Dasesu knows the villa best. I think it might be a wise idea to get him and Blackbird together to discuss this.

>God. University sucks. It's been a bad month.

Does Blackbird's crew have the invisibility cloaks?

Have them use those and start infiltrating the compound. Once in, all but one of them hides while the last gets out with the other cloaks to sneak the rest in.

>>14433861
>you found two cloaks that act as stealth devices for muddy terrain, not nearly enough for 50+ men

>>14433945
Right. Might be worth asking - did our stone sense sense anything odd while we were there in terms of numbers of men? Likely not but might as well be safe in asking.

I'm also wondering if we should change the time of the attack to earlier... The guy was saying his god was telling him things about us during the meal and I guess I got paranoid he might know an attack is coming this night.

I'd say we should bring 15 of blackbird's men and 15 Legionaries as well as Desau. Also we should have the valks in the air

I'm assuming that we will have a stealth team that eliminates the guards, and then an assault team that storms the front gate.

Daeseu and Blackbird help us with mission planning. We'll have Blackbird lead his best men for the stealth part of the mission. Daeseu can go off on his own and knock off the more difficult targets.

Then we storm in with Collin, Jayne, and Laelith.

Try not to kill the guards. They are still Degnarians.

>>14434039
I don't see a need to have the valk's acting honestly. It just alerts anyone watching that something might be going on and it puts them at risk to be hit by enemy archers. And any other surprises he might have.

>>14434053
eh, I'm not too attached to them. I was figuring we'd use blackbirds guys like>>14434050
and then storm the gates with the legionaries

>>14434039
Maybe just have Gaius's unit completely surround the villa, while we go in with some veteran legionnaires and the retinue members I mentioned.

There will be friendly Imperial intelligence officers hidden among the servants. We'll need cool heads for this one.

>>14434086
Aerial scouts are always useful. They can keep an eye on the front line and give us a heads up on when to expect an attack. As well, they can be used to get messages to locations quickly or for movement. Plus they were expensive. No reason to waste them for something that can be done with more stealth by not using them is the way I see it.

Also, have the local police/garrison standing by, in case the noble houses try anything.

>>14434141
Too risky that news will spread about our plans. I think the best thing to do is take him quietly, call all the noble houses and the garrison commanders to meet with us and announce he's under investigation for treachery and we're declaring martial law.

As long as we do this quietly, the other noble houses shouldn't act until we have him secured. Of course, knowing our luck, there's a mystic around that works for him that knows what's going to happen and we're walking into a trap.

>>14434106
We can just send two valks up. I think we can risk two.

The mission is at midnight and we have moon-paste. They should be all right as long as they just observe, and maybe catch the governor if he tries to make a run for it on a fast horse.

>>14434203
will our troops on the ground need the mooneye paste? I expect a city to be rather bright, even at night.

>wont need moonseye paste
>nothing weird with stonesense in the Vila, save a few internal passages
>so right now the consensus seems to be leaning towards Gaius' battalion cutting off any escape, Blackbird, Daeseu and his best doing the infiltration, then storming the gates with (?)

>>14434266

Use the cloaks for infil.

See if we can get some of our hunters in the surrounding buildings to shoot escapees.

Give them passess and let them be on leave or something as cover.

>>14434291
Cloaks work for muddy terrain. Not here in the city.

>>14434266
I guess we can storm the front gates with some warlords and dead eyes. We shouldn't need the entire unit.

>>14434316
Whatever we send, we need to send the more experienced, calm, and collected troops.

Watch the friendly fire on the Imperial Excolo agents. Just because you see the kitchen help draw a knife doesn't mean he's definitely a bad guy.

Can we see a map of the villa, Pax?

>>14434435
I assumed this wouldn't need a map based on the forces we're facing honestly. I thought this would just be a quick, text based thing but I guess I could be wrong.

>>14434266

Bring an honour guard of some of our troops. With collins and some of our command staff.

Most plans suggested in the irc involve first getting to know their governor's family better before engaging.

>>14434452
Wait what? I thought that was more getting to know them better AFTER we captured the governor. We can't let this guy run around longer than necessary if he is trying to get the nobles on his side and using the powers of the gods to do it.

>>14434448
It might help us decide what men to send. If it's a villa with a big open courtyard, I'd say yes to ranged units. If it's a maze of tiny little twisted passages, then we better send in the warlords or legionnaires.

A drop team of men can be dropped off via vals after we deal with the guard to surround the villa grounds, the airspace then safe, preventing anyone to escape.
We can have about 30 or so legionnaires or blacktusk raiders dropped off by the Valks who then return to the air.

Also. Considering in the first post, that the Valk Mercs is in love with the repeaters, we may try to convince them to take a more permanent employment position.

I think the infiltration groups should consist of us, Daeseu, Blackbird, and Blackbird's raiders. Maybe include Collin, but I don't think he'll be needed.

Have Gaius' company ready to storm the gates only in case shit hits the fan. There's only supposed to be 10 guards; with the people we're bringing, that should be no problem.
Tell Gaius that we're going to arrest the governor, but he is to tell the men that the reason for the preparation is some new crazy training plan that the commander has come up with; the men are used to us enough by now that such things should be accepted at face-value.
We use our signal ring to call them in only if necessary.

>>14434452
Yeah, I think people want to capture THEN gather info, not the other way around.

>>14434469

Hmm, was under the impression that we were going to do this first. Trying to do so AFTER is going to be hard since they'll hate us already.

