphanage/academy), its best to get some land prices up first so at least we know what we can spend, or invest.

>>14006777
First we want to make sure everyone gets their share if they haven't already. Then, we want to give Janos an outline of the kind of things we'd like to be invested in.

>>14006857
>yea, this is your take after paying everyone else

>also, consensus?

>>14006907
Around half for investments seems to be what we're after, and outlining for Janos the types of things we wish to eventually acquire.
It's more important that he can set up a steady source of income for us, than we get the things we want. Academy, workshop, and temples are no good if we don't have steady income to fuel them all.

>>14006907
Investment is mutually exclusive with land purchases and such, I assume. Well, hrm. Depending upon expected return... no more than half. We've got a lot of things to shove money into, and it's hard to beat a successful campaign for income; relying upon businesses at home to keep us rich when we're making political enemies here would be unwise.

I think we should start Janos with at most 30,000.

Perhaps leave an additional 30,000 (or equal to whatever we leave him) with Kaitlyn under instructions to save it either as backup funds or as a "you know that idea you don't have the money for? Look what Trentz left for you just in case" fund.

rolled 76 = 76

I say, invest heavily to establish an income and pick one project. I suggest building the academy because it will improve our influence on the future generations and expand our power base, or the workshop because if it is ready soon enough it can help in the war effort. The temples can wait.

TEMPLES.

Have him buy up the temples when we are gone.

>>14006954
We can't depend on campaigns to make us money, especially the one we're about to embark on now. This will be within our own borders, so no looting or pillaging.
We need a secure financial foundation more than anything else.

>>14006958
And what about the remaining 240,000?
Just have it do nothing?
Janos can do more if we give him more.

>>14007039

Janos hasn't proven himself with money to us yet. Start the man with a sum we can afford to lose and give him a safety net to fall back upon. When he proves himself good with money, we grant him a larger sum to work with. Giving him half of our funds is too great a risk without proof of concept.

We likely will see very little personal income from our next assignment, and who knows how long these personal funds will need to be stretched?

If he needs more for a good cause, he can ask for permission for more.

>>14007108
Yes, but if we restrict him too much, then he won't be able to do anything, either.
I'm sticking with half for investment.

>>14007132
I'm fine with half as well.

>>14007108
So, you figure 10-20% of our cash? That's quite a sum, but we can definitely afford it. Seems reasonable to me.

>>14007132

It is better to let funds sit idle than to be lost in an inexperienced gamble. We should expect Janos to lose most of his initial funds as he gets his feet wet in the local economy. I can't see any reason to risk half of our personal funds unless Janos already has deals planned in his head.

Which we should ask him about, I guess. Does he have any crazy investment ideas at the moment? Has he done any research or shopping around?

Pax, can we get some answers for the questions posed here: >>14007209

>It seems the consensus is half so...

"150000 to work with, including, if you are able to, purchasing any temples and scouting land for a war orphanage and arcane academy. though I am curious as to if you have any plans at the moment." you inform the man, turning in your chair to face him.

Janos takes a seat across from you "I have been looking into the caravans moving to and from the city, and from what Kaitlyn tells me, secondhand through Sansa, running teams at the circuit could be profitable. though the pit fights seem to be a more reliable thing, in my opinion. Tell me, how attached are you to those aurachnospecs of yours?" By your estimate, the man has been spending quite a bit of time in the entertainment districts.

>>14007347
>how attached are you to those aurachnospecs of yours?
Personally? I'm actually quite attached to them; they were a bitch to train, and I like having them lurking in the shadows to pounce on assassins that think they can get the drop on us.

hmm, you know, bringing those two on campaign without even using them has kinda let me down. Then again, they were more for shock value, initially, and now WE are the shock.

Another thought: are there any zoos here?

>>14007386
>>14007404

we should let them nest in that cocky dwarf's belly so his flesh feeds the next generation of our little monsters. It would be the one good use for a cocky slum lord!

>>14007427
As tempting as it is, he is still a citizen, and these things need to be done right.
He will be brought before a tribune, tried, found guilty of assaulting a Legion commander during wartime, and crucified.
We need to be good and proper in these things.

>>14007455

wasn't the last time we actually crucified someone back in like the 3rd or 4th thread?

there has been a distinct lack of crucifiction since then and we should remedy this ASAP.

>no zoos to speak of

You chuckle "Personally? they were incredibly difficult to train, and I am rather proud of them. Prefesionaly, they are incredibly useful for the assassins that manage to sneak into camp. Why do you ask?"

Janos chuckles "Most of the pit fights are with fairly common creatures, wolfs, sabercats, uurasan, bears, boars. the fights with any of the less common creatures reliably have triple the attendance. And with all monetary gambling going through the officials, even a losing fight is likely to repay the buy-in for the owner. If I had your beasts until you deploy, to set up breeding stock... 30000 dragoons for decent females, and half the eggs. I would have a solid base that could start earning before you return from this campaign. the rest of your funds I could put into endeavors you would most likely see as... safer." Clearly the man has done his research, and is rather excited about this particular plan.

>>14007568
>And with all monetary gambling going through the officials, even a losing fight is likely to repay the buy-in for the owner
Actually this is pretty important.
If the returns are more-or-less guaranteed by the gambling officials, this is a pretty safe bet as long as we have a continuous supply of 'fighters'.
This sounds like a good, safe idea.

>confirmation?

>>14007621
Looks like a go cap'n. With stonesense we don't really need Fluffy and Scaly's help and they could use the exercise.

>>14007696
I guess so.

>>14007568
>Sabrecats

DO WANT.

On a less kitty-loving note, a breeding program to provide us with spider-thing minions that we can use to make money, and hopefully get enough we could use them for military purposes (anyone else thinking about seeing if we could use some life elementalists to "upgrade" them into some kind of horrible, soul-warping abomination that will royally fuck over the morale of our foes? Or awesome cavalry for use in rough terrain?), not to mention the obvious uses in assassin-trolling.
Though, I am a little worried about (temporarily) getting rid of them just before we go into a campaign where we will be fighting a bunch of raiders... They seem like the type to be fairly likely to employ assassins...

>iythess poople
No, capture, we are not going to use our available arcane forces to create horrible monsters out of sea-monster shit and release them on the enemy. Some things are too horrible even for me.

"You have them for the week Janos. And yes, I do expect more, reasonable, investments out of you as well." you respond before dismissing the man.

"Thank you sir, I wont let you down." he replies, clearly happy with your decision. A messenger finally returns from the office of justice, and the slum lord will be dealt with before you are deployed, so you will be able to ensure he is properly punished. As the sun sinks below the horizon, you make your way to Laeliths room, where you tell her the specifics of her healing. she thanks you again, of course. As you finally go to sleep, you find yourself hoping that this entire time in the capitol is not so busy, you would rather enjoy some time spent relaxing vefore you deploy again.

>we seem to be dying down, so I'm gonna call it.
>Someone archive please
>I'll be back thursday at 9pmish server time
>if you have any setting/CQ questions just email me at [email protected]

>>14007568
I'm fine with the breeding stock, just don't want our pets hurt.

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