However if so, we need to capture the traitor alive first before we publicly condemn him. We need to make an example of him.

>>14434499
Or we could just open the gate. :)

I like the way you think, but I don't think an air drop is necessary in friendly territory. It's not like we are sneaking past enemy lines here.

>>14434452
No, we cannot afford to allow the governor to have any idea of what we're planning; Baashek has been attempting to read our mind to find out what we're planning against the governor.
It's only because of we've got some pull with the other gods that he hasn't figured out that we're here to execute the governor and exile his family (and we're not sure he hasn't learned that yet, either).

>>14434527
this

>>14434507
I don't think talking to them beforehand will somehow prevent them from hating us. In fact it seems kind of duplicitous.

And yes, the idea is to captured the man alive so that we can crucify and make an example out of him.

>>14434499
>valks cant carry a second rider, to frail/weak

Alright, so we've sent a letter to the 2nd Praetorian requesting that one of the governor's sons who has mage potential be shown leniency and be allowed to develop their powers at our Academy. The argument for that is we are currently woefully behind Uurlanth when it comes to the Mage Race (fantasy arms race).
Are we going to show leniency to any of the other family members?
Also, if our request is denied, are we going to go ahead with exile, or shall we execute them all?
I believe that we should execute them all, because allowing a rogue mage to develop their powers alongside a hatred of the Empire, is a threat to national security.

>>14434582

Time to get Degrain working on Gliders. ahaha.

What's the layout of the villa, Pax? Big open courtyard and small house? Big house? Hedge maze? Bath house?

>>14434502
Any objections to this one? Justinian, Daeseu, Blackbird, some of his best raiders sneak in and incapacitate the guards. (Knock out, gag, tie up. Kill as last resort.) Then we move in to arrest the governor.

Gaius's unit quietly surrounds the villa. If things go bad, we fire off a signal ring, and half of the force storms in. The other half keep up the encirclement to prevent escape.

>>14434502
Just to speed this on I will agree. We've been stuck here too long as it is and I don't think we'll get a consensus if I suggest something else.

>>14434626
good enough, I'd rather have the insertion team open the gates and bring in some legionnaires to do the actual arrestign but this seems fine also

>>14434582
>>14434653
Sure. Sounds good. Insertion team opens the gates and lets in some legionnaires and dead-eyes. So that we actually have official legion troops there.

*Justinian* will personally make the arrest.

>>14434266
Do any of these "internal passages" happen to lead back outside?

>>14434754
>no, they dont, to different building inside the villa, but not outside of it
>and the plan is Justinian, Blackbird, DAeseu and Collin with some of Blackbirds best infiltrate, off the guards, let in some of Gaius' legionaires, then arrest via shock and awe?

>>14434779

Also have the valks airborne just-in-case we need CAS or to stop an airborne escape.

>>14434779
Some of the legionnaires and dead eyes. Don't deny our men ranged units in the even they need them.

>>14434779
The Raiders are to go in and disable all the guards and secure the governor and his family in an Metal Gear Solid-like fashion.
Once secured, open the gate so that Gaius' company comes in and takes over.

The Raiders outnumber the guards 4 to 1, that should be good enough. If shit hits the fan, the Raiders open the gates so Gaius' company storms.

>>14434794
>>14434801
Yes and yes. We also want to use non-lethal force on the guards when possible.

Send more men than necessary. Shock and awe.

>>14434810
Have some of them standing by near the gate, ready to open it on our signal. Otherwise we'd have to wait for our troops to bash the gates down, and that's not good.

Eventually, you settle in on your plan, and gather the necessary captains and retinue members to prepare them. "Gentlefolk, as you all know I have been tasked with disposing of this traitor, and imposing martial law until elections can be held. Gaius, when we move tonight your battalion will encircle the Vila, with ranged support from Aurelius' Deadeyes. When the gate is opened I want 15 of your most skilled, level-headed men to move in to finalize the action. There are Imperius Excolo agents among the kitchen and stable staff, so if any of them draw steel, give them a chance to identify themselves before acting." the two men nod "Daeseu, you will lead Blackbird, some of his best, Collin and myself into the Vila, we will incapacitate or kill the guards and throw open the gate, at that point it falls to the Legionaries to finish the arrest. Captain Damian, I want your 5 best shots to take to the sky. Should I signal for aerial support I want close accurate passes, no innocents or friendlies struck by a single quarrel."

Blackbird grins wickedly "I like it. When do we move?" the rest of the men around the table nod in agreement, though only Daeseus face is impassive, businesslike, would be the best way to describe it.

>>14434980
I think we should make a move once it becomes dark. A little earlier than we initially planned. As well, I think we should ask Dasesu his opinion of the plan since he's the expert with this kind of stuff.

>>14434980

Stress the need for the governor and his family are to be taken alive.

He needs to be publicly tried as an example as to what the empire does to traitors.

>>14435009
Second.

>>14435009
Second.

"After night has fallen, and remember, we need the whole family alive. any objections or additional questions?" you query, hoping for an opinion from Daeseu.

"A sound plan, provided no alarm is raised during the first two phases. Though you have enough force on hand that that should not prove to be too much of an issue if it happens." the assassin observes. You nod, and salute the captains as they head out to ready their men.

-----CQ-----

It is a few hours past nightfall, and you are standing ready in your mail, blade and shield ready, hook and chain in your hands. To your right Blackbird and Daeseu, to your left Collin and one of the big orcs raiders. You nod, and the hooks fly over the walls, though a handful of raiders with climbing picks and claws simply sprint ahead to scale the short stone wall. Within minutes the entire group is up and over the wall. Blackbird grunts and points to two of the towers, which his raiders rapidly stalk off to clear while Daeseu sprints off into the servants quarters. Collin and yourself advance along the base of the wall towards the gate, while Blackbird climbs back us the stone construct to deal with a lone guard walking along it. As the four men at the gate become visible through the nighttime gloom, you hear the thump of the first guard hitting the walls walkspace, and the tower before you goes dark.

>roll for combat

rolled 31 = 31

>>14435230
Combat!

rolled 33 = 33

>>14435230
Combat.

You nod to the dwarf next to you, and sprint ahead, drawing your blade. The first guard receives a swift stab through the arm, and a shield punch to the side of his head from you, while Collins first foe becomes acquainted with the pommel of the dwarfs blade. You step forward, and kick out the next guards knees, miming Collins first strike with your longsword, while throwing out your arm, and letting your shield fly from it, and into the neck of the last guard. Above you see a small blur, followed by Blackbirds form leaping over the gate. Their is a cry of pain, cut off as Blackbird reaches his foe, pulling his hatchet from the mans shoulder and elbowing the back of his skull in one swift motion, downing the guard. Collin throws the gate open, and Gaius bursts in with 9 other men in short order, and hands you your platemail. "Which building are we moving to?" the hulking captain asks as you finish fastening the armor to yourself.

>>14435317

Stonesense. Do we sense anything out of the ordinary?

Leave a unit to guard the door. Split the main body to assault the Main House and a smaller unit to secure the stables against any sort of escape. Have the door guards wheel some cart to block part of the door too.

>>14435317
Tempted to say we should storm the main house while there are no alarms. That's likely going to be the most well defended area and where our target is.

What does our stonesense say about people around us Pax?

>>14435317
1/4 of Gaius' men to the main house.
1/4 to guard the gate.
1/4 to the stables.
1/4 to the servants' quarters.

Raiders to kitchen and kennels.

Justinian and Collin to Main House.

>>14435317
Justinian is now channeling Captain America.

What do you guys think? Stables and link up with Impericus Excolo agents? (And secure the horses.) Head to main house directly?

The governor will probably hide into the internal passages, and could pop out anywhere.

>>14435345
>>14435347
>everything you would expect for a sleeping Vila, a few sets of feet moving about, only one of them quickly enough to be fighting, and that is certainly Daeseu

>>14435363
this

>>14435376
Well we have men around the villa and there's no alarm yet. So unless he has abnormal means of knowing people are invading, the best chance to stop him from using those passages is to storm the main house before anyone notices with the majority of our men to cover more ground and secure him. That's the way I see it at least.

>>14435363
While he could pop out anywhere, let's not spread ourselves too thinly. He might have some bodyguards with him.

Maybe we comb the buildings one by one. Stables. Kitchen. Main House. Kennels. Servant Quarters. In that order.

Gaius's unit (minus the detachment) should maintain the encirclement.

>>14435384

Assault.

Send word by runner to the legionary unit outside to direct men to guard and block the door.

1/2 to assault the Main House.
1/4 to stables
1/4 to guard doors. Once relieved by reinforcements, move to secure the servant quarters.

>>14435430
Let's go with this. Second.

>>14435430
sounds fine to me

"Half your men are to come with Collin and myself to take the Vila, a quarter to the stables to link up with the excolo agents, and a quarter to watch the inside of the gate." you reply, jogging towards the main house through the garden, your men in tow.

As the first to the main door, you kick it in as Daeseu runs up to you "The rest of my evidence must be with our mark. His patron may have warned him, but the beds were still warm, so..." a serving girl screams, cutting the assassin off. Gaius' men stream through the door, one of them carefully knocking the girl out before moving on. Within seconds you find yourself in the governors sitting room, a bookcase toppled, and a cool breeze blowing from the tunnel, as the sound of multiple sets of feet rapidly fleeing.

You move to follow, but the sound of feet dropping to the ground causes you to wheel, four elfs, clad in darker versions of the uniforms of those you just finished dealing with in the field, blades drawn "I fear that we cannot allow you to capture Governor Lobis. He is integral to our masters plans yet, so you will die here, and dear Dorin will have you painted the foolish traitor."

>combat roll required

rolled 40 = 40

>>14435642
rolling for combat

>>14435642
Someone else can roll this but we need to try to take one of these guys alive. They know who he's working with.

rolled 99 = 99

>>14435642

Was not unexpected.

Elementalism. flying rocks or spikes.

Fire signal flare to go active. All units to begin searching for the the enemy.

rolled 15 = 15

"Nooooope"

Earth Spike? Elementalism roll

>>14435680
let's either botch or not use elementalism this time

>>14435680
Pax, can we just drop this, or do we have to expend a botch?

>>14435703
I say don't use it. There's only 4 of them and we got a decent roll. But I don't know if Pax will let us not use it at this point.

rolled 14 = 14

>>14435642
We could actually use my combat roll to disengage if possible, and let our Daesu and Collin + men to deal with these 4.

>>14435741
Might be worth considering. We have a fair number of men and Collin there. Might be worth cutting our way past and chasing the governor as quick as we can. Just to make sure we capture him.

>>14435773

Gut instinct says its a trap but I dont really see any other good options.

Still, they cant have gone far.

>>14435741
That's probably for the best. Their whole purpose is to delay us; we can't let that happen.

"Truly?" you ask casually stepping towards the nearest assassin "we only need one of them alive boys." you add, as you lash out at your foe, he blocks it, barely, and you step forward, kicking the unarmored elf before following up your blow, again he blocks, though the gush of blood from Collins foe throws off your advnce in the cramped space, allowing the elf to even the field for a moment. To your other side Gaius is already on the ground, brawling with his foe, though you cant be sure if it was sheer dumb luck, or bullheadedness, as the shocked elf is staring more at the blade through the massive mans leg than the man, in shock, you suspect, but that might be the repeated impacts against the stones more than anything. Before you Daeseu is moving almost as a blur, as is his foe, both of them spinning, leaping, striking and feigning in a deadly dance, a web of steel encircling them.

rolled 29 = 29

>>14435793
Combat roll to finish up this fight so we can capture the governor.

You wipe the dead elfs blood from your eyes and step forward again, your blade a blur as you take off one of the elfs arms. "Got mine!!" Gaius announces smugly as his foes head lolls off to the side, drool dripping from the corner of his mouth. You plant your leg in the elfs chest, sending him to the ground moaning and bleeding.

Before you the insanely fast duel suddenly stops, Daeseus blade deep in his foes gut "How very disappointing." he quips as the elf gasps for air, slowly dying.

"Daeseu, have a life elementalist brought in, this bastard should last until one arrives... if we make it quick enough." you order, toeing the armless elf before heading down the tunnel. It doesn't take long for you to catch the slight traitor "Dorin Lobis, you stand accused of treason against the Degnarian Empire, and are under arrest. I will see that no other crimes have been committed by you, then justice will be served." you announce, kicking the mans legs out from under him.

-----CQ-----

As the sun rises a crowd is already gathering outside the Governors Vila, excited and nervous. "Commander, the people will want an explanation." Gaius advises you, freshly back from sweeping and processing the last building in the Vila.

>>14436075
"Get a carpenter first.
"Have Daeseu and the Imperius Excolo agents secured the evidence against the accused?"

>>14436075
"People of Northmont. Dorin Lobis is under arrest at this time and being investigated for communication with the Uurlanth. Until this matter is resolved and upon the orders of the 2nd Praetorian, I am hereby declaring martial law until a new governor is elected and the current threat of the Uurlanth has been dealt with."

rolled 29 = 29

>>14436075
Can Lena amplify our voice? If so, get her scawny arse over here.

>>14436135
>>14436114
I think these two could work.

I don't think that the Excolo agents would mind if we made sure that all of the traitor's crimes have been uncovered, and his co-conspirators identified, before we crucify him.

>>14436155
I remember asking Pax about this, and I recall he said that Lena can only amplify her own voice, and that broadcasting over an area with multiple people was harder than doing it for a single person.

>>14436228

We have to make sure his family sees this.

Should we give him a chance to speak in his defence or last words?

>>14436312
No. Even if we do, it'll be after we've established his guilt and interrogated him.

Pax, when we interrogate the traitor, can we have four candles set up in the room behind us?
And we can ask him, "How many lights do you see?"

You sigh "Do we have a carpenter? and you really should get your leg taken care of friend."

Gaius smiles "I've fought through worse, and the Excolo agents have one lined up. For the cross, and the stockades for the family. Which they have confined to their rooms at the moment, they will be brought out when you make the announcement."

You nod, "Tell them that I will be doing so shortly." Gaius salutes you, and you rise to make your announcement. You perch yourself on top of the wall, Gaius' men push the crown back enough for the agents to herd Dorin and his family outside the gate, his wife and daughter in light sleeping shifts, his sons simple trousers. The children are all looking to you and their father with mixed confusion and horror on their faces. Dorins wife is looking at her husband, angry, though her terror at the leering crowd is clear. "People of Northmont!!" you shout as loud as you can, pausing for the crowd to quiet itself. "Your former Governor, Dorin Lobis, has been accused of treason against the Empire, and sufficient evidence has been presented, that I, Justinian Trentz, under the orders of the 2nd and 4th praetorians, have been sent to place the man under arrest, finish the investigation, and see that justice is served. Until you have elected a new governor, I will be maintaining martial law. Once I have completed my investigation I will make known the time of execution and exile." At that you hop down from the wall and make your way to the main building if the Vila to the sounds of shock, and mirth, punctuated by the wailing screams of the children and angry cry of the wife. Soon you will be able to start with your interrogations, but with whom?

>>14436362
Start with the governor himself. The kids won't be any use at the moment until they've calmed down at little at least and the wife likely the same.

>>14436362
Before we do any interrogations, let's gather all evidence that has been collected thus far, and get briefed by the Excolo agents.

Also, I think we should have Daeseu do the interrogations while we watch. He has the necessary brutality, and the finesse, that such questioning will require.

>>14436407
I imagine Dasesu won't be needed for interrogating the wife and children but I can agree with the governor. I can agree to the rest of what you have said too.

>>14436362

Regardless of who we question first, we should probably keep the children together to give some level of comfort to them. I'd also say let the mother in with them, but am not keen on doing so before we know she isn't involved with the plot.

Perhaps we could attempt to contact Rayhna with a focused thought and ask if she could watch over the children while we sort things? Perhaps mention that we're unsure if the mother is a conspirator a well and would attempt to subvert the children if allowed to soothe them.

rolled 15 = 15

>>14436407
Seconding this

>>14436416
Oh crap the assassin. Forgot about him. We should do him first.

Maybe we should have one of our ladies help us with the kids

"Daeseu, get ready to interrogate our traitor." you order before turning around without breaking your stride, and continue towards the main house "Would any of you fine Excolo agents care to brief me on what you have found before we continue with this?"

One of the agents moves to follow you "Certainly, Commander Trentz. Men, i want them dressed and the evidence brought to us. Let the young ones stay together, the wife is in on it and I wont have her turning them as well."

Before long you are seated in the main houses library, though it is rather anemic compared to most. "So, what do you have?"

the man shuffles some parchment about, and scratches at his beard "I have these letters, first to an unnamed source, then the Uurlanthi marshal. I have lists of supplies sent from the city that we later found at the edge of the forest most of your campaign took place around. Plus the gold your man found, and the agents you apprehended. He had planned to turn this city into an Uurlanthi stronghold in a night, and become a Lord in the process, by my logic." the agent summarizes, pushing you the pile of letters.

>>14436577
Are you sure that's a good idea, when those ladies will know that said children will be exiled to the far corners of the Empire with no help, no protection, and no hope?

>>14436585

Time to get to reading.

>>14436585
Go over what the letters say then. Might be useful to know when we question the man we captured and the governor. Also, why is this guy sure the wife is involved?

>>14436585
Read through the letters to get a sense of what was being done, and what the Uurlanthi are planning to do.

Also, take a look at the Excolo agent; he's obviously the highest-ranked agent here. Would he be high ranked enough that sharing information about mysticism would be okay?
If so:
"Agent, are you familiar with mysticism? I know for a fact that the Uurlanthi raiding force that was operating in this region had one in their command unit; could the traitor have been unwillingly had his will subverted?
"His odd tics, and times when they disappeared, could indicate mind control."

>>14436632
Pretty sure we were told from the praetorians not to mention it to others at all unless they were involved with it as well. Furthermore, we don't know if the tics are involved with mind control. We're just assuming that might be the case. Possibly because we're hoping this can end up in a happier ending.

>>14436649
We were told to not discuss it with people who don't need to know it or may leak the information.
I think knowing about telepathy and mind-control would be very important to someone in the intelligence business.
Also, these agents are trusted by the 2nd; I think they can be discreet.

>>14436592
I would think that Jayne or Laelith would be able to get over it enough to comfort the kids

You go through the letters rather quickly. It started out as threats, but the replies were, odd. More placating than the usual escalating or taunting most citizens would reply with. Slowly it moves more towards veiled offers and requests, until one letter, in clearly femenine handwriting, lists off which crossings are the least guarded, and the schedules the patrols keep to. After you finish you ask "What do you know of... telepathy and mind controll?"

The solid agent chuckles "Some say that there was a school of magic that could do that during the first age. I'm damn glad that I dont have to deal with it... why do you ask?"

rolled 49 = 49

>>14436775
"Well, you might just well have to now soldier. I want every member of his staff, servants, and anything that had regular access to the house grounds and the governor up and center."

Time to make use of our stone. There is no way they can mind manipulate that many people into not seeing something when it's right in front of us.

>>14436775
*sigh*
"I am sorry, then, to give you this bad news. Mysticism is coming back. The Uurlanthi raiders had one in their ranks. Did the traitor's behavior take any strange or unusual changes when these letters started coming in?"

>>14436775
Hm. Very interesting. Might be worth dealing with the wife after the husband if it seems like she is involved in this.

>>14436775
Ask if the letter with feminine writing is the wife if it is, then we bring her in immediately and waterboard the shit out of her.

You sigh "Unfortunately, you will have to soon enough. The return of the arcane arts is still a state secret, however, it effects your work, and it may affect this case. Has Dorin ever shown strange, uncharacteristic activity?"

The man shakes his head "Goes from calm to twitchy at the sound of but a word. A snivleing coward, hungry for power, a hunger he hides behind his family. His wife though, she acted so... dead, difficult to speak with, sometimes. Always late at night, and when her husband was working in his sitting room or solar, and unreachable by us."

Daeseu pokes his head in "Commander, I am ready when you are. though I need to know what you want me to extract from the prisoner." his face set and serious, his garb light and clearly cheap.

>>14436895
What he was planning to do to help the Uurlanth, who amongst the other nobles he has on his side, his wife's role in this entire situation as well. Hmm. Anything else you can think of guys?

rolled 22 = 22

>>14436895
Still suggesting we take the time to vet out the entire staff and anyone who had regular access to the governor. Now is not the time to get lazy.

>>14436924
I think that's enough for now. As long as we come up with something more before we have him crucified, it should be okay.

>>14436930
Worth doing.

We need to find out who started him on worshiping the old gods, that's for sure. That might be the mastermind behind the whole thing and we might be able to spare the kids if it's not directly this guys fault. Also, we can't forget about the elf we captured. He might have info to add to this.

>>14436930
Well yes, but we should do it while the traitor is being interrogated. If there is another mystic, the waves of pain and suffering should be sufficiently destabilizing.

>>14436895

Who is tyler durden and where is Carmen Sandiego.

On a more serious note, seconding the gathering of all the guy's staff and checking them for mystics with the stone.

rolled 14 = 14

>>14436944
I like this idea. Also, we DO need to interrogate the Elf as well. let's not forget that.

I say interrogate the captured Uurlanthi(?) elves first. Let the governor stew for a while.

In the mean time, we check his staff for mystics.

Questions:
Who do the captured elves serve?
Who got Dorin "hooked on Basheek"?
How is his wife involved?

>>14436775
We need to shake up the city's defenses. There is no need for these information to remain accurate.

>>14437216
seconded. Perhaps we can delegate this duty to Gaius, if we're busy with the interrrogation.

>>14437233
Uurist would be good liase with the local garrison commanders, given his warlord training is centered on defense.

Blackbird might be good for shoring up the less obvious, unconventional entry methods.

You shrug, rising to follow Daeseu "Which nobles he was working with, what he planned to do to aid Uurlanth, what his wifes role was. Anything else would be a gift more than anything."

Daeseu nods silently moving ahead of you. The room is rather bright, and quite well appointed, though the small table set with all manner of blades and tools is in stark contrast with the rest of it. You take a seat in the back of the room, and quietly watch. "You certainly are thin." Daeseu begins, walking right up to the man and resting a hand on his shoulder "a weak chin" he observes, before walking around behind the man, trailing his tattooed hand to his chin, then down and around his shoulder "poor posture when seated, uneven breaths. Physicality was never your strong suit, was it?" the noble shakes his head, nervous and confused, but not frightened. "Politics was your only option, with all of your ticks, I assume the life of a merchant was not for you." again, the man nods his head, as Daeseu cups his chin and squats down to eye level with the tied man. "So, did you approach the gods, or they you? Because we all know that with all of your shortcomings you should never have made office."

The former noble spits at Daeseu, who avoids the spittle easily "I earned my office, and learned faith at the same time. I may be weak, but I am not without power, so long as I have favor, I will be successful."

Daeseu tsks slowly "Ah, but your deity is for power at all costs, and sychophancy when you lack the power to subvert your foes. You have no power of your own, and no way to salvage this situation. I would not be surprised to find you abandoned by your god. Now, would you be so good as to tell me what your designs on this city were?"

Dorin laughs "To foster the greatest trade city on the continent. What else."

Daeseu sighs "Once more, and I do prefer civility in these things. What were you and the Uurlanthi planning for this city?"
>Cont'd

The man looks taken aback "I would never consort with our foes, its unpatriotic, and bad for maintaining office."

Daeseu sighs, and takes a small chisel and hammer, each barely wider than his thumb, or longer than his center finger. "The truth this time." he instructs, lining the small metal tool up with the mans thumb.

"But I already told you the truth." Dorin quips, almost defiant." Daeseu sighs again, and begins slowly, painlessly, at first, lengthening the first joint on the finger. After five minute with naught but the sound of metal tapping metal, ever so lightly, Daeseu stops to set a clamp, holding the joint stretched well from its socket, tendons visibly straining through the taught skin. Dorins face a mask of pain, his lip trembling, bound legs trying to twitch, or kick, you cant particularly tell.

"Now, the tendon will give out soon, you have a surprising tolerance for such a slight man I must admit, so if you want to save your finger you will be truthful when I next ask." Daeseu taps the side of the small metal clamp, arcane sigils flare, and it opens up, white hot pins angled for the nail, keen, shining blades ready to flense the finger, small hammers ready to break bones. "What were your designs, with the Uurlanthi, on this city?"
>cont'd

Sweating now, Dorin looks to the arcane device, you, the agent, and finally Daeseu "I... I I I I I, I only wanted toaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!" he howls as your Blade taps the device again, and the mans finger is mangled, white hot needles lancing underneath the nail, the tendons pulled to snapping one by one, the bones shattered, and finally, the whole thing degloved in the space of a few seconds. Blubbering and weeping the former noble stutters out "I I was going to give them the city, a gift to the aggressive, deserving nation. Its what Baashek would have wanted, side with the s-strength."

"How?"

"I was to weaken the city, starve it out, blame the empire, and when the Northern front failed, open the gates, bend the-the knee, and have my lordship. No citizens would be hurt... just just, just a different master." Dorin continues.

Daeseu shakes his head, his lips pursed. "I have more questions, but this finger... it simply wont do anymore. What do you know about the workings of the human ankle?" he asks, sliding his fingers down the sweating mans body to his foot.

-----CQ-----

by midday Daeseu is finished. Dorin is a wreck, though perfectly healthy, save a few choice parts of his body, and you know that the Kings brother was his contact, and through his meditation Dorin was able to compel his wife to write some of his correspondence with the uurlanthi Lord. the assassins were to insure his success and loyalty, as well as ensure that he was not taken. Houses Frento and Grestom were decimated for their refusal to back his scheme, while houses Dyntus, Tyles and Kentor were aware of his plans, yet had been cowed into inaction.

>>14437372
Make sure that the rest of the staff are examined for elementalism. The room to do so should be near the interrogation cell, in order to have the pain and agony flood any nearby mystic's mind and break their concentration to aid our investigation for any more of them.

rolled 32 = 32

>>14437401
Laelith will be hopping on that shortly hopefully, IRC resolved the issue for any wondering.

>>14437372
Looks like we're going to need to start a military court up here. I am the law, ect. Also, see if we can find any remaining members of the two nobles houses that fought him. We should bring them back and restore their estates, perhaps even awarding them damages in our military tribunal from the properties of those houses that were complicit.

After we seize the vaults of the other traitorous houses we should get an inventory of all the arcana and pick the one we deem the best/most valuable.

Finally, check on Rufus, our friends and companions, and our ladies. Make sure they know to beware of poison, as it's likely there were others at work here as well.

>>14437372
>through his meditation Dorin was able to compel his wife to write some of his correspondence with the uurlanthi Lord
The bastard tried to pin it on his wife.

Yikes. Daesu looks to be our go-to guy for interrogations on uncooperative prisoners from now on.

I wonder if we should have the girls try and see if they can get anything from the kids?

>>14437447
I think we should ask the Second for the appropriate punishment against these houses.

>>14437447
We should get Laelith and Kyria to advise us on which they think the best to pick.

>>14437372
Restore anything lost by Houses Frento and Grestom from the estates and holdings of Houses Dyntus, Tyles and Kentor.
Have the Excolo agents, with Brutus' men, check their holdings for more evidence of treachery.

Have Daesu work on our captive assassin a bit. Tell him just to have fun with him and try to get any useful information he can out of the guy.

I'd like us to use the crystal on the agents too.

Call me paranoid, but... what can it hurt, you know?

>>14437501
>>14437506
Seconding these. If these agents have potential for other schools of elementalism, we can even give them training. They are men trusted by the 2nd, after all.

Daeseustretches his bare backs tattoo almost looking as if the raven is flapping its wings, his bloodsoaked shirt discarded to the floor. "I doubt he will be of any more use. Would you like me to move to apprehend or kill the heads of the complacent houses?" he asks, almost grinning.

"They will need to see a tribunal, I will send an eagle to my superior, but for now, see that they are detained, and that any House forces not deployed are stripped of arms." the agent cuts you off "If you would be so good as to cooperate, commander Trentz, that is." he adds, sheepishly. You nod to your most unsavory retainer, and he lightly pads from the room. "How did you recruit such an elf to your forces?" he asks nervously once the door shuts.

The door swings back open, causing the hulking man to leap backwards, spewing apologies, Dorin simply moans, as the trickle of blood running from his crotch picks up strength from the action, and again mingles with piss. "Not an ounce of arcane talent, save the boy that is, in the entire house. And I checked everyone twice." she sighs, edging around the bloody floor and shirt towards you "Your eagle returned by the way, the son with talent will be a plebian, and you may send him to your academy. And the second says that you owe him a boon for that, as he had to reason with the Empeoror for that much. Were it not for the fact that Uurlanth is advancing on the northern front, he would not have done so."

You nod, satisfied "Would you or Sansa be willing to see if the children know anything, the wife and assassins will be up to Daeseu. And, anything interesting in the wretches vault?"

Laelith sighs "I have yet to search it for the tasks you set me to. Nor the library attached to the cities councilchamber. Might I have leave to do so?"

>>14437603
Have Laelith catalogue the arcana in the vault and any books of interest in the library.

>>14437603
Give her a kiss and tell her to take a guard with her, stay cautious, and stay safe. There is treachery about and we don't want her hurt.

Otherwise she can enjoy herself. If she sees any books that especially appeal to her mention that we will buy them for her. She deserves a library of her own.

>>14437622
>>14437636
Agreed with making sure she takes a bodyguard. If someone wants to strike at us our ladies are one of the most obvious ways to do it. I like the idea of giving her funds to start her own little research library collection too. It will make her happy (which will make us happy, if you know what I mean) and speed up her research.

>>14437622
Also, respond to the agent's question: "There are some answers you are better off not knowing. I'm sure a man in your line of work can appreciate that."

We will need to see if the wife knew anything about what was going on. Tell Daeseu that he is not to inflict permanent physical harm upon the woman; she may still be useful to us.
As for the Uurlanthi assassins, he is free to show them any professional courtesy he feels he owes them, before ripping the information we want from their flesh.

>>14437603
For detaining the members of the Houses complicit in this treachery, we should send out units of men from Gaius' and Cornelius' companies, with guides from the local garrison troops. The locals will know the area and people better, and be better able to make sure that none escape.

Jayne and Sansa talk with the children. Try to explain things to them.

The wife and the assassins can wait. Daeseu is busy apprehending the complicit nobles.

Have Cornelius and Aurelius lead their men to disarm the the complicit noble houses' forces inside the city. It doesn't seem to be a one man job.

Gaius shouldn't be walking around on a wounded leg. Have the medicae see to him. He and Uurist will work with the local garrison commanders to shake up the patrol schedule, crossing defenses, etc.

Laelith is free to go loot the vault (assuming that we actually have a right to do this).

Maybe Justinian should go have a talk with the children as well.

rolled 32 = 32

>>14437603
Make the arrangements for the children to be sent off to the plainsmen tribe, the boy obviously, the girl to Collin's town we found him in, the orphaned kids there will probably accept her. Take each other child to the side and tell them to grow strong, mention the name Commander Trentz to someone that looks to be in charge when they get to where they are going, and we are terribly sorry. I think Justinian might be able to shed a tear or two over it. Have Wulf go do his traveler thing. Get two good horses, and have Wulf sell them to the children after they are sent off. Along with some decent trail rations and such in the saddlebags of the horses as an added bonus to send them along the way. Meet with the deities, and goddamn, we need to get to practicing with our damn elementalism. I feel Justinian is getting a bit rusty.

>>14437659
here again.

You know, I think we should assign bodyguards to all our commanders and people of importance while in the city, ladies included. At least offer them, even if some of the commanders refuse we can at least make bodyguard detachments available.

We should insist on guards for our ladies, Rufus, Lena, Degrian, and Wulf though.

>>14437660
Agreed. We need to let him have his fun every now and then. Plus as a bonus, we may get tactically useful information out of them.

>>14437690
I still think that such action is too risky.
There is still too much chance for something going wrong, our involvement being discovered, and us being court-martialed and possibly executed.

rolled 4 = 4

>>14437689
I'm up for this as well, if not just to try to placate the children ourselves.

We can only take ONE arcana piece for ourselves.

I also agree with the point made of Uurist and Gaius getting the defenses up to snuff.

>>14437715
Gotta agree with gods here. It's a needless risk. We should try to help them as much as we can, they are just children after all. But there is only so much we can do, we have responsibilities.

We should comfort the children with Jayne and Sansa though. We want them to remember us as fondly as possible, I don't want their lives to go to utter shit in exile and I sure as hell don't want vengeful teens training as assassins to come back and kill us in ten years.

>>14437690
I think we have to exile them to somewhere inside the Empire. Can you confirm, Pax?

What's the process like? Do the Excolo agents escort them to their destination?

>>14437692
Agreed. Bodyguards, especially for our non-combatant retinue members. Poison detection/neutralization arcana before every meal.

>>14437689
I agree that Gaius should get his leg seen by the medicae.
I've already said that Uurist should liase with the local garrison commanders, so I agree that he should work with them to change our patrol routes and schedules, as well as shore up defenses.

I think that, as an Imperial Commander and Military Governor of Northmont, we should explain to the children the crimes of their father.
No tear-shedding though.

rolled 29 = 29

>>14437715
Plausible denialbility is a wonderful thing.

>>14437748
We're building a reputation and aiming for high office, you moron. It doesn't matter if they can't prove it, suspicion alone does tremendous damage to us.

>>14437748
Is plausible deniability enough if our enemies can use the gods to read the mind of our agents?

"Of course love, do take a bodyguard though, we are not yet done with the apprehensions yet, unfortuanately. And, if any books strike your interest be sure to let me know." you add, kissing Laelith as she edges back out of the room "As to my employee Daeseu, some questions are best left u unanswered, I'm certain one in your line of work can appreciate that." you answer the Excolo Agents query.

You are able to intercept DAeseu before he sets to work on the former governors wife, nearly being knocked over by a life elementalist sent to staunch the mans wounds on your way to meet the elf however. He is somewhat disappointed seeming when you restrict his options with the wife, though his total free reign on the assassins seems to make it up to him. Not that you ever see much emotion on the elfs face however.

After that you set off to task Uurist, Aurelius and Gaius with seizing control of the other possibly treacherous houses. However, as they begin to debate over who will recieve the aid of Blackbirds raiders, you resign to yourself that it will not be until late tonight that all three families are properly contained, AND the cities defenses are ready for a siege. Though you know for a fact that it will be done. Shaking the paranoia from your mind, you head off to find some lunch. 'this assignment is going to take years off of my life from the stress' you muse to yourself as you drop onto a bench in the garden, and start eating.

>we seem to be dying down, so I'm gonna call it here for tonight
>someone archive please
>I'll be back sunday at 9pm server time
>if you have any setting/CQ questions just e-mail me at [email protected]

>>14437741
>they can be exiled _anywhere_
>the agents let the family see the first nails drove in, then take the family members along the first week of their journey, then they leave them with a map, get on their horse, and get back to work. if the exile isn't seen at their destination within a reasonable amount of time, they are searched out to confirm that they did not receive undue any aid or were collected by a sympathetic party

Session has been archived. Don't forget to vote!

We'll also ask the Excolo agents exactly how much we are allowed to help the children. For example, can we sell them something useful for their 5 gold? Are they to be escorted to their destination? Are we allowed to write letters of introduction for them? Can we send them to an orphanage? etc.

We can't be the first Commander feeling bad about exiling children who are not even teenagers yet.

The most important thing is to make sure that the shadow mage boy is turned to our side, that he knows his siblings will be treated as kindly as possible. I'm not too worried about the kids coming back after us for revenge in ten years, if they have no elementalism talent.

>>14437806
I recall that Pax mentioned that any letters of introduction were a big no-no; he can confirm it next session.
In general, the exilee is not to have any support beyond, at most, 5 dragoons. I understand that to mean that they are not to have support worth any more than that. We might be able to hedge around it to mean that we can give them aid that is equal to 5 dragoons.

I am okay with checking up on the kids, but I am against most forms of aid to them. I believe that our enemies should not be underestimated; our enemies are both political (nobles and others of the Old Guard back at the capital) and the Cult. The Cult has infiltrated the 4th Praetorian's department, and potentially has subverted Imperius Excolo agents.
While making sure that the children and the governor's wife are not approached by the Cult in order to attempt to influence our shadow mage recruit is in our best interests, any aid they receive will likely be highly scrutinized. The Cult would love nothing more than to get evidence that someone acting under orders from us, aided the family of a known traitor. Even if they don't have enough evidence to bring us up on charges and get us stripped of our rank and command, the scandal could be enough to sink our ambitions of becoming the 7th Praetorian.

I cannot think of a way to aid these children within an acceptable amount of risk, and cannot support any plan to do so that does not adequately address my concerns.